#where even young children can pick up on their older family members being subjected to disproportionate retribution or antagonism

[laurensxox]

Fandom :: The Arcana

Pairing :: Julian Devorak x Reader (Not Apprentice)

Requested? :: no

Warning/s :: Julian's Route (Upright) and New Tale Spoilers, Named Apprentice, Female Reader, Chronic Illness, Swearing, Author is projecting their longing

Genre :: Angst

Summary :: Julian spends the night reminiscing over childhood memories and longing to go back to the past where he was in Nevivon again, playing as carefree as one can be with the one person he truly cared about other than his younger sister

Author's Note :: Stark, if you're reading this, I'm fighting you for this dramatic, self-sacrificing dumbdumb-

Song Inspiration :: Talking to the Moon by Bruno Mars

Portia's Cottage :: Just After Sundown

A chuckle left the auburn haired man as he watches Pasha relay stories of their childhood to their friends, informing them of how they were raised by a group of grandmothers and how their parents actually perished from a shipwreck caused by a rather strong storm. Mazelinka quickly add in how much of a troublemaker the two of them has become as the years pass by, didn't even waste the chance to tell them about the tooth fairy situation which caused Julian to go beet red in mild embarassment. Their friends were in no need to know that story!

Shaking his head, he let a more genuine smile form on his face. As embarrassed as he is right now, he was happy to see everyone laughing jovially without the fear of Lucio's plans with the Devil weighing on their shoulders. A warm sensation forms in his chest as he tries to hold in his laughter as Pasha nearly slips on her feet with her excitement to share their history. It was nice to be able to just laugh and and thrive in the positive energy inside the cottage! Even Muriel, their very introverted friend, seems to be relaxed as he lets Allen (Apprentice) braid his hair using flower stems while Asra leans on his side.

Looking at the trio and sensing the strong forming bond between Pasha and the Countess, Julian couldn't help the small pang of longing swell somewhere within himself. He couldn't stop his mind from pushing forward memories he tried to bury and lock away.

"Ilya, help! I'm slipping!"

"Don't worry, I'll catch you!"

The longing pang quickly turned to pain as the memories rushes back to the surface. He could feel his hand start to tremble as the formerly locked away memories barrels it's way to the front of his mind. Jumbled memories of playing tag and tending to scraped knees should have made him feel fond but it makes feel nothing but longing. Longing for a time and companionship he knows he'll never be able to have again.

Taking a deep breath, he hadn't noticed that he had closed his eyes until he opened them. With him being occupied with trying to stir himself away from the path of self-loathing once again, he hadn't noticed how quiet the cottage had gotten, its other residents looking at him with concerned eyes. Not even the Familiars scattered in the room made a noise.

He forced a laugh to ease the sudden change of atmosphere in the cottage, hoping it sounded convincing enough to clear the concern away from his family and friends' eyes. While he has come to terms that it's okay to ask and receive help instead of keeping things to himself, he still struggles with it. And it was obvious with the way he tries to act like he was okay, that he wasn't just bombarded with memories he doesn't want to remember.

"What is with that look, my dear friends? I am perfectly well, no worries!" he exclaimed, giving them his usual smirk and raised eyebrow, internally hoping it'll be enough to convince them that there was nothing to be concerned about. "There is nothing in this world that this handsome and smart devil can't handle!" His little comment about himself seems to be the right thing to say as his friends immediately rolled their eyes in fond exasperation. Although, by the look of his sister and honorary grandmother, he guessed that they have seen right through him and he can already see his funeral-

He gave a small sigh and let a small weary look replace his earlier expression, "I'll just head outside to take in a quick breath of fresh air," he said as he quickly exited the cottage before his two family member could say anything. Knowing that they'll probably just follow right after him, he quickly made his way away from the cottage and into the hedge maze by the palace gardens. It took him a while to get to the center but he was relieved to see it empty. Consul Valerius has taken to drinking his usual wine there in this time so he was quite happy to see that for once, the Consul broke his routine. He needed to be alone right now.

Taking a seat in one of the chairs surrounding a rounded table, he crossed his arms on the table and used it to rest his head upon. Taking another deep breath to calm his racing heart, he closed his eyes.

Maybe he needs to stop locking away these memories, he has only done so before due to his need to focus on finding the cure for the plague and then having to focus to not get caught by the patrolling palace guards when he was still a wanted convict. The memories and the longing for his childhood best friend used to be a big distraction for him while he was still working under Valdemar.

He didn't need to do any of those anymore... So maybe...

The soft rapid footsteps echoed in the small forest near the town of Nevivon, followed by the childish giggling of two children. Both children wore a tattered white sheet of cloth, the corners wrapped around their necks in a way that resembles that of a cape. Whilst in their heads rests crudely made paper crowns.

Young Julian and his best friend, (Y/N), were already considered too old for these kind of games by some of the grandmas and fellow children but the two gave them no mind, choosing to continue living in their fantasy world until they were truly too old for it.

The two children stopped once they have reached the center of the forest where a small meadow hides in. It was decorated by dozens of wild flowers and the breeze were always refreshing. The two has deemed this as their spot when they had first found it years ago, back when they were much younger.

They call the meadow as their kingdom, where they are the rulers, side by side as King and Queen. The wild flowers are their loyal subjects and sometimes, when Pasha joins them, she acts as their ambassador.

Young Julian kneeled as they reach the very center that they always keep clean, it was their designated throne room. The young boy carefully plucked a blue hued flower from the ground, he didn't know what kind of flower it was but it was pretty, a perfect gift for his 'Queen'

As if mocking the reminiscing man, right across from him and innocently clinging to the hedge wall was the very same flower that he had picked back then. He didn't know if he wants to sneer at it or be fond of it. He wished he has a glass of Salty Bitters right now, maybe he should have headed to Rowdy Raven instead of here.

"Would you have approved of the man that I have become, (Y/N)?" he whispered as he stares at the flower, as if it would miraculously turn into his childhood friend and answer him. Maybe that was possible? Allen did transform him into Asra back then, would the illusion work on a plant as well? But then again, that will be all it'll ever be. Just an illusion.

The grandmas all exchanged fond gazes as they watch their resident troublemakers sing songs with all their heart, their love for the dramatic was very much obvious at that moment.

Little Portia was banging on pots like drums by the sidelines, sometimes singing some lines as well when prompted by either her older brother or the girl she was starting to see as her older sister.

He stood up from his place and started to make his way out of maze. He wasn't going to go back in the cottage nor was he in any hurry, he just felt too restless to stay sitted in one place. He has gotten used to always moving around with all his running from guards and fighting a Major Arcana. But before he went back to trying to find his way in the maze, he stopped in front of the flower that he has been staring at.

It was a small flower with 6 petals that looks blue and violet at the same time, the bud in the middle was light green in color and it was the only flower growing in the hedge. From what Julian remembers, these flowers grow in bundles. So to see one so alone, well, it didn't help the growing hole inside him.

Gently plucking the flower like he did so in his childhood, he observed the flower a little more before making his way back into maze, taking the small flower with him. Surely, the Countess would not mind him plucking such a small wild flower, now would she?

Julian looked up from his book as he felt something soft being places om his hair, looking up, he saw (Y/N) placing what looks to be a bunch of flowers weaved together in a circlet manner on top of his head. Something similar on her own head as well.

"What are you doing, peanut?" he asked the girl, gently closing his book and waiting for the other to finish adjusting the flowers. He had taken to calling her 'Peanut' after he had caught her trying to sneakily take the peanuts in the communal pantry. He didn't snitch to the grandmas, of course.

"Just adjusting your flower crown, bum-bum" she answered, making small more adjustments before appearing satisfied that the flower crown both looks good and will surely stay on her friend's head when they begin to trek their way home later.

The Doctor surprisingly got out pretty easy, definitely faster than when he was first trying to get to the heart of the maze. Looking down at the flower, he let a sad smile adorn his face.

"I suppose even after all these years, you're still my lucky charm, huh, (Y/N)?" he mumbled under his breath, giving the one of the petals a small kiss before continuing to walk.

He didn't really have a destination, the palace grounds was vast and there are still some areas of it that he hasn't been to. Maybe a little exploring wouldn't hurt? He hopes Pasha wouldn't get too worried if he takes too long to get back to her cottage, he does often find himself in troubling situations.

"You know what? I wouldn't even ask how you manage to be in this situation." (Y/N) said, crossing her arms as she narrows her eyes at the boy dangling before her.

Julian had, at that moment, managed to get himself tangled in the vines surrounding the branches of the tree. Truth be told, he was trying to climb the tree in order to get fresh fruits for his sister and best friend. But when he finally managed to get on a branch, a crow suddenly flew out of its nest and caused him to go off balance, fortunately being caught by the vines, no matter how tangled up he got.

He wouldn't tell her that though, lord knows she wouldn't let him live it down.

"Why, my dear peanut, I was just trying to see how strong these vines are and if they would make a good rope!" It was honestly a good excuse for him, but apprently not good enough for (Y/N) as she just raised her eyebrow at him, clearly not believing him.

After a good bit of exploring, he manages to find himself near the fountains where he saw the trio couple making their way back to the palace. Were they on their way home already? How long has he been outside? Shaking his head, he called for their attention and made his way to them.

"Going home already?" he asked, raising a brow as he observes the many colorful flowers adoring Muriel's hair. It was quite a new look on the tall man but it surprisingly suits him. Seeing his friend give him a narrowed look, he moved his gaze to the two magicians.

"Yeah, I'm feeling quite a bit tired already and Asra wanted to do a quick inventory of the stocks we have left in the shop" Allen explained, moving to lightly keep their wild green hair out of their sight. It was getting a little long, they might need a cut soon. "Though, we don't plan to stay there for the whole night, just a quick inventory and dinner then straight to Muri's where we'll sleep for tonight" the apprentice added, giving the taller doctor a smile.

"I see, I see! Well, don't let me hold you back for any longer, have a safe walk home!" he exclaimed, moving to walk further before he was stopped by a gentle grip on his wrist. Turning back, he saw that it was Allen who held him back. He could see the concern swirling in their green eyes but the smile never faltered away from their face. "Yes, dear?" he asked.

"You know you can talk to us if there's something bothering you, right? You don't have to if you're not comfortable but just remember that we're here, okay?" Moved by their words, Julian pulled them into a sideway hug and let out a genuine laugh. He was so lucky to have his friends. Sometimes he still thinks he doesn't deserve them but he knew to keep it to himself for now. He didn't fancy sitting through another lecture session about his self worth by his sister again.

"Aw, Allen, don't you worry about lil 'ol me! I'm quite alright now!" That was a lie, he was far from alright, but his friend doesn't need to know that. "I may talk to Pasha and Mazelinka about it so no need to worry that cute little head of yours" That seemed to settle the Apprentice as they pulled away from the hug and gave his arm one last pat before moving to stand between their partners.

"You should do that now before Portia wears a hole in her carpet with how much she's pacing when we left" Asra said before he and the other two gave the auburn haired man one last wave and left.

Deciding to do as his magician friend said, he started his way back to his sister's cottage. Earlier was such a good day, it wouldn't do to plague his sister with worries and sour up the light mood. He already did that earlier before he walked out, best not make it worse.

Looking up at the dark sky, he smiled as he admires the scattered stars. It was a beautiful night, the full moon was giving the world such a soft look and it made things seem so peaceful. It made him feel like he was back to laying in the meadow near Nevivon. Like he was laying next to... Next to...

He wasn't able to wipe away his tears before they begun to fall down his cheeks. A sob fought its way out of his throat as he falls to a crouch.

Fuck, he wants to go back. He really really wants to go back-

Julian observed the wide sky and the many stars on them, it was a beautiful night and the night breeze was cold and as he lays on the equally cool grass of the meadow, it soothes his heated skin. It made him sigh in contentment, what more could he want?

Looking at his left, he smiled as he sees his sleeping sister. The little girl had decided to join them that night in their nightly star gazing but it didn't take long before she fell asleep, not used to staying up later than her bedtime. He'll have to carry her home later on.

The sight on his right took his breath away. Blush rushed to his face as he seems to see his best friend in a completely different light.

There, laying beside him, was (Y/N). The moonlight was softly hitting her face, and it made her (eye color) so much more brighter like gems, like the stars that littered the dark sky above them. Her laugh as she continues to talk about the astrology that she learned from Mazelinka, sounds like soothing bells to his ears.

Since when has his peanut became this... pretty?

He longs to be in her arms again, he longs to hear her voice again. No doubt it would still sound like music to his ears. He wants to make flower crowns again, he wants to play king and queen again, he wants to stargaze with her again, he wants to sneakily steal cookies, hangout by the hot springs, pick flowers for the grandmas, share lessons with Lilinka, he wants to...

He really wants to see her again.

Julian sat on her bed by her side, his hand gently holding her weaker and much fragile one, her illness eating away her strength. Her ring finger still holds the flower ring he had made earlier that week, it was already wilting but the girl refuses to take it off.

"I made up my mind." he said, breaking the solemn silence in the room. It made the other look at him curiously, waiting for him to elaborate.

"I'll take the offer to study medicine in Prakra" he explained, finally looking at his best friend and secretly, the girl who has his heart in her gentle grip for he doesn't think his bestfriend could ever be harsh, other than when she's twisting his ear for getting in trouble without her

But he can't, he knew he can't. She probably hates him, gotten word of his 'crimes' and no longer sees him as her best friend. But as a murderer, a plague doctor who assisted his superior on experimenting to dying plague victims in search of the cure.

She probably already has a family of her own now, has 3 children like she once said she wanted. Probably has a nice spouse that always makes her laugh and will never hurt her. A spouse that doesn't have their sins still haunting them in every step and breath they take.

"You're leaving me?" the pain in her voice was clear, she was hurt at the thought. They had planned to wait for her to be cured before they decide to go out of their hometown to travel, to study medicine like they always dreamed of.

"Not for long, I know we planned to study together but..." He took a deep breath, "I'm doing this for you, (Y/N), I want to study now for you"

Silence filled the room once again.

Julian clutched up at his coat, the place right over his heart where it hurts the most. He had completely fallen to his knees, tears continues to drip down to the ground from his eyes, his other hand gripping the ground.

Whispered apologies leaving his mouth over and over again.

"Promise me you'll come back? That you won't forget about me?"

Julian stared at his love's dull but hopeful (eye color) orbs, hisbhand momentarily leaving hers to gently caress her cheek.

"I'm so sorry... (Y/N), I'm so sorry..."

"I promise"

"I broke our promise... I'm so sorry, my love..."

[...]

Meanwhile, in the same meadow of Julian's memories, sits a much grown up version of the girl in his memories. Body trembling as sobs come right after one another, clutching a bundle of those same blue wildflowers to her chest. Her eyes tightly shut as tears falls to the ground of her childhood. The girl looked up, staring at the same moon that Julian was previously admiring.

"Where are you, Ilya? I thought you'll come back... You promised... You promised..."

Anyone interested in a reunion sequel? 👀

My apologies if there are any spelling or grammar mistakes, I just woke up when I finished this lol

Anyways, I hope you all liked this! Let me know what you think, don't be shy! 💙

#the arcana x reader #the arcana julian #the arcana ilya #the arcana game #the arcana #julian devorak x reader #julian x reader #julian devorak #ilyushka devorak #ilya devorak #doctor devorak #asra alnazar #nadia satrinava #portia devorak #the arcana halinka #the arcana a warm welcome #the arcana muriel #nadia x portia #asra x apprentice #muriel x apprentice #asra x apprentice x muriel #asra x muriel #childhood #nevivon #childhood friends #childhood best friends #childhood sweethearts #Spotify

[k-project-singularity]

Facts & Trivia || Misaki Yata

The following is part of a series of posts made by me. The information listed is official canon provided by GoRa. Sources will go from the anime, to mangas and novels as well as official short stories. These are NOT fanmade headcanons. The purpose of these posts is to provide useful information for fans as well as roleplayers looking for confirmed lore for their muses. Please do not reply to argue with me about what you read here. I did not come up with this stuff myself. GoRa did. I’ll come back to edit these as I find more info.

Born on July 20, 1993 (The same year as Daichi Yamata, Tōru Hieda, Andy Dōmyōji and Saruhiko Fushimi).

Member of Homra since January/February 2009, when he was 15 years old alongside Saruhiko Fushimi.

His Homra insignia is on the left collarbone like Saruhiko Fushimi’s. Yata and Fushimi are remarkably known as the first and only case in which two clansmen received the mark on the same spot. Yata took great pride in this and will show it off often. He hates that Fushimi marred his own.

His weapons of choice are his fists and legs that Yata uses with expert street fighting moves and acrobatics. He also brandishes blunt weapons such as a baseball bat and a pole, and can control his aura to make his skateboard go faster as well as use it as a weapon itself.

He wears a smartwatch that he uses instead of a PDA. It has all the functions of a mobile phone, including camera and holographic screen as well as a flashlight. It was gifted to him by Fushimi, who personally customized it for him when they were roommates.

Yata called himself Yatagarasu to sound cooler as a Homra member. Yatagarasu is a crow spirit with three legs in Japanese folklore.

Yata is the vanguard of Homra. This means he adopts an all-out direct offense tactic, charging at the enemy on the front without any regard for his own safety. This used to make his duo with Saruhiko almost invincible as his friend would watch his back and finish off the enemy. But after they split up, this strategy doesn’t work as well and Yata often puts his own life at risk with it.

He was born with a different (and unknown) last name. His last name became “Yata” only once his mother remarried (In Japan children of remarried women get their new stepfather’s last name). Misaki was 6 years old at the time.

He hates to be called by his first name because it’s girly. The only people allowed to use it without getting yelled at are his family, Anna, and Saruhiko back when they were friends. Saruhiko still calls him Misaki out of habit, sometimes just to annoy him.

During his earliest childhood he was best friend with Rikio Kamamoto, dragging him around in all kinds of dangerous explorations. Departing from him at 6 years old, he reunites with Rikio once he joins Homra nine years later.

He always displayed a kind of tough, abusive friendship with Kamamoto, calling him names because of his weight and yelling at him when Rikio showed weakness by crying. Even now he doesn’t hesitate to fight him or physically hit him when in an argument.

Though he was born in Shizume City, he moved to live elsewhere at 6 with his mother when she remarried. When he was 12 his family moved in Chiyoda City (Saruhiko and Scepter 4’s district) and was able to go visit Shizume City again because it was nearby. At 15 years of age he returned to live in Shizume City when he moved in with Fushimi.

He attended Himuka Middle School in Chiyoda City, where he met and befriended Fushimi. Both of them dropped out at the end of their third year.

Though he was often bullied, Yata was kind of a bully himself at school, often forcing people into being his friends and scaring them with his fierce and strong personality. This caused the other kids to not really like him much and blacklist him behind his back.

Swears and yells a lot. He’s very manic and violent when he gets worked up and won’t hesitate to give a beating to fellow clansmen too if they anger him (or even if they don’t, in the case of Kamamoto).

He’s very good at baseball and is particularly proud of his straight as a pitcher.

He can use both the skateboard and surf board very skillfully. Even to the point where girls will find him cool, unbeknownst to him. He owns both boards stylized with Homra’s symbol.

His favorite subjects in school were PE and music.

However, seen how bad Yata was at playing Totsuka’s guitar, it’s safe to assume his only musical talent was singing.

He tried to learn to play the guitar from Totsuka.

He likes videogames, which he played a lot with Saruhiko in the past. He often goes to the arcade and has even taught Anna to play FPS games. This shows he might be a bit oblivious to what is appropriate for a kid when it comes to gore and violence.

For his age, he has pretty good housekeeping and cooking skills. However, Kamamoto has described Yata’s cooking as “too manly” for a girl’s birthday.

All animals seem to dislike him for some reason. This includes the horse strain Basashi and a retriever that Fujishima once picked up.

Neko, who also believes to be a cat, shows instinctive hostility towards Yata just like a real cat would.

Yata is actually upset when animals hate him and to bring it up is a sensitive subject.

This seems to be a “mirroring” trait to Fushimi, who instead dislikes animals and yet seems to attract them to himself like a magnet.

Eric Sōlt seems to dislike him (a reference to his dog-like personality), and often mocks him in English. Though Yata’s English is bad, he seems to be able to pick up the insults and gets very annoyed.

He’s very annoyed by how popular Kamamoto gets in the summer when he loses weight. Though, rather than because of jealousy, it might be because when Rikio is surrounded by girls it is impossible for Yata to approach him or hang out with him at ease.

He’s an active member of the Committee of Fattening Up Kamamoto Rikio, going great lengths with his cooking skills to make him gain weight (even to the point where his own living budget will be as low as to force Yata to eat poorly).

Yata appears to get overwhelmingly flustered in the presence of young women, to the point he looks outright terrified and avoids interacting with them. He seems to be okay with little girls or women far older than himself.

Because of his past drama with Saruhiko, Yata holds a personal and violent grudge towards Scepter 4 and anything related to them, reacting with suspicion and hostility towards any of its members.

By far the member who cares about Homra’s honor the most. Yata doesn’t tolerate that anything offensive is said about his King or clan. He also gets furious when his fellow clansmen act in dishonorable ways that could stain the Red Clan’s reputation, and will violently discipline them without any restraint if so.

In general, Yata proves to have great pride and sense of honor overall, refusing to strike at injured people, no matter how bad he hates them.

Despite his problems with Fushimi and how directly he insults him as they fight, Yata also won’t tolerate that anyone else speaks poorly of him. In general, Homra members know to avoid the topic entirely around Yata.

He’s known to not listen all too well to no one, save perhaps Mikoto-san (who however hardly ever tells him anything).

This may be another a mirror personality trait to reflect Fushimi, who instead doesn’t speak out his thoughts (“He never listens vs. He never tells”).

He won’t tolerate being bossed around by any guy save the Homra founders. Yata dislikes when people settle things on their own. Ironically, he is guilty of this fault himself as he often takes decisions and acts without waiting.

Despite his fiery temper, Yata is very nurturing and won’t hesitate to show concern and care for those he’s very close to. Though he may be aggressive about it, especially with Saruhiko.

Yata is tormented by not knowing the exact reasons behind Saruhiko’s betrayal. He’ll ask him several times, only to get mocked as a result.

When he and Saruhiko start arguing, Yata can get tunnel vision and forget about everything else around him, including bullets and grenades.

Though he always swears he’ll beat Saruhiko to death, deep inside Yata has never given up on getting his friend back, and always looks with hope for signs from Saruhiko that they can be comrades again. Because of this he gets even more hurt every time Saruhiko reiterates his betrayal and spite towards Homra.

Yata can be a bit of a crybaby and tear up more easily than most guys.

He’s terrified of ghosts. When he hears about ghost stories or thinks one may be close, Yata gets extremely jittery and manic. However, he strongly denies his fears and will react with nervous violence if accused of this.

#k project #lore #misaki yata

[eleanorfenyxwrites]

After Each Midnight Begins A New Day

[Extra #5 - @threephasebird requested that the next extra be some Jin Sibs and Xuanli’s horde of children so here it is! This is (mostly) set post-fic, just as 3zun are on their way to Jinlintai to visit at the end of the last chapter]

[Masterpost]

A quick brief on the children’s names and ages:

Jin Ling (金凌 - rise above) - First son, 20

Jin Fei (金飞 - to fly) - Second son, 17

Jin Yu (金雨 - rain) and Jin Yan (金焰 - fire) - First and Second daughters, 14

Jin Zhuang (金 庄  - solemn) - Third son, 12

Jin Lu (金 露 - dew) - Third daughter, 7

Jin Ye (金 烨 - breathtaking/blaze of fire) - Fourth daughter, 3

--

As a young boy, Jin Zixuan had often wondered when he would get a sibling. Everyone else had one, it seemed. The Lan Heir had a little brother. The Nie Heir did too. The Jiang Heir got two siblings which seemed like too many, and even those awful Wen boys had each other. He had asked his mother (when he was still young enough to be innocent of the politics of such matters) when he was going to get a didi or meimei of his own, but Madam Jin had just patted his hair and tapped the tip of his nose with her knuckle. It was too gentle of a touch to ever hurt whenever she did that, of course, but he always wrinkled his nose anyway to make her laugh.

Not long after that conversation, he hadn’t gotten a sibling but he had gotten a Mianmian.

She’s technically his shimei, of course, but that hardly matters to him. What does matter is that Luo Qingyang is nothing like the siblings he had imagined for himself when he had asked for one. For starters, she’s older than him by a month, which she makes sure to smugly remind him of at every opportunity. She’s really really polite to adults but annoyingly bossy to him when they get left alone to play. She’s reckless too, and more often than not Jin Zixuan just ends up pouting and dragging his feet as he follows along behind her wherever she wants to run, using his presence at her side as an excuse to sneak into every family-only part of Jinlintai that she can.

By the time they’re 10, though, he loves her fiercely as the sister he can understand by now that he’s never going to get to have. His parents hardly ever see each other, after all, and while he still isn’t totally sure how siblings are made he’s definitely sure that parents have to see each other more often than a few awkward meals a week for it to happen. It’s alright though, he has Mianmian to keep him company and make fun of him whenever he says something dumb (or yell at his cousins when they try to make fun of him for the same).

As they grow, she’s at his side for every important event in his life, as he is for hers. Every birthday, every New Year’s, every important training milestone they get to share. She’s even at his side for the meeting when they’re 14 where it’s announced that he is engaged to Jiang Yanli of the Yunmeng Jiang. Mianmian laughs for so long at that one once they’re alone that his own crushing panic recedes enough for him to punch her in the shoulder and tell her to knock it off, which of course does as little good as ever.

(To this day he still laughs when he remembers the look on her face when she’d heard he was going to get married one day - the shock followed by quickly-repressed snickers throughout the rest of the meeting that had been mercifully, tactfully ignored by the adults in attendance.)

Soon after they turn 16, they’re both there at the main hall the day that a boy who looks to be close to his own age presents himself at Jinlintai to ask for discipleship, claiming blood ties to...to Jin Guangshan as his reason for coming to Lanling all the way from Yunping, rather than going to the Jiang. Jin Zixan is helpless to do anything but watch on in wide-eyed shock as his father kicks the boy down all those stairs, Mianmian’s shocked gasp at his elbow echoing his own as everyone else in the vicinity watches on impassively. They watch together in fascinated horror from their hiding spot behind a large statue to the side of the stairs as the boy somehow manages to pick himself up off the ground at the bottom and bow to Jin Guangshan at the top of the tower with flawless form, the blood on his forehead and the stiffness in his chest as he bows visible even from where they are.

“Oh no,” Mianmian says softly under her breath when he turns to leave. “Do you think he’ll be alright?”

“Maybe...Hopefully,” he replies, numbly, still reeling from the idea that he might have...a brother? A half-brother? Certainly if his mother had given birth to the boy he wouldn’t have been living in Yunping, he would have been there in Lanling with the rest of the family. Besides, there’s no way Madam Jin had been pregnant with..twins (judging by their apparently similar ages) and he hadn’t known it, or no one had mentioned it. Either way - this boy thinks he’s Jin Zixuan’s brother, and his father has just kicked him down the stairs for it. In front of everybody. It’s..jarring, to say the least.

It isn’t long after the boy’s dejected departure from Jinlintai that Jin Zixuan is forced to confront his own feelings about the rumors of his father’s...exploits. Not that he hadn’t heard snippets of it before, snide comments muttered behind hands and under breaths, but they always seemed..unimportant. Just idle gossip, and Madam Jin has never been anything but perfectly (if a bit coldly) civil to Jin Guangshan in the rare times they’re in the same room. It had always seemed best to follow her example and ignore it, but now...well now there’s the boy who had come to them with an honest request, a valid one, and had been kicked down the tower for it, just for being physical proof of the rumors that had always circulated. He can’t ignore it any longer.

Jin Zixuan doesn’t know what to do about it, of course, and he eventually has to acknowledge that there’s nothing he can do, but that still doesn’t keep him from thinking about it until even Mianmian grows tired of his fretting over it all.

Despite his agonizing over the subject, when he sees the boy again in Cloud Recesses two years later as a retainer with the young Nie-gongzi, Jin Zixuan doesn’t even recognize him at first. He personally feels it’s justified considering the circumstances of the only time he had ever seen him (besides the fact that Jiang Yanli - perpetually trailed by her obnoxious brothers - is proving far more of a distraction than he had anticipated), but Mianmian still cuffs him on the ear for it once they’re in private.

“What are you going to say to him?” she demands at the end of her lecture about it, arms crossed over her chest and that mulish look on her face that he had learned to fear a long time ago.

“Wh-what would I even say to him?” he retorts quickly, horrified at the thorny social situation this presents. He isn’t even good at the normal ones, what is he supposed to say to his supposed half-brother who is living, breathing proof of an extramarital affair, and who has been resoundly refused entry into Jinlintai in such a horrible, public fashion? A half-brother who is, apparently, now a member of the Nie Sect and has gained enough of Nie-Zongzhu’s favor to be sent to Cloud Recesses during the lecture season to look after Nie Huaisang, who everyone knows Nie Mingjue doesn’t trust with just anybody…

Where to even begin?!

(Jin Zixuan also laughs about that now, how scared he had been of his brother and how unimpressed Mianmian had been with all of his arguments on his own behalf. He has never once in his life been good at arguing with her, after all.)

In the end, he’s lucky enough a couple of weeks into their studies to have an opportunity to pull Meng Yao aside and stammer through the apology he had rehearsed over the last few days with Mianmian’s help. He apologizes as profusely as he can manage for his father’s behavior towards him, as well as extends a tentative request that they get to know each other better as half-brothers even if Jin Guangshan won’t like it. None of it is polite or graceful, in fact he knows that some of it is inadvertently uncouth bordering on offensive, but Meng Yao still accepts all of it with wide-eyed surprise and, when Jin Zixuan finally stumbles to a verbal halt, with a small, affectionate smile on his handsome face.

----

He finds Mo Xuanyu next.

Word had reached him by letter one day from a woman in a small village who had finally worked up the courage to attempt to appeal to Jin Guangshan on their son’s behalf, only for her to find out from her sister, the Madam of the local main family, that Jin Guangshan is several years dead. She had appealed to him instead, of course, as the boy’s brother and Jin Zixuan had taken Jiang Yanli to Mo Manor with him so they could learn the truth for themselves.

Mo Xuanyu is...wary of meeting him, which Jin Zixuan doesn’t fault him for for a second. In fact he had expected it, which is partially why he had brought Jiang Yanli along (besides the fact that he also just enjoys traveling with his wife).

He meets with Second Madam Mo and her son in as neutral of a space as he can find - and alone, to begin with. It’s clear within minutes of observing the boy that he’s a Jin even before Second Madam Mo outlines the events that had given her her son. Jin Zixuan does his best to reassure her that Mo Xuanyu will be welcome as a visitor in Jinlintai should he wish to come, that he will be legitimized if he wants to be, and that he will be allowed to train with the other disciples as well whether he wants to be legitimized or not.

He doesn’t do a very good job of explaining it, unfortunately (nor does he think he managed a very good job of inspiring any sort of confidence in him as a leader, which is unfortunately a frequent occurrence without Jiang Yanli or Mianmian with him to help him talk). As is usually the case after such instances, he finds himself pleading with Jiang Yanli that evening for her help. The pair of them visit the Second Madam Mo and her son in their home on the Mo estate the following day, and Jiang Yanli charms them both so thoroughly that Mo Xuanyu agrees to pack his things and come home with them two days later, with his mother’s full support.

It quickly becomes clear once they arrive in Jinlintai and Mo Xuanyu settles into his cultivation training with some of the younger children that while he is a Jin in name (sort of) and looks, he is infinitely.. weirder than any other Jin that Jin Zixuan has ever met.

By now he and Meng Yao have both put in the work to have formed something of a decent - if still slightly stilted - relationship, and so he’s become well aware even in their relatively limited interactions that his brother works hard to be an unfailingly polite and graceful sort of gentleman. And of course he still thinks of Mianmian like a sister even now that he has made her his Second; and while her behavior is much more brash than his own or Meng Yao’s she still knows the rules of society and chooses to follow them whenever necessary. Besides, she’s a Luo, not a Jin, despite being raised pretty much exclusively in Jinlintai. She gets a free pass.

Mo Xuanyu had been cheerful enough during the trip to Jinlintai with Jin Zixuan and Jiang Yanli  but also on his best behavior, and Jin Zixuan supposes (a bit too late) that being surprised by what has followed is his own fault for assuming that the boy’s nervousness and uncertainty during that trip with two strangers - powerful strangers - was a good representation of his permanent personality.

Long story short - Mo Xuanyu comes to Jinlintai and raises absolute hell.

Jiang Yanli adores him. 

Mo Xuanyu clings to her like a burr in response, soaking up her indulgence and the unfailingly kind older-sister energy that she exudes at all times like he’s been desperate for it, for the gentle love of a woman as incredible as Jiang Yanli. And not that Jin Zixuan had ever planned on going back on his promise to legitimize the boy and maintain his offer of a place for him in Jinlintai, but now he truly can’t even begin to consider it after seeing how excited Mo Xuanyu is to find siblings, nieces and nephews, and friends there.

Jin Zixuan legitimizes his youngest brother in an official ceremony conducted by himself and Meng Yao after the first year of Mo Xuanyu’s cultivation training, once his golden core has formed and he is able to begin his true discipleship alongside the younger students at similar levels of cultivation - Jin Ling and his peers, in fact.

And Mo Xuanyu just...stays. His mother had traveled to Lanling to visit him a few times early on when he could take breaks from his training, but after she passes away Mo Xuanyu declares in the midst of his grief that without his mother there’s nothing and no one in Mo Manor to draw him back, and he becomes a permanent fixture of life in the tower - perpetual wild child Mo Xuanyu, with his insistence on wearing black and red clothing (which he swears has nothing to do with Wei Wuxian but he fools absolutely no one), his absolutely wildly dramatic personality, his equally dramatic makeup, his loud laughter.

He proves himself very quickly to be excellent for irritating the Sect elders whenever necessary, and Jin Zixuan privately enjoys watching the stuffy old men try to figure out how to handle his brother’s...unique brand of flamboyance. Of course he’s usually just as flummoxed as they are, the difference is that he’s very fond of it and they are definitely not.

These days, Mo Xuanyu’s position in Jinlintai is more secure than ever. He’s a source of fun and lightheartedness at family gatherings, he’s an attentive presence during the children’s lessons and he plays with them whenever they would like during their leisure time. He’s a wonderful brother and uncle, in his own way, and a cheerful presence wherever he goes.

He also makes for a good litmus test, of sorts. Everyone who deals with the Jin Sect regularly knows of him by now, and Jin Zixuan has gotten into the habit of making sure to keep a careful eye on anyone who dares to step into his home and speak unduly harshly about his youngest sibling. He learned early on to be wary of how that sort of rigid attitude may negatively impact policies they plan to propose or favors they need to ask. He’s also not above deploying Mo Xuanyu himself to handle them in the most obscenely awkward ways he can devise - and those are many and varied. Jin Zixuan himself had stopped getting embarrassed by it a long time ago out of a sense of self-preservation, but others are not so fortunate.

And that had been enough.

Two surprise brothers plus a Mianmian (not to mention his six brothers-in-law plus his and Jiang Yanli’s four children with their fifth on the way at the time) had been more family than he had ever dared to dream of, let alone knew what to do with now that he had it.

But then, not long after Mo Xuanyu’s declaration at 16 that he will be remaining in Jinlintai for the rest of his life if at all possible, Jin Zixuan and Meng Yao take a short trip together to Laoling Qin to discuss a bit of trade business.

Qin Cangye had very politely requested that any discussions they needed to have with him be held in his own home as his wife was too ill to travel, and with Mianmian to run things in his stead in Lanling for a few days (and as many nurses as Jiang Yanli could ever need to help with the children for the short-term) he had been more than willing to travel to accommodate. He had also been perfectly happy to conduct the business they needed to with nothing that threatened to distract him - right up until their second full evening in the Qin home when Meng Yao had approached him in his room after dinner, unusually serious even for him, and told Jin Zixuan that he needed to listen to something important Madam Qin wanted to tell them.

He had listened to her and her handmaid, and he had believed them, and he had been unsurprised to find himself thinking quite uncharitably of his father following his promise to Madam Qin that he would do everything in his power to make it right, as much as he could.

They return to Jinlintai the day after the next, once their business is concluded. He’s relieved when nothing needs his immediate attention as it means he’s free to retreat into his and Jiang Yanli’s quarters so he can tell her everything that’s weighing on his mind.

“No more surprise siblings from now on,” he sighs into the comfort of Jiang Yanli chest when he’s finished outlining what has happened and his plans to prepare a new suite of rooms in the family wing of the tower. For Qin Su. His sister.

Jiang Yanli just laughs her tinkling laugh and kisses him, her hands gentle as she combs his hair back from his face with her fingertips. “You’ve got more siblings now than any of the rest of us,” she teases with a mischievous smile down at him that is a bit too reminiscent of, weirdly, both Wei Wuxian and Mo Xuanyu for comfort. “Two brothers, a sister, and of course we must keep Mianmian in her spot on the list. If you would like to count brothers-in-law as well you’ve also got A-Xian, A-Cheng, Huaisang, Wangji, Xichen, and Mingjue...”

He groans and hides his face properly in the soft silk of her robes even as she laughs again over his head. 

“Young boys who ask their mothers for more siblings should be careful what they ask for, shouldn’t they?” Another kiss, this time to his cheek, and he accepts it with a sigh. He certainly can’t deny that his misguided childhood jealousy has certainly been made null. He has a much bigger family than he could have ever imagined.

It’s nice to feel that, finally, Jinlintai is full to bursting with people who genuinely care about him, and who he is allowed to care about in return.

----

Most of that happened long enough ago, though, that these days Jin Zixuan actually has some trouble bringing the memories back to the surface at first demand (though he knows that he’ll never truly forget the ways he had come to know - and subsequently legitimize - all three of his biological siblings).

“A-Xuan?” Jiang Yanli calls now from the doorway of his personal office. Her voice is as soft as always, but it’s tinged with his favorite variety of amusement - the kind caused by the mischief of any member of their (enormous) family. He looks up to find her holding a letter from Gusu judging by the distinctive blue, one eyebrow raised and a smile on her lips. “Were you aware that A-Yu has apparently been begging A-Yao to pay us a visit for over a month?”

“No I wasn’t, but I’m not surprised,” he replies with a sigh and a shake of his head. He loves Mo Xuanyu, of course he does, but he will readily admit that the ever-unbridled chaos of his youngest brother still makes him wonder how they’re related even now over a decade into their relationship. “Can I assume that A-Yao and our brothers-in-law have caved to his demands?” he adds with a gesture towards the letter. Jiang Yanli tucks a gentle laugh into the embroidered cuff of her sleeve.

“They have indeed, A-Yu will be so pleased. They’ve asked to spend a while here though - longer than their last few visits have been at least but A-Yao didn’t specify precisely how long they’d like. I’m going to tell them that anything they want is perfectly fine, unless you have a reason not to accept?”

“No, there’s nothing I can think of. Did they say why they want to stay so long? Is everything alright?”

“They didn’t say, but I think they’re fine. A-Yao only says here that they need a change of scenery for a while and A-Chen suggested they travel. I’ll go ahead and send our acceptance, then?”

Jin Zixuan nods and returns to the report he’s reading. After so many years together, though, he knows enough about his wife not to be surprised when she steps further into the room to put a hand on his shoulder and lean down to press her forehead against his temple for a long, quiet moment. He lets his eyes drift shut as he takes a deep breath in of the familiar scent of the lotus-scented oil she wears in her hair and the hint of incense still clinging to her skin from her morning meditation to help strengthen her core.

“I’ll be playing with the children in the garden when you’re finished if you’d like to come find us,” she murmurs against his cheek and punctuates it with a kiss, offering him precisely what he needs after a long morning of dealing with Sect business - both with the affectionate gesture and with the promise of getting to enjoy spending time with her and their children.

He doesn’t mind being Sect Leader of course, and in fact the job is much easier these days than he had ever expected it to be when he had been a young teenager observing the workings of it under his father’s...less than dedicated hand. But he still privately thinks sometimes that he’s much more cut out for corralling his and Jiang Yanli’s children than he is the Jin Sect.

“Make sure Ling-er practices his sword forms, either against a training dummy or the twins if they want to play with him.”

Jiang Yanli’s quiet chuckle against his cheek is one of his favorite sounds in the world.

“You already know they’d love to team up and see if they can finally win against him. I’ll fetch their practice swords in case they want to use them. You’ll join us, won’t you?”

“Of course,” he reassures, turning his head to look up at her and meet her smile with one of his own. “I wouldn’t miss it.”

----

“All I’m saying Li-jie,” Mo Xuanyu posits loudly from the ground where he’s currently buried under a small mountain of gold robes, flailing limbs, and shrieks of laughter, “Is that if you’ve already got seven you might as well go for an even ten, wouldn’t that be satisfying?!”

“A-Yu,” Qin Su admonishes from a bench nearby, not even bothering to look up from her embroidery. “If you think the children need more playfellows I’m sure we could find you a wonderful husband to adopt your own children with.”

“Absolutely not! Can you imagine me as a father? Disastrous. But if you’re offering to play matchmaker I might actually take you up on that.”

“No matchmaking, you two,” Jin Zixuan sighs as he enters the private family garden and joins Jiang Yanli where she’s sitting at the edge of her lotus pond trailing her fingertips through the water and watching the chaos that is their family unfold around her with a beatific smile on her lips. “Please, I’m begging you, our family is already confusing enough and you’ve both promised me you have no intentions of marrying. Since when do you even want to get married, A-Yu?”

“Listen to me very carefully, A-Xuan - ” he starts with a meaningful waggle of his darkened brows, “I look at what A-Yao has, if you know what I mean, and then I look at what I have, and I just think there’s definitely some room for..improvement in my situation, that’s all.”

Jin Zixuan lifts his chin a bit to give his responding eye-roll the best effect he can while Jiang Yanli and Qin Su both giggle into their sleeves and Jin Ling makes a disgusted noise in the back of his throat that carries all the way across the garden.

“Okay first of all, don’t talk about Uncle Jue and Uncle Chen like that, that’s disgusting.”

“Well they’re not my uncles, kid, I can talk about them however I want.”

“Second of all - hey! Quit calling me ‘kid’, we’re the same generation!”

“Enough, you two,” Zixuan sighs to head off the too-familiar argument that Mo Xuanyu is clearly working himself up for with one of his signature borderline-manic grins that makes most Sect Leaders shrink away in fear. “Lu-er, Xiao-Ye let your Uncle Yu get up off the ground, please.” It takes a moment for their two youngest daughters to untangle themselves from where they’ve tackled Mo Xuanyu to the ground but once they’re free they come running to him instead to clamber into his lap, little Jin Ye throwing her arms around his neck and snuggling into his chest immediately as Jin Lu tucks herself into his side under his free arm to start playing with his fingers.

Jin Zixuan sighs again as Mo Xuanyu makes a little show out of rolling to his feet and readjusting his hair and clothes, dabbing at his makeup to make sure nothing has smudged in the tussle. He dusts himself off one more time with a definitive pat before winking and turning his crooked grin on Jin Ling. Their eldest son is waiting for Jin Yu and Jin Yan to get their breath back from their latest bout against him - the twins leaning their weights on their wooden practice swords and clutching their sides - which means that he has no excuse not to listen to Mo Xuanyu’s teasing. (Jin Zhuang, he notices, is sitting on the other side of their sparring circle in a patch of shade cast by a tree and the side of the closest building - well away from the antics of his siblings - to alternate between watching the sparring and practicing his painting on a portable little desk balanced on his knees.)

“Listen to your wise old uncle, Xiao-Ling,” Mo Xuanyu teases, recalling Jin Zixuan’s attention to him and Jin Ling. “You’ll understand when you get to be my age just how nice it might be to have a big strong husband or two to look after you!”

“We’re classmates!!” Jin Ling insists again, beginning to sound desperate as his face goes bright red - though whether it’s out of embarrassment from the teasing about husbands or irritation at being needled about his age is unclear. Jin Zixuan suspects it’s a bit of both.

“A-Yu come help me finish unpacking from my trip before you send our nephew into qi-deviation. I’ll teach you a new huadian to wear as repayment,” Qin Su calls as she stands, graceful as ever. She tucks her embroidery into her sleeve and holds her arm out for Mo Xuanyu to take; he can never resist dramatic gestures and true to form his entire face lights up with mischievous delight, the expression exaggerated by the dark lines of kohl around his eyes, his painted lips, and his rouged cheeks. He bounds over to her to take her proffered arm with a comically genteel air, sweeping her gallantly from the courtyard towards her suite of rooms with such over-the-top fawning that they can hear her sweet laughter bouncing off of the nearby buildings even after they’ve turned the corner out of sight of the garden.

“Dad - ,” Jin Ling pouts, eyebrows drawn down.

“He’ll tire of the joke soon enough, A-Ling,” Jiang Yanli soothes with poorly-concealed mirth before Jin Zixuan can reply similarly. “There are worse things than having an uncle who enjoys a bit of teasing every now and then. Show your father your new sword forms now that you’re warmed up, you’ve been doing so well.”

Jin Zixuan settles his youngest daughters more comfortably in his arms as the twins return to their ready stances against their oldest brother, identical steely glints of focus in their eyes as they resume their sparring. Jin Zhuang brings his painting desk out of the shade to settle in with him and Jiang Yanli now that they’ve created a peaceful center for the family to orient themselves around, and Jin Zixuan feels his chest grow warm with affection as he relaxes into the soothing patterns of quality time with his children.

There are, he thinks, much worse ways to spend an afternoon.

----

Most people, Jin Zixuan thinks, would likely be surprised to find that as wild as their family is, dinners together are frequently calm affairs. Tonight is slightly more raucous than usual as Jin Fei has just returned from the first night hunt he’s led by himself, but it’s still much calmer than any outside observer would have reason to expect from them.

Jin Fei has finished giving his report - with none of the extra boasting that his older brother would pepper into the story were it his to tell - when Jiang Yanli clears her throat delicately for attention, which all of the children dutifully give her.  (Well, except for little Jin Ye, who’s busy clambering into Mo Xuanyu’s lap so that she can smile sweetly up at him to demand he feed her the rest of her dinner).

“We received a letter yesterday from your uncles in Cloud Recesses,” she begins with a soft smile, “and you all owe your Uncle Yu a thank you for asking Uncle Yao to come and visit - they have accepted his invitation and will arrive within the week.”

There’s a general excited commotion as all the children start talking at once - beginning with their thanks to Mo Xuanyu as instructed and then shouting to and over each other as they begin arguing over who’s going to get to spend the most time with them.

“WHAT?!” Mo Xuanyu practically screeches, much to Jin Ye’s displeasure if her pout and hands over her ears are anything to go by. “I’ve been bugging him for weeks and he writes to you to accept?! The nerve! The gall!”

“A-Yu,” Jiang Yanli giggles while Jin Zixuan glares at his youngest brother for daring to be offended by anything involving Jiang Yanli.

“Ah sorry Li-jie, sorry. But Su-jie, back me up! He should have replied to me!”

“Li-jie is Madam Jin,” Qin Su replies implacably with a soft smile at Jiang Yanli. “It is proper for him to address a request to visit us to her before you, and A-Yao always follows proper etiquette.”

“Betrayal,” he accuses with a jab of his chopsticks in her direction that’s firm enough to make the ornaments in his hair jingle. “Betrayal by my own jiejie, I don’t believe this. Xiao-Ye, can you believe your aunts?” He directs the last to the toddler in his lap who’s reaching out for one of his dumplings with a bare hand - he immediately pinches it between his chopsticks to hold it in front of her mouth for her so she can munch on little nibbles of it. “Xiao-Ye is the only person in this family who loves and respects me, I’m stealing her and running away with her to escape your cruelty.”

“That’s not true, Uncle Yu,” Jin Yan pipes up around her next bite, which she quickly swallows when Jin Zixuan gives her a look. “Uncle Xian thinks you’re alright sometimes too,” she teases with that wicked grin of hers and Jin Zixuan has to duck his head to hide a smile at the wounded noise Mo Xuanyu offers by way of reply before he settles in to grumble to himself while he feeds Jin Ye like the little princess she already is.

“Father?” Jin Zhuang says softly from where he has come to stand beside him. Jin Zixuan leans over a bit, away from the table, to make it easier for their third son to step close enough to speak as quietly as he likes. “May I show Uncle Chen my paintings?”

“I think he would like that, Zhuang-er, that’s a good idea,” Jin Zixuan replies in an undertone with a nod. “If you ask him to, he may even paint with you. Have you finished your dinner?” Jin Zhuang nods and steps closer to his side as there’s a sudden burst of laughter from Jin Yu and Jin Yan at whatever Jin Ling has just said. “Would you like to go somewhere quiet until it’s calmer in here?” Another nod from Jin Zhuang which Jin Zixuan returns with one of his own. “Alright, that’s fine. I’ll send Aunt Su to come and fetch you when your siblings and Uncle Yu have settled again, okay? Don’t go far.”

Jin Zhuang offers him a quick bump of his head against his before he retreats, slipping out of one of the side doors to go wait in the quiet of the hallway until things are less overwhelming. Jin Zixuan turns back to the rest of his family who are still discussing what they’d like to do now that they know they’ll have fresh entertainment.

“Do you think Uncle Jue will spar with all four of us at once? We could probably take him out, don’t you think A-Ling?”

“You two couldn’t even beat me and Uncle Jue is like, twice my age!”

“Size, too,” Jin Fei drawls.

“Well we can’t all be Nies, and you’re still shorter than me!” Jin Ling huffs with a punch to his second brother’s shoulder.

“Shut up you two, stop arguing for just five minutes, you’re so annoying. Yanyan is right - four of us together against one, we could do it!”

“You want to fight Uncle Jue?!” Jin Lu pipes up in horror. “Why?!!”

“It’s alright A-Lu, don’t be upset. It’s the same reason the four of us train with our swords together, or like when we practice with dad sometimes,” Jin Fei is quick to reassure while Jin Ling is busy sticking his tongue out at the twins. “It’s fun for us and it’s good training, we don’t want to actually hurt Uncle Jue.”

“He’ll kick your bratty little butts anyway, and I’ll bet he does it without even breaking a sweat,” Mo Xuanyu asserts as he wipes Jin Ye’s face clean with a bit of his sleeve. “There you go sweetheart, all done. Go sit with your mom so Uncle Yu can finish eating.” Jin Ye stands up obediently to come around the table, clamber into Jiang Yanli’s extended arms to settle in the cradle of her lap, and promptly close her eyes.

“He would not!” Jin Ling argues instantly, of course.

“Would so. He’s been training with a saber - bigger than a sword, remember - since he was younger than you and I were when we first touched our swords, Lingling. And A-Fei is right, he’s got height, weight, and bulk on his side. He’ll kick your butts.”

“Well I want to try anyway,” Jin Yu reasserts as Jin Yan nods along beside her. “If nothing else we can turn it into a game to see just how quickly he can beat us, if it turns out we really can’t beat him.”

“Oh that’s a good idea. A-Zhuang could keep score, right? Hey. Where’d he go?” Jin Ling looks around sharply, searching for his third brother.

“You were all yelling so he left,” Jin Yan supplies, talking with her mouth full again.

“Oh. Oops.”

“You can apologize when he comes back,” Qin Su offers before looking at Jiang Yanli. “Li-jie, we should arrange to have tea with just A-Yao at least a few times while they’re here. He needs to catch us up on his gossip and we need to tell him ours.”

“I’m sure he’ll accept, it’s been far too long since the three of us have sat down to talk together,” Jiang Yanli replies, and as if by magic the atmosphere settles again as the children respond automatically to the gentle steadiness of their mother and aunt. “I believe Zhuang-er will be able to come back in now,” Jiang Yanli adds with a pointed look at the children that warns them to keep their calm for the rest of the meal for their brother’s sake.

They all nod and return to eating and chatting at a more reasonable volume as Qin Su rises to poke her head out into the corridor. She returns immediately with Jin Zhuang at her side, his hand in hers until he releases it to return to his seat between the twins.

“A-Zhuang,” Jin Fei says once he’s seated across from him. “We’re sorry for being too loud. If we come up with a game to play with Uncle Jue can you keep score for us? You’re the best at watching and keeping track of what happens while we spar. A-Lu can call out whatever you need to say to us while we play.”

Jin Zhuang takes a long moment to consider this in silence, as is his habit, before he nods once firmly and picks up his teacup to take a slow sip while his older brothers and sisters grin first at him then at each other.

“This is going to be so fun,” Jin Lu gushes with a dreamy little sigh into her soup that makes all of her older siblings laugh, even Jin Zhuang with his silent chuckle hidden behind his hand.

Jin Zixuan looks around the table at their family - loving, loud, wild, and theirs, and, not for the first time nor the last, wonders just how in the world he got so lucky.

----

By some small miracle, he and Jiang Yanli manage to gather all the children and get them looking presentable enough in time to greet their uncles when they arrive several days later. He looks for some sign as they approach that something is secretly wrong to have prompted the visit, but they seem alright at first glance. Of course any closer examination that could possibly tell him otherwise is abruptly made completely impossible when they’re promptly swarmed by all of the children save for Jin Ling and Jin Fei, both of whom are too old to run to them and cling around waists and knees to better clamor for gifts and stories with the rest of their siblings.

Jin Zixuan can only shake his head with fond dismay as he watches Jin Ye immediately try to cling to Meng Yao in between his husbands while Jin Zhuang drifts over to stop next to Lan Xichen so that he can stay away from the main hubbub and still slip one hand into his uncle’s with amusing gravity. Jin Lu studies the three of them for a moment before she decides to hug Lan Xichen first as he’s the easiest target, her tiny arms wrapping tightly around his legs as she clings. Nie Mingjue, of course, is immediately swamped by the twins who flank him to start talking about something with broad gestures - he sees Jin Yan make a stabbing motion after a moment and Jin Zixuan realizes they’re likely talking about their newest obsession - knives. A father’s dream.

“Out of my way brats, those are my brothers!” Mo Xuanyu suddenly shouts as he comes streaking out from the nearest building, practically a blur of black and red aimed straight at Meng Yao who has lifted little Jin Ye up in front of himself in his arms to better listen to her intently as she babbles to him.

“A-Yu!” Jin Zixuan chastises tiredly with a sigh even as Nie Mingjue sticks an arm out to catch Mo Xuanyu in midair right at the last moment before he can barrel into any of the children or Meng Yao, who, to his credit, hasn’t even twitched (though Jin Zixuan is absolutely sure that he knew Mo Xuanyu had been running straight for him). He always manages to forget how strong Nie Mingjue is until he sees an example like that; he hadn’t even jolted when Mo Xuanyu’s full weight had collided with his arm, and while Jin Zixuan won’t ever claim to be attracted to any of his brothers-in-law, he’s also not blind to the virtues of men. He can at least admit that he doesn’t fault Mo Xuanyu for his desire to find someone like that for himself.

“Mo Xuanyu,” Nie Mingjue greets, as gruff as ever with his brows drawn low over his eyes and his expression stony. He stares just long enough to make Mo Xuanyu laugh a bit nervously before he drops him back on his feet to reach down and pick up Jin Lu, who has released Lan Xichen in favor of tugging on Nie Mingjue’s belt and holding her arms up to him in silent request. She settles happily on his hip like she belongs there as he resumes his conversation with the twins, her head instantly landing on his shoulder and one hand curling around the collar of his robes as she snuggles in. 

As always, watching his brother and brothers-in-law interact with the children does something funny in his chest, and just as he’s thinking of reaching down to take Jiang Yanli’s hand next to his to try to do something with that feeling, she slips it comfortably into the crook of his elbow as she lays her head on his shoulder in silent understanding and agreement.

There will be a formal banquet to welcome them later, of course. But for now the only people around are the members of the family themselves and those who have been living and working in Jinlintai long enough to have seen the rather informal comings and goings of every member of the extended family. There’s nothing official about this greeting, just loved ones reuniting. Happy. Together.

Jin Zixuan glances over to Jin Ling at his left when his son nudges him with an elbow only to find him smirking over at him. His son doesn’t even have to look up at him to do it anymore, and Jin Zixuan still can’t quite pinpoint when that happened.

“Tearing up, dad?” Jin Ling jokes, jerking his chin up in a proud gesture that Jin Zixuan will deny having ever been the example for him to learn from until the day he dies.

“You say that like he doesn’t cry every time any of our uncles come to visit,” Jin Fei sighs from the other side of Jiang Yanli. His posture is relaxed enough - he’s got his arms crossed loosely behind himself and his head tipped back as if studying the clouds and his tone is light and easy. The laid-back attitude is only marred by the fact that there’s clearly a teasing smirk dancing on his lips. “You didn’t cry for me when I got back from my night hunt the other evening. Should I be jealous, dad?”

“Boys,” Jiang Yanli cuts in to chastise with all the affection she can muster - which is, of course, quite a lot. “Your father enjoys having everyone home, that’s all. Be good and go say hello to your uncles, I’m sure they’ve missed you.”

They snicker but step away without any further argument, closing ranks immediately to walk across the courtyard shoulder-to-shoulder so they can put their heads together to laugh about something - Jin Zixuan, most likely.

“They look alright, don’t you think?” Jiang Yanli murmurs.

“I do. I’ll ask A-Yao to be sure when I can see him in private, but I think you were right - there doesn’t seem to be anything urgent.”

“A relaxed family visit, then,” she sighs happily, clearly smiling as she nuzzles her cheek a little more firmly against his shoulder and he drops a kiss to the top of her head before she straightens back up again. “It’ll be so lovely to have them here.”

“I’ve missed them,” he admits for her ears alone and Jiang Yanli squeezes the crook of his elbow in silent understanding.

#The untamed fanfic #Xuanli #Jin Zixuan #Jiang Yanli #Mo Xuanyu #Qin Su #3zun #right at the end #if anyone sees any issues with the names for all these children please don't hesitate to tell me I'm totally fine with changing #anything that should have been different to be more accurate #y'all would not believe the amount of age math I've done for all of this please don't look at any of it too closely #also if anyone wants my MANY headcanons in a bullet-list format let me know and I'll post some #there are Many of them with so many fun oc's lol #also if anything about the children or anything is unclear don't hesitate to ask for clarification! #oh headcanons can be about mianmian too even tho I didn't give her any real screentime in this (sorry!)

[goodpeachtea]

𝐁𝐀𝐁𝐘, 𝘴𝘱𝘦𝘯𝘤𝘦𝘳 𝘳𝘦𝘪𝘥. (𝟎𝟏)

Summary: People could say that Baby was crazy, so they could say that hell is more preferable than spending a day with her. Baby agreed. But no one could say that the girl was not a genius or that she was like everyone else. Baby Jones was special - yes, she could be a nicer special type, but anyway, special.

Couple: Spencer Reid x OC.

Words: 3.9K

Warnings: Cigarettes, mention of murder, slightly PTSD, language.

Author’s Note: In case you want to know, the fanfic starts in the middle-end of the third season - and I hope it goes to infinity and beyond! Many of the cases we will see here are original (including the one briefly mentioned in the first chapter). Hope you like it :)

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             (𝟎𝟏). 𝖳𝖧𝖤 𝖡𝖤𝖦𝖨𝖭𝖭𝖨𝖭𝖦 𝖮𝖥 𝖳𝖧𝖤 𝖤𝖭𝖣.

   JINGLE BELLS PLAYED IN THE BACKGROUND. Children laughed, adults toasted and Baby Jones felt this strange discomfort in her chest as she turned the pages of Alice in Wonderland. The child wanted to be reading one of the "grown-up" classics but was caught trying to reach David Copperfield, causing an accident that involved Les Misérables falling on her head - that experience could be compared to being hit by a brick. December 25th was a big day for the Jones family (more than it was for the other families). The unique and loved Baby was born in Christmas and, as much as she didn’t aprecciated much events like that at a young age, even the most distant cousins came from afar to celebrate the mix of birthday with Christmas.

   Baby could have sworn she saw figures out the window, but supposed it was just in her head. Before turning her eyes to the book she was reading, she observed all of her family members as happy as ever - almost as if they knew that this would be the last party they were going to celebrate - with a slight smile and noticed her parents approaching. "We have a gift for you, dear," said her mother Marie Ann.

– I have to admit that I was totally against it, but your sister is good with sweet talk, no wonder she is a lawyer. – Said her father, Thomas Jones, pointing to Baby's older sister, who smiled and gave a little thumbs up (after playing an important role in the accident that led to Baby's name, the smart Amelie always insisted in pampering the peculiar child).

   The eight-year-old Jones smiled, realizing that the gift was a book the second she put her eyes on the package. She opened the red package slowly, loving to see the suffering in the eyes of those who waited anxiously to see her reaction. She opened her mouth in genuine surprise when she saw David Rossi's book in her hands, thanking her parents and siblings who watched her from afar. The girl had wanted that book for a long time, but her parents insisted that it was worrying for a girl her age to read a book about serial killers.

   The Jones were not nearly the perfect family, but they were a good family. They were extremely genuine and fun, and their children couldn't be much different. The oldest was Amelie, 26 years old. She was extremely studious and hardworking, but when she met her family, Mellie was the same old goofy and good sister and daughter. Then there was Owen. The computer genius was 21 years old and was a problem for his neighbors, but everyone who approached him enough could only see kindness and fun in the Jones children. The youngest of the family was AJ (short for Alexander Jones, but he decided to hate the name early). The little one was only five, but it was the family's energy boost, always playing pranks and cheering others up.

   Then there was Baby left. Nobody could understand her very well (and that was reason enough to send her to the psychologist early) and she didn't seem to care that much. It was a fact that the second youngest in the Jones family was loved by her family, but that did not stop her strange behavior from always standing out.

   And everything changed in a snap. The night of December 25 until 20:11 that was perfect suddenly turned into Hell. And suddenly, "bang!", the beginning of the end.

   The only Jones gasped, and with wide eyes she rose from the bed, sighing heavily. Her brain quickly processed that it was all just a goddamn dream tormenting her again, causing teenage Jones to swallow, closing her eyes in relief and wiping the cold sweat from her forehead and neck. She looked at the digital clock on her head table, seeing the numbers 4:18AM flashing red (so she blew out a surprised breath, noting that she managed to sleep more than usual).

   Baby opened her windows and checked that her door was locked, thanking that today Sophie decided that she would want to sleep with the other children. Jones tied her red hair awkwardly, opening her desk drawer and under her coat she found the pack of cigarettes she shouldn't be using, taking out a lighter from the same place and throwing herself on the bed, lighting a cigarette and looking at the ceiling .

   The teen took the first drag and as she blew out the smoke, her heart calmed down and for a moment no part of her mind was in 10 years ago, the nightmare of just now being slightly forgotten. Jones hated being part of statistics, but what could she do when she went through times of crisis? She didn't drink hidden or smoke in the corners because other teenagers did, Baby did it because she needed to - or at least she thought she did.

   She closed her eyes in anger and tightened her jaw when between a drag and another flashes of the final days of 1997 invaded her head. Baby jumped up from the bed, pausing for a second before punching her mirror, thinking about the noise it would cause, waking up all the inhabitants of the Sunshine Orphanage - the ironic thing is that Jones' days there always felt like rainy days. The girl took her battered backpack and stuffed her pack of cigarettes with her other items, sneaking out the window.

   It was usual for Baby Marie to do that, to try to escape from her reality. She never managed to be very successful on that mission, but that didn't stop her from trying again and again. Baby always arrived before the women who looked after her got up, not wanting bars on her window. The girl sighed as she walked the dark streets of Washington, heading toward a lonely, quiet corner where her chances of being murdered increased. But for her, the feeling was that dawn was always safer. That was the time of peace that the redhead would have, after having to put up with noisy children, adolescents in internal combustion and her own brain devoid of any distraction.

   The little 17-year-old found herself in a park a few minutes later, avoiding children's toys and places where drunks tend to pass. She also ignored the copy of David Copperfield in her backpack, looking away and just searching for the anatomy book she picked up from the library. She spent a long time there, clearing her mind and although sleepy, more awake than ever. The only thing that distracted her from her inner peace that lasted a few minutes was the ringing of her old cell phone and the name David Rossi on her broken screen.

– Rossi? Why are you calling me? – An angry teenager grumbled in her cellphone, rubbing her dark circles and curious about the subject that the longtime acquaintance wanted to talk about. – It's fucking 5AM.

– I know you were already awake and I kinda need your help, kiddo.

   David Rossi sighed, not believing he was going to do that. Baby, in the other side, gave up of her grumpy behavior and smiled, knowing how that conversation would end. She bit her lips and hoped that the most evil of the evil criminals would be out there, killing lots and lots of people - and Baby could try, but she would not feel any kind of remorse about her thoughts. "I heard you are back in the business. Tell me about it, Italy, what can I do to save your and Gideon's ass?".

– Gideon it's not in the BAU anymore, Baby. – He told, looking around to make sure no one was listening to his phone call.

– Oh, crap. But okay, boo-hoo. Moving on, let's talk about dead bodies and serial killers.

   Rossi almost laughed of Baby's behavior, because it would be funny if it wasn't sad. Baby was, after all, an almost eighteen-years-old which the happiest part of the day was imagining what bloody crimes she could solve - or commit, depending on her mood. The only Jones couldn't feel sorry for Jason Gideon farewell, even if she was alive because of him or if he made her life a little bit more happy (or rather, less unhappy) asking for help when his cases entered a dead-end.

– That will count as a "S.O.S BABY"? – David said smiling, making the young girl laugh a little. – Yeah, Gideon left me a note that explained the conditions for me.

– And he told you that if you guys used one more of those I would maybe be joining you as the youngest F.B.I agent?

– Actually, the note said that you would try to trick me when we still have five S.O.S's left. – Baby cursed the old man, while Rossi tried to figured out what could he do when his chances where actually over.

   Baby made a deal with Gideon, that's what this whole "S.O.S BABY" was all about. Jones was special, she could think as the unsub, and as the victim. He needed help, she needed a reason. When the profiler did fifty phone calls to the teenager, she would have a chance to prove herself capable of - breaking all the possible rules - making part of the F.B.I. Everything about it was wrong: first, Baby should be protected by the Bureau, not part of it; second, she cannot even drink legally, she is a child; third, would it be responsible to put someone with serious psychological problems holding a gun? Jason Gideon didn't put a lot of thought when he agreed with that deal, and now the problem was in the hands of David Rossi.

– Now, you wanna help me or not?  

   Some of the other FBI agents couldn't help but notice the oldest of them suddenly withdrawing, calling someone - almost like calling a dealer, looking sideways and reluctantly - and referring to that person as "baby". The famous David entered the sheriff's office in Rosenberg, Texas and closed the blinds, raising more suspicions among members of the Behavior Analysis Unit team.

   “Did you hear what I heard?”, asked JJ, smiling broadly and exchanging shrewd looks with Derek and Emily. “It looks like the fourth Miss Rossi is coming!”, laughed the handsome Morgan, while Reid arrived without knowing what was happening and asking why they were laughing.

– It´s adult talk, kid. –  Emily teased, ruffling the taller boy's hair, who grimaced and mumbled something about him not being a child. – I have to say, I didn't expect to hear Rossi call a woman "baby". It's quite young for him, isn’t it? 

   The subject soon changed when technical analyst Penelope Garcia arrived with bad news regarding the research she had done for the case. Again, that case was clueless and more difficult to resolve than ever. The unit chief, Aaron Hotchner, approached when he noticed the expressions of defeat of the four BAU agents regarding the case of men of different social status and equally handsome being brutally murdered by stab wounds and being left in random places in the city in the southern United States.

   "I got something," David S. Rossi announced, leaving the office excitedly after spending a lot of time inside, while the rest of the team discussed theories that were soon refuted. "I think that our unsub is actually a women. Well, kinda. It was right in front of us the whole time!"

– We have already discussed the possibility of our unsub being a woman, David. It is impossible, all men were physically fit. – Aaron said, sighing and annoyed that they weren't getting a result.

   Rossi ignored what his boss said, remembering the smart point of view that Baby Jones provided him. “When we went to visit Mrs. Wilson's office, the wife of the fourth victim and the psychologist of the second one, we recorded her statement, remember? Her husband had not yet been murdered and she did not want to leave her office”, Hotch, the one who were at the interview with the brand new suspect, agreed.

– Yes, she looked quite shocked up that her patient was murdered.

– And maybe she was quite of an actress. – David suggested, carefully examining the record they had about Mrs. Wilson. –  Me and... I watched the recording again and a detail caught my attention: doctors, like a psychologist, display diplomas on walls and shelves, where patients can see them. It causes an immediate feeling of respect and trust. The family photos, however, are on the table, sometimes even hidden in the drawer, just for the doctor to see. It is an involuntary action, nobody wants mentally unstable people watching their life, their family. But look at Ms. Wilson's office, photos of her children at the table, facing her, while photos of her husband - and her husband alone - are on display everywhere, in the most eye-catching spots possible. Look at this! Who puts a 12 by 12 inch portrait of the spouse on the office wall?

– Yeah, I thought that was weird too, but that doesn't mean she is a murderer. We knew that her husband was possessive and abusive, he was jealous of all the people around her. It is perfectly possible that he told her to put those pictures like that so that her patients would know that, well, "she already belonged to someone".

   “I don’t think so. My point is that Linda Wilson was directing the anger of one of her patients to Mr. Wilson“. Everyone stopped for a minute and thought about the theory, seeing the picture filled with theories and crime scene photos, along with the documents, and seeing that it might actually be right.

– But what about the other victims? – The Special Agente Jareau asked, pointing to the pictures of the men hanging on the board.

– Distractions. Mrs. Wilson is an extremely intelligent woman. If only her husband were killed, suspicions would fall on her right away.

   “I trust you, Dave. Morgan and Prentiss, bring Linda Wilson to the police station, say we need to ask some questions”, ordered Hotch, the pair waving quickly and heading for the black SUV. “JJ and I are going to get a warrant to get everything Doctor Wilson has about her patients. You and Reid stay here and review what we already have, try to find more things that point to our suspect or anything that will help us find the killer”.

ALEXANDRIA, VIRGINIA - EIGHT HOURS LATER.

   Baby Jones was never the most adored girl in school. It was not a matter of popular and outcast, blond and brunette, intelligence or ignorance. It was a matter of Baby was a fucking pain in the ass. Jones knew. She knew that everyone around her hated her. And what could she do? She liked it.    See, don't get me or Baby wrong. What could I say besides the pure truth about the girl who moves our pages? The fact that she is so stupidly annoying, rude and is a horror movie tucked into 5 feets and looks of a fairy. It is difficult for anyone to describe how horrible Baby Jones is, but, my dear reader, I will do everything to show the indescribable annoyance of our (not so) beloved young woman.    Everything has a reason. We can't blame Baby for being the devil on earth. She herself says, "Everything I do is for a reason" and who are we to go against a mentally unstable redhead who knows how to shoot. Jones is, after all, one of the only people who have the slightest right to be a little irritating in the face of everything she has been through. Of course, nobody expected her to use this right with such enthusiasm, but my point is: Baby Jones is broken and with fewer screws on her head, try to take it easy.

– Jones, put out that cigarette!

   Baby smiled at the shout from her Physical Education teacher as she passed her high school football court, backpack on her shoulder and cigarette between her lips. He ignored the athletic students going around and the girls playing soccer, looking at Mrs. Smith, the couch.

– Fuck me gently with a chainsaw. – She screamed back at Smith, seeing her head shake, sighing and turning her attention to the students who deserved her concern - deep down, she felt sorry for Baby, but it was easier to feel angry. The students around her looked at the redhead, never ceasing to be surprised by the behavior of the well-known Jones.

   The bad-habits girl patted her jeans pockets when she heard her battered phone ring, knowing who the call was coming from and what the news was. No one else made calls to her, so David Rossi was the only possible name to be on the display of Baby’s cell phone.

   “Did you catch the guy?”, Jones asked, ignoring greetings and good manners (which was somewhat usual). She was always excited to know about cases and thrilled when it was possible for her to help. “Of course we did, bambina! I had your help.”

– Yeah, what was I thinking? Of course you would get the guy with my help. I saved your ass. You and these BAU idiots would be screwed if it weren't for me.

– Always very humble, huh? And respect, girl, these "BAU idiots" may be the ones who will decide your future, if you're going to be an FBI agent. – Rossi warned, his voice low because he was on the jet, next to the agents who (theoretically) were sleeping.

– So, I was right, wasn't I? Let me guess, did the psychologist give steroids to her homicidal patient? – Baby ignored the older man's comment, while walking towards the school entrance.

– How did you...?

   "Try to keep up: depression, anxiety, probably abused by the father. He kills handsome men and someone could interpret it as if he were envious of the victims. But I'm not someone, am I, Rossi? Mistreated by the father, men do not usually make fun of the appearance of other men in this way. No, but they make fun of the lack of "masculinity". He didn't kill these men because he wants to be them, he killed because he was attracted to them”, Baby spoke fast, her reasoning at incredible speed. Dave smiled on the other end of the phone, never failing to feel proud of Baby's skills. “He went to a psychologist looking for help, hating himself and disgusting his sexuality. Linda Wilson, a woman with an attractive but scoundrel husband, saw an opportunity to get rid of her husband once and for all, seeing the unsub's homicidal potential. Instead of giving him tranquilizers or some shit like that, she gave him steroids, leaving the man on edge.”

– You are absolutely right. And the curious thing is that the first victim was in fact homosexual, but the others were straight men that Patrick Thomas, the unsub, believed were trying to attract him, trying to make him sin, when they were not even doing anything.

– I can't say that I don't know what that is. – Baby murmured to herself, pressing her jaw in anger as Rossi heard the comment and felt his heart ache.

   Rossi sighed at the feeling that remained in the air at the girl's comment, even if it wasn't even Jones’s intent to say it out loud. "Baby... you know what day is coming, don't you?", he said on a sigh, reluctantly. He noticed the silence of the call being interrupted twice by the younger woman's shaky voice, who stopped talking immediately, not wanting to show weakness. “Yes”, she spoke simply, never being able to forget the meaning of December 25th.

– I know the emotions that day brings to you and...

– No, you don’t. – Aggressive as ever when the subject was brought up, Baby looked around, always feeling watched when someone starts talking about that 1997 season. – You don’t and we don’t need to talk about it. 

– I’m sorry. But along with... that, comes your birthday. Baby, I know you're pissed at me right now, but we need to talk about it. This year is important, things will change, you will have to find a place to live and I...

– You...?

– I'll try to get you on the FBI. – He whispered reluctantly, knowing the commotion of the little redhead on the other state, happy to know that he softened the previous conversation. – Know that I'm not promising anything. You will probably have to train a lot and start doing ridiculous jobs for your skills, but if you want to be a profiler you have to prove yourself in there. You’re still too young.

   “Trust me, sir, I going to prove that I can beat some sick minds even if I'm cleaning the floor, making coffee or printing papers”, she smiled, feeling more excited by the news. Baby saw children approaching - children from her orphanage that she would have to take “home” - and then sighed, knowing that her life would not be based on what she was good doing for a long time before Rossi took her out of Alexandria, “I need to go”. “Try not to get yourself in too big of a trouble, I don't have the guts to put a delinquent in the Bureau”.

– I can’t promise anything. – The ginger quoted him from earlier, hearing a laugh. – And Rossi...

– Yes, kiddo?

– Hum, I... – Jones bit her lip, gulping and arching her shoulders in discomfort.

– I know, Baby. – It was hard for her, he knew it. – You’re welcome.  

   Spencer Reid really felt guilty about listening to the conversation - or at least, David's part of the conversation. But what could he do? He was lying on the seat of the jet, with his eyes closed and his mind totally active and uncomfortable, he having to fight his desire to go to the bathroom and inject into his vein the Dilaudid he had in the bottom of his bag, without the courage to throw it away.

   The Boy Genius' mind was distracted for a while, curious about the person the experienced Rossi spoke to. He, like the other BAU agents the other day, assumed it was a woman, a secret girlfriend, perhaps. But that didn’t fit, Spencer was irritated by not being able to solve the mystery (and even more irritated by being interested in the personal life of his coworker). The Italian-American called it bambina - was it a dear family member? - and why would he put a family member on the FBI? It was dangerous! On top of that, he spoke of the previous case to her as if it were nothing, as if she already knew.

   Spence bit his lip, glancing at the man looking out the window, getting up slowly. Reid sat across from Dave, smiling weakly. "I overheard, I'm sorry," he murmured, making Rossi smile. Dave wasn't as angry as he thought he would be, the eldest believing that some minimal information shared for the trustworthy Spencer would be no big deal. “Curious?”, the young man nodded.

– For now, she is top secret. But I can tell you that if everything goes as planned, oh, boy, we're screwed.

#spencer reid #spencer x reader #criminal minds fanfic #criminal minds reader #criminal minds #bau x reader #bau #BABY. #jennifer jareau #emily prentiss #penelope garcia #derek morgan #aaron hotchner #david rossi

[blacknight1230]

Judge of Character

Damian Wayne Imagine

Damian Wayne isn’t big on friendship. From a young age, he has been taught not to trust anyone, including so-called family. Since he was taken under the Batman’s wing, he only trusts a very few, limited to his family. So it's no big surprise the blood son of world’s greatest detective reacts hostile towards a surprise guest in Batcave. But when he sees how his pets behave around her, he might change his mind.  

Gotham Academy. The most prestigious school in the dangerous city. All of the city’s elite sent there children there. Unfortunately for Damian, he was also sent there for a highschool education. The blood son of the Bat hated it there; it was full of fake people, ones who snobbishly flounted themselves in the school’s halls all because their parent was the head of some notorious company, or something along those lines. Damian knew the only reason they put up with him was because of his father and his ties to Wayne Industries; anyone not on par with their wealth and status were considered lesser than them and they barely tried to hide it. This, coupled with Damian’s cold exterior, made it hard for him to make friends. One thing the young Robin did not need was groupies. 

“How was your day, Master Damian?” Alfred asked the young teen when he picked him up from the academy. “Uneventful as always, Pennyworth. Teachers teaching, and I mean that loosely, subjects that a toddler could figure out and hormonal hazards gossiping and pretending to care about my wellbeing ... should I go on?” Damian tsked, looking out the sleek car’s windows. “So, high school, basically?” Alfred replied, eyes not moving from the road in front of him. “A high school full of uptight snobs. I don’t understand why Father makes me waste away there. I could probably teach better than the teachers there. And they supposedly have taught in Ivy League colleges.” “I understand your frustrations, Master Damian. But Master Bruce wants you to experience normal teenage life. Maybe even make some friends.” Damian scoffed, rolling his eyes. “I swing from rooftop to rooftop, battling the criminals of gotham’s seedy underworld and fight alongside metahumans. Tell me how that’s normal exactly?” “That way be true, but then again you don’t really hang out with people your own age, do you?” Alfred pointed out, raising an eyes at him through the rearview mirror. Damian remained quiet, his arms crossed over his chest in frustration. 

The rest of ride back to Wayne Manor was silent, even as the expensive car parked in front of the main doors. Damian wordlessly strode into the mansion, after Alfred opened the door for him of course, dumping his backpack on the ground. “Master Damian, I’d like to inform you that Master Bruce has a guest that will stay in the Manor for awhile as they help your father on a case,” Alfred said as he picked up the discarded backpack, placing it next to the jackets and shoes. But when the butler turned around, Damian was nowhere to be found. 

Damian hadn’t heard a single word that left Alfred’s mustached mouth for he already was making his way towards the secret entrance to the Bat Cave. “Father, are you here? I would like to have a word with you?” he called out once he made it to the Cave. Silence met him, even the bats that gave the cave its name were quiet. Damian was suspicious as he thought his father would be here. He specifically remembered that he had a case he was working on that was particularly difficult. 

As he strode into the center of the cave, he could hear the sound of keys clicking as well as images popping up on the monitor, showing that someone was on the Batcomputer. But who? All he could see from his position were feminine gloved hands working across the keyboard. Intruder, he thought. Without a second thought, he grabbed a sword from the nearby weapon rack and lunged at the mysterious infiltrator. With a yell, he slashed at the back of the high chair in front of the supercomputer, slicing it right down the middle. He grabbed what was left of the chair and turned it around only for there to be no one in the chair. How? he thought. Where could they have gone? A voice calling out to him answered his question. 

“That was close,” it said. Damian spun around to face the unknown intruder, sword pointed at them and his body in a defensive stance. In front of him stood a girl in hero attire, hands on her hips. This girl looked to be young teen around his age, yet she appeared to be wise beyond her years. The (f/c) and (2nd f/c) clad teen raised an eyebrow as she stared at him, also studying his appearance. “You must be the current Robin. It’s nice to me you. I’m -” she tried to introduce herself. But Damian did let her finished as he already leapt her. The girl was able to effortlessly dodge his multiple attacks, on the defensive as Damian relentless went after her. 

In his effort to land a hit, Damian led the both of them to where the numerous Batsuits were located. The young Robin eyed his mysterious opponent, who didn’t show any signs of being worn out. Suddenly, he stabbed at opening he foresaw knowing there would be no way that the mysterious girl would be able to dodged it. Everything seemed to go in slow motion, the pointing tip of his sword stabbing through the air and towards the middle of the girl’s chest. But when the sworded entered the vicinity of the young girl, with a wave of her gloved hand a bright filled the air. Damian yelled in pain as the light blinded him and he felt his body rebound as if he ran into a brick wall. 

He quickly regained his footing, skidding a foot or so across the hard metal flooring. When he regained his eyesight, his eyes widened at what was in front of him. The mysterious teenage girl was floating several feet off the ground, a bright electric blue light surrounding her, eyes glowing the same bright blue as electric blue glyphs surrounded her. Shit, Damian thought to himself. She’s a magic user. Before he could do anything, he was encased in a cube of translucent blue magic. Damian tried to break his magical prison, first with his sword and eventually with his fists, but it was useless. He was stuck right where he was and would not be able to escape. 

“Maybe this will teach you a lesson,” the girl said, her glowing hand raised as she held up the magic barrier around him. “Let me out of here, intruder! How did you get into here! Who do you work for?” Damian yelled pounding his fists against his magical prison. “Intruder? I’m a guest, you snot nosed brat! I’m helping your father on a case in my mentor’s place,” the girl explained, acting insulted. “A likely story. My father just doesn’t trust any amateur vigilante,” Damian scoffed. “And yet this ‘amateur vigilante’ happened to trapped you in an inescapeable magical prison,” she sassed back. Damian glowered in response, opening his mouth to say something when a dark shadow enveloped both of them. 

Batman glided down to them, his shadow shrinking as the legendary detective came closer. Damian smirked to himself, thinking that his father would now deal with the young intruder himself. The Bat landed on the cold metal platform, surveying the scene from under his cowl with calculating white lensed eyes. To the surprise of the young Robin, his father turned to the magical girl and said with a deadpan voice, “What happened?” “Father! I caught this witch snooping around the Cave and on the Batcomputer trying to -” “Excuse me, but I’m a sorceress, not a witch, you arrogant bastard. And I already told you I was invited here to help Batman!” the female vigilante interrupted. 

Damian frowned and set his sights on the Bat, silently asking for confirmation. “She’s speaking the truth, Damian. I’ve asked (supernero name) to help due to her knowledge of the occult and its arts,” the older vigilante explained. “Didn’t Alfred tell you we would be having a guest? I specifically told him to remind you.” So that’s what Pennyworth was saying when I left him talking, Damian thought to himself. He realized his mistake, but remain quiet, not one to admit he was wrong. 

Bruce sighed, his shoulders dropping as if he was exhausted from his younger’s sons actions. “(superhero name), can you release my son now?” he ordered sternly. “Yes sir.” With a wave of her hand, the magical prison surrounding the young Robin faded away. Damian took a cautionary step forward, just in case there was a hint of barrier left. Luckily there wasn’t and he was able to approach his father. 

“Father, who this miscreant? How could you trust her? I never heard of this so called ‘(superhero name),’“ he complained. “Damian, her mentor is Zatanna, one of the members of Justice League Dark. I asked her for help but she was unable to come so she sent her apprentice instead,” Bruce patiently explained. Damian took a moment to remember everything he knew about Zatanna and the auxiliary Justice League group. If he remembered correctly, his father helped the group once to defeat a world-wide demonic threat. 

“I don’t care if she’s the sidekick of a knock-off Justice League member. That doesn’t make her trustworthy,” Damian replied snarkingly. “Damian,” Bruce said, using his ‘father voice.’ “Sometimes the right thing to do is just give someone a chance. Only then will you find if it was worth it to trust them.” 

Bruce walked off, leaving him silently stuing in place, stubbornly refusing to acknowledge the knowledged passed onto him by his father. Alfred was the one to break the stiff silence, having come down to the cave with a silver platter in one hand. “Master Damian, if you’re not going to listen your father’s sound advice, would you at least like a sandwich I prepared?” he asked, an eyebrow raised as you stared down at the fuming teen in front of him. “Maybe later, Pennyworth,” he answered. Damian brushed past the elderly butler, making his way out of the Batcave. “Would you like one, Ms. (superhero name)?” he heard Alfred say. “I would love one. Do you happened to have (favorite sandwich)?” “I believe I do. Here you are.” Damian could only ‘tsk’ grumpily. She might have Alfred under her spell already but I won’t fall for it, he thought.

~ Time Skip ~

It’s been a week since the disliked newcomer arrived. A week of Damian having to deal with (superhero name) whenever he got back from school. The young Robin had enough; it seemed wherever he turned in the manor, she was there. Just her presence got him in a bad mood, despite the young heroine never have done something to warrant his grump disposition. What seemed to get even further on his nerves is that Alfred and even his father were friendly towards the girl. Well, as friendly as the Bat could get that is. Damian still did not trust the (f/c) clad hero, keeping his guard up whenever she tried to get him to warm up to her. 

The blood son of the Bat was currently wandering the halls of the manor, caught in quite a predicament. “Alfred! Alfred!” he called out, eyes searching his surroundings. “Did you call me, Master Damian?” the elderly butler asked. It appears he was in the middle of dusting the decorative furniture in the hallway, as he had a feathered duster in hand and apron to protect his uniform. “I was calling for Alfred the Cat, actually. Have you seen him anywhere, Pennyworth?” Damian cleared up. “A yes, your feline companion named after yours truly. I should known you meant him. I haven’t seen him while I was doing my duties. But I believe he might be in family room as he quite likes it there,” Alfred replied. “Thank you, Pennyworth. I’ll leave you alone to continue with your work.” 

Damian steadily made his way towards the family room, taking the magnificent wooden stairs down to the main floor of his ancestral home. In no time at all he had reached the informal room, where he his family usually spent their free time when guests weren’t over. But as he stepped into the room, he stopped in shock at the unbelievable sight in front of him. Sitting on the floor was (superhero name) leaning against a resting Titus and Alfred the Cat relaxing on her lap. 

It was as he was in a daze, walking up to the young heroine. “What is going on?” he questioned. (superhero name) looked up at Damian in surprise, yet Alfred the Cat and Titus didn’t even move. “Oh, hi, Robin. How are you?” she responded nonchalantly as if she didn’t see Damian’s perplexed exterior. “You didn’t answer my question. What did you do to my pets?” Damian ignored her suggestion, face hardening as thousands of possible scenarios ran through his head. Why are they so comfortable around her? They usually dislike strangers, he was thinking. 

“I’m afraid I have no idea what you are talking about. I’m just taking a break from the case so I can clear my head. Is that so wrong?” (superhero name) said, gloved hand running through the fur on Alfred the Cat’s back. Damian picked up on the sound of the feline purring, infuriating him further. “Whatever spell you put on them, you better take off right now. I don’t take kindly to magic being used on my family,” he ordered, crossing his arms across his chest, trying to look as threatening and serious as he could. But it obviously failed, as (superhero name) started to laugh at him. Damian growled, insulted at the sound of her mirthful bell-like laughter. 

“Wow, you really are caught on this whole I’m-untrustworthy-and-possibly-a-criminal idea,” (superhero name) snickered once her laughter died down. “For all I know, you are a criminal. Or at least you’re not currently breaking the law. A mysterious past, no indication on whenever what you view as ‘right’ is actually ‘wrong’ ... Why would I trust you?” Damian pointed out rather harshly. (superhero name) just frowned, stopping her caressment of his pets. “Listen here, Bird-Brain,” she practically hissed. “If I really was such a bad person as you say, then why are your pets okay with me being here. They know nothing about me, just like you, yet they can tell I’m a good person.” 

Damian tried to argue, but was unable to come up with anything and so remained silent. He thought over what she told him, fighting with himself over her words. If she what she said is true and that they aren’t under some type of spell ..., one part of his brain was saying. ... then maybe I should give the benefit of the doubt and trust her. But he other part was refusing to budge, scolding him. How do you know she’s trustworthy? Your pets being friendly with her doesn’t mean anything, it told him.

(Superhero name) saw how Damian was fighting an inward battle and sighed. “Listen, Robin,” she began, looking deep into his green eyes with her (e/c) one, refusing to look away. “There is reason why your pets are so comfortable with my presence. Its because they can tell I’m a good person. Animals have a rather exceptional judge of character, can’t you tell.” Her words hit him, settling into his brain. Damian couldn’t help but regret his previous actions, especially when Titus nuzzled his head into (superhero name)’s side and she wordlessly caressed his black fur with a warm smile. 

Damian gave up, groaning loudly as he tried to apologize, albit awkwardly as this wasn’t something he did often. “I’m ... sorry, (superhero name). I see now that might have been a bit hasty with my judgement of you. I can see that you are a kind and worth of my trust,” he struggled to say. “I accept your apology. But please, call me (y/n). If we’re going to start over and be friends you should at least know my real name,” 

“Damian. My name’s Damian,” he told her. (Y/n) gave a bright smile, one that caused a genuine smile to make its way to Damian’s lips. He couldn’t help but go over the word ‘friends’ in his head. I’ve never had a real friend before, he thought. It sounds nice. (Y/n) broke him out of his inner dialogue, patting a bean bag chair next to her as she smiled. “Come sit, Damian. I’m sure Titus and Alfred would love to have another person to cuddle with,” she joked. Her smile was contagious, making one appeared on Damian’s face as he silently did as she said. As soon as he sat on the cloth beanbag, sinking into the bean filled cushion, Titus shuffled himself so his large head was laying on his lap. A pang of amazement shot through his heart at the sight. Seeing Alfred the Cat doing the same to (y/n) made him feel all fuzzy inside. He let himself relax and leaned back into the plush bean bag, quietly chilling with (y/n) and his beloved animals. 

~ Timeskip ~

Before long Damian and (y/n) went there separate ways. The supernatural case she was working on was solved and she left Bat & Co. to return to Zatanna. Meanwhile, Damian went back on with his public life, going back school and so on, and eventually back to the Titans. In the limited time they had with each other, Damian was able to bond with the magical teen. Their shared interests in art and love of animals of course brought them closer together. Alfred, the butler not the cat, was shocked that they had gotten so close, especially after their initial meeting. Even the big Bat himself raised an eyebrow as Damian and (y/n) gushed about one thing or another. 

So when he had to return to Titans Tower, Damian secretly missed his fast friend. Sure, he had Raven, Beast Boy, Jaime, and Starfire, but it just wasn’t the same. I wonder what she’s up to now, he thought as he roamed the barren hallways. 

Suddenly, Beast Boy rushed up to him in the form of a green cheetah. “Bro you’ll never believe this!” he exclaimed once he returned to his normal form. “What is it, Garfield?” Damian replied, hiding his curiosity behind a passive face. “We’ve got a new team member! They’re coming any minute now!” the shape-shifting teen bounced with excitement. “What?” Damian didn’t have time to process this new information, for Beast Boy grabbed his arm and pulled him along. 

Now, Damian could have forced Garfield to let go of hi, but he decided it was better to just let the green teen do what he wanted. So in no time at all, he was in main entrance of the tower alongside the rest of the Titans. Garfield finally let go of him and immediately started to chattered Jaime’s ear off. “I see Garfield brought you up to pace,” Raven spoke, voice monotone as always. “Wish it someone told me the news sooner. Did you know about this?” he asked his goth friend. Raven nodded her head no, watching Starfire preparing for the newcomer. “I’m just as clueless as you are,” she replied. “I have feeling the League has a hand in this,” Damian scoffed. 

Out of nowhere, a portal appeared, enveloping the area in a (f/c) glow. “Oh, they’re almost here! Everyone smile for our new friends and be on your best behavior,” Starfire ordered, excitement oozing off of her in waves. Through the magical interdimensional circle a figure appeared, silhoused by the intensity of the portal’s light. Everyone shielded their eyes until the figure stepped fully through and the portal disappeared behind them. Damian finally got a good look at the newcomer, gaze rising as he took in more of their appearance. When his green eyes stopped when he saw a familiar face. 

The new team member was (y/n), dressed in a new uniform and an extra guest perched on her shoulder. A medium sized cat gazed at him with two different colored eyes, one blue and the other green, with a distinct fur pattern that made one half of its face orange with stripes while the other was completely black. I remember here telling me she always wanted an animal familiar, Damian thought. I see she finally got her wish. “Well, isn’t this a surprise,” (y/n) said, a smirk on her lips. “Didn’t expect to see here, Boy Wonder.” The rest of the team looked on shocked as Damian confidently strode up the sorceress. “Me, surprised? You give yourself too much credit, (superhero name),” he tsked. (y/n) just smiled , maneuvering her cat to be held in her arms. Things just got a lot more interesting. 

#damian wayne imagine #damian wayne x reader #teen titans damian wayne imagine #teen titans damian wayne x reader #dc animated movie universe #dc animated movies #dc animated universe imagine #dc animated universe x reader

[blackfemmecharacterdependency]

24. The Waiting Room

Word Count: 6043

Previous

Hazel had several things to keep her occupied in the waiting room. Grace usually kept a lot on hand, as she herself could get pretty restless at times, but right now as Hazel did everything from color with her Tuba stuffy to listening to music on headphones, Grace was online on her phone trying to ease the minds of  Loyal Apex members and Simon sympathizers. 

They lamented as there was no word about him other than the video that showed him being brutally attacked, the APB was out on the suspects and people wondered what would happen/if he would die. 

She made an announcement, “In order to try to offer a small portion of comfort to all of the people who care about Simon Laurent, what I can say is that he is currently in surgery and that I’ve contacted his father. We don’t know anything else yet, but whenever his father is here, I’ll let him decide what things should to be communicated to Simon’s fans. Please keep rumors and negativity to a minimum during these uncertain times for him and his loved ones, and simply send whatever positive thoughts and vibes in his direction.” It ignited a lot for her to be the person who made that statement. But, there was nobody else to do it.

There were a lot of people who were SO RELIEVED that Grace was there for him and felt like that meant he was safe. 

There were some who were confused about why SHE of all people would be trusted enough to be in his private space at a time like this and they hoped she had grown and wasn’t using this to get her foot back in the door. 

There were some disappointed in her for being pulled back into Simon’s toxicity and “glorifying struggle love” by supporting him after everything he’s done, wondering what type of example this was to young girls who idolized her? 

There were a lot of encouraging messages though like, “I don’t know what you must be going through right now. Sending you good energy and hopes for Simon's situation,” and so on. She made sure to like and reblog all of the ones of that nature, and decided to at least pretend to ignore the other ones, no matter whose camp they came from. 

Many separate posts were also made to show support, some saying that nobody could possibly know what Grace is thinking at this moment, since everyone reacts differently to trauma, and because of that shouldn’t be quick to judge her for being near or with Simon in his time of need. She didn’t respond to those, simply because she didn’t want to seem like she was making it about her. It wasn’t. Right now, the only thing she could think about was Simon.

It took Simon’s dad about six hours to arrive. He looked exhausted, as scary as the last time she saw him but much older. She couldn’t believe it had only been a few years because his pale blond hair had whitened and he looked more wrinkly… and like… he couldn’t be that much older than her own dad.

He talked to someone at the counter, then they took him someplace else. Grace stayed where she was. If he came in and noticed her, fine, but she wasn’t going to press him. 

Eventually, he showed up and noticed her right away. He hadn’t expected to see a little brown, blond haired girl with her. He nervously approached and said, “They uh… got some blood from me. They did need some. He’s critical…” Hazel stopped playing and looked up at the new person. “Hello,” he said, politely. 

She stared at him, collecting her things and moved closer to Grace. Grace wrapped an arm around her and said, “This is Hazel.” She wasn’t going to make her speak to him, though. Grace's parents did that to her when she was little, but it wasn’t something that she practiced as a parent. Hazel wasn’t comfortable and making her speak wasn’t going to make her more comfortable or build on her trust in Grace as support.

He sat on the other side of Grace. “Is she…?” Grace and Hazel stared at him, awaiting his question. He leaned closer to Grace to whisper and she tensed up at his closeness. “Simon’s?” 

“WHAT?” Hazel called out. “GROSS!” 

Now Grace said, “Hazel… A little loud.”

Hazel lowered her voice and said, “Simon’s Dad, she is 22. I am 10. What do you think your son was doing 10 years ago?”

“He wouldn’t know,” Grace mumbled, then gasped and looked at him, “Sorry. I didn’t mean to…” He looked sad. She didn't feel bad for him per se, but she didn't want to make matters worse at a time like this.

“I wouldn’t. Simon raised himself from the time he was 10, until 16, when he moved out of the house. I haven’t seen him since shortly after the last time I saw you…" he noticed Grace shiver at the mention of it, and considering the truce she requested before, he knew that it was probably a sore spot for her. He tried to think of anything that could possibly be said, but ultimately kept the subject on Simon. " I haven’t talked to him since his 18th birthday when I called to see if he wanted to have a vacation with me and his mom... He disconnected that phone line and never gave me another. Probably wouldn’t even want me here… I didn’t know that the two of you had… made up. Guess that makes sense. He was always crazy about you...”

“They didn’t make up. She’s just nice. And he wasn’t crazy about her. Just crazy.” Hazel said. Grace frowned, but only rubbed her arm in response. Hazel took a deep breath and rested her head on Grace to try to calm down. Grace tried to keep Simon talk to a minimum. It always infuriated Hazel that she couldn’t protect her against him. It didn't matter that she was too young or that they didn't know each other when Simon hurt Grace. She. Wanted. To. Protect.

“Well, your… Grace is much appreciated.” Hazel narrowed her eyes suspiciously at him, and she didn't even KNOW Grace's history with this man. “I lost one child a long time ago.” Hazel’s look softened and she sat up. “I didn’t handle it well. I didn’t look after Simon the way I should’ve. I thought that he didn’t really understand enough to be as affected as he was… Really, I lost two children, and I’m here to see if I can get one of them back, before it’s too late for him too.” Hazel’s face was soft and she dropped her things to get up and hug Mr. Laurent, who cried. 

Grace didn’t want to be rude, but she gently separated them and pulled the 10 year old onto her lap. This man pulled a gun on her the last time she saw him. She wasn’t forgetting that shit, and she didn’t want him to, either. She certainly didn’t want her child bearing any of his emotional issues that HE caused himself. He didn’t LOSE two children. He lost one child, fucking turned his back on the other, and I became the only person in that boy’s life. Parents really felt entitled to do whatever shit that they wanted then expect you to just move on and forgive their asses. She couldn’t see Simon wanting this man here, either. But… that was the only family he had. Grace had felt that he deserved at least to potentially have a goodbye and give an apology to him. 

Paying for his travel and getting a temp family bnb wasn’t that much for her, considering that Simon honestly might not make it out of this. She and Hazel were along for the ride because they both knew that she wasn’t leaving her with a sitter or something and Hazel had definitely become curious about this infamous Simon (who she mostly learned about by sneaking onto the Internet) and wasn’t going to say so, but probably lowkey wouldn’t mind him dying. 

According to the Internet, he did some terrible things to her mom. She knew some of them, only the watered down and generic stuff that Grace told her in kid language. “We drifted apart, didn’t see eye to eye, hurt each other…” Those were not the kind of stuff she read that he really did to Grace. Hazel then  wrote “We HATE Simon” on several of her possessions, and she was pretty firm in that stance. But… maybe this Simon’s dad dude wasn’t so bad, she was thinking.

Grace was thinking the opposite. Simon’s dad was just as responsible for what was up with Simon as Simon was, to her. Had Simon’s dad cared this much whenever Simon’s life wasn’t in jeopardy, maybe Simon would never BE here. Maybe Simon would have been the sweet boy that showed up for her recital after her telling him about it one night. The boy who learned the bus routes to be able to see her whenever he could. The one whose gray eyes she thought she was still looking into whenever she whimpered “I love you” in his arms… She angrily wiped away a tear and Hazel suggested, “Maybe we should go now, since he’s made it here.”

Grace realized that she was crying and strummed Hazel’s hair. “Yeah. I’m sure Mr. Laurent will call us if he needs something. We should get settled in for the night. I can bring your stuff to the bnb for you.” 

He shook his head, “It’s in the rental car.” She simply nodded as she started picking up Hazel’s things. “Grace… Thank you.” She had a lot of things she thought to say. 

Don’t thank me. This was so fucking stupid of me. Thank you? No, fuck you. You’re the reason he had no self control! I was too young to be trying to fill in YOUR space, your HOLE in his life, in his very formation! How dare you thank me! Thank me for what? For trying to look after him when we were a month apart in age? For lending him all of my resources, my family and my HEART - only to have him never be able to appreciate any of it, because why would he? Who taught him to appreciate? Who taught him to love? Not the man that ditched him with a horribly inept mother who had already dropped the ball and a kid DIED in the process! He RAISED HIMSELF, from the time he was 10!!! You. Fucking. Degenerate! 

“No problem,” she said softly. “Simon was my best friend, once. Times like these, you try to forget the ugly parts and just do your best with what’s left.” More of her peacekeeper mumbo jumbo. It never felt so fake to say things like that before,

Once at the bnb, she and Hazel got washed up and dressed for the evening. Her parents came in about an hour afterwards, both irritated that she hadn’t told them sooner, but concerned about her and about Hazel. Hazel was asleep and Mr. Laurent hadn’t come to the bnb, so Grace headed back to the hospital. She saw him, staring straight ahead, looking wan and miserable. She took a deep breath and moved forward. “You never came to the place. I purposefully found a big spot to accommodate all of us. My parents are there with Hazel. You should go get washed up and eat, at least. Nothing you can do from this waiting room. I’ll sit here in case anything happens and call you when and if it does.”

“I don’t think I’m capable of driving at the moment. I’ll just stay.” 

Grace frowned and sat beside him. “Why didn’t you stay back then?” Hazel wasn’t here now, she could be real. “Simon needed you so much. You just ignored him. You left him with a woman that you had to have known hated him. Simon went all over the world with my family, and nobody ever called in to check on him or spoke with my parents for more than two minutes to approve that he could come along… but tonight… you can’t even get up to go take a piss? Now, when he doesn’t need you, you’re here and won’t leave? What about when he was 10, being bullied and beaten up and ran into a school auditorium to escape it for a few minutes? Why weren’t you willing to be there for him, then?” 

Tears were pouring down the man’s face. Aside from that, there was no reaction there. Simon cried in a similar way. That 'suffering in silence' that broke her heart every time. It wasn’t breaking her heart to see it from the older Laurent. “That’s not a rhetorical question. Where the fuck were you when Simon needed you, instead of me? Where were you when he was latching on to me and building this tether between us that even right now when I should be thinking about anything else, everything else, I’m here, for him, to see that he’s okay? Because I don’t know how to detach myself from everything we went through together, despite every fucking thing he’s done to me! Where the fuck were you?!?”

“I was broken. My family was broken. None of us were dealing with anything very well. I thought of all of us, Simon handled it the best. He cried a lot the first few days, but after that, he’d just read and write and do school and art stuff. It was like he had gotten over it. I didn’t want to put the grief back onto him. I tried to stay away from him, and it just became a bigger space over time and then, there was nothing between us.”

“Look. None of that explains to me why you weren’t the adult and didn't look after a kid who went through the most traumatic thing that he’s ever gone through. You were supposed to see him through it. Not… presume he’s okay because he wasn’t crying. You were supposed to make sure that he felt loved and supported. You were supposed to be willing to sacrifice for him. You didn’t and now you feel guilty. I get it.”

“You feel guilty too?”

“No. I don’t. I never did anything to hurt Simon, but he did everything to hurt me. I don’t just leave people because they did something, or because I’m feeling broken or because they seem fine. I’m there for people that I care about. I said I get it. I have empathy for you. I can’t relate. Because, I would never treat anyone the way you treated Simon, especially not my child!”

“The garage… That wasn’t you, was it? It was Simon. He was jealous and angry and finally had enough…”

“I’m not going to sit here and fill in any blanks for you. What I can say about that is that I had no idea what you were talking about when you pulled a gun on a 16 year old girl because of some photos that got knocked down.” Her eyes were filled with fury, though her face was tired. "Then you hug my daughter and speak to her like you see her value, when you would have threatened her life just as casually given the right circumstances for somebody like you. I've been thinking that if you were there for Simon he'd have been better. Maybe none of you are worth shit. People who hurt and threaten kids, blame them for their problems. Scar them for life…" She sighed, “Please, just go get some rest. It’s my shift, now. Someone he at least trusted at some point.” 

He got up and left. Probably couldn’t take more of her harsh words. She felt better having let them off of her chest though. Her father had wanted to hire some gangsters to beat him senseless. Whenever the man did get beaten up by a group of robbers, Grace had always wondered if her dad made good on that. She never asked, though the Laurents didn't live in the safest neighborhood, so it was feasible that it had been a coincidence. She brought him here to make sure that Simon wasn’t alone. That didn’t mean she had to hold all of these things back that she was finally brave enough to dare ask.

.

For several days, they took turns, waiting. Simon was in intensive care and non responsive. They were allowed to visit, one at a time and for short increments. Grace was at his bedside, furious with herself that she was there, but looking at him, seemingly resting peacefully, half of his head shaved for surgery, bruises, bandages… tattoos galore… She held his hand as she tried to see his tattoos, but the robe made it difficult. When her cycle was up, she wondered, “Hey… do you know what his tattoos are of?” to one of the staff.

“Are you Grace?” They asked. She figured for security/visiting purposes. 

“Yeah.”

“They’re umm… about you.”

“What do you mean? Like there’s an image of me?” 

“No. The images are weird, but the words are all about you. The front and back sides.”

She didn’t know what that meant, but her turn was up and Mr. Laurent was impatiently trying to get into the area. 

That’s who was with him whenever he woke up, in the private room that he had been moved to whenever he became more stable. Everyone was at the hospital at that time. Grace’s parents brought Hazel as soon as they found out that Simon was awake. He had to be seen by the doctor first and foremost, before anyone else was able to enter, so they were waiting. Grace was pacing outside of the door whenever the doctor came out and Simon and she locked eyes whenever this happened. He looked extremely surprised to see her again and she looked relieved? He was so confused. Why was she relieved? Why was she even here? In fact… why the fuck was his dad here? He looked over at him after the door shut and asked. “Who got you here?”

His father pointed towards the door and said, “Your friend, Grace. She’s outside waiting to hear how you are.”

Simon’s heart sped up and he had to lie back for a moment. “That doesn’t make any sense. Last time I saw Grace, she told me to fuck off and get some help. I didn’t get help and I almost got myself killed. What, is she here to make sure that I died?”

“She’s very concerned. She’s been here everyday. She was the first one here, and sometimes the last one to leave. She flew me out here and let me stay in one of those rental homes with her and her family. Her parents were here so that her daughter wouldn’t be stuck in a waiting room for hours and hours.”

“Grace and her family have been here?” Simon asked, disgusted, mostly with himself. He had betrayed all of them and their reasons for being there didn't matter. He needed someone… and Grace and her family were there.. He turned to look out of the window and sighed. “She made her kid come, just to see about me?”

“Hazel. She’s a really sweet girl. She drew me some cheer up cards…” Simon scoffed. “She reminds me of you.”

“Is that so?” Simon asked, yawning. Damn, that hurt. Doctor said he’d been stabbed 8 times, and that was after being hit with that board and kicked in the head, neck and ribs. 

“She’s artistic and likes robots... has a thing for turtles... that’s not like you, but also, whenever I saw her, I thought that maybe she was-”

“Why am I alive?” Simon groaned.

“Whenever you were attacked, some of your internet friends wanted to raise blood for you. Grace was the only one who knew your blood type, so she let them know and they’d go to blood centers to donate in your name… Plus, she got me here, knowing we have the same blood type, and well… She’s just been… She’s been a real lifesaver. Literally. I wouldn’t have even known where you were and I certainly couldn’t have got here on my own. She’s a really special young lady… and I… Simon… The doctor told me about your tattoos.” Simon looked at his father for the first time since he first woke up. “The things you did to her…” 

Simon grumbled as he pulled himself to sit up and look at his father, challengingly. “What about them, Dad?”

“Grace had some questions for me, some comments, some things to make me think and, I can’t help but feel like maybe if I had been better to you, a better father, that you wouldn’t have turned out to be…”

“To be what?” Simon asked, a slight smirk on his mouth, intense hatred in his eyes. “A monster? A criminal? An abuser? A heartless piece of shit?”

“To be in so much pain…” Mr. Laurent said. Simon’s smirk vanished. His father stood too close to his bed and looked too sad. Simon wasn’t sure what to do with that. “It was bad enough that you couldn’t work through what you did to Hope, but we didn’t even help you to work through how we were handling it. You needed us and we weren’t there for you. We let you fend for yourself and you got everything so wrong. We got everything wrong. We should have taken care of you. We should have kept loving you."

Simon flung his head back towards the window, a tear rolled onto his pillow. “Yeah, probably. But, it's done, now."

"We can always try again…" 

Simon furrowed his eyebrows and cut off whatever suggestions his father had to ask, "Is Grace planning to come talk to me? If I have to face her, I'd like to be prepared."

"I think she will. She's been asking about the tattoos…"

"Well, send her in so that I can get it over with and she can take her kid and go back to her good life."

"I'll tell her…" Whenever his father left Simon tried to fix his hair and wipe his eyes. He had no idea what he must look like, but he knew it was bad… 

Grace came into the room and smiled a small, cordial, obligatory smile. "Hey."

"He told me everything that you did. I'll pay you back for that." 

She frowned and came closer. "I'm not pressed for money, Simon. How are you feeling?"

"Like I should be dead, but SOMEBODY got in the way," he teased.

"If dying was what you wanted to do, you should've told me," she said and shrugged her shoulders. He let out a one syllable laugh. Grace leaned on the bed and touched his hand. His fingers were trembling. "I still would’ve done the same thing, though.”

“Why did you?” Simon asked, staring at her. 

She took a deep breath, “I don’t know.” They were silent for a moment. He stared out of the window, disappointed that it wasn’t a sign that she still cared… That it isn’t because she loves him… But, he knows that’s his fault. He had her love once and he destroyed that. “If I had to guess…” He turned to look at her again, hopeful. “I think it’s because no matter what you say and no matter what you did, I saw somebody that I thought I would know forever being harmed. I saw that nobody was doing anything useful to help. I didn’t know if you were going to make it and I wondered, if it were me… Would everybody just stand by and watch? Cry and complain over the Internet, while I died somewhere alone? Maybe that’s not terrifying for you, but dying alone sounds miserable to me, and I’m not the kind of person who could just want the worst for somebody I used to love, even though you hurt me.” 

“Thank you.” It wasn’t something that he said a lot. She didn’t even know what he was thanking her for. Being there? Answering truthfully? “Are you going to leave, now?” The thought of her leaving made tears well up in his eyes. She knew that they were real so she knew that he didn’t want her to leave, but also… Wasn’t her business here done? He didn’t die alone, and she had a life to get back to. This might do nothing for his fear of abandonment, though. 

“I might be able to stay a little while longer. Let me just check on Hazel.”

“The doctor said that 3 people can come in at a time, if you want to bring her in?”

“Ohhh… Well… She’s 10 and knows how to use the Internet, so… she knows things about you… and me…”

“Yikes. Sounds like there’s justice on the menu for me today. Bring her in.”

He was ill and weak, so Grace figured that this was the best time for him to see Hazel, if ever. He wasn’t going to have one of his tantrums in his condition, and Hazel actually was quite interested in knowing him after having learned more about his childhood from pestering Mr. Laurent every minute that he was around. The man said he didn’t mind, He liked talking about his children and he hadn’t been around kids in a long time.

“Hazel, I know that you and Mr. Laurent are having a lot of fun, but do you wanna meet my friend, Simon?”

“You’re friends again?” Hazel asked. Grace stammered, but Hazel cut her off, “Nevermind. Yes. I have something for him.” She reached into her Tuba tote bag as she walked past Grace into the room. Simon offered a smile to her. It was kind and warm. Grace noted that he looked almost innocent. His gray eyes even twinkled a bit. “Mr. Laurent, I’m Hazel Monroe. I’m meeting you.” She extended her hand to shake his.  Simon shook her hand, not missing the fact that she didn't say "nice to meet you" or something friendly, then she handed over what she had removed from her bag. It was a copy of the first Book of Esmoroth. “I’ve made notes everywhere that I thought you went wrong.” 

He opened the book and froze at the amount of various colored post its and notes in the margins. The book was filled with them and almost looked like a scrapbook with the bulkiness of it all. “That’s a lot of notes.”

“There was a lot wrong with it,” she quickly replied, matter of factly.

He laughed so hard that he hurt himself. Grace collected Hazel into a hug, worried, because Simon never laughed at criticism. Even her own would make him at least sulk. He was holding himself and trying to catch his breath.

Hazel added, “Overall, I enjoyed the book very much when I was 6… was your target audience 6 year olds?” He shook his head and wiped his eyes. “I didn’t think so. It’s still okay at my age, I guess. But, you’ll really have to step it up if you plan on being a good author someday.”

“I’ll keep these things in mind if they ever let me publish the other two.”

Hazel gasped and climbed onto his bed, “There’s two more?” She asked. “Does one center around the Idol Princess? Because, I know she’s supposed to be bad, but I actually really love her.” 

Simon looked nervous about that. “Uh… yeah… Book 2 is all about her… but she isn’t in Book 3.” 

Hazel gasped, “Did you kill her?” He nodded. She shook her head and climbed off of the bed. “You are a worse person than I thought.” She was ready to storm out of the room.

“I’m thinking of a rewrite!” Simon said, suddenly extremely interested in not disappointing her. She paused. “One where the Idol Princess has a power that no one could have expected inside of her. She rises from death and rebuilds herself as a True Queen…”

“Will she get to be a hero?”

Simon wiped his eye again, the tear provoked by a different emotion, this time. “She always was.”

“The Future King just didn’t know it. See…” Hazel turned around and returned to the bed, pointing at the book, “That’s in my notes. The Future King has a TERRIBLE habit of thinking things that just don’t make sense! I even wondered if the Idol Princess really WAS a bad person, or if that was just how he saw her, or just bad writing on YOUR part, because we couldn’t tell what was his mind or the narrator’s. Because she did a lot of nice things, but then again, a lot of those were for selfish reasons, so…”

“Hazel, why don’t you gather up your stuff, so we can let Simon get some rest?” Grace asked.

“She’s no bother. I’ve been unconscious long enough and I honestly never meet anybody passionate enough about my book for this type of dialogue.”

“It’s bothering me,” Grace admitted. 

Hazel said, “Sorry…”

“Not you, Hazel. Just… this story. I don’t think I like it.”

Hazel gasped and she covered her neck with both hands, her sleeves fell and Simon noticed that she was wearing his charm bracelet. He felt… a lot of pain. Not the injury kind, but... he thought that was likely in the trash and not only was it not, but the most important person in Grace’s world had it now. Hazel asked, “Are you the Idol Princess?”

“I think I am,” Grace said, glaring at Simon.

“I was different, then. When the story started, we were 12. By the time I finished it… we were 16… I edited it and probably made her a little more deviant than was fair."

Hazel smiled at Grace, "I still liked her. Maybe I could see she was like you. Some problems, but really a good person." Grace smiled back. 

"Please… I won't talk about it. Can you stay? Just a little longer? I…" Simon looked at his fingernails, which were grown out a little longer than his manicurist generally trimmed them to. "I just don't want to be alone… and you're the only person I…" he wanted to say "know," but he really didn't know this Grace, if he even had ever known Grace at all. Grace lifted his chin with her hand to make him look at her. "You're the only person that's ever known me." He finally said, his gray eyes pleading for her not to leave him.

Hazel's eyes clouded over, "You've gotta stay, now. Look at him. Look at how sad this boy is…" Grace sighed. "I'll keep Mr. Laurent company until GlamMother and Grandest get back. You make him less sad. You can do it." Grace propped the door open, just out of paranoia. Hazel said Mr. Laurent was "her friend," but Grace still didn't like or trust him and her parents seemed to have wandered off or left.

"I can stay a little while longer," she firmly declared. Simon sighed with relief… and pain. He was in a lot of pain, but he managed a smile. "Soooo… the tattoos…" The smile was plastered on his face, but he turned red at the mention of this. "I heard there's an apology for me in there somewhere." 

He groaned to shift, despite her disapproval and attempts to stop him, and he managed to get the robe off of himself. There was something like a story book page there. She was shocked, to say the least. Tiny green script, interrupted here and there by an image - her hope chest, her silhouette, a crying brown eye, a shadowy monster… the words - apologies for everything he had ever done to hurt her, etched in ink on his skin..

"Official confession on my back, but I can't move enough to show you, or I'll definitely reinjure myself."

"Please don't!" She traced her finger over the words as she read them in full. Then, she didn't know WHAT to think. She just started crying. He reflexively reached for her and soon, they were both crying and holding on to each other. It was painful. He was physically in agony, but at the moment, holding Grace mattered more. He'd missed her and he was… just so sorry…

"I know that you'll probably never forgive me. I didn't even think we'd ever speak again. I just wanted to make sure that when I died, I'd have done that one good thing for you…"

“You’ve done plenty of good things Simon. And you haven’t died yet, so you’ve got time to do plenty more.”

“I’m gonna start by clearing your name and accepting my fate. You deserve that much, and that kid deserves for her mom to have a clean slate. She seems really cool. I can see why you fell in love with her.”

Grace didn’t know how to take what Simon was saying. He had said things before and didn’t mean them. Time could only tell if he was being serious or delirious from an extreme pain and highly medicated state. "I was interacting with your fans while you were down, and they might have a literal earth shattering crisis if you say this right now. There's no way they'll believe that I didn't come in here to manipulate and gaslight you into saying it…" He let go of her and frowned. "I'm only partially joking. Say whatever you think you need to. Far be it from me to stop my name from being cleared."

"The fact that I took it so far…" he shook his head, "I have to be just as passionate, if not more for clearing your name as I was in soiling it. I have to be a zealot."

"Wanna start with a hospital selfie?" She asked, pulling out her phone. He couldn't help but smile. It felt like… old times.. not exactly, because he was ripe with injury and riddled with guilt. But next to him was the prettiest girl in the world… and she seemed fine with being there. She tried taking a few then handed it to him because even injured, he probably could take a better one. The one that he liked the best was one where they both weren’t smiling too big, just settled, comfortable, if only for one moment, and seemingly content.

Simon borrowed her phone to both reactivate his social media sites, link everything possible, and to make an announcement of official apology, confession, and gratitude for Grace. With a very minimal update about his current condition. "That's a start, I guess." He said, logging out to give her back her phone. 

As Grace figured, there were a lot of people who were suspicious that she had somehow harmed him or coerced the words out of him, but as she slipped back into her life in New York with Hazel and out of Simon's life in recovery at his dad's place, she felt new air in her lungs and a new leaf being turned over. Speaking of, she took the one out of Hazel's hair.. "Hey! What's the deal?"

She snatched one from a bush outside of the hospital and replaced it. Putting the old one into her wallet. "Simon finally told everyone the truth about me. I know that I've said it didn't matter, and honestly, to a certain extent, it didn't… but I like my name being associated with what I've chosen to associate it with."

"Do you think it means that he's changed?" 

Grace tilted her head, "I think that it means that he's at least trying to."

"He didn't seem like that bad of a person. Just sad. Really, really sad. Maybe changing can make him a happier person."

"Maybe." That wasn't Grace's concern anymore, and she felt better than she could ever remember feeling with that certainty. Simon and I have settled everything now. Nothing hangs over my head.

Next

#If They Didn't Get on the Train #AU Infinity Train #Infinity Train #Nesha Fanfiction #Infinity Train Fanfiction #fics

[astroismypassion]

Hi astroismypasion, I recently sent a donation on kofi. Would love to know things on my chart interpretation. My birth chart info is Nov 1st 1991 20:41pm :)

Hi! 

First of all, thank you for your kind message. I really liked how you worded it, you instantly came across as an elegant and kind individual! 

Also, a side note about your birthday number, which is 1. I often notice Scorpios have it or they have 10. So I consider it a leader’s number. But it’s also a lonely path or so it seems. I guess it really is lonely at the top! ;) 

Thank you for buying me this delicious hot beverage. I drank iced black coffee with rice milk while writing your interpretation. I hope you will enjoy reading it as much as I did writing! I listened to Lorde - Everybody wants to rule the world. 

Your dominant planets are: 1. Sun, 2. Pluto and 3. Mercury. Your dominant signs are: 1. Scorpio, 2. Virgo and 3. Capricorn. Your main mode is Fixed. You are Water dominant. 

FAMILY, SIBLINGS, EARLY LIFE 

If you have any siblings, they are Leo, Virgo, Sagittarius or Cancer. You have Virgo IC. Your parents might have been over critical, nit picky, nagging and complaining about you or to you. They might have compared to your siblings, friends, schoolmates or neighbours. You learnt how to read, write and speak very early on. Your parents emphasized how important it is to have realistic goals and views. They wanted you to pursue something pragmatic and useful. A bit of your 4th house is already in Libra. You are not emotionally close to your parents. You might have more of an intellectual, mental bond. They provided for your physical needs, but emotional needs not so much. You have Venus in the 4th house as well. Your parental figures encouraged you to go after your desire, wishes and what makes you passionate. You might be a private person and not many people know what you truly value and like, apart from family members and close friends. You value security, safety, comfort, home, family and nurturing. You like to take care of your family members. You have Sun sextile Moon. Your parents agreed on the style of your upbringing. They were in sync in how to raise you. You have Sun conjunct Mars. Your father encouraged you to go after your wants, desires, passions. You have Sun square Saturn. He might have restricted you in your career choice, professional life. He might have not been encouraging in the area of the 10th house or your career path. You have Virgo Jupiter in the 3rd house. You might have a lot of siblings, cousins and family relatives. They might have foreign origin or different cultural, religious background. Your family relatives might live abroad or in another city, country. You have Scorpio Sun in the 5th house. You felt like you have never known your father well. Or that he was a secretive, hard to know man. He might work as an artist, of some other 5th house topic, education, work with children or younger people. He might also do a physical job due to Scorpio here. Somewhere where there is heavy lifting involved. He might be a bit of a researcher as well. He might also one his own business. Or made a career out of a hobby. You have Virgo Moon in the 3rd house. Your mother sacrificed a lot for you. She is a bit nagging, want you to do errands for her or house chores, but she is a hard worker. She is talkative, witty and intelligent. She likes to gossip a bit as well sometimes. She might have been over critical of you, too logical and not in touch with her emotions, so you tend to rationalize your feelings as well. You just talk yourself out for your moods. 

PARTNERSHIPS AND FRIENDSHIPS

Your friends are Libra, Scorpio, Sagittarius, Leo, Aries, Gemini and Virgo. In your romantic relationships you attract Leo, Libra, Scorpio, Sagittarius, Aries, Scorpio, Virgo, Gemini, Capricorn and Aquarius. You have Virgo Venus in the 4th house. This represents people you attract, what you value and appreciate. You attract hard working people, who are family oriented and like a sense of security, safety and comfort. You have Scorpio Mars in the 5th house. This represents how you take action, how you approach your crush, things you’re passionate about and what ignites your excitement. You might like to research different topics and subjects for fun. You might like to create your own art. You are passionate about your hobbies and interests. You might like to read about crime, research, detectives, psychology, relationships and their dynamics for fun. You might attract obsessive, strong, a bit stalkerish people. You might attract a bit childlike and immature partners. You take love affairs and dating very seriously. You have the potential of becoming a serial dater, but you still take relationships seriously. You are cautious and a bit guarded when it comes to entering a love affair. Your 7th house is full of surprises, you have Neptune, Uranus there. You might know how to cut people off. Some of your relationships can end as quickly as they have started. You might also idealize other people or not really see people in your romantic, business and platonic relationship for what they are truly. They could confuse you, so what ends up happening is plenty of miscommunication, abrupt changes and sudden events. With Uranus there, you need a lot of personal freedom, space when it comes to how you like your relationships. You dislike anyone telling you what to do in this area. 

CAREER, PROFESSIONAL LIFE, PUBLIC IMAGE 

You have Capricorn North Node in the 7th house. This indicates your life purpose. You might have a hard time picking up just one single career and stick to it. You could be pulled in many directions. You might be into business. You could also like a work environment where there is structured and you know what exactly is expected of you. You might like counselling, administration, public relations, public administration, business, commerce, therapy, advising. You could be an authority when it comes to platonic, business and romantic relationships. You might be inclined to partner with others. You will be the boss. You have Neptune and Uranus in the 7th house. This means you might have an unconventional, unique and non traditional approach to your platonic, romantic and business relationships. People don’t know what to expect from you in this area. You are unpredictable here. Sometimes you can appear too cold, too detached or that you are taking things too seriously. You might also be all about business and no pleasure. There will be an emphasis on the 5th house in this lifetime, because you have so many planets there. You have a stellium in Scorpio Sun, Scorpio Mars and Scorpio Pluto. You have a natural leader energy. You might like to be number one in the field of your choice. You have that Scorpio stellium in the 5th house. You might be very intense about things you are passionate about and even sports. You might be a hobby just so you can master it. You like working with young adult, education, children, in the arts. You might be fond of singing, performing, dancing and acting. You have Cancer Ascendant. This is how you view life, how you approach it and the path that you will walk in this lifetime. You might view yourself as being too sensitive, too emotional and that everything affects you on a personal level and easily. You have Pisces MC. You have Aries and Pisces in your 10th house. You might be attracted to solitary work or even fancy being self employed. You might have a knack for business and advertising. You could advertising something and people would want to have it. You have a lot of potential to heal others. You might be interested in astrology and tarot and different types of healing. You could be an entrepreneur, work in sale and you have very business oriented mind. Here beware of not taking yourself too seriously and be all work and no play. You might be very “cut-throw” in business, work and on your daily job. 

ADDITIONAL OBSERVATIONS 

You have Virgo Part of Fortune in the 3rd house. This is your natural good luck, your good charm. You are at your happiest when you are of service and helpful towards your peers, siblings, neighbours, people in your immediate environment. And when you organise and plan your communication, writing, speaking and conversing. You might be inclined to writing self help books. Or on topics of improvement, organisation, health, pets, advising. You could be attracted to counselling, counselling or health fields, such as nutritions, dietetics. You have Capricorn Lilith in the 7th house. This is where negative Capricorn traits can show up. You can be too cold, too strict, an authoritarian in the area of 7th house (platonic, business and romantic relationships). You have Capricorn Juno in the 7th house. This indicates your ideal soulmate, your ideal partner. You might like someone who is compromising, stable, a provider. Someone who is ambitious, motivated, career and relationship (platonic, business and romantic) oriented. You have Sagittarius Ceres in the 6th house. This is how you wish to be nurtured and how you nurture others. You might like to give them personal space and freedom. You do errands for them or show small acts of kindness. You might show your love through actions. You could also be bluntly honest with them and tell them like it is. You have Leo Chiron in the 2nd house. There is a past wound, a hurt when it comes to your talents, skill set, your creative self expression and creative endeavours. You might have felt shamed or made feel guilty for your creative self expression. You have Venus trine Saturn. You might be attracted to older or more mature partners. You might like younger or older people than your own age. You have Venus trine Neptune. You might idealize your lovers or put them on the pedestal. You might dream of movie like or fairytale like meeting. You are attracted to creators, performers, artists, musicians, people who play instruments. You have Venus sextile Pluto. You might be rejected by certain people. Or you can have lovers that would think about you years after you have broken up. You could have obsessive tendencies when it comes to love. Or you are affected deeply and transformed every time you fall in love. You have Pluto and Jupiter currently transiting 7th house. You might expand your definition and views or transform them completely when it comes to platonic, business and romantic relationships. Or all one on one relationships. You have Saturn currently transiting 8th house. You might feel like you are isolating more, spend more time alone. You might have felt a bit restricted, limited in the area of 8th house (such as others people’s resources, spirituality, occult, mysticism, deep trusted bonds with others). You have Capricorn Eros in the 7th house. I checked your Draconic chart as well. This indicates your “inner you”, how you are “on soulike level”. You seem to have Draconic Capricorn Sun, Sagittarius Moon, Virgo Rising and Gemini MC. 

CHART RULER

Your chart ruler is the Moon. The chart ruler is in the 3rd house. This means your personality (ego, self esteem, self worth, self image, character, personality traits, physical appearance and face) will develop through 3rd house topics (communication, talking, speaking, writing, connections with siblings, neighbours, peers, schoolmates, people from your local town, your elementary and high school friends). Your personality might shine through bets in those areas and topics. This is a part of your life purpose along with Capricorn North Node in the 7th house. If you are interested in this topic, here is an additional video on these topics by an excellent fellow astrologer: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rBu9sY2RHJI . 

HOUSE RULERS 

The ruler of the 1st house is in the 3rd house.You may seem like “the girl (or boy) next door. Life is oriented toward communicating, gathering information and daily interactions. You gossip about the way people look.

The ruler of the 2nd house is in the 3rd house. You spend money on communication gadgets. You earn a living by working at an elementary school or make money from blogging. Your survival needs are always on your mind.

The ruler of the 3rd house is in the 5th house. Daily conversation revolves around children, hobbies, creativity, theater or the arts. Your communication style is creative and entertaining. Experiences of early education affect your ability to be creative. You have a child-like and playful communication style.

The ruler of the 4th house is in the 5th house. You find emotional security through performance. One parent influences your creative passion. You use your heritage as a means of personal expression.

The ruler of the 5th house is in the 4th house.You want your family to approve of your hobbies, interests and romantic partners. You bring creative projects home with you. You keep a scrapbook of family memories. You are self-expressive around family members. You are privately creative.

The ruler of the 6th house is in the 3rd house. Daily habits are formed around writing and communication. You like being able to take short trips around town while working. Your daily job is a way to make connections with people.

The ruler of the 7th house is in the 8th house. You choose an intense partner. You want to be with someone who can handle your emotional baggage. Partners add to your financial debt.

The ruler of the 8th house is in the 8th house. You enter sexual relationships for sex. You get emotionally entangled with other people to form deep connections. Your attitude to life and death affects your ability to deeply connect with other people.

The ruler of the 9th house is in the 7th house. You marry or have a significant relationship with a person from a foreign country. You can be condescending to your partner. You want a partner who has an equal interest in traveling. You want a partner who has the same level of education.

The ruler of the 10th house is in the 7th house.Partners should have the same ambitions and goals in mind. You gain recognition and social status through your partner. Ideally the partners should have equal status and equal standing. Partners should have balanced careers.

The ruler of the 11th house is in the 5th house.You are friends with all your romantic partners. You bring your social awareness to your children. The people you connect with are self-expressive and entertaining. You belong to artistic groups. You’re in a band. You are a huge fan of the arts.

The ruler of the 12th house is in the 5th house. You bring imagination to your art. You create music for meditation. You take dream-like photographs. There’s a sense of loss even when you’re having fun. Meditation is fun for you.

#astrology #chart reading #chart interpretation #astro #zodiac #horoscope #astroismypassion #birth chart #natal chart

[ohbarty]

𝖒𝖎𝖓𝖎𝖘𝖙𝖗𝖞  𝖋𝖎𝖑𝖊𝖘  :  BARTEMIUS CROUCH JR is an eighteen year old pureblood. he is currently working as an intern for the department of magical law enforcement, and is suspected of siding with the death eaters. nicknamed the acolyte, they’re described to be disingenuous and devoted. wherever they go, they leave the scent of whiskey-splashed tea, the faint sweetness of an elderflower, & the air before a storm, and the memories of finding sanctuary in a rebellion, an oath of allegiance, the tell-tale tic, & houses that never felt like home behind. 

- STORY

barty was born on the 4th of june, the first and only child of bartemius crouch sr and his wife, eleanor crouch - though how they both came to the decision to bring him into the world was a mystery that would puzzle the young boy for much of his life. while his mother was almost unrelenting in showing her affection for him as a child, his father, despite how loving he was to his wife, always seemed to have something better to do, somewhere more important to be whenever it came time for him to look barty’s way. it was almost as if bringing a child into the house was just another present he was giving his wife, not something he had to really care about or check up on himself - not even sharing a name could make that happen.

although barty sr never seemed to want to spend all that much time with his son alone, that didn’t stop him from dragging him along to lavish ministry parties, where barty would end up being left to be watched by the usually older children of the witches and wizards his father was busy mingling with elsewhere. when it came time for him to accompany his mother as she spent time with her friends, his situation was practically mirrored. however young they were at the time, however, these weren’t connections that barty would come to regret making, even if they were forced upon him at first, nor were they ones he’d abandon soon.

when it came time for barty to go to hogwarts, he was thrilled - finally, he wouldn’t have to be faced each night with the absence of his father, finally, his time with his friends wouldn’t be backdropped by formal, boring conversation of how brilliant barty sr was - it was his dream come true. at least, it was before it actually did come true - it was before he, after almost four minutes of deliberation by the hat, was sorted into ravenclaw. 

after spending much of his youth and even just the train ride to the castle talking with his friends, many of whom were already students, about how he’d soon be in slytherin with them, about which teachers favoured their house and which ones didn’t, about how to snatch the best seats in the dungeon commonroom before anyone else could and how long it would take for him to get to each classroom in the morning, finding out that everything he’d learned through osmosis was going to be absolutely useless was more than a shock. though he knew he was curious and was frequently the first to figure out a solution or quickly spin up an alibi if ever a situation called for it, he had never considered he’d be sorted into ravenclaw - and as he got acquainted with his new housemates, it didn’t take long for him to decide that he hated it there. outside of the house quidditch team, who he made sure to treat politely and almost happily put up with when he came to join their ranks in his third year, barty didn’t waste any time making friends with his housemates - in his eyes, the lot of them were pretentious, arrogant, annoying gits, and though he played nice when he had to, he made sure to spend all of his free time as far away from them as possible, instead meeting up with his old slytherin friends and, after most of them had graduated, opted to study alone (for ‘his concentration’) rather than fall back on them as his last resort. he’d rather be seen as friendless than as a ravenclaw.

thanks to who he spent the majority of his time with, it wasn’t at all surprising the crowd he fell in with - despite his father’s life being dedicated by that point to throwing death eaters in azkaban, barty couldn’t wait to become one of them. if anything, crouch sr’s hatred of them only fuelled his desire to listen closely whenever they brought up the ‘dark lord’ - though it wasn’t the only reason he turned to his side, nor was the presence of the only people he could say he’d ever been really close to, though without them he wouldn’t have considered it at all. the main reason was lord voldemort himself. the issue of purebloods vs muggleborns honestly couldn’t have meant less to him by the time he got the dark mark emblazoned on his arm - it had only taken one in-person meeting with the man for him to decide his was the side he wanted to support. he was respected because he acted, feared because he deserved it, and though he made it clear he was the man in charge, he still at least responded when his followers talked to him - he had become more than his past had seemed to want to dictate for him, and that was nothing short of what barty wanted to. he was incredible - when it came between choosing his parents, one who hated him, one who only loved the idea of him, and lord voldemort, there was absolutely no doubt in his mind when he immediately sided with the latter. 

now, barty works as an intern/assistant in the department of magical law enforcement, a position granted partly for his O.W.L results, partly for the reputation of good work his father’s name carried, and partly for a sly imperius curse kindly performed on the wizard in charge of hiring by one of the other deatheaters who was already in the ministry. it’s dull work, and he couldn’t care less for it - but that’s not the impression he puts on. at work, he’s a curious, outgoing young wizard who just wants to live up to his father’s name - and sure, he might mislabel a few things, misplace a couple documents, accidentally let a few people off the hook, but it’s not as if anything he messes up really matters, does it? with you-know-who on the loose and all, the ministry have bigger problems than a couple rookie errors - at least, that’s what barty’s counting on. 

tldr: barty crouch jr’s dad neglected him, he was sorted into ravenclaw which he hated and spent most of his time with his slytherin friends from before hogwarts despite it, he became a death eater as soon as he graduated and now works as an intern/assistant for the ministry.

- PERSONALITY

although he hated himself for it because it meant he was sorted into ravenclaw, barty has always been fairly strategic and just generally intelligent, though he avoids chances where he may have to show it outside of a small comment here or a correction there, only bringing up what he learned through hours and hours of studying alone to avoid his housemates if it’s absolutely necessary. he’s cunning, but doesn’t pride himself for it. 

barty is nothing short of devoted, and when he finds some idea or person to be loyal to, he does it for the sake of being loyalty, not caring at all for what he personally could gain from it, how it would impact his reputation - he only did well in school because he learned for the sake of learning, not to do well, and now he’s joined voldemort, he cares purely for the man and the cause itself, having no real end goal in sight, despising anyone who’s a death eater for personal gain despite their shared allegiance

in fact, looking to the future has never been something barty’s been particularly good at - though he does make plans, thorough plans, and since he was a kid has been able to whip up excuses like that, when things go wrong, he prefers to think of a solution on his feet rather than plan for it in advance, and has pretty much no idea what he wants to do beyond the vague idea of helping his fellow death eaters to voldemort win, with no real ambition outside of that. he gets frustrated when he has to think of alternate possibilities, something that he’s been struggling with since he was at hogwarts - divination and astronomy were always his worst subjects. 

barty can get surprisingly emotional - though it’s something he worked furiously to hide as he drew closer to his graduation, he is genuinely fairly sensitive when it comes to things he actually cares about and can take things very hard. simply, he commits with his heart rather than his brain. although he has been able to force himself to cry to manipulate someone in a certain way, the fact he once spent a night sobbing over the death of his family owl is something he’d rather keep from the rest of the death eaters. 

barty is very observant, and very keen at spotting fine details - while so far it’s only really helped him at catching snitches, it has started to help him pick up on the mannerisms and habits of those around him. 

barty is a fairly decent manipulator - though he’s still learning, he’s great at covering up his own emotions or even his whole demeanor to keep him from being caught out in a lie, something which has been especially helpful during his time at the ministry, and it’s a skill which has definitely come in handy in general. 

- HEADCANONS

do not call barty bartemius. bartemius, even if he doesn’t go by it much himself, is his father’s name - at the best of times, barty doesn’t even being like called crouch. he’s barty, or bart, or anything else - he’s not bartemius. 

barty has always loved quidditch, and the only ravenclaws he didn’t view with utter disdain while he was at hogwarts were the members of the quidditch team, which he joined in his third year as a seeker. 

he hasn’t spoken to either his mother or father since he left their home the night after graduating from hogwarts, despite working in incredibly close proximity with the latter

barty is a brilliant actor - though it hasn’t served him much use yet outside of just helping him stick to lies since he was a kid. how committed he is to whatever cause he’s focused on definitely helps the fact - he just has one infuriating achilles heel (see below)

whenever he’s nervous, stressed, or just caught off guard, barty has a habit of flicking his tongue over the corner of his mouth

when he’s around ministry people, he’ll keep his sleeves rolled down, though when he’s with death eaters, he’ll keep them rolled up

- WANTED CONNECTIONS

honestly i think i’d love any connections for him but that’s super vague so unless there’s a specific idea for him and another character here are some ideas!

pre-hogwarts/slytherin/death eater friends: originally these were all gonna be different points but all overlap so, whatever - basically, barty went into hogwarts with a lot of friends he’d met through his parents various parties and get togethers who either were already or were lined up to be slytherins, and when he was sorted into ravenclaw, he still spent most of his time with them - which is how he fell in with the death eaters. your character could be one or all three of these things, i just feel like this is the biggest section that can be covered simply lol

people who look out for him: that’s phrased very harshly but whatever - pretty much guaranteed to fit in with the above, someone who probably took him under his wing way before hogwarts and probably has something of an older-sibling like connection with them? he’d be super loyal to them - probably as loyal as he is to voldemort, though that probably wouldn’t be an issue since they probably would be as well. there’s a lot of probablys here - lots can be changed depending on your character, hell, maybe they knew him before hogwarts and tried to steer him away from hogwarts, i dunno! up to discussion

school best friend: again, a lot of potential overlap with the above two, but pretty much someone probably closer to barty’s age who he got on with really well in school and probably still does now - someone to confide in, to make stupid plans with, to help sneak firewhiskey into the school long before they’re allowed to drink it. 

death eater allies: different from friends - basically, though they’re both with voldemort, they don’t necessarily get along. maybe they find him annoying, maybe he finds them too self-focused, maybe there’s just bad vibes - could be anything. he’s still pretty young at this point and would definitely be taking orders and learning from people above him in the pecking order, so something could come of that.

ravenclaw housemates: barty, despite being a ravenclaw, does not like ravenclaws - but he couldn’t always avoid them. even if he slinked off to be with his slytherin friends, he’d still be spending a lot of time with his housemates, so definitely some connection possibilities there, especially if they were on the quidditch team with him - absolutely not a necessity, though

ministry coworkers: could be order, could be neutral, could be deatheaters - just people barty spends his day with at work, pretty much. maybe they’re working together to sabotage things, maybe they suspect him of something, maybe they’re genuine work friends who are completely oblivious to one anothers allegiances - who knows

a lot of these are very vague, but like i said most of these are sort of just jumping off points and i really am down for pretty much any connection - genuinely just throw any idea at me

- OOC

hello! my name’s ringo, i’m 19, and i live in melbourne, australia (aest/aedt in less than a month)

my name’s not actually ringo, sorry for lying to you all for the briefest of seconds - my real name is jackson, but that’s pretty boring, and i’ve been using the name ringo since i first got my mum (whose a big beatles fan) to help me pick out a club penguin username when i was seven so going by anything else twelve years later is insane to me - if you want to call me jackson, though, that’s totally fine

this is my first time rping since 2018, when i decided to call it quits for a bit so i could focus on my vce exams - graduated last year, though, so i think i’m more than ready to get back into it, just please excuse me if i’m a little rusty

i do just really quickly want to make a note about my availability for plotting and replying and just generally being online, and this is the main reason i made this a whole section instead of just putting my name, age, and timezone up the top - even though i’m not currently studying (rip gap year europe trip) or working (recession), it’s pretty hard for me to get a lot of time online these days. i’m gonna try and keep this transparent while also not oversharing too much, but basically, my mum is a nurse working in one of the bigger hospitals here, and for the sake of keeping our family safe, she’s been isolating - and her not being here means i’m the only one looking after my three younger siblings. as well as needing to shop, cook, and generally take care of the house, i need to support them while they’re learning from home, so more weekdays than not i only really have the evenings to myself, at least until their end of term. i know this might make replies a bit patchy, and i really am sorry about that - but i just figured it would be better to just put this out there now, and i really hope its alright if i ask that you be a bit patient with me if things take a while. cheers!

anyway - my discord as of a few hours ago is jackyboyringo#1444 and you already know where my tumblr is, so please just hmu if you want to plot anything or even just chat! can’t wait to start writing!

#[ BCJ . ABOUT ] #mordre:intro #- there are plenty of other gifs i really wanted to go with but as soon as i saw the flask one i knew it was the one #- like come on. you don't get more canon accurate than barty drinking from a flask. #- although it's (probably) not polyjuice potion in this instance #- also most of this is taken from the books/thin air but i did include the stupid tongue thing #- because he's not barty without the stupid tongue thing #- happy quarter to seven am everyone

[homenum-revelio-hq]

Welcome (again) to the Order of the Phoenix, Karli!

You have been accepted for the role of LILY EVANS! We've talked on-and-off about your thoughts on Lily for ages, and I'm so excited to get to finally see them in action! The fact that you're picking her up at such a pivotal point, when the worst has happened and she’d left grieving and wrathful, only makes it more interesting and I can’t wait to see in which directions and extremes you’re going to push this firecracker!

Please take a look at the new member checklist and send in your account within 24 hours! Thank you for joining the fight against Voldemort!

OUT OF CHARACTER:

NAME & PRONOUNS: Karli

AGE: 29

TIMEZONE: CST

ACTIVITY LEVEL: Same as always. Now that school has started, my heavy rping will be done on the weekends, with admin stuff during the week.

ANYTHING ELSE: Nope!

CHARACTER DETAILS:

NAME: Lily Evans

AGE: 22 (bio says 21, but would’ve had a birthday since then)

GENDER, PRONOUNS, and SEXUALITY: 

When Lily was 14 and her friends were discussing dating and new sensations in their body and giggling profusely, she felt nothing. Am I broken? came the unwanted thought as she heard Petunia’s voice in her ears, calling her a freak. Maybe her sister was right - maybe Lily was a freak and not just because of her witchy blood. She touched herself and it was so awkward, mind moving too much, body not quite right… and confusion set in even more. She kissed a boy - and, later, a girl on a night with a bit too much after a Quidditch match. Nothing.

It took years to develop real sexual attraction to someone else - she’d dated prior to James, but hadn’t been in love until she fell for him. With him, it was as though her body clicked. She could feel the tingling his fingers left behind, the way heat pooled between her legs whenever he kissed her. She wasn’t broken, she thought - she had just never been loved enough to make her feel something. 

(She assumes she is straight. Other sexualities are only coming to light in the world around this time, especially beyond gay, straight, or bisexual. In truth, Lily is demisexual. She might’ve enjoyed that kiss with the girl had she gotten to know the girl better first. It takes a real, deep, and emotional connection for her to truly feel sexual attraction to someone. James had given that to her and it’s very likely she wonders now if she’ll ever have sex again - or if she even cares to try. She’s still not very good at masturbation, either.)

BLOOD STATUS: Muggleborn

HOUSE ALUMNI: Gryffindor

ANY CHANGES: Nope!

CHARACTER BACKGROUND:

PERSONALITY:

When talking about Lily Evans, the first word that comes to mind for many people is kind. She’s so kind, they say with a soft little smile and a tilt of the head. And it’s the truth - but not the full truth. Kindness is not weakness. Kindness does not mean she is naive. Lily sees the good in people, but also understands the bad. She has no problem cutting ties when things have gone sour for much too long - her former best friend can attest to that. She’s assertive even in her kindness and that is something people often miss about her. She wonders, sometimes, if it’s because she’s a Muggleborn. Simple, people think of those with “less” magical blood. And sometimes kindness is viewed as a product of simplicity. Even during the moments where she’s not, people still think she’s kind. 

Lily is an activist - a feminist - a strong female with an agenda and a mind for change. If she comes off as self-righteous, that’s because she is. She struggles to see where she’s gone wrong herself, often looking at others as though they’re making the wrong choices. It’s why she’s been so heavy-handed with the Dissendium Task Force. She sees the need for these Muggleborns to get out of the magical world - she’ll do what she can to help them. She’s so focused on the Muggleborns that she forgets about other victims, but also shuts down or gets defensive when someone calls her out on it. She’s not against them standing up to fight, like Mary seems to think she is, but she also refuses to force it. Survival isn’t weak - not everyone is willing to die for a cause.

Lily is smart. She wasn’t the top of her class in every subject, but excelled in several, much to the surprise of many of her classmates. Potions was one of her best subjects (though no one could overwrite Severus there), along with charms. She liked arithmancy as well, enjoying the ability to crack things and figure it out. She enjoyed the puzzles - and was good at it. In the end, those skills led her to her job.

Lily is a realist. She may see the best in people, but that doesn’t mean she can’t see the truth behind things, either. James was the one who believed beautiful things could happen with big ideas. He was the lover. He was the visionary. Lily believes in change, but she also sees things the way they are. Some people will always want her dead because of her blood and not everyone can survive this war.

BRIEF OVERVIEW OF FAMILY: 

(As always, I expanded beyond family and into her full life. SO SUE ME!)

Joan and Alexander Evans were normal. It was as simple as that, really. They met during school, got married, and had children. Petunia was first - a wispy child with a curious gaze and a bossy nature. Lily came next - bright-eyed and eager, willing to follow her sister into the depths of childhood, much to Petunia’s excitement. While the girls were young, Alexander worked for the factory that employed many men in their smaller town. The one that caused the smog in the air and the sun to dim just slightly on the nice days. Joan stayed home until Lily entered primary school, at which point she got a job at the school helping young children with their literacy. 

For her part, Lily was a sweet child, despite the odd things that seemed to happen around her. She’s eccentric, her parents assumed, but it was Petunia and Lily who would whisper at night about the things she could do. Even during the times where her older sister would scold her for it, there was an enviousness in Petunia’s voice that gave her away.

It was Severus who brought her into the world of magic. Petunia didn’t like him, but that didn’t stop Lily from spending her days in the clearing with him, arm-to-arm, learning about what it meant to be a witch. He was her saving grace - her window into this other world. 

But, unfortunately, it was a world her sister couldn’t follow. Once the best of friends, the sisters split as Petunia’s jealousy pushed in the knife and Lily’s final cruelty the moment before she got on the train twisted it deep. 

When Lily got to Hogwarts, she eagerly looked for the world that Severus had introduced her to - but found something different. Not completely different, but there was enough to see that Severus had kept some things from her. Lily’s blood status, as it turned out, was a problem to a lot of people… the same people that Severus now chose to spend his time with. She still spent time with him, even though her new friends didn’t get it. He was a Slytherin, they said with disdain, but all Lily could think was that their tone reflected the tone of the first person who called her Mudblood. Being judged for things out of their control.

She grew into herself, found her place in Gryffindor, while spending whatever evenings she could with Severus. As she learned more about herself, settled into her own beliefs, she began to notice how in opposition they seemed to be to her friend’s. She spoke up, was shut down, and they moved on together - until that fateful day. James Potter. Of course he was involved. Lily didn’t hate him, of course, despite what she told Severus to get him off her back! But she didn’t want him there to witness one of the worst days of her school experience either.

Mudblood. That word again. But from Severus. 

It was the end of the friendship - the decision to keep him from her life was a difficult one, but one that Lily couldn’t back down on. She loved him, yes - but you couldn’t keep loving someone you didn’t like.

Her parents did not understand the change in Lily that summer. The quietness that sometimes set in, followed by a burst of outspoken, angry energy. By that summer, her mother had grown sick. Cancer. It left a bitter taste in Lily’s mouth. The magical world could cure this disease, but a Muggle wasn’t worth saving. When Joan died during Lily’s 6th year of school, Lily stood at the funeral with a mask over her features, angry at the Muggle world for not being smart enough to figure out magic, angry with the magical world for deciding Muggles were expendable.

She grew even more outspoken after that. Pushing for change - standing up to injustice where she could. Speaking out for Mudbloods everywhere. It caught the attention of Albus Dumbledore and, during her 7th year, she was given the position of Head Girl. Somewhere she could create real, lasting change - or so she thought.

Token, they called her. He’s just trying to prove a point, they said. And Lily stood firm. Screw them, she’d show them. But the war grew with a ferocity during that year and, despite Lily’s efforts, by the time she left Hogwarts - now hand-in-hand with James - nothing had changed. Hogwarts, it seemed, would stay the way it had always been.

Lily left with both a weight on her shoulders and a relief to say goodbye. The war would be where she focused her efforts on now. She and her boys… they could fight him. Fight Voldemort. And maybe, just maybe, her blood would be worth something more after they’ve won.

But war was hard. As her dad followed her mother into death - a factory accident, a small payout from the company - Lily’s relationship with her sister deteriorated even more. With a heavy heart, she left the Muggle world completely behind - aside from the absent letter here and there - and pushed farther into the Order. Watched as more people died. Watched as James was promoted. Watched as he was taken from her.

Watched as… nothing changed.

OCCUPATION: Independent Contractor; Spell Maker. 

Lily doesn’t officially work for the Ministry of Magic, but she works with them. A small subdivision within the Department of Magical Accidents and Catastrophes, Lily is contracted to work on the development of new spells for the Wizarding World. The subdivision came into fruition years before, when there were too many oh shit! moments within the magical world and the Ministry decided to make something to counter those problems in a more proactive approach. The subdivision is small - only three actual Ministry workers - with the majority of the work given to outside contractors; and largely forgotten. Most people in the Wizarding World still think of the department as being only about accidents and catastrophes - very few people are aware of the constructive nature of the department as well. Even within the Ministry, people often assume new spells begin at Hogwarts. 

Oftentimes, the spells Lily works on can take months - sometimes years - to complete and finalize. The salary during development is low, though the payout at the end often makes up for it. Since her graduation, she has finalized four new spells, though her name does not appear on any publication for them, always listed as The Department of Magical Accidents and Catastrophes, Subdivision Three. She has a feeling it’s her bloodline that holds her back within this position - blood supremacy coming into play. No one wants to believe a Muggleborn witch is capable of this. 

On the plus side, she works mainly from home and only has to go to the Ministry for the occasional meeting. She also gets to choose her own hours and take as much time as she pleases for development. This gives her plenty of time to work with the Order and the Dissendium Task Force (and the unfortunate healing duties she’s waiting to be done with). She’s often found tinkering around with her magical experiments during the late hours of the night.

ROLE WITHIN THE ORDER/THOUGHTS ABOUT THE ORDER: 

Lily is a mid-level member of the Order. She works mainly with the Dissendium Task Force at the McKinnon Farm and is an advocate for the right for Muggleborns to get out of the Wizarding World for their survival. This can make her unpopular with some of her colleagues in the Order - Marlene, once a close friend, thinks Lily is too focused on Muggleborns and not the other victims of war; while Mary, a kindred spirit in blood, finds Lily too soft, too cowardly for helping the Muggleborns run away.

She’s strong enough to let those comments fly by her - she’s a Muggleborn, after all, and they’re stronger than anything in the world - but it does get to her from time to time. She notices how the other Order members tend to go to Marlene to discuss the Task Force - or even Remus, especially about the werewolves. Lily isn’t naive enough to think this is a coincidence. Marlene is a pureblood; Remus is a man (magical men are men). That’s no accident. She knows there is nothing she can do about the biases of others so she eyes from them warily, bites the inside of her cheek, and moves forward.

With James gone, her roles have shifted a bit. She’s been asked to take on less - hasn’t been scolded for skiving off healing duties - and generally been treated like a wilting flower. She’s over it. This is a war and, now more than ever, she’s ready to fight. Screw Leina Nott. Lily’s boyfriend was taken from her - war means death and death means winning.

SURVIVAL: 

In short, Lily has survived mostly because of James. She lives in his flat that he paid for, but the money is running out and, since they were never married, she doesn’t have access to his vault. She will have to move soon, but even the Potter Estate is compromised. She’ll have to use the small savings she has from her job and the bit of money her parents left her when they died to find a new place, but she’s not ready for that yet. This place is the only thing that was hers and James’ completely and she doesn’t want to let that go.

She’s a target because of her blood status - but even more so because she was a muggleborn who had the audacity to “steal” an eligible pureblood male. James was well known as a potential member of the Order even before he died “in action,” which also puts eyes on her. But she’s not dead yet - she’s defied Voldemort himself and she’s still not dead yet. She’s surviving. She’s making it. She has her boys. 

Lily, however, was not surprised upon learning of James’ death. Grief had taken her over at seeing his name disappear from the map, but there was no wave of surprise that came after. For Lily, the realist, she knew that there were five of them that had entered this war together -  and there was no way they could all get out alive. James, she’d hoped, would’ve been the one to live. He was the best of them. But she very clearly is aware of her own morality, especially now. Survival is a privilege. 

RELATIONSHIPS: 

Generally, most of Lily’s relationships are fine. Things were on-and-off rocky with James before his passing, but they’d solidified enough by the time he died that she doesn’t regret the way they left things. If anything, she’s annoyed with people at the moment. Everyone treating her as though she’s fragile - walking on eggshells around her. Protecting her as though she’s as easy to break as the flower in her name. She’s so over it and is ready to push back. 

The Marauders. Her boys. She loves them like her family - they are her only family these days. With Sirius, things did not start out well, but once Lily proved that she wasn’t about to steal away his best friend, they learned to love one another and that continues to this day. If he’d just stop with the hovering lately, that’d be great. Remus and her had befriended one another even before James came into the picture - night time patrols will do that to people. Lily appreciates his straight-forward attitude with her and the fact that he tries not to tip-toe around her. She also understands that James’ death was more complicated for him than anyone else, given what James had done just a few nights prior. Peter had always been sweet - quieter than the rest but, even now, Lily feels a connection with him that is unique just to him. There’s something introspective about him and she appreciates she doesn’t have to try and be on in order to gain his respect.

Marlene McKinnon. Lily doesn’t hate Marlene - far from it. When she first joined the Order, she looked up to her. Another strong woman working for something important? Yes, please! The problem came later, with their task force. Their task force. Lily had come up with this idea, too - while Marlene helped supply the place for it. And, yet, people act as though she’s the only one in charge. It might be wrong of Lily, but she can’t help but think that if her blood was as “pure” as Marlene, they wouldn’t be in such a mess with one another.

Mary Macdonald. Lily knows what Mary thinks and she wishes she didn’t care. But she does. Mary was promoted over her - the “token” Muggleborn in the Inner Circle, one of the only women. And, yet, Mary doesn’t see value in Lily’s work. Believes that helping people run is cowardly. Lily wishes Mary didn’t always see things so black-and-white.

Severus Snape. He’s been in the Order for several months now, but things haven’t changed much between them yet. Lily doesn’t believe his heart is in this cause - his motivations have always been more selfish than this. She can’t help but wonder about his feelings regarding James’ death, but tries to push it out of her mind as much as possible. There’s a lingering sense of comfort around him that she craves right now, but she also feels as though letting him back into her life would be a betrayal.

Maurice Creevey. She sees what he’s doing - what he’s fighting for - and she wants in. The activism she’s always felt at her core needs an outlet and Maurice might be the right person to help her get there. She’s not as level-headed these days as she once was, however, but she suspects Maurice won’t care. And, if he’s not going to treat her with kid gloves, she’s ready for it.

Frank Longbottom. He’d been there with her when she killed Leina Nott. He’d been the one to drop the potion in the first place. Lily isn’t too angry with him over the mistake, but she is livid over what happened to her for it. In the beginning, she was so regretful she just accepted whatever happened to her. Now, she’s ready to show that Frank got off easy because he’s more privileged than her. 

Maddy Warren. The newest member of the Order - another Muggleborn. Lily doesn’t feel up to trying that hard to pull anyone under her wing right now, but she wouldn’t argue if Maddy did it on her own. More than ever, Lily is just ready to use her voice. If someone is willing to listen and learn? She’ll let them.

Branwen Yaxley. One of the few in the Order whose mouth still easily forms the word Mudblood. Last time they got together, Lily was shattered over the first death by her hand. Bran got the win in that conversation, but if she tries to tell Lily she’s less than one more time, Lily is ready to show her just how good she is with a wand.

Annalise Fawley. The sister of Leina Nott. They’d met at a horrible time in Lily’s life - Annalise appeared just days after James’ death. She wants to apologize for Leina’s death, but there’s part of her that isn’t actually sorry. She wishes it wasn’t Leina and had instead been her husband but, at the end of the day, Annalise’s sister supported a man who supported Voldemort. Maybe she did it to herself, then? 

OOC EXPLORATION:

SHIPS/ANTI-SHIPS: Well, I mainly ship Jily, which is obviously not going to happen because I am a truly evil admin, but I’m open to anything with chemistry. I don’t think Lily is ready for another relationship, nor does she want one right now. She’s grieving James and really just going to be focusing on the war for a while. I’d love to focus on those other relationships in her life that aren’t romantic. 

WHAT PRIVILEGES AND BIASES DOES YOUR CHARACTER HAVE? 

As far as the Muggle world goes, Lily is fairly normal in her privilege. She comes from a white family who practices Christainity, though loosely and not all that strict about their religion. They’re on the lower end of middle class, but still middle class - and there isn’t a ton that is unusual about them (outside of having a witch for a daughter). There are times that going home to the Muggle world felt like a reprieve - like a moment to breathe. Her old neighborhood friends don’t look at her as though her blood might taint theirs.

It’s the Wizarding World that she feels most trapped in, though also most at home. Had Severus told her all those years ago that Muggleborns were different, then perhaps it wouldn’t have hurt so much the first time she heard the word Mudblood. She’d been confused - Mudblood? she’d asked. What’s that? It had only made the Ravenclaw boy who had called her it laugh even harder.

But she’d learned. She’d learned that her blood was looked down upon in this world. That her merit would come into question every time she did something remarkable. Even James, before his death, had moments where he looked at her as though he was impressed by her because of her blood status.

She’s lacking privilege because of it - in her work, in the Order, in the world. Her magic is believed to have been stolen… or she’s looked at as the exception. She has grown used to it, but she will also not back down. There is more to her life than her blood and she intends to prove it. 

For her biases, the Muggle world holds plenty. She’d grown up less in that world and so was less ingrained beyond age eleven, but she was there during her most developmental years. There’s a reason she assumes she’s straight - a reason her heart had hammered during that kiss with the girl in a guilty wave, a rush of Oh, thank God! coming after when she ended up not liking it. She learned more about the racism of skin color and, while she’s able to look beyond it (having dated a man of color for so long herself), there are still sometimes she might slip into implicit bias.

She understands sexism more than most people - it’s in both the Wizarding World and the Muggle one. Men have power. She surrounds herself around them - her family are her boys - but she still feels the bitterness towards being treated differently because she’s a woman and holds a slight grudge towards men because of it. She doesn’t need to be protected because of what’s between her legs - she’s stronger than most men she knows. 

It can also be said that she looks at purebloods with a brush of uncertainty, even bitterness. James, she knew, meant well - his love made up for his flaws (and there were many of them). But she also remembered the way he’d brushed off his father’s obvious prejudice of her - how he’d dismissed all the people in the world who looked down on him for dating her. His answer was always it doesn’t matter, Lily. Don’t listen to them.

But she can’t help it - she listens. She sees. She notices. An her attitude has changed towards pureblood society or those half-bloods that subscribe to it. As Severus had done for so long. Still does, in a way. It’s why she’s so harsh with Marlene these days - why she’s so stuck on getting Muggleborns out to safety. The purebloods do not know what it’s like to be in her skin with her blood running through her veins… and if someone tries to tell her they “understand” one more time, she’s going to lose it.

WHAT ARE YOU MOST LOOKING FORWARD TO? I made this roleplay and am still dumbfounded at the length of time we’ve been open. I’m so grateful for our players.

PLOT DROP IDEAS: Nothing specific - all my plot ideas go directly to the game/admin stuff! But I’d love to see more shit come back at her with Leina Nott’s death and the potion.

ANYTHING ELSE? Nada!

#homenumaccepted

[mary-macdonald]

“ With everything that has happened to you, you can either feel sorry for yourself or treat what has happened as a gift. Everything is either an opportunity to grow or an obstacle to keep you from growing. You get to choose. ” —  Wayne Dyer

nickname→ mare bear, mar, mary current age → twenty faceclaim → sydney park birthday → march fourteenth, nineteen-sixty alliance → order of the phoenix occupation→ bartender / aspiring social worker

— she has been described as ;

+ hardworking, magnanimous, insightful - overprotective, headstrong, anxious

— biography ; tw violence, tw death

Siobhan and Thomas had nothing very exceptional to their name, small town farmers, yet they felt truly blessed. They made a home and shared it in their own way. Instead of choosing to start a "traditional” family, they opened their home to children from all walks of life through the local foster care system. While the MacDonalds left a mark on almost a dozen of foster kids, four of those kids found their forever home. Liam and Kayleigh made a strong impression, twins in their terrible twos and Siobhan knew she couldn’t give them up to another family for adoption. Hercules came into the chaotic home a few years later, an intelligent and somewhat awkward preteen. Mary had bounced around foster homes since she was two weeks old. Left at the church by her biological parents, she never had a home. At least, not until she found herself at the MacDonald’s farm. For the first time, she had found a place that felt like home. She had been their final addition and only after a few days of having her at home, the couple knew there was no next stop for her. The MacDonalds appreciated everything they had in their lives and taught their children to do the same. Mary and her siblings were all treated with love and respect. Weekends were filled with football matches, farmer’s markets adventures, volunteering as a family, and hours of exploration in the fields behind their backyard. The only strict rule in their home was “you eat, you cook”, a rule which sparked no objection from Mary. From a young age she was poking her nose onto the counter to see what her mother was doing in the kitchen. Siobhan and Thomas did their best to teach their children that happiness and success did not come from money, it came from the bonds you created in the world.  The minute she was old enough, Mary played both baby sister and older sister. Taking strongly after her mother, she would check on her siblings well being constantly. Despite their annoyance with their baby sister following them around, no one ever denied how adorable she looked with her play doctor kit. Nothing too strange had ever happened to the small family, at least until Mary’s Hogwarts letter arrived. Mary’s little eyes opened wide at the site of mail for herself and what she read in the inside only heightened her glee. There was a lot of ruckus in the MacDonald home that night. Her brother’s accepted the explanation rather quickly, claiming there had always been something magical about Mary. Kayleigh had some reservations but warmed to the idea over the next few weeks. Despite the shock, Siobhan and Thomas - after some convincing from a ministry official that magic was indeed real - assured their daughter that they loved her, magic and all.  That September, Mary left Ireland for the first time. She was filled with butterflies at the thought of the unknown and of leaving her family behind. After all, it had taken her years to find home. The idea of leaving it, being alone in a new world entirely, terrified her. The giant castle walls and ever changing pathways did little to ease her anxiety. Feeling small, Mary wandered over to the Gryffindor table where she quickly found a second home. With a gentle push from her peers, her vibrant smile and warm energy quickly drew positive attention from her classmates. Before the holidays approached, Mary had expanded her family infinitely. Mary barreled into friendships, quickly turning acquiescence into friends she would call family. Her own family had been a collection, a mish mosh of people who had found each other. This was no different in her eyes and after a few months, it was clear how desperately some of her peers needed that found family.  Class became her least favorite part of Hogwarts. She always got above average marks (well, except for dueling) - she was a naturally intelligent girl - but class could hold only her attention for so long. She spent a good amount of her free time exploring the castle. Adventure called out from every corridor, out onto the grounds. She dived into every day asking herself one question; what she could stick her nose into next? Her favorite spots quickly became the kitchens, the small hidden couch in the back of the common room, and the pitch. Her little hideaways where she could get a little peace and quiet in between adventurers. They also served as places to hide, in later years, when her blood status drew her negative attention.  In the summer between her second and third year, Mary’s family took a big loss. Liam, the youngest boy of the family, passed away at seventeen. Losing him almost tore the family apart. The first two months of summer were filled with quiet, the once serene areas of her home filled with uncomfortable tension and pain. Mary found small places to hide and grieve alone behind their home, but this was truly the point in her life when she took it upon herself to take care of those around her. She put the pain of her family before her own. She tried her best to fill the shoes of being the oldest child, despite always being the baby. Her mother’s strong will, however, was in the end what got her through that awful summer. MacDonald’s were strong, she would tell Mary, and we will survive. And they did. They all held on even tighter after that summer, to everything. Mary had seamlessly become both the idiot child and the mama bear of the lion’s den. She had a knack for getting into trouble and an even better knack of getting out of trouble, something that infuriated some of her housemates when she got out of a well deserved detention. Mary was extremely affectionate with those she considers her friends, whether it be holding their hands in the hallway or curling up beside them on the couch. She was never one to shy away from affection. Unapologetic, she was never afraid to be loud or take up way more space than one would think the small girl ever could. This brought more trouble to her than she could imagine. Once she realized the prejudices held in the wizarding world, she did not shy away from voicing her opinions. Her parents had taught her to never stand for injustice. She talked about muggle culture constantly and she did not skip a beat in the face of bullies who had enjoyed trying to tear her down. The faces of the first year muggleborns was more than enough motivation to be brave. 

In her fifth year, hwoever, she became a target of Mulciber. A rather nasty bully who had a problem with how she carried herself. For a few months he quietly tortured her, threatening to harm her closest friends if she said anything about it. She slowly withdrew from everyone around her, losing the light in her eyes almost permanently. Only about three months before his graduation her sixth year did the torture stop. Mary was found unconscious in the astronomy tower. Word traveled quickly and before long everyone knew. Despite the negative attention Mary fought viciously to regain her confidence and spark. She would not be a victim – she was a survivor. With the help of her friends over the next year Mary built back her strength and sense of security. She still suffers from flashbacks and nightmares at times, but through support she learned to get back on her feet and live again. Mary spent her last year at Hogwarts trying to create a new normal and to enjoy every moment she had with her friends. Her grades picked up immensely and she had even jumped near the top of her class. Mary even tried out for the Quidditch team, making seeker after years of practicing on the pitch. Not naturally athletic, a majority of her free time was spent on the pitch getting skilled enough to join the team. When not on the pitch, Mary joined her friends once more in partying and prank wars - assisting Marlene in getting back at Potter any chance she got. She would never tell Marlene, but occasionally she would help him as well. After all, all’s fair in love and prank war. Her life returned to some semblance of normal - at least, as normal as she could find. The nightmares from her past still haunted her and the fear of the future that waited after graduation proved more daunting than her memories.  As the inevitability of war grew, Mary focused less and less on her career path. Her thoughts turned to the war. Mary never once questioned her decision to join the Order. She saw her family once after graduation, wishing them goodbye until the war was over for their own protection. One of the hardest decisions she had ever made. Since graduation, she has worked as a bartender for at The Leaky Cauldron. Her night owl nature plus her people skills helped her excel while she had the freedom to dedicate time to the Order. She has taken classes and wants to eventual work in the Ministry as a social worker. She specifically wants to create a better program for integrating muggleborn students to Hogwarts and providing assistance for their families. She hasn’t committed to the career path yet though and most likely won’t until the war is done. Her main focus now is protecting her friends and innocent bystanders. She spends her free time reading on all subjects, specifically defense against the dark arts. Her loft has become a rest stop for order members, despite the place being small she welcomes the company. There is always a place to sleep, and a warm meal for anyone who needs one. Her friends are her family and she is doing all she can to keep them alive and emotionally stable. As one could imagine, the task is daunting as they scramble to recover from the loss of their leader. 

#[ she could make you see how the world could be ; musings ] #[ bio ]

[itsaidanblack]

◦ × ♛ — intro.

⌠ JACK MULHERN, 23, MALE, HE/HIM ⌡ welcome back to gallagher academy, AIDAN BLACK! according to their records, they’re a THIRD year, specializing in KNIFE FIGHTING SKILLS, SWORD TRAINING, PRECISION SHOOTING, FIREARMS & SWAT TRAINING; and they DID go to a spy prep high school. when i see them walking around in the halls, i usually see a flash of (a sarcastic smile, the glint of silver rings, a cloud of cigarette smoke, graffiti on concrete, a flash of crimson). when it’s the (scorpio)’s birthday on 10/28/1998, they always request MOZZARELLA STICKS from the school’s chefs. looks like they’re well on their way to graduation. ⌿ lily, 19, she/her, gmt ⍀   

@gallagherintro​

♛ CONNECTIONS PAGE ♛ PINTEREST ♛ ABOUT ♛ STATS ♛ BIOGRAPHY ♛ INTRO ♛

      hello hello! i’m back with another child, everyone welcome my british bastard boy aidan. he’s a legacy kid who grew up filthy rich but hates his family and his upbringing, and is just lil bit of a criminal, really! 

[ c h a r a c t e r ; ]

&. basics

full name: Aidan Dean Black

nicknames: Dan, Danny

age: 22

orientation: bisexual

relationship status: single

date of birth: october 28th, 1998

hometown: windsor, england

gender: cismale

language(s) spoken: English, French, German

accent: standard british

&. personality

mbti: ISTP

temperament: phlegmatic/choleric

star sign: scorpio

element: water

enneagram type: type 4, the individualist

five positive traits: perceptive, intuitive, determined, independent, resourceful

five negative traits: destructive, pessimistic, blunt, aggressive, temperamental

likes: adrenaline rushes, spray-painting graffiti, hot drinks, going out in the middle of the night, the smell of gasoline, the night sky, knives, london, skateboarding.

dislikes: formal events, his parents, the color yellow, mushrooms, prejudiced people, heavy perfume

bad habits: smoking, doing drugs, drinking

hobbies: graffiti, skateboarding, drinking, getting high, sketching

fears: never amounting to anything, enclosed spaces, heights, needles

[ s t o r y ; ]

background:

aidan grew up in a filthy rich family of spies/assassins as the youngest of six children

his siblings are all very skilled in their respective areas of espionage, and their parents were ruthless and cold towards them to ensure they focused on their training

aidan’s great grandfather was the chief of intelligence at mi5 in the 1950s, so his family has a name and an image already set for them - prim, proper, and excelling in their own unique field of espionage

aidan grew up feeling inadequate - he wasn’t as good as any of his siblings, and his parents were merciless when it came to reminding him of the fact

his siblings weren’t much help either, trained to be the best, they only made his inadequacy more obvious the older they all got

his childhood was filled with training, fancy dinners, being forced to smile and meet friends of the family even if he was bruised and battered from training earlier

aidan began to become insolent, not showing up for training or deliberately failing his homeschooling to piss off his family

his parents were outraged and decided enough was enough, sending him away to a boarding school in america when he was 12

aidan, sick of feeling like he’d never amount to anything, decided to lean into his role as the black sheep of the family

he started to use what he’d been taught against the school, sneaking out at night, graffitiing the walls, stealing things from stores all around london

he actually loved his boarding school when he first began -- enjoying being away from his family, not compared to his siblings, and studying normal subjects instead of things like ‘which artery to sever for the swiftest death’

he amassed a small group of friends, impressing them with his training and ability to break into anything, win fights against the older students, and lockpick

he was able to avoid punishment for a while, and expulsion wasn’t an option when his parents were huge benefactors of the school

so the school adapted, became more vicious in their punishments

started refusing him meals, locking him in cupboards to keep him from sneaking out

and when he started picking the locks of the cupboards, they installed heavy duty padlocks against the doors

this is where he developed his claustrophobia, from being stuck in the closet sometimes even overnight in the pitch black

these punishments eventually wore him down enough that he stopped misbehaving so intensely at the school

and when his parents gave him the ultimatum -- attend a prep school for spies, or stay at the school, he agreed to finally behave and follow his parent’s path for him

despite his misbehaviour, aidan is still very good at what he does - call it genetics, but every member of their family excels at being spies or assassins

when he graduated his prep school with top marks, despite his past bad behaviour, his parents sent him to blackthorne to continue his studies, hoping that by the time he completes college he’ll be good enough to show off, like the rest of his siblings

during his time at prep school, he began to realize that he is bisexual, and fell in love with another legacy boy

their parents, though, were both intensely disapproving of both their sexualities and the relationship itself, and broke them up right before blackthorne

aidan now has a complex about love, and more specifically, the fact that he is incapable and unworthy of actual love

his first year at blackthorne went fine, and aidan actually enjoyed began to enjoy his studies, but he never stopped misbehaving, bitter from his childhood and his parents’ tampering of his relationship

( and also possibly just for the simple joy of constantly having reports sent home about his bad behaviour )

now:

don’t get me wrong - aidan is very good at what he does. 

he’s quite the talented marksman and sharpshooter, and given a knife in a fight, he’ll most likely win 

even without his legacy name he would have gotten a place at gallagher

he’s a bit of a bastard, at times, and a sullen one, too -- but he doesn’t mean anyone harm

he simply likes to always be honest and says things that are probably best left unsaid

he still sneaks out at night, often, to just be alone and roam around unsupervised, a remnant of both his childhood under constant surveillance, and his time at boarding school where nights were often spent locked in a cupboard

nasty smoking habit developed while at blackthorne, as well as his habit of getting drunk and/or high whenever possible in order to let loose

( he has a very unhealthy relationship with his emotions )

he loves to graffiti, and does so often, as an outlet for his creative drive and desire to vandalize things

but, all in all, he does really like it at gallagher, and doesn’t necessarily want to get kicked out, so he makes sure he’s subtle and not too destructive

he sometimes writes with his five older siblings, although most of them are as bad as his parents - he’s the closest to oscar, his second oldest brother, and kitty, his older sister 

he wears a lot of blacks and grays, and basically dresses like an e-boy, but he may or may not stab you if you bring that up

he likes to sketch, but if you tell anyone that he’ll kill you, having had it drilled into him at a young age that art is useless and for people without real talent

he carries a gray butterfly knife around with him everywhere, as it was a gift from his eldest sister for his success at prep school

[ W A N T E D   C O N N E C T I O N S ; ]

not-so-friendly ― while aidan is a very charming asshole, he is still sometimes the worst, and i can see a few people he pissed off or insulted or something

partners in crime ― aidan’s a little vagabond, and loves to graffiti stuff and sneak into places he’s not meant to be, and i want some people to get into deep shit with him

family friends ― the black family is quite high-profile, what with his parents running an empire and all of his older siblings being talented spies/assassins themselves, so i can imagine there’s a lot of people at gallagher that he recognizes

blackthorne friends ― aidan went to blackthorne for a year before gallagher, so i want some people who did the transfer with him.

friends ― he may act like an asshole, but he’s a nice asshole

family ― there’s probably a few people related to him roaming around, so if you want a cousin or something let me know!   

please hit me up to plot ! 

#intro #gallagher:intro

[ambersky0319]

My Babies I love to hurt-

@whatschooldoesntteachyou you wanted info on my OCs so I shall provide! But in exchange of you have any OCs please tell me about them!! I'd really love to hear about them! Also @tacochippy this applies to you as well! And anyone else interested- I just really wanna hear about y'alls characters!

Kay! Onto my kiddos! This is also really unorganized and probably just the tip of the iceberg-

Evanna

She was the first OC I ever made and lemme just say,,,, she's come a long way. I'm really attached to her and I just love my royal gal. She's Aro/Ace and had a pretty shitty mom but she's making due. Her best friend is her guard and she had actually encouraged him to ask out his (not at the time) wife!

Also like, she fights on the front lines bc she knows her abilities are stronger than some of her own soldiers, and ends up reducing the death rate among her people(not by much, but it does slowly go down). Evanna has a problem with her own safety- great for angst with her relationships!!

Nezu

Nezu is a brand new character I made at the last moment, but I absolutely love them. They're pretty young, about 14-15 years old, and identify as agender(it's a miracle they even knew about the term since Dali don't really have vocab for this stuff, they just kinda accept different things). Nezu is a really strong healer despite their age and lack of training, and they really adore history

Oh also Nezu can't fly like most Dali, their wings being too small to support their weight. No one dares mention it though cause you do NOT disrespect a healer in Tongyi, especially if they're a quiet child healer that will ruin your entire reputation cause they just became the queen's favorite being in the entire kingdom

Erin

Evanna's guard and best friend, Erin has known Evanna for y e a r s. He's probably the most loyal Dali in Tongyi and thinks of Evanna as a sister. He loves his wife so much and she's probably the only person he'd prioritize over Evanna. Her name's Azzy and he will bring her up in any conversation that he can

He loves kids and it breaks his heart most of the soldiers are teenagers-young adults cause anyone older has already died. So he fights on the front lines with Evanna, even though he's really only average with his abilities. He does have outstanding strategy though, and sometimes the plans become so complicated that he and a select few can actually follow through

Marie

Onto the humans! Marie has a pretty chill childhood, it's not as dark as some of my other kids. She's a waitress at a restaurant called Silver Dream Café, a restaurant that doubles as a safe place for the employees. And that's no joke. You can be any age above 14 to work there, and they hire those that haven't had the very best life. Something happens to Marie that's really fucked up and so someone suggested she applies there, and Marie's found a new family there pretty much Her brother gets married and has a baby, and then Marie adopts a Nigerian teenage girl.

Marie's pretty stubborn, and very persuasive. If she really wanted to, she could have become a lawyer, but she really distrusts the judicial system and thinks it's unfair, especially after the thing that happens to her. She's compassionate and can oftentimes see through people's lies. The reason? Marie's outstandingly observational, and has an ability to imitate anyone she sees and hears. It's easy for her to pick up on surface-level habits.

Oh yeah and she's really Bi, her brother doesn't approve for awhile but he eventually comes around

Leona

A trained assassin, Leona's very deceiving, having multiple other identities(Abyss - Assassin name, Mariah Peters - news reporter). She does this to protect her actual identity, as well as maybe repress some past events. Her parents are very homophobic and kicked her out around 16 after someone outed Leona as a lesbian.

She turned to a life of crime to sustain herself and somehow got roped into a government organization(experiment) called Tempest. It wasn't long until she was being forced to kill, and she became very apathetic to do her job more efficiently. After all, Tempest payed her well. So she wasn't keen on betraying them anytime soon.

Not until she's given a target by the name Marie Sydney.

Jeremiah

Jeremiah is a ftm assassin, but instead of working on the field like most in Tempest, he was placed in the engineer sector, creating weapons and occasionally leaving the compound to help on missions. He's only known as "Pup" among the other Tempest Members because he's really young and small.

He's very intelligent and cunning, and suffers from constant guilt. He's... Working on it.

Oh and he has part of a soul of another one of my OCs in him(1/3 of the soul)

Taylor

Taylor, often called "Aunty Tay" by her cousin(Neva said it once and it just kinda stuck) and most small children, is the girl that Marie adopted. She's strong and really closed off, often not trusting anyone right away. She really loves her family that Marie brought her into, and will protect them at any cost. Much like Evanna, she's really selfless and is perfectly fine with sacrificing her safety in exchange for the safety of others.

She also has part of the soul within her(2/3) and seems to have the strongest spiritual connection to Cinomeds in general.

Dani

Introduced first as a spoiled and then orphaned prince, he's adopted by Evanna much later in the series once he's older and helps support the Tongyian kingdom. He's adaptable in many situations, but deals with emotion very poorly(especially very strong negative emotions). Despite making a lot of mistakes he eventually learns and tries to fix the mistakes.

He's the third part of the soul.

Oh and did I mention Dani, Taylor, and Jeremiah all start dating? Yeah, they're in a healthy poly relationship and care for one another deeply(after a rough introduction at least)

Aki

CINOMED KIDS! We're nearing the end. Aki is pretty much a mad scientist, with a disregard for the actual life of creatures. He sees a lot of things as test subjects, and loves to play with the biology of said creatures. He's Aro/Ace and the other Cinomeds are like his family. Although he's introduced as a villain he has a sorta redemption arc thing? Idk I know I just love him-

Is the first and only Cinomed to really be redeemed(ish)

Angel

Also a Cinoned, their personality varies greatly because their soul was split into parts(originally two- trio earlier are the first to have Angel's soul split into thirds) and the same goes for their appearance. Before the soul splitting though, Angel was rebellious and often didn't see eye-to-eye with the other Cinomeds

*cough*partofaplottwistihaveinmind*cough*

Serranidae

Goes by Serra by the other Cinomeds, she takes rejection horribly. Her and Angel were a thing at one point, before there was a huge fallout and then Angel was torn apart. Serra was crushed, and vowed to protect Aki at all costs cause she was not gonna lose another part of her family

She fails in the end but it's not really her fault?

Oh Serra is also extremely brutal in fights

Rikki

He's not really that fleshed out... He's the main baddie of my kiddos. Think Aaravos from TDP. Except as a shadow thing. He's the creator of Fahndali and literally every creature there, as well as the other Cinomeds. He split Angel's soul apart before being sucked to the core of the planet where he remained trapped for over a millennia. He's also an asshole, confident in his abilities and not afraid to manipulate those until he feels no need for them.

If people wanna know more just dm me or send an ask and I can probably guarantee more ramblings

#ambersky #ambersky ocs #ambersky oc #original character #original characters #ocs #oc #cinomed chronicles #rambling #i have way more ocs but these are the ones i talk about/use the most #this is just like #completely original ocs too #i didnt include ocs like res or any of my other fandom ocs #anYWHO

[meda-the-brave-a]

ABOUT

Meda Elisabeth Salvatore || Vampire || Looks 16 || FC: Kaya Scodelario

Born: August 18, 1848, Mystic Falls, Virginia

Family: Giuseppe Salvatore (father), Lillian “Lily” Salvatore (mother), Damon Salvatore (brother), Stefan Salvatore (brother), Benjamin Salvatore (illegitimate half-brother)

Meda Elisabeth Salvatore was born on August 18, 1848 in Mystic Falls, Virginia. As the only daughter and youngest sibling, she was adored by her parents and older brothers alike. Her father considered her his little jewel, and her mother loved to dote on her and buy her expensive dresses and accessories. Although she was a little girl who loved to dress up and look pretty, that didn’t mean she was about to be outdone by her brothers, and from a young age she was known to trod behind them, forcing them to let her tag along on their adventures. They were reluctant at first, but eventually grew to accept her as a qualified playmate.

When she was eight years old, her mother caught the consumption. For three weeks she sat by her mother’s bedside as doctors desperately tried out different remedies and methods, while her father and brothers paced outside, because her mother had insisted she hadn’t wanted them to see her so sick (as Meda was a girl and most likely would have to nurse a sick husband or children in the future, she was allowed to stay.) She was heartbroken when her mother died, as was the rest of her family. Her father grew even more devoted to his children, especially Meda, who looked so much like her late mother. He began to have very high expectations for them.

Her life continued like this, her family staying loving and close-knit. That is, until the war broke out in 1861. She had heard rumors of war before of course, but she hadn’t believed them as she was young and naive, and she couldn’t believe her life would be disrupted like that. Her father was thrilled to be able to send his eldest son off to the battlefield, and Stefan was thrilled for his brother to bring back captivating stories from the war. Meda was the only one concerned about sending her brother off to fight. When she expressed her worries to Damon, he had simply rubbed her hair affectionately and told her not to worry, that he would come back to her in one piece.

And he did. Just not the way anyone had expected him to.

Damon deserted, something the was considered a great source of shame to a family in the South at the time. He told her he had seen boys as young as Stefan, holding weapons they didn’t know how to use, their feet bloody and broken from walking around without shoes, fighting a losing battle. So he had left a cause he couldn’t believe in anymore, which she thought was noble enough, but their father didn’t see it that way. He casted Damon out of his love, and like he had with their mother’s death, grew to cherish his other two children even more.

Meda tried to defend her eldest brother whenever her father made another one of his jabs about his son, but she was so afraid of losing his love as well that she never pushed him. In 1863, a maid at the Salvatore house gave birth to her father’s son. At first, Meda was distraught over the idea of her father moving on from her mother, but after she saw that her father was not planning on the favoring the woman and her new baby over her and Stefan, she began to feel pity for the boy who would grow up with the reputation of being a bastard. She visited the child in his nursery often, and eventually came to love him as a brother.  

Her father began to search for potential husbands for her, and set his sights on seeing her married to George Lockwood, who was a member of one of Mystic Fall’s other wealthiest families. She had known George since she was a young girl, and he had always been kind to her, and as she got to know him she began to think that she was falling in love with him, and she grew happy at the idea of marrying him in the future.

Enter Katherine Pierce,which is where Meda’s story really begins. Meda was thrilled when the older girl came to live at the Salvatore Plantation. She saw Katherine as the big sister she had never had, and she worshiped the ground Katherine walked on, which Katherine loved. Meda started to see the older girl as someone to confide in and receive advice from.

When Katherine told her that she was a vampire, Meda had been shocked. Katherine had played up her acting ability and gotten teary eyed, insisting that she was still a good person, and had never wanted this life for herself. Meda had been moved with compassion for her friend, and promised never to reveal her secret. After that the two girls seemed closer than ever.

That is, until Meda noticed the way both of her brothers fell over themselves trying to get Katherine’s attention. The once close siblings were sizing each other up as rivals, and Meda didn’t like it one bit. She begged Katherine to let one of them go, to pick one brother to be with and let the other one find happiness somewhere else. Needless to say, Katherine hadn’t liked her little lapdog defying her like that, so she compelled her to let her behave exactly as she wished, and Meda never broached the subject again.

Things continued like that for a while. She noticed that her father began to throw himself into his work with the ‘council,’ which Katherine told her was a cover for an anti-vampire organization. However, since Katherine and her friends walked in daylight and her father continued to let her live in his house, right under his nose, they were confident that he didn’t suspect anything.

Then Katherine went and got herself caught and she stupidly tried to rescue her, and her father shot her dead in the road.

When she woke up and found out that Katherine had been feeding her her blood, she felt disgusted. She was disgusted with herself for letting herself get walked on for so long, and that even in death, Katherine still found a way to screw her over for eternity. She made the decision to not complete the transition with her brothers, and the three of them would die, just as they should’ve the first time.

And then Stefan turned and forced Damon to do the same, and the latter was promising the former an eternity of misery, and she knew she couldn’t leave them like this. So she fed. And she hated herself.

After they transitioned, Stefan and Damon couldn’t be within five feet of one another, so she left Stefan in the capable hands of Alexia Branson, and fled town with Damon. Unfortunately, the two argued often as Meda couldn’t help but hate Katherine for what she had done and couldn’t understand why Damon couldn’t get over her. After one explosive fight that broke her heart, she ran back to Stefan, Eventually she tried to give Damon another shot, and has been moving back and forth between the two ever since.    

Now she’s back in the town that holds so many old memories. Her relationships with her brothers are still a bit strained, but she’s working to make it better.

((OOC: This character can be adapted to fit pretty much any other supernatural fandom. OC’s welcome of course. Message me if you want to plot or para!))

#about #vampire diaries rp #vampire diaires oc rp #vampire diaries oc #oc rp

[imbeccablee]

5, 8, 13, and 19!

(this got a little long so im putting it under a read more)

5. Share one of your strengths

rex my good dude you could NOT have picked a harder thing for me to do. how dare you try and make me compliment myself.

anyway, uhhhhh probably my overactive imagination? or something? like, honestly, i’m kinda constantly thinking about my WIPs or possible fics (which is obvious if you look at all the abandoned one shots in my drafts lmao). But like, I’m always thinking about stuff to write and that has led to some of my favorite fics i’ve written, like Warm Pancakes or smth.

8. Share a snippet from one of your favorite dialogue scenes you’ve written and why you’re proud of it

“Um,” Krel hesitated, the question burning his throat. He tried another approach. “Could I… stay with you, tonight?”

Aja rubbed one of her eyes, propping herself up with her two right arms. “Huh? I mean, yes, but why?”

“Couldn’t sleep.”

Aja nodded like that was an acceptable answer and slid over to make more room. Grateful, Krel crawled beside her and sighed in relief as Aja’s arms wrapped around him. 

“Do you want to talk about it?” she asked.

“No. Yes. I don’t know.” Krel turned his head so his face was half buried in one of Aja’s pillows.

Aja giggled sleepily, rubbing her hands up and down Krel’s back. “That’s okay, little brother, we do not have to talk. We can just sleep.”

She closed her eyes again and her hands stilled on his back. He looked at her for a few moments before sighing. “Aja, um…”

“Are you implying Princess Aja is bondless?”

“Yes?” Aja’s eyes were open again, looking at him patiently, oblivious to how the light gray and void black mocked him.

“I’m just saying it’s very much in the realm of possibility. “I mean, think about it. Aja passes the time in which children normally have their corebonded declared, and suddenly the royals are incredibly hush-hush about the subject? 

And, well, I guess it doesn’t exactly matter, what with Prince Krel and all. It’s not like when you’re a royal there’s any real reason to have a second kid than to have a backup in case the first one doesn’t work out for whatever reason."

“Um…” Krel faltered. “Do you ever think about where your corebonded might be?”

Minutely, Aja froze. If he hadn’t been so close to her, he probably wouldn’t have noticed. “Er,” she stammered. “O-Of course, Krel, who doesn’t?”

“Well,” Krel paused, the words stuck in his throat. “Most Akiridions, apparently, since they find their corebonded when they’re young.” Aja flinched. “And I just… I just wonder about ours,” Krel plowed on. “Like… imagine, being brought before the royals of Akiridion-5 and it being revealed that you are cosmically bonded with one of the royals’ children.” He forced out a laugh. “That’d be—That’d be crazy, right? Imagine.”

“Krel…”

“And then… I was just thinking about how devastating it would be if that were to never happen,” he said, and Aja stared at him. He swallowed hard and continued. “I was just thinking about how there might not be some Akiridion kid who walks up those steps to Mama and Papa and is declared to be bonded to one of us. I was thinking about how, when our ceremonies happen, what if one of us doesn’t find our match on Akiridion-5. I was thinking about how we might not… find them at all.”

Aja’s lips were pursed together now, and for a moment she just stared at him. Then, “Krel, you know that’s not—”

“Aja, why didn’t Mama and Papa declare your corebonded?” Krel interrupted.

“That’s—I—”

“Why haven’t I met them yet, at least?” Krel continued. “Why haven’t you explained how pretty everything is in color yet? You’re passed the age where they find out, right? So what happened?”

“Krel, nothing happened!” Aja cut in. She sat up abruptly and moved away from him, and Krel immediately missed the comfort that came from her close presence. “It’s just—complicated.”

“I don’t get it!” Krel sat up too. “Why are Mama and Papa breaking tradition and waiting to declare ours?”

“Because—”

“Why were you so tense at the announcement todelson?”

“That’s—”

“Everyone has a corebond—right?—so why haven’t you found yours yet?”

“Because I might not have one!” Aja finally shouted. She flinched and looked away from Krel’s surprised expression, her hands balling into fists.

Krel stewed in their silence, feeling both ashamed and desperate for a different answer. Finally, his sympathy won out. “I’m… sorry, Aja, I shouldn’t have been so forceful.”

Aja sighed and tucked some hair behind her ear. “No, it’s… I would’ve been curious too…” She opened her fists and looked down at them. “Mama and Papa said that them not finding my corebonded doesn’t mean anything besides that they’re not Akiridion. They said it was totally and completely okay and normal for this to happen, but…” She shook her head. 

“But… you kind of feel like you’ve let them down?” Krel guessed. He mimicked Aja's position, wrapping his arms tightly around his knees. “And that they were just saying that to make you feel better?”

“Er, yeah.” Aja looked up, surprised. “But why do you…” Krel gave her a lopsided smile, a look in his eye saying you know. “Oh, Krel, you know they’re so proud of you. They love you so much.”

Krel sighed and looked at his feet. “Yeah. I know. It’s just hard to really feel it sometimes, especially when I also know I’m not what Papa really wanted in a son. I’m not exactly your average prince.”

Aja giggled and punched his arm lightly. “Who would want an average prince when they could have a genius one like you?”

Krel smiled, still sad, but grateful. “Thanks, Aja.”

“So…” She sidled up beside him again, leaning against her propped up knees to look him in the eye. “Are you gonna tell me what brought on the corebond stuff?”

“I…” Krel broke eye contact. “I overheard some of the staff talking a couple delsens ago and it… I dunno, I guess it got to me.”

“What do you mean?”

“Nothing too weird, I guess, it’s just…” Krel shook his head. “They were talking about you… and your possible corebonded.”

“Oh.” Aja looked put out again.

“And then…” Krel continued. “They… started talking about me.”

Aja’s face switched from melancholic to furious so quickly Krel reeled back a little. “What did they say about you?” she growled and Krel felt a little better knowing Aja would so quickly defend his honor.

“Not a lot,” he quickly replied. “Just… Well, they just implied something, and it’s making me feel… weird.”

“... What was it?” Aja asked slowly.

Krel rubbed at the faintly glowing gray lines going around his feet. “When they were talking about you, they implied that Mama and Papa wouldn’t have wanted you as their heir because of your corebonded. Which isn’t true of course!” Krel quickly amended, seeing something dark cross through Aja’s eyes. “But… then they said that was where I came in. That I… was only made in case something went… wrong with you because it wasn’t likely that I, too, would have a non-Akiridion corebonded, and that it was “only right that only Akiridions take the throne”.”

Aja laid a hand on one of Krel’s. “Oh, Krel, that’s not true at all.”

“I… know,” he said, but he hesitated and Aja noticed too.

“Mama and Papa love you, Krel,” she insisted.

“I know,” Krel said. “I don’t… I normally don’t doubt that.” Aja gave him an exasperated look that he ignored. “It’s just… all I can think about now.”

“Don’t listen to some gossip, little brother, it means nothing. Who cares what a few staff members think? We are a family, and nothing will ever get in the way of that." Aja shrugged then. "Besides, I'm sure they only say that sort of stuff to let out some anger. I mean, we may be wonderful people, but even the most patient Akiridion would get frustrated after waiting hand and foot on us all delson, right? I know I would."

Krel laughed a little, the coil of tension in his spine relaxing some. Aja smiled gently at him, though he could see the worry in her eyes. “Yeah, I guess you’re right,” Krel said.

Aja giggled. “Of course I am. I’m your older sister.” Krel smiled and relaxed further when Aja wrapped two arms around his shoulders and pulled him closer. She leaned her head against his and Krel softly sighed, the emotions that had kept him wound up for most of the delson finally dispersing and leaving him quite exhausted. Although his concerns hadn't completely gone away, he did feel better after talking about it.

They stayed like that, wrapped in each other’s comfort, for a long time. When they finally did move, Krel bashfully asked, “Can I still stay the night?” to which Aja replied, “Of course, dummy.”

They laid back down and cuddled closer. A few moments passed after they relaxed and Krel said, “... Thank you, Aja.”

Aja hummed then replied, “Any time, little brother. I love you.”

“I love you, too.”

---

this is from my Tales of Arcadia fic, Starcrossed, from the first chapter. i dunno, i just really loved how this turned out! i had spent a lot of time on the whole chapter before i finally posted it, and i think i really nailed what i was trying to establish with their relationship with each other, their parents, and themselves. i reread it a lot, along with Warm Pancakes.

13. What’s the best writing advice you’ve ever come across?

Probably the one that’s like, write the thing you want to read. Forcing yourself to write something you think others would want can be miserable, and like writing should be a good thing. You should be proud of the stuff you wrote and look back on your old stuff fondly. It’s ten times easier writing the stuff you want to write than making yourself write stuff you think other people want.

19. Stephen King once said that his muse is a man who lives in the basement. Do you have a muse?

ah probably not? like, what defines a muse? i write because i like to write and because i need to vent somehow and because i’m good at it. i guess you could say i’m my own muse, in that case.

#thanks rex! #ask meme

[changeling-fae]

HPHM Character Profile

Thanks @batgirl-87 for tagging me!

General Information.

Name : Melody Kairi Prince

Age : 16 (currently)

Gender : Female

Nickname(s) :

Mel (by Jae)

Pip (by Jacob apparently)

Little troll (by her eldest brother William)

Cuttlefish (by her grandfather)

Date of Birth : March 1st, 1973 at 6:30pm

Astrological/ Zodiac Sign : Here’s her chart,

Ethnicity : Irish, Siren

Nationality : Irish

Species : Witch, Siren

Blood Type : A

Blood Status : Half-breed (quarter?)

Family :

Father - Halwyn Orpheus Prince

Halwyn and Eileen Prince were cousins, sharing grandparents making Melody and Snape second cousins.

The Prince family are very much like the Gaunts in once being wealthy pure bloods but are now reduced to a shadow of once they were.

They weren’t as poor as the Gaunts but we’re nothing like the Malfoys or Blacks in terms of wealth.

They clung to pure blood ideals however and can also tie their lineage to Cadmus Peverell.

Before his sons were born, Halwyn was the youngest and last male Prince.

He had two older sisters and Eileen his only first cousin.

He was disowned when he married Odella Gale, since she’s half siren.

He was placed in Slytherin just like all the Prince’s and proud of it.

He had a talent for potions, herbology, and DADA.

He was a very stoic and reserved man who could pick people apart psychologically if he was feeling malicious. He was soft with his family however.

He is eventually murdered by R/Cabal when Melody is 10.

Mother - Odella Aislinn Gale

Odella is half siren with a siren mother.

She was raised by her father on land but her mother would come visit from time to time.

She was placed into Slytherin which is where she met Halwyn.

She was aware of her blood status during the rise of pure blood supremacy and so worked extra hard out of spite.

She ended up as both Prefect and Head Girl of Slytherin.

She was a member of the Frog Choir.

She had a talent for charms, transfiguration, CoMC, and divination.

She was deeply in love with Halwyn and his sudden death hit her hard.

Jacob’s fall from grace and sudden disappearance right only a few months after Halwyn’s death pushed her more into grief.

At first she was paranoid of Melody running away (hence not letting her have a broom) but then swung the opposite, hardly ever home and throwing herself into work.

Melody looking for the vaults angered her further and their relationship hasn’t recovered.

Eldest Brother - William Halwyn Prince

Melody’s eldest brother who is 11 years older than her.

He can give Snape a run for his money as a cranky, sarcastic, jerk.

He is a loner who on the whole doesn’t like people.

Thanks to being part siren he’s ridiculously attractive and draws people to him despite his prickly personality.

He does have a soft spot for his family and would protect them, even he is mean about it.

The only person he actively likes is his best friend/boyfriend, Faran, a Ravenclaw werewolf.

He has a talent for DADA and potions and makes his boyfriend’s wolfsbane potion.

He becomes a curse breaker for Gringotts along with his boyfriend.

Second Brother - Jacob Corentin Prince

He’s 6 years older than Melody and 5 younger than William.

He’s more hotheaded than William and Melody but he’s good at hiding it.

Only originally looked for the vaults for fun but then got sucked into the more serious side once R got involved.

Once Duncan dies he becomes obsessed with breaking the curse to give meaning to what they did.

Once his dad was murdered he felt it was his fault and left to protect his family and get revenge.

He and William fought a lot growing up but he’s protective of Melody.

Has the attitude that only he’s allowed to tease her.

He didn’t get along with Snape because he reminded him too much of his brother William.

His best subjects were flying, DADA, and transfiguration.

Grandfather - Corentin Cian Gale

Odella’s father and his home is where the family lives.

He’s one of the top experts in Merfolk studies and a renowned magizoologist.

He helped Newt Scamander’s section on water based magical creatures and is longtime friends with him.

He’s also good friends with Professor Kettleburn.

He was sorted into Ravenclaw in his youth.

He’s a very patient and caring man.

Due to his work he has to be away from home a lot but makes an effort to come home to Melody during summer when he can.

He writes to her often when she’s at Hogwarts, trying to compensate for Melody’s sense of abandonment.

His best subjects were CoMC, herbology, and charms.

Grandmother - Kairi

She’s a cold water siren whose colony lives between Iceland and the Faroe Islands.

She could only spend 7 years on land with Corentin before having to return to the sea.

The last 3 she was able to spend with Odella.

She’s much older than even Corentin since sirens age slowly and has children from previous matings.

So Odella has a few full siren half siblings.

Kairi visits her grandchildren during the summer sometimes and taught all of them how to hunt underwater.

She still very much loves Corentin even if she can’t be with him anymore.

Second Cousin - Severus Tobias Snape

Melody and Snape are aware of their relation to each other.

He’s technically welcome to their family but obviously he keeps his distance.

Because of this Melody and her brothers knew not to reveal their blood ties since Snape clearly doesn’t want it to be known.

Because of some of the similarities Snape holds with her father who had just died, she subconsciously latched on to him when they first met.

Snape is aware of this but is mercifully against mocking her for it.

He does get frustrated that none of his prickly barbs bother her.

Most of his animosity comes from not liking Jacob but some of it is from the fact that their backgrounds are similar (disowned parents) but her family clearly loves her, even with its problems.

Despite his acidic nature to her at times, he doesn’t actually want anything bad to happen to her.

Plus she does make the Slytherin house look really good and is the reason they win the House Cup every year.

Affiliation(s)/ Organization(s) :

Slytherin

The Frog Choir

The Potions Club

Charms Tutor

Assistant Curse-breaker

Magical Creatures Reserve Volunteer

Occupation(s) :

Future Healer for St Mungo’s

Future Healer for Hogwarts

Curse-breaker for Gringotts (William’s job)

Ministry of Magic (her parents)

Merfolk Diplomat (her grandfather)

Magical Characteristcs.

Form of Boggart : Emptiness, just silence.

Form of Patronus : Cuttlefish (though might become a sea serpent).

Form of Riddikulus : A surprise party.

What do they see in the Mirror of Erised? : Her family happy and whole.

Wand(s) :

-Length : 12 inches

-Flexibility : Surprisingly swishy

-Wood : Silver Lime

-Core : A scale from her grandmother’s tail

Description :

Animagus : Diving Petrel

Amortentia :

What she smells like to others; The very first hints of the sea, a summer storm, and honeysuckle.

What she smells; Parchment and ink, birdseed, and pine (Talbott).

Appearance.

Height : 5’3

Weight : 122 lbs

Complexion(skin tone/ conditions) :

Fair/pale skin that looks almost translucent in water.

Shimmering fish scales wherever water touches her.

If she hasn’t been in sea or lake water for over 3 days, her skin becomes red and patchy like a severe skin condition and she’ll start stinking like rotting fish.

Hair Color/ Style :

Silver white

Tight waves/loose curls

She almost always keep it long except during her 5th year where she cut it short as a way to cope with the trauma of watching Rakepick torture a random man.

She only needs sea or lake water to wash her hair and keep it healthy.

Eye Color :

A deep sea foam color in most cases.

When she’s pissed off it changes to almost a cold flat sea foam color and her pupils constrict to pins.

Hogwarts Information.

Worst Class(es) : She’s too much of a perfectionist to not do well but she does have least favorites.

History of Magic; Professor Binns has made it so boring for her that it makes it hard to pay attention.

Flying; ironic being that her animagus is a bird but she prefers using her own body as opposed to a broom.

DADA; she associates it with the death of her father since he worked in the hex removal department of the Ministry.

Best Class(es) :

Potions; she loves potions and has a natural talent for it. It also reminds her of her father.

Herbology; like potions it reminds her of her father and he taught her a lot in their family greenhouse before his death.

Charms; she really likes Professor Flitwick’s teaching method and has a natural talent for it.

CoMC; She’s good with creatures thanks to her grandfather and takes care of water based creatures back home during the summer since her home is a reserve.

Least Favorite Teacher(s) :

Professor Binns; he bores her to death and took the fun out of learning for her.

Professor Rakepick; her instinct always put her on edge around the woman and she never truly trusted her.

Favorite Teacher(s) :

Professor Snape; again, she subconsciously relates him to her father plus she just really loves potions.

Professor Flitwick; she loves his class and since she’s both a tutor and on the Frog Choir spends a lot of time with him. Plus she relates to him in that they’re both not fully human.

Quidditch :

She’s not all that interested in Quidditch if she were perfectly honest but Jacob was a huge a fan.

If she had to be a Quidditch player, she’d most likely be a seeker due to her strong hunting instinct.

Favourite Spell(s) :

Aguamenti

Lumos

Aqua Eructo Charm

Ebublio Jinx

Trivia.

(random facts about them, future job, face claim, theme song, etc.)

Her home is on the coast of Ireland and the area is a water creature reserve to protect wounded, sick, or endangered creatures.

There’s a female sea serpent that lives on it that she and her grandfather takes care of.

They also have 6 murtlaps and Melody is so used to taking care of them at a young age, that at Hogwarts she dives for the food for the ones under Kettleburn’s care.

Professor Kettleburn has known her since she was born thanks to his friendship with her grandfather.

Due to her siren heritage, she and her brothers and mother don’t use flirting or seduction if they actually are infatuated and instead will just come out and say it and are very blunt.

They only use seduction if they want something (like food).

Melody feels cold to the touch but her inner temperature is higher than a human’s, allowing her to remain in cold or freezing waters.

Melody, her brothers, and her mother are all exceptionally beautiful but don’t draw people in like part Veelas do, however once they’re in water they become almost supernaturally alluring and their voices become naturally seductive.

They can choose to hypnotize people with their song if they wish but it’s basically a death sentence for the affected person since they’ll become so obsessed they either drown themselves or try and kill the one who sang to them.

There is technically a cure and a way to become immune to siren songs but only the sirens know it.

Love potions don’t affect her and her brothers and mother the same way it does full humans. It basically makes them really drunk and frisky.

She witnessed her father die in front of her since he was poisoned so she can see thestrals.

She’s a Pisces, Jacob is a Cancer, and William is a Scorpio.

She really hates Rita Skeeter and Emily Tyler.

She has a huge crush on Talbott.

She was a hatstall between Slytherin and Ravenclaw but now if she wore the hat again, it would say Slytherin without a doubt.

You can find how I picture her home here.

You can find more siren headcanons here.

Ella Purnell is her face claim:

I can’t remember who all has done this yet so I’m tagging @persephone-chen @alsogolden-ana @skyline-timeturner and whoever else wants to do it!

#hogwarts mystery #Melody Prince #this took forever

[narutoocgallery]

(Please ignore the remnants of the DA watermark, it is my character but the original picture was lost so i had to use the one from deviantart, which had a watermark on)

So this would be my first time, however I would like a review of my OC please?

(A/N things are subject to change even after this, but not stray too far from this) (and i used this template for filling out, but changed a bit here and there and took out information i felt wasn’t necessary at the moment)

Name (last, first): Tokage (トカゲ meaning Lizard) Chiharu (千春 meaning one thousand springs) Nickname(s): Haru. Age: 12 in part 1, 16 in part 2 Species: Human Gender: Female Sexual Orientation: Straight Birthday: March 1st Body Type/Looks: slightly larger than average build, wider hips and bossom (when she’s older). Height: 160cm in part 1, 170cm in part 2 and after Weight: 55kg in part 1, around 70 in part 2, fluctuates between mission types due to eating.

————————————————– Life Story: Chiharu is part of an old clan specializing in lizards. At the time she was born the clan leader was a fanatic, obsessed with perfection, and she would dispose of any imperfect children born in the clan. However she was not heartless, and let the children live, hidden away deep within a basement, telling the parents their children had been still born. Chiharu had been one such child, born from another ‘imperfect’ child, the clan leader’s own daughter Tokage Ichigo. The clan leader led the Clan only because she was the oldest, in reality she was part of one of the branch families, closest to the main family.

Her first years were spent in the basement, along with other ‘imperfections’. Her mother had been expelled in secret from the clan, and came to rescue her one night along with the other children. She lived with her mother for another 2 years until Chiharu was 5, when Ichigo was attacked during the night. Chiharu were turned to the orphanage, and her assigned guardian had been Hatake Kakashi, who was just 19 at the time. Ichigo had considered him a good and close friend, and thought the responsibility would be good for him. Kakashi felt burdened by the responsibility, and wanted to have as little as possible to do with the young girl. Never the less, he visited her a few times between missions, still wanting to check up on her.

Chiharu tried hard to impress the young man, who she began calling father when she was 6 years old, due to her understanding of what a father was. Kakashi ordered her to not call him dad in the beginning, but begrudgingly came to realize the young girl was set. It caused him to visit her far less, which just prompted the young girl to try even harder. She began training with old ninja weapons she found around, trying to make them stick to the trees surrounding the orphanage.

Kakashi still didn’t pay her too much attention, until she started at the academy. On her first day he came home late from a mission, just before nightfall, only to find her sitting outside the gates of the school. Her excuse was that all the other kids, as far as she could tell, had been picked up by their parents and taken home. Kakashi brought her home to the orphanage that day, and promised her to at least take her home whenever he could from school. 5 months into her first year, she moved into his house.

She became a Genin at age 12, along with the rest of her team, also consisting of orphans of Imperfect children, Hana and Kisara Tokage. She participated in the Chunin exams along with Naruto and the rest, making it to the third round where she defeated a ‘proper’ Genin from the Tokage clan. Her teammate Hana passed, while Kisara failed. But both Hana and Chiharu opted out of the third round, not feeling good about possibly going up against the likes of Neji, Sasuke and Gaara, all whom they had a certain level of fear of after seeing their elimination fights.

After Sasuke left the village, Chiharu was not personally affected seeing as how she didn’t know they boy very well. She began training her jutsu, trying to develop her own or change the ones she knew. She began going into Water Manipulation jutsus, and became quite skilled. Due to her reputation with Water based jutsu, and news of her developing a jutsu to create water out of seemingly thin air, she helped out Suna during a time of drought. Her first escort from the Konoha to Suna was with Gaara and two other ninjas. It created tension as Chiharu still remembered how he acted during the Chunin exams. But she did her best to not show fear towards him and be civil.

Tension was created by her and the two Chunin ninja. Chiharu was still unable to sleep without a light on at night, and had a lamp with her on the trip. The two could not sleep properly with the light flickering most of the night, and on the second night they demanded that Chiharu had the lamp unlit during the night which she promptly refused. When night fell the two approached the lamp, which woke Chiharu up. Before any conflict ensued Gaara defused it by saying he’d make Chiharu a tent out of sand, blocking the light from the two others. They agreed to this and went back to their sleeping bags. Chiharu requested that the ‘tent’ would have at least one hole, facing away from the two others. Gaara allowed this and the rest of the mission went smoothly.

Chiharu offered her services to Suna as often as she could, using the time to train her ability and maximizing the amount of chakra converted to water.

She was present in Suna for one such mission at the time of Gaara’s kidnapping, but did not know about it until he was returned home. After he was returned home she fretted about him, though not directly as she wasn’t allowed close to him at all times, and vented her concerns to Temari. ——————————————- Personality: Chiharu is cheerful and loud. She doesn’t stand out in personality as much as others do, but she tries to remain cheerful as much as possible. One example is if her arm’s cut off and she’ll Good Habit(s): Bad Habit(s): Due to her treatment and label of ‘imperfect’ Chiharu has problems with people commenting on her appearance in negative ways, mostly when it’s about her hair. Like(s): cooking, sweets, meat, singing. Dislike(s): sour candy, extremely hot days and dry climates. Hobbies: She likes cooking, mostly coming from the fact that Kakashi didn’t have time to cook with his missions, and so she made him dinner every day she came home from the academy. Fear(s): Dark, closed small rooms, the scent of vanilla. Strength(s): She can convert her chakra into water, allowing her to survive longer when not near water. Weakness(es): She can only do Genjutsu when she’s lying still, and only one kind using moist in the air to create a mirage. Special Powers/Abilities: She can convert chakra to water and keep hydrated in dry climates, this drains her of chakra quicker in dry climates (she gets over this the more she stays in the desert, as she’s not been outside of the land of fire when she was little.) Extras: ———————————————– Ambition/Life-long Dream: ridding the main part clan of the ridiculous standards of perfection. Occupation/Job: She a ninja specializing in assassination due to her water control. Best Class(es): Ninjutsu Worst Class(es): Genjutsu Family and Friends Parent(s): Ichigo and Takashi Tokage. (She calls Kakashi dad, but is 100% aware that they’re not related) Sibling(s): None of direct blood, a half-sister from his father’s side named Aki (written as 秋 meaning Autumn) Relative(s): the Tokage clans main and closest sister branch.

Also two daughters Ai and Hikari, One with Gaara as the father and another with the son of a clan branch leader. Pet(s): lizards Momo and Koko. Best Friend(s): Hana (deceased) and Kisara when she was younger, Temari once she starts to hang around Suna and Gaara, mostly because Temari was protective of Gaara, and therefore kept close to Chiharu to begin with. Friend(s): most of the Konoha Genin, with varying degrees of friendship. Crush(es): like many girls in Konoha Chiharu had an unexplained crush on Sasuke when she went to the academy, which disappeared as he began changing into his more power hungry self. After many escorts and much time spent together in Suna, Chiharu starts having feelings for Gaara, but doesn’t know how react to them properly, and therefore expresses them by being clingy and over the top (Gaara ends up confessing first) Rival(s): Yet to be named Tokage clan member Enemies: those who oppose Konoha and Suna. ——————————————————– Birth Village: the Tokage clan village. Current Village:  Konoha in part 1 and 2, Suna when she grows up. Rank: Jõnin. Ninja Status [missing-nin, medical-nin, etc.]: Regular Ninja Are you in the Akatsuki?: No. Teammates: Hana and Kisara Tokage in part 1, two male Tokage clan members in part 2. Sensei: Yet to be named Tokage clan member, both part 1 and 2

—————————————————— Chakra Element: Water. Learned Jutsu [jutsu you learned from the Academy or from other people]: Shadow clone and transformation jutsu. Personal Jutsu [jutsu that you have created on your own]: Water Evaporation, Control, Absorption, Repulsion and Extraction jutsu. Strength in Jutsu: see below Ninjutsu [ninja techniques]: 7/10. Genjutsu [illusion techniques]: 1/10. Taijutsu [martial arts techniques]:5 /10. Kekkei Genkai [bloodline traits]: (I have yet to decide on whether she should have a Kekkei Genkai)/10. Doujutsu [eye techniques]: 0 (does not have one)/10. Kinjutsu [forbidden techniques]: 0/10 Fuuinjutsu [sealing techniques]: 1/10 Strength in Missions: see below Accuracy: /10 Weaponry: 3/10 Stealth: 7/10 Speed: 9/10 Traps: 0/10 Tracking: 2/10 Chakra Control: 8/10 Analytical Skills: 1/10 Strategy: 5/10 Leadership: 3/10

———————————————————————— Clan: Tokage. Clan History:  the Tokage clan is a large clan, mostly consisting of Non-shinobi. They mostly keep to themselves and not many are social with outsiders. They are not a hostile clan, but do not wish to interfere with outsider politics. This way of living appeared once they saw how different clan interacted, finding the fighting unnecessary. They retrieved to their own villages and kept to themselves. Over time the leaders of the clan became obsessed with the idea of Perfection the perfect looks. And from that time they cultivated and bred on the most beautiful clan members, while any little imperfections were promptly expelled and proclaimed still born to their waiting parents. Then turned over to various orphanages.

This way many clan members are spread all over the world, some without knowledge of the clan’s existence. Clan Status: Alive and blooming, works more like a people at this point in time. Kekkei Genkai: (yet to be decided)

I like the start of her history – it’s a cool and twisted concept, the idea of disposing of imperfect children. Reminds me of the Vikings and Romans leaving unwanted children to die in the wilderness. How did Chiharu’s mother know where she and the other children were though to rescue her? I like that you kept Kakashi’s awkward personality in mind and that he wouldn’t warm to her immediately. How did Kakashi and Ichigo know each other though?

The need for her guardian’s approval is a good impetus for her to get stronger too, especially with Kakashi acting contrary to it.

What exactly made Kakashi change his mind about taking her to school and letting her stay at his house? Was it peer pressure from Gai/Asuma/Kurenai maybe? Or did she remind him of Rin? I think there should be an internal reason Kakashi suddenly changed his attitude towards her in the space of five months.

I like that you mentioned her apathy towards Sasuke leaving; not everyone was affected by it after all.

The act of using Water Jutsus without a readily available source is considered one of the highest demonstrations of ninja skills there is – the fact that Tobirama Senju could do it proved to many that he should be Hokage. How did Chiharu come to master this skill enough to even help with a drought in a Sand Country? I doubt she could have reached that level without training under a ninja with a Water Jutsu speciality at least.

I think Chiharu having to sleep with a light on would have been stamped out of her very quickly during her academy/genin days – to have a light on all through the night would signal one’s position to any passing enemies and so would put the whole team in danger. You might have to think of another way to have Chiharu and Gaara get closer.

Just a note, but Genjutsu doesn’t rely on moisture or anything like that; it’s a psychic illusion, or a form of hypnosis depending on whom you ask. Do you mean Bunshin technique? So Water Clones?

How exactly would her water control help her specialise in assassination?

Maybe don’t make her be clingy and over the top to Gaara? I expect his reaction to that would be to push her away rather than fall in love with her more, considering that it was only recently that he received any form of physical human contact or positive emotional reactions to himself.

I would lower her Speed a bit – you didn’t show any particular focus in her description to her being known for her speed. A 9/10 is almost on the level of the Yellow Flash or Shisui Uchiha.

 Definitely a good start :)

-Mod Ida

#female oc #konoha #submission #review #chiharu tokage