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beautyandthewarcanons · 10 months

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Beauty and the War characters and Melanie Martinez songs!

Hello, everyone! I hope you're enjoying your 4th of July! I've been thinking about this for a while- I love Melanie's music, and I wanted to see if I could decently match her songs up with the @poisonappletales cast! Just a disclaimer; some of Melanie's songs do deal with serious issues and are chock full of curse words. Not recommended for the youngsters! Also, be mindful that I will be referencing some scenes from the Beauty and the War Demo as well as other games, so potential spoilers ahead!

Barium: Play Date

You know I give a f*** about you every day

Guess it's time that I tell you the truth

If I share my toys, will you let me stay?

Don't want to leave this play date with you

Being the King of Virgo Island and having a harem, Barium has to allocate his time between everyone and everything that demands his attention. Though generous, he may come off as a bit too materialistic as well. What's wrong with curling up with a simple movie and a snack? If he's going to have one on one time with one of his mistresses, or a "play date-" it can probably be difficult for those who feel very attached to him to deal with times when he's occupied elsewhere. There's a mixture of longing and bitterness that he only has a fraction of his heart reserved for you, if he even has that much to spare. Who knows what would it take to turn that play date into something more?

Alexandrite: Spider Web

Spinning all your silk and moving all of your eight legs

To build a web that'll spread through the world

Feeding off our highs and lows

And curious to see us struggle

No one can leave once they merge

Very little is known about the "prince we do not speak of." However, the thought of him building a "network" of sorts- one where the Vi clan can operate by taking power from the other clans, seems to align with his implied style from other character testimony and perspectives thus far. As second in command behind his brother, it's no surprise that he would work more behind the scenes. Is he more tactical, strategically discreet, the hub of many eyes which report back to him their findings? Also, if Wildfire's tales of him hold any truth, the idea of a spider draining the life from its prey may be more literal than figurative. If you're not sure what I mean, play War: 13th Day!

Night: Cake

I'm not a piece of cake

For you to just discard

While you walk away

With the frosting of my heart

So I'm taking back

What's mine, you'll miss

The slice of heaven that I gave to you last night

Night has a reputation of being a player- a heartbreaker, and as Ambrosia describes, someone who should not be trusted. Seeing a woman as a piece of cake- something to be enjoyed once before moving on to the next thing, perfectly describes Night's character thus far. There's no deep connection or bonding, and that can be a huge turnoff to a woman looking for something more. Sure, he may offer a short time of thrill and high energy, which to some is extremely tempting. But I have to wonder, what kind of horns is this daredevil hiding? If Ambrosia's behavior towards him alone doesn't raise red flags, I don't know what will.

Onyx: Detention

I wanna go home, and you say "now is not the time"

F*** being all alone in the back of the classroom, ah

Start calling up my phone trying to say that I've been out of line

When all I ever asked was to go to the bathroom

There's no doubt that Onyx runs a tight ship as War Chief and he's a tough cookie to crack- if that's even possible. The idea of trying to reason with, let alone try to have a relationship with someone who is so utterly devoid of emotion, only dedicated to following the orders of his royal superiors can make those who deal with him feel like they're in their own form of "detention." Even asking a simple, harmless request could be easily denied if it's perceived to go against "orders." Get on the bad side of the Prince or the King, and you'll need a lot more than a hall pass to convince Onyx of being lenient!

Arsenik: Light Shower

I was surprised to see heaven in your eyes

I never once was treated right, you're what I'm missing in my life

As bright as the sun, give me your vitamin D

Let's run into another dimension

You make me feel like I'm on drugs

Anyone who knows me knows that I have a soft spot for Arsenik. The song's quiet guitar strumming and the sound of water makes this one of the most soothing and comforting songs on Melanie's Portals album. Arsenik may be a warrior, but there's undoubtedly a gentle side to him- he has a love for poetry, paces with a flower in hand, speaks politely and respectfully... any woman he would give his heart to would be extremely lucky. But as the song suggests, there is a need to be cleansed- there are things Arsenik isn't ready to talk about yet but has implied that he has done or been involved in things he isn't proud of. There's also a certain someone he may view as a "light shower" as well, illuminating his heart.

Viktor: Training Wheels

You've been riding two wheelers all your life

It's not like I'm asking to be your wife

I wanna make you mine, but that's hard to say

Is this coming off in a cheesy way?

Viktor is far more vocal and blunt about his opinions and thoughts than his uncle at times, and it has been implied that although they may be closer in age, Arsenik occasionally acts more mature as well. Though Viktor is more outgoing, he still does have a kind heart. However, in his travels from fun activity to fun activity, some communication and social cues may be missed by him along the way. There is much that is still a learning experience for Viktor, and this is more of a reason why he deserves someone trustworthy by his side. The idea of a woman taking the wheel could spell trouble for him if they don't have pure intentions.

Chase: Carousel

And it's all fun and games

'Til somebody falls in love

But you already bought a ticket

And there's no turning back now

Chase can be difficult to read at times because it's not easy to discern when he takes things seriously, unless a moment arises where he goes from zero to a hundred. Perhaps his motives for saying certain things or acting a certain way toward certain people will be revealed once the full game is released, but I feel that this sort of "tug of war" is portrayed perfectly in this song. You have to be a certain height to ride at the carnival... perhaps it could mean one or the other needs to see more eye to eye. He can be very charming at times, but his impulsive nature can also be hard to keep up with at times. There's a ticket, an emotional investment, that can turn into disappointment if the merriment doesn't live up to expectations. The question is, if his mind becomes set on something, does he put on blinders and go around in endless circles?

Wind: Moon Cycle

Acting like a real tough, furious

Blood swimming turn him amphibious

He says he doesn't care, that he's into this

It happens every time the new season hits

Wind was difficult to find a song for- and although much of this song in particular wouldn't apply to him as it covers a different topic entirely, some of the lyrics like the ones above have a "primal" feeling to it. Wind is an Imugi, with animal-like instincts. This means he is probably very in tune with nature, the "turning of the seasons," so to speak, with more heightened physical senses than members of the other clans. I can imagine that intimacy wouldn't bother him so much if it was engaged with someone he was in a relationship with. Also, the "acting real tough" lyric could speak to his "tsundere" type personality!

X: Gingerbread Man

I'm frosting

I don't need a man to make my life sweet

Prince charming

Just isn't the one that I think I need

Indeed, X is no prince charming! He's a tough cookie to crack- but not in the same way as Onyx, whom I used this phrase with earlier. He's a man who knows what he wants and isn't afraid to get it. You're not getting a hopeless romantic with him, and he'll make sure you know just exactly what you're signing up for! Lyrics later in the song paint the picture of a more intense sort of love, and that is certainly accurate with X. If you're not living as his prison buddy, then you'd most likely be on the run- possibly being an accomplice to any and all antics he chooses!

Unknown: Teddy Bear

I threw you out, I didn't outgrow you

I just didn't know you

But now you're back

And it's so terrifying how you paralyze me

Now you're showing up inside my home

Breathing deep into the phone

I'm so unprepared, I'm f***ing scared

It's an eerie coincidence how this song has made me think of Unknown for a long time, being that it's an extra track from Melanie's first album, Crybaby- and then this past March, Unknown placed a great emphasis on teddy bears for his White Day responses! That aside, many of the lyrics do describe behaviors which are consistent with Unknown's bizarre and borderline obsessive personality. He certainly knows how to put on the charm to lure his kittens in- but once you think he's warm and fuzzy, things become... uncomfortable, to put it mildly. There are a few songs I had considered for Unknown, including Spider Web, but ultimately decided this was the most closely relatable to him.

Ambrosia: Pluto

I'll bathe in my ashes

Rise like a phoenix

Show me who I am becoming

Pluto, transform me

Turn off my lonely

I'll sit with my silence

Fix all my conflict

The above lyrics are from a part of the chorus, and I feel they relate closely with Ambrosia. Not only from the mention of a Phoenix, but being Ambrosia is central to the story Crown Ruler is creating, we may witness a great deal of growth- a "transformation" throughout all the games and from interactions within them. The first verse of the song gives me major Death Room and DTTR comic vibes- "walls closing in," and "friends that I thought were forever." It is my hope that Ambrosia is able to overcome all obstacles and pain and live a happy life as she deserves!

Rosemary: Orange Juice

Ooh, I wish I could give you my set of eyes

'Cause I know your eyes ain't working, mmm

I wish I could tell you that you're fine, so fine

But you will find that disconcerting

Aside from the fact that Rosemary dyed her hair orange and that oranges seem to be one of her favorite fruits, this song from Melanie's K-12 album discusses a very serious topic- eating disorders. Indeed, being unhappy with how one's body looks is an everyday struggle that can lead one to cope in mentally and physically damaging ways. In the game- spoiler ahead- in a conversation with Ambrosia, Rosemary implies that the reason she dyed her hair and wears concealing attire is to draw attention away from her body. It's a vulnerable moment for the typically outspoken Phoenix, and anyone with a soul would chime in with Ambrosia to remind Rosemary that she's amazing and adorable!

Jasmine: Pity Party

It's my party and I'll cry if I want to

Cry if I want to (cry, cry, cry)

I'll cry until the candles burn down this place

I'll cry until my pity party's in flames

We don't know as much about Jasmine yet as we do some of the other characters. However, we have seen that like her cousin Rosemary, she can be very opinionated and is probably why they butt heads so much. She tends to be very invested in her appearance and becomes very annoyed if say, her hair is messed up. She also can become distressed by overall rowdiness. I ultimately settled on Pity Party for Jasmine because I can see her being very upset over not getting the recognition she feels she deserves. Her social investment also seems a bit exclusive, only being "inviting" toward certain people and clans she finds "advantageous" for herself and her family.

Bo Peep: Mrs. Potato Head

If you want a little more confidence

Potatoes turn to French fries, yeah it's common sense

All you need's a couple more condiments

And a hundred thousand dollars for some compliments

Bo Peep is fun, bubbly, and loves to go out with friends when not spending time with the King. As a mistress, she spends much of her time glammed up, adorned with the many jewels and other accessories that Barium gifts her with. Mrs. Potato Head, from Melanie's Crybaby album, is another song that addresses a serious topic- the need to feel "beautiful" through unnatural, often harmful means. Though plastic surgery probably doesn't exist on Virgo Island, just how far would Bo Peep go to maintain her "beauty?" How important is beauty to her above other traits? There's no doubt she's kind and is willing to lend a hand, but without all the makeup and shine, would she still feel like a star and worthy of love?

Wildfire: Pacify Her

I can't stand her whining

Where's her binky now?

And loving her seems tiring

So boy, just love me, down, down, down

Wildfire is by no means warm and snuggly. She's rough around the edges, and can be vindictive and quite cruel at times. There's no denying the love triangle between her, Arsenik and Ambrosia- Crown Ruler even posted this in a relationship chart at one point! Though Wildfire often won't even admit how she truly feels to keep up the image of being tough as nails, she takes any opportunity she can to lash out at the kindhearted Phoenix perceived to stand between her and what she wants- a man who is a fierce warrior with a gentle heart. The finer details of these relationships have yet to be seen, but in the meantime, there's certainly a lot of jealousy and resentment on display.

Brooks: Mad Hatter

I'm nuts, baby, I'm mad

The craziest friend that you've ever had

You think I'm psycho, you think I'm gone

Tell the psychiatrist something is wrong

Over the bend, entirely bonkers

You like me best when I'm off my rocker

Tell you a secret, I'm not alarmed

So what if I'm crazy? The best people are

Fellow Valkyrie and Wildfire's best friend, she's the more talkative and lively of the two. While Wildfire is usually more serious and sharp with her words, Brooks is often the spark to get her best friend going- or to spark some trouble around her. Brooks has absolutely no filter and will dive head first into something without a second thought, having fun while she's at it. Once she gets going, it's pretty hard to reel her back in- and she's not really concerned with how she's perceived by others, she'll laugh it right off! She's a free spirit through and through, and just like the energy bunny, she can't be stopped!

And there you have it! So, what do you think? Do these song choices make sense to @poisonappletales ' characters? Don't forget to check out their page and give Crown Ruler some much deserved love! In the meantime, happy Independence day to all who celebrate!

#poisonappletales #beautyandthewar #beauty and the war x playing pieces #list #x playing pieces #beauty and the war #donttakethisrisk #ambrosia #dont take this risk #unknown #melanie martinez #crybaby #k-12 #portals

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luxanna-domecia · 7 years

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@poisonappletales I think somewhere I heard you call DTTR the modern version of Blanket guy. And then I had that thought, "What would Ambrosia look like if she were born in the modern world?" I can't draw for the life of me, but I decided to draw what I think she'd look like anyway and share it. :P So excited for when Beauty and The War is completely finished! (I'm gonna go hide now)

#BeautyAndTheWar #Fanart

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aprilpurplesky · 5 years

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The relationship between Night and Ambrosia

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im sORRY

#Beautyandthewar #xplayingpieces #poisonappletales #beauty and the war x playing pieces #Ambrosia Night

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ringtailed-loser · 7 years

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Everyone: Wind, keep your shirt on!

Wind: No!

#poisonappletales #beautyandthewar #someone stop me

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beautyandthewarcanons · 1 year

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The Beauty and the War men as drinks!

Hello everyone! It's been quite a while since I've done one of these, but I was brainstorming and thought I'd do a new list of @poisonappletales ' bachelors! This is quite an unusual one, but I had fun putting it together!

Barium: Hot Chocolate

If anyone kept up with the White Day responses, some of you may have noticed that his majesty the King got a bit of a design update! He's always been one who loves to snuggle up with his ladies in a warm setting, providing them with anything they want or need. A warm cup of hot chocolate is the best source of warmth and sweetness after a day in the cold!

Alexandrite: Vodka

Speaking of the cold, Alexandrite is rumored to be just that, the exact opposite of his brother. It's popular in Russia and Poland where it can in fact, get very cold. In addition, because of how it's made, Vodka must be kept cold... could the same be said about the Prince?

Night: Whiskey

Whiskey is a heavy liquor and if Night lives up to his name as a "heartbreaker," then would this be his drink of choice when picking up ladies at a bar? Unlike its aftertaste, Night doesn't seem to stick around long once he's had his fun.

Onyx: Black Coffee

Alert and on guard- black coffee helps one to do this, and isn't for the faint of heart. The same can be said for Onyx- we may not be able to see his face, but he doesn't miss much and his emotionless demeanor will leave a sour taste in your mouth.

Arsenik: Green Tea with Honey

When one sees Arsenik, they notice he dons both light and dark. The bitterness of the green tea leaves is softened by the sweetness of honey, and together, it's a soothing drink that nourishes the body and soul. Other extracts can easily be mixed in as well, making for unexpected but pleasant surprises, much like Arsenik himself!

Viktor: Champagne

Viktor loves the classier party scene- with his bubbly and sometimes explosive personality, Champagne is the drink of choice for this Hulder! I could imagine him sharing this among kin and friends alike as he enjoys an evening of fun socializing.

Chase: Vanilla Spice Tea

Vanilla may be mild, but it's still a spice that's full of energy. With that said, Chase certainly has his milder moments and his spicier moments... all while seeming to have boundless energy that never runs out! I much prefer this tea when it's warm and soothing than when it's boiling hot.

Wind: Iced Coffee

Speaking of hot, Wind is known to have a hot and cold sort of personality... this is why iced coffee is perfect! Steaming or freezing, it works either way- but be careful, it's still going to taste pretty strong. Much like Wind, it will leave an impact that will last a long while. Not many can pull that off!

X: Rum

Rum may be the only liquor made with sugar, but don't underestimate it. It's the drink of choice for the bold and vibrant alike, and the same can be said for X. He is indeed sweet, but not in a cute and cuddly way. I'm talking about epic awesomeness! He would be spitting fire for sure if he ever got his hands on this!

Unknown: Red Wine

Red wine; too much of it can be a bad thing and it always leaves a stain. However, it doesn't mean that many don't enjoy its taste. Dark and mysterious, the same can be said about Unknown. Not to mention, France is known for its production of red wine, particularly in places like Bordeaux.

And that's it for now! I hope you enjoyed this list!

#poisonappletales #beautyandthewar #beauty and the war x playing pieces #x playing pieces #list #drinks #tea

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beautyandthewarcanons · 1 year

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Below is a brand new meme dump just for @poisonappletales ! I figured out how to make GIFS! Look at this dinosaur go! 🦖

#poisonappletales #fanart #memes #funny #beautyandthewar #beauty and the war x playing pieces #beauty and the war #donttakethisrisk #ambrosia #gif

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beautyandthewarcanons · 2 years

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Good evening! I wanted to share some new sketches by @poisonappletales Discord member Cidurr! She does not have any social media to share, but you can show some appreciation for her art here!

Thank you for sharing this on the server and allowing me to show it off here! Keep up the great work- I have no doubt Crown Ruler will love these!

~ Kara

#poisonappletales #beautyandthewar #beauty and the war x playing pieces #beauty and the war #unknown #fanart #ambrosia #brooks #beautyandthewarxplayingpieces #game

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beautyandthewarcanons · 3 years

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This beautiful fanart of Ambrosia and Unknown © @poisonappletales was done by artist Ilkamatia! She doesn't have a Tumblr, but you can check out her Instagram here.

Thank you for sharing this masterpiece, Ilkamatia! ☺

~ Kara

#ilkamatia #fanart #beautyandthewar #poisonappletales #beauty and the war x playing pieces #beauty and the war #donttakethisrisk #ambrosia #dont take this risk #unknown #beautyandthewarxplayingpieces #beautiful

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beautyandthewarcanons · 2 years

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Good afternoon, everyone!

Here, we have some brand new fanart of @poisonappletales ' Ambrosia from the Don't Take This Risk webcomic by Discord user Rinrina! You can check out her Instagram here.

Thank you for sharing this lovely piece with the community Rinrina, and keep up the great work! Have a great start to your week, everybody.

~Kara

#poisonappletales #beautyandthewar #beauty and the war x playing pieces #beauty and the war #ambrosia #fanart #beautyandthewarxplayingpieces #comic #webcomic

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beautyandthewarcanons · 2 years

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Good afternoon! May I present another awesome piece of @poisonappletales ' Unknown to you by a member of the Discord server, Vanukas! She doesn't have any social media to share, so I'm leaving this here to be appreciated! Thank you for sharing, Vanukas!

~ Kara

#poisonappletales #beautyandthewar #beauty and the war x playing pieces #beauty and the war #unknown #fanart #discord

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poisonappletales · 3 years

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My beloved patreon family already got a look at this, and now, you can!

Happy New Year, everyone! Ambrosia wishes the best for your 2021 with a lot of love (hence, the heart).

As a side note, I’m not settling on using this semi-real style for Beauty and the War (X Playing Pieces) just yet. I’m simply experimenting with this! But what do you think of it so far?

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poisonappletales · 3 years

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Happy White Day, everyone! In other words, it’s time to start rolling out replies to everybody’s Valentines last month. Just to avoid overwhelming your feed, I’m going to do this over the course of a few days. Hope you enjoy them!

Anyway, to start it off, we have Arsenik’s White Day reply for @fanfictionqueen90!

This is was in response to her lovely submission below:

“I took in a deep breath, holding something in my hand. I finally found who I was looking for; his bright blue eyes alight with some form of enthusiasm, light blonde hair swaying in the breeze.

"Viktor!"

The Hulder turned, smiling lightly.

"Ah, good day, Miss Kara. You seem quite eager about something."

"Yeah... I could really use your help with something. Do you have a minute?"

"Of course. Let's converse by the lake." Viktor nodded.

I bit my lip as I revealed what was in my hand; a small "box" made from a stone agate. Opening it, amidst the glittering formations inside, was a silver wedding band.

"Upon my word, Miss Kara. I... cannot account for this honor."

I chuckled then. "Actually, it's for Arsenik."

"Oh." Viktor drew back. "That... would make sense. But why reveal such a thing to me? Are you trying to tease me?"

“No, silly. It's because you're Arsenik's nephew and you mean a lot to him. So... your opinion means a lot to me."

"That's quite a thoughtful gesture. You do realize, though... even if I do think highly of this... it doesn't necessarily mean Arsenik will feel exactly the same."

I sighed then. "I know. I'm just... nervous."

Viktor pursed his lip in thought. "Perhaps I could try to pretend I'm him."

"Hm?" I tilted my head.

"We could perform a scenario. Act as if you're approaching him with your proposal... even though, this sort of thing should really be left to the man, miss Kara."

"It can just be a gift for now. Maybe... a promise. Not a proposal yet. Or maybe I could..."

"You could what?" Viktor asked.

"Nothing." My gaze was distant for a moment, but returned quickly. "I think I'm going to see him now."

"Are you sure you don't want to try role playing a hypothetical scenario? I mean, I know Arsenik to be a decent thespian when he gives it a try, but I'm sure I could pull it off too."

"I have no doubt about that. But I think I need to just get a backbone and talk to him. Thanks, Viktor." I smiled, and he watched me as I went about my way. His gaze became more distant with each step I took until I was no longer within sight.

I traversed through the twinkling wood, light shimmering through the crystallized leaves and metallic branches.

I searched for a while before hearing a familiar voice. My heart skipped a beat. This was it. I knew that I had to put my heart on the line now, or risk stagnation. Just as I moved past some brush, I heard a second voice, my movements coming to a halt. I pressed myself against the nearest tree, glancing past to see Arsenik speaking to Ambrosia. I couldn't really make out what they were saying, but they were pretty deep into a conversation. Something in my gut kept me from interrupting them.

Moments turned to minutes. I couldn't see his face, but Ambrosia's was bright as gentle smiles blossomed to light chuckles. She always seemed to distract me from darkness when it decided to lurk around me.

Then, something snapped me to attention.

Ambrosia's face changed as Arsenik lowered himself to a knee. I could see his hands extend, I could see he was holding a small box in them. I didn't have to see what was inside it to know what it was. A high pitched ringing began to sting inside my ears.

I felt myself becoming lost to the realization of what was happening when I felt her gaze look toward where I was hiding.

My legs sparked to life. I felt it slip from my hand. I didn't stop. I couldn't stop. I kept running. I ran until the ground suddenly gave way beneath my feet, and the twinkling of the trees changed to twinkling surrounded by shadows. My head hit against something cold and hard. Everything began to spin. Then, the darkness dissolved and swallowed up the twinkling.

---

He had only meant to practice on someone he trusted. Someone his heart had longed for above all others at one time. Someone that his beloved still feared he longed for. She searched desperately alongside him, but the sun was setting. Their chances of finding her before nightfall were dwindling.

Even if they did find her, could she ever trust him again?

Then, he noticed something. It twinkled upon the ground. He picked up the small agate box, a silver wedding band inside.

Then, he heard a weak cry, not far off.

Arsenik was a hunter. He looked upon the ferocious creature, a night lurker... an opportunist.

It gazed into a newly formed hole into the ground. Its nose twitched excitedly. It found something. And when these creatures found something, it was almost always theirs.

How much of his heart was hers?

Enough to face a creature symbolic of death itself, a creature that devoured without prejudice?

Without warning, the creature leapt into the hole in the ground.

Time was already against him.”

#valentines day #valentines #valentine's day #valentine #valentine day #white day #beautyandthewar #Beauty and the war #beauty and the war x playing pieces #x playing pieces #batw #poisonappletales #poison apple tales

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poisonappletales · 3 years

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Serphantel’s Valentine Game + Night’s Response

@serphantel submitted the following over email:

This was Night’s reply:

[munch munch munch

Little Caramel likes Snack Day very much.]

#white day #valentines day #valentines #valentine's day #valentine #valentine day #Beauty and the war #beautyandthewar #beauty and the war x playing pieces #x playing pieces #batw #poison apple tales #poisonappletales

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poisonappletales · 3 years

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Thetimberwolf’s Valentine + Unknown’s Reply

Thetimberwolf submitted the following Valentine over email:

This is Unknown’s response:

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beautyandthewarcanons · 3 years

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Echo's Beacon: Part Thirty Six

[You can read part thirty five here! All BATW & DTTR characters belong to @poisonappletales ! ❤]

My head began to throb as I attempted to stay calm. Still shaken up by what I had experienced up to this point, I dared to venture forth.

Remaining cautious, I looked all around for any sign of a threat.

Suddenly, I caught sight of movement.

I halted, slowly turning to the left. I saw an indistinguishable person staring back at me, their eyes glowing within the low lighting inside the cell. They drew forth until they were nearly pressed against the bars. Silent as the grave, more pairs of eyes began to emerge, all drawing forth, on both sides, behind me and ahead of me.

They all stared directly at me.

"Who are you?" I asked them. "How did you get in there? Who put you here?" No response. "Do you want to hurt me? Can you speak?" Still, no response. "Where are we? What is this place?" I was becoming desperate. "I'm trying to get back to the house, I followed a spirit named Katherine here. Do any of you know her, Katherine Pheasant?" My breathing quickened. "Why won't any of you say anything?!" I cried. Tears began to well up in my eyes as I glanced over my shoulder. I couldn't stay here.

I pressed on, but the corridor was seemingly endless. Even when I broke into a run, there was no end in sight. The bright eyes became a blur in my peripheral vision, threatening to burn into my skull-

A wall.

I began to shake my head. I pressed my hands against the cold, hard surface. There was a stabbing pain in my head now. I inhaled sharply, screaming on the top of my lungs. I beat my fists against the wall. Anger and frustration boiled over.

I had come all this way and suffered all of that for nothing.

I should have never followed her. I should have never trusted her. Now, there was no going back.

CLANG.

I snapped to attention, whirling around. CLANG. Another. Another. Another. Soon, I realized in sheer terror what the sounds were.

The cell doors were being pushed out, hitting the ground.

They were never trapped inside. They could have left them at any time.

They waited for me to get to the end, first.

The lights flickered as they began to slowly filter out. I began to tremble, looking around for something, anything to defend myself with. I found a single, rusty bar, taking it into my hands. My breathing was shaky, my eyes wide as they darted about.

"Stay back! Get away from me!" I shouted. They did not respond, nor did they stop. They eventually came to stand several feet from me, my back pressed up against the concrete wall.

Even of I could get through them, there was no where to go.

In this moment, I realized that in every place I had arrived to, there was nowhere to run.

And then, all their mouths opened.

The sound was awful. It didn't just make my eardrums sting, it made me nauseous. I charged at them, swinging the bar. I just wanted it to stop. I needed it to stop.

Finally... they were all quiet. They were splayed out on the ground.

But then, there was movement.

As blood dripped from the bar, they slowly began to rise back up. Pure dread sunk into my stomach. I stared in horror as they stared at me.

I realized it then.

Even if I did end the noise, even if I did stop the threat... what could I do then, stuck here alone?

I pressed my back against the wall, sliding down to the floor. I looked at the bar, its rough texture. A thought came into my head as they loomed nearer, blocking out the light. I held up the metal bar.

And then, I stopped.

I felt a shifting in my mind. A small readjustment. But even the smallest pebbles can make large ripples.

I opened my mouth. My scream was louder.

I whirled around, striking the wall behind me. Again and again. My anger, my rage, breaking free from having control over nothing and being helpless over everything was thrown against that wall.

And then, a crack.

It jolted outwards, concrete shifting and crumbling as the ground trembled. The wall caved in, allowing me to move past it. The ground lurched then, and I watched all the screamers fall with the crumbling floor, their voices fading into nothing. The rubble piled up, blocking out the light until I was swallowed up in absolute darkness.

I could see nothing. I could hear only silence.

As I switched on my flashlight... I noticed I was in a large space. My only light source flickered as my hands began to tremble. I suddenly realized I was cold.

My breathing was shaky as I finally ventured forth. An overwhelming veil of dread was draped over me, and even with the flashlight, the darkness was thick. I jolted when an outline of something appeared, and I flew into a panic as I gasped for air.

A statue.

Not trusting it, I slowly moved past it, my eyes fixated. When I felt something against my back, I cried out, whirling around.

It was just another statue.

The more I came across, the more my chest constricted, my throat tightened, my knees weakened, threatening to fold. I finally spotted a different outline, approaching to find an altar. A large ceremonial dagger was the only thing upon it. I slowly rose my flashlight, a giant wooden carving of Jesus upon the cross staring at me. I could only hear the sound of my own breathing, falling to my knees. Overwhelmed with despair, I began to sob. My sobs echoed within the indeterminately large space as I attempted to catch my breath.

"God... I want to go home." I whimpered, shifting my weight. "Because it's not just a place... it's... people, it's... a feeling... I just want to go home. I don't want to die here. Please... show me where I can find happiness. Please give me a sign that I can be at peace. Please tell me there's... love... at the end of this." I swallowed thickly, shutting my eyes tightly. Even now, I still had a fragment of hope, but there was only silence as a response.

I collapsed onto my side. I felt as if I could lay there forever until I was nothing but dust. I was so tired.

And then, I felt a slight breeze of air against my face.

I slowly sat up, groaning as I pointed the flashlight where my head had been laying. I realized there was a small gap in the tile. I carefully removed it, pulling out a box from within. Upon opening it, I pulled out an old piece of parchment paper.

It was an architectural layout of the house.

I wondered why this was here, and if this would somehow lead me to the way out.

I was distracted when I heard a light creaking coming from the cross. I paused, slowly tucking the blueprints away as I dared to raise the flashlight.

That horrid, false face stared down at me, and I felt a terror worse than anything I had felt up to now.

Before I could react, it hopped off the cross like a spider, its stilt-like legs skittering toward me. I turned to run, but I felt myself hoisted up, slammed onto my back upon the altar like a ragdoll. Even in the low light, that face was as clear as day.

In that moment, I realized something.

Even if I did escape him... where could I go? What could I do?

You were never meant to heal. You must know that.

I could hear his voice speaking from within my head.

You are an abnormality, an anomaly, and so you are mine. Your body will be alive but your soul will die here. And when it does, you will finally come to embrace the husk you were meant to become. I will live forever, and you will be a part of me.

I clenched my teeth. I felt like I was breaking, tearing, being crushed under the power of something potently evil and eternal.

And then, there was a flicker of light in my peripheral vision. My eyes darted to it.

What had put it there? A person? A force?

If it was here... then it was here for a reason. And if it was here for a reason...

Then I was not supposed to die today. My life would not be handed over to this... thing.

I shot my hand out. I felt the handle pressed into my palm. I opened my mouth, screaming as I thrust it upwards, right into its false face.

A moment passed, and it stopped moving. I pushed it off of me, gasping for air as I snatched the flashlight, scrambling back.

I moved away from the altar, seeing that the horrifying facemask had been broken in half. One half of it lay on the floor, facing me. I turned, pointing my flashlight behind me.

I noticed that behind the large cross, there was a small doorway.

I ran over, grunting as I began to push. I whimpered as I strained, jolting when I heard a sudden screech fill the large space. My gaze darted toward the altar, where a pair of large, glowing yellow eyes arose as he pulled himself upon the altar. One spindly hand yanked the dagger out of his forehead, tossing it aside. I resumed pushing, the large cross finally giving way as it toppled over. I went through the doorway to see a small room, only a hole in the middle of the floor.

I flashed the light upon it, and there was water inside.

Looking over my shoulder, he continued to screech and hiss, stumbling toward me as his eyes pierced my gaze like blinding headlights.

There were only two options. I knew how one would end.

I regrettably abandoned the flashlight, lowering myself into the hole. The water was freezing, and I was once again swallowed up in darkness.

Not all abysses were chasms.

With no source of light, fear quickly spiked as my lungs began to sting. Even if I wanted to go back up for air, I wouldn't be able to navigate my way back at this point. I was swimming and thrashing aimlessly, my head beginning to feel a sharp pain.

Suddenly, I was blinded by a pair of glowing, yellow eyes.

It was then, as my eyes darted all around me... that I was surrounded by metal spikes. I propelled myself forward, trying to get away. As I moved forward though, my lungs feeling as if they were on fire, more pairs of yellow eyes began to appear, nestled within the spikes protruding from the walls.

A barrage of whispers filled my ears, voices from all throughout my life, building up into a frenzied swarm of incomprehensible bile. Bubbles burst through my mouth as my vision began to become spotty. Hands extended outwards, threatening to grab me as I thrashed.

Then, I saw it.

Just ahead, and slightly above... an amber light, the one from the lightbulb just inside the hatch door. My hands waved about wildly, and I could feel him on my tail, so close to dragging me back down into the darkness. The spikes were closing in, threatening to withhold me from reaching the light. I grabbed onto one, practically slicing my hand open as I used it to push myself up to the surface, and-

I fell upon the plywood, gasping for air. I violently shook all over, tears streaming down my face. I felt as if I was moments from blacking out, my heart racing. I felt a strained sound push out of my throat, but the ringing in my ears was too strong for me to hear it. As I was barely able to crawl forward, I used what little strength I had left to pull myself up, crying out for someone, anyone, to help me.

I heard rummaging above me then, still sucking in air as the hatch door was flung open. I felt hands grab me, pulling me into the closet. I stumbled past all the cleaning supplies inside, practically flinging myself out of the closet and onto the floor. I crawled over to the wall, Night furrowing his brows in deep confusion.

In the low light, Jasmine knelt down, noticing the bloody hand prints on the floor as she realized that my hand was bleeding.

"Sir Night... I may need my cousin's assistance."

"I'll be back then." He nodded, striding quickly down the hallway. Jasmine returned her attention to me, then.

"Lady Kara, what were you doing down there? What was that?" She asked.

"I lost myself... I lost myself... I lost- myself, I lost myself, I lost myself..."

"You're not making any sense. Why did you go into that hatch door?" As she asked this, Night returned with Ambrosia, Wind sticking close.

"Lady Kara..." She knelt before me. Without hesitation, she began to treat my hand with her blood. "What happened? Did she see something?"

"Sir Night was right by the door when he heard her screaming. He found her just inside the closet, and there was a hatch door among some of the things inside." Jasmine answered.

"Why would she do that? That's a stupid move, and she doesn't seem that stupid." Wind commented.

"Perhaps someone forced her down there." Night suggested.

"What's going on here?" Barium asked as he approached. Onyx was with him. "Onyx reported some activity."

"Lady Kara somehow ended up in a room down below in the closet. She hasn't been able to explain herself and she's in shock."

"Katherine."

They all stopped, turning to me. "K- Katherine... led me there. I thought... I would find something that could help..."

"What did you see?" Barium asked.

"Fear." My voice cracked as I stared at him. Barium furrowed his brows. "I met true fear."

To be continued...

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