Tumgik
#butler realizing that he is worthy of rest and protection
orangerosebush · 3 years
Text
SIGH I know it’s corny and trope-y, but I so want a time travel AF au... for example, in knocking himself + the Butlers out during the siege to escape the time stop, Artemis, Juliet, and Butler are briefly thrown forward in time ~15 years, which is when:
1) future!Juliet is traveling around the wrestling circuit in North America 
2) Butler is p. much retired, but living in Fowl Manor still 
and 3) Myles and Beckett are roughly the same age as book 1 Artemis. 
Important: past!Artemis and the Butlers and future!Artemis and the Butlers need to somehow be unaware of one another’s identities. I don’t care what Convoluted Miscommunication Shenanigans :tm: are required for this to happen, but I want the Healing of the quiet validation that comes with seeing your most private dreams realized in people you don’t know are your future selves, who in turn, similarly unknowingly, forgive you for the mistakes and pain you do not know you are wreaking. Maybe this happens due to future!Artemis experimenting with using his mother’s maiden name, Starinov, for his surname when introducing himself (as Art/Arty is not a terribly uncommon nickname, and in fact, the name Artyom, derived from Artemis, is a name used by many Russian men)! Maybe future!Butler is using his first name, Domovoi/Dom, more often! Maybe Juliet is most famous under her stage name, the Jade Princess! Who knows, certainly not me — again, Shenanigans :tm: are required here.
Also please give me a scene where young!Artemis is a bit abrasive to Myles regarding the boy’s ability to hold up his family legacy, and then is told by his older self that he deserves love without fear of realizing his family’s dreams as the price. Content where the adult self acts briefly as the parent who was never there to their younger self, thus retroactively healing themself and letting go of their guilt and pain of the past... elite content.
tl;dr
this quote and cartoon
Tumblr media
“Of Power and Time, Mary Oliver / Liana Finck for the New Yorker”
115 notes · View notes
gojifan97 · 4 years
Text
Dads For Deku-Family Bonding
“Alright Izuku, are you ready to come out?” said Gentle, knocking on Izuku’s door. La Brava was standing a little behind Gentle, staring expectedly at the door.
“Y-yeah! I’m ready!”
“Excellent, then show us what the newest member of our show will look like!” said Gentle, dramatically flourishing his arms. After all a showman must always be practicing, he never knew when the camera would turn on.
“Behold…” Izuku said. The door slammed open and Izuku leapt out, “KILLER RABBIT!” He landed on the floor and struck what seemed intended to be an intimidating pose. Seemed to being the operative term.
This wasn’t helped by his costume. It looked like a giant bunny costume. It consisted of a black jumpsuit, with elbow and knee pads, a dark green waistcoat with gray geometric highlights (how did he even get that?), a utility belt partially hidden by the coat, white gardener’s gloves, his red sneakers (throwing off the color scheme), a dark mouthpiece with a fanged grin painted on the front, and a cowl that covered his head topped by massive bunny ears. All in all, he looked ridiculous.
Gentle struggled to hold in his laughter. Beside him, he saw La Brava doing the same. He began to frantically fake-cough to get it out of his system.
“Gentle are you alright?” Izuku asked running up to him. The failed attempt at being intimidating now replaced with his regular sweet and harmless demeanor.
“Yes, yes. Just had something in my throat,” Gentle said. An idea began to form.
“Oh good. You were just coughing so hard, and it sounded so weird…”
“Hey, Izuku,” said La Brava, shuffling awkwardly, “About your name…”
“Huh? Is it bad?” Izuku said, his eyes looking like a sad puppy under his mask. La Brava stumbled slightly, so Gentle took this opportunity to jump in.
“Not at all! However I think you should drop the “Killer” part from your name. It creates a negative image for our viewers!” he said. La Brava sent him a confused look.
“Oh ok, that makes sense,” said Izuku. “Then I shall be Rabbit! And while they may have once underestimated me, seen me as something weak and helpless, the evils of this world will soon learn I am a threat to all those who harm the innocents!”
“Oh, so that’s why you went with that motif. That makes sense,” La Brava said. But when Izuku looked away she still eyed his costume skeptically.
“Now, I believe we have other things to do now. The sun is down, it is time.”
“Wait now? Tonight?! I thought I was just trying on my costume today!”
“Not to worry Izuku, you said you’ve been training in that on your own right?” said Gentle.
“…Yeah…”
“You have me and La Brava to handle the lion’s share of the work and protect you if needed right?”
“Yeah.”
“And you need to start eventually right?”
“Yeah! Ok. I’m ready to have my first outing tonight!”
“That’s the spirit!” said Gentle, who began walking to grab his disguise.
“Come on! La Brava said to Izuku as she went for her own. “You’ll do great!”
The three ran across the rooftops. Whenever they came to the edge of one, Gentle would take the lead and use his quirk to make the edge of the roof a trampoline for them. They stopped on the edge of a roof overlooking a street in a more run-down neighborhood. Gentle looked and listened for any sign of wrongdoing. He heard the sound of crying. He looked and saw a little girl sobbing in front of a tree, her cat near the top loudly meowing, stuck.
“Follow me!” He said, leaping down. After a few light bounces he and La Brava were securely on the ground. Izuku stood on the edge, staring down.
“Come on Izuku! You can do it!” said Gentle.
“We made it! Gentle made the ground soft!” said La Brava.
Izuku snapped to look at them as if he’d forgotten about them.
“Trust me,” Gentle said, “You’ll be fi-“
Izuku raised his hand in a “wait” gesture, then began scrambling down the building, using any handholds available and even dropping himself once or twice, using the parkour skills he’d shown Gentle so happily last week. Gentle felt proud. Until Izuku slipped and fell onto an awning. He rolled down and Gentle softened the ground just before Izuku landed into a roll. That did not terrify Gentle at all. Only slightly concern him.
“S-sorry, I guess I have to work on that a little more…” Izuku said. “I wanted to try getting down myself so if you’re ever not there I’ll be able to do it on my own…”
Gentle smiled, “Excellent forward thinking. And don’t be afraid to try again. As long as I’m here I’ll be ready to help catch you.”
“I am too! Even if I’m not strong. I will even use my quirk to help you if needed.” La Brava said. Love of surrogate little brothers was still love after all.
Izuku began tearing up, “Thank-OH MY GOSH THE CIVILIAN!” He leapt to his feet and began racing to the little girl with the cat in the tree. La Brava got out the camera.
Gentle tried to introduce himself, but he didn’t even make it past “I AM” before Izuku was kneeling next to the girl.
“Hi there, I’m Rabbit. Do you need some help?” said Izuku.
The girl stopped crying, turned to Izuku, and pointed, “My kitty Cupcake is in that tree and can’t get down. Are you a hero? Can you help him down? Be careful, he scratches.”
“Don’t worry, I’ll get him right down!” said Izuku. He quickly climbed the tree until he made it to the wailing cat. He carefully lifted the cat into his shoulders and climbed down. “There you go!” he said, “The cat wasn’t any trouble after all.”
“Oh good! I guess he was too scared by being up in the tree!” said the girl. Izuku smiled, until her words seemed to sink in. The rest of them picked up on it too, just as the cat began growling.
After Izuku escaped that ferocious little cretin, the girl gave him a hug, calling him her hero, thanked the rest of them. She picked up her pet monster and walked inside. The three of them ran off to their next adventure.
“I didn’t get any footage of you Gentle, but I got plenty of Izuku. It makes for a great debut!”
“Excellent work La Brava!”
“I’ve got a question though,” she glanced at Izuku, who was running ahead and upwind of them, then she continued in a tone too low for him to hear, “Why’d you let him keep that ridiculous name and costume anyway? It doesn’t even match our theme!”
“Well La Brava, that’s because I realized Izuku has a different appeal. His attempts at intimidation are so horrendous to regular people that they will endear them to him. That, his soft demeanor, and how obviously bad he is at looking “cool” will make them all love him causing our videos to, what were your words, ‘go viral for sheer dorky adorable?’”
“I guess. He will have cuteness appeal with a lot of viewers, especially younger ones” she said, “but why not tell him?”
Gentle smirked. “Because he’d never believe me. So, I’ll let his unexpected popularity be a pleasant surprise.”
They soon came across a group of muggers harassing a trio of teenagers.
“Greetings! I am the GENTLE VIGILANTE, here to make my vigilante debut!” said Gentle.
“I am his faithful butler and partner in ending your ungentlemanly behavior, La Brava!”
“And I am here to protect the innocent, underestimate me at your own risk, for I am Rabbit!”
The last one caused the criminals to break into a fit of laughter. It lasted until Rabbit punched one in the face.
After a brief fight the muggers were all subdued. Izuku seemed to be gleeful about defeating two of them quirkless, Gentle was happy to have tried out Izuku’s suggestion of carrying and rubberfying a rapier (quite good for slapping those hooligans), while La Brava struggled working the camera.
“It won’t turn on!” she said, pushing the button for the fifth time.
“That leader guy said that his quirk disables all communication and recording devices that get too close and keeps them that way for twelve hours,” said one of the teens.
“W-what?” she said, looking like she’d just been told Christmas was cancelled.  
“Yeah, sorry. My phone got the same. Hope I don’t lose anything already on there.”
“But that means…” she groaned, “never mind. You guys ok?”
“Yeah! Did they hurt you? Or take anything? You know, before we showed up?” said Izuku.
“Aside from some incredibly crass comments? No.” said one of the teenagers.
“Ungentlemanly filth,” said Gentle, “No matter. You all run along, find help, and call the police. Tell them where to find these ruffians. In the meantime my associates and I will be off.” He, La Brava, and Izuku bounced away.
“That was, a fine experience. Worthy of some fine tea,” said Gentle.
“Yeah, even though we won’t have any footage aside from maybe Izuku helping the girl. Still, it was nice to do all that,” La Brava said.
“I got to be a hero. I got to save people,” Izuku said, taking off his hood and mouthpiece, “I know I’ve said it before but, thank you for taking me in Gentle. You’ve given me so much I never thought I could have.” His eyes glistened with tears.
“You’ve repaid it in full with all you’ve given us Rabbit, from your smarts and strategies, to your moral compass that lead us to becoming the vigilantes we are today. It is an honor to have you with us,” said Gentle.
“He’s right you know. You’ve helped us as much as we’ve helped you,” said La Brava.
They shared a group hug. They eventually broke off and La Brava said “With the camera shot, what are we gonna-“
They heard another scream. Izuku was already running toward it. As they neared the alley they heard it from, La Brava said to Gentle, “About your plan. With Izuku?”
“Yes?”
Izuku got into the alley just ahead of them and shouted, “Stop dirtbags! I am the terror that hops in the night! RABBIT!”
She smirked, “It’s totally gonna work.”
135 notes · View notes
kireii-writes · 4 years
Note
headcanons for the hxh adult trio with a fem s/o that’s more powerful than them? (each with their own s/o!) ty in advance !
Tumblr media
- hisoka would be thrilled to say the least. he’s come across strong people like chrollo or ilumi, but a lover that is stronger than him? hisoka’s going to enjoy the thrill of it. 
- he’s going to pick fights with you, just to see the angry look on your face as you threaten to kill him, and then take the opportunity to propose a fight between the both of you as a show of power.
- you could be sitting and watching a movie with him and he’ll switch of the television at the climax, just to see the angry look on your face which he adores to death. 
- lots and lots of play fights. hisoka’s not going to seriously kill you, but he’s going to constantly play fighting with you, like tackling you onto the bed or just showcasing his skills and taunting you. 
- “what’s wrong, y/n?” hisoka taunts as he releases his bloodlust. “scared?” 
- “i swear, hisoka, i am going to kill you one day.”
- “oh? so you don’t want to kill me now?” he continues. 
- hisoka’s going to make you join the heavens arena with him, just so he can challenge you later on since he’s sure that you’re capable of becoming a floor master.
- if you agree, hisoka would eagerly count down the days when he’ll finally be able to fight you, his darling, in front of so many people. if you don’t want to join heavens arena, hisoka’s going to pester you about it, but will eventually give up if you stand firm. 
- you’ll have to constantly be prepared from any surprise attacks from your lover. for all you know, the both of you could be making dinner together when he’ll attach his bungee gum to a pot or pan and throw it at you. 
- hisoka loves to get under your skin and make you snap so you’ll give him what he wants- a fight with you. 
- mans gets absolutely turned on the minute you glare at him and/or threaten to kill him. he’s going to stand there right in front of you with a smile on his face.
- “hmm, i adore that look on your face, my beautiful y/n.” 
- being stronger than hisoka also means there would be a lot of fighting for dominance. this includes in bed and outside of it. whatever the both of you do, it’ll always result in a fight for dominance, and hisoka is going to make it worse. 
- “if i win, you’ll have to obey me and do anything i want for a day.” hisoka smiles eerily at you. 
- and he’s going to do whatever it takes for you to lose. 
- as much of a playful lover he is, hisoka would be put at ease knowing that you can protect yourself from danger and threats whenever there is a need to. that way, he can run off to somewhere else for a longer period of time without having to worry about his precious darling. 
-
Tumblr media
- illumi’s going to be okay with you being stronger or weaker than him, although he’ll be a little surprised to know that he’s seeing someone that can overpower him. 
- once he knows how strong you are, he’s going to ask for your hand in marriage- and then proceed to start a family with you as soon as possible in order to raise future assassins worthy to continue the Zoldyck family line and reputation. 
- if you aren’t sure that you want to marry illumi, he’ll still inform kikyo and silva to get rid of any potential partners as he’s already found one.
- illumi is well aware that a gem like you is a one in a million, so he’s going to obsessively keep track of you and whatever you’re doing. he knows that you can protect yourself, but he’s still going to watch over you and get rid of anyone that might jeopardize his relationship with yours. 
- not only that, he’ll also bring you over to the Zoldyck estate for dinner at any chance gets. that way, his parents can get to know you better, and at the same time, he’s going to use his little siblings to get close to you and make you feel attached. 
- in addition, Killua and Kalluto would no doubt love having you around during dinner times, and would stick close to you and ask you or sorts of questions as you stroll around the estate or spend the night there with illumi. 
- Killua would take this chance to tease the hell out of his oldest brother. 
- “how does it feel being stronger than the oldest child of the Zoldyck family, y/n?”
- “i bet you can kill illumi, right?how about sticking one of his own needles into him?” Killua teased, earning an annoyed look from his oldest brother. 
- kalluto would be the one that would be the most attached to you, especially if you’re kindhearted and gentle towards him. as a Zoldyck, he and his brothers have never experienced affection before, so if you show him any, the young boy would stick to you like glue, either observing you or asking you tons of questions, much to illumi’s annoyance. poor illumi planned to spend the time with you, but his adorable brothers would end up stealing you away from him.
- on the rare occasion that Milluki does come out of his room, he’s going to stick to your side like Killua and Kalluto does, and would invite you into his room and proudly showcase his different figurines and cut-out boards of his favorite character, or he’ll take up your attention at the dinner table to show you his latest invention. 
- even though you know nobody is allowed to visit Alluka, if you manage to convince silva and illumi, you’ll be able to get a limited time with Alluka. She would no doubt be surprised to see a foreign face, since the butlers were the only ones to go into her room to bring her food at meal times. Alluka would be her usual self, cheerful and adorable around you. like the rest of her siblings, she’ll want you to be around as you play with her. however, you usually don’t stick around for more than 5 minutes, and illumi would be near the door, stiffening every time Alluka asks you a question. Illumi knows how dangerous it can get, so he’ll pick you up and carry you out of the room before you can even react. 
- likewise, his parents would adore you. they’re going to ask you lots of questions like how typical parents do, and would do their best to have you as their daughter-in-law. with someone strong like you getting together with the oldest Zoldyck son, the next generation of Zoldycks would no doubt be better than before, and the world isn’t- and will never be ready for it. 
- being stronger than illumi would also give him the excuse to ask you to train with him, and sometimes he would bring you along to one or two of his jobs, so he can spend time with you afterwards without his younger siblings that would snatch you away from illumi the minute they know that you’re visiting. 
- no matter what, illumi would be at ease, knowing that he has such a strong and independent woman by his side, and he’ll be sure to never let you slip through his hands.
-
Tumblr media
- chrollo doesn’t really mind if you’re weaker or stronger than him. if you manage to catch the eye of the leader of the most notorious gang of thieves, it is already considered impressive.
- however, no matter how strong you are, chrollo would manipulate you into joining the phantom troupe and using you to carry out missions along with the rest of the troupe. chrollo has no remorse or whatsoever for using you for his benefit as he knows you can protect yourself, but he would sometimes stop you from going on missions that could even put your life in danger. 
- chrollo knows that you’re able to take care of yourself, so he’ll allow you to roam around without him. however, he’s going to sent one or two spiders to secretly follow you to make sure you are’t being put in the slightest danger. chrollo simply cannot have someone like you being swayed or hurt by anyone else, whether intentionally or not. 
- you may be stronger than chrollo, but that doesn’t mean that he’s going to let you do as you please- he’s still going to have you wrapped around his finger, and the only time you get to dominate him is in bed. but still, he wouldn’t let you be on top unless he’s in a good mood and sees you begging. 
- you’re a valuable asset to both chrollo and the troupe, so chrollo’s going to pamper you at any chance and make sure nothing happens to you. 
- once he introduces you to the phantom troupe, get ready for a ton of questions from some of the members. where are you from? how did you and chrollo meet? how long have the both of you been together?
- chrollo would make sure to keep an eye on you whenever you’re with the other troupe members. he knows how members like nobunaga, uvogin, or phinks would often challenge you to a duel. one look from him and they’re back to timid little cats. 
- chrollo would also make you submit to him completely, no matter what he must do to make it happen. if it means having to cut you off from everyone else in order for you to submit to him, chrollo would do it in a heartbeat. 
 - although he may not feel anything when it comes to manipulating and using you, there’s a reason why chrollo chose to be with you despite not knowing that you’re stronger than him at first. chrollo would take the time to listen to you as you speak, or hold you close as you sit on his lap and read together with him, all to make you feel closer to him, so that you won’t have any thoughts about leaving him. no matter how mentally strong you are, chrollo would be able to crack down on you. he isn’t the master of deception for no reason at all. 
- even if you do realize he’s using you, chrollo wouldn’t hesitate to guilt trip you into thinking otherwise. 
- “is this what you think of me, y/n?” he asked, feigning hurt.
- “how could you think that of me, even after i’ve given you all my love?” 
- likewise with illumi, chrollo would want to have a child with you, just to pass down the combined powers from the both of you so the child can grow up and continue their father’s ‘legacy’. of course, chrollo’s not going to tell you that. and unless you desperately want a child, he’s not going to say anything or suggest anything to you. after all, he already has the phantom troupe and you, whom he treats like a family. 
- all in all, you sometimes can’t be sure if chrollo’s keeping you around because he loves you or he’s just using you. you just have to make sure that you don’t disobey him and make him mad. nobody knows what an angry chrollo can do. for all you know, angry chrollo might be stronger than you. 
131 notes · View notes
kouei116 · 4 years
Text
Diabolik lovers Lunatic Parade: Kanato Sakamaki
Tumblr media
Earl Walter stole Yui's heart and replaced it with Kleinod. Yui and Kanato went to the earl's castle to ask for it back, but he wasn't there. They were advised to try find the butler to ask where his master was. Kanato wanted to get some rest first so they headed to a hotel. Due to the parade, the hotel was fully booked, Kanato demanded to see the manager - who recognized Kanato was Karlheinz's son and ordered staff to prepare the best room for him. While they filled in the accommodation card, the receptionist asked if Y was his friend, and Kanato replied: “She is my wife" (♡´艸`)
Tumblr media
K: Hey Y, do you hate becoming a vampire that much?
Kanato told Y if Kleinod broke, it'd still be fine because he'd turn her into a vampire and they could be together forever. Y couldn't make a decision abt becoming vampires yet, Kanato got upset that she didn't understand his feelings and ran out of the hotel room. Y ran around town shouting his name looking for him. Seeing her desperately trying to find him, eventually Kanato came out in front of her. She must be tired from all the running so he suggested going to eat. While eating, Y suddenly fainted. Kanato brought her back to the hotel, he apologized it was his fault causing Y to run around earlier, he was very worried that if she remained human and someday she will die, he'd really hate it, he wanted her to stay with him forever. Y told him again that she wanted to find her heart first before making a decision. Kanato respected her decision and agreed to help get her heart back. 
Tumblr media
K: If you don't use cunning/dishonest means, you won't get the things you truly want.
They went to Reine de Aji general good store (Aji the lady owner here is the younger sister of Saba - the shop owner in Vandead Carnival game) to ask abt the butler. Aji asked them to get her the forbidden apple pie before answering. This forbidden apple pie was extremely popular and too many people queuing to buy, Y said this couldn't be helped and was drinking smoothie talking to Kanato in this CG. He wanted to use his dad’s power to get the pie but Y wanted to find other ways. 
A boy bumped into Y, spilling smoothie all over her clothes. Kanato was angry demanding the boy to apologize to Yui properly and the boy started crying. Y told the boy she didn't mind, it's alright. The boy apologized to both of them and ran away, then came back with his Dad - who was the forbidden apple pie shop owner. The Dad said Y forgave his son with a smile, she was a kind vampire (Y noticed that he mistook her as a vampire) so he wanted to gift Y a forbidden apple pie. Kanato accepted it but Y wanted to return the pie bc she didn't treat the boy kindly to receive rewards. Kanato got mad (bc he wanted the pie to exchange for the butler's info) and ran off. Y tried to follow him, she bumped into the boy and he said his Dad was testing Y, it was actually a poisoned apple pie; if Y was a genuinely kind person, she'd return the pie.
Kanato arrived at the shop, giving the pie to Aji, but now she said she didn't remember any promises with Kanato?! She was happily having the first bite when Y rushed in and warned her abt the poison. Aji was skeptical but Yui's face didn't look like lying. Aji thanked Y, said from the start she didn't plan to tell Kanato the butler's whereabouts, but for Y, she'd help. The butler liked medicine herbs so when the Earl was away, very likely the butler would be at the Smaragd volcano to gather them.
Kanato told Y he found it strange why the Earl still put the Kleinod inside her after stealing her heart, and he felt like everybody they met in town today were testing them. He worried abt Y's health and suggested returning to the hotel to rest. Y slept and had a dream abt a mysterious man telling her: he granted her wish, since he took the heart away, she didn't get into any troubles with the vampires; the Kleinod can work forever, the Sakamaki lied to her abt it being temporary because they want to suck her special blood. Y woke up to a worried Kanato but she lied that she didn't remember this nightmare well enough to tell him. She trusted Kanato but she got anxious if he would still love her without the special heart. 
Y and Kanato went on a gondola to get to Tirkiss waterfall near the volcano. The scenery was very pretty, Kanato said in town they couldn't enjoy the parade so they should take a break now, they know the butler is here, no need to worry. A fortune-teller lady invited them to try her shop that was famous for accurate love fortune. She gave Y a cup of tea to drink up then looked at the remaining tea leaves to predict that Y was having doubts abt Kanato. Y denied this but suddenly her body felt hot, her consciousness started fading and she fell into the water. Kanato jumped straight into the water to save her but the water was strong, she realized if going on like this, he’d drown...
K: ... Quiet! Only I can decide your fate. Don't die without my permission, I won't forgive you!
Y got drifted away and couldn't see Kanato anymore. She woke up in a cave with Kanato collapsed nearby. She was very happy he was still alive. She apolozied and told him the truth abt the dream. He said he only knew those kleinod to work temporarily, and:
K: Besides ... Even if the heart disappears, I will always love you. It's more important to me that you are alive than being able to suck your blood. I thought even if I don't say it in words, you already understood ... but seems like I was wrong. I ... love you *kiss*
Suddenly lots of bats appeared <Minigame Whack a Bat>
Tumblr media
K (patting her head): It's a reward for your working hard (fighting the bats in the minigame). I’m praising you. 
After beating the bats, it wasn't likely that the butler was here so they should return to the hotel. Y sneezed, Kanato asked if she was cold, checked her forehead and sensed a bit fever, told her to give him her hand bc it'd be troublesome if Y collapsed (aweee) Y saw somebody collapsed and ran over to check even when Kanato didn't want them to get involved. This man woke up and explained he was picking up a rare moss growing inside a cave that has poisonous gas even to vampire. He bowed his head to thanks Y and Kanato for saving him. They noticed he had a red granite stone on his forehead and they realized he was the butler! Y explained her situation, the butler could only give them the card written by the Earl hinting the location: On the full moon night, when it raises the crown at the very high peak, I'll return. (sorwy, I don't understand what this means TwT)
Tumblr media
Y thought the Earl could be either at the tower or the mountain. Unexpectedly she overheard the girls nearby talking about the Zatan's mouth at Diamante fountain: if you put your hand inside the mouth, it will tell you the truth, but no one have tried yet because it's said that a disaster may occur to you e.g. splitting up with your lover. Kanato was very cool put his hand right in and got the answer: The Earl will appear at Onyx tower. Y asked if he wasn't scared of losing her, but he said: “If that happens, I will take you back. It's not likely that you belong to anyone else but me...”
Tumblr media
They came to the tower and Earl Walter was there. He said he’d return Y's heart with a condition that she vowed to part from Kanato forever. She replied that he was wrong, he didn't take her most important thing. There's no way she'd exchange the 2nd most important thing (her heart) for the most important thing (Kanato). Kanato was very happy to hear her feelings. Suddenly the tower started to crumble and they got thrown outside, Kanato managed to catch her and said: 
K: Y! Don't leave my side. Hold on more tightly. Please don't let go no matter what. I will definitely protect you, now and ...in the future. You can stop worrying, it'll definitely be alright. I love you... I love you.
When Y woke up, she and Kanato were in the Earl's castle. He said he did want her heart but he realized that Y and Kanato were worthy of keeping such a treasure hence he returned it. Kanato demanded him to show his face but he refused. He hoped they would enjoy the festival and he needed to leave for his next target to steal.
Tumblr media
Y had fun at the parade because Kanato was at her side. The forbidden apple pie shop owner gave them an apple pie (not poisoned one this time yay) and Kanato fed Y from his fork
Y: ... It’s extremely delicious! Just like you said Kanato!
Tumblr media
K: That's good. You can eat the rest.
Y: Eh, is it ok for you Kanato? Does it not suit your taste?
K: No, it's not that. Because, as expected, I like this better *kiss*... Fufu, thanks to you eating the apple pie, this feels sweeter than usual *Nnn....n...Nnn.....*. You're a special. Y, to me you're probably the forbidden fruit. I love you ... From now on, you're mine and mine alone, forever ....
Tumblr media
Care for Vampire:
K: ... Thank you. Thanks to you, Y, I've felt much better. Let's sleep together like this. If you sleep with me, I will get well. (...) From today, you will be my personal pillow. ... Are you happy? ... Fufu, me too. Please let me hug you like this forever...
---
I really like Kanato's sub scenario with Carla. Kanato requested room service to hold a sweet party just for the two of them in the hotel's guest room aaaand Carla was eating their sweets there. Kanato was getting grumpy but Carla complimented Kanato's taste in choosing sweets - esp the religieuses that have high artistic value and sweeter than anything he has eaten, he’d ask Shin to get it for him - making Kanato smile again. Then Carla, Kanato, and Yui ate religieuses happily ever after hahaha. Just like my sis-in-law said, it's nice to see my old man and little boy getting along (人´∀`) The route is sweet, Kanato always worried abt Y’s health, he jumped straight into the water to save her, I squeaked for 15′ when he said Y is his wife haaa(˶′◡‵˶)It's just... I guess bc Yui's heart was missing, there wasn't any sucking blood scenes, only a few kissing scenes at the end, my ears starved playing this oughhh ;u;
66 notes · View notes
randxmthxughts · 5 years
Text
The Royal Engagement - Part 1 (Prince!Shawn AU)
Part 1
word count: 1,6K
______
Tumblr media
    “We can wait until I turn seventeen and I can marry him instead of you,” Lydia said, as you watched your maid put final touches in your ponytail.
    “Lydia, dear, I wish we could do that,” you smiled, turning over your shoulder to look at you little sister, “but I am afraid that we cannot wait anymore. Every day matters.”
    Lydia only sighed and nodded her head. You thanked your maid and told her that you would join the rest of the family downstairs in a moment.
    “You look like a princess, Y/N,” Lydia let out while playing with her red hair.
    “Should I remind you that I am one?” you chuckled, standing up from your chair.
    Lydia chuckled back and dropped her hands in the air.
    “Still, I cannot believe that you refuse to look at his photos! He is so handsome, Y/N!”
    “I believe you, but I think of this meeting as of a blind date. I am not supposed to know how he looks before I meet him,” you walked over to your side table to grab your lucky bracelet.
    “I bet he knows how you look,” Lydia tried to tease you.
    “It does not matter in the end,” you let out, ready to leave, “I don’t have a choice. I am still going to marry him.”
    You waited for your sister to join you as you walked out of the room and down the stairs. Your butler and few of the staff members were lined up by the wall in the hall, while your father and mother stood next to each other in the middle of it on a big red rug. You silently stood next to your mother, who reached out to your hand and squeezed it. Lydia stood next to you, impatiently moving from foot to foot.
    “Are you ready to meet Prince Shawn, my dear?” your father asked you in anticipation.
    “Of course,” you answered and saw a satisfied smile lightening up his face.
    There wasn’t much that you could say or do in a situation like this one. As a king, your father had his responsibilities and duties, and as his daughter, you had yours. ALthough it still felt like you were a product of trade for peace in this situation, but you couldn’t really deny marrying the prince of your neighbouring country if it meant keeping your family and country safe.  A set of countries in the West were preparing for the war against Southerners, and the only way to ensure your security and get out of the water dry was to establish good relations with Wivernille. Therefore, when your father told you that you would be meeting Prince Shawn, you had already guessed that you were going to protect your country with the price of your freedom. You had agreed on doing everything in your power to keep you away from war. 
There was only one thing you had asked from your father - time. You wanted to have just a few months to get to know the prince and not marry him in a matter of weeks. You had no hopes for falling in love with him, that’s for sure. But for some reason having just a little time made you feel a bit more secure and you were hoping for establishing at least friendly relationships with him. Your father was a little hesitant, but after negotiating with the king of the neighbouring country, they agreed on giving you two months. No more, no less. The engagement would be announced two weeks in, and after two month the marriage would be settled.
    “King Manuel and Prince Shawn of Wivernille,” the butler announced loudly and the doors opened to reveal the royal family. Well, a part of it.
    You were aware that the Prince and the King would be visiting you, and you would have to meet the rest of the family while visiting Wivernille with Prince Shawn in a few weeks. You couldn’t hide that you were very anxious about leaving your home. You had stayed away.
    A pair of eyes have settled on you the moment the guests have been announced. It was Officer Rogers who was closely following behind King Manuel and his son. You bit your lip to hide a satisfied smile. Officer Rogers was a loyal friend of your father. Although he was quite young he had already built a reputation and was trustworthy due to his completed tasks. Your father had officer Rogers around the castle very often to discuss various matters on the security and military services. You knew that there was no chance of him liking you, but you still sometimes would let yourself admire him from afar.
    “And this is my daughter, Princess Y/N of Ironwynne,” your father smiled up at you, snapping you back to reality.
    You curtsied as King Manuel nodded, eyeing you up and down. Yet, another person checking if you were worthy of marrying Prince Shawn. It was a brief interaction, and you didn’t even realize how practised were your movements. You couldn’t believe that it was actually happening. 
    “My son, Prince Shawn of Wivernille,” you heard, as you looked up at a face of a young man who appeared in front of you.
    He was very tall, you thought at first. Prince Shawn was handsome; in fact, even more handsome than Lydia had described him to be. You curtsied and noticed that he extended his palm towards you. A little hesitant you placed your hand in his to shake it, but instead, he leaned forward and placed a kiss on the back of your hand. He then gently let go of your hand and smiled at you with the whitest set of teeth you had ever seen. How pretentious!
    It’s been all a blur how your family and the guests have walked to the dining room and were placed around the table. Usually, you would be dining around a rectangular shaped long wooden table, and your father always sat alone at the head of it. But this time he ordered to dine around a round table, so he could show to King Manuel that they were allies. It was a power move that you had found to be very wise. It happened that next to King Manuel sat your father , then your mother, your sister, you, and Prince Shawn. Officer Rogers had disappeared, and you found that thought very disappointing.
    “I have to admit, Princess Y/N, you look even more beautiful in real life than in photos,” Prince Shawn whispered to you.
    You took a sip of your water, holding yourself from rolling your eyes. Small chatting during dinner? Seriously? You turned to him for a brief moment, trying not to interrupt the conversation between King Manuel and your father.
    “Thank you,” you smiled politely, “Can I take that as a hint that you have been looking at my photos?”
    “Well, of course, I have. I couldn’t resist myself; I was very curious,” he grinned, leaning closer to you, “haven’t you been curious?”
    “I have,” you nodded, “but this is the first time I am discovering how you look.”
    Prince Shawn raised his eyebrows in surprise and opened his mouth to elaborate but got interrupted by his father.
    “Princess Y/N, what do you think?”
    You took a second to recall the brief parts of the conversation that you caught in between. Something about a railway. Right. Building a railway between Wivernille and Ironwynne.
    “I believe that it is a marvellous idea,” you answered, trying to sound confident.
    Your father smiled proudly and nodded his head, but King Manuel seemed unsatisfied with your answer. As if he was, yet again, trying you. He stared at you expectantly.
    “Well, firstly, it would be the fastest and surest way of building trust between our nations. Believe it or not, but people will be more open and friendly to one another during a two-hour ride, and sometime later they will get more comfortable around each other,” you continued, as King Manuel started slowly nodding his head, agreeing. “And secondly, our people could easily travel and explore your country, and the other way around. It is a great way of showing that we are neighbours and should act like ones.“
    You finished, briefly looking at your mother who was nodding with a small smile. Your father seemed beyond satisfied as he was expectantly looking at King Manuel to hear his response. King Manuel eventually broke into a grin, which gave away that he was satisfied with your answer as well.
    “Very well, Princess Y/N, that is exactly what your father and I were hoping for,” he said.
    “Good job, I didn’t know you were so good at this,” Prince Shawn whispered to you, leaning in.
    “Good at what?” you whispered back, frowning.
    “My dear, would you like to join us when we discuss the railway during my stay?” King Manuel addressed you again, and you quickly turned to him, not finding out what Prince Shawn meant.
    “Princess Y/N was obsessed with trains as a kid. It would be a pleasure for me to watch you work with us on this matter,” your father smiled at you, hinting that you should accept King Manuel’s offer.
    “Of course, that would be an honour,” you replied.
    “Very good,” King Manuel nodded again, “I am sure that my son would also be honoured to join us. It will be a great learning experience for him.”
    You almost rolled your eyes again. Of course, Prince Shawn was handsome and maybe not so bad, but you couldn’t help but think that him being extremely nice was just an act. And you weren’t the one to bear it.
_______
part 2
_______
alriiight, so here it is, part one!!! I hope you’re excited for this just as much as I am. I’m planning on about 3-4 parts so it would be very encouraging to get started on them if you leave some feedback and reblog :)
if you want to be added to the taglist, let me know
_______
Series Masterlist
Shawn Mendes Masterlist
Peter Parker Masterlist
228 notes · View notes
precuredaily · 4 years
Text
Precure Day 154
Episode: Yes! Precure 5 06 - “Precure 5! All Together!” Date watched: 6 October 2019 Original air date: 11 March 2007 Screenshots: https://imgur.com/a/1w3riAm Project info and master list of posts: http://tinyurl.com/PCDabout
Tumblr media
Karen is a character who grows a lot over the course of the show, and since she’s been around for six episodes before getting to transform, she has already had a small journey just to get to this point. That’s something you can’t say about all series that followed the model of introducing their heroes one episode at a time. This episode is the climax of her arc so far, and it’s really making me reconsider who my favorite Character in this series is. Why? I’ll get to that after we recap.
The Plot
We see a flashback to Karen as a child trying to pretend to Jiiya that she doesn’t miss her parents and isn’t lonely, as it transitions to present day Karen staring wistfully out a window before hugging herself, lamenting that she couldn’t save the girls the other day.
Tumblr media
oof
At school, the other girls try to convince Nozomi to find someone else to become the last Precure but she won’t hear it. Jiiya happens to be there to pick Karen up, so the girls stop to talk with him, and he asks them to please continue being friends with her, because the other day she seemed to be truly enjoying herself. He explains how she hides her loneliness so as to not burden her parents. Meanwhile, we see Karen in a student council meeting, but she's lost in thought about her failure. When she comes out, she sees Jiiya sitting with the other girls and tells them pointedly that she can’t help them. Nozomi asks Coco why she might have failed the transformation and he explains that if you don’t truly wish to become a Precure, you can’t. Karen insists that she truly did, but then she remembers what she actually said: “If I want something done, I have to do it myself.” She excuses herself and starts to walk home.
Nozomi, not fond of taking “no” for an answer, chases after her. When her attempts to persuade Karen only agitate her, she remembers what Jiiya said and reminds her how much fun they had the other day. Then she hits Karen with the big one: despite their differences, they both really love their parents. Karen pauses and Nozomi explains what Jiiya told her. She says that someone as caring as her couldn’t possibly fail to become a cure. Karen is moved by her words and softens up, but then Bunbee appears, seeking the Dream Collet. He turns the captured Pinky into a Kowaina, so Nozomi transforms but she can’t bring herself to fight it. The other girls arrive and transform but Bunbee and the Kowaina have them on the ropes. Karen, who has been watching from safety, realizes she doesn’t want her new friends to be hurt, no matter how powerless she may be, so she blocks them from Bunbee’s finishing blow.
Tumblr media
Her courage and desire to help them, rather than take on all the burden, is enough to summon the blue butterfly again, and this time when it lands on her wrist, it transforms into a Pinky Catch and stays. Karen transforms and designates herself as “The Blue Spring of Intelligence, Cure Aqua!” With all five Cures now assembled, they perform their group roll call: “With the power of hope and the light of the future, our five beautiful hearts will soar! Yes! Precure 5!”
Immediately she gives instructions to the others on how to defeat the Kowaina without harming the Pinky: detach the mask, and keep Bunbee occupied. They use their special attacks (and credit where credit is due, Mint Protection was cleverly used to stun the Kowaina) and manage to separate the mask from the monster without actually harming it, and it shatters. Bunbee tries one last attack but Dream wards him off, and he disappears with a signature complaint.
Tumblr media
Mint quickly captures the Pinky, and the five girls celebrate their victory and their future together. That night, at home, Karen calls her mother and admits that she misses her and is curious when she will return home.
The next day at school, we see how their new friendship will play out when Nozomi arrives late to school. Karen scolds her for being late, and Nozomi begs her to let it slide since they’re friends now. However, Karen states that they’re different matters, as their friendship does not preclude her responsibilities. Nozomi slumps and that’s the note we end on.
The Analysis
When we first met Karen, she seemed stern and up-tight. She is looking into the mysterious events at the school to determine whether people are safe, if a student is involved, if school officials need to be alerted. She’s trying to keep the peace and maintain order. But she’s not a bad person. She takes her responsibilities seriously but she also maintains a good friendship with Komachi and presumably knows about her writing. She does the right things but sometimes for the wrong reasons. She has internalized her loneliness due to her parents always traveling and doesn’t want to burden them with her feelings, so she doesn’t acknowledge any situations where she might need help or be able to help, she just takes on other people’s burdens. Nozomi may be the first person to finally crack her shell, to be able to see how she really feels and talk to her about it. Jiiya knew, of course, but he wasn’t able to do anything himself. The power of having a group of friends to help and support her gave Karen the room to be vulnerable and honest with herself, and understand where she failed before. She overcomes her self-isolation and wants to help save her friends, to protect them from certain danger regardless of her own powerlessness. In this moment of self-sacrifice, wanting the power to help others, she becomes worthy of the mantle of a Pretty Cure and is able to transform. Beyond transforming into a Precure however, she has transformed emotionally, as we see after the battle. She’s generally more friendly (though living up to her responsibilities) and more open with her feelings, reaching out to her mother to talk and say she misses her. Her journey is far from over, but it’s already in a great position. I said at the beginning that I was reconsidering who my favorite is (currently it’s Rin) and..... I really do think I might just have to say I love Rin and Karen equally as characters. They do play off each other a lot, we’ll see that soon.
Of course, Karen wouldn’t be here without Nozomi. Here, more than anywhere else so far, she is showcasing that Pink Cure Power that the becomes a staple of the larger casts. She may not be the smartest, the most pure of heart, the most athletic, or the most at peace, but she finds what she wants, works towards it, and doesn’t take “no” for an answer. If not for her, none of the other girls would be here. Her bravery inspired Rin, her strong will inspired Urara, her sincerity inspired Komachi, and now her earnestness has inspired Karen. Nozomi can see things in people that nobody else can, if they need a friend she’s there to be a friend, if they need someone to root for them she’s there to do that. She saw that Karen was being dishonest with herself and found the right words to encourage her, she found the common ground between them and used it to break through Karen’s cold exterior and her feelings of depression and inadequacy about being unable to transform in order to cheer her up and make friends.
Tumblr media
Nozomi believe in Karen long after everybody else gave up and I adore it.
Aside from Nozomi, though, Karen has one more player on her side: Jiiya the butler. He serves as the bridge between Karen and the rest of the world a lot, which is fun, but since he has known her since she was a child, he knows how to read her. Unfortunately, just watching her isn’t enough for me so he encourages her friendship with the group and flat out tells them how Karen really feels about bothering other people and why, which softens her to the girls and the audience. Also, showing her burgeoning insecurity at the very start made my heart break. That is a powerful scene, especially the transition between the younger Karen and present-day. I might have to gif that, watch this spot.
Tumblr media Tumblr media
P.S.young Karen is the cutest thing.
Let’s talk villains for a minute! This is Bunbee’s second outing and his second failure. Despite how big he talks in the office, when he’s on the field he can’t live up to his own hype. Sure, he makes the girls struggle some, but they’re still coming together as a team, they’re not at full strength yet, and they still manage to defeat him both times, even beating his idea of using a Pinky as a Kowaina so they can’t attack it. He always complains that he isn’t making enough money for field work, or how is he going to explain his failures to his superiors, and generally making other silly comments that tie into the whole “evil business” theme. We’re starting to see that Bunbee is more bark than bite, and next episode we’ll see where he really sits on the totem pole.
Character analyses out of the way, here’s a fun little continuity joke. During the Student Council meeting that Karen isn’t paying attention to, they’re discussing a plan to penalize students who are repeatedly tardy by tracking their attendance at the gate. At the end of the episode when Nozomi is running late, and encounters Karen and the student council performing this task. She gets marked tardy because she slips and doesn’t make it through the gate by the end of the bell. It’s the little things.
We’ve wrapped up the Cure Aqua arc and we’re almost done with the character introductions. This episode was excellently paced and a satisfying payoff to the letdown at the end of the previous one. We got to see Karen come to terms with her own desires and become a better version of herself, and the Pretty Cure team is complete, with each girl bringing a different strength to the group. Next time, Nuts arrives on the scene and he’s carrying a lot of baggage. Look forward to it!
Pink Precure Catchphrase Count: 2 Kettei!
P.S. check PCD Status for a special personal post about Karen’s voice actress.
17 notes · View notes
the-tales-of-horror · 7 years
Text
Never Trust an Unattractive Orphan
Original Link By cousinjordan
In my imagination she was beautiful, as girls in imaginations must always be. In reality, she was less so. Her skin less smooth, her hair more frizzy. She was pale, but not in the way that can be described as fair or porcelain. No, it was pallid and sickly, and made me think of gray skies and hospital beds. Her dark hair, when paired with her skin tone, had the unfortunate effect of making her look patchy and hirsute.
She was confident, though, as if she never fully understood how insufficiently she fulfilled her role as an object of beauty. Or she didn’t care. Either way, her confidence was a slap in the face to anyone who looked at her. How dare she? Before I met her, I had an idea of what our lives might be. I fantasized about the day she would move in, shy and afraid, accompanied by a stern caseworker who would offer no comfort. I could be her comfort, I thought. What better way to wriggle into the heart of a newly orphaned cousin?
The reality of her so completely punctured my illusion of tragic and subservient grace that my stomach turned in revulsion upon seeing her. That gangly thing clutching a pet rabbit in her arms like it wasn’t a glorified rat. As I stood looking at her defiant face and upright posture, I felt wave after wave of hatred.
Rose was her name, the cousin, not the rodent. She walked right in like she owned the place. I could have retched when Father scooped her up in his arms and pretended like he gave a damn, like he had even reacted when he’d heard that his own sister had died in a car accident.
Instead, I laughed.
I could see the hurt in Rose’s eyes the moment I did it, and I knew that my summer’s plans had changed. I wouldn’t be seducing my dear cousin, no, I had standards. Instead, I would break her down. True that it might not have been a challenge, but I liked to win, even on ‘easy mode.’
Mother settled Rose in a room in the east wing. The room was mostly barren, but Mother promised a new bed and furniture made for a princess. I supposed, in Mother’s mind, the girl had earned it by virtue of being orphaned. The room was not particularly close to mine, but that was acceptable. I could find reasons to be there. I wandered up the stairs, thinking that I might over my assistance to the girl, ingratiate myself some to grease the wheels. I stood outside of her doorway, preparing to make my entree when I heard her talking.
“I’m sorry, Snow-y, you don’t have your toys yet.”
Snowy? She named that awful thing she was carrying around with her? The more I saw of the wretched girl, the more pain I wanted to inflict on her. I couldn’t contain my disdain any longer.
“Really? You give that damned vermin toys? What a waste.”
She pulled the thing into her boyish chest as if to protect it, and looked up at me with sadness in her dull, beady eyes. I laughed at her and walked further into the room. Bending down, I spoke to the rabbit.
“You want some toys, precious beast? I can probably find Father’s box of razors.”
The girl looked taken aback. I doubled down.
“What, this thing means something to you? Does it replace dear departed mommy and daddy? Do you think they’re looking up at you in disgust? Do you think they’re horrified that their daughter is a vegetable with a rat?”
I laughed as the tears started flowing and turned to leave the room. This may be easy, I thought to myself, but I could at least let my creativity shine. Practice for the challenges to come, and prepare myself for those worthy of my talents. The girl was weak, allowing words alone to hurt her. In a way, I was doing her a favor. Toughness in the face of adversity is earned, after all.
I had planned to let the wretch alone for the rest of the day. I had wanted to savor her tears over the days and weeks to come. Summer was long, after all, and the days boring. Fate, it would seem, had other plans for me.
I was walking along the hallways in the east wing, when I heard a sound. It drew me toward it instinctively. The door to the girl’s room was slightly ajar, and through it I could see her curled up on the temporary cot that Mother had so kindly provided her. She slept alone. Then the sound made itself known once more. There, at my feet, was the prized rodent itself, gnawing at the door frame. It’s disgusting teeth were making short work of the polished, imported walnut that bordered the door.
“That’s enough of that,” I said softly, so as not to disturb Rose. I picked up the animal, holding it away from my body as I did so.
I made it nearly to the bottom of the stairway when I was struck by a particularly ingenious plan. My dear cousin was obviously attached the the creature, and wouldn’t it be a grand show to have her break down during dinner? I can presume to know what you are thinking, and perhaps you are correct to think it. But, if my aim was to inflict maximum distress, then I had no choice.
No, I did not kill the rabbit. Such a thing is far too bloody for someone with my skill set. I took the animal down to James, the chef currently employed with us, and asked him to do me a favor. Rabbit meat is not something that sings upon a sophisticated palate, but nonetheless I persuaded him to replicate the appearance of it for tonight’s dinner. That having been done, I took sweet Snowy to the stables and set her free.
Then, with anticipation bubbling inside of me, I dressed for dinner. I could hear Father retrieving Rose from upstairs, and I could barely suppress my excitement for the evening’s entertainment. Surely by now she would realize her pet was missing, and it would not be long before her brain, simplistic as it was, would begin putting it all together.
Dinner was served promptly at seven, and I was seated across from Rose. As the first course came and went, I watched her carefully. I wanted to bear witness to the exact moment when she realized what had happened, or, at least, what she suspected had happened. I smiled at her throughout the first course, maintaining eye contact as best I could.
Finally, our butler Emmanuel entered with the main course.
“Ma’am, your dinner is served.”
I didn’t even register anyone else as he placed the tureen in front of her. James had prepared the dish beautifully, taking great care to evoke the spirit of the pet rabbit in every detail. I could swear I smelled the animal’s scent wafting up from the stew. I stared at her as her face went white.
“I’m uh, not hungry,” she said.
Mother, never one for tolerating such rudeness, spoke up. “But Rose, you have to eat! You haven’t had a meal since you arrived!”
“Yeah, Rose,” I said, delight nearly stopping the words in my throat. “Eat your stew.”
With that, Rose pushed herself away from the table and ran full-speed upstairs. I turned to Mother with mock horror.
“What in heaven’s name has gotten into her?” I said, dripping with as much indignation as I could muster. Inside, however, I was buzzing with excitement.
“Jordan, dear, she’s only just lost her parents. Be patient with her,” Mother said. Father said nothing, preferring instead to sip his whiskey in silence.
“Mother, you are absolutely right. I owe our Rose an apology, I think.”
Mother nodded in approval as I excused myself from the table. As soon as my back was to the dining room, I broke out into a smile. This had gone better than I could have possibly imagined.
I could hear sobbing coming from Rose’s room, and the sound sent a shock wave of pleasure up my spine. I licked my lips in anticipation, and knocked.
“Hello, dear cousin,” I said, stepping into the room.
“You killed him, didn’t you?” she asked, through ugly, gulping sobs. Her face was contorted and red. Finally she looked like the wretched thing I knew her to be.
I laughed. “Me?” I asked, pointing to my chest in mock outrage. “Heavens no! Why would I kill such an innocent creature?”
She broke down into tears again, and I excused myself. I couldn’t help but chuckle as I did so. She really believed that I killed her stupid rabbit. For a moment, I wished that I had. Who gets that attached to a rodent?
In a way, I felt let down after the events of the evening. As enjoyable as they were, I felt trapped by my own escalation. What could I do now that was worse? I drifted off to sleep that evening with dreams of rabbit-bone sculptures and wordplay too sophisticated for her simple brain to untangle.
Breakfast was served at eight. Emmanuel brought out the spread of breakfast meats and pastries, and once again I was seated across from Rose. She seemed different this morning, vacant, to be certain, but there was a resoluteness about it. Perhaps she was finally growing a spine. The thought of a challenge before me filled me with happiness; it would appear that I had worried about nothing.
I excused myself to the restroom, and returned to find Rose looking almost pleased with herself. I took a long gulp from my milk and stared at her over the rim of the glass. It’s curious, I thought, how getting basic needs met is all it takes to delight a simpleton. A full belly and a good night’s sleep, and look at little Rosie content again.
As I finished my breakfast, an odd fatigue took over my faculties. I assumed it was due to the sleepless worry and uncomfortable dreams of the night before. I took my leave of the table, and retired to my room. A nap would help to restore me, and I could once again take up my sport against Rose.
I nearly fell into bed, so overcome was I. I drifted into a sleep so deep that I don’t think I moved at all. When I awoke, it was with a distinct disorientation. I blinked away the blurriness of my vision, but still a fog hung over my mind. There was a dull throbbing at my throat, and my tongue felt thick and heavy.
Much to my surprise, Rose stood before my bed. She smiled at me, her face lit with expectation and her rat-like eyes twinkling.
I started to speak to her, to ask her what she thought she was doing trespassing in my room. Instead of the words coming out of my mouth, I was struck by a blinding pain from my throat. I lifted a heavy hand to the skin of my neck. I recoiled as my fingers brushed stitches.
I could feel my eyes widen as the reality of what she’d done came crashing down around me. My vocal cords. That monster wearing the face of a girl had severed my vocal cords. I croaked out a scream and pain once again shot through me, causing white and black spots to dance in front of my eyes.
“Sticks and stones may break your bones,” Rose said. “But your words will never hurt me again, or anyone else, dear cousin.” She smiled at me, turned and left.
Mother and Father were beside themselves. Rose had simply vanished, taken the meager possessions she’d brought with her (save her rabbit, which surely by now was prey for the coyotes) and gone. They could not understand how such a sweet girl could have done such an awful thing. Jealousy, they thought. That had to be it. Or maybe a temporary psychosis brought on by her parents’ deaths.
I knew the answer, though. I understood it all. I knew from the moment I saw her that she was an evil, villainous thing. She took my game of words and illusions and transformed it into something dark.
That’s why I’m writing this, why I’m sharing Rose’s story. I’m writing this so that you know there are monsters in this world, monsters that prey upon the innocent and leave those around them the worse for it.
23 notes · View notes
memento-rpg-blog · 4 years
Text
Ravenswood Legend
Thunder Mesa 
The land on which Big Thunder Mountain sits was once serene wilderness inhabited by the Shoshone people. They believed Big Thunder was protected by the great thunderbird, a powerful and ancient spirit. Anyone who dared to disturb the mountain would be punished by the spirit who could cause storms, droughts, and earthquakes. The land was forever changed when a rich vein of gold was discovered in the red rocks of the mountain. Streams of settlers flooded into the area seeking their fortune. The natives tried to warn them of the great misfortune that awaited anyone who angered the spirit. Despite the warnings, the Big Thunder Mining Company was founded by Henry Ravenswood and the land quickly transformed into the thriving gold-rush town of Thunder Mesa.  
Henry
Initially, Henry was a simple prospector whose reputation was covered in red. It all started when he cheated during a duel against his own brother. A lovely southern blossom named Martha was the cause of their dispute. Martha had been in love with the brother for many years, Henry had been in love with her. Henry challenged his brother to a duel, claiming that he’d rather die than watch Martha marry another. Before the draw, Henry turned around early and shot his own brother in the back, winning the right to Martha’s hand.
When he discovered the gold, the fortune it brought him changed everything. Like most who happen upon such a grand amount of wealth and success, greed began to consume him. He had his hand in almost every aspect of Thunder Mesa’s creation. He established financial dominance over the mining operations in the area by founding the Big Thunder Mining Company. It was by his authority only that anyone was granted access to the mine. Every family in town had at least one person working for the mining company. No one saw a nugget of gold in their pocket without a percentage going into Henry’s. Since the mountain seemed to have limitless amounts of treasures, no one complained.
In order to show off his exuberant success, Henry built a stately manor atop of Boot Hill, overlooking the town and river beyond. This manor was home to Henry, his wife Martha, their daughter Melanie and a large staff. Most of the townsfolks thought little of this decision. However, some felt a twinge of anger at such a blatant statement of hierarchy.
During the decade of the company’s success, things were changing for the Ravenwoods household. Henry’s relationship with his wife became strained. They never had the picture-perfect marriage, but the more successful they became, the more they clashed. Being such a powerful man brought him attention. It was the attention of their maid, Anna Jones, that drove Martha to drink.  If it wasn’t for Melanie, Henry would have cast Martha out into the tumbleweeds with the rest of the drunks.
Martha
Poor Martha. Unfortunately, those two words sum up the entirety of Martha’s life. Nothing, and that’s not an exaggeration, ever went her way. She grew up with severe middle child syndrome, always forgotten or purposely excluded. Her first choice of husband was killed by his own brother then she was forced to marry his murderer. Her dream wedding was a small quiet ceremony on her family’s plantation; her wedding was held in the middle of a bustling city with over four hundred guests. She desired a husband who would be kind and loyal; she wound up with Henry. She’d always wanted a son; she had Melanie.
When Henry’s true colors began to show, all Martha could do was hold on for the ride and try not to be in the line of fire. Ever so slowly the woman who still gave a damn gave up. Alcohol became her only comfort. She loved Melanie, sure, but after a while, even Melanie couldn’t phase her. Arguments, rumors, and women came and went through her front door and all she could do was pour another drink. Poor Martha.
Melanie
For most of her life, Melanie was doted on by her wealthy parents, especially her father. He adored her and ensured that every luxury available was bestowed on her. Melanie, however, enjoyed simple things. She enjoyed the company of the “common folk” in town her parents stuck their noses up at. A simple slice of pie from the Café was just as good as the prestigious meals served in the high-end steakhouse. As the years passed, she began drawing the attention of many suitors and this displeased Henry immensely. He became very overprotective and skeptical of anyone who showed interest in her. Melanie’s hopeless romantic spirit began to clash against her father’s controlling one.
Mysterious Deaths
There were four men who attempted to court Melanie. All of whom mysteriously met tragic ends.
Barry Claude was an oil-field salesman who knocked on the door of Ravenswood manor in hopes to make a sale. Instead, he found himself falling head over heels in love with Melanie. Their courtship began as smoothly as any other. But the more time the young couple spent together the more Henry began to realize that he was losing the only person he truly cared about. Barry was in no way good enough. Paranoia sunk in quickly. It’s not clear how exactly he arranged the bear to maul Barry to death during one of their picnics in the gardens. But that should have been the first warning sign for the rest of the men to stay clear.
A man of much higher stature, Captain Rowan D. Falls, was the next to fall in love. Rowan was the captain of the town’s prestigious riverboat. Surely the man in charge of something used almost exclusively by the upper-class residents was worthy of Melanie’s hand. Unfortunately, it was not to be. In a strange turn of events, the captain was in a rowboat that was sent barreling down a waterfall.
Rumors circulated about the mystery of the first two deaths. But that didn’t stop Sawyer Bottom from trying his hand to win Melanie’s. Sawyer owned the local saw-mill factory that partnered very closely with the Big Thunder Mining Company. When Henry learned of Sawyer’s infatuation with his daughter, all business ties were immediately severed. Still, Sawyer bid for her attention. Before they could go on their first official date, however, Sawyer was in a factory accident that ended in him being bifurcated with an industrial buzz-saw.
Lastly, an explosives manufacturer named Ignatius “Iggy” Knight came into the picture. He also worked closely with the mining company as he made the explosives used in the mine. Iggy was barely able to have more than a single conversation with Melanie, though his intentions were very clear. The morning after he and Melanie spoke, the newspaper headlines were filled with news of a building blowing up by an accidental TNT explosion. There was only one casualty. Poor Iggy.
Jacob
Jacob Evans was a train engineer that worked for an associated business to the mining company, Big Thunder Mountain Railroad. When she met Jacob, she was determined to make sure it would last. Throughout the years no one in town really suspected that Henry was the mastermind behind these deaths. Melanie, however, was pretty convinced by Iggy’s death that He was behind it all. Melanie confronted her father and told him if anything were to happen to Jacob, she would cut him out of her life and leave town.
Henry played nice for a while, keeping tabs on the boy and looking for “convenient opportunities” to destroy Jacob or, at the least, the relationship. Melanie could not have been happier with Jacob. The two quickly made plans to wed. Surprisingly, Henry consented to the union. But things immediately changed when he found out that Jacob planned to take her away from Thunder Mesa. He was outraged and vowed to do whatever it took to stop the wedding.
The Earthquake
Before any wedding could be destroyed, a terrible earthquake hit the town causing major devastation and damage. Ravenswood Manor was damaged but left standing. Both Henry and Martha were killed in the catastrophe along with hundreds of townsfolk. A large portion of the town surrounding Boot Hill collapsed into a canyon, no survivors were found.
The legends of the Thunderbird had never been respected by most people but that changed after the earthquake. Most of the town was fully convinced that the earthquake was the spirit of Big Thunder’s revenge on Henry Ravenswood and the rest of the mining company who ignored the warnings. Some believed the earthquake was caused by another TNT accident within the mountain. Either way, the mining company was permanently shut down. Fortunately, other staple businesses survived. The Big Thunder Railroad was able to turn Thunder Mesa into a trading town which allowed it to continue to thrive.
The Wedding
Despite the loss of her parents, Melanie and Jacob continued with their plans to marry and leave town. The day of her wedding came, and the blushing bride eagerly anticipated her groom's arrival, but he never came. Even after all of their guests had left, Melanie refused to believe that he would abandon her. Melanie stubbornly standing at the altar awaiting her love to show up was the last time anyone in town saw her alive.
Through the stories of the staff, the events of that night were attempted to be put together. The footman confirmed that Jacob had arrived at the manor well before the time the ceremony began. The butler was the last person to see him. He claimed to see Jacob wandering around the upstairs corridor mumbling about a voice. The butler had deduced it Jacob had a few pre-wedding jitters and left him to clear his head. When he didn’t show up in the Grand Hall, the staff who’d seen him thought he’d fled. 
Rather than give up hope, Melanie continued to wait. Days turned to weeks, to months, to years and Melanie locked herself up inside the manor pining for her fiancé. Some people said Melanie was mad, but most of them believed that perhaps she couldn't leave even if she wanted to; that some force, be it her broken-yet-faithful heart or something more malevolent, kept her there indefinitely.
The staff did not have the heart to tell her about discovering Jacob’s body swinging from the rafters in the attic. They decided it would be better for Melanie to at least think Jacob was alive somewhere out there, then to know he was dead. They buried Jacob in the gardens and prayed Melanie would move on quickly. They could now all hear the voice Jacob had been muttering about and strange things began happening all across the estate.
The Phantom
The stories of the goings-on in the manor did not stay contained within the gates very long. Many of the staff fled their employment in fear. Legends of the Phantom who now haunted the manor were more circulated than the ones of Big Thunder Mountain.
It was said that the Phantom not only disturbed Ravenswood manor but also the region beyond Boot Hill. When reconstruction efforts were made to the portion of the town that fell into the ravine, all progress was undone by the next morning. With no logical explanation, the Phantom was blamed. The area became known as Phantom Canyon and the townsfolk avoided that area entirely. After a while, the same thing happened to the manor itself. Some felt that such a beautiful place should not be left to rot but all restoration progress was reset overnight.
No one seems to be entirely sure what became of Mélanie. Most assume she passed on, as it's hard to believe she would still be alive after so many years. Yet locals claim they still can hear her singing on the evening air when it's quiet, along with sinister laughter and the sounds of an unseen party drifting from the old Ravenswood estate.
Return to the Mansion
1 note · View note
sending-the-message · 7 years
Text
Never Trust an Unattractive Orphan by cousinjordan
In my imagination she was beautiful, as girls in imaginations must always be. In reality, she was less so. Her skin less smooth, her hair more frizzy. She was pale, but not in the way that can be described as fair or porcelain. No, it was pallid and sickly, and made me think of gray skies and hospital beds. Her dark hair, when paired with her skin tone, had the unfortunate effect of making her look patchy and hirsute.
She was confident, though, as if she never fully understood how insufficiently she fulfilled her role as an object of beauty. Or she didn’t care. Either way, her confidence was a slap in the face to anyone who looked at her. How dare she? Before I met her, I had an idea of what our lives might be. I fantasized about the day she would move in, shy and afraid, accompanied by a stern caseworker who would offer no comfort. I could be her comfort, I thought. What better way to wriggle into the heart of a newly orphaned cousin?
The reality of her so completely punctured my illusion of tragic and subservient grace that my stomach turned in revulsion upon seeing her. That gangly thing clutching a pet rabbit in her arms like it wasn’t a glorified rat. As I stood looking at her defiant face and upright posture, I felt wave after wave of hatred.
Rose was her name, the cousin, not the rodent. She walked right in like she owned the place. I could have retched when Father scooped her up in his arms and pretended like he gave a damn, like he had even reacted when he’d heard that his own sister had died in a car accident.
Instead, I laughed.
I could see the hurt in Rose’s eyes the moment I did it, and I knew that my summer’s plans had changed. I wouldn’t be seducing my dear cousin, no, I had standards. Instead, I would break her down. True that it might not have been a challenge, but I liked to win, even on ‘easy mode.’
Mother settled Rose in a room in the east wing. The room was mostly barren, but Mother promised a new bed and furniture made for a princess. I supposed, in Mother’s mind, the girl had earned it by virtue of being orphaned. The room was not particularly close to mine, but that was acceptable. I could find reasons to be there. I wandered up the stairs, thinking that I might over my assistance to the girl, ingratiate myself some to grease the wheels. I stood outside of her doorway, preparing to make my entree when I heard her talking.
“I’m sorry, Snow-y, you don’t have your toys yet.”
Snowy? She named that awful thing she was carrying around with her? The more I saw of the wretched girl, the more pain I wanted to inflict on her. I couldn’t contain my disdain any longer.
“Really? You give that damned vermin toys? What a waste.”
She pulled the thing into her boyish chest as if to protect it, and looked up at me with sadness in her dull, beady eyes. I laughed at her and walked further into the room. Bending down, I spoke to the rabbit.
“You want some toys, precious beast? I can probably find Father’s box of razors.”
The girl looked taken aback. I doubled down.
“What, this thing means something to you? Does it replace dear departed mommy and daddy? Do you think they’re looking up at you in disgust? Do you think they’re horrified that their daughter is a vegetable with a rat?”
I laughed as the tears started flowing and turned to leave the room. This may be easy, I thought to myself, but I could at least let my creativity shine. Practice for the challenges to come, and prepare myself for those worthy of my talents. The girl was weak, allowing words alone to hurt her. In a way, I was doing her a favor. Toughness in the face of adversity is earned, after all.
I had planned to let the wretch alone for the rest of the day. I had wanted to savor her tears over the days and weeks to come. Summer was long, after all, and the days boring. Fate, it would seem, had other plans for me.
I was walking along the hallways in the east wing, when I heard a sound. It drew me toward it instinctively. The door to the girl’s room was slightly ajar, and through it I could see her curled up on the temporary cot that Mother had so kindly provided her. She slept alone. Then the sound made itself known once more. There, at my feet, was the prized rodent itself, gnawing at the door frame. It’s disgusting teeth were making short work of the polished, imported walnut that bordered the door.
“That’s enough of that,” I said softly, so as not to disturb Rose. I picked up the animal, holding it away from my body as I did so.
I made it nearly to the bottom of the stairway when I was struck by a particularly ingenious plan. My dear cousin was obviously attached the the creature, and wouldn’t it be a grand show to have her break down during dinner? I can presume to know what you are thinking, and perhaps you are correct to think it. But, if my aim was to inflict maximum distress, then I had no choice.
No, I did not kill the rabbit. Such a thing is far too bloody for someone with my skill set. I took the animal down to James, the chef currently employed with us, and asked him to do me a favor. Rabbit meat is not something that sings upon a sophisticated palate, but nonetheless I persuaded him to replicate the appearance of it for tonight’s dinner. That having been done, I took sweet Snowy to the stables and set her free.
Then, with anticipation bubbling inside of me, I dressed for dinner. I could hear Father retrieving Rose from upstairs, and I could barely suppress my excitement for the evening’s entertainment. Surely by now she would realize her pet was missing, and it would not be long before her brain, simplistic as it was, would begin putting it all together.
Dinner was served promptly at seven, and I was seated across from Rose. As the first course came and went, I watched her carefully. I wanted to bear witness to the exact moment when she realized what had happened, or, at least, what she suspected had happened. I smiled at her throughout the first course, maintaining eye contact as best I could.
Finally, our butler Emmanuel entered with the main course.
“Ma’am, your dinner is served.”
I didn’t even register anyone else as he placed the tureen in front of her. James had prepared the dish beautifully, taking great care to evoke the spirit of the pet rabbit in every detail. I could swear I smelled the animal’s scent wafting up from the stew. I stared at her as her face went white.
“I’m uh, not hungry,” she said.
Mother, never one for tolerating such rudeness, spoke up. “But Rose, you have to eat! You haven’t had a meal since you arrived!”
“Yeah, Rose,” I said, delight nearly stopping the words in my throat. “Eat your stew.”
With that, Rose pushed herself away from the table and ran full-speed upstairs. I turned to Mother with mock horror.
“What in heaven’s name has gotten into her?” I said, dripping with as much indignation as I could muster. Inside, however, I was buzzing with excitement.
“Jordan, dear, she’s only just lost her parents. Be patient with her,” Mother said. Father said nothing, preferring instead to sip his whiskey in silence.
“Mother, you are absolutely right. I owe our Rose an apology, I think.”
Mother nodded in approval as I excused myself from the table. As soon as my back was to the dining room, I broke out into a smile. This had gone better than I could have possibly imagined.
I could hear sobbing coming from Rose’s room, and the sound sent a shock wave of pleasure up my spine. I licked my lips in anticipation, and knocked.
“Hello, dear cousin,” I said, stepping into the room.
“You killed him, didn’t you?” she asked, through ugly, gulping sobs. Her face was contorted and red. Finally she looked like the wretched thing I knew her to be.
I laughed. “Me?” I asked, pointing to my chest in mock outrage. “Heavens no! Why would I kill such an innocent creature?”
She broke down into tears again, and I excused myself. I couldn’t help but chuckle as I did so. She really believed that I killed her stupid rabbit. For a moment, I wished that I had. Who gets that attached to a rodent?
In a way, I felt let down after the events of the evening. As enjoyable as they were, I felt trapped by my own escalation. What could I do now that was worse? I drifted off to sleep that evening with dreams of rabbit-bone sculptures and wordplay too sophisticated for her simple brain to untangle.
Breakfast was served at eight. Emmanuel brought out the spread of breakfast meats and pastries, and once again I was seated across from Rose. She seemed different this morning, vacant, to be certain, but there was a resoluteness about it. Perhaps she was finally growing a spine. The thought of a challenge before me filled me with happiness; it would appear that I had worried about nothing.
I excused myself to the restroom, and returned to find Rose looking almost pleased with herself. I took a long gulp from my milk and stared at her over the rim of the glass. It’s curious, I thought, how getting basic needs met is all it takes to delight a simpleton. A full belly and a good night’s sleep, and look at little Rosie content again.
As I finished my breakfast, an odd fatigue took over my faculties. I assumed it was due to the sleepless worry and uncomfortable dreams of the night before. I took my leave of the table, and retired to my room. A nap would help to restore me, and I could once again take up my sport against Rose.
I nearly fell into bed, so overcome was I. I drifted into a sleep so deep that I don’t think I moved at all. When I awoke, it was with a distinct disorientation. I blinked away the blurriness of my vision, but still a fog hung over my mind. There was a dull throbbing at my throat, and my tongue felt thick and heavy.
Much to my surprise, Rose stood before my bed. She smiled at me, her face lit with expectation and her rat-like eyes twinkling.
I started to speak to her, to ask her what she thought she was doing trespassing in my room. Instead of the words coming out of my mouth, I was struck by a blinding pain from my throat. I lifted a heavy hand to the skin of my neck. I recoiled as my fingers brushed stitches.
I could feel my eyes widen as the reality of what she’d done came crashing down around me. My vocal cords. That monster wearing the face of a girl had severed my vocal cords. I croaked out a scream and pain once again shot through me, causing white and black spots to dance in front of my eyes.
“Sticks and stones may break your bones,” Rose said. “But your words will never hurt me again, or anyone else, dear cousin.” She smiled at me, turned and left.
Mother and Father were beside themselves. Rose had simply vanished, taken the meager possessions she’d brought with her (save her rabbit, which surely by now was prey for the coyotes) and gone. They could not understand how such a sweet girl could have done such an awful thing. Jealousy, they thought. That had to be it. Or maybe a temporary psychosis brought on by her parents’ deaths.
I knew the answer, though. I understood it all. I knew from the moment I saw her that she was an evil, villainous thing. She took my game of words and illusions and transformed it into something dark.
That’s why I’m writing this, why I’m sharing Rose’s story. I’m writing this so that you know there are monsters in this world, monsters that prey upon the innocent and leave those around them the worse for it.
0 notes