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baldwin-montclair · 5 months

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Baldwin’s Nightingale (Part 20)

Characters: Baldwin Montclair/OC

Timeframe: Can safely say AU at this point, after Matthew and Diana go back in time and before they return

Summary: After escaping Benjamin (and Gerbert) with help of Rebecca’s magic, the trio arrive in Sept Tours. Questions demand answers, secrets are revealed and the newlyweds encounter a serious challenge to their marriage.

Spoiler Warning: TV Show canon S1-S2, goes AU after that, some Book of Life

Tag requests: @christi14 @poemfreak306 @pookie-cleary @hofficoffi @stormyheart326 @wonderlander594 @madamquacklemore @thereadersmuse @kynthiamoon @ordinarymom1 @fuzzyflowervoid @maybelightning @lady-lazarus-declermont @whoa-studymuch @shugensha

The Story So Far

Alisha swallowed hard as nobody moved for several seconds. Baldwin and Marcus had been interrupted mid-fight and the rest of the gathered creatures stood in reflex to the vampire brawl about to blow through the room.

“Becca,” Miyako grabbed her cousin’s arm, pulling her back, and putting herself between the bright-born and, potentially, her father.

Understanding what was possibly about to happen, Alisha joined Miyako in front of Rebecca.

Baldwin released Marcus and carefully regarded the three women.

“I see you returned my wife, safely, thank you Miyako,” Baldwin’s voice dripped with sarcasm, “I’m sure she simply got lost when this witch abducted her from the safety of her home.”

“You know she didn’t kidnap me,” Alisha answered back, causing both Miyako and Marcus to regard her with wide eyed fear, the latter even shaking his head in the hope to discourage her from provoking him.

“You know who I am,” Rebecca spoke up, drawing Baldwin’s ire from his wife and his daughter.

“I’ve known both who you are and where you have been for the last two weeks.”

“You let us think our friend was lost and in danger for all that time?” Nathaniel fumed.

“It was for their safety, the decision had nothing to do with you.”

“Stop this,” Ysabeau interjected calmly, regarding Rebecca with a flash of warm familiarity that Baldwin luckily did not see.

“That magic, I know it,” Sarah shook her head in confusion.

“You called her Rebecca.” Emily addressed Miyako.

“And Montclair called her a witch.” Sarah agreed.

“A witch and a vampire,” Marcus added, “with Matthew’s blood.”

“Papa,“ Miyako started carefully.

“Stop talking,” he warned and fixed his gaze upon Marcus.

“Take Madame de Clermont to our rooms, do whatever checks you need to do to ensure she is well.”

Marcus took a breath to argue but the look on Baldwin’s face was one he knew well.

Disagreement would not be productive.

“I’m fine,” Alisha argued, “and I’m staying with Rebecca and Miyako.”

“Miyako, escort our guest to my office,” Baldwin continued, ignoring Alisha’s protest, “I suggest the smaller reception room for your gathering Ysabeau, this one is much too draughty for warmbloods.”

“Wait-“ Sarah started but was led away by Em and followed behind by Nathaniel.

“Alisha, please,” Marcus held out his hand to gesture she lead the way and follow Baldwin’s directions.

Annoyed but with Baldwin, not Marcus, and not wishing him trouble, she relented and led Marcus and Phoebe to the turret.

Ysabeau glanced at her granddaughter then to Baldwin when the others had left.

“You know who she is?” He challenged.

“She has my blood, of course I know who she is.”

Baldwin sighed deeply crossing his arms and leant against the table.

Ysabeau recognised the exasperated, exhausted look as one frequently displayed upon his father when the strain of holding everything together became apparent.

She knew why he was struggling but would never say it as it would not be constructive.

He needed Matthew.

Alone, he was one half of the equation, the rod. Matthew was the carrot, Philippe had told her so himself, only together could they make things work.

Now, she believed for the first time that even Philippe failed to foresee the effect both of their mates would have on this equation.

“I will speak with her and Miyako, then, if you wish, you may converse with her.”

“What about Marcus and her aunts?”

“Of course Marcus can, but there is no way I’m telling my sisters about this.”

“Nor would I but I meant Diana’s aunts.”

“This is a family matter, the witches aren’t family.”

“They’re her family!” She told him firmly but carefully.

“Very well,” he grumbled and stood.

Ysabeau smiled and gave him a kiss on the cheek, leaving before he could process the caring gesture and before she could see the almost imperceptible quirk of a smile.

“Here,” Phoebe handed Alisha a glass of water from a nearby carafe, “drink this, you’re white as a sheet.”

Alisha noted her giving a concerned look to Marcus, in the process of him checking her pulse and blood pressure.

“Thank you,” Alisha took the glass gratefully, “Phoebe.”

“Vitals are fine and since I value my life I won’t ask what got you so afraid.”

“I’m not…” she trailed off as she saw Marcus regard her with doubt, “it’s best for both of us if you don’t.” Alisha agreed quietly.

“You’re concerned your husband would harm you?” Phoebe prompted.

“Phoebe,” Marcus warned.

“I know vampires have their rules, Marcus, but I won’t just sit back and let that…fucking brute abuse her.”

“Baldwin has never harmed me, and he wouldn’t,” Alisha assured her warmly, “but if I were ever in that situation I’d want a friend like you.”

“We’ll be family soon,” Phoebe corrected reaching out a comforting hand towards her shoulder, stopped only by Marcus catching her wrist firmly but gently.

“She’s been gone for two weeks, any new scent near her could set him off.”

“Your sister is a new scent.”

“No, she’s not, I can’t explain it but she seems to have my grandfather’s blood as well.”

“I thought vampires couldn’t have children biologically.”

“There’s a lot we’re still learning but it has happened before.”

Marcus looked questioning at Alisha.

“I can’t, anything I might say could change how things are supposed to play out. Only Rebecca knows what’s safe to tell. I hope you understand.”

He nodded with reluctance.

Gallowglass hadn’t answered his call when Baldwin sought to tell him about the appearance of the trio.

It was not like him but Baldwin hadn’t the time to ponder before Gallowglass called him back.

“Something happened,” Gallowglass started as soon as Baldwin accepted his call, “I followed them to Venice but they’re just gone-“

“Stop, Gallowglass,” he sighed, “they’re here, they’re safe! And you didn’t answer when I called you!”

“I was busy. How did they get there?”

“You told me about the witch, seems she inherited her mother’s abilities.”

Gallowglass heaved a deep sigh of relief and chuckled.

“I should have known that wee pissant Benjamin wouldn’t have gotten the best of Miya.”

“Benjamin,” Baldwin fumed, “Fuchs, Matthew’s fuckup that keeps on giving was near my wife and my daughter?”

“According to Domenico, who’s still alive but barely. His children are looking after him.”

“Leave now, go to the airport, my plane will be waiting for you!”

“I’m not afraid of Benjamin, or that decrepit old pope Gerbert.”

“Gerbert is working with Fuchs?”

“Aye, but I can handle it!”

“If Gerbert and Fuchs are working together it’s not safe, they probably killed Peter.”

“I’ve seen off more Christians in my time than you have, Uncle, I can handle this one.”

“I’m not arguing with you, come home!”

“You know France has never been my home, not after-“

“I know, I shouldn’t have said that. You’re right, France may not be home but we are, I expect you here by the morning.”

There was an audibly furious silence on the other end of the line.

“Yes Sieur.” Gallowglass hung up.

Baldwin sighed with relief.

Even in death, Hugh would never forgive him if he let anything happen to Gallowglass on his watch.

Shaking the thought off, he strode towards the office where his daughter and the witch awaited him.

“Is everything alright?” Rebecca prompted.

“Of course,“ he took his seat opposite them, “so just how far ahead in the future are you, exactly?”

“Eighteen years.” Rebecca answered.

She knew her uncle, he could be kind, affectionate and generous with his time but she also knew of his impatience when information was critical.

He nodded solemnly.

“I suppose I already got two thousand years, I probably shouldn’t lament a shortness of time.”

“There are things we cannot tell you about the future-“ Miyako started.

“And yet I know if I was there I’d never have let this happen.”

“Father-“

“Does this future include Benjamin Fuchs?”

Miyako and Rebecca glanced at one another, shocked.

“Gallowglass was following you, at my behest but he lost the trail when you appeared here.”

“Is he alright, did Fuchs attack him?” Miyako asked.

“He’s fine, apparently Domenico was forthcoming with his version of events.”

“He’s alive?” Rebecca asked hopefully.

“He’ll live,” Baldwin regarded her curiously, “Gallowglass will be back soon but in the meantime, you’re going to tell me why you sought out Domenico.”

“Father, your rules, as you said-“

“I am aware of what I said, but I am also aware that you already changed things by removing Catarina from her time!”

“You know-“ Rebecca started.

“No, I suspected,” he answered sharply “now I know!”

“We saved her to prevent something worse happening in the future,” Rebecca admitted, “we didn’t know then that she was your mate and our intention was not to reunite you. Obviously fate intervened.”

“I suppose Michael was someone from your time you could trust?”

“One thing changed since he won’t be there now.” Rebecca confirmed.

“Anything else drastically different?”

“Knox, he shouldn’t be dead yet.”

“But there’s not too big a jump.” Miyako countered.

“Keep going!” Baldwin warned and noted Rebecca’s anxious expression.

“Emily,” she admitted, “Knox was killed because he killed her first.”

“I’m sorry Papa, I know I’m not your Miyako-“

“Stop talking,” he warned her, “you tried to act the same and your effort was commendable, cbut I know when my daughter is behaving strangely.”

“I wasn’t behaving strangely.” Miyako frowned, offended by the insinuation her cover wasn’t sufficient.

“I can count on one hand how often you called me Papa before you visited for the wedding, I estimate you came to this time just after I sent you to Seoul?”

“Yes.” She said in quiet defeat.

“Never tell me you are not my daughter because in anywhere at anytime, you will always be my Miyako. Is that understood?”

“Yes,” she paused, “Papa.”

He smiled warmly and turned to Rebecca.

“Gallowglass couldn’t tell me much more than what you shared when you first arrived.”

“And I knew you would understand the danger of messing with the timeline, as Grandad did when Mum and Dad visited him.”

“Messing with the timeline,” he huffed, “you have done a lot of that already. Does my wife know, who she was?”

“There’s knowing and there’s remembering. She knows she was Catarina but doesn’t remember being her.”

“Alright, what doesn’t she know that I have to?”

“Something happens in the future that forced us to go back to fix things. Because it’s related to future events, we can’t tell you.” Miyako explained.

“We got Catarina to make this video before the spell, insurance policy.” Rebecca placed a memory stick on his table.

“She agreed to you taking her memory?”

“Suppressed. She wanted a complete wipe, to protect you and what she knew about our family. I convinced her to do it this way instead.”

“She’s started remembering her ability to understand written and spoken language.”

“Michael’s elixir,” Miyako agreed, “he had it created so that if anything happened to him, she would remember who she is. It wasn’t part of our deal.”

“So she’ll gradually remember?”

“In time.”

“Is she a threat to herself or to others?” He asked pointedly.

“No.” Rebecca assured

“Absolutely not.” Miyako echoed her cousin’s sentiment.

“Very well,” he confirmed, feeling slightly more assured, “I would encourage you both to remain here although I suppose I cannot prevent your leaving, given your talents.”

“As the head of this family and with my father absent I ask for sanctuary, Sieur.”

“Granted. I suppose you will enjoy spending time with your Grandmother, brother and cousin, when he shows up.”

“And you?”

“Me, what about me?”

“If you have time I was hoping you’d take me on a hunt. I am half vampire.”

“Matthew actually allows you to hunt?”

“No, he didn’t teach me.”

He raised an eyebrow but didn’t question her further.

“Marcus can supply you with bagged blood tonight, first thing tomorrow all three of us will go on a hunt. I’m curious to see my training at work.”

Alisha stood upon hearing the door open.

Baldwin entered with an expression she couldn’t read easily. He wasn’t angry but nor was he contrite.

That was fine, neither was she.

“Marcus assured me you are well.” He said simply, shrugging himself out of his jacket.

“I was safe with Miyako and Rebecca, of course I’m well.”

Baldwin was turned away from her when she heard the cuff-links drop into a bowl on the table.

“And yet,” he turned back to her, “mistake or no, they almost served you up to a sadistic little cretin”

She didn’t say anything, unsure as to what she was permitted to reveal.

“That wasn’t their their fault.”

“You’re right,” he stalked closer, “it was yours.”

#baldwin montclair #a discovery of witches #baldwin de clermont #trystan gravelle #adow #baldwin’s nightingale

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aeternals · 1 year

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CANON.

clark kent / kal-el. dceu / rebirth. henry cavill. info. conner kent / kon-el. teen titans / young justice / titans. joshua orpin. info. david. underworld. theo james. info. ** ford brody. godzilla ( 2014 ). aaron taylor-johnson. info. gale hawthorne. the hunger games. liam hemsworth. info. jace wayland. shadowhunters tv. dominic sherwood. info. jake jensen. the losers. chris evans. info. nick gant. push (2009). chris evans. info. ryan peterson. hallmark. casey deidrick. info. sam winchester. kripke era ( s1-5 ). jared padelecki. info.

ORIGINAL.

desiderius mathieu. old guard. aaron taylor-johnson. info. ** hale ashwood. fandomless werewolf. casey deidrick. info. halston peters. fandomless witch. danielle campbell. info. lanslot mac conmara. old guard. laurence o'fuarain. info. quinn tsay. the expanse. lewis tan. info. riley gauthier. fandomless witch. garret hedlund. info. the raven. familiar. andrew koji. info. shay sadler. dark angel / modern. blair redford. info.

REQUEST ONLY.

clay morrow. sons of anarchy. ron perlman. info. miyako de clermont. adow. meisa kuroki. info. * richard "dick" grayson. dc / new 52. tbd. info. selina kyle. dc / various. zoe kravitz. info.

please note: this list is ever-evolving. i tend to add and remove without notice. although, removals will not happen with muses who have plots or threads.

( * - these muses are still under construction ) ** hale has moved back to his own blog @wolfisheart ** ford has moved to his own blog @monsterhunt

#( ㅤ blog ㅤ ) maintenance

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softersinned-arc · 2 years

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i think that as much as astoria likes most of the de clermonts her relationship with many of them grows tense with the passage of time. philippe’s death isn’t the cause of it but i think that’s when it starts to become clear, and irreversible. she and matthew get along well enough when they’re arguing but i don’t know if she ever fully forgives him for keeping the knights; she certainly doesn’t forgive him for refusing to let baldwin have his justice for philippe’s death. by time time diana arrives on the scene, astoria has been quietly seething for decades: matthew has been allowed time and again to endanger the family, his blood rage controlled but still present, and in her eyes his vices and failures are allowed and even indulged because of philippe’s whims and ever-shifting favor. she likes marcus very much (he’s her favorite nephew) but she thinks he’s a fool for trusting matthew as he does, particularly after new orleans, and then again after finding out he’s been lied to for so long. she like gallowglass but he’s never around, and with diana’s return she resents gallowglass’ willingness to ally himself with matthew above baldwin. same with fernando. i don’t think she spares ernst enough thought to have an opinion on him besides “entertaining company.” and i don’t think she quite knows what to make of jack.

as always her relationship with the women in the family is the most complex. i don’t know how she’d feel about miyako or frejya or stasia yet, but i think she’d like them all. verin makes her uneasy, particularly considering the conditions under which she and ernst are mated, but she can tolerate her for the support she offers her brother. there’s a fair amount of tension between astoria and ysabeau as well—astoria as the head of the family’s consort means that she becomes the highest ranking woman at sept-tours when they’re there. astoria makes an effort not to blatantly disrespect her by making demands regarding the running of the household, but she also will gently correct anyone who refers to anyone but her as ‘madame de clermont,’ as if she can understand the confusion and it’s an honest mistake but one that needs to be remedied all the same, and any deference to ysabeau’s decisions is very clearly that (a gesture, a gift even, out of respect for her husband’s mother—not because she should rank higher than either of them). and she likes diana in theory but she’s furious that diana’s willing to risk the entire family for the sake of her own desires, and her disdain for matthew feeds into a disdain for diana. the formation of a separate scion doesn’t help matters. like ysabeau, diana is treated as having rank and deserving respect as a result of her rank, though unlike ysabeau, diana has not earned that respect, in astoria’s eyes. she’s much more willing to pull rank over diana. phoebe has done nothing wrong ever in her life, and while she shows diana the respect necessitated by her role and rank, it’s phoebe to whom astoria shows the affection and respect she would a sister.

the twins, ftr, can do no wrong in her eyes.

#i. she had a marvelous time ruining everything. ( about )#(i'm watching s3 and astoria's sitting in my brain furious about matthew at the head of the table talking about ~the darkest of days~)#(mostly she's angry that so many members of the family are willing to behave as though baldwin is an irrational tyrant)_#(while still being SO willing to call on him to fix the problems they create and the messes they make)#(even as diana and matthew are preparing to separate and form their own scion specifically because they don't trust baldwin —)#(— who do they call to fix things? baldwin. even as ysabeau shows obvious disdain for baldwin who's her first choice to save the day?)#(it's not her blood son whom she insists is fit to run his own family! when matthew can't sort shit out long enough to find diana —)#(— whose number is being dialed? that's RIGHT. tho on a personal level astoria's pleased to know that now they actually can say —)#(— 'figure it out yourself it's YOUR scion' when they're getting interrupted constantly)#(it also makes her very relieved that her own daughters would never be in line to run the family bc the de clermonts are fucking insane)#(and if her girls get spared that all the better)

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butternuggets-blog · 2 years

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OLD ENOUGH TO KNOW BETTER

@baldwin-montclair @adowobsessed @sylverdeclermont @nicki-mac-me @thereadersmuse @kynthiamoon @adowbaldwin @profoundme444 @beautifulsoulsublime @lady-lazarus-declermont

Part Forty-five

Summary: Baldwin de Clermont manages to upset an ancient hag. He wakes up.. different.

Marthe, Theo and Ysabeau had been chomping at the bit to plan a wedding, but Liv and Baldwin had agreed to wait to get married until after the baby was born, and after they were named.

'I hope you realise how much you're disappointing everyone' Marthe sniffed, clutching a thick scrapbook to her chest.

Baldwin chuckled and kissed her on the cheek, casually slipping a list of planning suggestions into the notebook as he walked away.

Marthe watched him go, smiling.

'He's changed.'

'For the better' Ysabeau agreed.

________________________________________________________________

Miyako greeted her father at the airport with a formal bow, then beamed and went in for a hug.

'Congratulations! Where is my little brother??!'

Liv pushed the stroller over next to her and carefully pulled back the roof. Miyako clasped her hands together in front of her, and bent over the baby.

'Hello little one'

Liv liked Miyako. She was a kind, soft-spoken woman whose elegance and common sense had seen her rise to the top of the business sector of Hachioji. Her birth parents had been influential merchants; after their deaths she had inherited and expanded their silk manufacturing company. When the bottom fell out of the market in the area she had turned to other goods, and services.

Miyako had approved of Liv before, but when they first met each other she had only been dating Baldwin. She hoped things would continue to go smoothly between them now that she and Baldwin were engaged.

The interrogating started at dinner.

'Are you with my father for his money?'

‘No’

‘His power within the community?’

‘My family and coven have never been interested in creature politics and they’re not about to start now’

‘You will have to be if you marry my father’ Miyako pointed out, slowly swishing her wine in its glass.

‘Yes. But my coven isn’t pushing for this marriage so they can start throwing their weight around. This marriage is between myself and Baldwin.’

‘What about the child? Entrapment?’

‘A happy accident’

‘A very happy accident’ Baldwin muttered to himself, grinning when Miyako grimaced in disgust and kicked him in the shin.

She turned back to Liv.

‘If you use use this baby against my father, or hurt him emotionally or physically in any way, I will kill you’

Liv sat up straight and looked her in the eye.

‘Please spare our son.’

Miyako paused, considering her words, then nodded.

________________________________________________________________

As neither Liv nor Baldwin were Christian, they had decided to hold a naming ceremony at the sacred altar in the woods near Sept Tours. Unlike the twins’ christening, only family members and godparents were invited, since the majority of other important guests who might have come were already being invited to the wedding.

Miyako, Theo, Marthe, and Ysabeau had been put in charge of planning both ceremonies. There had been a serious back and forth discussion about officiants, before they came forward to the couple as a group to help them decide.

‘I suggested either Petra Newton, since Marlotta’s retired from being master of ceremonies-’ said Theo, ‘-or, Father Hubbard.’

Baldwin sprayed a fine mist of hot coffee onto the floorboards, and immediately choked on his own spit.

‘I agree, inviting Hubbard might make the ceremony a little awkward’ said Ysabeau drily, as Liv thumped Baldwin on the back so his airways cleared.

‘I don’t understand, why would inviting Father Hubbard be awkward? I know your husband argued with him a lot but surely it wasn’t that bad?’ Liv asked.

Silence.

The vampires looked at Baldwin.

‘I think this explanation would be best coming from you’ said Ysabeau. Miyako sped out of the room as Marthe dragged Theo along behind her. ‘Tell her quickly.’

‘Tell me what?’ Liv looked at Baldwin, confused.

Baldwin sighed and took her hand in his, sitting down heavily next to her.

‘Matthew once had another son. His name was Benjamin Fuchs-’

****

‘Your brother really doesn’t think, does he?’ Liv said, after Baldwin had finally finished explaining everything.

Baldwin laughed. ‘No, no he does not’

‘Why didn’t he kill Benjamin after the incident in Jerusalem?’

Baldwin shrugged, then looked at his hands. ‘...I should have killed him in Romania, when I had the chance’

‘Stop it’ Liv said gently, squeezing his hand. ‘You had no idea what was going to happen.’

‘But if I had-’

‘There are no guarantees in life’ Liv said firmly. ‘Phillipe may or may not still be here.’

Baldwin didn’t look convinced, but he let Liv gather him up in a hug.

The guest list was skewed heavily in Baldwin’s favour. Liv’s parents, her aunt, Theo, Maribel, and Petra Newton were the only guests Liv had invited to the naming ceremony. The rest of the coven would be attending the wedding.

________________________________________________________________

‘Ohhh, you have a big family’ Liv laughed, looking around at the crowd. Pip was helping Ferdinand fix his bowtie, as Becca combed Gallowglass’ hair. Matthew, Diana, Marcus and Phoebe were crowded around the baby, cooing and pulling faces. Jack was holding him; he had been flabbergasted when Baldwin handed the newborn over without flinching, but Ysabeau had beamed encouragingly at him so he swallowed his nerves and smiled.

‘Congratulations on the birth of your son’

‘No pressure’ said a sharp voice behind them. Liv turned; Verin strode down the corridor, arm in arm with her husband. They stopped, and Ernst gave Liv a firm handshake.

‘The blade tip is rounded, so there is no danger of any accidents’ Verin smirked, as her brother raised an eyebrow.

Ernst turned towards Baldwin, pulling a small silver case from his pocket. ‘I wanted to get the little fellow a nice, soft teddy bear, but Verin felt this was more appropriate.’

‘What a surprise’ Baldwin drawled. Inside the case was a blunt silicone dagger, pockmarked and bumpy, and filled with liquid. Liv picked the dagger up and examined it closely; the teething toy was surprisingly light, and coloured a nice shade of blood red.

‘Thank you very much, that’s very thoughtful of you’ said Liv.

‘And it will go nicely with the baby cushion backpack I bought them’ said Freyja, as she and Stasia walked over to the group. She grinned.

‘It’s shaped like a dragon!’

Out of all of Baldwin’s sisters, Stasia was proving the easiest to get along with. She had thrown her arms around Liv when she had arrived the day before, declaring that she hoped the two of them would be good friends.

Stasia, Phillipe’s favourite, had hung back, warily granting her a brief handshake before disappearing into the castle. She kept her eyes on Liv whenever she was in the room, but seemed to be waiting for Liv to slip up before she made a move against her.

Verin had thrown a knife at her. Liv had bewitched a three-inch thick branch to shoot out of the oak floorboards and impale Verin in the foot. They were fine, for now.

Petra walked over to them, and gently tapped Liv’s elbow.

‘If you’re ready, it’s time.’

****

‘Welcome everyone,’ Petra began. She stood at the head of a circle; to her left stood Maribel, Theo and Victoire, Liv’s chosen godparents for her son. To Petra’s right were Alaine, Pierre, and Miyako. Marthe, Miriam, and the rest of the family stood at the edge of the sacred space. Everyone held candles.

‘We are gathered here today to bestow the name on this child that he will carry with him on his journey through this world. By naming this child, we honour the gods and goddesses who have granted the miracle of this new life, and express our gratitude and thankfulness to them for this gift.’

Petra gently scooped the baby from Liv’s arms and held him up towards the sky.

‘Hugo Barachiel Victor Koji Leonard de Clermont, we welcome you into the world and into our hearts. Go forth with the knowledge that all here will recognise you by this honourable name and hold your life sacred.’

Author’s Notes

My face pic for Miyako is Mana Ashida.

Hugo - Hugh de Clermont (Fernando immediately started crying)

Barachiel - the Archangel of Lightning and Blessings

Victor - Victoire, who acted as midwife (Alain’s jaw dropped; Victoire looked extremely pleased and proud)

Koji - Japanese name meaning “little one” (Miyako audibly gasped)

Leonard - from Alcides Leontothymos, one of Phillipe de Clermont’s names

Although Matthew and Baldwin’s relationship has vastly improved in the last few years, Baldwin relied on Alaine and Pierre, and has known them, longer than Matthew, and he wanted to prioritise those relationships over his brother, despite Matthew making him the twins’ godfather (both recognise that as an attempt at reconciliation and a power move).

#a discovery of witches #baldwin montclair #baldwin de clermont #adow #all souls trilogy #all souls series #adow spoilers #all souls tv series #adow crack #a discovery of witches season 1 #a discovery of witches season 2 #a discovery of witches season 3

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lucasbarr · 2 years

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I wish you would write a fic where Marcus gets rejected by Phoebe and his family laugh at him simping over her

Miyako didn’t know what had happened to make Marcus sulk like this. But given his track record, it had to be a paramour of his. The put down the magazine she was reading with a cat-like grin.

“Why the long face,” She said as he slid into a chair beside her, “I haven’t seen you moping like this Marlin Monroe turned you down.”

Marcus huffed in indignation.

“He got rejected.” Gallowglass snickered as he walked into the room.

“I didn’t get rejected,” Marcus grumbled, crossing his arms. “Marcus Whitmore doesn’t get rejected.”

“Sure,” Miyako replied with a roll of her eyes, “but Marcus de Clermont certainly does.”

“No I don’t!” He bemoaned defensively.

“Oh really,” His Uncle Baldwin said as he strode into the room, “need I get out the leger?”

“Leger?” Marcus sputtered, “What leger?!”

“The one we keep ongoing bets for whether or not you get dumped by your latest beau.” Miyako replied as Gallowglass leaned on the back her chair.

“I’m winning.”

“Not for long,” His Uncle Baldwin replied, the ghost of a smirk crossing his face. “we’ll have to add Ms. Taylor to the list.”

“That’s it!” Marcus said as he stood, “I’m not going to stand here and let you insult me.”

“What are you going to do?” Gallowglass quipped, “Try again?”

“As a matter of face,” Marcus huffed as he trudged out, “I am.”

“No!” Miyako bemoaned, cackling. “Then I’m going to lose!”

“Will you please stop betting on my son’s love life?” Matthew sighed as he walked in.

“You’re just jealous because your losing too.” Baldwin replied with a smirk.

Matthew rolled his eyes at that.

“So what are we up to now?” Matthew asked trying not to sound interested.

“Seriously?!” Marcus yelled from the other end of the house.

This caused them all to laugh.

#adow #a discovery of witches #baldwin montclair #matthew clairmont #marcus whitmore #gallowglass de clermont #miyako de clermont

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matty-de-clermont · 4 years

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End of an Era...

Far from a happily-ever-after, the emergence of a new threat brings the next generation of the De Clermont family into a fight for the survival of all creatures and their family when it strikes at the very heart of the ancient clan.

WARNING: Major Character Death

SPOILERS: Book of Life and Time’s Convert

———

“Rebecca, go to the library!” Diana demanded, failing to keep the faint trembling from her voice.

“Eric, where is he?’ The eighteen-year-old bright-born asked instead, her blue eyes searching out the answer from her cousin.

Gallowglass said nothing and instead looked to his aunt for guidance.

“Do as your mother says!” Matthew demanded, his tone much sharper than usual.

“Take Andrew upstairs,” Diana lifted the infant from his cot and placed him in his sister’s arms, “tell Philip and Jack to stay there and the three of you mind Andrew, Sarah and Christopher until we call for you.”

Rebecca had ample experience in knowing when to argue with her parents and when not to, this situation was the latter, even if she wanted an answer to her question.

Instead, she took her brother upstairs.

Philip looked up from his chess game with Jack when they both entered the library, the worry etched on his face also.

His griffin Apollo sat curled near the fire, his large body curled around Christopher’s smaller Hippogriff, Hermes.

“Gallowglass has come back, alone?” Phillip asked her.

“Yes, but I don’t know what happened, I was banished up here,” she explained, placing the infant in her arms into a playpen, his other two siblings already asleep.

“Can’t you, y’know?” Jack asked Philip.

“You think I can weave an eavesdropping spell without Mom sensing it?” He asked, incredulous.

Rebecca shook her head, knowing he was right, her eyes cast out over the grand canal, watching the lights of the boats go to and fro.

Venice had become their home, sanctuary and refuge after Hubbard, her youngest brother’s namesake, was killed whilst helping them escape London.

Marcus and the depleted Knights of Lazarus took up residence in the cleared out Isolla Della Stella after the creatures of Venice rose to the aid of the Bishop-Clairmont’s and expelled the non-friendly congregation members.

There was no Congregation, only angry humans demanding justice for the millennia they had been used as pawns in the games of creatures. The world wars, atrocities engineered and guided, much of the time by Philippe De Clermont himself.

“Has anyone told Miyako?” Rebecca asked.

“I’m sure Dad has.” Jack assured.

“I swear, if they-“ Rebecca stopped, half fury and half fear.

“Becca, remember who you’re talking about. Uncle Baldwin’s not someone we need to worry about.” Philip tried to comfort her.

“They have him, Pip, that fucking psycho bitch and her sycophants have him locked in their dungeon doing god who knows what to him.”

“I know, and he’ll be fine.” Philip pulled her into a hug that made her feel momentarily better.

“Mum’s here.” Jack announced before the door opened.

Diana entered, the sound of yelling and broken pottery clearly audible from downstairs before she closed over the door.

“Where is Uncle Baldwin?” Rebecca demanded.

Diana shook her head and took a deep breath.

“I’m sorry my darling,” she caught her daughter before she fell, one arm around her shoulder as she used her free hand to beckon the boys to join also.

Baldwin had been given a traitors death, beheaded and burned.

As was the case with his elder brother Hugh, there was nothing left to bury. No loving family members had been permitted to provide the Roman custom of ‘the last goodbye’, a kiss to free his soul to travel to Elysium.

Every church in Venice rang their bells on the hour for twelve hours for the twelve days of mourning in protest at the loss of one of their guardians.

Rebecca bit down on her rage for those twelve days, whilst her family and their friends, Baldwin’s brothers in the Knights, her cousins - including Baldwin’s own daughter Miyako - all tried to imagine a world without him in it.

On the thirteenth day, the business of managing the family took centre stage.

Gallowglass fought like a bear to shake off the shackles of De Clermont family leadership both Matthew and Ysabeau placed upon his shoulders.

Since all of Philippe’s son’s were dead, the responsibility passed to the eldest surviving heir of the eldest deceased son, much to Verin’s disapproval. Gallowglass would have happily handed to her if he could.

He could not, and instead bent to the demands of his family expectations, starting with his addressing the remaining Knights, including his cousins.

“We have mourned for twelve days, despite the fact that Baldwin himself would have found that excessive,” Gallowglass broke the tension with the light joke, “now we must do as he would have ordered us to, look to the future and survival of our family. He died-“

“He was murdered,” Miyako interrupted from the doorway, “he did not die in battle, Eric!”

“Miyako,” Matthew addressed his niece, “I promise he will be avenged.”

“No need, I’ll kill her myself!”

“I appreciate your grief but you will not.”

“I do not answer to you Matthew!”

“No, you answer to me,” Gallowglass boomed, “Matthew is right, I will not lose you too and you will no longer refer to me by that name, we are not of equal rank. Is that clear?”

“Crystal clear, Sieur. Might I be excused?”

“You may.” Gallowglass gave his permission and she turned, momentarily catching Rebecca’s eye as she did so.

What followed was tedious reports from those gathered regarding everything except a plan to horribly murder each and every creature that had a hand in Baldwin’s death.

“I need some air.” Rebecca told her mother as she stood up and left.

“I’ll go with her.” Diana decided.

“No, you need to stay, in case this place erupts,” Philip argued, “I’ll go.”

Diana nodded, Philip was always the best at getting his sister to calm down.

He found her in an empty room, pacing beneath the oculus in the ceiling.

“I don’t understand,” Rebecca spoke up eventually, “why did she hate him so much?”

“She was turned by Him,” Jack, who had followed after them, still never said his grand-sire’s name, “it’s what allowed her to take the De Clermont seat. He must have hurt her, bad, it’s why she wears that creepy mask, and needs a witch to speak for her.” Jack added.

“You pity her,” Rebecca accused, “after what she did?”

“You’d be surprised at what He can make you do.” Jack answered, ashamed and Philip placed a comforting hand on his shoulder.

“Benjamin Fox has been dead for almost eighteen years, she appeared three years ago, why wait so long and why? Is she acting out of revenge for her sire’s death, or looking to kill all of us because of what he did to her, whatever that was.”

“Becca-“ Philip tried to stem the tide.

“Who was she before, was she a human, a witch, daemon? How old is she, when was she turned? How do we not have an answer to any of this yet?” Rebecca’s mind spun.

“Finally,” Miyako commented from above them on her perch at the edge of the oculus, “someone’s asking the right questions.”

She dropped down with the grace of a cat.

“Dad will find out, Marcus will gather the Knights and-“ Philip started.

“And what? They get captured too?” Miyako shook her head.

“You can’t go after her yourself,” Philip told his cousin, “Uncle Baldwin was three times older and more experienced than you are and she still managed to trap and kill him.”

“I don’t mean now, I mean then!” Miyako told him.

“No, don’t even think it.” Jack shook his head.

“You’re giving me orders?” She hissed.

“Let’s take a breath,” Philip suggested, ever reasonable, “Miyako, what are you saying?”

“She wants you to take her on a Time-Walk, kill the masked vampire when she was vulnerable!” Jack explained.

“We can’t play with the past like that!” Philip reacted with horror.

“What do we need to find out who she was?” Rebecca asked.

“You are not doing this Rebecca, Mum will go nuts!” Jack agreed with his brother.

“I’m not saying we time-walk, I’m saying if we find out who she was it will give us an edge in defeating her now!” Rebecca lied, giving Miyako a pointed look.

“What do we need?” Miyako repeated.

“Pip?” Rebecca prompted but he remained silent.

“Father was just the beginning,” Miyako argued, “he loved you all and it is now my duty to protect you. Tell me what you need to weave your spell and I will acquire it.”

“I promised mother I wouldn’t use my magic for those purpose in case it hurts any of you, but-“

“But what?” Miyako prompted.

“If she was able to kill Uncle Baldwin then no-one is safe. We need a sample of her blood but that’s not going to be possible.”

“Let me worry about that!” She replied curtly.

Jack shook his head, the proceedings moving too fast for his comfort.

“Mum and Dad will have a plan, we should wait until we find out what it is.”

“I agree with Jack,” Philip nodded, “if we act now it could compromise what they’ve planned.”

“So, we wait?” Jack asked hopefully.

“Yes, we await our orders.” Philip agreed.

“And if those orders are to stand down and do nothing?” Miyako challenged.

“Then, and only then, will we act!” Philip decided and was met with grudging agreement from Rebecca and Miyako and relief from Jack.

———

PART 2

#adow fanfic #adow spoilers #rebecca bishop-clairmont #philip bishop-clairmont #jack blackfriars #baldwin montclair #diana bishop #miyako de clermont #matthew clairmont

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witches-unruly-heart · 2 years

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I’m a big fan of picturing the faces of the different characters I have in my stories. But seeing as there are some de Clermont family members we don’t have a face for — here’s my fan cast 🥰

I am in no way saying that this choice is the only choice. You’re allowed to have your own fancasts, it’s just who I picture when I read the names of some character ❤️

First up, let’s look at all of Philippe’s children (who aren’t my beloved Baldwin):

Henry Cavill as Philippe’s eldest son, Hugh

Florence Pugh as his Philippe’s eldest daughter Stasia

Annabelle Wallis/Wallace as Freyja

Krysten Ritter as Philippe’s youngest daughter Verin

And Gwilym Lee as his youngest son Godfrey

Now we have a visual representation of two of Ysabeau’s three children, but even so, with the choice for Louis, I couldn’t not have a face for his twin sister Louisa 😅

So here’s Lucky Blue Smith as Louis

And Lucky’s sister Daisy Clementine Smith as Louisa

We know Hugh’s only son, Gallowglass, played by the incredible Steven Cree. But what about Baldwin’s only daughter

So here’s Minami Hamabe as Miyako

And lastly, because I’ve desperately wanted to include someone from Marcus’ past,

I pictured Ella Purnell as Marcus’ sister Patience

~~~

I’m curious to know who your fan cast are, if you have any 🥰❤️

#a discovery of witches #a discovery of witches fan cast #adow #all souls trilogy #fan cast #karen speaks #philippe de clermont #ysabeau de clermont #marcus whitmore #baldwin de clermont

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adarafaelbarba · 2 years

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Through Time

Pairing: Baldwin de Clermont x Minerva Xiulin Chen (oc)

Fandom: All Souls Trilogy (Books + TV Series)

Synopsis: After having a few traumatic years, Minerva finally had a stable life, a family, a man who loved her, but then it was all taken away.

Warnings: Mentions of miscarriages, child deaths, losing a husband.

Tag list: @teamsladsandgents @adowbaldwin @thatdarnyellowsubmarine @minim236 @butternuggets-blog @rozalynfrozen @i-run-with-scissors39 @ocfairygodmother @beautifulsoulsublime @pomme003 @sazmags @sylverdeclermont

You can find it on AO3 HERE

One Minute she had kissed her husband before falling asleep, the next she knew, she woke up to a variety of new sounds, smells and a place unfamiliar to her. Minerva stood there, wearing a thin toga, trying to cover herself from the freezing cold weather, wondering where the hell she was.

And then someone grabbed her hand and pulled her close, telling her to «look out!» She looked up at her savior, a woman, who looked to be from somewhere in Asia, but she couldn’t pinpoint it. She had travelled from Chang’an to Rome, to get married, what was it now, 12 years ago, or was it. Standing there she looked away from the unknown woman, and looked around. It scared her to see all those lights, coming from something that wasn’t candles.

«Where am I?» She wondered aloud, needing some answers. It definitely wasn’t home, otherwise Lucius, Luke, Lyrica and Sage would be there with her. Maybe she was dreaming? But she couldn’t understand how her dreams could make up this, whatever this was.

The woman looked at her and then gave her a soft smile, no mocking tone or stare, «You’re in Tokyo. And you’re definitely not dressed for this cold», she said, shrugging off a layer off her clothes and laying it over her shoulders. «Let me take you back to mine, you can borrow some clothes while we find out where you live.»

Minerva let her lead her away, no questions asked. She needed answers, and maybe the woman knew the answers, or at least how to get them.

Trying not to jump at the sounds, she followed the woman through the streets of Tokyo, before they went through a door and up some stairs. If she wasn’t dreaming, she needed to know what year it was. She couldn’t believe that this place, Tokyo, could be more advanced than the Holy Roman Empire. There was simply no way. «Can I ask? What year is it?» The woman turned and gave her a soft smile.

«It’s 2019», she simply stated. Minerva had to stop, leaning on the wall. It couldn’t be? Right? No was was this the truth. Her newfound friend stopped and looked at her, holding her hands out to catch her.

«Are you alright, miss?» She asked, stabilizing her. Looking up at the other woman, Minerva slowly shook her head. «I need to get you checked, see if you’ve been drugged—»

Minerva shook her head again, trying to wake herself up. But nothing worked. This has to be a dream, there’s no other logical explanation. Time travel wasn’t real! «This isn’t real. I’m just dreaming!» she told herself, covering her ears from the sounds coming from outside.

The woman looked at her, and then got a brick up, and started speaking into it. «Marcus, I need a favor. Yeah. As soon as you can», she said, and then looked at Minerva again. «You better call my father too, he’d want to see for himself.» She said goodbye, and then put the brick away to look at Minerva again.

«Who are you?» Minerva asked, a frown forming on her face.

She smiled, still softly, «I’m Miyako. This is my home, well, this apartment is, I don’t own Tokyo», Miyako chuckled at herself. «Let me get you some clothes, my cousin and father will be here soon enough to help you.»

Minerva wasn’t sure if she should be relieved that the two men could help her, or worried that she could be assaulted. She knew nothing but the name of this woman and the ‘apartment’ as she called it being hers. But she kept her eyes trained on Miyako as she went to the next room, then returned shortly after with some fabric.

«I’m sure this dress will fit you, it’s not too different from a toga, although it’s been a while since I’ve seen someone wear one as thin as that out and about. What is that, one for sleeping?» Minerva nodded at Miyako’s question. She had been sleeping not too long ago. Oh how she missed the warmth of her husband and children sleeping next to her.

…

It took some time before there was a knock at the door to Miyako’s apartment. Minerva had been sat on the floor, wearing a dress and something reminiscent of a cloak, that was apparently called a cardigan. But she stood as soon as there was a knock, ready to run should there be trouble.

«That must be them», Miyako said, going to the little room where the front door was, to open the door. She spoke softly to the people there. First to someone with a youthful voice, she referred to him as ‘cousin’ and then she had said a soft ‘papa’ followed by something Minerva couldn’t understand.

There was some more talking before a young, dark curly haired man walked in. «Hello, I’m Marcus, I hope I can take a look at you, find out what happened with you», he said, sounding not at all threatening.

Non the less, she gave him a wary look, unsure if she could really trust him. And then there was a familiar sound, «I can tell you exactly what happened, Marcus!» Minerva looked to where the voice had come from, and then she shot up.

«Lucius?!» Tears formed in her eyes and her legs felt like they were planted firmly on the ground. He approached her cautiously, worried perhaps if he too was dreaming. There was nothing she wanted more than to run to him, throw herself in his arms. She had only just seen him what must have been a day ago, but it felt like she hadn’t seen him for centuries.

«How did you know, Mimi?» He asked, not even taking is eyes of Minerva, but she knew he was talking to Miyako.

Miyako spoke, softly, «I remember her from your memories, papa. She looks the same.» It made Minerva wonder what was going on, but she couldn’t find the words to ask him, or the other two. «But she’s not like us. So how could she still be alive?» Miyako asked then. The question on her mind since she woke up.

Drawing a long breath, Baldwin spoke again, his voice so soft it could lull her to sleep, like he had before. «She was taken, while we were asleep. I only found out it was witches when Philippe came over at the sound of the alarms going throughout the town. They must have taken her through time, like Diana did with Matthew. Only, I don’t know why they did, or who it was», he explained, and Minerva frowned, witches? Impossible. And what did general de Clermont have to do with my disappearance?

Baldwin noticed the wondering look on her face and finally walked over, one of his big hand on her cheek. «Don’t think to hard on it, please, no worrying», he murmured, and she closed her eyes, leaning on the hand, grabbing it with both of hers to hold it there. She let herself fall into his arms, hugging him tightly.

«I thought I would never see you again, or our child—Lucius, what happened to our children?!» a new panic blew over her as she started worrying about their children. She never got to say goodbye to them, or see them grow up.

#baldwin de clermont x oc #baldwin montclair x oc #baldwin clairmont #baldwin de clermont #a discovery of witches fic #a discovery of witches oc #a discovery of witches imagine #a discovery of witches #adow x oc #adow oc #adow

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lady-of-the-spirit · 1 year

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Miyako at Marcus and Phoebe's wedding: My cousin is lame. But Phoebe is sort of cool. Guess I kinda see why she'd would marry him. Also if anyone finds my grey hoodie, I lost it, thanks.

#miyako de clermont #marcus whitmore #phoebe taylor #a discovery of witches #all souls trilogy #i'm making stuff #discovery of witches

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apinchofm · 2 years

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Miyako Lucia Hana Dione Amelie de Clermont

Miyako - Beautiful night child in Japanese - named by her mother.

Lucia - Latin for 'Light'; named in accordance of her father's Roman origins and the tradition of naming a child after themselves.

Hana - Japanese for flower; named after her late mother, daughter to the Shōgun.

Dione - Greek for Goddess:; named for her grandfather's Greek origins.

Amelie - Latin and Old Germanic for industrious; attributing to her hard-working and ambitious nature.

#all souls trilogy #minor character appreciation #miyako de clermont #baldwin de clermont #the de clermont's insane and dramatic naming tradition #my edits

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adowbaldwin · 3 years

Link

It’s finally all uploaded. Good god im sweating like a daemon in a Church.

Chapters: 29/29 Fandom: A Discovery of Witches (TV), The Thick Of It, All Souls Trilogy - Deborah Harkness Rating: Explicit Warnings: No Archive Warnings Apply Relationships: Baldwin Clairmont/Original Character(s), Baldwin de Clermont/Original Female Character(s) Characters: Baldwin de Clermont, Ysabeau de Clermont, Verin de Clermont, Malcolm Tucker, Ollie Reeder, Miyako, Jamie McDonald, Hamish Osborne, Matthew de Clermont, Marcus Whitmore, Gallowglass de Clermont, Marthe (All Souls Trilogy) Series: Part 1 of It's hard to say i'm sorry

#fic #adow #fic writing #a discovery of witches #all souls trilogy #baldwin de clermont #malcolm tuck

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baldwin-montclair · 2 years

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Baldwin’s Nightingale (Part 19)

Characters: Baldwin Montclair/OC

Timeframe: Can safely say AU at this point, about a month after Matthew and Diana go back in time.

Summary: Alisha and Rebecca covertly meet with an ally who knew Catarina but trouble arrives in the form of an old enemy armed with stolen information.

Spoiler Warning: TV Show canon S1-S2, some Book of Life (wrote this chapter before seeing S3 so shouldn’t be too spoilery)

The Story So Far

“We’re now sitting at two weeks without word or update from Baldwin, or any indication he has located Alisha.” Marcus complained over the table.

“If he has found her,” Nathaniel commented, “we’ll never learn of it.”

“Nate,” Marcus frowned, “he wouldn’t!“

“Poor Gallowglass was banished, for a supposed failure!” The daemon argued.

“He wasn’t banished, Nathaniel,” Ysabeau interjected, “he was given an assignment, one which for all we know is related to finding the girl.”

“Agreed,” Emily put her hand over Sarah’s.

“Then why the secrecy?” Nathaniel challenged, “why will he not let us help him find her?”

“I agree with you,” Marcus assured him, “but he gave me an order and I cannot disobey. Right now, the only power I have to protect all of you is underwritten with Baldwin’s support.”

“Which he could withdraw at any moment.” Ysabeau agreed solemnly.

“In any case, Baldwin does not want us looking for her in case it draws attention.”

“As far as everyone else knows, she is a daemon,“ Nathaniel scowled, “the congregation won’t care what he does with her.”

“Are you seriously suggesting that he would kill her?” Ysabeau asked.

“If he hasn’t already.” Nathaniel offered.

“You are wrong, we have had many disagreements in our long acquaintance, but for all his pride Baldwin would never turn against his family. Whoever and whatever she is, she is a de Clermont now.”

“I didn’t know you cared, Ysabeau,” Baldwin joined the debate, “what’s this, a family meeting without it’s head.”

“Baldwin-“ Marcus stood.

“Wait, of course it isn’t, these creatures are not family.”

“You disappear for two weeks and return only to insult our guests?” Ysabeau stayed seated and fixed him with an icy glare.

“They’re not my guests.” Baldwin hit back.

Alisha listened to the soft lapping of canal water against the boat as she tried to calm her nerves.

Two weeks waiting for Baldwin to leave Venice, Rebecca’s contact finally came through. Miyako was fortunately able to stay close by with missions that were primarily located in Paris.

Coming up for a large building, she fiddled nervously with her rings beneath her hooded cloak, the plain wedding band and the engagement ring whose pearl had been bound for a far grander figure than her.

That was, until her husband used its purchase to sour relations between Mark Anthony and allies who would have given him the decisive victory over Octavius in Actium, thereby preventing him from becoming Augustus and changing the fate of the entire Roman Empire.

Such was the power of a de Clermont patriarch.

“Alisha?” Rebecca prompted, not receiving a response she gently touched her arm.

“Hmm, sorry I was miles away.”

“It’s fine, we’re almost there.”

Venice was beautiful at night, the lights reflecting off the canals almost took the edge from her apprehension.

Almost, until they pulled into an underground dock and Rebecca helped her out of the boat.

“This contact, are you sure we can trust him, that he won’t betray us?”

“He has no loyalty to any of his kind beyond what benefits him, allying with us benefits him. He won’t sell us out to Uncle Baldwin’s enemies.”

“I’m just as concerned that he will sell us out to your uncle,” Alisha admitted, surprise evident in Rebecca’s eyes, “Becca, what if he finds us, he doesn’t know you yet, he might-“

“What? Kill me?”

“Both of us!”

“He wouldn’t harm you and since Grandad’s blood vow covers me as well as Mum, he can’t hurt me either.”

Alisha frowned, unsure.

“Look,” Rebecca started patiently, “it’s not even really about the contact, it’s this place. Before other you was captured, you stashed something here, something that can help us stop what happens in my time.”

“That you can’t tell me about?”

“Exactly. We don’t have a lot of time before my parents return from the past, I need to be gone by then.”

Alisha let her niece lead her through the labyrinth of the lower level to a grand staircase leading to an upper floor.

It was a stunning building, unfurnished, but the paintwork was pristine and the marble floors gleamed.

“Who’s home is this?” She looked around in wonder.

“It is yours,” a handsome vampire with curled dark hair and mischievous air answered descending the central staircase, “Principessa da Venezia,” he bowed low in a medieval style, hands outstretched, “and Contessa,” he greeted Rebecca with an almost worshipful tone.

“Domenico,” she responded cooly, with the air of a courtly queen regarding a swooning suitor.

“No offence, but, why are you helping us when you could turn us in to Baldwin and win his favour?” Alisha asked.

“Your husband is an arrogant twat,” he shrugged, “and Venice is your home, where it’s safe, not locked up in Sept Tours.“

“I’ll just be locked up by you, I assume?”

“Not at all, you are free to come and go as you please. This place belongs to you, I merely held it in trust until your return. Just know that Baldwin has many spies so if you do decide to leave, he will locate you instantly.”

��Yeah, I get it,” Alisha sighed defeated, “so, you knew me, before?”

”I knew the man I believed was your father, Pasquale Cicogna, the Doge of Venice. I hadn’t realised until later that he adopted you to replace his young daughter when she died from illness. He kept you with him, treated you like his own, trained and tutored you.”

“Sounds nice.”

“You don’t remember everything of your previous life yet?”

“No, why? Were we a-“

“God no,” he looked offended, “you were a child and in need of protection.”

“So you’re a ‘good guy’?” She asked with a hint of sarcasm.

“Not particularly but I do have an unfailing loyalty to my own kind.”

“Creatures?”

He shook his head.

“Venetians.” He explained simply, leading the way to a room off the main area and flicked on the light.

A large painting took up almost the entire wall, it was her face but the clothes were unrecognisable, definitely Renaissance era.

“One of few paintings of you that exist,” he explained, “on the rare occasion you were seen in public, you concealed yourself behind a porcelain mask, long gloves, showing no skin at all, many opined it was as a result of smallpox scarring.”

“Why was it, really?”

“Freedom,” he explained, “as his silent and masked daughter you were privy to many conversations had around you and were able to uncover many plots and schemes.”

“Sounds boring as hell.”

“I’m sure it was. Luckily you spent most of your time as your alter ego, the minstrel, Oscine.”

“Like Clark Kent?”

“In a sense,” he grinned, “for some reason nobody ever wondered why Cicogna’s daughter and his musician were never seen in the same room.”

“That seems kind of obvious!” Rebecca pointed out.

“It was Venice in the late 1500’s, everyone was preoccupied with politics, murder, wine and other pleasures.”

“If I was always masked, who painted this portrait?”

“That I don’t know but the daemon, Michael, he was investigating strange, recently unearthed frescoes of you, Diana Bishop and,” he glanced up at Rebecca, “Contessa.”

“I suppose I have you to thank for defacing mine.” Rebecca gave him an appreciative smile.

“As much as it pained me to destroy your image, I did so only to protect you. But, I made a copy of the work.”

He handed her a photo.

“A copy,” Rebecca teased, “you say that like you were sat in front of it with paints and an easel, not an iPhone!”

He chuckled warmly.

“The daemon believed there was a code hidden in the photo, without knowing what it was, I couldn’t risk accidentally omitting a detail.”

“We both know you can forge any artwork.”

“Not one with you in it, all other detail would remain unnoticed by me as I toiled to properly capture that inscrutable expression.”

Rebecca seemed to blush slightly at the compliment and Alisha made a mental note to pry later.

“So, Rebecca, her mother and myself were all painted by someone 500 years ago?”

“That’s where time walking makes things more complicated,” Rebecca grimaced, “they may have painted it then but who knows where or when they came from.”

“Time-walking is a rare skill, only Contessa and your mother seem to have acquired it.” Domenico pondered.

“Some powerful witches are well hidden, even right now in this time!” Rebecca admitted.

“Tell me their names and I’ll deal with them.” Domenico smirked but the expression quickly shifted to concern when the doors swung open to reveal Miyako.

“We have to leave, now, he knows where you are!”

Alisha turned to look at Domenico accusingly.

“Baldwin did not hear it from me,” he promised.

“Not my father, it’s Benjamin and he’s not looking for Alisha,” Miyako’s tone betrayed the fear that was in Rebecca’s eyes, “Gerbert is with him.”

“I have no idea who Benjamin is but I can handle Gerbert, go!”

Rebecca simply nodded, and took both Miyako and Alisha’s hands.

Alisha hadn’t noticed until then that she was shaking.

“Becca,” Miyako prompted, getting her attention, “he won’t get you, I promise!”

“Just remember your other promise.”

Miyako gave a solemn confirmatory nod.

Receiving the assurance, Rebecca resumed her spell.

The door splintered outward, revealing Benjamin, bloodied from a fight.

“Domenico,” Rebecca inhaled sharply.

“Not your boyfriend I hope, Daddy wouldn’t be pleased.”

Rebecca closed her eyes and continued weaving as Benjamin tested the shield she had put around them.

“Fascinating witch, Alice, she followed you from the future, gave me all sorts of information. Knew I had to find you.”

Alisha couldn’t shake the horrible feeling of familiarity with him. She knew him and almost shrieked when he set his shark-eyed gaze on her.

“And Catarina.”

“Don’t talk to her.” Miyako snarled.

“You cannot save her from the memories I gave her current contemporary. Stay too long in a shared time and the ghosts of the displaced will haunt you. I learned that from my studies of time spinning, waiting for Diana. Now, I don’t have to wait fourteen years for you, Rebecca, you can give me what I want now.”

“Becca?” Miyako prompted.

“It’s not working, we need a shared focus.”

“We each share one person in common, one person who means so much to us. Think of him now and drop the shield when you are ready.” Miyako instructed.

——

“And you wonder why she left you!” Marcus seethed.

“Speak to me like that again boy-“ Baldwin challenged.

“That’s Grand-Master, head an order to which you belong!” Phoebe defended.

“And you are?”

“Phoebe Taylor.”

“Miss Taylor, you really should learn the etiquette required of a subordinate de Clermont’s mate. You address me as Sieur.”

“If I wanted lessons in etiquette comparable to your own I would visit the nearest pigsty.”

Everyone fell silent.

“Apologies, the nearest pigsty, Sieur.”

——

“We’re here!” Rebecca exclaimed with excitement upon seeing the terracotta squares of the dining room wall. Noting the shocked expression of Miyako and Alisha, she turned to see Baldwin and Marcus, both mid fight, both staring at them with everyone else in the room.

“Fuck!” Rebecca swore emphatically.

———

PART 20

#baldwin montclair #a discovery of witches #baldwin’s nightingale #adow baldwin #adow fic #baldwin de clermont

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aeternals · 1 year

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MIYAKO DE CLERMONT.

tag drop. info might be here or carrd once i hammer out details.

#( ㅤ miyako ㅤ ) portrait #( ㅤ miyako ㅤ ) answer #( ㅤ miyako ㅤ ) musings #( ㅤ miyako ㅤ ) study #( ㅤ miyako ㅤ ) headcanon #( ㅤ miyako ㅤ ) verse: main #( ㅤ miyako ㅤ ) imagery #( ㅤ miyako ㅤ ) interaction #( ㅤ miyako ㅤ ) desires

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softersinned-arc · 1 year

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@balldwin said: ❝ this will end in blood. the only question that remains is which side is willing to spill more. ❞

It's been some time since she's seen him like this. Centuries, really. He was long dead by the time Astoria had come into Baldwin's life, and the legend of the man who killed Dracula was relevant mostly in that it irritated her. She enjoyed hearing it, to be sure, but so did everyone else, and in the days before she began to stake a claim of her own nothing was surer to give her a headache than someone else hearing the story and trying to fall into his bed. The threat, then, was not the man but the family he left behind, the scores of loyal children determined to avenge their father or, at the very least, make the de Clermonts bleed.

There's something in him that awakens only when the dragon stirs. Astoria can hardly blame him; there's no one else to help him carry the weight, now, not as his father had done centuries before. He has her, of course―his left hand, his blade. He knows that there is nothing she wouldn't do for him, no risk she wouldn't take, but she is young, compared to Philippe. So are his children, though Astoria doesn't doubt that Miyako can, will wreak havoc to rival any of her grandfather's.

She rests a hand on his shoulder before she moves around the chair to settle comfortably into his lap. Dracula's scent no doubt lingers on her skin, his prolonged proximity hanging on her like the stench of rotting earth, and she's almost hesitant to bring the smell so close to him. But he could do with her presence, she thinks, her closeness, whatever comfort it might offer, and it's not as though standing away from him will make him any less aware of what happened today. Baldwin's nostrils flare with some agitation, but he winds his arms around her as he always does, keeping her held as near to him as he can.

Five hundred years ago he didn't have her with him when he killed―almost killed, Astoria mentally amends, and not for the first time she wonders if Dracula can die at all. Will her presence be a help or a hindrance? Already she's been used as a messenger, Dracula's threat obvious. Their call with Constanta earlier confirmed what she had suspected, made it clear that this was not the first death from which he returned.

"I know." It's a useless thing to say, but it's the best Astoria has right now. And she'd be a liar if she said she wasn't frightened, too. As if reading her mind (he so often does) Baldwin tightens his arms around her, drops a kiss to her temple. "He made that much clear." She doesn't have an answer to his question, either, and that troubles her more than anything else she's experienced today. (She is not Ysabeau; their minds work differently, always have. She is an assassin, not a general. She is a strategist, not a commander. She has never been sorry for it but right now, she thinks she is.)

One hand settles on his desk, fingers drumming against the wood. The other raises to his face, and she strokes a gentle line along his jaw before she presses a kiss there. "We have more weapons now than we did then," she says finally. "We have witches we can rely upon, but he's always had witches, hasn't he?" But they don't have Philippe. Or Godfrey. Gallowglass and Fernando will help them, as will Ysabeau and Matthew, but Matthew may not allow Diana to step into the line of fire, and the twins are another potential target. Their alliances were strong before, but there's only so much they can rely on Constanta now, if at all. "It may be time to reach out to Domenico again," she says after a beat. "For all his flaws, he's deadly enough."

And then, of course, comes the question of whose blood should be spilled. "Would it do anything to kill Constanta?" she asks softly. She'd be surprised if he hadn't thought of it already, but it needs to be asked. "I can't tell if it'll help or hurt him, to lose her. If she's to be believed, he's killed the other two himself. It might enrage him, or it might be a favor to him."

She pauses, presses another kiss to his jaw, settles against him with a sigh. Some part of her wants to tell him to ignore it all, leave it to someone else to handle, but who? He is the head of the family. As much as he deserves a rest, considering all that Diana and Matthew put him through, she knows there is no one else who could do what they must. And whatever her own fear may be, nothing short of death will take her from his side, or render her inactive.

"I'm sorry I don't have more for you. And I'm sorry he used me to get to you." It's not her fault and she knows it, but the sympathy is real. Even as she softens, she readies herself for war. "Tell me what you need of me, my love, and it's yours."

(It always is.)

#balldwin #i. here's the truth from my red lips. ( answers )#iii. the rest of you (the best of you) belongs to me. ( baldwin x astoria )

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