#and both have tansies on the veil

[loud-whistling-yes]

This ring around my finger's like a chain around my throat // And if I were not myself, would this be easier?

Alternatively, I thought about galaxy duo and the fool in her wedding gown for a little too long

#mcyt #life series smp #life series #pearlescentmoon #scott smajor #double life smp #the crane wives #galaxy duo #you can tell ive been rotating cherri's crane lives series in my head #im so normal about them guys #i promise #whoop #my art #oh yeah if anyone wants the flowers: scott has black iris. purple hyacinth. striped and yellow carnations #pearl has orange lilies. forget me nots. yellow hyacinths. zinnias #and both have tansies on the veil

[lunar-wandering]

“so, you wanna play big, huh?”

for @wolfcamellias

Word Count: 1.2k

Read on Ao3

“Dad!”

“Monkey King!”

“Wukong!”

Mei, MK, and Macaque watched in thinly veiled horror as the monster of the week knocked Wukong away, sending the Monkey King flying back into a mountain, slamming into it with enough force to make the rock crack. There was a beat, dust blocking their view for a moment, and then it cleared enough for them to see Wukong pulling himself out of the indent he’d created, leaping back down to the ground, setting the staff down beside him as he rolled his shoulders to get the stiffness out of his back. The three of them collectively let out a sigh.

MK and Mei turned to give Macaque a look, having not expected him to be genuinely concerned, and Macaque purposefully ignored their gazes.

The three of them had been forcibly kept away from the fight of the day when the monster had gone giant. Wukong had snatched the staff out of MK’s hands before he could summon Monkey Mech, and Macaque had taken initiative to scoop MK and Mei up under both of his arms before either of them could get any other ideas. He didn’t like the aura of that monster. Not in the slightest. And he didn’t want the mortals anywhere near it.

Macaque did acknowledge that the two of them would want to watch out of concern though. That was the reason why they were standing on a cliff, on the outskirts of the battle. Definitely not because he wanted to see what Wukong would do. Absolutely not.

His ears twitched as he could hear Wukong’s low growl resonate. The giant monster apparently heard it too, if the way it’s ears folded back and it’s hackles raised was any indication.

“So.” Wukong hissed, danger flickering like a fire in his burning red eyes. “You want to play big, huh?”

He let out a breath, golden smoke flowing out, wrapping around his arms and legs before spreading across the ground, the fur it touched slowly darkening more, Wukong’s hair growing longer as the smoke trailed through it, the elastic that had been holding it in a loose ponytail snapping, letting the hair flow free. Wukong’s mouth twisted into a snarl and-

The world went silent as a circle of belladonna sprouted in a wide circle around Macaque’s feet.

Macaque stumbled back, startled at the appearance of the poison, terrified, for a moment.

It was the movement from MK and Mei that made him glance over, seeing the white heather that had grown in a circle around the two of them, and was slowly making it’s way to mix in between the belladonna plants. MK and Mei’s lips were moving, seemingly with startled cries, but Macaque couldn’t hear anything at all.

Glancing back over the cliff, he could see tansies and rhododendrons sprouting all around Wukong, a field of war and danger.

The belladonna and white heather surrounding Macaque himself were practically drenched in magic.

A part of Macaque untensed. The flowers weren’t the danger here.

But still, if Wukong had seen fit to protect MK, Mei, and Macaque, then what was he planning to-

Macaque shielded his eyes as the staff lit up with a golden light, growing larger, seeming to reach up into the clouds, cracking the dirt underneath it, causing the ground underneath Macaque, MK, and Mei to shake, MK stumbling and falling down to the ground, but quickly pulling himself up into a sitting position to continue to watch.

Wukong’s hand gently rested on the side of the staff, and for a moment, Macaque thought Wukong was going to pick it up.

But instead, Wukong did something unexpected, lightly pushing the staff to the side, it tilting, falling to the side in almost slow motion, hitting the ground with enough force to make Mei and MK cover their ears from the ensuing bang, Macaque glad for the spell of silence surrounding him as the impact kicked dust and flower petals up into the air, effectively obscuring their view.

A giant arm appeared out of the smoke.

A strong wind blew through, sending the dust and flower petals away, time seeming to slow down as the petals swirled around the form of Wukong’s kaiju form, the sun breaking through the clouds to shine what was almost like a spotlight down onto him.

Out of the corner of his eye, Macaque could see MK and Mei’s jaws drop. He couldn’t blame them. It really was an impressive sight.

Wukong took a slow step towards the monster, his step leaving an indent on the ground and sending more petals flying up into the air. The monster took a hesitant step back in response, fear reflected in it’s stance.

It didn’t get the chance to even try to run away.

One giant hand reached out, resting on top of the monster’s head, strength visibly building in the arm as Wukong’s legs shifted slightly, his claws sinking in, as he shoved the beast’s head down to the ground, pinning it. The monster’s tail lashed, obviously trying to hit Wukong’s wrist to break his grip loose, but didn’t succeed, Wukong’s free hand easily catching it’s tail and holding it completely still.

The monster slowly stopped struggling, and flickered, fading away as another gust of wind blew through the area. New flowers which had sprouted around Wukong’s feet and where the beast had collapsed, were jostled by the wind, sending the gladiolus petals flying into the air around them. Wukong slowly pulled himself up from his bent over position, the petals swirling around him.

MK and Mei cheered. Macaque let out a low wolf whistle, making MK and Mei freeze before turning to look at him again with twin looks of confusion and disgust. Macaque ignored them.

There was another flash of light, prompting the three of them to shield their eyes, and when it cleared up, Wukong was standing in front of them, his eyes fading from a deep red to a softer false gold, flower petals clinging to his fur and hair. The staff was back to it’s normal size in his hand. He lightly tapped it against the ground, the flowers encircling MK, Mei, and Macaque crumbling into golden smoke that blew away in the wind. 

 Sound returned to Macaque’s ears, and he winced at the relieved cry Mei let out as she ran forwards and jumped into Wukong’s arms.

“Easy on the back now.” Wukong said, under his breath, adjusting to be able to hold her easily as he handed the staff back to MK, who stared at both it and Wukong for a few more seconds, before copying Mei’s movement and making Wukong almost stumble back as he also jumped into the Monkey King’s arms.

Macaque huffed, running a hand through his hair as he walked over to stand just out of arm’s reach of him.

“Was the silence spell really necessary?” He asked, making Wukong click his tongue.

“I wasn’t going to put up with you whining about your ears ringing for hours later.” He said, adjusting his grip on MK and Mei as he stepped to the side, closer to Macaque, not giving the shadow monkey any time to move as he wrapped his tail around Macaque’s waist, making him yelp. “Now c’mon, I’m tired. Let’s go home already.”

Wukong turned and walked off the cliff, making the other three shriek with fear as they were in freefall for several seconds before Wukong’s cloud formed under his feet. MK and Mei’s shrieks of fear turned into ones of laughter, and Macaque let out a sigh, his hands covering his ears, ignoring as Wukong’s tail lightly flicked him on the nose. 

“And people call me the dramatic one…”

#Monkie Kid #my writing

[lailoken]

Fraw Holt or Dame Holda, the northern witch-goddess travelling upon her sacred goose through the night.

—

“Frau Holda , Venus Mountain and The Night Travellers

From the 10th Century c.e. onwards Frankish clerics and churchmen such as Regino of Prum fulminated sourly against the devilish ' belief of 'certeine wicked women that in the night times they ride abroad with Diana, the goddess of the pagans, or else with Herodias, with an innumerable multitude upon certeine beasts. This was echoed in the fourteenth century law-code of Lorraine which censured those who rode through the air with Diana. The image of the Wild Ancestral Goddess had a powerful influence upon the mediaeval imagination; the author of ‘The Romance of the Rose' wote that a third of the people have dreams of nocturnal journeys with Dame Habondia.

In Northern Europe, the sect of night travelling witches were held to fly through the sky in the retinue of the goddess Herodias or Holda, who leads the ancestral spirits of the Furious Horde in the winter months around Samhain and Yule. Like the Cymric goddess Cerridwen, Frau Holda is the archaic underworld Earth Mother, mistress of death, initiation and rebirth, who rules over the chthonic realm of Hel or Annwvyn. In Scandinavia she is known as Hela, the daughter of Loki, of whom it is related that half of her is fair and half black with decay. This signifies her bright and dark aspects as Freyja/Holda mistress of life and death. The Veiled Goddess encompasses the cosmic dualities of day and night, growth and dissolution, radiance and shadow. Her association with the Wild Hunt is strong in Germany where the ride of the death powers is sometimes called the Heljagd and in Normandy, Mesnee a Hellequin. The Indo-European original of this Witch Goddess is *KOLYO, 'the Coverer' the funereal Otherworld Queen of the Indo-European peoples from which figures as diverse as the Celtic Cailleach and Greek nymph Kalypso are descended.

The life/death aspects of Dame Hela were referred to by the German wizard, herbalist and crystal scryer Diel Breull of Calbach who confessed in 1630 that he had travelled to the pagan holy mountain, the Venusberg, 'four times a year, during the fast.' He had no idea how he got to the mountain. He then confessed he was a night traveller and 'the Frau Holle (to whom he travels) is a fine woman from the front but from the back she is like a hollow tree with rough bark. It was in Venus mountain that he came to know a number of herbs.'

This description corresponds with the female forest spirit called the Skogfru in Old Norse and the woodwife, birch maiden and wild damsel elsewhere who are beautiful women from the front but hollow behind like a rotten log. The woodwives are associated with the Wild Hunt, sometimes being pursued by Woden . (‘Woodwife’ and ‘woodwose’ both stem from the Saxon root-word ‘Wod’ - ‘wild, furious, enthused’). Like many native European initiation sites, the Hurselberg was regarded as the gateway to the underworld, the domain of Frau Venus, the classicized Freyja/Holda. From the Hurseloch cave on the mountain eldritch voices and wailing could sometimes be heard, for it led down into the magical realm of the goddess.

The mediaeval tale of Tannhauser is based upon this initiatory lore for he was a knight minnesinger (troubadour) who while riding past the cavern of the Hurselberg at twilight encountered the beautiful and entrancing Frau Venus, who took him below into the Otherworld regions to be her consort for seven years. In Scottish tradition a related pattern is exemplified by Thomas the Rymer, the thirteen century seer who met the Queen of Elfame beneath the Eildon Thorn and went with her into the world of Faery for seven years.

She gave Thomas a golden apple to eat which conferred the prophetic gift upon him. This is reminiscent of Woden's descent into the heart of Suttungr's mountain where he sleeps with the giantess Gunnlodd to attain the mead of poetic inspiration.

Such goddess forms are comparable to the shamanic Clan Mother of the nether-world in Siberian mythology. And we may note that the worship of the Northern Earth Mother Jord/Hlodyn was carried out at hills and mounds, symbols of the womb of the earth. The Furious Horde at Samhain is esoterically linked with the rune Haegl whose primal form ‘*’ represents the snowflake. This makes sense as Holda is traditionally held to shake down the snow onto the countryside; in the Channel Isles snow showers occur when Herodias shakes her petticoats. Her holy bird, the goose, is also connected with the Wild Hunt, and snow crystals are said to drift from its feathers as it flies overhead. The nocturnal cries of migrating geese are interpreted as the yelping of ghostly Gabriel hounds in Celtic lore and are symbolised by the Bird-Ogham Ngeigh at Samhain. The mystical Ninth Mother-Rune symbolises the nine nights the post-mortem soul takes to travel the Hel-Way, the prototypical Spirit-Road which runs northwards into the Underworld of Helheim.

Frau Holda is the heathen original of Mother Goose, who is remembered at winter tide, and the goose is the magical steed upon which Arctic shamans travel in visionary flight to the Otherworld. The witch Agnes Gerhardt confessed in 1596 that she and her fellow initiates used a vision-salve in order to fly to the dance like snow geese', and went on to describe how she prepared this hallucinogenie ointment by frying tansy, hellebore and wild ginger in butter mixed with egg. Such flying salves' (or Unguentum Sabbati) feature prominently in the worteunning of the night travelling witches.

In fact Styrian witches were still using them in the 19th Century. Hartliepp, court physician of Bavaria, gives a formula used by 15th century Northern witches which involves procuring seven herbs on the appropriate days of the pagan week - heliotrope on Sunna's day, fern on moon day, verbena on Tiw's day, spurge on Woden's day, houseleek on Thor's day, maidenhair on Freyja's day and nightshade on Saeter/Hela's day. This magical operation would ensure that the salve would be empowered with the energies of the principal heathen deities.

In 1582 the Archbishop of Salzburg's counsellor, the erudite mathematician and astrologer Dr. Martin Pegger, was arrested under the charge that his wife had flown with the night travellers to the goddess Herodias in the Unterberg. Within the mountain she had seen Herodias with her mountain-ladies and mountain-dwarves and the goddess is said to have come to Frau Pegger's house by Salzberg fish market on a later occasion. The mention of the goddess' mountain-dwarves is significant for they are sometimes known as the Huldravolk; the folk of the Elder, Frau Holda's holy tree.

The association of cats and hares with witches and night travellers may indicate that they inherited many of the magical techniques from the cult of Seidr, the shamanism of 'inner fire' sacred to the goddess Freyja which included trance journeys and communication with the elves and other entities. According to Saxon lore, Freyja sometimes appears amidst a company of hares and she is known to roam the meadows of Aargau with a silver-grey hare by her side in the night hours. The hare is famed as a totem form in which shapeshifting witches travel.

Freyja, the Teutonic goddess of love, sexuality and mantic sorcery riding a Siberian tiger.

It is know that a strong subterranean current of Freyja worship survived in mediaeval Germany. Closely related initiatory Mysteries existing in the British Isles usually centred on the Faerie goddess, the Queen of Elphame.

An interesting late case is the astrologer and Hermeticist John Heydon in the 17th century, who having imprudently predicted Cromwell's death was forced to flee from London to Somerset. There he claimed to have encountered a green- robed lady at a faery hill. She took him within the mount into a glass castle where he learnt much wisdom and mantic lore. This experience obviously took place in an altered state of shamanic perception.

Frau Holda is the feminine counterpart of the Master of the Wild Hunt, and she is essential to a balanced appreciation of this area of pagan spirituality. The night- travelling witches of the Northern Lands, far from being demonically deluded as ignorant and vindietive churchmen said, were in reality the preservers of a hoary Wisdom Tradition and magical world view which is now accessible to us again at the dawning of a new heathen aeon.”

—

Call of the Horned Piper

by Nigel Aldcroft Jackson

#call of the horned piper #Nigel aldcroft Jackson #magic #witchcraft #traditional withcraft #grimoire #fraw holt #dame holda

[wlw-lovestruck-fiction]

Xenia meeting one of MC’s ex girlfriends. HC or Fic is good, some angst but lots of fluff, just give us some jealous Xenia please! x

Written by: @sapphics-choices

You take a deep cleansing breath as you stroll past the Autumn quarter. The council finally gave you a free day to relax. It was a bit disappointing when you found out that Xenia was meeting with her spy network so she couldn’t accompany you. That’s how you found yourself walking along the cobbled streets of the Autumn quarter. The cool breeze and the citrus-sweet scent of the air remind you so much of her.

You turned to a corner towards the tavern that you and Xenia frequented when a solid weight bumped into you. Fortunately, they were able to grab your arm, preventing you from toppling over.

“Goodness! I apologize, I didn’t see you—MC?”

You felt a jolt of surprise as you saw who bumped into you, it was her. Your ex-girlfriend, Isabel.  

“Isa?” you gasped, reverting back to your old nickname for her. The last time you saw her was when you were teenagers, barely 15 spans old. She was one of your classmates. One night, in the middle of the solstice, you kissed her. But before your relationship reached its anniversary, she and her family moved away to a different kingdom. You haven’t seen her ever since.

Well, not until today.

“It is you, MC! I never expected to see you here! Look at you, you’ve changed so much.” She was beaming at you with that delightful smile you remembered so fondly.

“I live in Altadelly’s now.” You inform her, which was a gross understatement. “What about you? When did you return to Lysende?”

“Oh, my family and I decided to visit some relatives here in the Autumn quarter for a few weeks. We just arrived last night, and I wanted to do a bit of sightseeing.”

You felt yourself comforted by her familiar presence. And before you knew it, you were sitting with her at the tavern, chatting like no time has passed.

“By the way, I heard some intriguing news. They said that the lost queen has returned to the throne. Can you believe that?” She said excitedly. You could feel your face heating up again, and you thought how lucky it is that you left your crown in your room before you went exploring. And that the staff here was very discreet.

“Yes. It was a surprise to many. Did you know that they initially thought it was Tansy?!” You said, voice betraying disgust as you recalled that unpleasant memory.

Isabel copied your disgust and after a beat, you both dissolved into giggles. After a few moments, you noticed Isabel gazing at you, with a smile playing on her lips.

“Is there something on my face?” You asked, Isabel shakes her head.

“No, it is not that. I have just really missed you, sun drop.” She says, using her old pet name for you. “Do you ever think about us? How we used to be?”

You felt yourself at a loss for words, this is not how you expected your day to go. “Isabel, I—“ you start to form an apology, stating that you’re happily with someone but then…

“Your Majesty.” Someone said behind you, and you jumped as you recognized who it was.

Sure enough, as you turned, Xenia was there, looking at you with an unreadable expression. Frost, how much did she hear?

“Xenia! Are you finished with your errands?” You hear your voice pitching high with nerves; Isabel looked at you and the Spy Mistress, confused.

“Yes, I thought I might catch you here in our tavern. But you seem to already be occupied.” You heard how she put emphasis on our. But her face remained a stoic mask.

She then landed her eyes on Isabel, and you know Xenia enough to recognize the small changes on her face that betrayed her actual emotions.

You saw her eyes narrow ever so slightly behind her veil, her shoulders growing stiff, the same way when she’s faced with annoying councilmen.

Finally, you remembered your manners and quickly stood up to introduce them to each other.

“I apologize, allow me to introduce Xenia, Mistress of the Spies. Xenia, this is Isabel. My…friend.” you hesitated on what to label Isabel, was she friend? An ex-girlfriend? You know that Xenia had noted that hesitation in your voice and did not offer any of her hands to shake but instead stared her down.

Isabel couldn’t look her in the eye and instead levelled her gaze on me.

“Sun drop, did she call you Your Majesty?” You felt Xenia tense behind you as Isabel again, used the pet name.

“She, is right here. And you heard it correctly. It is only proper to address the reigning monarch of the kingdom by her title, is it not?” Xenia replied. “Or do they not teach you that in whatever place you hailed from?”

Isabel was shocked, which is to be expected. But then shakes her head, and looked at me rueful smile on her face. “How ironic, we used to play princesses and knights when we were younger. And I was always your valiant knight, rescuing you from monsters.”

You let out a laugh at the sudden memory. “It is kind of a funny coincidence. Isa, I am sorry for not telling you immediately.”

“It is alright, MC.” She replied, with her easy smile. “Clearly, I missed out on a lot. Do not fret, this just gives us more time to catch up.”

You smiled back, but then you hear the tell-tale swoosh of Xenia’s elaborate gown as she quickly strode away from our booth. You couldn’t see her face but from the tense arc of her shoulders and how the patrons of the tavern practically jumped away from her when she passed them, you know she is upset.

Before you even know it, you quickly offered Isabel a hasty goodbye, and hurried to catch up to Xenia. But when the Spy Mistress does not want to be found, you will not find her.

Finally, as you reach the palace, you tried one last time to search for her, knocking on the door to her room, you were surprised to hear her quiet voice allowing you to enter.

She was perched onto a seat in a corner, staring at the tanks where her spiders live. But what concerned you was the look of utter sadness in her face.

“Xenia?” You moved closer, hesitant. “Is something the matter?”

She was quiet for a few moments, and as you thought that she was ignoring you, she suddenly speaks. With a voice that’s filled with bittersweet.

“She was your lover, was she not?” She said, staring at her spiders skittering about the tank.

“When we were young, yes. We ended things when she moved away.”

“But now she has returned and wants you back.” It was not a question. And it only confirms that she heard what Isabel said.

“It is what she implied earlier, yes.”

“Oh, believe me, darling. She wants you back. I can see it in her eyes. That sense of propriety in them when she looked at you. As if you would run back into her arms the minute she says so.” Her voice was becoming louder now.

Then it hits you, “Are you jealous?”

“Of course I am, silly girl! You are brilliant and kind. As soon as you ascended the throne, every noble wanted your hand. But for some reason, you still chose me, a foreigner with a horrible reputation. A pariah. I couldn’t understand why, despite knowing what I did to you, to Val.”

Her voice hitches as she mentions his name, as it always does. You reached out to offer comfort, but she stood up and started pacing.

“I thought I was lucky. Of course, I did. I could only hope that a star that shines as bright as you would even deign to shine your light on me. And when you did, I feel like the luckiest woman alive. So I’ve accepted it, basked in it. However, in the back of my mind, there is this horrible, terrible voice whispering that one day, one day, you will finally see the dark, twisted being sleeping beside you and leave. Perhaps you will get swept off your feet by some dashing prince or your long lost love would return.”

She gazed at me, meaningfully. Eyes heavy with sadness but I can also see a note of bitter acceptance.

You walked towards her, taking quick, deliberate steps and held her hand firmly in your grasp. Your eyes gazing straight into her deep eyes.

“Listen to me, and I will only say it once.” You said, voice firm but gentle.

“I understand that you are afraid.” She quietly scoffs at that, but you continued on.

“You lost your first love. You have been hurt many times, in ways no one should ever be. You had to build walls around yourself so that it will protect you from all of it. But Xenia, I am here now. I have seen all parts of you, but I stayed. I know what you are capable of doing, the things you did, but I remained because I also see what amazing, loving, protective woman you are. So believe me when I say that I am never going away. I may have loved Isabel in the past. But it remains there, in the past. It does not compete with how much I love you now.”

You felt Xenia’s handshake, quiet tears rolling down her eyes. You long to reach them, to wipe them away and she must have seen that desire in your eyes because she gently guides one of your hands under her veil and laying it on her soft cheek. It was impossibly warm as the rest of her is, and you gently wiped the tear away. Finally, she kissed the palm of your hand before you let go.

She leads you to her bed and a few minutes pass as you both lay cuddling under the covers when she finally spoke again.

“I apologize for worrying, and storming away like that.”

“To be honest, I was slightly pleased to see that you are also capable of angry storm outs like the rest of us common folk.” You laughed.

She groans quietly against my shoulder.

“We are never returning to that tavern again.”

#Anonymous #lovestruck #lovestruck reigning passions #reigning passions #reigning passions xenia #xenia of the autumn #xenia x mc #angst #fluff #fluffy angst #sfw #scatterday

[buns-with-a-book]

Flowers of White 2 - White Tansy

Reposting because I wasn’t satisfied with a part of White Tansy. Still inspired by Sync’s post here.

Fandom: Devil May Cry Characters: OC, Nero, Dante, Vergil Tags: @nimnox @furyeclipse @synchronmurmurs @queenmuzz @harlot-of-oblivion

Summary: The tansy is the harbinger of ill will to the receiver, an indication of hostile thoughts on behalf of the giver.

Rothes was a quiet town, a slumbering settlement on the Spes River. One could even call it quaint, picturesque or pastoral. In the morning light, the sunlight made the dark brown rooftops sparkle, no thanks in past to the rain that passed over the night before. There was rarely a day that there was sun in the sky, mostly covered by clouds. Just across from the courthouse, through the windows, Cassandra could see the cyclamen and tansy flowers behind the frosted window of the town flower shop. Just as she had predicted, the flowers were in bloom.

An armored guard passed by her window, causing her to sigh. She had been regaled to one of the spare rooms of the courthouse, the room turned into a makeshift bridal suite. She looked down upon herself, dressed in a pale pink ball gown. A thin tulle layer was draped over the skirt of the gown, where pale pink roses were caught in an artistic pattern. Across her midsection was an embroidered design, keeping with the pattern of roses. At her upper arms were a band of roses clustered together, acting as sleeves to the dress. Atop her head was the dress’ complimentary veil, a pink tulle veil that draped down her back. Pinned to her hair were pink roses, to keep the veil in place. Cassandra turned around, facing the mirror. Her eyes flicked up and down the dress before finally settling on the silvery necklace around her neck, a gift from Vergil. She reached up to nervously play with the silver moon charm.

She looked like a bride. A very unhappy bride.

“You don’t have to marry some jackass to protect me.” She looked over, Nero leaning against the wall. The young man was in a borrowed suit but he didn't look too pleased to be in it. She knew he was just as upset as she was over the situation, unarmed and not having much to stop the hired guards of Eternis Brillia aside from the powers latent in his devil blood. “I might not have Red Queen or Blue Rose but I still have Devil Trigger. I can take them.” She faintly saw the ethereal blue wings, flexing above Nero.

“I’d rather you not. To the people of my hometown, a demon is still a demon, no matter how diluted the blood. They would slaughter you, with blades forged specifically to expose and exploit the weaknesses of demons.” Cassandra sighed, walking over to him. Her hands moved to adjust the bright blue tie around his neck. “If Dante and Vergil enter the city, I fear that the sage smoke in the air would choke them.”

“Smells just as bad as Nico’s smokes.” He huffed. “I got subjected to that shit until jackass called you.”

“Would you believe it if I lived with that for eighteen years?” Cassandra asked with a chuckle, trying to inject humor into their terrible situation. “Now I’m going back and it’s gonna stiiink…” Nero glanced back behind her and she followed his gaze, locking on to the bouquet, which was a few white cyclamen flowers wrapped in tulle with the pattern of tansy flowers embroidered onto it. She sighed and returned her gaze to Nero’s tie.

“I should be adjusting your tie as mother of the groom.” She sighed. “For the day you get married yourself.” Nero rubbed his nose awkwardly. Cassandra smiled fondly at that.

“Jeez Mom...me and Kyrie aren’t ready for that yet.”

“Could’ve fooled me, considering how often the brothers crash at your place.”  The thought of the crew, her family, eased her mind just for a few minutes. She never got tired of hearing Nero address her with ‘Mom’. She remembered the first time Nero did so, completely on accident on his part. As they worked together, that familial bond formed. Her mind drifted to Dante, the devil hunter that she regarded as a brother. And then, there was Vergil, cool composed Vergil. Between spars in Devil May Cry, the missions they took, and him reading her Blake in the light of the setting sun, she...she loved him. That was all she could say, really. She loved Vergil, the eldest son of Sparda, enough to sacrifice her own happiness to protect his...no, their son from death by the hands of the city she once called home.

“If I hadn’t been kidnapped, I would’ve kicked his ass six ways to Sunday.” Nero sighed.

“And back at Kyrie’s by 5? So would I.” She sighed. “But I know what Eternis Brillia’s guard can do to you. I don’t want to lose you...I thought I lost you when your arm got ripped off.” She looked at the bouquet. “I mean, I could try stuffing the bouquet into his mouth. Cyclamen are poisonous, apparently.” There was a hard knock on the door that made her jump.

“Lady Sagefire! Lord Kinnaird requests your presence immediately!” A harsh voice spoke. Cassandra let out an unhappy sigh.  

“Is it time?”

“Yes ma’m!” Cassandra walked to the bouquet, picking it up. Nero glared at the door, crossing his arms. She could tell he just wanted to unleash hell upon them, even Devil Trigger, but was restraining himself. Cassandra knew that Devil Trigger was risky, especially with the guard around them and their swords that were forged to easily pierce demon hide. She took Nero’s arm, causing him to blush.

“W-Wait, isn’t your dad supposed to lead you down the aisle?”

“He’s not here. Draco told me he abandoned me after I ran away. I’m not surprised, really.” She let out a frustrated sigh. “But I don’t care. I’m almost forty, I don’t need his approval. He sucks anyway.”

“And here we are…” He mumbled.

“I’m not going to let the people of Eternis Brillia see your corpse and cheer. I would rather die myself than let that happen.” She frowned.

“Sounds like a real shithole.”

“If I was feeling poetic, I’d call it a rotted cage. But shithole works just as well.” With that, the door opened. Cassandra gripped his arm as her face met the guard. They were dressed like a medieval knight, with their helmet shaped like a lion’s head. He curtly bowed to her before another, wearing the exact same thing as the first guard, walked around her to stand behind her. The first began to lead the way, with Cassandra unhappily following. As her and Nero were escorted through the courthouse to the room where the marriage was to take place, past paintings and busts and brick walls, Cassandra could sense the tense air around them. She knew the reason she was in a dress at all was for the ‘parade through Eternis Brillia’ and his pride.

Nero suddenly stopped, looking back. Cassandra let out a surprised noise, causing the guards to stop.

“Nero! What was that for?”

“...though I heard something.” He mumbled. Cassandra frowned.

“Such as…?”

“It’s just the wind.” The guard behind them snapped. “Keep moving.”

“Ok ok! Sheesh…” Nero grumbled. With that, the guard behind them urged them forward. Nero let out a frustrated growl as they were escorted to the courtroom. The guard in front of them opened the door, revealing Draco and two of his guards next to him. Draco smiled, his brown hair slicked back (which only reminded her of Vergil. Vergil did it better though) and black eyes glimmering with the thought that he had won. He was dressed in a black button-up jacket, silver buttons glimmering in the light. At his side was a (hopefully) decorative sword.

“Ah, my little wayward star.” Cassandra visibly tensed up at that. “You look ravishing.” He stepped forward, only for Nero to step between the two. He scowled at Nero. “That’s my wife you’re standing in front of.”

“And?”

“Step aside, whoreson.”

“Make me.” Nero hissed.

“Both of you, stop this!” Cassandra snapped, causing the two to look at her in surprise. Nero let out a frustrated sigh, stepping aside. It was obvious that the situation was stressful for the younger devil hunter but, Cassandra hoped, he would be on his way back to Vergil and Dante soon enough. “Let’s just...get this over with.”

“Agreed.” Draco yawned, walking over to the poor clerk who had the paperwork. Cassandra walked over to the clerk, passing Nero. She could sense Nero’s death glare at Draco, the desire to brawl Draco for his words held back only Cassandra’s command.  

“So...um, if there’s no more interruptions.” The clerk began. “Let us begin with the marriage of Cassandra Freyja Sagefire and Draco Áedán Kinnaird-”

“Hey hey hey!” A familiar voice spoke, followed by the sound of two helmets slammed together. “We have objections to this whole thing!” Cassandra whipped to the door, seeing Dante and Vergil walking up to the clerk. Behind them, the two guards that had escorted them to this room were crumpled onto the floor, most likely unconscious. The two brothers were also in suits, Dante with a red tie and Vergil with a deep blue tie. On Dante’s back was Nero’s Red Queen. Dante rounded Nero’s side, passing Red Queen to his nephew. Nero caught Red Queen skillfully, a grin on his face at being reunited with his sword. Draco shot up, scowling.

“Ugh, more interruptions! Who are you?”

“I’m her brother-” Dante grinned.

“And you have my son as a hostage.” Vergil finished, his voice a low growl. “You truly are pathetic, twisting her arm with my own flesh and blood.”

“I-It doesn’t matter. Cassandra is still my wife-”

“Ok, about that. Hey Cass, did you two say I do at the altar?” Dante asked Cassandra. Cassandra blinked, surprised at being addressed.

“Uh, no, my father told the high priest to skip that part-”

“Then it doesn’t count. So you weren’t married back then and you won’t be married now.” Dante turned his gaze to Draco, alit with a dangerously playful fire. “So, if you’ll excuse us-” He stepped forward, only for Draco to pull out a shortsword from the scabbard at his waist. There was a flash of silver before the shortsword lay shattered on the floor. Cassandra stared at Vergil, Yamato unsheathed to defend Dante. Even Dante seemed surprised, although Cassandra was unsure if it was from Vergil defending him or from Draco being foolish enough to try and hurt Dante with a decorative shortsword

“I’ve had enough of your nonsense, scum.” Vergil growled. “Let Cassandra go, now.” Draco narrowed his eyes at Vergil.

“Guards!” Draco snapped. The two guards behind him surged forward. Dante rolled his eyes.

“Jeez, you gotta make our job harder.” He looked to Nero. “Wanna bash some heads in?” Nero smirked, twisting the handle of Red Queen to cause the weapon to flare to life.

“You bet. This asshole is gonna get what’s coming to him.” He looked to Vergil. “Dad, get her outta here.” Vergil and Cassandra took a glance at each other before Nero slashed at the guards, sending them flying. Cassandra shoved the bouquet into Draco’s mouth to stun him. She ran forward, grabbing a fistful of dress to lift up so she wouldn’t trip on it. Vergil took her hand, their fingers entwined, and quickly led the way out of the room and through brick halls of the courthouse. She glanced back, watching as Dante and Nero dashed behind them. She saw blood lining the edge of Red Queen, perhaps Nero wounded Draco for calling him a whoreson. Looking forward, Cassandra saw the door that was wide open. She briefly saw Nico peering in before jumping as the group raced out of the back door of the courthouse into the van. The moment Nero dashed out of the door, Nico slammed the door shut. She pulled out a small explosive and threw it at the door, covering the door in a foul-smelling web.

“That outta keep em occupi-”

“NICO!” Nero snapped. “GET OVER HERE!” Nico ran to the van, jumping through the door and slamming into the driver’s seat.

“Hang on y’all! It’s gonna get rough!” Nico yelled just moments before she hit the gas, the van lurching forward. Cassandra yelped at the lurch. The van swerved across cobblestone streets away from the courthouse. Cassandra could only imagine the smoke that Draco was eating as the van sped out of Rothes.

#devil may cry #devil may cry oc #devil may cry nero #devil may cry dante #devil may cry vergil #angst with a happy ending

[xxisxxisxxis]

Gateway Drug | Part Fourteen

Part Thirteen

Pairing: Douglas Booth!Nikki Sixx x OC

Word Count: 5.2k

Warning(s): Language, mentions of drug abuse, minor sexual situations

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June 30, 1983 approached with the speed of a Ferrari. Our wedding day held the same nerve racking energy as skydiving: we knew that jumping was going to be a thrill, but we didn't know whether we had a body of water or pavement waiting for us, or if our parachutes even worked.

"Vivian, are you nervous?" Tansy's mother, Diane asks me as I sit with curlers in my hair, Tansy putting foundation on me and I look at her.

Diane was a Barbie. I'm almost certain that she and Vince actually slept together at some point. She was a former Dallas Cowboy Cheerleader from '62-'63 before she got pregnant with Tansy and moved back to Mississippi. There wasn't a time I ever saw Diane with a platinum blonde hair out of place. Public imperfection equaled social suicide in her eyes and she made sure Tansy understood it down to the science of it. But Diane never tried to stop Tansy's partying because no one else who actually mattered knew about it. Everybody in the public thought she was innocent aside from showing her body in a magazine...until Tansy "accidentally" forgot to cover the tracks on her arms with makeup at one of her photo shoots in 1987. Diane nearly had a stroke —not because her daughter was so deep in a hole she couldn't get out of by herself—but because the world had found out her kid was on heroin and she was embarrassed.

"Depends on what Nikki's response to that question was." I tell her and she laughs.

"I haven't seen him yet." She tells me and I nod, licking my lips.

"I had to get him a couple shots of Jack earlier." Tansy comments, and I look up as she dots concealer under my eyes and pats it in.

"I'd be concerned if he weren't drinking." I reply.

"As long as he's drinking, we're good?" Diane states and I nod, looking at her with a little smile.

"As long as he's drinking, we're good." I repeat. "...unless he gets sober." I add.

"If the good Lord's willing and the creek don't rise." Tansy pipes and I look at her.

"That is the most backwoods thing I have ever heard you say." I mumble to her with a little chuckle.

"Mississippi." She reminds me of where she's from.

"Oh, I forget you're from Mississippi." I reply.

"Because she's got a attitude from L.A." Her mother states matter-of-fact, a sour tone to her voice.

"I'm a nice person, Mama." She argues just as Vince and Tommy are opening the door of the bridal sweet. "Guys, tell my mom I'm sweet."

"As taffy." Vince states sarcastically, and Tansy cuts her eyes at him.

"How's Nikki?" I ask Vince and he chuckles.

"He's fine." He replies to me. "We left him with Mick for a second. I was hoping I'd come in here and see some skin." He plops in a chair.

"Vince, do you not think it's inappropriate to want to see your best friend's wife naked?" I ask him, glancing at him as Tansy powders my face before applying mascara.

"You're not married yet, Saint Viv." He retorts, raising his brows.

"No, but you are." Tansy tells him smartly. "Should I go get Beth to come tighten your leash?"

"I'll tighten your leash." His voice is overly sexualized, looking her up and down and she pretends to gag in disgust but he turns it on her. "You've always had the prettiest little gag."

"Dude, I know." Tommy adds, sharing a mutual grin with Vince.

"You morons are disgusting and, Vince, you're drunk." I shoot at them. "Go sober up. I don't need you being messy." I speak sternly, and Vince exhales and stands, stumbling a little before heading back to the door with Tommy to make sure he won't face plant.

The tiny church is hot and stuffy due to lack of air conditioning and while we wait to start, the only thing keeping me from passing out is Tommy fanning me with a paper back bible he snagged from the back of a pew in the sanctuary as Tansy puts my veil in my waved hair.

"You're so pretty." She coos, admiring her hard work on my hair and makeup.

"You are, too." I reply in the same tone, looking at her perfect blonde hair that's curled flawlessly, the very top of it pinned back out of her delicate face. Big blue eyes are a contrast against her flowing emerald green dress that reaches just above her knees.

I finally found my dress just in time for it to be altered and ready for pick up a couple of days ago.

It's slightly itchy, the off the shoulder fitted lace sleeves reaching down to my wrists are slightly uncomfortable, but other than that it's perfect. The skirt of it is a little poofy, but nothing compared to the mountain of tool the first dress I tried on, was.

"Alright, I'm gonna go out there." She tells me hesitantly once the piano starts up, grasping my hand in hers.

I told you she just knew things the way Mick just knew things, and she knew Nikki and I had no idea what we were getting ourselves in to, she just didn't have the heart to tell us.

"I'm fine, Tansy." I assure her when she silently refuses to let go of my hand incase I need her to hold it due to fear. She just gives me a little smile and lets go, patting Tommy on the cheek before stepping out in the sanctuary.

Tommy's grinning ear to ear, seemingly about to burst.

"I can't believe two of my best friends are really doing this." He exhales through his large smile, looking at down at me. His smile falters a smidge, and he licks his lips, clearing his throat. "You sure you're alright, Viv? No cold feet or anything? Because there's a window up by the ceiling in the bathroom and I'll give you a boost out if you don't wanna do this."

"I'm okay, Tommy." I chuckle and he lets out a breath of relief. "Has Vince gotten sobered up a little?"

"Yeah, I made him chug some water."

It's our turn to walk out now and I hook my arm through his, my right hand gripping at my bouquet of Purple lilies, and I'm practically panting to calm my nerves.

"If you trip and fall, I will, too, so you're not alone or anything." He assures me and I have to keep from laughing loudly.

The church ushers open the door for us, and we slowly make our way down the aisle.

There's people Nikki invited that I've either never met or have seen them hanging out with the guys from time to time.

Diane, Sparkie, and Tommy's girlfriend are seated together beside Beth, Vince and Mick, and even as I'm walking down the aisle, Beth and Roxie are solely focused on shooting Tansy death glares as if they have rabies and want to tear in to her. Tommy’s parents and Doc weren’t able to come, but I highly doubt Nikki’s holding it against them, so I’m not worried with it either.

I don't look at Nikki until we're merely feet away from the alter, then my grip on Tommy's arm tightens to steel and I'm scared to let go because I might just trip and fall.

We get to the alter and stop, the minister asking who's giving me to Nikki. My best friend tells him he is, before lifting my veil and kissing my cheek. I hand my flowers to Tansy and Tommy takes my hand that he's holding, about to pass me to Nikki.

He stops midway, though, to hug me tightly, and I swear his eyes are watering but I don't give it a second thought.

The hug only lasts a few seconds and he's giving Nikki my hand before stepping to his side as his best man.

I'm hit with the weight of all of this the second Nikki's skin touches mine, our grips on each other's hands tightening as we both give out nervous smiles, waiting for the minister to start.

"We have gathered here today to celebrate the joining of Nikki and Vivian in holy matrimony. I didn't have much time to prepare a message being that Miss Kinston contacted me only two weeks ago and asked if she could have her wedding here."A few people, including myself, chuckle as he continues. "But we'll make it work the best that we can." He smiles at me and Nikki, opening his bible. "Before I begin, is there anyone who finds any reason as to why these two should not be joined together as husband and wife? If so, speak now or forever hold your peace." No one says a thing, and he nods at the two of us slightly before starting.

"A marriage between any two people is a direct representation of Jesus' commitment to his church. You will make sacrifices for your wife the way Christ sacrificed himself for his church, while you will love your husband the way the church is suppose to love Christ."

Nikki rolls his eyes and I squeeze his hand, causing him to cut his eyes a little at me while I silently scold him.

"To know love is to know God because God is love. 1 Corinthians states that, 'Love is patient, love is kind. It does not envy, it does not boast, it is not proud. It does not dishonor others, it is not self-seeking, it is not easily angered, it keeps no record of wrongs. Love does not delight in evil but rejoices with the truth. It always protects, always trusts, always hopes, always perseveres. Love never fails.'" He tells us. "A marriage is not meant to be two halves coming together to form a whole, but two complete people coming together to form a team and a partnership. Your triumphs will be your partner's triumphs to celebrate with you. Your struggles will be your partner's struggles to mourn with you. You two will go through the greatest highs together but also the most heartbreaking lows. You must never lose yourselves or each other in turmoil, however. Support each other, encourage each other, comfort each other, fight for each other. Above all, love each other deeply, because love covers a multitude of sin.” He explains and I let out a soft breath, feeling my nervousness start to fade. "Before we start the reciting of vows, I would like to precede with a passage from Ruth. ‘And Ruth said, Do not urge me to leave you or to return from following you. For where you go I will go, and where you lodge I will lodge. Your people shall by my people, and your God my God. Where you die I will die, and there will I be buried. May the Lord do so to me and more also if anything but death parts me from you." By the time he’s finished reading, I’m nearly tearing up. “The rings, please," The minister motions to Tommy and Tansy. Tommy hands Nikki the small diamond ring for me and Tansy hands me the simple gold wedding band for Nikki. "Nikki, repeat after me, 'I, Nikki, take thee, Vivian, to be my lawfully wedded wife.'"

Nikki takes a deep breath and licks his lips before saying:

"I, Nikki, take thee, Vivian, to be my lawfully wedded wife."

"To have and to hold from this day forward, for better, or for worse."

"To have and to hold from this day forward, for better, or for worse."

"For rich, or for poor, in sickness and in health, to love and to cherish,"

"For rich, or for poor, in sickness and in health, to love and to cherish,"

"Till death do us part."

"Till death do us part."

"Vivian, do you accept these vows promised to you by Nikki?"

"I do." I nod, sniffling.

"Nikki, take Vivian's ring and place it on her finger."

He obeys, his hand shaking slightly as he slides the ring to rest beside the plain silver band he proposed to me with. "With this ring, I thee wed. With all I am, and all I have, I honor you."

"With this ring, I thee wed. With all I am, and all I have, I honor you." He repeats after him.

"Vivian, repeat after me. 'I, Vivian, take thee, Nikki, to be my lawfully wedded husband.'"

"I, Vivian, take thee, Nikki, to be my lawfully wedded husband."

"To have and to hold from this day forward, for better, or for worse."

"To have and to hold from this day forward, for better, or for worse."

"For rich, or for poor, in sickness and in health, to love and to cherish,"

"For rich, or for poor, in sickness and in health, to love and to cherish,"

"Till death do us part."

"Till death do us part."

"Nikki, do you accept these vows promised to you by Vivian?" He asks after I am done with my vows.

"I sure as hell do." Nikki assures us and I squeeze my eyes closed and laugh with everyone else at his blatancy.

"Vivian, take Nikki's ring and place it on his finger."

I do so, my eyes meeting Nikki's and refusing to look away.

"With this ring, I thee wed. With all I am, and all I have, I honor you." The minister states for me to speak to Nikki.

"With this ring, I thee wed. With all I am, and all I have, I honor you." I restate.

"So they are no longer two, but one. Therefore what God has joined together, let no man separate."

I barely hear the cheers and hollering of our guests due to the unexpected urgency Nikki pulls me to him with, wrapping me tightly in his arms as his lips press to mine.

I'm a sobbing mess and I'm not exactly sure why, but I tell myself it's because I'm overwhelmed with happiness.

When he pulls away, he's wiping my tears with his thumbs.

"You taste like booze." I tell him, and he smiles and kisses me again chastely.

Our reception was at Tansy's mother's beach house in Malibu and I apologized to her in advance for the shenanigans that would inevitably take place under her roof.

"Alright, one, two, three." Diane counts off and the "click" of the camera softly sounds off.

"Next!" I motion for Mick and Vince to join Me, Nikki, Tansy and Tommy as we take our wedding party pictures in the formal living room.

"Sooner we get done with this the sooner we can get wasted." Nikki reminds everyone as Mick and Vince step to us.

Mick stands on the other side of Tommy and Tansy as Vince stands beside me and Nikki.

Another "click" initiates Nikki shooing everyone away so me and him can have our own picture.

Just as the camera captures the picture, Nikki's hands curve under my arms and grasp at my breasts, causing my eyes to widen as the flash hits us.

"Nikki!" I scold him, nearly hitting him with my bouquet.

He and the guys think it's hilarious while I'm swatting at him, trying to hold back my laughter.

We calm down so she can take another photo, and like the last time, he's got something slick up his sleeve.

Before I know it, he's lifting the back of my skirt and grabbing between my legs, opting me to squeal and laugh so hard my eyes are squeezing closed once the picture is taken.

He's kissing my cheek when he stands back up, fixing my dress to take an actual serious picture.

It's taken with ease, the last picture left to take is of me and Tansy and once we're done with that, every one of us are ready to go eat food and the guys are ready to get wrecked.

People are soon scattered throughout the house with plates of food, sitting and standing wherever they can get.

"Guys," Tansy mother's says to us, holding her video camera. "Say 'hi'."

Me, Nikki, Vince, Beth, Tommy, Roxie, Mick, Tansy, and Sparkie are all gathered around the coffee table, seated on the carpet.

We look in her direction, Tansy and I give actual smiles to the camera while the boys shout profanities and shoot birds.

"Nikki, are you excited to be a husband?" Diane asks him in a teasing tone and he looks at me and smirks.

"So excited that I just might conveniently accidentally croak of alcohol poisoning tonight." He states, taking a swig of his wine and I give an unamused look at the camera, feeling Nikki take my left hand in his right before I say:

"That's why he's not getting laid tonight." Just after I say it, Nikki's digging his teeth in to my wrist, causing me to snatch away from him as he chuckles.

Everyone's pretty tipsy, and I'm 99.9% sure Tansy, Tommy and Vince are a little coked out while Sparkie tries to sneakily down a couple Quaaludes with his whiskey.

When it's time to the cut the cake, Diane wants a million pictures and to capture it on tape like she did the rest of the wedding and majority of the reception.

"You do not know how to cut a cake." I tell Nikki as we both hold the large knife, trying to find a starting place.

"Hush or I'll cut you." He threatens me in a almost serious tone but I know he means it playfully.

"Shh, people can't know I'm in to kinky shit like that." I mumble.

"I'm gonna start putting a tally mark on my arm every time you cuss just to see if you ever do it more than five times a year." He pokes at me.

"I cuss all the time." I argue as he settles on a place to cut the cake.

"The only time you really do is when we're fucking and I won't count those times or I'll run out of room on my arm in a couple minutes." He replies with a smirk.

"I don't do it that much when we're fooling around."

"Viv, I forget whether my name's 'Nikki' or 'Oh, fuck' anytime we do anything." He states, the two of us cutting in to the thick icing.

Oblivious to our quiet conversation, everybody claps once we get the piece of cake on to the plate I'm holding in my other hand and Diana hands us both forks.

Just as we get the cake on our forks, the both of us are taking our fingers and are trying to swipe cake down each other's faces, laughing like idiots.

It's smeared around his mouth and on his cheek but he's painted the white icing and sponge from my forehead, down my nose and to my chin.

Before I can wipe it off of me, he's licking it off of me.

People whistle suggestively, while others laugh, and I look at Tommy just in time for him to get a Polaroid picture of me wearing my cake and my husband licking it off of me.

Nikki licks off what he can, before kissing me with a wide smile, then grabbing a napkin and wiping the rest off before he wipes it off of his face, too.

I reach up and kiss him again once we're finished actually eating our cake as people each get their own slice, and Tommy finishes his and clears his throat, standing up and clinking his fork against a bottle of Jack.

He's standing on the coffee table in the living room, in our view from where we are in the kitchen, and everyone goes quiet as he says, "Hey, I'd like to say a little something."

I brace myself for his words, no telling what is going to come out of him as he stares at me and Nikki.

"I have known Vivian for a majority of my life. She's super nice, most of the time, and really smart and talented," He says, smiling at me. "I don't know how many of you guys know her all that well but she's not exactly like any of my other friends. She'll go party with us but be the only one drinking water, stay out with us Saturday nights until five in the morning and then get up and go to church every Sunday. Her ideal guy was a preacher's son or some shit and Nikki humped anything. So I didn't expect it to get this far. I thought she would get tired of all our bullshit and leave all of us, or Nikki would get tired of her not being wild enough or something. But she loves Nikki and all of us exactly how we are and Nikki loves her enough to not care whether she's crazy like us or not because she's wild where it counts and doesn’t get on her knees to just pray." People "ooh" at his claim and I feel my face heat up a little bit as Nikki pats me on the head. "Sorry," Tommy reads my expression and gives me a nervous smile before continuing. "Seriously, though, she chose Nikki over her own parents." He adds, looking directly at me. "Which was something I wouldn't be able to do if I were her. Just like I wouldn't be able to do any of this music stuff by myself the way Nikki was doing when I first met him." He switches his attention to Nikki. "They're two of the coolest and strongest people I know and it's pretty awesome that they're married now. So," He holds his bottle up. "cheers to the motherfucking Sixx's."

Everyone says "cheers" and takes a sip of their drinks, including me and Nikki.

Within a few minutes, Nikki’s convincing me to let him try to take my garter off with his teeth so he can throw it to the men at the party to fight over it like animals.

I eventually agree, sitting down, my hands digging in to the fabric of my dress as I hold back nervous laughter because I'm ticklish and I know he'll milking the hell out of it. He's crouched in front of me, picking my right ankle up, looking at me deviously as he presses a kiss to the inside of my ankle.

I already know where's he's going with this and so does everyone else, his buddies egging him on as he continues pressing little kisses up the inside of my calf muscle, heading up the inside of thigh.

I don't know why I expect him to actually stop at the garter but he doesn't.

I bite my tongue to keep from squealing when he gets to the hem of my panties, squeezing my eyes closed and covering my face with my hands as he gives one little bite to my lace covered core before tugging my panties off with his teeth, taking the garter with him as he heads back down my thigh and gets them passed my heeled feet. All the guys are like piranhas as he ties the panties and garter together before throwing them in to the small crowd of men that's gathered.

They fly over the crowd, though, and land on the back couch cushion right by Mick, who's got his sunglasses on and nursing a bottle of Vodka.

There's no one else I'd rather give my panties to. Mick's a God.

When it's my turn to toss my bouquet, some girl and Roxie are nearly fist fighting over it, completely disregarding the flowers themselves as they bicker over who caught them.

Tommy takes advantage of the bouquet that's now on the floor and sneakily grabs it and hands it off to Tansy who runs up to her room in the house to hide them.

We never planned to have a first dance together, however, about another hour in to the reception, Tansy randomly shuts off the record player and puts in to sing a cover of Ben E. King's "Stand By Me", and begs a drunk Vince to accompany her a cappella. Nikki's nudging me out of his lap, from where we're seated on the couch, and sets his drink down.

Before I can ask, "what's wrong?", he's grasping at my hand and pulling me to him with a slight sway, smirking at me when I raise a brow, a little shocked that he's actually dancing with me without me having to beg him.

His right hand rests at my waist as his left holds at my right hand, my left hand resting on his arm.

Tans and Vince are easy to catch a rhythm to, despite the blonde singer's intoxication. Beth's livid at the fact he's interacting with Tansy, though, and Nikki's silently laughing at her pissed off expression.

We're surrounded by people but he's the only person I see right now.

He looks down at me and I feel immense déjà vu. I'm suddenly back at the Starwood, seeing him up close for the first time. We hated each other back then, and now we can't get enough of each other.

My lips and tongue meet his, my arm reaching to his back to pull him as close as possible to me and he does the same, pulling me to him by my waist.

Once we pull away, he's smiling at me, his eyes locking with mine.

I could stare in to his eyes for an eternity. His eyes were so beautiful. They always had this lively sparkle to them. I always thought he had poetic eyes that told a million stories to whoever paid attention. I would've stared in to those eyes longer, had I known that would've been one of the last times I saw that sparkle bursting with enthusiasm and life before they just turned cold, dead and void.

Later on, I'm with Tansy when Nikki comes up to me holding his keys, Tommy and Roxie trailing behind him.

"Are we leaving?" I ask him, about to stand up from where I'm sitting but he stops me.

"Um, me and Tommy were gonna head back and stop by a friends house for a couple hours." He tells me hesitantly as if he's a little and he's nervous of being told "no."

I know a "friends house" means a party and a "couple hours" means all night.

"Nikki, it's our wedding night." I state as if he forgot and he gives me a grin.

"I know, I won't be gone all night." It's a blatant lie and I know it, but he's convincing like he always is.

"Okay, just be careful, please. I'm serious." I say without a trace of leisure and he nods, his smile growing from ear to ear as he and Tommy glance at each other.

He kisses me one last time before turning to go, announcing to everyone he's "fuckin' outta here" and thanks them for coming.

Before Tommy can get out the door I'm snatching him by his sleeve and stopping him.

He snaps around in my direction with wide eyes and I don't give him time to speak.

"Don't be overzealously stupid. Don't let him be overzealously stupid." I threaten him.

"Yes ma'am." He assures me, giving me a shit eating grin.

"I'm serious, Tommy." I snap.

"Chill out, Viv. We'll be fine." He is waves me off before leaving and that nagging feeling I felt when Nikki told me where they were going isn't eased in the slightest.

By the time everyone leaves, including Mick, Vince and Beth—me, Diane, and Tansy are starting to finish cleaning up while Sparkie’s passed out.

“You can head home, Vivian. I don’t want Nikki to get there and you still be a couple hours away.” Tansy tells me and I shake my head.

“He’s at a party. He probably won’t be coming home until morning.” I tell her and she nods.

“Well, me and Sparkie are gonna crash here. You can, too, if you want to.” She offers.

“I probably will. I’m just ready to get out of this dress.” I mumble, glancing at the clock on the wall to see it’s already two o’clock in the morning.

Tansy lends me a T-shirt that practically swallows her whole, and a pair of pajama shorts.

By the time I’ve gotten my makeup off, taken a shower and crawled in to the bed of one of the spare bedrooms, I’m nearly half asleep.

Until the phone starts ringing.

I hear Diane answer it downstairs, her voice just as tired sounding as I feel, but she suddenly snaps out of her sleepy daze.

“She’s upstairs asleep.” I hear her say, and I furrow my brows and sit up. “I’ll go get her.”

Within a moment, she’s opening the door and looking at me with wide eyes and a pale face.

“Doc McGhee is on the line—”

I don’t let her finish before I’m darting past her and almost tripping over myself to get down the stairs to the phone.

“Hello?” I ask, a panic to my voice. I hear him take a deep breath before calmly stating:

“Vivian, you need to get back to town. Nikki’s wrapped his Porsche around a pole.”

#nikki sixx #tommy lee #vince neil #mötley crüe #douglas booth #daniel webber #colson baker #the dirt #the dirt movie #douglas booth!nikki sixx

[mongoosefangs]

Redwall Revisited, Part 2: Pearls of Lutra

In light of all the Redwall fanart I’ve been putting out recently I’m going to be revisiting each of the books and posting my personal thoughts on them. It’s been a lowkey goal of mine for a while to write a sizeable story set in this world- a full novel, more or less, and I’d like it to read as authentically as possible. More specifically I want this story to feel like one of the early Redwall novels. I think most folks will agree that there is a certain quality shift in the series after a point (although this isn’t universal, there have been some underwhelming early books and some good later books IMO) and by taking a close look at every one I hope to pinpoint just what it is that makes a Redwall story feel ‘oldschool’ or not.

I’m not necessarily going to be reading these in any particular order besides 'what I feel like’, although I will probably post the reviews in the original publishing order.

Each book will be judged on its primary protagonist and antagonist, its notable supporting characters, my personal favorite minor character, the overall conflict and resolution, and any other noteworthy features or gimmicks. At the end I’ll give the novel a 1-5 overall rating with 5 being the best. I may also throw in a few fanfiction prompts based on questions left unanswered or characters who could stand to be better explored.

Second on my reading list is Pearls of Lutra (1996):

Two books in one year? Woah there Brian, take it easy, it's not a race. That said it's impressive that both Lutra and Outcast came out in '96 because they're both very solid books and don't feel rushed or half-assed at all! Where Outcast may have fallen a little flat with its titular character this next installment more than makes up for it, giving us one of the most memorable and well-received vermin characters in the entire series... we'll get to her eventually. Y'all know who I'm talking about.

This is one of those novels where most of the action takes place away from Redwall Abbey, and the main villain never even leaves his territory at all. While I do tend to prefer stories where the bad guy has more motivation beyond obtaining some macguffin, there's still plenty at stake here, and the social commentary is unfortunately very relatable in this day and age as so many characters suffer just so this one wealthy asshole can decorate a crown for his stupid vain head. Eat the rich, is what I'm saying. Maybe they do taste like pine after all.

The Primary Protagonist- Grath Longfletch You might argue that Martin takes the lead as the book goes on but Grath should be the main character and she's on the book cover, so there. She's definitely got more reason than anyone to be pissed, as her entire family and clan was slaughtered for their treasure, with Grath herself driven to the brink of death. After she recovers she does what any reasonable person would do. She builds herself a bow, gets herself a boat, and heads out to kick some pirate ass. Along the way she meets up with the Redwallers and it's here where she sadly starts fading into the background. In the end I feel that Grath Longfletch gets shafted (ha ha. arrow pun. get it). Her story doesn't even get a satisfying conclusion as she exits the novel off-camera and the Redwallers handwave her away. It would have been nice to get her thoughts on finally avenging her people, or at the very least a mention in the epilogue about how she's moving forward with her life. As it is Grath Longfletch is like a wave on the ocean, building up huge momentum before dissolving completely, and that's a real shame. She could have easily carried the book on her own without the Abbey Warrior coming along to steal her thunder.

The Primary Antagonist- Emperor Ublaz Mad Eyes Holy crap, it's a pine marten! Why were these guys so insanely rare throughout the series, anyway? Ublaz isn't the most interesting out of them if you ask me, but that's not really a knock against him- he manages to be a pretty decent villain even if he never threatens Redwall personally. I think a rich pompous dick who does nothing but hoard resources on his own private island is someone we can all agree to hate these days. The Emperor's entire motivation, besides clinging on to what he's already got, is acquiring more. This whole drama starts because he wants a set of six pink pearls for his crown! That's literally it! Ublaz couldn't care less about Redwall Abbey or Mossflower Woods. The only reason they're on his radar at all is because the pearls are there. He's shallow, vain, greedy, conniving and arrogant. If he's not the most threatening villain ever then I'll argue that he's at least one of the most loathsome just for being the 1%. Ublaz is notable for having some sort of weird hypnotic power with his eyes, hence the nickname. It's never explained how this works but simply making direct eye contact with him is apparently enough to drive his own minions to suicide. If this sounds cheap it's because it is, but Ublaz isn't much of a fighter otherwise. He's explicitly gotten weak and soft from living like royalty for so long and I appreciate that detail. Mad Eyes's greatest asset is his mind, whether he's literally puppeteering others or attempting to outsmart them as even his followers are sick of his shit. The moment he does get in a swordfight he goes down like a sack of candied chestnuts.

Other Notable Major Characters: Martin- No, no, not THAT Martin, the OTHER Martin, Mattimeo's son who was named after the legendary Abbey Warrior. That is a lot to live up to and probably makes for some awkward introductions. No. Sorry. You’re thinking of someone else. Can we just call him, like, Marty instead? Morton? Bort? I'm getting off track. Anyway, Martwo here fails to live up to his predecessors. He didn't rise from adversity like the original Martin, he didn't come of age like Matthias, he didn't have to learn a hard lesson like Mattimeo, he's just there because you gotta have a token mouse warrior in the abbey, I guess. Bort is as generic a hero as you can possibly get. This makes it all the more disappointing that he comes along to push Grath Longfletch out of the spotlight and steal her kill. Mar2n is just... extraneous. You could take him out of the story entirely and still accomplish the same thing. Rollo and Auma are still around so it's not like you need this guy to establish that Pearls of Lutra is the direct sequel to Mattimeo. Without this Martin, more interesting characters would have the chance to shine.

Tansy- When Redwall is threatened by the Emperor's agents it's up to this young hedgehog to find the coveted pearls in order to pay the ransom. With help along the way from her friends, she displays enough courage and wisdom that she ends up being nominated as Redwall's next Abbess by the end. There isn't a whole lot to say about her beyond that, but she does fulfill an important role and has the good sense to slam dunk those pearls to the bottom of the sea where they belong. She knows what's up.

Rasconza- The biggest thorn in Emperor Ublaz's side throughout the story is one of his own corsairs. This fox isn't even the one who first orchestrates the rebellion, he just swoops in later to run the show and ends up being a persistent threat up til the end. When mutiny happens in the Redwall series it's usually quashed pretty quickly so this is kind of a cool thing to see. It's nice that Rasconza is there so Ublaz can do something other than twiddle his thumbs while he waits for those pearls.

Romsca- Okay, okay, you can all sit down now. Romsca is probably one of the most memorable Redwall characters ever and even if her role in the plot is actually pretty small I would be remiss if I didn't include her here. She's a corsair ferret who is tasked with guiding Ublaz's creepy lizard army to Mossflower and obtaining the pearls. Why is that so notable, you ask? Because out of the precious few 'vermin' throughout the series who have any suggestion of morality to them, Romsca has a complete little character arc and ends up doing something unquestionably good and selfless. Unfortunately because we can't have nice things it comes at the cost of her life. In a perfect world we could see her go on to thrive and have nautical adventures forever, but it does go to show just how determined she was to stick to her guns, and shows us that vermin don't have to be innately bad. Except for when they are. (Lookin' at you, Veil.) I think we can all agree that Romsca is a breath of fresh air and the series would be better with more characters like her in it. They're few and far between to begin with, and those that do exist need to get on this ferret's level.

My Favorite Minor Character: Oh, we already did Romsca? Okay, then, I like Viola for sort of going in the opposite direction, starting out as the abbey's resident crybaby and going on to find a taste for adventure. She's a shallow, fun character and that's all right. They did a similar thing with Cynthia in Mattimeo which makes me wonder if bankvoles are just Like This? Is this a stereotype bankvoles have? What even is a bankvole, really?

Pearls of Lutra is probably one of the better books, I feel like it suffers from too many characters more than anything. Marty could be cut in favor of Grath Longfletch. You could ignore all the rebelling corsairs who came before Rasconza. Even Tansy isn't really as interesting as her buddies Piknim and Craklyn (who are totally a couple if you ask me). The narrative is solid but it starts to get bogged down by the sheer number of players competing for the reader's attention. This is a story about fighting for what's really important: life is more precious than any trinket, and it's worth defending to the bitter end. It's also about eating the rich. Wealth and influence will only get you so far: if you act like a jerk, nobody is going to put up with your crap forever. I feel that this might be, like, the most political of the novels in that regard. You can have your whimsical talking animal story but there's some serious subtext here too. Beyond that, the ninth Redwall installment is also memorable for being the one where they burn down a church (wow) and the one with an absurdly large percentage of reptiles and pinnipeds in it. There's also something I noticed while reading: the naming convention in this book gets really redundant. Like weirdly so. Grath. Grall. Graylunk. Grimjaw. Groojaw. Guja. Kuja. Two of these dudes who don't matter are even named on the same page! It's a minor nitpick but I just find it bizarre. It can't be that hard to think of various names for filler characters, can it? I hear Sampetra is completely sold out of Gort license plates.

Overall Score: 4/5

#mongoosewrites #redwall

[tipsycad147]

Planetary Magic 4: Venus, Love and Money

by Christopher Penczak | Jul 29, 2013

(Originally appearing in Crow’s Calling)

Venus is the most alluring of the planets. Seen as both a morning and evening star, no heavenly body, save the Sun and Moon, has captured the attention of humanity as this bright star has. Many gods and goddesses have been associated with it, from the goddesses Inanna and Ishtar, to the fallen angel Lucifer. Friday is the day in harmony with Venusian energies, named after the Norse goddess Freya, creating Freya’s day. But the planet itself is named after the goddess of love, known to the Greeks as Aphrodite.

Aphrodite is most popularly known as the patron of love and romance, but she is also the goddess of sensuality, pleasure, beauty and relaxation. In some of the myths, she was known for her anger, jealousy and infidelity as well. Although considered one of the twelve Olympians, the main gods of the Greeks, she is most likely a much older goddess, since her birth in the creation tales had to be fit into the myths of the classical Greeks. Her first stories don’t seem to fit. Although some say she is a daughter of Zeus, most myths give a different tale. When Chronos castrated his father, the sky god Uranus, his genitals fell into the ocean. The ocean foamed and frothed, until Venus burst forth from the waves, making her a primal ocean goddess, without real parents. When she reached the shore, flowers bloomed at her feet, following her wherever she went. So she carries the associations of an Earth goddess too. Later she became the champion of love and romance.

Venus captures our attention because it is the brightest of the stars. The planet reflects so much light because of the planets thick atmosphere. Venus has a continuous “green house” effect. Most solar energy gets reflected off this atmosphere, creating the dazzling light, and giving Venus its association with gems and jewels. The energy that does penetrate gets trapped inside, creating a blistering atmosphere that cannot support life as we know it. The energy of Venus, of personal love, is reflected in these characteristics. Our love and emotions can often be dazzling at first glance, but cloudy and obscured when looked at closely. Our memories concerning love are hazy, unlike the memories of Mercury, which lacks an atmosphere that can haze perception. Passion and romance are hot and steamy, and we can feel our blood boil when in a passionate love affair. Once we “get” love, we often don’t want to give it up. We seek to trap and bind it.

Venus is the only planet with a day, or rotation on its axis, longer than its year. Venus’ day is equivalent to 243 earth days while its year, or one complete orbit around the Sun, is only 225 earth days. This is why the goddess is associated with leisure and luxury, and in some people’s minds, laziness and inactivity. Venus takes time to enjoy every second. Venus is sensual. Venus goes its own way, rotating in the opposite direction of all the other planets. The goddess is, after all, free and independent. The Sun rises on her western horizon, always starting with a sense of completion, at least from the Earth person’s view point. Since the Sun sets on the earthly western horizon, we associate it with endings and completion. Many magical traditions also place the element of water at the west, for the endings, and the mysteries of the other worlds, beyond the ocean. Water is the element of love and healing. The powers of Venus are the pleasures at the end of the day. Venus moves toward completion rather than fresh starts and initiation. Initiation is handled by Venus’ lover, Mars. The goddess of love’s emphasis on the west is the land of endings, sunsets and mysteries.

This planet currently rules two zodiac signs, though many debate her rulership. Taurus and Libra both share Venus. In Taurus, she is the goddess of the earth, physical pleasure, the body, and sensuality. Taurus is associated with resources and money, and Venus can be used in such magic. She attracts, and then holds onto her resources, like the heat of the planet. In Libra, she is the goddess of art, relationship, justice and balance. She is in an air sign, keen on communication between partners and intellectual appreciation of the finer things in life. Both signs have been associated with the colour green, as well as pink, making those strong ritual colours to work with when invoking Venus the goddess, or Venus the planet. Copper, which turns green when tarnished, along with many green and blue stones that have copper compounds in them, such as turquoise, azurite and malachite, resonate with Venus. Emerald, however, is the stone most often associated with Venus.

Magic in the sphere of Venus is love and emotion magic. Do spells to find a lover, long term or short term. Do spells to find self love and healing. Venus rules the heart chakra and throat chakra, letting us speak our feelings with clarity and strength. Call on it to heal a broken heart as well. Use it to heal and strengthen relationships of all kinds, because to this goddess, all relationships, friends and family, are based on love.

The power of attraction is the power of Venus. Lodestone, the natural magnetic stone, is a mineral of Venus. Venus attracts things of value to you. If you value money, it will attract that in your magick. If you value the things that money can buy, sensual or intellectual pleasures, Venus will attract that. If you value romance, beauty, or anything at all, Venus can attract it.

Venus energy is great for quick money magic. Green is the colour of Venus, the colour of money and the colour of most vegetation. It is the symbol on this planet for stored solar energy, stored potential. All barter and trade was based on the value of stored energy, be it in grain, animals, or the solar energy reflected in gold. That is why we associate money with green. Also, we cannot have prosperity in our life if we do not love ourselves and feel worthy of prosperity.

Venus energy helps us complete any project. It gives us the final push to complete long standing goals and things that have been shelved. Venus brings us to the reward at the end of the journey, where we can enjoy the fruits of our labour.

When you want to call upon the energies of Venus, do so when this energy is strong. Most people use the power of Venus to attract, so doing work on a waxing Moon, to attract things to you is helpful. But at times, we wish to banish with this energy, such as banishing the pain of a broken heart, so the waning Moon would be more appropriate. All Venusian magick is powerful on Fridays, the day of Venus, and the first hour after sunrise is the first hour of Venus. Also when the Moon or Sun is in the sign of Taurus or Libra is powerful Venus time.

We have a planetary Venus cycle and a personal Venus cycle. During this time, it is great to rest and relax, enjoy the finer things in life, play music, tell stories and make art. It’s a time for inner expression. For the planetary cycle, it is typically Dec 6 to Jan 26. I always thought that strange because I associate Venus with the goddess of flowers its zodiac signs with spring and fall, but the winter is a perfect time to rest and relax. Our personal Venus period starts 260 days after our birthday, and lasts approximately 52 days.

When designing Venus rituals, make them sensual and fun. Don’t try to be too serious. Laughter can be a great form of magic. Invoke all the senses. Use foods, drinks, scents, sounds and textures that are pleasing to you. That will invoke the Venus energy. You can also use the following correspondences in your rituals.

MINERALS:Amber, Aventurine, Azurite, Calcite, Blue Calcite, Green Calcite, Pink Calcite, Cat’s Eye, Chrysocolla, Chysoprase, Emerald, Hexagonite, Jade, Green Jasper, Kunzite, Kyanite, Lapis Lazuli, Loadstone, Malachite, Peridot, Rose Quartz, Rhodochrosite, Rhodonite, Serpentine, Blue Sodalite, Tourmaline, Turquoise, Variscite

PLANTS: Adam and Eve Root, African Violet, Alder, Alfalfa, Almond, Angelica, Apple, Apricot, Ash, Avocado, Balm of Gilead, Banana, Bay, Bedstraw, Bean, Beets, Bergamot, Bleeding Heart, Blood Root, Boneset, Catnip, Celery, Cherry, Chickpea, Red Clover, Cocoa, Coltsfoot, Columbine, Cosmos, Crocus, Cuckoo-Flower, Cumin, Cypress, Daffodil, Daisies, Damiana, Dittany, Elder, Fern, Foxglove, Gardenia, Geranium, Goldenrod, Goldenseal, Gooseberry, Heart’s Ease, Heather, Hibiscus, Hollyhocks, Horehound, Hyacinth, Hydrangeas, Jade Tree, Jasmine, Jewelweed, Juniper, Kava-Kava, Ladies’ Mantle, Lemon, Lemon Balm, Lemon Verbena, Lentil, Lily of the Valley, Lime, Lovage, Lungwort, Marshmallow, Meadowsweet, Moneywort, Motherwort, Orchid, Oregano, Orris Root, Pansy, Parsley, Passion Flower, Passion Fruit, Pear, Pennyroyal, Peony, Peppermint, Periwinkle, Plum, Poppy, Primrose, Radish, Ragweed, Raspberry, Rice, Rose, Sarsaparilla, Self-Heal, Silverweed, Slippery Elm, Spearmint, Star Anise, Strawberry, Sweet pea, Sycamore, Tansy, Thyme, Tulips, Vanilla, Vervain, Vetivert, Violet, Walnut, Watermelon, Wheat, Woodruff, Yarrow

(Be sure to consult a reputable medical herbal before using any herbs topically or internally.)

Besides this list, the aforementioned copper, even copper pennies are great for ritual, as well as sugar and honey. Sweetness is the power of Venus. Experiment. Be daring. Create. Walk with

Venus.

Next: Mars and Victory!

Resources: * A Salem Witch’s Herbal by Laurie Cabot. Celtic Crow Publishing. * Archetypes of the Zodiac by Kathleen Burt. Llewellyn. * Astrological Magick by Estelle Daniels. (Samuel Weiser) * Astrology From A to Z by Eleanor Bach. Evens and Company. * Cunningham’s Encyclopedia of Magical Herbs and Cunningham’s Encyclopedia of Crystal, Gem & Metal Magic, by Scott Cunningham. Llewellyn. * Lifting the Veil: Practical Kabbalah with Kundalini Yoga by Gurunam. Rootlight Publishing

https://christopherpenczak.com/2013/07/29/planetary-magic-4-venus-love-and-money/

[fableweaver]

Arc of the Cursed Monk

Arc of the Cursed Monk

Glen wandered through the library, the aisles dark and dusty. The air was heavy with dust and the silence of books, only Glen’s lamp casting light on the tombs set in the shelf before him. Cobwebs and dust coated the spines of the books before him, titles almost illegible on the spines. He found the one he was looking for, an account of the expenses of the university that had once been in Cair Leone when it had been Versae. He took it down and carried it off to a more well-lit area of the library.

He arrived at the table in the middle of aisles lit by several lamps. Sitting at the desk was the only companion he had in his search. The Prince Nicodemus certainly wasn’t what Glen had expected in one of the men of the line of Drasirs. He was a bit like Glen, thin and bookish with a pair of spectacles on his nose. The slight cast of Lirian features only made him seem more willowy and less like the robust Regarians.

“Find what you were looking for?” Nicodemus said as Glen sat down. Glen shrugged, unable to answer in words. He lamented the lack of communication, even missing his stutter at times when he couldn’t even make a noise to make himself understood. “Have you found anything about Bellamy?”

Glen shook his head again feeling disappointed. He had been searching for months now with little success. One problem he had was the fact that most of the records had been destroyed when the old palace had burned to the ground. Some survived and had been moved to the library though hardly ever touched. Many of those records had been damaged beyond repair, time or the fire doing their work on the parchment.

Glen wondered if Alda was a more promising lead now, he might find better records of Versa there rather than in Cair Leone. He skimmed through the record he had pulled down feeling it was hopeless. It was a billing record and he was hoping to at least find a date to work off of for when Bellamy had attended the college here. He was rewarded, half way through the volume he found the name he sought. The record only gave payment information and dates, but the dates were enough for Glen.

It looked like Bellamy lived in Versae from 256 to 261, the end of the reign of Seraiah Alvar, The Wise and the beginning of Ioram’s reign. Ioram had the shortest reign of all the Kings, only three years. He had only been present for one year in his reign before disappearing. It took his brother Itheal two years to finally legally claim the throne from his absent brother, but he became known as the Watchful King because he was said to have watched out for his brother.

Ioram didn’t have the same romanticism about him as Absalom’s disappearance. Probably because he was known to show up from time to time and he was brought to Versae after his death. He was known as the Lost King, not because he was lost but because no one had been able to find him.

Glen wrote out a note about Ioram and passed it to Nicodemus who read it.

“Ioram III Alvar was one of the more fascinating of the kings,” Nicodemus said. “He only had one journal it must be in Alma. But he was said to be the only High King other than Absalom to have traveled the Nine. Even though his brother managed to gain control of the kingdoms from him, Ioram was said to not care. There are rumors he lived with the Rhodin and was even accepted into their society.”

Glen wrote out another note that read: Do you know why he left?

“No one does,” Nicodemus said. “He took the throne and then just wandered. It was said it was against his character.”

Glen stared at the paper and decided there was a correlation, but he was first going to need to find something about Bellamy that tied in with Ioram.

Can you suggest some records here about Ioram? Glen wrote out on a piece of paper.

“Many,” Nicodemus said. “I’ve been organizing the library and going through the records here, I can find almost anything here.”

Glen nodded gratefully and they both stood. Nicodemus guided him through the library for hours, picking out books that related to the same time and records of Ioram’s times. Luckily not as many of these had been destroyed as they had been very old and at the back of the old library when it had burned. The current year was now 684, over four hundred years after Ioram’s reign. It bothered Glen that the latest information they could gather of the song was over four hundred years old. It felt like they would never find it if the trail was that cold. But he had no choice but to follow what trail he could find.

Once they had gathered all the records the Nicodemus recommended they went back to the table.

“If you tell me what you are looking for perhaps I can help you search,” Nicodemus said and Glen looked at him considering. He was a bit like Glen in that he wasn’t the typical Regarian so he wouldn’t automatically dismiss the Phay. But at the same time he was still the nephew of the High King. He decided to accept his help but not tell him everything.

I’m looking for mentions of a lord Bellamy from Bellerose Glen wrote out. He lived in Versae during the beginning of Ioram’s reign. He carried a green stone flute of Aldan make; I am looking for that flute.

He handed the note over and Nicodemus read the note and nodded.

“Alright, let’s start then,” Nicodemus said grinning. Glen smiled back and felt a kinship to this young man. Though Glen had never really spent as much time in libraries, his presence was determined to be too dangerous for sensitive texts, he had enjoyed reading. Nicodemus struck him as a man that loved knowledge for knowledge sake, especially history. He felt he could at least trust Nicodemus to help him because his skills were superior to his own.

Hours passed sifting through the records, reading through lists and accounts looking for the name Bellamy again. Glen didn’t stop until Nicodemus tapped on the table next to him and he looked up to meet the eyes of the scholarly prince.

“I think you should head back now,” Nicodemus said holding up his mage watch. “It is nearly noon; Lucia will be looking for you. Leave the research to me for today, I will welcome the work.”

Glen nodded; Nicodemus was one of the few people that knew about not only Lucia’s secrets but Glen’s as well. He gathered his notes and put them in a satchel. He pulled his veil back down and left Nicodemus at the table reading. Glen hadn’t made much progress in his research before, having been searching by himself. Maybe now with Nicodemus’ help he could find something.

He walked out of the library and headed back for the women’s wing. The other reason he hadn’t made much progress was because Lucia claimed much of his time. Once again he found her waiting for him in the garden. Lucia was a gorgeous woman, shapely and tall with raven black hair and pale skin. She had beauty sigils that enhanced her looks, making the eye drawn to her. She now showed her pregnancy, her belly swollen with child.

Horace stood behind her like a statue; he attended these lessons since he could understand Glen better than anyone else. His brother now had two sigils each for strength, stamina, speed, and endurance, yet he seemed less content than he had. Glen had noticed him mooning after the Princess Pricilla, who obviously hated him for beating her brother.

“Shall we begin?” Lucia said and Glen nodded sitting next to her on the bench. “I can finally focus on the Wild Kin now, so let’s get to commanding them,” Lucia said once he sat down. Glen sighed heavily and took out his slate and chalk. He wrote out a short hand message and handed it to Horace who could read it. They had found out that Lucia was not very good at reading so Horace became Glen’s translator.

“You do not command them you ask,” Horace read. “I believe he means you don’t order them around.”

Glen shook his head and motioned for the chalkboard. He wrote again before handing it back.

“You make your meaning known,” Horace read.

“What does that mean?” Lucia asked looking from Horace to Glen. Glen decided to demonstrate. He looked around and spotted a gnome and summoned it over with a touch of power. He then focused his will on the gnome and thought words to it. He didn’t need to speak to command the Wild Kin since he made his will known with his power.

The gnome nodded and did a little jig and then bowed.

“How did you do that?” Lucia said delighted. Glen wrote it out before Horace read it.

“I used my power to let my will be known to the gnome,” Horace read. “It could choose if it would obey. I don’t need to speak to communicate with them.”

“I see,” Lucia said nodding. “How much power does this take?”

“More power means greater understanding and less tricks from them,” Horace answered. “Greater Wild Kin require more power to make them understand.”

“Show me,” Lucia said.

Glen took her hand and once again guided her in letting the aether flow through her. It was an interesting experience; Glen could sense she was a good conduit because of her pregnancy. He was able to do this because of her connection to Arke. Glen had immediately seen the thread on her, but he couldn’t imagine why Lucia had been chosen. He could sense Lucia hadn’t come into this power until recently, Lucia had told him about Tansy. He supposed somehow the girl had passed her power to Lucia.

Once they were both seeped in the aether, Glen once again demonstrated how to communicate with the Wild Kin. Lucia could now sense what he was doing and soon tried on her own, giving vocal commands unlike Glen. Sometimes the Wild Kin listened, and sometimes they didn’t. They kept at it for hours, Glen going over much of the ways to deal with the Wild Kin and how to speak to them.

“They do not have Elder Magic but Wild Magic,” Horace read Glen’s note.

“There is a third type of magic?” Lucia said amazed.

“I don’t know,” Horace said after Glen wrote it out. “Whatever the Wild Kin’s power is called Wild Magic. You use Elder Magic to talk to them, but Wild Magic is different.”

“Can I use the Wild Magic?” Lucia asked and Glen just shrugged and shook his head.

“Milady, why so intent on learning this?” Horace asked. “If the Sect learned of this they would burn you for it.”

“I need to protect the Lady Jeanne and the child I carry,” Lucia answered. “I’m hoping I can learn something that can aid us.”

“And why is that so important to you?” Horace asked. “Jeanne means that much to you?”

“She saved me from a life of a peasant,” Lucia answered.

“Was your life before this much better?” Horace asked. “You could die protecting Jeanne, worse you had to bed a man that enjoys pain and no doubt causes it to you. What do you gain from this loyalty?”

Lucia glared up at him her jaw set and eyes burning.

“Who are you to question me?” Lucia asked angrily. “I don’t need to justify my actions to you.”

“I am a lord of Regis and Knight of the Sect,” Horace answered, his tone matching hers. “You may dress like a lady, but you are a girl of low birth. I ask because it seems to me you are seeking to gain control of Jeanne’s life and power as the future High Queen.”

Lucia looked ready to leap to her feet and storm away so Glen stopped her with a soft hand on hers. She looked at him and he met her eyes, holding her there for a moment before turning away to write something on the slate. He handed it to Horace who read it and then sighed heavily with a note of pain.

“What does it say?” Jeanne asked, her eyes never leaving Glen’s.

“This woman endures pain because she has no other choice,” Horace answered wearily. “Just like me.”

Lucia’s eyes lost their edge and Glen read her own pain in those depths. It was as if she had just realized the truth of her life.

“I did not choose any of this,” Lucia said softly. “I was taken from my home, made to take this role, and now if I leave it will mean my death. None of you understand… We peasants, low born, are little better than dogs made to follow your every word. To disobey is to die, to lose that which you love. Jeanne… She never wanted me to go through that and for it I love her. But what I’ve had to endure…”

Glen put an arm around her shoulder and she wept. Glen looked up to see Horace staring at them both looking like his world had turned upside down. Glen knew how he felt; though he had spent his life as an unwanted son he still at times took advantage of those of a lesser cast. After his travels and what he had faced, he saw them now as the people they were. He was amazed that they could live in such abject poverty and suppression.

At last Lucia recovered, wiping her eyes on a silk handkerchief.

“I am sorry milady for my harsh words,” Horace said, his head hanging low.

“No, thank you,” Lucia said. “It means you were looking out for the Lady Jeanne’s interests and that is what I want. My life is about her protection, it gives my life meaning and purpose. If I am to die it feels better knowing it was for another. And soon I hope I will leave behind a child.”

Her hand went to her belly and Glen put his hand over hers. She met his eyes and he hoped she understood that he was there to make sure she would live on. Her eyes flickered and she seemed to understand and then nodded. Glen felt a stir in his gut then, a strange feeling like a string had been plucked in his belly.

The silence was suddenly broken by running footsteps as a servant came stumbling into the garden. The Elmerian man was flushed, his eyes wild, and he was out of breath as he came running up to fall on his knees before Lucia.

“Lady Jeanne,” he gasped trying to catch his breath. “I’ve been sent to fetch you.”

“What has happened?” Lucia asked already on her feet.

“The High King is dead,” the man answered and the air went out of the garden, even the wind died at those words.

“Lead the way,” Lucia said grimly and the servant scrambled to his feet. Horace and Glen followed her, Glen glancing at his brother. Horace’s face was set in a grim frown, his eyes dark as they followed Lucia back to the palace. Inside the air hummed with whispers and cries as the news spread like wildfire in the Court of Miracles. Lucia walked through it all with her head held high and back straight, Glen unable to see her face but she seemed unbroken.

They walked into the great ballroom where the court had gathered, the center space of the room empty but for one thing. A bier stood in the middle of the room, draped with crimson velvet and piled with roses. In the middle of the nest lay a body, wearing armor etched with a dragon rampant the emblem of the Drasirs. The body however was headless, the grisly stump of a neck at least dressed in linen to hide the wound. It was still a terrifying sight, the corpse without the head; Glen could see several ladies had fainted at the sight. He could smell the herbs used to preserve the body, rosemary and vinegar tainting the hall. It would have taken days for the body to be brought here.

Lucia paused at the edge of the crowd and they parted to let her through. She walked by serenely, Glen and Horace at her shoulders but they fell back when she reached the edge of the crowd. The weeping ladies and grim lords fell silent as she walked up to the bier and stood over the king’s body. Lucia put her hand on his chest over the heart, her hand resting lightly on the steel breastplate.

“Thank you my King,” Lucia said softly. “Rest now in the arms of the gods, may you forever be in Sol’s light.”

Glen looked around at the faces of the nobility and he saw she had just won over many of the people there. Who was this woman; she had been a peasant in the back waters of the Mark and now had the adoration of not only the nobility, but the people of Cair Leone. Glen looked at her and wondered how she had become such a master at manipulation, and if this was why Arke had chosen her.

“Well said Lady Jeanne,” Sherah said. She stood next to her brother’s throne, dressed all in Isra’s black in mourning. Her face however held anger, not the sorrow of a sister. “But now is not the time for mourning. This is the second loved one Loe has stolen from me, but it will be the last.”

“All of Lir will pay for this,” Elrik said, grinning like a lion. He didn’t look sad at all, he looked victorious; which wasn’t lost on his aunt. “I will go and crush them aunt Sherah, don’t you worry.”

“No you will not,” Sherah said and Elrik stood to face her.

“I am king now Sherah,” Elrik growled. “You cannot tell me what to do.”

“You are not king until after the mourning period is over and you are crowned,” Sherah answered glaring up at her nephew. “And you will find that being king does not mean you can do as you please. If you left for war who would take the throne if you were to die?”

The question wasn’t posed to prove there would be no one but Lucia’s, or rather Jeanne’s, unborn babe. It was posed to prove that there were other contenders for the throne. Not just Anton, though he was away still in Myr, but Nicodemus as well. Sherah looked at her nephew like a shark looked at her next meal, and Elrik glared back at her.

“You wouldn’t dare,” Elrik said loftily. Sherah took a step forward her eyes sharp.

“I am more powerful than you, try me,” Sherah said and the silence hung in the room like a looming storm.

“Enough Sherah,” Lucia said stepping around the bier. She walked up and pulled the two apart, standing to look at Elrik. “Husband, I know you are eager to hunt down your father’s killer, but you must consider the safety of the kingdoms. At least wait until the birth of our child to go running off to battle. See the son that I will bear you, the heir that will be yours.”

Elrik hesitated, his eyes flicking from Sherah to Lucia. Glen could hardly believe what he was seeing, but the prince seemed to soften under Lucia’s eyes.

“Very well, at least until my son is born,” Elrik said at last. “But I will hold a war council, and decide the general to hold the front until I join them.”

“Your uncle Lucas has been doing a fine job of holding the border,” Sherah said. “He still holds it as we speak even after the death of the king.”

“I will come to my own decisions Sherah,” Elrik spat.

“Husband, please you know that your uncle is the right choice,” Lucia said cajolingly. “Do not let Sherah manipulate you into a wrong decision.”

Glen wondered who was ruling who now.

“Very well,” Elrik said grudgingly. “A war council must still be called.”

“Of course,” Lucia said. “Allow me to take over planning the coronation then so that you do not have to worry about it.”

“Good,” Elrik said nodding to her. “But first is my father’s funeral.”

Lucia bowed to him and joined him on the dais as several Sects hurried forward. They were all Sisters of Sorrow, caretakers of the dead. They carefully drew a shroud of golden cloth over the king’s body, silence hanging in the room. Then the sisters bowed and fell back, knights stepping forward. They were all senior knights, probably the ones that had carried the king’s body here. The knights lifted the stretcher the king’s body lay on and then turned to walk towards the door.

Elrik stood and followed, Sherah and Lucia following after him. The rest of the court followed as well, but Glen and Horace held back until the court was empty.

“Can you tell what happened?” Horace asked Glen. Glen shook his head, wondering if Horace thought he could magically divine the murderer of the king. “I was hoping you could shed some light on this.”

Glen shrugged looking out after the line of courtiers. He was thinking more about the feeling he had before they had been told about the king’s death, it had been almost like he could tell it was coming. He wondered if his powers were growing.

“You’re thinking about something,” Horace said. “What is it?”

Glen sighed; he should have known Horace would see through him. He had never been really close to his brother, but the time they had spent learning to communicate meant Horace could read him well now. He took out his slate and wrote out what he had been thinking, Horace reading it pensively.

“You can see the future?” Horace asked at last. Glen pointed to the word felt and Horace nodded. “Feel the future.” Glen nodded and Horace stared at him; not in disbelief but in a measured way as if he was digesting this news. “Alright, I hope this comes in handy then. I guess you’re still learning how it works so I won’t question it. But if you feel something let me know so I know when to duck.”

Glen nodded glad his brother trusted him. It was strange how they had grown to trust one another when through their childhoods they hadn’t been very close. Glen liked Horace, more than his other brothers or sisters simply because he had a great sense of honor. He had never been cruel to Glen, never purposefully mean or seeking out harm to him, so Glen had trusted him a bit more than his other siblings. If Glen had broken something Horace at least took it in stride rather than shouting or yelling at him.

Glen wondered if this new trust was thanks to Arke, and if it was he owed her a lot of thanks.

“Should we attend the funeral?” Horace asked. Glen shook his head, they wouldn’t be missed and it would be a day long funeral that he would be glad to miss. “More research then?” Horace asked and Glen nodded. Horace sighed and followed him as they went back to the library. They found the desk that Nicodemus had been at covered with papers, books, and scrolls. It looked like Nicodemus had left in a rush when he had heard the news, papers scattered over the desk. Glen cleaned it up before taking his place at the table and began where Nicodemus had left off.

“Have you found anything yet?” Horace asked as he joined him. Glen shook his head. “Can I help?” Glen nodded and wrote out a list of what he was looking for. Horace read through it and nodded, picking up a book and began to read. “Do you really hope to find what you’re looking for here?” Horace asked.

Glen looked up at him to see Horace was staring at him measuring. Glen realized that Horace was expecting Glen to know what he was doing. He had taken Horace into this after all. Glen took a piece of paper and wrote out a note: I don’t hope I know. I will find what I am looking for; the information is here I know it. As proof I’ve already found a lead, the man I’m looking for lived in Versae. I will find what I need in these records.

Horace read the note and sighed.

“Glen I have something to confess,” Horace said wearily and Glen looked at him expectantly. “The only reason I agreed to this venture was to see the Princess Pricilla and try to win her affections.”

Glen stared at him surprised to see Horace blushing a bit. Glen had never seen his brother in love, but then again they had only been together as children. Glen realized this made Horace seem both older to him, no longer a child, but also younger, a youth in love. He reached out and took Horace’s hand and his brother looked up at him surprised. Glen nodded to him, letting him know it was alright.

“You don’t mind?” Horace said surprised. “I had ulterior motives in coming here.”

Glen shrugged and wrote a note: So did I. Horace looked at him and seemed to pause a moment.

“I noticed the change in you,” Horace said nodding. “Who is she?” Glen made the hand sign of Iris and Horace frowned. “She is a priestess of Iris?” Horace asked.

Glen shook his head and wrote out: She is like Iris. Horace looked at him wryly and Glen shrugged. Glen wrote another note: What about Pricilla? Have you won her over? Horace face fell and he looked away.

“No, I think she hates me now after the Cael’s Day celebrations,” Horace said sadly. “No one will talk to me at court. I have the enchantments Lucia promised, all I need to gain renown as a knight, but I’m living under an alias. It is no wonder she hates me.”

She hated him because he broke her brother’s arm. She hated him because he was trying to rise above his station. Glen thought Horace could do better than Pricilla; he was an honorable man while Pricilla was a pampered brat. He chose not to tell him this, and instead reached out to pat his hand comfortingly.

“I’m fine,” Horace said smiling wanly. “I’ve given up on her anyways, she is a brat.”

Glen wrote out a note: What did you see in her in the first place?

“Honestly I really only saw her looks and status,” Horace answered guiltily. “I’ve learned my lesson now not to be drawn in by a pretty face.”

Glen nodded though he couldn’t help but think of himself. From his past life as Lailoken he had been struck blind by looking on Arke when she was full of light. The story went that he had still fallen in love with her from that brief glimpse. Yet his feelings for her felt much deeper than simply the affections of a man stunned by the beauty of a woman. He wondered what the difference was.

They returned to their task and Glen lost track of the days again in his search. He barely paid attention to court or the affect the king’s death had upon it. He kept to the library with Nicodemus, more time on his hands since Lucia was too busy to take her lessons in the Elder Magic. He still however yet to find anything towards the song or and only a few mentions of the Lord Bellamy just in some academic papers. It showed though that he attended school in Versae so they were on the right track.

The one thing Glen could no longer take comfort in was food. Without his tongue he could no longer taste food, and even had to be careful chewing. It was something that dragged on his spirit, especially being in the Court of Miracles where delicacies were part of every meal. He sought some comfort in texture, but biting into a peach and tasting nothing left him sick at heart.

He tried to distract himself with trying to understand the strange feeling he was beginning to have. He was often woken out of a deep slumber in the middle of the night for no reason, feeling as if something had changed in the room. Sometimes he felt threads or hairs brushing his skin, but when he looked there was nothing there. It was something new and he knew his contact with Arke had been the change in him that made him wonder. He hadn’t had any dreams of Tir Aesclinn, though he often tried to let his spirit wander. It seemed it was one of those things one couldn’t do when they tried but rather let happen. Glen still had yet to master the skill of letting his spirit wander to the lines.  

Glen one day took a walk through the gardens hoping to clear his head of the dusty cobwebs after spending the morning reading. He felt he was close to what he was looking for, but he knew the song was not in the city. He couldn’t imagine where it had gone if it had found its way back into Aldan hands why it wasn’t with them? He mused over this as he walked through the gardens and over the lawns before the entrance of the palace.

The palace of Cair Leone was new, built upon the ruins of Versae. Maybe the song was here until the King’s Wars came, if so it might have been destroyed when the Regarians had set fire to the old palace. It was something they had never thought of, what if the song was destroyed? He had no idea if it were possible or not, and if it was what that could mean.

Raised voices attracted his attention and Glen hurried down the path towards the palace courtyard. It was the south east gate of the palace and in the wide courtyard Glen saw a party of travelers had been let into the gates. A party of ten guards surrounded a Lirian style carriage, the banners they bore showing the emblem of a crane in flight over reeds. They also bore a white flag of peace and truce.

Glen stood to the side as servants hurried to help with the horses, and opened the carriage door. A lord stepped out, dressed in fine Lirian silk robes with his hair oiled and tied back. Deep lines of sorrow scored his face, and Glen could see signs of his spirit having been broken. He wasn’t eaten out like many of Kal Ba’el’s servants, but Glen could see his touch on this man.

A lady followed, the lord’s wife, and she too bore signs of a broken spirit. Glen scanned the guards around them, looking for signs of Legionnaires among them. He nearly ran when he saw one unlike any other he had seen. The man’s spirit was gone, hollowed out of him until there was nothing left. Legionnaires tended to have pieces missing from their spirits, which caused the mania and madness that enabled them to have inhuman strength. But this man was void of all life.

Glen had no idea how this had been possible or how the man still lived, but he was seeing it with his own eyes. The man was dressed like the other guards, no weapons either since they were a party of peace. He seemed no different than any Elmerian, common stock and breed, but most Legionnaires were of Elmerian decent. Glen focused on him, again feeling that stirring in his gut like a fish hook had him by the naval. He saw threads in slight touches for a moment, and saw a thread drifting over the Elmerian man. It was red and looked like it was broken, but it still hovered over him as if seeking that connection again.

Glen let the power go and stared in awe. The man had been one of Arke’s chosen, though the connection had been broken. Weather the Crippled One had known this man had been one of Arke’s chosen was irrelevant, he had succeeded in lessening her power by taking one of her chosen. Glen stared at the man and wondered if he could reestablish the connection and restore the man’s soul.

The man looked up then and saw him, his dark eyes boring into him like a hunter with its prey. There was no emotion in those eyes, no hatred, love, or even a touch of hunger. His eyes were as dead as coals. Glen could tell he was marked now by this man, a chilling feeling that he could never truly escape him. The man looked away and Glen was free from his gaze.

Glen turned away to hurry back to the palace. Other servants were already scrambling to bring the news of the arrival. Glen already guessed that this lord from Lir left and was seeking refuge in the Regarian court. Whether or not this visit was humble was another question. Glen arrived at the women’s wing and found Lucia was not in her room so went to the Queen’s Solar. He found her at tea with the queen, Pricilla, and several other ladies of standing.

“Ah Gwen, what brings you here away from your prayers?” Lucia asked smoothly as she set her cup down. Glen curtsied; he was used to wearing women’s clothing by now and hardly cared any more. He made the sign of Mercore and Lucia frowned at him. “Has something happened?”

“It think she is saying a messenger has arrived,” Pricilla said frowning.

“You really need to learn your prayer signs dear,” Cecelia tittered to Lucia as she took a sip of tea. Glen doubted she herself knew what the signs were.

“Gwen, has a messenger arrived?” Lucia asked ignoring the quip. Glen took out his slate and wrote out A Lord of Lir in peace. He handed it over and Lucia read it, struggling a moment with reading the Regarian script. “Do you know which lord has arrived?” Lucia asked as she stood and handed the slate back.

Glen shook his head and Lucia simply set her mouth in a determined line. She curtsied to the queen before leaving, marching out quickly. Glen followed leaving the queen and princess to their tea.    

“I wish you could talk and tell me what is going on,” Lucia said crisply as they walked. “You make a horrible messenger.”

Glen made the sign of apology, but Lucia wasn’t looking at him. Even if she was Glen had learned her prayer signs were limited at best, a peasant from the Mark didn’t learn much about the Sect.

“Is there anything you can report?” Lucia asked crisply and Glen took out his slate to write.

There is a man who serves the Crippled One Glen handed the slate over. Lucia read it and looked at him, her eyes like iron.

“Well I can’t say I am surprised,” Lucia said mildly handing back the slate. Glen pocketed it and tried to keep pace with her. Despite being heavy with child Lucia marched with a long even stride, not the typical waddle of a pregnant woman. Glen had long since noticed the attention she drew as she marched through the halls. Servants and lords alike bowed and moved out of her way, Lucia seemed to command more respect than Elrik, maybe even more than Sherah.

They arrived to the court room to find the Lirian lord had already arrived and was in the middle of the room kneeling before the throne. Elrik sat there looking pleased. He had yet to be coroneted but he sat in the throne all the same, the coronation was only a few days away anyways. Sherah sat to his left, his right empty which Lucia walked forward to take that seat. Glen stood back behind the dais, a good spot to see everything and not be seen. The room was deadly silent and even Lucia’s arrival didn’t stir the dead air. It was like Elrik was still waiting, torturing the lord before him.

He didn’t see the hollow man, but the Lirian lord was the only one from the party here. He was prostrated before the throne in the Lirian fashion of a supplicant bow; on his knees with his forehead pressed to the tiles and hands palm down near his chest. It was the lowest form of submission in all the kingdoms, reserved for those surrendering their lives to another. Glen glanced at Sherah who would be tuned in to the nuances of Lirian politics for a reaction; she looked furious but at who Glen couldn’t guess.

“So one of the greasy dogs chooses to come barking at my doors,” Elrik said at last, greasy was a common derogative for those of the Lirian race given their hair was often greasy; Glen had read that they even sometimes used extra grease to style it. Glen was surprised to hear such an epithet from the High King however. “My father’s blood is barely cold.”

“Majesty…”

“No dog,” Elrik said cutting the lord off. “You will not speak unless I grant you the privilege. Now what shall be your fate? A hanging is always good, but far too bloodless. My father’s Iron Gibbet seems appropriate but far too merciful for a greasy dog like you. Maybe a few weeks of trial before the gibbet?”

“Elrik, this is one of your sworn lords,” Sherah said forcefully and Glen realized it was Elrik she was angry with.

“Silence wench!” Elrik shouted banging his fist down on the arm of the throne. “I am High King here not you.” Even to Glen he sounded petulant.

“And I am your aunt and elder,” Sherah said icily. “Let Lord Han speak, he came here loyal to you and your father’s line or he would not have ridden under the flag of truce.”

Elrik slumped back in his chair, peevish but soothed by the idea that the lord was here for him. The Lord Han didn’t look up from his bow, but Glen had a feeling he would have sent a thankful look towards Sherah. Glen felt worried though, Sherah couldn’t handle Elrik as well anymore and they all knew it; Elrik’s power was more than hers now.

“Very well,” Elrik said casually as if it had been his idea all along. “Bark dog.”

“Majesty I thank you for the opportunity to plead my case,” Han said, his trade tongue lilting with a light Lirian accent. Everyone in the room, but Elrik knew he was speaking to Sherah. He sat up on his heels but did not rise, resting humbly on his knees. “I throw myself to the King’s mercy. I barely escaped Lir with my life; I plead for safety for my wife and daughters.”

“Not your own?” Sherah asked mildly.

“My life is meaningless and I would gladly accept the grace of the gods in Empyria,” Han answered. “Anything so long as my family is safe.”

“Is Loe really that bad?” Sherah asked stunned. Glen saw a haunted look across Han’s face, one far more dark than simple horrors. Glen sensed secrets in that look, but it was gone in a moment replaced with a pained look.

“He is milady,” Han said softly. “Please, do not send me back.”

“That is for me to decide cur,” Elrik growled.

“Nephew,” Sherah said bitingly. “Han risked his life to come here, let us at least learn what he has to say.”

“Oh you can be sure I will get every scrap of information from him,” Elrik said glaring at Han. Glen saw Han’s eyes shift to distain, which again he quickly covered; he obviously had seen far worse in the Court of Whispers. There would be no breaking an already broken man.

“There is no need for that,” Sherah said crisply. “He will tell all Elrik. There are few of those from Lir on our side Elrik do not alienate one of the few Lirian lords of high standing left available to us. You are to be High King, and that means making peace with the lords of all the kingdoms.”

Elrik seemed to chew this over, but Glen doubted he was going to listen to his aunt.

“Majesty if I may speak,” Lucia said and Elrik turned to her. “You need not overexert yourself on this dog; he is already before you on his back with belly bared to you. It would only be a waste of your power to beat him when he has already submitted. It would be best to let him tell all and keep him close in court so you can keep an eye on him.”

Masterful, Glen nearly shivered at how well Lucia had manipulated Elrik. He could see Elrik already turning over her words and obeying her without question. She knew exactly what strings to pull, and looking around Glen could see many lords noticed this. Not all but many knew who controlled the court, not Sherah and certainly not Elrik. Sherah looked like she knew as well, looking approvingly at Lucia. Sherah thought she was in control of Lucia, but Glen wasn’t so sure of that.

“Very well,” Elrik said. “You and your family are granted sanctuary here as long as you give information about Loe and Lir. You owe your life to the Lady Jeanne Han, come and kiss her feet to show your appreciation.”

Glen looked at Lucia to see if she would stop this, but the look on her face was set in a calm mien. Han bowed and crawled forward up the dais on his belly to kiss Lucia’s slipper feet. Glen knew her well and though her mask did not slip he knew she was pleased by the way she sat tall in her throne. She was enjoying this.

Duke Han crawled back still on his knees before the throne.

“Enough of this,” Sherah said, she did not look pleased at all. “Rise Han, we will hold council to hear what you have to say.”

“Yes milady,” Han said as he rose. The royals stood as well and led the way from the courtroom, Glen unable to follow as knights closed in around them. Glen fell back disappointed before he realized he should go seek the hollow man to see what he was up to. Glen walked out of the hall and through the palace seeking Han’s family and hopefully the servants that were with them.

He found them after an hour searching and a struggling one way conversation with a palace servant. They were housed in the third north wing, a common guest wing but one that was easily guarded. The knights let him past, since they were there to stop escape rather than visitors. Glen knocked on the door and waited until a servant opened it. It was one of the servants, but not the one he sought.

“May I help you Sect?” the man asked puzzled. Glen waved his hand so the man would step aside and let him in. The servant obeyed, but only looked more confused. Inside two other servants were unpacking the lord’s luggage. Glen ignored them and walked towards the bedroom door, the servants hurrying to try and stop him, but he was already there.

Inside the bedroom were presumably Han’s wife and daughters, the wife and elder daughter laying out the younger on the bed. Glen took one look at the girl and gaged, able to see what had been done to her. This was a new form of spirit manipulation on the Crippled One’s part. Instead of taking pieces or the whole thing he had twisted it. Glen wasn’t sure what this did to the girl, but the smell of opium smoke in the room suggested her family drugged her to control her.

“Who are you?” the Lady Han said haughtily as she turned to face Glen. “A Sect here to question us?”

Glen waved his hand in a dismissive gesture and instead approached the bed. The two women moved back watching him warily. Glen put his hand on the girl’s forehead; she was feverish but did not stir at his touch. He touched her spirit with his own, but he recoiled in disgust at her spirit; it was like reaching into a dark hole and not knowing what was within.

A hand on his own made him turn to face the Lady Han.

“Can anything be done?” she asked softly. Glen realized then that Han and his family were a danger to the court. They were not escaped nobles seeking sanctuary in the Court of Miracles; they were spies or even instigators. Loe owned their daughter’s spirit, and no matter how far they ran she was lost to them.

He shook his head, he didn’t know how to heal the girl’s spirit or even if it could be done. If Bailey were here or Melanthios they could figure something out, but Glen didn’t know enough about spirits to experiment. He saw the hope die in the Lady’s eyes and she turned away before he could see more.

“Leave Lady Sect,” Lady Han said flatly. Glen nodded and removed his hand, going to the door and leaving the Lady to tend to her daughter. Glen walked out of the bedroom, the servants ignoring him as he looked around for the Hollow Man. He still wasn’t in the room and since he couldn’t question the servants and he doubted they would answer, he left. The royals would still be with the Lords questioning Han, so Glen walked the halls searching for the most dangerous of the spies.

He sensed, both through his growing power and own intuition, that he had time. Han and the Hollow Man would not strike for some time. They needed to gain power in the court before they could usurp it, there were many heads of state here and many more lords waiting to swoop in and grab the prize.

So Glen walked the vast halls of the palace, checking servant routes since it seemed more likely that the Hollow Man would travel these since he was Elmerian. Questioning servants was almost impossible for him, but questioning Sects was easier. The royal court hosted many Sects who were minor nobility of their own and served as the spiritual advisors for many lords. Glen had encountered the Grand Sect when he had first come here and had heard about Grand Sect Ichabod.

Glen had been in the service of Cael and under Gervase who was now the High Sect of Cael. Gervase had stated while Ichabod was loyal to the gods, he believed a little too strongly in the laws set by men. Gervase however felt that Ichabod was a fine choice for the Grand Sect in Cair Leone so had kept him in appointment here. When Glen had arrived in court Ichabod had made it clear he wanted word on Jeanne’s movements and motives.

Glen’s disability and his robes helped Ichabod come to terms with the fact Glen would be little use as a spy. The Sects of Iris were known to be fragile and holy women, so Ichabod left him mostly alone. Had Glen been himself as an acolyte of Cael, he knew things would have been much different.

Glen set to asking several Sects he passed if they had seen the Hollow Man. The Sects could understand him better than others with his hand signs and eventually one pointed him to a garden. Glen thanked the Sect and hurried to one of the gardens. It was a lesser used garden to the north of the palace, one that weeds had begun to grow in. Glen walked carefully afraid of discovery.

He soon found the man he sought sitting cross-legged on a tree stump. The man held a white feather in his hands, looking at it intently. He twirled the feather and Glen gazed at it as well. Glen felt power in the feather, it was rich in aether but what powers it held were a mystery to Glen.

“A spy would be wise not to watch a man who reaps the dead,” the Hollow Man said in a dead pan voice, not even bothering to turn around. Glen froze in fear, but the man did not move from his place. Slowly Glen backed away, his heart hammering. When the man did not move Glen turned and ran. He fled the garden and through the palace until at last he stopped before a tapestry of Iris.

Hands shaking he felt to his knees, anyone passing by would see a Sect in prayer before her goddess. Glen’s mind however was turned towards the threads he felt around him. That feather had been significant he could feel it, but he didn’t know how. The threads were humming around him, he could feel them drifting on the wind, or vibrating like plucked harp strings, threads of luck and fate whipping around him in confusing ways.

Glen eventually calmed, his senses returning to normal. He shivered realizing that this new sense while powerful was overwhelming. He also knew, from this very sense of fate, that if he did not master it in time he would miss the warning that may save lives. The feeling of foreboding was powerful, and Glen felt his heart heavy as he stood and walked down the now dark halls of the palace. Fate was looming in the shadows and Glen feared he would fail to prevent it from swallowing him and those he loved.

#fantasy #series #writing #please read #fairies #dragons

[andrasteshaircurlers]

Alright to be fair this post should be titled: Let’s talk Lyrium, and world order, and how magic types relate to each other, and a lot of other shit because Tansy just finished Trespasser and is kind of freaking out. but that did not make as good a title.

See?

(As you can also tell I started this lore post a LONG time ago)

Basically the DLC was just one validation after another of some of the ideas I had lore wise that were so out there that I just sort of went NAH and didn’t really share them. It also validated lots I have spoken of but that’s beside the point.

There was literally so much to cover that I kept debating about how to mix it up for a while before finally deciding to just sort of dump it all in one place.

I ended up going with the Lyrium title because this has validated TWO crazy theories I had!

So basically I promise you there will be lyrium

There will just be a lot of other stuff too. Please keep reading. Unless of course you are a templar experiencing withdrawal in which case I advise you to… I don’t even know. Sorry buddy you’re screwed.

CRASH COURSE ON THEDAS WORLD ORDER!

Fade - Fade magic - spirits - sky/outerspace

Thedas - blood magic - us - Thedas

Void - Void Magic - dead people - Water

LYRIUM! LYRIUM EVERYWHERE!

I um... Might need to explain a bit more. Lemme just copy and paste from another of my posts

First let's look at magic. Blood/fade/void

We know how magic works for blood and fade “ A mage uses magic by tapping into the power of the Fade to essentially question reality, rendering it mutable and able to be reshaped. To this end, templars are the ideal foils for mages, having been trained specifically to counter and “deny” magic

http://higheverrains.tumblr.com/post/132465307323/circle-charts this post got me thinking

ok so basically Blood magic uses the power of real life of reality to shape spells Fade magic uses the fades power with it being a place of unfixed existence.

You got that? Thedas is reality, Fade is unfixed reality

The void as we see in the void magic performed in the Calling draws its power from lack of reality. It works by literally dissolving reality out of existence instead of changing it as fade magic does or creating it as blood magic seems to.

Side note: this is why blood magic can be so unexpected as in Last Flight. You are creating reality not changing it as Fade magic does.

Still with me here? Good,

According to the prima game guide  “ Spirits whose realms are flocked with visitors rise to rule great portions of the Fade, while memories and concepts forgotten in the real world slowly drift away back into the ether, the spirits who ruled them losing all potency”

This ether is also known as the abyss or void. It's the raw waters of the fade. It is nothing but nothing is powerful because nothing is just energy that has not been shaped yet.

This is the fade in its natural state. Before people touch it with their perceptions

Its also a storage place for the souls of the dead before they return

The void is the land of the dead. (as stated by so many cultures in thedas) Thedas is the land of the living. And the fade is the land of those who can neither live nor die.

Now then.

Titans figured out how to have dwarves not enter the fade. But instead be drawn to them and their wellspring to from their own private pool of knowledge.  These were the original memories. The accumulated knowledge of generations at the finger tips of new dwarves.

Sound like anything? The well of Sorrows. The elves took lyrium and “something else” That something else was souls.

This is how imortality works. Circumventing the void. Or rather making sure your full being is brought out into a new body.

Of course this does not explain my last little bit about space and stuff... So I Should started talking about that. 

It started with a crazy thought There are three realms of existence, three types of magic. 

But two big powerful animals? Titans and Great Dragons? Both of whom have blood with crazy special properties?

I don’t believe there is only two. I think one has not yet been revealed to us (Unless of course it’s the Cetus in which case we just don’t know shit)

Dear Bioware, please let it be this thing. Please let our heroes have to go out on boats to meet with it with only harpoons and fishhooks for defence, all like “Haha, we’re so screwed.”

 But basically It got me thinking, If Dragons ruled the skies, and Titans do their shaping thing in the stone what is left? 

BINGO! The Seas!

But that is crazy right and where did outerspace come from?

Well let me show you somthing

Heh-heh nice little rifty, please don’t swallow m-

No! What are we doing!?

OH MY G-D!!!

Gonna look back.... What the?

HOOOOBOY!

Welcome to the other side of the rift.

But wait there is more!

Nice Crossroads Green Forcefield thing.

Hmmm So this is the lowest point.... I wonder if I just

Is that what I think it is?

Thats right under the crossroads is an entire freaking forest.

Oh broken paths?

You mean like this?

A lot of people get frustrated about the geography of thedas and how it makes the sence. The thing is... It does. If you link the physical and the magical

But back to the concept of the seas.

Remember this in the fade?

Yeah I don’t think it was crestwood. Mostly because there is black water in the raw fade in DAO 

Wanna know what else was in the fade?

Which is interesting because in the past lyrium in the fade was blue

Why the change?

Well... It could be because we entered the fade physically 

Or it might have somthing to do with the part of the void we entered being connected to the void. I don’t think those fossils where an accident. Connecting water and death in a thing. As is connecting death and the void as I mentioned above.

We know the titan’s blood is lyrium 

We know it has a heart

New age crystal lovers eat your heart out!!!! Yes I am a crystal lover...

So let's ask the question. What do hearts and blood DO?

If our blood and hearts carry things like oxygen and the other nutrients we need... We have to ask what TITAN hearts and blood carry.

My theory since before trespasser has been that the awnser to this is souls. Lyrium transports souls through the void the fade and thedas.

Moving on.

Here lies the abyss, the well of all souls. From these emerald waters doth life begin anew. Come to me, child, and I shall embrace you. In my arms lies Eternity.

In the book “The Calling” Merric speaks this verse while very likely in a titan.

What if this wellspring is a holder for souls. So that when Sha-Brytol die they can be brought back. A “secret to immortality”

What does this idea remind you of? Well it reminded me of The Well Of Sorrows.  

But that’s crazy right... WELLLLLL....

This is the “pure” Lyrium we see in Decent 

The Lyrium we see in trespasser however is different looking The following are two pictures of it taken at the same angle just moments apart.

Notice the shiny. It’s almost like the Lyrium has been charged somehow.  But charged how... FLYCAM TIME

Oh look at this... You know what it reminds me off?

Welcome to Uthenera

Close up more

Oh look Lyrium columns leading to...

The dark waters of the fade.  Shall we call this the void?

Diving boards are important for void sacrifices guys.

I’m about to propose somthing crazy guys.

What if Red Lyrium is not always evil?

Besides the fact that a Qunari inquisitor seems not to find Red Lyrium a bother in trespasser we have this.

Does this mean that Red Lyrium was once not blighted? or that the blight was once not bad? That there is some red Lyrium that is not bad?

The Elves in origins seem to suggest so.

This Camp should be doomed

But we have seen more than just blue and red lyrium

We’ve seen green Lyrium. FYI The Hissing Wastes is home to many Oddities

I know some suspect this might be a trick of the light But this does not look like a trick of the light to me.

Furthermore the Qunari in Trespasser seem to agree with me considering this is found in their little clubhouse.

SO if red lyrium is blighted lyrium.... Or rather void like Lyrium.... what is green lyrium..? 

The awnser came to me seeing the Fade Touched Lurker

found in Jaws of Hakkon.

Green Lyrium is fade touched lyrium... 

Which means that it is either like Veil Quartz... OR....

We have a possessed Titan somewhere!

Personally I bank on the Possessed Titan for two simple reasons.

First of all we find no green Lyrium in the Frostback Basin where both our fade touched friend above and veil quartz are...

ALSO

While we know that dwarves like using Lyrium in interior decorating...

We also see what could be other colors of lyrium in their decor...

From green...

To red and even yellow....

That this might be lyrium is given further credence by the fact that a Lyrium sales dwarf in Orzammar seems to be selling these decorations...

And that wraps up this lore post!

Thank you to @aqunaristateofbind for the Morrigan well graphic!

#final pre-hiatus lorepost #lore #dragon age lore #codex #lyrium #lyrium lore #inquisition lore #dragon age inquisition #tresspaser dlc #trespasser lore #de #the descent DLC

[enjoyyoursundays]

Hellllooo Sunshiners!!

I recently noticed that my routine lineup of products had changed A LOT recently and so I thought I would let you all in on what those are!! Be sure to check out my #SunshinePresets and tag me if you try any of these products! The links to each item will be in the caption of the photo.

  Color WOW Dream Coat– This is my holy grail of hair products at the moment. If you blow dry your hair, plain & simple: you NEED this in your life. It is a little pricy for a hair product in my opinion, but completely worth it. My hair looks SO great and I always get complemented when I use this!

ACURE Seriously Soothing Blue Tansy Night Oil– I mix this serum with my moisturizer every night and wake up G L O W I N G. I love this brand and especially this product. A must have.

Botanics Organic Toning Spritz– I love this toner. It’s light, it smells great and the packaging is PERFECT. The spray on the bottle is super satisfying. I use this after I have washed my face but before I moisturize, twice a day!

NYX Angel Veil– Yes, I know you’ve heard of this and YES it is worth allll the hype. I use this primer before my makeup everyday and I love the consistency. I really started noticing a difference in my makeup lasting longer when I started using this!

ACURE Brightening Facial Scrub– I recently incorporated this scrub into my skincare routine and have noticed a HUGE difference in my skin. The coloration after I finishing using this is truly amazing and leaves a nice and natural glow. Also smells yum.

Jade Roller– Okay. I know you’ve seen this weirdo contraption before. I started using this when I wake up (before I workout so I don’t scare my gym as much) and before I go to bed. Since then, I’ve noticed my skin being a bit… tighter? I leave this in the fridge and I use it until both sides are not cold anymore.

Wet N Wild Natural Finish Setting Spray– I’ve been on the hunt for a good affordable setting spray that didn’t smell like shit for I don’t know how long. This spray smells SO good and I love the packaging as well (great spritz).

Milani 2 -In-1 Foundation + Concealer– YOU GUYS… I found my all-time favorite foundation that I’ve EVER tried. I have tried beauty guru’s favorites to drugstore dupes to expensive ass foundations and I’ve never liked one this much. It truly blends into your skin SO nicely. If you do anything with this post, buy this foundation.

https://www.amazon.com/COLOR-WOW-Supernatural-Humidity-Prevents/dp/B073CWSQ51/ref=sr_1_1_sspa?hvadid=198958860863&hvdev=c&hvlocphy=9031546&hvnetw=g&hvpos=1t2&hvqmt=e&hvrand=6623204798210027436&hvtargid=aud-647846986281%3Akwd-300245062798&keywords=color+wow+dreamcoat&qid=1555337899&s=gateway&sr=8-1-spons&psc=1

https://www.target.com/p/acure-seriously-soothing-blue-tansy-night-oil-1-fl-oz/-/A-52565218

https://www.target.com/p/botanics-organic-toning-spritz-facial-treatment-5-fl-oz/-/A-53728868

https://www.target.com/p/nyx-professional-makeup-angel-veil-oil-free-skin-perfecting-primer-1-02oz/-/A-49113537

https://www.target.com/p/acure-seriously-soothing-blue-tansy-night-oil-1-fl-oz/-/A-52565218

https://www.amazon.com/Jade-Roller-face-Anti-Aging-Rejuvenate/dp/B07H41Y645/ref=sr_1_8?keywords=Jade+roller&qid=1555338366&s=gateway&sr=8-8

https://www.target.com/p/wet-n-wild-photofocus-natural-finish-setting-spray-1-52-fl-oz/-/A-49114520

https://www.target.com/p/milani-2-in-1-foundation-concealer-tan-shades-1oz/-/A-51434715?preselect=51088066#lnk=sametab

    XOXO,

Affordable Enthusiast.

SECRET WEAPON OF AFFORDABLE BEAUTY PRODUCTS Hellllooo Sunshiners!! I recently noticed that my routine lineup of products had changed A LOT recently and so I thought I would let you all in on what those are!!

[gethealthy18-blog]

All Your Green Beauty Swaps – For 20% Off!

New Post has been published on http://healingawerness.com/news/all-your-green-beauty-swaps-for-20-off/

All Your Green Beauty Swaps – For 20% Off!

You might remember this epic sale from last year but each year Credo Beauty has a 20% off sale in November. Cue the confetti! I want to make sure you understand how big of a deal this sale is… Credo Beauty does.not.have sales. Ever. Except for this one, once a year. Now is the time to stock up and splurge! My cart is already full.

Never heard of Credo Beauty? They’re a 100% natural clean beauty store. Think of them as the clean Sephora…but better! They have a couple brick and mortar shops across the US (we’re lucky enough to have one in SF!) but they’re also available nationwide for shipping. While I love going into the store, I oftentimes just buy online because the selection is incredible! And especially when the once a year sale occurs and I can save 20%.

If you aren’t fully immersed in the green beauty world, it can be overwhelming. There’s so many products and it can be hard to figure out which ones are quality and which ones to skip. Plus the thought of overhauling your whole makeup and skincare routine can be enough to make anyone run to the drugstore to buy their usual. So I thought it would be fun to do a little list of swaps: “If you already love X, why don’t you try Y as a green beauty upgrade.” That way you can start making these swaps one at a time or if you want to save 20% you can make them all today! Just don’t forget to use CLEAN20 to save 20% off at checkout! Let’s jump in.

GREEN BEAUTY MAKEUP SWAPS

Foundation

Lightweight coverage – If you don’t need a lot of coverage or on days where you just want a lighter makeup look, Vapour foundation is your girl.

Medium coverage – If you’re looking for medium coverage, grab the Juice Beauty Flawless Pressed Powder.

Full coverage – The day I found Gressa foundation was the day my life was forever changed. Kidding, kind of. But seriously, this foundation is the real deal. It’s full coverage but still very natural looking so you can wear every day or for special occasions.

Bronzer

Cream – The Rituel de Fille Ethereal Veil in Cyllene is my go-to bronzer. I feel like some people are scared of cream bronzers but I love using them! They blend so well and look super natural on the skin.

Blush

Cream – The cream blush from Juice Beauty is my go-to blush. It’s super pigmented and blends so naturally on the face! I love the shade “flush” for a super natural look.

Highlighter

RMS Living Luminizer – I think I first heard about this when J. Crew models were all the rage and I found out they were all glowing thanks to this highlighter. Into my cart you go little luminizer! It really does look so natural and glowy on the skin… great for looking alive throughout winter. 😉

Vapour Halo Illuminator – The description of this product is literally “beam with angelic radiance.” Enough said.

Eyebrows

Juice Beauty Brow Envy Gel – If you want to do you brows in 10 seconds flat, the Juice Beauty eyebrow gel. It comes in three different shades and is super easy to apply. I like to use this gel on my more “natural” face days.

Ecobrow Brow Defining Wax – When you have a minute to focus on your brows, take time to use Ecobrow. It will give you a more filled in, “done up” look.

Mascara

Lily Lolo – Lily Lolo will forever have my heart. I think the biggest compliment you can give a natural mascara is that it performs like a high end mascara. The wand on this mascara is like a traditional mascara want and hasn’t steered me wrong yet!

W3ll People – Another really well performing mascara in the green beauty world! This wand is more rounded and the brush is made out of plastic/rubber.

Eyeliner

Pencil – The Ere Perez Jojoba Pencil is what you should try if you apply your eyeliner with a pencil! It comes in 8 different color choices and the formula is spot on: creamy but long lasting.

Liquid – If you prefer a liquid eyeliner, try the Juice Beauty Liquid Eyeliner. The applicator is super thin and easy to use and again, this baby is long lasting!

Lipstick

I only have one lipstick recommendation for you because I truly believe it’s all you’ll need in your makeup bag: ILIA Lipstick. I’m obsessed with the colors “Perfect Day” and “Madame Mina”.

GREEN BEAUTY SKINCARE SWAPS

Of course, everyone’s skin is different and what it needs will require a different regimen than somebody else. These are just suggestions for people of different skin types but be sure to speak with a holistic aesthetician or dermatologist before making changes to your skincare routine.

NEW TO GREEN BEAUTY

Marie Veronique: Free of harmful chemicals but still uses synthetics that can really help with the transition from conventional to natural.

Marie Veronique Oil Cleanser – If you’re new to oil cleansing, this is the best one to start with! I truly believe it is the best oil cleanser on the market.

Marie Veronique Intensive Repair Serum – Hands-down this serum has changed my skin and I would 100% credit it with helping me get through some tough acne over the last couple of years.

Mother Dirt: MD is stripped down clean skincare at its finest! None of the frills but nothing that’s going to harm your skin either. Also the price point is probably the best available.

Mother Dirt Cleanser – I use this daily to wash off the day and also cleanse my body with it. It is biome-friendly so it helps to balance the skin rather than strip it of all the healthy bacteria it needs.

AO+ Biome Mist – if you’re looking for a more long-term solution to skincare, this mist is your answer. It helps to encourage a balanced skin biome so you’re targeting skin issues at the source rather than treating the symptoms.

LUXURY GREEN BEAUTY

If you’ve dabbled a bit in the green beauty world, here are some products/brands I love that are better if you’ve already made the transition to natural.

Herbivore Botanicals – When it comes to oils, HB is the best of the best. I moisturize with an oil at night and will never go back to conventional moisturizers ever again. Their Jasmine Toner is life-changing. Truly.

Jasmine Green Tea Balancing Toner – I already said it but this toner is life changing. It hydrates, promotes balance and is just an overall magic-worker.

Lapis Facial Oil – This oil is made from blue tansy which helps sooth irritated skin and promotes balance.

Tata Harper –  it doesn’t get more luxury than this! Tata Harper products are expensive but not only are they indulgent, they actually work.

Clarifying Spot Solution – This spot treatment is amazing! Definitely my go-to every time a blemish pops up!

Purifying Mask – This mask has probiotics to help rebalance your skin and clay to help pull out buildup. It seriously is the best of both worlds!

SKINCARE MUST-HAVES

Josh Rosebrook Nutrient Day Cream –if I could write a love note to this product, I would. I have been using this for years as my morning moisturizer and sunscreen (it’s 15 SPF) and it’s incredible. It has a cult following and it definitely deserves it!

Herbivore Blue Tansy Mask – I consider this one of my luxury masks and I absolute adore putting this on, sipping some tea and reading a book. It leaves my skin glowing and visibly less red!

Patyka Mask – I find my skin can use a light exfoliant once or twice a week and this Patyka Mask does the trick! It has tiny little scrubbing beads that help to remove dead skin cells leaving your skin looking fresh.

Herbivore Jasmine Body Oil – If the fact that I’m on my third bottle of this in 6 months isn’t any indication, I adore this body oil! If you love the smell of jasmine, you need this in your life. Also it makes my skin literally glow!

GREEN BEAUTY HAIRCARE SWAPS

Kahina Argan Oil – A lot of people use argan oil on their skin, but it’s also fantastic for your hair! I use this in between washes to keep my curls looking silky and less frizzy

EVOLVH Wonderbalm – You’ve heard me rave about this product and for good reason! It’s an all-natural gel that controls frizz without leaving your hair feeling crunchy. See how I use it here!

EVOLVH Leave-In Conditioner – Another one of my go-to hair products. I use it in this video to style my curly hair and have found that it leaves my hair smooth and healthy in between haircuts!

* * * * *

Honestly, this post could go on for days. I have so many more masks and random other products I could add but I *tried* to keep it simple. If you’re interested in going deeper into Green Beauty, LMK and I’ll work on a few more posts for ya! Credo is also a great source for products like natural toothpaste, deodorant (working on deodorant review so stay tuned!) and even booty masks (not kidding!).

My biggest piece of advice? Be patient. Don’t feel like you need to swap out all of your products at once. This stuff takes time so do it in baby steps and please, try to enjoy it! When you view it as an experiment rather than a burden, you may even become a green beauty addict…not that I have any experience in that 😉

Don’t forget to use the code CLEAN20 at Credo Beauty to save 20% off all products, all weekend long!

What are some of your favorite green beauty swaps? LMK below!

LOVE THESE NATURAL BEAUTY TIPS? Join the THM Community!

Join 8000+ members of the THM Community to get access to exclusive info about natural beauty, products I’m loving and how to transition to a more natural lifestyle.

Source: http://feedproxy.google.com/~r/TheHealthyMaven/~3/SYxhiT966uQ/green-beauty-swaps.html

[appleandelder]

Herbs and Roots for Halloween

We switch from using fresh to dry herbs this time of year. These can be used for spellcasting during the Halloween season, tea making, seasoning holiday dishes, filling poppets and herbal crafts, or incense and smoking...when appropriate research and percuations have been applied.

*this was created as a fun holiday post but since I tend to hate dislike these “correspondence lists” I am working on adding some sources to read more about the history, science, or folklore behind what is listed*

Rosemary: for memories, connecting to ancestors, protection from evil spirits and malice, buried with the dead [x]

Mint: as an offering to the gods of the underworld, to mask the scent of decaying bodies [x]

Mugwort: for lucid dreaming, strengthens divination, seeing and invoking spirits

Hops: to preserve life, a key ingredient in witch’s brew, for sleep, working with dreams, uncovering hidden truths, a hypnotic, the wolf that strangles sheep [x] [x]

Yarrow: for ever lasting love even beyond the grave, ritual cleansing to heal emotional wounds like loss

Catnip: to attract black cats of course, invoking animal spirits, taps into altered states of mind

Mullein: ritually burned for Halloween and funerals, connecting to spirits, the witch’s torch [x]

Tansy: for embalming bodies, packed into coffins, funeral wreaths, planted in graveyards, herb of both death (it's toxic) and immortality [x]

Cannabis: connecting to the unseen, thinning the veil, change in perception, higher consciousness and altered mind states, also the time when the flowers are (finally!) ready for smoking after drying and curing.

🍃☠️🎃☠️🍃

Roots connect us to the underworld and are often harvested in late autumn when plants send energy down into the earth for winter.

Valerian: invoke spirits, brings sleep, attracts cats and rats, good to pair with catnip

Garlic: standard issue Halloween protection, garlic is also planted during the October new moon

Dandelion: aids in psychic vision, projection into the underworld, conjuring spirits

Burdock: protection against evil intentions, to purify haunted spaces, stability in the underworld

Turnip: the original jack-o’lantern, for working in the in-between, protection from trickster spirits and as an invitation for others

-🍄bonus🍄-

Autumn Mushrooms: (various species) connecting to the dead and dying, bridge between the underworld and the living, keepers of old knowledge

-from what I have readily available in my apothecary, feel free to add to the list!-

#herb magic #green witch #fall #forest witch #witchblr #homestead witch #halloween #samhain #herbs #roots