#( Wyatt: does something incredible magically )

[kinglyisms-archived]

They're having dinner, it's casual and the food is good, Wyatt always makes the best dinner. Though there is a brief moment of silence and Ellinon opens his mouth to fill that silence, looking quite amused as words tumble from his lips. ❝ Someone tried to stab me today. Y'know the drill, I ruined their lives blah blah blah, I deserve to be dead this, I'm going to stab you that. He had shit aim for the record. ❞

He rolls up his sleeve to show that he actually had gotten injured but not where the other had planned to actually try and stab him ( who cuts an arm when they're aiming for the heart ? ). There's a poor attempt at bandaging on his left arm and in his defense, his left hand is his dominant hand so bandaging had been tricky and he's never been great at wrapping things properly. There's redness on the bandages but he doesn't seem bothered by it personally.

❝ He aimed for my heart . . . How pathetic are you to miss that badly ? ❞ He starts to roll his sleeve back down like he's going to get back to focusing on eating his meal and be completely unbothered by the wound on his arm. It's fine, it wasn't that deep ( though it was still somehow bleeding which was odd but maybe because he was still using his left arm so much as it was his dominant arm so it was just probably irritating it ? Maybe that was it ).

❝ Dinner is good as always, my love. You'll have to make this again. I like it. ❞

wyatt your husband is something else.

♚ — @mythcaels ;; Wyatt & Ellinon.

   “It’s only Sunday, Ellinon.” 

   There was still so much more left of the week for them to run these bets of theirs. “I have a meeting on Monday, so I’ll have many more lives to run before you even open your store that day.” He had to head down to the Market, to deal with an incident, and he’s going to light so many of their asses on fire that they won’t even know what hit them. Ellinon better start figuring out what he’s making for dinner on Friday. 

   He sets his fork down on the side of the plate and reaches his hand out, snagging Ellinon’s left arm and yanking it over toward him. He hooks his foot around the chair, to drag that up beside him and shoves the sleeve of his robes back. A soft blink at the bandage, the very poorly and crappy done bandage, and then he reached over and started to peel the bandage back. He tossed the soiled fabric to the side, it would need to be picked up and burned later so no one can use his blood against him, and then Wyatt turned his gaze to the mark. 

   It’s going to scar, because he hadn’t properly treated it. Not with magic and not even with basic first aid supplies. Wyatt has seen his mother do healing magic before, when he was very little. She had said it was the kindest and most gentle forms of magic; “like the flow of water, Wyatt” . She had greatly enjoyed helping people, it was what she thrived in when it came to any of the things that she did. His mother had been gentle and loving, something she had tried to instill in her children. 

   Now there was Wyatt, an insult to her name, and his husband who thrived off of hurting people. 

   Somedays, he wonders what his mother would think when she saw him. 

   His fingers brushed along the edges of the gash in his arms, his blue gaze blinking down at the raised and torn skin. He was thinking about whether or not it needed stitches when there was a zap from his fingers that caused him to jerk his arm back in surprise. He nearly shoved Ellinon away from him, glaring at his husband as if it was the Warlocks fault, when his eyes caught sight of Ellinon’s skin. 

   Stitching. Itself. Together. 

   It was the strangest thing in the world, but familiar. He had been thinking about his mother, about what she had done when she healed. The gentle blue glow of her fingers as she ran them over wounds whispering beneath her breath. She had done it to Wyatt before, mending his skin and humming pleasantly. The kind and caring look in her eyes as she did it. And now it was doing it before his very eyes and he suddenly feels as if his own body betrayed him. 

   “This is your fault.” He accuses, actually unsettled. “You and your open door policy for magic over my ticking timebomb.” Ellinon’s skin was perfectly healed now, the wound gone, not even a scar. Wyatt doesn’t heal. He rips people apart with their own emotions. Makes them beg for death at his feet. 

   And yet, his magic was thrilled over the fact it fixed his husband.

[phoebehalliwell]

which branch of the family is each next gen closest to outside of their own?

like example being chris is closest to maybe his siblings (only for an example) but of the cousins and his aunts/uncles respectively

like he might be closer to parker but overall closer to paige/henry/kat/tam/henry's unit (or majority of five) does that make sense

if they were going to absorbed into a different branch. which would it be is what I'm saying (I think. now I'm unsure)

ooh okay kk

wyatt is probably closest with mitchell gang and honestly henry jr is probably doing a lot of heavy lifting in this as wyatt and henry are basically the only two to study magic But wyatt and tamora are the only one with healing powers and the wyatt and kat both like weird looking art (headcanon that paige was really the one to drag kids to art museums and really helped foster wyatt's love of art)

chris is with the cupitches & co honestly mainly bc of paige bc let's not forget paige did watch him die so she gets the same overprotective quality leo gets whereas phoebe trusts him a lil bit more, so to speak. next gen + relationships with phoebe and paige! chris still is really close with henry jr (he's like wyatt minus the i'm coming with you which is great for chris) and he's close with kat bc they're both black sheep. but as a trio chris does really like all of the cupitches he kind of views them as little sisters they're like melinda lites bc melinda still has empathy and won't dunk on him mercilessly (she's still call him out on his bullshit, but in a constructive way) whereas the cupitches will draggg him for not having a bedframe and never really having a girlfriend and for having pathetic lil outfits. chris likes pj bc she's a skilled witch and very competent charmed one, which he respects. he likes parker bc honestly she's really fucking funny and a good sparring partner. he likes peyton bc she's quiet (like, the only quiet one in the family) and they both are telekinetics with interests in tech/coding/etc so there's opportunity to bond there

rest under the cut!!

melinda is closest with the cupitches & co bc not only are they all very close in age but also phoebe was kind of her main trainer seeing as she's an empath and that is a notoriously hard gift to control. she is still v close with henry tam and kat but her bond with phoebe really is the deciding factor

kat is closest with cupitches & co bc she is both a hopeless romantic and a fashion fiend. she is still close with mellie and obvi with chris and piper as well bc piper trained her but she does kind of have beef with leo bc leo respectfully will snitch to paige sometimes who has a bad (well, bad in kat's opinion) of freaking out when her children get mortally wounded

tamora is closer with halliwell household bc first off, someone needs to snitch to mom when kat gets gravely injured and she doesn't want it to be her, secondly she has always been incredibly uncomfortable with her power (of molecular combustion) and piper has really helped her get a hold on it. she thinks kat and chris can be overdramatic sometimes (most times) but she's close with wyatt bc they again both have the healing factor and the fear of the immense and deadly power just constantly coursing thru them (really no one else has insta kill it is very difficult for almost anyone else to accidently murder someone) and she's close with mellie bc mellie is kind and not loud. she likes the cupitches and she has fun helping them put together outfits (that she would never wear bc she does Not want that kind of attention on her) but they are just so love oriented and like. tamora just. is not that she's not both her and peyton have a lot of fun playing dating sims but she is so so so scared of dating and just would prefer not to talk about it. also does not like combat training (something the cupitches frequently engage in) bc she is very scared of injuring someone

henry jr & cupitches & co easily. for starters he's closer in age to them and then secondly they involve him in a lot piper and leo get really concerned about him bc he's mortal he and wyatt are close he and chris are close hell even he and mellie are close but he just hangs out with pj and parker like all the time they even insist that he does partner sparring with them and they di use their magic against him in fights (something he insists on bc it's not like evil will hold back just bc he's mortal) so yeah. cupitches.

pj is probably closest with the mitchell gang probably with henry as the deciding factor she and henry are also in the same year at school. she's still v close with melinda and close with chris she's not as close with wyatt just bc of their age delta and they don't have so super much in common but they will def gossip about anything and everything at family get togethers so it's not like she dislikes him it's just that she's much closer with his sister you know? she also likes yapping with kat about love and with tamora about clothes so those are all pluses

parker is a tough call actually. i'm gonna say the halliwell household with the deciding factors being she really likes kicking it with mellie bc psychic girlies need to stick together and chris is spiritually her annoying old brother. she loves the mitchells too obvi esp henry i would say the deciding factor is just sometimes it gets under her skin how tam and kat kind of complain about their powers. like kat does not consider herself all that powerful and of course tamora is a lil scared of her power and parker would never say anything to their faces but like. they have active powers. and she kind of doesn't. but she really doesn't want to bitch about it bc no one likes a whiner and besides she can kick ass regardless but like. she would Like an offensive power

peyton is also gonna be halliwell household she is really close with tamora probably the closest with her tbh and she does like henry but i think she connects the most with mellie and wyatt re: wanting to be a person first and a witch second and then also she really likes piper bc piper will always teach her how to cook (peyton's more of a baker in general but loves being in the kitchen regardless)

[saunteringvaguelydownwards]

what are the fics you’d consider required reading (as you said in the tags of another post) ? any fandom i’d say for required reading or if there’s too much, for warrior nun ?

*heavy sigh* I had this post 90% complete when the power went out at my house and I had to rewrite the whole thing.

I'm gonna give you a scattershot approach, one fic for a few different fandoms, different types of fic, and hopefully something resonates.

🦗 (Recommend any fic, wild card!)

Avengers/MCU - The Infinite Coffee and Protection Detail series by owlet (tumblr?)

Set immediately at the end of CA:TWS, Bucky's scrambled brain does a hard reset and decides his new mission is to protect Steve, covertly. Meanwhile, he kinda gets adopted by the senior citizens that live in the shitty apartment building he's crashing in while he learns how to be person again. It's snarky AF, touching, funny, great action, fluffy domestic Avengers Tower stuff. There's some Stucky eventually, but it's not the primary focus and doesn't really show up until like the 5th story in the series. There are 7 stories, and a Q&A with the author.

OUaT - The Secret's in the Telling by @the-pyrophoric-one

Emma is being pranked by a thief while living in the mansion with Regina and Henry, and there's also magic fuckery afoot. This story is just neat. It's tightly-plotted and funny. I can't actually say too much because the whole point is that there's a mystery to solve and I'd hate to spoil it. Even when I had kinda figured out what was going on, I still had no idea how it would end. It's told from two different POVs, so it's fun to reread the first part once you know the ending. Apparently there's also a sequel, but I don't believe I've read it yet.

R&I - Calamity Jane Meets Dr. Isles, Medicine Woman by @jobethdalloway

Rizzles 1800s western AU. Maura is a fancy lady from Boston who moves west to live with her fiancé Garrett Fairfield, Jane wears pants, drinks whiskey, and roams the countryside as Jake Wyatt, an outlaw who's hunting for Charles Hoyt, the man who killed her parents. The immersion in this AU is stunning, the characters feel true to the originals while allowing for how things would change given the time and circumstances, and the buildup from their unconventional meeting to friends to more is a lovely and authentic slow burn. There's also a completed sequel, but it's still on my to-read list.

The 100 - Lightning Only Strikes Once by fiona_249 (tumblr?)

Lexa gets shot and dies, Clarke climbs to the roof of the building, gets hit by weird lightning, then suddenly she's back on The Ark, about to be sent down to Earth with 99 other teen prisoners, and no one remembers the events of the past year besides her. The ultimate fix-it fic. How do you fix your mistakes while still trying to keep the good things that happened? Balancing future knowledge with ripple effects, how much can you change before you don't know what's going to happen anymore? What do you do with a second chance? I think I've read this fic at least half a dozen times.

Warrior Nun - What If I Told You I'm a Mastermind? by @sapphicstacks

Avatrice actress AU. Ava is an unknown actress working as a bartender, Bea is a famous but reclusive actress making a comeback after several years away from the spotlight, and they get cast together in a sapphic love story. You ever read a story and go "JFC, will you two just talk to each other?" Yeah, the reason is because all of the healthy communication got requisitioned for this fic. It's incredibly wholesome and overwhelmingly romantic and also ridiculously hot. Like, prep a cold shower or make sure you're somewhere private when you read it. There's a regularly-updated WiP sequel.

[paigemathews]

Do you ever think about what Wyatt and Billie’s relationship would look like? I mean, do you ever think that maybe he sees Billie as an omen? A prophesied witch with not only extraordinary power, but projection specifically, that evil has hunted and desired for years, to the point of creating intricate plots to turn them from a young age? (While my Wyatt doesn’t realize yet, the fact that Billie and Wyatt both fell into evil’s clutch in the past? That their redemption came at their sibling’s life? That their deaths can be traced directly to them?)

Imagine Billie post-series, who has lost. honestly, everything in under a year. She went from a confident, headstrong newly-discovered witch determined to save the day to a powerful witch who lost her entire family and was manipulated and used by evil to attack good as a whole. After all of that, I don’t really think that you walk out of that without it becoming a deeply impactful and integral part of your experience.

So a Billie who is more subdued and removed from magical affairs. A Billie who knows the price and risks with magic, especially her own. A Billie who learns how to master her magic, because she’s already seen the consequences of her failures, but there is no real need for it anymore with the lack of demonic attacks. And she is asked, by the sisters who she betrayed and had to earn their trust again, to help teach a witch just like her to control his powers.

Beyond her own experiences, do you think Billie ever told the sisters about Dumain showing her what Wyatt was supposed to “become”? Or did she just chalk it up to his lies and manipulation? And even if she did tell them, do you think that the sisters would be able to tell her? When they themselves never actually knew how bad it was in the unchanged future? When they’re still unsure if they can trust her again and handing her that information includes telling them how, despite all of their power, they could still do nothing as a son/nephew died in front of them?

So she tries to impart how important it is that Wyatt uses his powers for good, not to harm. She trains him to control his power, tries to teach him to respect it as something incredibly dangerous. She conveys over and over again that projection is powerful, but dangerous and if you’re not careful, it can create a lot of harm. She isn’t his only teacher, but she, with her own history and the same power and the knowledge that he will outclass them all and that vision that is bad enough without considering what else he is able to do, is the one who is able to understand best. Piper and Phoebe and Paige are extremely powerful, obviously, but their power is rooted in their bond and that itself helps keep them in check because there is a balance. Billie, her sister (the key) dead and her as the real Ultimate Power, is the closest to knowing what that’s like.

Except Wyatt is Wyatt, his mother and father’s son in everyway but especially his heart. He’s the child who tried to prevent conflict before he was even born. He’s the child who took everyone’s burdens on himself as his to solve before he could even speak. He needed to protect his loved ones, no matter how powerful they individually were. When he failed, he blamed himself. When people struggled, and he couldn’t help them, he blamed himself. Not only does he blame himself for not being able to save or help people, he pins his entire worth as a person on his ability to help. This is the child who thought that he deserved to die because of his father’s grief and inner turmoil, something he wasn’t even to blame for. And he sees so much of himself in Billie, sees her story as a warning if he is to slip to the wrong side, if he is to be blinded to evil and used as a weapon. He takes every message that Billie tries to teach and internalizes it just a little bit too much, takes it just a bit too personally.

And imagine what happens. Billie, who can relate to Wyatt’s potential future just a bit too much, trying to teach him caution and instead teaches him fear. Wyatt, who sees a bit too many similarities in Billie’s past, transforms her lessons of control and innocents into repression and his value. Because they see those similarities, but they don’t quite see the differences and those differences change everything.

[mythcaels-a]

   Wyatt is having a bad day, but it’s not actually Luka or Hiroki or anyone's fault for a change. Instead, it was his husband’s fault and he doesn’t even think it’s something Ellinon can control. Still, it’s driving him insane and he feels he desperately needs to talk to Ellinon about it. Which is what leads him to the other’s shop in town, since Ellinon wasn’t home. Stepping his way inside the quiet little weird store, he checks first for customers and when he doesn’t find anyone other than a very confused husband, he flips the lock and twists the sign to closed. 

   Wyatt turns to the counter and makes his way quickly over toward his husband, grabbing his arm and pulling him toward the back room. He twisted around to face Ellinon and grasped the other’s forearms, backing him up against the wall and leaning over him. His magic thrives on this, on the fact he was touching him, on the fact they were so close and it was attempting to swallow him up. 

   “I can feel you.” He states, which isn’t something new, however–”and it’s making it harder to turn off my empathy around you. To not feel what you’re feeling, to not feel my own emotions.” Because that, at the end of the day, was what he used his Empathy for the most. To numb himself to everything around him. To not feel what it was that he needed to feel. To ignore everyone and everything. And Ellinon was making that incredibly hard. 

   “I can feel your frustration, your disappointment in the people around you, your loathing of humanity. I can feel your wonder over me, your hope that things are okay, your concern for my well being.” He leans a bit closer, his hands gripping the other a bit tighter. Not enough to hurt, but enough to make his point. 

   “Your growing feelings and my own irrational love for you.”

unprompted | always accepting!

𝐇𝐞 𝐤𝐧𝐨𝐰𝐬 𝐭𝐡𝐚𝐭 𝐖𝐲𝐚𝐭𝐭 knows where to find him and his little shop should he ever want to but he's genuinely surprised when there is a time where such a thing does happen, that time being right in this very moment. There's absolutely a flicker of confusion on his face because Wyatt's magic seems like it does when he has a bad day and that makes Ellinon wonder how bad it had to be for Wyatt to search him out. There's half a moment where he wonders if he did something wrong and just forgot about it and that's why he was searched out like this but he can't seem to think of anything. He hears the click of the door being locked, watches the open sign get flipped to closed and he knows Wyatt can see the confusion all over his face.

His husband is moving towards him and hasn't said a single word yet, he's grabbing his arm and pulling him along and Ellinon lets him do this ( all the while his magic is singing because that hand is touching his arm ). He is blinking and watching as Wyatt turns to face him, grabs his forearms even and backs him up against the wall. Wyatt has always been taller than him, nothing has changed about that other than Ellinon being more aware of it in this moment as Wyatt stands over him and stares at him. His magic is happy, as is Wyatt's for that matter because he can feel the way both of their magic responds so positively to the closeness between them, buzzes like it is alive and happy for this very moment.

❝  Likewise   . . .   ❞  Amber hues flicker to the hands on his arms and then back to meet the others gaze. He knows the other doesn't actually mean like this, he means through the magical bond that they share. Brows furrow as the other continues speaking though and he feels an apology on the tip of his tongue. Ellinon is seriously not the apologetic type but he's apologized to Wyatt before and apologizing to Wyatt about anything is so weirdly easy for a person that doesn't seem to apologize for anything before the other became a part of his life.  ❝  I'm sorry  . . .  ?  ❞  It's a soft apology, so quiet too.

Ellinon is someone that feels things so strongly but doesn't let them show on his face, it doesn't matter when it comes to Wyatt because he's an empath, he can tell what Ellinon feels without Ellinon saying it outright. The other see's right through him, feeling the things that Ellinon doesn't let anyone else know about. He could feel the negative emotions but he could also feel the positive ones too. He's never had anyone in the entire world see through him so easily, to see the things he feels so strongly but hides all the time. It's actually really romantic if he was being honest with himself. His heart thuds in his chest and he can't deny a warmth in his usually pale cheeks ( that have decided to take on a rosy hue ). A surprising hopeless romantic at heart, even after being pretty much told that he was annoying in a way, he still found it romantic. The others hands grip his arms tighter and he gets the point that the other makes very clearly, so much so that he can practically hear his own stupidly thudding heart in his ears. 

The other mentions Ellinon's growing feelings and it is true, his feelings have been steadily growing for the other. They were doing everything so backwards it was unreal but they were getting there, at least he was. Scratch that, the others words have his eyes widening and realizing they're both somehow on the same page meaning that they're both getting there. First comes love, then comes marriage. With them it was first comes marriage then comes love.  ❝  Irrational love  . . . You love me  ?  Are you confessing your love to me  ?  ❞  Ellinon has never loved, has never been loved. It's all a new experience to him and he's so hopelessly stuck on it, drunk on it really.  ❝  Why  ?  No I mean  . . .  Really  ?  ❞

[kinglyisms]

   He actually found the dead mouse comment funny? What an odd man. He should have been insulted. Not that Wyatt was aiming to insult him, but even the Werewolves get pissed when he makes dog comments. This guy though, he took a clear reference to an actual physical snake and found it hilarious. How very weird. Well, he wants alcohol and he agreed to do the magical search. It would be incredibly light, just a test to get some sort of understanding of their age, he doesn’t need to know anything else. 

   It shouldn't hurt either of them, at least that was the hope. 

   He moves away from the bar and wipes his hands off on the towel, taking off his apron and tossing the items into the basket meant for laundry beneath the counters. He moves around the divider, stepping out from behind the bar and making his way over toward the stranger. 

   “Come on, we’ll head into the office. Somewhere quiet.” So that he can focus but also so that they can do this out of the eyesight of everyone else. Wyatt isn’t the best witch, he’s actually rather terrible honestly. His skills were designed specifically to do certain things. Like making magical drinks that get supernatural creatures drunk. 

   Once they were behind the office door, having it firmly shut and the lock turned, he shifted to set his gaze on the man in the room with him. “Wyatt Cross.” He introduces finally, because names are going to become important at some point. And he does wait, expectantly, for the other to give him something in turn to call him. He doesn’t even care if it’s his real name or not, he just needs some symbols to string together to make this less awkward.

<♔> — It wasn't that he was missing the point - he could hear the echo of crickets within the boy's thoughts upon the term. He just thought it amusing that the Witch has never once seemingly come in contact with any variation of Hellish creature. Or perhaps he has and simply brushed it off with the same nonchalance as he was doing now - instead favoring more simpler (weaker) versions that were easier to understand. The albino was an eccentric, so while some would possibly find this kind of attitude insulting - he thought it amusing; cute even. Like an echo of when the 5th born would play with his toy or the secondary and tertiary 4th born would make their dolls and puppets. He wondered to which extent the boy's knowledge went when it came to this world of false and true immortals.

The smile on the albino's face was easy-going, waving a dismissive hand at the statement. "I don't mind~. I'm rather curious to what extent yours can go~. I've heard from some acquaintances in the past that having magic pass through another can at times be the equivalent of walking through a corridor of many doors~. You simply just need to be wary of what doors not to touch~." Not that he was certain of how true that was - he's never been in a position of needing to do so. Perhaps it varied on the version of magic one knew how to use.

It took a moment for the following statement to register in his mind - giving him pause as the words truly sank in and he couldn't help the bark of laughter that escaped from him, lips curling up in a grin that showed sharpened fangs. "Oh, Heavens, no no - that won't be necessary at all~. That's not in line with my particular preferences anyways~." He prefers his prey much larger, and much more lively thank you very much.

[docholligay]

Chinese Food in The American West

One of the things I frequently come across as a student of the American West* is that people get most of their information from movies and TV and then act like they know things. Wyatt Earp was not a Lawful Good champion who always did his level best even when it was hard to know. (You want Seth Bullock or Bass Reeves). Racism was far more complicated than white vs not white (I’ve talked about this EXTENSIVELY in Strange Empire, so I’m not going to bore you here**). 

And they didn’t just eat steak. In fact, they rarely ate steak. 

Steak as cowboy food isn’t INACCURATE, but it is MODERN. From about the early 1900s on, you had less and less drives and more and more ranchers who were staying put, with less and less hands needed, and so food was grabbed less “on the go.” Cows could be slaughtered and used to feed the family, allowing for more opportunities for things like steak, yes, but also things like chili, a play on sauerbraten, southern-style biscuits. The cattle drives were a real blend of culture and race, and a lot of what we have left as “Western food” owes a great deal to that. 

And if we leave the cattle drives and head into the towns of the American West, as we will today, we find things like oysters, pies, and various things like that. Far more well-heeled than the general expectation. 

I mean, here’s the menu from the Occidental Saloon circa the late 1880s:

Soups

Chicken Giblet and Consumme, with Egg

Fish

Columbia River Salmon, au Beurre Noir

Relieves

Filet a Boeuf, a la Financier

Leg of Lamb, Sauce, Oysters

Cold Meats

Loin of Beef, Loin of Ham, Loin of Pork, Westphalia Ham, Corned Beef, Imported Lunches

Boiled Meats

Leg of Mutton, Ribs of Beef, Corned Beef and Cabbage, Russian River Bacon

Entrees

Pinons a Poulett, aux Champignons

Cream Fricasse of Chicken, Asparagus Points

Lapine Domestique, a la Matire d'Hote

Casserole d'Ritz aux Oeufs, a la Chinoise

Ducks of Mutton, Braze, with Chipoluta Ragout

California Fresh Peach, a la Conde

Roasts

Loin of Beef, Loin of Mutton, Leg of Pork

Apple Sauce, Suckling Pig, with Jelly, Chicken Stuffed Veal

Pastry

Peach, Apple, Plum, and Custard Pies

English Plum Pudding, Hard Sauce, Lemon Flavor

This dinner will be served for 50 cents.

-I got this from the book “Saloons of the Old West” by Erdoes

But none of that is precisely why I’m here, I just can’t stop myself from talking about this, why I’m here is that one of the things I say that often surprises people, is that Chinese food was incredibly common for the, well, common man to eat. There’s very much a conception that we as a non-Chinese American  people did not start eating Chinese food until the 40s and 50s, and its truer that it took longer to catch on in the American East than the West simply as a matter of proximity and choice. 

Not MORE choice but LESS. Part of what made the West so unique, historically, is that the lack of choice and the basic scarcity caused people to work with and patronize people that their general prejudices would have kept them from using back east, because they had CHOICES. But out in the west, less so. There were few choices for a quick, cheap meal on the go. That dinner I just posted above is a lavish affair, and a great deal at approximately $20.00 in today’s money. (Which does not allow for the fact that cost of supplies has gone up and this dinner would most likely be offered for no less than 70 or so today.) 

People desperately wanted something that was cheap and quick, and the other options in the American West were few, far between, and not intensely pleasing. No one had really come up with the sandwich shop as of yet, and in any case, fresh meats and cheeses would have been too difficult for the low-cost supplier. 

ENTER THE CHINESE POPULATION.

If you have read my Strange Empire blogs, I hope you know that Chinese people were a huge presence in the American West, mostly working for the railroad and various mines, but also doing things like laundry, work that was extremely hard but took little in the way of English speaking. They existed in Chinatowns, for a combination of cultural and legal factors, but it’s a misconception that non-Chinese*** people never went to Chinatown. 

People are not new, and it was not unusual for non-Chinese people to use the laundries, tailoring, and other services of Chinatowns while suppressing the rights of Chinese people int he same breath. There were always individual Chinese people any given non-Chinese person liked and did business with. 

In time, they discovered the inherent wisdom of the noodle bowl. 

I don’t mean to suggest that all these early restaurants served was noodle bowls, but that was where it all started. Remember, Italian food had little prominence in America at the this time, as Italian immigration didn’t really get into full swing until the 1870s in America. While there are noodle traditions half of everywhere, and there is nothing new under the sun, what we today would consider a stir-fry bowl was wildly new to most of the non-Chinese folks in the West. That it could be offered up so cheaply, was so filling, and so delicious (more on this later) was a wild revelation. Everyone from simple cowboys (which, fun fact! Was a slur back then!) to mayors were swinging by Chinatowns to try the dishes. 

By the 1920s, chop suey, a fully Chinese American invention derived from the words for “various leftovers” was a hugely popular American food among all sorts. 

Doc, you may ask, was it just that these folks coming through to get medicines or laundry were SO adventurous? Not at all! Chinese restaurants back then actually, in a very short amount of time, realized that their non-Chinese townsfolk were an excellent way to make money as well, and began to adapt and change dishes to better fit the Western palate, leading what we call American Chinese Food today, which is a legitimate foodway I will defend to my death. Unfortunately, none of these menus survive today--the only ones we have are from places in San Francisco, places that were much more posh, and not the subject of this essay. 

There is a scene in Tombstone where Wyatt and his brothers are eating Chinese food, and it’s one of the things people often ask me about, assuming it’s anachronistic. Actually, it isn’t at all--the anachronism is that there’s broccoli in those noodle bowls, which had not yet hit our shores by the time of the OK Corral. Chinese food was a huge hit, Chinese restaurants were doing extremely well, and some Chinese restaurants were even beginning to attempt to print menus in English, with sit down areas, instead of serving simple fare from food carts. 

As the food from these “chow chow houses” grew in popularity, as we can infer from the advertisements of their competitors promising free potatoes with every meal, and other such niceties to entice, there was, as ever there must be, blowback. Anti-Chinese sentiment grew to a fever pitch, and with this came overt pressure for ‘Good Americans” to patronize ‘American restaurants’. The social pressure is actually where we get some of that old racist jargon about Chinese people serving dogs and cats, which people often think was spread by competitors to degrade the Chinese restaurants, which isn’t UNTRUE, but was just as often said sheepishly by someone who couldn’t stop themselves from going and grabbing a noodle bowl or even the American dishes they offered, such as roast chicken or pork chop sandwiches. 

(I won’t comment with anything but an eyeroll on the bullshit of people saying they’re ~allergic to MSG~ okay I’ll believe you when you stop eating processed food, meat, aged cheese) 

It actually kept this type of reputation as being slightly scandalous well into the early 1900s, as being something you ate after the bar, something to be had in the shadows, but it was all for naught, because Chinese food became an important part of American identity. But for all that, no one ever pictures the Lone Ranger chowing down (the American phrase ‘chow’ for food actually comes from these ‘chow chow houses’) on some chop suey, but there’s every reason to believe he would have. American Chinese food is just as American as the Germanically-influenced hamburger. 

(There’s a whole subtopic to go down about Jewish and Chinese communities and Kosher Chinese Food, two marginalized and othered communities coming together, but that’s a WHOLE other topic) 

(Also someone please buy me Chinese food. This shit always makes me so hungry.) 

*The American West is a specific time period, as far as the study of history goes. It covers the period between the end of the Civil War and the New Century, generally, and is, obviously, concerned with the western half of the country. It doesn’t cover stuff like Lewis and Clark (that’s Expansion) or even the Civil War itself, though you cannot possibly hope to study the American West in any level of seriousness without understanding the Civil War. Anyway! I know a lot about America between 1865 and 1900, and am just knowledgeable enough to be dangerous on everything else. Most History nerds are highly specified like this. We’re not as much help to your trivia team as you think.****

**I actually have had little chance to talk about ~European-style xenophobia~ as it played out in the west, because Strange Empire takes a more modern pass at it. But there was a hierarchy of “whiteness” as well, as still largely exists in Europe, land of intentionally clean ethnostates. 

***I use the term “non-Chinese” instead of white because believe it or not, non-white people were not magically free of racism against Chinese people. It was horrific and BASICALLY every non-Chinese person was guilty of it to some level, a wild-ass level of hatred that led to Chinese folks not being able to PURCHASE PROPERTY BY LAW in ENTIRE STATES. Being Chinese or Native in this place and time was your Worst Bet. 

****I actually was on a competitive trivia team, you DO want me.

[cvastals]

look i kno i said i wasnt gna bring a 6th until i was caught up w replies bt i kno gunner well n therefore felt like he deserved his time to shine in the rp so i beg of u pls plot w him looks at u all like :B

* axel auriant, cis man + he/him | you know gunner paxton, right? they’re twenty-two, and they’ve lived in irving for, like, four years? well, their spotify wrapped says they listened to bizarre love triangle by new order like, a million times this year, which makes sense ‘cause they’ve got that whole curling up for days in bed wearing a hello kitty comfort shirt, stuttering in the face of affection, and hand me downs two sizes too big thing going on. i just checked and their birthday is july 31st, so they’re a leo, which is unsurprising, all things considered. ( bri, 23, est, they/them )

background.

middle child of the paxton family, cliff being the eldest and wyatt being the youngest :D

they lived at the top of a hill in a trailer in a trailer park neighbourhood in laramie, wyoming so to say the least that fucking sucked for everyone involved

the trailer was so small that all 3 boys ended up sharing a room, gunner and wyatt sharing a bunk bed bc they cldnt fit 3 beds into one room it really was every childs nightmare bt they quickly grew used to it tbh

gunner was always more of an artsy child than invested in sports - though he does enjoy baseball and continued even to this day after their dad made him join SOMETHING in middle school - so he never rly earned their father’s respect, but he was always close with his mom since they had the same calm temperament

(depression/anxiety tw) he also gained a list of mental health issues that their mom had as well, including social anxiety and major depressive disorder

(violence/abuse tw) their father always encouraged pretty volatile behaviour and it caused a lot of physical fights and arguments between the brothers when their dad told them the best way to get over it was to start hurting until someone tapped out, it was just a chaotic and pretty abusive household but no one knew and their mom definitely wasn’t going to say anything about it to their dad

(missing child/kidnapping/anxiety/depression tw)  wyatt went missing on a weekend that their parents were gone because of a trip they won, and things just got worse from there, high school was really rough for gunner, his anxiety grew worse as time went on that no one found wyatt, their dad grew more hostile towards them, cliff left home in the middle of the night never to be seen again (merely leaving a note so that the family didn’t think they had a case of two kidnapped children), and their mom just grew sicker, it was rare that she would ever leave her room and if she did it was in fits of random energy where she would do something spontaneous and completely unnecessary to their house as a way of coping

the two years that gunner was at home after cliff left were pretty brutal and as soon as he could, he was fleeing wyoming and going to school in irving

(internalized homophobia tw)  things are far better now that he’s out of his home situation, but ofc he still has a few personal things he’s working thru; the paxton’s were raised in an incredibly religious household, and he’s got some classic Catholic Guilt going on upon realizing that he’s not jst attracted to women n he avoided talking abt it forever/stayed in the closet fr far too long bt he’s sort of come out now in his own way even tho he does still get a bit nervous talking abt it rly

he’s also ‘dealing’ rn (just pharmaceuticals) which is frankly funny to think abt bc this man is abt as threatening as a care bear bt money is tight all things considering and a librarian job doesn’t rly cover it, and with the amount of meds he’s on, plus incredibly frequent doctor’s visits, needing to pay for extra epi-pens, inhalers, etcs. bills add up so he’s cutting back his meds n selling wht he can spare which is . so unhealthy bt thts life in corporate america baybee!

details.

is literally allergic to everything. grass, cats, most fruits, milk, most nuts, bees, latex, probably more i cnt even keep up w them its pathetic

u can catch him strutting around town w his blinged out epipen holder (aka blinged out w pins of his fav horrors movies) LKSHDGKLHSKLDG

if things cldnt get worse he also has quite intense asthma so he carries an inhaler with him at all times

n to make matters even WORSE he frequently has dizzy spells n bad memory problems bc of all the concussions he’s suffered from (about 8-9 at this point) as well as consistent migraines that can b literally debilitating sometimes

awkward n jst a bit of a Weirdo to b frank like he barely knows how to converse with ppl

didnt have any friends in high school so took the time to teach himself rly weird things, knows a fuck ton of magic tricks, can yodel, juggle, solve a rubix cube with his eyes closed in under 30 seconds, just extremely weird and specific things

can honestly b a bit mean/barbaric to ppl he’s not close w/doesn’t kno - has told ppl to their face before he doesn’t enjoy talking to them bc he has no concept of social constructs/norms

loves 2 film random things at parties, makes him feel more comfortable at them n he makes short films of them all after

going off that fact he did a film internship in nyc during the summer and is trying to find a job in that field

doesn’t realize demisexuality is a thing so he’s never been that fond of sex but has this stigma in his mind that that makes him Broken so he still Tries n it jst doesnt go well tugs my shirt collar

connections.

ppl who r more into under the counter meds than Hard Drugs n buy off him?? probs wld have to kno him some way hes too scared to sell to Random randoms

ppl he went to school w? :D

some friends………. hes awkward bt he means well…………

ppl he has a crush on/unrequited crushes either way wtvr floats ur boat he crushes quite easily but never does anything abt it fr the most part

a mans he wld Risk It All fr (aka a guy tht he actually has a crush on n is Extra Awkward probs a lil mean to bc hes still New to That)

some enemies tbh, he has a temper n he tends to blow up rarely bt it happens n when it does it actually can b quite scary JKSHDGLHSDG

a muse….. mayhaps?? someone he always wants in his film projects

awkward past hook ups/one night stands where one of them cut ties off cuz every time they got together gunner acted like he was embalming a body for a funeral

current hook ups/fwb’s w ppl he’s actually close w/is comfortable w so its nowhere near as bad SDKHSLDGHKLSDGH

Anything u Desire

[racingtoaredlight]

RTARL’s 2020 NFL Season Week 11 Extravapalooza

Holy moly, we’ve already made it to Week 11. I’m honestly conflicted over whether or not this is a good thing. In terms of basic pandemic mitigation practices, the NFL conducting its season is fucking insane. These guys are all well-compensated pros, but they’re still taking risks well above and beyond what they normally do, and I truly feel pretty shitty about that. In addition, the fact that some stadiums are allowing thousands of fans inside during games is a crime against humanity, and it really lays bare how craven and sociopathic the ghouls who own sports franchises are. 

With that said, it’s extremely hypocritical of me to be so disdainful of the NFL’s current existence, since I watch the games, set my fantasy lineup, and generally enjoy all the stuff that comes with an NFL season. I usually bristle and roll my eyes whenever a sporting entity trots out the whole “We feel like we’re helping society by providing a distraction from everything going on” line, but in this case, with where we are right now as a country...the NFL really is doing that. For me, anyway. Is the stress-relief that the NFL provides to me and millions of other people worth all the bad stuff that comes with it? I don’t know. Probably not. But, I’d be lying if I said I’m not thankful that it’s there.

My picks are in BOLD, and the lines come to us courtesy of our friends at Vegas Insider. I use the “VI Consensus” line, which is the line that occurs most frequently across Vegas Insider’s list of sportsbooks. Your sportsbook of choice may offer a different number, and if you’d like my opinion on said number A) you are insane, and B) leave a comment below and I’ll try to answer at some point before things kickoff today.

EARLY GAMES

Tennessee Titans at Baltimore Ravens (-6)

It’s odd to have a game between a pair of 6-3 teams widely considered contenders that feels like a “must win” for each scuffling side. A great man once said “Desperation is a stinky cologne,” and the Titans absolutely reek coming into this one, so I’m giving them the edge. Baltimore being down two starting defensive linemen when Derrick Henry comes to town also factors into my pick, but nobody wants to hear that nerd shit, gotta go with my GUT, baby!

Philadelphia Eagles at Cleveland Browns (-2.5)

Hey, Cleveland doesn’t have to play in the middle of a tornado this week! There will still be driving rains, though. Fortunately, the Browns are built for the slop. RBs Nick Chubb and Kareem Hunt are both ridiculous, but I’d like to give a special shoutout to G Wyatt Teller, who is currently Pro Football Focus’ highest-graded player...in the entire NFL. That’s some grade A beef! DE and straight-up superhuman Myles Garrett is out for this one, which is an enormous blow for the Cleveland defense. If I had any confidence whatsoever in Carson Wentz I’d think about taking Philly, but that young man is a mess.

Pittsburgh Steelers (-10.5) at Jacksonville Jaguars

I’m once again betting on the Steelers playing down to the level of their competition. The Jags kept things close against the Packers last week, there’s fight in them thar cats.

Cincinnati Bengals at Washington Football Team (-1.5)

I’m still extremely nervous for Alex Smith the entire time he’s on the field, but I have to admit there’s something magical about him making it all the way back to being exactly as Alex Smith-y as he was before (minus the scrambling ability, obviously). Washington RB J.D. McKissic has 16(!) catches on 29(!!) targets over the two games Smith has started. If this continues J.D. is going to owe Alex a cut of his next contract, and possibly the mineral rights to his legs if the need arises.

Today is Cincy RB Gio Bernard’s birthday, so LOOK OUT LADIES!

Atlanta Falcons at New Orleans Saints (-3.5)

I’m making this pick based on the assumption that New Orleans really does roll with Taysom Hill at QB for the entire game, because that’s what all currently available information indicates will happen. I really do wonder if that’s going to be the case, though. I’ve read a couple of things speculating that the reason Hill is starting is that if Jameis plays he’s likely to reach various incentive clauses in his contract and cost the Saints a bunch of money. That seems utterly ridiculous to me, because why the hell would you bother signing him at all if this is how you were gonna roll? Then again, I’m not a Football Man, so maybe my un-browned normie brain just doesn’t understand.

Detroit Lions (-3) at Carolina Panthers

CATFIGHT!!!

The Lions are the orange kitty in this scenario, because Matthew Stafford will be playing through a torn thumb while not having WR Kenny Golladay or RB D’Andre Swift at his disposal. 

New England Patriots (-2) at Houston Texans

The concept of an “emotional hedge,” first introduced to me by RTARL commenter Beer, is in play here. I have NO idea if the Patriots are actually decent or not, and this has all the makings of a letdown game coming off of their unexpected win over Baltimore. Reigning Defensive Player of the Year Stephon Gilmore is expected to be back for the Pats in this one, which is very nice. RB Sony Michel is also likely coming back, which could muddy the backfield and take touches away from Damien Harris, which is less nice. 

The Patriots have an atrocious rush defense, but Houston’s primary RB, Duke Johnson, is far better as a receiver than as a straight-up runner, so I’m not sure they can take advantage all that much. In addition, Duke’s receiving skills are mostly squandered because QB DeShaun Watson hates checking down and seemingly prefers to take sacks while looking for throws downfield instead. Wait, why the hell am I picking Houston here??? Is this what hedging is? I don’t like it!

LATE GAMES

New York Jets at Los Angeles Chargers (-9.5)

It feels weird to lay 9.5 points with a 2-7 team, but such is the power of the Jets’ ineptitude. To New York’s credit, they were competitive in two of their last three games (against NE and BUF), but those two games were sandwiched around a 35-9 beatdown at the hands of Kansas City. We would all feel better if the cool, young Chargers steamrolled these sad sacks in a joyous explosion of big plays, and this pick is my attempt at speaking it into existence. 

Miami Dolphins (-3.5) at Denver Broncos

I don’t know why I have an affinity for Drew Lock, but I do. He probably appeals to the same part of my brain that delights in terrible movies and horrible jokes, which is the most backhanded compliment I have ever given anyone in my entire life. Drew's gonna tough it out and try to play through a rib injury this week, which is gutty and admirable and all that, but I can’t imagine it’s going to help his already shaky accuracy.

Green Bay Packers at Indianapolis Colts (-1.5)

The Packers are getting their best defensive player back in CB Jaire Alexander, which will make life more difficult for increasingly-noodle-armed Colts QB Philip Rivers. Conversely, Indy’s defense is among the best in the league, so I don’t really see a carnival of offense coming from the Packers, either. Honestly, this should be a close, well-played game between two exceedingly competent squads. The kind of game where there will be long stretches where nothing major happens, but you can point out random shit that happens away from the ball and talk about line play and really sound like you know what the fuck you’re talking about. A tremendous game for fraudulent football-knowers everywhere.

Dallas Cowboys at Minnesota Vikings (-7)

It would be an INCREDIBLY Vikings move to lose this game outright. The return of Andy Dalton is being treated like it’s something that’ll get the Cowboys somewhat back on track, but prior to his injury he looked like crap, so I don’t really know where that’s coming from. Also, while he was out with a concussion he had a bout with COVID-19 that “hit him hard.” It’s tough for me to imagine he’s going to play BETTER coming out of what sounds like a truly shitty few weeks.

SNF: Kansas City Chiefs (-7.5) at Las Vegas Raiders

A lot has been made about how pissed Kansas City is about the Raiders taking a supposed “victory lap” in their team bus around the Arrowhead parking lot after their win over the Chiefs earlier in the season, and I’m choosing to completely buy into this narrative because it’s fucking hilarious. If K.C. has already reached the “needing to exaggerate/outright invent slights to get up for regular season games against inferior opponents” portion of their reign, we’re in great shape for entertainment purposes going forward.

MNF: Los Angeles Rams at Tampa Bay Buccaneers (-4)

I don’t remotely trust Jared Goff against Tampa Bay’s defense. I do think this is probably our SMASHMOUTH NOSEBLEED GRIND IT OUT Game of the Week, and I can already see Tom Brady screaming at his offensive linemen at some point after he gets popped a couple of times during a single possession. Should be fun!

Last Week’s Record: 7-5-1

Season Record: 65-68-5

[gcnnerpaxton]

bri again making a terrible decision. do i need a fourth? no.......... bt here we are anyway. after this i promise im done fr a while bt :/ i lov this lil bitch so here we are........ give this a like if u wld b Down to Clown w him aka plot!

「axel auriant & cismale」⇾ paxton , gunner, the senior radcliffe student’s records show that he is a leo and 22 years old. he is studying film, living off campus and can be loyal, resilient, anxious & indifferent. when i see him i am reminded of curling up in bed for days in a hello kitty comfort shirt, the click of a camera shutter & hand-me-down’s two sizes too big.

pinterest is HERE.

TW’S FOR ABUSE, VIOLENCE, MISSING CHILD, KIDNAPPING, DEPRESSION, ANXIETY, AND INTERNALIZED HOMOPHOBIA BELOW!

stats.

name: gunner brick paxton.

age: twenty-two.

gender identity: cis-male.

pronouns: he/him.

sexuality: demisexual.

birthday: july 31, 1998.

star sign: leo.

myers-briggs: istj.

year of study: senior.

major: film.

occupation: librarian.

place of birth: laramie, wyoming.

religion: catholic (non-practicing).

background.

neen jst brought in gunner’s older brother so fr those who read elias’ bio u kno tht gunner is the middle paxton child w eli being the oldest n then they have wyatt who is the youngest!!

they lived at the top of a hill in a trailer in a trailer park neighbourhood in laramie, wyoming so to say the least that fucking sucked for everyone involved

the trailer was so small that all 3 boys ended up sharing a room, gunner and wyatt sharing a bunk bed bc they cldnt fit 3 beds into one room it really was every childs nightmare bt they quickly grew used to it tbh

gunner was always more of an artsy child than invested in sports - though he does enjoy baseball and continued even to this day after their dad made him join SOMETHING in middle school - so he never rly earned their father’s respect, but he was always close with his mom since they had the same calm temperament

DEPRESSION/ANXIETY TW - he also gained a list of mental health issues that their mom had as well, including social anxiety and major depressive disorder - DEPRESSION/ANXIETY TW END

VIOLENCE/ABUSE TW - their father always encouraged pretty volatile behaviour and it caused a lot of physical fights and arguments between the brothers when their dad told them the best way to get over it was to start hurting until someone tapped out, it was just a chaotic and pretty abusive household but no one knew and their mom definitely wasn’t going to say anything about it to their dad - VIOLENCE/ABUSE TW END

MISSING CHILD/KIDNAPPING TW - wyatt went missing on a weekend that their parents were gone because of a trip they won, and things just got worse from there

ANXIETY/DEPRESSION TW - high school was really rough for gunner, his anxiety grew worse as time went on that no one found wyatt, their dad grew more hostile towards them, and their mom just grew sicker, it was rare that she would ever leave her room and if she did it was in fits of random energy where she would do something spontaneous and completely unnecessary to their house as a way of coping - MISSING CHILD/KIDNAPPING/ANXIETY/DEPRESSION TW END

the two years that gunner was at home after elias finally left for school were basically torture and as soon as he could, he was falling his brother’s footsteps in getting out of wyoming to go to school at radcliffe

INTERNALIZED HOMOPHOBIA TW -  things are far better now that they’re out of their home situation, but gunner’s going through some more things personally now; the paxton’s were raised in an incredibly religious household, and he’s got some classic Catholic Guilt going on upon realizing that he’s not jst attracted to women n he avoided talking abt it forever/stayed in the closet fr far too long bt he’s sort of come out now in his own way even tho he does still get a bit nervous talking abt it rly - INTERNALIZED HOMOPHOBIA TW END

he’s also ‘dealing’ rn which is frankly funny to think abt bc this man is abt as threatening as a care bear bt money is tight between him and eli all things considering, and with the amount of meds he’s on, plus incredibly frequent doctor’s visits, needing to pay for extra epi-pens, inhalers, etcs. bills add up so he’s cutting back his meds n selling wht he can spare which is . so unhealthy bt thts life in corporate america baybee!

details.

is literally allergic to everything. grass, cats, most fruits, milk, most nuts, bees, latex, probably more i cnt even keep up w them its pathetic

u can catch him n eli strutting around campus w matching epipen holders tht he got them fr eli’s 16th bday JKSDNGKLHSDGLK

if things cldnt get worse he also has quite intense asthma so he carries an inhaler with him at all times

n to make matters even WORSE he frequently has dizzy spells n bad memory problems bc of all the concussions he’s suffered from (about 8-9 at this point) as well as consistent migraines that can b literally debilitating sometimes

awkward n jst a bit of a Weirdo to b frank like if it weren’t fr eli he wld probably have one (1) friend he jst cnt converse w ppl

didnt have any friends in high school so took the time to teach himself rly weird things, knows a fuck ton of magic tricks, can yodel, juggle, solve a rubix cube with his eyes closed in under 2 minutes, just extremely weird and specific things

can honestly b a bit mean/barbaric to ppl he’s not close w/doesn’t kno has told ppl to their face before he doesn’t enjoy talking to them bc he has no concept of social constructs/norms

loves 2 film random things at parties, makes him feel more comfortable at them n he makes short films of them all after

update about his summer away: ended up heading to nyc fr a film internship n actually had a rly good time??? fr once?? jst had a rly nice summer fling after being a bit heartbroken throughout the school year it was jst a rly necessary n fulfilling summer fr him king of getting wht he finally deserves

this also led him to b like . oh maybe i’m Not broken bc he doesn’t realize........... demisexuality is a thing n wld get rly awkward during hookups a lot if hes jst not 100% comfortable w the person so now he thinks hes like a one man machine who actually has some Self Esteem n thinks he can have Sexual Relations all day every day (he cannot)

connections.

ppl who buy off him?? probs wld have to kno him some way hes too scared to sell to Random randoms KJSHDGKLHSDLG

other film majors :-)

some friends………. hes awkward bt he means well…………

a mans he wld Risk It All fr (aka a guy tht gunner actually has a crush on n is Extra Awkward probs a lil mean to bc hes still New to That)

ppl he has a crush on/unrequited crushes either way wtvr floats ur boat

some enemies tbh much like elias he has a temper n he tends to blow up rarely bt it happens n when it does it actually can b quite scary JKSHDGLHSDG

a muse….. mayhaps?? someone he always wants in his film projects

awkward past hook ups maybe some current ones teehee

anything Ur Heart Desires

[phoebehalliwell]

hi how does the power situation work with all the next gen? i've been trying to figure this out for ages and i found your next gen fic and figured you'd have a general idea (or one that i like best). i know wyatt's twice blessed so he has a lot of stuff but chris seems to have prue's abilities and then paige's twins have piper's abilities split up between then. did the cupitches get any halliwell powers and what's melinda's power? (by power i mean like... special power, yknow, how the twins got piper's abilities split up) i know they're all capable of basic witch stuff of course

BASICALLY. i think i'm asking for a rundown on how powers work for the nine of them (henry's power is being real to me u don't have to explain that one)

okay so basically in my writings Wyatt has been stripped of the twice blessed destiny (which, akin to having The Source, is a power battery that augments and enhances and like boosts a witch's powers) making him now as powerful as a first born warren witch (read: hella powerful) but not a god, and then Melinda is also a proper true to form witchlighter -- leo was/is still in my writings a whitelighter so melinda is a proper halfling. i think those are my only major divergences from canon so okay!!

WYATT had the powers for telekinesis, telekinetic orbing, orbing, & healing but his main power is Projection, which is manipulation of everything that isn't. essentially, the ability to create something out of nothing. this includes energy blasts, which can be used to vanquish demons. this also means he can create things like, yes, dragons, or any other monster if he felt inclined, a full building, you name it. BUT. he has to have a full concept of how it works to make it so to speak. So Like. wyatt could make a car. but as he is not an automotive shop, he can't super make a working car. if he studied it and understood exactly how cars work he could, but he's not a car guy. if he were to make a car, it would run entirely off magic, meaning for long as it exists / has to run, he is being tapped into it and drained. so like he could create a monster or even a dog or whatever, but as he doesn't fully understand innards and the creation of life and souls and all that, they just wouldn't be real. eventually they would fade if wyatt himself does not release the projection

CHRIS is just your basic telekinetic he also has orbing and telekinetic orbing. he is an incredible gifted witch and a very strong telekinetic. right now, he strength lies in brute force -- he weight trains as a telekinetic, i wouldn't be surprised is he was able to lift gram's marble statue from witch prue is it anyway. i don't think he could throw it across the room (yet) but the point is he's stronger than your average telekinetic. his aim (magical) is also decent because his aim (normal people) is kinda dogshit so he usually has to use telekinesis to guide things he throws (e.g. potion vials). he's not exceptional as minute movements (yet) such as like stopping someone's heart from the inside, but that's just because he doesn't train like that

MELINDA is our third witchlighter and can orb, telekinetically orb, she's an empath, and she's a telekinetic. technically. the way her empathy fuses with her telekinesis actually makes her much more adjacent with a psychokinetic than a technical telekinetic (a place where i think prues powers could have easily developed had she not died). the main difference between melinda's telekinesis vs her brothers is her brothers move things they send out lil telekinetic blasts but it's all v external. melinda can actually use her telekinesis to touch/feel an item. it's not technically proper psychokinesis either because she still has to be in the location to get a vibe she can't sit in the parking lot and tell you where the light switches are in the back room of the building but she can sit in the manor living room and feel whether there are flowers in a vase in the foyer, she can tell you if there's a textured rug in the sunroom. It's kind of like echolocation, her telekinesis lays a blanket over the area she's in. If she's pinned behind a rock in the underworld, she can feel where the demon is (that one's extra easy bc her empathy gives her extra strong clarity when the thing she's feeling is experiencing strong emotions). and then, of course, her empathy is just kinda is empathy it's not super strong atm she has to be in the same room as, ideally within six or so feet of, anybody to get a really solid reading. touch is a main way she channels the power. if she really focuses, she can extend her power to about the size of an full american football stadium (lots of people), or, if they're hella spaced out, about one suburb block, but this is a major extension (nigh overextension) of her powers. with, of course, the caveat that strong emotions augmented by magic (like the demon of rage, demon of anarchy, shit like that) stands out to her quite loudly, she's v attuned to that.

TAMORA&KAT have a psychic connection to each other. that is specifically because they are both twins and witchlighters (tho that -light part is getting kinda distant). all of sets of siblings have some vague type of connection, like they would have able to tell if their immediate sibling is like mortally injured/dying (probably... like. in the same sense the original charmed ones are able to in the show), but since tam and kat are literally identical twins like one being split into two in utero like. they can communicate with each other psychically. this involves both like communicating thoughts (across any distance) and the ability to astral project their sister to them, provided that the sister is already open to being called (asleep, unconscious). the caveat with this link is it's only intact when the girls are at their standard chemistry. so, if their brain is altered by caffeine, alcohol, potions, medication, anything, their communication is thrown off. neither of them are on anything prescription, but if one of them were, there would be a brief period where the twins would struggle to communicate, lasting roughly four(ish??) months or so, until the link had reached it's new stable plateau if you get what i'm saying.

on top of that TAMORA has piper's blasting power and the whitelighter healing power. between her and her twin, they kind of have a sun/moon dynamic going on with their powers which is kind of funny bc in this said dynamic, tamora is actually the sun, even tho her irl personality really does not reflect that at all (yet). so her powers are all very like warm/hot/burning + a development soon be be related to light. so right now her powers are blasting and healing, which are loosely related in my mind because healing is inherently warm in my mind. she was able to practice molecular acceleration when she was a youngin but now she only has molecular combustion as that was what her power has evolved to by the time they were unbound again so that was the only part of that power she trained.

KAT is on the "moon" side of this spectrum, her powers are more for the activities shrouded in shadow (#tome). both freezing, orbing, and even her omnilingualism are all this kind of secretive powers, they're made to blend in and hide from detection, which, kind of like tamora's, sit counter to her current personality. also like her sister, while theoretically she possesses the capability for molecular deceleration, that is not a power she knows how to access at all. kat's strength by far is her freezing radius. she can freeze a lot of things, she can freeze very powerful things (not upper level demons quite yet but eventually probably), however, she is shit at the minutia of freezing. she cannot unfreeze people, much less body parts. she also cannot "hold" a freeze while moving someone's body (e.g. moving their arm so the gunshot misses would immediately unfreeze someone due to agitation of the hold/freeze). if she's fighting and henry is there she fully has to orb him somewhere else (usually magic school)

HENRY is a g

PJ&PARKER&PEYTON have some shared cupid-witch (cupitch) powers. the first is beaming, the cupitch variant of orbing. orbing is more thought based, beaming is emotion based. both are teleportation powers. since the sisters are all a) sisters and b) of the same hybrid species, they can sense each other in a manner akin to a whitelighter's charge sensing. they can get a loose read on their sister's emotions and the vibes of their surroundings if they really try. this limited empathy also grants them "cupid vision," giving them the ability to see both love and sexual attraction. love is a gauzy, hazy, fuzzy type pink aura that reaches out to others. If two people are in love with each other and in the same room, they will see one singular aura encompassing the two. sexuality is a purple-y electrical connection. If two people are both sexually attracted to each other, they will form their own sort of circuit. if a person is horny but not attracted to anyone in the room, electricity will just travel over them. the caveat with these abilities is due to the refractive (?? i feel like that's the right word?) nature of these auras you can never see an aura travel towards you bc it is heading directly towards you. the cupitches struggle to see love connections for any of their sisters because they all love each other so much they just have one strong linked aura between them. they can see if someone finds their sister hot, but quite frankly they don't like to check bc it feels weirdly invasive!! the girls can slip into cupid vision as easy as unblurring thir eyes, but if they want to see the auras more clearly/for longer periods of time they need assistance from their cupid rings. their personal cupid rings can also act as a small battery (akin to the twice blessed augmentation but way smaller. think aaa battery vs. car battery) and strengthen their powers if they really try to tap into the power of the ring.

PJ has her personal witch powers of levitation and astral projection. i liked their connection bc they are widely considered the prue/phoebe powers to be switched, so to speak, and i liked that juxtaposition between her mother and her namesake. levitation is levitation idk it's just what it sounds like. astral projection is similar to what we see in the show but since pj is no prue (yet) she cannot maintain limited conscious as prue could (her head down but stay standing state). pj has to fully conk out. her mysterious bruise games leaves everyone else in the dust.

PARKER has the sole with power of premonitions. she has no active power (kinda. beaming is debatably an active power.) she is the only one of the next gen to lack an active (witch) power. however, she has trained her premonitions well, she can get a premonition almost on command, she can recall premonitions by essentially using the emotional scar they leave on her to retrigger it. so like, it's not a permanently stored thing, but she can bring back a premonition usually for the present case she's working on. she can almost subconsciously uses premonitions in her hand to hand combat skills by anticipating her opponent's next move. since parker converted her cupid ring into a cupid athame it functions slightly differently. she can beam it to/from her. when she has not physically beamed her athame to her, it actually ceases to exist. it becomes a physical item once she beams it to her; it will continue to exist until she beams it away. when she beams it away, it actually become a part of her aura. technically speaking! this makes her a stronger witch that either of her sisters because she is (now) permanently tapped in her cupid's ring. but you and me are the only ones that know that shh.

PEYTON has telekinesis as her only active power. she's good. nothing to write home about, but not only is she the youngest of the generations, she's also just like, hella young in general. her powers have yet to grown in any way that marks serious deviation from the standard

thanks for the question! i love answering questions about the next gen they are so much fun ❤️.

[whitewolfofwinterfell]

My favourite Charmed episodes - season 6

This is the sixth part of my Favourite Charmed Episodes meta series all posts in the series will be tagged as #favecharmedeps.

Season 6 is a strange season because for some fans it’s their most favourite season and for others it’s their least favourite. For me, I’m afraid it’s the latter. Whilst season 5 saw a change in the vibe of the show, season 6 felt like a much more dramatic change that simply didn’t work for me. The characterisation of the main character seemed to become inconsistent and their development flopped, the strong sister relationships were neglected more than any other previous season and despite the potential of Chris’ character and plot, the indecisveness around what to do with his character led to a bunch of plot holes and a character that simply didn’t fit or make sense within the Halliwell family or Charmed as a whole. Nonetheless, the season wasn’t all bad. I still like some episodes from the season and there are some that provide some good characterisation that’s consistent with previous arcs and episodes. I’ve chosen 4 episodes from season 6 - Little Monsters, The Courtship of Wyatt’s Father, Hyde School Reunion and It’s a Bad, Bad, Bad World.

Little Monsters (6x09)

Overall, I think this episode is very underrated and slips under the radar. The plot with the manticores, the baby and his father (Derek) is one of my favourites involving innocents from across the series. Charmed tackles the greyness of morality multiple times, but the shows emphasis at times is generally black and white in its representation of good and evil, so this episode is great because it’s a particularly effective exploration the greyness involved in good versus evil. 

By having a demon baby, it immediately forces the sisters to question everything they feel and believe about demons. Usually their approach is simple - demons are evil and they kill them. However, the baby is not only a baby, but he also looks human and develops a bond with Wyatt. This causes conflict for the sisters who obviously cannot justify or bring themselves to kill a baby, regardless of the demonic powers he seems to posses. He may have evil powers, but he’s not evil yet and they know that evil is made not born. And the fact that Wyatt takes such a shine to him causes further conflict since Wyatt’s instincts from a very young age have always been very good. He knows when he’s in the presence of evil or if someone is untrustworthy and wants to harm him or his family, and he demonstrates that by having his force-field up. So the fact that he never puts his force-field up around the baby means that Wyatt doesn’t sense anything amiss from him. 

For Piper this is a particularly interesting episode because it taps into her feelings and instincts as a mother. By meeting Derek and seeing his desperation to be with his son, she’s able to sympathise as a mother who would also do anything for her child. There’s something that I just love about the fact that a suspected bad guy and demon who the sisters believe wants to kidnap the baby to do him harm actually turns out to be a human man who simply wants to save his son and voluntarily transformed into a demon so he could do exactly that. It’s one of the most emotive and touching stories of any innocent on the show, in my opinion. And I love how Piper was able to connect so easily to Derek, even when he was in his demon form and she was still unsure about his intentions. Just like Wyatt, her instincts didn’t let her down and she quickly realised that she wasn’t in the presence of evil.

It still makes me sad that Derek and his son only appeared in this episode, because the chemistry between Derek and Piper and the little friendship Wyatt and the baby developed was incredibly sweet and I think there was potential there for a friendship to continue and for Piper and Derek to go on play dates together with the kids. 

Overall, this episode isn’t stand-out brilliant or amazing. The side-plots with Darryl being made invincible by Paige’s spell and Phoebe and Jason’s struggles in their relationship are forgettable and lacklustre, but there’s something about Derek’s plot that I find very compelling and endearing. It’s one of the few stories of the many, many, many innocents on the show that always sticks in my mind. 

The Courtship of Wyatt’s Father (6x16)

There’s only one reason this episode makes it onto my list and I’m sure you can guess what it is. It’s Piper and Leo.

Generally, I’m not a huge shipper of Piper and Leo, but I still have a strong attachment to them and always rooted for them to be together. After the turmoil they go through in season 6, this episode is much needed. There’s so much left unsaid and unresolved between Piper and Leo, and the way he leaves at the end of season 5 and how he’s kidnapped by Chris and placed in Valhalla is just two of many issues they don’t address in regards to how their relationship ended. 

This episode is simply an emotional, heart-wrenching and authentic glimpse at two people who have a long, complex and deep history re-connecting in the moments which they believe could potentially be their last. Finally hearing those words, “I never stopped loving you” is so gratifying, because we all knew that but neither of them had openly voiced their feelings. Piper and Leo overcame so much to be together and they were cruelly ripped apart by Leo becoming an Elder, and everything about what happens between them in this episode is earned. 

The fact that Chris’ very existence is dependent upon Piper and Leo having sex and conceiving him on the very same day only thickens the plot. What’s so beautiful about it, is that all through season 6 you wonder how Chris is possibly going to be conceived since Piper and Leo are split and for a long time I started to think it was going to be done magically. So the fact that Chris is conceived naturally and out of nothing but pure love is so beautiful and it’s exactly what he needed. He feels inferior to Wyatt and knows that Wyatt was planned and wanted, and although he may not have been planned in the same way he was born out of Piper and Leo’s love in exactly the same way Wyatt was. If anything, the moment Chris was conceived was even more romantic and special than Wyatt since we as fans got to see that experience and the emotion between Piper and Leo in that moment. 

There’s really nothing more that I can say about this episode, other than to say that the way the episode ends with Piper finally learning that Chris is her son is a huge cliff hanger and just adds to the gratification of the episode. 

Hyde School Reunion (6x17)

There are a lot of aspects of this episode that are cringey as hell, but what I like about this episode is how consistent it is with Phoebe’s characterisation (which is particularly important to me, since I feel like the writers lost sight of Phoebe a lot in seasons 6-8). I also enjoy the fact that it slightly parallels with Coyote Piper where Piper had her high school reunion and had to confront her past and the ways in which she’d changed but also the ways that she’d stayed the same. Coyote Piper also showed the dynamic between Prue and Piper, whilst Hyde School Reunion shows the dynamic between Phoebe and Paige.

As I’ve mentioned multiple time throughout this meta series, Phoebe has always been characterised as being the sister with the darkest nature. We know that she got into trouble when she was younger and she was somewhat rebellious, but this episode allows us to literally see that younger version of Phoebe as she becomes her. The opening scene between Phoebe and Paige is cute because we see them bonding and Paige expressing that Phoebe’s a lot to live up to as a big sister. It’s these kind of sister moments that are so important to me and they’re particularly precious at this point since they don’t happen as often in season 6. It’s also nice that Phoebe invites Paige to attend her high school reunion with them since Paige has expressed in the past how she sometimes feel a little out of the loop since she never had the opportunity to know Piper and Phoebe when they were younger. By allowing Paige to be part of her high school reunion, Phoebe enables Paige to journey back to her past and see the sides of Phoebe and aspects of her life that she didn’t know about. This is also important because seeing the flip side to Phoebe enables Paige to realise that as much as she may look up to Phoebe as her older sister, Phoebe isn’t perfect either, which is always a valuable lesson to learn about our role models no matter how old we are. 

Phoebe has come up against her dark side multiple times in the previous seasons, but what’s significant about this episode is that she isn’t under the influence of magic or evil, it’s just her. The young Phoebe we see is exactly who she was when she was that age and a spell brings her to fruition, but it’s completely authentic and true to the person she was. What this episode does by connecting Phoebe to her past and her younger self, is to allow her to remember the person she was, how she’s changed and to take responsibility for the terrible things she did and prove that she’s no longer that person. It’s one of the most effective episodes at demonstrating how far Phoebe has come because she’s a million miles away from the young Phoebe we see in this episode. 

In addition to Phoebe’s arc, seeing Piper trying to work through the fact that Chris is her son, Chris revealing that Piper is dead in his future and Chris and Victor meeting is all very moving and emotional. Piper can clearly see that Chris is closed off and she wants to remedy that, and we see that already she’s having those motherly instincts towards Chris. Since the family finally know the truth about who Chris is, he’s forced to confront his demons more so than before and him admitting that Piper is dead in his future explains a lot of his behaviours and attitudes throughout the season. As for Victor, although he made amends for being an absentee father all the way back in seasons 2 and 3, knowing that he develops such a strong bond with Chris and is so involved in his and Wyatt’s life is so lovely to know. This little sub-plot with the three of them works very well and despite it being in the background rather than the forefront of the episode, it provides a lovely bit of development for all three characters and their relationships. 

When you look beyond Alyssa’s somewhat cringe portrayal of young Phoebe and the fact that the criminal plot with her old high school friends is a complete miss, this episode provides some very good characterisation and development for the sisters, Chris and Victor and builds upon some of those important familial relationships with Phoebe and Paige, Victor and Chris, Piper and Victor and Piper and Chris. 

It’s a Bad, Bad, Bad World (6x22+23)

A lot of my enjoyment of this episode lies purely in the fact that we get to see a parallel world where we get to see the sisters’, Leo and Chris’ evil counterparts and the Demon of Hope. It’s also a memorable episode in terms of Chris’ death and birth, Leo’s turn to the dark side and the general moral message that the episode contains.

I have a lot of issues with Chris’ plot throughout season 6 and how inconsistent it was and how many plot holes there were, but in this episode he’s very sympathetic and his death is heartbreaking. He sacrifices himself saving Wyatt’s life, which was his main goal from the beginning. It’s good to see that he’s finally developed bonds with the family, and that he dies with Leo by his side given the turbulent nature of their relationship in Chris’ reality. 

As for Leo, him murdering Gideon is one of the most interesting things that ever happens to his character. Leo’s goodness can only extend so far and let’s be honest in season 5 and 6 he was screwed over majorly. After working his ass off just to be able to be with the woman he loved and earning that right from the Elders, he was ripped away from his wife and newborn son by a higher calling, he was isolated by Piper he didn’t even tell him she was pregnant and he had to endure the wrath of Chris who hated him for something that he hadn’t even done (Chris’ anger was with the Leo of his reality, not our Leo). After finding out that the very people that had caused most of the issues in his family - the Elders - were also responsible for trying to kill Wyatt and murdering Chris, is it any wonder it sent him over the edge? What I love about this aspect of Leo’s arc is how embedded it is in fatherhood. In fiction there’s always so much emphasis on motherhood and mother-child bonds, and father’s are often cast into the background and those relationships and bonds aren’t explored as much. But Leo’s arc in season 6 is one of fatherhood and I admire that so much, because few male characters have the opportunity to have that kind of storyline. Leo loved his children every bit as much as Piper and was consumed with their safety and happiness to the point that it pushed him to act completely against his morals and commit murder. You often hear how parents will do anything for their children including murder, and Leo goes that far. He proves that when it comes to the love of your children there are no limits on what you’ll do. And honestly, this plot is probably one of my favourites from season 6, it’s just a shame that it wasn’t handled properly in season 7 and was very inconsistent and then kinda randomly dropped to revert him back to the exact same pure, “good” character he was in seasons 1-4. 

Obviously throughout the episode there’s a clear moral message regarding the importance of striking a balance between good and evil. It’s a message that’s been conveyed on the show before and that’s symbolised by characters like the Angel of Death and the Cleaners (despite how inconsistent they are with the mythology of the show, but that’s a separate topic). Although the sisters fight on the side of good and kill evil demons, it’s never the end goal to eradicate all evil. There’s an understanding within the Charmed universe and from the sisters themselves that good cannot exist without evil and vice versa. We’ve also seen this within the characters themselves as they struggle with the light and dark inside themselves and the valuable lessons they’ve learned along the way about the interconnectedness of the two. Having evil in the world is how one is good; because they choose to act on their better instincts and morals to promote good. The completely “good” world that the sisters find themselves trapped in is actually awful. Phoebe is shot in the street for parking her car in the way of her neighbours drive, people can be physically harmed and even killed for cursing or simply expressing pessimism. It might seem comical on the surface, but it carries a deep and important message that pure “good” doesn’t exist. If you go to the extreme on either side of the good-evil scale the consequences and results will be disastrous. 

Likewise this episode contains a similar message about life and death, which Chris really symbolises. That message is simply that there is no life without death. And although death is unfair and it’s tragic and it’s heartbreaking, for every life lost there is another life being brought into the world. 

Overall, season 6 is the first season of Charmed that I can categorically say has more aspects/episodes that I dislike than I like. Like all of these posts, it’s completely subjective, but I don’t really get this season in terms of it’s overall message or the character arcs. Although Charmed always follows a monster-of-the-week format season 6 feels more disjointed than usual and a lack of continuity. You can read more about my thoughts on season 6 and why it’s one of my least favourite seasons here. But I don’t want to end this post on a negative note, so what I will say is that season 6 definitely isn’t all bad. I admire the writers for taking on such a huge challenge with Chris’ plot, I appreciate the exploration of Phoebe’s relationship with Jason as the first “real” mature relationship she had without the interference of magic and just like season 5, this season has a much more “campish” vibe with a ton of light-hearted episodes like The Power of Three Blondes and Witchstock. But in between that there’s exploration of complex issues such as Leo’s absence from his family, Piper’s continuing dilemmas and struggles as a mother, Phoebe’s efforts to strike a balance between work, being a witch and having a social life, Paige’s dedication and perhaps over-investment in being a witch at the detriment of other aspects of her life, Leo’s darkness which is awoken by his fierce love as a father and Chris’ pent up resentment, rage, grief and sadness due to decades of complex family history. 

[tenacious-scripturient]

Inspiring Writeblrs Tag Game

cso @quilloftheclouds​ created an amazing tag game that i think is incredible. i didn’t think creating tag and ask games was a skill, but here they are, once again blowing my mind.

Rules: If you can, tag at least one writeblr in each question and give a bit of explanation on why! You don’t even need a taglist–your answers act as one!

1. Whose writing has inspired your own? Through what qualities?

i mean, i tend to pull from the writing styles of anyone and everyone in little ways—like certain words, sentence structure, etc. but there are a few people who specifically changed my writing.

@charvaughn-writes is just—wow. what more can i say? her writing is amazing and her worldbuilding is the most expansive i’ve ever seen. it’s actually made me focus on worldbuilding a lot more, as well!

@holotones just has a way with writing dialogue that’s really intriguing and amazing. it’s just so... natural, yet hilarious. there are also other writeblrs whom i’ve learned better dialogue, though i can’t remember them all.

2. What writeblr(s) do you appreciate for their engagement in the community?

my god, @quilloftheclouds is so great. absolutely lovely. creating tag games is just one of the many things they do for the community, and i can’t thank them enough! they’re also so enthusiastic when talking about other peoples’ works and characters. i have no idea how anyone can have that much energy, but quill does it all. and that’s just one of many amazing things about them.

@mvcreates is also very engaged in the writeblr community, though all of you probably already know this.

3. Who do you absolutely adore for their support of your own works?

@kmjthatsall is always reblogging all my original posts?? thank you so much, it means the world to me!!

I MENTIONED THEM IN THE LAST ONE BUT!! THEY’RE WORTH MENTIONING AGAIN!! @quilloftheclouds is so supportive of The Eternity’s Magic and is so in tune with all of the characters. how do you even remember that much? either way, i really can’t thank them enough.

4. What’s a lesser known writeblr that deserves so much more?

@cookiecuttercritter, 120%. they’re so incredible and kind, and are so talented too! their writing is so natural and hilarious, and along with that they can draw so well!! (i’m still not over wyatt, btw). i don’t know how many followers they have, but they just deserve so much more.

5. Who would you recommend for their writing resources (advice, prompts, templates, etc.)? How have they helped you?

@writer-jessicac has some awesome advice about all kinds of things, and answers a bunch of asks, too! from character development to grammar to positivity, they have just about everything you could possibly need.

6. If they were to publish, who would you immediately buy a book from? Do you have a specific WIP in mind?

@holotones‘ Hometown is something i’ve been looking forward too! the minute i saw the WIP intro i knew i wanted to read it, and i haven’t been disappointed in the slightest!

@christinawritesfiction‘s The Shark’s Eye has some great characters and an amazing plot, so i’m excited for that too!!

[douxreviews]

Charmed - Season Seven Review

"I don't think we're getting out of this one, girls."

Season Seven is one of Charmed's weirdest years. After the mess of Season Six, the series seemingly finds its way again. The first 13 episodes take the season in an interesting and thoughtful direction, after which the show starts to build towards some sort of resolution, though said resolution feels rushed and odd. Despite what is clearly a season begging to close out this seven-year story, there's sadly more aneurisms on the horizon in Season Eight. Before that we do get to experience some surprisingly decent material, with a few crappy episodes thrown in for good measure.

Following the events of Season Six, the Halliwells' lives are still in turmoil after Gideon's betrayal, and the death of future Chris. The most interesting element of this is Leo's struggle to clear his name after killing Gideon, something that gets even more complicated after Barbas' meddling in the premiere forces Leo into murdering another Elder, this one completely innocent. This destructive behavior sets Leo on a path towards the Avatars, a mysterious group initially introduced in Season Five, back when Cole was groomed to join their cause, a cause that was at that point, unclear.

There’s also the introduction of Kyle Brody to contend with, a detective who has a large distrust of the Avatars, thanks to their role in murdering his mother and father when they stumble into the wrong place at the wrong time. His relationship with Paige is interestingly drawn, with her loyalty to him being tested in an altogether different way than Phoebe's was back in Season Four. Brody has some valid reasons for siding against the Charmed Ones, reasons that Paige herself understands. He loses his life while trying to stop the Avatars’ plan to remake the world in their image from coming to fruition, but his death is a powerful moment, and gives Rose a rare chance to make Paige appear likable again. His reincarnation as a whitelighter is completely unnecessary, though.

The Avatar arc is actually one of the more inspired of Charmed's long running stories, mostly because it attempts to tackle something a little “grayer” than would be typical of the series, especially this late in the game. Though they seem to initially offer a better world for the Charmed Ones, one without demons or evil, the Avatars’ "new order" isn’t as clear cut as it seems, with free will eradicated. The girls are left with no other option but to join forces with a demon named Zankou in order to reverse the world altering spell in 'Extreme Makeover: World Edition' (the episode titles are starting to get real wild). The resolution to this whole debacle is a refreshingly tame one, with the girls reasoning the Avatars out of their position of power, and parting ways with Zankou who promises to come face to face with them further down the line. Initially I was a bit underwhelmed by what transpires with the entire arc, but looking back its actually quite poignant, interspersing moments of intriguing mystery with bitter realizations about the world these characters exist in.

The seeds sewn during the girls' reluctant team-up with Zankou are used to great effect later on the season. Some of the episodes in question are plagued by poor execution, notably in 'Death Becomes Them', when the guilt the sisters' are forced to relive when Zankou resurrects innocents they failed to save just doesn't hit home; it's a fantastic idea that doesn't push the boundaries far enough. Zankou himself is still a terrific villain, with Oded Fehr's performance way outshining the bland macho-posturing of the Z-list demons around him. His villainy comes to a head in the finale, with the girls "sacrificing" themselves to stop him from taking control of the Nexus beneath the manor. The episode itself is a tense, exciting ride that gives Zankous's master plan a lot of gravitas, and has a few fun call-backs to elements of past seasons, though it's oddball ending leaves the season in a weird place, with the girls faking their deaths and escaping the potential exposition of their explosive showdown with Zankou at the manor. The ending has some interesting repercussions in theory, and the open-endedness of it is pretty exciting, but it's not exactly where I would want the show to end up. In hindsight, it would seem almost a mercy to viewers to end it here, rather than face the shit-show that is the show's final season. Not to mention how clumsily this is all dealt with after the fact. Ugh.

Outside of the resonance of the Avatar arc and Zankou's generally fun presence, the season feels a little off. 'The Bare Witch Project' is an embarrassing approach to modern day sexism that is unintentionally sexist itself. Any excuse to get Alyssa in her underwear, right? 'Freaky Phoebe’s is another shitty hour that is the perfect example of how tired the possessed sister trope has become. And 'Imaginary Friends' is a bad re-hash of the "let’s turn Wyatt evil" plan that was done to death in Season Six, with the episode further hindered by the black-sucking hole of boredom that is Wes Ramsey's portrayal of an adult Wyatt.

The generally tired attitude is evident in the rest of the guest casting, too. Phoebe's annual love interest this season is the terribly cast Nick Lachey, whose character Leslie steps in as a ghost writer for Phoebe's column when she takes a sabbatical from dishing out useless advice. Of course, the writers use this opportunity to shove them together, even though their chemistry is non-existent. Erica Dane's charm that kept Jason Dean afloat last season just isn't there with Leslie, either; stick to the boybands and reality shows, Nick. Things do look up briefly mid-season, with Billy Zane's brief arc as ex-demon Drake, who momentarily suspends Phoebe's descent into a chasm of whining and self-importance. Zane is ridiculously charismatic, elevating otherwise drab material and injecting life into an increasingly bored looking cast. His exit after just three episodes is sad to watch, but it's more of a tribute to how great Zane was rather than how well Drake was written.

In general, the sisters’ journeys this season are a little uninspired. Paige does find some purpose with her inheritance of Magic School, a job she later passes on to Leo when she fully embraces her whitelighter duties. Phoebe thankfully parks sperm hunt '04 to embrace her role as a source of relationship advice; it’s a nice change of pace from her standard plots revolving around bland love interests but she's just as annoying as she was when she was man-hunting. Piper is still focused on helping Leo, though it’s her role as a mother of two that's one of the few elements that help her to remain somewhat relatable. That aside, there isn’t a whole lot of growth where Piper’s concerned, despite remaining the only tolerable character.

Potions and Notions

Phoebe regains her power of premonition this season. It’s the only of her three powers that she ever gets to use again on-screen, with empathy and levitation remaining too strenuous on the budget.

Death makes his second appearance here, and his first since Season Three. I love that there’s reference to the fact that it was only Prue who saw him last time. One of the rare occasions where the series keeps its continuity in check.

I loved the shots in 'Extreme Makeover: World Edition' that showed all the people going to sleep, with the characters addressing little plot holes like the planes in the sky falling without a pilot to fly them.

Julian McMahon reprises his role as Cole in the 150th episode ‘The Seven Year Witch’. It’s disappointing that he only gets to interact with Piper, who is temporarily stuck in some form of limbo, but he remains a huge talent, and it was great to see him on the series again.

In the season finale, the girls use Astral Projection when trying to trick Zankou. There’s a reference to Prue having taught them the skill at one point, though back in the day it was heavily implied it was one of Prue’s individual talents, not a learned ability.

Spells and Chants

Death: "Which means ending death effectively ends life, throws off the entire cosmic design, the whole point, and for what? A single fleeting life. This is bigger than your sister, Piper. Much bigger."

Paige: "Well, you're gonna go deaf first. Don't forget, you're the older sister." Piper: "Yeah, I love you too."

Paige: "Last column?" Phoebe: "Well yeah. How much advice can a world with no conflict need? I may be out of the job." Paige: "You okay with that?" Phoebe: "I've got better things to look forward to."

Leo: "I tried to change the world for you ... and I would do it again in a heartbeat. "

Phoebe: "Those demons do have a way of keeping you warm at night." Piper: "Yeah, but that's only because they have fireballs."

Best Episode: Witchness Protection; a remarkably affecting episode, with Charisma Carpenter's incredibly likeable Kira bringing the show together in a way that hasn't been seen since early season five.

Honorable Mentions: Charmageddon; Something Wicca This Way Goes.

Worse Episode: The Bare Witch Project

There's a general sense that those behind the camera (and in front of it) wanted this to be where Charmed's journey ended, and it's hard not to argue with that. By the time we reach the season finale the series had completely drained the well of ideas and, despite a short lived creative resurgence during the initial Avatar arc, the season was mostly a mere shadow of the series Charmed used to be, and the sisters themselves were starting to grate. Sadly, the WB Elders kept the show plugged in for one more year. The only reprieve of the show's extended life is the potential for the series to craft an ending that feels a little less rushed. In hindsight that still doesn't justify the trash we get fed in Season Eight, but 20/20 I guess...

5 out of 10 world altering spells.

Panda

[qqueenofhades]

Starlight & Strange Magic, Chapter 21: In Which Lucy Makes An Executive Decision

Rating: M Summary:  Lucy Preston, a young American woman, arrives in England in 1887 to teach history at Somerville College, Oxford. London is the capital of the steam and aether and automatonic world, and new innovations are appearing every day. When she meets a mysterious, dangerous mercenary and underworld kingpin, Garcia Flynn, her life takes a turn for the decidedly too interesting. But Lucy has plenty of secrets of her own – not least that she’s from nowhere or nowhen nearby – and she is more than up for the challenge. Available: AO3 Previous: In Which The Best Laid Plans, Etc., Etc.

Lucy doesn’t stir a single eyelash until ten o’clock the next morning, which coincidentally is when the sun is finally coming up. Admittedly, “up” is a bit of a misnomer, since it remains low enough to cast long shadows for most of the day, but she becomes aware of the weak glow on her face, peering through a break in the curtains, and grimaces, mumbles, and raises a hand, a cave-dweller suddenly disturbed by news from the overworld. She is extremely comfortable and could sleep another few hours anyway, but as memory trickles slowly into her rebooted brain, that possibility seems unlikely. Not even like this, engulfed in Flynn’s arms with her head on his shoulder, her legs thrown over his, her –

Wait. What? Not that she objects, but she can’t remember when exactly she ended up in Flynn’s arms, other than a brief and general memory of him crawling in next to her last night (and if she hadn’t insisted, she has the distinct feeling that this idiot would have tried to tough it out on the floorboards with a full-body beating and a badly broken leg). Even with that, she was expecting the same stiffness and distance of their night in St. Petersburg, when he caught himself apparently relaxing too much and hastily tried to separate them. But she has woken up instead with both his arms wrapped around her, practically spanning her twice, and her entire body fitted into the cracks and crevices and rugged places of his, like a lost hiker sheltering on a mountainside. When she moves as if to pull away, he rumbles in his sleep and unconsciously, reflexively draws her closer. He is warm and solid and very strong, somehow – incredibly – real, after everything they went through to get him, and it takes her breath away.

Since she doesn’t really want to get up anyway, and since she might as well savor this before he wakes up and wigs out again, Lucy wriggles around to look at him better. There are a few flecks of silver in his stubble and in distinguished touches at his temples, but his hair is thick and dark and just the right length to flip over his forehead. He has faint lines around his eyes, deep grooves around his mouth, and his nose is long. A few scars that look like claw marks stripe the heavy muscle of his upper arm, making her wonder how many were-beasts he’s tangled with apart from Wyatt, and he has clearly lived a hard life. There is a small red cicatrix just under his collarbone that looks like a healed bullet wound, and she hopes he won’t go around catching any more of those. She is overcome by a sudden desire to put her lips to it, to kiss it, to soothe this evidence of old hurts since her ability to help the new ones is so limited. She doesn’t even exactly know why, and she shouldn’t. He said no, before. He said no.

Lucy bites her lip, shifting still closer, finding nothing else to do with her left hand apart from settle it on Flynn’s chest, slowly rising and falling to the rhythm of his breathing. Moving it down feels like an invitation to awkwardness and disaster, so she slides it up instead, into the hollow of his breastbone. He doesn’t seem to be sleeping fitfully, so maybe he isn’t in too much pain from his leg, and when she lifts her hand and ghosts her fingers over his forehead, he isn’t running a fever. He was yesterday, so maybe he’s on the mend, though this would be a fast healing by anyone’s standards. Maybe the Raven King stepped in.

At that, Lucy frowns, trying to remember a dream that she’s fairly sure she had last night. Another one about ravens, though this one wasn’t seeing them above the train. This time, she was in a boggy grey field, the wind blowing in her face, and there was someone standing on the far side of the fog. She thought it was a man, but the shadow he cast was an endless forest, and ravens kept rising in whirling storms. He did not say a word, or come closer. Merely remained there, in some sort of stasis, as if waiting for a moment, for a sign. Waiting. Waiting.

That, however, reminds Lucy a little too uncomfortably of the forest in her room during the revenant attack, and since it stems from the same magic, perhaps that is understandable. But it also suddenly makes her wonder if the Raven King, if he is the maker and master of the revenants, might be considerably more dangerous than they are. She already noted Priscilla’s leery reaction to the idea of contacting him, and while she knows that Flynn reveres Matija Korvin, that Korvin is responsible for however they got out of the jam with the train, and whatever else, it makes Lucy feel that further reliance on him might be something to avoid. She doesn’t know what Korvin is, other than a very powerful otherworldly magical being that clearly has not let earthly death stop him from doing his thing, and might in fact have leveled up as a result. She has not taken his magic seriously before, and it got her attacked by the revenant. It is more than time that she takes more than a little caution with it now.

There is, however, still the fact that Emma and Rittenhouse are looking for Korvin’s lost library, and the idea of contacting him directly might also occur to them, rather than muddle fruitlessly around the Balkans in search of it. As far as Lucy knows, Emma hasn’t heard for sure that she herself is in Russia, but the news of Flynn’s capture was definitely sent back to London. Rittenhouse might not yet know that Flynn has escaped, given as the tockers on his train were all destroyed, but someone will have been waiting for him to arrive in Arkhangelsk, realize that he has not (as far they know), and start asking questions and mounting a search. Even if Flynn was in a state to be walking around the city, he shouldn’t do that. Someone here is looking for him. Might have gone to the station master, asked questions. Not to mention, Rufus and Jiya are now here too. If Emma could catch them in the same place, together, she could wipe out the whole team at a stroke, and end all further resistance to Rittenhouse and everything they could achieve across the multiverse. The chance would be too tempting to resist.

These troubling thoughts are starting to cut into Lucy’s enjoyment of the carefree, comfortable moment she woke up in, and she supposes that she can’t loaf around in bed, or in Flynn’s arms, much longer. Her leg is still sore, but her feet have been messed up in some way since she got here, and she’ll find some liniment or bandages to splint it up if she has to do a lot of walking. She pauses, then pets her fingers over his cheek, since she doesn’t know when they’ll wake up like this again and, selfishly, wants to keep it that way for a moment longer. This time, however, he stirs, eyes closed, hand rising out of the quilts to catch hers and curl his fingers around it. “Moja ljubav,” he murmurs, voice thick and hoarse with sleep. “Dobro jutro.”

Lucy’s heart turns over. She doesn’t know exactly what he said, but the tone makes it more than clear that it’s an endearment, and the fact that it was spoken in Croatian means that he – understandably – is not yet awake and thinks, however briefly, that he is back in bed with his wife. She doesn’t get the sense that he has been remotely near any other woman since then, and as much as she tries to tell herself that it’s understandable, that she doesn’t grudge it to him, she turns her head away, so she doesn’t have to see the disappointment in his eyes when he opens them and realizes otherwise. “Good morning,” she says. “It’s – it’s me.”

She’s still halfway in his arms, and she feels them tense. She steadfastly keeps her gaze on the window, waiting until she feels it would be safe to look back at his face. There’s a long pause. Then he says, “Yes.”

It doesn’t sound disappointed. It doesn’t sound – well, like anything. She’s not sure what sort of answer yes is anyway, unless it’s confirming that he has recollected himself and remembered who he was speaking to. He opens his arms as if to make it easier for her to slip out, and Lucy does so, not sure that she’s ever felt more mortified in her life. (That includes the drunken hookups in her acting-out freshman year at UCLA, when she woke up in some dorm room smelling of rancid socks, next to some pasty-ass kid she didn’t know, and had to scramble to remember if they’d used a condom.) She disentangles herself from Flynn and sits upright, on the edge of the bed, to make it clear she’ll put space between them and wasn’t trying to sleazily make a move on him when he was asleep. Her cheeks burn. Silence.

“So,” Flynn says, after an excruciating pause. “How… how are you?”

“Fine?” Lucy can’t tell if he’s taking refuge in inane pleasantries to smooth things over, if he’s asking if she’s physically on the mend, or – or what. “I’ll do. I really should be asking about you. How’s your leg? Is it any better?”

Flynn wiggles it experimentally, which does not cause more curses or grimaces. “Better,” he agrees. “I had a dream that – well, anyway, maybe there was some leftover magic for it. It still feels like someone stuck it with a thousand hot needles, but that’s an improvement.”

“Either way, I don’t want you running around on it,” Lucy orders, sounding like a stern hospital matron to her own ears. “It was broken literally yesterday, and besides, there have to be Rittenhouse people in Arkhangelsk looking for you, if they were sending you here in the first place. You stay in today and rest. I’ll go out and see what I can find.”

Flynn looks briefly inclined to protest, but stops with a wince as he moves his leg again; evidently it’s not completely healed, and even his absurd pain tolerance has its limits. Nonetheless, he does not agree to be confined to bed and fed gruel like an invalid, and heaves himself up, the too-short nightshirt hiking up his muscled thighs and nearly giving Lucy a look at something she would rather not see. Not that she would find it unattractive, but really, the opposite. She is trying with all her might to mind her manners and maintain the boundary he asked – the kiss was an emotional, spur-of-the-moment, enchantment thing, she can’t count on him wanting to do it again – and she does not need to be taunted like this.

After considerable effort on both of their parts, they get washed and dressed, which almost feels familiar from their room-sharing in Oxford, and head downstairs. Rufus and Jiya are awake, talking cautiously with the landlady, who has cooked an enormous breakfast since it’s the off-season for trade and they are the only guests in the boarding house. “What about your friend, in cellar?” she asks, spooning more eggs onto Rufus’s plate even as he protests that he couldn’t eat another bite. “I bring him also some food? Bacon, sausage?”

“I – yeah, I think he’d probably like some meat,” Rufus says, visibly chewing his cheek. He’s been reluctantly persuaded that Wyatt is safe to be around after he’s been removed from the Raven King’s magic and taken a large dose of medicine, but he also has the look of a man who spent the night jumping at small noises. “Whatever large carnivores eat.”

“We could ask him to come up here,” Lucy says. Wyatt probably feels enough like a dirty animal, tied up and stuffed in the cellar and shunned, brought down scraps from the kitchen table, and while she doesn’t know if it would help, it certainly can’t hurt. “He – it’s all right, you know, he’s not… it’s controllable.”

Rufus, who has had a far too eventful time since his crash-landing in Westworld, gives her the fish-eye. “Lucy, I know I’m new around here, but it feels like rule number one would be don’t get too cozy with the – ” At that moment, he notices the landlady listening avidly, remembers that they haven’t told her what’s up with their extra tenant, and waves his hand. “You know.”

“I’ll see if he wants to come up,” Lucy repeats stubbornly, ignoring the communal wince. She gets up, goes to the cellar door, and after calling down reveals that Wyatt is awake (“was he howling at the moon?” Rufus asks behind her), asks if he wants to join them for breakfast. It takes a while, as evidently Wyatt is no more eager to be around them than Rufus is to have him, but he finally appears, pale and haggard-looking. He glances around at the tense expressions of everyone at the table, then sits carefully at the end. Rufus watches him like a hawk.

“Hey,” Wyatt says, once the silence has gotten excruciating. “I’m – sorry about – you know. The other night.” He glances at Flynn in particular, since the goose egg on his head is still quite purple, as is the corresponding eye. “Did you have to hit me so hard, though?”

“Did you have to keep a secret like that?” Flynn arches a cutting eyebrow back at him. “You’re lucky I only hit you. If I’d had the right gun with me, I would have shot you.”

Lucy doesn’t really feel that this is getting everyone off on the team-spirited foot that she had hoped for, and clears her throat, trying to break apart Wyatt and Flynn’s staring contest. “We can all agree that nobody was expecting it. So – ”

“Yeah,” Rufus says. “You know, like the Spanish Inquisition. Also a noted bad thing.”

Lucy gives him a look, and Jiya giggles, even as Flynn, the only person at the table who doesn’t get the joke, stares at them like they’re crazy. Even Wyatt has to snort. Once he has been served by the landlady, and she has stepped out of the dining room with some of the dirty dishes, he says, “I just – I thought I could keep it under wraps until I found a way to get rid of it. Yeah, I didn’t tell you, I’m sorry. But do you think anyone would want to help me, or even be seen around me, if I’m like, cool story bro, I’m a werewolf? I asked someone what happened to them. They said they either went insane, got shot by hunters, or did horrible things and turned into scary stories. Funnily enough, none of those options sounded that great.”

“When did it happen?” Flynn asks, ruthlessly practical as ever. “How long has it been?”

“About ten months after I got here.” Wyatt rubs his face. “I was looking into some supposed associate of yours in Romania, I got lost in a thunderstorm, and had to bunk up in some ruined castle. Next thing I know, it’s a fuckin’ horror movie in there, and I…” He trails off. “I don’t remember most of it. I had to visit some crazy old witch and she told me what happened. That I had to get my hands on some special kind of medicine, or it was, you know. What went down the other night. That’s why I kept working for Rittenhouse. I needed the money for it.”

“You stayed in a ruined castle in Romania? At night, in a thunderstorm?” Flynn looks absolutely incredulous, as if Wyatt could not have more eagerly jumped up and down in front of the universe begging it to turn him into a werewolf if he tried. “You couldn’t pay me to do that. All of them are under Dracul’s curse. Some more than others, but everybody knows that.”

“Yeah, well,” Wyatt says, with a very sharp edge. “I’m not from here, am I? I didn’t know that.”

Flynn shakes his head, half in horror at Wyatt’s professional incompetence and half in grudging acknowledgement that he was terribly briefed for this job and it’s not his fault that he was dropped into a magical, dangerous world without so much as a memo. At that, however, Rufus looks up sharply. “Wait. So you – Flynn, you’re up to speed on the whole… thing? About where we’re from, and – all that?”

Flynn shoots an odd, oblique glance at Lucy before he says, “Yes. I’m aware that all of you are from a neighboring reality and have arrived here by different means and methods. I assume the question of how to get you home will be sorted out later.”

“There’s something called the Mothership,” Wyatt says. “It’s how I got here. Rufus said back in St. Petersburg that he knew how to drive it, if we could steal it.”

“It’s the only way we’re all getting out of here,” Rufus says. “The Lifeboat was only modified for one, and it’s back in New York anyway. The Mothership can take six. Plus, we’d leave Rittenhouse without a time machine, which kind of seems like an important strategic move.”

“But Emma could find the Lifeboat, if we left it here in Westworld,” Jiya points out. “She wouldn’t turn a hair in leaving everyone behind to use it for herself. We’d have to find it and destroy it, or remotely detonate it, or have someone go back in it separately. Maybe you or me, in case something went wrong.”

Lucy looks away. All this talk of how they’re getting home is, of course, very important, but it makes something odd and unhappy squirm like cold lead in her stomach, and she doesn’t even know why. She’s been here a while, maybe it’s natural that she’s ambivalent about leaving. She’s met Ada and the Sokolovs and other people she likes a lot, she’s had her time at Oxford, she’s even managed to enjoy herself between the kidnappings and monster attacks and other events that have consistently occupied her time since she got here. She reminds herself that she wants the Internet and jeans and modern life again, trashy television, proper medicine, not getting side-eyed by misogynists in monocles and top hats every time she dares to venture out of doors alone. (There is plenty to be said about the modern world still being misogynist, but at least not so overtly.) Her time in Westworld has been very interesting, but there’s no reason she can’t go, no reason that she’d feel some sort of inexorable gravity pulling her back, when her life, her existence, her friends, are all in her birth reality. When she can’t give that up for a man who doesn’t want to, who is still in love with his dead wife and devoted to –

Rittenhouse is in her birth reality. Her childhood, her entire life, the Cahills and the youth groups and Noah and the brainwashing. Her mother telling a ten-year-old that she was a princess, Henry Wallace’s face, I’m not your real father, Lucy – a week later, he was in the coffin, pale and stiff with formaldehyde, she wonders now if Rittenhouse killed him, had a hit put out to punish him for spilling the beans, anything that might lead her from her true destiny as –

Lucy can feel the breakfast threatening to come back up, and swallows heavily, bracing her hands on the table. Rufus and Jiya glance at her, concerned. “Lucy?” Rufus says. “Lucy, are you okay?”

“Yeah. Yeah, I’m fine.” She manages a very forced smile, still feeling a little sick. “We really need to find out what Rittenhouse is doing here. What’s the plan?”

It turns out that frankly, they don’t have much of one, but they try to thrash out a few particulars nonetheless. Of their four Russian speakers, two (the Sokolovs) are in the hospital and one (Flynn) can’t walk. As before, that leaves Karl, so if anyone is going to ask questions and pick up rumors, it has to be him. Rufus is, unfortunately, conspicuous as a black man in nineteenth-century far-north Russia, so he’s going to draw a lot of attention if he walks around town. He is also very leery about being paired up with Wyatt, though Wyatt, as a private bounty hunter and ex-soldier, is pretty good at investigative work. “Look,” he says at last, sounding frustrated. “I can’t help that I’m a damn werewolf, but if we run into the Raven King’s magic and I start transforming again, just run really fast in the opposite direction. Otherwise, I have the medicine, it shouldn’t be a problem. I want to get out of here too, so… allies for now, all right?”

Rufus continues to eye him suspiciously, as if to say it’s always idiot white people that die in a horror movie, because their black friends are smart and know not to fuck with things that will kill them. Finally, however, he says, “Okay. So what, pee on the fire hydrant as a warning if you feel it coming on?”

Wyatt gives him a death stare, and Rufus raises his hands. “I only want to make sure we’re clear here. I’ve never worked with a werewolf before, I’m just trying to establish the rules. If we determine that I don’t taste like kibble, then – ”

Wyatt growls, sounding not-unlike his lupine self, and Rufus jumps, apparently deciding to can it with the dog references for now. There’s another awkward silence, and then they clear their throat and rise to their feet at the same time, jostling the table. Lucy and Jiya get up as well, as if sensing that interference may possibly be needed on any number of fronts, and go to get wrapped up, since they’ll be the other half of the recon team. As they’re pulling on coats, fur hats, and mufflers, Jiya says quietly, “So, what exactly is it with you and Flynn?”

“What?” Lucy was under the impression that she was managing to be generally circumspect about looking at him (or not looking at him) during breakfast. “What about Flynn?”

Jiya gives her a look. They haven’t exactly had girl talk about anything in a long time, especially not boyfriends, since there hasn’t been anyone in Lucy’s life remotely fitting that description. But Jiya and Rufus know Lucy well, and Rufus might have filled her in on some of the things that he observed while recovering in the warehouse. At last Jiya says, “You were more determined than I’ve ever seen you to get him back, and I’ve seen you be determined about a lot of things. You were stuck to him like glue that entire night on the train. And now you’re looking at him, like – well – ”

“Like what?” Lucy’s voice sounds briefly high and unnatural to her ears, and she tries to modulate it. “How exactly do you think I’m looking at him?”

“Like you…” Jiya looks as if she can’t decide whether to say this out loud, when she has a feeling Lucy already knows damn well what she’s going to say and is being deliberately obtuse. “Like you’re completely gone over him, and have no idea what to do about it.”

That, Lucy is forced to grimly admit, is an unfortunately accurate précis of her present situation. Even so, she feels some instinctive need to modify it, to push back on it, to make it sound somehow less consuming and terrifying than it is. “It’s not that,” she says quickly. “Not exactly. I just – all right, I guess I have a little bit of a crush on him. It’s been a long time, and he – he understands me. But it’s not – ”

“Crush, huh?” Jiya winds a long knitted scarf around her neck, pulls her dark braid out, and ties it. “So that’s what you do for all your crushes? Come on, Lucy. Is that why you were sitting there looking like you were being boiled alive when we were talking about how to get home?”

“I wasn’t,” Lucy says weakly. “Of course I want to go home with you.”

Jiya eyes her for a moment longer, then shrugs, pulls on her mittens, and steps to the door. “Well then,” she says. “We’re not going to have much daylight, we shouldn’t waste it.”

Grateful for the abrupt change of subject, Lucy follows her out, winces as the full blast of the cold hits her in the face like a fist, and can feel it even through her multiple layers of heavy clothing. She and Jiya trundle through the several inches of fresh spindrift, glancing back to make sure they know where the boarding house is, as Wyatt and Rufus emerge on their heels and they split in opposite directions down the street. Lucy swings by the gang’s accommodation to chivvy Karl off his ass and out into the cold, which he does with a deeply resentful look at her, and then tries to guess where Rittenhouse might have been expecting to stash Flynn. Not that they can storm it with just her and Jiya, and the last thing they need is another Sibley’s-office fiasco, but they have to start somewhere.

The day remains a low, chilly shade of blue as Lucy and Jiya search through the warehouses on the waterfront and some of the outbuildings around the railway station. The port is locked in with ice, an eerie white carapace spreading out to the horizon, and all the ships are in dry-dock to avoid being crushed, making Lucy think of Shackleton and the Endurance. That, of course, was at the literally polar opposite side of the earth, but it has the same wild winter ferocity, the sense of a place only incidentally lived upon by humans, where the might of nature could rise up and flick these insects off its back at any time. The tip of her nose has gone numb, she hopes she doesn’t get frostbite, and while it’s not as cold here as the interior of Siberia, at Yakutsk or some other place where you can throw boiling water out the window and it freezes instantly, it’s more than damn cold enough, and Lucy is feeling cramped and sluggish. “This is pointless,” she says, breath gusting in white billows. “Rittenhouse has some other safe house. They’re not – ”

At that moment, they’re cut off by the crunch of footsteps from just around the corner, and Lucy throws out her arm, pushing Jiya back against the wall, as she draws her gun with the other. It’s too cold to run automatons regularly around here, since their joints and gears would freeze up, which means that the approaching entity is likely human. It could just be a confused merchant or whatever, but as the man appears, face just visible under a fur hat, Lucy recognizes one of the thugs who was with Emma in Mr. Li’s opium den, back in London. They stare at each other, it hits in the same moment, and then he goes for his gun.

He’s fast, but he has to get it out from under several layers, and Lucy, who has hers already out and ready for action, is faster. She nails him right in the kneecap, and he goes down with a crash, spraying snow. He’s still fumbling, trying to get his gun one-handed, so she strides over and kicks it away, spinning the revolver and pointing the barrel dead at his head. “I wouldn’t.”

“What the h – ” The Rittenhouse goon grabs at his bad leg, groaning with pain. “What the hell are you doing here, you crazy bitch? You’re supposed to be in England!”

“Yeah, well, doesn’t look like I am, am I?” Lucy is tempted to shoot him again for the crazy bitch part, but she is savagely enjoying having the drop on Rittenhouse for once, and she needs a lot of answers. Not that she thinks this one will provide them without acute persuasion, and she isn’t someone who will torture a suspect into talking, but there are other ways. “Sorry to mess up Emma’s evil plans. And you were here, what, to get the sacrificial altar ready? Kill a few black cockerels first?”

“I don’t know what Emma’s doing.” The goon tries to find something, to no avail, to wrap around his shattered knee. “Just go and – ”

“I think you do.” Lucy keeps the gun trained on him. “Why are you in Arkhangelsk? Is Emma supposed to join you here? What did you have planned for Flynn?”

“Go to hell, I’m not – ”

At that, again, something very weird happens. There’s a shift in the air, a faint smell like wet earth and starlight (she didn’t know that starlight had a smell, but she does), and then another man steps into sight from behind the brick wall. He is handsome, black-haired, and very pale, almost the same color as the milky sky, and is wearing a long black fur coat. His brows are thick, his strong nose reminiscent of a raven’s beak, and it might be Lucy’s imagination, but he doesn’t seem to leave footprints in the snow. Despite the cold, he isn’t wearing a hat or gloves, and comes to a stalking halt in front of the whimpering Rittenhouse agent. “You. Thomas Brent?”

Both the agent – Thomas Brent, apparently – and Lucy gape at him. He’s spoken in English, but with a strong Slavic accent, and with a conscious cadence as if thinking hard about it. Something about his voice makes you want to kneel down in front of him, and Lucy finds her legs starting to bend unconsciously, before she stops. Jiya shoots a look at her in complete bafflement, and Lucy shakes her head, mouthing, I have no idea. The mysterious black-haired, black-dressed newcomer stares down at Brent, who winces for seemingly more reasons than his smashed knee. Then the man says, “I recognize you. You were the one that the woman sent to search the dark places in Slavonia. You were searching for my books.”

Brent stares blankly at him, drop-jawed, as a sudden realization hits Lucy. This is probably a very bad idea, but she can’t help it. Shocked, she blurts out, “Matija Korvin?”

“You know of me.” He turns his head, cocking it as a bird does to look at her, as the full force of his uncanny eyes train on her. They are just as black as the rest of him, with no visible pupil or iris. “I know you as well, Lucy Preston. Perhaps you are surprised to see me here, in this mortal ken, in a form that can be perceived by your eyes. I have been less obvious until this moment.”

“You helped us the other night, on the train,” Lucy says. “With the ravens destroying the tockers, and – and making the locomotive move. Thank you.”

Matija Korvin seems amused that she thinks he wants her gratitude. The edges of his form blur slightly when she looks at him directly, as she remembers Flynn telling her that they believe the Raven King never really died, only took up a throne in Faerie instead, and now lives forever beyond the gates of the human world. Sometimes he still returns to wander his old domains, and to assist those who call upon him, but he must always go back. “I know this man,” he says, turning that stare back on Brent, who now looks thoroughly unnerved. “His mistress wants my library. She has many plans for it, apparently. Is that so, creature?”

“Y – yes?” Thomas Brent might not be great at making life choices, judging by his employment as Rittenhouse bruiser, but even he is smart enough not to lie to a terrifying fell being. “Look, man, I don’t know anything about this magic shit, I just do what Emma tells me. I knew there were some books she wanted me to find, some raven guy, but – ”

“Silence.” Matija does not raise his voice, exactly, but it’s distant and rumbling and inexorable as a thunderstorm, and Brent shudders. “Do not profane yourself by speaking of what your filthy tongue and your rodent brain cannot begin to comprehend. You greedy, vicious, short-sighted mortal, ruled by your baser impulses like the rest of them. I should kill you, Thomas Brent, since the lady is too gracious to do it. But I suspect first that she has some questions. Is that not what I interrupted you in, Lucy Preston?”

“Ah – yes, you did.” Lucy does want Brent to talk, but she is also oddly wary of getting too close to Korvin himself. The air feels still colder around him, and she has that brief sense of the forest, as if the revenant is drawing close again. Lucy isn’t sure what the protocol here is exactly. Finally she says, “So, we were on the subject of what you were doing here in Arkhangelsk.”

“I don’t – ” Brent’s gaze flickers fearfully between her and Korvin. “My leg, I can’t – ”

Korvin utters an exasperated noise and waves his hand, and Brent howls as the shattered pieces of bone snap back into place with an audible, wet pop. “There,” the Raven King says. “You humans and your much-troubled legs. I was unaware that the leg had any bearing on the ability of the mouth to speak. Now answer her, or I will break it again, and others.”

“We – ” Brent licks his lips, breathing fast and shallow. “There’s something here called the Angel’s Gate. Emma sent me to find it. It’s the place where we can establish a permanent passage back to our world, once we have enough aether, and once we worked out how to stabilize the singularity. She thought it and the rest would be in the library, that’s why she wants it. That way, we wouldn’t have to risk taking the Mothership back and forth every time, and with the railway in operation, we’d have a constant pipeline for. . .” He hesitates. “For magic.”

“Oh?” Lucy recalls what Anton told her, the legend of Arkhangelsk standing on the spot where the Devil was defeated, and her thought that there might be some kind of shield wall between the branches of the multiverse. Apparently, that is essentially it, but this is where Rittenhouse intends to permanently jam that door open, to drain away this world’s magic into ours. “So that is what you wanted Flynn for? The sacrifice to open the gate?”

“Emma doesn’t know how to open it for sure.” Brent has turned almost as pale as Korvin himself, though Lucy can’t tell why. Maybe shock, or cold, or something else. “I was supposed to help figure that out. She said that most of this old kind of magic would take a human sacrifice, and Flynn’s a pain in the ass. Once we finally got him, yeah, I was gonna see if killing him would finally do something useful for us and – ”

Lucy stares down at him. She is aware of her blood beating in her ears, rushing in her head, in a way that almost frightens her – not least because she wants to pull out her gun and finish Brent off on the spot, interrogation or no interrogation. It is briefly all she has space for inside her, the knowledge that this man would have killed Flynn as part of some attempted black-magic ritual for Rittenhouse’s ultimate power if he got the chance, and it takes her a very long moment to recover herself. At last she says, “Where is Angel’s Gate?”

Brent hesitates. Korvin clicks his fingers. Something snaps in Brent’s leg with a crunching sound, and he gags. “Ah! Dammit! Solovetsky, dammit! Solovetsky Monastery! On the island! About a hundred and fifty miles west of here, in the White Sea! I  was trying to figure out how to get there with everything frozen up, so – ”

Lucy is dimly familiar with that name from somewhere. She thinks Solovetsky might have been the prototype for the gulag system; it was a place of exile for the enemies of the tsars beforehand, as well as religious objectors to Russian orthodoxy, and many writers were imprisoned there after the Russian Revolution. The monastery has a spirited history of independence and idiosyncrasy, and in this reality, the monks must also be magicians, the guardians of untold mystical secrets, including a gateway between worlds. However, as Brent says, getting a hundred and fifty miles out into the frozen White Sea at this time of year is not a walk in Hyde Park. Lucy thinks briefly, and wildly optimistically, that this logistical difficulty might also stymie Emma, but that would be extremely foolish to assume. She’ll probably ice skate out there if she has to.

“Anything else?” Lucy asks. “Anything else at all?”

“No.” Brent gulps. “No, come on, that’s all I know. I swear, I swear. Come on, just – ”

Lucy eyes him coolly and pitilessly, unmoved by his pleading. Nobody stirs, until Korvin clicks his fingers again. Brent convulses, as fine black cracks spread up his face, like a piece of porcelain dropped on the floor. Then he smashes like glass, and a flock of ravens come soaring out of him, screeching and cawing, as his body crumbles to dust. In an instant more, there’s nothing but a heap of grey ash in the snow in front of Korvin, who bends over and regards it dispassionately. Then he straightens up and turns to Lucy. “My apologies for that mess,” he says, with grave, old-fashioned courtesy. “But it was a maggot, not a man. He should have known better than to be discourteous to you.”

“Ah – thanks?” Lucy was prepared to kill Brent herself for a moment there, but it’s still slightly disconcerting to see him literally dusted. “Your – Your Highness, this has been very informative, but maybe we should – ”

“Why do you hasten away?” Korvin has the air of an immortal to whom time is only a vague and mildly irritating concept, like the distant buzzing of a fly. “There is more that we could speak of, Lucy Preston. You are an impressive woman, and clearly most powerful. For a human,” he adds, as if she shouldn’t go getting too carried away. “Yet you grieve. You wear heartbreak like a shadow on your brow. Why is this?”

“I – ” Lucy isn’t sure if the goddamn Raven King just asked about the dismal state of her love life, but that was what it sounded like. “It’s nothing. I’m fine.”

“Is it a man who turns you the color of woe?” She has to admit that he has an unusual, poetic way with words, though that probably comes from being a very well-read, four-hundred-year-old magician. “You should wear a crown of roses, not of thorns. I could fashion you one, like so.”

With that, Matija holds out his palm, and a delicate silver tiara materializes it in, bedecked with fine, tiny pearls and a diamond as clear as cut ice. Lucy has an urge to put it on, as reflexive as the insistence to kneel earlier, which startles her. She is aware, however, that that would be a bad idea, and if she did so, it would be very difficult to take it off again. She is aware that she is being enchanted, and it is a strange, dissociating, giddy feeling. “It’s beautiful,” she says, having to work harder for words than usual, “but no, no thank you.”

“Is it the warmth of human flesh you wish?” Matija raises a hand, as if to set it alongside her cheek, but not quite, and she can feel the chill radiating off it. “Yes, I forget. I could make it so for you. My last wife died many years ago. I was quite fond of her and did what I could, but she never took to Faerie, not entirely. You, though. I think you would. You would be a dread and lovely queen, and no man would ever mistreat you there, or speak you ill, or give you anything less than what you deserved. Certainly not this one who seems so ignorant of what he has, so determined to stubbornly spurn you, as Garcia Flynn. He owes me a debt, you know. I have recently been to remind him of it. Shall I ask for you as my payment?”

“What?” Lucy has been struggling to stay awake, as her eyelids are starting to feel heavy and she can hear the distant, unaccountable sound of bells. That, however, jolts her back to consciousness. “What do you mean, your payment?”

“I have done great magic for him.” At close range, Korvin’s eyes are matte black, with no reflection or light in their depths at all. “He owes me something of equal value in return. Those are the laws. Those have always been the laws. I think it would be an arrangement not to the dissatisfaction of either of us. Shall I ask for you?”

“I. . .” Lucy’s head is still fuddled with the scent and weight of magic, like heavy incense, but at that, she manages to shake it. “I – no. No, thank you. That’s very generous, but no.”

Korvin does not answer for a long moment, looking her up and down. She has the sense he is not used to being refused, which indeed probably doesn’t happen when you’re a demi-god prayed to for centuries by your people, their patron saint and their legendary hero. Nor does he seem very pleased by it. “Neither of you can break the laws,” he says. “You would be most unwise to try. You would be a most powerful Raven Queen, Lucy Preston. It is a great destiny I offer you, a choice given to few. I will ask again soon. Perhaps you will have reconsidered. I urge you so.”

With that, with no further ado or pyrotechnics or movement whatsoever, he isn’t there anymore. Lucy feels as if she’s had a bucket of cold water dumped on her head (in this already-too-damn-cold place), staggers, and blinks very hard. She glances around, sees that she is still standing in the rundown warehouse, and she takes a few anxious steps. “Jiya? Jiya!”

In a few more moments, she finds Jiya, who seems strangely unclear on what has just happened or where exactly Lucy was. She can vaguely recall that there was someone else there, and that she saw him, but can’t put it exactly to words. “Was it – did we just meet some sort of major Westworld cryptid? Is that what happened?”

“Honestly, I think that’s probably the best way to put it.” Lucy rubs at her eyes again, trying to chase off the remaining haze. “Did you hear the part about Angel’s Gate?”

“I. . . think so?” Jiya frowns. “It was. . . somewhere?”

“Solovetsky,” Lucy says. “Solovetsky Island. That’s where Rittenhouse wants to go, that’s where they want to set up their permanent wormhole and magic supply route to our world. Emma doesn’t know how to open it – yet – but she’s probably not far off. That’s what Flynn was for, a test human sacrifice. We need to figure out how to get there.”

Jiya frowns at her. “Where did you learn all that?”

“From the Rittenhouse agent,” Lucy says, which is true enough. “You were there, do you not remember any of it at all?”

“It’s just really fuzzy,” Jiya says. “Who was that man in black? Was there a man in black?”

“That was the Raven King.” Lucy debates how much to explain. It occurs to her too late that she didn’t ask him about the revenant, about how to free Amy, while they were face-to-face, and yet she can’t help but feel that that information would definitely not have come for free. “He’s a famous magician, kind of a big deal around here. I found out a little about him, but Flynn told me more. You don’t think I still have any of his magic on me, do you? The last thing we need is to go back and set Wyatt off again.”

“I guess not?” Jiya says, in a tone of voice indicating that this is way past anything that even she understands. Almost any kind of science or math, she can get, but magic was never on the curriculum at Caltech. “Lucy, you’re feeling okay, right?”

“I’m fine.” Lucy is surprised by the question, since Jiya is the one who doesn’t seem to remember anything that just happened right in front of her. “Look, at least we have something to report, and it’s still freezing. Let’s go back.”

They trudge through the frozen snow to the main promenade, as Lucy looks out at the ice sheet of the White Sea and tries to think how they are ever going to get to Solovetsky Island. She has definitely been put off the idea of calling on the Raven King again, since what he said about the debt Flynn owes has considerably rattled her. That is definitely not something that Korvin is going to just graciously put aside and forget about, and it sounds very much as if he knows exactly what he wants to settle it. Lucy said no once, but is she going to be able to do it again? Fucking off out of reality to go be an awesome fairy queen and live forever in a magical land is not a terrible fate (you know, if the alternative was coming home to Trump, maybe she should seriously consider it). And yet, Lucy knows it’s not what she, at her deepest and most fundamental level, really wants. It’s not something she appears likely to get. But it still is.

The sun has edged very low on the horizon, even though it’s only midafternoon, by the time Lucy and Jiya, huffing and puffing with cold and exertion, plod back up the steps of the boarding house and knock to be let in. The landlady opens the door, and the air inside is almost scalding in comparison, so Lucy strips off her wraps too quickly and then feels her body complaining vehemently that it doesn’t know what temperature to be. She is somehow both shivering and sweating at the same time as she walks into the kitchen, which is a very stupid state of affairs, and stops short at the sight of Flynn sitting at the table, bent over a stack of books. “Shouldn’t you still be in bed?”

“I told you that I wasn’t staying stuck in there like some weakling.” He answers without looking up, turning the page and frowning at whatever he sees on the other side. “I haven’t been walking, like a good boy. What did you find out?”

“Several things,” Lucy says. “Apparently you were supposed to be sacrificed to see if it would open something called Angel’s Gate. Rittenhouse wants to use it to move aether into my world. It’s on Solovetsky Island, and I have no idea how to get there. And. . .” She hesitates. “And I met the Raven King.”

“What?” It’s only at that last one that Flynn looks up, with a rather wild expression. He pushes back his chair and jumps up, bad leg or not, as if to run toward her. “You – are you – you’re not, he didn’t – ?”

“I’m fine.” Lucy debates whether to mention the rest of it, as she herself is increasingly unsure if it happened, and it is starting to turn jumbled and unclear in her head. “He appeared while we were. . . talking to the Rittenhouse agent I caught. He helped get him to talk. That was how I found out about Angel’s Gate. He said something about a debt you owed him.”

Flynn has an expression of total and badly managed panic on his face at that. He raises a hand as if to run it through his hair, stops, starts to say something, and likewise can’t get it out. “You didn’t. . .” He seems to be forgetting all the words he knows, in any number of languages. “Did he ask if you. . .”

Lucy wants to say that he did, but she can’t remember, and she’s a little thrown by his apparent horror, since this doesn’t seem to be where she recalls leaving things off with them. “I decided against it,” she says. “Whatever he was asking.”

This appears to do nothing for Flynn’s ambient terror level. He mutters a curse under his breath and turns away, almost losing his balance on his bad leg, and has to grab for the table to steady himself. Back to her, he says, as if needing to put it into words to see how unbelievable it sounds, “You rejected the Raven King.”

“Would you rather that I didn’t?” Lucy takes an angry step. If he’s going to tell her that he wished she did vanish into Faerie forever and never saw him again, she’s going to – she doesn’t know, but there will be a lot of slapping involved, which he is possibly fortunate to have evaded. It hasn’t felt sporting to hit him when he’s been in such decrepit shape, but still. “Did you want me to say yes? Or just – go?”

Her voice chokes on the last word, she can’t quite get it out, and she thinks just then that if he says yes, if he does say anything remotely in that vein, it will in fact break her heart, and she doesn’t know what to do with that. It’s not a crush, it’s not a passing fancy, it’s not something casual and commonplace and easily replaceable. As she stands there, staring daggers at Flynn and strongly tempted to kill him – which you’d think would not be the correct moment for this realization, and yet, that is Garcia Flynn for you – Lucy feels it settle into her like the snow itself, as cold and frightening and unshakable, elemental, unbearable. Oh shit, she thinks. Oh, shit.

At last, slowly, Flynn turns around and meets her eyes. “I don’t,” he says, as if still struggling to remember how to words. “I don’t – I don’t want you to go. Lucy, how – Lucy, I don’t, I can’t – that’s not why I’m here.”

“Oh?” Lucy takes another step. They’re almost nose to nose despite the height difference. “Then why are you here?”

Flynn opens his mouth. The look on his face is hard to categorize, aside from a blend of shock, confusion, alarm, and consternation, none of which feel like a prelude to an impassioned love declaration. He raises his hand to cup her cheek, as if it’s too hard to say it aloud and he is going to struggle with all his might to demonstrate it instead. That’s not a kiss, right? It can’t be a kiss. But the look in his eyes is heartbroken and tender and more devoted than Lucy thought was possible for one human man, and she rises on her toes, opening her mouth, closing her eyes, ready, so beyond ready to give herself to him, if he will have her, and –

Just then, the kitchen door bangs, a snowy Wyatt and Rufus barge in, and Lucy and Flynn spring apart as if they’ve been electrocuted. It’s good to see that Wyatt is in fact un-wolfed, but Lucy practically wants to throttle him herself for the interruption – even as she is, ridiculously, almost relieved. If it was then, if it was real, if it was what she thought it was just then. . . she doesn’t know if her heart could bear it. She knows it, she knows it, and it’s possibly the first time in her life that she’s been absolutely sure, and she is terrified. She’s in love with Flynn. She’s in love with him. She feels sick at the idea of leaving this reality because it means leaving him and never seeing him again. That every step they get closer to beating Rittenhouse, if they can even flatter themselves that they will, means one step closer to permanent goodbye.

“Well,” Rufus says. “I’m really not sure how much use that was, because we didn’t learn anything. Aside from the fact that it’s freezing, which was obvious. Lucy?”

“Yeah?” She struggles to recollect herself. “What, Rufus?”

“Did you find anywhere about where we’re supposed to go, or do, or – or what?”

“Yes.” Lucy doesn’t know for sure what’s waiting out there in the dark, in the frozen sea, in the night and the wild, and yet. All the woods belong to him. She might not know what, but she does know who, and it gives her a chill beyond all sense or speech. “Solovetsky Island.”

[montpelierhqs]

halloween event full transcript

set in a beautiful, gothic turret adjoined to montpelier academy, the halloween masquarade ball was supposed to be magical. whimsical. for many, the best night of their lives. however, a bowl of spiked punch, a secret or two, and a vengeful ex-student had a little so say about that...

Salem | Rhiannon/HarleyLast Friday at 12:04

Rhiannon felt slightly uncomfortable. All of this was so nice and fancy, she had never been somewhere or even in a place like this. She adjusted the deep green of her lace mask and looked at the poofy gown she rented. It reminded her of poison ivy  the beautiful flowers embroidered in it made her smile.

paige || catalina&kennedyLast Friday at 12:06

Andrea was still high as fuck, but she was feeling good. She smiles when she spotted Rhiannon, heading over. “You look fucking great” @Salem | Rhiannon/Harley

Salem | Rhiannon/HarleyLast Friday at 12:07

Rhiannon looked at Andrea and looked down at herself  "Thank you, you look good too!" Rhiannon felt happier here than anywhere else, even if she weren't as cool as everyone else or as fancy. @paige || catalina&kennedy

Maddie ~ Mason/Cleo/NoahLast Friday at 12:07

Mason had just finished his drink and he has had so many at this point he lost count. He walked to the dance floor and started to do the chicken dance.

cam // ashLast Friday at 12:13

The music was blaring loudly enough that Ash could definitely tell that it wasn't playing the chicken dance song. They opened their mouth to point this out before the realization struck that the chicken dance required less up and down than what everyone else was doing. So they joined their roommate in doing the chicken dance in an offbeat manner. @Maddie ~ Mason/Cleo/Noah

Maddie ~ Mason/Cleo/NoahLast Friday at 12:14

@cam // ash mason smiled at his roommate and kept dancing. “Ash yes! Someone else understands that awesomeness of the chicken dance.”

lilac ( blue & nathaniel ! )Last Friday at 12:21

[montpelierhqs main] @everyone welcome to the halloween event ! we're very excited to have you. this is a reminder to everyone to post your costumes to your character blogs, taggged 'montpeliertask002', as tomorrow an additional task only involving those that completed their costumes will be included. this task will include an in-character reward for the winner, so if you would like to take part, ensure that you have created your costume and have posted it before 8pm est tomorrow. best of luck, and enjoy the dance ! ( but beware the punch... )

paige || catalina&kennedy

pinned a message to this channel.

See all the pins.

Last Friday at 12:22

Ncmi ( Zakiyah / Kenya )Last Friday at 12:23

Kenya already feeling a little drunk saw Mason dancing and had to join. "A dancer here we stan!" @Maddie ~ Mason/Cleo/Noah

Maddie ~ Mason/Cleo/NoahLast Friday at 12:27

Mason laughed and shook his head at Kenya. “Come join!” @Ncmi ( Zakiyah / Kenya )

Pau (Claire & Nic)Last Friday at 12:27

Nic had only a few days to prepare for this masquerade event since arriving at school, and because he didn't really know what else to do, he just grabbed a Peter Pan hat and dressed in boring colors to play the part, looking more like some staff than a student as he stood drinking punch and watching—more like judging—those dancing, amused. "They're actually dancing the chicken dance?" He asked whoever stood beside him.

2

Maddie ~ Mason/Cleo/NoahLast Friday at 12:28

Noah shook his head and laughed. “I’m baffled that such kids know the chicken dance. Thought they only knew the highest class of dances.” He joked, laughing at the sight of the students dancing. @Pau (Claire & Nic)

Ncmi ( Zakiyah / Kenya )Last Friday at 12:32

She smile back at him, Kenya doesn't usually dance but she was drunk so what new. "I'm coming, this dress is ready to go." @Maddie ~ Mason/Cleo/Noah

Maddie ~ Mason/Cleo/NoahLast Friday at 12:32

Cleo was out in her element, drunk and on the dance floor. To say her dance moves weren’t pg-13 would be an understatement but then again, her sense of boundaries no longer existed and she was feeling the music. She didn’t know who was next to her but she didn’t care and she just kept on dancing.@Ncmi ( Zakiyah / Kenya ) Mason smiled and laughed, welcoming the girl into the dance party. “Yes! Let’s go!”

Pau (Claire & Nic)Last Friday at 12:34

Nic just stared at the people engaging in the dance and shrugged, not really one to speak out his mind right away but finding everything too amusing, a light curve shaping his lips at the other's remarks. "It would be better if one of them had come as a chicken." @Maddie ~ Mason/Cleo/Noah

Maddie ~ Mason/Cleo/NoahLast Friday at 12:35

Noah laughed and laughed hard at the boys comment. “That would the icing on top of the cake. That would make this night ten times better.” @Pau (Claire & Nic)

cam // ashLast Friday at 12:35

Ash threw their head back in laughter, drowned  out by the music even as they did so. "It is a beautiful dance but it certainly doesn't beat the macarena!" To emphasize their point the started dancing to the macarena, complete with the dramatic hip shaking at the end of the sequence. @Maddie ~ Mason/Cleo/Noah

Maddie ~ Mason/Cleo/NoahLast Friday at 12:36

Mason laughed and shook his head. “Yes! I love the Macarena, but the chicken dance is way better.” @cam // ash

Ncmi ( Zakiyah / Kenya )Last Friday at 12:39

After moving her body side to side, Kenya was laughing every time she try to do something extra with her dress. "Yo, bad guy! Own the dance floor." @Maddie ~ Mason/Cleo/Noah

Maddie ~ Mason/Cleo/NoahLast Friday at 12:41

Mason couldn’t remember the last time he let himself be this free and relaxed. The alcohol was a very nice helper to him tonight. “Killing it with the moves.” @Ncmi ( Zakiyah / Kenya )

Ncmi ( Zakiyah / Kenya )Last Friday at 12:43

"I'm telling you now, the punch really kicking in." She said grabing his arm spinning herself.  Today really bring out a loose side of her really. "How much did you drink?" @Maddie ~ Mason/Cleo/Noah(edited)

Maddie ~ Mason/Cleo/NoahLast Friday at 12:44

“Me too.” He said and laughed. “I have no idea. I lost count.” @Ncmi ( Zakiyah / Kenya )

cam // ashLast Friday at 12:44

"No way! The Macarena is the best dance aside from the cha cha slide." They exclaimed, hands still doing the dance even as they argued. "Although the chicken dance does have the wings. A fusion would be perfect." @Maddie ~ Mason/Cleo/Noah

lattie || Harper and CamLast Friday at 12:44

After their conversation with Ash, Harper had found their way back to the punch wanting to get so drunk that they didnt remember anything from this night besides the fact that tomorrow the two of them would be discussing the rules to their fake relationship. @everyone(edited)

Ncmi ( Zakiyah / Kenya )Last Friday at 12:46

"Harper, you do know that you gotta so many drink here right?" She said giving a cup of punch while she was giving some out @lattie || Harper and Cam

Maddie ~ Mason/Cleo/NoahLast Friday at 12:46

“You are delusional my friend!” Mason exclaimed and continued to dance. He stopped when Ash suggested a combination of the two dances. “That’s ingenious! We gotta do it!” @cam // ash

Ncmi ( Zakiyah / Kenya )Last Friday at 12:47

"Same, Cam really did put alot." She said  trying to copy his moves. "I seen you came here with Claire." @Maddie ~ Mason/Cleo/Noah

lattie || Harper and CamLast Friday at 12:48

"I need all the fucking punch I can get." Harper replied, their words slurred as they took the cup. "Stupid fucking Ash with their curly dumb hair and rather attractive face." @Ncmi ( Zakiyah / Kenya )

Maddie ~ Mason/Cleo/NoahLast Friday at 12:48

“He did but it’s awesome!” He said and laughed. “I did. Isn’t she the best? She’s a great person.” @Ncmi ( Zakiyah / Kenya )

Ncmi ( Zakiyah / Kenya )Last Friday at 12:51

"Well then, here some more." she smile hearing what Harper said. She didn't know Harper like Ash or that they were dating. "Ash is a keeper. EVERYONE HARPER IS CUFF NOW, ALL YALL DIRTY BOYS AND GIRLS BACK OFF!" @lattie || Harper and Cam

bee // wyatt & emma-janeLast Friday at 12:51

As concerned as Emma-Jane had initially been with wanting to win the costume contest, her competitive nature getting the better of her at times, she’d all but forgotten about it by the time the dance actually started. A majority of the school had turned up for the event with all sorts of outfits, varying in style and complexity. The upside at the very least was that she had a good time with Holden picking out their Mr. Incredible and Elastigirl  duo. It has taken a fair amount of encouragement and a little bit of pleading, but Emma had persuade him on to the dance floor. Something she instantly regretted upon witnessing what Holden considered dancing. “You’re worse than I thought you’d be!” Emma laughed, practically having to shout to be heard over the noise. “What is that?” She mimicked him, putting her fist in the air and jumping up and down. (@maaria ✨  libby / holden )

1

Ncmi ( Zakiyah / Kenya )Last Friday at 12:52

"She is and she hot too. Good catch my friend." She took her phone out trying ti record Mason. "Mason dance for the camera." @Maddie ~ Mason/Cleo/Noah

cam // ashLast Friday at 12:52

"It is, isn't it? So do we do both of them just like switching or like one move then another," they pondered, still yelling to be heard over the music. Demoing a little version of the sequence dance, they looked over to punch table and shrugged. @Maddie ~ Mason/Cleo/Noah

lattie || Harper and CamLast Friday at 12:53

Smiling, they downed the glass before taking the second from her. "What? No... Im the catch in the relationship." They replied before shaking their head. "Fuck... relationship. Thats so weird to say." @Ncmi ( Zakiyah / Kenya )

Maddie ~ Mason/Cleo/NoahLast Friday at 12:54

“Good catch? What do you mean?” He asked her, slightly confused. He smiled and danced for the camera like she said. @Ncmi ( Zakiyah / Kenya )“I don’t know. We can just combine them? I’m too drunk for this kind of thinking.” He said and laughed. @cam // ash

Ncmi ( Zakiyah / Kenya )Last Friday at 13:00

"Exactly that's why I'm single right now." She laugh making a cup for herself. "Cheer to fuck relationships." @lattie || Harper and Cam

lattie || Harper and CamLast Friday at 13:01

"What? Its not a fuck relationship. We are like proper dating." Harper mumbled looking out in the crowd to try to spot Ash. @Ncmi ( Zakiyah / Kenya )

Ncmi ( Zakiyah / Kenya )Last Friday at 13:02

"You got a good girl. You're seriously didn't know that?" She gave him a confuse face before hyping him up.  @Maddie ~ Mason/Cleo/Noah

Maddie ~ Mason/Cleo/NoahLast Friday at 13:03

“I don’t got a good girl. We’re... we’re just friends.” He said and chuckled. “Did you think we were together?” Because boy, did he wish they were. @Ncmi ( Zakiyah / Kenya )(edited)

Ncmi ( Zakiyah / Kenya )Last Friday at 13:04

"Ahhh Shhh," She said putting her finger to keep quiet. She wasn't uses to getting drunk often really. "I'm drunk so my words tend to get a little crazy." @Ncmi ( Zakiyah / Kenya )Zakiyah was sitting at the table eating her cake while trying to keep herself awake. She look to the side seeing someone sitting next to her. She gave an awkward smile before going back to her cake.

Dex || SawyerLast Friday at 13:11

"So," Sawyer started, sliding next to Zakiyah, dressed as Dr Facilier with a cup of punch in his hand "Since you're the first person I saw, I have a few questions for you. One, I'd like you could rank your top five Halloween costumes at this party and two, what flavor is this punch?" He asked, tapping his finger on the brim of his cup @Ncmi ( Zakiyah / Kenya )

maaria ✨ libby / holdenLast Friday at 13:13

Holden was an absolutely atrocious dancer. It was a shame, seeing as his mother had spent the majority of her life as a trained ballerina. She'd always joked that Holden had inherited his fathers two left feet, and her own charming looks. He was fairly sure that she was completely correct in this assumption and it was validated any instance he found himself on a dancefloor. Without even realizing, he dancing ridiculously as Emma-Jean, his kind of sort of date and friend, was gawking at him. Too proud to blush, he just grinned stupidly down at her and shrugged, carrying on with his hopelessly fist-pump action. "Oh, don't be such a critique! I don't see you dancing, Ems," he pointed out, reaching out for her hand to twirl her. "What're your moves, huh? The sprinkler? The macarena?" ( @bee // wyatt & emma-jane )

Ncmi ( Zakiyah / Kenya )Last Friday at 13:16

She chuckled seeing that the punch is having an effect. "The punch is strawberry but my brother spike it so you'll get drunk." She look at his costume and around to see which was the best. "My favs are, Cassidy & Andrea outfit from clueless. You of course because Dr.Facilir gave me the creeps in the movie. I saw someone dress up as Jessica Rabbit and Blue a power ranger so that all I can think of right now." @Dex || Sawyer

Maddie ~ Mason/Cleo/NoahLast Friday at 13:17

Mason shook his head and laughed. “Trust me, if we were together, I’d probably be telling the world.” He said and laughed. @Ncmi ( Zakiyah / Kenya )

Salem | Rhiannon/HarleyLast Friday at 13:21

Rhiannon held the cup her hand, weaving through the people at the ball. She was having fun for once and it was kind of a release to be out and away from the dorms. "That is a very nice top hat " she was trying to place the character. She knew it was Sawyer from the yearbook, but was unsure what he was dressed as. "Who are you dressed up as? A magician?" @Dex || Sawyer

bee // wyatt & emma-janeLast Friday at 13:38

The extent of Emma’s hand-eye coordination was being able to raise her hand the fastest in class. When it came to actual physical activity, saying she was clumsy was being generous. She had a habit of not only tripping over flat surfaces, but bumping into things or people as if they hadn’t been directly in her line of sight. Leave it to Holden to call her bluff about not actually being able to dance. “That is so rude!” She gave a very unconvincing scoff, sticking her arms out in front of her and rotating them in a circular motion. In a very poor attempt at doing the twist, she added her hips into the motion. “You don’t know anything about this.” Bright and full of mirth, Emma-Jane went into a rendition of the Charlie Brown dance that was even more poorly executed than her first one. “I’ve got rhythm for days.” ( @maaria ✨  libby / holden )

Dex || SawyerLast Friday at 13:44

Sawyer's eyebrow quirked up as he glanced into his cup. So that was why it tasted weird. He should be surprised but he knew this school too well, "Well, I should be glad this is my first cup then. I'd rather not puke all over my  nice new shoes. And, I'll keep your choices in mind. It's for science reasons, of course and I'm glad you like the outfit. Maroon, wide-shoulder suits aren't the easiest to come across."  He turned to look at the new comer, taking a hesitant sip of his cup now that he knew what was in it, "I'm Dr. Facilier. You know the guy who goes," Sawyer jumped into an exaggerated Dr. Facilier voice, "the cards, the cards will tell! That guy. So while you're wrong, I do you give points for being close. Have you never the movie the princess and the frog?" @Salem | Rhiannon/Harley  @Ncmi ( Zakiyah / Kenya )(edited)

maaria ✨ libby / holdenLast Friday at 13:58

Holden was well aware of Emma's clumsiness, in fact, he had witnessed it with his own eyes many times. It wasn't like this behavior of hers was a secret, it simply was who she was. Holden found her stumbling and staggering endearing, the traits provided balance for her clean, and pristine personality. It gently reminded him that despite her collection of fun facts and tidy clothes, she was still a human being. As he watched her attempt to dance, he couldn't help but laugh. Not to tease her, but simply because he could not hold it back, the mere sight of it just being too much. The dance was completely uncoordinated and messy, however, it was apparent she was trying her very best. It was adorable, really. "Rhythm for days, huh? You do know you're supposed to like, match your movements to the song, right?" he quipped, wrinkling his nose at her and getting closer to her height to better read her expression. "You're like that one vine. The freestyle dance instructor one." ( @bee // wyatt & emma-jane  )

27 October 2018

lilac ( blue & nathaniel ! )Last Saturday at 08:59

Blue could be considered a king of bad decisions. He'd made enough of them  so he should know better, but here he was in a power rangers outfit, his lipped affixed to a flask he'd hidden in his 'utility belt', everyone keeping a healthy distance from the lad. Where Blue was independent, no one was there to stop him from doing the things that usually your subconscious tells you not to do. But in that moment - Blue was simply too inebriated to care. He wandered over to the stage where a local band was playing music, before scrambling onto the stage like a spider fighting a hairdryer. Some students looked up at Blue, others were lost in their merriment. Blue looked to the band and whispered into one of their ears, before floating towards the microphone. The band began playing a track behind him. "Now.... I'll tell ya what I want what I really really want..."

lily / char&theo&vivLast Saturday at 10:10

charlotte made her way to the dance floor, twisting a strand of her brown wig around her finger. she’d had a few cups of punch and lost her friends somewhere during the night. “spice girls! my jam,” she laughed, busting out her most ridiculous moves.vivienne stood on the edge of the dance floor, nervously playing with the hem of her dress. “you know, two days before the biggest party of the year is probably the worst time to start a new school,” she said to no one in particular.

Maddie ~ Mason/Cleo/NoahLast Saturday at 10:14

Noah was a few cups of punch deep and was having a time. He was on the dance floor and was kind of dancing if you could call it that. “This song is always a classic!”

lilac ( blue & nathaniel ! )Last Saturday at 10:21

Blue watched a sea of people form as he drunkenly began his best spice girls rendition. No one had seemingly stopped him, not even the band, so he continued to sing. And even to Blue's surprise, he was actually quite... good at it. Not great by any space of the word, but good enough to warrant a room-wide evacuation. He let the song continue, surprisingly still standing upright. Blue looked into the crowd, looking further out to try and make out any faces. "Come on, sing along with me!" He beckoned to someone, he hoped. Nathaniel was reluctantly amidst the festivities. He had forced the ball for one reason only - should any pictures be taken for the yearbook, he was in them. It looked good at prospective colleges to be part of school life. So, sullen with hit plights, Nate had resorted to reading on his phone. He could feel Vivienne in his peripheral vision, and in that moment he regretted his decision to come at all. Nate ran a hand through his hair, not meeting her gaze. "Well, it's not much of a party really. But then again... I'm not a huge party person, so...." he awkwardly trailed off. @lily / char&theo&viv

Maddie ~ Mason/Cleo/NoahLast Saturday at 10:27

Cleo was having a great time at the dance but was feeling like she needed to do something wild. “We need to do something crazy! Something wild!” She said to whoever was next to her.

28 October 2018

Ncmi ( Zakiyah / Kenya )Last Sunday at 07:02

Zakiyah was sick of it already, someone threw up on her. After punching someomne in the face she had to change. Thank god for drama teacher having any costumes legt from previous plays She was able to change. "My night is shit, I'll be honest though. I look good in blue."

lilac ( blue & nathaniel ! )Last Sunday at 07:31

Blue’s solo had finished, and he found himself swaying as he left the stage. Some people clapped, some people laughed, but most people ignored him. Still heavily inebriated, he scampered to the drink table to grab something when his eyes fell on the person beside him. “You look good in me? Wait, you mean the colour...” It was very clear Blue was drunk. “Weren’t you a cheerleader before ? What happened ?” @Ncmi ( Zakiyah / Kenya )

Ncmi ( Zakiyah / Kenya )Last Sunday at 07:37

"Well the punch amd food doesn't match for some people so they threw up. I gotta find out what my brother put in the punch." She sigh as she was wearing a prirate costume on. Seeing everyone one having a good time she was upset, she still kept a good mood throughout the whooe dance. "I was a hot cheerleader, now i look like a girl verson of captain hook." @lilac ( blue & nathaniel ! )

lilac ( blue & nathaniel ! )Last Sunday at 07:44

“Bloody lightweights ruining it for everyone.” Blue probably wasn’t far off that stage in all honesty, but he was too numb to care. “Also let your bro know he’s a hero!” Blue thought to himself that Zakiyah was still able to smile. Said a lot about her. “I think the costume’s great,” Blue giggled. “But the colour is better.” @Ncmi ( Zakiyah / Kenya )

Ncmi ( Zakiyah / Kenya )Last Sunday at 07:50

She smile at his remarks on the color since it is his name. "You like it because it your color. " She yelled eyeing him on the stage. "My brother is an ass but he knows how to make a party more fun. I want to fight someone, you'll down?" @lilac ( blue & nathaniel ! )

lily / char&theo&vivLast Sunday at 07:56

viv turned in surprise hearing nate’s voice. “me either,” she agreed with him quietly. “i mean, i’d honestly just rather be curled up with tea and books,” she spoke slightly embarrassed. “but i have to meet everyone, you know?” @lilac ( blue & nathaniel ! )

lilac ( blue & nathaniel ! )Last Sunday at 08:21

“Maybe I like it because it’s a good colour. Maybe the fact my name is the same is only a coincidence.” This conversation was like rocket science to Blue - with his intoxicated state, he was finding it difficult to pay attention. “F-fight ? Why would you wanna fight somebody ? That’s not very nice...” he drunkenly drawled. @Ncmi ( Zakiyah / Kenya ) The fact that Viv was here was still so lost on Nate. It was like the child inside him had been beckoned, and years worth of nostalgia struggled between them. Nate, for once, had no idea how to proceed. “Thank you, finally, someone who gets it.” Nate couldn’t help but look at his feet, the awkwardness tenuously pulling the pair together. “I mean... I’d offer to introduce you to people. I only really know people on debate or decathalon though...” Nate had no idea how to tell Vivienne, the girl he had admired for so long as a kid, he grew up to be surly and mostly disliked by his peers. The sinking feeling in his stomach wouldn’t go away, and he wondered if maybe tonight was the night that he had a drink. “Can I get you something from the beverage table? You must be, uh, parched.” @lily / char&theo&viv

paige || catalina&kennedyLast Sunday at 09:11

after her little adventure with Nate, Kennedy had decided to head back to the dance and socialize a bit. It was fun, sure, but when she spotted Nate again later, she decided to go over to him. “There you are,” she smiles, stepping up and taking a sip of her drink. “I lost you when we got back” She paused. “Who’s your friend?” @lilac ( blue & nathaniel ! ) @lily / char&theo&viv

Ncmi ( Zakiyah / Kenya )Last Sunday at 09:15

"Well I'm nice when I need to be sweetheart." She took a sip what was in they cup and hand it back. "I want to get rid of some anger plus I want to use the braids as weapon." @lilac ( blue & nathaniel ! )

Maddie ~ Mason/Cleo/NoahLast Sunday at 09:38

Noah was getting a bit bored with the dance and was seated at a table. “I don’t think the punch could make this dance not boring.” He said and sighed.

lily / char&theo&vivLast Sunday at 09:41

“don’t you remember when we used to do that? drink hot cocoa and read the harry potter books?” viv teased nate. “i guess nothing’s changed for us,” she added, knowing nearly everything had. “i’m okay, thanks. not sure i want to end up doing... whatever that is,” she shrugged, gesturing to the boy drunkenly singing spice girls with a sly smile. “i’m vivienne,” she smiled warmly at the girl who had approached them. “i’m nate’s-“ she paused, not exactly knowing how to describe what they were anymore. “uh, nate and i knew each other when we were younger. we were like, best friends.” she explained. “are you one of nate’s friends?” @lilac ( blue & nathaniel ! ) @paige || catalina&kennedy

lilac ( blue & nathaniel ! )Last Sunday at 09:46

Blue had gone from drinking his alcohol to chewing the cup. He wasn't sure why, it was all his mind was capable of at this point. "B-but... punching people isn't very nice." He looked at the girl seriously, and felt bad that someone had thrown up on her. But he was also somewhat terrified of her imposing physical dominance, and Blue was a football player. "Why can't... you just hug people. It feels great." Blue looked to his left and saw someone kitted out in a costume he didn't quite understand, and Blue beckoned him over ( not wanting anyone to be on their own ). "Aw, dances are fun ! Don't be harsh," he looked at Noah seriously, as he started to refill his cup. "You know, I know how to fix BOTH your problems.... the dance floor." @Ncmi ( Zakiyah / Kenya )  @Maddie ~ Mason/Cleo/Noah Nate wanted a piano to fall out of the sky and squash him. He watched as Kennedy and Vivienne looked at each other. Sure, it was civil, but a strange feeling swirled around in his chest as he saw them interacting. He didn't understand why he cared, or why he felt so damn awkward. But he couldn't help it. "Kennedy Pritzker, daughter of the headmistress and quite the intellectual, meet an old friend of mine, Vivienne Hugo. Also an intellectual." Nate wanted to punch himself in the face. He desperately scrambled to change the subject, because the last thing he needed was these two girls discussing him. "Uh, so the dance.... Viv, you enjoying it ? Prtizker, are you... also having fun ?" @lily / char&theo&viv @paige || catalina&kennedy

Maddie ~ Mason/Cleo/NoahLast Sunday at 09:49

Noah rolled his eyes before moving closer to the boy and girl. “No, no, no! I will not be going to the dance floor. Are you kidding? That’s the worst thing at this dance.” @lilac ( blue & nathaniel ! ) @Ncmi ( Zakiyah / Kenya )

paige || catalina&kennedyLast Sunday at 09:49

Kennedy could feel the thickness in the air when she approached, and with Nate’s formalities and vivienne’s uncertainty, she felt like she was interrupting something. she felt awkward, and she wanted to dip out and never come back, but she didn’t care. she was too drunk to. “Uh, nice yo meet you,” she said, nodding her head. “What’s with the full name, Nathaniel?” she asked, tilting her head. @lily / char&theo&viv @lilac ( blue & nathaniel ! )(edited)

lily / char&theo&vivLast Sunday at 09:59

“nice to meet you too,” vivienne spoke with genuine enthusiasm. even so, she couldn’t help the growing feeling of dread in her stomach looking at this girl with nate. “so you’re on the debate team? do you two argue against each other?” she questioned.

lilac ( blue & nathaniel ! )Last Sunday at 10:04

Blue furrowed his brow. "The worst thing at the dance... is a dance. I'm confused." It's not like Blue was keen to get on the dancefloor either ( especially given everything ), but he wanted others to have fun. He felt guilty that there seemed to be a radius of sullen individuals surrounding him. "Okay, why did you come tonight ? I promise we'll find something you enjoy... it's my mission." @Maddie ~ Mason/Cleo/Noah "Arguing. Against each other. Well, it's something we have certainly done !" Nathaniel tried to laugh, but it only made the situation more tense. There was a lot to unpack in this situation, given everything. Nathaniel wasn't always as arrogant and self-absorbed as people believed him to be. In fact, there once was a time he was considered kind and somewhat jubilant. That's the Nate that Viv remembers, and that's the one he wanted her to remember. But then there was Kennedy, a girl that... well, Nate couldn't describe their relationship in any capacity. But the very foundation of their relationship was the fact that Nate was kind of an asshole. They both knew Nate as different people, and Nate... it was complicated, but to say that his feelings for both were mixed would be an understatement. He had found himself in a live mind-field, with no reverse button to save him. "So, uh, Viv, you're new. Um, let's talk about that! Let's just, talk about you. And Kennedy, we can talk about you too. And just get to know each other... I mean, we all know me ! So who cares ! Let's talk about you guys." @paige || catalina&kennedy @lily / char&theo&viv

Maddie ~ Mason/Cleo/NoahLast Sunday at 10:05

“I came because I figured it was better than sitting in my room.” Noah said and shrugged. “I’m just not big in the whole, everyone dance to this weird music.” @lilac ( blue & nathaniel ! )(edited)

paige || catalina&kennedyLast Sunday at 10:09

Kennedy tilted her head, still completely and utterly confused. She wasn’t sure why he was acting like this, and it made her uncomfortable. “Yeah, we do debate together,” she said“So you’re new. That’s cool. I’ll probably give you a tour at some point, that’s my job, according to my mom” @lilac ( blue & nathaniel ! ) @lily / char&theo&viv

lily / char&theo&vivLast Sunday at 10:11

“classic nate ramble, right?” viv teased the boy, remembering the times when they were younger and nate would get so excited about a topic that he’d trip over his words. “i mean, me being new isn’t exactly that interesting,” she shrugged. “but that sounds good. i’m glad i met you now - i’ve been getting so lost every time i try to go to class.” @lilac ( blue & nathaniel ! ) @paige || catalina&kennedy

paige || catalina&kennedyLast Sunday at 10:20

“Uh... right...” Kennedy couldn’t say the same, knowing nate that way, but she had a feeling that she was... interrupting something. She bit her lip, looking between the two of them. “So you know each other from childhood?” @lily / char&theo&viv @lilac ( blue & nathaniel ! )

lily / char&theo&vivLast Sunday at 11:16

“yeah, we grew up in la together,” vivienne explained. “i moved from paris and nate was my first friend. he was the only one who didn’t tease me about my english,” she spoke with a small smile. @paige || catalina&kennedy @lilac ( blue & nathaniel ! )theo stood next to the punch table, taking a sip of his drink to steady his head. “i feel really sick,” he spoke to no one in particular. “i think i’m gonna go get some air.”

Maddie ~ Mason/Cleo/NoahLast Sunday at 11:19

Cleo was standing next to the boy when he said he didn’t feel well. She followed him outside with a bottle of water and pretzels. “Hey, Theo you okay?” @lily / char&theo&viv

Ncmi ( Zakiyah / Kenya )Last Sunday at 11:20

"Yeah I on Noah on that," She said while getting another cup and drinkimg it. "Fucm people, they never do shit. They might as well stab me in the back." @lilac ( blue & nathaniel ! ) @Maddie ~ Mason/Cleo/Noah

paige || catalina&kennedyLast Sunday at 11:22

“Right....” Kennedy said, looking up at Nate. “You know i think i’m just gonna... go. Leave you two alone. it was nice to meet you, vivienne.” She looked at Nate again,  hurt look in her eyes, and turned to leave. @lilac ( blue & nathaniel ! ) @lily / char&theo&viv

lily / char&theo&vivLast Sunday at 11:23

“yeah.. i just... i don’t know,” the boy spoke, sitting down on the ground. “i feel dizzy.” @Maddie ~ Mason/Cleo/Noah

Maddie ~ Mason/Cleo/NoahLast Sunday at 11:24

“Ok I think she has had enough to drink. You’re getting to the stage of aggressive drunkenness.” Noah said and laughed. @Ncmi ( Zakiyah / Kenya ) @lilac ( blue & nathaniel ! )“Okay, here I grabbed a bottle of water and pretzels.” She said and sat next to him, holding out the two. “How much did you drink?” @lily / char&theo&viv(edited)

lilac ( blue & nathaniel ! )Last Sunday at 11:40

Blue took another long sip of his drink. “Noah, your bedroom can’t be fun. I’m sure your room doesn’t have skeleton,” he giggled, wiggling a decorative skeleton that dangles before them. Blue then turned toZakiyah, his face a little more solemn. “Sounds like you’re hanging with the wrong people. You really need to hang around some party masters. Like me!!” He declared, downing the rest of his drink. “Come on guys, let’s get smashed.” @Maddie ~ Mason/Cleo/Noah @Ncmi ( Zakiyah / Kenya ) Literally beads of sweat were forming on Nate’s head. He had long since removed his snorkel mask, but soon enough he may need it again. But the thought of Kennedy leaving made Nate’s chest hurt. “Kennedy, wait,” he rushed out, looking at the two. “Please don’t... please don’t leave. Hey, I’m sure Viv has lots of questions only you can answer. And I don’t... we don’t want you to leave. It’s early. Plus we gotta see if we can get Viv to join debate with us.” @paige || catalina&kennedy @lily / char&theo&viv

lily / char&theo&vivLast Sunday at 11:57

vivienne was nothing if not observant, and she saw the hurt look in the other girls eyes. not wanting to cause trouble, she chimed in with nate’s protests. “no, nate’s right, you should definitely stay,” she spoke, nodding her head eagerly. “i’m sure i can come up with a question or two for you. and i’ve been meaning to ask someone about debate,” she tried, offering a kind smile to the other girl. @lilac ( blue & nathaniel ! ) @paige || catalina&kennedy

Maddie ~ Mason/Cleo/NoahLast Sunday at 11:58

Noah groaned and shook his head. “Why can’t we just sit here and hate everything? It would be nice. Better than dancing.” @lilac ( blue & nathaniel ! ) @Ncmi ( Zakiyah / Kenya )

lily / char&theo&vivLast Sunday at 12:00

theo shook his head. “i don’t. i don’t know,” he slurred out, stumbling to his feet. “i’m gonna take a walk,” he decided, heading off in the direction of the woods and disappearing into the dark trees.

Maddie ~ Mason/Cleo/NoahLast Sunday at 12:02

Before Cleo could stop and run after him, it was like he disappeared. She was scared that he’d get hurt and ran back inside to get someone to help. “Uhh can someone help, Theo just ran off into the forest and I will be no help in these heels. He’s very drunk too.” She said out loud hoping someone would hear her.

lilac ( blue & nathaniel ! )Last Sunday at 12:05

[ montpelierhqs admin ] the power flickers. the light dims. the music stops. the faculty of montpelier look around in confusion as students remain blissfully unaware of what had just occured. suddenly, everyone’s phones start to beep. an alert from the gossip blog. panic sets in. rain starts to pour. @everyone

Ncmi ( Zakiyah / Kenya )Last Sunday at 12:12

"WHAT THE FUCK, MY HAIR." Zakiyah yelled as she push people out the way trying not to be wet. "Sorry not sorry,"

lily / char&theo&vivLast Sunday at 12:12

vivienne glanced out the window at the dark sky. "uh, is this like a normal thing here?" she spoke nervously, the truth glaring out at her from every phone screen in the room. "i mean, he's okay, right? this is a joke, right?"

Maddie ~ Mason/Cleo/NoahLast Sunday at 12:13

Cleo was shocked by what she read on the phone, letting it drop as she ran for a trash can, feeling like she was gonna be sick at the thought of what Troy or Hallie was doing to Theo.

lily / char&theo&vivLast Sunday at 12:14

charlotte noticed her friend making a break across the room and went to her. "oh my god, cleo, are you okay? what happened?" she asked her, hand on her shoulder. "was it the punch?" @Maddie ~ Mason/Cleo/Noah(edited)

paige || catalina&kennedyLast Sunday at 12:14

Kennedy went to protest when the lights flickered, and she looked around confused. “Uh, no, it’s not a normal thing,” Kennedy said to Vivienne, looking to Nate with big eyes. @lily / char&theo&viv @lilac ( blue & nathaniel ! )

Ncmi ( Zakiyah / Kenya )Last Sunday at 12:15

"V this is Montpelier, nothing never normal here." She look at her with a angry face. She wants to know what happen to Theo.  @lily / char&theo&viv

Maddie ~ Mason/Cleo/NoahLast Sunday at 12:15

Cleo looked up at Charlotte and shook her head. “I was the last one to see him. I just let him run out to the forest.” She said and shook her head. “He didn’t look good so I followed him, but..” She said and ran a hand through her hair. @lily / char&theo&viv

Ncmi ( Zakiyah / Kenya )Last Sunday at 12:16

"Noah I feel you on hating everything." She said while laying down on a chair feeling a little sick @Maddie ~ Mason/Cleo/Noah

Maddie ~ Mason/Cleo/NoahLast Sunday at 12:16

Noah looked at the girl concerned. “Are you okay? Do you need water?” @Ncmi ( Zakiyah / Kenya )

Ncmi ( Zakiyah / Kenya )Last Sunday at 12:30

"I might need some." She close her eyes trying to gain conscious. She wasn't having a good time at the dance the only thing she doing is drinking really. "Blue I hang with you but I'm still crazy as thier is." She said falling on the chair bumping her head. @Maddie ~ Mason/Cleo/Noah @lilac ( blue & nathaniel ! )

Maddie ~ Mason/Cleo/NoahLast Sunday at 12:33

Noah was just about to turn to go and grab water for the girl but stopped. He ran to her side, looking at her concerned. “Zakiyah are you okay? Blue, you need to go get some water please?” @Ncmi ( Zakiyah / Kenya ) @lilac ( blue & nathaniel ! )

bee // wyatt & emma-janeLast Sunday at 12:34

Earning a genuine laugh from Holden is enough to make Emma-Jane not care that she’s making a complete fool out of herself. That isn’t to say that he takes himself too seriously or has given her the impression that his usual amusement is dishonest in anyway, but there’s something about this laughter that entirely changes his face. His smile appears brighter and there’s a sense of enjoyment between the two of them. “Yeah! You heard me!” She wrinkles her nose back, fighting the urge to stick out her tongue. Childish, yes. Emma is so rarely allowed to be so carefree though, this whole night feels elating. Again she scoffs, only stopping her dance at the flicker of the lights. Her initial thought is that someone must be playing a prank. It is a Halloween dance after all, and what better way to enjoy it than scaring a few people? With the music gone, a ripple follows through the crowd, until everyone has stopped dancing. There’s a momentary stir of confusion, until the buzzes and the pings starts. In the darkness of the ballroom, everyone’s phones start going off. Almost instantly, she goes rummaging through her purse. “It’s Troy,” she says flatly, expecting the latest blast from the gossip blog as she reads. “That’s so not funny.” Her laugh is slightly shrill, as she shoves her phone in Holden’s direction for him to see. ( @maaria ✨  libby / holden )

Ncmi ( Zakiyah / Kenya )Last Sunday at 12:38

"If a big headache and a bump counts as fine..... then yeah." She smiling as she laugh it off. She put her hand on her head when she feels her bump. She sees Noah near her side, raising her hand up to get help. @Maddie ~ Mason/Cleo/Noah

Maddie ~ Mason/Cleo/NoahLast Sunday at 12:43

Noah picked her up, not wanting her to get up. “Come on, let’s get some ice and water for you.” He said and started to walk toward the table with drinks. @Ncmi ( Zakiyah / Kenya )

lily / char&theo&vivLast Sunday at 12:47

“oh my god.” charlotte spoke, her mouth open in shock. of course cleo was upset, everyone knew her and theo were friends. “cleo you have to know it’s not your fault. don’t blame yourself,” she said softly. @Maddie ~ Mason/Cleo/Noah

Maddie ~ Mason/Cleo/NoahLast Sunday at 12:49

Cleo could feel tears starting to brim at her eyes. “But what if I could’ve done something? I shouldn’t have let him run off. God, what if he never comes back Charlotte? What if he’s just gone?” She rambled and sank to the ground. “I feel like punching someone but also emptying everything from my stomach.” @lily / char&theo&viv

Ncmi ( Zakiyah / Kenya )Last Sunday at 12:49

Walking with Noah, she sat in a chair and lay her head. Today wasn't her day she just wanted to get this over with and she haven't seen her brother any where. "Thanks, I literally hate this and the damn blog made some shit worst." @Maddie ~ Mason/Cleo/Noah

Maddie ~ Mason/Cleo/NoahLast Sunday at 12:51

Noah grabbed water for her and make an ice pack with ice from a cooler. “Seriously. How this person is getting away with this is nuts. Keep your head up and put this in the bump.” @Ncmi ( Zakiyah / Kenya )

Ncmi ( Zakiyah / Kenya )Last Sunday at 12:57

"I don't know but she is and bitch bring revenge." She grab the ice pack from Noah and slowly put it on her head. She got the water too and drank some of it then left it on the table. "I honestly don't know what people going to do at this point. Pretty sure those tasks are real hell is coming." @Maddie ~ Mason/Cleo/Noah

Maddie ~ Mason/Cleo/NoahLast Sunday at 13:00

“Well she needs to kindly fuck off.” Noah said and sighed. “Well hopefully they find her before anything bad happens.”@Ncmi ( Zakiyah / Kenya )

Ncmi ( Zakiyah / Kenya )Last Sunday at 13:09

"Let pray nothing bad happens or else it be like the purge." She gave a small chuckle and drank some water. "I feel like hell." @Maddie ~ Mason/Cleo/Noah

Maddie ~ Mason/Cleo/NoahLast Sunday at 13:11

“I swear, nothing like this happens in North Carolina.” He said and sighed. “Maybe you should see a nurse?” @Ncmi ( Zakiyah / Kenya )

Ncmi ( Zakiyah / Kenya )Last Sunday at 13:14

"No I can't because my my intoxicated level is through the roof I think." She shake her head a hard no, she rubbed her eyes trying to fight through the headache. "North Carolina sounds peaceful,  New York is lowkey hell." @Maddie ~ Mason/Cleo/Noah

Maddie ~ Mason/Cleo/NoahLast Sunday at 13:22

“Yeah and I’m sure all the teachers here are as well. It’s more about you being healthy. You could have a concussion.” He said and sighed. “It was.” @Ncmi ( Zakiyah / Kenya )

Ncmi ( Zakiyah / Kenya )Last Sunday at 13:32

She could care less about the teacher knowing about her getting drunk. The only reason why she caring because her name wasn't going to be drunk bitch. "Health never normal, it's called life beating your ass." @Maddie ~ Mason/Cleo/Noah

Pau (Claire & Nic)Last Sunday at 13:32

Nic had enough that night between coming face to face with his past and his present—neither of which he was all too excited to see at Montpelier. Everyone else seemed to be having a far worse time than he, though, the moment all phones went ringing. He was so confused, and to be fair, he wasn't even sure which one was Theo in the first place. At least he recognized the name.  And Troy. He found it ridiculous but  it was, apparently, a thing. But the other name... "Who's Hallie?"

Maddie ~ Mason/Cleo/NoahLast Sunday at 13:33

Noah sighed and shook his head. “Fine but no falling asleep okay? That isn’t a good thing to do after hitting your head.”@Ncmi ( Zakiyah / Kenya )

Ncmi ( Zakiyah / Kenya )Last Sunday at 13:43

"I can't promise you that. The headache is hell, my feet hurts, I'm cold and I just really wanna get out of here. I can't because I can't leave without Cam." She vent trying to stay up after walking all night. @Maddie ~ Mason/Cleo/Noah

Maddie ~ Mason/Cleo/NoahLast Sunday at 13:49

“What if I walk you back to your dorm and then come back for Cam? That way you’re both taken care of.” @Ncmi ( Zakiyah / Kenya )

Ncmi ( Zakiyah / Kenya )Last Sunday at 13:57

"That would be nice but I'm staying at my house during weekend." She said putting a fake smile on her face. "Cam has the key to the house. Your my hero right now thanks." @Maddie ~ Mason/Cleo/Noah

Maddie ~ Mason/Cleo/NoahLast Sunday at 13:58

“Oh well you don’t have a spare at your house?” Noah asked, ignoring the hero part. He was just concerned for the girls well being, especially after the blog post.  @Ncmi ( Zakiyah / Kenya )

Ncmi ( Zakiyah / Kenya )Last Sunday at 14:14

"I did but I lost it. I really don't remember what happen to it." Zakiyah mind had been a blur throughout the whole night and the rest of her life apparently. "I'm mess right now huh?" @Maddie ~ Mason/Cleo/Noah

Maddie ~ Mason/Cleo/NoahLast Sunday at 14:15

“Ok well, then lest find Cam.” He said and smiled. “You’ve just had a rough night is all.” @Ncmi ( Zakiyah / Kenya )

Ncmi ( Zakiyah / Kenya )Last Sunday at 14:19

"Please do, I really looked for him all night and he not texting me back." @Maddie ~ Mason/Cleo/Noah

Maddie ~ Mason/Cleo/NoahLast Sunday at 14:23

“Maybe he’s with a girl?” @Ncmi ( Zakiyah / Kenya )

Ncmi ( Zakiyah / Kenya )Last Sunday at 14:25

"I don't know where or care whoms he with. I really don't want to feel drunk and alone." She pouted resting her head on her purse on the table. @Maddie ~ Mason/Cleo/Noah

Maddie ~ Mason/Cleo/NoahLast Sunday at 14:25

“Hey hey, no laying your head down.” He said and helped her head stay up.@Ncmi ( Zakiyah / Kenya )

Ncmi ( Zakiyah / Kenya )Last Sunday at 14:27

"But it hurts," she said keeping her eyes close while Noah trying to keep her head up. "What can a laying down do to me anyway?" @Maddie ~ Mason/Cleo/Noah

Maddie ~ Mason/Cleo/NoahLast Sunday at 14:28

“I know it does but if you fall asleep and you have a concussion, you could accidentally slip into a coma. Now we don’t want that right?” @Ncmi ( Zakiyah / Kenya )

Ncmi ( Zakiyah / Kenya )Last Sunday at 14:31

"No we don't." She said shaking her head agreeing with him. "Can we get away? My head hurts with all the yelling." @Maddie ~ Mason/Cleo/Noah

Maddie ~ Mason/Cleo/NoahLast Sunday at 14:32

Noah smiled and nodded. “Yeah, here grab your water and ice. We can go sit outside.” @Ncmi ( Zakiyah / Kenya )

lattie || Harper and CamLast Sunday at 14:35

Cam was well within his high at this point, the edibles and molly keeping him in a great mindset as he searched out Cleo. "Hey... hi.. hey." He commented softly before smirking. "You still warm?" @Maddie ~ Mason/Cleo/Noah

Ncmi ( Zakiyah / Kenya )Last Sunday at 14:37

"That all I want really." She smile slowy getting up and get her water and ice pack to head outside. "I will probably freeze my ass off with the skirt." @Maddie ~ Mason/Cleo/Noah

Maddie ~ Mason/Cleo/NoahLast Sunday at 14:38

Cleo looked up from the floor and smiled at him. “Yeah, still warm thank you again.” She said and stood up. “I’m just a little freaked out right now is all.” @lattie || Harper and Cam“Don’t worry, I have a jacket you can use as a blanket. Plus the cold will wake you up a bit.” He said and started to walk towards the doors. @Ncmi ( Zakiyah / Kenya )

lattie || Harper and CamLast Sunday at 14:39

Cam nodded slowly before wrapping his arms around her again. "I was serious when I said Id kill them with they hurt you." He stated softly before nuzzling her neck. "You want to go somewhere else?"

Maddie ~ Mason/Cleo/NoahLast Sunday at 14:43

Cleo welcomes his hug and hugged him back, nuzzling herself into him. “I know.” She said and squeezed him. “Yes please. I need to clear my head.” @lattie || Harper and Cam

Ncmi ( Zakiyah / Kenya )Last Sunday at 14:43

She walk towards to the door and took off her heels during the process. "New york weather will kill you. My head feels like a bitch." @Maddie ~ Mason/Cleo/Noah

Maddie ~ Mason/Cleo/NoahLast Sunday at 14:45

Noah took his jacket off, thankful for the long sleeves under it. “Yeah well, it’ll probably hurt for a few days.” He said and handed her his jacket. @Ncmi ( Zakiyah / Kenya )

Ncmi ( Zakiyah / Kenya )Last Sunday at 14:47

She gratefully took his jacket and put it around her. "I don't even remember how I fell. Pretty sure I slip." @Maddie ~ Mason/Cleo/Noah

Maddie ~ Mason/Cleo/NoahLast Sunday at 14:48

“I’m not sure, my back was turned when it happened.” He said and shrugged. @Ncmi ( Zakiyah / Kenya )

lattie || Harper and CamLast Sunday at 14:48

Pulling away, he took her hand and moved for the door. "Im great at helping people clear their minds." He reasoned before looking at her. "It will be okay." @Maddie ~ Mason/Cleo/Noah

Maddie ~ Mason/Cleo/NoahLast Sunday at 14:49

Cleo followed him and sighed. She didn’t know how much she needed fresh air till it hit her. “Will it though? Theo got taken by Hallie. If it even is her.” @lattie || Harper and Cam

lattie || Harper and CamLast Sunday at 14:50

Stopping as they got outside, Cam bit his bottom lip. "Things always work out how they are suppose to." His voice soft before he leaned in and kissed her. @Maddie ~ Mason/Cleo/Noah

paige || catalina&kennedyLast Sunday at 14:50

Andrea was outside, getting some fresh air when she saw them—Cleo and Cam. Her heart broke, seeing him with someone else, especially after telling her they’d have tonight. @lattie || Harper and Cam @Maddie ~ Mason/Cleo/Noah

Maddie ~ Mason/Cleo/NoahLast Sunday at 14:52

Cleo at first was caught off guard by the kiss but then all the worry and negative thoughts slipped away and she kissed him back. She snaked her arms around his neck and played with the hair at the nape of his neck. Se hey notice that they weren’t alone. @lattie || Harper and Cam @paige || catalina&kennedy

lattie || Harper and CamLast Sunday at 14:56

Wrapping his arms around her to pull her in close, he smiled softly as she kissed him back. Pulling away from a moment, he smirked. "You feeling better?" He went to say something else before he noticed Andrea. "Shit." @Maddie ~ Mason/Cleo/Noah @paige || catalina&kennedy

Maddie ~ Mason/Cleo/NoahLast Sunday at 14:57

She smiled as he pulled away and nodded. “Much.” She said but then looked at what he saw and looked back at him confused. “What?” @paige || catalina&kennedy @lattie || Harper and Cam

paige || catalina&kennedyLast Sunday at 14:58

Andrea had tears in her eyes—it was stupid, she knew they were broken up, but it still stung. Wiping her tears, she walked past them, purposely bumping into the two of them hard. She wasn’t normally like this—not the jealous type—but the weed and alcohol in her system was making her do it. “Sorry,” she mumbled, not sincere. @Maddie ~ Mason/Cleo/Noah @lattie || Harper and Cam

Ncmi ( Zakiyah / Kenya )Last Sunday at 14:58

"Me either," She said right walking with Noah before heading outside seeing her brother. "Oh shit." @Maddie ~ Mason/Cleo/Noah @lattie || Harper and Cam

Maddie ~ Mason/Cleo/NoahLast Sunday at 14:59

Noah stopped and looked at who she was looking at. “Why do I feel like we just walked into drama?” @Ncmi ( Zakiyah / Kenya )

lattie || Harper and CamLast Sunday at 15:00

Cam closed his eyes tightly before watching Andrea. "Drea.... im sorry. I..." He knew no apologies would help fix this as he looked back at Cleo. "Sorry." @Maddie ~ Mason/Cleo/Noah @paige || catalina&kennedy

Ncmi ( Zakiyah / Kenya )Last Sunday at 15:00

She turn to Noah then back at Cam. "Shit, every drama has a damn love triangles." @Maddie ~ Mason/Cleo/Noah

paige || catalina&kennedyLast Sunday at 15:01

“Don’t call me that” she snapped instantly, still looking like she wanted to cry. “You broke up with me, remember? you don’t owe me anything” she said, walkingoff  @lattie || Harper and Cam @Maddie ~ Mason/Cleo/Noah(edited)

Maddie ~ Mason/Cleo/NoahLast Sunday at 15:01

Cleo stumbles a bit as the girl bumped into her and Cam. She instantly felt awful, not wanting to be that girl. “Seriously Cam?” She said and shook her head, more mad at herself than anything. “Go talk to her.” She said before storming back inside. @lattie || Harper and Cam @paige || catalina&kennedy“So I’m guess this is Cam?” Noah asked and looked at the scene that was unfolding. @Ncmi ( Zakiyah / Kenya )

lattie || Harper and CamLast Sunday at 15:02

Flinching as she snapped, Cam nodded slowly. "Yeah.. yeah, we are broken up." He mumbled before shaking his head. Hearing Cleo, he moved to walk after Andrea. "I didnt want... I dont know what I wanted." @paige || catalina&kennedy @Maddie ~ Mason/Cleo/Noah

paige || catalina&kennedyLast Sunday at 15:03

Andrea saw Zakiyah and headed over towards her and Noah, sniffling “I guess i did this to myself?” @Ncmi ( Zakiyah / Kenya ) @lattie || Harper and Cam @Maddie ~ Mason/Cleo/Noah @

Maddie ~ Mason/Cleo/NoahLast Sunday at 15:04

Cleo walked back inside and slammed herself down at a table. Holding her head in her hands, she let herself start to sob for all the messed up stuff that happened tonight.

Ncmi ( Zakiyah / Kenya )Last Sunday at 15:05

"That my brother," she said looking at him with a guilty smile. She saw Andrea coming towards her with tears in her eyes. She gave her a hug trying to get to the bottom of this. "Cam what the hell happening?" She ask walking towards him. She forgot she was wearing no shoes other then socks. It was right before she step on something making her fall. "Fuck sakes." @paige || catalina&kennedy @Maddie ~ Mason/Cleo/Noah @lattie || Harper and Cam

Maddie ~ Mason/Cleo/NoahLast Sunday at 15:06

Noah looked at the girl and back at Cam. “Seriously? What the hell dude? You made one girl cry, I’m pretty sure that other girl just went in there to cry.” He said and walked over towards him but stopped to see what happened to Zakiyah. “What’s wrong?” @lattie || Harper and Cam @paige || catalina&kennedy @Ncmi ( Zakiyah / Kenya )

lattie || Harper and CamLast Sunday at 15:07

Cam watched his ex and his sister before shaking his head. "I dont.... I dont know." His voice small before he huffed, trying to ignore the other boy. "Shut the fuck up Noah." Turning to Andrea, he bit his bottom lip. "Im sorry Andrea. I really am." @Maddie ~ Mason/Cleo/Noah @paige || catalina&kennedy @Ncmi ( Zakiyah / Kenya )

paige || catalina&kennedyLast Sunday at 15:08

Andrea flinched when Cam snapped, arms wrapping around her middle. “No you’re not” she mumbled, looking down. @lattie || Harper and Cam @Maddie ~ Mason/Cleo/Noah @Ncmi ( Zakiyah / Kenya )

Ncmi ( Zakiyah / Kenya )Last Sunday at 15:10

"All of yall shut the fuck up." She yelled right before turning to Noah trying to get up. "My foot is in pain." She sees Cam and tries to get up but her ankle couldn't cooperate. @lattie || Harper and Cam @paige || catalina&kennedy @Maddie ~ Mason/Cleo/Noah

Maddie ~ Mason/Cleo/NoahLast Sunday at 15:11

“Look dude, I’m not the one making people cry!” He snapped at Can and shook his head. He looked back at Zakiyah and nodded. “Ok you sit here, don’t try to get up. Let me look at it. Is it ok if I take your sock off?”  @Ncmi ( Zakiyah / Kenya ) @paige || catalina&kennedy @lattie || Harper and Cam

lattie || Harper and CamLast Sunday at 15:12

Cam looked away from her for a moment. "Can we just like go somewhere to talk or..." He didnt want to be around his sister and Noah right now. @paige || catalina&kennedy

paige || catalina&kennedyLast Sunday at 15:12

Andrea shrugged, looking down. “I guess,” andrea mumbled, looking up at him through long eyelashes @lattie || Harper and Cam

Ncmi ( Zakiyah / Kenya )Last Sunday at 15:14

"Yeah sure." She said sitting down moving her leg towards him. "What a shitty night, Im supposed to turn 17 in a few days and today hell. Sorry for dragging you down with me. " @Maddie ~ Mason/Cleo/Noah

Maddie ~ Mason/Cleo/NoahLast Sunday at 15:14

He took off her sock carefully but looked up at her. “Hey don’t worry about it. We all have bad nights sometimes.” He said and smiled. @Ncmi ( Zakiyah / Kenya )

lattie || Harper and CamLast Sunday at 15:15

Cam moved to take her hand, wanting to go somewhere away from everyone to clear his mind and figure out what he is doing. As they walked away, Cam looked at Andrea. "Look... I am sorry and I know that doesnt mean much... not right now and im sorry for that too." @paige || catalina&kennedy

paige || catalina&kennedyLast Sunday at 15:16

Andrea pulled her hand away instantly, still following him. “You just don’t care” she’d say “About me. you act like you do but god—cam i fucking love you and you’re making out with other girls” @lattie || Harper and Cam

Ncmi ( Zakiyah / Kenya )Last Sunday at 15:19

"Yeah it does," She gave a small smile before realizing a tear about to come out. She wipe it away before Noah could see it. "What wrong my foot? It is bad that I can't feel it." @Maddie ~ Mason/Cleo/Noah

lattie || Harper and CamLast Sunday at 15:20

As she pulled away, he let his hand drop, instead moving to wrap his arms around himself wishing he had his jacket back now. "I dont fucking care. Its just hard.. I can't explain it.." He didnt want to explain it. "There is a lot going on up here and I dont know." He mumbled, tapping his head. @paige || catalina&kennedy

paige || catalina&kennedyLast Sunday at 15:20

“Then talk to me” she’d snap at him “god, i’ve dumped so much shit on you, you can do that with me cam. don’t you get it?” she was crying now, yelling at him @lattie || Harper and Cam

Maddie ~ Mason/Cleo/NoahLast Sunday at 15:21

Noah looked down at her foot and noticed it was bleeding. “I think you just stepped in some glass. Shouldn’t be too bad.” @Ncmi ( Zakiyah / Kenya )

lattie || Harper and CamLast Sunday at 15:22

"I cant." Cam replied quickly, looking up at her. Fear present in his eyes for a moment before he looked away. "I can't talk to anyone. I cant let it all out because then it fucks everything up and I cant deal with that." Letting out a shaky breath, he sighed. "I didnt mind... I dont mind carrying that stuff for you." @paige || catalina&kennedy

paige || catalina&kennedyLast Sunday at 15:23

“it doesn’t fuck everything up” she’d snap “do you not understand how much i love you, cameron?” @lattie || Harper and Cam

Ncmi ( Zakiyah / Kenya )Last Sunday at 15:23

Zakiyah nodded after hearing what Noah said. Thank god it wasn't broken, or else she be in crutches for a few days. "Thanks, why was there glass here anyways?" @Maddie ~ Mason/Cleo/Noah

lattie || Harper and CamLast Sunday at 15:26

"It will though." Cam replied before shaking his head. "I know. I understand how much you love me, Drea. Love me enough to know I can't talk about whats going on with me." @paige || catalina&kennedy

paige || catalina&kennedyLast Sunday at 15:26

“But do you lvoe me?” she snapped “No, you don’t. and that’s the problem” @lattie || Harper and Cam

lattie || Harper and CamLast Sunday at 15:27

"I do... Fuck, Ive never been sure of anything else." Cams voice raw as he looked back up at her. "Im sorry." @paige || catalina&kennedy

paige || catalina&kennedyLast Sunday at 15:27

“fuck you” she snapped at him, clearly crying, turning to walk away @lattie || Harper and Cam

lattie || Harper and CamLast Sunday at 15:29

"Fuck me because I wont tell you things I cant tell you?" Cam snapped grabbing her wrist. "Thats real fucked up Andrea. You wouldnt love me if you knew. You wouldnt.... no one can know." @paige || catalina&kennedy

paige || catalina&kennedyLast Sunday at 15:30

“of course i would lvoe you!” she’d shout “but fuck you for telling me we have tonight and making out with cleo” @lattie || Harper and Cam

lattie || Harper and CamLast Sunday at 15:32

"You wouldnt." He replied after a moment before letting her wrist go. "I am sorry. You dont deserve that." @paige || catalina&kennedy

paige || catalina&kennedyLast Sunday at 15:35

“don’t make decisions for me!” shes shouter at him @lattie || Harper and Cam

lattie || Harper and CamLast Sunday at 15:38

Cam looked at her. "Im sorry." Was all he could say at this point @paige || catalina&kennedy

Jaimie (Wil)Last Sunday at 15:44

Wil was in a panic now. The shitty things that had happened throughout the night, the message from the gossip blog, the chaos of the crowd, and whatever the hell was in that punch were all combining into something bigger than Wil could bear. His breathing became heavier. Tears stung his eyes, but didn't escape. He felt like he was going to explode, or implode, or collapse. He pushed through the crowd, not caring who he rudely shoved aside. He just wanted to get out. He pushed open the doors and breathed in the cool air from outside. He paced frantically in the dark, trying desperately to collect himself and his thoughts. The tears were running now, and he didn't really even know why.

paige || catalina&kennedyLast Sunday at 16:50

“you’re sorry?!” Andrea shouted at him, voice cracking @lattie || Harper and Cam

lattie || Harper and CamLast Sunday at 16:55

"For everything." Cam admitted softly looking away from her. @paige || catalina&kennedy

paige || catalina&kennedyLast Sunday at 16:55

“God Cam,” Andrea breathed out, full on crying at this point. “Why can’t you just lvoe me like i love you?”

lattie || Harper and CamLast Sunday at 16:56

"I dont know. I love you. I do." He mumbled trying to hide the hurt in his voice. "Just not enough, I guess."

paige || catalina&kennedyLast Sunday at 16:57

Hearing him so hurt, Andrea hated herself. She was too drunk to be responsible, taking his hand and tugging him towards her @lattie || Harper and Cam

lattie || Harper and CamLast Sunday at 16:58

Looking up at her, he let out a soft sob. "I dont think I know how to love something like that, Drea. I dont think I know how to love you like that." @paige || catalina&kennedy

paige || catalina&kennedyLast Sunday at 16:58

“Oh Cam,” she breathed out, cupping his face in her hands and wiping his tears with her thumbs @lattie || Harper and Cam

lattie || Harper and CamLast Sunday at 17:00

"Im sorry. I really am." He mumbled trying to blink back the tears that dared to come.

paige || catalina&kennedyLast Sunday at 17:02

“sh sh,” she whispered, shaking her head as tears fell down her cheeks “it’s ok” @lattie || Harper and Cam

lattie || Harper and CamLast Sunday at 17:02

Cam wrapped his arms around her, letting out another sob. "Its not okay. You deserve better." @paige || catalina&kennedy

paige || catalina&kennedyLast Sunday at 17:03

“I don’t want anyone else” she whispered, holding him close “don’t you get it cameron?” @lattie || Harper and Cam

lattie || Harper and CamLast Sunday at 17:11

Cam looked at Andrea before rubbing his eyes quickly, trying to wipe away the tears. "I dont get it. I dont get why you want me but I want you too." @paige || catalina&kennedy

paige || catalina&kennedyLast Sunday at 17:12

“Then be with me,” she practically begged him, pulling him close. “If you want me, be with me. we can figure the rest out later” @lattie || Harper and Cam(edited)

lattie || Harper and CamLast Sunday at 17:14

Cam watched her for a moment before nodding. "Oh-okay." He trusted her, only hoping his secret didnt ruin everything when it came out. "We will figure it out." @paige || catalina&kennedy

paige || catalina&kennedyLast Sunday at 17:15

“Okay?” she whispered, a hopeful look in her eyes as she nodded. “Yeah, we’ll figure it out” @paige || catalina&kennedy

lattie || Harper and CamLast Sunday at 17:16

Cam gave a small smile before nodding again. "Yeah, okay." Wrapping his arms around her tighter, he rested his head on her shoulder. @paige || catalina&kennedy

paige || catalina&kennedyLast Sunday at 17:17

Andrea let out a soft sigh, wrapping her arms around his neck and running her fingers through his hair “everything is going to be ok” she whispered, kissing his head @lattie || Harper and Cam

29 October 2018

Ncmi ( Zakiyah / Kenya )Yesterday at 07:52

Zakiyah was mad she couldn't control her anger. She was walking around school with glass in her foot, she could careless about it but her adrenaline came through the roof. "WHERE THE FUCK IS WYATT?"