#lucien's birthday event

[laxmiree]

[CN] MLQC Lucien’s Exclusive Past- Monochrome Scenery translation

⚠️ SPOILER ALERT ⚠️

This post contains a HEAVY SPOILER for the story that has not been released in EN yet! Feel free to notify me if there are any mistakes in the translation~

Through Thousands of Mirrors Event | Day 1 | Day 2 | Day 3 | Day 4 | Day 5 | Day 6 | Day 7 | HS/Uni SSR Story: Monochrome Scenery (You're here!)

[Notes from Lux: Here’s the CN video link if anyone wants to follow along his Voice Acting. VERY recommended to re-read Until Dawn R&S regarding his 'contract' with BS. AND perhaps Distant Similarity UR MQ as it's the date that is relevant to this story.

-

[Part 1]

I walk hurriedly towards Dr. Lawson's laboratory, while opening the paper bag in my hand, and stuffing the hamburger into my mouth.

Skipping lunch might save some time, but if it leads to a lack of carbohydrates and sugar, causing a decrease in productivity during the entire afternoon, it could be counterproductive.

When will nutritionists finally invent nutritional packages? Preferably in the form of a liquid that can be consumed just once a day.

The time saved this way would be enough for me to read a few more research papers.

??: Hi, Lucien. Are you going to the lab?

A friendly voice from behind rings out, and I turn to look behind me.

Lucien: Hello, Elliot.

Elliot: Seems like we're both going to be late.

Elliot quickly crosses a puddle, only slowing down after catching up with my steps.

Elliot: But I recall you've always been punctual. Did the recent lab class not go smoothly?

Lucien: I chatted with Professor White for a while and lost track of time.

Elliot: Ah, I understand. She's always very talkative... The only one who can talk as much as her is my clinical medicine professor.

Elliot sighed deeply and pointed at the teaching building he had walked from. We quicken our pace once more.

When we arrive at the lab, Senior Caroline has already begun today's work.

Just as I put my bag next to my desk, someone heavily pats my back.

??: Hi!!

The overly enthusiastic voice pierces through my eardrums, and without turning around, I know it's Colt.

Now that he's here, his daily challenges are probably about to begin again.

Sure enough, after greeting me, Colt slightly composes himself and looks at me.

Colt: Good afternoon, "Xiū, Mǒ" How's that, did I pronounce it correctly this time?

Lucien: It's "Xǔ Mò".

He scratches his head in frustration and quickly starts a new round of attempts.

Lucien: Actually, you can just call me "Lucien".

Colt: How can that be acceptable? I have great respect for Chinese culture; I'll definitely learn how to pronounce your name!

Colt raises his eyebrows high, and the confident expression on his face is so exaggerated that it could be used as a reference for the facial expression scale.

I give up trying to explain to him that "respect" and "pronunciation" are not causally related, and I put on my protective gear after setting down my bag.

I hope he succeeds soon and gives up making me his involuntary Chinese teacher, where I'm only tasked with examining two words every morning.

Caroline: Shut up, Colt. Leave Lucien alone and come over here to work, okay?

Caroline who was immersed in her experiment furrows her brow and glares at Colt, using her gaze to reprimand the "senior" lab member who has been there the longest.

In the end, she smiles and greets me.

Caroline: How's it going today, Xǔ Mò?

Lucien: Sorry for being late. Where should I start taking over from now?

Colt: This isn't fair! You've never greeted me with such a smile. Wait, why is your pronunciation correct? One more time, Xiū... Xī…

Like everyone else, I calmly ignore Colt's continuous self-challenges and begin today's work.

As a newcomer who has been in the lab for just about a month, there isn't much for me to do.

In fact, everyone here is more like doing their own research in the lab on topics they are passionate about, while occasionally helping Dr. Lawson with minor tasks.

Looking back, it seems that this casual and free atmosphere could be glimpsed from the very beginning, during that interview with just two questions.

-

=Flashback Start=

Dr. Lawson: You have an excellent research experience, and the awards you've received are enough to apply to even more top-notch labs.

Dr. Lawson: Why did you choose to reach out to me?

The doctor set my application paper and the stack of recommendation letters aside, looking into my eyes.

Lucien: I'm currently very interested in topics related to parietal lobe function research and its applications.

Lucien: So, for me, your lab is the best choice.

Dr. Lawson: Hmm, there is indeed a high match in terms of research direction.

Dr. Lawson: So, what do you hope the lab can provide for you?

I instinctively thought I had misheard.

Questions like "What do you think you can bring to the lab?" are ones I've mastered, but this reverse question isn't as common.

After a brief moment of thought, I honestly answered.

Lucien: If possible, I hope to research more of what I'm interested in within the limited time.

The doctor raised an eyebrow without giving a clear response, concluding this brief interview that lasted less than a few minutes. And a few days later, he sent me an acceptance email.

=Flashback End=

Colt: Hey, Xī Mó! Listen to me, I have a great idea!

Probably seeing that I'm not especially busy, Colt eagerly strides over to my desk, holding a small box in his hand.

I set down the keyboard, take out a notebook from the side, and turn towards him.

Colt's thought process is unique; he always manages to come up with some innovative ideas.

Lucien: Do you have any new ideas regarding the research topic?

Colt: No, no, there's not much to do today. How about a game of the traditional lab card game - NOU!

Colt: Do you want to join?

Lucien: …

And of course, there are times when it's just pure time-wasting.

I offer a polite and apologetic smile in return.

Lucien: No, thank you.

-

[Part 2]

A fixed routine can often lead to a skewed perception of time and dates.

I flip over the calendar again and mark the schedule for the midterm exam week, which is about half a month away.

Exams may not be a cause for concern, but papers and classroom presentations still require time-consuming preparation.

I furrow my brow as I look at the data for my research project on my desk. Just as I'm about to set down my pen, I pause.

The current issue is that the research progress is slower than anticipated, requiring extra time to meticulously review the results.

The once well-structured plan has become exceptionally tight.

How about cutting two hours off my sleep? It shouldn't significantly affect my regular routine.

And smoothly, a blank section appears on the spreadsheet.

Satisfied, I add a line next to my schedule: "Email Dr. Lawson to request an extension of laboratory usage time" as a reminder.

Then, I pick up the already printed poster and leave the dorm on time.

It's my turn to present a report in class today.

Lucien: Hello, everyone. Now it's my turn to share something with all of you.

Whispers of discussion arise one after another, even a few students who had just been yawning straightened up in their seats.

Half the semester has passed, and the curious glances that used to accompany me have subsided. My age, my height, and where I come from might not be as important anymore.

I know very well that now all the curious and probing gazes are focused solely on the poster I have unfolded.

In the corner of my eye, someone raises their hand.

Lucien: Is there a question?

I set down my materials and quietly look at the student who raises their hand.

Student A: I don't have any questions about your presentation. I'm just curious if injuries in the relevant brain region have an impact on drug addiction?

This is an expected question, as I myself noticed similar uncertainties when researching for literature.

Lucien: There is indeed an overlap, but based on existing research, I don't believe there is a direct correlation between the two.

Lucien: Moreover, for the topic I'm currently presenting, there's no need to overly emphasize the impact of different functions within the same area.

But it's evident that the other person doesn't share the same view.

After a brief moment of silence, he raises the issue of potential effects caused by drugs, and I counter each of his points.

However, the consecutive inquiries and debates have actually given me a fresh perspective on the topic at hand.

I attempt to work it out in my head, then take a pen and start writing on the whiteboard.

Lucien: Adding the drug effects caused by addiction as one of the conditions…

Lucien: I currently lack the relevant literature evidence, further substantiation will require future research, but I do have some hypotheses.

The rapidly moving marker on the whiteboard makes a slight squeaking sound as I write, and more questions and discussions emerge in the classroom.

Student B: Given the drug effects, the current papers seem somewhat lacking in rigor.

Student C: But we also shouldn't overly focus on such special cases, just from an experimental perspective…

These ideas and questions aren't quite direct and precise enough.

But the known theorems are once again filled with possibilities, and what I initially considered just a school assignment topic seems to have become interesting again.

The brilliance of the unknown and curiosity subtly shine through the structured words, silently beckoning everyone who tries to explore the mysteries.

Of course, I'm also paying the corresponding "price" for this "interest".

Class ends nearly twenty minutes later than scheduled, and I can only jog all the way, hoping not to be too late for the next classroom.

As I gaze at the ever-extending street ahead, I begin to understand why so many people are buying bicycles.

—------------------------------------------------------------

Lucien: Good afternoon, I hope I'm not too late.

Caroline: Of course not. Take a rest for a while. There isn't much to do today.

Caroline looks up, smiles at me, and points to the well-stocked snack cabinet on the side.

I put down my backpack, intending to pick up my water bottle to get some water, but I notice that there's a stack of data on the table that I haven't worked on, with several annotations written in different handwriting.

Slender and smooth cursive characters detail the model's construction and calculation process, while round and hastily written words explain extensive contemplation and inferences, along with many grammar errors.

Slightly smaller handwriting marks cited references and related experiments.

Lucien: Are these... further derivations based on my personal research project?

A head pokes out from the edge of the table.

Colt smiles and waves at me, with Caroline and Elliot following behind.

Several people stand by the table, making the already small space seem even smaller.

Colt: Well, I heard about the direction of your project a few weeks ago during the meeting and found it very interesting. I got into the habit of discussing it with Caroline when we were chatting…

Caroline gives an apologetic smile.

Caroline: I'm really sorry. Colt looked at your desk and research notes without your permission.

Caroline: He usually doesn't have a strong sense of boundaries when he's around us, and we've become used to it. We didn't expect him to go through your research materials this time.

Caroline: I initially wanted to refuse to discuss it with him, but the research direction is so novel, and the reasons for the roadblock are also quite intriguing. It was easy to get carried away…

The research content is indeed not much of a privacy concern, and exchanging data and projects is quite normal.

Lucien: Next time, we could discuss it during the regular meeting or just talk to me directly. It would be more efficient.

Lucien: However…

I quietly watch the smiling faces of others, my puzzlement still not answered.

Lucien: As I recall, my direction doesn't really overlap with yours, does it?

Caroline: Yes, so we've just made some inferences. The specifics still require you to take another look.

Lucien: Okay.

I lower my head again and begin to roughly browse through those handwritings.

Colt didn't propose a new direction but changed the experimental approach, while Caroline and Elliot used this to present arguments or counterarguments.

Different notes mutually fill in and correct each other, gradually outlining a clear framework.

Lucien: This hypothesis seems to have a high feasibility.

Lucien: I will try to adjust the experiment according to this approach later.

Lucien: At a suitable time in the future, based on the specific data, we can determine whether it can move forward or not.

Colt: Sure, it can!

Colt nods vigorously, his voice much louder than usual.

Colt: I've noticed that you've been busy with midterm exams and papers lately, so I ran some of the data with them to save you from spending extra time to test and verify the data.

Colt: So far, several graphs are looking quite good. I hope they can be of help to you!

Lucien: …All of the data?

I'm stunned.

I've already prepared to apply for extra lab time, but the data I needed to test and verify has just landed directly in my hands like this.

Colt: Of course! The three of us taking turns won't take much time, better than you staying here without eating or drinking.

On the side, Elliot also smiles and hands over another stack of documents.

Elliot: I asked a friend who's a clinical medicine student, and I was able to get some research materials on what happens when you have a lesion in the area in question.

Elliot: Perhaps it can offer some assistance from a different perspective. Consider it as broadening your perspective.

Lucien: Thank you. I did plan to reference some research findings from other fields, but unfortunately, I haven't had enough time recently.

A valuable idea to consider, coupled with readily available data, and the issue that had been stagnant for two weeks was suddenly solved without any warning.

I silently look at the mixed handwriting.

I know that human beings will always help each other and work together to achieve what individuals can't do alone.

Relying on each other for certain aspects and independently taking on the needs of others within the same community.

But along with the objective facts, there is also an inexplicable and faint warm feeling surging to my heart.

The seemingly ordinary paper in my hand now vaguely has a different weight to it.

Lucien: (gently) Thank you, all of you.

Colt: Hey, kid.

Colt smiles and puts his arm around my shoulder.

Colt: We're all from the same lab, so helping each other is only natural.

-

[Part 3]

After the last meeting before the autumn break, Dr. Lawson stopped me.

Dr. Lawson: Lucien, do you have any plans for the autumn break?

Dr. Lawson is organizing the reports we submitted, his tone is calm.

Lucien: I'm staying on campus. If there's a need for someone to oversee the lab, I can help.

Dr. Lawson: You aren't going home?

I smile and reply in the same tone that Colt and the others usually use when joking around.

Lucien: Returning to Loveland City during such a short one-week break?

Dr. Lawson smiles and shakes his head.

Dr. Lawson: How about going nearby? You still have time to plan a short trip with friends.

Dr. Lawson: There are plenty of interesting places within the state worth seeing. Take a train or bus, and "whoosh," it's easy to get around.

Lucien: That sounds appealing, but I'd prefer to take this opportunity to catch up on my project and coursework progress.

Lucien: Recently, my research has just started to make some progress. I'd like to work on it nonstop until I achieve some results.

Lucien: Or is it just that during the autumn break, the school doesn't allow students to stay on campus?

Dr. Lawson: Of course not, silly kid.

Dr. Lawson: I'm just curious, why are you always in such a hurry?

I quietly look at the old man in front of me.

There are too many things I want to explore, and there's too little time.

Nevertheless, I don't feel that I appear "impatient" in my usual behavior.

The doctor shakes his head and taps the table with his fingers.

Dr. Lawson: At your age, you should go out more, travel, play games, take walks, do something silly... Just do anything to waste time and enjoy life.

Dr. Lawson: You do have an impressive intellect, but there are geniuses all around here. So, frankly, you're also an ordinary kid.

Lucien: ….

I've never thought of myself as a once-in-a-lifetime genius, but being straightforwardly labeled as "ordinary" is indeed a first for me.

And, of course, being labeled "in a hurry" is also a first.

Lucien: I don't quite understand what you mean, Doctor.

After a brief silence, I eventually chose to ask the question directly.

Dr. Lawson: I don't doubt your abilities. Lucien, you can accomplish many things by yourself.

Dr. Lawson: But you should also trust your team, after all, this laboratory doesn't consist of just you alone.

He casually points to a group of people in the distance who are playing NOU, and over there, it's particularly noisy, as if the game of cards is reaching a conclusion.

Caroline proudly crosses her arms and looks sideways at Colt, who is slumped over the table, looking dejected.

Elliot begins to tidy up the card table and starts shuffling the cards again.

Dr. Lawson: They're all kids in their late teens to early twenties here in the lab. Came a few years before you, and perhaps they'll leave a few years earlier as well.

Dr. Lawson: But in the road of scientific research, everyone is just a beginner taking their first steps.

Dr. Lawson: I'm not asking you to really study and imitate anyone, but doing something different from your usual routine might make you gain something special. What do you think?

The doctor slows down his voice, his calm tone not resembling a question, it's as if he's talking about the treasure that he is most proud of.

The stack of data with various annotations from a few days ago inexplicably resurfaces in my memory.

I subconsciously infer that when the doctor said, "You're just an ordinary kid", perhaps it meant, "There are many people like you here."

Looking at Dr. Lawson again, he remains as not casual and serious as he was during class. His words are solemn and genuine with a touch of guidance.

Dr. Lawson: If you haven't achieved any significant progress or results within a week, there's no need to lock yourself in the lab every day. But if you need to, remember to turn off the lights and lock the door.

I carefully put away the key he had placed on the table.

Lucien: I'll keep an eye out for it.

Dr. Lawson: Happy holidays.

Lucien: I also wish you a happy holiday.

I say goodbye to him, and as I walk to the door, the doctor adds another sentence.

Dr. Lawson: Take care. And of course, I mean not just during these vacation days.

He smiles at me, speaking a bit slower than usual.

Lucien: You too, Doctor. Take care.

"Take care." The simple sentence passes through my mind, lingering longer than the other phrases.

I think maybe it's because of the pronunciation.

—-------------------------------------------------------

The teaching building has become much quieter during the holidays.

The leaves outside the window are rustling. It's as if the entire city is reminding people of the traces of autumn.

The laboratory feels strangely colder than usual after I'm the only one left.

I closed the window, put on my sweatshirt, and continued with the experiment at hand.

However, the autumn chill didn't last long and was soon warmed up again by the lingering heat of summer.

—-------------------------------------------------------

Five days later, along with the rising temperature, what returned was the noisy chatter within the laboratory.

The first to arrive at the laboratory is the always-diligent Caroline.

She brings a larger-than-usual handbag, takes out beautifully wrapped gifts, and places them on everyone's table one by one.

Caroline: A few days ago, I went to Yellowstone National Park with my family and brought back some souvenirs.

Lucien: Thank you. How was your holiday?

Caroline: It was pretty good, though I wish it could have been longer. I feel like I could stay there for at least half a month.

Caroline: I thought you might prefer something more practical, so I brought this for you. Go ahead and open it.

She smiles and points to the gift box I had placed by the desk. Inside the neatly wrapped layers of gift paper is a coffee mug, with the design of erupting geysers on its surface.

Caroline: This is a landmark sight in the park. I was truly moved when I saw it erupt right on time. I really wish everyone in the lab could go see it!

Lucien: I'll go there if I get the chance in the future.

??: Hi friends! I'm back! Did you miss me during your wonderful holiday?

The next second, a figure rushes in through the door of the laboratory.

Colt is also carrying a package, which is twice the size of Caroline's.

Colt: Oh my god... you're actually working. That's way too diligent.

He looks at me with wide eyes. After some rummaging in the package, there's another gift on my desk.

Colt: I highly recommend trying my grandma's cookies. Even the most popular shops around here can't compete with her skills.

Colt: Oh, by the way, the bookmarks inside were made by my mom. She's recently gotten into handicraft, and our house is getting filled with the things she makes.

Lucien: Please thank your family on my behalf.

Colt: Then they'd be so delighted that they might just invite you over as a guest.

Colt: By the way, do you really spend every day in the lab? Haven't you had any rest at all?

Colt sits down next to me, looking like he won't give up until he gets an answer.

Lucien: I visited a few museums.

Lucien: I also visited some scenic spots along the way and strolled through the market.

Caroline: I remember a few days ago there was a Shakespearean touring theater group performing nearby. Have you heard about it? The performance…

The computer screen in front of me enters screensaver mode, and I realize that I should politely decline this conversation to reactivate the computer and continue processing the data I was in the middle of reviewing.

But when my fingertips touch the keyboard, I pause again.

Such conversations don't have much meaning, but they don't make me feel annoyed either.

Besides, today's progress has been completed ahead of schedule, and there is indeed some free time on my agenda.

I let the screen continue playing the screensaver images.

Colt: How about we also go see a play today?

Lucien: The theater troupe left the day before yesterday, and tickets also needed to be booked in advance.

During the conversation, the laboratory door is pushed open once again.

Elliot: Hey, I thought I was the earliest one here.

Elliot also has a delicately wrapped gift in his hands.

Same greetings, same small talk, and same distribution of gifts.

I look at the three gifts on the desk- I should have some time over the weekend to visit the market and find three suitable return gifts.

Before the plan has been finalized, another particularly large gift appears on my desk.

Dr. Lawson: You all should find these books useful.

Dr. Lawson smiles and nods at us, placing the hefty books one by one on our respective desks, before finally sitting back in the chair and letting out a sigh of relief.

Dr. Lawson: I really should have chosen some lighter gifts; four big books are too heavy for an old man like me.

Lucien: ....Looks like it's four gifts.

I say to myself softly.

Dr. Lawson: Hmm? Did you say something, Lucien?

Lucien: Nothing. I was just saying… "thank you".

Lucien: By the way, Doctor. Here's the key to the laboratory.

The small key that has been with me for five days is returned to its rightful owner.

The gentle breeze blows a book on my table, flipping back a page as fallen leaves dance lightly and land on the windowsill.

I glance at the cloudless sky, hoping that this weekend will also be a sunny day, suitable for going out.

-

[Part 4]

Everyone left the laboratory with the gifts, but Colt unexpectedly broke from his usual behavior and didn’t attend any party.

Instead, he followed Elliot and me all the way to our dormitory building.

Elliot: Colt, your dormitory isn't over here.

Colt: I know, I know. But on this especially memorable day, how about a game of NOU to celebrate? Here's to our reunion!

Elliot: I knew it... I don't want to play NOU with just the two of us. You better invite one more person.

Colt: Will Xù mò be joining us?

Colt looks up at me, and this is the 16th invitation he has extended to me since I joined this laboratory.

Lucien: Okay.

Colt: It's fine, maybe next time... Wait, what?!

Elliot: You're going to join us?!

They aren't the only ones confused, I'm also a bit puzzled myself.

The choices I've made today are all a bit out of the ordinary, and it makes me wonder why I want to act the way I do.

If I join, will I be able to find the answers?

Besides... Looking at the two of them that have the same expression as if they've just seen a new topic; if I want to refuse now, the amount of effort required doesn't seem proportional to the outcome.

Lucien: Yes.

Lucien: I don't have any other plans for today-

Before I could finish speaking, the two of them had already surrounded me, one on the left and one on the right.

Colt: Is this the blessing of the Autumn Break God! Elliot, let's go quickly.

Elliot: Lucien won't run away again this time.

Saying so, he continues to pull me without stopping towards a small table in the public lounge area.

Just as we sit down at the small table, Colt eagerly begins to shuffle the cards.

Elliot: Do you need an explanation of the rules?

Lucien: No need.

Having watched them play so many times, I'm not entirely unfamiliar with the rules of the game, and the symbols on the corners of the cards also help me determine their colors.

I'll consider it as an exercise in reasoning and memory then.

—--------------------------------------------------------

Elliot: NOU, +2!

Colt: Wait a minute, that's not right. You're cheating! Why do you have a red +2?

After the initial "demonstration round", I quickly realized that this game might not be as straightforward as I had imagined.

Lucien: ...Drawing a +2 card directly from the deck is not entirely impossible either.

Colt: Huh? +2 should be in your hand, right?

Colt: Judging by the overall color distribution of the cards played, it seems like you're building a hand predominantly based on red cards.

Lucien: However, based on the cards that have already been played, there are still 28% red cards left in the deck.

Lucien: I would need to draw that +2 card along with another red number card starting from at least the first four rounds to maintain an advantage without playing the +2.

Elliot: My dear friend, just admit that low probability is still probability and draw the cards.

I nod in silence and urge Colt to draw a card, preventing the game from turning into his endless mathematical calculations.

If that happens, he will build a solid model in his mind and he'll be almost impossible to beat.

I take another look at the situation on the card table.

Setting Colt aside for now, among Elliot's three cards, there should only be blue and green ones.

Or in an extremely low-probability scenario, there might be one Wild card or possibly the last +4 card aside from mine.

I closely watch each card played, rapidly calculating the possible card arrangements in others' hands in my mind.

And I'm equally aware that the other two people sitting at the card table are also making their own deductions in their own ways.

I need to conduct another experiment, even if the cost is higher than expected value.

It's my turn once again.

Lucien: Change color, let's go with... blue.

Colt, who is determined to beat Elliot, wears a worried expression, while Elliot confidently draws a card.

"Reverse."

I silently say to myself.

Elliot: Reverse.

The variables waiting to be filled in gradually decrease, and assuming confirmation is obtained, the inference is established.

The opportunity to determine the course of the card game on the table comes back to me once again.

Colt: Come on Xǔ mò, it's time to play a number card and join forces to eliminate Elliot early!

Lucien: Is that so? I thought I'd have a better option.

Quick responses and extensive thinking make the brain more active than usual.

A seemingly meaningless card game becomes more complex due to repeated setups and disruptions.

Pure competition for calculation speed and formulating strategies stimulate the release of neurotransmitters.

I raise the corners of my mouth and quietly play my card.

Lucien: I choose +4, green.

Due to too many unexpected situations, Colt, who had stopped calculating, begins to howl in frustration.

Elliot, sitting across the table, also appears surprised, his gaze once again scanning the cards on the table.

It's my turn again.

I smile, say NOU, and play the green number card, leaving only one of the same color in my hand and skipping the next player’s turn.

Unless the almost improbable reversal occurred when they have the last card, a color-changing card, and bring it onto the playing field from the deck

But I trust my calculations more than probability.

Colt: Xǔ mò, I thought you were my friend!

Colt has flipped his cards onto the table, giving up on the struggle.

Lucien: Of course I am. That's why I'm sitting here, playing cards with you.

I lean my chin on my hand and look at the card table, unable to suppress the victorious curve at the corner of my mouth.

Lucien: Also, thank you for calling me by my name correctly.

Unfortunately, it's still Elliot who reaches 500 points first.

Colt is not one to accept defeat easily, and he pulls us into starting a new round of the game.

The card game goes on from the afternoon into the evening, and we unknowingly gather a crowd of onlookers around us.

Centered around this small table, the dormitory that was quiet just a few hours ago is now overflowing with discussion and laughter.

We graciously give up our seats to other students who also want to give it a try and withdraw from the crowd.

Colt: Xī... Xú mò is quite skilled. If we go by rounds, he tied with Elliot.

I haven't responded yet when Elliot chuckles and shakes his head, then tosses a box of ice cream from the fridge to both Colt and me.

It's the most common chocolate ice cream with nuts and chocolate chunks added.

I've seen it in many convenience stores, but I've never been interested in buying it.

Elliot: In front of our little genius' brain, even the best luck can only yield to skill.

Colt: Sigh... the vacation is too short. It feels like it just started, and now it's already over in a blink of an eye.

Colt finished his ice cream in a few bites and tossed the empty box into the trash. He leans on the bar table, watching the new round of NOU craze.

Colt: How about we have another round of NOU to refresh ourselves after the experiment is over tomorrow?

Elliot: Lucien, are you joining as well?

Lucien: I have to start preparing for my thesis from tomorrow.

Lucien: The experiment has made progress as well, so I want to sort out the related processes.

Colt: Oh... that's a shame. But how about next time? You'll come, right?

In the dorm room without air conditioning on this autumn day, the ice cream seems to melt even faster than it would in the heat of summer.

I scoop up a spoonful of the slightly softened ice cream and put it in my mouth.

The taste of chocolate spreads with the coolness, it's sweeter than I had imagined.

Lucien: I will if I have the time.

—------------------------------------------------

After seeing them off, I close the door and start preparing for tomorrow's coursework, allowing life to return to its normal course.

A notification pops up on my laptop, indicating an email from Dr. Lawson.

"Hi, everyone. Thank you for your hard work. Our lab's project has passed the review, so you can start preparing for the academic conference that will take place in a few months."

"The conference will be held on a beautiful beach on the West Coast. Since we have ample time, you can all bring your swimsuits and enjoy some time by the water."

"Colt, as for you, don't bring too many fancy things. And definitely leave the unicorn swimming ring behind!"

I can almost imagine Dr. Lawson saying this with a furrowed brow, while Colt complains reluctantly.

"P.S. Lucien's personal research topic aligns with the conference theme. Although the application is a bit late, there will be people at the conference who have done related research."

"You can prepare a summary of your current progress and any issues you've encountered to discuss together."

"P.P.S. Welcome back, everyone."

These few short sentences make me feel a bit warm.

*Ding*

The inbox hasn't closed yet, and there's another notification sound.

The email is encrypted; its sender is Black Swan.

I glance at the calendar and realize that today is the day for the routine report.

The newly arrived email obscures most of Dr. Lawson's message, and the sharp-edged letters in the signature appear to be some kind of silent warning.

"Why are you always in such a hurry?"

Dr. Lawson asked me this before the autumn break.

Yes, children his age have plenty of time to pause, slow down, and enjoy the scenery around them.

To try, to fail, to start over from scratch, to explore endless possibilities.

But Doctor, vacations are always so short.

They always end when you least expect it.

I close the laptop and start selecting the book I want to read tonight.

----------------------------------------------------------

[Phone Call- Class Reunion]

Lucien: Hello? At this time, you should have finished washing up and lying down, right?

MC: Um! I just finished my skincare routine and am already lying down.

Lucien: You sound happier than usual. Did you have a lot of fun at the class reunion today?

MC: You can tell?~ So many people came to the gathering today! All of my old roommates were there too!

Lucien: Are they the ones in the photo you sent, who took a group picture with you?

MC: Yes! Although we've kept in touch after graduation, getting back together like this is still quite rare.

Lucien: No wonder your eyes looked a bit red in the photo.

MC: Haha... I got a little too excited.

MC: But now that I think about it, I don't recall Professor Lucien mentioning much about his own classmates or roommates?

Lucien: I do have colleagues I work with in a lab, but our relationship might not be as close as you and your friends.

MC: Do you guys meet up regularly?

Lucien: We are now in different places continuing our own projects, and most of us have our own laboratories.

Lucien: It's indeed not easy to find a time when everyone is available.

Lucien: However, we do occasionally meet at neuroscience-related academic conferences. That could perhaps be considered a sort of 'class reunion'.

MC: ...Is this what gatherings are like for scientists?

MC: What about your roommates? Do you meet up with them?

Lucien: I lived in a single room and didn't really socialize with others in the same dormitory building.

MC: Wow! That must have been so comfortable! Doesn't that mean you could do whatever you wanted?

Lucien: At that time, I thought it was very convenient to have a space where I would not be disturbed by other people.

Lucien: But now, I've come to realize that having a 'neighbor' around who can 'disturb' me at any time might actually be more comforting.

MC: Oh? Do tell, I'm all ears!.

Lucien: For instance, when I'm out, someone can help me take care of the flowers on my windowsill, or if I forget to buy new tea leaves, I can ask this special neighbor next door for a bit.

Lucien: There are also occasional biscuits and sandwiches, and if I stay up too late, I will receive reminders.

Lucien: And more importantly…

Lucien: With this neighbor lady here, the place where I live is not just a spot to rest, but can be called a home.

-

[Phone Call - Novice Period]

Lucien: I thought you were also too busy to answer my call today.

MC: I just had a meeting with the new colleagues at the company, so I didn't hear your call.

Lucien: Do you still have some work left to finish?

MC: Not exactly... it's just that this recent batch of new colleagues who joined recently has been really busy.

MC: So I decided to hold a meeting to help them improve efficiency during work hours, aiming for them to leave on time after work.

MC: After all, there's always more work to be done, right? I don't want them to wear themselves out. The way they approach overtime work makes me quite nervous.

Lucien: [chuckles] They're lucky to have a boss who cares for the well-being of employees like you.

Lucien: However, when everyone starts their first job, there's always a certain level of nervousness. So, they can only ease that nervousness by working hard.

MC: Oh? Professor Lucien, you sound quite experienced, but I suppose you didn't have such worries, did you?

Lucien: Of course not, the first time I entered a laboratory outside of school, I also needed some time to adapt.

MC: Wow, what were you like back then?

Lucien: Hmm... I had to clean lab equipment, organize data files, help with literature research—there were many mundane tasks.

MC: Pfft, so Professor Lucien also started as a working person from scratch.

Lucien: That's right. Everyone in the same lab was highly capable, so back then, I often shadowed others, observing and learning as much as I could.

MC: Were there people even more capable than you?

Lucien: [chuckle] Among them, I think I'm just an ordinary person who works hard.

MC: Professor Lucien, your concept of 'ordinary' seems quite demanding.... But I didn't expect you to have a 'novice period' as well.

Lucien: Is that such a surprise?

MC: Maybe it's because your student days were quite unique. While most people were enjoying their youth, you were immersed in scientific research.

Lucien: I suppose it all depends on one's definition of 'youth'.

Lucien: If we're talking about a phase in life where you can do what you like without worrying about consequences, where you can fully explore possibilities…

Lucien: In that case, I'd say my graduate and postgraduate years could also be considered as 'youth'.

Lucien: If you define it as having a love with someone close to you, that you can't bear to part with and always in your heart…

Lucien: In that case, I'd say my youth hasn't had a chance to slip away from me yet.

--------------------------------------------------------

[Lux's short rambling corner]

And finally, it's done 🎉 If I'm being completely honest, the reason it took so long was because I felt that the end of this story seemed 'incomplete'—and I think it turns out to be true? Because the newest birthday story feels like it completes this story.

Still, just as he mentioned in "Distant Similarity UR' MQ," he's accustomed to working alone because there was no one he could confide in, often sacrificing his own sleep to fit more into his schedule. Due to his past self-reliance, he finds himself somewhat at a loss when others offer their assistance 🥲. He's someone who is deeply touched by even the smallest acts of kindness, and you can detect a hint of confusion in his usually monotone 'thank you.'

It's heartwarming to see that he receives small acts of kindness from those around him. His college life seems less hectic thanks to the support he gets from both his friendly seniors and caring mentor 🥺. I also enjoy their harmonious yet playful team dynamic, with Colt being my personal favorite because he reminds me of Fan Zihang, hahah.

Another noteworthy point is what Dr. Lawson mentioned about him being fundamentally an ordinary kid. I think it's accurate, because beneath his 'rush to move forward' demeanor, there's also a yearning for warmth and the opportunity to slow down.

In the dorm room without air conditioning on this autumn day, the ice cream seems to melt even faster than it would in the heat of summer.

I scoop up a spoonful of the slightly softened ice cream and put it in my mouth.

The taste of chocolate spreads with the coolness, it's sweeter than I had imagined.

God, I absolutely adore PG's writing and the beautiful metaphors they weave into the story. Through the story you can see how Lucien's barrier starts to melt by the warm atmosphere. And that's because he's an inherently lonely kid who also longs for warmth and mundane life. It's just too bad that the longing he had shattered in the face of his reality. If i had to describe what I feel when I read that sentence about the email, It'd be like waking up from a sweet dream, and now the sweet dream is tinted with layers of sadness🥲. The dream was over and he had no other choice but to bury his longing so deep.

Why the constant hurry? Because he had no choice but to grow faster than other kids; he didn't have the privilege to fail and try again. Why did he keep his distance from others? Perhaps because he doesn't want to experience another loss after his parents. Why didn't he go 'home'? Because at that time he didn't have anything that can be called a 'home'. Once he wakes up from this sweet but fleeting dream, the world he's diving into is even more treacherous than hell. So in the end, he kept his distance from others just as he said in Distant Similarity UR.

Distant Similarity UR," "Until Dawn R&S," and "Monochrome Scenery" together create a comprehensive picture of his 16-year-old self. "Distant Similarity UR" sheds light on how his college experiences influenced him and his reflections on that period. "Until Dawn R&S" delves into his narrative with BS and his ambitiousness. Meanwhile, "Monochrome Scenery" reveals his more 'human' side and the sense of his relaxed college life being a sort of 'vacation' amidst the long darkness in his life… Anyway, I want to write more but my schedule is tight with all the birthday translation 🤣 Perhaps if I have time I'd write a more comprehensive analysis. Thank you for reading!

#JNDSJHDJ SORRY IT WAS LATE #a very needed read for birthday event!! #mlqc lucien #mr love queen's choice #mlqc cn #mlqc spoiler #mlqc #mlqc translation #mr. love queen's choice #mr love lucien #mlqc xu mo

[xingxueyue]

2022 XuMo's 5th Birthday Event

Date: 10 November 2022 to 16 November 2022

#love and producer #mr love queen's choice #mlqc #恋与制作人 #戀與製作人 #evol x love #lovepro #xumo #许墨 #許墨 #mlqc lucien #mr love lucien #2022 birthday event

[ladamedemartel]

hc + Tristan

send me  ‘ hc ‘  + a word and i’ll write a headcanon about it regarding my character

Because the Gregorian calendar largely went into effect in 1582 at various points depending on the country, Aurora got confused as to when Tristan's birthday was supposed to be celebrated that year, so she simply held a festival for thirteen days (October 27 to November 9) in a row that was centered around Tristan. Each day had a different theme celebrating some important moment in Tristan's life (his birth, the first time he rode a horse, his becoming a vampire, the compulsion breaking, his take over of the Strix, the first regime he deposed, and so on). The celebrations nearly went beyond the thirteen days and into the Christmas season.

#aurora and i debated whether her birth was one of the themes #me: tristan would say it was an important event #aurora: this isn't about me i get christmas #me: maybe lucien made it a theme because he couldn't stand to celebrate tristan that long #aurora: IT WAS A PARTY ABOUT TRISTAN AND IT WAS AMAZING #but #N E way #the gregorian vs. julian claendar is yet another reason aurora doesn't know when her birthday is #;;headcanons

[lady-of-tearshed]

Rude awakening

A/N: Here's a little treat while you wait for the Azriel fic that's coming this week.

Summary: Eris has to, once again, bring Lucien along with him on the long-awaited date planned with you. He can't help but wonder how having a child with you would look like...

Word count: 961

Warnings: Based on true event 🤣 maybe like slight angst.

The house had been cleaned and now smells delightful, you were wearing the pretty red dress Eris had gifted you on your last birthday, and you managed to do your hair and makeup perfectly… Everything was perfect for your long-awaited planned date. You and Eris haven’t been able to have much time together in the last few years, Beron delegated more and more responsibilities to his heir and eldest son since Lucien's birth.

 Adorable little Lulu brought a lot of tension between the High Lord of Autumn and his mate unconsciously. The eldest of now six brothers felt a huge sense of responsibility towards the new addition to the Vanserra family. His other brothers couldn’t care less about the youngling. No one would have thought that Eris Vanserra, older than the toddler by a little more than a century, would be the first one to rush to little Lucien and cover his ears, taking him out of the house on a fun adventure he would tell him when a fight would burst inside the Forest House. 

Beron was supposed to be out on duty in Summer Court for the week, which assured you and Eris to be able to enjoy a peaceful date at your little cabin you called your house without him worrying about Lucien’s safety, since the little one would be safely tucked in his mother’s arms back at home. 

You basically run to open the door when a soft knock resonates on the wooden surface. No words can describe the surprise, and just very slight disappointment, when Eris shows up with an overjoyed Lucien sitting on his shoulders. “Y/N! Y/N!” Lucien squirms on Eris's shoulders, making him groan in annoyance when his sibling tugs on his dark auburn hair. 

Lucien leans little grabby hands down to you, motioning you to pick him up into your arms. Eris leans forward slowly, leaving a quick peck on your lips, as you pick up Lucien from his shoulders. You spin the toddler in your arms which makes him burst into laughter. You kiss his pink cheeks before putting him down on the ground. “Hi, Lulu.” As soon as the youngling's feet hit the ground, he rushes to the living room and stares at your fish tank, like he always does when Eris brings him with him here. 

You move from the door to let Eris walk into the house. His eyebrows are slightly furrowed as he takes in the sight of you. He wipes a hand on his hand and you can clearly sense his stress and annoyance. You stroke his forearm slowly and move his hand from his face. He grins sadly down at you and kisses your lips slowly, sighing against them while he enjoys the taste he had missed for far too long. “Y/N… I’m so sorry… He came back earlier from Summer Court and-” 

“It’s fine, Eris. Really. You don’t have to explain yet…” You whisper and give him one last quick peck before pulling away reluctantly from his strong and warm embrace. You both didn’t want Lucien to know about the reason he and Eris needed to head out of the Forest House for at least a few hours.

—

The two of them are sitting down at the table, and you hum a song softly while scrubbing the dishes from the dinner the three of you just shared. Eris and Lucien were both drawing a portrait of each other, with the crucial rule of not looking at the other contestant's paper before their ‘masterpiece’ was done. You dry your hands on the towel and look over Lucien's shoulder at his… interesting portrait of his older brother. “Oh! I forgot something.” Lucien then turns his head to you and frowns. “Hey! No peeking!” “I’m not a contestant though…” You can’t help but giggle at the youngling's serious face. “Oh. Yeah. You’re right.” He says before sticking his tongue back out, concentrating on his drawing. 

You walk around the table and lean over Eris' shoulder to stare at his drawing. The portrait was a picture-perfect representation of Lucien. “Wow… It’s pretty.” You whisper, and kiss the shell of his ear, making his cheek heat slightly at your praise. “You should see the ones I draw of you…” You purr seductively into his neck. “Oh yeah? Guess you’ll need to bring them over so I can judge that by myself. Next date, maybe?” He smile and looks at Lucien's serious face, concentrating on his drawing. “Gods… makes me want to have kids with you when the three of us spend time like that…” 

You chuckle and quickly lean to capture his lips, but Lucien's voice stops you from doing so. “Done!” He shouts and lifts his paper in the air. He slides down his chair and runs to Eris to wave the paper inches from his face. He scrunch his nose and slightly move the paper away from his face to take a good look at the drawing. You clasp your hand on your mouth to prevent a wave of laughter from exploding. You just realized what ‘something’ Lucien had told you he almost forgot to add on Eris' portrait… 

Eris' finger drags to the corner of his brow and frowns. “Is it that noticeable..?” “Well, I can see it’s on your face! Mama says we have pimples when we stress too much, that’s why I have none!” Lucien speaks up, smiling brightly. 

It’s all too much to contain your laughter. You burst into laughter, holding your painful stomach, unable to stop laughing at Lucien’s innocence and pure honesty. “What did you say about wanting children now, Er?” He only rolls his eyes and thanks his little brother for the drawing.

A/N: Yeah. It happened. We brought my boyfriend's half-sister to the restaurant for her 8th birthday (they have an 11 years age gap), and they were having a drawing contest on paper aprons while we waited for our meals. She drew him with literally the ONLY pimple he had. 🤣 And I was like, "Lol. THAT'S what having kids is like!!"

#eris vanserra #eris acotar #eris x reader #eris #eris vandaddy #fluff #light angst #x reader #based on true events #my fic #fiction #acotar #acosaf #eris vanserra x reader #eris vanserra x you #eris vanserra x y/n #vanserra brothers #lucien vanserra #baby lucien vanserra

[honeybeefae]

Happy birthday week! 🎂🎁🎈🥳

Thank you so much for your posts, your writing is always so good, I don’t know how you do it but you smash it every time! ❤️

For your birthday week prompts how about enemies to lovers Lucien x Reader where he teases her mercilessly and reader thinks she hates him but really she loves it! Totally okay if you don’t want to do this one I’m sure you will get so many cool ideas!

I hope you have a lovely week, and get spoiled!

You are so sweet, anon! Thank you for the birthday wishes and for the kind words! I am so glad you enjoy my writing and I hope you enjoy this as well!

Teasing Phrases (Lucien x Reader)

It was the same tone, the same arrogance, the same aura since the day you had met him. He had joined your court after his paternity had been revealed, learning the ins and outs of ruling over people from his father with great attention.

Lucien would be a wonderful High Lord when the day came but that was the only good thing you could say about him. As one of the higher ladies in the Day Court, you were often in his company during social and political events. For whatever reason he had latched on to her, picked her out of the hundreds of others to torment for his enjoyment.

He hadn't known just how well you could dish it back, however.

"That gown looks ravishing on you, Y/N, will you be wearing it later tonight at the pleasure house?" Lucien smirked, clinking his glass against yours while ignoring your eye roll.

"As charming as ever, Lucien. It is a wonder how you manage to keep the ladies off of you," You looked around dramatically, feigning a gasp when your eyes connected back to his. "Oh wait, they seem to be purposely avoiding you."

"You would know all about being avoided, wouldn't you, pet? How long has it been? Years?" His tone had dropped and your gaze turned furious, fingers tightening on the champagne flute before you steeled your shoulders and turned around.

"About as long since the Archeron sister rejected you, my Lord." You snarled over your shoulder while walking away, your heels clicking loudly against the floor as you made your way to the hallway to get some air.

By the Mother, you do not understand just how he knew what to say to get under your skin. Whether it was a cocky smile, taunting words, or even the way he brushed past you in the palace, he was always there. Always waiting to catch you on your bad days.

He was the most frustrating man you had ever met. You hated him. You hated the way he smirked at you. You hated the way his words made you feel. You hated the way his body towered over yours when he would lean in to mock you.

Lucien Vanserra was the bane of your existance. Nothing more, nothing less.

"That was a low blow, Y/N, and you know it." An angry voice said from behind you, your head turning before you could stop it. "You know how I hate speaking of that part of my life."

"And you know how I hate speaking of my ex and yet you nearly invited him to dinner the other night." You retorted with a jab of your finger in his chest. "Do not speak with outrage when you can't take what you dish out. That is your problem, not mine."

"Do not touch me." Lucien hissed, knocking your hand away while backing you up against the wall.

"Or what? What will you do?" You challenged, raising your chin in defiance as he glowered at you. "Yell at me? Hit me?"

"If you do not hold your tongue, pet, I will treat you exactly how you are asking to be treated." His tone was dangerous as your faces were now inches apart, both of your chests rising in quick succession from the adrenaline.

"And how is that, my Lord? Is it the way you treated Ela-" Your lips began to turn up in a smirk before you let out a sharp cry, one of his large hands grasping a fistful of your hair while his body pinned you against the wall.

You could feel his hardness pressing into your thigh, could see the fire raging in his eyes, but you were not afraid. For when he looked into your eyes he saw the exact same expression.

"Do not speak her name." Lucien seethed, baring his teeth. "I shall treat you like the brat you are, the little cocktease that you have been since the day I met you."

Before you could refute him he had his lips on the column of your throat, his mouth burning into your skin as you let out a small whine of need. Everything between the two of you, the fights, the stares, the jealousy, it was all coming to a head.

"I don't think you have the gall, Lucien Vanserra." You dared, grasping the fine material of his shirt before shoving him sideways so now you were in control. "I think it is you who needs to be treated like the tease."

His face darkened with desire and when your lips connected once more, his hands wrapping around your waist to pull you impossibly close, you knew you would be dancing in the flames of lust tonight.

#acotar #acotar reader #lucien #lucien acotar #lucien x reader #lucien x reader acotar #lucien x reader smut #lucien x reader imagine #lucien x reader acotar smut #acomaf #acowar #acosf #acofas #acotar smut #birthday week

[cassianappreciationweek]

Announcing Cassian Appreciation Week 2023!

Join us in celebrating our favorite bat boy from July 30 through August 5, 2023!

Welcome to Cassian Appreciation Week 2023! Feel free to participate in any way you can, from headcanons, fanart, moodboards, fics, drabbles…. no matter how big or small, anything celebrating Cassian is welcome! 

Please tag @cassianappreciationweek and use the tag #CassianAppreciationWeek2023 so we can see all your lovely posts!

This year’s prompts are as follows:

Day One: Brother ⚔︎ Cassian has a unique bond with Rhys and Azriel, but he's always ready to slip into the big brother role with anyone who needs it. How do you see him as a brother?

Day Two: Gentle ⚔︎ When it comes to those he cares about, we all know Cassian has a big heart (and big hands). How do you think he shows his gentle nature to those around him?

Day Three: Illyrian ⚔︎ Cassian's love of his homeland is well-documented throughout the series. How do you see him celebrating his culture?

Day Four: Lover ⚔︎ Cassian has had many opportunities for love across Prythain — who do you ship him with? Nesta? Azriel? Eris? Lucien? Any and all ships are welcome!

Day Five: Lion Hearted ⚔︎ Although we don’t know Cassian’s official birthday, we know how much Fire Sign Energy he gives off. How do you see Cassian celebrating his birthday and channeling his inner Leo?

Day Six: Lord of Bloodshed ⚔︎ Cassian is one of the most powerful Illyrians in history. How do you think he earns — and continues to earn — his unofficial title?

Day Seven: Free Day ⚔︎ Any topic of your choosing!

Thank you to @talkfantasytome, @dustjacketmusings, @c-e-d-dreamer, @isterofimias, @melphss, @whyisaravenlike-awritingdesk, and others for helping to plan this event!

We can't wait to see what you create!

#cassianappreicationweek2023 #Cassian #cassian acotar #acotar #acomaf #acowar #acofas #acosf #pro cassian #sarah j. maas #illyria

[vanseerra]

Home - An Elucien One-Shot

The Winter Solstice should be a time for joy and celebrations, so why is Elain awake so late and why does the house feel so dark and cold? Lucien should not be awake either, and yet, there is something in his chest compelling him to listen and follow to its cause.

G Rating | 3.5k Words

Elain

The evening was finally winding down. A still air has crept over the townhouse, bringing with it the deep chill of the winter night. Gone were the comforting thrills of a room full of laughter and excitement from only hours before. The winter solstice was always a big event here. With the festivities as well as Feyre’s birthday, everyone could be assured a day filled with joy. Nyx’s arrival had added an extra layer of warmth- watching his bright eyes light at the sight of every new toy and gift didn’t fail to spread smiles across everyone’s faces.

Seeing her sisters, Nesta especially, leaning into the celebrations and letting go of that past that seemed oh so close was a sense of peace for Elain. A bud of light was ripe in her chest as she played her role as a quiet and respectful observer with pride. It was in those moments that the newly turned fae believed she could adjust to this life, where she could hope for the ease that her family bore these days. That optimism clung to her with desperation but as the night inevitably drew nearer, when the sun began to descend behind its sunken veil, she fell with it.

The fire before her hummed with life. With drifting eyes, she stared into the flames. They bounced and danced around each other, their flicks of yellows darting skywards. To watch so closely caused her lids to sting but there was little she could do to look away. How could she deny this final chance of warmth? How could she turn from this tiny kindle of comfort while her siblings lay sleeping, huddled against their partners, their families.

With a sorrowful dip, the well in her chest widened, its darkness wrapping her ribs with weights. It was not an unusual feeling to her now and had stopped being a stranger to her a long time ago- before this house, this place, these lands. She wondered when they had become so acquainted but to bring up these memories now… she could not bear it.

Elain sighed, deeply and purposefully, arms curling around her knees on the sofa as she held the flames gaze. In her transfixed state, she did not hear the small creak of the oak door, nor heard the two hesitant footsteps that entered the main sitting room. The visitor paused, seemingly awaiting a moment to speak when she groaned loudly in pure frustration, flailing her head backwards. Deep golden eyes met her upside ones. With a gasp, she straightened her body back up.

“Gosh Lucien, don’t you know how to knock?” She exclaimed, a small pink tinting her cheeks.

“…To enter the living room?”

Elain was stunted. Truly, she hasn’t known why his sudden appearance had shaken her so visciously. She turned her body to face him, noting instantly the casualness of his attire: the way his linen shirt hung from his body, showing the slightest hint of muscle and the loose red braid that hung over his shoulder. She swallowed. No words could rise to her lips.

“I…”

“It’s late, I’m surprised to see you up.” Lucien's voice was crisp, warm and smooth, a delicate ember. His brows were knitted together in concern, the gentle pupils of his eyes examining her carefully as she sat before him. “Is something wrong?”

“I was just about to retire.” She answered simply.

It wasn’t a lie per-say, more of a non-truth. How could she explain what had been going through her mind moments before? Would she even want to? Seeing Lucien before her like this though, without all of the awkward formalities she swore to upkeep around her family and friends, was new but not unwelcome. She wondered what was going through his mind.

“May I sit for a moment?” He gestured to the couch she was perched upon. “I couldn’t sleep.” He grimaced.

She gave a gentle nod. He made his way over and slowly sat himself beside her, their bodies angled slightly away from each other. Her heart lurched in her chest. Had she ever been this close to him before? She’d certainly never picked up on his scent, the woody depth of cedarwood mixed in with something of slight sweetness. Cinnamon. Her instincts cried to her, begging for her to indulge, to sweep her arms around him and breathe in that cosy warmth. She dug her nails into her legs.

Lucien

Lucien's day had never really ended. He’d excused himself from the festivities relatively early, hoping to get a long rest before his return the following day. However, tucked up in the sheets of the guest room, his mind turned and turned. A pressure sat on his chest, similar to the shame he held some days but was somehow different.

The feeling was an ache. It dug deep into his chest and seemed to pull at his lungs, at his heart, searching for a response. It was a hollowed darkness. The weight called to him, echoed a sense of loneliness, of emptiness, of pain. A pang of recognition hit him suddenly, causing him to bolt upright. The pain was not his.

He had found her huddled on a couch before the fireplace. Even with her body turned from him, his breath paused at her beauty. The dim light of the lit fire flowed around her, illuminating the delicate outline of her pink dress. Sat there like that, she looked like a goddess. It wasn’t uncommon for him to be struck by her presence- sometimes just being in the same room as her would render him frozen. Never before though had he witnessed this side of her, performing no acts of properness, no walls guarding her. A need to protect her rung through his bones.

Beside her, he carefully examined the delicacies of her face. The softness of her features, the light rosiness that brushed her cheeks, the subtle curve of her long lashes. Breathtaking yet… her eyes ached, her jaw tightened, her brows twitched. It was clear how many words were turning in her head, how many thoughts she wanted to spill and clear from her.

“You can talk to me, you know…” His invitation was weak and he silently cursed himself for it. “I’m good at keeping secrets.”

His attempt at humour had not struck true. Elains brows further burrowed, a finger gently rubbing her knee. Self-soothing.

“I barely know you.” Her voice was but a whisper.

He supposed she was right. The two of them were barely more than strangers. For a couple of years now, he had done all he could to respect her and her boundaries. He kept his visits brief, words short, only coming and going when he was needed. There was nothing that caused him greater pain, but he had done it and done it well. The fact that the two of them were talking, albeit awkwardly and with tension, was more than could be said about the last few years. He was eternally grateful regardless.

“You could know me.” His offer was bold yet sincere. Gently, his heart thumped behind his ribs and he knew she could hear it. Elain turned to face him and he almost cried. The softness of her brown hair fell over her shoulder as she moved her head. It was angelic. He watched with eagerness as her eyes flickered through many thoughts and he silently prayed for an invitation. Please his mind willed. Her eyes turned back to the flames as she spoke.

“This house is so quiet at night…” She started.

“When the sun sets its like… it becomes a new place. The silence is so loud, it’s weird. With so many people here you’d never think it could be like this. To be awake at this time of night it…”

Hesitantly, she held a hand before the flame, letting it heat her palm. He noted the soft curves of her nails, the blushed skin of her fingers, and wondered how it would feel on his own.

“I know I should be grateful. Feyre has been so good to me, too good to me. She’s done everything she can to help me adjust, despite everything. But still…”

A small tear bubbled at the corner of her eye and he could not resist the hand that leaned to wipe it. She did not resist.

Elain

She was speaking before she could even comprehend what was happening. Somehow and for some reason, the words fell from her with ease, her heart opening in a way it hadn’t for so long. Perhaps it was because he was an outsider? Not a part of Rhys and his Inner Circle who had tried so insistently to ease her into their group. No it wasn’t that, it was… When she turned to look at him, she saw herself in the reflection of those gentle eyes and wanted to weep instantly. His gaze held such care, a sense of longing bubbling beneath its surface.

The matter of the mating bond had been so tricky for her for so long, and for good reason. Everything had been taken from her against her will and she was expected to just accept it? After everything she had lost? After every sacrifice she had made? Here was a man, handed to her and expected to be a companion to her. How could she ever be okay with that?

Lucien was not the fae she thought he would be, however. The fact she had little to do with him was proof of that. Where she had expected him to be forthcoming and insistent on their bond, he has been the opposite- out of the picture and respectfully so. Their distance had been a physical strain, one she knew to be purely biological but he had listened and demanded nothing from her.

Gazing at him now, she could see him for who he was. Feyre’s friend. Loyal, caring, dependable. Before her like this, he asked nothing of her, only offered an open ear, one she needed so desperately. Maybe it was because of that, because of his quiet acceptance and patience that she continued speaking, honestly and with a heavy heart.

“This isn’t my home. I don’t know if it can ever be. I don’t even think I know what the word means anymore.” Gods did that truth ache.

A flash of understanding passed through Lucien's expression and he appeared to think over his response for a second before speaking.

“What do you want home to mean?”

Elain was struck. What did she want home to mean? The heaviness of the question was unexpected and yet, it pulled on a cord so deep she couldn’t help but tug, searching for her answer. Home. Home should mean a place, should mean family, friends. The words that came up surprised her.

“Warmth.”

Now that she thought about it, when was the last time she had felt it authentically? Sitting here, before this fire, was different. Her chest didn’t hold the heat like it used to, surrounded by her two sisters and her Father, back before everything here. That was a past she could never return, no matter how much it ached; perhaps that’s why it had all been… so hard.

Lucien

Lucien held his breath as she spoke, every word quaint yet charged, filled with feelings so deeply personal he wondered why he had been privy to hear them. Not that he was complaining about it. The truth of it was, everything she was saying resonated so strongly with his own beliefs- the conflicts he had faced and continued to each day.

He should be satisfied with his life. He was safe, protected, surrounded by people who accepted him for who he was and yet… There was always that final piece missing, that yearning he felt to live rather than just exist. As a little boy, he had felt that same gap, even more so in his family home. His brothers were in name only, the weight of his outcast nature isolating him from the warmth he saw between his Father and siblings. Why was he so different? Why did they not love him in the same way? These questions had plagued him for a lifetime.

Feyre had been good to him also. His role in the Night Court was not something he turned his nose up at. It was a stable job that allowed him to do what he did best. He also took deep joy in celebrating with them all over the holidays, laughing alongside new friends and old but, it was never the sense of completeness that he was constantly longing for.

Warmth. There was a great irony in how deeply he related to her truth. Lucien was warmth personified. His upbringing had been surrounded by ‘warmth’ in the Autumn Court and yet, it was more like fire- something that burnt and stung those that fell victim to it. He supposed ‘warmth’ was nothing like that at all. His powers were different, they were innately him, his nature. At times, he felt shame at his abilities: they reflected his heritage in ways he never wanted to be entangled with. But, at its core, there was no element he knew better.

He could provide Elain with what she wanted. He could warm her with his powers, with his words, with his affection. What a painful thing it was to be on the brink of something so great and to withhold it like a forbidden truth. Clenching his teeth to stop the words from dropping from his throat, he watched her carefully. What would Elain want to hear right now?

“I think that’s beautiful…” He started, watching Elains interest slip with slow disappointment. She faced the dwindling flame, her head resting upon her knees.

“Yes…”

It struck him. She did not need to hear approving words, didn’t need someone to be agreeable and offer her no solutions. She had probably had a lifetime of it. He straightened his back, glancing to the ceiling as he recalled a memory.

“When I was a boy, we had this massive oak tree in our back garden.” He started and noted her eyes sliding to watch him.

“Its leaves were every hue of orange and red you could imagine. And its canopy looked like the tip of a mushroom. When I’d hold my hand up towards the sky…” he demonstrated for her, raising her palm upwards as he spoke.

“It wouldn’t even cover half of it- it was that large. It was my favourite tree by far, so grand and majestic and I would spend hours and hours in its shade.”

“What would you do beneath it?” She asked inquisitively.

“Oh, everything. Some days I would draw, read, sometimes even sleep under its cover. The best day I had was when I owned this little paper sword. I would swing it back and forth around it, pretending to fend off monsters from its trunk.” He scoffed at the memory, shaking his head.

“Did they win?”

“Did they win!” He chuckled, eyebrow raising at her sly sense of humour. “Now that is just cruel Elain. I think even I could fend off pretend monsters.”

The small painted smile on her face was all he could ever wish for.

“Anyhow, the tree was planted beside a big window into our home. It was always wide open to allow in the breeze and so, when I was beneath it, I could often… hear the comings and goings of the house.” His grin slipped.

“It was from that place, resting against that great oak that I overheard many things. Hushed talks of diplomacies, debates and arguments, dinner conversation and most poignantly…. celebrations.”

Elains brows sunk at this revelation, the confusion and hurt on her face evident. She went to speak but he continued.

“I was never not invited to those moments but… to say that things were different when I was around would be an understatement. I was just a kid and still, my family, my brothers especially resented me so strongly. It made me so confused.” The tears were caught at the back of his throat and he fought his resolve, trying to keep them from falling. He could not look towards her, in fear of his restraint slipping and the pain becoming too evident.

Elain

Elain could not believe what she was hearing. To know Lucien had suffered so much in his earlier life, had been so alone… her heart sunk for all that he had endured at such a young age. Her own life had not been so perfect as a child, but to be so isolated, in a family that large, she could not imagine the toll it would’ve taken. It was clear from the pained expression that overtook his features just how low the memory was.

A part of her had been relieved when he’d first started the story, grateful that he wasn’t just going to nod and move on from the openness of her confession. Gods knew she was sick to death of being coddled and agreed to. “Yes Elain.” “That sounds nice Elain” “What a good idea Elain”- she was sick of it. However, this was a different type of pain, one she felt within her own bones and chest. She could not help the hand that reached over to grasp his, tentatively and sheepishly.

His eyes were instantly upon hers, his body going deathly still. He did not move away however, only considered her in his gaze. A grateful smile tugged on his lips and it was so bright and warm that Elain was equally as frozen. How could such a small movement have such an effect on her?

“That means to say…” he carried on, “that on some levels and in some ways, I believe I understand. To be without warmth in your home, that is a scar that does not so easily heal and admittedly, makes it hard to find the right, true step forwards.”

“Yes.” Her reply was a little breathless, hardly believing someone else understood it as she did. The words were direct echoes of her own thoughts.

“Where do you go when you don’t know where to look or what to do?” It was a question she aimed less at him and more at herself. A question she had spent the last few years turning and turning in her mind.

“I’ll admit, I don’t have the answer for myself but I think you have to start somewhere.” He gestured to the room before them with his spare hand, signalling to the space.

“If this isn’t making you happy then, despite what feels right, what feels like the acceptable thing to do” he clarified, “then you should explore the alternatives. This world is a lot bigger than the Night Court, regardless of what your sister and the others like to believe.”

“I can’t just… up and leave.” There was a deep sadness to her tone.

“Says who?“

“Says… everyone. I think Nesta would have a heart attack.”

“This is your life Elain, not hers.”

“Then how do you suggest I go… where do I even start?”

Lucien

Lucien was determined. Elains true thoughts and feelings had been blown open wide to him and the doubt that plagued her so closely was fuelled by so many things that he knew to be untrue. She was not stuck here in the Night Court. Not on the level she thought to be. There would be some resistance from others, of course, but when wasn’t there in life? And if it was making her so unwell to be in this place…

A thought hit him. It was wild and childish and completely nonsensical, especially considering this was the most the both of them had spoken in all of those years but, when if not now would be the perfect chance to try? With a newfound determination, the red haired fae placed his free hand upon their joined ones, leaning towards her slightly.

“Come with me.”

“Lucien…”

“Not for long, for a single trip if that’s what you wish. I’m leaving in the morning for another court, relaying some messages and that is all. I could have you back here within the day.”

A small ember of light shone behind the woman’s pupils, it was hopeful and sparked with a sense of hope that he had not seen from her before. It was a stunning sight.

“But Feyre… Nesta…”

“Will be fine. I will even get on my knees and beg before Rhysand if you’ll accept.”

She scoffed, rolling her eyes at his playful nature but the small tug on her lips told him what she would say before she spoke.

“Fine.”

“Fine?” He had to be sure.

“Yes. Yes I will go with you. One trip.” She emphasised, holding her finger up with importance.

“You’d better pack your bags then, lady.”

Lucien grinned, ear to ear, the song in his chest ringing and ringing and ringing.

A/N: I wanted to say thank you for my support on my other fics and to ask for your patience while I figure out Tumblrs formatting- things like this really make me feel my age haha. AO3 will be my next big hurdle. Elucien is a ship I hold so dear and getting to write for them brings me a lot of joy. In the future, I hope to continue pre-existing fics and perhaps open to suggestions for one-shots! All the best :)

#elucien #pro elucien #acotar #elain archeron #lucien vanserra #fanfic

[popjunkie42]

ACOTAR fan fiction recs by meee!

If you’ll indulge me, I’ve been reading so much fan fiction lately and wanted to share the ones I am absolutely feral for. Everything is Feysand because that is my jam. Some have spice. I love them all with my entire heart. Trying to tag authors I know on tumblr but if I miss someone please let me know. Some possible spoilers for the series in descriptions below.

If you can’t figure it out my favorite genre is Under the Mountain what-ifs mixed with ACOMAF what-ifs but there are also a few modern AUs in here, among others.

Never Alone by Frufrusc - Is this my favorite fanfic ever? If you loved Time Traveler’s Wife you will love this. The writing, the dialogue…all of it perfect. A mysterious old magic visits Rhys (and eventually Feyre) first on Calanmai and takes both of them back in time to their mates when they needed them the most. If the thought of Rhys getting 9-year-old Feyre a birthday cake makes you melt then this is the fic for you. Still updating and the new chapter is fire. I would die for this fic.

What Dreams May Come by Anonymous - Rhys gets mysteriously ill during Feyre’s visit to the Night Court in early ACOMAF. This is adorable and sweet and angsty all at once and the characters are too. Feyre reads Rhys his favorite childhood stories in bed while he’s sick and they write notes back and forth while she’s back in Spring. Rhys cries because he loves her so much. Finished fic and if this is you please drop in my messages so I can heap all the love upon you.

A Court of Faded Dreams by @the-lonelybarricade - The one and only, maybe what started me back on fan fiction after not reading it for literal decades. After events in ACOWAR, the Cauldron sends Feyre back to the Spring Court before UTM while she is still human, with all her memories and she gets a chance to do it all again. Separate Rhys POV chapters that are everything. CALANMAI. Feyre and Rhys desperately trying not to touch each other so the mating bond doesn’t snap into place while UTM. Soft Rhys basically dying because he loves Feyre so much. It’s the best.

The Portrait of a Male by HopeLions13 - A warning that this one goes heavy on the SA, it’s kind of like if ACOTAR was done by Game of Thrones/HBO people. This fic is so good it makes me want to die. Rhys realizes Feyre is his mate on Calanmai and whisks her away to Velaris while he’s still stuck UTM. Of course this will not stand, so Feyre makes her way there to claim her mate she barely knows except through the stories from the Inner Circle. It is wrenching, and hot as HELL, and rewrites canon in wonderful and brilliant ways. The way things end after the third trial sets my brain on fire.

Darling.exe by @damedechance - Modern AU with Professor!Rhys. Feyre is a college art student taking a biology class with her friend Lucien. She wasn’t prepared for her insanely hot Professor, who she recognizes…from his Only Fans. Two chapters so far and I have thought about this fic an ungodly amount. Feyre is adorable in this and Rhys is insufferably hot and smug, as it should be.

I am no god, only woodworm by @damedechance - THE WRITING. In this divergent tale, Feyre wanders in the woods and unwittingly makes a terrible bargain with an absolutely feral and dangerous woodland sprite who commands the night. Please give me wild and creepy god-sprite Rhysand all day long. “I have no need to steal from you, because I need only to kiss you, for the silver to leap from your tongue and onto mine.” UGH

Darling, Let’s Run by @the-lonelybarricade - Again!! Rhys is a black cat, do you need more? Let’s keep going in the vein of Dark!Rhys. Feyre as a human is trying to find her sister Elain, who has disappeared after marrying Greyson and is accused of his murder. She meets a dangerous and mysterious stranger along the way to Velaris and can’t seem to shake him. Hot as hell.

Pomegranate by @mmvalentine - A gods/fairytale-esque story about the High Lord of the Night Court falling in love with the daughter of Spring who’s under the thumb of her terrible father Tamlin. Bonus Feyre beast form.

Dreams by ashesandhoney - An AU where Rhys doesn’t call in the bargain for six months but meets Feyre again at a High Lords ball (yes there is dancing, everyone please write more courtly dancing into your fics). I love this because of the interesting ways they try to control Feyre’s power, how she eventually trains, and Rhys of course being totally in love with her power. “Too thin, too pale, too calm. Feyre wasn't calm. Feyre threw bone spears at tyrants and sobbed until she could barely breathe and stormed into underground citadels because she loved so deeply it hurt. Feyre was anger and love and defiance all wrapped up in a fragile mortal body.”

Please enjoy as I have. And I’m always open to your Feysand recs. I’m sure there are more to add but this post has already gotten out of control. Thank you to everyone writing and being amazing on tumblr, I love you dearly.

#acotar #feysand #acomaf #fanfic #acotar fanfiction

[artzychic27]

Inspired by this post, (https://artzychic27.tumblr.com/post/712203175464239104/i-love-ever-after-high-au-what-would-the-events/amp ) what would the mosnter high movies go like in School for Monstrous Youths?

Ignore how they're ordered

New Ghoul In School

It's Nino's first day at DuPont School For Monstrous Youths

He's fifteen days old and he likes to think he's... Well acquainted with monsters mentally his age. Though, he's only ever learned social interaction from his books, so... This won't go horrible

He's just gotta keep his limbs attached, try not to electrocute anyone, and the school year should go fine... What could go wrong?

A lot. He accidentally electrocuted a hallway full of students when one of his bolts came loose, had to fish his hand out of the fountain, and ran into a very awful harpy who may or may not have threatened him

But, there's a silver lining. He made three friends... He thinks

There's Kim, Marinette, and Nathaniel

He and Nathaniel sit in the back of class together, and Nathaniel keeps him awake through the lectures with some funny drawings

Kim got them out of a zombie traffic jam in the hallway, so he owes him for that

And Marinette redid his stitches when she noticed a few threads coming loose

Marinette: I love your thread!

Nino: Thanks, I love yours! What brand is that? Michael Gore?

Marinette: Ooh, you know your stuff!

Long-story sort, Nino finds his group of friends amongst his classmates, save for Lila, and things are going nicely until lunch one day

Lila decides to be petty and humiliate him during lunch by messing with his bolts, causing a power-outage all through school that also fries a few students' cell phones

This gets Nino sent to detention and causes students to treat him like the plague despite him explaining over and over that he had nothing to do with it

Fortunately, Alya comes to his aid, showing a video of the incident on her phone which shows Lila tampering with Nino's bolts without him noticing

Now Lila has detention because she's terrible, and Nino owes Alya big time for helping him

Alya: Buy me dinner Saturday night.

Nino: What?

Alya: Did I stutter, cutie?

Why Do Ghouls Fall In Love?

It's almost Marc's birthday!

He's gonna be sixteen, so this calls for a big ass party!

Nathaniel, meanwhile, has no idea what to buy him, and each of his friends' suggestions only makes him more anxious

Kim: Get him his favorite treats!

Rose: Flowers crowns are for any occasion!

Nino: A jacket he can’t chew through?

Marinette: Made it already.

Ivan: What is point of gifts on birth anniversary? You grow old, older, then be burried in snow.

So, he goes to Sacqueline, daughter of Eros for help

Meanwhile, The Science Kids are all going over the plans for Marc's party when they get on the topic of what Marc hopes Nathaniel will get him for his birthday, and in all honesty, he doesn't care

Marc: Oh, I'm not materialistic like that. I mean, don't get me wrong, what guy doesn't love presents? But I think I'm a little over that ever since Lucien.

Science Kids: ... WHOM?!

Lucien Rebois, the most charming human student at Marc's old school, Vadim Bastille. He could have had any monster, but he chose Marc

He doted on him, bought him so many gifts, and had Marc completely wrapped around his finger

But, sadly, Marc and his family had to flee due to an old grudge about The Silver Bridge, which they did not cause to collapse!

Marc: ... But, that's all in the past! So, Jean, any chance we can use the catacombs for the party?

Jean: Lemme provide the music, and you've got yourself a deal. Now tell me more about your romantic hunk of a man.

Lila, having overheard the conversation, hatches a plan to get back at the ghouls for not inviting her to Marc's Sweet 16

Meanwhile, Jean, Rose, Myléne, Ivan, and Reshma work to clear out the catacombs for Marc’s party. Of course, they have to be wary of the Pit Of Eternal Odor in the middle of the room, so they make a note to section that off so no one falls in... Hehehe

Lila begins her plan by calling Lucien (while pretending to be Marc's friend) and telling him that Marc misses him, which causes Lucien to transfer to DuPont as the school’s newest human student

The art club is helping Nathaiel put together a scrapbook of all the significant moments in his and Marc's life when suddenly, Lucien makes his flashy entrance and dazzles everyone in the school with his charming smile

Marc: *Tiny gasp* Luci!

Lucien: Emerald! *Hugs hum*

Nathaniel, of course, gets a little jealous when he sees Lucien and Marc hugging, but calms down a bit when Marc introduces Lucien to the others as his ex... Just a bit

They spend the day together, just to catch up as friends. Well, Marc wants to catch up as friends, Lucien is still certain Marc loves him and attempts to put a few moves on him, but Marc is totally oblivious

Simon: That boy's trying to put the moves on you! I see it with my own eye!

Marc: What? No, Lucien would never do something like that; he's too nice. Besides, he knows I'm dating Nath.

Cosette: And I know there's a stylish new belt buckle that costs five thousand euros, but I still want it.

When Lucien and Marc hang out again, it's not long before Marc brings up Nathaniel, and this is where Lucien gets pissed. But, he keeps his composure

Still acting like such a nice guy, he suggests Marc fly him up to the bell tower like old times. But once they arrive, Lucien corners Marc and hypnotizes him into loving him

Haha! Surprise! Lucien's a bad guy! Ah, you all knew that. He's learned a couple of tricks from the witches at Vadim. By that, I mean he threatened them with fire. And the effects of the hypnosis turn the victim's eyes red

Ismael: ... What the fuck?! *Gestures to Marc and Lucien kissing* Is no one else seeing this?!

Denise: Oh, you bet I am! Marc! What do you think Nath would have to say about this? You know, Nathaniel, your loving boyfriend?!

Marc: ... Who?

Science Kids: Le gasp!

Zoé: That's it! I'm out! *Walks away*

The Science Kids and Akuma Class find out what's going on with Marc when one of Nathaniel's gargoyle friends mentions they saw Lucien cornering Marc in the bell tower during one of their shifts

They send Alya to spy on Lucien while he's behaving like any villain and monologuing his plan in private- To make Marc his boyfriend once again, have him hang off of his every word, and find a spell to turn him human. Oh, and she finds out Lila set this whole thing up

Alya: Ooh, you bitch.

*Meanwhile*

Nathaniel: *Loudly crying*

Adrien: It'll be okay-

Nathaniel: SHUT UP! When I see them, I'm gonna skin that harpy, and crush Lucien's skull with my bare hands!

Aurore: Or something non-violent.

Ismael: Right. We get Reshma to paralyze Lila, and then I'll-

Aurore: No nunchucks!

Ismael: Damnit.

The gang then turns to Sacqueline, who agrees to help them by shooting Marc with one of her arrows so he will fall in love with Nathaniel again

However, Lila foils their plan, and Sacqueline and Nathaniel end up falling in love with each other

Chloé: RA FUCKING DAMNIT!

Alix: This officially cannot get any worse!

Kim: Eew! They're kissing now!

After hours of research, Max, Simon, and Sabrina discover there's a way to break the spell of Sacqueline's bow so Nathaniel can break Lucien's spell over Marc

They can break the spell by smashing the bow, and they decide to do it at Marc's party, where everyone will be

On the night of the party, Marinette is about to smash the bow, but it's quickly stolen by Lila, who begins to shoot random monsters, including Lacey and Max, Simon and Cosette, Denise and Adrien, and Jean and Mireille. Kim then hatches a plan to use himself as bait to distract Lila while the others get the bow

It works until Kim is shot and falls in love with Chloé, but Nino removes his hand and throws it, which knocks the bow out of Lila's grasp

Ondine spills water on the floor, and Ivan freezes it which causes Lila to slip and fall, and she ends up dangling from the banner over the Pit Of Eternal Odor

Nino smashes the bow, which frees everyone from the spell

Alix shouts at Nathaniel to get him to show Marc his gift, but he is pinned against the wall by Lucien, who is surprisingly strong against a 370-pound gargoyle

However, Nathaniel still manages to convince Marc to look at the scrapbook, which reminds him why he fell in love with Nathaniel and breaks free from Lucien's spell

Then he confronts Lucien and throws him off Nathaniel

Marc: ... I remember EVERYTHING! You were the worst boyfriend ever! I stayed your pretty little trophy wife while you bought me a crap ton of superficial gifts I never even liked, threatened every guy that talked to me, endlessly touched me, gave backhanded compliments about my appearance, and made me wear a fucking collar like a FUCKING DOG! And if that weren't enough, you were the worst! Kisser! EVER!

Marinette: Oh, fuck! He went there! Alya! Simon! Tell me you're recording this!

Simon: *Recording the whole thing on his phone* I got everything after 'trophy wife.'

In a fit of rage, Marc pushes Lucien into the Pit Of Eternal Odor, he then falls on Lila, and they fall into it together. When they climb back up, they are then tossed out of the party by Chloé and Zoé's mummy bouncers.

Things end off with Marc and Nathaniel sharing a kiss

Escape From Skull Shores

For spring break, Ondine invites her friends to come with her to the Great Scarrier Reef. Of course, Chloé being Chloé borrows the family yacht

Zoé: Does mom know you took the yacht?

Chloé: Should I care?

Zoé: Nah.

But, on the way, the ship is attacked by a kraken and sinks, leaving the two classes stuck on a small raft.

Fortunately, nearby are two humans; Bartleby Farnum, an eccentric show-and salesman and his assistant Kipling, who covers his face with a sack because he is “too horrible” to look at. Planning to exhibit the, Farnum saves them

However, once he lays eyes on Nino, he gets this weird look on his face

Alya: Are you checking out my boyfriend?

Farnun: What? Of course not!

Alya: He’s taken!

Farnum takes the monsters to his home on Skull Shores, a skull-shaped island in the middle of the ocean, claiming he has to pick up supplies before going to Great Scarrier Reef

Once docked, the group is welcomed by the local population, the Tiki. Farnum convinces them to keep the group entertained while he… Takes care of things

Chloé expects to be treated like royalty by the Tiki, but to her shock and frustration, they giving that treatment to Nino for some reason. They even give him a necklace

Suspicious by Farnum and the Tiki’s behavior, Max, Kagami, Ondine, and Kim- during the evening- sneak around aboard Farnum’s boat to find out what he’s up to

Kagami: What can we expect to find?

Max: Well, most psychopaths keep momentos from their crimes. He may have them hidden somewhere. Look for a secret compartment, likely under the floorboards, behind a painting-

Kim: *Finds an old box* Or under his bed.

Max: That works.

They find an old roll of film and play it, discovering that Farnum had a partner who looked exactly like Nino. As the film continues, they learn that the partner was sacrificed by the Tiki to a beast that inhabits the island

Back on the island, Farnum reveals the existence of the beast to the students and how an explorer was able to soothe it

With that, the Tiki suddenly tie Nino up, and Farnum elaborates that the Tiki gave the explorer to the beast to keep him from attacking them

Alya: WHAT?!

Ivan: I knew strange man had ulterior motive.

Juleka: Then why didn’t you say anything?

Ivan: Poor timing.

A moment later the beast appears. The students are shocked and Nino is in a vulnerable position. Farnum and the Tiki launch their attack, throwing spears at the beast but the spears are not enough to harm the beast, and it leaves with Nino

The Tiki people force Denise, Cosette, Mireille, Simon, Ismael, Ivan, Alix, Adrien, Zoé, Chloé, and Marinette into a pitfall trap, while the others escape

Kim, Ondine, Kagami, and Max return shortly afterwards to find that they are too late. The four set off to save Nino on their own.

The next morning when Nino awakens a shy, handsome guy is with him. He then remembers the monster and tells him they should run while it is gone.

The boy answers that won't be necessary, as the beast and he are the same creature. He introduces himself as Andy, and explains that he changes into a huge beast if he experiences hate, anger, or fear, whether his own or another's

Nino: *Checking out Andy’s abs* Yeah… That’s… That’s bad… You, uh… Got a girlfriend or boyfriend?

Back In the village, Cosette and Ismael trick the remaining Tiki down the pit, and Ivan freezes then, allowing the group to use the Tiki as stairs to escape

Before they leave, they hear the Tiki beg for forgiveness. Figuring they can be of some use, Ivan unfreezes them, and the Tiki join forces with the students to stop Farnum

In the jungle, Kim, Ondine, Max, and Kagami are spying on Farnum and realize he has a tracking device planted on Nino via the necklace

Spotting them, Farnum orders Kipling to capture Kim, Kagami, and Max. Ondine runs off and dives into the water

As Farnum mocks Kim for his “coward girlfriend,” Kagami sympathizes with the timid Kipling, seeing that he isn't anything like his cruel master, and tries to encourage him to not be ashamed of whatever he's hiding under the mask despite what people like Farnum tell him. However, Kipling declines, certain he can rely on Farnum

While Andy and Nino walk around the island, the duo notices movement in the bushes and Andy, thinking it's Farnum or his minions, charges in to attack, only to find the surprised group of Reshma, Jean, Juleka, Luka, Rose, Aurore, Marc, Nathaniel, Sabrina, Alya, Lacey, and Myléne

Marc: Nino! We’re here to save you… And your rugged shirtless gentleman friend.

Jean: I saw him first!

Alya: Babe, I would like us to become a polycule.

Luka: Back of the line!

Nathaniel: Amateurs. *Pretends to trip* Oh, the pain! I need a muscular hunk to carry me the rest of the way in his big, strong arms! *Andy picks him up*

Lacey: You sly little bitch.

Suddenly, Farnum is spotted. Andy runs away but doesn't make it far before he has to hide and overhears the entire exchange between the students and Farnum

Though Farnum initially has the upper hand, Mireille, Simon, Ismael, Ivan, Alix, Adrien, Zoé, Chloé, and Marinette make their appearance with the Tiki who turn on Farnum

Only mildly bothered, Farnum takes his cane and makes a magnet appear, which pulls Nino to him. Threatening to suck the electricity from him with the magnet, Farnum shouts for the beast to appear

Andy, outraged that Farnum would go to great lengths just to get to him, changes into his beast form

Lacey: Fuck, that’s hot.

Andy can't do anything but comply with Farnum's orders, lest he risks Nino’s life. He changes back and turns himself in

Back at Farnum's boat, Farnum forces Andy to get in the boat as the students helplessly watch. However, the group is surprised to see Ondine rise from the water, backed up by a small army of dolphins as well as the kraken that destroyed the students' boat

Kim: YEEEEAAAAHHH!! MY GIRLFRIND’S NOT A COWARD, YOU FUCKER!

This time, the kraken destroys Farnum's boat, then picks up Farnum and flings him into the jungle while Kipling runs after him

After the kraken repairs the yacht, the students resume their spring break trip, taking Andy with them. However, they forgot about Nino’s necklace

With Spring Break over, Nino tries to make Andy feel at home at DuPont, which turns out to be more work than he initially thought due to Andy's long-time isolation, he is unfamiliar with 21st century technology

However, a few students make him feel very welcomed

Nathaniel: Andy, you know, it’s customary for new students to try and carry a gargoyle.

Lacey: And to let at least five students every hour feel your biceps.

Luka: I think I’ll start.

Marc: Enough. All of you. *Wraps his arms around Andy* The nerve, trying to take advantage of a new student. *Feels Andy’s biceps* Simply cruel.

After some days, Damocles orders everyone to the auditorium for a speech about tolerance by a human guest speaker

While the human appears merely eccentric at first, he starts making all sorts of backhanded insults at the students, and appears particularly intent on tormenting Andy

Lila: I don’t know who this bitch is, but I am loving him.

Mme. Mendeleiev demands that he leave, as his speech has nothing to do with tolerance. The man only pesters Andy further, and he is pushed away by him, causing his disguise to fall, exposing him as Farnum

Several students try to fight Farnum, but he is too quick and witty for them. He deflects Alix’s gaze with a mirror, turning her into stone, douses Lacey with a spray bottle, and uses bug spray on Marc and Reshma

Andy, pushed by the chaos, transforms and bursts through the roof, sending the other students and teachers fleeing for their lives as the ceiling comes down on them

Andy tries to escape, but Farnum and Kipling, show up on the roof, and Farnum tells Andy that, just as with Kipling, a freak like him has nowhere else to turn to than to a man like him

Though Andy agrees with Farnum's reasoning and again turns himself in, Nino hurries up to the roof and convinces him otherwise

Nino: Dude! You can become a student here! You’ll have somewhere to stay and hundreds of people looking to date you! So… Think about that.

Kipling, finally fed up with Farnum's abuse, takes off his mask, revealing that his ears are shaped like an elephant's, and stands up to Farnum before he picks him up and throws him into a tar pit

During his fall, Farnum crosses paths with a flock of birds, causing him to end up not only tarred, but feathered too. The humans Farnum had called to take Andy into custody mistake Farnum for the beast and capture him

Adrien: So… There’s just a monster patrol squadron here to capture you whenever someone calls?

Marinette: Fun, isn’t it?

Although he finally broke ties with Farnum, Kipling is still unsure whether he'll be accepted until he spots two girls who have elephant ears too and clearly think he's a looker

However, Damocles announces he has grave news. Due to the damages done to the school, Spring Break is extended with a week to get reparations done

Students: *Cheering*

Damocles: No! That is a bad thing!

Ghouls Rule

As each year prior to Halloween, the students of DuPont are shown a video to warn them of the dangers they might face up until after the holiday as Halloween traditionally is the day that the humans come out to hunt for monsters

Nino, who's about to experience his first Halloween ever, is terrified while the others are just bored from seeing the video so many times

The gang tells him not to worry, but a few monsters can’t help but share their experiences with humans

Alix: Whatshisface comes at my mom with a sword and slices her head clean off!

Lacey: They trapped my parents in lanterns and threw them in the water!

Nathaniel: They chiseled my father’s wings into little nubs and threw him off the chapel!

Alya: They tried to put my sisters in vacuums strapped on their backs!

Cosette: My old man got one of his horns stolen!

Kim: Pow! Silver bullet! Right in my uncle’s forehead! Dead upon impact!

Juleka: Holy water was everywhere!

Marc: I still wake up at night screaming, “PESTICIDE!”

Chloé: *Fearfully hugging Zoé* They were everywhere! They tried to burn us!

Sabrina: *Groans*

Everyone: *Gasps*

Chloé: That’s horrible! Sabrina, I’m so sorry.

Nino: None of you are helping!

As they are walking down the hallway, the school is egged & TP'ed. The students rush outside to find out who the vandals are and find two humans driving a pick-up truck warning them that Halloween is mere days ahead while throwing some more eggs, which hit many of the students

This event sets the student body on edge as they wonder if they are in danger and ponder on ways to get back at their attackers, even if Mme. Mendeleiv forbids retaliation

Meanwhile, Alya wants to write a story about Halloween and does some research in the library with Nino and Ivan, who notices a map among the books she's got with her; a map to the Hall of Halloween

They ask Jean, the resident catacombs expert if he knows anything about the place. However, he doesn't but is willing to help look for it. With the map, the four actually find the place and learn the true story of Halloween, a way for humans and monsters to celebrate together

Armed with this new knowledge, they return above ground, finding everything gathered outside around a mildly gruesome pumpkin display—another attack by the humans.

Adrien takes it lightly, believing the human students to be out of ideas, and picks up a pumpkin. This activates a mechanism that has all the students outside the target of a rain of pumpkins.

Damocles announces an emergency meeting in the auditorium, where he advises the students to not go outside without human disguise until Halloween is over

Nino protests and holds a speech about being proud of who you are and that he has discovered that Halloween used to be a holiday to celebrate monsters

However, the students take his speech the wrong way and declare they'll take back their holiday by force, and Chloé takes it upon herself to lead the movement with Sabrina as her right hand

Nino, Marinette, Adrien, Alya, Max, and Kim witness a number of students giving each other strange signals. Thanks to one very talkative gargoyle, they learn that there's a meeting in the courtyard later where the students will discuss their plans to get back at the humans.

After Chloé’s speech about taking back the holiday, the group goes into the catacombs to get to New Salem High to vandalize it like what had been done to DuPont

When they reach New Salem High, they find a huge Skull drawn onto the school's front side. As they are wondering what to do to top that kind of vandalism, the Police arrive to investigate the damage. The students run and, as per the Halloween Warning video's advice, hide in a variety of clever ways

Eventually, everyone makes their way in front of a certain house, where they discuss who could be responsible for the graffiti and how to get back to the catacombs.

Before they can move, the door opens and a girl, Aeon, invites them in for the party, thinking they are humans in Halloween costumes.

Inside, most wish to use the opportunity to still exact revenge, while others decide to just enjoy the party. Nino meets a human named Aeon, who takes a special interest in the new arrivals.

The monsters handle themselves well at the party until three more guests arrive: the two boys that trashed DuPont and their 'boss', Brigette Van Hellscream. Coming from a family of famed monster hunters, Brigette immediately suspects that some of the guests are monsters and is proven right when this one guy decides to check out Rose’s “costume”

Guy: Dude, that costume is rad.

Rose: Oh, uh… Thanks! Your costume is rad as well!

Guy: How do you get the bones so real? *Sticks his hand through Rose’s ribcage* … Uh…

Rose: PERVERT! *Removes her hand, and slaps him with it*

Guy: AAAAHH!!

Nino: AAAAAHHH!!

Lacey: *Her hair lights on fire* AAAAAHH!!

Adrien: WHY ARE WE SCREAMING?!

Marinette: I DON'T KNOW! AAAAAHHH!!

Chloé: AAAAAHHH!!

Marc: AAAAAAHHHH!!!

Random Guy: AAAAAAAAHHH!!

Kim: AAAAAAHHH!! *Takes a bite out of a sandwich* THIS IS GOOD! AAAAAHHH!!!

A fight between monsters and humans is prevented by Jess and Aeon, who point out that there is no proof they have to be afraid of them. But just then, a siren is heard outside, and everyone rushes out the door to see the police arresting Jean. When Brigette points out that there are more 'evil monsters' present, the rest of the students run, leaving Jean behind for the time being to be incarcerated for the vandalism to New Salem

Jean is taken to the police station and thrown in a cell where he demands to be released but the Sheriff taunts him by calling Jean Austin’s pet name from him, Songbird

Jean: … You wanna go ‘n repeat that, warden?

Sheriff: Go on! You’re the so called opera phantom! Sing us a song, songbird!

Jean: … Well. If you insist.

Cue a flashy Jailhouse Rock number as Jean escapes and makes all of the guards go deaf and/or insane

The police will obviously search DuPont, so he hides out in New Salem High. Using some makeup he always keeps on him, Jean makes his appearance more human-like and covers the hidden part of his face with his hair

They’re rightfully wary of their new environment, thinking everyone is ready to attack him for being a monster, until they realize that no one knows about their monster side. Everything’s fine until some jocks attempt to beat them up, but Jess and Aeon save them

Back at DuPont, all the students that went to New Salem have detention, and while there, they all try to figure out how to save Jean

Simon: My family stopped eating humans after that thing with the sirens, so that’s a no.

Nathaniel: Uh… Boiling oil?

Zoé: Oh! A mummy’s curse!

Cosette: Guys, I’ve picked locks with my horns, lemme at it.

Ivan: I say we throw big, heavy rocks.

Denise: Agreed.

Kim: Adrien! You’re a human! What do humans hate?!

Adrien: Uh… Sticking with New Year’s resolutions, taxes, spoilers to good movies, and family reunions.

Austin T: I don’t care if you turn those bastards to stone, burn them alive, eat them, or turn them into your mindless servants! I want my boyfriend back! I'll reap them all in my path if I have to!

At New Salem High, Jean is easily fitting in and going undiscovered, until some of his makeup smears off and he goes to reapply. Unfortunately for him, Brigette followed him

Shortly after, New Salem High gets vandalized a second time, and both the humans and monsters think it's Jean

Alix: *Examining the graffiti online with Nathaniel* This doesn’t make sense.

Nathaniel: Exactly

Kim: … Okay, what’s going on?

Nathaniel: Everyone knows Jean has a flare for the dramatics. But there’s nothing dramatic about this! It’s just a skull!

Alix: And Jean would never do their line work so crookedly. Something’s going on.

The humans call for Jean's arrest, while the monsters generally are impressed with and proud of his supposed accomplishments

Lila only fans the flames by taunting the humans from her Critter account as Jean, claiming he had everything to do with the vandalism. Also, Chloé is using "Jean's" rebellion as an example of how monsters should fight back against their oppressors

Nino, Marinette, Adrien, Max, Alya, and Kim don't know what to think of the mess, but they decide to stop Jean before things get out of hand even more. With Max’s help, they find out that Jean is somewhere inside New Salem High and they go out to get him that night

Coincidentally though, right that night, Brigette and her goons are working to vandalize their own school again, this time in costume and with a camera ready to film the act as fake evidence that monsters were behind the vandalism

Brigette immediately spots the group trying to get into New Salem High and gets the police. They find Jean hidden away in a closet, but the reunion is cut short when Brigette and the police arrive to arrest Jean

The group is once again put in detention. Worse, during their talk with Damocles, he receives a phone call to turn on the TV

The Sheriff holds an announcement that he will return the true meaning of Halloween by condemning Jean to the Trick-or-Treatment, a death sentence not used in two hundred years. Damocles is further informed by the Monster Elder Council that no action will be or may be taken to save Jean

As much as the news hits everyone, two people are particularly upset. Brigette never meant for an innocent to die because of her schemes, and Chloé realizes she used Jean for publicity and that he's going to suffer for it

At detention, Nino comes up with the idea to get help from Jess and Aeon, looking for evidence that Jean has been framed

The others help him escape, and he manages to contact Jess and Aeon, who are willing to help. Their investigation leads to the discovery that Brigette and her goons were behind the vandalism of New Salem High, which solves that mystery. But that still doesn’t explain why Jean confessed- Oh, wait! It was Lila! They’ll kill her later

The group sets up a confrontation for Chloé and Brigette within the catacombs as representatives of their respective parties. Despite everything, the two bond almost instantly over their shared sense of fashion, the equal pressure to live up to their family's expectations, and wanting to do what’s best for their respective sides, including helping Jean

They go to the sheriff to explain everything to him, but he reveals that he couldn't care less

*Back at DuPont*

Denise: Are you fucking kidding me?!

Juleka: This is why I don't care for law enforcement.

Ismael: Do they realize they’re about to murder a teenager? In Phantom Years, he’s fifteen! That’s… That’s just fucked up.

The gang works on a new plan. Just freeing Jean will only have the humans come and get him again so more has to be done.

When a plan is set to not only free Jean but also hopefully save every monster, the Salem High students dress as monsters to draw attention when Jean is put in the Trick-or-Treatment machine, which forces the police away from the device to arrest the monsters

Nino and Ivan use the diversion to free Jean and then make a run for it on Ivan’s ice slide, in which they are also assisted by Max, courtesy of his rocket boots

As the police figure out they've been duped and give chase to the real monsters in their cruisers, Jess and Aeon rouse the human crowd to take matters into their own hands and attack DuPont

Lacey and Kim taunt and get the mob to follow them to the Hall of Halloween where the students are awaiting their arrival, much to the humans’ confusion

Brigette comes forth to confess she is behind the vandalism that plagued New Salem and that though she meant to protect the humans, she realizes she had nothing to be afraid of

The humans accept the confession and invitation, but then the Sheriff and his officers finally arrive, intending to arrest Jean and all the monsters present. However, the New Salem students challenge him to arrest them as well if they want to get to the DuPont students

The Sheriff, wanting to avoid the fallout if he arrests the New Salem students, saves face by claiming it's past midnight, and that means he is off duty anyway before sneaking off to the snacks

With all conflict ended and subdued, the party commences

Friday Night Frights

The students of DuPont are watching the Skultimate RollerMaze game between the Nightmares of DuPont and the Gargoyles of Granite City, and both sides of the crowd are cheering for their team

The four fearleaders; Candace, Cosette, Denise and Juleka; are cheering for DuPot

Ivan: So, what is point in 'skate game.' I've known how to skate since I was up to height of yak's knee.

Rose: Ivan, Skultimate RollerMaze is so much more than just a skating game! It's a course full of twists, turns, obstacles and so much more, and- PUMMEL HIS ASS!... The whole point of the game is how you react to what's thrown at you. Plus, we've got a tradition with the Gargoyles. Whichever school wins, they get the other team's school crest

Rocco, the leader of the gargoyle team, grabs one of the camera bats, and Gary, his fellow teammate, crushes it to leave no evidence of their cheating. Rocco and Gary then knock over Kim and Soo-Yeon, leaving them in the dust whilst chasing after the rest of the team

Brecken and Austin Q go into the course to replace Kim and Soo-Yeon. Spinelli and Rocco are neck and neck during the course, determined to win for their respective schools.

Rocco and Gary then notice Brecken and Austin Q are gaining on them, only before Rocco declares that they might as well finish off DuPont who, according to him, 'plays like a bunch of girls' (this statement, oddly enough, angers the completely masked player behind them)

After going through yet another course, Gary trips Brecken, causing him to crash into Austin Q. The mask player trips over them, and is left behind by the team, who yet again, cheats; this time more discreetely

Whilst neck and neck with Spinelli, one of Rocco's skates mechanically removes a wheel from Spinelli's and the last member of the team falls to the ground right before crossing the finish line, thus allowing Granite City to win the game.

A few days later, the students of DuPont are all distraught about the loss. Ivan is confused as to why everyone is so upset about the game, but Myléne tells him it's bigger than he knows, pointing out how the school looks worse than it normally is

An announcement from Damocles lets them know that the school spirit is gone. Ivan thinks it's nothing until Sabrina explains that the school's crest has an actual spirit which protects the halls of DuPont from falling apart, literally

However, getting the crest back is not as easy as it sounds, because with three injured players of the team, they might not be able to make it to the finals in order to beat the Gargoyles

Sabrina decides to look for clues in order to prove that the Gargoyles did cheat, due to the fact of Spinelli's skates breaking just before the finish line, which is an extremely odd coincidence. And at the realization that they will not be able to play at all, Kim cancels SKRM for the season, much to everyone's shock.

Days later, the school continues to fall apart, everyone even more miserable than before. Candance, Cosette, Denise, and Juleka realize this and then, out of the blue, Candance hatches up a plan to recruit new members for the SKRM team, so that way DuPont can beat Granite City and win back the crest

After a bit of reluctance, the ghouls round up almost boy in the school and judge them for the skills needed in Skultimate RollerMaze; agility, strength... and the ability to skate, most importantly

Whilst doing this, Sabrina, joined by Max, is in the SKRM track, looking for evidence that the Gargoyles cheated, however a certain something distracts her. A piece of stone that isn't the same material as the gargoyles' ski

Meanwhile, the ghouls judge the students carefully, only to the news that most of them can't stand in rollerblades. Lucky for them, Lotta attempts to teach them, only to be taunted by the fact that a girl is teaching them how to do 'their' sport. Nonetheless, she wows them and at first, she's skeptical once Cosette suggests she participate on the team, especially once the boys continue to say that girls don't play SKRM

However Lotta recollects a memory of a certain SKRM superstar...Alix Kubdel! Despite this fact, the boys stick to their motto that Skultimate RollerMaze is for guys and they all leave them to fend for themselves, however they team up together and vow to win for DuPont

Naturally, at the sight of ghouls in SKRM gear, the school is shocked by the decision of Candance, Cosette, Juleka, Denise, and Lotta to take the place of the former team. The former members are surprised, but not against it

Kim, although, tries to persuade them not to play. According to him, Alix Kubdel was an amazing player, but got demolished and was never heard from again

Lotta: Ah, that's just a kid's story!... Right?

Kim: No. No, I'm serious. The gargoyles creamed her... Good luck, though!

However the training they attempt to persue in is worthless, due to their little to no knowledge of the sport. Most of them can barely skate or follow the rules, although they try and do what they can.

During this training, Max finds yet another piece of stone, this one in the shape of a snake

Chloé, who's been watching them train, daringly rescues Candace from crashing and getting injured. They offer her a spot on the team, although Chloé refuses, preferring to lead rather than follow

Their first match up is against the all zombie school, worst in the league. However, Denise gets very nervous and trips, thus causing the team to false start, and get disqualified

Some idiots even video taped the fiasco and mock them

Deciding she can't let this go on any longer, Chloé joins the team, helping them with their posture in order to maintain proper balance. Kim, Soo-Yeon, Brecken, Austin Q, and Spinelli join in coaching them

After a strict training regimen, they're are ready for their debut against Vampire Academy. They play well, but are bested at the last minute by rough tactics of the vampires

During the game, Chloé was knocked into a pile of tires that contained a stone hand. Sabrina explains that is the last piece she and Max needed to rebuild Alix Kubdel, who had been trapped in stone for a few years

Alix offers her assistance as player and one piece of advise "... Quit playing like stupid boys and win like girls!" Thus inspiring their new fashionable outfits

When the gargoyles stop by their school to taunt them, they begin to mock the new outfits, and Alix and the masked player lock eyes for a moment. Before the two can say anything to each other, they're dragged away by their respective teammates

The DuPont team enters a round robin tournament, and eventually make their way up the leader board until they qualify for the final match between Granite City. Instilling the school with pride, they are are now wildly popular and even gained the respect of a few male students

The final match against Granite city is intense. The gargoyles try to muscle the team, but they use the agility and Cadance's powers to avoid many pitfalls

Eventually Denise gets injured, and Kim calls an injury timeout. Juleka is nervous about going in until Kim gives her some encouragement. The team starts up again

During the final stretch, Rocco and Gary about to go after Cosette, but then the masked player, suddenly tackles two gargoyles to the ground

Masked Player: I am done with you assholes!

Everyone: *Gasp*

Ivan: Now this is interesting.

Alix and Cosette slingshot Juleka to the front with Rocco. In a photo finish, Juleka wins by a leg

Now the champions, DuPont wins back their crest, thus restoring the school from its dilapidated state, and they get Granite High's Crest, but they decide to keep it for a week, since they're not complete assholes

Okay! Dramatic Reveal time!

Soo-Yeon: Let's just see who's under this mask! *Pulls off the masked skater's mask*

Everyone: Someone we don't know?!

Alix: NATH!

Nathaniel: *Alix hugs him* Hey, Alix.

Cosette: ... So, can we get an explanation here?

Nathaniel: Yeah, those assholes over at Granite High hated that a girl was better than them, so they turned a mirror on her during one game and broke her into pieces. I joined them so I could gather evidence, of them cheating and keep them from doing the same to other players. *Shows a small camera hidden in his helmet* Here's about a year's worth.

The movie ends with a role call of the new co-ed team: Kim, Chloé, Brecken, Soo-Yeon, Austin Q, Spinelli, Alix, Cosette, and Denise

Scaris

Marinette plans a Flashion Mob, a surprise fashion show starring herself and her friends at school. Meanwhile, Ismael chases after a scarf made out of spider's silk given to him by Reshma, his best friend from Scaremerica, which was knocked from his hand by students attracted by the attention from Marinette's show

However, thanks to a mix-up orchestrated by Lila, Kim is put in a dress and heels and ends up tripping and abruptly ending the show

Thanks to Alya, however, the fashion show was put on FrightTube (with the awkward ending edited out) and had gotten quite a large amount of views, including Moanatella Ghostier, a renowned fashion designer

To Marinette's disbelief, Moanatella emails her, explaining she needs a protégé to carry on her designs, as she was running out of ideas, and when people stop paying attention to her, she fades away

So, she sends for three students, Eri Tanaka, Austin Armbruster, and last but not least, Marinette

With some encouragement from the others, Marinette agrees to go to Scaremerica. Of course, her closest friends and her significant others join in order to offer support

On the plane, Ismael tells Alix about Reshma and how she would send him accesories she made from her silk. However, she had stopped writing letters to her some time ago, and Ismael worries what this means for their friendship

So, Alix, being a kind soul, offiers to take Ismael to find Reshma and get an explanation

Finally in Scaremerica, the group drops Marinette off at Moanatella's headquarters, and Ismael, Alix, Lacey, and Sabrina go to look for Reshma while the remainder of the group take in the sights

Marinette meets Eri and Austin, and though friendly with each other, Moanatella coldly reminds them that only one of them will be her apprentice

With Sabrina's scooter, the chase for Reshma begins elsewhere when they spot someone else on a scooter with a jacket akin to Reshma's. Unfortunately the chase is a bust, as the rider was only someone else, and Sabrina crashes and breaks her scooter beyond repair. Meanwhile, in the cafe, the others discuss places to go sightseeing only to see Sabrina very sad about her scooter. Chloé offers to pay for a new one, but Sabrina assures her she knows a way to make money

Somewhere, in Moanatella Ghostier's Headquarters, Marinette notices Eri's book around and asks to see her designs, but she becomes angry and scolds her about the competition and that they're not supposed to be helping each other

As the trials go on, Marinette is berated for the third time for not following fashion rules. She finds the courage to look for inspiration in her old sketchbook, but Moanatella instructs her to throw it away if she wants to be part of the fashion industry. So, she starts designing like her while

After that, Moanatella tells the three designers that if they hear her ring the bell three times, it meant she decided

In a cafe, Ismael, Alix, and Lacey discuss Reshma and find a clue as to where she was

Back at Moantella's headquarters, Eri and Austin A find Marinette's sketchbook and are amazed by her designs. They realize Moantella's methods are harming her creativity, as well as their own

Now in a subway, Ismael, Alix, and Lacey are lead by a string of a spider's web to the forbidden area where it is said that no monster who came in ever came out alive

Ismael/Lacey/Alix: ...

Lacey: ... Let's go in!

They find Reshma, who has been used by Moanatella for her fashion designs. This was why she couldn't write to Ismael anymore. She reveals to them whoever wins Moanatella's "apprenticeship" will be locked up in the same place and be used just like him

At that moment, Moanatella and Marinette enter, and Moanatella traps Marinette in a cell with them

The others wander the streets, trying to find the others until Kim picks up their scents and follows them to the cells. Using their powers, they rescue them, but rather than wanting to flee, Marinette announces a desire to beat Moanatella at her own game.

Eri and Austin A show up, having sensed that something bad will happen, and give Marinette her old design book back. The rest get to work designing a full fashion clothing line, while Moanatella sets up her own fashion show across town

Despite having lots of help, the ghouls aren't going to get finished in time, so they give Marinette, Eri, Austin A, and Reshma pure black coffee, which causes them to work double-time

At last, the clothes are finished, so they gather them up to take it to the fashion show. Sabrina (who has bought a car with the money she's earned!) offers to help them get to the show

They crash Moanatella's show and show off Marinette's real fashion line. The people love it and cheer her on, causing Moanatella to vanish forever because no one is paying attention to her. Reshma, Eri, and Austin A express a desire to transfer to DuPont, and all is well

13 Wishes

A thousand years after some event no one remembers or knows, DuPont welcomes back the students for the new semester. Everyone talks about the upcoming events for the year such as the upcoming eclipse while expressing what they wish would happen throughout the new school year

Chloé, angered by the disrespect by some newer students, plans to take action against that and make sure they know she is not to be missed with despite Zoé's protests against it

However, her attempt at flaunting her status with a personalized locker that displays her name in lights causes a blackout. Zoé, Myléne, Nathaniel, Kagami, Adrien, and Sabrina,who were attempting to stop her before she could turn on the lights, are punished by Damocles to clean the school attic

Zoé tries to understand her sister’s reasoning but is dismissed by Chloé quickly. As she moves away and cleans more of the attic, Chloé unknowingly eventually finds a lantern and releases a genie named Gigi

The genie introduces herself and explains that Chloé is her new finder and is granted thirteen wishes

Adrien: Um, don't the legends say the finder gets three wishes?

Gigi: Oh, those were mistranslated. Yeah, you actually get thirteen wishes.

Adrien: Yeesh. Better not let Disney hear that.

Chloé uses her first wish to wish them and herself out of detention. As Gigi grants the wish, they disappear in a flash of light and unintentionally free a shadow version of Gigi, who follows them unseen

They later arrive at the mall to hang out as Gigi elaborates on Chloé's twelve remaining wishes and warns her there is a ‘dark side’ to using them. Seeing Chloé excited about using her wishes, Zoé advises her to take Gigi’s words seriously

Chloé, however, takes it defensively and runs off with the lantern while annoyed at her sister's words

Later, back at DuPont, Alya helps Marinette run against Louis for Student Disembodied President while Adrien shows Gigi around the school. Despite the argument earlier, Chloé took the advice to heart and uses some of her wishes to help her friends: Ondine can shift between freshwater and saltwater so both sides of her family won't despise her, Marc and Nathaniel's graphic novel becomes an overnight sensation and gains millions of fans, and Marinette becomes the new disembodied president

Before Chloé can congratulate herself, Lila torments her in the bathroom and leaves her crying alone. Watching from afar, the shadow genie uses this opportunity to take advantage of Chloé to wish for things more for herself

She summons Gigi, who is alarmed by the shadow genie and warns Chloé about the wishes. However, the shadow genie reminds her about the rules and Chloé uses her next wish to become even more popular

While enjoying her popularity, Chloé offers to wish the same for Zoé, who politely turns her down, not comfortable with all the attention

Adrien then talks with Gigi about her life in the lantern and discovers that she’s lonely and will leave DuPont after the last wish is granted. Not wanting his new friend to leave, Adrien looks for some sort of loophole

Adrien: If Disney's taught me anything, there are always loopholes!

Gigi: You keep mentioning Disney, what is it? Is it like a book?

Adrien: Eh, little of this, little of that. Disney is everywhere and cannot be stopped. So far, it owns many major networks and will soon take control of all television.

Gigi: That is frightening.

Adrien: I know, right?

As days pass, some of the side-effects of the wishes begin to affect the school and cause problems such as Ondine having an identity crisis, Marc and Nathaniel receiving hundreds of commissions a day, and Marinette's ideas as president not being taken well by the school

Zoé then tells Adrien and Gigi that Chloé is beginning to not act like herself, and she senses something strange within the shadows. Adrien asks if Gigi knows anything, but Gigi tells them that she cannot say anything due to the Lantern’s magic. Adrien and Zoé then try to find out on their own what is wrong with Chloé but are dismissed by her thanks to the shadow genie's influence

Kagami encounters Chloé and irks her enough to wish for Kagami to be turned into a nobody, making her unnoticeable by every student, including her partners

Zoé confronts Chloé on what she was doing. But rather than listen, she uses her next wish to make Zoé disappear into the lantern, leaving her shadow behind and giving Whisp more power

Adrien, Sabrina, and Nathaniel notice the changes and later find Gigi crying in the greenhouse with Myléne comforting her. Gigi is reluctant to explain as she is not allowed to influence the finder, but Sabrina points out that they are not the finder and Gigi should be able to tell them

With that logic, she leads the group away to the attic to explain everything regarding the shadow genie, Whisp and where the real Zoé is. She warns them of Whisp’s plan to use the eclipse and one of Chloé's wishes to gain all the power to banish everyone at DuPont and replace them with shadow versions to rule the world

Wanting to save their friends, Adrien and the others help devise a plan to save Zoé using an orb given to them by Gigi, which will allow them to leave the lantern. They later find Chloé and Shadow Zoé in the bathroom and confront Chloé to make her purposely wish them into the lantern to find Zoé, unknowingly leaving their shadow versions behind to cause trouble

Inside the lantern, Adrien, Nathaniel, Myléne, and Sabrina successfully find Zoé, but not without being confronted by Whisp, who lets them know that she has power within the lantern

They escape from her, and Zoé then shows them the ‘Genieology’ telling of Gigi’s story and why she was reluctant to interfere. They use a map to search for the missing shard of a mirror that will stop Whisp for goof

Meanwhile in DuPont, Mason senses a disturbance in the shadows and tries to help snap Chloé out of it while helping Kagami look for the others

The shadow monsters then make their move and help Chloé take over the school by replacing Damocles with herself as Headmistress and banishing Marinette and Kagami to the lantern, who then join the others to find the mirror pieces

As the monsters prepare for an eclipse party, Mason follows Chloé and sees that Whisp is the one controlling her. When he attempts to take the lamp, he gets captured by Chloé's henchmen. And rather than using up any more wishes, Chloé has Mason thrown in the basement with the other disorderly students

After finding twelve pieces of the mirror, the group find Whisp’s room and realize she has the last piece. After nearly losing the exit orb, Kagami gets it back and they return to DuPont with magic carpets Myléne managed to snag. They find DuPont has been turned into some sort of temple in honor of Chloé complete with gold statues

Adrien: Where did they get gold from?!

Marinette: At this point, are you surprised by anything anymore?

Adrien: Hey, monsters are the norm, but I want to know where they got all of that gold! Did they steal it?! Did she wish for it?! These are legitimate questions! And the audience deserves to know as well! People reading this, get up out of your chairs and demand answers!

Whisp tries to influence Chloé to make the wish, but Mason, who escaped his prison through the shadows, steals the last mirror shard and assembles the mirror to break the spell. Upon seing her reflection along with past moments she shared with her friends and sister, Chloé awakes in time and rejoins the others without making the wish, causing Whisp to fail as the eclipse ends

Chloé uses one of the remaining two wishes to undo all of her previous wishes, much to everyone's delight

Gigi is joined by a defeated Whisp, explaining the last wish will send them both back into the lantern. The monsters are reluctant to let Gigi go and plead for her to stay

Adrien: Just wish for her to be free! Come on! They did in Aladdin! Am I the only smart person here?

Chloé uses her last wish for Gigi’s freedom and surprisingly for Whisp to become what she always wanted to be: a real genie. Gigi happily grants the wish, freeing herself and allowing Whisp to become the new genie of the lantern

However, when Whisp leaves with the lantern, she falls down into the deep end pool to be found again someday...

Ondine: ... I can just go get her. I mean, I can swim and breathe underwater-

Adrien: IT'S MORE DRAMATIC THIS WAY! MOVIE'S OVER!

Frights, Camera, Action

A large part of the DuPont student body chooses to catch the new Vampire Majesty movie before classes one day. Juleka is among them, even though she openly disapproves of the inaccuracy of the Vampire Majesty series and considers its leading actress, Veronica Von Vamp, a hack

Rather than going to see the movie, Rose, Marinette, Nathaniel, Alix, and Marc listen to her about the true story of the Vampire Court in Transylvania, which she grew up amidst. With rare enthusiasm, she explains that the vampires find their leader by listening to the Vampire's Heart, a magic artifact that can locate the rightful ruler and lights up in their presence

However, the Vampire's Heart has failed to lead the vampires to their new ruler for four centuries and counting, though

Meanwhile, in Transylvania, the Prime Minister and interim leader of the vampires, Lord Stoker, has a problem. For four hundred years, the true ruler and the Vampire's Heart have been missing, but only he knows that his own niece Elissabat was supposed to rule, a fact only few know, but she fled when he tried to control her and no one knows her current whereabouts

Stoker has been pretending to be searching for the true ruler for centuries as a cover to continue his own reign. However, the Royal Court of Vampire Dignitaries has grown tired of waiting and threatens to replace him if he can't present the rightful ruler soon.

Trying to win time, he claims he can do so within a week. Remembering Juleka from centuries ago, he remembers that she is weak and shy and decides to make everyone believe her to be the queen so he can control her and continue his rule

Later at DuPont, Lord Stoker arrives and convinces Juleka with a fake Vampire's Heart that she is the queen, while also ensuring the other vampire students respect her, or face severe consequences for their disrespect

Juleka reluctantly agrees to return to Transylvania for her coronation in seven days but asks if her friends and brother can come along. Stoker doesn't object, so Marinette, Rose, Alix, Nathaniel, and Marc join her. Luka only joins because he's skeptical

After a long journey, the final portion is by train, during which Juleka and Luka tell a little about their past and reveal that the relations between their family and Stoker's are complicated and have been mostly dormant since everyone disappeared four centuries ago

Rose notes that her father was in Transylvania around that time. She herself seems to have more knowledge of the events at the time than is likely for her to know, but the group doesn't pay too much attention to it

At Castle Dracula, the group is delighted at first, and Juleka and Luka shows them all kinds of secret passages they remember from her childhood, and the group enjoys the luxuries of a royal lifestyle.

The situation changes instantly, though, when Luka finds his way into Stoker's office and learns that Juleka had been deceived. He shows the the fake heart, and with support from the others Juleka decides to fight back and find the real ruler for her people

Marinette and Marc deduce that there must be a clue to the who and where of the ruler is in Stoker's office, and so Juleka volunteers to distract Stoker while the others search the place for leads. Juleka has no trouble with her part, but the office doors are guarded. Fortunately, on top of being an excellent guard, Nathaniel's good at picking locks...

Nathaniel: All it takes is a steady hand... *Punches the knob off* See how steady my hand was?

The group finds a letter by Elissabat taped to the back of a portrait of Dracula, who was her father's closest friend. It reveals that she is the next Vampire Ruler and begs Dracula to help her escape Stoker's control. She had to take the Vampire's Heart with her so she could be found when she fled, but she wished for Dracula to take it from her and keep it safe. Of course, Dracula never found the letter, but the group can use its clue to find Elissabat on their own

The clue leads them to Londoom, England. They escape and use a boat docked in an underground cavern to travel to Londoom

Luka calls Adrien, Kagami and the rest of his friends at school. He explains the situation and sends them a picture of Elissabat from four hundred years ago to help search through the internet

Back in Transylvania, because someone carelessly left a book opened (Not gonna name names) on a page about Londoom when they were in his office, Stoker knows where they are

The group is welcomed in Londoom by Kierstin, Kim's older sister, who studies there to become a writer. She takes them to see the Crown Jewels in the Tower of Londoom, as that's what the group thinks the riddle refers to

There is, however, no note inside. Kierstin asks what the clue was and upon hearing it, realizes that the "crown" refers to the skull rather than jewelry and points the group at a statue of William Spooksfear near the Globe Theater

Marc flies up to get the skull and unlocks it, finding the next note. Elissabat writes that Londoom is no longer safe and that she'll travel further to New Goreleans, where she hopes Dracula will finally meet her. She even included a map. The group, along with Kierstin, return to their boat and sets sail for the USA, unaware Stoker's servant, Ygor is following them.

In New Goreleans, the map leads them to a ghost ship named the Bijou on the Bayou. On board, they meet Gerard Grundler, who is collecting samples from the swamp. He reveals the Bayou Bijou to be a ship famous for its numerous big-name guests and performers

Suddenly, Ygor hijacks the Bayou Bijou. The group appears caught at first, but Gerard calls upon the alligators living in the bayou to form a bridge to the shore. They escape, but Ygor sinks the Bijou on the Bayou, meaning the ghost ship isn't accessible anymore until the next full moon

The fear that they have to wait a full month to go back to look for clues is erased by Gerard, who took a few pictures of the Bijou on the Bayou and shows an encased letter by Elissabat

The letter reveals that Elissabat gave the Vampire's Heart to someone both she and Dracula trust, which Rose believes to be Veronica. Not only was she in New Goreleans at the time, the movie poster for the next Vampire Majesty movie depicts her holding the Vampire's Heart

The group sets out for Hauntlywood, which Kierstin is very pleased with and which has Gerard choosing to come along. Ygor continues to follow them and informs Lord Stoker of their new destination. Tired of it Ygor's failed attempts, Stoker transforms into a bat and heads off to Hauntlywood himself to capture Juleka

In Hauntlywood, Alix convinces threatens the guard at the gates to allow them entrance to the studios. Soon, the group is witness to a minor accident involving the director Scareantino and an intern makeup artist by the name of Cosette

They help Cosette out, which she thanks them for before hurrying along. The group continues on as well and is by sheer coincidence able to get Kirtstin a job as co-writer of Scary Stone

Rose locates Veronica's trailer, which the group gains access to with the help of Cosette, who has to do Veronica's makeup. All seems to be going well, but when asked about Elissabat, Veronica refuses to help, explaining that she promised Elissabat to keep her secret

Even a moving speech by Juleka about duty and the well-being of the vampires doesn't convince Veronica to say anything. The group is crestfallen, but Rose urges them to continue looking here in Hauntlywood because she feels Elissabat can't be far off

Meanwhile at DuPont, the Vampire Majesty movies have caused a conflict among the students at Monster High about which male love interests are hotter: Alucard or Edweird, with Chloé and Austin A leading the opposing sides of the argument. Evie, Austin T, Jean, Ismael, Brecken, and a few others stay out of it as the argument escalates as more students side with Chloé or Austin A

Fed up, Jean organizes a Cute Court for the students to decide who is the bigger hunk. Evie, who is not interested in either, is chosen as judge, Brecken gets to be the bailiff, and Sabrina is the court clerk.

After a long debate, Sabrina asks Max for scientific advice. It is then that Max makes a huge discovery: Alucard and Edweird are played by the very same actor!

Evie dismisses the case, and the students end the fight. However, Max is not done yet comparing people, now that she has solved one thing this way. Taking the photo of Elissabat that Adrien and Kagami have shown him and a poster depicting Veronica Von Vamp, Max realizes that the two girls are the same person

As the group keeps looking for Elissabat, they stumble into the Vampire Majesty studio, where they are ambushed by Lord Stoker, who demands that Juleka returns to Transylvania with him, but Luka offers to go in her place and comes up with an excuse on why the heart glowed around Juleka

Stoker is about to go along with this until Veronica comes to their aid by calling her security guards on Stoker. Juleka once again begs Veronica to tell where Elissabat is, and Veronica chooses in her favor this time

Taking off her wig, she reveals that she is, in fact, Elissabat. She asks Rose to take her hand, which causes Rose to light up. Elissabat explains that the person she entrusted the Vampire's Heart to was a skeleton guard, who in turn entrusted it to his daughter by placing it behind her ribcage after she was born

She's now willing to take on her role as queen, and as her first decree, Elissabat disowns her uncle and banishes him from ever holding an official office in the vampire community ever again, having her security guards drag him out of the lot

And it's at that moment, Cosette and Gerard find the others and tell them that they've decided to transfer to DuPont

At the movie premiere, Elissabat holds a speech to celebrate her acting successes and the honor of being the new Vampire Queen. She makes a point of thanking Juleka for her efforts in setting things right in the vampire community, and the movie starts

Freaky Fusion

Nino is being chased by a… Well, a monster. Six other students, with some bizarre looks, arrive to save him and escape from the monster through the hallways of DuPont

Adrien: Pause! Hello, I’m Adrien. You might know me as one of the few human students at DuPont School For Monstrous Youths. You may be wondering what my bro Nino is running from, who are those other monsters, and why they look so peculiar? Well, it happens like this…

DuPont is celebrating its 200th anniversary. Jean and Myléne are organizing a play to commemorate DuPont’s history

In class, the students are presenting their scaritage projects to Mme. Bustier

After Chloé finishes her presentation, Max shares about his mother, Claudia Steam, a mad scientist and a former teacher at DuPont who discovered the secret to creating life. One day, she mysteriously disappeared and Max held onto a time box to remember her

After Max, it is Nino’s turn to present. Unfortunately, he failed the project due to his lack of knowledge of his heritage and had to redo the project

Meanwhile, four new students arrive. All four of them are hybrids, and react standoffishly when greeted by the students

In the cafeteria, Nino, Adrien, Nathaniel, Ivan, Reshma, Cosette, Luka, Ismael, Jean, and Chloé, are having lunch together. Nino is still upset about not knowing much about his grandfather, Victor Frankenstein since his parents refuse to talk about him

Adrien: Why not?

Nino: Well, every time I try to go to my mom, she hisses, and when I got to my dad, he just goes, “RRRR! GRANDPA BAD!”

Max overhears and takes the group to his mother’s old workshop in the catacombs, where he believes has his mother’s old journal with information about Victor

After a long journey in the catacombs, the gang reaches the entrance to Claudia’s workshop and learns that it can only be accessed at the right time

The group searched and eventually found Claudia's journal, which explains that Victor was a DuPont student who was obsessed with discovering the spark to create life

On accident, Ismael's tail wraps around a lever. As he pulls it back, a machine activates and opens a portal, pulling all of them inside

The students eventually find themselves in the year 1814, realizing that the machine was actually a time machine that sent them back 200 years into the past to when DuPont was recently built

They decide to wait an hour until the lab opens again, but curiosity gets the better of them, so they go explore DuPont

There, Nino and Max witness Claudia Steam in a class session, berating a student named Sparky, who is interested in learning to create life

After class, Nino talks to Sparky and explains to him that his grandfather created life, getting Sparky interested... So interested that he sneakily follows Nino and his friends as they use the time machine to return home

However, The machine began experiencing malfunctions as the students are traveling through the portal.

Nino, Max, and Adrien return to the present, all limbs accounted for, but they discover that the others have been fused into Ivaniel, Rosette, Lukael, and Chloéan

Ivaniel: Okay... NO ONE IS TO PANIC!

Rosette: God! I have so much pent-up rage! *Kicks a hole in the wall*

Lukael: This fur is so damn itchy!

Chloéan: *Admiring their outfit* I'm... Not hating this.

Until Max can fix the time machine, they're stuck like this and must go about their usual day... Right when they're supposed to rehearse for the 200th-anniversary play

Ivaniel is uncoordinated due to his wings and ice powers suddenly flaring up, Rosette can't control her arms or tail, Lukael's vampire and werecat senses are causing some overstimulation, and Chloéan can't decide who will take the lead.

The hybrid students take pity on them after witnessing the rehearsal and decide to help the fusions learn how to control themselves

Meanwhile, Sparky, who had followed the students to the present, steals a piece of the time machine, believing it is the secret ingredient to creating life

First, Ivaniel learns how to control his power and appendages

Lukael is getting a walkthrough on how to focus on a certain sound when it comes to his hearing

Rosette is learning how to have some better control over their newly added appendages

Chloéan gets a little lesson about leadership, such as which part of her takes charge and how not to let their new and confusing instincts take control over them

The Hybrids successfully help the new Fusions learn to control their bodies and powers, and everything seems to be going fine... Though, Sparky's been occupying the catacombs for a few days now

And he's created a monster he calls Creature 4.0

While in the lab, Max is nearly done fixing the time machine but discovers that a piece of it missing and quickly goes to inform the others

After Sparky successfully brings his monster to life, it goes on a rampage throughout DuPont after having a severe reaction to a camera, because Franken monsters don't do bright lights

It interrupts the school play and the students learn of Sparky’s antics

With the help of the Hybrids, they plan to lure Creature 4.0 back into the catacombs to shut it down

The creature continues to chase the monsters in the hallways and starts to steal Nino's classmates one by one

Having enough, Nino stands his ground and as the monster reaches for him, he sends a powerful current of electricity into it. In the process, this defuses the fusions and frees his friends

Upon witnessing this, Sparky learns that Nino's emotions are what gave him true life, which is something that his creation lacked.

After defeating Creature 4.0, Nino collapses. But, before he can shut his eyes, he learns that Sparky is his grandfather, Victor Frankenstein, before dying

In a panic, the students go to use Max’s recharge chamber in hopes of reviving Nino but fail, and begin mourning him

Just then, Claudia suddenly emerges from the time machine to help (Yeah, don't ask). She advises everyone to think of their best memories of Nino to save him since emotions are what gave him life

Alya spreads the word and everyone at DuPont begins sharing their best memories of Nino until he is successfully revived

Everyone then bids farewell to Claudia and Victor as they use the time machine to return to their timeline

The school play resumes, explaining DuPont's history and sharing the belief that every monster with unique flaws, is welcome at DuPont, or something corny like that

Great Scarrier Reef

It's a normal day at DuPont. Several students are practicing for a dance recital in the auditorium, and not doing very well due to Spinelli's complex cheoreography

Ondine, who's helping to set up for the recital's after party, watches them practice from afar, and despite Kim's encouragement to join, she declines

After they leave, Ondine steps on stage and dances superbly by herself. She then realizes Kim is watching her after he went back to get his bag, and utterly freezes up and faints

After waking her up, Kim asks why he doesn't dance with the others. Kim explains she used to dance back in her home at the Great Scarrier Reef but won't dance anymore. She leaves, unaware that Lila had seen her performance.

The dance recital takes place. The students are not impressed by the terrible dancing, and Spinelli couldn't be more embarrassed

Lila spots Ondine dancing along behind the backstage curtains and pulls back the curtains. Ondine freezes upon seeing everyone watching her and ends up getting tangled and strung up in the stage rigging.

The next day, Ondine is horrified to discover a video of her mishap has gone viral and created hundreds of meme pictures

Enraged, she pleads with Aurore to uninvite Lila from the after party, and she complies. The party, which is next to the outdoor pool, is in full swing and everyone is having fun until Lila storms in, demanding to know why she wasn't invited

Everyone calls her out for embarrassing Ondine, and the two start yelling at each other, unaware of the water in the pool turning into a whirlpool

Lila pushes Ondine into the pool, and Kim dives in to help her

Ivan: He realizes she can swim well, yes?

Myléne: Hush, it's sweet.

Adrien, Evie, Brecken, and Spinelli attempt to pull them out, but all of them are sucked under the water and vanish.

Everyone: ...

Roxie: *Backs away* And, we're backing away from the pool now.

When the group comes to, they discover not only are they underwater, but they have all transformed into half-fish creatures (Save for Ondine)

They are then greeted, rather dramatically, by Victoria, a mermaid, merman, merperson, whichever. Victoria explains that she cares for a reef garden, where each plant represents a sea creature. She's noticed that Odine's plant was wilting and summoned her to the ocean to help her (and bought the others down by accident)

Victoria: *Dramatically* RETURN FROM WHENCE YOU CAME!

Ondine: ... So, just go home?

Victoria: Yeah, just go home.

After swimming a long distance and getting used to their forms, they find themselves inside an underwater amphitheater, where they witness several sea creatures performing a dance

Ondine recognizes one of them - A squid girl named Margo

She explains that she and Margo used to be friends when they were children and once competed in a dance competition together. But one time before a competition, Margo started acting nastily toward her and deliberately tripped her up on stage. Ondine was laughed off the stage and has had stage fright ever since

The group heads to the Scarrier Reef city, where they meet Ondine's father, Arturo, her sisters, Olivia, Ophelia, Octavia, Olga, Oona, and Olympia. Arturo welcomes them to stay at his place

Along with hydra twins, Wade and Ripple, Margo watches Ondine from afar and begins plotting to embarrass her again

While Ripple is happy to go along with her, Wade feels they're being too harsh, resulting in the two siblings constantly fighting.

The next day, Arturo warns the group that a Kraken has been sighted in the area. After promising to stay out of trouble, Ondine, Kim, Adrien, Evie, Brecken, and Spinelli head out and try to figure out what Ondine needs to do to keep her plant from wilting and by proxy, get them back home

They run into Margo, who challenges Ondine to compete against her in a dance competition tomorrow. Ondine is reluctant, but when Kim encourages her (With puppy eyes) she agrees

That night, while practicing for the competition, Ondine is met by Wade and a sleeping Ripple. Wade tells her that he heard a legend about the Kraken: If she looks the Kraken in the eye, she will never feel fear again

Ondine thanks him for the help, but when he leaves, "Wade" removes his makeup, revealing him to be Ripple!

Ondine announces she's going to see the Kraken, and despite their protests and Kim's puppy eyes, they all agree to go with her. They swim down to the bottom of a deep-sea trench and go through the tunnels until they reach a large cave

Surprisingly, they discover a small living quarters and several drawings on the wall

Adrien: Huh. Does this mer-squid look familiar? *Points to a messy drawing of someone with tentacles*

Evie: I swear I have seen those markings before. Oh, and that hairstyle is quite familiar.

Brecken: Not really ringin' any bells- Wait... I'm seeing something. *Gasps* Guys! Oh my God! Margo's not a mer-squid, she's-

Kraken: *Growling*

Brecken: ... I'll tell ya'll later.

They barely make their escape. Finally feeling ready to take to the stage, Ondine and the group head to the competition

But just last minute, Margo reveals that there is no legend about seeing the Kraken's eye. She just made it up to trick her. Ondine is nervous, but Kim assures her that dancing on stage shouldn't be a problem after their narrow escape

Ondine takes to the stage and begins her dance. All goes well, but Ondine sees the audience and faints again at the climax of the act

Margo laughs at her, and the audience starts joining in, but Kim rushes to her defense

Kim: What kind of civilized people laugh at a humiliated teenage girl?! I mean, seriously! She faints, and you decide to laugh at her?! What the hell?! Shame on you, and you! And you! And especially you, sir!

When Spinelli proclaims that she even faced the Kraken, the crowd begins cheering for Ondine. Enraged, Margo lets out an ear-piercing scream... and the Kraken suddenly appears

The group swims back to the garden and beg Victoria to return them to DuPont. Victoria agrees but tells her that she still must face her fear

They summon a whirlpool and sends the gang through. They emerge back at DuPont, restored to their original selves, but Margo and the Kraken emerge from the pool

As the Kraken begins smashing the school, Ondine asks her friends and the other students to distract the Kraken while confronts Margo

She faces Margo realizing that all along, it was her and her bullying that was her greatest fear, but Margo cries that she was the one who was bullied, that everyone is always mocking her for her appearance

Hearing this, Ondine comforts her friend, and gives it to her straight

Ondine: DuPont has a cockatrice, troll, naga, ogre, and Jersey Devil. I think you'll fit right in around here

Margo tells the Kraken to stop... and reveals it is actually her father! She explains that she hated how her father was always considered evil by the townsfolk and eventually felt ashamed, so she decided to live away from him. She realizes she was wrong for not telling everyone how nice her father is and for bullying Ondine, who forgives her

With the school repaired, everyone celebrates with a party by the pool. Back at the Great Scarrier Reef, Victoria sees that Ondine and Margo's plants are finally back to full health, then he goes to fill out his transfer papers so he can attend DuPont

Haunted

Annoyed by the lack of gossip in the school, Alya searches for news for her blog. Angered by her punishment for plagiarizing an essay with being hit with detention, Lila messes with Alya's draft and creates a rumor about the werewolves and werecats of the school having were-fleas

As the rumor sends the students into chaos with staying clear of Kim and Ismael. Alya observes what Lila caused and faces backlash for it

A short while later, Marinette begins to experience hauntings, with her locker acting strange, finding herself talking back to the teacher out of turn, and someone changing her hairstyle.

Kim and Ismael confront Alya about the post, but before she can explain she had nothing to do with it, she flees when Marinette, Nathaniel, Denise, and Cosette ask her about the hauntings

They follow her to the school's attic and watch as she unlocks a door and disappears into it. Still following her, they find themselves on a boat, piloted by the son of the Grim Reaper himself, Austin Tomassian. With his father away in Las Plagueas, Austin has the boat to himself, even installing confetti cannons on it

Alys appears and is shocked by their presence and explains about the Ghost World, where most ghosts live due to the stigma of their hauntings. Austin then explains that the boat is taking them to Haunted High, Alya's old school. 

Marinette explains her hauntings. Austin finds that impossible, as there hasn't been a haunting since the notorious Red Lady, a ghost who could move easily between the Ghost and Monster worlds until she was apprehended and imprisoned to work off her crimes

The boat falls prey to a pirate ship, the Salty Spectre, led by the teen ghost pirate, Beck King. However, it's just for a class at Haunted High

Dressing in robes, the gang enters the school. Alya reminisces about her old school but is shocked to see the number of students draped in detention chains, handed out by Principal Revenant and the three Hall Moanitors.

The group heads into the cafeteria to find the perpetrator of Marinette's hauntings. There they meet Alya's old best friend, Jacques, son of the jumbee, who has gone from the shyest to the most popular guy in school. As Alya introduces him, he suddenly becomes nervous and flies off

Their attention is then drawn to Petrov Geist, son of a poltergeist, who is vandalizing the cafeteria with ghost paint, which evaporates quickly, though the students cheer him on as he does it. The Hall Moanitors catch him in the act and shackle him after he crashes into Alya

When they try to chain Alya, she explains she is not a student at the school and is from DuPont. Revenant then spontaneously has the rules changed and unveils her friends as solids. They flee, pursued by the Moanitors, who discover the chains do not work on solids. They safely arrive back at DuPont, but Alya is chained and dragged back to Haunted High.

To get back into the ghost world, Mason takes them to the Boogie Mansion to look for the Boogie Sand that will turn them into ghosts so they can move around the ghost world undetected

Mason: Now. I have a very meticulous system. So, I would prefer it if you all- COSETTE! I SEE YOU! DO NOT FUCKING TOUCH THAT BOTTLE!

Cosette: Dude!

Mason: I am so sorry! That just slipped- I SWEAR TO GOD! I WILL PAINT THIS MANSION WITH YOUR GUTS IF YOU BREATHE NEAR THAT SAND AGAIN, KIM!

Kim: *Curls up on the floor and whimpers*

They easily find the right sand thanks to Mason's system and turn into ghosts

Meanwhile, Alya is given 10,000 essays to do as her punishment, which she takes in her stride as she loves writing, which greatly puzzles Petrov, who is also serving out his punishment. The two begin to bond, and when Petrov questions all the rules and detentions, he and Alya decide to investigate

Meanwhile, the Hall Moanitors, under Revanant's orders, head into DuPont and begin to seize the ghost students at the school, such as Jean and Austin Q.

Austin Q: *Clawing at the ground as he gets dragged away* NOOO! I burned too many bridges there! I can't go back! MOMMY!... Wait, what am I saying? FÉLICE! HELP ME!

Jean: *Getting dragged away* Cut the gas! You better go with some form of dignity!

Re-arriving at Haunted High, the ghouls meet Beck and Jacques, who help them control their ghost forms

Nathaniel: Wait... Now that I'm weightless, there's something I wanna do... CANNONBALL! *Dives into the pool and floats back up*

Having found no information about Revenant in the library, Alya and Petrov return to the main school hall and are horrified to find numerous DuPont students chained and being greeted to Haunted High by Revenant. 

Overhearing ghost students talk about how solids want to haunt them, Alya becomes outraged, loudly labeling the talk as stupid gossip, which alerts her friends

The Moanitors soon begin to give out chains for seemingly no reason at all. When this happens to Jacques, the group protects him, bringing them to Revenant's attention. She demands to know how they did so, and when they refuse, gives the Moanitors permission to shackle them

Petrov intervenes and takes them to a safe room only he knows of. Alya and Nathaniel admire the artwork, and Marinette comes to the realization that Jacques is the one who has been spying on him

Jacques: Can ya blame me? That bubbly personality, and the way you carry yourself- It's just too good not to copy.

Marinette: Trust me, dude. You could do so much better.

Denise: We will be having a talk about your self-worth when we get back home, young lady.

Alya, meanwhile, eavesdrops on Revenant's plan to get more students stuck at Haunted High and is discovered by one of the Hall Moanitors. Revenant questions her until Petrov appears and distracts her, giving Alya a chance to escape, although it means Petrov is heavily chained

Soon, the Moanitors capture the others, causing Alya to be angry at Petrov, believing he sold them out. However, Petrov reveals he stole the keys to the chains and transfers all the chains to himself

However, while Petrov had stolen something, so had Revenant, the item being the notebook Alya had been using to document their journey for her blog. From that, she discovers the Boogie Sand, and the Moanitors take off on Austin's yacht to find it. Now freed, the group pursues them on Beck's ship after rescuing the rest of the DuPont students

Angry at herself for making that mistake, Alya cools off in the library, only to find a book detailing that Revenant is the Red Lady of legend, as she sends the Hall Moanitors to do her work and never leaves the school

Jacques opens a portal, and they beat the Moanitors to DuPont, who begin to unleash Boogie Sand via confetti cannons on the students

Mason: WHY DO THEY HAVE MY FUCKING SAND?!

Austin T: That's not what the cannons are for!

Jean: Whoa. Who's the hottie in the bitchin cloak? Wouldn't mind necking that guy until I sweat all the grease outta my nest if you catch my drift.

Austin Q: ... WHAT?!

Beck boards the yacht, however, and manages to steal back the sand before they can refill the cannons. Back at Haunted High, Alya reveals that Revenant is the Red Lady. Taking this in her stride, Revenant seizes the key and sends all the chains flying at Alya  

Chased by the Moanitors, Jacques attempts to open a portal to send them back to the ghost world, and with the help of the others and their ghost powers, is successful. The yacht appears as the Red Lady sends her chains flying, and they entangle the yacht and Moanitors.

Finally free of her chains, Revenant opens a portal and attempts to enter the Monster World. But finds that she still can't leave as more chains automatically appear on her. Revenant looks to blame someone, but Alya tells her that she's done this to herself

Alya: Bitch, you really think giving unjust punishments, spreading rumors and lies, and throwing more chains at students is helping you?! Give me a fucking break!

Kim: Clearly, your chains were being generated by your own conscience as deep down, you know what you're doing is wrong. So, you continue to punish yourself for your crimes against your students. It's a long, probably centuries-long, unhealthy cycle, really.

Everyone Else: ...

Kim: What? I can't be smart sometimes?

Seeing the error of her ways, Revenant repents and takes back the chains, becoming her first act of kindness, and a single link on her many chains disappears.

Oh, and don't worry. Everyone soon figures out that Lila was behind the were-fleas rumor

Not only that, but the ghost students no longer see any reason to fear solids, and cross over to their world from time to time. And, a certain reaper finds himself being flirted with by a certain phantom

And, later that night, the Hall Moanitors sneak into the Boogie Mansion and play around with the Boogie Sand

Mason: *Walks in and sees their sand completely disorganized* ... You... Fucking... BASTARDS!

And that's how the Hall Moanitors died... Again.

@msweebyness @imsparky2002

#miraculous ladybug #miraculous #answered ask #ask me stuff #mlb au #dupont school for monstrous youths #mlb ocs #akuma class #science kids #recess class #theater kids #monster high

[ineffablyendless]

Two Graves.

Rated: G

Relationships: Nuala of the Faerie/Dream of the Endless|Morpheus

Tags: No Archive Warnings Apply, haunted surrealism, non-graphic mentions of blood, implied character death, post-TKO, so there's the acknowledgement of what happens to Morpheus, be warned.

Summary: Nuala dreams, and dances, and the Dreaming cries a dying melody. Then she wakes

A/N: HAPPY BIRTHDAY SWEET BUNNY, and to one of my absolute best friends on earth @nualaofthefaerie thank you for letting me participate in her birthday event even though I don't draw or anything and also have not participated in the Sandman fandom for the last couple of months. If anyone else is interested in reading about Nuala's birthday event and wants to try your luck writing her, you can peek at Li's post here .

Nuala is, at her core, a very tragic character in the comics, and this more than anything carved her spot in my heart. She is principled, strong, and kind, but what makes her appeal to me more than others is that unrequited, heartbreaking devotion. A girl that has so much to give so willingly, discarded and forgotten, and it makes me so angry. She kept trying, and it wasn't enough. This is a recurring theme in the Sandman. But the love was there, and it deserves to be told. In this fic I wanted to capture that fruitless yearning and her desperation and how she fights. So I hope it comes across well. This fic is less about Sandflower more so it is about Nuala.

Granted, Li had planned sweet things for a sweet girl, but I really wanted to write a ballroom dance scene straight out of The Labyrinth, and the angsty vibes from that particular scene spread through the entire fic and it turned out a lot more melancholic than I originally planned. And, uh, a lot longer too. So...win-win?

You can also read it on Ao3 :)

At the end, he comes for her.

(Just as he'd promised)

It stretches on endlessly. Infinity on the head on a needle.

She remembered being told once, that on their last breath, mortals would recall their life in flashes. Dominoes falling into place. Cluracan had laughed as he told her so, joking to her of their feeble and short lifespans. Should a Fae be allowed similar opportunities, recollection could stretch on long enough to fill another mortal lifetime, and the Fae in question would have tricked and swindled another breath, not unlike Sisyphus.

Alas, it was not meant to be. Fae were without souls, and the last of their breath returns them to nothingness. There is no great Beyond; only a change in form. A loss in consciousness. Not true death.

It sounded like plenty death to her.

At the end, her lover came to her in bits and pieces.

She would begin in empty, wandering halls, hearing his voice in the horizon. She was sure he would be in the library, she thought, if only she could find him. Sometimes she would be carrying some sort of burden; a basket of papyrus scrolls, or a simple stick of dustfeathers. Most times it is only her, and the silent patter of her cold feet on stone floors as she wanders and searches of a faint voice in the wind.

Outside, a storm brews, but it was not yet time for her to leave.

She finds the library eventually, and she chases his cape on the edges of her periphery. The maze of towering bookshelves consumes her, and she twists and loops through it's oaken pathways, up and down and side to side intertwined, like how they used to dance. She would hear his giggles, that taunting melody, and when she trails her fingers longingly down the spine of ancient times they shiver, and she yearns to come home.

Find me, little fairy, she hears him say on the wind, just as he had when she was young, and in love, and light with hope. You be my fox, and I your hare.

The panes creak and rattle from winds that whistle down oculus dome of the Endless Library, and often she must shield herself from the hail of rotten leaves and debris. Not once does she find Lucien. It escapes her mind. When she falters, she hears him chuckle, and she gets back up on her feet.

At the entrance of the ballroom, her aching feet pause.

Much like the rest of the Dreaming Palace, it is empty and silent, save for the storm brewing outside. Yet when she closes her eyes, it is a bustling cotillion, and she is dressed as a lavish queen; the empress of shadow and nightmares, and her King stands in the very middle of the crowd. Waiting for her.

Closer, my diamond. Step down, my jewel.

At times she would stumble on non-existant petticoats, and when she opens her eyes she is once more on the top of the stairwell, and her king bids her to come closer.

Her feet bleeds. Her skin dries. By the banquet, she sees a beautiful woman with haunted eyes full of woe. In the next second, her ghosts and her ankh is forgotten, and Nuala tries stepping down the stairs once more, eyes fully closed. It is not about her. For once, it is about Nuala, and her lover, and she still has time, that wretched all-father. For once, it is about Nuala.

The ballroom is empty, but she feels the crowd pushing and pulling and shoving and laughing, just as they do back in the Faerie, from whence she had been plucked and moved and gifted to a veritable stranger in a land of mysteries and fear. A place that used to be home, but wasn't truly.

Her King awaits, and she reaches for him, grasping desperately. He would hold her, she knows, and he will tell her that everything is alright, and for a moment everything would be. For a moment she would have a home, and her love was not grief. Nuala tries again, and they push her away, like spiteful tides. Again, again, again.

He touches her, and Nuala imagines her tears like glass and quartz. He touches her, but not quite; a phantom sensation, and she knows he is once more out of reach. This is a memory.

But her eyes are closed and storm howls and sings. The window panes drums her a beat. So Nuala cries, and bleeds and dances.

The crowd sways with her, and she falls against them. His phantom touches leads, and he twirls her, and spins her, and dips her. Her arms reach towards the Heavens, and when the music of the storm fails her, her lungs constricts and Nuala screams.

It is agony. Liberty. Longing. Love. Her feet step on the broken glass of smashed window panes and tears, and she can no longer tell between the empty ballroom and her ghosts. Their gazes become suffocating, and she escapes through the side door, into her garden, into the Dreaming.

Everything is dying. She is not so special.

Fiddler's Green is a torn up wasteland, and the watering holes are dried and destitute. The storm cackles, and she looks into the Faces of the Three Who Are One. They rip him apart with their teeth, the Love of her life, and Nuala sobs and begs and falls to her knees.

This time, it is he who reaches for her.

She looks up to see Morpheus-not-Morpheus, the blank fresh nothingness of the eyes she had loved since she had laid her own upon him, what felt like centuries ago.

Nuala clenches her eyes shut, hoping to see the man she loves and for everything to go away and leave her alone, yet still the Furies cackle and the Dreaming trembles in their wake, and her King is bleak and pale as snow.

When he touches her, he is the wrong sort of cold.

"Sweet Nuala," he pleads, and she turns her head from him. If her lover was to change in force and agony, she wants to be right there with him. "Gentle Nuala. Loving Nuala. Please, let me take you home."

She shakes her head, burying her hands desperately in her hair, streaked with debris and dishevelled from the winds. Her feet crack and bleed, and her cheeks stain with tears. Her breath shortens. There is no great Beyond, for a Thing like her. Her home was her Lover, and her Lover was dead.

"My Nuala," the new King whispers. "Won't you look at me, one last time?"

There were many things she could've said. They choke her and burns the back of her throat like nightshade and Ivy, yet still her heart blooms. She is angry. She is helpless. She asks him, "Why?"

"Why?"

"You were loved. I had loved you. My King, I had everything on offer, and had you simply reached out and tried we could have-I could-,"

Her voice breaks and fails her. His eyes, white as bone, soften like crushed velvet.

"My King," she asked. Around them, her dreams fall apart. "Why did you fall?"

He hums. "Would you have loved me if I couldn't?"

"I would have loved you. Nevertheless."

He looks away. "I am sorry." He says, and Nuala believes him.

She had given him everything, and it was buried alongside him. All that was left of her was her Dream of him.

"I'm ready." She finally says. "To wake."

The King steps forward, and he plants on her a sweet kiss. When she reaches for the pendant, when she had made her last wish -one last Dream- she could almost pretend it was everything she ever wanted.

"Thank you," she says. "For coming."

Daniel smiles sadly. "He had promised. You called."

She had.

"This dream is over."

And Nuala wakes.

#dream of the endless #the sandman #sandflower #nuala of the faerie #choice of fic #nuala day #nuala birthday event #i bet my phineas and ferb followers are SOOOOO confused rn sorry gang #i contain multitudes #daniel hall

[cutiecrpze]

Lucien Moreau

Name: Lucien Moreau

Nicknames: Young Master, Master, Housewarden, Black Dragonfish (Floyd), Roi des Bêtes ( Rook)

Age: 18

Birthday: November 22nd

Height: 183cm

Species: Human??

Family: Mother, Father

Homeland: Land of Pyroxene

Twisted From: The Beast ( Beauty and the Beast)

Class: 3-A

Dorm: Rosalune

Occupation: Student

Club: N/A

Best Subject: Defense Magic

Dominant Hand: Right

Favorite Food: Bouillabaisse

Least Favorite Food: Salade Landaise

Likes: Solitude, Gardening, His servants, members of Rosalune.

Dislikes: Social Events, Using his Unique Magic, Pushy people.

Talents: Gardening

Hobbies: Gardening, Spending time in his room.

UM: Ravaging Monster: When used, Lucien can turn into a monster, similar in form to that of the Lonely Beast. He gains a massive strength boost in the process. However, each time he uses his unique magic, his regular form slowly becomes more beast like.

Personality: The Housewarden of Rosalune is as secluded and cold as you expect him to be. He perceives all those who aren’t members of Rosalune as some sort of threat, and isn’t very welcome of visitors. He rarely shows up to Housewarden meetings, much less to school in general. He’s also known for being very temperamental and is prone to lash out at others. Though, if one looks beyond what he is perceived as, they may find someone else underneath the beast he makes himself out to be..

Backstory: Will be revealed soon.

Trivia:

Though he usually has his hair down, he enjoys when someone brushes it or styles it, as long as that someone is a very trusted friend of his.

He has a soft spot for small animals and people with kind personalities.

He’s extremely touch starved (lol, do with that as you will)

#faye’s ocs #twisted wonderland oc #faye’s adventures in wonderland #twisted wonderland #twst oc #faye talks too much #rosalune #for the first time ever faye makes a male oc #ugh im so proud of myself #Lucien Moreau

[laxmiree]

[CN] MLQC’s Lucien Reunion Date English Translation

⚠️ SPOILER ALERT!! ⚠️

This post contains a detailed spoiler for a date that has not been released in EN yet! Feel free to notify me if there are any mistakes in the translation~

Lucien’s 2023 CN Birthday Event (The New World)✧ Birthday Story | Birthday Prologue | Birthday Date (You're here!) | ASMR | Birthday Party

It turns out that on a day like this, I'm allowed to have both loneliness and warmth at the same time.

Translation under the cut~

Special thanks to @/ivioivioivi for helping me translate some sentences. I am really thankful that you replied to my messages even in odd hours :"D.

[T/N: I don't want to break the flow, so I'll say it now. You need to at least read Lucien's 3rd birthday date and phone call (Looking Back Date+ Saplings of Love Phone Call) first to understand half of the date. It's even better if you've read all of his birthday dates and birthday R&S/stories. YEARS worth of build-up pays off wonderfully and painfully on this date :". Some non-birthday dates that get referenced/I think are important to understand his growth are:

Standstill date (I forgot the official EN localization of this date, so here is the fan translation ver of it. The 'old game' in this Reunion Date is a reference to this date).

Wild Luxury Date (not a direct reference, but MC's idea to book a B&B for his birthday can be traced back to them going to a wild luxury hotel LOL. Because of the 'memorable things' that happened here, they've been exploring many kinds of hotels ever since then.

Tidying-up date (The date dives deep into how Lucien dealt with his pain and grief- that is, by trying to abandon them because he didn't know any better, there's no time to slow down and properly deal with it :". But because of the 'complex feeling' (that he FINALLY got to understand in Reunion Date) he's unable to do so.

Also, a casual reminder that his birthday is also his parents' death anniversary since they got into a car accident during his 7th birthday- it'll come into play on this date ;).

ANYWAY, this date is such a TREAT for ppl who have been liking him for years and watching him grow slowly.

[Subtitled Video Ver - TURN ON CC]

VERY recommended to follow along with the voice acting for a more complete experience! It's just that he never sounded this vulnerable before :"". And BGM choice is really superb hhhh. I don't expect them to use that angsty BGM from last anniv.

[Transcript Ver]

I'm looking at the phone screen with one minute left on the countdown and placing the candle into the cupcake I secretly baked in the evening.

MC: 51, 52, 53......

I silently count the time, and at the last second, I push Lucien's study door open and turn off the lights.

MC: Happy birthday to you~

MC: Happy birthday to Professor Lucien, the smartest professor in the world~

The dim candlelight gently illuminates Lucien, who is sitting at the desk. He seems stunned for a moment, but soon, a joyful smile fills his eyes.

Lucien: So, the idea of celebrating my birthday at a B&B was just part of your surprise.

MC: I can't have you guessing everything. I still need to prepare some unexpected surprises for the birthday boy.

It's rare that Lucien doesn't have to go on a business trip this year, and there are no additional work assignments at the institute.

So, I booked a B&B in advance, taking two days off together. We'll celebrate his birthday while enjoying a brief vacation.

I smile and place the cupcake on the table, brushing away the strands of hair that hang in front of his eyes.

MC: And since we're both on vacation, every second from now on is worth celebrating.

MC: So, it's now a special midnight blessing time~

Lucien: [chuckles] And what blessing are you going to give me?

He wraps his arm around my waist, allowing me to sit on his lap.

His deep pupils dive into the depths of my eyes along our pressed foreheads, and even our breaths become intimate.

MC: Hmm... Midnight blessings mark the beginning of your birthday, so I'll start by wishing you... to be yourself on this day.

His pupils briefly contract, and it seems like even his breath has slowed down a bit.

MC: Usually, we often do things we don't particularly like for various reasons.

MC: Whether it's playing a role or fulfilling responsibilities, life is often filled with many “have to's”.

MC: But the privilege of a birthday means that today, you are the most important person in the world.

MC: So, on this day, do everything you want to do and be as comfortable as you can be.

MC: That's my midnight blessing.

The candlelight light is long, silently enveloping both of us and turning this small space into the whole world.

Lucien: (whispers hoarsely) Then I'll accept it.

His warm breath touches my lips, lingering into the first long trailing note of a wish.

-----------------------------------------------------------------------------

After he blows out the candle and finishes the cake, I follow his wish and nestle into Lucien's embrace.

I occasionally use my gaze to trace his face. Although I don't know what he's busy with, I'm happy to spend every moment with him.

Spending it in silence is fine too.

Lucien: Several student papers that I was helping to mentor were sent over just in time. I'll finish them quickly.

MC: Take your time reading them~ This way, I'm also absorbing the essence of wisdom.

He arches his eyebrows, leans against my head, and then shifts his gaze back to the screen.

The mouse wheel sound bears witness to the continuously flipped text, and suddenly, I detect a brief moment of silence.

Lucien appears to have no reaction. His gaze is lingering and seems to have also frozen in this moment.

Did he encounter any problems?

I tilt my head and find the cursor paused beside a cited reference, flickering silently.

An obscure and minuscule string of English appears in the lower corner, with only "1996.98~99" discernible.

Lucien: MC.

MC: Lucien?

Our simultaneous saying left me momentarily stunned, and he seemed to be surprised as well. The hold around my waist tightened imperceptibly.

MC: What's wrong?

Lucien: (tenderly) Nothing, I just wanted to call your name.

Lucien: In order to give you my undivided time for the next two days, I just need a little more time.

Lucien: (softly) You go ahead and sleep.

MC: (smiles) Don't stay up too late then.

With a familiar warmth beside me, I don't say much. I simply raise my head and lightly peck his lips, only to realize that he hasn't let go of my hand.

Lucien: Just stay by my side, I'll take care of getting you back into bed with me.

—-------------------------------------------------------

When the alarm clock goes off, I sleepily roll over and discover that the other side of the bed is empty.

The hour hand has just pointed to six o'clock, and I shake off my drowsiness, getting up to search for Lucien's figure.

MC: Did he leave this early? There isn't anything urgent at the research institute, is there…

I'm contemplating whether to send him a message when the door is pushed open.

Lucien is uncharacteristically dressed formally, and I wonder how long he's been outside as he's covered in the chilly air of early autumn.

He probably doesn't expect me to wake up so early, but he just stands there indifferently.

It's as if he's stripped away all emotions and turned into a blank slate in human form.

Somehow, I don't ask him where he went. Instead, I walk over and instinctively take hold of his somewhat stiff and cold hand, placing it against my own face.

MC: Why didn't you wear a scarf? Come here quickly-

Before I can finish speaking, he envelops me in his embrace.

It's an incredibly tight embrace.

Lucien doesn't say anything, yet it's as if he's telling me something.

I simply tighten my hug, letting this silence continue.

The chill fades away as if bidding farewell, and the person in my embrace slowly opens his mouth.

Lucien: (quietly) MC, I went to do something very important.

Lucien: It feels like I'm years late, but fortunately, nothing has changed.

I can't see Lucien's face at this moment, but I can only feel his voice, soft as if not wanting to disturb a certain tranquility.

Lucien: But because of this, I seem to have some new questions.

Lucien: Can you help me with these things I haven't quite figured out yet?

He speaks vaguely, yet there's a genuine sincerity in his words.

A vague idea forms in my mind, something that I can't pin down, but I don't want to put off either.

I gently brushed his bangs with my fingers and looked at him calmly.

MC: Of course, I'm willing to help. How do you want me to help you?

This question seems to have stumped Lucien. He ponders for a while and then smiles helplessly.

Lucien: I don't know either.

MC: Well, it's wonderful. The world has left you with a special puzzle on your birthday~

Lucien that's somewhat at a loss makes me unable to suppress my laugh.

MC: It's okay. After all, growing up doesn't necessarily mean always moving forward. I'll help you find the answers.

—-------------------------------------------------------

I lead him into the living room, where the golden sunlight streams over the horizon, casting its glow upon us.

MC: But since student Lucien doesn't have a direction, I'll have to guide you in my own way, so you better cooperate with me.

Lucien: I'm more than willing, Teacher MC.

MC: Very well. First... let's start by filling our bellies!

—--------------------------------------------------------

After eating, as Lucien places the suitcase in the trunk, I suddenly recall something and retrieve the car cooler from the storage room.

Lucien: It seems that Teacher MC is indeed well-prepared.

MC: Hehe, I must protect my main course well~

And this way, you can go wherever you want.

I don't want to impose any pressure on him, so I simply think to myself and smoothly take the driver's seat.

MC: Today, let me be the escort for the birthday star.

Lucien: What if I also wish for MC to enjoy herself?

MC: You can't use the blessings I gave you against me!

I laugh and pinch his nose. Before starting the car, I come up with a great idea.

MC: Let's play an old game.

Lucien: Aren't we supposed to go to the B&B you booked?

MC: We have plenty of time, so we can have some fun before heading to our destination.

MC: No need to rush, taking it slow is also good. It's also the birthday star's privilege.

Lucien: [chuckle] I can't help but want to be this willful birthday star every day now.

MC: In that case, I'm fully on board!

I grip the steering wheel with both hands, waiting for his response.

MC: So, what's the number in your mind?

Lucien: How about... 389?

MC: Got it!

I enter the number into the map app and, without any reservations, start the car towards the unfamiliar location 18 kilometers away.

I don't drive too fast along the way. Rather than rushing to the destination, it's more about enjoying the scenery along the route. I ask him for the next random number when we encounter red lights.

MC: When did they start repairing the bridge here?

Lucien: It seems they started construction last year, and judging by the progress, it should be completed within the next six months.

Lucien: I hadn't noticed that park over there before.

MC: I remember that this place used to be a lake?

Lucien: Mm, they probably redesigned the walkway, and it seems like cars aren't allowed in anymore.

With Lucien's various choices, we leisurely travel the road, watching this extremely familiar city give birth to new branches in unfamiliar corners.

Time has always been silent, seeping into every crevice, every building, every plant, and every person's face.

The city also seems to be growing up with us, shedding a certain part of itself and transforming into something more fresh and new.

And as Lucien and I walk through these changes together, it's hard to say whether I feel more nostalgia or anticipation.

Until the red light appears, I have no idea where I've driven us to.

In the unfamiliar scenery, warm light falls upon Lucien's face.

MC: Now, do you have any places you'd like to go or things you'd like to do?

This time, I didn't ask him for a random number but instead posed a question during this brief moment of silence.

Perhaps it's only after walking many paths that you'll discover the one you want to take.

The red light flickers and the countdown numbers slowly extend into his field of vision.

Lucien: I want to... look at the flowers.

—-------------------------------------------------------

Under Lucien's guidance, we continued to drive for a while.

The unknown world gradually added familiar sights, and the road ahead also widened.

The road of the old street is wider than it was three years ago, as if it had been freshly paved with asphalt, shining brightly in the sunlight.

Heading uphill all the way, not far ahead, I can vaguely see a massive white building.

Unlike the last time, Lucien confidently directs the way this time—until we park in the parking lot next to the white building.

In the distance, the hills and fields are vibrant, and osmanthus flowers dance silently in the wind like tiny specks of light.

They complement this massive white building, radiating splendid beauty, which makes my eyes well up with emotion.

It turns out that something new has already bloomed on that empty lot.

MC: So, this hospital has already been built…

Lucien: Um, it will officially open to the public in a few months.

Lucien shows no intention of getting out of the car and calmly gazes ahead.

I also follow his gaze. The hospital is surrounded by hills and forests, and we listen to the distant chirping of insects, telling the secrets of the wilderness.

The wind rustles through the leaves, and the lush greenery and deep red hues cast beautiful light and shadow under the sunlight.

MC: Were these trees here before?

Lucien: I believe they were also transplanted here in the past two years.

I lean against the steering wheel, looking at the scenery in front of me that is entirely different from what I remember, and I can't help but not know how to describe my feelings.

MC: Can a hospital be built so quickly?

Lucien: Of course, it's even faster since this hospital is a crucial project for expanding clinical teaching bases in Loveland City.

He said it naturally, causing my gaze to unconsciously shift back at him.

Perhaps my gaze is too probing, so Lucien casually slumps down on the right side of the dashboard.

Lucien: Actually, I've been here a few times before due to work reasons.

Lucien: While their primary research focus is orthopedics, they also want to incorporate related studies in neuroscience to treat more complex and critical diseases.

Lucien: That's why the hospital director approached me for a collaboration.

MC: You surely agreed, right?

Lucien: Do I appear so easy to persuade?

MC: You're far from being easy to persuade.

I reach out and gently caress his cheek that's nestled between his arms.

MC: (smiles softly) It's clear to me that you've always known what you want to do.

In the sunlight, Lucien seems to smile more comfortably. He nuzzles my palm, bringing himself closer to me.

Lucien: Although they are still lacking in clinical expertise in neuroscience, Lucien's Bioscience Research Center has already signed an agreement with this hospital.

Lucien: I will provide them with the necessary research theoretical support.

Lucien: However, to bridge some gaps, I recommended one of my former classmates from my doctoral program to them. Whether they can persuade him to join depends on the efforts of the hospital director.

Lucien appears nonchalant, but I can hear so much sentiment in his words.

It's Lucien's own research institute that concluded the collaboration, and even though he's aware of the shortcomings on the other side, he still chose to cooperate.

He probably unconsciously hopes that the things that are growing anew on that land will turn into something even more beautiful.

Perhaps because I've been staring at him, Lucien seems to have also understood the unspoken words I haven't uttered.

Lucien: The reason I agreed may be because, at some moment, I felt like I had touched upon a coincidence called fate.

MC: Should scientists believe in these things?

Lucien: [chuckle] It's needed once in a while.

We can't help but laugh together.

MC: How about we get down and go for a walk?

MC: Perhaps fate has other words to speak within this coincidence.

While that's what I'm saying, I actually don't know what else fate might have to say.

We don't enter the hospital; instead, we aimlessly stroll around.

That empty lot is no longer just a distant memory, nor does it remain stagnant in its place.

We walk up the hill and see a slightly small but uniquely looking shop by the side of the side road.

It quietly nestled amidst the woods directly facing the hospital, the rich aroma of coffee blending gently with the scent of fresh grass.

MC: This shop is also new, right?

Lucien: Indeed, I didn't expect a new coffee shop to open here.

Our gazes collide, and in each other's eyes, we see the same expectation.

MC: Let's go check it out then!

The simple and elegant decor made the whole café look clean and bright.

There's only one owner in the store, even though it's not yet opening time, she warmly welcomed us.

Owner: I didn't expect to have customers at this time.

Owner: The sunshine is lovely today. Why don't you two sit over here and enjoy the beautiful scenery?

She says as she leads us to a floor-to-ceiling window on the south side. Looking at the scene in front of me, I unconsciously hold my breath.

Emerald green, golden yellow, and crimson red – time unfolds the colors it has painted to depict life in front of this window.

It's as if the four seasons silently cycle, but at this moment, it kindly extends all of its vistas, leaving the shadow of time here.

Owner: Not far away, they've built a new hospital, and it seems the director is very environmentally conscious as they've planted many trees in the vicinity.

Owner: Looking out of this window, there are two very special trees, and I observe that only during this season of the year is there such a unique view.

MC: ...It's really beautiful, thank you for your recommendation!

After thanking the boss, we're sitting in front of that window.

Lucien gazes out of the window, slightly lost in thought. The colorful light and shadows fall delicately on him, as if embracing him, sinking him into the shade of the trees.

MC: I wonder if this place is directly facing the window where the little boy used to be.

He pauses for a moment and looks at me amidst the gorgeous display.

MC: At this moment, can we also see the four seasons in his eyes when he looks outside the window?

Lucien: (smiles while looking away) Probably so.

Lucien: After all, it's what has grown anew on this land.

His voice is heavy and resolute.

MC: That's wonderful.

Lucien: Hmm?

MC: They are so beautiful, it's truly wonderful.

Memories are now distant and unattainable, but they still remain here. And in such a birthplace, all the beauty that has grown is so delightful.

MC: Perhaps this painting-like scenery is also a gift from fate to you.

Beneath the play of light and shadow, the girl's face is filled with the colors of sunshine, and she smiles warmly.

Lucien always feels that the emotions that he couldn't figure out the answer to seem to open a small crack, allowing even more indescribable feelings to pour out.

When discussing the collaboration compensation, he proposed donating two trees in the name of the research institute as a partial substitute for the hiring fee.

At every moment when he came here alone, he could clearly feel the spreading branches and twigs.

Perhaps, the meaning of time lies in the fact that nothing stays in one place, and this is also a form of trace and continuity.

It's just that, some changes would be better if they happened slower.

He always selfishly thinks this way.

Lucien: Probably... it really is a gift, isn't it?

Lucien: However, there may be more to it than just fate.

The colorful world is distant yet clear, all frozen in the eyes.

Because of you, I can see the traces of time so clearly.

It turns out that everything has passed for so long, long enough that I'm almost forgetting the name of this feeling.

It turns out that on a day like this, I'm allowed to have both loneliness and warmth at the same time.

It turns out that what I felt was sadness.

—--------------------------------------------------------

=Flashback Start=

The cemetery in the early morning is dark and solemn, with only a few stars twinkling in the sky.

The streets at four o'clock were too deserted, so Lucien bought a particularly simple bouquet of flowers from a newly opened stall at the door.

He passed through the freshly painted iron gate and walked slowly along the gravel path.

The paper's reference seemed to pull him into the light and shadow of time that he couldn't speak or think of yet also couldn't forget.

There were always two busy figures, always smiling with their eyes forever gazing into the distance.

These long-ago scenes that feel more like yesterday are strangling his breath and cutting open his wound today.

The time devoured by enduring anxieties of emptiness returns in its entirety today, as it does on all other 'todays'.

Some kind of longing dug into the wound, causing him to suddenly pause before tucking the girl in his arms into the quilt.

He pondered for a long time, and in the end, he decided to put on a suit.

That period of time was like this road, neither long nor short, but he spent many years on it.

Lucien stopped before the graves, gazing at the familiar names on it, and heaved a long sigh.

What should he say? He didn't know.

He simply gently placed the flowers down and reached out to touch the name on the tombstone.

The dust had settled in the gaps, and he cleaned it meticulously, even those stubborn stains were carefully wiped away.

He silently gazed at those two clean names, looking at them again and again.

Lucien: I seem to... miss both of you.

Today belongs to both of you, yet it also feels like it belongs to me.

When I abandon my name, I can treat it as a day that only belongs to me.

Now that I stand before you, does it mean that the distant past has slowly arrived at my side?

When I leave, the time left for you both will come to an end, and the time ahead should be reserved for her, or maybe for the me who's blessed by you.

Is that okay?

Lucien knew that no one would provide him with an answer. He simply sat there, no longer dwelling on anything.

He didn't know how long he had been sitting there, until the slowly approaching light from the distance began to illuminate him.

=Flashback End=

—--------------------------------------------------------

MC: You can open your eyes now!

Lucien opens his eyes under my guidance, and I happen to collect the last decoration.

Lucien: The issues troubling me seem to have somewhat disrupted your preparations.

MC: That's not entirely true.

Noticing that Lucien has picked up on some clues, I place the cake on the small couch and pull him down to sit.

MC: No matter how grand the birthday celebration is or how it is celebrated, the focus should be on the person who is celebrating it.

MC: You are the most important.

MC: Everything I've done is simply in the hope that they can appear more fittingly before you.

The warm light falls on the small arched couch, enclosing our figures leaning against the glass within it.

Outside, it started raining at some point, the raindrops hitting gently against the window. Much like the indescribable feelings, the world was shrouded in a misty haze.

Lucien: It feels like we're inside an egg here.

MC: Right? I think so too.

MC: So, let's just imagine we've briefly returned to the state before venturing into the human world and taking a rest here.

Lucien: Hmm, what's outside the window then?

MC: Outside the window is the place we'll go to.

MC: It might rain today, it might be clear tomorrow, or there might be a sandstorm.

MC: Every day, the weather will be different, there will be many sad things, and there will also be many happy moments.

Lucien: Can sadness and happiness... exist at the same time?

MC: Of course they can.

MC: Because they are both important to you.

I gently stroke his brow and gaze deeper into him through those eyes filled with emotions.

Lucien: (in the most fragile tone you ever hear-) ….Then, can you hug me?

I don't speak; instead, I answer him with my actions.

Perhaps I had also waited for a long time, waiting for him to come to me, letting me accompany him and giving me the right to comfort him.

Lucien: I went to meet some very important people today.

MC: Um.

Lucien: I miss them very much.

MC: Mm.

Lucien: But I feel happy again because of you.

I bite my lower lip hard and feel my eyes slightly welling up.

Lucien: I don't know how to handle these emotions, but I also feel a bit childish like this.

MC: I don't think so. I really like you just the way you are now.

MC: Being candid and clumsy, like a child without any worries. It's a kind of growth for you too.

Lucien: But today is obviously my birthday, isn't?

MC: It's precisely because today is your birthday that you can be like this.

I can't help but hug him even tighter.

MC: Sometimes, I feel as if we're growing up like layers of an onion, with each year wrapped around the last.

MC: Even though you're growing older, you still have all the previous ages you've been.

MC: You are also the 26-year-old Lucien, the 20-year-old Lucien, the 18-year-old Lucien, the 14-year-old Lucien – you are every version of yourself from different time periods.

MC: So, you can think rationally, but you can also be indifferent; you can be passionate, yet feel discouraged at times.

MC: When we grow up, we don't abandon ourselves. Every version of you from the past is still within your heart.

MC: You will see them, comfort them, and accept them.

Behind me, Lucien is silent, but the slightly tightened arms seem to quietly reveal something.

MC: What did the ten-year-old Lucien do today?

Lucien: Mm... I read a very special book.

MC: And what about the fourteen-year-old Lucien?

Lucien: I went to Venice, took photos at the Bridge of Sighs, and accidentally dropped my camera.

MC: Hmm, and what about when you were seventeen?

Lucien: Spent an entire night in my own independent laboratory.

MC: Wow, you! You didn't pull an all-nighter at twenty as well, did you?

Lucien: When I was twenty… I was given a graduation ceremony that I think is a bit special now.

MC: And what about you today?

He slowly lifts his head, his soft fingertips caressing my cheek.

Lucien: I went to meet important people

Lucien: And returned to your side.

MC: So you see, today may be your birthday, but it's also a special book day and a day for a bit of luck to escape.

MC: It can be an all-nighter day or a day for sleep. It's your graduation ceremony, and it's also the day of your important people.

MC: It doesn't just belong to happiness, it simply belongs to you.

MC: Happy birthday, Lucien. You don't have to be just happy.

The droplet on the glass window reflects the candlelight, resembling burning osmanthus petals as if time itself has paused by our side.

Lucien finally smiles, his eyes sparkling.

Lucien: I think, I know what wish to make now.

He wraps my hands together in his and looks at the candlelight.

It seems like he's saying a lot of wishes, and only after a while does he rest his forehead against mine.

MC: I hope all your wishes come true.

Lucien: Well, this Miss will have to work hard because it's not just from the present me.

Lucien: I just took the opportunity to make up for all those days I forgot to make wishes.

MC: Right now, I feel like I'm accompanying the past you.

MC: Would you call me silly for feeling this way?

Lucien: (whispers softly) Of course not.

His warm lips gently cover mine, devout and solemn.

Lucien: Furthermore, for the future me, the present is my past.

At the moment the candles were blown out, the sound of fireworks bursting in the distance could be heard. Colorful fireworks exploded outside the window, decorating the night sky.

It turns out that the rain had silently stopped at some point.

Lucien: It looks like there will be fireworks outside the window.

MC: It's welcoming you.

At this moment, there are less than 10 minutes left until the end of Lucien's birthday.

I grab his hand and run out of the B&B, running onto the street.

The street scene is incredibly lively, and for some reason, the celebratory fireworks keep lighting up the night sky, leaving colorful streaks in their wake.

Pedestrians pause for a moment, and I hold Lucien's hand. We walk through the crowd and I excitedly turn back to him.

MC: Lucien, it's wonderful that you came into this world.

MC: Thank you for coming into this world, thank you for coming to my side.

Another burst of fireworks soars into the sky, and the world is so beautiful, as if gathering all the colors of this moment into his eyes.

All the accumulated emotions are like the fireworks at this moment, making him vibrant and alive.

I see him take my hand and wrap his other arm around my waist.

Perhaps this isn't even a dance, we're just embracing each other and spinning around while laughing.

It seems like only the two of us exist in the world.

Lucien: MC.

I hear him calling my name.

Lucien: Thank you, for giving me this beautiful world as a present.

MC: Then I hope even more that whether I participate in your world or not, you will have the beauty of the whole world.

Lucien: Don't worry.

Lucien's eyes are filled with a smile, and the lamp's warm glow makes him look incredibly bright.

Lucien: All my time is as dazzling as you.

-

[Phone Call- coming soon]

-

[Lux's small rambling corner]

Dying rn after two sleepless nights, so I'll say a little for now and will add more after resting for some days orz. But really, I think what makes this date good can be felt with heart. Every single sentence is golden and worth to be screaming about hnghhh.

Where should I start??? Everything about this date feels perfect. I don't even know where to begin🥹 I genuinely think this one is his best birthday date. The pay of years' worth of build-up and the metaphors are perfect, and GOD, how this date consists of everything that makes them unique and lovable to me.

I didn't anticipate that the writers would skillfully weave together past birthday dates on this occasion. Honestly, I wouldn't mind if this marks the final instance centered around the theme of the past self. Embracing every version of your past self that makes up 'you' is truly a fitting conclusion.

It's INSANE how his writers are able to build up the whole thing over the span of 6 YEARS like??? The way his change and growth happen little by little as we accompany him in those years, watching him now just being himself, frankly expressing his emotions and longing, and taking the initiative to be vulnerable for the first time, I can't help but feel emotional sob sob. Trust me, I CRIED the first time I read that part when he asked for a hug. We've seen him being vulnerable before, but him being the one who takes the initiative is an entirely different matter. I mean, Lucien????? the same guy that says he's okay when he got heatstroke???/hj.

Anyway, with each birthday, Lucien seems to discover something new. Like last year when he finally found a place that can be called home, this year, what he found was the loneliness and sadness from the past that he hid so deeply because he just didn't understand and had no time to deal with it. After his parents' death he give himself a new name and abandoned his old one. Like cutting off his past memories, put them in small box, locking them and hid them. Back then, he probably thought that he would never open that 'box' again and he would eventually forget its existence. But every time he get reminded of them, like in this date when he saw their names in reference he'd see the key of that 'box', reminding him of its existence.

Now, because of his encounter with her, he is gradually able to slow down, slowly understand his feelings and emotions. And so, he finally opened that 'box', went to the cemetery to see his parents and clumsily told them what he unconsciously always wanted to say, letting years of sadness and missing from losing them filled him. With this, he also slowly accept his every past self.

Like the fireworks after the long rain, his present self is alive and vibrant. Be it sadness or happiness, Lucien, I'm glad that now you can experience and accept both.

#he never take initiative to be vulnerable so when he did in this date I- #GENUINELY this is my fav birthday date like ever? #such a perfect pay off from YEARS worth of build up sob sob #mlqc lucien #mlqc #mr.love queen's choice #mlqc translation #mlqc cn #mlqc spoiler #Youtube

[gaymergirlie]

What if Lucien and Caryalind bought/settled in proudspire manor after in-game events and just lived a quiet, domestic life?

Lucien would have just the messiest office filled with disorganized bookshelves and dwemer trinkets. Stacks of parchment covered in scrawled diagrams and drafts of song lyrics are scattered everywhere, a toppled bottle of ink staining one forgotten pile.

Caryalind would his own little sewing nook. He makes it his mission to one-up Khash every time they meet, and eventually he starts winning. He becomes quite the seamster, and Lucien looks especially dashing in the cerulean waistcoat he gifted him for his previous birthday.

They’d sleep curled around each other like cats in front of the fire during the colder months. Caryalind grows a particular liking for a coffee blend one of the market vendors sell. He’ll brew a mug for him, a cocoa for Lucien, and they’ll lounge in comfortable silence until the final embers flicker and die.

They wake with the sun. Lucien would marvel at the way Caryalind shines in the early light. The soft curls of his golden hair tickle his face as he snuggles in closer. And when he rolls over, the first thing his prince sees is the cosmos in Lucien’s eyes. Caryalind would press his lips against his forehead, and they’d sleepily exchange their “good mornings.”

#and no one knows how to cook help them please #caryalind x lucien #caryalind thallery #lucien flavius #caryalind skyrim #lucien skyrim #tesblr

[wannab-urs]

Outtakes - multiples vol 2

AO3 | Kofi | Main Masterlist | The Spreadsheet Masterlist | vol 1

Howdy folks!

Here's all the fics on my spreadsheet featuring multiples - that's MMF, MFM, FMF, FFM, and more! All of these fics feature a reader character + 2 or more other characters, usually 2 pedro boys but not always!

Summaries and tags are, in most cases, provided by the author - please be sure to read them as some of these fics may have content you do not wish to read.

Updated 3/27/2024

lost, found

Dieter one shot by @sp00kymulderr

When Dieter is hurt by the words of someone else, he turns to his art to help him. What he really needs is you.

homophobia, unsupportive family, bad family relationships, drug use, alcohol use, implied poly relationship, sex mentions, angst angst angst. There is an ezra in this, whether he is our ezra or not is up to you. writer projecting their emotions on to their favourite character.

Run Rabbit

Joel/Reader/Tommy series by @justagalwhowrites

It was just over a year after the world ended that you were captured by Joel and Tommy Miller. They're harsh, they're cold and they're killers. But, as a nurse, you're a valuable person to have around and he's not the worst thing wandering the wasteland that was the United States. And there might be more to these men than meets the eye.

Dom Joel, Threesome - MFM, Mildly Dubious Consent, Attempted Sexual Assault, Dead Dove: Do Not Eat, Stockholm Syndrome, Brat Tamer Joel, Canon-Typical Violence, Dom/sub Undertones, Anal Sex

Cabuorir

Oberyn/Din/Reader series by ToricTailor (AO3)

You would have torn the heavens asunder to stop it.

Fix-It, That's Not How The Force Works (Star Wars), Get This Man A New Ship, Smut, Threesome - F/M/M, Reader sandwich, Force-Sensitive Reader, Polyamory, DVP, more

He Knows

Joel/Reader/Tommy one shot by @psychedelic-ink

Joel knows you have a little thing for his younger brother so decides to indulge you for your birthday.

gonna state this very clearly: joel gets cucked by tommy and watches, everyone is consenting and it's discussed beforehand, piv, dirty talk, possessive!joel, daddy kink, size kink, established relationship between joel and reader, jealousy, some brotherly rivalry, facial, mild degradation kink, creampie

On the Verge of a Usual Mistake

Lucien/Reader/Dieter one shot by @gasolinerainbowpuddles

You've been avoiding your exes Dieter Bravo and Lucien Flores all night at this event, but you're forced to come to terms with how things ended in both relationships when they seek to right their wrongs.

this is truly just porn with minimal plot (I'm so proud of myself lol), Dieter and Lucien are messy exes, threesome activities, Twister but with genitalia, Daddy and Papi kinks

#fic recs #the spreadsheet digest #fanfiction recommendations #pedro pascal #pedro pascal fanfiction #pedro fics #pedro pascal character fanfiction

[spiritboxart713]

Happy Birthday Lunaris - October 13th

(ft. from left to right: Lucien, Tyler and Max!!)

It was my OC's birthday yesterday, so I drew this to celebrate! I don't usually draw birthday art for my characters, but it just so happened that his birthday this year coincided with a little event in the Fire Emblem community called FE OC Week, and I've been steadily throwing all of my OCs into the world of Three Houses as units, so I wanted to make this haha.

If anyone is interested in Luna and the others outside of the FE universe, please feel free to send an ask or message me, I'd love to share!

And if you are curious about them as FE units, head on over to my FE blog called ashes-of-ailell !! There's a bunch of stuff there!! :3 I'll be reblogging this over there to add some more stuff.

#oc art #my ocs #artists on tumblr #my art #sparrows art #lunaris (oc) #and I'll tag the others cause they're here too #lucien o'luain (oc) #tyler rose carter (oc) #maxwell j fletcher (oc)

[kingofsummer93]

Ex Luna Scientia

Summary:

Lucien Vanserra, seventh son of the Minister for Magic, is as loved by his peers as he is hated by his family. But behind the charm and irreverence hides a secret, as dark and menacing as the scar on his face.

Elain Archeron, middle sister in a trio of muggle-born witches, has only one wish: for someone to truly see her. Because when she sleeps at night, she can see it all.

Or- an Elucien at Hogwarts AU.

Chapter 1: The Letter and the Wolf

Ao3

Five years earlier 

Elain spent the entirety of her eleventh birthday staring at the mail slot. She had jumped out of bed before dawn, too nervous and excited to pretend to sleep for one more minute.

Down the hall she had crept, and then down the stairs, careful to avoid the creaky spots to avoid awakening anyone. Elain didn’t need her sisters’ teasing, or her parents’ gentle condescension.

She had been waiting a year for this, ever since Nesta had received that letter. Today would be the day her life changed, too, and she wouldn’t let them ruin it for her with their pity.

“Muggle-borns are extremely rare,” her father kept reminding her. “The likelihood that two would come from the same family…”

“Goodness, stop that nonsense,” her mother would chide. 

“You’re just jealous,” Nesta would sneer.

Even Feyre, at the wise old age of nine, thought herself an expert on the matter. “Nesta lit a trash bin on fire once, do you remember? You’ve never done anything strange like that, you clearly don’t have any magic.”

Elain hadn’t dared to remind Feyre that her memory of that event was faulty. It had been Feyre who had lit that trash bin on fire, not Nesta. Feyre had been five years old at the time, and Nesta hadn’t even been in the room.

But Elain remembered, and the knowledge that a letter would come for Feyre one day only made her more certain that one would come for her too.

Because what her parents and sisters didn’t realise was that Elain did have magic. It might have been less fiery that Feyre’s but Elain knew it. She had always assumed there was something wrong with her, there had been no words to explain how she did the things that she did. Until that day last summer, when a door had been opened onto a new world full of wondrous, endless possibilities.

She had never told anyone, but Elain could make things grow. Plants that were half dead would revive visibly at a mere touch of her fingers. Flowers that had no business growing in English soil in the middle of winter would bloom gloriously, fragrant and bright with colour.

How odd, her parents would say. And here I thought we were overpaying the landscapers. Shall we give them a bonus?

And then there were the dreams. The dreams that weren’t dreams, because the things she saw were real. As real as memories, with sights and sounds and tastes that echoed deep within her bones. 

A few months ago she had dreamt of a dozen dirty faces, their eyes wrecked with fear. They were stuck underground, no light, no water, no food. Elain could still hear their sobs when she closed her eyes. A week later there had been a story on the news about an explosion at a mine.

Elain had only caught certain words and phrases as the image of those men slammed into her mind.

Presumed dead, the lady on the telly said. Horrible tragedy…safety measures…our condolences….

“They’re alive!” Elain had blurted, jumping out of her chair. “They’re stuck, I saw it!”

“What? No, darling, those poor sods died in the accident…” her mother had said dismissively.

“But…I had a dream…” 

“This sort of news is much too violent for children,” her father complained. “Don’t worry about those men, sweetheart. Finish your broccoli.”

Elain hadn’t known how to explain it to them, when she couldn’t even explain it to herself. And so she had sat down and finished her broccoli, and that night in bed she had wept for those poor men. How long would it take for them to run out of air? Elain had no idea, but she knew those men were about to find out.

And so she was careful to not make one sound as she crept down the stairs and towards the front door. Her heart was racing, her breathing so ragged that she clamped her lips shut to remain quiet.

She pictured it in her mind, the thick parchment, the seal stamped in the wax. Her name written in that thin, slanted cursive.

Ms. Elain Archeron, it would say, we are pleased to inform you that you have been accepted at Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry…

Elain took a deep, bracing breath, unable to keep the smile off her face. Most of her books would be hand-me-downs from Nesta, but that was fine, because she would need her own robes, and scales, and a cauldron, and a wand. Elain was most excited about the wand. Nesta had been showing hers off all summer, practising hand movements wordlessly, since she wasn’t allowed to do magic outside of school.

Perhaps her parents would even let her get an owl. Nesta had chosen a cat, a skinny black thing named Lanthys that slithered through the house as quietly as a shadow. But Elain wanted an owl, that way she could write to her family whenever she wanted, and her parents would write back…

Elain stopped in her tracks as she rounded the corner and faced the front door. Nesta was standing there in her pyjamas, her hair still wild from sleep, as if she, too, had jumped straight out of bed. There was a mean little smile on her lips, and an unreadable expression in her blue eyes. She was holding a thick white letter in one hand, and a stack of colourful envelopes in the other. Elain’s heart skipped a beat. 

“Is that my…” she lurched forward, reaching for the letter, but Nesta held it out of her reach.

“My list of required books and equipment for second years,” she said with a smirk. “We’re allowed brooms this year, did you know?”

Elain blinked, her head swivelling to the stack of envelopes. Hers must be in there, then, surely…

“Birthday cards for you,” Nesta said, handing over the stack. “Happy birthday, by the way.” She smirked again, and then practically skipped down the hall, holding her letter to her chest. 

Elain waited until she could hear her sister bouncing up the stairs before tearing into the stack of letters. There were cards from her friends from school, from her aunt Millicent, and even one from the gardeners. Elain tore open each envelope, her panic increasing as each one revealed nothing but glittery, colourful birthday cards holding ten-pound notes.  When she had finally opened the last one she stared at the stack in disbelief and then threw the lot to the ground. 

A black cat taunted her from the front of a hot pink card on top of the pile. You’re 11? You gotta be kitten me right meow! 

As if on cue, Lanthys wove through her legs, settling himself on the pile of letters and looking up at her haughtily. I’m going back, the cat seemed to say. But you’re not going at all.

Elain couldn’t believe it. She didn’t believe it. She had to be going, she had to be a witch, how else to explain…

“Maybe the owl post comes later?” 

Feyre was standing in the hall, her expression so uncharacteristically sympathetic that it made Elain’s throat tight. And then her sister’s words registered.

Owl post. Yes- yes, of course, she was being silly, of course her letter wouldn’t come with the regular post. Except…

“But…Nesta’s letter was in the regular post…” Elain said sadly. 

Feyre bit her lip. Was she thinking of her own chances of receiving a letter in two years’ time? 

“Well, maybe the acceptance letters are sent separately?” Feyre suggested. “Nesta’s was hand-delivered last year…”

Elain thought of the burning trash bin then. How many other strange things had Feyre done that had been explained away? Now that she thought about it, there had also been that incident when Feyre had tried to cut her own bangs at the age of six, to disastrous results. The next morning, however, her hair had grown miraculously back. Elain was suddenly livid. 

“What would you know about it?” she snapped.

Feyre blinked, hurt and embarrassment flashing through her eyes. “Whatever…” she muttered, turning on her heel. Elain immediately felt rotten, but Feyre had already disappeared up the stairs.

“Maybe the acceptance letters are sent separately…”

It was her only hope. She would apologise to Feyre later. For now she would wait. 

With that decision made Elain marched into the living room and dragged an armchair until it had a view of the front door. And then she plopped herself down, and she waited.

Her parents tried to distract her with presents and cake and friends, to no avail. Her head was on a swivel, monitoring the door like a hawk. 

And then her birthday was over, and still she sat in that armchair, and she waited. It took four days for her mother to finally lose patience.

“Enough!” she snapped, standing in front of Elain with her hands on her hips. “You’re going to Saint Brutus’ School for Girls, and that’s that. Now stand up so I can take your measurements for the uniforms.”

But Elain would not stand, because doing so would admit defeat. And admitting defeat would bring on the tears, and Elain was not certain that she would ever be able to stop them once they started. She crossed her arms defiantly, staring at the door. 

Her mother was inhaling deeply, no doubt preparing to launch into a sermon, when there came a polite knock on the door.

“Are we expecting a visitor?” her father called from the kitchen.

Her mother frowned and turned towards the door, but Elain was quicker. She launched herself out of her chair and ran to the door before yanking it open. Her mother was tutting behind her, but the world seemed to slow down as Elain beheld the visitor standing on the front porch.

A deep brown complexion, shoulder-length black hair, onyx eyes twinkling with good humour. Robes of a deep blue so dark they were almost black, trimmed with embroidered golden sunbursts. He looked young and yet ancient at the same time, that dark gaze so intelligent that it seemed to pierce right into her mind. Elain had never seen him and yet she knew immediately who he was.

There was a sharp inhale behind her as her mother realised there was a wizard standing on her porch. In broad daylight, no less.

“Good day!” The man smiled, a full-toothed grin that made him look somewhat boyish. His voice was so deep and rich it seemed to rumble the floorboards. “Mrs Archeron, a pleasure to make your acquaintance.”

He inclined his head politely towards her mother, who had come to stand next to Elain. Her mother immediately started fiddling with the collar of her blouse, like she did whenever that newscaster she found handsome appeared on the nightly news.

“And you must be Elain,” he continued.

Elain flushed under that gaze, suddenly too shy and intimidated to speak. Her mother cleared her throat, having recovered from her shock.

“And how can we help you, Mr….?”

The man smiled again. “How rude of me, I haven’t introduced myself. My name is Helion Percival Wulfric Brian Spell-Cleaver. Headmaster of Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry. Might I come in? Dreadful, this rain, simply dreadful…”

The world tilted around Elain. She could do nothing but stare at the wizard in front of her, cowed into muteness. It took another several moments for her mother to recover as well. And then she launched into a flurry of movement, beckoning the man inside with a flourish, stuttering and flushing more wildly than Elain had ever seen her.

“Yes, of course, come in, come in, Mr. Helion, that is to say, I mean, Sir, Headmaster…”

“Helion will do,” the man said with a roguish grin, bringing her mother’s knuckles to his lips. The flush on her face intensified, spreading all the way to her hairline. “Professor Spell-Cleaver for you, of course,” he continued, winking at Elain conspiratorially.

“Molly dear, who was that at the door?” Her father poked his head around the kitchen door, his eyes widening comically as he took in the scene.

“Professor Spell-Cleaver?” Nesta had appeared at the bottom of the stairs, her voice no more than a squeak. Feyre was standing behind her, her eyes wide as saucers.

“Ms Archeron, how good to see you. I trust you’ve been enjoying your summer? And this must be Feyre.”

Feyre shrank back towards the wall, almost tripping over the cat in the process.

“Is this regarding Nesta’s marks?” her father asked, wringing his hands nervously. “We were so proud, she did so well, quite remarkable, really…”

Professor Spell-Cleaver smiled at her father. “Arthur, I believe? My dear fellow, I have to agree with that sentiment, though that is not the reason for my visit. I have come regarding Ms Elain.”

The world tilted around Elain once more. She was sweating and yet shivering all at once, still mute with awe. Silence met the headmaster’s words. Nobody moved, Elain even stopped breathing. Her eyes widened as the headmaster lifted a hand in midair. There was a faint pop, and then a letter appeared in his long fingers. 

“This was meant to arrive on your birthday, but it would appear there was a problem with the post…” he looked over Elain’s shoulder and gave Nesta a long, steely look. 

Nesta shuffled awkwardly and suddenly seemed to find the carpet immensely interesting. Elain gulped as the headmaster handed her the letter.

Ms Elain Archeron 

Second bedroom on the left 

No. 4, Privet Drive

Little Whinging

Surrey

Elain opened the letter with trembling fingers. The words blurred in front of her eyes. A long, shaky breath wooshed out of her as she realised that she had been holding her breath.

Ms Elain Archeron

We are pleased to inform you…

September the 1st, platform 9 ¾…

Please find enclosed a list of all necessary books and equipment…

Elain closed her eyes for a second, not daring to hope that this wasn’t a dream. But when she opened them again the letter was still in her hands, Professor Spell-Cleaver still smiling at her jovially.

It was real- it was happening. 

She was going to Hogwarts.

——————

Six years earlier 

“Give it back!” 

Lucien’s fists were shaking with anger as his brother leered at him, holding Lucien’s wand high in the air. Lucien jumped and tried to reach for it but Aiden was too tall. Liam and Kalan were egging him on, their identical faces split with cruel grins.

“Ikle baby Lucien, what will you do at Hogwarts without a wand?” Aiden drawled.

He bent the wand with his hands, testing its strength. Lucien’s heart was in his throat. He’d felt such a connection to his wand at Ollivander’s that he’d carried it around with him everywhere he went ever since. Ash wood with a dragon heartstring core. Agreeably bendy, but sturdy. It had sung to him, like a warm wind blowing right into his soul. He couldn’t do anything with it yet, but not having it on him felt unnatural. 

“Give. It. Back,” he demanded through gritted teeth.

His brothers only laughed harder, circling him like hyenas. If it had been one of the twins holding his wand Lucien would have already pounced, but they weren’t stupid enough to ever bully him alone. Aiden was making his wand twirl through the air now, with little flicks of his own wand. 

“I’m going to tell mum about this,” Lucien warned. To his horror his throat was tightening, his eyes itching. He could buy another wand, of course, but that one had chosen him. 

“You would, you little rat,” Aiden leered. Another lazy flick of his wrist, and his wand had disappeared completely.

Lucien gasped in horror as the twins howled with laughter.

“Better go find it, baby Lucien, before it sinks.”

The bog. Lucien’s heart sank. The wetlands at the back of his family’s country estate were notorious for gobbling up everything that had the misfortune of landing in it. Boots, balls, brooms. Lucien had even seen a baby fox sinking to his death in front of his eyes. He’d almost sunk himself while rescuing the animal, and his brothers had made fun of him for weeks.

His brothers’ laughter rang in his ears as he ran through the house, narrowly avoiding bowling over one of their house elves. Out the back door, across the deck, down the wide wooden stairs and onto the lawn. He was running so fast that he was practically tripping over his own feet. There was a vice squeezing his chest, and not just from the exertion. He wasn’t fast enough, he wouldn’t make it. The delicate, pristine wand, unused, untested, would sink, down down down into the graveyard deep inside the bog’s belly.

He was at the woods at the edge of the yard, branches whipping across his face as he bolted through the trees. And then-the swamp, dark and smelly and menacingly quiet. It was hopeless. He had known it was hopeless from the moment he’d started running. There was no sign of his wand anywhere, and wading through the swamp was pure folly.

A solitary tear rolled down Lucien’s face and he brushed it away angrily. The last thing he needed was for one of his dung-headed brothers to find him crying. He’d never hear the end of it. The only thought that brought him some comfort was the knowledge that his mother’s fury at his brothers would be unparalleled. Her wrath was truly frightening when she was angry. His father wouldn’t care, of course, a fact that never ceased to amuse his brothers.

Lucien turned on his heel, blinking away the image of the ash wood, smooth and unblemished, sinking through the swamp to join the rest of the detritus. Ash and dragon heartstring, 12 ½ inches. Perhaps Ollivander could make another one just like it…

And yet it wouldn’t be the same. It wouldn’t call to him, wouldn’t reach towards him like a flower leaning towards the sun. 

Lucien walked back into the woods, slapping branches out of his way angrily. When he reached his favourite oak he started climbing and didn’t stop until he reached the very top. He straddled a branch and leaned against the trunk, tearing at the bark until his fingernails cracked and bled.

Forty-two days. Forty-two days until he boarded that train and escaped his brothers. He would still have to deal with the twins, of course, but that was fine. They were hardly bigger than him and were both so dumb they had almost been forced to repeat their first year at Hogwarts. His father had been so livid that the headmaster had eventually relented. Lucien was glad, even though the humiliation it would have caused the twins would have amused him endlessly. Being at Hogwarts with them was one thing, but being in the same year would have been unbearable.

Lucien was so lost in thought that he didn’t hear the approaching footsteps, or the muttered Accio wand!

He didn’t hear anything at all until a loud pop split the air around him, startling him so much he had to scramble to prevent himself from falling off the tree. And then Eris was sitting on the branch across from him, a rare grin on his face.

“Baby brother,” he drawled.

Lucien was so glad to see his eldest brother that he didn’t even bother being mad about the nickname.

“I hear you misplaced this?” Eris held out his hand, and Lucien gasped in delight.

Ash wood, twelve and a half inches. Covered in mud and guck, but otherwise unmarred.

“My wand!” Lucien reached for it, and as soon as his fingers closed around the wood something purred in his chest, something that wove around his ribs like a rope of light.

“I told our dear brother that if he pulls something like that again it would be him at the bottom of the bog,” Eris said darkly. “Mum’s ripping him a new arsehole.”

Lucien snickered. “I thought you were spending the rest of the summer in London?”

Eris grinned. “Do I need a reason to come visit my favourite brother? And besides, that old house gets creepy with just me and dad.”

Lucien had to agree with that. He hated his family’s townhouse in London even more than he hated the stuffy country house. At least here he could escape outside, breathe in the fresh air, and climb trees until his limbs hurt. Even the bog was more appealing than their ancient, sombre townhouse, with the paintings that whispered ominously and the china cabinets full of creepy, sinister looking objects.

“I’m thinking of getting my own flat this year, Eris continued.

Lucien brightened. “Can I stay with you during holidays?” he asked excitedly.

Eris chuckled, his amber eyes twinkling. “Focus on making it through your first year at Hogwarts first, and then we’ll see.” 

Lucien flicked his wand, and red sparks fell from the tip like embers from a dying fire. It was all he had been able to do so far, although he could have sworn he had made a frog fly the other day. Although, now he thought about it, perhaps it had simply jumped…

“Are you excited? I was a nervous wreck on my first day.”

It was difficult for Lucien to imagine Eris as anything other than calm and confident, much less a nervous wreck. Lucien’s secret fear flashed through his mind at the thought of his first day at Hogwarts, and what it entailed. The stool, the hat that would search his mind and heart and look straight into his soul…

“What if the Sorting Hat puts me in Slytherin automatically?” he blurted, flushing with embarrassment at the admission. He hadn’t even told his mother about this fear. Yet he knew Eris wouldn’t make fun of him or tell anyone. 

Eris frowned, and Lucien’s flush deepened. Eris himself had been in Slytherin, along with the rest of their brothers, and their father, and every other Vanserra as far back as their bloodline went. His mother had been a Hufflepuff, and although that didn’t appeal to Lucien either, it would be preferable to Slytherin.

“The Sorting Hat is old and wise. It will see you for who you are, and not just for your last name and colour of your hair. If you truly don’t wish to be in Slytherin then you won’t be.”

It didn’t seem that simple to Lucien, but he nodded all the same. 

“Come, it’s getting dark. It’ll be time for supper soon.”

“I’ll be there soon,” Lucien replied, twirling his wand again. He wanted to try the trick with the frog again- or maybe a squirrel this time.

Eris chuckled again, as if he knew what Lucien was planning. “Fine, but don’t go near the bog.” 

He started to climb down the tree, swift and silent. “Chess after supper?” he called through the branches. 

“Sure!” Lucien called back absently, already scanning the surrounding branches for any sign of life.

When he didn’t find anything he climbed back down the oak, and scanned the forest floor. The sun set quickly in this part of the country, and soon he had to squint to avoid tripping on tree roots that littered his path.

He managed to find a squirrel, and Lucien could have sworn he made the animal puff up slightly. When the moon had fully risen Lucien decided to head back towards the house. Perhaps his mother would have been so angry at Aiden that she would have temporarily turned him into a small animal. She had done it before, and the thought brought a spring to Lucien’s step.

A wolf howled in the distance, and Lucien stopped in his tracks, his curiosity piqued. He’d seen plenty of foxes and coyotes before, but never wolves. Did wolves attack people unprovoked? A shiver went down his spine. Surely they didn’t? Perhaps just one glimpse from far away, and then he’d run back to the house just in case.

Lucien was still in the woods, the bog on one side and the yard leading to the house on the other. He stood still, and squinted through the trees. It was a full moon, and a silvery light illuminated the woods, making them more ominous than usual. A twig cracked behind him, and Lucien whirled. 

At first there was nothing but tree trunks, their branches twisting like crooked limbs. But then something moved, something larger than a regular wolf. And then the thing was in front of Lucien, and he was rooted to the spot in fear, as immobile as the ancient trees around him. 

It was larger than a wolf, larger than a grown man. Its limbs were elongated, its fur grey and matted. But it was the fangs that caught Lucien’s attention. Fangs as long as his fingers, barred towards him in a snarl. Lucien’s mind went blank with fear. 

A growl escaped from the beast’s throat, low and dangerous. It took a small step towards Lucien, its large paw almost silent on the mossy forest floor. That was when Lucien noticed the claws, somehow even more vicious looking than the fangs. 

That small step jolted Lucien into action. He whirled around and bolted through the trees, but the wolf was faster. One swipe of his powerful paw and Lucien was sprawling on the ground. Another swipe and pain exploded across his face as a scream ripped from his throat. His vision had gone red, he couldn’t see, couldn’t think past the agony. He felt moisture on his cheeks, dripping onto the mossy ground. Tears, or blood? He didn’t know, couldn’t tell.

His wand in his pocket, but even if he had had the presence of mind or strength to reach for it, he doubted that a shower of sparks would help him. 

His brother’s face flashed through his mind then. Eris. Eris had just been here, he knew Lucien was in the woods. He would worry when Lucien didn’t come in, someone would come looking for him.

The beast was lowering its head towards him. Lucien couldn’t see through the blood on his face but he could hear its ragged breathing, and smell its rank breath.

The last thought he had before those fangs sank into him was of the Sorting Hat, yelling out Lucien’s house for all to hear. 

And then those fangs were drawing blood, and the world went black.

#elucien #elucien fanfic #elucien fanfiction #lucien vanserra #elain archeron #Elucien at Hogwarts #Listen if you read my other fic you can't be surprised