#so Dion can give it a chance. sleeping next to the others. and if he cant stand it then he has a chance to escape | Explore Tumblr Posts and Blogs

honeymoonjin · 4 years

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ᴘᴀɪʀɪɴɢ: ot7 x reader || ᴡᴏʀᴅ ᴄᴏᴜɴᴛ: exactly 7777 words how sexy is that || ɢᴇɴʀᴇ: smut - rated 18+

sᴜᴍᴍᴀʀʏ:

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ᴡᴀʀɴɪɴɢs: voyeurism, filmed sex, public sex/outdoor sex, oral (f receiving), jin being a little shit just because he can, vmin mxm scene, bath sex, unprotected sex, fingering/anal play, anal sex, creampie, the most tender smut scene in this whole fic goes to these fucking boys

ᴀ/ɴ: banner designed by @jamaisjoons, thank you to my sfhs girls who help with brainstorming every week xx, i’m so sorry if this feels rushed or too short, i didn’t want to leave you hanging for three weeks : (

DAY NINE

One thing you learn the morning after, is that Hoseok is a deceptively bad cook.

Of course you’re grateful for the breakfast in bed he kindly prepared you and Jungkook - the latter still half-asleep and unable to go more than five seconds without yawning - but it’s hard to comprehend that the man in front of you now, eating cereal with a fork, is the same one that wrecked you so elegantly last night.

“Why is the toast chewy? Are we still being punished?” Jungkook moans sombrely around a mouthful, eyes dazed.

Hoseok sets his fork back in the bowl with a clatter, reaching out to poke Jungkook with a foot. “Be grateful, brat. I made that out of love.”

The younger man stares bleakly down at his plate. “I’d love to have a pancake right now instead.”

You wince at Hoseok’s disappointed expression, taking a mouthful of the strangely floppy toast. “It’s… nice and warm,” you offer up, failing to find anything else to compliment.

Hoseok beams. “Thank you. While I was doing my cereal, it got a bit cold, so I heated it up in the microwave.”

Your heart sinks despairingly into your stomach, which roils at the prospect. “Ah,” you muse hollowly.

“Eat up!” the dom cheers. “Breakfast is the most important meal of the day.” Still smiling proudly, he digs his fork into the almost full bowl of cereal and begins chowing down.

Jungkook shares a silent stare with you, and you turn back to your plate. “Thanks for breakfast, Hoseok,” you sigh, and brace yourself for the meal ahead.

After breakfast, you get dressed in a pair of shorts and a comfy shirt, planning on spending the day inside relaxing. But the moment you see Jin and Taehyung running around on the gravel outside, a small darting form evading their flailing arms, you realise how foolish you were to expect that a day in the villa could be anything remote to uneventful.

Rushing out the front door still in your socks, you step down to the base of the concrete entryway, staring in shock at the two men.

Taehyung’s face is bright with a boxy grin, laughing maniacally as he rushes to and fro, still in his version of pyjamas - loose boxer shorts and a Celine Dion t-shirt. “Hyung, that way!” he hoots cheerily to Jin, feet crunching noisily on the gravel.

The other man, considerably less happy (or perhaps the frown was one of absolute concentration), huffs at the command. “It’s your fuckin’ dog, Tae, why isn’t it going to you?”

Between them, panting and grinning, is a small dog with short fur, nails clicking on the gravel. It can’t be taller than knee-height, with wide eyes and a small black nose. It probably is white or cream coloured, but the thick crusting of dirt all over makes it hard to tell.

“It’s not my dog, I just found him!” Taehyung insists, before crouching down, clicking his tongue. “Mango, c’mere boy! Come to daddy.”

Jin comes to a stop with a groan, chest heaving. “Well, now you’re just going to scar the poor thing.”

Taehyung glares, but doesn’t stop cooing at the dog, who’s now eying him up suspiciously. “Come on, boy, daddy just wants to help, he’ll give you a nice, warm bath and some treats. Sound nice, Mango? C’mere!”

With the cool disdain that you’ve never seen in a dog before, Mango lifts his chin and turns tail, gracefully trotting over to Jin, rubbing his face against the man’s shin.

Taehyung gasps in abject horror at the betrayal, sinking fully onto the rough gravel of the driveway, but Jin just grins and bends down, gently scratching the dog’s head.

You let out a disbelieving laugh at the scene, drawing their attention. “What is going on?”

Immediately, the two men point at each other accusingly, the dog - Mango - snuffling at Jin’s hand when he realises his petting has ceased.

Jin calmly resumes stroking the mutt with a mellow expression. “Taehyung kidnapped a dog.”

“I did not!” the younger man protests vehemently. “I found him wandering around all by himself and I put out some food for him.” Taehyung turns to you with desperate eyes. “Jin called him filthy!”

“I did,” the therapist admits easily, “‘cause he is.” Crouching down, he gets closer to eye-level and pouts. “All this mud and dirt on you, hm? Not nice, is it? Poor bo-” Jin cuts himself off as the dog rolls over on its back, wiggling against the gravel happily. The three of you stare in silence for a few moments at Mango, before Jin slowly pans up to stare at Taehyung. “You thought Mango was a boy this whole time?”

Taehyung scratches his head with a helpless shrug. “Well, I didn’t think to check his dick for confirmation! I mean, her dick. No dick. Uh…”

Jin’s ignoring him, however, in favour of giving Mango tummy rubs, grinning at the whipping of her tail as it wags. “Oh, Taehyungie is so mean to you, isn’t he? Poor girl. I wouldn’t trust him with a cactus,” he admits in a mock whisper.

“I resent that,” Taehyung shouts lowly, voice getting louder as he gets worked up, “Cactuses don’t even have dicks, so it wouldn’t be an issue.”

“Neither does Mango,” Jin quips sharply.

“Hey!” the younger boy yells, pouting at the sight of Mango snuggling up to Jin so willingly.

From behind, the sudden bang of a fist on glass makes you jump. Whirling around, you watch in bewilderment as Jimin rushes outside, eyes wide and mouth rounded at the sight.

“What the fuck is all the racket about?” he exclaims in bewilderment. “We’re trying to watch a movie but we can’t hear a thing over the sounds you’re- is that a dog?”

“Mango!” Taehyung chimes. “H- She’s my dog!”

“That wasn’t what you said earlier,” Jin begins, and Jimin tuts loudly to break off the bantering.

“Goodness, she’s a skinny little thing,” Jimin says with worry, passing you to go crouch beside Jin. He holds a hand out and smiles softly as Mango presses her nose into his palm. “Dirty, too. There’s a hose out back that does warm water, let’s clean her off and get her some food.”

Your heart warms at the same fond tone in his voice that you’d heard at Mrs. Park’s house. “I’ll go get some soap and towels,” you offer, “I need to go get my shoes on anyway.”

Jimin, already fully dressed in tight blue jeans and a white t-shirt - the most casual you’d seen him yet - turns around to nod at you. “Thank you,” he chirps, “we’ll be around back.”

By the time you get ready and come back with the supplies, Taehyung is already manning the hose, running his fingers through the stream to wait for it to warm up as he chats away with Jimin. Clearly a fan of the oldest, Mango is still happily hanging around Jin’s ankles, whole body wagging as she gets her ears scratched.

Jimin glances up when you round the corner, and rushes forward to take the items from your hands. “Thank you, let’s hope-” He pauses, staring down at the bottle. “Is this my hand-soap?”

You suppress a sheepish grin. “It says mild and unscented, I thought it would be better for Mango than body wash.”

“Fair enough,” Jimin allows, before turning back around to the other two. “Alright, let’s hope Mango likes water.”

As it turns out, Mango positively thrives with the water, panting happily as her fur is soaked with the warm water. Crouching to your side, you squirt some soap out onto her back, and you and Jimin begin massaging it in on either side of her while Jin holds up her head to keep it free from suds.

It takes a while, but Mango is patient, and you’re determined to make sure all the grit and dirt accumulated from a life of sleeping rough is washed away. Beneath the matted filth is beautiful white fur, the palest brown in places. With tiny feet and delicate ears, she may be a mutt but she’s a beautiful one, and out of the corner of your eye you can see Jin’s fond smile as he stares into her baleful eyes.

Taehyung rinses her down, the suds collecting on the back lawn, and before any of you even think to get away, Mango braces herself and shakes, spraying droplets all over the four of you.

Closest to her body, it’s you and Jimin that cop most of the downpour, and you hiss at the feeling of it soaking your shirt and running down your neck. Taehyung gasps and ditches the hose to chuck a towel over her wet body, but the damage has been done.

Across from you, on the other side of Mango, Jimin’s pink lips are rounded gracefully in a gasp, eyes clenched shut. You can’t help but grin as he slowly blinks away the water in his eyes with a low moan of disappointment, the delicately-applied makeup now smudging, a watery layer of mascara ringing his eyes. When he stretches up into a crouch, his pants are spotted with water though mostly okay, and it’s clear his shirt displays the majority of the water.

Clinging to him obscenely, the thin white cotton is made see-through with the effect of Mango’s shake-off. It exposes the harsh black lines of his tattoo, which winds around his ribcage, nevermind. You’d seen it laid bare twice before, but you’d been too wound up from his teasing to even really look. Now, though, you admire the way it stands out so starkly even behind a layer of fabric, the edges blurred but still strong and pure black.

As he huffs and wrings out the fabric, Taehyung cackles behind him, and Jimin’s face darkens. Without any time for the younger man to react, Jimin’s grabs the still-running hose and turns it onto Taehyung, drenching him with a triumphant yell.

“Hey!” Taehyung screeches, hair covering his eyes heavily as his pyjamas sag against his body. “No fair!”

You jump away as Taehyung begins to wrestle with Jimin for the hose, the two grinning like idiots even as they scrabble.

Jin, calmly patting down Mango, chooses to instead lift her into his arms bundled in the towel. He crooks his head at you. “Let’s go down to the pool and dry off a bit in the sun,” he suggests. “Save getting caught in the middle of this battle.”

You squint against the glare of the late morning sun that glints off the pool. You’ve never been there yourself or seen anyone swim in it, and its lack of use is clear by the uneven layer of leaves that floats across its surface. “If you dunk me in that dirty-ass pool, I’ll kill you.” Even with the venom in your words, you follow him over, the chaos of the two boys left behind growing quieter and quieter.

“Don’t worry,” Jin assures you sweetly, “I’ll clean it first.” With that, he steps up onto the concrete patio that surrounds the large rectangle and makes his way over to the three haphazard pool chairs beside the edge. “You and Mango can relax here.”

Eying him suspiciously, you sit on the gauzy canvas of one of the lounge chairs and lean back, letting out a sigh as the warm of the sun settles onto your skin like a blanket. “Fine,” you sigh out, too comfortable to protest, “just while Mango dries off.”

Jin works quietly, without haste. All you hear as you throw an arm over your eyes is the occasional tinkling of water and the snuffling of the dog Jin sat down beside you.

With the sun beating down on you, warming your soaked shirt, you let your mind wander lazily. You hadn’t really had a chance to properly think after the elimination. Or lack of, you suppose. All of Monday had you feeling a strange mix of relief and guilt, until Hoseok served your penance and allowed you to put your mind at ease again. Now, though, you take a chance to think over how the game has changed.

It was moments like earlier, when groups of you were together and laughing, that made you happy to be here. The thought that you were no longer evicting one contestant a week felt like a hundred-year burden finally being lifted off your shoulders.

Though of course, with all the good, came bad, too. The guys said they wouldn’t take you personally, and at least now everyone would know the decision was based on sex alone, but it didn’t take a psychic to see how bad things could turn if someone took it wrong. Already you can picture fights, sulking, resentment, and the thought scares you.

And then the punishment for you touching them. It was something you hadn’t seen coming for a second, though all of Sejin’s twists had gotten you off-guard. The thought that the other guys would have control over what you wore if you ever slipped up gives you pause. You’re confident in your body, but they would be well within their rights to make you wear something humiliating. You bite down hard on your tongue. Just don’t fuck the outed members, you hiss at yourself. Easy as that.

Not so easy, perhaps, when the thought of every one of them made your heart ache and shift in your chest.

“You aren’t asleep, are you?”

You shoot up in fright at the sudden exclamation, startled out of your train of thought. “No, what?” your tongue fumbles, before you squint in front of you to the poolside and your mouth drops open.

As casual as ever, Jin stands on the far edge, leaning his weight on a long leaf skimmer, the net resting on the end of the pole, above his head. That isn’t what has your attention, though. As you raise a hand to block the sun, you feel your mouth water at the sight of him standing in nothing but a pair of dark grey boxers, hand on his hip casually like it’s nothing out of the ordinary.

“What the fuck are you doing?” is the only thing your mind can think to say.

Jin chuckles, the motion making his broad shoulders jump up and down. Your mouth drops wider open, eyes roaming his figure. Basking in the attention, he smiles broadly. “Cleaning your pool,” he answers easily, “Miss Y/n.”

Your brows knit together. “My po- Oh.” You take a moment to analyse the situation - single lady on the pool chair watching as a hot and scantily-clad young man cleans it for her. Pool boy. A bemused giggle bubbles up your throat as you remember Jin’s disbelieving reaction when he drew the card. “Really?”

Jin just shrugs. “I’m just here to do my job, Miss. Saving up money for college. But it’s so hot out here that-” Jin breaks off with a pout as you begin to crack up, curling over your own torso with the force of it. “Hey! Why are you laughing at me?”

You try to let your laughter die down enough to speak, still giggling wetly as your eyes tear up a bit from it. “Sa-saving up for college,” you make out before cracking up again. “You don’t have to pay to be a professor, Jinnie.”

His mouth drops open in offence at your quip, letting the leaf skimmer clatter onto the concrete dramatically. On the chair beside you, Mango wakes up with a start at the noise and flees, scampering off in the direction of the villa. Still offended, Jin turns and makes his way around the edge of the pool towards you with a huff. “The disrespect these days,” he declares, “I’m just a poor uni student trying to make a quick buck and all you’re doing is insulting me.”

You sit up, watching him keep your gaze step by step. The sun is beautiful on him, honeying his brown hair and bronzing the smooth skin of his chest, shoulders and arms. He’s beautiful, but of course he doesn’t need you telling him to know that. “You shouldn’t talk back to your employer, Jinnie,” you quip as he nears.

As intimidating as someone can be wearing nothing but underwear - you can spy his clothes haphazardly strewn on the concrete on the other side of the patio - Jin steps in front of the lounge chair, blotting out the sun with his broad back. “Luckily for you,” he answers smoothly, “I just finished. I’ll just collect the cash and get out of your hair.”

You stare up at him, eyes aching now that they’re not fighting against the glare of the sun. Even though you’ve never been in this situation before, and certainly don’t have much experience with role-play, the words come easy to you. “But I don’t have any money.”

His grin turns wolfish, like he’d been hoping you’d say that. Your stomach flips as he lifts one leg over the end of the lounge chair, straddling it. “I suppose I’ll just have to claim my payment in some other way.”

Your heart races as he sits down, boxers doing nothing to hide his straining erection. “Like what?” you ask weakly, breath hitching as his fingers stretch out to brush over the button of your shorts.

Jin’s eyes are hot on yours, twin points of heat everywhere they roam. First between your legs, then up to meet your gaze. “Will you let me taste you?” he asks, previous humour completely evaporated. He stares at you intensely, like nothing else is as important as this, and you find yourself nodding before you even process it.

“Wait,” you gasp as he slips open the button, zip sliding down smoothly, “out here? The others-”

“Have gone inside,” Jin cuts in easily, fingers dipping below the hem of your panties. Your breath hitches, hips lifting to help him slip them off your legs and onto the concrete beside, shoes and socks following. “We’re alone.”

The warmth of the chair’s fabric below you is strange on your skin, but Jin isn’t content with just your core being exposed. Tapping your arm, he guides you to raise them as he lifts your shirt, tossing it away in the same direction. Almost bare for him, the only thing that remains is your bra, and without hesitation his fingers find the clasp, leaning forward to capture your mouth with his suddenly as he slips the bra down your arm.

Naked beneath him, you whimper into his mouth as he presses his chest against you, arms caging you on either side. It’s been a long time since you’ve kissed him, and it feels just as heady as last time, his lips soft but so firm and thorough as they claim you.

Jin kisses with all his energy, like it’s his only purpose, and the intense way he works your mouth open and licks up into it, swirling his tongue dizzily over yours has you hooked on him, needing more even as he gives you more than you feel you can handle.

After a time, you feel him shift, and you groan past swollen lips as he slides down your body, trailing an unbroken line of kisses down your throat and chest until he’s cupping a breast in his hand, hot mouth descending on a stiff peak. You cry out, back arching with the delicious stimulation as he suckles on it needily.

“Still so sensitive,” he remarks with a chuckle, and any protest at his teasing tone is lost under the indulgent way he flicks his tongue over the bud, circling it deftly. It’s sinful, the way you watch him, watch his eyes close in bliss and your peak roll under the ministrations of his tongue, like a show of what’s to come.

Once he gives a final wet suck to bring it to its full stiffness, he moves across to the other one, thumbing the first lazily to keep those hot coals of pleasure burning inside you.

Sensing you can take it, he’s rougher with the second nipple, tugging at it with his teeth, sucking harshly and laving his tongue over it when you whimper at the sting. “Perfect for me,” his voice makes out in a gravelled tone, “you’re like a fucking four-course meal.”

You chuckle airily, though it’s cut off by a hitched whimper as he ventures lower yet again, letting his tongue and lips lead the way over the skin of your stomach, until you can feel the warmth of his breath where you need to feel him most. “Jinnie,” you breathe pleadingly, toes curling as he dips out his tongue to wet his lips.

“Will you be good while I taste you, hm?” Jin questions lowly, voice silken like his lips.

You nod with a swallow, but your throat has gone dry just watching him. The sight of his fingers digging in to the flesh of your thighs, his lips pursing, his eyes swirling with mischief and lust. “Need you, Jinnie,” you find yourself pleading again.

He hums in bemusement, and you unconsciously hold your breath as he finally dips his head down. The first contact isn’t his tongue at all, but his lips, pressed to the upper seam of your thigh. You gasp, core clenching, but he pays no mind, laying a delicate trail across your thigh, until he jumps over and begins the other side.

With a whine, you part your legs wider, bare feet grazing on the sunbaked concrete. The rough texture reminds you of the fact that you’re outside, bared to the world, and you whine again. “Jinnie, hurry.”

“Patience,” he chastises lowly, pinching the inner of your thigh between two fingers to make you jump. “I cleaned out the pool for you, the least you can do is let me enjoy you.”

You swallow down your needy moan, head falling back against the lounge chair. “Sorry,” you gasp out instead, hoping he appreciates your manners and takes mercy on you.

Instead, he just grins. “So polite,” the therapist muses, “I wonder how long that’ll last.” One at a time, slow like he’s drawing out your anticipation, he lifts your legs onto his broad shoulders, tilting your hips up to expose you to him better.

The moment he touches his tongue to your core, you know you’re fucked.

Languid, exploratory, he delves the muscle through your folds, swirling once around your sensitive clit before dipping back down again. You sigh out, enjoying every motion, but it’s far too slow, and he knows it.

As you glance down, his lips are stretched in a slick grin, which he makes no attempt to mask. Obscenely, he wraps his lips around one of yours and sucks, slurping at your juices without shame.

You sob, thighs tensing, but he holds you open calmly and gives the same ministration to the other side, collecting your arousal on his tongue like he’s savouring it. More and more leaks out of you at the feeling of him going down on your for his own pleasure, and he groans in approval.

In his grasp, you attempt to cant your hips down to angle your clit closer to his roving tongue, but he deftly ignores your attempt, devouring you at his own pace.

After the clouds pass, the sun pierces your eyes again, and you throw an arm over your face to block it out, body writhing under his slow stimulation. “Ji-Jinnie,” you hiccup, but he doesn’t even reply, fingers clutching tighter at your thighs and ass to latch you onto him firmer.

When a breeze picks up, it wafts over you, cooling the spit on your nipples and peaking them even more, and you shiver at the feeling. Hearing a distant swishing sound, you lift your arm up and glance towards the source, only to go stiff once you see.

About ten metres away, the outdoor dining area is not as empty as it was before, Yoongi pausing with two plates full of cooked meat and potatoes, eyes directly locked on you. With a flip of arousal and dread, you watch as more members of the house file out; Jungkook, Namjoon and Hoseok joining him and gawking when they see you and Jin.

Cheeks flushing violently, you push at Jin’s head. “They-they’re out here, Jin, you need to stop-” you break off as he pulls back and glances over, chin and lips shiny with your arousal.

“Lunchtime,” Yoongi calls out with a wry grin, and you groan as he continues to set the table outside, the younger ones following suit. Namjoon seems the most startled of the four, but not one of them has looked away. Jungkook’s eyes are so wide you can see them rounded from here, a hand pressing to the front of his crotch.

You make another effort to wriggle out of Jin’s grip, but without even looking at you he keeps you locked in, spread for him. “Thanks, but I’m already eating!” he quips proudly, and you sob in embarrassment at the pun, covering your hands and scrunching your eyes shut.

Unable to see, however, you’re taken off-guard when Jin suddenly descends on you like a man starved. You go stiff and shriek at the sudden strong suck on your clit, before clapping a palm over your mouth. The distant sounds of the guys having lunch just makes you drip more, and Jin doesn’t miss it.

“You like that, dirty girl?” You sob at the question, but he just chuckles lowly. “Acting all shy, all coy, but this pussy of yours just loves being watched. Shall we give them a show?”

You barely have time to muster a wordless cry in response before his tongue, lips and teeth are ravishing you with only one intent: to bring you to a screaming orgasm.

You writhe as much as his grip allows you, overtaken by the sudden onslaught of pleasure, but it’s inescapable. While you can muffle your moans with your fist, biting harshly on your knuckles, there’s no denying the four men dining outside can see the way you tremble and arch, and the thought just makes you cry out more.

Your high arrives quickly as you squeeze your eyes shut, not bearing to look towards the voyeurs or even Jin as his tongue delves deep into you, nose nudging your clit as he goes.

Risking a glance over to the dining area quickly, it’s the sight of all four men sitting down, eyes heavy on you as the food remains untouched that sends you over the edge.

You reach out desperately for Jin; one hand buried into his hair and the other clutching at his hand. He holds onto you tightly as he works you through your orgasm until your thighs are shaking and your chest is heaving with the force of it.

When the tremors finally subside, he presses one last kiss to your sensitive clit, and then lets your legs down. You pant quietly as he sits up and pats your pussy playfully with a grin. To your confusion, he then stands up and rubs at the red texture marks that the gauzy fabric of the lounge chair has imprinted, and begins to walk off towards the house.

You frown, sitting up with a still-racing heart. “Where are you going?” you question incredulously.

With a shit-eating grin, Jin sends you a wink, not even bothering to go collect his clothes or hide his straining erection. “Lunchtime.”

“Will Mango be okay?” Taehyung asks worriedly.

Jimin tsks, but his tone is warm as he levels a stare at the younger man. “She’ll be fine, Tae, she’s a big girl. Besides; Hoseok looked like he’d fallen in love. I bet she’s getting treated like a queen right now.”

Taehyung glances down the stairs morosely as they turn the corner. “Good,” he muses, “she is.”

Jimin doesn’t notice Taehyung following him until he steps into his room, only to see the masseuse still behind him. “Do you need something?”

Still in pyjamas soaked from the water fight, Taehyung looks nonetheless beautiful. Jimin takes a moment to look over the tanned boy, his lithe frame exposed by the clinging fabric and his hair hanging long with the weight of the water. His lips are delicately sculpted like from marble, and he can’t help himself from starting at the slight pout as Taehyung asks softly, “does your room have a bath? Jungkook said you did.”

Jimin blinks. “How would Jungko- Oh.” The already-faded memory of Jungkook barging in on his morning routine sharpens back into colour. Of course. “Anyway, yes, I do. Why’s that?”

“Just wondering.” Taehyung shifts, a ring of dark grey on the carpet around him from the water that drips off his body.

Jimin dares a glance at the cameras in the corners of the hallway. If the two of them soak the carpet much more, Sejin will have their heads. Sighing he steps further into his room, opening the door wider. “Do you want to use it?”

Without a moment’s hesitation, Taehyung brightens up, grin so broad it exposes his back teeth. “Yes, please, hyung!”

Jimin takes a deep breath to stop himself from mirroring the smile, simply shutting the door behind them both as Taehyung rushes into the bathroom, skidding on the floor with his wet feet. “Careful,” Jimin scolds quickly, “you’ll fall.” Avoiding Taehyung’s imploring gaze, he steps past him to put in the plug and begin running water, shivering at the feeling of his wet clothes cold against his skin. “Do you like it hot?”

“Always,” Taehyung answers without hesitation. Though Jimin can’t see his face, the low timbre of the masseuse’s voice gives him pause. “Can we have bubbles?”

Like that, the moment of tension is broken, and Jimin straightens up with a laugh, turning to him. “We?”

Taehyung pouts again, shaking the hair out of his eyes. “You aren’t gonna shower while I have a bath, are you, hyung? That’s a waste of water.”

Jimin feels his eyebrows rise, but the motion catches his attention in the mirror. He gasps at his reflection behind Taehyung; with the liner and mascara around his eyes smudged like a racoon and his foundation patchy, he looks like a mess. “Goodness,” he sighs, “why didn’t you tell me I look like this?”

Taehyung’s eyes are wide with uncertainty as Jimin rushes to the vanity, hastily fishing in the drawers for an oil cleanser to remove the dregs of pigment on his face. “You still look beautiful, hyung,” Taehyung offers softly.

“I look like a teenage girl that just got dumped.” Jimin scoffs a laugh as he viciously rubs at his skin, rinsing it off in the sink with a sigh. Straightening up again, he winces at the reflection that greets him. Red nose and chin, cheeks round without the illusion of contour, eyes looking too small in his face. Every flaw makes him bite down on his tongue harsher, until he whirls himself around, unable to look longer. With his jaw tense, Jimin tugs off the silver rings that adorn his fingers. “Fuck it, I’ll have a bath.”

Instead of cheering like Jimin expects him to, wants him to, Taehyung just eyes him with quiet concern. Over the loudly gushing faucet, his voice is barely audible as he repeats, “you still look beautiful.”

“Do you want vanilla or peaches and cream?” Jimin offers instead. “For bubbles, I mean.” Busying himself with picking out the bottles from the shower, he misses the frown on Taehyung’s face.

“Peaches, please, hyung,” the younger man requests warmly, shivering at the strange tension in the air. “Peach is my favourite scent, you know?”

“Is it?” The thought brings a smile to Jimin’s lips, as he discards the other bottle and begins drizzling body wash over the stream, bubbles frothing immediately. The bright yet sweet scent begins to fill the room, and Jimin’s smile widens. “It suits you.”

Once the tub is aptly full, and bubbles cover the surface, Jimin caps the bottle and peels the fabric of his shirt off himself with soapy hands, sighing as the weight is removed. He spares a glance to Taehyung, who still stands motionless in the middle of the room in a puddle of water. “You can get in now,” he provides, “I don’t bite.”

The blatant lie tugs a grin from Taehyung’s lips as he obediently begins undressing. “You forget I’ve seen your videos,” he quips wryly.

“Oh, I certainly haven’t forgotten, Taehyungie.” It takes more effort to strip himself from his blue jeans, totally waterlogged, but Jimin kicks off his shoes and does it one leg at a time. Naked, he seeks out the warmth of the water, sighing as he steps in and sinks below the bubbles, glancing over to Taehyung, who avoids his gaze as he slips off his boxers, the fabric slapping wetly on the white tiles.

It’s the first time Jimin’s seen Taehyung fully naked, and he can’t help his eyes from roaming. Smooth chest leading to a narrow waist and soft stomach, Taehyung’s cock standing at half-mast like he’s still unsure whether he should be aroused or not. Hastily, he steps into the bath, facing Jimin on the other side, and Jimin watches those delicate, slender fingers flex on the side of the tub as he settles in. Those fingers that played Y/n like she was an instrument. Those fingers that relaxed Jimin more than he’d felt in years, without even needing a release.

“I did what you suggested, hyung,” Taehyung says lightly, knees poking out of the water as he sticks as far to his end of the tub as possible. He pokes his chin forward, running a finger over his jaw and lower cheek. “I’m growing it out.”

Jimin smiles at the younger man warmly, the warmth of the water relaxing his muscles and softening him more than he’d normally be. Or perhaps it was the earnest, non-judgmental air Taehyung always held. Either way, he finds himself leaning forward slightly to brush his fingertips over the bottom of Taehyung’s face. The slightly sharp texture of exposed hairs and beginnings of a dark shadow evidence that he hadn’t shaved since Monday morning. “It’s growing in fast,” he comments, eyes darting to see the way Taehyung’s pulse thrums visibly on his neck.

Taehyung swallows, eyes locked on Jimin. “That’s why I usually shave everyday,” he explains lightly. Perhaps unconsciously, the masseuse’s legs part slowly, water rushing in to fill the void.

Shifting closer again, up on his knees, Jimin continues to inspect the 5 o’clock shadow on Taehyung’s face. “It looks nice,” he says softly; “handsome.”

Taehyung’s eyes blink widely. As Jimin’s tongue darts out quickly to wet his lips, he wonders if, had there been no bubbles, he’d be able to see Taehyung’s cock stiffening to a full erection below the water. The thought sends blood rushing down to his own dick, and Jimin sighs.

Sensing the silence has extended long enough, Taehyung swallows. “Do you think she’ll like it, hyung? What if it’s too rough?”

“There’s only one way to find out,” Jimin points out, voice coming out breathier than expected, and his hand snakes around the back of Taehyung’s neck to drag him into a kiss.

The black-haired boy squeaks in surprise at the first contact, but quickly he’s melting, reaching up to grasp blindly at Jimin’s shoulders with a whimper. The reciprocation simultaneously relaxes Jimin and sends him into a frenzy, and he slides himself closer, between Taehyung’s parted legs to deepen the kiss.

If Jimin angles his head just right, his chin feels the slight prickle of Taehyung’s unshaven face, and he makes a noise of approval low in his throat, nipping at the lips that have swollen under his ministrations. Of course the idea wasn’t for kissing Y/n, but if Taehyung could kiss that good with his scruff, Jimin couldn’t imagine what a joyride Y/n was in for when she’d feel that between her thighs. Jimin grins into the kiss at the thought.

The air is thick with arousal and peaches, and the heady combination has Jimin needing more, tongue slipping out to lave over Taehyung’s lips. The younger man whimpers, and Jimin takes the opportunity of his open mouth to run his tongue along Tae’s, leaning further and further forward until their chests are pressed together.

With a needy gasp, Taehyung pulls away, turning his head just slightly to the side to suck in some air, eyes blown with lust. “Are- Jimin?” he stutters out incoherently, the sound of his panting rivalled only by the sloshing of the water that their movements have stirred up.

Jimin’s heart races; thrill on top of arousal on top of concern, his grin falling. “Do you not want to?”

Taehyung narrows his brows like he doesn’t comprehend, and glances around the room. “But there are no cameras?” he supplies, voice lilting at the end like a question.

“I know,” Jimin explains, feeling his own brain struggling to keep time, “I don’t want the cameras.”

“Then…” The lost look on Taehyung’s face breaks Jimin’s heart, and he resists the urge to press a kiss right between his brows, where a crease has formed.

Jimin wills his heart to slow, taking a deep breath. “I- I think for once, I want to have sex not because it’s my job, but because I want to get closer to someone. I know you watch my videos, but… Taehyung, would you want to have sex with me? Just… just me? Not Park Jimin?”

Taehyung tilts his head, a confused smile beginning to tug at his lips. “But you are Park Jimin-”

“Don’t worry about it,” Jimin cuts him off, leaning back to get out of the tub. “It was stupid and I shouldn’t have-”

“Minnie.”

Jimin freezes, eyes finding Taehyung’s with a wide stare.

The younger boy’s gaze is soft behind black curls, imploring. “I like you, you know? It was never the videos or the persona. Just you. Whether we have sex or not, you should know that.”

The backs of Jimin’s eyes sting. He ignores it, instead settling back down into the now-lukewarm water. “I-” But it’s too much. He doesn’t know what to say, how to deal with the words he hasn’t heard for years and years. So instead, Jimin just cracks a shy smile, heart easing. “I do still kinda wanna have sex with you, though.”

Taehyung laughs, wide and squared, his eyes little crescent moons. “I want to have sex with you, too,” he assures. “Shall we continue?”

Jimin feels his lips stretch instinctively into a smile, before he’s leaning in and pressing them to Taehyung’s again.

Kissing Taehyung feels good; it’s more addictive and heady than he’s ever felt it in years, bar that night with Y/n. Letting his own want and desire take over instead of worrying about camera angles, lighting, viewers - is this why people like it so much?

Taehyung seems to enjoy it, too, gasping into Jimin’s mouth. The blue-haired man can feel the tickle of Taehyung’s lashes as his eyes flutter with every stroke of his tongue, and Jimin swallows a groan wondering what he’ll sound like later if he’s this responsive now.

Testing it out, he runs a hand up Taehyung’s side, seeking out a dusky brow nipple, wet with steam from the tub, and thumbs at it. Back arching suddenly, the masseuse moans into Jimin’s mouth, reaching both hands up to bury his fingers in Jimin’s hair to anchor him.

Jimin continues to circle and flick at it until Taehyung is positively squirming under his touch. Only then does he let his hand slide down again, this time delving beneath the warm embrace of the water, seeking out the hard length between Taehyung’s legs.

“Fuck,” Taehyung gasps out when he feels fingers wrapping around his cock, not stroking yet but with enough pressure to make him need more. “Want you inside me, Jimin.”

“Yeah?” Jimin confirms breathlessly with a grin. Fingers trailing lower, he easily locates the tight ring of muscle, making the younger man groan as he presses gently at the rim with a single fingertip. “Have you done this before?”

“Bottomed?” Taehyung questions. “Of course. I’m fine, hyung.”

Instead of responding, Jimin takes a moment to lift up one of Taehyung’s knees, unfolding it so that it rested over the edge of the tub. Wide-eyed, the masseuse lets Jimin give the same treatment to the other, until he’s spread open, ass no longer quite reaching the bottom as he floats in the water.

Though he can hear the spatter of water on the tile, dripping off Taehyung’s legs, Jimin ignores it and begins to work a finger past the boy’s rim, drinking in his groans as it sinks inside.

Water isn’t the best lubricant, so Jimin goes slowly, and it’s only once Taehyung grows restless with just one finger that Jimin starts to use two. It takes a moment, but as he crooks his fingers just right, Taehyung lets out a shaky cry, clenching down suddenly. “Just there?” Jimin questions with a wry smile.

Taehyung’s thighs tremble. “Right there, hyung, fuck.” The black-haired boy fusses so beautifully as Jimin continues to stretch him out, pads of his fingers focussing on that sensitive bud of tissue inside. “I-I’m ready, Minnie, I need you.”

Jimin’s heart hitches at the nickname again, and his cock throbs at the thought of finally being able to fuck him. “Are you sure?” he checks one last time, receiving a hasty nod.

The moment Jimin slowly bottoms out, hips flush against Taehyung’s ass, he knows he’s not going to last long. Luckily, Taehyung seems to share the sentiment, groaning obscenely and clutching at his own length, hissing at the contact.

“Fuck, Tae-tae, you feel so good,” Jimin sighs as he begins to set a languid but deep pace. It was natural for his tongue to run during sex; dirty talk was huge in his industry, and sometimes he felt like part of him ran on autopilot during his scenes. Slutty pussy this, dumb cock that; but this didn’t even feel like dirty talk to him. As he buried himself in Taehyung over and over, it felt closer to a confession.

“Ah, Minnie,” Taehyung whimpers, beginning to stroke himself in time, chest arching out of the water, “kiss me.”

His eyes are dark with lust but puppy-soft as he blinks up under his lashes at Jimin, and it’s impossible to resist. Not that he wants to, when Taehyung’s lips feel so perfect on his.

The younger boy whimpers delicately into Jimin’s mouth when they’re joined again, and Jimin feels his high creeping up on him. Embarrassingly fast, he’d think normally, but he doesn’t feel embarrassed now.

“I’m close,” he whispers quickly to Taehyung, picking up the pace so that the water sloshes loudly around them, bubbles dissolving.

Taehyung groans, wraps his free arm around Jimin’s shoulders to hold himself closer, and speeds up his hand. “Me too,” he confesses, “cum inside, Minnie.”

With a low curse, Jimin is spilling inside Taehyung, hips stuttering their pace. Taehyung chases his lips through his own orgasm, gasping so much that he can barely reciprocate. It feels dirty and exquisite; the way their lips and tongue join so messily together, shuddering in unison as pleasure wracks their bodies.

Once Jimin finally comes down from his high, he’s panting. Hair damp from the steam and face hot, for once he doesn’t worry about if his o-face was attractive or his voice gravelly enough. He feels beautiful.

---

Taehyung’s nowhere to be found by the time you and the other boys finish lunch, and so there’s nobody to protest when Jin suggests the two of you can look after Mango.

Although not trained, Mango is nonetheless polite, and it’s far past sunset by the time Jin and you finish up your photoshoots and online shopping, Jin happily spending a fortune on a dog bed, pedigree food and enough toys for a whole kennel. He insists it’s because Sejin would have his ass if he asked the producer to spend more of the show’s funds, but that doesn’t stop the therapist spamming Sejin’s personal cell with pictures and messages, determined to make a point.

The two of you are exhausted from a day well spent as you snuggle lazily in Jin’s bed, a laptop propped up on your lap as you yawn away to a documentary on squirrels.

“We can go to sleep if you want,” Jin reminds you as a deep baritoned narrator explains the child-rearing techniques of female squirrels. “It’s past midnight.”

“You’re past midnight,” you retort sleepily, before your brain catches up with you. “Ah. No. Maybe you’re right.”

With a teasing smile and kind eyes, Jin takes the laptop away, plugging it in on his desk before returning back. “I’m glad, you know,” he muses as he slips under the covers again, your arms and legs immediately latching onto his frame.

Once he settles, you place your head on his chest, the internal beating of his heart a soothing metronome. “Glad about what?”

“Glad that this week’s challenge was you sleeping in different beds. I never got to sleep beside you that first night.”

“You could’ve,” you point out.

“It was only the first night,” he allows, voice rumbling in his chest, “I didn’t want to cross any lines and you fell asleep before I could get an answer.”

You hum, snuggling closer even as your whole body is pressed against him. He’s just so warm, and he feels so safe when he wraps his arm under and around you, holding you there. “I was gonna seduce you,” you whine with a yawn. “Tonight, I mean. You didn’t fuck me before so I was gonna seduce you. But you smell so good. I just wanna sleep.”

Jin seems to share the sentiment, muffling the yawn he caught from you. “You can seduce me in the morning.”

“Promise?”

Jin laughs, wincing when it jostles you violently on his chest. “Fuck, sorry. But yes, I promise. Now go to sleep. I’ll be here.”

Your hand unconsciously finds the collar of his pyjama shirt, clutching at it. You feel the warmth of his hand wrapping around it, flipping it over to lace his fingers through yours. You think you could stay here forever, but perhaps tonight is a good place to start. “Goo’night,” you mumble.

Jin’s voice is barely audible, naught a whisper, but you feel it in his chest. “Night, sweetheart.”

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snowflakeanimelover · 3 years

Note

Ok a very detailed scenario with Dr.Stone, the reader has a lovely singing voice she’s not shy she just doesn’t sing infront of people a lot and one night she’s singing her heart out and everyone from the kingdom of science hears and she doesn’t notice them listening... until she does n she’s just like HAIEKSKSKANSJE. And maybe have it with senku being like why don’t u ever sing for me.

Song: Ashes by Celine Dion

I hope this was good! I loved this one, btw. Thank you so much for the request! I hope you enjoy! I also wasn’t sure if you wanted it short or long, so I just put some information in the beginning to make it longer, lol. I also love the details! It helps a lot for what I should write.

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

Who knew that the world would turn into a Stone Age. Who knew that the majority of people all over the world would be in stone for about three thousand years, and suddenly wake up to nothing. We were so used to technology, buildings, tools, and more. But here we are, living off of no inventions, hunting for food, and getting our hands dirty to make a home.

It’s sad to think that most of us had a dream, and yet, it was destroyed in a heartbeat. I wanted to become a singer. I loved singing. The only problem was that I never really liked singing in front of other people. It’s not that I was shy, it’s more of just insecurity. Would they think I’m annoying? Will they tell me to give up on my dream? At this point, who cared? Everyone was focused on new inventions, the new world, and helping people come back to life. Especially Senku. He doesn’t look stressed on the outside, but I can tell that on the inside, he was. Not as much as you would think, though. He’s probably stressed about everything we needed to do to get to our main goal: Revive everyone.

When I first woke up, I saw Senku standing over me. It was embarrassing, to say the least, with me not having any clothes on, but he didn't care. Senku explained everything to me, making me feel more and more sad. I will never get to fulfill my dream. As I looked at Senku, I thought the same thing. He always wanted to go up in space, and at this point, it will take way longer than he ever thought. Maybe he’s prepared for that, but I’m not.

These thoughts always come back to me when I sit next to the window, and look out at the bright stars. And I sing my heart out. This is one of those nights. Nobody was awake, giving me a chance to make myself feel better. Singing always made me feel better. I should be alright, if everybody is sleeping, right? I decided to go for it, anyway.

“What's left to say?”

“These prayers ain't working anymore,”

“Every word shot down in flames,”

“What's left to do with these broken pieces on the floor?”

“I'm losing my voice calling on you,”

“'Cause I've been shaking,”

“I've been bending backwards 'til I'm broke,”

“Watching all these dreams go up in smoke,”

“Let beauty come out of ashes,”

“And when I pray to God all I ask is,”

“Can beauty come out of ashes?”

“Can you use these tears to put out the fires in my soul?”

“'Cause I need you here, woah-oh-oh,”

“'Cause I've been shaking,”

“I've been bending backwards 'til I'm broke,”

“Watching all these dreams go up in smoke,”

“Let beauty come out of ashes,”

“And when I pray to God all I ask is,”

“Can beauty come out of ashes?”

I hummed the music that I remember between each line, nodding my head to the slow beat. My Shoulders relax more to the soft singing. Sad thoughts leave my now calm mind. What could go wrong after this? Once I finish the song, I slowly open my eyes to look back at the stars. Instead, I heard clapping and whistles from outside. I look down through the window, finding the whole Kingdom of Science staring up at me, and clapping. Were they….listening the whole time?

My heart immediately drops down to my stomach, making me screech in embarrassment and fall backwards. I braced for impact, but nothing happened. I peek one eye open, looking up at my capture. To make things worse, it just had to be Senku. I almost passed out right then and there, but Senku’s voice seemed to keep me awake. “I didn’t know you could sing, (Y/N).” He says, carefully putting me down on the ground. He sits down, himself.

I turn my body to face him, my face burning up with each passing second. “U-um...well…”

“Why don’t you ever sing for me?” He pouts. The last thing I saw was Senku’s surprised face, reaching out to me, then everything went black.

#dr stone #ishigami senku #funny #requests #cuteness #fluff #singing #romance

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onegayastronaut · 4 years

Text

Dark Hero (Hope Mikaelson x Reader)

Requested by anon: Hi, I’m new to your tumblr but I’ve literally binged every hope Mikaelson fic you’ve wrote bcz I’m Danielle Rose Russell’s bitch 😂. Could we get a hope/reader where you get kidnapped and hopes dark side comes out to find and save you?

Words: 2131

Hope smiled as she looked down at your sleeping form. Being in a relationship with you was something that she never saw coming. Everything from your nerdy rants about your new favorite book to sitting on the couch watching movies together, you gave her a semblance of what “normal” teenagers would spend their time doing. It has been over a year since you’ve helped her turn her humanity switch back on, and she couldn’t be happier with how her life has turned out so far. Hope kissed your head before making her way towards the kitchen to get you your favorite food. Today was going to be a great day because there were no monsters to hunt, and she could spend all day with you.

The smell of freshly baked cookies was what initially woke you up. That, along with the thought of having the entire day with Hope made you so excited that you nearly sat straight up.

“Someone’s excited to wake up today.”

“Wait, did you get all this food for me?”

“Well, some of the food is for me also. Don’t be silly.” Hope sat down next to you and put the food on the bed. “What were you thinking of doing today?”

“Since we have the day to ourselves, I was thinking about going to Mystic Falls for the day and hanging out. Then when we’re tired, we’ll just come back here and watch Netflix until one or both of us pass out in front of the computer.”

“Sounds good to me. Now take the rest of the food with you, I want to get a head start on going to town.”

Driving anywhere with Hope was fun for you because not only did you get to spend time with your favorite person in the world, but you also got to bug her with singing along to your favorite songs. There were more than enough hopeless romantic songs for you to sing along to, and the sight of Hope pretending to be irritated by you only served to egg you on. You were on a heartfelt rendition of Celine Dion’s “Because You Loved Me” when you saw Hope frown at something on the car.

“What is it?”

“Shit, I forgot to put gas in the car last week. We’re going to have to pull in on a gas station along the way if we’re going to make it to Mystic Falls.”

“That’s cool, we can also grab snacks to eat before we make it in town.”

“Are you sure about that? Don’t want you aspirating on a peanut while you’re singing.”

“Play nice babe. You know you love the sound of me singing these love songs.”

“You know I do. Now don’t talk to strangers, I’m going to get some gas for our car.”

“Don’t forget about the snacks!” You settled back down in your seat and thought about the next song you wanted to sing. Hearing the car door close behind you made you turn around, and you saw a man in a suit and tie sit down. “Hey man, I think you’re in the wrong car.”

“No, as a matter of fact, you are exactly the person I hoped to see.”

“What the hell?” You didn’t get a chance to ask anything else as the man pressed a cloth against your face.

-------

“Well, I got your favorite chips, some soda for the road, and even some of these weird dried fruits. I never know if they’re any good or..not.” Hope looked around for you, which was strange because you never wandered off without telling her where you were going. What made this more alarming was when she saw your phone sticking out from the edge of the seat because you never went anywhere without it in your hand.“(Y/N)? (Y/N), where are you?” Hope got out of the car to look for you. “(Y/N)!”

------

Ric sighed as his phone rang. This was his one day off, and it seemed as if he just couldn’t catch a break. However, when he saw that it was Hope, his back straightened off his chair. She never called him unless there was a real emergency.

“Hope? What is it?”

“(Y/N)’s missing! She’s missing and I can’t find her! I’ve tried casting a locator spell but nothing’s showing up.”

“Okay, okay, I’ll talk to Emma to see if she can help with locating (Y/N). Where are you now? I’ll come to get you and figure out our next step.”

“There’s no ti--” Before Hope could finish her sentence, a bright light seemed to flash in her eyes, causing her to close them tightly. Random images of you passed out in the back of a car caused her heartbeat to quicken as the headache increased in intensity. The necklace that she gave you for your birthday was glowing, which not only gave her a sense of which direction you were going in but also told her that you were in danger.

“Hope? Hope? Are you still there?”

“Dr. Saltzman, she’s in trouble. I don’t know who took her but I know which direction she’s headed in. I have to go now.”

“No, Hope! Wait for everyone else to get to where you are before you do anything!”

“There’s no time. I have to go get my girlfriend.” Hope’s heart seemed to jump out of her chest, and she had to take a minute to get her mind in order. She might as well be useless to you if she couldn’t think clearly and save you from whoever had taken you. Waiting for Dr. Saltzman and the other students would not be the best choice as they might stop her from going through whoever she needed to in order to make sure you were safe.

Driving down a long stretch of road was lonelier than she ever thought possible. Not having you singing in the car next to her made everything seem too quiet, and it only filled her with more urgency to find you. The person who took you away from her was going to be very sorry for putting you in danger.

Knowing the direction that you were in is not an exact science, but Hope already knew that. The first place that she stopped at was a dingy motel that was situated in the middle of nowhere. It seemed as if the place wasn’t even open for business, but it was where the spell led her. After peeping through several windows, Hope finally came across a woman sitting on her own in the main courtyard.

“Ma’am? Excuse me, but have you seen anyone come in and out of here recently?”

When the lady turned around, it was obvious to Hope that she had been compelled. “A gentleman handed this to me earlier today. He told me that you would know what to do with it when you saw it.” The lady handed Hope a white envelope and walked away.

Hope frowned but opened the envelope anyway, knowing it might lead to finding (Y/N). Inside, she found a picture of you and a note saying “You know what you must do to get her back. Come when you’re ready, my location is on the back of the picture.” Hope closed her eyes and opened them to read the note again. She knew that whoever wrote this note knew about the period of time when her humanity switch was turned off, and apparently, she had to do it again if she wanted to see you again. Hope didn’t want to disappoint you, but she knew she didn’t have another way of seeing you again.

Hope didn’t remember much about the drive to the location written on the picture, but that was what happens when you turn your humanity switch off. She knew that at the moment, there was no other choice, so she just had to go along with it. The location turned out to be a derelict building that has definitely seen better days, but she knew from your scent that you were definitely there. Hope could also identify the scent of another person there, but she couldn’t quite place who it was. The door slammed open as soon as Hope uttered a spell, and she walked into an empty warehouse. It didn’t take long for her eyes to fall on you, and she immediately ran over to untie you from the chair.

“I wouldn’t do that if I were you.” A man stepped out into the light. “Those ropes have a special spell attached to them that only I can break. If you try to break them, they’ll strangle her.”

“Let her go.” Hope’s eyes brightened as her fists tightened. The only reason why she hesitated was the fact that you seemed somewhat aware of the situation that you were in. If you weren’t there, she would have snapped this man’s neck without hesitation, but she didn’t want you to see her that way. “Please just let her go.”

“Not until you tell me what you did to my family. Not until you confess the things that you did to me and all the other families while you were running around taking lives.”

“Don’t do anything he says, Hope. Don’t listen to him.”

“I’m going to get you out of this, (Y/N), don’t worry.” Hope turned to the man as she wracked her brain for a spell to get both of you out of this situation. “Honestly, I don’t remember you or your family. I don’t know what happened to them, and I can’t give you an honest answer as to whether or not I killed them. My humanity switch was off then, so chances are that I might have hurt them and not even remembered it afterward.”

“You’ll remember, I’ll make you remember!” You could hear the man gritting his teeth from where you were sitting, and you struggled to get yourself out of the knots that he had tied around you. However, it seemed like every time you tried to move your arms the ropes pulled tighter, making it hard to breathe. Before long, it seemed as if there was a thin mist coming from the ropes, causing them to burn your arms. “Your girlfriend over there is going to lose her arms if you don’t start talking!” He didn’t get any further as Hope muttered something unintelligible and the ropes fell off from your arms. All you saw was a blur as Hope ran up to the platform and held the man up by his throat.

“Hope, no! Don’t do it!”

“He threatened to harm you. If I don’t kill him now, he’ll just keep coming until he gets what he wants. I can’t let him do that.”

“If you kill him, you’re never going to forgive yourself. Please don’t do it, Hope.”

“No, what he did is unforgivable.” Hope tightened her grip on the man’s throat, and you knew you had to do something before she did something that she couldn’t take back. The only thing that you could think of when she was in this state was to get in front of Hope in an attempt to make her come back to you.

“Hope, Hope, look at me.” You tilted her face to look at you. Hope had always hated the fact that you were taller than her, but you loved kissing her forehead whenever you had a chance to. “Hope, please let him go. I know you’re angry right now, but I need you to be here with me.” Much to your relief, Hope let the man down and turned to you.

“I’ll let Dr. Saltzman deal with him.” Hope’s hands traced the burn marks that the ropes had left on your arms. “Though right now I think killing him will make me feel good.”

“You know you don’t really want to do that. How about taking me back to school so you don’t feel like killing everyone in sight?”

“There are some people at school that make me think that keeping my switch off might not be such a bad idea.” Hope held onto your hand tight enough to stop the blood flow to it, and she let go as soon as she saw you wince. “Sorry.”

“It’s fine. I know what you mean, but I still think it’s best if we go back before you get in trouble with Dr. Saltzman.”

“Okay, but what about me?” The man in front of you now seemed a lot smaller now that he was on the floor.

Hope marched over and gave him a kick strong enough to send him into the wall. “I think that should keep him there until Dr. Saltzman gets here.”

#hope mikaelson #hope mikaelson x reader #hope mikaelson imagine #Legacies #legacies x reader #legacies imagine

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ourloveisforthelovely · 5 years

Text

Fix You 11

A/n: Series rewrite. This doesn’t go by the show. Long chapter

Link to Chapter 10

Words: 5,589

Pairings: Gabriel x Reader

______

(Three weeks later)

“Come back home with me.”

Gabriel moaned against your mouth. The two of you were locked in a hallway closet and had been for the past 15 minutes. For the past few weeks, both you had been literally sneaking around to see each other. After Balthazar and Amara suggested that Gabriel and yourself cool things off, Gabriel turned up the volume on winning your back. He didn’t care that Amara meant well when she said that the last thing that either of you needed to be doing was having sex. The relationship needed to be fixed first. Right away Gabriel's first thought was, “I'll show you.”

“Gabe, please don't”

You whimpered as the archangel bit down on your pulse point. Any time that he remotely mentioned going back home with him or having sex, you would clam up. You wanted it as badly as Gabriel did but at the same time, you also realized that things needed to be fixed. The two of you had yet to make love but were getting closer by the day!

“Sugar, I love you! I know we have a lot of issues but I told you that I was committed to our little family. Sleep with me again. I know that attraction is still there.”

You sighed at how his eyes were shining in the dark. Reaching up, you stroked your hand over his cheek. Gabriel didn't wait a moment before taking your hand in his and began to suck on your fingertips suggestively.

“You saved me once, baby. Do it again.”

You tried not to think about how nice Gabriel's talented tongue would feel on your clit. He knew that he was getting to you and it wouldn't be much longer until your will power broke!

“Of course there is Gabriel! That attraction will always be there. I promised my father though....”

Gabriel groaned, rolling his eyes. He stood up straight and began to fix his clothes that had been ruined in the closet making out session.

“To hell with him! I'm your husband. You know the one that you bonded with? Please me first then we can worry about Celine Dion's number one fan.”

You shook your head before placing a chaste kiss to the archangel's lips.

“Be patient, lover boy.”

Gabriel was quietly pouting for a few moments before taking your hand and placing it on his noticeable erection.

“If I was your lover boy I would this inside of you. Y/n, I am not asking to knock you up again! In fact, I am going to make sure THAT doesn't happen. I just want to be close. Sweetheart, you know that I have no patience.”

You gave Gabriel a sympathetic look. Wrapping your arms around his shoulders, you snugged your face against his.

“Soon. Gabriel, I'm in your arms. That's close”

“That is debatable.”

Gabriel said in an extra sassy tone. About that time the door opened and both of you turned to see Joy frowning.

“Why are you both in a closet?”

You smirked at Gabriel as he looked down at his daughter's inquisitive expression.

“Uh....”

Joy crossed her arms over her chest.

“If you are both hiding in there eating treats I am going to be upset.”

Gabriel smirked. He was more than thankful that Joy didn't have the slightest idea as to what the to of you were doing. Snapping his fingers, he made a lollipop appear and handed it to Joy.

“You caught us but here you go, honey bunch.”

Joy looked pleased enough with her father's peace offering.

“I saw nothing.”

She replied with a smile before going off to find Jack. Gabriel turned back you. He was relieved to see that you were smiling.

“Good save, daddy.”

Gabriel rolled his eyes before looking out into the hall making sure that there were no other sets of eyes around.

“Yeah, lucky us she doesn't realize what we were actually doing. I hate to say this but she reminded me so much of Michael right there.”

You winced at the worried expression on Gabriel's face. Little did he seem to realize that Joy was more like her family then he seemed to realize. Joy had a lot of her father and uncle's traits. You were seeing more and more every day. Joy had Michael's sense of loyalty, Raphael's seriousness, Lucifer's sarcasm, and Gabriel's mischievousness.

“She's more like you than you probably notice.”

You said with a smile. Gabriel pushed you back against the wall. He changed the conversation back to the original subject

“So sugar, since I am on a no sex grounding period can we at least go on date?”

You nodded.

“Maybe if you be a good boy I can reconsider the no sex thing since we will be out of the house.”

Gabriel raised an eyebrow.

“You and your changing mind is killing me, honey.”

You shrugged.

“We will be out of the house.”

The next week regardless of Balthazar's protest, you agreed to go on the “outside the house” date with Gabriel. You had a good idea where this date was headed and bought new lingerie. In some ways, you didn't care either. You felt like the worlds biggest hypocrite! God, you missed the intimacy that you had with Gabriel. You could only pray that he had grown up a lot in your time apart.

You did, however, understand Amara and Balthazar's worry about getting back together with Gabriel. It did seem that whenever the two of you were having sex things seemed to fall apart. Maybe this time it would be different? Maybe this last time apart would be enough to fix the issues? You could only hope.

You had just pulled on your sundress when JoyAnna came bounding in and pouncing on the bed. The little girl had been sleeping in between Gabriel and yourself for the past couple of nights. She developed a sudden and intense case of separation anxiety.

“Mommy, I wanna come! I never get to go anywhere with you and daddy!”

You turned looking at the little girl sympathetically. If she only knew what her future held for her, she couldn’t complain about not going anywhere.

“You don't even know where we are going.”

JoyAnna pouted, giving you the same scowl that Gabriel would when he didn't get his way.

“I don't care. I just want to go.””

Gabriel stepped into the room and was immediately accosted.

“Daddy! I wanna come too!”

Gabriel shook his head as JoyAnna slid off the bed and wrapped herself around his legs. She was giving him the best pouty face that she could come up with. Normally this would get her anything that she wanted from Gabriel. This time, however, Gabriel didn't have his daughter's wants on his mind.

“Sorry princess, not this time.”

JoyAnna went between her pouty expression and rubbing her face on Gabriel's hand. Gabriel clearly wasn't falling for this one.

“You're cute but no.”

JoyAnna walked out in a huff clearly mad at both of you. Gabriel shrugged when Joy slammed the door behind her.

“She's definitely your kid”

You said with a smile.

When they were about to leave JoyAnna lay on the floor coloring with Jack. She looked up to see you talking to Sam quietly.

“Princess?”

JoyAnna looked up at Gabriel who was motioning her forward with his finger. Joy quickly got up and climbed into her father's arms.

“Yeah, daddy?”

She asked.

“Be good tonight. If you don't I'll know about it.”

JoyAnna peeped up at her father from her place against his chest.

“You know everything.”

Internally Gabriel chuckled. If he could keep JoyAnna thinking that maybe he wouldn't be such a failure as a father.

“Yeah, I do. Now go play.”

JoyAnna's slid off of his lap and went back to join Jack on the floor. She waved as her parents went out the door not giving “misbehaving” a second thought. If Gabriel was watching, she knew her chances of being mischievous had greatly dropped.

Meanwhile after stepping outside of the front door, you found yourself in the middle of a very nice hotel room. You turned looking at Gabriel, who had unbuttoned his shirt halfway.

“What's this?”

Gabriel shrugged.

“Just a room. A room where there will be no interruptions or distractions.”

For the first time you didn't stop Gabriel as his hands began to travel up your leg. His fingers stroked over your thighs and stopped once he felt the stockings.

“Stocking, sugar?”

Gabriel questioned as his fingers toyed with the garter straps.

“Wait until you see the rest of my body.”

You said with a sudden sense of confidence that you had forgotten about. Gabriel chuckled.

“You are playing with fire.”

You turned and began to unbutton his shirt the rest of the way. Gabriel quietly moaned as you yanked him close by his open shirt.

“Kiss me, angel.”

You cooed. Right as Gabriel began to kiss her there was a loud noise from across the room. Both of you froze and looked up to see none other than Lucifer standing casually. Gabriel immediately wrapped his arms around you protectively.

“Don't stop on my account.”

Lucifer said innocently. Gabriel's frown deepened. He quickly snapped his fingers making his shirt button. The last thing that he was going to do was face his brother half naked.

“You're going to watch your brother get laid? That's fucked up.”

Gabriel said.

“So much for no distractions or interruptions.”

You muttered as Lucifer began to speak again.

“Well, you did fake your death and made me feel things. That's another bone I have to pick with you! You little shit! How the hell did you do that?!”

Gabriel raised an eyebrow.

“Story for another time.”

Lucifer shrugged before turning to you.

“And you must be Y/n.”

You swallowed, feeling Gabriel's fingers tightened on you.

“Yes. What are you doing here? What do you want?”

Lucifer shrugged.

“I was just in the neighborhood after dealing with Michael a bit. Lovely guy. I see why you bailed, Gabe. He could make a preacher cuss. Anyhow, there is a subject I need to talk to the two of you about. It concerns a little lady with the name of JoyAnna.”

Gabriel let go of you and had Lucifer slammed against the wall in an invisible choke hold.

“Don't you say her name!”

Lucifer coughed a few times before glaring down at his little brother

“Look at you, the protective father. Must be nice I don't get to see my son.”

Gabriel tightened the hold on his brother's neck.

“How do you know about my daughter?”

Lucifer sighed.

“If you would quit trying to choke me out I'll tell you. Damn Gabe, I have never seen you this hot-headed. Oh wait, there was that time when we were fighting auntie A and she tried to kill me but that was a long time and a lot of tricks ago.”

You stepped forward. Maybe it was worth listening to whatever Lucifer had to say after all. If it concerned Joy then the two of you needed to hear it. You slowly stepped forward putting a hand on the small of Gabriel's back.

“Sweetheart.”

Lucifer smirked.

“Yeah, sweetheart, let me down.”

Gabriel looked back to you with a frown. He flicked his hand letting Lucifer fall hard on the ground. After a second or two, Lucifer stood up and dusted off his clothes.

“Sheesh Gabriel. Never thought I would see you go all nutty of a Nephilim and a kid.”

Gabriel narrowed his eyes at Lucifer.

“That kid is my wife and child. You'll give them some respect.”

You flinched. That tone in Gabriel's voice was foreign. You had never heard that before. That was pure archangel. You could see why now they were heaven's most deadly weapon.

Lucifer meanwhile, raised an eyebrow.

“Alrighty then. Sorry Mrs. Pretty.”

He made sure to emphasize the Mrs. part. When Gabriel gave him a glare, Lucifer shrugged.

“You said give her respect!”

Gabriel growled again.

“Get on with it Lucifer. We were in the middle of something.”

Lucifer chuckled.

“Yeah, you were about to get your cock sucked. Good for you! Anyhow, before you lose your shit on me again. I thought it would be good for you two to both know that Michael knows about JoyAnna. He wants the tot and Mrs. Pretty dead. He actually said that he was going to kill them while you watch Gabe. I know we aren't cool by any means but I don't really want to see that happen. Like it or not, JoyAnna is my niece and has the same blood that I do in her. I can help.”

Gabriel didn't appear to trusting.

“How do I know that you won't take her to Michael?”

Lucifer groaned now.

“Gabriel, did you forget that back in the day, long before Mrs. Pretty was born, and we were all back in heaven, it was you and I dicking around with Michael. I saw him pick on you more than you deserved. So what you went out, fucked a Nephilim, knocked her up and created something that doesn't even have a name. Hey! A new creature! Half Nephilim half archangel...there’s us something new to name!”

Gabriel was trying to not set Lucifer on fire at the moment.

“Lucifer, stay on point.”

Lucifer shrugged.

“I want to see what greatness that little creature can do. Who knows, if dad gets his head out of his ass maybe there will be a whole new chapter written about her. The book of Joy. Sounds cute huh?”

Gabriel rolled his eyes for the millionth time.

“Yeah, it will be really cute when she kicks you in the shins. She doesn't like strangers and knows all about who you are.”

Lucifer looked truly offended.

“Fine. If you want Michael to kill your wife and child then have at it. Nice knowing you, Y/n!”

Gabriel turned back to you. You looked obviously afraid. With a sigh he focused his attention back to Lucifer,

“Fine, but you have to face the others too and I guarantee you there is going to be no warm welcome.”

Lucifer smirked.

“Well, I don’t expect team free will to be thrilled to see me.”

After having a further conversation with Lucifer, who was somewhat compliant with Gabriel's order that he come to the house the next day, the older archangel left peacefully. You had stood quietly behind Gabriel as he and Lucifer spoke. Once that Lucifer left you reached out to Gabriel. Your fingers stroked over his wrist.

"Gabriel."

Gabriel turned looking at you with an almost a foreign expression in his eyes.

"We should get home. "

You didn't like that expression! It was that same cold expression that you had seen so many other angels have.

"Honey, about what just happened, are you okay?"

Gabriel nodded.

"I'm fine."

You knew that he was lying. You normally wouldn't read Gabriel's thoughts but tonight it seemed almost necessary.

"Maybe I can convince Lucifer to leave with me and it will get him away from Molly and Joy. They'll be fine with team free will."

You immediately clamped your mouth shut. Was Gabriel really planning on leaving again? Had he not realized you needed him? Your heart broke thinking about your daughter. JoyAnna would be crushed if Gabriel left again! The poor kid already had a complex whenever he left for just a few hours.

"We should get back."

Gabriel repeated.

Arriving back home, Cas and Dean sat in the living room. Dean was watching Scooby Doo with an enthralled expression on his face. Gabriel rolled his eyes as Jack walked into the room. The boy only had to glance at his uncle to know that something was wrong.

"What's going on?"

Jack asked with his very Cas like frown. Your attention turned to Gabriel for a moment. You couldn't keep it in any longer. Talking to him telepathically made sense. The last thing that you wanted to do at the moment was freak out the rest of the family...until they heard the whole story.

"Gabriel, I am warning you right now. If you leave again, to go with Lucifer or whoever, don't bother coming back. Joy and I won't be waiting for you next time."

Gabriel turned to look at you with wide eyes. He looked honestly devastated by the words that were just said to him. Your facial expression wasn't the normal calm loving one that he was used to. This time your face looked tired! You were tired of his crap and he knew it now.

You turned and walked up the stairs without another word. Dean sat up motioning to your retreating form.

"So Gabriel, what exactly did you do now? I was kind of expecting you two to be all over each other."

Gabriel sighed.

"Get Sam in here. I have a lot to tell you all."

Dean walked into the other room half dragging a sleepy looking Sam with him. Jack and wandered over to Cas and sat down. Whatever was eating him was bad! Jack had gotten used to Gabriel's serious expressions in the past few years but this one was different. Gabriel looked like he would never smile or crack a joke again!

"Okay, Gabriel, what's wrong?"

Gabriel sighed.

"Lucifer and Michael knows about JoyAnna."

Everyone looked immediately nervous. Cas stood.

"How do you know?"

Gabriel sat down.

"Lucifer told me. He kind of crashed mine and Y/n’s date. He told me that Michael is after Joy and Y/n. According to Lucifer, Michael wants them both dead."

Dean blinked.

"So you actually talked to him?"

Gabriel rolled his eyes.

"No moron, we decided to send emails! Yes, I talked to him! When I heard my wife and child was in danger I listened!"

Jack stood and began to pace.

"How do you know he's not lying?"

Gabriel leaned back looking at his nephew.

"I don't Jack but something was different with Lucifer this time. He was afraid. Of course, he wouldn't admit to it. I don't know who to believe but Lucifer wants to talk to us all."

Sam stood joining Jack in his pacing.

"How do you know that he isn't doing this to get to Jack."

Gabriel shrugged.

"Again I don't. That is my concern too. Trust me I have been thinking about all of this."

Dean groaned.

"Well fuck. Something about trusting Lucifer seems like a bad idea to me."

Gabriel smirked.

"Ya think? Good job stating the obvious there."

Jack turned to glare at Gabriel.

"What if Michael is after Joy and Y/n? What if Lucifer is telling the truth? I hate him as much if not more then all of you but I am not about to put Y/n and Joy in danger. Maybe we should talk to him? If it ends up being that he's lying to us, we kill him."

Gabriel leaned back.

"Jack, it isn't that simple. Killing somebody isn't as easy as it sounds."

Jack put his hands on his hips. He normally didn't argue with Gabriel but tonight was going to be another story.

"I feel nothing for him, uncle. This is my family right here. I have no emotional connections to Lucifer and like previously said I won't let him hurt Y/n or JoyAnna."

Gabriel's golden eyes narrowed.

"Do you think that I am going to sit by and let him?"

Jack shrugged.

"I don't know what we are going to do because right now we are all just sitting around."

Cas quickly came in.

"Enough with the arguing. Us turning on each other is just what Lucifer and Michael would want."

Gabriel leaned back against the chair he was sitting in.

"I am just fine with killing them both but we have to get our hands on them."

Dean nodded.

"Now that we are all on the same page as to killing them both... let's see what Lucifer has to say. So Gabe, what is with Y/n?"

Gabriel groaned.

"She must have been reading my thoughts. I was thinking about all of the ways that I could possibly deal with Lucifer. I thought that I might be able to con him into leaving me with me so I can deal with him."

Dean rolled his eyes.

"Ah you said that leaving word that you two throw around so well."

Gabriel ran a hand through his hair not responding for a moment or two.

"I'm not leaving them again. At least not like that! I couldn't if I wanted to."

Dean raised an eyebrow before laughing coldly.

"Just afraid of losing all of your archangel juice again?"

Gabriel looked at the eldest Winchester with furious eyes.

"It has nothing to do with my grace. You know what? I don't even have to explain it to you because you wouldn't get it!"

Jack held up a hand.

"Okay, let's just stop this arguing. We need to be on the same side."

Dean nodded.

"He's right. Sorry."

Gabriel stood up and moved to go toward the stairs.

"I'll see you in the morning."

Walking up the stairs,Gabriel stopped outside of your bedroom. He was trying to think of the best way to talk to you. He heard a small sniffing noise coming from Joy's room. He stepped into the room, wanting to make sure that Joy was okay.

Joy lay in her bed clutching her stuffed lamb sleeping away. Gabriel smiled as he pulled the blankets around her and pressed a kiss to her forehead. Her little arms immediately reached for him trying to pull him into bed with her.

"Daddy, stay."

She said in a sleepy voice. Gabriel smiled.

"Sleep princess. I'll see you in the morning."

Joy immediately fell asleep and was out before Gabriel could get another word out. He turned seeing you sitting in the corner with your back against the wall. That is where the crying noise was coming from. Through the dark, Gabriel could see the tears rolling down your cheeks.

"Fuck that's real."

He mumbled before walking over to you and sinking down beside you. You didn't say anything for a moment. It was like you didn’t even notice his presence. Gabriel sighed miserably. He was just fine with you yelling at him. He could handle that. It was when the tears started that he felt like someone kicked him in the stomach and while he was down from being kicked him in the balls.

He reached up tugging on his hair trying to make the pit in his stomach ease up a bit. It was times like these that Gabriel hated the world and would be more than happy to watch it burn! He glanced over at you. You still weren't looking at him. Bad luck seemed to be his jam. However, both of you always seemed to "throw stuff together and drive it home with one headlight." Gabriel knew this was just a continuation of their confrontations. Gabriel knew that your relationship was so much different than the humans but in many ways,it was the same.

"Sugar, please don't cry."

Gabriel finally choked out. You sobbed a little harder just hearing Gabriel's voice. With a miserable sigh, Gabriel reached over pulling you onto his lap. He reached up wiping the tears off of your cheek.

"Please, honey bunch. It kills me to see you cry."

You sniffed and nuzzled your face against his shoulder.

"You sure have a funny way of showing it."

Gabriel sighed.

"I wasn't going to leave. Y/n, I was just thinking off the top of my head. I was just upset. When I said that I was devoted to you and Joy, I meant it. I don't want to be a screw up with you two"

You were relieved by his comment.

"I don't want to lose you again. Gabe, we both have come through a lot of bad things. We need to get through this together."

Gabriel nodded.

"We will! We will. Somehow we always do. Sometimes it's like we throw gasoline on stuff and light it on fire but it works out.”

Gabriel took your hand in his pressing a kiss to the back. Your demeanor had changed tremendously!

"Wanna go play in our room? I am still curious about what is under that dress."

You smiled.

"That sounds nice. We should probably have this conversation outside of our daughter's room anyway."

The next morning Joy sat at the kitchen island nibbling on toast that Cas put in front of her. She sat swinging her legs as she watched her family move about. From the time that she got up,she had put together that something wasn't right. Everyone seemed like they were in one hell of a mood!

When Cas fed her breakfast he had forgotten that she didn't like the multi grain bread because it had "stuff" in it, he looked at Joy with tired eyes,

"Please don't put up a fight this morning, JoyAnna."

Normally he would listen to JoyAnna whine for a good fifteen minutes before she gave up and started munching quietly. Although she didn't really need to be eating anything Cas wanted to teach her better eating habits then ingesting tons of sugary treats like her father.

The moment the doorbell rang, Joy looked into the foyer with a frown. No one came to visit so this was odd.

"CASSIE! SOMEONE IS AT THE DOOR!"

Cas walked in looking at her sadly. He knew who was at the door and he dreaded what was about to happen.

"Go get your mother and father, Joy."

Joy nodded before sliding off of the island stool and running up the stairs. Cas meanwhile, took a deep breath and walked to the door. Maybe Lucifer would chicken out and disappear before he got a chance to open it. That was false hopes though. Lucifer wasn't going to miss a chance to cause chaos in their lives

Opening the door, Cas tried not to roll his eyes as he came face to face with Lucifer.

"Lucifer."

He said bluntly. Lucifer smiled with a shrug.

"Hello to you too Castiel. Look at me, I am trying to be polite. I rang the bell instead of just coming inside."

Cas rolled his eyes.

“I guess you want a medal."

Lucifer slightly shrugged and faked offense.

"I love medals. Anyway,I am not here to argue with you. I need to see that delightful brother of mine."

Castiel frowned,

"I suppose you should come in then."

Meanwhile...

Joy ran into your bedroom. She didn’t care that you were busy making out with Gabriel.

"Mommy, Daddy, you better stop before your lips get stuck together! Someone is here and Cassie told me to come to you."

Both Gabriel and yourself pulled apart from each other and focused your attention back on Joy. She stood with her hands over her eyes. Gabriel rolled his eyes as he got up.

"Looks like he kept his words."

He said coldly. Joy quickly went to Gabriel holding her hands up.

"Who?"

Gabriel shook his head and tried to ignore the frightened expression on your face. Damn,he hated that expression! The last thing that he wanted to see other then you crying was you being afraid. Looking back to Joy, Gabriel knew that he had to be honest with her to a point.

"Your Uncle Lucifer."

Joy frowned. Her little face showed obvious confusion.

"Um isn't he bad?"

Gabriel sighed.

"We'll find out. I'll come tot you soon."

Gabriel sat Joy on the bed.

"Stay here sweetheart."

Joy nodded, not liking the serious expressions on her parent's faces. Gabriel put his hand on the small of your back and led you out of the room.

Once the door was closed her turned to look at you.

"A hundred bucks says that she will be downstairs in five minutes"

You smirked.

"You know she will."

Walking into the kitchen,you held your breath as Lucifer turned to face Gabriel.

"Gabe! About time you showed up! These housemates of yours have no sense of humor."

Gabriel raised an eyebrow,

"Do you really think that anyone here wants to deal with you?"

Lucifer faked mock hurt at his brother's snarky comment.

"Sheesh Gabe, you act like you are still mad at me for stabbing you but wait! I didn’t stab you! I was actually not in the wrong there! Go me!”

Gabriel felt his hands beginning to tremble. He tried to focus his attention on you. You were gaping at Lucifer! He had the feeling that you were waiting for the moment to come where she would need to yank him off of Lucifer.

"I don't trust you, asshat. Furthermore, if you ever do stab me, my best suggestion is you better make sure that I am dead. When I come after you, hehe, there won't be anything left."

Lucifer blinked.

"You're grumpy. Mrs. Pretty, do you not put out or something?"

You were ready to throw something at Lucifer's head. At the same time, you knew losing your temper would just make Gabriel lose his even quicker.

"Mommy's name is Y/n."

Both Gabriel and yourself immediately gave each other that knowing look before looking down to see JoyAnna. The little girl wrapped her arms around Gabriel's leg and was giving Lucifer her normal sassy smirk. Gabriel reached down pulling Joy into his arms immediately. If Lucifer thought that he was getting his hands on Joy, he had another thing coming!

Lucifer's mouth fell the moment that he looked at his niece. The kid mirrored Gabriel in so many ways but had her mother's dainty facial features.

"Oh my dad! Gabriel, she looks just like you."

JoyAnna rolled her eyes.

"And you look like Satan."

Lucifer chuckled at that.

"Smart kid, so tell me about yourself, sweetie."

JoyAnna looked up at Gabriel. When her father didn't look down at her she took it as a sign that she was okay to answer.

"I like pink, sparkly things, and the word fuck."

Lucifer had to bit his tongue to stop from making a comment about her being more like him than she realized. He decided not to when he noticed the expression on Gabriel's face. Even though Lucifer wanted nothing more than to get under Gabriel's skin he decided that his niece probably didn't need to witness.

"Yep you are definitely Gabriel's. Y/n, be a sweetheart and take little miss out of here. I don't think she needs to hear what we are going to talk about. Stay cute princess."

Lucifer said giving JoyAnna a wink.

"I intend to."

JoyAnna said before pressing her face into Gabriel's neck. Lucifer mentally was screaming at himself for showing so many feelings! This kid was throwing so much of a past that he wanted to forget in his face and there was nothing that he could do to stop it! She looked so much like that Gabriel that he remembered. Not the Gabriel that stood in front of him ready to stab him with an angel blade at any moment!

Lucifer knew now that there was no way that he could join Michael's side if he wanted to. After seeing his nice and meeting you, he knew it would crush Gabriel if something happened to them. Even if Gabriel hated him he wasn't doing that to his baby brother. Plus it would look pretty crappy on him if he ever wanted to meet Jack as well!

You meanwhile, looked to Gabriel for some form of instruction. The last thing that you were about to do was take orders from Satan. Gabriel glanced over his shoulder. He knew that you were annoyed. Just the expression in your eyes told him this. He understood why too.

"Sugar, take her and go."

Gabriel turned to place Joy in her your arms however, he didn't immediately turn away. He stepped closer so that the two of you were almost touching. The only thing preventing the two of you from being full body to body was JoyAnna.

You swallowed at the expression in Gabriel's amber eyes. You could see a mixture of emotions and knew that he wanted nothing more than to run at the moment.

"Its okay, Gabriel. Everything will be okay."

You whispered tenderly in his mind. Gabriel nodded and didn't reply for a moment.

"Please, just take her and go. I know you want to know what's happening and I promise to tell you everything. I just can't let Joy know ...I don't want her to be afraid."

You smiled.

"I know, …."

"I'm not running anywhere."

He said verbally. You were relieved as Joy began to wiggle.

"You two are mushing me!"

Lucifer smirked.

"Jeez you two, stop mushing the kid!'

Both of you gave Lucifer matching glares that reminded him of a pack of lions protecting their baby. Lucifer held his hands up in defeat as you turned and walked from the room.

Once she was out, Gabriel turned to Lucifer looking exhausted.

"Okay Lucifer, talk."

_______

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matrixaffiliate · 5 years

Text

A Twist of Fate

Co-written with @hufflepuffmarlenemckinnon

FFN and AO3

Chapter 2

Marlene reached her hand out and caught the peach as it fell from the tree, a feat for any mere mortal that would have been considered fate. Marlene smiled and handed the peach to two little girls playing on the road.

“For you, sisters,” she smiled as the younger one took it eagerly.

“Share with me, Cleora!” The older one reached for it as the younger took a bite. “That's the woman with blue eyes! She's the daughter of Moira, we'll be blessed for eating her gift!”

Marlene smiled as Cleora handed the peach to the older girl. “Today, sisters, you will be prosperous,” Marlene patted Cleora's head and then continued her walk to her father's home.

She preferred incidents like that one, the alternative had been something she was all too accustomed to. People feared her mother, going to such lengths as to describe her as old and decrepit. Anyone who had actually seen Moira knew better. The Woman of Fate was beautiful, as Marlene's father, Vassilis, was well aware of. But her mother knew every being's life and destiny and had this obsession with not sharing, so she became something of a death omen, and Marlene inherited her mother's reputation. She'd also ended up with her mother's bright blue eyes, like the clear blue ocean that surrounded them, so blending in with the masses was not an option. She may as well have had goats legs. Upon consideration, perhaps her blue eyes weren’t all that bad. Some halflings really did have goats legs.

The closer into Dion she came the more apparent the wide range of reactions were. A few people went so far as to run for their homes and pull the curtains closed. As if not being able to see her would make her less dangerous.

What was worse was Marlene saw many of these things twice. The part of her that could see a few moments into the future would see what was to come, and then her human eyes would watch it play out before her. But nothing compared to having to experience the pain of betrayal twice. The experience of the mortal man she had hoped to wed, Kyril, betraying her with another woman made her give up on the idea of romance.

But a relationship was exactly why she was subjecting herself to this madness of humanity, which she was only partially member of.

Vassilis stood by his front door waiting for her as she approached his house, his dark hair spiraling around his face. It was the one physical trait she had inherited from him. Marlene was her mother in every way save the way her hair grew in the same spirals as her father.

“Marlene,” he smiled and took her in his arms. “How are you, my daughter?”

Marlene welcomed his embrace, though she'd grown up living with her mother, her father made sure to be present and a part of her life, choosing to live in the city of Dion at the base of Mt. Olympus.

“I've been well, Father,” she smiled as he ushered her inside and retrieved a goblet for each of them.

“I'm glad,” he smiled as they sat at his table. “Have you had a chance to think about what I suggested?”

Marlene sighed, “I don't know.”

“I know it feels like you'd be giving up a part of yourself,” Vassilis nodded. “But I truly think that life as a human would suit you better than a half-fate. It would certainly keep the people from mistreating you. And you'd finally be able to move forward in your life.”

“I already tried moving forward,” Marlene shook her head. “I don't care to go through that again.”

Vassilis smiled sympathetically, “Then allow me to take care of that. There's a fine young man named Giannis here. He's an upstanding citizen and owns his own shop. He's told me that he would be honored to have you as his wife. Wed him as a mortal, my darling. Allow yourself some chance at happiness.”

Marlene sighed and looked at her hands, “Open the door, he's here “

Right on cue, there was a rap at the door and Vassilis shook his head as he stood to answer it.

Marlene had the benefit of having seen Giannis in her mind just prior to her father answering the door. She’d seen the man’s stoic expression and spotted nothing outstanding in his features. He was of middling height and well built, with a strong jaw that some youths might have giggled and blushed over. Marlene though didn’t think he was particularly appealing in looks until the moment when he met her eyes and smiled. He had a kind smile that lit up his face and set Marlene’s nerves at ease. Marlene considered that she could get used to a life with that smile.

“Giannis, this is my daughter, Marlene.” Vassilis smiled proudly at her.

“Good evening, Marlene.” Giannis nodded politely in Marlene’s direction, then shook hands with her father.

Marlene cringed at how awkward this exchange was going to be. She needed to learn how to control this ability to see just far enough ahead to make life uncomfortable for herself.

“Good evening, Giannis.”

“So,” Vassilis pulled out a chair for Giannis and they sat down. “I was hoping the two of you could get to know each other some tonight and then we can set up a time to go over the contract.”

“Vassilis, I thought when you said that your daughter was the greatest beauty of her generation that you were perhaps somewhat biased, but I see that you were entirely fair in your assessment. Marlene, it will be an honor to be your husband. I hardly need to look over contracts at all when I could be looking into those eyes. I must say I’ve never seen anything like them.”

“They are from my mother” Marlene braced herself.

“Was she not from around here then?”

“You might say that she isn’t. She’s from everywhere and nowhere. She was present for the birth of Zeus himself. She lives upon Olympus and spends her days weaving destiny. Her eyes, like mine, see things that others do not.”

Marlene had already seen the panic wash the smile off his face once. It was like a candle being blown out by a gust of chilly wind. She hated it. But it was fated.

“I was not aware. This might be cause for some discussion but it’s… nothing we can’t work around? If you’d like to work around it?” His voice was half-hearted and hesitant. He feared her, everyone did. That too seemed to be fated.

“I have been considering giving up the divine side of my nature as of late, and perhaps my dearest Lord Father had assumed that I would wed as a mortal.” Marlene turned to look at her father. At least he didn't look at her with terror in his eyes. He always had nothing but love for her and he even could hold the gaze of her mother unflinching, no other mortal could do that.

“Yes, I did not mean to deceive you in any way good Giannis. I have only just told Marlene of the arrangement,” Vassilis interceded. “Please, rest assured that it will happen before the wedding.”

Giannis seemed to calm and smiled back at Marlene. It was not the same smile as before, but still, a smile with trepidations underneath was better than none at all, wasn't it? “I have a thriving shop making and selling pottery. I can guarantee you a life of comfort and I can support children. You'd be well taken care of and we would stay in Dion so you could continue to see your father and mother.”

Marlene nodded, “That is most kind of you, Giannis.”

They spent the evening talking and eating and drinking, but Giannis never looked at her quite the same. He still seemed kind and intent on marriage, but the sense that he feared her never let up. It stung more because the man seemed kind. He would be a good husband. She could love a man like this, but could he ever feel at peace with her? Would anyone ever be at peace with her? If she gave up her divinity, it might help. Perhaps choosing life as a mortal would be the healing balm upon the burn that had plagued her from the time of her birth. Or perhaps she would grow bitter for everything she gave up. Perhaps no one would ever truly forget who she was or where she came from. She could give up her powers but she could not change the way people thought of her. Would Giannis ever think of her as a woman who he could love and not fear? At no point during those hours did she find the answers to those questions.

Giannis left shortly before midnight and Marlene chose to sleep in her father's home. As she bid her father goodnight, he kissed her forehead. “This is everything I can offer you, my dear.”

The next morning Marlene set off before the sun rose. She knew her father had been nearly as torn as she over her dual nature. He probably wanted all the same things as she did. He knew that she could never really be a deity, so this was his only solution. The thought of giving up part of herself in an effort to be accepted didn’t go down easily though.

In truth, the echo of her life was vexsome, but she loved being able to give people little gifts of hope and joy and prosperity. Her blessings, and curses, only lasted until the sun went down, but they made those who were kind to her so happy. She was helping to change the people of Dion's opinion of her mother for the better, and part of her wondered if that was her destiny.

But her father loved her, and as he said, this was everything he could give her. He felt she would be happier as a mortal than a demi-fate. He had found her a man who would take her and provide her every comfort and opportunity. He would have made a good husband to any mortal woman. But he might never be able to look at her like he would any mortal woman...He had been so handsome for just that one moment when he hadn’t yet realized the other side of her parentage. That hurt more than anything else in the whole ordeal. Knowing that without this difference that he might have loved her easily.

Things were never going to be easy in the matters of love for Marlene. It was not her fate. She'd thought herself in the throws of love with Kyril, so much that she’d pushed aside her anxieties over the differences. He was mortal but she had been ready to promise herself to him without hesitation - and look how that ended. Perhaps, if she went in knowing and expecting the strange distance between herself and her betrothed husband, it couldn’t truly hurt her? Was this the better path, a path to lasting security and a possibility for happiness?

Marlene descended the stairs in Zeus's Palace to her childhood home. Her mother sat in her large chair, the Book of Fates open in her lap.

“My darling daughter,” she smiled up at her.

It was easier here. Most of her conversations with her mother occurred in that foresight she possessed. Marlene would simply sit with her mother and whole concepts flowed like her grandmother, the river Nyx, between them.

“I don't know if I'm willing to give this up.”

“Your father does you a kindness, from the bottom of his heart.”

“Is it my destiny?”

“You will have to find that for yourself, but once you find it, you can't outrun it.”

“Mother, you've said that to me my whole life.”

“And it is still true.”

“Giannis is kind.”

“He is.”

“Do you think he's a good match?”

“Do you?”

Marlene sighed and stood to make breakfast. Her mother knew the answer to that last question, and so did Marlene, but Marlene also knew it wasn't that simple.

#blackinnon #blackinnon fanfiction #sirius x marlene #sirius black x marlene mckinnon #sirius black #marlene mckinnon #harry potter fanfiction #GreekMythologyAU #GreekAU

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awooters · 5 years

Text

TWISTED HORROR SERIES SCHOOL DEMON

CHAPTER 1: DID CHANDLER LIGHT THE FIRE?

Maisy Ryan who happens to be the school journalist for the west shore high school newspaper went up to Chandler Hunter for questioning. “So Chandler can I get a few words with you?” Maisy had asked him. “Sure but I would like to take you to dinner first,” Chandler had flirted with Maisy. “Ha, cute, anyways, where were you when the fire had started on September 13th?” Maisy asked him. “I was with my boys grrr,” Chandler growled with all his other teammates. “Good grief,” Maisy had rolled her eyes. “Where exactly?” “At Kingston Rd. why?” Chandler asked. That was where the fire had started, Maisy thought to herself. “Ok thanks that’s all the information I needed,” Maisy said as she finished her notes. “Woe, wait a minutes,” Chandler said to Maisy as she started to walk away. “But,” Chandler said but then, he realized Maisy wasn’t going to listen. Maisy had walked up into the school’s newspaper office. “So I just got back from talking with Chandler and he said e was at Kingston Rd. when the fire had happened,” Maisy said to Camilla. Camilla Madison also happens to run the school newspaper with Maisy. “Did he say that he started it?” Camilla asked. “No but I know he did it,” Maisy said. “How do you know?” Camilla asked. The next day the school newspaper was published for everyone to see. The school newspaper had read: Chandler Hunter the quarter back of the football team had lit the fire on the football field on Kingston Rd. Chandler had read the newspaper and once he did he had crinkled up the newspaper. “That Maisy Ryan is full of crap. I didn’t cause that fire,” Chandler had said.

CHAPTER 2: GHOST

“Dude no said that you did,” Jake, the center of the football team, had said. “Well Maisy Ryan sure think‘s so,” Steven. the receiver of the football team had said. “Maisy,” Chandler called out to her as he walked towards Maisy coming down the hallway. “Maisy you got to believe me I didn’t do it,” Chandler said. “Then who did it Chandler?” Maisy yelled turning around facing Chandler. “I don’t know besides why would you suspect that I did it?” Chandler asked. ‘Because sources say they saw you with someone else and that you were smoking a cigarette,” Maisy said. ‘A cigarette? I don’t even smoke,’ Chandler said. Maisy stood there hoping for a response but Chandler didn’t say anything. “Well?” Maisy asked. Again Chandler didn’t respond. “Listen Chandler, I don’t have time for this,“ Maisy turned back around and walked away. Maisy walked into the office hoping to get the fire off her mind. “Hey Maisy you have to see this,” Camilla said walking into the room. “If it has to do with the fire I don’t want to hear about it,’ Maisy said feeling frustrated. “No seriously you have got to see this. I got actual footage of how the fire started, look,” Camilla said. “Alright what is it?” Maisy asked. Camilla had played the footage the video on the TV. Maisy and Camilla saw the fire lite by itself on the football field. “Woe,” Maisy said. “It’s like if a ghost had lit the fire,’ Camilla had said curious.

CHAPTER 3: MOLLY DION

“There’s no such a thing as ghosts besides what exactly makes you so sure it was a ghost?” Maisy asked to Camilla. “You don’t believe in ghosts? You know, it will make a great headline,” Camilla said typing on her computer. “Camilla Alison Madison we are not, I repeat not, making a headline about a school ghost. It will not only backfire on us but also,” Maisy said taking a bite out of a heath bar. “Plus everyone in school will make fun of you,” A female student had said walking in. “That to, wait... who are you?” Maisy asked the stranger. “Oh sorry I’m Molly, Molly Dion, what’s your name?” Molly asked. “I’m Maisy Ryan and this Camilla Madison. How come I’ve never seen you around before?” Maisy asked. “I’m new here, can you direct me to the main office?” Molly asked. “Yes it’s just down the hall right here,” Maisy said. “Thank you,” Molly said walking towards the main office. Before Molly had walked into the main office she had looked right at Maisy. Maisy had seen a sinister monstrous look on Molly’s face. “Ahhh,” Maisy screamed a short scream. She did not expect it.

CHAPTER 4: WHAT?

“It’s true Camilla, why don’t you believe me?” Maisy asked. “Because I know you’re just trying to get back at me besides, I thought you said you didn’t believe in stuff like that,” Camilla said pulling out the yearbook as she looked up the name Molly Dion. “I said I didn’t believe in ghosts, this wasn’t a ghost it looked more like a...a...” Maisy stuttered. “Witch?” Camilla said. “No. more like a... demon,” Maisy said. “It doesn’t matter Maisy I still believe that you are just trying to get back at me,” Camilla said. “Ugh! What does it take to convince you that I’m not lying,” Maisy said as she realized Molly wasn’t in the yearbook. The next day, Maisy arrived early at school and went to the newspaper office. Maisy was on a mission. She wanted to prove to Camilla that she wasn’t lying so she went to the school security office to get video proof. Maisy knocked on the glass window of the security office. “Excuse me Mr. Bean I was wondering can I get the footage from yesterday’s security tape that was shot from the hallway towards the main office?” Maisy asked. “What for?” Mr. Bean asked. “The school newspaper,” Maisy lied. “Here you go,” Mr. Bean had said giving Maisy the footage. “Thank you I appreciate it,” Maisy said. Maisy said. Maisy went back to the newspaper office. “Hey Camilla listen, I got proof that I wasn’t lying about Molly,” Maisy said. “Maisy will you just let it go? Alright fine I believe you,” Camilla said. Camilla played the video. Camilla and Maisy saw a demonic figure walking into the main office. It didn’t even look like Molly. “What in the world?” Camilla wondered.

CHAPTER 5:EVIDENCE

“Is this what you saw the other day?” Camilla asked Maisy. “No what I saw was more like a face that had looked sinister,” Maisy said. “Well this is enough proof that Molly is not, well.... Molly,” Camilla said. “You got a way of putting it into words,” Maisy said. An hour went by and both of the girls were pondering of what they should do. The newspaper office door was already open so Chandler came into turn in his letter to Maisy. The girls were pacing back and forth not noticing Chandler was in the room so, Chandler just put the letter in Maisy’s mail box then he slipped away without being noticed. “Ugh! What are we going to do? Turn this into the principal? I mean come on he will be totally freaked out,” Maisy said. “Wait are you sure that he already hasn’t seen this video?” Camilla asked. “What do you mean” Maisy asked. “Well you got this video from Mr. Bean right?” Camilla asked. “Yes,” Maisy said. “Okay great, come on,” Camilla said walking out of the door and into the hallway. ‘Where are we going?” Maisy had asked her. “The security office,” Camilla said. Maisy grabbed her tape recorder and caught up with Camilla. “Mr. Bean, Mr. Bean,” Camilla said knocking on the glass window. “Huh? What? Oh what now?” Mr. Bean said sliding the glass door opened. “Mr. Bean sorry to disturb your nap but,” Camilla started to say. “Mr. Bean, has Dr. Jones seen the video that you gave me,” Maisy asked. “What how did you?” Camilla wondered looking at Maisy thinking how Maisy knew what Camilla was going to say. “I just realized that it seemed what you were working up to,” Maisy said. “Oh,” Camilla said. “No, no he hasn’t why?” Mr. Bean asked. “well I was just... “ Maisy said, stuttering. “We were just curious considering we would think he would have an eye on the security footage,” Camilla finished Maisy’s sentence. “Thanks,” Maisy whispered to Camilla. “Well I?” Mr. Bean said. “Don’t worry we will make sure that he sees it,” Maisy had said with full confidence.

CHAPTER 6: WHAT IS GOING ON?

“Mrs. Lanchester I would like some more coffee please, when you get the chance,” Dr. Jones had said. “Will do,” Mrs. Lanchester said a she went to get Dr. Jones his coffee. Maisy and Camilla walked into Dr. Jones office with the video tape in hand. “Ms. Madison, Ms. Ryan how may I help you,” Dr. Jones asked. “Dr. Jones we something to show you. Where’s your The nexTV?” Maisy said. “Oh well I had to take it to get fixed. Why? What are you going to show me?” Dr. Jones asked. “Let’s just say that it will shock you,” Camilla said. ‘Dr. Jones your TV is back, would you like me to roll it into your office?” Mrs. Lanchester asked. “Oh well isn’t that ironic?” Camilla said. “Yes that would be great Mrs. Lanchester thank you,” Dr. Jones said. The TV rolled right in by itself. Then all of a sudden the door had closed by itself. “Ahhhh,” Maisy and Camilla had screamed.

CHAPTER 7: THE ATTACK

“So girls what did you want to show me?” Dr. Jones asked. “Dr.... Dr..... Dr. Jones please don’t say you’re a ghost?” Maisy said. “My dear of course not, I’m the school’s principal of course, is there something the matter?” Dr. Jones said. “Maisy seriously? Mrs. Lanchester probably pushed the TV with full force then she had slammed the door by accident,” Camilla annoyed with Maisy. “Of course my mind just got the better of me sorry. Anyway Dr. Jones we have a video tap we want to show you,” Maisy had said to him. Maisy put in the tape and had pressed play. The lights turned off automatically. Five minutes later, the lights had turned back on and Dr. Jones was sleeping in his chair. ‘Dr. Jones?” Maisy said annoyed that Dr. Jones was sleeping in his chair. “Oh that’s just great now we can’t prove it to him. We might as well take care of this ourselves, come on Maisy,” Camilla said. The next day, the girls had got up bright early and came a little earlier to school. “What are we going to do now?” Maisy asked herself even thought she wanted Camilla to answer her. “Well we first have got to find out who started that fire on the football field,” Camilla said. “Okay I will go to the football field and investigate. What are you going to do?” Maisy wondered. “I'm going to research Molly Dion and see if that name even exists in the school’s records, so I will go to the school library,” Camilla said. The next day, Maisy and Camilla went their separate ways to do some investigating. They both had walkie talkies in case they found something. Maisy went to the middle of the football field to find clues. She was about to give up after about thirty minutes when she all of a sudden had stumbled upon something. She saw a piece of what looked like leather like from a book. The piece of leather had the word craft written on it. Huh? Maisy thought. “Hey Camilla I found something,” Maisy said over the walkie. There was static on the other end of the walkie. “Camilla?” Maisy said once again. “I’m right behind you Maisy,” Camilla had said. Maisy turned around and instantly saw Molly charging at Maisy attacking her to the ground. Molly instantly turned into a demon as she was still attacking Maisy.

CHAPTER 8: FIRE

“Ahhh,” Maisy screamed as Camilla overheard her over the walkie screaming. “Maisy? Maisy?” Camilla said concerned for Maisy over the walkie. “Give me,” The demon screamed over the walkie. Camilla had no idea what was going on but she know she had to get to the football field. Ten minutes later, Camilla had arrived to the football field. “Maisy are you... okay,” Camilla asked realizing she was too later getting to Maisy’s side. “What are you talking about I’m fine,” Maisy said. “Well you were screaming and I heard a demonic voice over the walkie,” Camilla said. “Oh well I was just overreacting a little bit,” Maisy said. “Overreacting?” Camilla asked. Camilla picked up a piece off the grass. Ring. The school bell rang. The girls found a table in cafeteria. “So I got some information on Molly Dion I wrote down the research,” Camilla said. “Oh that’s ok,” Maisy said sitting down with her lunch. Camilla handed Maisy the research. Maisy was holding the research in her hands when he eyes turned back into her head and she had become possessed. She first ripped up the research then started to choke Camilla. “Maisy?” Camilla asked. Maisy had woken up from a bad dream. She realized she was till on the grass of the football field. “Huh?” Maisy said as Camilla helped her to her feet. “Oww my head,” Maisy said. “What happened?” Camilla asked. “I got attacked on the ground by Molly then she had turned into some sort of demon,” Maisy said. “Did you find any clues?” Camilla asked. “Just a piece of leather that says craft,” Maisy said. “Wait a minute I think I seen this somewhere,” Camilla said pulling her binder out of her backpack. “What do you got there?” Maisy said. “I printed a picture out of a book that I thought would help us,” Camilla said. She took out a piece of paper that had a picture on the article has been cut off,” Maisy said. “That’s what I found, strange to but, I did find out what year this was and it was taken back in the year of 1894,” Camilla said. “What other information did you find?” Maisy asked Camilla. ‘Well I was digging into other books about Molly when all of sudden you screamed over the walkie,” Camilla said. The wind was suddenly picking up. The picture had all of a sudden had caught on fire. “Ahhh,” Camilla screamed and dropped the paper. The paper flew in the air and went over to the trash can towards the bleachers. The trash can had caught on fire. Chandler came out with a fire distinguisher. Well at least he tried it but it only mad e the fire grow and the fire got on the bleachers. “Ahhh fire! Fire! Fire!” The girls had screamed.

CHAPTER 9: INFORMATION

A student had heard the girls screaming and ran into the school to call 911. It took five minutes for the firefighters to come and ran into the school thinking the fire was inside. One firefighter saw the bleachers on fire. He ran inside to get the others. All of them came out and they immediately had got the hose off the bleachers and also the trash can. The fire was finally out. “Whew, finally! Now can we go back inside?” A female student had said. “I know it’s getting cold out here,” Another student had complained. Maisy and Camilla had walked towards the bleachers. “That’s the second fire in two weeks,” One firefighter said to another. “Maisy are you thinking what I’m thinking?” Camilla asked her. “I think so I’m thinking those firefighters can give us some information on the last fire,” Maisy said. “That’s exactly what I’m thinking,” Camilla said. “Those girls are the one that had witnessed the fire,” Chandler pointed at Maisy and Camilla. “Excuse me girls, may I ask you some questions?” Firefighter Dillard had asked. “Yes sir,” The girls had said in unison. “So do you two know what had started the fire?” he asked. “Well actually sir we,” Camilla was about to say but Maisy jumped in and spoke. “We just saw the fire had started in the trash can then the fire had got bigger and It caught onto the bleachers,” Maisy said. “Oh, what were you going to say Camilla?” Chandler stepped in. “I was going to say the same thing,” Camilla said. ‘Ok thank you,” Firefighter Dillard had said wrapping up. Firefighter Dillard was about to walk away when Camilla had called out for him. “Excuse me Mr. Dillard do you know what happened to the other fire?” Camilla asked. “Sorry but I’m not supposed to give out that information,” Firefighter Dillard had said. “Please? We won’t tell anyone,” Maisy pleaded. “Sorry I could lose my job if I told you that,” He said. Firefighter Dillard had walked away back to the fire truck with the other firefighters. Chandler had turned around about to go inside into the school but stopped him. “Hey Chandler how would you like to help us?” Maisy asked.

CHAPTER 10: CAUGHT

The three of them had waited till the sun went down to sneak into the fire station. The girls were out on steak out while Chandler had climbed into the office window to investigate. “Are you in?” Maisy asked. “I’m in I’ll let you know what I find,” Chandler whispered into the walkie. “I’m in a bind? What?” Maisy said misunderstanding Chandler. “No no he said he told us that he’s fine,” Camilla had said. Chandler laughed under his breath. Girls, he thought. He touched the back of the chair after he climbed into firefighter Dillard’s office, to look upon the desk. He heard someone from the hallway, so he ducked down. “I just have to get my flashlight,” Firefighter Dillard had said. Firefighter Dillard opened the door and quickly grabbed his flashlight off his desk. He barely had shut the door. Lucky, firefighter Dillard’s dog had come through the door. He sniffed his way towards Chandler. Chandler had ducked down but bumped his head onto the desk. “Ouch,” Chandler said a little loudly. “What was that Lucky,” Firefighter Dillard said walking into the office. Luckily enough, firefighter Dillard didn’t hear Chandler. Chandler was underneath the desk, when lucky started to bark, when lucky started to bark. “Ruff, ruff,” Lucky barked. “What’s taking so long?” Camilla asked over the walkie. the volume was up loud enough for firefighter Dillard to hear it. Firefighter Dillard had bent down and saw Chandler underneath the desk. “Chandler can you hear me?” Camilla said over the walkie. “Let me see that,” Firefighter Dillard said grabbing the walkie out of Chandler’s hand. “Hello? is his radio out or something?” Camilla said over the walkie. ‘No he’s here,“ Firefighter Dillard said over the walkie. “Oh no we’re caught,” Camilla said.

CHAPTER 11: THE RUN

“Well we’re not going to be able to find out anything behind bars,” Camilla said. “There goes my permanent record,” Maisy had said. “Okay you girls get one phone call between the both of you,” Officer Reynolds had said. “What?” Both of the girls had said in unison. “But that’s not fair,” Maisy said. “Officer Reynolds, that can’t be right we are supposed to get one call a piece,” Camilla said. “No just one call between the both of you that’s the law,” Officer Reynolds said. “This is just great!” Maisy had said getting frustrated. “Alright I think you kids have been punished enough,” Firefighter Dillard said. “Finally,” Maisy said. “But before I ask Officer Reynolds to open the cell door I just have to know something,” Firefighter Dillard started to say. “Haven’t you tortured us enough already?” Maisy asked. “Not nearly,’ Firefighter Dillard had said. “What?” Maisy asked. “What were you thinking?” Firefighter Dillard had asked them. “We just felt like we ought to know about the other fire that we didn’t have a chance to investigate” Camilla said. “I see,” Firefighter Dillard said. “Yeah, wait let me guess you’re going to keep us in here aren’t you?” Camilla asked. Firefighter Dillard had rolled his eyes at Camilla. “Alright let them out George,” Firefighter Dillard said. “Finally,” Maisy had expressed. Officer Reynolds had opened the cell door to let the girls out. “I wonder what kind of old man likes to intimidate teenagers,” Maisy said. “I’m only 27, I’m not that old,” Firefighter Dillard said. “Hey I’m not stupid you’re the one that is being stupid,” Maisy said. “Maisy don’t confront him let’s just get out of here,” Camilla said. “Yeah Maisy listen to your friend,” Firefighter Dillard had said. “Hey,’ Camilla said as she kicked firefighter Dillard’s leg. “I so owe you one girl, come on let’s go,” Maisy said. The girls had run out into the hallway of the jail. “Hey stop those kids,” Officer Reynolds said about to run after them. “Don’t worry George I’ll get them,“ Firefighter Dillard said running after the girls.

CHAPTER 12: DOPPLEGANGER

“Where’s Chandler?” Camilla asked as she was still running trying to find a way out. “Hey guys quick hurry,” Chandler said. Chandler was outside the back door of the building. “Ok you girls just stop right there,” Firefighter Dillard had said pointing his gun towards them. “Ahhh,” The girls had screamed. They both had run out of the building just a moment before firefighter Dillard caught up with them. The three of them had locked the door behind them. “Hey guys,” Someone they had recognized a voice that had spoken to them. “Ahhh,” The three of them had screamed. They turned around and saw another firefighter Dillard before them.

CHAPTER 13: DOPPLEGANGER CRAZY

“Hey guys what’s going on?” Firefighter Dillard had asked. “I’m going to get you kids,’ The firefighter Dillard’s doppelganger had said. “Who is that?” The real firefighter Dillard asked as he walked up to the door. On the other side of the door firefighter Dillard’s doppelganger was banging on the door. “Who’s on the other side?” The real firefighter Dillard had asked. He was about to twist the door knob when the three of them had tried to stop him, but he opened the door anyway. Firefighter Dillard was standing right before his doppelganger. Then all of a sudden firefighter Dillard and his doppelganger had shattered into pieces of dirt. “Ahhh,“ The three of them had screamed as they saw the two firefighter’s turn into dirt. “What’s going on out here?” Officer Reynold’s had said opening the door next to the trash cans. “hey you kids stop right there you’re under arrest,” Officer Reynolds said getting his cuffs out to his gun belt. “Run,” Maisy said to Camilla and Chandler. The three of them had stowed away into Officer Reynolds’ patrol car. They finally were clear of Officer Reynolds. The three of them were all in the front seat and heard something in the back seat. “Hey what’s going on?” Officer Reynolds asked. “Ahhh,” The three of them had screamed. Chandler drove into a bush out on ridge road. Ridge road happens to be where their school was located. They all had jumped out of the patrol car. They ran into the back of the school where the gymnasium was. The next day, they woke up thinking it was all a dream. “Oh boy did I have a crazy dream,” Chandler said waking up rubbing the top of his head. “Yeah, me too,” Maisy said stretching. “I had a dream that firefighter Dillard turned into dirt then we ran way from Officer Reynolds by jumping into his car and drove away from him but then he popped up from the back seat,” Camilla said. “What are you kids doing on the floor?” Officer Reynolds had asked. “Ok I’m guessing it wasn’t a dream,” Camilla said standing up on her two feet. “Nothing just waiting for our classmates to get dressed,” Chandler lied. “Oh ok, well, have a good class,” Officer Reynolds had said as he left the gym. He had walked out of the back door of gymnasium. “I can’t believe that worked,” Chandler said. “He didn’t arrest us, I wonder why?” Camilla said. “Wait I wonder? Hold on,” Maisy said walking out of the gymnasium. “Wait Maisy,” Camilla said. “What?” Maisy answered. “Why question him?” Camilla asked. Maisy had turned around to talk to Officer Reynolds. “Excuse me Officer Reynolds what do you remember from last night?” Maisy asked him. “Well before I took a nap in the backseat of my patrol car I was here at this school investigating,” Officer Reynolds started to say. “Well I thought I heard voices in the basement so I went to go and investigate and when I got down there I uh,” Officer Reynolds was trying to say. “Officer Reynolds we need you right away,” Another Officer had said over the radio in the patrol car. “Excuse me but, I got to go,” Officer Reynolds had said running towards the car. ‘But,” Maisy said realizing she wouldn’t be able to get more information out of him. “Maisy what are you thinking?” Camilla said running up to Maisy. “Hey do you remember last night when we saw two firefighter Dillard’s?” Maisy asked her. “Yeah strange huh?” Camilla said. “Yeah I’m thinking that the Officer Reynolds that wanted to arrest us wasn’t the real officer,“ Maisy had said getting suspicious.

CHAPTER 14: TORNADO

The three of them were at the school library researching more on the school’s history. They think the whole mayhem had to do with Molly Dion. “I still can’t get over what Officer Reynolds had said about the basement,” Maisy said. “What about the basement,” Camilla asked. “Who’s basement now?” Chandler asked. “Oh well Officer Reynolds said he thought he had heard talking down in the basement so then he went down to the basement to go investigate,” Maisy said. “What else did he say?” Camilla asked her. “Huh? Oh, well someone called him over the radio at the time he was about to tell me but then he just had took off,” Maisy said. The lights in library were flickering on and off. Everybody in the library had ducked underneath their tables. The librarian was the first to duck. “I think it’s hilarious how Mrs. Simone is so scared I mean she know that the storm is going to pass,” A mate student had said. The wind had blown harder. The tornado had shattered the window into pieces everywhere in the library. One of the tables flew into the tornado. Three students had got thrown into the tornado. “Hold on,” Chandler yelled. “I’m trying,” Camilla yelled. The tornado threw the three of them around and had dropped them to the ground. The table and the chairs fell on top the three of them. All three of them were injured. The ambulance got there quickly. Maisy had sprained her arm, Camilla had a bump on her head and sprained her ankle, but Chandler on the other hand had sprained his leg. The three of them had got rushed to the hospital. They had immediately got treated. They later had got all stitched up. All three of them were about to be released when Camilla had saw the news. “This just in, an unexpected tornado had vanished from West Shore High,” News reporter Jackie Smith had reported. Camilla limped towards Maisy’s hospital room to tell her the news. “You got to be kidding, are you serious?” Maisy said shocked. “We have got to get bac to West Shore,” Maisy said. “Yeah but how are we going to get out of here?” Camilla asked. “Oh I know my brother Chase can give us a lift,” Maisy said. “Ok where’s a phone?” Camilla said. “No Camilla he works here in the hospital remember?“ Maisy said to Camilla. “Oh yeah, oh there he is, hey Chase,” Camilla said. “Hey Maisy, hey Camilla, jee what happened to you guys?” Chase asked. “Forget about that now we need you to give us a ride to school,” Maisy said. “Jee sis I would but how are you guys going to take care of yourselves? You guys should be on bed rest at least a week or two,” Chase said. “You know he’s right,” Camilla said. So for the next two weeks the three of them were on bed rest. The following Monday, Maisy had met up with Chandler and Camilla at the school’s newspaper office. “So I see the library had been fixed. I have to say two weeks ago was the strangest,” Maisy said. “I know it’s like how did all of this start?” Camilla asked. ‘It started with that girl Molly Dion,” Maisy said. “Actually it started with the first fire,” Chandler said. “Oh yeah, that’s when I thought you caused the fire sorry about that,’ Maisy said to Chandler. “The truth is that I was there but I didn’t start it,” Chandler said crossing his name in the newspaper in a bad way,” Chandler said. ‘What did the girl look like?” Maisy asked. “All I saw was that she was wearing a burnt old nightgown I think,” Chandler said. ‘The basement,” Maisy said with full confidence. “What about the basement?” Camilla asked. “Follow me,” Maisy had said determined.

CHAPTER 15: WITCHCRAFT

“Where are we going?” Camilla asked. “The basement,” Maisy said. When they got there the basement door was locked. “How are we going to get in?” Chandler asked. The door had opened automatically opened after Chandler had said how we are going to get in. The basement led them to a gravesite. The head stone said RIP Molly Dion born 1876 died 1894. “Should we open the coffin?” Chandler asked. “And with what our hands, it’s underground, we would have to dig with shovels,” Camilla said. “Where can we get shovels?” Maisy asked. Three shovels had literally fallen from the ceiling. “Ahhh,” The girls had sreamed. “Jeez that had startled me,” Chandler said. “Well that’s ironic it’s like if Molly wants us to dig her up,” Camilla said. “Yes,” A demonic voice had said. “Did you hear that?” Maisy asked. “Yes,” An unknown female voice had said. “I’m starting to think this was a bad idea,” Chandler had said. “We are going to have to do it if we don’t then we won’t be able to uncover the mystery and secret,” Maisy said. “Well let’s start digging,” Camilla said picking up the shovels. All three of them had started digging. Fifteen minutes flew by and they were done. Now all they had to do was open the coffin,. “Ok who wants to do the honor?” Chandler said. “Well don’ ask me,” Camilla said. “I just did,” Chandler said. The two of them had looked at Maisy. “Oh alright I guess I have got to do it, you couple of chickens,” Maisy said. “Bach, Bach,” Chandler sounded like a chicken. Maisy had tried to open the coffin but couldn’t. “Has anyone got a screw driver?” Maisy said. A screw driver had literally hit Maisy’s head. “Ouch that hurts. Jeez, I just want to get this over with,” Maisy said fidgeting with the screw driver. ‘Here give me that,” Chandler said. “it’s alright I got it,” Maisy said. Maisy finally unscrewed the coffin. “Oh I hope there’s not a dead body in here,” Maisy said as she opened the coffin and covered her nose with her shirt. The moment she opened the coffin a dead body of a girl had grabbed and pulled Maisy into the coffin. She was trying to scream but she couldn’t because the dead girl had covered her mouth. “Ahh Maisy no,” Camilla screamed trying to reach Maisy. “Maisy, Maisy,” Chandler said trying to get Maisy back into reality. “Huh? What/” Maisy said as she realized she was on top of the coffin. “Can someone else open the coffin?” Maisy said. “Hey don’t look at me,” Camilla had said to Chandler. ‘I guess I’ll do it,” Chandler said. Chandler had opened the coffin and saw that there was a book called witch. Hew saw that part of the book was missing. “Wait Chandler, let me see that,” Maisy said. Chandler gave the book to Maisy. “Wait a minute this looks familiar,” Camilla said. Camilla pulled out the leather piece that said craft out of her pocket. “Oh My God,” Camilla had expressed shocked.

CHAPTER 16: NIGHTMARE

“So Molly Dion studied witchcraft?” Camilla had said confused walking towards the school’s newspaper office. “This doesn’t make sense, something isn’t adding up here,” Maisy said. “What are we going to do?” Chandler said. “I don’t know but what I do know is that Chandler, I don’t want you to get more involved any more than you already have. Listen Chandler thank you for everything but the two of us can handle this ok,” Maisy said. “What? No way I’m not going to back down beside you were the one that got me involved in this Maisy. Besides, you guys are going to need me. You need a big handsome man with you,” Chandler said. ‘Excuse me but we don’t need assistance from a big jock who thinks he’s all that a bag of chips,” Camilla said. “Oh please yes you do or else you girls would be screaming all the time without taking charge. So what do you need me to do?” Chandler asked. “I need you to buy us lunch, now go,” Maisy said. ‘What does that have to do with anything?” Chandler started to say. “No questions Chandler now go get us a pizza with wings,” Maisy said. “Seriously come on,” Chandler said. “Chandler you heard the woman, now go,” Camilla said. An hour had gone by and Chandler hadn’t shown up with the pizza yet. “Where is Jack with our pizza I’m starved,” Camilla said. “He’s dead,” A demonic voice had said over the intercom. The girls went into the hallway and saw some fog. The lights in the hallway were off. They both saw someone or something inside the fog. Maisy feared speaking but she did anyway. “Reveal yourself,” Maisy said courageously/ The moment the someone or something showed itself Maisy had woke up in her bed. “Maisy, Maisy,” Maisy’s little sister Catherine woke her gently. “Huh? What/ Man that was quite a nightmare,” Maisy said.

CHAPTER 17: EVERYTHING’S GOING WRONG

“Hey Maisy,” Chandler said to her as she was getting out of her car of the student parking lot. “Oh hey,” She said to Chandler. Maisy had walked into the school down to the hallway and into the newspaper office. “Read this,” Camilla said putting the school newspaper on Maisy’s desk. “The missing book is now found, the book is called witchcraft and it is now back in the library where it belongs,” Maisy read. “Can you believe this? That book doesn’t belong in the school library,” Camilla said. “I know I can’t believe this it belongs in the back of those really old creepy book stores,” Maisy said. “You know what I wonder is, who turned it in,’ Camilla wondered. “Wait, do you think Chandler might have,” Maisy wondered. “He could’ve I mean other than us he was the only other person that had access to the book,” Camilla said. “Hey Chandler go long,’ Steven said in the hallway throwing the football to Chandler. Camilla said thinking Chandler turned in the book. ‘Sure, hey Steven go long,” Chandler had said throwing the football again. ‘Hey, do you mind I need to talk to Chandler here,” Camilla said grabbing the football out of Chandler’s hands and threw it towards Steven. “Ooo,” Steven and the other football jocks had expressed. “Come with me,” Camilla said to Chandler pulling his arm. “Chandler I’m only going to say this once,” Maisy said. “You guys are making me nervous. What’s going on?” Chandler said. “Did you turn in the witchcraft book,” Maisy had asked him. “What/ No of course not,” Chandler said. “Then who could’ve done it?” Camilla wondered. “Knock, knock,” Dr. Jones said. “Dr. Jones what are you doing in here?” Maisy had wondered. “I am shutting you kids down,” Dr. Jones had said. “Ok you guys can just take down those computers,” Dr. Jones had said. “Wait, wait, you can’t be serious Dr. Jones,” Maisy said blocking the computers. “Ms. Ryan you haven’t been publishing anything educational,” Dr. Jones said. “Dr. Jones please just give us another chance,” Maisy begged. “Sorry, take them down boys,” Dr. Jones demanded.

CHAPTER 18: DIABOLICAL

“The three of you are going to have to leave,” Dr. Jones had said. “But,” Chandler expressed. Dr. Jones had waved them out. “Dr. Jones you’re not really going to shut down our school newspaper are you?” Chandler asked. “Listen son there are new dreams to be made here. This office is turning into the school store,” Dr. Jones said. The three of them were being told to leave the office again. “What are we going to do now/ I’m nothing without our school newspaper,” Camilla said as they walked into the hallway. “I know girl I’m with you,” Maisy said. “Wait why can’t we find a way to still publish the school newspaper,” Chandler said. “I’m listening,” Maisy said. “Well how about we,” Chandler started to say. The past two days had gone by and the three of them had turned the janitor’s closet into their new office. One day, they were working on their new article when all of a sudden out of the blue a piece of something had fallen on the table. “What in the,” Maisy was about to say. “It looks like a piece of leather that says craft,” Chandler said realizing that he’s seen it before. “We go to get to that library,’ Camilla said running out of the door. Maisy and Chandler ran our into the hall to catch up with her. “Hey you kids stop that running,’ The school monitor said as he was sipping a drink of water from the water fountain. “Sorry we’re in a hurry,” Maisy said running towards the library. “Hey now there’s no running the library,” Mr. Simone said. “Sorry Mrs. Simone but,” Maisy was about to say. “Mrs. Simone we are here to find a certain book that was turned into the library it was a leather book of some sort,” Chandler said. “Oh yes I haven’t put it up on the shelf yet,” Mrs. Simone said. Mrs. Simone had bent down to get the book. “Here you are,” Mrs. Simone had said. “Thank you,“ Maisy said. “Come on let’s bring it back to the office,” Camilla said. When they got back to the office they had glued the leather piece that said craft back on the leather book. There was a line that was cracked between the piece that said craft and the word that said witch when all of sudden a ray of light had filled up the cracked line. Maisy was still holding onto the book. The book had started to shake uncontrollably. Maisy had let go of the book. The book bursted open, the pages had turned to a spell that was written in Latin and Maisy became possessed and spoke in Latin and it had erupted the school. A flash ran through the entire school. All lights in the school had gone out. The three of them were still in their new office. The office door slightly opened to where it was cracked. There was heavy breathing on the outside of the door and into the hallway. “What is that?” Camilla sked. “I don’t know,” Chandler said. “Shh,” Maisy said. Maisy got up from her seat and walked closer to the door. Something dead had moved passed the door. Maisy was breathing heavily. She opened the door a little bit. The room had stood silent. Then out of nowhere a cold dead hand grabbed Maisy’s arm. “Ahhh,” Maisy screamed. Maisy had tried closing her eyes so that she could wake up. She had opened her eyes. It wasn’t a dream this time. Maisy had screamed louder. Camilla and Chandler screamed their heads off. “I did it,” The demonic voice had said. Chandler had a flashback back to when he saw the fire. He remembered the girl looking dead. “Die,’ The demonic voice had said still pulling on Maisy’s arm. “Ahhh,” They all kept screaming.

CHAPTER 19: THE ENDING

Camilla had to do something so she looked through the book to see if there would be a spell to get rid of the demon. Camilla realized the book wasn’t really a book on witchcraft after all. It was a book of demons. The demon had eventually let go of Maisy’s arm but had opened the door wide open. “Give me the book,” the demon had demanded. Camilla was so terrified of the demon that she just let the demon have the book. “Ahhh,’ Camilla screamed so bad that she peed her pants. The demon grabbed the book and left the hallway. The demon headed towards the basement. “We got to get that book back,” Maisy said leaving the office. Camilla was terrified but she had followed behind her. The three of them ran down into the basement. Once they got down into the basement they saw the demon trying to open Molly Dion’s grave. Once they got down into the basement they saw the demon tying to open Molly Dion’s grave. Chandler practically rammed into the demon. Maisy saw the book by itself and picked it up. The demon was on the floor getting up. Chandler opened the coffin and saw that Molly Dion wasn’t in the coffin. “Molly isn’t in here,” Chandler shouted. “That’s because I am Molly,” The demon said charging at Chandler. Chandler courageously pushed Molly off of him Camilla was still scared but she had helped Chandler. Camilla and Chandler showed the demon into the coffin. “Maisy isn’t here anymore,” A demonic voice had said out Maisy. “Give me the book,” Molly Dion said. “No it’s mine now,“ Maisy said Molly had fought Camilla and Chandler off of her. The two demons had fought each other. Molly Dion punched Maisy to the ground but Camilla got the book this time. Chandler tried to push Molly back into the coffin. “Maisy wake up,” Chandler shouted. Camilla dropped the book to help Jack, Maisy had waked up and saw the book alone. She had picked it up. “Maisy quick read,” Camilla and Chandler had said. “No!” The demon screamed. Maisy had read something in Latin. They finally had pushed Molly back in the coffin. They had shut the coffin and realized that they were safe. “Finally,” Chandler said. They all had gone upstairs and saw that light were back on. Students had filled the hallway and there was no more tension.

5 notes · View notes

margridarnauds · 5 years

Note

A, F, G, M, S, T, V

THANKS AVERY.

A. If you could rec a piece of music to accompany one of your fics, what would you pick? Why?

Yakety Sax for Goosefic.

Alright, seriously? It’s totally not like I have a playlist or something stored anywhere, because that would be insane, right?

Illuminated by Hurts - Ah, Ça Ira. “Time waits for no one/So do you want to waste some time/Oh, oh, oh, oh/Tonight?” AKA “Ronan realizing that he might not make it back the next day and trying to get Laz to come to bed and reconcile with him, not necessarily because he wants to SLEEP with him, but because he wants his boyfriend there with him. “Swim with your sorrows/And try delusion for a while/It’s such a beautiful lie” Lazare frantically scribbling out his justifications on the paper, even though he has to KNOW that Artois’ going to abandon him and it’s going to be worthless. “Suddenly my eyes are open/Everything comes into focus/Blinding” GENERALLY I get Laz vibes from this line, with him gradually realizing how important Ronan is to him and that some part of him WANTS the new world that Ronan was, but the last few lines also work for Ronan’s (unstated, in-text, but there in canon) decision to charge in front of du Puget, realizing that he HAS to save Olympe from being orphaned like he was.

Either Dream of Sky (Dancing Line OST) or Forbidden Friendship (HTTYD OST) - Le Cri. Both of them have that sort of tentative, new feeling where things start out so soft and with that kind of innocence but as time goes on, it becomes so much MORE.

I’ve Seen Hell (North and South OST)/Ashes (Celine Dion) - Pour la Peine. I’ve Seen Hell is one of my go-to Period Drama songs, but I LOVE how it has that bleak feel while also not being COMPLETELY bleak and miserable, there’s that idea of PUSHING through in spite of it. And Ashes also kind of has a similar vibe, as far as openly asking how...there can be any GOOD after that kind of devastating tragedy (even though a part of me will always seen Ryan Reynolds doing interpretive dancing to it, tbh). Ashes is much more...RELIGIOUS in bent than Solène generally goes with, but I think it WORKS as far as that general feeling of despair and abandonment that she starts off with “Every word shot down in flames/What’s left to do/With these broken pieces on the floor?/I’m losing my voice/Calling on you”

Wicked Game - Personally, I favor it for A Pressing Matter, though it really works for Peyronan in general. “What a wicked game/To make me feel this way/What a wicked thing to do/To make me dream of you” AKA “Peyrol’s ENTIRE thought process when he realizes that, against his own judgement, he’s gotten attached to Ronan and that that’s a MAJOR weakness.

F. What stories are you planning for the future?

I have. So many WIPS that I’m DYING to release soon. One is very obviously the Fairy Tale AU, which I’m very pumped about. There’s the one that’s just called “Madame Roland is a Lesbian” that I’m excited for. At some point, I’m going to have to expand the Abomination and the Verse it encompasses, stretching from where we start off in the Beauce in 1777 to at LEAST the early 19th century, possibly into the 1840s.

Between the Waves is going to get a LOT more added to its Verse, hopefully. I already have at least two WIPS that are partially finished and give a little bit more context to things that are happening in the next few chapters, one from Olympe’s perspective on the pre-canon events that stretches to the post, one from Artois’ on some of the events of PLP, and I either have an Afterlife AU, a Reincarnation AU, or both to wrap it up, possibly with us ending up where we began. (No, not on Marat’s printing press.) I’ve also toyed with fleshing out a little more about how Peyronan got to where we see them in A Pressing Matter, to round out the series. Either way, though, I do intend for this to end up being a VERSE, not necessarily just one or two stand-alones. There’s a lot that’s...going to pop up here or there that I INTEND at least to expand on. I rarely like to leave things HANGING like that.

There’s also the Peasant Lazare AU which, even though it’s basically a laughing stock among my friends IRL at this point, is still very important to me and I’ve never fully given it up.

I’m definitely going to expand the Ripples in the Rockpool Verse, HOPEFULLY dipping more into the historical events that are happening around this time and a little more on how the OT3 ended up where they get to be in Back on the Shore.

There’s a Vampire AU that I’ve been toying with back and forth, and I STILL haven’t given up on The Zombie Apocalypse AU, though I’d like to focus on that one more when I have a fewer WIP count and I can more thoroughly outline it. Also @lehetsz-kiraly and I have toyed around with a Superhero AU that I would 100% like to see get off the ground, and I also am totally planning on toying with the TN crossover as time goes on. I obviously have no idea....WHEN or HOW, but it’s somewhere nebulously on my To-Do list.

And, of course, the Disneyworld AU. One day, I will finish it.

G. Where do you think you grew the most this year?

Honestly, I think the drabble challenge was a GREAT opportunity to throw myself into a variety of things that I NEVER would have considered before. I’ve gone from EXCLUSIVELY writing 1789 and Irish Mythology stuff to really working with anything that really vibes with me, which has been VERY exciting. And, between Le Cri, A Pressing Matter, and Back on the Shore, I’ve gotten several things that I’ve been talking about and tossing around for YEARS on the page and out there in some form or another. I’m still going to stick around 1789, of course, that’s still my BABY, but I really got the chance to work with a lot of things I’d have never normally have thrown myself into and had the chance to toy with my style in a way that I normally wouldn’t.

M. Meta! Have any meta about a story you’re dying to throw out there?

Oh God, there’s ONE THING that I WANT to write the meta for but SPOILERS. That I don’t even know if it’s SPOILERS anymore. (I should honestly get into the habit of asking people “SO WHAT DO YOU THINK’S GOING TO HAPPEN NOW” like a thirteen year old who’s just uploaded their first Wattpad fic, but alas). But, since I’m working on PLP at the moment, have this:

No, she gets no sleep tonight, her eyes locked on the bayonets as they gleam in the moonlight. She lays and waits and thinks.

Several hours later, a shot rings out in the dark. All the demons of Hell break loose, the only thought on Solène’s mind being that of another night, another volley of shots.

They mean to massacre them all.

The Queen has changed the King’s mind again and they will all be killed.

Every part of her knows it, screaming in her mind as they make their way for the Queen’s quarters, all else, all other thoughts disappearing.

A panicked voice asks them what they think they’re doing and another voice, she doesn’t know if it’s hers or one of the women with her, replies, “We’ll cut off her head, rip out her heart, fry her liver, and that won’t be the end of it!”

They are done with this, done with the queen, and they will take whatever they can get.

They have endured too much pain at this point to just curl up and die.

This wasn’t a fight they wanted to begin, but if it was a fight they needed to survive the night, they could give it to them.

They could give and give and give as they had always done, all of their lives.

A few guardsmen try to stop them, but they disappear beneath the wave of bodies flooding the palace. One of them breaks free, runs and pounds on the door, his bloodied hand staining the expensive, gilt wood as it slams against it before he’s tossed aside. “Save the Queen!”

A door slams ahead of them as they reach the room, the room itself is deserted, except for one woman who rushes in front of them all.

“I am the Queen!”

Solène recognizes the voice even before she can see her in the light of the torches, still wearing the clothing that she’d worn the night before, and she freezes.

So, for this section, I ripped a LOT from the historical record, as far as the threats the women made on the life of Marie Antoinette, the guard slamming on the door, the shot in the dark panicking the mob, BUT I also actually did look up at least one article on mob mentality to try to understand HOW someone would get involved with something like this. And the first thing I focused on was the INDIVIDUAL getting pushed aside in favor of the group. And the main way I ended up TRYING to get that to show through was in Solène’s reaction.

At first, she starts off as a singular: “She lays and waits and thinks” “The only thought on Solène’s mind,” etc. But then, immediately AFTER that, as the panic sets in, she becomes a PLURAL, “They mean to massacre them all” “They will all be killed,” “they are done with this” “they have endured too much.” And it really reaches its height when they enter MA’s chambers, as she doesn’t even know WHO is speaking. It could’ve been her, it could’ve been the woman by her side, likewise with the guard who’s severely hurt (also, the “wave” of bodies, going back to the overall theme of water that’s there in PLP). She doesn’t know, because at this point, they’re one whole body acting out at the same time. (There’s one brief point where Solène becomes a “her” again, but it’s only to say that her brain is NOT necessarily...its usual self, “all other thoughts disappearing,” which repeats what she’d also said when the shot first went off; she’s very much acting on INSTINCT here.)

When does she become Solène again? When Olympe runs in front of her. She and Olympe are not a Thing per se, not at this point, even though Solène’s recognizing that she’s “a little bit in love with her,” but Solène does care enough for Olympe that she was able to be snapped out of it. In the chapter that I currently have sitting in my drafts and that SHOULD be published in the next day or so, there’s a bit where Olympe questions whether Solène would have continued on if she hadn’t been there. Solène says that she doesn’t know, because to HER this unlocked a part of herself that she didn’t really know was THERE, the kind of radicalism that she tends to associate with Ronan and the other revolutionaries (ESPECIALLY Maillard, who is kind of Ronan-By-Proxy here as a vanqueur of the Bastille who is ultimately ineffective when it comes to Solène’s complaints.) Personally? Even though I fully leave it up to interpretation, and everyone’s free to say “No, you’re wrong,” I wrote it with the idea that Solène probably would have done a Hell of a lot more harm had Olympe not been there.

This is also fully intended as a parallel to Peyronan. (”NO, RACHEL, PEYRONAN ARE A THING? I HAD NO IDEA! THE SPOILERS!”) Both Peyrol and Solène had the same choice in this chapter, at its core: Their goal at hand, or the person they love. Peyrol let the army and his loyalty to the Monarchy get the better of him, Ronan ended up paying the price for it, and, as we see both at the funeral and at the trial at the beginning of the chapter...Laz is BROKEN by it. Solène doesn’t realize why he’s broken and even doubts that he is, because she doesn’t have the perspective, but...LOOK at him. He is not doing Well. He didn’t gain anything from what he did. In a snap-second decision, he chose his career and decades of indoctrination over Ronan, and he ended up losing both. Solène chose to break out of it and save Olympe, even if she was personally endangered by it. It doesn’t mean that one loved their person more than the other one, but it DOES mean that they get very different results. There’s a climb to the light for Laz as well, I’m not going to just...LEAVE him, but it’s going to be much, much longer than Solène’s.

S. What’s the sexiest thing you wrote this year?

I’ll be honest: I know I have (2) Official Smut Fics to my name now, but I honestly don’t FEEL like anything I’ve written’s particularly SEXY so much as Describing Sex. This isn’t me being a Pretentious Literary Author who Does Not Write Porn, oh no; it’s that I genuinely don’t believe that what I write...qualifies as “sexy”. That being said, despite being only 100 words, “Honey Plunged Into Water” is probably the sexehiest. Which is hilarious because it’s also the kind of thing I would NEVER have written otherwise. There is one...unpublished fic for A Passage Through the Light that features Madame Roland/Marie-Anne that is....very, very gay and is probably honestly the sexiest thing I’ve ever written even without them actually doing the do.

T. Themes, motherfucker, do you have them? What are they?

Earn Your Happy Ending, the question as far as the difference between society and what someone’s been conditioned to be like VS the individual, uncertainty, unease, that question of how much you really CAN know someone else, that general feeling of the calm before (or even during) the storm and how people can find intimacy then. There’s a lot of the gothic element there as far as the past, and the people who were THERE in the past, never really being...GONE from the narrative. Like, one way or another, they have the tendency to come back, whether it’s as a literal ghost or whether it’s just their skeleton buried underneath a tree somewhere.

V. Which story was the most viscerally pleasing to write? Tell us your narrative kinks.

This is painfully predictable, but I THOROUGHLY enjoyed every second of writing Forgiveness. To this day, it’s probably the ONE piece of Peyronan stuff (besides Fowl Play!) that I’ve written where I’m, like, 95% happy with the final result, which is REMARKABLE for me. I really, really loved getting to WORK with their relationship and what makes it WORK at the heart of everything, the progression of it, the gradual increase in intimacy, the way they come to have that moment of “We’re in this one TOGETHER,” and an ending that’s HOPEFUL even though there’s still the ever-present promise of the Revolution in the background. All of that is a LOT of what I tend to like in my Peyronan to begin with, so it was really fantastic to just get that all out on the page. It’s one of those moments where I just want to gesture all over the page and go “THESE TWO LOVE EACH OTHER SO MUCH” even though they still have their bickering and their petty little moments.

Another one that’s a WIP but that I feel’s far enough along to actually TALK about is the Fairy Tale AU (It has a name, but I tend to feel like announcing its name is jinxing it and I DO desperately want to get it out soon) and...it’s not my usual writing style, it’s not my usual way of doing things. There are some things that I do there that I wouldn’t necessarily do in a usual, realistic fic because it’s a FAIRY TALE that’s being given the 1789 treatment. It was really, really interesting to get to work with some of my favorite fairy tales, see some of the ways they’ve been told and retold throughout the years, especially looking for the ones that focus on commoner protagonists, elements of the gothic and dark fantasy mixed in there with the light. I’m not really that USED to getting to go wild, so it’s been a lot of fun to have one project where the research is less on the minutiae of 18th century life and more on...like....the similarities between the Italian and the Breton versions of The Travelling Companion folkstory.

#janetcarter

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slapshot-to-the-heart · 6 years

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Scars

Hi folks! Here’s Part VI for our ongoing adventure with Alex and Harry, the Chaos and the Calm series. Please keep telling me what you think, good, bad, or ambivalent, I want it all- it helps me become a better writer! Please keep reblogging and liking it so more people get a chance to read it. I’m sorry this one took a bit longer to write, so I hope you all like it!

Scars

August 2019

We grow apart/I watch you on the red horizon/Your lion's heart/Will protect you under stormy skies/And I will always be listening for your laughter and your tears

“I miss you, H.” Alex sighed into her phone. He had been gone for nearly two months, and it was beginning to take a toll on her. Aside from a three-day weekend that she flew out to Nashville for, where he was touring, the couple had spent nearly all of the time apart.

“I know, love,” Harry responded. His heart ached every time he heard her like this, knowing that he was simultaneously the cause of her grief and the only way it could be alleviated. FaceTime was great and they talked on the phone nearly every day, but it did nothing to replace the ache that seemed to leave a hole in both hearts. “It’s just another week, and I’ll be back in New York. Back to you.”

Alex picked at her fingernails, an annoying habit of hers she had picked up in childhood and never been able to quit. “But that’s only for a month, and then you’re off to Europe. How long is that bit, again?”

“About six weeks,” Harry began, “but let’s not worry about that now, okay?”

“Yeah.” She let out a shaky breath, praying that he couldn’t hear her. “I didn’t realize how hard it would be. This. Us.”

“Love—” Harry started, worried.

“I’m not saying that I want out. God, I don’t want out. It’s just a lot to deal with. It’s hard to talk about a relationship when one of the people isn’t even here half the time.” Alex said. No malice was behind her voice, only a quiet sadness.

“I know, Alex. It’s hard for me being away from you and feeling like I’m constantly living out of a suitcase, but I can only imagine what it’s like for you to be juggling work and finding time for us and everything else you’re doing in the city.” Alex could imagine him running a hand through his hair, tugging at the ends like he was prone to do when stressed out.

“We’ll manage,” Alex replied, a small smile on her face.

“We always do,” Harry said. Hearing another voice in the background of the call, Alex heard Harry’s voice muffled as he responded to whoever was on his end. “Listen, love, I’ve got to get going, but I love you and I’ll see you soon, okay?”

“Okay, H. Love you too.”

But you're miles away/You're breaking up, you're on your own/It's hard to take/I need an hour just to say hello/And I can't make the truth of this work out for you or me

The next week was hard for the both of them; as much as they tried to make time for one another, contact was confined to hurried phone calls and short texts, promising they would see each other as soon as humanly possible and that they missed each other as much as humanly possible. Alex didn’t blame Harry, not in the slightest. It was true that she might not have known exactly what she was signing up for when they decided to make a run for it, but she was stubborn as hell and willing to do whatever she could to make it work, to make them work. Even before they had started dating, it seemed that they were always a unit. It was seldom just Alex or just Harry, almost always Alex and Harry. They went to the same schools, did most of the same extracurriculars, and ran in the same circles. Alex knew that she was didn’t need Harry to complete her, that she was an independent, strong, complex person all on her own, but it was hard to figure out where exactly she fit in her world when he wasn’t around. So, to distract herself from the fact of Harry’s absence, Alex had tried to fill her time, in any way she could. She threw herself into her work, started volunteering at a local animal shelter, and took her friends up on nearly every opportunity to go out for dinner or drinks.

While she may have had less free time in her life with her newfound commitments, Alex was frustrated to find out that it did next to nothing to get the longing for Harry out of her mind. So, when he texted her, saying his plane was about to land, she breathed an audible sigh of relief. While she did rely on the subways for her primary form of transportation, it was moments like these when she was grateful that she was leasing a car. Grabbing her purse and keys from their place by the entryway, Alex locked the door and sent Harry a text. I’m on my way, can’t wait to see you, H! Love you lots. A few minutes later, she was pulling out of the apartment complex and onto the streets of Brooklyn. Google Maps had promised her it would only be a 20 minute journey to JFK, but she left herself an extra ten minutes, never trusting their predictions of New York traffic.

Flipping through her Spotify, Alex let out a small grin when it fell on Only Angel. So that’s how it’s going to be, is it? She thought. It had always been her favorite off of the album; a video of her dancing to it at a pop-up show Harry did in New York had briefly gone viral. Eventually the playlist moved on, but Alex was humming along to it all the way until she pulled into the short-term parking lot. Locking her car, she shoved the keys haphazardly into her purse and pulled out her aviators. Harry had said he wasn’t expecting too many fans or paparazzi, but she had taken to carrying around sunglasses ever since they had gotten caught off-guard by a group of photographers while in Central Park back in May. A few minutes, two elevators, and a moving walkway later, Alex arrived in the domestic terminal. She glanced at her phone, seeing a text from Harry two minutes previous telling her that he was nearly there. Wearing the green coat, he had said. Tapping a foot, Alex kept her eyes flicking between her phone and the escalator. She didn’t have to wait long. Not quite a minute later, Alex caught sight of the green pea coat she loved so much on the man she loved even more.

He caught sight of her just after, a huge, genuine smile appearing on his face. WIth just a little extra spring in his step, he hoisted his duffel onto his shoulder, nearly tripping off of the escalator at the bottom. Grinning, Alex took a few steps towards Harry, and he met her halfway.

“I missed yeh so much,” Harry said, his words muffled by her hair.

“Not half as much as I did,” Alex responded.

And as soon as I can hold you once again/I won't let go of you, I swear

Taking Harry’s duffel from him, they began to exit back towards the parking lot. There were only about a dozen fans milling about, and both Harry and Alex were grateful for the relative peace and quiet. He loved his fans and were incredibly grateful for all that they had given him, but it had been a long few months and there was nothing he wanted more than to snuggle with Alex back at his apartment. After a few minutes of speaking with the fans and photos taken, Harry and Alex were finally on their way to her car. He caught her up on the past week while walking— one of his crew had gotten absolutely smashed after a show and had ended up singing Celine Dion on top of a table, apparently. Alex told him about an adorable puppy she was working with at the shelter, a beagle that “gives me even more kisses than you do, H.” Alex turned onto the freeway, headed to Harry’s apartment. They had already decided she would sleep over that night; neither could bear having to say goodbye too early.

NPR was playing on the way back, and Alex turned the car off right in the middle of what she was sure was going to be a thrilling story about a newfound species of Angolan beetle. Once again taking Harry’s bag over her shoulder, she followed him into the elevator, realizing that she hadn’t brought a bag of her own. She supposed she didn’t even need one, really. She had gotten ‘a drawer’ a few months into the relationship, and bits and pieces of her wardrobe and belongings had migrated over into his apartment. She was sure there were a few outfits, positive at least one toothbrush— she had a bad habit of misplacing them— and a box of tampons under the sink, should she need them. Shrugging almost imperceptibly and smiling at her absolute dream of a boyfriend, she stood to the side of the entryway as he opened the door.

“Home,” he said dramatically, dropping the handle of his suitcase and spinning around slowly, arms out.

Alex laughed. “Come on, babe, let’s get you unpacked.” Harry had a bad habit of leaving his clothes in his suitcase, and Alex knew if she didn’t get him to do it right then, they might stay in until the European leg. Groaning good-naturedly, Harry followed her into his room, where they set his luggage on the bed and began to unpack.

The TV flicked as Alex snuggled against Harry’s side, trying to keep her eyes open as the clock struck 11. “You’ve never watched Lord of the Rings?” He had asked incredulously, before shaking his head and slipping the DVD in.

“I wish we could stop this moment and just stay here forever,” he whispered, gently stroking her loose curls.

Alex’s head turned to face him, her eyes blinking in an effort to stave off the tiredness that was threatening to overtake her. Shit, Harry thought. She wasn’t meant to hear that. Nope.

“Me too, H.” Alex said softly. “I don’t know, and this is me being honest, I don’t know if I’ve ever been as happy as I am when I’m with you, when I’m in your arms. You have this weird, almost magical ability to make me forget all of the stress in my life, everything that’s bothering me, even if it’s only for a moment.”

“You never told me that before.”

Alex gently kissed his neck. “I didn’t know if it could scare you, and the last thing I wanted to do is make you want to run. God, I don’t know what I’d do if you did.”

Harry took a shaky breath. Alex meant so much to him, so was so incredibly valuable to him that he didn’t think he’d ever be able to properly express it. She was the lighthouse that pointed him back home when he flew off-course, the rock that kept him grounded and humble when the bright lights of the stage threatened to overtake him, and the one person he knew he always, always wanted to come home to. He knew so clearly how he felt about her, and hearing that she felt just as strongly meant more to him than he could say. “I’m all in, Alex. I’m in it for the long haul.”

She leaned her head back on the crook of his neck. “Good. Because I am too.”

We live through scars this time/But I've made up my mind/We can't leave us behind anymore

As the movie ended, Harry folded up the blankets while Alex threw the spent popcorn bags into the garbage can. She finished before he did, and was already rummaging for her clothes as he came into the bedroom.

“H, have you seen the top that goes with these?” She asked, holding up a pair of flannel pajama bottoms.

Harry crossed to his dresser, pulling open the top shelf and handing her the shirt that was folded inside. “Yeh left it here after we packed for this last leg of the tour. Think you were a bit pressed for time,” Harry said, remembering the moment with a grin. Alex took the shirt gratefully, moving into the adjacent bathroom to brush her teeth and wash up. Walking up to the doorway, he thought carefully about his next words. “When do yeh think you’ll bring over the rest of your things, love?” Harry said slowly, looking at the mirror in an effort to gauge her reaction. She stopped brushing for a moment, a bit of foam from her toothpaste dropping into the sink. Washing out her mouth, Alex put her toothbrush back in the drawer and turned to Harry.

“Are you asking me to move in with you, Harry?” Alex said carefully. She was near-positive she hadn’t misinterpreted his question, but didn’t want to respond wrongly and make a fool of herself.

Harry nodded once. “Why not? I know your lease is up at the end of the month. You’ve already got a key, plenty of your things over here, and it’s closer to the subway line; it’ll be half the time to work.” The reasons seemed to tumble out of his mouth, and as they did, Harry realized just how much he wanted this, just how much he wanted to share this part of his life with Alex as well.

Alex reached up, resting one hand on his cheek. “You sure about this, babe? I know it’s a massive commitment.”

Harry nodded, leaning into her touch. “Wouldn’t have asked if I wasn’t positive, love. So…,” he trailed off, “what do you think?”

“I think I’d better call my landlord and tell her I won’t be renewing my lease.”

“Hey, Lex?” Harry said, rolling over on his bed— their bed now, he remembered— just as she was dozing off.

“Yeah, H?” Alex asked sleepily.

“What do you think about coming along for the next leg of tour?”

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nellpire · 6 years

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[171222] Nell Official 2017 Photobook Fan Q&A (translation)

1. You are about to reach your 20th anniversary.. What do you think when you see fans maturing(!) together with you? Do you have any questions for the fans? Jongwan: Standing tickets or seated tickets, what’s better? Jaekyung: Though it’s intimate, since we only meet in concert halls, sometimes it feels a bit surreal^^ We can’t meet often but I’m always happy and grateful to see you… - A question for the fans / Why do you like Nell…? Junghoon: I’m always thankful. And I feel a sense of kinship with you since we’re maturing together. And of course happy that we’ve been able to be together for this long through music.

2. What part of the chicken do you guys like the best? Jongwan: Wings Jaekyung: Hahahaha / Wings vs tenderloin Junghoon: For chicken, wings are the way to go.

3. Please introduce your individual instruments! I want to organize Nell’s room. Please check any incorrect entries. Jongwan: I think they’re too many to introduce; when we record we use about 13 different guitars and 12 different synthesizers. Jaekyung: If I were to introduce the ones we use for concerts only.. Fender stratocaster (lemon) - Jeff beck signature Fender stratocaster (red) - Greg tessler masterbuilt PRS-custom24 Suhr - Scott Henderson signature Gibson 355 - Standard Gibson 355 - Historic Gibson Lespaul 59 - Historic Schecter Telecaster - Lee Jaekyung Custom model (a gift from Schecter Japan~^^) James Tyler Telecaster - Mongoose Retro Gene Baker B3 - Humburker Gene Baker B3 - P90 Morgan Acoustic Guitar - Jumbo orchestra Taylor Guitar - 414CE Nylon Bogner Shiva amp 20th anniversary Nord stage2 88

4. What is ripped jeans to Jongwan wanja-nim? Jongwan: Clothes that would be okay even if they ripped even more.

5. Which instrument does Jongwan feel the coolest while playing? Wan is cute when playing the drums! Jongwan: Guitar

6. How do each of you deal with stress? Jongwan: Alcohol, sleep Jaekyung: Deep sleep or heavy exercise Junghoon: Movies, games, music, travel Jaewon: Alcohol, friends, parties

7. I’ve just come back to Korea after studying in Russia for 6 years. I learned that Russian people all enjoy rock music (I often saw grandmothers with Nickelback songs for their ringtone and grandfathers with AC/DC for their ringtones. Seriously…!). Do you have any plans to advance into Russia? Jongwan: Spasiba Jaekyung: We went with Seo Taiji to perform in Vladivostok in 2004, and I could feel how the country loves rock music. How much they like alcohol and how cold it is also suits Nell well k I’d like to try it if we get a chance. Junghoon: Any place where people listen to our music and we can perform would be good, of course. Russia go go.

8. Is there a Korean musician who you want to be like or respect? Also, is there a person who you look at and think ‘let’s not become like them’? For the last question I’m more curious about whether you have someone like that or not, not who it is. Jongwan: I respect Lee Seunghwan-nim / Way too many Junghoon: I respect all musicians who go forward playing their own music, whether they are seniors or juniors. As for the last question, we definitely do.

9. Do you have any plans on doing this (Q&A) regularly? Aren’t you curious about the fans’ thoughts? Jongwan: We have ‘plans’. Jaekyung: I think it’d be fun to do this in some shape or form every once in a while!

10. What electronics or instruments are you interested in recently? Jongwan: UNFAIRCHILD 670 M II Junghoon: Playstation VR / Rolan Gaia

11. What song would you like to play a cover of at least once? Jaekyung: Purple Rain - Prince (even though not doing it would be better) Jongwan: Hallelujah, Jeff Buckley version

12. Any songs you want to play as Jung Jaewon band? kk Jaekyung: Beat it - Michael Jackson (even though not doing it would be better) Junghoon: Celine Dion’s Power of Love Jongwan: Nessun Dorma

13. Can you recommend us a movie, exhibition, concert, book etc that you’ve enjoyed this year? Jongwan: I, Daniel Blake Jaewon: The movie Maudie Junghoon: Manchester by the Sea, and for concerts Depeche Mode

14. If you could transcend time and space and meet one person in the whole world, who would it be? Jongwan: It’s not a person, but I’d like to see a huge dinosaur in real life. Junghoon: Rather than a meeting, I’d like to go to a Nirvana concert.

15. If you could give the fans anything (with no regards to cost, and it doesn’t need to be an object) what would it be? Jaekyung: Our unreleased songs (minus the bad ones k)

16. Jaekyung oppa, when you record entire concerts the file size must be insane, so how many external hard drives do you have? Do you have more Kumamon plushies or more external hard drives? Jaekyung: I have 5 hard drives. And I have 2 Kumamons that the fans gave to me k (the picture I uploaded on instagram was taken in a store hahaha)

17. Which out of your own songs are you the most pleased with? Jongwan: ‘What do you think’ Jaekyung: ‘Farewell’ Junghoon: ‘12 Seconds’ Jaewon: ‘12 Seconds’

18. If someone other than Jongwan hyung-nim were to take the role of vocalist in Nell, who would suit it the best? Jongwan: There’s no way.

19. Can you please show us the Selfish Love music video just one more time? Jongwan: No. Jaekyung: We can’t. Junghoon: How could we ever?

20. Jaekyung-nim, you know you’re good-looking, right? Jaekyung: Of course^^

21. I’m curious about your individual ways of overcoming painful experiences (alcohol and cigarettes, that’s no no, minus those two!) Jongwan: The thought that I would still have a hard time even if this didn’t happen. Jaekyung: If I can solve it then I do, and if I can’t then I do as much as I can, accept it and let time heal. Junghoon: I just keep thinking about it. Immerse myself in it. Then it will slowly start to get better.

22. If you only had one day left to live, how would you spend it? Jongwan: First I’d say goodbye to my family, then spend 8 hours in the studio before putting on a concert and finishing off with an afterparty with people I love. Jaekyung: I don’t know if there’s anything specific I’d want to do -- I think I’d listen to the songs we were unable to finish and then say my goodbyes. Junghoon: I’d be with my family. Jaewon: I’d watch the sunset by the ocean.

23. How come Junghoon has never once shown us a bass solo? And as you always use a pick instead of fingering (of course using a pick will sound better on some songs but), is there a reason for that? Junghoon: I will work hard.

24. How do you release everyday stress? Jongwan: Travel

25. What pictures do you use as your kakaotalk profile pictures and cover photos.. k (Jaekyung uses a cover photo of a street full of fallen leaves and no profile photo, Jaewon uses a picture from the movie Maudie)

26. I’m curious about the members’ favorite movies. Also, is there a movie that has influenced your music, like how you got your name from the movie Nell? Jongwan: Stay, Never let me go Junghoon: I like too many movies so it’s hard to choose, but Eternal Sunshine of the Spotless Mind comes to mind. Jaewon: Lords of Dogtown, Stand By Me, Gilbert Grape

27. If you were a color, what would it be? And please tell us the reason as well. Jongwan: Grey Jaekyung: (picture of… the moon..?)

I love you. Junghoon: Me too.

28. Who cries the most out of the members? Jongwan: Me and Jaewon. Junghoon: Could be me. Jaewon: I don’t know who does the most, but Jaekyung cries the least.

29. Who do you think will get married next? Jongwan: Don’t

30. I’m sad because I can’t go to this year’s christmas concert, and I’m a 13-year fan who wishes to receive a signed CD at some point. I like you so much that I want to ask a question this badly. I love how pretty the album art is; do you decide on the design yourselves? Jongwan: We decide on the concept, the designer makes the art.

31. To. Jung Jaewon / Do you have other hobbies aside from surfing and skateboarding? Jaewon: Drawing, hiking.

32. To. NELL & SPACE BOHEMIAN / Who first coined the phrase ‘seubo-in’?? Do you like it? Jongwan: I like it. Junghoon: Was it Jongwan who used it first? I don’t know too well, but I like it.

33. Is there a singer you’d like to work with? Jaewon: The late Shin Haecheol-nim.

34. Chicken vs Pizza Jaekyung: Pizza Junghoon: Chicken Jongwan: Complete victory by the pizza

35. Jongwan oppa, I remember hearing you say on Nell’s Cruel Radio that you like to read. Please recommend me a good book. Jongwan: Blindness (José Saramago)

36. What’s the most memorable performance you’ve seen? Jaekyung: I’ve seen too many, but the ones that come to mind now are Black Sabbath in Korea, 1995 / Steve Vai in Korea, 1997 / Metallica in Korea, 1998 / Roger Waters in Korea, 2002 / Marilyn Manson in Korea, 2003 / Nine Inch Nails in Korea, 2007 / Björk in New York, 2012 / Paul McCartney in Korea, 2015 / Among those, Roger Waters’ (Pink Floyd) concert was the most memorable to me. / As for Nell, it’ll be this year’s December concert. ^^ Junghoon: That’s a difficult question. Off the top of my head, The Verve live in Japan. Their charisma was astounding.

37. Do you have any thoughts of letting us know the lyrics in the backmasked parts of your songs? Jongwan: No. Junghoon: I don’t think so.

38. Can you reveal the playlists you’ve been listening to recently? Jongwan: Currently listening to this year’s Christmas concert setlist. Jaewon: Elbow, Death Cab for Cutie.

39. What are each of your favorite foods?! Jaekyung: Galbi, lobster, soy marinated crab, (bigmac) Junghoon: Braised spicy chicken Jongwan: There’s too many. Beijing-style duck, steak, pasta, Pyongyang style cold noodles etc.

40. When will Jongwan oppa do a V app live in your house like you said you would? Junghoon: Did he say that? Jongwan: Soon.

41. Junghoon oppa, at some point you started recording the fans with your camcorder -- do you…watch those back..?? Also, you’re taking a lot of pictures with your film camera recently. Have you been influenced by Simz oppa to do that, or is there another reason? Please reveal a few cuts that you’re pleased with! Junghoon: I’ve seen all of them at least once. I edited some (of the videos) and posted them on social media. I was taking pictures with a digital camera using a filter to make the pictures look like they were taken with a film camera, and so I thought ‘if this is how it’ll turn out, I should buy an actual film camera’, so I did. I don’t know anything about photography so I’m just taking pictures with my P&S.

42. Please tell us a song you’re disappointed with from each album, or a song you don’t like, and the reason for your choices, please. Or an album you’re displeased with. Jongwan: Walk Through Me. I think we could give each song a more fitting sound if we were to record that album now. Junghoon: ‘Reflection of’, ‘Speechless’. At the end of the day, it’s a pity how they turned out. If we had been a bit more skilled at recording and writing, I think they could have turned into a little bit, or a lot better albums.

43. If you were to be reincarnated, what would you like to be born as? Jongwan: A dolphin living in a place no human has ever touched. Junghoon: Wonbin.

44. What do you think when you see your increasing amount of male fans? I’m a fanboy too, haha! Jongwan: It feels good. Jaekyung: It’s good to see. The sceaming (of the crowd) became thicker! I understand now!! Junghoon: It’s great.

45. When do you recruit workers for Space Bohemian? (My ultimate goal is to become an employee there… just wait…) Jongwan: 11AM~8PM

46. Do you use Logic (music editing software) or Pro Tools more? If you use both, which is better? Jongwan: We don’t use Logic, we use Cubase and Pro Tools. We use Cubase up until the recording, then change to Pro Tools for the final phase.

47. Junghoon-nim, please let us know what brand of sunglasses you wear! Junghoon: I wear several different ones, but my favorite is Karl Lagerfeldt.

48. I’m curious as to what you’re thinking about! Jongwan: It changes a lot. Jaekyung: I think most of what’s in my head goes into our albums! Junghoon: All kinds of tremendous desires.

49. What is Bori’s gender?! Junghoon: She’s a girl

50. Is Junghoon-nim’s Bori doing well? Do you have any plans to open a separate instagram account with just pictures of her? Junghoon: Yes, she’s doing well. I don’t think I’ll make another instagram account.

51. I’ll give you a multiple choice question. How long will you continue making music? A. Until I die / B. Until all I have left is the strength to hold a spoon / C. For 50 more years / D. Until our 70th debut anniversary Jaekyung: A Junghoon: A Jongwan: If possible, A.

52. Is it okay to ask for a signature if I see you on the street? It is okay to let you know I know who you are? I love you. Jaekyung: Yes. Junghoon: Please be our friend. Jongwan: We don’t go out a lot, so.

53. What are your favorite Coldplay / Muse songs? Any songs you intend to play live sometime? Jaekyung: Coldplay: Gravity / Muse: Exogenesis: Symphony part 3 Junghoon: Coldplay: True Love / Muse: Stockholm Syndrome

54. What’s your most used apps? Jongwan: Lotte cinema Jaekyung: Hi-Q recorder / Soundhound / Producer tools / Metronome / Boss tuner Junghoon: Naver cloud. Coupang. Jaewon: Navigation.

55. Tell us about a movie you’ve seen within the last 3 months that left a deep impression, whether it was good or bad. Junghoon: The Outlaws. “Do you know who I am?”

56. What’s your favorite time of day? Jongwan: 9PM~5AM. Jaekyung: One hour before the sun sets. Junghoon: The space between midnight and 4am. Jaewon: Just because the sun rises.

57. To Junghoon and Jaekyung: Who’s your Twice bias? Jaewon: Tzuyu.

58. To all: What’s your favorite cover of one of your songs? Jaekyung: Taeyeon’s Time Spent Walking Through Memories Jongwan: Kim Feel’s Time Spent Walking Through Memories. Jaewon: Time Spent Walking Through Memories.

#nell #official 2017 photobook #interview #translation #jongwan #jaekyung #junghoon #jaewon

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libralita · 4 years

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Truths and Roses have Thorns About Them | Chapter 4

Beginning | Previous Chapter | Next Chapter

Summary: The Marchen Tavern draws in many strange characters from all across Angielle and beyond. While it may bring wonder and mystery to those who stop, it does make keeping staff members a challenge. However, Fella Treslyn is up to the task of being the Marchen’s new cook. But is really ready to deal with all the antics it has to offer?

Fella sighed as she sat down at her usual table with Miss Karma. She had spent all morning preparing her four dishes for her menu reveal tonight. She was already exhausted.

Fella waited for Miss Karma to say something but she didn’t. “Miss Karma…?” Had she had sat down and no was actually there?

However, Miss Karma only made a small sound to indicate she was there. Nothing more.

Miss Karma had never been in such a foul mood like this before. “I…sorry I didn’t bring any food this morning?” Fella tried.

“You were probably busy.” But her voice was almost as cold as the ice princess’.

“Did you get a chance to read my menu for tonight…?” Fella asked. Miss Karma didn’t even bother to respond to that question. “Are you upset…?

“Fella stop acting like a wounded puppy. I am simply just tired.”

Fella was taken aback a little, she hadn’t seen Karma like this before. She was growing rather irritated. Just because Karma was tired didn’t mean she should treat her this way. She tried to think about what would make Karma so upset. She seemed past Rumpel’s antics from yesterday. “Last night I heard people talking about pairing up to get rid of their curses. Are you paired up with anyone?”

“No, I am not, Fella.” Miss Karma's annoyance continued. “Now, if you could, I would like some time alone. As I said, I did not sleep well last night.”

“Didn’t sleep well? Oh dear, that makes two of us!”

Fella was annoyed that she recognized Rumpel’s voice and that it was making her face start to heat up. She tried to think about the cold to keep her face from burning. Lucette in winter. Lucette in winter. Lucette in winter.

Rumpel took a seat and Karma let out a sigh. Rumpel, I do not think today is the morning to push Miss Karma. “Foul man, what are you doing here?”

“Flirt with you once and you hate me, is that it?”

“No you flirt with me and then you insult me unnecessarily.” Miss Karma spat back.

Fella frowned. “Insult her? Rumpel, what did you say?”

She felt Rumpel gently pat her hand. Lucette in winter on an iceberg. “Oh, nothing, my sweet. It was all in good fun.” However, Fella did not believe that entirely.

“W-What are you doing here, Mr. Rumpel?”

“Please, Fella, no need to be so formal. I actually wanted to ask you something.” He said, his voice still flirty. “I was wondering if I could accompany you to the market. I heard from Annice that you needed to go to pick up potatoes. I thought I would offer my assistance since I know that I can make you far happier than this fool over here.”

“Would you like me to hit you again?” Miss Karma’s voice sounded dangerous.

“What’s the problem, ma’am? I only came to provide assistance where you would not.” Rumpel takes Fella’s hand again but did not kiss it. “I also wanted to talk to you about something else—”

Before he could finish, Fella heard a slap.

“Would you like another slap? I am in no mood for pleasantries today.”

“I don’t know how I could have…ever fallen for you. You are the most brutish person here.” Rumpel says sounding angry. “I was going to ask to examine her eyes.”

There’s another slap before Fella could ask why he would want to look at her eyes... “A slap for each cheek. Would you like a third?”

Someone stands abruptly form the table. Rumpel’s voice is low and almost disgusted. “I would never hurt a person unnecessarily. I don’t resort to violence.”

“My, then that gives me all the openings I need.” Another sound of someone standing.

Fella was taken aback. While Rumpel was a relentless flirt, she felt like Karma was needlessly egging this on. Fella stands up to get between the two.

“Fella, you’re in the way.”

“Miss Karma, you need to stop this. It doesn’t matter how little sleep you get or what foul mood you’re in, you shouldn’t be acting this way.” Fella said, firmly.

Karma paused and then said. “Fine, you’re right.”

Fella turned to the direction of Rumpel. “Both of you need to stop egging each other on. No more slapping, insults, or anything of the like.”

“Alright, what’s going on?” Jurien’s voice.

“Oh, nothing, my sweet,” Rumpel says and then gives an odd chuckle. “I was just leaving.”

After Jurien and Rumpel leave, Miss Karma sighs sitting back in her chair. “I am sorry, Fella. It appears that I was acting like a child. While he is irritating, Rumpel is harmless and there was no reason for me to act as uncivilized as I did…what would father think?” That last part was said in a quiet tone.

“Father?” Fella found herself asking.

“Oh, it’s nothing. But please, if you would give me some time alone? I’ll see you after dinner.”

Fella nodded. “Okay. Get…get some rest.”

There was a knock on the kitchen door. “Fella?”

“Mr. Rumpel,” Fella said, surprised.

“Please, Rumpel is fine.” He said. “Could we talk? Preferably alone so I don’t get hit.”

“I wouldn’t want to cause you any more head injury,” Fella said, they went to the sitting room. Rumpel helped her navigate to sit on the couch and he sat next to her but he didn’t violate her personal space like she thought he would.

“Has anyone told you about my curse?” Fella shook her head. “I have lost nearly all of my memories. Not even my own name. The only thing I do remember is that I was affected by the Rumpelstiltskin curse. Which is where my charming name comes from.”

Fella let out a small snort at that as he heard him shift. “I need to regain those memories. They’re supposed to appear in this journal. And when you said you were blind I had this sort of instinct to look at you. To examine your eyes. It felt like I was close to remembering something.”

She smirked at him. “Do you think my parents never took me to the doctor?”

Rumpel chuckled. “No, I can imagine that they did…but I still want to try.”

“Okay,” Fella said, it was quiet but she gave him a small smile. Rumpel moved the coffee table back so he could comfortably sit on it. He then explained what he was going to do and it was nothing unusual from what Fella experience. She was a little wary of letting a strange man near her face but let him do his work with such gentleness that she put at ease.

Rumple was quiet for a moment. “How long have you been blind?”

“Since I was born,” Fella said,

“And you truly see nothing?” Rumpel asked, sounding…sad. Fella nodded and then she heard him sigh.

“Are you done?” Fella asked.

“Ah, yes, sorry,” Rumpel said moving and Fella sat back a little in her seat. “Fella…could I ask you something?”

“Are you going to ask if I would want to be able to see?”

“I suppose you have been asked that question before.”

“Only my whole life.” Fella chuckled, though there was no ill will in her voice. “I used to crave to be able to see. Back then I was just so…well, it doesn’t really matter but now I am not so sure. I mean it is a burden and annoyance to be so vulnerable. But, perhaps I am growing content with the cards I have been dealt.”

“You…you would reject the offer?” Rumpel asked and then his voice changed. It sounded like he was in a trance. “I could carry that burden for you. Give something up to heal you.”

Fella was taken aback. “Rumpel, what are you talking about?”

Rumpel took cupped her cheek into his bare hand and Fella’s face became hot. “I hate seeing any person suffer. Rich or poor, everyone should be given a chance at life, young man. I will find a way to heal you, I promise.”

“Rumpel.” Fella pushed his hand away. “Rumpel, what is wrong with you?”

Rumpel moved away from her. “I…what?”

Fella leaned back from him. “What was that?” She asked.

“I must have said something very strange, I am very sorry, Fella,” Rumpel said, sounding genuinely apologetic. “I think I might have…remembered something. I…” he paused, perhaps he was straining to remember what he was thinking. “I was a doctor.”

“A…passionate one at that,” Fella said. Give something up to heal you. Who was Rumpel?

“What’s going on?” Fella jumped when she heard Lucette’s voice and Rumpel let out a surprised gasp.

Rumpel cleared a throat and his demeanor seemed to shift. “I have good news, Princess.” He said standing up and Fella imagined he was violating her personal space. “I am a doctor.”

“Congratulations?” Lucette said sounding confused and annoyed. However, Rumpel seemed glad that regained his memories.

“Fella, I know I must have acted…strange…but thank you for helping me regain that part of my memory. I need to go read my journal—ah but do you need help getting ready for tonight?”

Fella shook her head. “That’s okay, Rumpel. My cousin, Dion, will help me.” She said. “But I am glad you got your memory back. Make sure to be around for dinner.”

“I will!”

He went off and there was silence. “Princess…are you still here?”

Lucette let out a sound that indicated she was here. What was with everyone today? Grunting and muttering.

“Are you going to be serving tonight?” She asked.

“No.”

“Well, if you want me to save you some food, I can.” Fella tried. “Why don’t you join me for dinner?”

Lucette let out a small, bitter laugh. “So you can laugh at me to my face instead of behind my back?”

That was nearly as shocking as the way Rumpel was acting. “Laughing at you…? What are you talking about?”

“All you do is mock me and then pretend that giving me food will make up for it. You’re quite backhanded.” Lucette said, and…there might have been a slight quiver in her voice. Very slight. “You’ve done this plenty of times. When you mockingly asked if I needed my own meal when Delora said it was special and it was not by definition. You make jokes about your blindness to deliberately make people uncomfortable like the see-what joke. You even laughed at me when Rumpel arrived. So, no, I do not want to sit with you. Why would I?”

Fella’s mouth worked, she thought back to all those times. Fella stood up from the couch, then she clasped her hands together and bowed as low as she could.

“Lucette, I am truly sorry for upsetting you. That was not my intention at all.” She said in a quiet voice. She straightened but still kept her hands clasped and head lowered. “I will admit that the first comment was mocking, I was being childish and I should have not said that. I am sorry. Every other time, I was not intending to mock you.”

“Oh really?” Lucette said, in a disbelieving tone.

“Yes,” Fella said. “I do make jokes about my blindness but it alleviates discomfort. I do not want people to walk on eggshells around me and I wish to show that I have a sense of humor. It appears that this had the opposite effect on you and I apologize. With Garlan, I thought you were making a joke and I laughed at the joke, not at you.”

Lucette did not respond but she did not leave either. Fella raised her head up and smiled. “How about we start over?”

“Start over?”

“We got off on the wrong foot with each other but let’s try again. Can’t relive the past so might as well move forward.”

“Tsk…” Fella could hear Lucette start to leave. “It does not matter, you’ll hate me regardless.”

Fella went over and reached out, she managed to take Lucette’s arm. She immediately pulled it away but did stop. “I don't hate you. I don’t even know you to hate you, Lucette. I just…I want to be your friend.”

Lucette was quiet for a long time before saying. “I’m leaving.”

“Okay. Have a good day, Lucette.” Fella did not get a response but she still stood there. Lucette assumed that everyone would hate her. Fella wasn’t oblivious to the patron’s distaste for Lucette however…she wasn’t sure she would call it hatred. Even so, what had Lucette actually done to deserve such ostracization?

What made you so cold to the world, Lucette?

It was Fella’s first day off and she did not know what to do with herself. She had left the kitchen in good hands with Annice but now she was…bored.

And her family could attest to all the trouble she gets into what she’s bored.

Fella went three doors down. She was fairly sure that this was Miss Karma’s room. She softly knocked on the door.

There was some light shuffling and the door opened. “Why, Miss Fella, you’re not bustling in the kitchen.”

Fella clasped her hands behind her dress. “It’s my day off.”

“And you’re dreadfully bored?” Fella pursed her lips and Miss Karma let out her tinkly laugh. “You are the type that always has to do something.”

“You could give Waltz a break from your infamous errand runs.”

“I have absolutely no idea what you are talking about but be downstairs in half an hour.” Fella wasn’t sure Miss Karma heard Fella’s laugh as she shut the door. That woman.

Fella was not as delicate as people assumed she was. Sure she was small but she had grown up on a farm. She was hardy.

However, that hardiness was being pushed to the limits by Miss Karma. “I did not know that people could shop this much,” Fella said, carrying the bags. And yet, Fella was enjoying herself. Walking from place to place, Fella held onto Karma’s arm to make sure they would not get separated.

In the shops, Fella roamed free. Fella was pretty sure Miss Karam kept an eye on her but Fella was able to explore.

“I think that I should treat you.” Miss Karma said. “For doing such a good job of helping me, darling.”

“Bribery to make me continue carrying your bags?” Fella asked.

Miss Karma laughed. “You would make a lady carry bags?”

“You would make a blind girl carry bags?” Fella retorted.

“How about cupcakes?” Miss Karma asked. “You cook marvelous food, but I have yet to see you bake.”

Fella let Karma change the subject as they continued to walk. “Cupcakes sound good. And, I am not much of a baker because it is more a challenge. Baking is so precise and it is harder to taste and change as I go. I prefer that flexibility.”

“I am still curious to taste what you make.” Miss Karma said. “I am certain that even a mediocre Miss Fella sweet will be delicious.”

“Oh, how you flatter me.” Fella said but she felt her face get a bit warm at the compliment. They continued walking until they arrived at the cupcake shop.

They ended up with Miss Karma’s favorite, an almond cupcake with caramel buttercream frosting and raspberry tea. Miss Karma led them to a table outside and Fella was glad to be able to sit and put down the bags. Fella took in the sounds of the area, the soft sound of a fountain, people mingling about, and Karma cutting the cupcake.

Fella sat up when she heard the sound of a plate being put before her. “Can I ask you about Princess Lucette?”

“What would you like to know about the lovely princess?” Miss Karma asked.

“I spoke with her last night,” Fella told Karma about everything that Lucette accused of her and how she apologized. “I just…what she said to me at the end of it was…concerning. That I would hate her regardless and she did not come to dinner last night.”

“Princess Lucette does seem to be a delicate flower, her petals always pointed inward.”

Fella nodded slowly. “She does seem to internalize everything that is said to her. I just…want to know where this comes from. She has such a negative opinion of people. And everyone has such a negative opinion of her.”

Miss Karma hummed thoughtfully. “How much do you know about the Great War?”

“That a witch created the Fairytale Curse to punish humans. She committed the ultimate taboo—killing a human and then was killed for it. However, she made sure to the Fairytale Curse would still spread.” Fella said.

“That witch was Lucette’s mother.” Miss Karma said in a very quiet voice.

Fella nearly choked on her cupcake and she took a drink of her tea.

“I grew up outside of this kingdom, but even I knew of the terrible witch, Hildyr. However, Lucette’s memories of her mother being a witch and The Great War are gone.” Miss Karma said. “From what Garlan and Jurien have told me, the palace was a dark place. The King did not truly have power, he was forced into a marriage with Hildyr and siring a child.”

Fella sat back and things with Lucette started to fall into place. Lucette’s mother must have kept a tight grip on Lucette, if she ever saw something she shouldn’t, then that memory would be erased. Lucette was carefully controlled. Hildyr was raising another witch to hate humanity. Lucette did not even have her father. Fella could not imagine being forced to marry someone and then to watch your child be raised like that.

“I…understand now,” Fella said.

“You cannot tell Lucette about this.” Miss Karma said. “It is not time for her to know.”

“Lucette has to do three good deeds in order to break her curse, correct?” Miss Karma confirmed. Fella pursed her lips and then asked in a quiet voice. “Delora?”

“Yes. It is more complicated than what you might be thinking but yes.” Miss Karma said. She did not seem to want to give any more information.

Fella paused. “Miss—”

“Are you going to ask about my curse?”

“…No, I was going to ask about your life before your curse.” Fella lied.

Miss Karma chuckled. “How about this: you tell me a story and I shall tell you one. A story for a story.”

“A story for a story…” Fella said, trying to think about what to tell. She then held out both her hands to Miss Karma. “Point to a scar and I’ll tell you how I got it.”

Miss Karma was silent for a while before leaning over the table. Miss Karma went past Fella's arms, she then gently pulled back Fella’s hair on her right side. A cool finger touched a place above her eyebrow, next to her temple. “What about this?”

Fella leaned back in her chair as Karma moved away. “Ah…that one.” Fella heard her voice crack a little so she cleared it, taking a sip of tea. “It was when I was little—maybe eight years old—and it was my parents’ wedding anniversary. We were throwing them a party. My sisters were in charge of cooking and I begged to let me help. They let me and it was so much fun. Even though it was just rolling meatballs or mixing the cake, I loved every moment of it.

“Then my little brother, Darius, started teasing me and we started running around the kitchen. I ended up bonking my head on the edge of the kitchen table.” Fella said and laughed a little. “It is funny now but boy was I screaming. So was Darius because of the blood. My brother Helios ended up having to run to go find my parents and oldest siblings that were keeping them distracted. We kind of ruined the anniversary. And…” she paused and then said. “And I was punished for running around.”

Miss Karma had stayed quiet through the story but she sounded taken aback by that. “You were punished for running around?”

“My parents could be strict sometimes. But…I wore them down enough to where now I’m here.”

“How did you convince your parents to let you come here?”

Fella shook her head, smiling. “You are not getting out of this one, Miss Karma. I let you change subjects but not this time. A story for a story. Your turn.”

Miss Karma chuckled. “Have you ever seen a chameleon?”

“No. I am blind.”

“You know what I meant.” Miss Karma said.

“No, I have not,” Fella said taking a bite of her cupcake.

“It is this little lizard that blends into their surroundings. I noticed that one of the decorations for the cupcake had one. It reminded me of when I was a child, my father used to call me a chameleon.”

“Don’t tell me you were a wallflower when you were young, Miss Karma. That would be very hard to believe.”

“No, no.” Miss Karma said chuckling. “I hid a lot to avoid responsibilities. Oftentimes no one could find me. Not my father, nor the servants.”

Servants? Was Miss Karma nobility? That would explain Karma’s…general aversion to labor.

“One day, I was our searching for a mythical creature in our garden. And I came across a chameleon. It was this small, silly little lizard, but I’d only found it because I was looking for something fantastic. My father found me looking at the lizard, he explained what it was. He then started calling me his silly little chameleon. It was ridiculous, but he said I was always very good at hiding, and so it suited me.”

Fella smiled. “I think that might suit you still.”

“Oh?”

“Well are quite silly.” Miss Karma gave an indignant humph at that. “But you are a social chameleon. You understand people a lot so you change behavior for that. Unless, of course, a man is flirting with you. Then all bets are off.”

“I will take all this as a compliment.” Miss Karma said. “I think we better head off now. We still have a few stops.”

Fella nodded and made a mental note of where the shop was. “I would not call it an insult. Just an observation.” She said, holding to Karma’s arm. “You do keep a lot of secrets.”

Miss Karma did not respond to that, instead of changing the subject yet again. What is your curse, Miss Karma?

Fella had to rest after coming back to the Marchen with Miss Karma. She heard Waltz’s laughter as she went upstairs and took a nap.

When she woke up, the sun was going down. She decided to go back into town. Fella successfully retraced her steps and found the bakery that had the cupcakes.

She had a conversation with the pastry chef. He was a very nice man and she asked if he was willing to teach her how to get better at baking. Fella wanted to succeed in all aspects of cooking. And desserts were not to be feared. They were to be enjoyed. He would even show her how to make the chameleon cupcake.

Fella then went to the market to see if she could find some ingredients to try and recreate the cupcake she had eaten. Partially to give herself a challenge and another part because Miss Karma enjoyed them. She wanted to make her friend happy.

“Well, if it isn’t the Marchen’s blind cook!” Fella was a little startled when she heard a man call out to her. It was getting later and she was heading back with some ingredients.

“A sight for sore eyes.” Another man’s voice called, followed by a whistle.

Fella just kept moving forward.

She heard footsteps behind her and quickened her pace. “Oh, c’mon. Why don’t you come home and cook for me?”

“I already have a job,” Fella said, continuing to walk. However, she stumbled and fell to the ground.

There was a commotion before—

“Hey!” Her pursuer cried out. “Where’d you come from?”

“Don’t you know that it is impolite to chase a lady?” Was that…?

“Hey now, put that thing away! No need to bring swords into this.”

It was the Swordsman. Fella shifted so she could stand. It wasn’t long before she could hear the other man leaving.

“Are you okay?” Fella’s hands were again scrapped from the fall but otherwise, she was fine. “This is the second time I’ve had to ward off ill-intent men from you.”

“Guess I am an easy target,” Fella said, picking up her bag. This time the man was not pushing her face into his chest but he seemed to be…moving. Like he did not want her to look at him. I’m blind, idiot. “Thank you for both times, sir.”

“I will always come to the aid of a damsel.”

“Are you always so dramatic?”

He let out a small snort. “I am merely attempting to strike fear into those who would harm a lady.”

“I will take that as a yes.” Fella said and he chuckled and it was actually a really lovely sound. His voice, in general, was still so nice to listen to. While when he addressed the brutes, he was harsher and almost…protective. But when he addressed her, his voice was kind.

“Can you make it back to the Marchen?” He asked.

“Yes…but who are you? And how do you know me?” Fella asked.

“I do not know you.”

“You knew my name when we first met.” Silence. Fella snorted. “Ah, you made a mistake, huh?”

“Perhaps you are just too smart for your own good, Fella.” He said, with a chuckle then his voice went serious. “You need to take your safety more into consideration.”

Fella felt her cheeks grow warm at that. She knew he meant well but it still felt condescension to her. He used his finger to raise her face to him. Even though it was a somewhat useless gesture, it still made her blush. “Do not take this as me implying that you cannot take care of yourself, Fella. You can, but you just need to be more careful.” He moved his finger. “But if you need rescuing I cannot deny a lady in distress. I will be there to protect you if needed.”

Does every man here just get amusement out of making me blush like an idiot? Fella thought her face burning and heart beating rapidly. Fella stepped back turning bright red. “And if you ever needed someone beaten by a cane, I’ll be there,” Fella said and she would give anything for the earth to swallow her up now.

However, the Swordsman gave a good-natured laugh at that. She heard him seeth his sword. “Goodnight, my lady.”

“Goodnight, Swordsman.” She said, turning in the direction of the Marchen and walking off. She guessed that he was probably watching after her until she was out of view.

Jerk! Lovely jerk…but still a jerk!

Fella was getting way too comfortable at the Marchen. There were secrets afoot. A lot of strange secrets. And she was going to find out what they were. Starting with investigating the Swordsman. She remembered the night that Lucette was brought in, the Swordsman had been there. He had also mentioned Garlan.

“Care for some lunch, Sir Garlan?” Fella asked. Miss Karma was out running errands, Garlan along with Jurien were making sure nothing happened in the Marchen.

“Oh, wow, thanks!” He said as they sat together at a table. Garlan had Annice bring him something to drink.

How to go about this? Fella thought starting to eat her lunch. It was a fried chicken dish she had made from leftover cuts but Garlan seemed to enjoy it.

She was about to ask when someone sat at their table. “Oh, hello princess,” Garlan said, sounding surprised. Of course, now would be the time Lucette decided to be sociable.

“Would you like to share some food?” Fella asked Lucette. Another day.

“Share?” Lucette said. “Why would I want to eat off your plate?”

“Because you may be hungry and I do not mind.”

“No. I am not hungry.” Lucette said, sounding…awkward.

Fella nods, trying to not make this entirely awkward. “Alright then.”

“Still the ice princess.” Someone said at a table near them and another man laughs.

“I do not recall asking for commentary,” Fella says automatically.

A man gives her a dismissive snort. “Don’t worry little Miss, we’ll be good. You can’t see it but the Ice Princess has a mighty scary glare.”

Fella tried to put a hand on Lucette’s arm but she shook it off. “It doesn’t take vision to see what a couple of idiots you are.” Not her best comeback in the world but she did hear a very small snort from Lucette sitting next to her.

“If you make too much of a scene here, you’re going to bother the other customers.” It was Jurien’s stern voice.

“But the same people are here all the time.”

“We’re not botherin’ anyone, toots!”

Both Lucette and Fella both jumped when Garlan practically banged his cup on the table.

“I will not stand to have you call me that again,” Jurien said.

“Loosen up, woman! You may have been at the palace before, but ya got no such title now.”

Then Garlan stands up from the table. Oh. It hit Fella and she had to hold back a snort.

“What are you doing…?” Lucette says to him under her breath. Lucette, really?

“I have no title,” Jurien goes on, “but I still demand respect. And that goes for everyone at the Tavern.”

“Um…Sir Garlan, are you okay?” Annice asked quietly.

Can really no one tell what is wrong with Garlan? Fella thought. “…I’m fine. Sorry about that, ladies.” He sits back down as Jurien continues her conversation with the very rude men.

Eventually, Jurien had to escort the men outside. Now was her chance. “Sir Garlan.”

“…Yes?”

“Garlan.”

“What?” Lucette asked.

“Lucette, dear, I am the blind one, not you.” Lucette gave an annoyed huff but it did not sound…as annoyed as usual. Maybe she was starting to get her sense of humor? Fella leaned into the table. “Garlan you like Jurien.”

Garlan cleared his throat and said in a hushed voice. “Of course I like Jurien. She’s been my friend for years.”

“Don’t be daft. You fancy her.” Fella said, in a teasing tone. It reminded her of when she and her sisters found out one of her brothers had a crush.

He shushed her, despite her already being very quiet. “Don’t say that out loud.” Garlan hissed.

Fella laughed. She could not tell how Lucette was feeling but he was very clear Garlan was embarrassed.

“Am I missing the fun?” Miss Karma’s sweet voice came out of nowhere making Fella jump.

“Not you, too,” Garlan complained.

Miss Karma hummed as she down. “Is this about Jurien?” Garlan gave a loud groan.

“Wait, you knew, too?” Lucette asked and Karma confirmed. Then in her very untactful Lucette way she asked. “Why don’t you just tell her?”

Garlan was quiet for a moment until he said. “She is talented and poised. I could never be good enough for her.”

“You’ll never win a woman’s heart if you don’t compliment her looks as well, Garlan.”

Fella snorted. “Ignore her.” And Miss Karma made an offended gasp. “I doubt that Jurien would go for flattery. You are a wonderful man, Garlan.”

“I can see why you wouldn’t tell her,” Lucette said, quietly. Lucette!

“Because she’s…better than me.”

“No,” Lucette clarified. “Because if you told her and she refused, then it would be difficult afterwards.”

Oh, thank the gods this girl has some tact.

Garlan was quiet for a moment before saying. “You understand, princess.”

“Of course I understand. I am not stupid.”

Garlan tried to apologize but Miss Karma smoothed out the conversation. Eventually, Garlan excused himself to go on duty. “Do you think he’ll confess?” Fella asked Miss Karma. “You have known him longer than either of us.”

“Confessing isn’t easy, Miss Fella. Surely you must realize that the possibility of rejection is a significant deterrent.”

Lucette let out an annoyed sigh. “But if you never ask, you will never get the answer. The stress of worrying stays with you and ruins everything.”

Fella thought about both of their opinions. “They have both known each other for years, surely he would know that confessing his feelings won’t change anything in the relationship.”

“The scariest part of a confession is the possibility of rejection.” Miss Karama reiterated, her voice sounding distant. “Can you imagine loving someone and then finding out they don’t feel the same way about you? Can either of you?”

Fella thought for a moment about that. A lot of dreams of romance had been fantastical. The dream of a handsome prince rescuing her from a tower. Or the idea of her rescuing him from being a horrific beast. Ones with happy endings that did involve rejection. Love that was always meant to be and would last through the ages.

“No,” Lucette says, standing from her seat. “I cannot imagine. And I am leaving.”

Miss Karma moved to go after her but Fella stood up first. “Can I try?”

“Go right ahead, Miss Fella.” Fella nodded to her friend and then waked.

“Princess?” She called, she heard steps stop walking up the stairs. “Could you help me peel potatoes?”

She heard steps walk back. “Fine.” The princess said and they walked into the kitchen. Fella showed Lucette what she wanted and the two girls worked in silence.

“What do you want?”

“Help with peeling potatoes?” Lucette was silent. “If you’re making an expression at me, I can’t tell.”

“Do not play dumb.” She said.

Fella chuckled as she continued to expertly peel potatoes. “May I ask what you were thinking about when Miss Karma asked about rejection?”

“I do not know what it is like to confess and then be rejected,” Lucette said, continuing to peel.

Fella tried to think about what Lucette might be thinking at that moment. She seemed hesitant to give information about herself. It could just be mistrust but perhaps it was fear. “You can tell me anything you wish. I will not judge you, Princess.”

Lucette was quiet and then she said. “I was thinking about my father. Though it does not relate because I always knew my father never loved me.”

Fella tried to keep her face as neutral as she could. She did not expect Lucette to enjoy being pitied because she had too much pride for that. However, Fella found her heart hurting at that idea. A child should never go through life without the love of her father. “Why do you say that?” She asked.

The kitchen was silent when Fella thought Lucette had completely shut down. “Ever since Mother died, the palace has been a cold place. The king took a second wife after Mother’s death as if she never mattered to him. The only one who ever showed me any affection in the palace was Mother. The king never paid much attention to me in the first place, but he treats Rod and Emelaign far better than he has ever treated me.”

Fella listened to what Lucette had to say. “I am sorry.”

“Why are you sorry? You are not my father.”

“No child should feel neglected by their father. I wish you did not have to go through that.” She said softly. “May I tell you a story?”

“If that is what you wish.”

Fella set down her tools and leaned against the counter, Lucette continued to work. “As children, it is hard for us to understand our parents' decisions. I was born far too early, so I was quite weak. My parents were not sure if I would survive. As I grew up I became healthier, however, I am still blind and so I was not allowed to do a lot of things. I was not allowed to play outside with my siblings unless supervised. If that was not an option then I was to sit inside. I would sit darkness and listen to my siblings play. It was rather lonely and I hated those parts of the days. But my favorite parts of the day were meals It was a time where my entire family got together and we ate and talked and had fun.”

Fella needed to do something with her hands so she took an unpeeled potato and began fiddling with it. “I would sometimes be able to help and cook when I was young however an incident happened where my parents forbade me from helping anymore. Eventually, I was not allowed to do anything.”

“How idiotic.”

Fella giggled at that. “Yes, it was. The years that I just had to sit and listen were some of the worst for me. I resented my parents so much for it. I even grew to resent my siblings. However, one day, my cousin Dion came over to play. He snuck me out to an open field. He had spent days clearing it of rocks and other stuff. And he told me to run around. And I did. I ran and played and scrapped my knees. It was a blast.

“My parents found us and from that point on, you could not stop me from going outside and playing,” Fella said, smiling at the memories of sneaking out back doors, windows, anyway she could get out. “And then I told my parents that I am going to be a cook. And I eventually wore them down enough. And now here I am.” Fella put the potato down, Lucette had long since stopped peeling. “I am not saying what either of our parents did was right. I think my parents and your father treated us unfairly. However, sometimes people can change. Sometimes, they can be forgiven.”

“You are…far too optimistic,” Lucette said, putting down her peeler.

Fella just shrugged and began peeling again. “I do hope that you can have a good relationship with your father someday, Lucette. Not for his but your own.”

“May I leave?”

“Do as you wish.”

Lucette moved to the doorway of the kitchen but ultimately did not say anything. Well, at least she had potatoes to peel.

#cinderella phenomenon #klaude almonte #Karma Cinderella Phenomenon

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fableweaver · 4 years

Text

Arc of the Painted Lord

Kaden lay in bed trying not to scratch, his skin tingling with the brush of strings on the fine hairs over his body. At last he gave it up and rose, climbing out of bed. He normally could sleep easily, from his talent of walking the lines he had always been able to slip off to sleep with ease. With his new talent however it was becoming harder and harder to sleep. He got little rest and felt exhausted every day. It wasn’t just the threads keeping him awake, it was the nightmares.

Every time he did manage to slip away, he walked the lines and saw the Crippled One. The soul eater walked the lines like a tiger on the hunt and if he spotted Kaden he pursued him. Sometimes Kaden managed to hide; sometimes he had to run for his life until he woke. The Crippled One never caught him, but Kaden knew it was mainly because it was not Kaden that he was truly hunting.

He did not know how but the Crippled One now knew that Bailey carried Aoife’s spirit in her. He sensed it in the way the Crippled One lurked the lines near the borders of Miread, and in the treads that now wove around him. But Kaden was no weaver like Arke, he could not pull those thread, could not shape them, could not do anything but sense what was to come. So unlike Arke he planned.

The White Enchantress and Lonely Astronomer were good additions to Arke’s power. He had not been able to speak with her since their meeting after Xavier had arrived, but he hoped the new threads had revived her a bit. He could only hope now and wait like a spider in its web for the threads to be plucked.

He stood from his bed and went to the wash basin, avoiding the regular clutter of his work room. He had set up a bed in his old work room and had given his childhood bedroom to Pepper and her lover Darin. The two seemed to get along well, Pepper’s spirit and Darin’s stalwart nature seemed to balance the two. Kaden was glad for them, feeling much like an older brother to Pepper now.

It was the middle of the night so Kaden knew they would be asleep together. He also remembered that Pepper tended to leave Melanthios outside the bedroom. Deciding to talk to the dragon Kaden went out into the sitting room that connected the bedroom and the work room. It was a small room, just big enough for a few chairs and a table. Kaden found the dragon blade and took it back to his room.

:I was getting sick of sitting alone: Melanthios said in his mind. :I can’t sleep you know:

“I know,” Kaden said. “You can dream though right?”

:I can leave the blade but the Crippled One has been stalking the lines furiously of late: Melanthios said. :While he flees me sometimes I fear him ambushing me. So I have been just sitting around of late. So you want to talk?:

“I do but I have no topic in mind,” Kaden admitted. “I just couldn’t sleep.”

:Why?: Melanthios asked interested, then again he’d probably be interested in anything.

“My powers,” Kaden answered tiredly. “I feel threads all the time, movements of events I think are happening all over the kingdoms. It’s been subtitle but I feel them all the same. And any sleep I do get I end up wandering the lines and having to flee the Crippled One.”

:I could guard your dreams, keep you from wandering: Melanthios said.

“And would that effect my ability to wander or sense these threads?” Kaden asked.

:I don’t know, I doubt it would have a profound effect: Melanthios answered. :But my guess would be with my spirit holding yours you might not sense the movement of threads:

“Bailey is due soon,” Kaden said. It had been over a month since Xavier and the others had arrived in Odell, making it near Bailey’s due date. “I’d like to know when she is about to give birth.”

:And you’re so sure you’ll sense that?: Melanthios asked.

“I’d rather not risk my missing it even if I already have,” Kaden answered. Melanthios only sighed mentally, if he had a head he’d be shaking it Kaden was sure.

:You are a martyr in every way, enjoying your suffering because you believe it saves others. I know your kind well.:

“Who?” Kaden asked rather than trying to argue; he knew Melanthios was right.

:My king, Hors: Melanthios answered sourly. :It was why I sought him so fiercely, the greatest danger to him is his own sense of honor. Now I know that is because of a sense of guilt.:

“You mean Lyl’s,” Kaden said, having gotten the story from Donar who had gotten it from Hors. “And the Crippled One.”

:Hors believes her death and his birth are his fault: Melanthios answered. :I didn’t know Lyl, all the same I grieve for her and the pain caused to Hors.:

“And the Crippled One?” Kaden asked and felt Melanthios’ shock at that. “Does he not deserve pity?”

:Maybe from you but I cannot bring myself to pity him after what he did to me: Melanthios said. :What he made me do as well. I killed hundreds of humans, children, for what?:

“You’ve killed before,” Kaden said.

:In battle: Melanthios argued.

“Is that any different?” Kaden asked. “Against humans in your old form did any of them really stand any chance at all of defeating you? A man with a sword is just as easily killed by you as an unarmed child.”

:So you say I should feel guilt for all those I’ve killed?: Melanthios said dryly. :You are very good at assuaging my guilt.:

“I’m saying that you are a warrior Melanthios,” Kaden answered. “A warrior kills, and yes sometimes they kill innocents. Even if the one they kill is guilty of some crime, who are you to judge them? Deciding they deserved their fate leads to a deadly judgment of righteousness and justice which only leaves you blind to the suffering you cause.”

:And if you had been the victim of their crimes?: Melanthios asked.

“You know the answer to that,” Kaden said. “Vengeance is even worse. Answer one atrocity with another and the cycle will never end.”

:I see your point but I cannot abide cruelty without answering: Melanthios said. :But as you said I am a warrior and cruel.:

He said it with a vicious humor to his tone, Kaden sensing he hadn’t been offended.

“We could talk over philosophy for hours,” Kaden said. “But I feel ready to sleep now.”

:Very well: Melanthios said sounding disappointed. He probably had wanted to talk for hours, but Kaden knew he should sleep whenever he could. Setting the dragon blade aside he lay back in bed and fell asleep, this time with no dreams.

He was woken by a knot in the threads, the reverberation of the event spreading like echoes in a cave. It took Kaden a moment to trace the event to Alma, but there he knowledge ended. He got up and retrieved Melanthios, feeling like he had gotten no sleep at all.

“Did you feel that?” Kaden asked the dragon spirit.

:No, was it the threads?:

“Something has happened in Alma,” Kaden said.

:Aoife is being born: Melanthios said afraid.

“No, I think that would have felt different,” Kaden said shaking his head. “Her birth would feel like a new thread being woven, this felt more like two meeting in a knot.”

:What does that mean?: Melanthios asked.

“That Bailey’s husband Ian has found her again,” Kaden answered. “I’ve been sensing those threads coming together.”

:What will happen now then?: Melanthios said. :I cannot imagine the Queen will let them meet.:

“They have met, that was the knot I sensed,” Kaden answered. “But you’re right Alora would never have allowed it. I don’t know Ian so I’m not sure what he would do in this situation.”

:I know him: Melanthios said seeming to think. :Pepper could answer this better than me, but I think he would try to meet her defying the Queen.:

“He must have since they met,” Kaden said puzzled. “I cannot imagine what they plan to do now though, eventually they will be caught and Ian expelled from Alda.”

:Should we ask Pepper?: Melanthios asked. The thought of telling Pepper now and ruining her good mood made Kaden’s heart sink.

“Not for now,” Kaden said. “Not until I sense something more from the threads. For now I’m going to go for a walk.”

:So much for sleep then: Melanthios said. Kaden only sighed and sheathed the sword and strapped it on. He left his rooms, only wearing a sleeping shirt and light pants. He stopped outside Pepper’s door, considering telling her the news. He opened the door and peeked into the room, seeing Pepper and Darin on the bed. Pepper lay curled around Darin, his head resting on her single tit and his arms wrapped around her waist. Deciding not to disturb them he closed the door and left.

He went out to the garden, walking paths that were new as Lauren had re-landscaped the garden since he had been gone. His home felt hollow now with his family gone, only Lauren, Terrial, and a few servants remaining. He missed his parents, while they had challenges in the past he still loved them both. He couldn’t imagine going through life without those twin pillars, yet many of his new friends had done just that.

He stopped when he saw a lantern light up on the wall. Climbing up a set of stairs Kaden walked over to find Zaire sitting with star charts and several instruments around her, a lamp burning next to her. She was looking up at the sky with her telescope, her spectacles perched up on her head. She was a plain woman, compared to an Aldan she would be over looked easily. Kaden found her good company, which said a lot given how he often avoided the company of others.

She lowered her telescope and jotted a few notes, before finally noticing him.

“Good evening,” Kaden said with a dip of the head as she pulled her spectacles back on.

“Good evening Kaden,” Zaire answered. “I hadn’t realized it was you until I put my glasses on, most of the Aldan look the same to me. Not that is a bad thing, you all look beautiful.”

“I understand,” Kaden said nodding. “When everyone is good looking then we all tend to look the same to outsiders. It comes from our nymph and elven blood from the Phay. How are your calculations coming?”

“I’ve continued to track Dione but unless her path changes from the normal route I don’t think she will reveal anything about the last echo. I’ve focused on Atarah but the constellations themselves don’t change, she’ll move with the others naturally in their own course.”

“If so why track the stars at all?” Kaden asked.

“Well mages do it for the High Magic,” Zaire said. “I just don’t know how the positions of the stars effects the Elder Magic, Hors didn’t know either.”

Kaden made a quick metal inquiry to Melanthios but he gave a negative as well. Kaden had been trying to figure it out himself but couldn’t gather it either.

“Then what do these changes mean for the High Magic?” Kaden asked. “Maybe the Elder Magic reacts in similar ways.”

“The planets effect the magic the most since they are often lynch pins in sigils,” Zaire answered. “In this case with Dione, the planet is in decline close to the horizon making these characters more volatile. A talented mage could use it and make a sigil even more powerful, but it could also fail easily if not used wisely. Atarah’s constellation governs cycling sigils, a strong character to use and common so there isn’t much significance to it.”

“And the Golden Bow?” Kaden asked. “It is the most important one in all this right?”

“It is since it is the signifier that I’ve been relying on,” Zaire answered. “But there is little research on this constellation. Only a few of the stars in it have been used as anchors to minor sigils since most of it has remained hidden. There hasn’t been much research done on it either, I’ve been writing a paper but my fellow mages have been ignoring it.

“I’ll keep your idea in mind, about the High Magic. I think you’re right that we might discover meaning in that way. It will just take me time to start calculations and experiments on sigils. I had been doing the research before since sigils had been failing.”

“Failing?” Kaden said surprised.

“The mages have kept it hidden but yes,” Zaire said. “Major sigils have been failing over Dridia. Luckily only minor damage has occurred but if it keeps up the High Magic could fail catastrophically.”

“What if the Phay march?” Kaden asked. “Could the High Magic be failing because of the march?”

“I don’t know,” Zaire said. “But from what Darin and Xavier have said if the Phay don’t march it could be terrible for Miread anyways. It could be the High Magic is failing because the Phay haven’t marched yet. From what I understand everything is upheaval, and if the Phay don’t march it’ll all come crashing down around our ears.”

“Keep up your research then,” Kaden said. “How goes the experiments with mixing the two magicks?”

“Slow,” Zaire answered disappointed. “Xavier is more focused on reaching for his past lives. I understand how important it is, but…”

“You want him to spend time on you,” Kaden said with a smile and Zaire blushed.

“He is facing his past,” Zaire said. “I know why he is so driven for it, but I was never part of it. I just feel a little lonely.”

“If you’d like I can go check on him,” Kaden offered and she looked up at him graciously.

“I’d like that,” Zaire said. “Donar said it was wise that it just be him and Xavier. All I’ve gathered so far is that they’ve made little progress.”

“They are meditating right now am I right?” Kaden asked.

“Down there,” Zaire answered pointing. Kaden looked down into the garden seeing a barrow of rhododendrons, a good place to sit and meditate. Zaire had a perfect view of the barrow, but of course could not see through the foliage. Even so she was still watching Xavier as best she could. Kaden nodded to Zaire and descended the wall again going to the rhododendrons. Inside it was dark, Kaden just able to make out Xavier and Donar.

The two sat back-to-back, Donar’s head about even with Xavier’s shoulders. Their heads were both down, chins on chest, and completely still. Kaden sat on the mulch and waited, knowing not to disturb them. He tasted the air, the faint taste of the aether in the darkness of the barrow. This place was not a meeting of the lines, what Kaden sensed was the powers of the two men before him. Xavier’s power was potent, while Donar’s was old.

Kaden was patient but He Who Burns was just brightening the sky with dawn before the two men stirred. Donar woke first, sighing heavily before putting his head in his hands. Xavier shuddered and sobbed, drawing in on himself as he curled into a tight ball. Donar moved away and saw Kaden, frowning he stood and pulled Kaden after him. They left barrow and Donar looked up to Zaire, signaling her down. Zaire stumbled with her things before hurrying down to dash into the barrow.

“Come,” Donar said pulling Kaden away into the garden until the barrow was out of sight. “What do you want?” Donar asked sounding tired.

“I was just wondering how progress was going,” Kaden said. “Has something like this happened before?”

“No, he’s had a block for some time we just found what it was,” Donar said frustrated. “So far we’ve only gotten through his current life; he’s only relived things from his life as Xavier. I could feel the block for sometime now; usually this is how it goes it is hard to break through the barrier of our current lives.”

“What is the block?” Kaden asked and Donar looked at him as if he wished he hadn’t asked that question.

“In his childhood his grandfather…” Donar shuddered. “I can feel some of what he feels, so I know the pain he suffered. Only I felt there had been resolution on his part against his grandfather, he had turned his back on him recently and grown beyond it. There is another wound, not from his grandfather but from his father.”

“Terrian’s abandonment of him,” Kaden said and Donar nodded. Kaden knew the last Aldan High King only from a brief meeting as a child so could shed no light on the matter. Yet part of him had hoped Terrian hadn’t truly abandoned Xavier.

“I think he needs to face his memory,” Donar said.

“Iscah can answer that,” Kaden said. “If anyone can she can.”

“Until Xavier faces her and hears the truth he’ll never be able to overcome the abandonment from his father,” Donar said sadly. “And never get beyond this pain into his past lives.”

“He’s already reached a few from what he’s told us,” Kaden said.

“Instinctive reaches,” Donar said shaking his head. “He may have a few more but they’ll be blind. Those he managed to salvage were old ones as well. We need newer memories.”

Kaden sighed and looked back in the direction of the barrow, wondering what Zaire was doing to comfort Xavier.

“I have work to do then,” Kaden said and Donar looked up at him. “Getting a ship ready to sail for Alma.”

“How long will that take?” Donar asked.

“Two days maybe,” Kaden answered. “Will that work?”

“I may leave Bgrim behind to continue his work,” Donar answered. “Martel will want to come as well, but some of the mage children should stay behind to help him. As should some of the Griffins.”

“If we brought everyone the boat would be rather crowded,” Kaden said. “I expect an argument to come.”

“No arguments,” Xavier said and Kaden turned as he and Zaire walked up to them. The look in Xavier’s eyes was haunted, but otherwise he seemed to be holding himself together. Zaire stood close to him, her eyes sad. “Martel can come as well as Lycus, but I agree the rest should stay behind.”

“Very well,” Kaden said nodding, deciding not to ask about his change of heart. He suspected Zaire had a hand in that, or maybe Martel. “I’d best get to work then.”

Kaden left them to go start arranging the ship, since it was now dawn the servants would be up. As he anticipated it took several days to arrange the ship, and several to organize everyone to decide who was going to Alma. Pepper and Darin had agreed to go, as well as Donar, but Bgrim and Hakk decided to stay behind. Most of the Griffins and mage children agreed to stay as well. Martel, Lycus, Kalyani, Shankar, Vasu, and Kavi would accompany them.

Even with a majority of the party staying behind Kaden still needed to get a fairly large ship prepared. Since his parents had claimed a majority of the large vessels that left only fishing vessels. Luckily there was one large fishing ship, the Blue Dawn that would suffice. All that was left was to arrange the supplies and crew, which Lauren seemed to take over from him.

“Of course I have to do this,” Lauren said when he questioned her on the matter of her command. “You’d forget half the things you’d need if I didn’t.”

“You’re bored aren’t you?” Kaden said and she scowled at him.

“I’ll have you know I have been very busy since most of the able bodied left for the border,” Lauren said.

“Oh so you’re lonely instead,” Kaden answered. “No more fine young men to flirt with is that it?”

“As if you would know flirting Kaden since you live like a Sect of Iovis,” Lauren said as she poked him in the side and Kaden laughed. His laugh stopped when he noticed Pepper coming over.

“Oh no not you too,” Kaden said. “You two always seem to team up on me. I haven’t had a moment’s peace to draw in ages.”

“We’d leave ye be ifn ye could take care o yerself,” Pepper said as she crossed her arms. “Ye’d ferget ta eat er walk bout in nowt but yer skin ifn we baint look after ye.”

“Basil spoiled him that’s why,” Lauren said. “He did all that for him and never properly scolded him.”

“E’ery man needs a good scoldin,” Pepper said and Lauren nodded.

“Mab save me from the meddling of women,” Kaden said. “So Pepper what did I do this time?”

“Ye left Melanthios in the garden,” Pepper answered. “He were nearly rusted n his temper weren’t too bright after it. N ye left yer dishes under yer bed n yer dirty clothes in the hall. N ye spilled paint all o’er the carpet. N…”

“I take it this is a long list,” Kaden said exhausted.

“Aye, will ye excuse us Lauren?” Pepper asked.

“Of course,” Lauren said grinning at Kaden mockingly. “She’s too good for you.”

Kaden ignored her as she walked away, leaving him and Pepper alone in the hallway.

“I’m not going to tell you what I felt,” Kaden said.

“Ye ken that really irks me how ye ken what I were gonna ask,” Pepper growled. “Ye felt somewhat, Melanthios let it slip, sos tell me. Be it Bailey? Is she givin birth?”

“No, and yes I am sure Pepper,” Kaden answered. “Trust me to know what I am doing.”

“Ye be worse en Xavier,” Pepper said crossly. “I see how he mother hens all those children n even his lover. Ye baint need ta protect me Kaden.”

“I am not sure of what I sense Pepper,” Kaden answered. “The threads are volatile, I could be wrong so for now I’d rather take a cautious approach to all this. Right now we are on the right path. And as for Xavier, yes he mother hens the children, but not his lover. I have seen them together; it is the other way around with Xavier and Zaire. And even so Pepper, we are not lovers.”

“Nowt, I baint sure what we be but it be more en just friends Kaden,” Pepper said.

“Our oaths bind,” Kaden said and she frowned. “It is not duty that binds us Pepper but the heart in which we put in those words that bound us. Our intent only pulls us together, and there can always be bonds beyond the physical.”

“Sos why baint ye trust me?” Pepper said and Kaden was taken aback by the hurt in her voice. He looked at her to see her staring at him intently, protectively, and with remorse.

“I do Pepper,” Kaden said trying to meet her eyes. “I really do trust you. I trust you do not need to know this, I trust you to act as you see fit and with clarity. I need that right now Pepper, I need you to be unfettered by the knowledge I posses. These threads tie me Pepper… I begin to understand Arke’s pain in being a weaver. It is not so much as a burden as it is a prison; I feel the threads like chains around me. You are free, and I need you to be free for me.”

Her eyes softened, her accusation melting away to be replaced by warmth. She stepped forward and embraced him, Kaden returning the embrace a little awkwardly. She withdrew, her hands lingering warmly on his arms.

“I’ll protect ye Kaden I swore I would,” Pepper said.

“Thank you,” Kaden answered, part of him feared he was too far gone for her to save.

“I have ta go,” Pepper said. “I’m gonna make sure the ship is stocked with weapons.”

Kaden nodded as Pepper left, his heart a little heavier now in his chest.

“You do her a disservice,” Darin said, stepping out from the side hall where he had been listening.

“So you think,” Kaden said mildly, unsurprised by Darin’s eavesdropping. “And now I suppose you are here to tell me off.”

“What good would that do?” Darin said. “Though I am beginning to fear the secrets you keep. I trust Arke more than I trust you.”

“You know I looked into it,” Kaden said and Darin froze. “The Well of Segais.”

“And?” Darin asked breathlessly.

“Would you believe anything I told you?” Kaden answered. “No you wouldn’t, I’ve become untrustworthy in your eyes.”

“This game you’re playing…”

“Game?” Kaden said offended. “You really think I am just keeping secrets to manipulate you all? Or to protect you from the truth? I DO NOT KNOW WHAT IS HAPPENING!”

It was the first time in a long time Kaden had raised his voice so and he saw the effect it had. Darin stared at him almost afraid.

“I am sorry,” Kaden said raising a shaking hand to his face. “I haven’t been getting much sleep of late.”

“I am sorry as well,” Darin said. “I do not mean to doubt you, it is just…”

“You and Pepper are a good match,” Kaden said. “You are both straightforward and honest. Yet when you meet someone who does not speak plainly you assume they are lying, when in reality they are simply voicing their own insecurities and doubts.”

“You seem to know us so well,” Darin said. “Yet doubt your own self.”

“It is my nature as is my lot,” Kaden said with a shrug. “As is my nature to be alone, so please excuse me. I’d like to go draw.”

Darin didn’t object as Kaden walked away to seek his own solitude and peace.

They set out the next day, the morning gray with a heavy fog coming off the lake. The mood was like the mist, heavy and dark. Kaden leaned on the rail as the two fishermen he had hired prepared the ship for departure. Harris and his grandson Lester were adapt sailors despite their respective ages. Kalyani, Shankar, Vasu, and Kavi did not look comfortable on the deck as the ship set out, their legs spread and ears flat on their heads.

“Are you alright?” Kaden asked Kalyani, but she didn’t even turn to him.

“I am not used to the ground moving,” she answered.

“If you don’t like it you could take flight,” Kaden offered.

“No we must get used to it,” Kalyani said. “And taking flight off the ship might be too hard.”

“I think I’m going to be sick,” Vasu said. He scrambled over to the rail and Kaden backed away. The sight of a Griffin vomiting was not a pleasant sight. Shankar looked ready to join Vasu but he stubbornly stuck in his place. Kavi seemed to be the only one unaffected, probably too foolish to notice anything awry.

“Don’t look at the horizon,” Darin said. “It helps.”

“Do all the Phay get sea sick?” Pepper said jokingly.

“Obviously not since there are the Merrow,” Darin said crossly.

“Aye just Griffins n Dwarfs,” Pepper said.

“I’m not sea sick,” Darin answered. The ship pitched and Darin nearly fell, his face looking green. Pepper reached out then, though she had a mocking smile Kaden saw a caring glint to her eyes as she held him up.

“If you two want to be alone go below,” Donar said.

“I’m fine,” Darin said still holding onto Pepper. Donar just shook his head and turned away.

They sailed for the rest of the day, the shore a dark line on the horizon, before laying anchor near the shore. They spent the next few days sailing, Lester teaching Martel and Lycus to fish while Xavier and Zaire continued their experiments with magicks. Kaden had no idea how it was going, unable to sense the High Magic and whatever they did with the Elder Magic was slight.

Pepper and Darin spared, Donar occasionally joining them, while the Griffins preened or watched Martel and Lycus fish. Kaden got some drawing done, focusing mostly on the Griffins. He was surprised by how seamlessly they were a mixture of bird and feline features, there were no flaws in their bodies. He knew the legends of their births, and the fact that of the Phay they were the only accidental race of the Phay. All others had a King or Queen, this made the Griffins both powerful and weak. They were lesser for not having a King or Queen, and yet this very freedom and the chance nature of their birth gave them a sort of luck. Their imprisonment by the mages for instance could be seen a luck, their entire race preserved for the very time when the Phay would march.

Three days into their journey, still nearly a week from Alma, Kaden was once again woken in the middle of the night by the threads. He could barely breathe as he sat up startled; feeling like every thread was contracting around him in a vice. Bailey was about to give birth, and she wasn’t in Alma. Kaden stood from his pallet on the deck of the ship and hurried to the rail. Looking out onto the lake the water was lit by the newly risen moon, the Grinning One marching through the stars.

Kaden concentrated on the threads and finally found the one he sought. Bailey’s thread was tied now to Ian’s once again, but another had joined theirs. The Noble Vagabond now stood with them. They were in a lost place, but if Kaden could find them by their threads so could the Crippled One.

Turning away he went to the cabin and entered. Inside was dark, but Kaden did not need sight to find where Pepper shared a bunk with Darin. He woke her by shaking her arm, Pepper reaching for Melanthios alarmed.

“It is time,” Kaden said softly.

“We still be a week from Alma,” Pepper said but she stood and began pulling on her boots and then mail all the same. Darin had woken as well and was doing the same.

“They are not in Alma,” Kaden answered as he turned away to another bunk. He woke Xavier with a light touch, Xavier waking easily but Zaire next to him woke groggily.

“What is it?” Xavier asked softly.

“Bailey is in labor,” Kaden answered, having informed Xavier of everything before. “We need to fly to them.”

“Skins,” Xavier said and Kaden nodded.

“What?” Zaire asked sleepily and Xavier turned to her.

“We’re flying off in bird form Zaire,” Xavier said. “You have to stay here.”

“I can follow on one of the magic carpets,” Zaire said frowning.

“There are forces of Elder Magic at work this night,” Kaden said. “It is not a place for the High Magic.”

“Then Kalyani…”

“Cannot bear your weight nor be burdened,” Kaden argued. “We will need her as well. Only those with the Elder Magic can come.”

He could not see her face in the darkness, but he knew the look of disappointment and fear that would be there.

“We’d best hurry,” Pepper said. Kaden nodded and they left the cabin, Zaire following though she would not be able to come.

“Something is on the wind,” Kalyani said as they came out.

“We fly Kalyani, Bailey is in labor,” Kaden said and Kalyani nodded.

“Melanthios says he can weave a skin fer me, Darin, n ye Kaden,” Pepper said.

“I can weave my own,” Xavier said.

“Let’s see whose faster en?” Pepper said with a wicked grin. Xavier just shrugged and began his weaving. Even though Melanthios had three skins to weave and Xavier only one, they were done about the same time.

A shimmer appeared before Kaden and he did not hesitate to step into it. The skin closed over him like a warm humid cloud, and he felt his form change. He looked down at himself to find he had taken the form of a great white heron. Turning his head on his long neck he saw Xavier had taken the form of an osprey, Pepper a hooded crow, and Darin a hornbill with a great big beak. Kalyani nodded and then took to the sky, the birds following her. Darin was the most clumsy, taking several tries before he finally took to the air.

They wheeled about the ship as Kaden found the thread again and led the way out over the lake. Kalyani took point in the skein, the others flying in her wake with Kaden to her left to guide them. Dawn broke and from the sky they had a vantage of He Who Burns as he rose over the lake in pale glory. The light of day revealed their destination on the horizon.

An island rested in the lake, nothing but the pale green waters around it. It was an island where there shouldn’t be an island; out in the middle of the lake as such it was not a natural occurrence. A shelf of land thrust up out of the water, looking like it had landed from the sky. Kaden had no idea how deep the Verde Sea was, but the shelf of rock must touch the bottom for it to be stable. Only one corner thrust up out of the water making a cliff on the east side of the island and the west a slant until it reached the water. Trees grew where they could, snarled and clinging to bare rock.

They circled, looking for signs of life, on the western shore they spotted movement on the pebbled beach. Circling they descended, Kaden landing at last with some grace. Pepper hopped her landing, Kalyani and Xavier maintaining grace, but Darin crashed unceremoniously into the water of the beach. Pepper quickly shed her bird skin and hurried to her lover’s aid, pulling him onto the beach and helping him out of the hornbill’s skin.

“What ye do that fer igit,” Pepper said as Kaden shed his skin.

“Thought it would be a softer landing,” Darin said shakily as Xavier shed his skin.

“Just in time.”

Kaden turned to see Absalom standing nearby his sleeves rolled up.

“I see you’ve returned,” Kaden said.

“And wishing I had never gone,” Absalom answered before he turned to Xavier. “Eileen it is good to see you.”

“My name is Xavier in this life, and you are?”

“Absalom of the Deep Woods,” he answered and Xavier raised an eyebrow.

“If you are Absalom that would make you my ancestor,” Xavier said.

“How? I thought Bailey and Pepper were my only blood left.”

“I am Terrian Alvar’s bastard,” Xavier answered. “He abandoned me to the Loneloves.”

“I see,” Absalom said looking sad. “We are kin in more ways than one then.”

“I remember you,” Xavier said, his eyes taking a strange cast to them. “When you were small.”

“Grandmother Rane,” Absalom said smiling. “Yes I see her in you, so she was one of your past lives.”

“This is Kalyani of the Wild Braves,” Xavier said indicating Kalyani.

“I thought the Griffin Isle long lost,” Absalom said. “I assumed it had been swallowed by the aether.”

“It is a long story,” Kalyani said.

“Enough yammerin,” Pepper growled walking up with Darin. “Where be Bailey?”

“This way,” Absalom said as he turned. “We need to get her up to the cliff peak.”

“Why?” Pepper asked.

“This is a lost place, one that is not natural or connected to any of the lines. It will be easier for the gates to come through here, so long as Bailey is in an open area.”

The beach was jagged and pillars of stone made it almost maze like as Absalom led the way to the camp. When they arrived Kaden expected Bailey to be screaming in pain and preparation for the birth, so he was surprised to find silence as they arrived. A fire burned on a hearth, two horses hobbled at the edge of the camp. By the fire Bailey sat against a Daunish man, her back against his chest. Matt and what must have been his twin sat near their parents playing with stones.

“Bailey!” Pepper said relieved as she hurried to her sister’s side. Bailey’ eyes opened but she didn’t even raise her head as Pepper knelt next to them. She was covered in sweat, her breathing labored, and she lay against her husband like a rag doll.

“She be exhausted,” Bailey’s husband said, looking no better himself. “This un be hard.”

“The labor has only just begun sadly,” Absalom said. “I don’t think she has the strength.”

“Well it be good we brought reinforcements,” Pepper said smiling bravely. “This be mine lover Darin, Kaden Odell, Kalyani, n Eileen reborn Xavier. Twixt us we all be steeped in the Elder Magic. Darin, this be mine sister’s lover Ian, n her first born Matt n Will.”

“An honor,” Darin said nodding to Ian who gave a crooked grin.

“Been keen on meetin the man what turned Pepper’s head,” Ian said and Pepper punched him in the arm. “Ow, easy like lass I mean it in all good humor baint?”

“Ian…” Bailey said weakly with reproach before she groaned. Kaden felt the air close suddenly and Ian tensed around Bailey protectively. It passed a moment later, but Bailey looked even weaker than before.

“What was that?” Darin asked afraid.

“A contraction,” Absalom answered. “The world around us contracted as well because of the gates.” Pepper lifted Bailey’s skirt and reached down between her sister’s legs, a frown folding her face. “Yes, she is only dilated two fingers.”

“It been hours already n she only has two fingers?” Pepper said turning to Absalom.

“It is the gates, they are slowing the process. I fear it might take days.”

“She baint have days in her,” Ian said, a tear sliding down his cheek.

“Might be ifn we give her strength…”

“I been doin that Pepper,” Ian argued. “Ye try n see.”

Pepper glared at him before taking Bailey’s hand. Kaden felt her gather her power and feed it to Bailey. Pepper gasped and Kaden sensed the power almost disappear into Bailey, like dry soil soaking up water. Bailey gained a bit more color to her face but otherwise remained in her faded state.

“It would take all of us drawing on the aether to hold her up I think and even then it might not be enough,” Absalom said sadly. “I fear task is beyond us all.”

“Bailey will die if we baint do somewhat!” Pepper said afraid. Absalom simply nodded and the look on Pepper’s face froze Kaden’s heart. If Bailey died Aoife would die as well, their spirits would cross into the lines where the Crippled One waited. Worse the gates would fall into his hands then, or they might be lost forever.

“I have an idea,” Xavier said and everyone turned to him. “I’ve been studying healing from the mage books, mainly to teach Martel though I feel like she is teaching me more than I her. Anyways, there was a procedure called a cesarean section. If we cut open the womb…”

“Ye baint be cuttin up Bailey!” Pepper said horrified.

“I can heal her Pepper,” Xavier said calmly. “She won’t die if we do it right.”

“This will need the High Magic won’t it?” Kaden asked and Xavier nodded. “There is too much Elder Magic; you won’t be able to use the High Magic.”

“Not if I only use a little,” Xavier answered. “Just to numb her to pain and heal her after I cut her open.”

“I can make her sleep,” Absalom said. “The less you use the High Magic the less it will interfere with the gates. But I fear if we do it this way the burden of this birth will only shift to you Xavier.”

“How?” Xavier asked puzzled.

“Dreaming,” Absalom answered. “You’ll see when you try to pull them from Bailey, it will be a hard task.”

Xavier was silent a moment, looking over at Bailey with Pepper crouched next to her. Kaden couldn’t quite read the look on his face, yet he was glad to not know the struggle that went on within him.

“My own mother died birthing me, as did theirs. I don’t want to see that again.”

“Good,” Absalom said nodding. “What will we need?”

Xavier began giving instructions, boiling water, preparing clean cloth and bandages, cleaning daggers, and getting Bailey ready. Kaden stood back, feeling the threads around them for answers. He felt something building, something terrible, yet it wasn’t coming from the threads around them as they prepared for the coming task. Frowning Kaden tried to lock onto the feeling of dread and finally he turned to look out onto the lake. His heart froze to see a storm building on the horizon.

“Absalom,” Kaden said breathlessly and Absalom turned, everyone else following his gaze. “The Crippled One.”

“He can’t come here,” Darin said. “I saw him reached through the Rhode Gates, his arm was little more than a shadow. Even with one of the gates he can’t come into Miread physically.”

“Nowt but he can make storms,” Ian said afraid. “N this time we baint have a barrow round us.”

“We need to get Bailey up onto the peak of the island,” Absalom said. “Ian, you’ll have to keep Bailey under while Xavier draws the children out of her and I’ll guide the gates into Miread. The rest of you are going to hold the Crippled One back.”

“Melanthios says he be ready fer a fight,” Pepper said. “He can fight in the aether.”

“While we hold the wards then,” Darin said nodding, Kalyani giving a hiss like a great cat in anticipation.

“We need to go now before the storm closes,” Kaden said, feeling the threads around them threatening. There was a scramble then to carefully gather their supplies to move up the peak of the island. Kaden heard one of the twins cry out for his mother and turned to see Darin picking up both children.

“Easy now lads,” Darin said hefting both boys. “Your Uncle Darin’s got you.”

Kaden saw Pepper watching Darin, a soft look easing some of the tension in her.

Getting up the side of the island wasn’t as easy as it had looked from the air. Nothing lived on the island other than birds and trees, meaning there were no paths through the dense foliage. Hulking boulders also jumbled about the forest and the steep incline made things harder. Absalom led the way, gnomes surrounding him and helping to make a path through the trees. Xavier and Kaden followed, carrying the supplies and the still hot pot of water. Kalyani followed with Bailey on her back, Ian and Pepper on both sides to make sure Bailey did not fall. Darin brought up the rear carrying Matt and Will.

The trees cleared before they reached the peak, leaving nothing but mossy boulders and grass. They stopped at the top of the cliff, the ground level just before it dropped off into nothing. Turning Kaden saw the storm was almost upon them. Pepper and Ian set Bailey down, Pepper laying out a blanket as Ian lowered Bailey onto it. Kaden felt Ian draw on the aether to hold Bailey’s mind in sleep, which was only possible because she let him. Xavier knelt next to Bailey and pulled up her gown, exposing her swollen belly. Darin set Will and Matt nearby, both children silent as they clung together.

“Kaden,” Pepper said and his attention was drawn away from Xavier examining Bailey. “We need ye.”

She stood ready with Melanthios, Darin at her side as they both stood before the storm. Kalyani joined them as well, her tail lashing and wings raised in anticipation.

“Wards were never my strong suit,” Kaden answered and Pepper looked back to glare at him.

“Darin n ye can walk the wards,” Pepper said. “I’ll hold the keystone, Kalyani can ye add another layer in the air?”

“I’ll try to herd the sylphs,” Kalyani answered as she took to the air.

Darin drew his sword and began walking the ward, drawing a line in the mossy soil. Every time he came across a boulder or rock he worked them into the ward with earth runes, calling on a gnome to stand in that place rather than working around the obstacle. Kalyani flew counter to him and began weaving a ward as well, Sylphs flying her wake in swirls like dust motes.

Kaden turned to see Pepper staring at something and followed her gaze. Absalom stood at the edge of the cliff, his arms spread as if he intended to jump. Kaden could see his power rippling the air around him, his bones aching with the power in the air.

“Ye can go now,” Pepper said. He turned to Pepper, seeing her worry for her sister there.

“We will win this,” Kaden said and she smiled sadly at him.

“Go on ye nitwit,” Pepper said as she shoved him away. He stumbled away and began to walk the ward, focusing his power on his feet and each stride he took. Darin had a sword so could draw a solid line to anchor the power, yet Kaden could only anchor the power by his foot steps. It was a weaker ward, but with Darin’s it added strength as did Kalyani’s. Pepper stood center holding it all together, Melanthios aiding her.

Then the storm struck. Kaden was nearly knocked to the ground, feeling like a fist had just slapped him down. It wasn’t the wind, though that was strong, it was the overwhelming pressure in the air. Worried he looked back to Bailey, seeing that thanks to the wards she was protected from even the rain and wind. He knew it could not last long however.

He turned his attention back to the wards, his mind diminishing to the singular task of walking the steps and holding the power of the wind at bay. His concentration was broken by a cry, and Kaden turned to see what happened. A flash of light and Kaden felt energy race through him as lightning struck, the power passing through him, before he knew nothing more.

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

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