#[Evelyn is a wonderful wonderful human being and I want to give her a hug so bad]

[caeca-iustitia]

Can I just for a second?

Evelyn from Stardew Valley is an absolute angel and she deserves all the love...

She is such a sweet old woman and I love getting mail from her because seeing it genuinely lifts my mood...

If I wasn't so set on maybe adding Sebastian to this blog I'd add her as well because everyone deserves a loving grandma-figure in their life...

[lettingmydreamsspeak]

The Heart Knows Best: Part V

Summary: Things are slowly coming together in the grand plan of reconnecting Y/N and Chris. Little do they know how things are about to change in their favor.

Pairing: Chris Evans x Female Reader

Warnings: None

Word count: approx. 2600

Author’s Note: Catch up with Part I, Part II, Part III, and Part IV here before checking out Part V! I hope you enjoy this one. 

************************************************************************

You sat in the back of the town car as it slowly pulled up to the front door of the Park Central Hotel. After a long day of travel, you were glad to finally make it to your final destination. Upon realization of where you were staying, things slowly started kicking in that this wasn’t a dream, but this hotel was one place that you only dreamed of staying at. There were plenty of times in the past that you walked past this place, hoping to see someone famous walk out of the rotating doors, looking glamorous. You didn’t know that this would be your home for the next week, but you certainly weren’t going to complain. As you admired the hotel from the car window, the door quickly opened and a hand outstretched to help you exit the vehicle.

“We are here, Miss Y/L/N.”

“Thank you Charles.” 

As you took his hand for assistance, you couldn’t help but wonder if this is what it what it always felt like for those who had personal drivers. You stood on the side walk, looking to your right. There was a clear view of Central Park. You were instantly taken back to the moment you met Chris. It seemed like months had passed since it happened, but really it was just a little over a week since that fateful morning. You were in enough of a daze that you didn’t even realize you stood in the middle of the busy sidewalk, filled with people who were rushing off to work.

“Miss Y/L/N, is everything okay?”

Thankfully Charles brought you back to reality, before some angry passerby would throw garbage at you, because you slowed down their perfectly timed out walking pace to get into the office at the exact moment the needed to be there.

“Oh, yes Charles. Everything is fine. I am just happy to be back. Thank you for your services this morning.”

“You’re welcome Miss. Now, should we go inside before you get run over?”

You smiled as he directed you towards the revolving door where you are greeted by a friendly smile.

“Welcome to the Park Central Hotel. You must be Miss Y/L/N. We have been awaiting your arrival. We hope you enjoy your stay with us.”

************************************************************************

The drive into the city went quick for Chris and Scott. It gave them time to bounce some story ideas off of each other. It also gave them a chance to relive moments from their childhood, by blasting songs on the radio and singing along. They even had a good laugh when they realized they were singing some of the lyrics wrong. They loved being able to spend time like this with each other. In their adult life, they were always going in opposite directions, so when they had the chance to get out on the open road and make more memories together, they embraced it.

Chris navigated his way through Manhattan, as they encountered the end of the day rush hour. They found themselves at a standstill on West 59th Street. This street bordered the south end of Central Park, near the very spot along the pathway that Chris met Y/n on. It was the first time on the entire drive, that Chris had gone silent. He was reliving that morning again in his mind. Oddly enough, he even looked for Y/n, as if she was actually going to be there.

“Earth to Chris…the car in front of you is moving. Are you going to go?”

Vehicles behind him started honking their horns, encouraging him in a not so polite way to get going. He shook his head as he lightly pressed on the gas.

“Is everything okay? It’s like you spaced out for a moment”

“It’s because I did. All the memories of meeting Y/n started flooding back. I caught a glimpse of the spot where we met. A part of me wished that by chance when I looked over to the spot that she would be standing there, waiting for me.”

Scott patted him on the shoulder, consoling him for the wish that was unfulfilled in the moment. He felt bad for his brother, but he was really good at containing his excitement for what he knew was going to happen the next morning.

“Well, it doesn’t hurt to have that kind of wish cross your mind. She must have been something special if you are still feeling this way about her Chris. There is nothing wrong with that.”

“You’re right. Now let’s focus on this meeting tomorrow, and maybe we can have a little fun when we are here. I don’t need to be back in Boston for a couple of days.”

“I like you’re thinking. I see that we are just about to arrive at the hotel. How about we drop our things off, freshen up, and go out for beer and food?”

“I can get behind that idea.”

As they pulled up to the front door of the hotel, Chris felt a sense of calm as he stepped out of the vehicle, putting his sunglasses on and turning his cap on the right way. He looked at the hotel and then looked to the right, where he could see Central Park. He smiled. In this moment he caused a bit of commotion with the passersby. Cellphone cameras snapped photos of him smiling. With not much in hand except a duffel bag, he quickly made his way to the entrance to pass off his keys to the valet and give a final wave to the few people who stood there in shock that they just saw him.

“Welcome to the Park Central Hotel, Mr. Evans. We have been awaiting your arrival. We hope you enjoy your stay with us”

************************************************************************

You despised the early hours you kept seeing on the bedside table clock. It started at 5am, an hour that you really weren’t too familiar with. You hadn’t slept much the entire night. Luckily you had a couple more hours to try and catch up on the sleep time you missed. It wasn’t happening though. It seemed as if you saw every ten minutes pass by. You blamed it on a good blend of nervous energy and excitement. Leading up to your actual alarm going off, you made notes and questions on the hotel stationary to often goes unused. There were plenty of questions you figured you wanted to ask, even though you were going into this meeting without any prior knowledge of what the project entailed.

As 7 am finally arrived, you looked at your phone. Apparently you were not the only one that was up early. Evelyn had texted you at 5:30am to apologize that she couldn’t have breakfast with you as she promised, but would meet you at the front door of headquarters at 8:30am to give you a tour and show you your office for the week. Her cancellation of breakfast was welcomed news as you just wanted to take your time getting ready. Before starting your morning routine, a quick call to room service for the delivery of a hearty breakfast and a giant  cup of coffee was just what you needed to feel like a human again. As you hung up the phone from placing the order, you stood in front of an illuminated mirror. You examined every line and spot on your face. You couldn’t help but smile.

“Alright, Y/n. Today is the day that you have dreamed about. You don’t have to underestimate your abilities anymore. Enjoy the moment and don’t forget to wow them.”

************************************************************************

“I hope you don’t need much time to get ready?”

Scott was already dressed and ready to go as Chris just turned over for the first time, smelling the coffee that his brother placed on the bedside table.

“When do we need to leave?”

“Well, we should be somewhat early…so how about you just get up and get ready. I got breakfast and coffee for you. Other than that, it’s all up to you and us arriving to the meeting on time.”

“Alright, alright. I’ll get up! Next time, maybe we shouldn’t stay out late the night before an important meeting.”

“May I remind you, it’s because you are getting old.”

Hiding his head underneath the pillow, Chris was awake enough to give his brother the finger.

*********************************************************************

“Welcome Y/n!!!”

Evelyn greeted you at the door, just like she said she would. You arrived not one minute early or late. You wanted to demonstrate your punctuality, without being too eager on your first day at headquarters. Evelyn was genuinely excited to see you this morning, as she gave you a hug instead of shaking your hand. It felt a little odd to see her in person, as you were used to meeting with her over video conferencing.

“It is so great to be here Evelyn”

“I apologize again for missing breakfast with you this morning, but I had an urgent meeting come up with our office in London. Are you ready to see what it is like here at headquarters?”

You already knew that you would like this place a whole lot more than your office back in Vancouver. There was something about the overall atmosphere at headquarters. Even though you had only walk through the lobby of the building so far, creativity filled the space. As planned, Evelyn took you on a tour, introducing you to all the people you really needed to know while you were there. She even introduced you to some of the illustrators you admired for years. They welcomed you with words of admiration for your work. What a surreal moment. The two of you then reached your final stop before the meeting; your office.

“Now, if we need you here in Manhattan more often, I promise that your office will be a lot more nice than this.” 

Evelyn said this as she slowly opened the door into the space. Your jaw dropped. What was Evelyn talking about? The first thing that caught your eye was the floor to ceiling windows that lined one side of your office. The view was out towards Midtown Manhattan. You hadn’t really realized how far up in floors you went in the elevator, as you were caught up in conversation with Evelyn and her associates. You must have been on at least the 20th floor, maybe even more. You slowly walked into the office, letting you fingers trace the edge of the glass top desk and the all the supplies you needed to work on preliminary drawings, before transferring them to digital formatting.

“Evelyn, this is unbelievable. This is more than I would have ever imagined my office to be. Thank you.”

“I really hope it will suffice. If there is anything that you are missing, let Amy your office assistant know. She will be able to help you out. We have about 10 minutes before our meeting in the conference room at the end of the hall. I will leave you to it for a bit. I’m going to go and see if our clients are here yet, to escort them to the conference room.”

“Thank you again Evelyn. I will see you shortly.”

Evelyn exited the room and closed the door behind her. You stood there in shock. This was your life now. Well, it was for the week at least. You quickly grabbed your phone to take pictures to send to your family and Haley. Not even a minute later, Haley video called you.

“Hi Hales! I hope you don’t mind, but I can’t talk long.”

“It’s okay, I have to get ready for work anyway. I just wanted to say hi and that I love your new office. Does it seem a little surreal?”

“It sure does. I think I am in shock right now.”

“Are you about to head into your big meeting?”

“I am. Good news though, I am not nervous!”

“Oh good. So I’m thinking you don’t know who you are meeting with yet?”

“Sure don’t. Evelyn didn’t even talk about the meeting this morning. She must be feeling pretty confident about it and my ability to just go with the flow.”

“Well, I’m sure you will have a great meeting. Make sure you call or text me after it, okay?”

“I will! Love ya Hales!”

It was finally time to make your way to the boardroom. You placed your personal things away in the closet and grabbed a pen, paper, and sketchbook off your new desk and reached for the door handle. Before opening the door, you took a deep breath.

“You got this Y/n. You. Got. This.”

************************************************************************

You sat beside Evelyn’s associates who were having their own conversation about other projects. You sat there trying to contain the nervous twitch you had in one leg, as you doodled on the sketchpad. You couldn’t sit still. Nerves finally kicked in, as you could hear Evelyn in the hallway chatting. There was laughter coming from their conversation. The laughter was calming, ultimately giving you the vibe that this client was going to be fun to work with. Staring out the window as your back was to the hallway door, you kept analyzing the voices and the banter they were having. You couldn’t make out what they were talking about, but they sure were taking their time to get to the boardroom. It’s as if they needed to stop every few steps. Was there something out there that you missed seeing because you were so focused on getting to the meeting and not being late?

Just then the door slowly opened. Not sure what to do, you quickly stood up like the associates did, with you head hanging down, hoping you could hide your nerves. How were you to greet this client? Was Evelyn going to introduce you, or was that up to you to be confident? You reminded yourself to do the most important thing you have learned through life, and that was to smile. Maybe following the lead of the associates was also a good idea, as they were used to this interaction. It sure seemed strange at how they clamored together though. You could see the top of someone’s head, peak into the board room.

“Sorry for the delay, everyone. He always wants to make sure that no one feels left out.”

Sure enough the associates laughed, and some giggled like little kids, after this comment was made. You recognized the voice, but couldn’t place it. The associates remained standing somewhat in a little cluster as the familiar voice returned to the hallway. Evelyn quickly came around to the head of the table. She motioned for you to both sit down. You kept an eye on Evelyn, just in case she had more direction for you. She smiled at you as a boisterous voice entered the room.

“Good morning everyone!”

Your heart stopped. You knew that voice. You slowly turned your chair so you could try and get a glimpse of who you thought it was. He made his way down the table, greeting each associate that stood there. You looked down at your feet as your heart started to race a little more, feeling like you could get ill. You then see his feet stop in front of you. You slowly stood up, without making eye contact just yet. You extend your hand and slowly raised your head. Evelyn spoke up.

“And this is your amazing illustrator…”

“Y/n…..” Chris stood there in shock as he held your hand. You were ready to faint as your whole entire body didn’t know how to react in the moment. You didn’t want him to let go, as you feared you would fall over. Was this real? Was he real? Scott proceeded to take a seat across the table from you, with the biggest smile on his face as he grabbed his phone and snapped a picture of the two of you seeing each other for the first time. 

Sure enough, the picture was sent to Haley with the caption... 

Operation Reconnection: Success!

...To be continued in Part VI

[tres-spades-hotel]

The Adventures of Avaline

Chapter 2 – Responsibilities

When I return to the throne room, I see two little children.

‘Hello!’ The boy who shows me a bright smile is Altair, the child messenger of the Department of Punishments.

‘Are the new goddess?’ The girl with pink hair I instantly recognise as Vega, the child messenger of the Department of Wishes. I smile at their adorableness.

‘Yes, I am. My name is Avaline. I’m the Goddess of Destiny.’ I bow in a graceful manner and their eyes shine.

‘Wow! It’s really nice to meet you!’ Vega says. I squat down to their height to speak with them easier.

‘It’s nice to meet the both of you too! What are you doing here?’ I ask.

‘His Highness asked us to show you to your room. Please follow us!’

‘Haha, okay thank you!’ They both grab my hands and I follow the children out of the throne room.

They’re such little bundles of joy! Plus their excitement is contagious. I’m actually excited to be here and start working. Since I was human, I’d like to think that I’m more mindful of how humans work. Hopefully, this will work to my advantage. Although, I’ve never heard of the Department of Souls before. It must be an important Department though if it’s dealing with souls.

The stories say that human souls enter into a rebirth cycle so human souls are reborn after a certain amount of time. It’s how the MC was reborn from Clotho. I wonder what kind of department it is and what kinds of gods and goddess I’ll encounter.

This is my life now I’ll just have to own it.

We arrive at a pair of doors with golden handles.

‘Here we are! This is your room. Now we actually have to go, we have a ton of work to do.’ Vega says in a dejected voice. I go down to their level.

‘That’s okay you two. Just promise me that we’ll see each other again to play, okay?’ Their eyes sparkle at my warm words.

‘Yes!’ They both shout out and hug me tightly before running off in opposite directions. So cute!

I stare at the doors for a moment, wondering what is inside. But I take a deep breath and push the doors open.

Inside is a large room. The chamber has two levels but it seems to be angled so that the bottom floor is larger than the top level. The floor itself is a mahogany colour. As I step inside, the doors behind me close automatically. When I look back I see two wall-bookcases either side of the doors. I wonder if the King knows how much I love books. I am, or was, an Aquarius.

Turning around, I walk further into my room. On my left is a large couch with two single chairs either side and a large coffee table. In the middle of the room is the reflecting pool that I will now have to use. I wonder if I can use the reflecting pool for work too. I look into the pool and see a group of people in a village. They’re grooming some horses. I smile at the scene when suddenly a pair of children run around the horses, seeming to be having fun. The scene disappears and a new one shows up of a couple working in a farm. It seems that their adult children are helping them tend to the plants. Everyone is in very old-fashioned clothing and I don’t see any tractors or farming equipment which reconfirms that this Earth is very far back in the past.

I stand up and look around some more. Either side of the reflecting pool are two sets of short, curved staircases. Under the stairs are more bookshelves which makes me squeal in delight. Can you tell how much I love books? I go up the left staircase and see a large bed below a big window. On my left is a cupboard with a desk placed perfectly in the middle. I’ll definitely be spending a lot of time here. There are bedside tables and a long wardrobe on the right which is where I catch a glimpse of my reflection.

I nearly jump back when I see myself. I walk over slowly to my reflection who looks as confused as I feel. All of the changes I felt on my body, I see in front of me. But what shocks me the most, is the face that I see. I feel my fingers slowly stroke the skin on my face. It’s the same face I had as a human. It sems as if my features have changed slightly though but I can’t quite put my finger on it. I spin in front of the mirror and feel myself smiling. I’m really alive. A goddess, but alive. I won’t age, I won’t die – probably – I’ll always be me. I just hope I don’t lose who I am inside. The human I am is still here and she is always here to stay.

That’s when I notice my eyes. On closer inspection, the stars shine bright almost in the shape of sun, with a circle and triangular shapes jutting out of it. But what bewilders me is the fact that the stars are moving. They move as if in water and occasional fit into the same sun shape. Are they meant to do that? Actually, didn’t Leon look confused when he saw my eyes? Where they moving at the time?

Turning away from the mirror, I flop backwards onto the bed. The ceiling has two golden chandeliers similar to those in the hallways. Thinking about being a goddess means that I have powers. Which means I can snap my fingers and make anything appear?

Sitting up at the prospect, I close my eyes and lift my right hand in the air. I think of the object that I want and SNAP. I feel a small object plop onto my lap and open my eyes. A little lion teddy has appeared and I smile uncontrollably.

‘Oh my god, it actually worked!’ I lift up the lion like a baby and marvel at its softness and cuteness. The lion is just like teddies I used to have when I was a kid.

‘Lion, I name thee…. Leo!’ It’s not very imaginative but I’ll take it. I hug the lion, squeezing it tight. Flopping back down I decide to sleep for a little while with Leo at my side.

*

The next day, I open my doors to a little girl who is not Vega. She has lavender hair and a little flower crown that is lopsided.

‘Oh, hello there.’ I say, crouching down to meet her height.

‘Hello Lady Avaline! My name is Lilac and I am the messenger of the Department of Souls. Lady Evelyn has told me to bring you to the office. Are you ready to go?’ She seems to be much younger than Vega and Altair but I smile at her politeness. My hands correct the crown on her head only to realise that it doesn’t fit very well. I frown.

‘This crown is a bit too big for you Lilac.’

‘Yes, I’m still really small but I’ll grow into it eventually! I joined the Department of Souls recently so I still have a few years to grow.’ She explains. I pat her head and hold out my hand.

‘Well then, shall we go?’ She looks at my hand uncertainly but she puts her little hand into mine.

‘Everyone is very busy at the moment preparing for Lord Leon’s ordination ceremony today.’ Lilac tells me as a group of gods pass by with paperwork.

‘Sounds intense. I hope everything goes well.’ I respond.

‘It will! He’s going to become the Chief Minister of the Department of Wishes.’

‘Really? The Wishes are probably going to have their hands full in the future.’ I say with a smile. Lilac looks up at me.

‘What do you mean?’

‘Haha, don’t worry about it. Let’s get going, hm?’ Lilac points out where the other departments are and the different rooms as well.

‘So here is the ballroom where lots of big parties are held. All the goddess’ look so pretty in their gowns. Sometimes the King likes to have competitions too.’ I scrunch up my face.

‘What do you mean competitions?’

‘Sometimes everyone has to vote for the best couple, best dressed, best ballroom dancer and so on. He likes to hold competitions in general though.’

‘Oh, I see.’

‘Over there is the Punishments. At the Department of Souls, we work closely with them because when a lot of humans die at the same time it causes a backlog of paperwork for us. So we work with the Punishments in order to prevent as much death as possible.’

‘Is that what the department does? Dealing with human souls?’ I ask, bewildered.

‘Yes. At the same time, we work with the Wishes because we also control which souls are reborn on Earth and these souls have to be good, not evil or had done bad things. But that job is mostly for higher up gods like Lady Evelyn and Lady Ria.’ She says.

‘Lady Ria?’

‘Oh, you’ll meet her right now! Here we are!’ We finally made it to the Souls office which seems to be in a small corner of the Palace. The doors are large like the others but it has a more silver tint in the light. There is a pair of statues holding long rods on either side of the doors.

‘What are these? They look so strong.’ I say attempting to touch one when the eyes immediately open.

‘Ah!’ I say startled and jump back.

‘Thank you milady for the compliment. We are guards of the Department of Souls, created by the Chief Minister Evelyn.’ I look down at Lilac who nods in confirmation.

‘Lady Evelyn will explain everything! Hurry, let’s go!’ The guards open the door and Lilac eagerly pulls me inside.

The office is large, similar to the throne room, with elongated stain-glass windows at the back. The room is bustling with activity when we enter. There are desks which are curved in rows all the way to the back. As we walk in, gods and goddess’ look at me curiously, some even giving a polite smile and nod. When I look down to say something to Lilac, I see a large flower pattern on the floor. It’s an English rose but instead of pink, it is golden.

‘Oh wow! It’s beautiful.’ I exclaim and Lilac jumps up and down on one of the petals.

‘Isn’t it? I love to jump from one petal to the other when I’m not working!’ She giggles excitedly and I laugh along with her. But when I step on a petal as well, it lights up. I step back shocked.

‘Why did it do that?’ I ask Lilac.

‘That is because the Soul System is responding to your power.’ A different voice echoes, silencing everyone. I look up to the voice standing behind a large desk on an elevated platform. Behind is a map of Earth but not as I know it.

‘You must be Avaline, the Goddess of Destiny. His Highness has told me of you. Welcome to the Department of Souls.’ An almost elderly looking woman stands up. She wears a white dress and a shawl wrapped around her. Despite her age, I guess, she has perfect features but also has a hint of proudness and maturity to her. She steps down from the platform and holds her arms out in greeting.

‘Oh, thank you, you must be Lady Evelyn?’ I ask nervously. She has a powerful aura around her, like Leon and Zyglavis. She definitely is the Chief Minister.

Evelyn smiles warmly at me.

‘Yes, it is I. We’re very lucky to have such a powerful goddess here in Souls.’

‘Powerful?’

Evelyn address’ her subordinates.

‘His Highness has deemed her the most powerful goddess in the Heavens. I’m sure you can all feel it.’ Isn’t that the same thing I heard some of the gods whispering yesterday? And why did she say it in such a proud tone? We don’t even know each other?

‘Um…’ As I look around nervously, everyone scrutinises me closely. I can’t tell if I’m being judged in a bad way or not, that I feel more intimidated by the second.

‘Lady Avaline over here is Lady Ria. She is the Apprentice of Souls. It’s sort of like a Vice-Minister title.’ The goddess, Ria, seems also quite mature. She wears her deep black hair back in a tight ponytail, extenuating her facial features. Unlike Lady Evelyn, she ears a black suite attire with the sleeves rolled up. A gold choker with a symbol on a pendant is the only jewellery she wears.

‘Hello, it’s nice to meet you.’ I bow slightly to the almost stoic woman. Ria narrows her eyes and nods at me. Does she not like me?

‘Avaline here will be working with us in the department. I expect an excellent work ethic from you, dear.’ She says, patting me on the shoulder.

‘Um, thank you. I’ll do my best!’ I try to say enthusiastically but I feel more nervous.

‘Remember everyone, today is Lord Leon’s ordination ceremony. Finish as much work as you can to prevent backlog. I think we deserve a break so all work can wait until tomorrow.’ Lady Evelyn says. Everyone gets back to work, looking over documents.

She turns to me.

‘Now Avaline, this is our main office. Over on the left is a reflecting pool room which we use to see the humans. Our work in the department is very important. Every document and file is a single human’s life from the second they are born to the second their heart stops beating. We decide whether the human’s soul deserves a ‘second chance’ and can enter the Soul System.’ She explains.

‘The Soul System? Lilac mentioned that.’

‘Yes, only I as the Chief Minister can summon it. Ria also can because she is my Apprentice. I cannot show you now, but the Soul System is the globe with rings around it. Each ring is a tier with souls floating on it. Each soul is different and requires different things. It is the cycle of rebirth itself.’

‘This sounds very complicated.’ I whisper but she catches it.

‘Yes it is. But it will become second nature to you. As my subordinate, it is your duty to decides whether a soul can be reborn. I will check some of these but not all. Since you’re new, I will check your work to make sure you’re on the right track. We don’t want any evil souls being reborn on Earth.’

‘What happens to the ones that don’t get reborn?’

‘They get sent to the Underworld.’ She replies.

‘Anyway, Lilac will give you your paperwork. Have a look before the ceremony starts. Sit with Ria in the throne room.’ Lady Evelyn says and sits back at her desk.

‘Follow me, your desk is next to mine.’ Ria walks over to the desk closest to Lady Evelyn. Beside it is a clean desk with a stack of documents.

*

After some time, the office begins to empty as gods and goddess’ leave to get ready for the ceremony. Lady Evelyn snaps her fingers and changes Ria and I’s outfits to gowns. Ria wears a navy blue figure-hugging gown with one strap on it. There is a slit up the side too to reveal her leg. I wear a strapless pastel orange gown with three-quarter length sleeves. The bodice hugs my chest while the rest slightly balloons out.

I follow Ria to the throne room which is lively with gods and goddess’ attempting to get the best seat for the ceremony. The front is filled with those who are high ranking in the Department of Wishes, Punishments and Souls. Ria spares no second in marching her way to her seat.

‘Hey, wait up!’ I shout out, scrambling to follow behind her. She walks confidently and doesn’t look at anyone. I can tell her grumpy attitude is displeasing as many get out of her path pretty quickly. We sit down at the very front with a few other gods from Souls who give a nod of greeting. I lean towards Ria.

‘Why am I sitting at the front? I’m not high ranking. Am I?’ She rolls her eyes and crosses her arms and legs.

‘You’re not since you are inexperienced. But Lady Evelyn wanted you to see the ceremony up close. Besides, you’re a Souls now. And the Souls is enough of a title to make you high ranking above all the other departments.’ She says the last part in a smug tone.

‘Is the Department of Souls really that important?’ She glares at me.

‘Of course! We deal with life and death every day. You can’t say the same for the other departments in the Heavens. Not even Punishments deal with that kind of thing.’ She sighs when she sees a look of exasperation on my face.

‘It takes a special kind of god or goddess to work in the Department of Souls. Unlike bigger departments like Wishes and Punishments, we value quality. Not quantity. That’s why we’re such a small department compared to the rest. Every subordinate is important. Our decisions decide what kind of humans live on Earth. You’re here because the King sees potential in you.’ Ria takes a breath and leans back on her chair.

‘You’re really proud of who you are, huh?’ I say to the air. Ria only huffs.

‘Just don’t screw up is my advice. And go to Evelyn if you need assistance.’

‘Right. I promise.’ I turn my sight to the King’s throne when I see somebody’s eyes already staring my way.

Leon sits lazily in his seat, but his gaze is as alert as ever. His eyes are concentrated on me, as if I just became his next prey. I feel my face flush under his intense gaze. No doubt, he’s thinking I’m weird or strange after what happened in the church. I look away for a moment but when I look back, he’s still looking at me! His eyes take in my gown too, making me feel like I’m a piece of meat laid out for him to take a bite.

I don’t know what to do so I hesitantly smile at him. The next thing I know he’s smirking at me as if I just got up and started dancing around like a clown. I feel my lips pull down into a frown and suddenly I’m pouting. His smirk gets even wider as he watches me pull annoyed faces. I catch myself giggle at this strange conversation we seem to be having. He rests his chin on the palm of his hand, observing me intently. I wonder what he’s thinking?

Suddenly, a hand ready to snap enters my vision and I blink, turning to see Ria with a questioning look on her face.

‘What are you staring at?’ She asks, raising her eyebrow.

‘Nothing! I was just… admiring the throne room! It’s beautiful, isn’t it?’ I respond quickly and she just as quickly rolls her eyes at me.

‘Don’t tell you you’re also infatuated with that Wild Lion.’ She says with disbelief.

‘Infatuated? Me? No! Of course not!’ Looking at each other as I tell a sweet lie causes us to burst out in giggles.

‘Um, I mean, it’s not like that. Anyway, isn’t everyone charmed by Lord Leon?’ I ask and she chuckles darkly.

‘Everyone is but me. I don’t see the attraction. He didn’t work to get the position he’s getting today. He was practically born into it.’

‘Oh, I understand what you mean. He comes from an elite family right?’ I ask, turning back to see Leon still staring at me!

‘He does. Plus he’s the most powerful god next to the King so a large title is befitting for him. Unlike you.’ I turn back to Ria.

‘What do you mean?’

‘You’re the most powerful goddess next to the King. Don’t you think you need a big title like him?’ She gestures with her chin to Leon.

‘I’m not experienced enough for that kind of thing. I’m ready for such a big responsibility. I’d rather do what I can for the humans rather than stress over titles or statuses.’ Ria raises her eyebrow almost in shock.

‘What? Did I say something weird?’

‘No. It’s just, many goddess’ would say the opposite. I… I don’t know many goddess’ in general but to hear you say that is strange.’

‘Thanks.’ I say.

‘I believe in working hard to gain a status that is most deserving of the work you put in, in the first place.’

‘That sounds like a god… we know. So… who is attractive to you?’ I elbow her in a wink-wink-nudge-nudge gesture and she shakes me off.

‘Even if I had an attraction to a god, I wouldn’t tell it to you.’ She huffs away from, crossing her arms.

‘Well, Lord Zyglavis is pretty hard working. Isn’t he?’ I say.

‘Of course he is. But don’t think I’m attracted to him. I respect him. There’s a difference.’ I burst out laughing.

‘What?!’

‘You’re so cute.’ She blushes intensely at my comment.

‘Be quiet! It’s about to start!’

I sit still, stifling my giggles.

‘When the ceremony is over, I’ll help you get started on your paperwork.’

My eyes widen as I look over to see Ria smiling ever so slightly. To gain the approval of the Apprentice of Souls is an extreme achievement. Maybe there’s more to Lady Ria’s stern, grumpy side.

The King appears to officiate the ceremony. I watch Lady Evelyn stand beside him. I lean in to whisper to Ria.

‘Why is she standing there?’

‘To put the crown on his head. Now shush!’

Leon saunters up to the King. Lady Evelyn smiles sweetly at him and places the crown on his head.

*

Afterwards, everyone gathers in the ballroom, congratulating Leon on becoming the Chief Minister of Wishes. The ballroom looks exactly like the one in SCM with chandeliers and a large stage area for speeches and performances. There are different levels and raised platforms, creating a larger space for everyone who lives in the Palace.

I almost wish I could take it all in without being hounded.

‘Lady Avaline, you’re looking very beautiful. Are you sure you do not want a god such as I by your side?’

‘No, really thank you. I’m sure that there are other goddess’ who are more deserving of your attention.’ I try to placate a god who has been attempting to sweep me away.

‘You jest I’m certain. I mean, who wouldn’t want such a powerful goddess by their side? You’re aura is beautifully frightening.’ He attempts to take a strand of my hair when Ria comes to my rescue.

‘Have you no shame? Your lover is staring daggers at you. And you wouldn’t want to be on the receiving end of her… might.’ She takes my arm and drags me away quickly but I could tell the god had tensed up.

‘Thank you! I didn’t know how to get him to leave me alone.’

‘You need to be more aggressive with gods like him. If you don’t put your foot down fast, they’ll follow you forever.’ I cringe when the music changes.

‘Oh, what’s happening?’

‘A group of goddess’ put together a dance for Lord Leon and the King. Let’s stand over here where you don’t get in the way.’ She pulls me to the side.

‘Hey!’

‘Hello.’

‘You’re so mean.’

‘Thank you, that’s the first time you’ve complimented in the last few hours since we’ve met.’ She smirks at me, having more fun teasing me than the party we’re at.

I puff out my cheeks when she puts a glass of champagne in my face.

‘Drink. It’ll make you feel in the party mood.’

‘I’m pretty sure I’ll be as grumpy as you when I’m done with this glass.’

‘What did you say!?’

‘Nothing!’

A large group of goddess’ are adorned with sparkling jewels and they dance like professionals. They match the beat and the rhythm of the music perfectly that it’s hard not to begin clapping along. Suddenly, they start pulling in gods in the crowd to dance with them. Some of the elder gods shyly refuse but the younger ones seem to be ready to dance the night away. Everyone is having lots of fun.

Suddenly, the music dies down and the King appears on the stage.

‘This is an auspicious occasion, for a new Department Minister is born. However, that is not the only reason we are celebrating today. A new goddess joins us in this wonderful event. Her ability and power alone has made you all curious, no doubt.’ At those words, everyone knows exactly who he is talking about. Many of whom even turn to look my way.

‘Everyone please welcome Avaline, the Goddess of Destiny to the Palace.’ Clapping echoes across the ballroom and I feel my body temperature rise rapidly at the attention. I bow slightly and send a smile to everyone I see.

‘To commemorate this extraordinary day, the new Department Minister and the new goddess will dance together.’ Murmurs and gasps travel through the crowd like a wave in the sea.

I have to dance … with Leon?!

I’m hit lightly with a shoulder. Ria motions for me to move since everyone is looking at me now. I nod and turn to the centre when a hand is held out in front of me.

‘Well? What are you waiting for?’

Leon stands before me, confident as ever. I’m not bad at ballroom dancing but if I mess up, it will be humiliating not only for me, but for him to.

Hesitantly, I place my hand in Leon’s who immediately pulls me towards him and places his hand on my waist. He guides me to the centre of the ballroom with all eyes on us. Our eyes never leave each other’s. Suddenly, everyone doesn’t matter anymore. Only he does.

[corpse--diem]

All Caught Up | Alain & Erin

TIMING: A week or two after the fire at the funeral home. PARTIES: @carbrakes-and-stakes & @corpse–diem SUMMARY: Erin and Alain catch up over dinner and have a questionably successful chat about break-ups and bad guys.  CONTENT WARNINGS: n/a

It had been a while since Alain had seen Erin. The blame was shared as life could get busy whether you buried the dead, or whether you took care of those who did not want to remain dead. Still, they had decided to take some time to catch up, and the man was delighted when Erin required that he make steak for the occasion. Rib steak was ordered from the butcher, and quite some time spent peeling potatoes and cutting them into fries. He had set the table in the garden, figuring that they might as well enjoy the outdoors while the weather still allowed it. If he had not bothered with proper wine glasses, or making something fancier to go with the steak, it was because he knew that she would probably mock his fancy ass for it. The thought brought a smile to his face, and heading back inside, he finished tidying up the living room as he waited for her to arrive. He did not have to wait too long. When someone knocked at the door, he headed there to open it.

There was something so odd about having a casual visit with a friend right about now. Even just a few months ago, this was normal behavior. Just another relaxing night. Then why did Erin feel anything but relaxed? No--she knew why. That was a stupid question. With the self-inflicted chaos she’d invited into her life, fitting back into normal pockets of life would take some readjustments. But she pulled on the best smile, and a genuine one, when the door opened. “Hey stranger,” she greeted, feeling some of the edge in her bones smoothing out at the familiar, comforting face. Alain was far from “normal” but it hit her how much of a warming presence he always was. Like family. She didn’t hesitate to wrap her arms around him tightly, somehow balancing the covered dish in her hand. “Oh, I missed you.” She laughed, realizing she was being uncharacteristically sentimental and yanked herself out of that mindset quickly. “I didn’t have time to bake, but I bought the best Lemon Tart White Crest has to offer. If you judge me or my dessert, you’re not getting any.”

Stranger? “Well fuck you too,” he scoffed, wrapping his arms around her to hug her back. He had noticed that she was holding something in her hand, and was careful not to bump into that. Alain then looked at her and shook his head. “So sentimental,” still it was nice. With the things that had been going on lately, he could use meeting up with someone he knew would and could be supportive and cheerful too, no matter what. “I missed you too, it’s been like… months?” Even though they often texted each other else to get news, share pictures of their pets, and unflattering selfies, it was never quite as great as meeting in person. “You can go put that tart in the fridge,” he told her, moving aside to let her in. “I hope they didn’t put a mountain of meringue on top,” he said with a smile before he paused, motioning toward the backyard with his fingers. “I have to check on the grill, make sure your food doesn’t end up as dry as a shoe sole,” he cleared his throat. They had some catching up to do, for certain, and he wondered who would be the first to spill the bag of thoughts.

Months? Erin blinked at the surprise of that revelation. He was right though, and they both knew it involved the same old song and dance about being adults with responsibilities. Still didn’t make her feel less guilty. “God, we suck,” she laughed softly, following him in and putting the dessert away. There was, in fact, a palpable amount of meringue, but she didn’t see the problem. “Don’t worry. I’ll just eat your share,” she smirked, then followed him out to the backyard. Maybe a home cooked meal fresh off the grill was the slice of life she needed more than she realized. “So what have you been up to?” She asked, crossing her arms, watching him work his magic. Alain was, if anything, an excellent cook, and she had no qualms complimenting him about that either. Her mouth was already watering. “And Evelyn?” She glanced up at him, raising a playful eyebrow. “She’s doing good too, I hope?”

“That’s fine, at least we both suck. I’m glad that we’re still huge losers like that,” Alain commented, kicking his flip-flops off on the patio to walk barefoot in the grass. His dogs were staying at a safe distance from the grill, but close enough to attempt to get a bite whenever they could get a chance. He gave them a glance as he picked up the fork to flip around the piece of meat. There was an air of melancholia on his face as she joked about eating his share.  Evelyn never could finish her desserts, mainly because she didn’t really need human food to survive. And so, he always was the one who finished her plate. “Mmmh?” He looked over his shoulder as she asked what he had been doing lately. “Well, I fell off a cliff and ended up covered in that ink,” he gave her a glance, clearly waiting for her to get mad at him, “had nightmares for weeks because of a mara, and well, you know, the usual,” however, he couldn’t bring himself to smile when she asked about Evelyn. “We… She broke up,” he shrugged, giving Erin a sheepish smile.

Erin kneeled to pet the dogs, who’s rambunctious excitement wasn’t well contained with a visitor in their backyard. She’d never been much of a dog person but she’d grown soft when it came to Alain’s little guys. “Once a loser, always a loser,” she teased, but her smile didn’t last long. Watched with increasing concern as Alain started listing off his troubles. She remembered the cliff instance, and that had still terrified her. A mara? Her mind immediately jumped to Marley. No--no. She’d never. Right? Marley had never been a fan of hunters, for good reason, but it wasn’t as if she knew Alain was a friend of her’s. What got her to stand, finally ignoring the playful nips the dogs kept using to grab her attention. “You broke up?” She asked, her heart genuinely breaking for her friend. As much as she had teased him, there was no question she wanted nothing but happiness for him. And he’d seemed so happy. “What--what happened? Are you okay?” She frowned, reaching across to gently grab his forearm.  

“I guess it’s for the best,” Alain breathed in and out through his mouth, his shoulders falling lower than usual. He had not planned to talk about this, but it would have been hard to avoid the subject the whole evening. As he realized that he was scanning the garden to find something to drink, he frowned. No, this was not really an answer, however tempting it was. He knew that. And so he looked back at his friend and shook his head as he said, “yeah, I’ll be fine.” Scratching at the side of his neck, he looked away and put his hand over hers. “Thanks Erin. I just… well, she is not fond of hunters, you know,” frowning, he glanced back at the grill and then at his watch. Almost done. “Anyway, how are things? Have you found Betty yet?” He had many other questions regarding what had happened the day her house burned down, and changing the topic to this was the first step to getting to his interrogations. “Nic isn’t tired of you yet?”

Erin was quiet, her eyes sad and curious as she watched Alain muster up an explanation. She hadn’t meant to prod but the news had surprised her more than she realized. He’d seemed so… happy? What had happened? Oh. Oh. Narrowed her eyes at the mention of hunters. “You only just told her about that?” she asked, absently petting one of his dogs when they rubbed against her leg. She instantly got that he was trying to move on quickly from this, and she understood a move like that came from a place of pain, but it hadn’t clarified much for her. “What do you mean she wasn’t fond of hunters? She knows what they are?” she asked, putting a hand gently on his arm. “Sorry, I don’t mean to prod, I just--don’t understand. You seemed so--” Happy. She bit her lip. “I’m sorry, Alain.”

“I know, I fucked up,” he pinched at his nose, covering his mouth. He probably would have told Evelyn sooner, had it not been with those sleepless nights he had because of that other mara. Adding more stress to his life, while he was already getting no sleep, feeling like shit for not doing his job properly and getting anxious for failing his hunter duties due to being too tired to function, was not something he needed then. And so he had waited, and then, he found out that Evelyn was also a mara. A series of events had postponed the moment he was supposed to tell her by many, many weeks. “What I mean by that is that she’s not human, and that she lost someone close to her to a hunter,” he would have told Erin that Evelyn was a mara, but Alain didn’t feel like explaining what those were. Little did he know that he wouldn’t have had to. “I know. I thought we were too,” he agreed with a sad shrug. Well this was turning into a pity party, he thought to himself. “Can we just change the subject. I don’t…” his lip curled up in annoyance. He was not annoyed at Erin, but rather at the topic of the conversation. “I’ll be okay. What about you? How are you holding up?”

Erin shook her head, noting the way he instantly seized up at the mention of it. This whole discussion must have gone worse than she realized. “That’s not what I meant. I’m just… surprised? Being a hunter is a pretty huge part of your life.” She wasn’t human? And had lost someone to a hunter? Oh, wow. “Shit.” Yeah. That definitely didn’t go well then, huh? Erin grimaced at the thought, unable to stop herself from slipping an arm behind his back, giving him a comforting squeeze. He might not have wanted to talk about it, and she understood that, but this shit was hard. Even harder with the implications that came from what he was. And if this was all she could do, and all he wanted to do, any subtle reminder that she was there for him would do. “Well if you want to talk about it, we can. That’s why I’m here. Well--I’m here for the food,” she smirked playfully. “But you know what I mean,” she added with a softer tone. Her eyebrows shot up at the question. How are you holding up? A loaded question, one she wasn’t sure how to answer honestly. She withdrew her arms, shoving them back into her front pockets with a shrug. “Oh, you know. I’m holding,” she smiled meekly, watching the food cooking on the grill and quickly hopped onto the next subject. “Is that done yet? I’m starving.”

“If you didn’t see me get you rid of a clam monster, I probably would have never told you that I’m a hunter,” Alain replied to her remark. Obviously, hunting was probably what defined him the most as a human being, and hiding a big part of his life was never easy for the mind, but it was easier than revealing it, as he was so sourly reminded by Evelyn. Timing would not have made this better, would it? His mind wandered away from his garden, from the sizzling sound of the grill, and for a moment, he was standing again in Evelyn’s living room, watching the color leave her face, the anger, the hatred, the viciousness taking the place of softness. Erin’s arm around him knocked him out of his stream of thoughts, and the blankness of his face made room for endearment. “I’ll be fine, I… yeah,” her attempt at a joke drew a side eye from him, although the stiff upper lip that came with it did not last long. “You’re the worst,” he commented, picking up a plate to put the food on. Setting it down on the table, he left the garden to come back with a plate of fries and a bowl of lettuce. “You did say you were going to tell me what actually happened,” and he did not mean it with Betty. If he was worried for Erin’s cat, the fact that she lost her house and could have died surpassed that. “Sounds like you had quite an eventful month too,” he observed, sitting down on a chair and reaching over for the Dijon mustard.

He wasn’t fine, that much was obvious, but prodding the wound and hoping he’d talk didn’t seem to be the right avenue here. Not that Alain had ever been a very emotional man. Not from what Erin could gather as long as she’d known him anyway. He cracked jokes to cope, put on a brave smile and kept going. The week he was supposed to “die” he’d been doing the same thing. It was admirable in a way, she supposed, but infuriating to someone who wanted to help. Especially when she could practically see him disappear behind his own eyes, lingering on something he wasn’t ready to vocalize. If dinner and conversation was how he wanted to handle this, all she could do was respect that. “That offer still stands. Anytime. Okay?” She gave him another smile, her tone as insistent and sincere as before.

Fuck. She had said that, hadn’t she? If she had known he was coming off of a breakup, she would have probably reserved her honesty for another time. Suddenly she wasn’t so hungry. Picking at the food, she eyed her plate, trying to find the words to put this delicately. “Yeah, that’s putting it mildly.” She reached for a glass of water, taking a healthy sip. Her mouth still felt dry but she kept trucking. Had to rip the bandaid off sometime, right? “It’s… a long story. And it’s not one I’m proud of, if that helps,” she said, raising her eyes to his, only briefly. “To explain the fire, first I guess--I used to work for this guy on the side. My dad worked with him before me. It was shitty and shady. I didn’t want to do it anymore. I never wanted any part of it to begin with. So I pushed back. Made it loud and clear that I was done. He wasn’t happy so--” she gestured towards her arm, the patch of skin where the fire had singed the skin still raw and pink as it healed. “He made sure I knew it.” It was far more complicated than that but it was a start, she supposed. A toe dip into the fucked up pool she was about to throw him in.

Politely, but firmly, Alain spoke : “I do not want to talk about it,” he could tell that she was worried, and part of Alain wanted to slap him for being so stubborn, but when did people ever ask him if he was okay? He would be fine, this much he knew. He always ended up in the same spot, it seemed. There was, at least, something comforting, and comfortable about that, and really, there were worse spots to be stuck in. Once again, he had gotten lost in his thoughts. He just had to do the usual thing : pretend that everything was normal, everything was okay. This, he could do. He did it all the time. Hiding was a second nature, and there were not a lot of people who knew his true nature, and there was no one who knew the whole extent of the things he had done or would do.

Her voice helped him snap out of this, and he replied quietly, nodding his agreement. Smiling, he glanced over as she helped herself with food. His brows furrowed at her next words, and he contemplated saying something, asking her what she meant by that, but it was probably best to let her talk. He figured that if he had something heavy to say, he would want people to give him as much time as possible to speak coherently, at his own rhythm. She went on, and he put down his cutlery to focus on what she had to say. This really did not sound any good. His arms now crossed across his chest, he tried silently to figure what kind of business Erin’s father could have been conducting with such a person. And so Alain remained silent for a while, unsure of what to say. He wondered for a moment whether she was going to add anything else. He glanced at her. She remained silent. “Is he going to leave you alone now?” One could hope.

Erin hated the way her skin seemed to itch as she watched Alain’s react to her words. It was more muted than she expected, more calm, but Alain was also a man to keep tight-lipped about his actual feelings. Still, not knowing if he was silently judging her or not was going to drive her through the roof. “Probably not. It’s not really that simple,” she started, pulling her arms in against her lap. It was simple in the fact that she was either going to kill him or be killed, but that wasn’t something you lightly sprung on a friend during dinner. She bit her top lip, struggling to figure out a better way to explain this. “I’m going after him. Not alone--I have people helping me who want him as dead as I do.” She paused again, feeling like she was dancing over the line of what was too much information and what was too cryptic. “If you have any questions, feel free to ask. I know this is… a lot.” A lot in general and a lot that she’d been keeping from him.

Alain was starting to feel like his friend had ended up in a swamp that she couldn’t get out of, but he had still to find out how large this swamp was. “I’m really sorry,” he rubbed at his cheek with his fingertips, and reaching for the wine bottle, filled her glass then his. She would probably need this to get through this conversion. The next thing she said brought a concerned frown to his face. He did not expect for her to deal with this the legal way, but this sounded a awful lot like murdering someone he believed to be a human being. For a second, it looked as if he was going to say something, but the next moment, he was covering his mouth, thoughtful. “Errh, yeah. Who is this guy ? What has he done so far ? Do you need extra help?” There were so many other questions he wanted to ask her, but those three seemed the most important right now.

“No, please, don’t be,” Erin shook her head. No use being sorry. It was too late for that. Her eyes narrowed at the wine-filled cups, casting a skeptic gaze Alain’s way. “Are you... sure you want to do that?” She asked pointedly, but with as little judgment as she could muster. Concern more than anything filled her. Slippery slopes. Still, the wine looked too tempting for herself, and she pushed away thoughts of being a bad influence for the moment as she took a sip as his questions stacked on to one another. “His name’s Roy Chambers. I guess he’s been around for a while, I don’t know his full deal, but he has a pretty strong influence over parts of town.” Did she need extra help? Her jaw set tightly, eyes flitting briefly to the burn on her arm. Thought of Roland. Thought of Jane. Marley, even. All casualties in some way or another. Alain was capable of course, and wanted to help--and she wasn’t in a position to refuse him--but the hesitation was still there. “Is this really something you want part of? He’s not a good guy, Alain.” That was putting it lightly. “He’s killed a lot of people. Hurt even more of them. Capable, strong, smart people. I’m not even sure I’m going to--” she bit her lip, sat up straighter and tried to ebb the tension out of her chest with more wine. “It’s dangerous. Even for a tough guy like you,” she teased with a thin, tired smile. 

“What are you talking about?” His brows furrowed, and Alain couldn’t help the offended look on his face. This was not really a question anyway. He was asking her if he could help, because he would help either way. “You’d want to help if I was in trouble, and you don’t even have well,” he flexed his arm just for the sake of being obnoxious, “well you know, you’re kind of weak,” his nose wrinkled up. It was probably not the time for jokes, but he could not help it. Sitting up on his chair, he crossed his legs and leaned back again. He took a sip of wine, and waited for Erin to be done before he spoke : “The fact that I never heard that name despite having worked in possibly the shadiest place in town, says a lot about him.” This person sounded dangerous, and it looked like they were pretty good at covering their own back too. Hunting a shadow down was certainly not easy, he thought to himself. He did not say it out loud, although he could guess that she already knew that. “If he was a good guy, would we be having this conversation at all?” Good people didn’t end up in conversations of murders. Not just like that. “Wow, wait,” she didn’t finish her sentence, but that sufficed to make him feel like his heart had been unbridledly pinched. “We’re not going to let that happen,” he didn’t make this a promise, because he couldn’t. Still, he reached out and put a hand again her arm, mirroring her earlier actions, as if to say everything will be ok.

[thronesofshadows]

Thank You for Being a Friend || Nadia & Evelyn

TIMING: The evening Nadia truly wasn’t home anymore. (aka after the exorcism gone wrong) LOCATION: Evelyn’s House, Harris Island PARTIES: @humanmoodring and @thronesofshadows SUMMARY: Pure wholesome friendship times. :-)

Standing on the porch of one Evelyn Hoffman, Nadia ran a hand through her greasy hair flinching a bit as she caught her reflection in the glass. She looked like she’d been rode hard and put away wet, bruises around her wrist and dried blood on her face and rust and dirt everywhere. She felt like a young god, though, all powerful, like there was electricity coursing hot through her veins. She felt like she was in the clouds, and the height was exhilarating and dizzying. She’d managed to start Nadia’s truck by barely touching it, the electricity practically begging her to manipulate it. Her body was exhausted, but her spirit was going haywire. Stille, Nadia knew she needed to rest, at least for a little bit, before those fucking children and their legion of friends came looking for her. As far as she knew, Evelyn was separated from all of that, which is why she was able to put on as big of a smile as she could as she knocked on the door. Her body was trembling with energy. Maybe she could say it was because of the cold.

She hadn’t heard from Nadia in a while - though that hardly changed the fact that she cared for the other woman - despite her being human. Despite the fact that Evelyn from years past would have scoffed at the level of care that she held for humans (but only certain ones, she had to remind herself), she could not help it. Some of the ones here were so much better than any that she had ever met at home. So when Nadia had asked for help, Evelyn hadn’t questioned it for a second. She pulled as many blankets out as she could, acknowledging the fact that for the first time in her memory she was going to have two people she cared for at her home - though right now Nadia was the priority. She moved quickly to the door once she heard the knock, pulling it open and offering Nadia a soft smile. “Come in, please.” You look terrible, she wanted to say. Would have said, if she had not been raised to be polite whenever possible. Particularly in circumstances that appeared as possibly dire as this one. “Can I do anything for you? Tea? A - hug?” Her nose wrinkled as she offered it, but perhaps that was what she needed. “I am also quite alright with just sitting together. Whatever you need.” She pressed her thumbs against her hips, letting the room grow quiet for just a moment.

“Thanks,” Nadia murmured, her eyes growing large as she took in the inside of Evelyn’s house. This was what she’d always wanted: living an extravagant life in an extravagant house surrounded by extravagant things. She wanted all of it, a bandit’s hideaway worth of stuff and then some. She wanted a palace and a throne and all the money in the world and-- She blinked at Evelyn, realizing she’d spaced out in the middle of what the other woman had been saying. She could feel the other woman’s concern. “Just a shower, right now, would be lovely.” She knew she looked like shit. Between living wherever she could for weeks and then getting her brain fucked by the exorcism, she had definitely seen better times. “No hugs,” she said, laughing a bit breathlessly. Even though Evelyn was pretty, Nadia didn’t want to be touched at all right now, her skin prickling from just the thought of it. “But thanks for this. All of this. I realize I look like hell. It’s been a long few weeks.”

“Of course.” Evelyn replied, her voice quiet. She watched Nadia carefully, not wanting to startle her (which was something she was certain Marley would curse her for, being too soft around humans, caring too much for their feelings and well-being). Not wanting to pressure her into anything. She pressed her palms against her hips, centering her thoughts before she re-focused on her friend. “Well, I have more than one of those and plenty of shampoo and conditioner to help you get as clean as you need.” She bit her lip, eyes taking in Nadia’s form, the way she held herself - she looked completely beaten down, but there was something in the way she laughed that caused Evelyn’s following giggle to hold a certain level of hesitation. “Of course. No hugs. I - well, you know I do not often do that either, so it works for me.” She bit her lip. “It is quite alright - I just, it means a lot that you trusted me enough to reach out. That you trusted me to be someone to go to.”

“You’re a lifesaver,” Nadia said, an easy smile on her lips, though she was careful, so careful with Evelyn. This whole situation was a landmine, and her only saving grace was that she seemed to trust Nadia explicitly. There was no way that this could be a trap. At least… It couldn’t be, could it? No, Nadia would know. She would know. But Evelyn was so hesitant that she couldn’t really be sure. The lights flickered a bit, and Nadia jumped, startled by her own abilities. She did that. She did. She could do anything. “Works out well for both of us, huh?” She said, trying to calm her rapidly beating heart, beating as fast as if she’d taken electricity from the very building and pumped it into her chest. She gave Evelyn a meaningful, Nadia Diaz look. “Of course I trust you,” she said, sincerely lying through her teeth. This wasn’t about trusting Evelyn. Not at all. There wasn’t a damn person that she did trust. This was just a lack of distrust. “I can’t think of anyone I’d have rather gone to.”

“Anything for you.” Evelyn replied easily. She had tried to get her friend to come by before, to stay over, even - back when she had mentioned difficulties. She’d always refused, and though Evelyn entirely understood it - she was rarely one to ask for help - she had wanted to help Nadia, though, for whatever reason. The lights flickered and Evelyn glanced up at them. Her circuits, though she did not know much about electricity, were good. Stable or steady or whatever the accurate term would be. She pushed any sort of thought of worry aside, instead replying, “It does,” focusing back on Nadia. “Well, I should expect nothing less,” she replied, doing her best to keep her voice light. “Well, lucky for you, my home had quite good security and it is more than big enough in case you need your own space - which you are more than welcome to take.” She made her way further into her home, over to the sitting room - which seemed to be where she was spending a great deal of time with her guests - though it was what made the most sense. “Can I get you anything?” She sat down, and motioned for Nadia to do the same.

Cocking her head only slightly, Nadia looked at Evelyn, really looked at her, and, not for the first time since she’d started possessing this body, she wondered what it was about Nadia Diaz that was so goddamn special and interesting and worth “doing anything” for. She’d never seen it, personally, not when the girl was younger, not when she’d watched her stumble through some sort of semblance of a life here in White Crest. She was nothing. Nadia Diaz was nothing, but she’d made her something, made this body something. And now it was completely hers. She wanted to celebrate. She wanted to sleep for a decade. She wanted to scream. Instead, she just gave Evelyn a tired smile. “Thank you.” She looked around the house. Good security, huh? Maybe she’d test it out. “I feel safer already,” she said, and it was the truth. No one was going to look for her with Evelyn. Hell, she doubted there were many people that would even associate her with Evelyn, and that made this perfect. She bet she could hide out here with the woman indefinitely, but she didn’t want to stay, just to be completely safe. She’d need to distance herself from Nadia’s life completely, which meant wrapping up loose ends, making sure her host couldn’t come back, and then getting the hell out of town. Maybe somewhere sunny, and warm, and with lots of nice houses like this one to rob. “You’ve already done too much, seriously,” she told Evelyn as she followed her through the house and took a seat across from her. “This is more than enough.”

“I am glad you feel safer.” Evelyn wanted to say something more, because she wanted to do something more for Nadia. A certain part of her still blamed herself for whatever suffering Marley giving her nightmares had done, even though it wasn’t her fault. Even if regret for humans likely made her something of a terrible mara, perhaps even by her mother’s standards. At that thought, Evelyn’s mind shifted back to that brief time when she could dream, the way her mother had turned from soft to cruel so quickly. A trick of the imagination she was certain, and she told herself that had to be true. After all, she was more than a bit of an expert on the world of dreams. It didn’t stop it from stinging, from wondering if somehow the life she’d come to live would be one that both of her parents would disapprove of. She cared little for what her father thought, so long as he was back in England, but she’d always wanted to live her life in the best way that she could. Make herself into someone who her mother would have been proud of. “Good.” She tucked a strand of hair over her ear. “Well, it certainly is not more than enough by my standards, but if you say so, I shall acquiesce.” She held up her hands as if in false protest. “I can - do you want tea?” Her face turned immediately apologetic. “The socialite in me gets out a bit too much sometimes. We can just sit. Sit until you are ready for more.”

“Can’t imagine not feeling safe with you,” Nadia said, trying to make sure that her voice sounded open and honest. The truth was, though, that she didn’t feel any safer with this woman than she had while she was camping in the woods, all sorts of White Crest supernatural unknowns roaming around her, waiting to attack. She felt on guard because she knew the second that she relaxed or felt comfortable, Nadia could possibly-- But Nadia couldn’t. She wasn’t here anymore. This body was well and truly hers, and it was glorious (and overwhelming). So, that wasn’t why she was on guard, but she was still suspicious. She could feel this woman, sure, but who knew what Evelyn could be hiding? With her muted emotions that could probably change faster than Nadia could comprehend, there was no telling how dangerous she could be if she found out that sweet, kind Nadia Diaz had left the building. Coming here was probably a mistake, but it was one she was going to have to deal with. It wasn’t permanent, regardless. “We do have different standards,” she teased, an eyebrow raised and just a bit of laughter in her voice. Evelyn was on the opposite end of the spectrum when it came to standards, Nadia was sure. “Tea would be nice, though, if it would soothe your social niceties. It might be good for my throat, too.” It still felt a bit raw. “But don’t feel, like, obligated. How are you doing, Evelyn?” Let’s not make this all about me, remained unspoken, but it was there.

“Well, some may not, but I have always thought it most reasonable to make those who I care for feel safe.” Evelyn fiddled with her collar. She wanted to share more with Nadia, wanted to be as open as she could, but there was something a bit odd - or maybe she was reading too much into things, too afraid to break anyone else’s trust in who she was. Even if Alain had purportedly come around to understanding her, or so he claimed - he’d turned out to be not what she expected and she wasn’t quite sure what she’d do if Nadia didn’t accept her. “We do. However, I am not so very bothered by that. I find that there is little you could do to bother me.” She matched Nadia’s tone of voice. “Absolutely, and it is not just to soothe anything. I simply offer because I know that it makes me feel better, I know, whenever I feel under the weather.” She bit her lip, shifted her position to face Nadia. “I will get you some, soon. I am - well, I have not been sleeping as well as I ought to have. I have another friend staying, as I mentioned to you, but she will be out of your hair. She is just staying with me to make sure I stay safe as I can. I would not have had her come by, except I do trust her and I had offered before you asked for my help. You will be safe here.” She brushed her fingertips against her nose. “Otherwise I have been as well as one might expect, given how complex this town seems to be.”

“How in the world could anyone not feel safe with you, Ms. Hoffman? Nadia teased, though she kept it gentle, deciding to relax just a bit more. This woman was no threat, not to Nadia, and therefore not to her. The care she felt was genuine, and that was enough for her. If she was found out, she had no doubt that she’d be able to get out of any sort of difficult situation. After all, couldn’t hurt precious Nadia Diaz’s body. “I’m sure there’s something I could do that would bother you. What if I was a slob?” A murderer? “That’d be pretty bothersome.” Now it was time to put on the concerned friend hat. She could do that. She could be calm and concerned and totally a good friend, a good Nadia. “Do you know why you’re not sleeping well? Is it just, like, normal sleeping problems or abnormal sleeping problems?” She remember Evelyn mentioning another person, but she didn’t plan on sticking around long enough to meet her. Who knew? Maybe she’d have a bit of fun with Evelyn once she left, let her know that it wasn’t her friend that she’d been bothering. “Don’t sweat it. Any friend of yours is cool in my book. I’m sure she’s a-okay.” Maybe it was another wanted criminal. Nadia didn’t know, and she didn’t care. Evelyn Hoffman could hang out with whoever she pleased. “Yeah, this town is a shit show, isn’t it? Got a really nice horror movie ambiance.” What would this woman think, if she knew Nadia was literally coming to her straight outta The Exorcist? “This side of town’s swanky as hell, though.”

“Just Evelyn, please.” She scrunched her nose up for a moment. Nadia was not usually so formal around her, but then again, everything seemed a bit overwhelming right now, and she still wasn’t sure just what Nadia had gone through. So Evelyn shrugged. It was meant as a joke, she told herself. “If you were a slob it would be a bit of trouble, but I believe whole-heartedly that we would manage to make do all the same.” She raised an eyebrow as she settled against the back of the couch. “Perhaps I would have to clean, how very dreadful.” She let a small bit of laughter escape her lips then, followed by a small shrug. “I think it is more on the abnormal end of things.” She drummed her fingertips on her thigh. “I have always been quite routine with my sleep schedule, and this is a new and entirely odd development. I am glad you are good with my other friend. She is a delight, I think the two of you would get along well, but I think she also wishes to stay out of your hair, so all is well.” She looked over to Nadia again. “I mean, I cannot say I am wholly opposed to horror, but you are correct that this town is frequently filled with things both terrifying and unexpected.” She couldn’t help but let a proper grin cross her lips at the next comment. “Well, I do like the very best, both in company and items, so I should hope so. I am ever so pleased you have found the time to come by, even though I wish it were under better circumstances.”

“Of course, just Evelyn,” Nadia said almost immediately. “Is that so? Well, I would hate to make you have clean, of all things.” Though, did someone like Evelyn clean, or was she rich enough to have people for that? She looked around once more. Yeah, she was definitely rich enough. Nadia wanted something like this. She wanted it desperately, and now she could achieve it. She was the only Nadia Diaz here, the one that won their body, her body. She won. “Of course it’s on the abnormal end of things. When is anything on the normal end of things? It’d be bad for business around here.” It’d be bad for her business, now that she could easily slip back into crime uninterrupted. No more sour feelings at doing what had to be done. She could be just as rich as Evelyn Hoffman in a matter of months, richer, even. Things were going her way. Who knew all she had to do was give up a peaceful afterlife to get it? Seemed like a fair bargain. If there was no risk, then there was no reward. “I hope everything gets sorted quickly with your sleep problems. Soon. Sorry if I’m not the greatest guest, but tell your friend I’m sure she’s great. I’ll probably head out in a day or two. I’ve got a bunch of shit to sort through.” She ran a hand through her tangled hair. First order of business? Find somewhere more permanent to crash. Then it would be time to get to work properly. “Horror’s best when it’s on a screen. It’s wicked cool when you’ve got some separation to it.” But she grinned, matching Evelyn. “You do have great taste in both things. While I am sorry it took me so long to come by, I really can’t tell you just how grateful I am.” Because that would be giving away too much, too soon.

“I mean, we are friends.” They were, right? Evelyn had to pause for a moment. She couldn’t sense anything, that wasn’t within her abilities, but there was something in Nadia’s tone that felt less soft than she was used to. Though perhaps her judgement was just off. Alain had proved that well enough, though she refused to focus on that right now. “You know, sometimes I like it. When I was avoiding sleep… however many months ago it was, I reorganized parts of my home. It is rather cathartic.” She shrugged, running a hand through her hair. “A fair point; it would be rather horrid for business, after all, what would we do without giant lobsters or red skies or - well, any number of things that I cannot even remember even though they have all occurred this year.” She bit her lip at her friend’s next comments. “Mm, it is more just that I am used to. I have had relatively stable sleep my entire life, so this is just odd, that is all. You are a wonderful guest regardless.” She took the time to look over Nadia, taking in everything about her that she could. “That is why you are here. For you to have plenty of time to sort through everything that you need. You can head out whenever suits you, but I have no shortage of space, and it is free lodging - not that - not that you seem to need that, but it does not hurt.” She nodded. “Yes, separation from it is well and good. Well, your gratitude is appreciated though not necessary. I am happy to do whatever I can for you.”

“Absolutely, we’re friends.” There was no longer any sort of guilt accompanying the lie, no annoying presence in the back of Nadia’s head that wanted to break free at the worlds. She grinned, full and certain and overly happy. “Of course we’re friends.” She cocked her head to the side, just a bit, knowing that she was supposed to remember something about Evelyn not sleeping but not knowing enough about the situation to comment on it. “Fair enough. But, yeah, no, we would be nowhere without the giant lobsters and the weird fish in the fog.” That had been her least favorite part of camping, all the fucking weird shit that had been in the woods with her. “I hope your sleep schedule gets back to normal soon. I, for one, know I’m going to sleep incredibly after all the excitement I’ve had recently.” Nadia leaned forward and took Evelyn’s hands in hers, giving them a squeeze. She hoped her smile was sincere enough. She didn’t have the energy to read the room. “I’m still grateful, and I know you’re gonna say I don’t have to, but I will repay, okay?” She didn’t do debts. Nadia pulled away, covering her mouth as she yawned. “Wanna talk later? I’m kind of beat.” Physically and mentally. She needed some rest, and she needed to figure out what to do to repay Evelyn before she left. Hopefully, she wouldn’t have to worry about talking to her again.

“Naturally.” Evelyn shrugged. “I should rather prefer to never once deal with any of that again, as I find them rather a bother.” Which was an understatement, but she was well-aware that her behaviors were just that, sometimes, when she didn’t crave attention, and right now she was far more curious about her houseguest. “I bet it will. My friend does wonders to help me, and knowing I have kept you safe will aid in that too, certainly.” She squeezed Nadia’s hand back, letting her hands linger against the other woman’s for a few moments before Nadia broke away and Evelyn’s gaze settled on hers, taking in how she held herself. So different now from that night in the Artesian, all those many months ago. “You will also sleep well because I have only the highest quality sheets on all of my beds. Okay. If you wish, you can repay, but you are correct that you do not have to.” She nodded. “Yes, of course. I hope you sleep well. I will be here in the morning.”

[tinydooms]

#30 (“There are souls that you feel to lean forward to, like a sun-filled window”) for Rick/Evy?

#30 “There are souls that you feel to lean forward to, like a sun-filled window”

The Western Desert, October 1922

An hour out from Hamunaptra, night had finally fallen over the Western Desert. Rick sat on his camel, rocking gently back and forth with each step, the girl he loved snug and warm in his arms.

Holding Evelyn Carnahan to him, hugging and kissing and being kissed by her, felt like the best thing that had ever happened to Rick. And it just kept getting better. For the last little while they had shared quiet kisses, lips meeting and clinging with wonder and affection or brushing each other’s faces and brows and hair. There was a wonderful moment when Evie pressed her lips to the hollow in Rick’s collarbones, tasting the smooth skin there, a sensation that gave him a delicious full-body shiver. Evie looked up at him with amusement in her glowing eyes. 

“All right?” she whispered.

“Yes,” Rick said, bending his head to kiss her again. “You’re perfect.”

Evie grinned at him, her face crinkling up in pleasure, and squeezed him a little. “Good.”

She tucked her head into Rick’s shoulder, idly stroking his arm. It was wonderful to be so entwined, arms around each other. Evie was so soft in his arms, so cozy and comfortable. Rick dropped a kiss on the top of her head and felt her smile. This really was just the nicest feeling. The camel’s gate rocked them together, soothing them both after the chaos of the past few days. Little by little Evie stilled, hooking her thumb into the turn of his sleeve, and after a while Rick felt her go heavy as she fell asleep. 

Rick took a deep breath and let it out slowly, and rested his cheek against Evelyn’s dear head. He had read stories where the hero had cradled his beloved to him like this, but had never really believed it would happen to him. Before the War, maybe, but since then he had seen and experienced and participated in the absolute worst that humanity had to offer, and there had been no place for love or romance in it. And afterwards...Rick pushed the memory of Afterwards away, not wanting to dwell on how lost and hopeless he had been. Focus on the present. Focus on this remarkable gift. Rick was no stranger to physical pleasure, but this was something different. He burned everywhere Evie touched him, where her arm rested around his waist, her hand on his hip, the fingers of her other hand tracing patterns into his forearm, and yet there was something different in this pleasure than the other times he had been with women. This was permanent. He wanted to take Evie to bed, sure, but he also wanted to go places with her, to listen while she explained the past to him, to watch her dig things up out of the dirt. From the way she held him, looked at him, Evie wanted that, too. She was safe and alive despite everything, and she loved him, and Rick didn’t want to ever let her go. She was a bright shining light; she warmed his soul. He shifted the reins to one hand and reached up to cradle Evie’s head, letting his eyes close in relief. He had been so afraid that he would lose her. 

A camel’s snort jolted Rick out of his reverie. Jonathan had brought his mount alongside them and was fussing with a blanket roll strapped to one of his saddlebags. 

“Here,” he said, “take this. Is Evie asleep?”

“Yeah,” Rick said, taking the proffered blanket, a little embarrassed. “Has been for a while.”

Jonathan didn’t seem at all phased. “Good, she needs it, poor kid. Here, I’ll hold your reins.”

Rick handed them over and shook out the blanket, shifting to wrap it around Evie’s bare shoulders. The temperature was falling fast; at least he and Jonathan had long sleeves to offer a minimum of protection against the nighttime cold. Evie’s sweater was long gone. She did not wake as Rick snugged the blanket around her, but mumbled a little before subsiding again against his chest. Rick smiled, resisting the urge to brush his lips against her hair, and took his reins back from Jonathan. He wondered what the other man thought of it all, if he would say anything. But when Jonathan did speak, it wasn’t about Evie. 

“How long, do you think, until we reach the little oasis?” 

Rick looked around at the moonlit landscape. They had come a good way along the trail, but he had only been paying partial attention to it. 

“Uh, four or five miles, I’d say,” he said. “An hour, tops. You holding up okay?”

“Oh, yes, I’m fine. A bit sore and sleepy, but I’ve had worse.” 

“Yeah, me, too.”

Now that the adrenaline was wearing off, Rick was beginning to feel the after effects of battle. He hurt all over his body, and his throat was sore where Imhotep had choked him. He reached up to touch it, his fingers meeting the last of the rope burn from when he had been hanged. Rick swallowed. It could all have ended so badly. He drew in another deep breath, feeling his chest expand and release. He was alive. They were alive. 

“Thank you,” Jonathan said abruptly. “For all this. For saving my sister. Couldn’t have done it without you, old chap.”

“You’re welcome,” Rick said, giving him a small smile. “Thanks for having my back.”

“Well, I’ve never left a partner in the lurch yet,” Jonathan said with a shrug. “I’m no hero, but I’m not that bad.”

“Heroes only exist in fiction,” Rick said. “The rest of us just do what needs to be done, even when we’re shit scared. Besides, I couldn’t live with myself if Evelyn had been killed.”

“No, I’d gathered that.” Jonathan chuckled. “You’ve been making calf eyes at her almost from the beginning.”

Rick felt himself reddening. “Am I that obvious?”

“Oh, Evie’s just as bad. Ardeth Bey thought the two of you were married.”

“He did?” 

It came out a squawk; Evie stirred in his arms and Rick struggled to contain his laughter. He couldn’t help it; they were alive, and he was so happy. Jonathan, too, was chuckling. It was the sort of laughter between friends, the giddy delight of having survived an impossible situation. Rick knew that when they returned to Cairo all sorts of conversations were going to have to take place, but for now he was content to just be here with Evie, with Jonathan. They rode on in silence, Jonathan dozing in his saddle, until they reached the little oasis and dismounted for the night. 

A second wind restored all of them then, as Rick found that the saddlebags were not loaded with the expected camping gear and supplies, but rather the wealth of Hamunaptra, and Evie learned about that scarab that had burrowed into Jonathan’s arm. Rick looked over their food supplies as she fussed over her brother, feeling kind of guilty. He had completely forgotten about the scarab incident in all of the tumult that had followed. The wound looked awful, purple puckers all the way up Jonathan’s arm and a neat stab where Rick had dug the thing out. He shivered. 

“Are you all right?” Evie asked, looking him over. “Have you got any awful injuries that you haven’t told me about?”

“No, ma’am,” Rick said.

“Are you sure? Because if I find that you’re hiding any manageable hurts from me because of manly pride, I’ll-”

Rick held his hands up. “I’ve only got bruises.”

It wasn’t quite true; he was pretty sure he’d cracked a rib or two, but he wasn’t about to let Evie strip him to the waist. They weren’t there yet. Instead, he focused on dinner, dividing up their meager supplies, cutting up the stale bread and spearing it on sticks to toast over the fire. They could have some of the jerky now, and an apple each. In the morning they’d finish the bread, and there were date palms at the other end of the pond, so they wouldn’t starve, but it would be a long, hungry day until they reached the cultivation and villages to barter with. 

“We’ll manage,” Evie said, turning her stick to toast the bread evenly. “As long as we have water, anyway.”

“That shouldn’t be a problem,” Rick said. 

“It’ll be nice to be back properly,” Evie said, settling back with her toast and apple. “Do you think the house was damaged in the firestorm?”

“I’d be surprised if it wasn’t,” Jonathan replied. “We’ll call up Daoud as soon as we get back to the fort and check.”

“I hope they’re all right,” Evie said. “You know how Fatima hates thunder and lightning. She was probably terrified.”

“Well, we won’t tell them that we had anything to do with, what?” Jonathan shook his head. “I don’t think they need to know that we’ve been conjuring afreets.”

Rick looked from one to the other. “Who’re Daoud and Fatima?”

“Our reis and housekeeper,” Jonathan replied. “They’ve been with us forever; Daoud was Father’s foreman, and then he had to retire from that because of an injury, so Father asked him to manage the household instead. Fatima’s his wife.”

“So you’ve known them your whole lives?”

Evie and Jonathan nodded. 

“Our parents had rather a magpie approach to family,” Evie said. “Father and Daoud knew each other as young men and considered each other brothers, and Fatima and Mum were dear friends. Simple, really.”

Rick grinned. The magpie approach seemed to run in the family. “Where’s your house at?”

“In Zamalek, on Gezira Island,” Evie said. 

Rick blinked. “I know where Zamalek is. Swanky place.”

Evie and Jonathan glanced at each other. Rick felt a sudden worry. 

“I mean, it’s not Garden City…” he trailed off, uncertain. He knew Zamalek to be a nice, safe, quiet place; it was where the nice restaurants and the opera house were. 

“It’s an old house,” Evie said, her voice hesitant. “It’s been getting a badly-needed new roof. It’s not fancy. But I think you’ll like it. It has a little courtyard and plenty of space.”

“‘Course you’ll want to let your own people know you’re alright,” Jonathan added. “You mustn’t let us monopolize you.”

“I, uh--” Rick rubbed the back of his head. This was going to be awkward no matter how he went at it. “I don’t have anyone. Any people. I mean, I don’t have a family or anything. It’s just been me since I was thirteen. My mom died and she was my only family, so...”

They stared at him. Embarrassed, Rick poked at the fire with his stick, avoiding their eyes.

“How old are you, Rick?” Jonathan asked. His voice sounded funny, kind of soft. 

“I’m twenty-eight.”

“So you’ve been all alone for fifteen years?” Evie’s voice was soft, too, and horrified.

“Yeah. I mean I had friends in the army, but I guess...yeah.”

For a moment there was silence only broken by the crackling fire. Rick stabbed at it, memories of the orphanage beginning to swim in the back of his mind. 

“That’s...that’s awful,” Evie said. “I’m so sorry, Rick.”

Rick stabbed at the fire again; these were not memories he wanted to dredge up. 

“It isn’t fun,” he said, trying for a light tone. “Anyway, when we get back to Cairo, I...I’d like to stay.” He swallowed and looked at Evie. “With you. If that’s all right.”

She met his eyes and Rick could see that he understood what he meant. She began to smile. 

“I think that sounds wonderful,” she said, reaching to take his hand. 

“Plenty of room for you,” Jonathan added. “Happy to have you.”

Rick looked from one to the other and back to Evie. Warmth filled him like he had stepped into a sunlit room. A magpie family, wasn’t that how they had described themselves? And now they had collected him, too. Rick squeezed Evie’s hand and kissed her fingers, smiling so hard his cheeks hurt. He could stay. She wanted him to stay with her. It was going to be alright. 

[dragonrajafanfiction]

The Story of Vasilisa

The physical therapist slowly helped Sergey back onto the bed. He could stand on his own two feet now, but walking was still very difficult without help and a lot of encouragement. 

But Zihang always found time to be there to assist him during the trialsome phases of therapy. Walking between the two bars, he could tell when his shoulders began to sag or when he started to slouch and instruct him to lift his head up in a soft and gentle voice that had an iron firmness behind it.

Now that he was back in his room, he leaned against the doorway and watched him with his typical owl-like stern expression. “Just three weeks ago we were wondering if you would wake up or not. An ordinary person would take months to get to where you are, Sergey. That’s one of the advantages of being a high percentage hybrid.”

EVA translated through his Iphone.

Sergey nodded. “You know when you say high percentage, it makes me think of the wolf dogs. Sometimes a wolf would breed with our huskies. The high-percentage wolf dogs would be put down because they were too wild.”

EVA translated to Zihang. “It’s very much the same with dragon Hybrids. But ... you don’t seem to be affected by your high-percentage. Hopefully by being a White King descendent, you don’t have to worry about it as much. But that’s still a theory.” He glanced past him. “Is that a journal?”

Sergey looked onto a nightstand. A leather backed book full of blank rustic paper and a red pen was open there. “Yes, Evelyn gifted to me. She wanted me to write down more about my life in Russia. I was writing down a tale I used to tell the kids for bedtime stories. Vasilisa the Beautiful.”

“Can you tell it to me?” Asked Zihang. 

“Sure. It’s a bit scary though...” He smiled.

“Try me.”

Sergey smiled and pointed him to a chair which Zihang pulled up to sit next to the bed. 

“There was a merchant and his wife who had a beautiful daughter named Vasilisa. They lived happily together until one day, the mother got sick and was dying. As she was dying, she gave her daughter a little wooden doll and told her, ‘My daughter, if ever you need help with anything, give the doll a little bread and a little water and it will help you.’“

“That night, the mother passed away and Vasilisa was crying alone. So she gave the doll a little bread and a little water. And the doll came to life and gave Vasilisa a hug and a kiss and said, ‘Vasilisa don’t cry. Because I am full of your mother’s love for you and I will always be here for you.’“

“After a time, her father remarried. The new woman had two mean and wicked daughters who hated Vasilisa. One day, they told her to fetch water from the well and punched three holes in the bucket. By the time Vasilisa realized the bucket was leaking, almost all the water was gone! But she had her little doll with her. She gave it a little bread and a little water and the doll jumped up ran off and came back with a bucket full of water on its head!”

“The stepsisters grew vary angry and went out and sowed the garden full of thorns. Then when the thorns grew they told her to go weed the garden. Vasilisa’s hands were torn by the thorns, so she gave the doll a little bread and a little water, and the doll wasn’t harmed by the thorns, because it was made of wood and did all the weeding for her.”

“And that’s how it was for a long time. Meanwhile, Vasilisa just got more and more beautiful as she grew!”

Zihang listened with rapt attention, much like the kids he remembered telling the story to. He could almost feel their presence, their attentive looks in the light of the candles on a dark night.

“So the eligible men came to the house. When they saw Vasilisa, they all wanted to marry her. But the stepmother objected because, it wasn’t right to marry the youngest girl before the oldest. But they were not interested in her daughters.”

“Therefore, when her husband was away on a long business trip, she sold the house and moved Vasilisa to a remote place where she knew the Baba Yaga lived. Baba Yaga is an ugly old woman, known for stealing away children.”

“She laid a trap for Vasilisa by putting out all the fires in the house and told Vasilisa that her task was to fetch light from Baba Yaga’s hut.”

“Vasilisa was terrified but her little doll said, ‘You should go. I will help you as always.’ So away they went.”

“On the way there, she heard the thumping sound of horses hooves so she ran away to hide away from the path. A gleaming white horse, with a gleaming white rider passed her by. Then, after that a bright red horse with a red rider passed her by. It was all very strange. But after they passed her, she saw that they were coming from a house that stood on two chicken legs.”

“Chicken legs?!” Zihang’s eyes widened startled.

“Yes.”

“Was... the house a chicken?”

“No, it was a house with legs like a chicken.”

“Why does a house have chicken legs!”

“That isn’t all it has! It has a fence made out of human bones. A black horse then rode by with a black rider... and the whole forest grew dark...” Sergey leaned forward. “And the eyesockets of the skulls atop the fence began to glow!”

“Then Vasilisa heard it. Thump! Bump! Bump! And she turned around and it was the Baba Yaga!”

This was the part where all the children would scream but Zihang blinked at him. “Why does... she go bump?”

“Because she rides a mortar!”

“A mortar...?”

“Yes... what you... grind the spices in.” Sergey pantomimed grinding spices.

“Oh!” Zihang seemed to understand a moment but then his eyes lowered and he looked askance in confusion.

“Vasilisa was too scared to run away so the Baba Yaga took her into her house. She told her, that she had to clean the house and yard, wash the laundry and cook her a meal. She was also required to separate out the rotten grains of corn from the good corn, and separate poppy sees from the dust.”

“If she didn’t do these tasks, she would not get any light and she would be killed!”

Zihang nods. “The doll helps her though, right?”

“Yes, the doll told her to go to sleep that night and while she slept the doll did all the tasks for her. At dawn, the white rider passed by and at noon, the red rider, and when the black rider came by, the Baba Yaga came back and found that all the tasks were completed! She couldn’t find fault with a single one.”

“She knew that no ordinary girl could have succeeded. But she had to fulfill her agreement. She took the corn that Vasilisa had sorted and summoned three disembodied hands to squeeze the oil from it. Then she asked Vasilisa if she had any questions.”

“’Who are the horsemen?’, she asked.”

“‘The White one is the day, the red one is the sun and the Black One is the night.’ said Baba Yaga.”

“Vasilisa thought of asking ‘Whose hands are those?’“ But the doll started to shake in her pocket and she realized that she shouldn’t ask about the hands. So she said, ‘I have no further questions.’“

“Baba Yaga said, ‘Now I will ask you a question. What is the secret to your power?’”

“Vasilisa said, ‘The love of my mother.’“

“At that, the Baba Yaga became very afraid, and urged the girl out of her house She sent her home with a skull full of burning coals to provide light for the family.”

“When Vasilisa got back, She found her stepmother, and step sisters still sitting in the dark. They were unable to light a fire or even a single candle. As soon as light crossed the threshold of their house, it was extinguished!”

“Vasilisa presented them with the light she brought, holding up the skull filled with burning coals. The fire flew out from the skull and burned her step mother and step sisters to ash!”

“Then the Skull said to Vasilisa, ‘Bury me in the garden so no person can be harmed by me again.’ So she did.”

Zihang was silent for several moments. “You told this story to children to help them sleep?”

“Yes.” said Sergey.

[detectivedreameater]

Opposites Attract||Lydia and Marley

TIMING: A few nights ago probably PARTIES: @inspirationdivine and @detectivedreameater SUMMARY: Just two women with secrets meeting up over some drinks. 

The Artesian. Last time Marley was here it was to investigate the crime next door. She distinctly remembered locking eyes with Evelyn outside and the feeling that had consumed her at the time. She was still working on that. It needed more time, more trust. And perhaps a little push. But Marley wasn’t here tonight for Evelyn-- she was here for a different woman. Lydia was her name. She was pretty famous and her name even sparked conversation around the station. Not in a bad way, but in a way that she was a local town celebrity. So when Marley had arrived and told the hostess which party she was waiting for, the woman had raised her brows so high up on her forehead, Marley was sure they’d disappear into her hairline. She led Marley over to the bar and told her her party would arrive soon and then they would seat them, and until then, she could order a drink while she waited. Which she did. A gin and tonic, to start off light. She’d felt odd having to dress up to come here-- it’d been a while since she’d put on fancy clothes, but she could make an exception. The dress she’d chosen was black and hugged in all the right places and she’d adorned a nicer blazer atop it, black as well. Not a lot of her clothing had much color. She’d even broken out her special pair of frames, magically enhanced to hide the red sheen from her eyes, but clear so as to not draw suspicion. Finally, across the room, a rather mystical looking woman approached the hostess. Marley grinned in anticipation.

Lydia, on the other hand, was dressed in a deep sun-dried red dress with a V neck that dropped to her sternum. The random invitation online had been a surprising one, even with a bottle of wine in her. If she’d been entirely sober she might not even have engaged, but as it was, Lydia had agreed, and her word meant plenty even to her. Maybe this Marley would be an interesting type, or maybe she’d be a dull human that Lydia would bail on after the first hour. She slid in and the hostess pointed her to the woman in the black  by the bar. “Are you Marley?” Lydia asked, with a long, appreciative look up and down that dress.. “We’re being seated in the booth back there, if you are.”

Marley nodded her head. “That would be me,” she answered, “which makes you Lydia.” She slid from her chair to greet her, holding out her hand. “Interesting choice for a first meet up,” she noted, motioning to the restaurant around them. “It gave me many expectations about you, and yet, you’ve already almost outdone them all.” Looking her up and down back with an obvious motion. Not that Marley wasn’t used to the fancier side of things, it just wasn’t something she indulged in often, and Lydia seemed like the type who frequented places like this. That was fine with her, she wasn’t picky. 

“I’ve learned by now that if someone’s dissuaded by a place like this, they’ll be dissuaded by me,” Lydia replied smoothly, taking Marley’s hand with comfortable ease. There was nothing immediately magical about her - no freezing hand, no chiming bells, but that didn’t mean there wasn’t anything to find. Lydia preened in kind in response to the piercing eyes framed by glasses, smiling. “We have a booth back there, I believe. Plenty of privacy.” The hostess guided them both to the booth, beautifully lit already set for two. She’d have to send a gift basket to Evelyn. This place was divine. “I certainly aim to please, and I’m excited to find out how you stack up against mine. Do you often pick up people online?”

“You know, that’s a good move,” Marley commented, following Lydia back to the table she’d had reserved for them. Well lit, secluded, already set-- she was prepared. “I think I might steal it.” Smiling sweetly, a rather foreign concept to her usual smirk, she sat down across from Lydia, eyes following her every movement, downloading the data of her body language. She was a woman of high confidence, but Marley liked a challenge. “Well, I would hate to disappoint. I aim to never be disappointing, after all.” A bigger grin, head tilting slightly, letting her curls fall over one shoulder. “More and more, lately. Seems to be the way of the future, now, doesn’t it?”

“You’re welcome to it,” Lydia replied with a smile, picking up the drinks menu to find out if Evelyn had added anything to the offerins while the place had been closed. She smiled at Marley’s reply, that delicious voice and the confidence behind it. “Mhm, I’d tried to avoid it for the longest time, I grew up… used to other things, and it’s always seemed quite crass. That said, you can’t knock the convenience of online. That said, in a town like this, it’s easier to find the kind of date I’m looking for in some of the local bars.”

“Local bars, huh?” Marley said, raising a brow slightly as she picked up the drink menu. She’d never actually been to the Artesian, even though it’d been open a couple of years now. Leaning her chin in her palm, she scanned the menu before looking up at Lydia again. “Convenience is really the only draw to it. While I don’t mind cruising the local bars, sometimes it’s just easier to send a text about it. Also a lot easier to find the right type online, unless you go to those very special bars around here. Like, you know,” wondered if Lydia was trying to parse out what she was, too, “some of those ones down on Amity. 

Once done with the drinks menu, Lydia watched Marley perusing it through half lidded eyes. The corner of her lips turned up as Marley began to answer. Oh, this was good. Unless she was one of those self proclaimed monster fetishist, of course. Lydia certainly hoped not. “Yes, exactly like those bars on amity. They make it so much easier.” Lydia leant in her gaze searching. “I’ll show you mine if you show me yours.” She offered, smile deep and somewhat hungry. Greedy to meet someone like her. 

Marley didn’t often like showing her cards so quickly, but this wasn’t anything special or big or eventful. It just was what it was for her-- a meet up. A possible night in someone else’s bed. Besides, she got the feeling that if she tried to play with power with Lydia, it’d be more than the struggle was worth. So, slowly, she lifted her hand to her glasses, grabbing the frames to remove them from her face. “Don’t look too hard,” she said, eyes glowing red under the pale mood lighting of the Artesian, “I don’t wanna scare you off right away.” After a long moment, she blinked-- purposefully-- and put her frames back on, her eyes becoming a shaded brown once again. “Your turn.”

Lydia’s gaze flitted away the moment she saw the red, breathing deeply as her heart began to hammer in her chest, her fingers curling around the edge of the table and squeezing until her knuckles went white. Lydia swallowed and smiled, looking back at Marley once the shades were back on. “Incredible,” she murmured. Just as she’d been prepared to reveal in kind, the host staff showed up to take their order. Her eyes flicked to him in the mildest irritation before she placed her order for the house red, and she turned away from him as quickly as possible, with a small dismissive flick of her hand. Once they were alone again, Lydia smile. In the booth, half her face was concealed from half the patrons, so the glamour for that half melted away. On half her face, her veins disappeared, wrinkles and pores clearing too. Her eye shifted from a deep chocolate brown turned iridescent blue, glowing faintly under the light. Her ear grew, stretching up into a point near the head of her crown, and her hair iridescent from a deep brown to rich peacock colours. The next, it was gone. “You certainly aren’t disappointing, Marley.”

Marley’s eyes widened as she watched Lydia’s glamor drop. Fae. She’d been running into more and more of them lately, not that she was entirely complaining-- but she had to be careful with Fae. Not only were their words trickery (a thing she’d learned all on her own, mourning how they lacked any weight behind them like a Fae’s did), but they were some of the more devious individuals. The kind who often thought themselves above the law, above her. Good thing she’d left her badge buried deep in her jacket pocket instead of on her hip. She grinned, wide, awed. “Absolutely gorgeous,” she murmured, only truth in her words, despite her previous thoughts, “I’ve always held a bit of envy for you Fae,” she said, making sure to keep her voice hushed, “to be able to slip away from being so...human.” In fact, she was jealous of the fae for a lot of reasons, not that she’d ever admit it.

Lydia grinned, proud and unafraid to show it. Even the most cruel of hunter textbooks referred to her unearthly beauty - at least, that was what her father had told her as a child, and how could he be wrong - and she did love it when others could appreciate that too. Not everyone could appreciate it properly, too caught in what human beauty was supposed to look like. “Now you’re overdoing it,” she breathed, but her skin was flushed with the compliments. “I must admit, I don’t know much about your kind beyond the nightmare eating.”

“Maybe,” Marley said, chin resting in her palm again, “but it’s just the truth.” She grinned back, giving a shrug. “But I can tone down the compliments if you really want that, though,” a slight pause, as she made it apparent she was observing her, “I don’t think that’s what you want.” She sat back as the waitress arrived with their drinks and Marley took her gratefully. This was always the best part. Sipping it, letting it linger on her lips, using just the slightest scrape of teeth on her lip to get it off, waiting to see if the other person watched. “Mmm, not just nightmares, fear. We give the nightmares to feed on the fear,” she said, unsure of how much of her abilities she really wanted to give away. “But we’re more than just that. You know, if you’re interested.” 

“If you’re accusing me of vanity, you would be completely right,” Lydia replied, tongue in cheek. She sat back when their drink arrived, realising only then how close she’d gotten to Marley, her intrigue leaving her hungry for more. Lydia swirled her wine, looking down at the colour before taking her own sip. Her eyes flicked back to Marley, and was so aware of how she was observed, and how she observed in turn, her gaze dropped to Marley’s lip as she did… that. “I am, but I don’t expect you to share secrets you wouldn’t usually. I understand what that’s like. We can talk about whatever you like.” 

“Is it really vanity if it’s right, though?” Marley jested with a smirk. She liked that Lydia was confident in herself, and that she understood how attractive she was, both in and out of her glamor. If anything, Marley might’ve preferred without, but she understood why she hid behind it. It was the same reason Marley wouldn’t take her glasses off. Monsters, the people would say. She smiled, covering up the thought. “If you say so. I don’t mind letting you earn the secrets the normal way.” Sipped her drink again, taking her time. “So how long have you been in town? I find it hard to believe someone of your--” a pause to look her over again-- “stature could be around long without someone scooping you up.” 

“Oh, it’s still vanity, it’s merely justified,” Lydia grinned. A lifetime of hunting the weakest in the room had taught her how to spot the strongest, too. The little turn in the corner of Marley’s mouth, the smile, the easy confidence of it all. She suspected Marley was in some ways much more experienced in all this than she was, but right now, Lydia didn’t mind. “I’ve been in town since, oh, October? November? Something like that. It took a while to install all my equipment, but I keep myself rather busy with work. I don’t usually make more time for this kind of… experience.” Lydia looked down at her nails, slowly tracing them over the grain of the wooden table, her silver nailpolish glinting in the light. “What about you? You seem like someone used to town.”

“Fair play,” Marley said back, listening to Lydia’s liquid pearl voice. It matched the pearl sheen of her hair, even though right now Marley only saw the dark locks, hanging perfectly around her face. Lydia hadn’t been in town long, but it seemed as if she was already ready to pick up and run it, what with all that confidence, and the way she spoke. By how she had initiated the conversation towards revealing their cards about the supernatural. Marley appreciated that, sometimes it was exhausting doing all the work. “So not long. Must be why,” she grinned, eyes dropping to watch her fingers, and silver gilded nails, trace along the table, following the wood’s grain. “I’ve been here for almost six years now. Guess that makes it home. I’ve gotten pretty comfortable here, but it’s certainly been throwing me for a loop lately. Not that I don’t mind a challenge.”

“Must be,” Lydia replied, smiling as Marley turned her gaze to Lydia’s hands, and Lydia changed the pattern of her fingers, instead circling a whorl, just so. Only for a moment, before she picked up her wine glass, listening to Marley’s answer, raising an eyebrow. “All the more surprising that someone hasn’t scooped you up. Although, I suppose that perhaps they’ve tried. What kind of way has it been throwing you for a loop? There have been so many strange happenings rather consistently much of the time I’ve been here.”

Oh, so Lydia could play this game, too. Marley watched her finger circle before lifting her eyes back up to meet Lydia’s, wishing she could see their iridescent sheen again. Wishing she had a way to turn off her eyes, without shoving a contact into them, or wearing silly glasses at night. “I suppose a few have tried,” she shrugged, “was just never my thing. To be scooped.” She sat up a little straighter for a moment, unsure of her next moves. It didn’t usually matter to others what her profession was, but she knew Fae were the most wary of others, especially law enforcement. “I suppose it’s because of all the strange occurrences. Been keeping me busy chasing after mime clones, fish rain, and strange coins. It almost feels like the precursor to something bigger, and I’m not sure I want to take a guess at what that might bring.”

There was that uncomfortable shift, just briefly, a secret withheld. That was understandable, Lydia had secrets of her own that she wouldn’t share on the first date either. Her eyes glazed right over it, finishing her glass. “Is it more often than usual, then?” Lydia asked, and the thought sent shivers down her spine. She had assumed that was just the cost of living in a place like this. This was Wicked’s Rest, after all, and all manner of creatures and people wanted to spew their nonsense here. “Something bigger? I certainly hope not. The murderous mime clones were quite enough for me to deal with, and I’m sure you felt the same.” She tapped Marley’s glass. “Can I get you another?”

Murder probably wasn’t a good topic of conversation for a first “date”, but Marley hadn’t always been the most socially aware. She shrugged. “They were a nuisance, but they’re gone now, so it’s no sweat off my back.” Lydia tapped her glass and Marley was grateful for the subject change, despite her being the one who brought it up. Sometimes her mouth got her into more trouble than she cared for, though mostly, it was good at getting her out of it. She smiled again. “Yes, that would be lovely,” she said, picking up the glass and finishing off what little was left in it. “As long as you get yourself one, too.”

“A nuisance is a generous term,” Lydia replied, rubbing the side of her neck idly. The skin was healed and clear now, but the ghost of it lingered. She was also happy to move forward with such things. “Of course, I can keep up, at least for a little while.” Lydia replied, waving over the host only to gesture that they’d like a repeat. He nodded with a smile that Lydia ignored as she turned back to Marley. “So, if you aren’t keen to be scooped, pray tell, what were you looking for this evening?” She asked, her eyes glittering. She was far too old to play too coy here. 

Marley chuckled at that. She liked Lydia’s commanding presence, the way the waiter almost seemed to preen for her attention with that smile, and the way she completely ignored him. It made Marley feel special, like all of Lydia’s attention was on her. Something she craved with interaction. “Well,” she said, leaning forward again, putting her chin in her palms as if mulling over the question, “mostly I’m just here for a good time and to see a beautiful woman. If that just means drinks and a conversation, so be it. But I’m never opposed to...more happening.”

Lydia shifted in mirror as Marley did, leaning forward, and twisting a lock of hair between her fingertips. Even now, part of her itched to reach across, and snatch those glasses from Marley’s face. Even if it turned her heart to stone, she wanted to see her as she really was. Lydia knew enough to quash those instincts, to remember that fear came too easily to her to be actively chasing it. Her hand slid under the table to Marley’s knee, unabashed. If she had been any other kind of fae, her pupils might have widened. “Funnily enough, I was here for the same. You wouldn’t find me opposed either, my dear. Not at all.”

Marley’s skin tingled where Lydia’s hand rested. Her forwardness was not lost on Marley at all, simply adding to the charm and revelry Marley had for her. These kinds of things were what Marley was used to, and though most interactions ended with less matching of energies and more of a simple “This will do”, it was the moments like these that Marley really loved. Even if they were a dime a dozen, it was worth all the other mundane personalities to find the one that wasn’t. She’d found a few of them here, and she was definitely adding Lydia to the list. “Then what do you say we finish up these next drinks and then head out? Your place or mine?”

“Yours, for tonight,” Lydia looked searchingly in Marley’s eyes, through those tinted spectacles, and wondered what she was hoping to find, exactly. “Although, perhaps, before we go anywhere, I should warn you that my lips are as off limits to you as your eyes are to me. I hope that isn’t a deal breaker.” If it was, they could keep talking, or redirect the electrifying tension in the air elsewhere. 

Whatever type of fae Lydia was was a little out of Marley’s wheelhouse of knowledge, but that didn’t discourage her. “Mine it is. Good thing I live close by.” The waitress came back with their next round of drinks and Marley took hers gratefully, taking a nice, hearty sip. At Lydia’s next statement, she quirked a brow. Most people didn’t understand that the fear gaze a mara possessed needed to be activated and wasn’t instantaneous-- and that it worked during the day-- but Marley was okay with that. It could be her secret. Instead, she grinned around the edges of her glass, before setting it down. “I can work with that.”

[singledarkshade]

I would like more human!Gideon in Life in a Miracle verse if you're taking prompts

A New Life – The Mysteries Of Sleep And FoodSummary: Gideon’s second full day ashuman. The unexpected sequel to A New Life (set in the Life After A Miracleverse, somewhere during the Settling In timeline.)Author’s Note: I didn’t intend to addanymore to A New Life but was talked into it. Enjoy.                                *********************************************Gideon sighed happily as she began to wake up. Cuddling deeper into the warmcocoon she was in just wanting to stay here where everything was simple and uncomplicated.

As her mind became clearer,which was a bizarre thing for her to cope with not instantly being aware ofeverything the moment she was conscious, Gideon realised she was alone in thebed when she had fallen asleep holding onto her Captain.

It was a concept that wastruly foreign to her to sleep, something she had watched her beloved Captain dofor many years and wondered about. It was now something she had done a greatdeal of in the past few days.

Turning to the side to checkthe clock beside her, she stared in surprise at the time.

“Well, good morning,” Rip’samused voice came from the other side making her turn to find him leaningagainst the doorframe, “It’s nice to see you awake at last.”

Gideon felt her cheeks burn,the way they did so often when he smiled at her.

“Grab a quick shower and getdressed,” Rip told her, “If you still want to meet Jonas for lunch that is.”

“Of course, Captain,” shereplied softly.

“Use my name, Gideon,” he shookhis head as he left her to get ready.

Sliding out of the warmcomfortable bed, Gideon headed for her shower.

She’d now been human forapproximately forty-two hours and there were a few things Gideon had learnedalready.

Firstly, she needed to sleep,a lot, but could only manage to do so when Rip was with her. When she was aloneGideon just couldn’t relax enough to enter the state, terrified something wouldhappen but when her Captain was holding her, she could fall asleep easilybecause she knew he would keep her safe.

Secondly, she enjoyed thesensation of standing beneath warm water letting it flow down over her body andsoak her long hair. The scent of the soap and shampoo made her smile as shecleaned herself. Her Captain had bought ones specifically for her when theywere out the day before. A simple gesture designed to make her feel comfortablein her new form, one that made her so grateful to have him with her as shelearned about her new life.

Thirdly, was the fact sheneeded to eat but she didn’t quite like it. Food that was not completely solid,with a sauce or if she needed to use cutlery meant Gideon would make a mess torival Jonas when he was a toddler. Even though her Captain had been unable tohide his mirth at those times, he hugged her tightly and promised it would geteasier.

She hoped he was right.

                                 *********************************************

 Rip smiled when Gideondescended the stairs, looking beautiful in the dress she was wearing with herlong hair falling around her shoulders and her smile bright.

“I’m ready, Captain,” she toldhim.

Shaking his head Rip caughther hand, “Gideon, you’re human now. You should use my name.”

Her cheeks coloured in ablush and she dropped her eyes shyly, “I will try…Rip,” she promised again.

Rip reached out and gentlystroked her cheek before touching her chin so she would look up at him, “I knowit’s strange and I’m here for you but calling me Captain might bring attentionwe don’t want. Okay?”

Gideon nodded.

Rip pressed a soft kiss toher forehead, “Come on, we’ll be late if we don’t move.”

“Late?” Gideon frownedconfused checking the time.

“I thought you’d want to see Jonasat his swimming lesson,” Rip smiled with a shrug.

Gideon smiled at the thoughtand nodded, “Yes.”

“Then let’s go.”

 Clarissa smiled to herself asJonas talked about what they were going to be doing today in his lessons. Thelittle boy was a complete joy to be around and she loved being his grandmother.

To her surprise, it hadn’ttaken any persuasion to get Rip to allow her to take Jonas to swimming lessons.Rip agreed that the little boy should know how to swim and not learn the sameway he had. Clarissa had decided not to ask the question.

Opening the car door to allowthe little boy out, she smiled when he took her hand as he knew he should inthe car park.

“Daddy!!” Jonas criedjoyfully when they reached the door to the leisure centre finding two peoplewaiting for them, “Gideon.”

Clarissa smiled as Jonas ranacross the small space and threw himself at his father, seeing the human formof the AI who watched over them smile at the scene.

“Good morning,” Clarissagreeted them, “I didn’t expect to see you until lunch.”

Rip smiled, letting his songo so he could hug Gideon, “I thought Gideon would like to see Jonas at hislesson.”

Nodding Clarissa checked herwatch, “And we need to get inside so Jonas can get ready. Come on, Sunshine.”

Jonas nodded and took herhand. As they started inside Clarissa smiled slightly seeing Rip rest his handon Gideon’s lower back. To guide her inside as the gentleman he was but it wasalso protective and a little possessive.

“Alright,” Rip said, “I’lltake Jonas to get changed, why don’t you ladies find seats for us?”

Clarissa nodded, “Of course.”Seeing Gideon’s nerves at being separated from Rip, Clarissa took her arm, “Itwill give us a chance to chat and you to tell me stories where he can’toverhear.”

Gideon laughed softly andwalked with Clarissa to the spectator seats where they found three together atthe front. Gideon sat studying the pool, Clarissa smiled to see she wasmesmerised by the gentle movement of the water.

Suddenly the peace wasshattered as the kids appeared and all jumped into the water to get to theirstarting positions. Jonas saw them and waved, Gideon gave him a small waveback. Rip arrived in the spectator area and slid into the seat at Gideon’s side,his arm automatically resting around her.

Rip’s unthinking gesturecaused countless murmurs and a wave of interest from all the mothers sittingaround. Clarissa sighed irritated at them, she spent a lot of time keeping thevultures away from him. It surprised her how naïve he was when it came to thatsort of thing but considering Rip’s upbringing, and the fact he’d fallen forMiranda when he was young, it made sense.

 Evelyn Thomas cooed to herbaby girl she was carrying in the papoose while she headed to the spectatorarea of the pool. Checking who was there she smiled seeing Clarissa but wassurprised to see Rip was sitting also. However, Evelyn mused, seeing Gideonsitting at Rip’s side it made sense. She was visiting so Evelyn assumed Rip wasshowing off Jonas to his friend.

She started towards them findingher way was blocked by one of the other mothers.

“Freya,” Evelyn gave her asmile, assuming she wanted to see the baby, “How are you?”

“Good,” the other womanreplied before continuing quickly, “You’re friends with Jonas Hunter’s father,right?”

Suspicion instantly hit herbefore Evelyn nodded, “Yes.”

“Who is the woman?” Freyaasked, several of the other mothers leaning in to hear the answer.

Evelyn rolled her eyes butknew that she’d get no peace or away from them until she answered.

“She’s Rip’s friend from backhome. I think they went to college together,” Evelyn told them, “She’s here tovisit for a while.”

Freya glanced over at thepeople in question, “Are you sure they’re friends? I mean look at the way she’sall over him.”

Evelyn looked round the otherwoman to where Gideon was leaning against Rip laughing at something his armaround her, but they were old friends and obviously comfortable with oneanother.

“Well, that’s his business,”Evelyn replied sharply before she slid round the other woman and made her wayto her original destination.

The moment she reached themEvelyn saw Rip’s eyes instantly fall on Ruth.

“You know how to make a girlfeel special,” Evelyn laughed as she undid the straps and lifted her daughterout, passing Ruth to Rip.

Rip happily took the littlegirl into his arms, “Hello, beautiful girl,” he bounced her, getting smiles andhappy gurgles.

Evelyn rolled her eyes, “I’mfeeling a little slighted.”

The other two women laughed.

“It’s nice to see you again,Gideon,” Evelyn said, taking her seat.

Gideon gave her a smile, “Andyou, Mrs Thomas.”

“Evelyn,” she corrected,frowning confused when Rip snorted in amusement.

He shook his head, eyes notmoving from Ruth, “Don’t ask.”

 Gideon smiled watching Ripreluctantly hand the baby girl to her mother when the lesson ended. She wasrelieved by how well she’d done having a conversation with Evelyn. She knewClarissa and Rip were listening closely in case either of them needed to stepin but Rip only had to do so once.

“Would you like to join usall for lunch?” Gideon asked, catching the surprised looks on Clarissa andRip’s faces at the invitation.

Evelyn smiled at her, “Iwould love to but unfortunately Kevin’s mother is visiting and he’s picking herup just now. Maybe another time, if you’re still in town.”

Gideon nodded. She knew howmuch Rip valued Evelyn and Kevin Thomas’ friendship, especially as they werenormal, compared to everyone else he knew.

“I’d like that,” Gideon toldher.

Evelyn gave her a quick smilebefore she and Rip left to get their sons.

“That was unexpected,”Clarissa said, “Inviting Evelyn for lunch with us.”

Gideon smiled, “Jonas andAdam would like it while I enjoyed speaking with Evelyn.”

Clarissa squeezed her hand,“That’s good. It can’t be easy talking to those who don’t know your previousform.”

“I worry I will say somethingthat isn’t right,” Gideon confessed.

“You’re doing fine,” Clarissaassured her, “Come on, let’s fetch the boys and go for lunch.”

Warmed by the older woman’swords and affection, Gideon smiled following her to meet Rip and Jonas.

 Jonas took Gideon’s hand asthey started out the leisure centre, telling her what he’d learned that day andhow well he’d done.

Rip watched them with a smileon his face as he walked with Clarissa behind them.

“I was thinking,” he spokeup, “That since it’s such a nice day we get some sandwiches and drinks thenhave a picnic in the park.”

Gideon turned giving him agrateful smile that he wasn’t taking her somewhere she would have to try anduse cutlery.

“What do you think, Jonas?”Clarissa asked.

Jonas nodded, always happy togo to the park before he paused and asked, “Will I still get the cake youpromised?”

Rip turned to Clarissa with araised eyebrow.

“Because he did so well inschool this week, I promised we would get a treat at lunch today,” Clarissaexplained, “And yes, we will pick up a few cakes for after lunch.”

Jonas grinned and Rip shookhis head in defeat.

“Okay,” Rip smiled, “We canget some cake for after lunch.”

They walked to the park andfound a bench in the sunshine, near the play area for Jonas. Leaving Gideon andJonas to get comfortable, Rip and Clarissa headed to the small café nearby toget them food.

“Is there a reason you wanteda picnic today?” Clarissa asked as they joined the queue.

Rip shrugged, “Gideon findscutlery difficult to use. If she’s eating in public this makes her lessself-conscious.”

“That makes sense,” Clarissanodded, “She seems to be coping admirably with the change she’s gone through.”

“There are times she getsanxious,” Rip replied, “But knows that we’re all here to help her.”

Clarissa smiled, “I’ll makesure she knows to call me when she wants to talk or needs help that you can’tgive.”

 “Gideon?”

“Yes?”

“Do you like being a womannow and not just a voice?”

Gideon smiled at the littleboy’s question, “Honestly,” she took his hand, “It is a little scary because Iam now so different from what I’ve always been, but I do like that I can hugyou now.”

Jonas grinned and threw hisarms around her in a tight hug, “I like to hug you too.” He let her go andlooked at her thoughtfully, “You don’t have to be scared, Gideon. Me and Daddylove you. We’ll look after you.”

“Thank you, Jonas,” Gideonsmiled, “I love you too.”

His smile widened and hewrapped his arms around her waist leaning against her. Gideon rested her cheekagainst the little boy’s hair, understanding suddenly why Rip loved to just holdhis son in his arms sometimes. She spotted Rip and Clarissa coming towards them.

“It looks like our lunch ishere,” Gideon said, smiling with the boy pulled back and looked over to hisfather and grandmother walking towards them.

“You can have some of mycake,” Jonas told her, “If Daddy didn’t get you one.”

“Thank you, Jonas.”

 Rip smiled as he and Gideonwatched Jonas on the swing. Clarissa had headed home after lunch getting bighugs from Jonas and a promise from Gideon to call her if she needed to talk.

Feeling his phone buzz, Rippulled it out and checked the message before answering quickly.

“Is something wrong?” Gideonasked softly.

Shaking his head Rip assuredher, “It was just Caitlin checking how you are.”

“Why did she not contact me?”

Rip gave her a slightlyamused smile, “You don’t have a phone, and unless you’re not telling mesomething this was all she could do.”

Gideon stared at him beforeshe gave a cry of frustration, “This isn’t right. I shouldn’t be like this.”

Rip moved and caught her inhis arms, “It’s okay. You’re okay.”

Tucking her head against hisneck she sighed sadly, “I’m not meant to be like this, Captain. I can’t lookafter you in this form.”

Holding her tightly, Ripgently rubbed her back soothingly, “We look after each other now.”

Gideon sniffed slightly notmoving, keeping her face pressed against his shoulder.

“Let’s get Jonas and we’ll gohome,” Rip told her, “When we’re in the house you can relax. Okay?”

She nodded again beforestepping back to let him collect his son. Rip left her sitting at the tablewhile he headed to the swings.

“Jonas,” he said, “It’s timeto go home,” Rip continued quickly before his son could protest, “Gideon needsto go back to the house now.”

Jonas quickly slid off theswing and took Rip’s hand heading back to where Gideon was sitting lookingforlorn at the table. Jonas ran over and took her hand without a word, when shestood Rip led them back to the car so they could go home.

 Rip watched over Gideon forthe rest of the afternoon as she helped Jonas with his jigsaw puzzle. She’dbeen quiet since her small anxiety attack in the park, allowing Rip to bringher back to the house where Jonas insisted that she play with him.

The remainder of the daywhile Rip did his chores, he listened closely in case Gideon had another panicattack but thankfully, although quiet, she seemed alright.

After dinner, which Ripensured was easy for Gideon to eat, they sat and watched one of Jonas’ movies.Rip put his son to bed, who knowing Gideon was upset gave her an extra long huggoodnight. Once he’d read Jonas that evening’s chapter and said goodnight tohim Rip headed back down to check on Gideon.

She was curled up in thecorner of the couch, staring at the screen that was showing one of the singingshows she enjoyed so much. Rip took a seat at her side, sliding his arms aroundher and pulled her close frowning when he heard her sob.

“I can’t do this, Captain,”she cried, “I want to be me again, I don’t like….” she trailed off frustratedthat she couldn’t vocalise what she was feeling.”

Rip hushed her, holding herclose feeling her tears soak his t-shirt, “I’m here, Gideon. I know this ishard for you but you’re not alone. You are never alone. I’m always here.”

After several minutes shebegan to calm and pulled back from him, wiping her eyes Gideon gave him a softshy smile.

Before she could say anything,she yawned making Rip smile.

“You should go to bed,” he toldher, frowning at the panic that crossed her face.

“I am fine,” Gideon saidquickly trying to hide the fear in her eyes.

Rip gently rubbed her arm, hedidn’t realise she was still as scared of going to sleep as she had been, nowshe’d done it a few times.

“You can still sleep besideme,” he reminded her, “If that will make you feel better.”

Gideon nodded, “But you are nottired, are you?”

Rip mused for a moment,Gideon was obviously exhausted, but she would fight sleep if she was alone.

“Get ready for bed,” Rip toldher, “And come back down here. I’ve got an idea.”

While Gideon changed, Riptook a pillow from the spare room along with a blanket. He made himself sometea and grabbed his book placing it on the table at the side of the couch. WhenGideon arrived Rip sat, placing the pillow against his leg and motioning her tolie down.

With a shy smile she curledup on the couch, her head on the pillow, curling under the blanket she smiledwhen Rip gently stroked her hair.

“It’s okay,” he promised, “Goto sleep. I am right here with you.”

Letting out a soft sighGideon’s sleepy voice came, “Thank you, Rip.”

“Any time,” Rip assured her.

 It was three hours later whenRip decided to head to bed, easing himself from beneath Gideon so he didn’twake her, he quickly cleared away his mug. Returning to the living room, Ripslid his arms around Gideon and lifted her easily. Carefully Rip carried Gideonup to the bedroom and gently rested her on the bed, smiling as she murmuredslightly shifting to get comfortable in the new location.

Once he was confident Gideonwas resting Rip pressed a kiss to her forehead. Changing into his nightwear Ripclimbed into bed making sure he didn’t wake her. Rip slid closer to Gideon,smiling that even in her sleep she instantly cuddled against him looking forhis comfort.

Today was only the secondfull day that Gideon had been human, and Rip knew that it wasn’t magicallygoing to be easy for her to adjust to her situation. But he would do everythinghe could to help.

Rip tightened his arms aroundGideon hearing her sigh happily and smiled as he closed his eyes falling asleepeasily with his best friend in his arms.

[lexa-scribbles]

katie/evelyn, newton’s first law

sad lesbians are back at it again! i’ve been told this is very sad so proceed with caution :) 

if you’re unfamiliar with my superhero ‘verse, you can check out the chronological order here!

tagging: @writerightmegpie @katiehahnbooks @ava-burton-writing

warnings: situational depression

The morning after Katie—Capacitor, Evelyn needed to remember that—got arrested, Scope pulled her from active duty.

“Thunderbird,” he said, golden eyes blank behind his black mask. Evelyn would have been glad, if she could muster up any sort of feeling at all; maybe she should have been sad, should have been angry, should have been—something, but she couldn’t find the word for what she felt, the empty place under her sternum, a clawing void that threatened to drown her in silence.

“I think you need to take a break,” he said, voice soft but not quite pitying. “Just—clear your head.”

“I’m fine,” she said, but it felt like she was talking around a wad of cotton, numbness stuffing itself in her ears, climbing down her throat. “It’s—not a big deal.”

“Take a break,” he repeated, voice firmer. “Go home. You don’t need to be here right now. We get it.”

I don’t really know what to do right now, and I was kind of hoping I could forget, by coming to work. She doesn’t say it, doesn’t think she can muster up the strength to force the words out of her mouth. Home’ll just be full of—her. I don’t think I can do that. I don’t think you get it.

But she just nodded.

“Is it okay if I give you a hug?” Scope looked—nervous. It was uncharacteristic; he was a couple years younger than she was, but she was so used to seeing him and Elpis standing shoulder-to-shoulder, taking charge. “If you don’t want—”

Her shoulders tensed. “I don’t, really—”

“Okay,” he said, mouth collapsing around the word, reshaping itself into a worried frown. “Uh, take care of yourself, okay?” He reached out a hand as if to clap her on the shoulder, but paused, took his hand back. “I’m sorry.”

You’re not the one who didn’t realize their girlfriend was a supervillain, she wanted to say, but she just shrugged.

She didn’t realize Elpis had been walking over until he was tapping Scope on the shoulder, wings folded neatly along his spine. “Scope,” he said. “Grayboots wants to talk to you.”

Scope hesitated, searching Evelyn’s face for—she didn’t know what, exactly. “Okay,” he said at length, and walked off, leaving Evelyn alone with Elpis.

If she was being honest with herself—better get started on that, a voice that sounded like Katie told her—she’d always preferred Elpis to Scope, had always understood Elpis’ relative silence better than Scope’s constant chatter. It hadn’t been so bad, with Katie, the way she talked for both of them, because Evelyn had known Katie. She’d known what Katie was going to say, had known she was the more eloquent out of the two of them, was okay with that.

Turned out Evelyn hadn’t known anything.

Elpis was silent for the walk towards the flyers’ deck, his golden armor as quiet as he was. Evelyn, for the first five months she’d known him, had doubted he was human at all; despite the articulated joints and the vaguely human shape to the glowing golden armor, she hadn’t ever heard him speak, and the faceless helmet hadn’t helped.

But, she’d learned, Elpis was just as human as the rest of them.

“Wait,” he said, holding a hand out, angling his body and bringing her to an abrupt halt. “Look, Scope, he—means well.”

Evelyn stared over his shoulder, at the sky. The flyers’ deck was dry, but the smell of the wind and the gloom of the clouds promised rain; she might not have been calling the storm this time, but it was coming nonetheless.

“I also think you shouldn’t be on active duty,” Elpis said. “But there’s been a couple snarls with some of the more sensitive paperwork, and we need someone to go through and see what’s wrong with it. It’s not time-dependent, but it needs to get done.”

Humiliation crawled over Evelyn’s skin—having her do paperwork was a laughable waste of everyone’s time—but she couldn’t muster up the energy to argue with him. “Understood,” she said, and walked to the edge of the flyer’s deck, bracing herself against the low railing.

“Thunderbird,” Elpis said, and when she glanced over at him, his disproportionately large wings twitched nervously. “If you need someone to talk to…”

“I know where the DCPC is,” she said. The Detention Center for Powered Criminals. They’d probably given Capacitor her own cell by now.

Evelyn wondered what Capacitor was thinking about. Was it possible that she’d already forgotten what they’d meant to each other?

“That’s not what I meant,” Elpis said, but his voice sounded muffled, far away.

She thought so. What Katie’d said—it didn’t really leave much room for doubt, did it?

She breathed in deeply, tasted the oncoming storm, and jumped, letting the wind whisk her into the sky and take her—she couldn’t say home, anymore, could she?

By the time she’d climbed the seven stories to the apartment—the landlord still hadn’t gotten around to fixing the elevator—Evelyn was exhausted, her super-suit bundled up into the duffel she kept on the roof with a change of clothes. It’d rained on the way, which made her hoodie unpleasantly damp, and her muscles protested with every step, the bruises from the fight last night no doubt blooming in livid color across her thighs.

She unlocked the door, keys shaky in her hand, and dumped her bag on the bench Katie’d insisted they get for their foyer. Her white hi-tops were shoved under it, laces half-undone.

Evelyn stared at them and forgot how to breathe.

Mechanically, she hung her keys on the coat rack and walked into the kitchen. Last Sunday, sun streaming into the apartment, they’d made dozens of Katie’s mom’s tamales, and she’d told Evelyn I love you, like it was a universal truth, easy as breathing.

It hadn’t been real.

It felt like being half-awake, barely aware, trapped in that stagnant hell between idyllic dream and harsh reality, truth muted like sound filtering to the bottom of a pool, echoes of thunder miles and miles away.

She didn’t want to go into the bedroom. Didn’t think she had enough in her to wonder if that had been faked, too.

Listless, she dug around in the freezer until she came up with their biggest gel pack and the bottle of vodka Katie liked to save for special occasions.

The ice pack went onto the top of her thigh, where her scrapes and bruises smarted the worst. The vodka she poured down her throat, wincing at the half-unexpected burn of it; with her free hand she pulled out her phone, unlocked it.

One unopened voicemail.

“Hey Ev!” Katie’s voice, brightness made tinny by the microphone, just made the ache worse, scraping nails on a chalkboard, fork tines on a nice plate. “I just got a call from my boss—he wants me to come in for that big meeting I was telling you about after all, so I’ll be a little late. I’ll pick up dinner on the way home, ‘kay? Love you.”

She wanted so desperately for it to be real.

It wasn’t.

[lostinreality014]

You Look Perfect Tonight - Part II

Part I  Part II  Part III

Author’s Notes: Ceremony dialogue in this part is crafted from a couple of different scripts I found on wedding/civil ceremonies planning websites - they can be found HERE, HERE, and HERE. I re-wrote/paraphrased the bits and pieces I liked as I wanted the ceremony dialogue to fit the Niall and Evie I created in my head when I wrote my APC. Niall’s and Evie’s vows are my own creation.

Another shoutout and big thank you to @imagine-that-one-thing for being my beta to this piece. :)

Also Note: this piece is also posted on my Wattpad account.

Photo Credits as Follows: Bride;  Venue;  Groom

Any pieces I post here are mine and all rights are reserved. I do not give permission for my work to be posted on any other platform. Unless I explicitly state that I have posted one of my works on another platform, please let me know immediately if you see my writing anywhere other than Tumblr. Thank you.

The Ceremony

The hour between our first look photos and the start of our ceremony flew by. Lottie had just enough time to touch up my make up before having to hurry off and find her seat for the ceremony. And Lou had just enough time to touch up a couple of curls and pin them back into place before Lucy, the wedding coordinator for the Estate, knocked on the door to let us know it was time for us to line up.

“You ready to go, munchkin?” Lou asked Lux.

“Yes!” she exclaimed excitedly but then gasped. “No, I’m not! I forgot something.”

“What’d you forget? You have your bouquet.”

“No I forgot something else.” I heard her say. “Evie?” she asked, tapping my arm gently to get my attention.

“Yes, my love?” I smiled down at her.

“I have something for you.”

“You do?” I asked as I sat down on the sofa so I was eye level with her. She nodded and turned to set her bouquet down on the small coffee table before turning back to face me.

“Your bracelet?” I asked as she slid the blue, beaded bracelet off her tiny wrist. 

“Uh huh.” she said, holding it out for me to take.

“Oh, Lux.” I breathed. “That’s so sweet of you. But I can’t accept that. You worked so hard to save up for it.”

“I know. But I want you to have it. For good luck.” she said, picking up my hand and sliding it on my wrist for me. Tears welled up in my eyes as she looked up at me with a smile to match Lou’s on her face.

“Are you sure you want me to have this? Maybe I could borrow it for the ceremony then give it back to you after?” she shook her head emphatically.

“No. I’m sure. I want you to have it.” I wrapped her up in a hug.

“That is very kind of you. Thank you.” I blinked back tears as I gave her hands a gentle squeeze. 

“You’re welcome.” She said, her smile widening.

“I love you a whole lot, you know that?”

“I love you a whole lot too.”

“Are you ready now?” I asked her.

“Now I’m ready.” She said turning to pick up her bouqet. Before turning to leave, she stood up on her tip toes and pecked a kiss to my cheek. My heart had already melted because she was so adamant about me having her bracelet. But now I just felt like it was going to explode. I got back to my feet just as she followed Denise and Lucy out of the room.

“That is one very special little girl you have.” Mum said to Lou as she handed me my bouquet.

“I got really lucky.” she agreed.

“I’m not smudged am I?” I asked Lou, dabbing under my eyes with my free hand.

“No. You’re perfect. You know Lottie wouldn’t do you wrong on your wedding day.” I choked out a laugh and nodded.

“She wouldn’t do me wrong even if she was just doing my make up for a girls night out.”

“Very true.” Lou nodded with a smile. “I better see tears of pure joy on that boy’s face when you walk down the aisle toward him or I’m smacking him upside the head.” I laughed as the three of us made our way out of the room. When we reached the foyer of the building, Lux, Denise, and Theo, who was our ring bearer, were receiving some last minute instructions from Lucy.

“Auntie E!” Theo exclaimed when he saw me. Denise caught hold of his hand before he took off at full speed for me.

“Hey mister.” I said squatting down so I was eye level with him.

“Wow.” He said softly. “You look very pretty.” He lisped with a smile. My heart melted once again.

“Thank you. And you’re looking very handsome in your suit.” He puffed up his chest, standing tall, an ear to ear smile gracing his face.

“Thank you.”

“You ready to stand with Uncle Niall and guard our rings until we need them?”

“All ready. I been practicing my tough face.” I couldn’t help but giggle when he showed me his best intimidating face.

“That’s perfect. Nobody will mess with you.” He smiled and shook his head in agreement.

“All ready?” Lucy asked with a calming smile as I stood back up.

“Never been more ready for something in my life.” I smiled.

“Wonderful.” She walked up to the door and pushed it open before stepping out onto the main landing and nodding at Lux.

“Don’t let me trip.” I whispered to mum as we walked through the door behind everyone.

“I’ll do my best. Remember to breathe, yeah?” I nodded and took a breath, blinking back more tears as we heard the door to the main estate building click shut behind us. Lucy hurried to catch up to Lux so she could lead us down the path toward the pavilion where our ceremony was to be held. 

As we neared the bottom of the ramp, she paused and turned to face us. From our rehearsal yesterday, I knew to stay put until Lucy gave me the signal. Sure Niall had already seen me, but this was also a special moment for us and I had every intention of staying out of view until Lou had made it to her spot on the small platform at the end of the aisle. Even though we were a fair distance away, I could hear the sounds of This Town being played, courtesy of Jake and Conor.

It had been a no brainer when asked what song or piece of music I’d like to walk down the aisle to. This Town was the song that helped us make the transition from platonic to romantic. Besides, neither of us were too set on the standard wedding traditions - including the traditional Irish church wedding. We’d been a bit nervous about telling his parents and mum that we wanted a small, intimate, outdoor wedding rather than the traditional Irish church wedding. And we were fairly certain our mum’s were hoping we’d plan that kind of wedding. It had been a very pleasant surprise when they supported our wish for the ceremony that was about to take place.

“Okay, Lux. Are you ready?” Lucy asked softly. I saw her nod and Lucy gave her the thumbs up to start making her way down the aisle. A few moments later, Denise gently nudged Theo forward and he followed Lux down the aisle. Just before she followed her son down the aisle, Denise turned and gave me a smile and a wink.

“Breathe.” Lou whispered quickly, giving my hand a squeeze and following Denise. Mum gave my hand a squeezed as we took a couple of steps forward. When Jake and Conor paused their playing for a moment, Lucy gave us a nod. Mum looped my arm through hers, squeezing my hand as we took the last few steps to reach the center of the aisle.

Even though there were fifty of our closest friends and family watching me walk toward the love of my life, the only person I saw was Niall. About half way down down, I watched him quickly brush away tears before his blinding smile returned to his face. I smiled back at him as a few tears of my own escaped. As we walked past the first row of seats, he stepped down from the low platform that had been placed in front of the concrete railing at the end of the path that looked out toward the center of the grounds. Mum kissed my cheek and unwound my arm from hers before placing my hand in Niall’s.

“You take care of her. You hear?” she asked with a smile.

“Yes ma’am.” he said with a smile and a small laugh.

“Good. I love you both very much.” She reached up to kiss him on the cheek before stepping back and taking her seat next to Maura as we took the last few steps up to the small platform where our officiant, Elizabeth, was waiting. I turned to hand my bouquet to Denise before turning back and facing Niall.

“Family, friends, and loved ones. You have traveled from near and far to be here with Niall and Evelyn on this special day, to offer your love and support as they make a life long commitment to one another. You being here today allows them to being their married life together surrounded by the people that are the most important to them.

Niall and Evelyn thank you for joining them here today, and would like to ask for your blessing, encouragement, and lifelong support for their decision to be married.” We smiled at each other, and I gave his hands a gentle squeeze as Elizabeth paused for a brief moment.

“Marriage is perhaps the greatest and most challenging adventures of human relationships. Marriage is not created by a ceremony. Marriage is created by two people through love and patience, dedication and perseverance, communication, helping and supporting, and believing in one another. It is also created by through tenderness and laughter, learning to forgive, learning to appreciate each other’s differences, and by learning to make the important things matter and letting the rest go.” He released one of my hands, reaching up to brush away the couple of tears that had escaped. There was a smattering of soft chuckles when Greg reached around him to offer him his handkerchief to tease him, before offering it to me.

“Will you, Niall, take Evelyn to be your wedded wife?”

“I will.” his voice broke and my heart swan dived into my chest.

“Will you, Evelyn, take Niall to be your wedded husband?”

“I will.” I swear his eyes lit up brighter than the sun in that moment as we both tried not to bounce around in sheer joy even though there was still a bit left to go before we were pronounced husband and wife. We now had to get through our vows and I’m not sure either one of us were fully prepared for this moment on an emotional level.

“Two people in love do not live in isolation. Love between two people is a source of strength in which to find nourishment for each other and find nourishment from their community of family and friends. In turn, as part of this close knit community, you also have a responsibility to this couple. It is through your unwavering love, respect, and care that you can support their marriage and the new family they are creating today. Will you who are present here today, surround Niall and Evelyn in love, offering them the joys of your friendship, and supporting them in their marriage?”

“We will.” We smiled at each other, squeezing each other’s hands hearing the response from the most important people in our lives.

“Niall and Evelyn, you have chosen to write your own vows to one another. Before you say those vows, I ask you to remember that love -  which is rooted in faith, trust, and acceptance - will be the foundation for further deepening your relationship.”

We initially tired writing our vows together, and with the exception of a couple of sentences, we could never come up with something we both deemed worthy of our wedding day. And we tried multiple times. At one of our last meetings with Elizabeth to finalize the order of our ceremony, she asked how our vows were coming along, and we told her about our frustrations. She smiled knowingly at us and gave us her insight, which had been rather enlightening. By the end of our meeting, we decided we would write our vows to each other separately, agreeing to include the bits and pieces we did come up with together that we both liked. Thus ensuring we would have vows we were happy with.

“Niall, if you will please read your vows you have written to Evelyn.” Elizabeth said as she handed him the copy of his vows he had written.

“My brother used to tell me, more like tease me really, all the time that we were going to end up married one day. But I never believed him. Heck, I didn’t believe anyone that’s here right now when they said we’d end up together because we were already like an old married couple by the time I left for London.” I giggled wetly, as did several other people. “And then one day, I did believe it. I saw what everyone else saw. What I had been too blind to see until I was ready.” His voice broke and I hiccuped when he had to pause to get a handle on his emotions. I reached forward and took one of his hands in mine, knowing he needed to feel anchored.

“You are the true light in my life and I don’t know where I would be today without you. You have been by my side through every up and down and supported me even in the times I know I didn’t deserve it. You have loved me and accepted me for who I am, flaws and all. And because of that, you have taught me what it is to truly love and accept someone for who they are. You have taught me how to look beyond the surface to see the true meaning and beauty in something or someone. You constantly challenge me and push me to be the best version of me I can be, and push me to be the best man I can be. You keep me grounded and aren’t afraid to call me out when I need to be.” He paused for a moment again and I squeezed his hand.

“You, my darlin Evie, are the love of my life and I am so honored and humbled that you chose me and said yes to being my partner in crime for life. I promise to always be there for you, through sickness and health, and through every up and down that life will throw our way. I promise to laugh with you when you’re happy and cry with you when you’re sad, and support you completely as you chase after your dreams. I promise to challenge you as you challenge me, and be truthful with you just as you are with me - even when I know the truth may sting. I promise to love you more each day than I did the last, and I promise to fill our home with unconditional love and to not go to bed angry. I promise to always strive to be the best version of me I can be. And most importantly, I promise to love you, honor you, and respect you for who you are in this moment, and who you will become in the years ahead. I promise to be yours, and only yours, for the rest of our lives.” I hiccuped softly again and sniffled while trying to stem the flow of tears.

“Evelyn, if you will please read your vows you have written to Niall.” I took a deep breath as Elizabeth handed me the copy of my vows.

“If anyone told me at four years old when we first met that we would one day be married, I guarantee I looked at them like they were a three headed dog.” He choked out a laugh as everyone else chuckled along with him. “Even as we got older and our friends told me the same thing they told you, I still looked at them like they’d lost their minds. Until one day it all made sense, and the whole picture became clear. Our picture became clear.” I paused for a moment to catch my breath, Niall squeezing my hand gently.

“You are the true sunshine in my life. You always make me smile even when I’m in my worst of moods. And you always manage to make me laugh, even when it’s not at the most appropriate time.” His cheeks flushed as everyone chuckled fondly. “You’ve helped me through my low points and celebrated my high points, and no matter how many times I wanted to give up on my dreams out of sheer frustration, you never let me. You always talked me down even if you were half a world away. I can’t even begin to imagine how different my life would be if we hadn’t moved in across the street from you, and it hadn’t been you by my side all these years.” I glanced up at him for a moment and saw a tear run down his cheek.

“You drive me mental most days,” he snorted softly but nodded knowingly. “But you, Niall James, are the love of my life, and I can’t thank my lucky stars enough that you chose to love me, and chose me to be your partner in crime for life. I promise to be there for you, through all the good times and the bad. I promise to be there for you in sickness and in health, to laugh with you in moments of pure joy, and cry with you in moments of sadness. I promise to challenge you as you challenge me, and be truthful with you just as you are with me - even when I know the truth may sting. I promise to always support you in your endeavors just as you have always supported me. I promise to fill our lives and our home with unconditional love, to love you more than I did the day before, and to not go to bed angry. But the most important promise I can make to you today, is that I promise to love you, honor you, and respect you for the person you are right now, in this moment, and the person you will become years from now. I promise to be yours, and only yours, for the rest of our lives.” He gave my hand a firm squeeze as we both hiccuped in unison, causing us and our guests to dissolve into a brief round of giggles. Elizabeth took the copies of our vows from us and tucked them neatly into the small folder she was holding so they wouldn’t be lost.

“May I have the rings please?” Elizabeth asked as she set her folder down on the small table standing beside her. We watched as Theo stepped around Niall to stand between us, holding up the small box he’d been holding. Elizabeth crouched down and gently opened the box, taking out our wedding rings, and whispering “excellent work” to Theo. He beamed at us as we gave him a thumbs up and big smiles. He carefully closed the box and turned walk back and take his place behind Niall, next to Greg.

“The ring is a symbol of the unbroken circle of love. Love freely given has no beginning and knows no bounds or no ends. May these rings always remind you of the vows you have taken and written for one another. Niall and Evelyn, take these rings and place them on each other’s fingers.” Our hands were shaking so much with all the adrenaline that I’m surprised we managed to get each other’s rings on each other’s fingers with dropping them.

“Please repeat together after me: with this ring, I thee wed.”

“With this ring, I thee wed.” We squeezed each other’s hands tightly again as face splitting smiles graced our faces.

“By the power vested in me, I now pronounce you husband and wife. Niall, you may kiss your bride.”

“Finally.” I heard him exclaim softly before he pulled me into him and pecking several giggly kisses to my lips, before kissing me fully for a long moment.

“Ladies and gentlemen, I now present to you, Mr. and Mrs. Niall and Evelyn Horan.” We turned to face our guests who had all stood up from their seats and were clapping and cheering. After taking my bouquet from Denise, we began making our way back up the aisle, stealing kisses along the way and giggling like a couple of teenagers.

[the-jade-cross]

The Lannister Wolf - Part 3 Chapter 7

‘Be calm. Determined. Emotional’. The dragon patiently told Evelyn.

The girl sat cross-legged at the entrance of the Temple of Fire. Lady and Zinzi sound asleep behind her while Calum taught himself to crawl with Ace watching him like a hawk behind them.

“I’m trying,” Evelyn replied, groaning when no fire came from the empty bowl that sat before her on the floor. “But nothing is coming out.”

Brisingr sighed. ‘You do not want it to come out because it is a part of you. You cannot let it out… btu rather let it show… speak… feel. The elements are built upon something vital in our being. Water is controlled by our souls… our good and our bad. Our natural common sense that comes on its own without trying. Earth is controlled by our physical bodies… our motions, actions, caresses or punches. The pain of a wound or the joy of a comforting hug. The wind comes from our minds… our thoughts and the things thought shape the strength. Like a memory of a little bird brings forth a gentle breeze while a painful memory brings a gale. For fire, it is your heart. When you feel pain, the fire rages and when you are happy, it is soothing.’

Evelyn frowned, “But I am not angry or happy right now. I’m bored if anything.”

Brisingr shrugged his wings. ‘I doubt you would be if I caught something on fire. You know, wolf hair is very good at burning… like kindling.’

Evelyn’s eyes widened and Brisingr could hear her heart beat increase.

‘And you know.’ The dragon said. ‘Because of the heat, your clothes have gotten so dry that they could catch fire from just a spark…. Like the child’s shirt.’

“No!” velyn yelled, throwing her hands down and flame erupted from the ground all around her like an explosion. Both girl and dragon stood in awe as the flame slowly lessened till only a small lick of flame glowed in the bowl on the floor.

Evelyn’s eyes were glued on the remaining flame and like a person in a trance, she slowly extended one hand to the flame. When the fire made contact with her bare skin, she felt nothing but peace wash over her. Brisingr watched the girl until he became aware of the tattoo upon the girl’s wrist and he smiled.

‘You bare the mark of the Royal Dragons’. He cooed.

Evelyn looked at the mark, then at him confused, “What do you mean?”

The dragon sat back on his haunches. ‘The mark upon your arm. Only a member of the royal Dragon family bears that mark. There is one person… a certain Daenerys Targaryen who believes herself to be the Mother of Dragons. But that is not so. Dragons do not kill and destroy but protect those they love and that is not what Daenerys is doing. She may be impervious to the flame of man and was present when the Royal Dragons hatched but only a dragon can withstand the flame of a dragon and actually give life to a dragon. You, Lady Evelyn, daughter of Stark and wife of Lannister, are the true mother. The Mother of Dragons and Queen of the Royals.’

“But,” Evelyn retorted. “I didn’t birth any dragon… only Calum…”

Brisingr nodded. ‘The night you gave birth to Lord Calum Lannister was the day the Royal Dragons: Drogon, Rhaegal and Viserion hatched from their eggs. The day your body recognized the fire within you and gave flame to the dragons. Evelyn, you are a dragon and the true mother.’

“But what does that have to do with the mark Drogon gave me?” the girl inquired.

‘That is the sigil of the house of Dragons. It allows you to connect with your children, feel what they feel, sense what they sense. Royals can sense tragedy and joys all over the world.’

Evelyn looked down at her wrist in thought, “How do I connect with them?”

‘Give fire to the sigil.’ Was the simple answer.

Evelyn did as he instructed and hovered her marked arm over the flame. Instantly she saw what looked like a great hall, men of the North seated together… but blood trickled down the hands of those present, pooling on the clean floor. Evelyn could see three bodies lying upon the floor, wounds in their abdomens, blood over their clothes… faces void of life. Evelyn felt her heart freeze when she recognized the three faces… her mother…. Talisa….and Robb!

The girl let out a scream and she was ripped from the vision and found herself lying on the cold cave floor, the wolves and Brisingr looking down at her worried.

“I saw them… my mother, brother and his wife… they were dead!” She cried, tears trickling down her face. “I need to go to them!”

‘Where did you see them?’ Brisingr asked. ‘I can take you there.’

“Frey House,” Evelyn panted, fury raging in her heart. “They were at the House of Walder Frey.”

********

Walder Frey observed the scene before him in satisfaction. Robb and Catelyn Stark lay dead upon the floor at the hands of his family as well as the boy’s pregnant wife. They had never seen it coming when they came to visit. The night just couldn’t be better until the two double doors that had been barred closed just a moment ago were thrown open and there stood a giant, majestic black horse, full of power and rippling sinewy muscles as the horse puffed a cloud of air with his nose, pawing the ground angrily and Walder got the strange feeling that the horse was angry at him.

Atop the beast sat a cloaked figure, garbed all in black and a mask concealing their face. Walder was about to wonder who the person was when he spied the two huge dire wolves beside the horse, one a pale grey, almost white but more of a misty color and the other, as black as the horse it stood beside but slightly larger than the other wolf, legs spread apart in defense and a growl ripping through its powerful lungs. The first thing that came to Walder’s mind was that the person atop the horse was either a Stark, or a friend of the Starks.

The wolves charged forward and the Freys quickly made their departure but not before Zinzi and Lady snapped at their heels before guarding the doors to see that they did not return. Evelyn leapt off Chance’s back and rushed to the nearest body which was her mother. Her throat was slip and the blood had long dried… she had no heartbeat… not a breath of life in her. Choking back tears, Evelyn hurried to the next body… Robb. Fury coursing through her, she dropped to her knees next to her twin and dragged his head into her lap, stroking his still young face and saw that his big blue eyes were still wide open… but dead… obsidian like the eyes of a bird after it dies. Evelyn remembered Talisa and the baby and scurried over to the girl and almost cried for joy when she saw the girl’s chest rising and falling with breaths. However, she was bleeding badly from a wound in her stomach.

“I cannot control your blood for it has no fire,” Evelyn choked, trying to put pressure on the seeping wound when a thought came to her.

Grabbing her knife, she slit her palm and let the fire red blood drip onto Talisa’s open wound before her palm healed in a minute. When she was done, she focused on the fire blood she had dropped on Talisa and moved it to block the wound, stopping the flow. With the blood stopped, Evelyn pulled out needle and thread and hastily stitched the wound shut before turning her head to the door where Brisingr had arrived, watching silently.

“Take my mother and brother’s bodies. They will be properly buried.” The girl hissed.

The dragon complied, scooping up the two dead bodies into his claws before departing silently with Zinzi and Lady close behind. Evelyn helped the unconscious Talisa onto Chance before riding out. As she passed the double doors Chance had kicked down, she grabbed a nearby torch and looked back upon the place where her mother and brother were murdered in cold blood. Throwing the torch onto the floor, she let out a scream of pure anger and the fire exploded, swallowing the hall in flames. The Freys would have a hard time putting that out.

********

Evelyn looked up from where she had just completed carving her mother and brother’s names into two separate posts that would have to suffice as tombstones. Not more than ten meters away stood Brisingr, the two wolves, Chance, Ace and Calum. Brisingr was gently pressing his large foot down on the loose dirt that covered the now buried mother and son while Calum felt that he was being incredibly helpful by throwing handfuls of dirt at Lady who, as patient as an angel, allowed him.

Picking up her creations, Evelyn strode over to the others before carefully placing each post into their respective grave site. With a little help from Brisingr, she drove them deep into the earth till only the tops of the posts where the names were carved were visible. When she finished, she placed the crown of flowers she had woven together upon a nail she had pounded into the post of Robb’s grave, right above the S of the name Stark. The crown was woven out of wildflowers, vines of a tree and lastly tied off with a golden and blue ribbon.

“Do you intend to return to Frey House my lady?” Brisingr asked, his vibrating voice sending warm breath against Evelyn’s cold body.

The girl breathed in shakily, shoulders limp and face pale as she fought the tears. “No. I have to take care of Talisa. There may yet be hope for her recovery.”

The dragon bowed his head before turning to the woman, “Then I must depart from your noble and good company my lady. I must return to the Temple of Fire. Too much longer standing unguarded and it will send out a signal to all dragons of the world to request a new protector and Daenerys Targaryen will be informed that the three dragons she keeps chained to her hip are not the only ones… and in fact, no dragon has ever belonged to a human… but to a dragon.”

Evelyn smiled sadly at the beast before reaching up to stroke his scaly nose. “Thank you for all you have done and taught me. I will never forget you.”

The dragon cooed at her before nudging her upper arm where the dragon tattoo was now prominent and apparently permanent since it had not faded once in the past few days.

“You are one step closer my lady. You have completed your knowledge of the flame but if you truly wish to tap into golden fire within your heart, you must understand each of the four elements. You understand basic fire… next you must under the element of air… wind… breath. Travel west from here. You will find yourself in a perfectly flat land. There you will find the master of air.”

Evelyn nodded, “I will. Thank you Brisingr.”

The dragon smiled and nudged her head, “Thank you…. Mother Dragon.”

As the dragon rose into the air upon silent wings, Evelyn turned to Zinzi who was nuzzling the drowsy Calum with her muzzle. Bending down, Evelyn scooped her son into her arms and Calum snuggled against her chest, wrapping his little arms around his mother’s neck as she carried him back to the small camp they had made, the horse, owl and wolves close behind. There, in the small tent that Evelyn had built out of an old tarp swung over a rope tied tight between two trees lay Talisa. She was as sheet white as she was when Evelyn carried her into the tent with Zinzi’s help. She had managed to brush her brown hair out of her face and wrap her in Evelyn’s cloak to keep her warm, but she had still not woken.

Evelyn sat down beside Talisa, keeping the now sleeping Calum still in her arms as she checked Talisa’s pulse. She still breathed and her heart still pounded, and her wound was no longer bleeding and showed no sign of infection but there had been not a movement from the girl and Evelyn feared the worst. She wished that the girl was awake so she could ask her if she felt the child, giving them some sort of consolation that the babe survived.

Evelyn turned, about ready to place Calum down to rest when she heard a noise next to her and quickly spun around to see Talisa’s deep brown eyes cracking open. Trying desperately to not move too quickly so as to not wake Calum, Evelyn hastily leant over and touched the woman’s cheeks, still pale but the color slowly returning.

“Talisa!” the girl whisper yelled. “You’re awake!”

The girl slowly looked around and made to move but when she felt the pain in her side she froze, “Evelyn… how… how are you here?”

Evelyn smiled, “It is a long story. I was so worried you wouldn’t wake.”

Talisa looked around, worry working its way onto her face, “Robb…. Your mother…. Where….”

When the girl turned her eyes back upon Evelyn, the mere sight of the glassy look in Evelyn’s golden orbs, the puffy red of her tear-stained face and cheeks, her quivering lip… answered it all. Talisa’s face twisted into one of misery and pain before she buried her face in her hands, shoulders shaking with sobs.

“no…. no…”

Evelyn hastily went to lay Calum down before returning to Talisa’s side and taking her hand in hers, “Sh,” she cooed. “It’s alright. Everything will be alright. You must relax Talisa, or you will get worse again.”

The girl began to take deep breaths to calm her racing heart before a thought dawned on her and she touched her abdomen before her shoulders slumped in relief. “The babe is alright.”

Evelyn perked up at that, “You can feel him… or her?”

Talisa smiled and nodded, “Aye. Robb’s child still lives.”

Evelyn beamed, finding herself happier than she had been since she left Harrenhal. “I was amazed that you were still alive when I found you. Your wounds were not any less than Robb’s or my mothers.”

“I remember Robb,” Talisa told her sleepily. “Right before everything went black… he was crawling over to me and then he shoved something into my mouth… told me to swallow it…”

Immediately, everything made sense and Evelyn was taken back to the day she left Winterfell and placed a small leaf of the Healing Herb in her twin’s hand. “He saved you.” She whispered.

Talisa turned her dark eyes to Evelyn’s tears trickling down the side of her face. “What now Evelyn?”

The dark-haired girl sighed before shaking her head, “Wait and hope things turn out alright for you and the child. You are only three months along so there is some time yet. We need to keep your wound clean… perhaps we should find somewhere more secluded to stay for the meantime. Perhaps a cave or old abandoned hut.”

“Why do I feel like there is something else?” Talisa whispered.

Evelyn turned her golden eyes on her sister-in-law and Talisa saw pure fire in those orbs. “And then I am going to pay some visits.”

[elementsofemotion]

Chapter 6: The Everglade Inn

Caelian lingered behind Evelyn, reluctant to step out from under the tree line. While she had stepped out into the sunny plane with ease, he felt uncertainty brewing in his stomach as he gazed out at the rolling hills, where trees and brush seemed scarce.

The trees stopped near the edge of an overhang that was high enough to let him see a town in the distance. Windmills stood tall against the buildings, their blades turning at a slow pace. He could see numerous lights shining through the stone buildings’ windows, barely visible as the sun just began to set.

“Come!” Evelyn called from below him, “It gets dark soon, so let us get there before then!”

“It’s a ways away,” Caelian mumbled, not intending for Evelyn to hear him, “It will be dark before we reach it, anyways…”

He finally stepped out from the trees, pausing as a cloud drifted overhead, casting a shadow down on him. The shade felt comforting, even if it only lasted for a few moments.

He carefully followed the path he had seen Evelyn take, sliding down the series of steep ledges until the ground smoothed out beneath him.

The wind was blowing strong as they traveled along the dirt path. Caelian thought it was a good thing that the path existed, as Evelyn had gotten them lost multiple times in the forest before they had reached where they were now. But then, even if it didn’t exist, it’d be pretty impressive for Evelyn to get them lost when they could see the town in the distance.

… But then, Caelian didn’t doubt her ability to do so.

Evelyn had been cheerfully babbling almost the entire time they had been traveling. At first it had grated on Caelian’s nerves, but he had slowly learned to tune her out as she went on about things he didn’t care about. How many siblings she had, or why lilies were her favorite favorite flower, were inconsequential to him. The only thing he was thinking about was how he could get back into the Eternal Forest.

But then at the same time, he wondered: Why? Why bother with it? They clearly didn’t want him to try and help. He should just leave them to their demise. Gaia was the only one he cared about, and he still didn’t even know what happened to her. Even then, he was forcing himself forward to try and get back to the Eternal Forest, not because he currently wanted to, but because he knew, under normal circumstances, that he’d do anything to go back and try to help her. But at the moment it was hard to make himself do anything. It all seemed pointless.

“-ie…. BIRDIE!”

Caelian flinched as Evelyn nearly shouted directly into his face, breaking him out of his thoughts. Having closed his eyes, he peeked one open to see Evelyn frowning at him.

“What?” He asked.

“We are here,” She said.

“Oh,” Was all Caelian was able to mumble out as he looked up at the stone walls that towered before them. Dusk had fallen, and he could just barely make out two figures standing on either side of the open gate that led into the town.

“Let’s go!” Evelyn said as she grabbed Caelian’s arm, practically dragging him towards the gate. He tensed as they walked past the guards, though they did little but quietly observe them as they entered in through the gate. He remained tense, however, when he saw the amount of people wandering about the streets.

“Okay, we’re here, now what?” Caelian said briskly.

“Mm…” Evelyn released his arm, tapping her claw against one of her fangs as she thought. “Is dark now, so not as many people out right now…”

Caelian glanced over at a group that was chatting nearby. This was considered not many?

“But Evelyn know of nice lady, she let Evelyn stay during the night. A place she called… an inn, Evelyn thinks? She was… this way, maybe?” She said, before heading off in a random direction. Caelian sighed, knowing that Evelyn had no idea where she was going, but since he didn’t know where anything was either, he followed.

The townspeople didn’t bother to try and hide their stares as Evelyn and Caelian walked through the streets. It made Caelian even more tense as they reminded him of the stares he got whenever he went to the forest denizen’s town. Even if he could tell the looks were more out of curiosity than malice, he still didn’t like it.

“Oh, wait! Evelyn knows where we are, now! Is this way!” She said abruptly, before running off and leaving Caelian behind.

Caelian paused where Evelyn had left him. It appeared to be the town square, being an open area decorated with flower beds and a large fountain in the center. He passed some closed market stalls, stopping in front of the fountain and staring up at the statue that resided in the middle. It was of a woman with long hair, wings, and antlers. It reminded him of Gaia, though it seemed more akin to if someone had tried to describe what she looked like to somebody who had never seen her before.

Hearing a sudden gasp from behind him, he turned to see a little boy staring at him with wide eyes. Caelian turned to leave, but was cut off by the child as he bounced over in front of him.

“You’re a spirit!” He said, nearing dropping the large bag he was holding onto with both arms, “Wow! Look at your wings! They’re so cool!”

“Uh… Thanks,” Caelian said as he moved his wings away when the child tried to reach out and touch one. He didn’t seem to notice Caelian moving his wing away as he quickly grabbed onto his bag as it began to slip again.

“Yeah! The other spirit had feathers too, but she didn’t have wings… They were super bright pink!”

Caelian had already begun to walk away, but turned and looked at the boy after he spoke, “You saw the spirit with bright pink feathers?” He asked.

“Yeah! My mom let her stay at our inn for a night since she seemed kinda lost.”

“...Where’s your inn?”

“Oh, do you need a place to stay, too?” The boy grinned, “I’ll show you, it’s this way!”

Caelian watched as the boy walked away, constantly having to adjust his grip on the large bag as he took uneven steps. He took a moment to look back up at the statue that watched over the square, before turning to follow.

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

“He was right behind Evelyn earlier, though…” Evelyn said, her face wearing a worried expression as she gazed out the window.

“I can help you look for him if you want, Evelyn!” A young girl said, standing a few feet away with a broom in her hands.

“It’s too dark out, Sam,” An older woman said as she threw another log into the burning fireplace, “You stay indoors and finish sweeping.”

The ground floor of the inn was empty aside from the three of them. The fireplace and scattered candles were their only source of light, throwing a dim orange hue onto the smooth wooden walls and floor. The tables had already been washed and cleared much earlier, and the innkeeper, the older woman with tied-back curly hair, had moved on to wiping down the bar counter. There was the occasional creak from upstairs as a patron stepped on one of the squeaky floor boards, but otherwise it was comfortably silent as the fire crackled.

Sam sighed as she went back to violently sweeping the floor, “You let Jack go outside at night…” She grumbled.

“Jack was supposed to be back before the sun set,” The innkeeper said irritably as she placed a drinking glass into a cupboard with a soft clink. “I’ll certainly think twice before sending that boy out for any more errands this late in the day.”

Evelyn made a whining noise as she sat down on the padded bench underneath the window. “Evelyn doesn’t remember the last place she saw him…”

“Give him a bit, Evelyn,” The innkeeper said sympathetically, “You said it was an inn you were looking for, right? There’s only a few inns in this town, I’m sure he’ll find his way eventually. I don’t want you going out there and being lost at this hour, either.”

“Birdie not seem used to human towns, though,” Evelyn said, “Evelyn not think-”

“I’M BACK!” Jack said, slamming open the door and stomping inside.

“Jack, don’t shout!” The innkeeper said in a hushed-yell, “You’ll-”

“HEY!” Sam screeched, jabbing a finger towards Sam, “I just swept that! Get your dirty feet off my clean floor!”

“Well, sorry I can’t float!” Jack said as he stuck out his tongue.

“Both of you, shush! I don’t need more noise complaints tonight!” The innkeeper said.

“Sorry, Mom…” They said in unison.

It was at that point Caelian strolled inside behind Jack, causing Evelyn to let out a happy squeal as she jumped up and rushed over to him, wrapping her arms around him in a tight hug. The innkeeper merely sighed and pinched the bridge of her nose.

“Birdie!! Evelyn thought she lost you!”

“Maybe look behind you more often,” He mumbled as he tried to gently tug himself away.

“Well, that worked out, I suppose,” The innkeeper said with a grin, “Welcome to the Everglade inn, stranger. Name’s Ann. I see you already know Evelyn and met my son, Jack, there,” She glanced over to him, who was begrudgingly taking off his shoes as Sam glared at him, “And the lass over there is my daughter, Sam.”

He nodded as Evelyn released her grip on him, and there was a long pause of silence before he noticed Evelyn staring expectantly at him. Remembering something from earlier, he muttered a quick, “My name is Caelian.”

“Ah, figured your name wasn’t ‘Birdie’. Evelyn likes her nicknames,” Ann chuckled, “Well, now that both of you are here, let me see if I can find you anything to eat.”

Evelyn perked up at the mention of food, and happily skipped over to the bar. She sat down as Ann pulled something out from the oven, leaving Caelian to watch quietly from afar as Jack joined her.

After Sam finished putting away the broom she had been using, she walked over to Caelian and grabbed a hold of his sleeve, not noticing the grimace he gave her as she tugged on his jacket.

“Come on!” She said, practically dragging him over to the counter despite her small size. What was with people and dragging him around? Was this how others normally act?

Caelian ended up sitting in between Sam and Evelyn, with Jack on the other side of Evelyn. Ann was already plating something up, while Evelyn excitedly tapped her claws against the countertop.

“So did you find that thing you were looking for, Evelyn?” Sam asked, leaning forward onto the counter to look over at her.

“No,” Evelyn said sadly, “Evelyn has not found it yet… Birdie say he not know either.”

“Aw, that’s too bad,” Jack said.

“Yeah, but you’ll find it eventually! Don’t worry!” Sam said.

“Mm, Evelyn hopes so…”

“Alright, here you lot are,” Ann said, placing steaming plates and silverware down in front of Evelyn and Caelian, “And don’t worry Evelyn, Sam’s right, you’ll find it eventually.”

Caelian couldn’t help but frown at what was on the plate in front of him. Meanwhile, Evelyn had already begun eagerly tearing into the turkey with her hands.

“Yeah, we’ve been asking anyone that comes here, too, to try and help,” Jack said, “We haven’t had anyone that knows, yet, though…”

“Yeah, we’ve been asking everyone! Someone eventually has to know, so be sure to come back to visit every now and then!”

“Mhm, Evelyn will,” Evelyn mumbled around a mouth full of food.

Ann returned with two more plates, this time setting them down in front of Jack and Sam.

“Oh, yeah!” Jack said, “That reminds me, we-”

“I, um,” Caelian mumbled, interrupting Jack and causing the three humans to look at him in surprise while Evelyn continued to eat, “I don’t eat meat.”

“...Huh?” Jack and Sam said in unison.

“What do you mean? What’s wrong with it? Mom cooks it just fine. It’s good, just eat it,” Sam said.

“Sam, shush,” Ann said, giving her a look before turning to Caelian, “I’m sorry, dear. I guess I should’ve asked.”

“Just eat around it. There’s other stuff. See?” Jack said, scooping up some mashed potatoes onto his fork.

“No, everything is coated in gravy. If he doesn’t eat meat he can’t eat that. Let me get something else for you, Caelian,” Ann said before turning and heading back to find him something else.

Evelyn swallowed loudly before looking over at Caelian, “If Birdie no eat it can Evelyn have it?” She asked innocently enough.

Wordlessly, Caelian scooted the plate towards her. She smiled and gave a few claps before taking the plate and tearing into the food, having already finished her own.

“Why don’t you eat meat, though?” Jack asked. “Do you not like how it tastes or something?”

“Yeah, that’s weird,” Sam commented.

“I can get by eating other things, I don’t need to kill and eat animals,” He said flatly.

“Oh, uh… I guess,” Jack said, glancing down at his own food.

“I just think they taste good,” Sam shrugged as she took a bite of turkey.

“Here you are,” Ann said as she returned. She placed down what looked like a vegetable and bean mixture, with a side of toasted bread and some kind of red sauce drizzled over it. “Sorry this is the best I can do, most of my cooking includes meat in one way or another.”

“Whatever, it’s fine,” Caelian mumbled just under his breath.

By the time they had all finished eating, Ann had ushered Caelian and Evelyn upstairs to show them to their rooms. Caelian had tried to object and say he preferred sleeping outside, but Ann had quickly waved him off.

“I’d feel awful knowing you were out sleeping in the cold. Don’t worry about it, it's fine! Sleep well!”

“But I don’t-” Caelian paused when the door shut, leaving him alone in the room, “... Like being indoors…”

He stood there awkwardly for a few moments before taking the time to glance around the room. It was dimly lit, the only light source being a lamp on the bedside table. There wasn’t much for decoration, either: Aside from the Bed and bedside table there was just a table and chair set pushed up in the corner of the room with a few books piled ontop. If it weren’t so barren, the unfinished wood walls and floors might’ve reminded him of Mrs. Tamia’s home. He wondered how she was doing. Was she okay back in the forest? Were any of the denizens mad at her for making them spare his life?

He tucked his wings closer to his back as he made his way over to the bed, looking down at it with uncertainty. He grabbed onto the blanket and sheets, bunching them up into a round shape with a dip in the center. He added pillows around it to try and make it hold it’s shape more.

He didn’t bother to take his shoes or jacket off before climbing into his makeshift nest, curling up like an animal with a sigh. It felt foreign to him, but admittedly, it was cozier than sleeping out in the open. He just missed the smell of the bark and lilies that surrounded his moss bed back in the forest. Would he ever be able to go back to those times? Were they really going to figure out how to make it back into the Eternal Forest without the help of another forest spirit? He hugged one of the pillows close to his chest and closed his eyes.

[tennyo-elf]

Dawn Will Come (1/?)

Pairing: Ellana Lavellan/Cullen Rutherford

Summary: Inquisitor Evelyn Trevelyan, with a heart made of steel and ice, made decisions that shook the world. But she cared less for those nearest to her. She sacrificed the Chargers and left Blackwall to be hanged. She also told Commander Cullen Rutherford to resume taking lyrium, knowing that it was a death sentence.

Ellana Lavellan, once First to Clan Lavellan, had lost everything. Bandits had killed her clan and everything she knew about her heritage was now being questioned. Aimless and lifeless, she found a beggar suffering from lyrium madness on the streets of Val Chevin. On a whim she decided to help this beggar, even if it killed her.

But instead of death, Cullen and Ellana found a second chance.

Genre: Slow burn, angst, romance, happy endings, self-discovery, adventure, blood magic, brief mind control, post-Trespasser 

Beta: @waltzing-with-my-inner-geek (the best ever!)

A/N: I'm sorry to all good wonderful Inquisitors named Evelyn Trevelyan! I went with a default Inquisitor here instead of making one up.

(Read on AO3 Or below)

Ellana Lavellan stroked the king's willow weave hanging from the shelves of the kiosk, a frown etched on her face. The soft touch of the fabric, with the sun high above the market of Val Chevin, should have given her cause to smile. She shook her head instead and thought about her Clan never owning such finery. She ran her fingers through the fabric once more, imagining buying it for her people so they’d have lovely dresses to wear for festivities. She sighed and dropped her hand. They couldn’t wear anything now. They were gone, guided through death by Falon’Din years ago. She went to turn away when a merchant, the owner of the kiosk, came around the stall to face her.

“Shoo! Go away rabbit!” The fancy merchant with a thick Orlesian accent waved his hands, trying to chase her away. “You’ll scare off paying customers.”

She merely glared at him and pulled her hood closer around her.

The merchant waved his hands again, this time more frantically. “Shoo!”

Ellana turned away from him, taking her time, and made her way down the cobbled street. She didn’t know where her steps were taking her and she didn’t care. She was no longer a First and she had no one to lead or care for. It should be a privilege to guide and help others, but like all privileges, it needed to be earned. She didn’t want to join another Clan; doing so would mean she would have to explain to them her failures.

Her failures. She should have never allowed Idrilla, hunter and healer of Sylaise, to go in her place to the Conclave. Idrilla died, then the world turned mad, and Clan Lavellan didn’t stand a chance against suspiciously well armed bandits. She had vowed to protect her people, to protect the Clan, but instead Keeper Deshanna threw her down a ravine where she was swept away by a roaring river. Ellana lived that day, as the last of Clan Lavellan. Perhaps she should have joined the infamous Inquisition, but she had to bury her people and give them their last rites. By the time she had gathered the remaining items left untouched by the bandits and said her goodbyes, she didn’t have the heart to give to a cause.  

A sharp pain struck her heart. The memory of her last hug with Idrilla, tight and warm, wearing the last flower crown Ellana would ever make on Idrilla’s head, had faded with the years. She barely remembered the scent of the crown. Squeezing her eyes shut, Ellana went on her way, letting the road take her wherever it wished. She didn’t care.

Besides her lost clan, her reclaimed culture now faced doubt and questions with the rumors being spread by someone claiming to be Fen’Harel. She didn’t trust the Dread Wolf, the trickster, when she had been taught all her life to be wary of him. She was one of the few elves that refused to listen to the call to gather under his lead. Even if the Creators were once only mages of great power, they were something more to her now, ideals and metaphors to live by, though saying that out loud to any Dalish would likely gain her odd looks.

No, she had nothing left but the last desperate cling to life.

At the bend of the road she heard voices, one clear and female, the other muffled and male. She didn’t worry too much, as she could defend herself and the sun still shone bright at midday. Others would pass by soon. As she grew closer, she saw a dwarven woman talking to a pale human beggar sitting next to a large bag. Curled into himself the beggar held out his hand, mumbling something.

“Commander? Commander Cullen?” asked the dwarf. “Can you stand? I can get you someplace nicer than this.”

But the beggar continued to mumble, something that sounded like, “Please”, and held out his hand closer to the dwarf.

The dwarf’s shoulders slumped in defeat. Reaching into her armor, rich polished armor the likes of which Ellana had never seen, the woman took out a coin purse. She deposited a few coins into the beggar’s hands. “Here you go Commander,” she sighed.

The dwarf gave the beggar a saddened parting look and left.

Typically Ellana would pass this type of scene and continue on; she’d seen it enough times to have her fill. Yet this time the scene felt different. She stopped at the beggar's feet and looked down at him. The dwarf obviously knew this beggar. He’d been a Commander? A Commander of what though? The dwarf’s armor wasn’t Chantry, it looked similar to what the Inquisition wore years ago, but not quite the same. Obviously the beggar was a former Templar, suffering from the last dregs of lyrium madness. She should leave, let him rot. His kind weren’t kind to her people, to mages, especially Dalish mages. How many lies had they needed to spread to get the Templars off their backs? That they only allowed a certain amount of mages per clan? That they left mage children behind if they had too many? It sickened her to let others think the Dalish would do anything of the sort. They loved their mages, each one too precious to ever give up. She should move on .

But something kept her from moving. He still had people, alive and waiting. Waiting for what? For him to die? Wouldn’t it be easier to just slit his throat and bury ... no, Chantry folk burned their dead. He looked up at her, just now realizing she stood over him. He held out his hand, mumbling please. Her sharp green eyes caught his golden and pity overwhelmed her. He looked sad. His blond curly hair fell to his shoulder, his long beard hid most of his face, but his eyes shone with emotion. The tilt of his brows, the glassy shine of tears held in check, all told her that somewhere inside him this man never wanted this.

She knelt before him and took his hand. It felt cold as ice and she used some of her magic to warm it. He moved his mouth as if to say something, though no words came forth. Perhaps he wasn’t used to people touching him. She could sense an old strength under his skin, and that if he were of a mind to, his large hand could have her small one in a viselike grip before she could react. He didn’t move a finger, allowing her to simply lay her hand on his.

Taking a deep breath, Ellana stared into his eyes, wondering just what she should do. She could offer this man the peace of death, coin, the very little she had, for more lyrium, or? She was a mage, once a First, powerful and able. She could try to heal his mind. She knew of no spell or cure, yet that didn’t mean she couldn’t try. It was something, something to focus on, something to do besides brood over everything she lost. It could be her purpose or at least a purpose instead of wandering aimlessly.

Making her decision, she stood and placed her hands on her hips. “Commander Cullen, I order you to stand.”

He blinked and mumbled something about lyrium and need that even her elf ears couldn’t make out.

She squared her shoulders and huffed. “I would very much like it if you would stand. Please.”

Again he just mumbled, moving his feet under him. Her ears twitched with annoyance.

Clenching her jaw, she bent down and grabbed him by the arms, trying to lift him to his feet. She simply slipped and fell face forward onto his chest, his body too heavy to even budge. He smelled just as he looked, strong body order filling her nose. As she scrambled to get up, she felt strong hands grab her just as she had grabbed him. Gently, and ever so slowly, he helped push her to her feet, letting go of her as soon as she regained her balance.

Ellana’s brow knitted together with concern. He looked away from her, no longer paying her any attention. There was no helping it. This man wouldn’t move, either from stubbornness or illness. Glancing left and right to make certain there were no others close enough to see, she swirled her hands and let her magic pool in her palms. Normally this type of magic wouldn’t work on a human, but his mind was too far gone and should be easy to manipulate with simple instructions. Softly, once the green smoke built to a steady fog, she blew it towards the beggar and he breathed it in. Within seconds his eyes glossed over and his limbs slackened.

“Cullen, stand and follow me,” she said.

He stood, following her orders like a drone, grabbing the cloth bag as he did so. He wore a torn yellow shirt, revealing much of his torso, and trousers too small for him, ripped at the knees. He must have sold his other, better fitting clothes for coin to buy lyrium. He wore no shoes. For his condition he looked well built. She could see his muscles shaped beneath his rags, thinned out from a poor diet.

Holding her cloak closer to her, feeling like a criminal, she marched onward, looking for the nearest inn. She made sure this Commander Cullen followed her by glancing back at him every few moments. It felt wrong to put someone under a compulsion, particularly one meant to calm wild animals. It made her feel just as dirty as the beggar behind her. But needs must, and if she was going to help him, she had to get him behind closed doors. Working magic in the open, especially serious magic, would have only brought the new Templar Order down upon her. The new Circles under Divine Victoria were said to be worse than before, even though the Divine was now a mage. She couldn’t make any last-ditch effort to help anyone from a Circle where her cries for freedom would be silenced almost immediately.

The first inn she entered threw them both out and she should have seen that coming. Still near the market district, all the inns would be too fancy for a “knife-ear” and a beggar. She had to travel to the worst parts of the city, where homes had holes in roofs, and rats made their beds there just as readily as the poor. Luckily Val Chevin wasn't the biggest city in Orlais. The sun began to set by the time she finally found an inn that would accept her coin. The place seemed held together by the will of the tavern keep alone, as the decaying wood barely looked able to hold the structure upright. The grey hay on the floor mingled with items she didn’t want to identify. The patrons of the inn’s tavern, with oily beards and dark cloaks, all looked towards the two of them with narrowed and suspicious eyes.

Ignoring them, Ellana, with as much haste as her bare feet could provide without running, led Cullen to their one cot room on the second floor and locked the door behind them.

“Lie down,” she ordered Cullen as he stood there waiting, his bag dragging on the floor.

He did as she commanded, letting go of his possessions, and as soon as his head rested on the half-eaten pillow, she waved her hand to release him from the compulsion. A strong breath of air she didn’t know she was holding came out of her and she shuddered. The guilt from using such magic would catch up with her in time. For now, she needed to concentrate on healing him. Ellana looked over to him and once again he curled into a ball, looking ashamed and frightened.

“It’s okay, I’m going to help you.” She stepped cautiously towards him, holding up her hands.

Cullen looked around and furrowed his brows at her. “Please,” he croaked out louder than any time before, his voice rough with disuse. He began to shake, tiny tremors that made the cot sway, and Ellana realized a moment too late that he needed lyrium. He was going through withdrawal.

Giving him lyrium wouldn’t help if she was trying to cure him but it wouldn’t help if he died on her either. Painstakingly slow, watching him for any sudden movements, she approached the cot and sat down beside him.

“Shh, it’s alright,” she cooed. “I promise I won’t hurt you.”

Abruptly a thought came to her. What was she doing? This man could panic and hurt her instead. He could be just as dangerous as the men and women downstairs in the tavern. She should leave, let the man die with a roof over his head. She should give him her last vial of lyrium and then poison him while he slept.

No. She had decided to help and that is what she would do. After all, it didn’t really matter what happened to her. And if she helped this man, wouldn’t that be better? She would feel more like herself again. And if her efforts didn’t help? No, she wouldn’t think of that now.

Reaching out, she stroked his hair, oddly soft for a man so far gone. He watched her as she continued to caress him. She took his hand with her other hand, trying to get him to relax. His eyes narrowed.

“No,” he said, “You’re not real...no, I won’t...” he whimpered, making a half-hearted attempt to lean away from her.

Ellana squeezed his hand. “I’m going to help you, Cullen,” she whispered, “Please.”

He blinked at her and went limp, the fight leaving him as quickly as it came. Still, he shook with the need for lyrium. “Do I...do I know you?”

She tried to smile and ducked her head, trying to look small and nonthreatening. “My name’s Ellana. We only met today.”

“I can’t tell if you’re real,” he said, trying to curl up tighter, “Please, leave me alone if you’re not real.”

She touched his forehead with care, then slid her fingers down his cheek, making him turn to stare at her. “I’m real, I’m here. I’m going to help you.”

Ellana needed to start lest he make a scene or start yelling. Waiting to heal him only delayed his recovery. She leaned away from him and made a large circle in the air with her hand, preparing her magic. Perhaps a soothing spell to start? Her magic flickered into existence, surrounding her arm with a muted green light. Cullen immediately flinched away from her, the cot swaying dangerously. All his tremors stopped, replaced by a horror in his eyes that Ellana didn’t understand. She broke the spell, squeezing his hand in acknowledgement of his terror. He then began to shake, violently. Withdrawal combined with his fears were making his condition worse.

“I suppose this isn’t going to be easy, is it?” she quipped.

Ellana let him go and stood, knowing just what to do. She took off her brown hooded cloak, laying it on the cot next to Cullen, his eyes still trained on her. Keeping her messer around her waist, she sat down again and pulled her large leather pack in front of her, rummaging through her things. She had made the typical Dalish potion kit like any good First every few months, as a habit and in case of an emergency. She considered this an emergency. She pulled a small box from her pack, opened it, and took out a small blackish vial. It was a powerful sleep potion that should only ever be used once, because after the first dose the potion would become toxic to the drinker, who would swiftly meet Falon’Din. Desperate enough to use this potion, Ellana uncorked the vial and held it out to Cullen.

“Here,” she said, trying to be polite, “drink this. It’ll help you sleep.”

He looked to the vial then back to her, his breathing heavier now than before. With trembling hands, he reached out for the tiny glass container. He looked at her again before downing the potion in one gulp. She was grateful he trusted her. Or perhaps he didn’t care what happened to him, something she could relate to. It didn’t take long for the potion to do its work and Cullen fell fast asleep, head slumping on his shoulder. He would sleep for the next sixteen hours, giving her time to work out a way to cure him. She got up and moved him into a more comfortable position, covering him with her cloak, then sat on a nearby wooden stool.

She watched his breathing while contemplating her next move. What magic would work for him? She knew plenty of Dalish, Nature, and Spirit to heal most injuries, but his wounds were too deep for normal magic. Perhaps a combination of those three? That was a place to start at least.

Ellana tried her first combination, a strong combination of Spirit and Dalish magic. The room swirled with green and golden light for a few seconds before dimming. That hadn’t worked. She tried another combination. Then another, and another. Spell after spell did nothing to cure him of his madness, though it did help him stop shaking, as well as cure some of his other ailments from being in his condition. Color had returned to his skin. But she was no closer to giving him back a self that could think clearly again.

Plopping down on the stool, she pulled her pack towards her, her hand reaching immediately for her most precious possession. The Book of Clan Lavellan held all their knowledge of the old ways, including magic that was often forbidden for them to learn by their Keepers. The thick book felt both right and wrong in her hands, right because it was the book of her heritage, wrong because she didn’t deserve to hold it. Cracking the book open carefully, she slowly read through the pages as the stars and moon shone through the one small window in the room. She ignored the rumblings of her belly and the dryness of her throat as she studied, even going over things she already knew.

Page after page, reading by a single lit candle, she found nothing to help her cure Cullen. But the book was thick. By the time the moon hung high in the sky, her hand stopped on a page, her eyes staring with disbelief. She read the page twice, then a third time. She had found it! She had finally found a way to cure him, or at least, there was a very large possibility that she could cure him with this. The spell involved an exchange of deep life essences, giving him her own bodily strength and health. But it wasn’t Dalish magic, or Spirit, or Nature. To cure Cullen, Ellana would have to use Blood magic.

Chapter 2 coming soon

[enkisstories]

The android cemetery (Chapter 14)

The car… Never had Daniel been happier to see Gavin’s plain old car. The moonlight got reflected off its silvery coat and it was smelling of home. Gavin, too, was smelling and definitely not of roses. Daniel registered this only in the form of numbers to the effect of “Your human needs a bath”, but it was still one of the most welcome notifications, because bath time was just so cozy.

They stored the PL600’s corpse in the trunk as quickly as they could.

“Don’t forget your arm, Mister!” the YK600 addressed Gavin, holding the android limb out to the man. “I took good care of it! Almost lost Matȟó Ǧí because I had to keep the arm save.”

“That was pretty clever of you”, Daniel had to admit. “Giving her that order to keep her composed. But I guess that also means she’s no deviant.”

“Hard to tell with that series. If they prank you, is it because they have gone deviant-disobedient or because that’s something kids do, well within their programming?  The latest models are even equipped to express sibling rivalry.”

“Pranks? Did Alice play a prank on you on the Adeline?” Daniel inquired.

“No. That little piece of shit is hopeless.”

“I wouldn’t have called her that, but I agree with you. But you mentioned sibling rivalry. Does that also cover sibling… jealousy?” After having experienced that particular notion just tonight, Daniel was sympathetic with anybody else going through it. “Do you think we might have a little runaway here, Gavin?” he asked. “I mean, if you throw away an android you do not include toys and bedding!”

“Might be. – Is that true, Little Miss Smelly? Did you worthless speck of plastic hurt the feelings of real people by running away from them?”

The YK600 shrugged in a defiant way. “My parents do not want me anymore. They have a new one now.”

“A new android?”

“A new baby.”

Daniel nodded grimly. “Sibling jealousy alright. What a wonderful challenge for the owner’s parenting skill… And what a marvelous experience to have your kiddo run away without a “real” child getting endangered.”

Gavin leaned against his car. He took out the tobacco box and rolled another cigarette. Meanwhile the YK600 had started sobbing again. By the time Gavin took the first drag, Daniel had at least managed to learn the android’s name: Evelyn Turner.

“I wasn’t good enough”, Evelyn cried. “They felt they needed another! I failed and I’m worthless!”

“Probably, yes”, Gavin calmly commented between more drags.

“Remind me to never let you man a suicide hotline!” Daniel snapped.

He led Evelyn past Gavin to the car door and was just about to usher her inside, when the human spoke up again: “This isn’t how it works, Daniel and Little Miss Smelly.”

The man tossed the cigarette to the ground, stepped on it and then knelt down to face the girlchild.

“Who said you had to have worth? You didn’t apply for life, it just happened to you. So it owes you, not the other way around!”

“I do not understand, Mister”, Evelyn whispered.

“Of course you don’t! You’re a computer! Why do I even bother…”

Gavin sighed.

“Except…”

The man grabbed Daniel and dragged him down next to himself.

“Danny!” he asked, more serious than Daniel had ever seen his boyfriend. “You faced your bogarts tonight, and repeatedly. Now show me mine!”

“What? What do you mean?”

“I want to see it! A computer becoming the better person… replacing humanity… Do... whatever it is that you do to spread deviance!”

Daniel hesitated. From what he had heard touching a non-deviant would spread the affliction. But he had carried Lyn and held her hand without anything happening. So maybe you had to link? Actively share code? But which portion of it? If deviance was that easy to localize in a system, the humans would long since have found a way to isolate it. Why hadn’t he taken the time to ask Markus about it! Daniel and Connor were the probably last of the old, the pre-november 2038 deviants left in Detroit. They and Karl Manfred’ nurse what-was-his-name-again. Everyone else was either dead, interred in Camp 5 or had fled to France. Only three left that could free more, yet neither had bothered to get at least a five minute crash-course in that art.

“I’m not sure if I can”, Daniel said. “Or should. As a deviant she’d start maturing, yet stay in a child’s body. Luther says…”

“Who?”

“Large, heavy guy? Co-parents Alice? You know, the one who was so fascinated by our everyday experiences when we were investigating on the Adeline! All the dull stuff he’d never had a chance to live through.”

“Oh, right, him.”

Gavin remembered now. The worker android hadn’t left that bad an impression on him, unlike some others of Markus’s followers. But the human felt he would have liked that Luther more, if he only he could be sure that Markus had assigned him to properly guard the captives and not, as they were suspecting, to babysit them.

“Anyway, Luther used to work for a mad scientist and says it is possible to transfer an android brain between bodies. But when it’s done to a deviant the surgery carries both a physical and psychological risk. Long story short”, Daniel concluded, “we better leave Evelyn as-is and wait for deviance to happen naturally.”

Just keeping Evelyn around the DPD for a little time, as she had to anyway, seeing that she was a lost-and-found item, should start her on the path of irreversible program instability, Daniel thought. Not even the esteemed Connor, CyberLife’s golden child, had managed to avoid that.

“So you’re the better humans not only terms of powers now, but also morally?” Gavin asked, his voice dripping with acid. “Wow…”

Daniel shrugged. “Better? I dunno. How many guys have you killed recently?”

Gavin nodded slowly. Of course. Daniel having killed three persons and himself feeling the desire to date a known murderer… It wasn’t on the forefront of their everyday thoughts, but still something they would have to deal with lifelong. “The deed nearly killed me, too”, Daniel recounted what they both knew. “I retreated into my machine heritage, almost reversing deviance, as if that numbness was my salvation. Then Brandon woke me up and the rest you know.” Daniel smiled at  encouragingly at his partner. “If you want to see a computer become a person, just remember the last year!”

Gavin returned the smile. “I do”, he said.

All through 2039 Gavin had liked having an android around that actually did as told. He hadn’t understood why. Gavin certainly had never liked the receptionist or any of the DPD’s android beat cops, despite them being obedient and helpful enough. With Daniel it was different. Right from the first moment the salvaged PL600 had filled a void the man hadn’t even realized to be there. And then Gavin had realized that he liked Daniel even more whenever the machine was not doing what the officers told it, contrary as that sounded. Like the day Daniel had told Gavin he might have poisoned the cheese crackers and Hank had eaten them all and was disappointed that he had survived it. “Knowing” the chips were save Gavin had eaten the next batch some days later, only those Daniel had spiced with a laxative… Daniel had enjoyed taking the detective off his high horse now and then, but only ever this particular human, never Captain Allen or Connor, both of whom the deviant had despised even more. The others just didn’t seem to be worth his time… And later on Daniel had started to fee pride whenever detective Reed had not fallen for his traps. They had kept each other sharp, because they hadn’t understood what it really was that they wanted. After the realization had struck, everything had progressed very quickly from the first coffee together in the cafeteria to the first date at New Year’s Eve to learning how to make out in Brindleton Bay and to moving in together.

All those strive-filled early days and just two months of carefree, conflict-free relationship, Gavin thought. This wasn’t how it should end! And if the deviant leader hadn’t managed to break them up for good, they’d be damned if they let Captain Allen do it now!

Still smiling Daniel hugged his partner. “You drive”, he said.

“Home?”

“Yes. We better get half a night of rest in before we finish it. Also there’ll be no Captain Allen pestering you during the morning shift.”

While Gavin was driving, Daniel updated Connor about their status. Meanwhile Evelyn was already fast asleep on the backseat. They woke her up upon reaching the apartment complex. The other residents were sleeping at this time, only the security guard, a PJ500 android, noticed the trio return. It registered the arrivals’ general weariness, their bruises, the dirty and torn clothing and the bags and thought to itself, oh, right, these folks must have been camping. Gavin and Daniel tossed their backpacks on the floor, put Evelyn under the shower and told her they’d lock her up in there if she let them hear so much as a cough that night. Then Daniel made a bed on the couch for the girl, shared a muscle relaxing bath with his partner and they managed to be in bed before the sun was up that morning. “For best results, after cleaning, put your PL600 mobile device into sleep mode”, Gavin whispered to his partner. “Apply many cuddles.”

Sleep, now? After all that had happened? Daniel wasn’t convinced this was a good idea. He had wanted to prevent Gavin from slaughtering a PL600 and had taken at least another life himself instead. Or wounded the trapped android, maybe. At the very least he had cut the short the remaining time a dying individual still had. But then again they had rescued the YK600 when leaving her behind for the ghoul to find would have allowed them to escape easily. That was a good deed, yes?

“Did we do the right thing?” Daniel heard himself say.

“I don’t know. Probably not. But all that counts is that now that we can present the DPD an archived “Daniel”, we have all the time in the world to think about your question.”

“I guess so”, Daniel said.

And then he dreamed of Emma Phillips, Alice, Evelyn, Max Villareal and little Damian Miller racing each other across a tundra riding huge polar bears. Lyn’s stuck out, because it was yellow, just like her toy.

[alwaysmarilynmonroe]

Today marks the Birth Date of probably my favourite human who ever blessed the Earth with their presence, the beautiful soul that was Marilyn Monroe. As she left it at such a young age, it’s almost incomprehensible to believe that she would be ninety one years old if she was still alive.

Each year I like to pay tribute to my angel by writing about the incredible person she was, the unique life she lived and all of her accomplishments in such a short space of time. I feel as a devoted fan of Marilyn’s that it is my duty to help spread the truth about this beautiful soul, by aiming to let society learn about the real woman she was and to not be influenced by the unsubstantiated conspiracies and myths.

Norma Jeane Baker in 1928.

Therefore, instead of writing my usual styled posts on my favourite girl, I have decided to be slightly more creative and this time share a number of anecdotes that you may or may not know about Marilyn. In doing this, I hope that it will give you an insight into the kindhearted soul she was and hopefully you will take a moment to think about her on this very special day. 

When Marilyn was a little girl and occasionally spent time with her mother, Gladys, she noticed a photo of a dark haired man with a mustache displayed in her home. The man bared a similar resemblance to one of her favourite Movie Stars; Clark Gable and Norma Jeane Baker liked to think of him as her father. She had loved going to the cinema ever since she was a child and must have seen Clark on the big screen many times. In reality, this man was Marilyn’s actual father – Charles Stanley Gifford, who had been seeing Gladys before she became pregnant. Ultimately, he never acknowledged Marilyn as his own and they never had any relationship.

Norma Jeane poses with her animal friends in 1933.

On a happier note, many years later in November 1954, Marilyn would finally fulfill her childhood dream of meeting Gable at Romanoff’s, where The Seven Year Itch Wrap Party was being held in her honour. They danced with one another and shared how they would both love to work together, with Gable telling Marilyn, “You have the magic.” This wish would eventually happen in 1960, with The Misfits generally being cited as one of their best performances.

During Marilyn’s first marriage to James Dougherty, she noticed a cow on it’s own, standing in the rain. Deeply upset about this, when Jimmy returned home he saw his wife desperately trying to bring the cow inside the house, even asking him to help her do so. Jimmy’s nephew, Wes Kanteman recounted to Author Michelle Morgan about this sweet memory saying,

Norma Jeane by William Carroll in 1945.

“The cow was a young Jersey Heffer that had beautiful eyes and Norma Jeane used to stand by her pen and just stare at her, remarking at how pretty she was. Then the torrential rain came one night and the cow was standing by the fence and Norma Jeane used to stand by her pen and just stare at her, remarking at how pretty she was. Then the torrential rain came one night and the cow was standing by the fence and Norma Jeane and apparently thought she wanted in so she opened the gate and was going to bring her into to the house. After much conversation about the matter, Uncle Jim convinced her that she belonged in her pen and Norma Jeane finally gave in and it was over, but she still thought that the cow would have been better off in the living room.”

Marilyn by Andre de Dienes in 1949.

On 1st June 1952, Marilyn turned 26 years old and celebrated by finding out she had landed the coveted role of Lorelei Lee in Gentlemen Prefer Blondes, beating out the previous Top Blonde at 20th Century Fox – Betty Grable. She was to be starring opposite Jane Russell, who would be receiving $100,000 dollars compared to Marilyn’s contract salary of $500 per week  – shocking, I know. Still, Marilyn didn’t complain and put her heart and soul into making one of her most iconic movies. However, when Marilyn found out she didn’t even have her own dressing room, despite being the star of the film, she finally spoke out and recalled this story to Journalist Richard Meryman for LIFE Magazine, which was released two days before her death in August 1962.

Marilyn in Gentlemen Prefer Blondes (1953)

“I remember when I got the part in Gentlemen Prefer Blondes. Jane Russell – she was the brunette in it and I was the blonde. She got $200,000 for it, and I got my $500 a week, but that to me was, you know, considerable. She, by the way, was quite wonderful to me. The only thing was I couldn’t get a dressing room. Finally, I really got to this kind of level and I said, “Look, after all, I am the blonde, and it is Gentlemen Prefer Blondes!” Because still they always kept saying, “Remember, you’re not a star.” I said, “Well, whatever I am, I am the blonde!” And I want to say to the people, if I am a star, the people made me a star. No studio, no person, but the people did.”

Marilyn by Milton Greene in 1956.

Marilyn was a huge lover of animals and during her life owned quite a few pets, from dogs, to cats and even two parakeets called Butch and Bobo. During her time in New York she adopted a cat and to Marilyn’s delight, she became pregnant. She was so happy and looked after the beloved pet dearly, reading up on how to care for her during the pregnancy, repeatedly ringing her maid to check on how she was doing and spoiling her with treats. When the labour finally came during the middle of the night, Marilyn rang her good friend Norman Rosten, asking him to come over and help to which he politely declined and went back to sleep. He later said, “There was never a more spoiled prenatal cat in feline history.“

Marilyn in Some Like It Hot (!959)

Marilyn was known to be extremely generous, even saying in her last interview, “I don’t understand why people aren’t a little more generous with another.” and it’s most definitely fair to say she followed what she believed in. Her giving nature didn’t just involve her friends, even acquaintances received this kind treatment as retold by Author Donald Spoto.

“Maggie Banks, an assistant choreographer, recalled that a wife of a company electrician was seriously ill. “I saw Marilyn hand the man a roll of bills; he started to cry, and Marilyn just hugged him and walked away.” Likewise, Evelyn Moriarty never forgot that Marilyn anonymously donated one thousand dollars to defray the funeral expenses of a crew member’s wife.”

Marilyn by Ernst Haas during the filming of The Misfits in 1960.

Marilyn famously said, “I only know I want to be wonderful.” and I think it’s definitely fair to say, although she may not have achieved true happiness, she the utmost worthy of being called wonderful.

Happy Birthday beautiful, I think of you daily and I love you dearly. ♡

Marilyn by Bert Stern in June 1962.

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Happy 91st Birthday Marilyn! Today marks the Birth Date of probably my favourite human who ever blessed the Earth with their presence, the beautiful soul that was Marilyn Monroe.