#(book!fernald not being a widdershins is still a thing in the au)

[afterthegreatunknown]

Inspired by the Six Baudelaires AU by @unfortunate-stranger-losers, it’s the Curse Concept ASOUE AU: The Seven Six Widdershins Family Members AU.

Fernald (Jules Marie) Fernald

The [Former] Poet/The Actor

Stepson of V. Widdershins

Three Words: Cynical, Bitter, Weary

Late Twenties (~29)

In the early parts of his teenage years, Fernald couldn’t find the right word to describe his family, for everything about it sounds like fiction. Mother after Father left, for whatever reason dated and now married Fernald’s babysitter/unofficial chaperone. Stepfather thinks he can unground Fernald (not that Fernald is complaining). And regarding his Step-grandfather’s other children, the less Fernald thinks of it, the better it is for his mind. The best word Fernald could come up with regarding his family is odd, but it’s odd in a good, fun way.

Fernald eventually changed the word to be more fitting: “dysfunctional.” He and his sister for a few years had to live with their step-grandfather, and Fernald found the old man irritating and sometimes cruel. When Stepfather came back and took Fernald and his sister out of their step-grandfather care, Fernald thought everything will change for the better. Instead, Fernald ended up running away months later to be free of the madness, finding a sanctuary with his step-uncle Verne, who’s now part of Count Olaf’s Acting Troupe. By the present, Fernald has hooks for hands and sometimes goes by Hooky. A talented actor who runs on T.S. Elliot poems and coffee, recent events that has him wonder if joining Count Olaf’s Acting Troupe was the correct decision after all.

Other Notes

I have a technical face claim for Book!Fernald, in the form of Arthur Darvill. However, due to changes in the AU, my usual face claim doesn’t work. As such, Book!Fernald face claim in the AU is Andrew Garfield from his role of The Imaginarium of Doctor Parnassus (2009).

My headcanon Book!Fernald’s rough age is ~30, but I changed it to ~29 in the AU to make Verne slightly older by five years instead of four, and Widdershins from nine years to an even ten.

Fernald in the AU takes elements of Movie!Hook-Handed Man. One such element is that he wears fake wooden hands (though he loses them).

The divergence of Book!Fernald not taking part of the Anwhistle Aquatic Fire in the AU is for two reasons. The most important reason is Verne; Verne working at Anwhistle Aquatic means no need to get a teenager to swim in the grotto to pump out water to make it accessible for those who can’t fit (my headcanon on why Fernald was initially involve).

[afterthegreatunknown]

Widdershins Gets Inadvertently Insulted, and Semi-Reveals his Feelings

Welcome to the fourth ‘chapter’ of my Seven Six Widdershins Family Members AU. Inspired by the Six Baudelaire AU by unfortunate-stranger-losers, in this AU, the Book!Widdershins Family and Netflix!Widdershins Family are now combined together to make a family of six. This 'chapter'...it's a lot.

Off-screen: Violet, Klaus, and Sunny after telling Mr. Poe they’re not going with him, hitchhiked their way to Paltryville, due to the mystery of a now-gone group photo and newspaper headline. They soon get illegally adopted by Sir to work at Lucky Smells Lumbermill. Olaf as such spends two weeks trying to find the Baudelaires, for Mr. Poe lost tabs on them. During the second week, Mr. Poe hears rumors about the children being at a melon mill, and he and his sister Eleanora go investigate it.

Of course, the Melon Mill no longer stands. But Olaf has an idea where the Baudelaires could be at, and gets confirmation after asking Madame Lulu at Caligari Carnival. Fernald isn’t happy to drive Olaf to the middle of nowhere that is the Hinterlands. He’s even less happy to be at Caligari Carnival, for reasons...

Because I'm still unable to make 'align center’, as well as proper breaks in HTML in the new editor, when you see [] brackets with ramblings inside them, it’s indicating a section change.

Fernald: “God! To think this place is still such an utter dump! I heard stories from my stepfather—well, I heard it was the tourist destination to go to back in the day.”

Madame Lulu, gesturing to their surroundings: “Madame Lulu is trying to get help as she can, yes. Very hard though to get money to fix things up. The House of Freaks generate entertainment, but not enough that audience give enough money in my pocket.”

(Olivia Caliban, mentally thinking: “I think it would better to get the rides working again. And games booths. And better refreshment. And acts. I think maybe forcing people who are oddly considered freaks by society’s standards is losing their charm at last.”)

Hugo, Colette, and Kevin, all sticking their heads out from their caravan, for they’re a bunch of eavesdroppers: “We’re trying the best we can as freaks, Madame Lulu!

Kevin, noticing Fernald, and smiles: “Hey! Nice to see you again Hooky! I-we haven’t seen you in a while! Are you alright? You sound sort of tense.”

Fernald, waving hook: “I’m fine. Thank you. I hope you three have a semi-decent day.” *turning to Madame Lulu* “Seriously. Do you ever plan on fixing up this place?”

Madame Lulu: “Fixing not in carnival’s future, yes. At least not now.”

With Olaf getting confirmation from Madame Lulu the Baudelaires are in Paltryville, he takes Seller as the associate, for Seller is only one who can handle Dr. Orwell’s personality. Seller and Olaf disappear for a full month, with disguises packed by Verne for them to be Foreman Flacutono and Shirley the Secretary, which came from the V.F.D. kit. Except for the Flacutono wig; Verne hates the V.F.D. wig enough to buy his own. That leaves Harper, Penny, Lucy, Verne, and Fernald back in the City.

Nothing happens for a full month. At the start of the next month, Seller calls the house, and orders Verne to take a train and/or steal a car to get to Paltryville. Seller for once, thinks Olaf is in over his head, and concern that something bad may happened at Lucky Smells Lumbermill. Verne arrives just in time too.

Violet was able to save break Klaus free of his hypnotism after playing the researcher. Klaus was able invent something to save Charles from getting murdered. Sunny had her buck-wild sword fight with Dr. Orwell with her teeth (the wildest thing to ever happen).

And Dr. Orwell falls to her death. Well! Looks like Seller was right!

With Olaf soon getting expose from his secretary act, and Seller dropping his foreman act alongside the wig, the two high-tail the hell out of the mill before Mr. Poe, his sister, and the authorities arrived. Verne in his stole car is waiting outside the fence, and frowns upon seeing Seller and the lack of wig on his head.

Verne: “Do you know how difficult to find such a decent looking wig without a shine?! Do you also know how time consuming it is to get a shine out of a wig!? God! I should have given you the shitty V.F.D. wig had I know you would carelessly throw a wig away!” Seller: “You can buy a decent looking wig without a shine or the materials to get a shine out a wig at a reasonable price, Nemo! Why not bitch about your nephew’s wooden hands!? They’re the one that take up a lot of money!” Olaf, patience wears thin: “As much as I enjoy watching a good conflict, WE STILL NEED TO GET THE HELL OUT OF HERE. Nemo, start driving to the train station!”

Meanwhile, while this is going on —near the end of events—Tegan officially joins the Queequeg as the second member of the Crew of Two. It would have been a great occasion, if it wasn’t for the fact that day is also Fiona’s fifteenth birthday. Fiona isn’t that upset her birthday was a bit overshadowed by Tegan’s arrival, and doesn’t cry at her party. Fiona finds some positive from Tegan’s joining the Queequeg.

Fiona: “She may not be a mycologist, but Tegan does know fungi. It’ll be nice to have someone around with a similar interest. I just hope we’ll have the chance to discuss it though. With the way everything is, well as Tegan’s new-found professionalism, the chances of that seem very slim.”

As Ephraim departs from the Queequeg to go out on his mission, Ephraim gives Fiona and Widdershins parting gifts. For Fiona, it’s her birthday present: a copy of The Mysterious Island. For Widdershins, it’s a reminder of “the greatest chance you would never get normally.” It’s a painting of Ephraim himself. Tegan covered her face in embarrassment over the gift (rightfully so because WHAT IS THIS GIFT).

Widdershins: “…This is a fine gift, sir.” (Mentally though, Widdershins is all, “FUCK THIS PAINTING AGAIN?”) Fiona: “I agree with my stepfather. It’s a very fine painting.” (Mentally though, Fiona is all, “And once again, Step-Grandfather has no idea what actually constitutes as a good gift.”)

Returning back to Olaf and the Acting Troupe, they lay low for a week. The Baudelaires find themselves having a happy time at Prufrock Prep. It’s not because the academy is a wonderful place itself, but because they finally have friends in the form of Duncan and Isadora Quagmire. However, such happiness doesn’t last long.

Olaf, after getting around round of help from Madame Lulu (for ‘Orphans off to a boarding school’ is too vague of hint, as well as it surprisingly refers to other orphans), takes Penny and Lucy as his associates for his newest scheme. However, this time around, he asked the ladies to go on ahead first as cafeteria workers. Olaf is unsure how he can get around the advance computer Vice-Principal Nero programmed roaming outside the school, and wants them to figure out the computer’s flaw.

Two weeks pass. Penny and Lucy call the house and tell Olaf about the flaw. They believe that if he’s in a disguise that hides some particular features—namely his eyebrow— he’ll go undetected. And so, Olaf goes to back to the hell that is Prufrock Prep under the disguise as Coach Genghis, with a new plan in action.

With Coach Genghis around, he makes the Baudelaires run laps at night for the S.O.R.E. program to get them time and get them to fail their class. As such, to help their friends in the realm of research, the Quagmires decide to dig up information about Olaf, as well as something else the Baudelaires requested.

Klaus, unfolding the drawing from Ike’s room that he kept: “I found this in our Aunt Josephine’s husband’s private room.” Duncan, narrowing his eyes, leaning close to the drawing: “That’s an interesting illustration. What it is of?” Violet: “We don’t know. Our Aunt Josephine only told us was that her husband Ike was studying it with a few others within their…friend group, but that’s all.” Isadora: “It must be something dangerous, private, or both if she kept quiet on it.” Sunny: “Senildeah!” (“What about the headlines!?”) Klaus, turning to Sunny: “That’s right! I nearly forgotten about those! Thank you, Sunny!” *turning back to the Quagmires * “In Ike’s private room, there was a newspaper headline about The Thistle of the Valley accident. Our time in Paltryville didn’t tell us anything about it. We only learned more about parents and their…friend group.” Duncan, pulling out his commonplace book and pencil, writing things down: “Paltryville, The Thistle of the Valley…” *looking up, smiling* “It’s still not a lot to go on, but it should be enough to find basic information, even if it’s unfortunately wrong.” Violet, smiling: “Thank you. I know it might be a mystery that won’t get solve completely, we’re grateful that you’re helping us.” Isadora, smiling: “We’re friends, and that is what friends are for.” Sunny, grinning, clasping hands together: “Daw…” (“Daw…”)

Meanwhile, back in the City and in Olaf’s house, Seller and Fernald are at each other throats, and Verne and Harper are playing card games that isn’t Roland’s Folly. The closest things to interesting is Harper getting updates regarding Gustav’s corpse and Monty’s house. Gustav’s body was found floating down from Swarthy Swamp to a river that leads to Lake Lachrymose, and that Monty’s place got mysteriously burned down, with rumors of two arsonists in odd get-up having set the place on fire.

Actually, Monty’s place getting burn happens right after Olaf enacted his plan to kidnap the Baudelaires after they get expelled from Prufrock Prep. Olaf orders the remaining troupe to pick them up. Verne and Fernald have one car to drive Penny and Lucy and the kidnapped children, while Seller and Harper have the other car to drive Olaf himself, because he at the moment, doesn’t want to share the vehicle as them.

But there’s a small change of plan regarding the kidnapping.

Duncan and Isadora, having disguised themselves as the Baudelaires (with Sunny being played by a sack of flour), get themselves kidnapped. Near sunrise, the Quagmires make their escape, but fail to see ‘Sunny’ was left behind. Lucy, having watching in the shadows alongside her sister, panicked, and ran onto the field.

Lucy: “Is the baby sick! IS THE BABY SICK? WHY DIDN’T YOU GO WITH YOUR SIBLINGS, BABY?” *The bag of flour flops over, and Lucy screams* Penny, joining her sister: “…That’s flour. That’s a bag of flour! Why would Violet and Klaus not have their sister running tonight alongside them?” Olaf, joining them as well, connecting the dots on why Violet and Klaus were oddly the same height, unlike all the other nights: “…Those annoying orphans brats. Ladies, go after the two Quagmires!” Penny and Lucy, confused: “The Quagmires?” Olaf: “Yes, the Quagmires! They were pretending to be the Baudelaire Brats the whole time! Like I said before! Go after them! I have a feeling they’ll be useful to us!”

Verne and Fernald as such, get a surprise when driving away from Prufrock Prep.

[A Kidnapping in the Happening!]

“You got to be kidding me! You two got the Quagmires Triplets?!” Fernald continued to look back behind the front passenger seat, not giving a damn that he’s unbuckled, because fuck car safety at the moment.

“Triplets?” asked Lucy, trying her best to keep Duncan from moving around. “There’s two of them though! The newspaper said they’re twins!

“Just because there’s two of us doesn’t mean we’re twins, lady!” shouted Isadora Quagmire, struggling against Penny’s tight grasp on her. “Our brother’s death in the fire doesn’t change a thing about our birth!”

“You lost your brother in a—OW! I got bit! How rude!” Lucy’s winced, and loosened her grip on Duncan Quagmire. Duncan as such, started to kick against the back side-passenger door in a rhythmic pattern.

“FUCK YOU ALL!” yelled Duncan at the top of his voice. “FUCK! YOU! ALL! YOU HEAR ME? YOU HEAR ME!?”

“Don’t you go breaking the door, brat!” growled Uncle Verne. “God, talk about having a hell of a drive back! Why do you have the Quagmires!?”

“A ruse is what happened!” Penny struggled to keep Isadora still, while trying to grab the burlap sacks from the backseat pocket to throw onto the Quagmires faces. “These two tricked us by pretending to be the Baudelaires! The boy was Klaus, the girl was Violet, and a bag of flour was the baby! How stupid that last one is!”

“Oh, fuck off with your stupid-ass complaints and insults about us!” Duncan continued to kick the door, and then glared at Uncle Verne. The glare had Fernald wondering what the Quagmires discovered about V.F.D. exactly. “You’re a bunch of miserable, selfish, assholes ruining other people’s lives without a damn over something stupid!”

“I agree with my older brother!” exclaimed Isadora. “You’re doing this all willing too! How do you live with yourselves! Don’t you care what others might think! Like your family?!”

“Shush, annoying little girl!” sneered Penny, managing to cover Isadora’s face with the burlap sack. “Now stay quiet, or else I’ll do something you’ll wish never happened to you. Unless you want me to do it your older brother! He bit my little sister, after all!”

Isadora did that, but it doesn’t stop her from moving around in the backseat anyway. Duncan meanwhile, continued to curse like a sailor at the top of his lungs. Well, at least until Lucy stuffed the burlap sack into his mouth. Fernald had to give up his jacket to Penny to cover the brat’s eyes.

[Must Be HELL of a Ride Back...]

Meanwhile, back at on the submarine Queequeg, V.F.D. finally got to Widdershins’ request for another crewmember, for Phil joins as the cook. Because Tegan is the unofficially part of the Crew of Two, Phil is delegated as an additional member; the chef.

With Tegan around, Fiona either helps Phil in the kitchen, or assists her stepfather and Tegan on reading charts and maps and submarine repairs. Fiona only has enough idle time to read The Mysterious Island. Fiona has yet read her stepfather’s birthday present, for it’s still in its wrapping.

(It’s a surprise tool that will help later.)

Tegan is doing a great job of being part of the Crew of Two. She keeps the Queequeg in almost near perfect condition, and almost always shadows Widdershins. Widdershins doesn’t mind her tailing, at first. He slowly grows irritated as Tegan unknowingly insults him. Widdershins wouldn’t mind the insults (for he’s quite use to insults) if Tegan didn’t compare him Ephraim while doing so. Tegan is harsh on Widdershins for not going back to land to restock on supplies so quickly, unlike Ephraim’s supplies runs. Tegan complaints to Widdershins on switching back and forth between subject matters, for Ephraim focuses on one thing at a time.

One day, Widdershins and Teagan were walking to a trolley stop with bulk of groceries in boxes, for they went on a supply run. There at the stop, is a thirteen-year-old boy with dark hair and dark wearing a backpack, holding a folded map in his hands. The boy has a mask covering the lower half of his face, like he has a cold and doesn’t want to spread germs. The boy eventually starts a conversation with them.

Thirteen-year-old Boy, muffled voice: “You got a lot of groceries for just two people.” Widdershins: “We’re actually carrying groceries for four people! Aye!” Tegan: “Eight people really, given we’re stocking up for supplies.” Thirteen-year-old Boy: “Stocking up?” Tegan: “Aye. It’ll be a while before we can go get groceries again, so we’re preparing.” Thirteen-year-old Boy: “Ah.” *nodding head, tilts head to side* “Thank explains why you have everything in bulk. Odd to see you don’t have small snacks in bulk.” Widdershins: “None at all! But we do have crackers!” *Widdershins sets the boxes he’s carrying down, and takes the top box off, setting it onto the ground. He then pulls out a rather large box of circular, salted crackers* “We got it for free, and while I like snacking on crackers, I don’t like this particular brand! Aye! Would you like to have them?” Tegan: “Are you—” *rolling eyes* “I can’t believe you’re doing this right now!” Thirteen-year-old Boy, tying his best to not laugh: “I was always told by my parents that I’m not supposed to take food from people I don’t know…” *stomach growls* “…but given my personal circumstances, I think I’ll make this the sole exception.”

The thirteen-year-old boy takes the box of crackers just as the trolley arrives. The boy goes onto the trolley, while two people get off the trolley. The boy takes a seat near the window, and waves goodbye at them, with Widdershins and Tegan waving also.

(Widdershins and Tegan will not know that they interacted with Quigley Quagmire until a dispatch got sent to them a week later when on the Queequeg:

Fiona, looking up from her charts: “Stepfather! Tegan! We got a telegram!” Widdershins, running down the spiral stairs: “Here I thought it wasn’t working!” Tegan, sliding down the pole: “Who send it to us, Niece Fiona?” Fiona, looking at telegram: “It’s from Quigley Quagmire.” Widdershins and Tegan: “What?” *Everyone looks at the dispatch* Dispatch: Captain Widdershins, I know this isn’t how one must use the Volunteer Factual Dispatch, but I must thank you STOP. The crackers you gave me lasted me a good while STOP. I am unsure when I’ll communicate with you again, but just know I heading towards the Mortmain Mountains for personal reasons, as well as related to the organization. Hopefully we will communicate with one another in the future STOP.”)

The two people that got off the trolley are real estate agents. One of them opened up their umbrella due to the sun, and they begin talking. There, Widdershins and Tegan hear that Monty’s home is gone, due to a fire of unknown origins. The land is now up for sale as potential retail development.

Widdershins was ready to stand up and ask them question as a random, curious citizen, but for the first time in years, he hesitates, and keeps quiet. This has Tegan going on yet another comparison, after they return to the Queequeg (Fiona is in the makeshift library, while Phil is out in the main control room looking out the port window).

[~If you say it like that, it must mean that you hate me~]

“Why did you stay silent, V? Remember our old man’s philosophy!” Tegan’s voice was close behind him, yet seemed so far away. “He —or she— who hesitates is lost!”

“I know that, Tegan.” Widdershins gripped the bottom box tightly as he tried to set the boxes onto the table. “I can’t forget such a philosophy, even if I wanted too. Aye, I had it drill into me longer than you.”

“Why did you hesitate then? Aye! You could have asked them more about it as a random, curious citizen. I think they wouldn’t have mind that!”

“I could, but I didn’t, aye.” Widdershins inhaled, and then exhaled. It’s all just a matter of keeping it under control. He can do this. He can do this. Widdershins took the first box off, and then the second box.

“That still doesn’t answer my question. Why didn’t you ask, V? Aye! If Stepfather was here, he would have asked them for sure!” Tegan’s voice goes slightly higher, as well as defensive. “Stepfather would have asked nonchalantly without a second thought! Aye! Stepfather would have successfully gotten more information! Having so many years of experience, our old man’s actions unlike yours—”

“Are correct! Aye! Are ideal! Aye! Are what the organization wants in a true volunteer! Captain Ephraim B. Widdershins does everything right, and everything I do is wrong!” Widdershins spun around on his heels, and gave a cold, stern glare at her.

Tegan, still carrying one the boxes, stared at him with her brown eyes. Her eyes blinking fast behind her triangle glasses, and her lower lips quivers. “V…”

“Is everything okay? I heard loud voices!” Phil’s voice called out from the outside.

Widdershins stared at Tegan, and then closed his eyes. He knew he fucked up big time. He had to apology, not just to appease his old man, wherever he is right now.

“I’m sorry.” Tegan’s voice was small.

Widdershins reopened his eyes, and stared at Tegan, and shook his head. He then took a step towards her.

Tegan took a step back, still with the box in her hand. The way Tegan was acting now, Widdershins was reminded of that day so long ago. Tegan was six, thinking him as a ghost from her past haunting them. He can’t blame Tegan for acting like this now.

The two of them didn’t speak for a bit. But Tegan eventually, took a step closer to him. Widdershins carefully took the box from Tegan’s hands.

“Don’t apologize, Tegan,” said Widdershins. “You didn’t know how I felt, because I didn’t tell you. Aye, so don’t go feeling guilty over something you didn’t know of.”

Tegan remained quiet, but she did nod her head.

“To tell you the truth about all of this,” continued Widdershins, “I’m doing this in the perspective of an outsider. As an outsider, Captain Ephraim B. Widdershins is a great submarine captain. He’s a well-respected volunteer in the organization. His stepdaughter as such deserves the best chaperone. Instead, you got stuck with—”

Widdershins couldn’t help but pause mid-way. Insulting himself would make Tegan feel worse, no doubt. Widdershins just sighed, as he placed the box onto the table.

“Tegan, I’m fine with you disrespecting me as your brother. Stepbrother,” said Widdershins. “As your chaperone though, I insist you accept and respect what I do, and do exactly as I say. And I said it was best we didn’t engage in conversation.”

Tegan once again, nodded head. In a quiet voice, she replied, “Okay.”

[~No! I don't hate you at all~]

Despite all the bickering and unknowing comparisons, there is one good thing going between Widdershins and Tegan. And that, is calling Phil “Cookie” for no apparent reason. Widdershins started it first, and Tegan jumped onto it. It drives Fiona off the walls to where she told them over dinner one night, with the meal being some sort of fish, vegetable, and cheese casserole (it’s not as bad as it could be, too).

Fiona, passing the black pepper to her stepfather: “It’s just impolite! It’s more polite to call someone by their proper name!” Widdershins, dumping black pepper over the casserole Phil made for diner: “Maybe so! Aye! But I have yet heard Cookie complain about it!” Tegan, drinking some lemonade, for they can’t have the lemon-lime soda: “He clearly likes the nickname. *turns to Phil* “Isn’t that right, Cookie?” Phil, *serving himself casserole, smiling*: “I do like it! I don’t mind the nickname at all. I always wanted a nickname when I was a kid! Cookie is a very nice nickname to have!” Fiona, doing an expression that is similar to the well-known scrunch-up Kermit face: “Well, alright then. I’m just surprise that you two when in a blue moon, are scarily so much alike. And this is considering how you are the opposite of one another.” Tegan, nearly choking on her lemonade, having feeling insulted: “Scarily alike? Niece Fiona, understand that comment is just uncalled for! He may not look it, but know at times he’s an empty head with no thoughts.” Widdershins, setting the black pepper down: “That means you too, can be an empty head with no thoughts.” Tegan: “…” *Pushes Widdershins off his chair* Widdershins, from the floor: “Hey!” Tegan, smirking as she swaps their plates: “It’s mine now, V.” Phil, still smiling: “Ah, siblings bonding. How wonderful!”

[afterthegreatunknown]

Tegan is Seventeen, But is No Dancing Queen

Hi! Welcome to the fourth 'chapter' of my Seven Six Widdershins Family Members AU. Inspired by the Six Baudelaire AU by unfortunate-stranger-losers, in this AU, the Book!Widdershins Family and Netflix!Widdershins Family are now combined together to make a family of six. This 'chapter' finally introduces the rest of the Widdershins Family that are the two Captain Widdershins and their respective stepdaughters.

But before getting to them, let's focus on others. After surviving Hurricane Herman, the Baudelaires evade the authorities that is Mr. Poe and the police, making it to Captain Sham’s Sailboat Rental. Violet stakes out the area, and sees none of Olaf’s associates.

She then goes on her tiptoes to look through the window. There she sees a set of keys hanging on the wall, with no one around. The siblings then sneak in, and they steal the keys, with Klaus opening up the shack where all the boats are locked up, so they can steal a boat to go rescue their Aunt Josephine.

Unknown to the Baudelaires, that was the main room. There is now a makeshift back room. Verne and Harper —the accomplices this time— are inside there playing Roland’s Folly, which is like Bullshit and Go Fish, blind to everything above.

By the way, due to being unable to make 'align center', as well as proper breaks in HTML in the new editor, when you see [] brackets with ramblings inside them, it's indicating a section change.

“I can’t believe I lost again,” said Harper, throwing their remaining cards onto the pile. Harper then tossed their third-favorite scarf in Verne’s direction. Soon, they collected the card pile, and neatly put them back into a stack to reshuffle them. “Next time you ask me to play Roland’s Folly, know I’ll say no.”

“You’re just a sore loser,” said Verne, setting the scarf down beside him.

“Maybe so. But your constant asking of me and the others to play this game —not to mention other things— has me wondering if you’re bored of being part of the troupe” Harper then placed one card in the middle facing upward; it’s the Joker card. “Are you bored of the troupe? I can’t recall the last time you took joy in making costumes.”

Verne said nothing as Harper dealt him six cards, and then themself six cards, before placing the deck of cards downward in the middle beside the upright facing card. Then, Verne said, “I wouldn’t say I’m bored. I’m just…not satisfy with my career choice anymore. Sure, it was fun at the beginning, but now it feels like a drag. And now, with the boss making us do his schemes on top of being a troupe…I’m feeling slightly tired.”

“Then why don’t you leave?” asked Harper. “Olaf had plenty of troupe members leaving. I don’t think he would care if you split, provided you do it at night and leave a note.”

“Now that, I can’t do. Isn’t it obvious? I’m staying for someone who’s important to me.”

“Sacrificing your own happiness for the sake of another, that’s nice.” Harper briefly smiled as they picked up their cards. The smile soon vanished in seconds, and they quickly drop their cards, slamming their hands onto the table.

“You’re staying for Olaf!?” Harper’s eyes are wide and bug-like.

Verne sputtered nonsense of words before finally getting out, “What?! No!!!”

[Netflix ASOUE's decision to give Fernald a crush on Olaf is still something I go '???' at to this day.]

Neither of them realizes the Baudelaires took the keys in the main room until Harper leaves mid-way in the third round, returning back in a panic to see the key is missing. The two go outside, and discover the shack’s lock is on the ground, as well as a boat being missing. Verne informs Captain Sham, and get ordered to get the getaway car ready. And Verne and Harper wait in the car, pulling up just in time for Sunny to bite off the peg leg, revealing Captain Sham as Olaf. The three soon zoom away, with the Baudelaires deciding to hitchhike a ride and zoom off elsewhere away from Mr. Poe.

While all the latter half events of The Wide Window are happening —maybe slightly before it— on the Queequeg are Widdershins and Fiona. Fiona is eating sunny-side eggs and rice her stepfather made for breakfast, for he’s playing chef. The organization has yet answered back Widdershins’ request of another crew member. He’s been asking for another crew member for almost two years, since the woman who turned out to be a spy left after impromptu round of hide-and-seek to catch her.

Widdershins is humming a song while doing the dishes, and he just placed the last plate onto the drying rack. He wipes his hands onto one of the nearby towels, and goes back to the control room to check on the radar. He sees everything is fine, and then hears the sound of the Volunteer Factual Dispatch receiving a telegram.

Widdershins is surprised to get one, for lately, he hasn’t been getting them as frequent as before. He suspected the spy had something to do with it, but he’s not sure. He ought to get that checked out by someone who isn’t Fiona. Widdershins as such, was excited to get the dispatch…until he saw the sender’s name: Captain Ephraim Widdershins, captain of the Submarine Nautilus, aka, Father.

Ephraim’s telegram: ‘Pardon the sudden intrusion of your patrol of Lake Lachrymose STOP. As Tegan’s 17th birthday is coming up, I would like it if it would be held on the Submarine Queequeg STOP. Tegan hasn’t seen Fiona —and you— in two years, and I would like to rectify this STOP. It’s good for family to see one another, V, and for family to talk to one another STOP. We’ll see you in roughly eleven hours STOP.’

As with any person who hasn’t seen family in a while, Widdershins takes the news well.

Widdershins, crumples and throws the dispatch away: “...”

Widdershins, storming back into the kitchen: “Fiona! Stop eating breakfast! Stop reading Herman Melville! Stop reading your fungi books! Get out your cleaning bandana! Aye! Get out the very fancy dishes! Your step-grandfather and Tegan are going to have her seventeenth birthday here! Aye! I can’t handle another complain of the Queequeg being a dump in compare to the Nautilus! I just can’t!”

*Widdershins leaves the kitchen to go to a nearby closet, opening it to reveal many cleaning supplies and tools neatly organize. He grabs two tabard cleaning aprons*

Widdershins: “You know how we need to make your step-grandfather and step-aunt comfortable while away from their home.”

Fiona, taking one of the tabard cleaning aprons, and begins to tie it around herself: “But Stepfather, when are they ever comfortable here?”

Widdershins: “Exactly.”

The Queequeg is decently clean before Ephraim and Tegan’s arrival, which allowed Widdershins to make fish fillets with a sauce and greens for dinner, a dessert of rice pudding, and decorations of balloons. When Ephraim and Tegan finally arrived, Widdershins offered his father a handshake. However, Ephraim doesn’t take notice of it (maybe.). He also doesn’t speak to Widdershins, only giving him a nod.

With Fiona guiding her step-grandfather to the control room (and kitchen), Tegan lags behind. She’s the only one to notice of Widdershins’ sniffling. She turns around, and walks backward. Widdershins’ back is turn against her, but Tegan sees/hears her step-brother slapping his face with two hands, and clearing his throat.

Widdershins: “C’mon on now, V. Pull yourself together. Aye. No one needs to see you cry over something so unimportant. Aye, especially when it involves your own father. God only knows what he’ll say to your face again.”

Tegan quickly turns back around, and hears her step-brother’s footsteps following after her. The two have a short, simple discussing about the condition of the Nautilus, for Widdershins is curious on why her birthday party is being held on the Queequeg.

Tegan, shrugging her shoulders: “You know how our old man is, V. He just does what he wants without any hesitation.”

Widdershins: “Aye. I do. I sure do…”

The four soon have diner. Widdershins and Ephraim finish their dinner first, and go the control room for a quiet discussion (and it’s actually quiet to where eavesdropping is impossible). Tegan and Fiona have a discussion on their own at the kitchen table.

[I refuse to give out my headcanon name for Book!Widdershins until I make a proper headcanon post or reveal it in a fanfic.]

Tegan continued to sit across the table from the younger girl in the blue navy uniform and similarly shape triangle glasses. Tegan cleared her throat, and set her fork down on the empty plate. Tegan had been preparing herself for this moment eleven hours ago. Hopefully, unlike V’s first two-years interaction with Stepfather, this will go smoother.

“Niece Fiona,” said Tegan, leaning back against the chair. “I see you grown a few inches since we last saw each other. Aye, you’re now taller than me.”

Fiona —Niece Fiona, Tegan must remember that from now on— blinked a few times, setting down her fork on her own empty plate. Fiona fiddled a bit with her glasses. “Thank you, I think. I see you grew out your hair. It looks really great in a braid.”

“Why, thank you, Niece Fiona. I would have kept my usual curly hair, but I discovered a book of hair styles in the Nautilus’s library.” Tegan found herself pausing, trying to figure out how to keep the conversation up and going. “I thought about doing a double braid, but I like the single braid better. It gives off a more professional look, don’t you think?”

Niece Fiona nodded her head. “It does makes you look professional. Um, what’s with you addressing me as ‘Niece Fiona.’ I mean, yes, I’m your step-niece, but we’re not that far apart in age. There’s no need to use that necessary title.”

“I gave this lots of thought over the last several hours. It’s best if I finally start acting as what I’m truly am to you. I’m not just your associate. I’m your aunt.”

“…Well, you call me what you think it’s right,” answered Niece Fiona. She quickly fiddled with her glasses before speaking again, and stood up from the table. “Just let me continue to you what makes me feel comfortable. If you excuse me, Tegan, I need to inform my stepfather that we’re done with our dinner. I’ll be back in a few minutes.”

 “…Very well then, Niece Fiona.” Tegan gave a curt nod, and soon placed her hands on the table. As she watched Fiona walk out the door to the control room, Tegan looked upward at the ceiling, and gave out a weak screech.

“Why did I expected it to go well?”

[Fiona not being 'Niece Fiona' at the end was deliberate.]

Dessert of rice pudding is served, and honestly speaking, it’s something of a drag. Ephraim isn’t please by the news of Widdershins’ lack of dispatches, for Widdershins reveals it upon returning to the table. Ephraim also doesn’t take it well Widdershins gave Fiona the task to figure out what’s wrong it the machine/being the mechanic.

Ephraim, taking a sip of soda: “This is what happens when you spend time on nonpractical matters. All that free time of you studying poetry, you threw away so much potential learning in your apprenticeship. V, as a captain, it’s wise for you to know the ins and outs of mechanics. Your sister is such an excellent machinic, I—”

Tegan, mentally thinking: “FUCK THEY’RE GONNA ARGUE!”

Fiona, mentally thinking: “Please don’t argue, please don’t argue, please don’t argue.”

Widdershins, serving Tegan more pudding: “‘I met a traveler from an antique land/Who said— “Two vast and trunkless legs of stone/Stand in the desert…”

Ephraim: [Beat] “Verse Fluctuation Declaration aside, poetry has no other use.”

Tegan, sighing in relief the tension is temporary pause, excuses herself from the kitchen and goes to the control room. She gives an unexpected shriek, for there’s a floating book through the porthole window. Everyone quickly joined her, and they see more books floating by. Widdershins recognized one as a grammar book, and realized that every book floating by is from Josephine’s library. Widdershins gets into action of getting the Queequeg back to the surface. Tegan quickly assisting him, even though the controls aren’t identical to the Nautilus.

The two saved as much of Josephine’s library as they can, and Ephraim makes mental notes how Widdershins and Tegan —while bickering on how to get the books—are working together, like a little crew of two.

Widdershins: “All I’m saying that this very long tong device will do the job! Aye! It’ll get all the books in its proper condition! Aye! No worry about losing pages!”

Tegan: “I could understand if it’s one, two, or even three books, V. But there are countless of books floating around. Aye, I think in order to save as much as Josephine’s books as possible, this long net is the way to go.”

(Tegan wins the argument after playing Rock-Paper-Scissors, two out of three rounds.)

Ephraim and Fiona are tasked with drying the books that got saved. Fiona is turning on all the fans they have, while Ephraim uses a hair dryer on a low setting. There, he asked Fiona about her stepfather. Specifically, how is he caring for her.

Fiona: “Stepfather is taking care of me more or less well. Just like always, since he regained custody. If you’re curious, last week he wrote me a note about needing to go to the City’s headquarter about his second crewmember problem.”

Ephraim: “Well, I’m glad to hear that.”

Fiona: “…I admit, it would be nice to have someone my age or around my age on board. Like Tegan. Yes. Tegan and I back in the day were close. I would like that again.”

After saving much of Josephine’s library, Ephraim and Tegan eventually depart back to the Nautilus. Tegan and Ephraim are in the library together. Tegan is reading a book on an armchair reading a lichen book given to her by Fiona, and taking notes in a new commonplace book (red) given by her step-brother. Ephraim meanwhile, is at his desk doing paperwork, and soon gets a personal Volunteer Factual Dispatch, for Ephraim has two dispatches onboard the Nautilus (the other one is in the main control room).

V.F.D. Telegram: “Ephraim, something urgent has gotten our attention STOP. Several members claim to have seen a creature a group of volunteers were researching on years ago. While you weren’t part of said research group, you’re the only volunteer left alive and present with knowledge of said particular creature STOP. We urge you to volunteer and investigate if the sightings have any truth to them STOP. You must either investigate this solo, or with one additional crew member STOP.

And no STOP. Tegan doesn’t count STOP.”

Ephraim shuddered, thinking over how the last time he saw ‘THAT’ creature, he was with a sixteen-year-old Widdershins, and how they barely escaped with their lives. If it wasn’t for his adopted son’s quick thinking, they would have perished and disappear into the depths of the unknown waters. Ephraim drags his hands down his face, and sighs. He knows his adopted son would be perfect as an additional crew member, but knows he wouldn’t want to leave Fiona. Again.

Ephraim decided it’s best to go solo, and makes his own reply telegram. Tegan meanwhile, notices that her stepfather is acting slightly off, and talks to him.

[I feel Netflix!Fiona if she has a commonplace book, would be red. More of a light red, but red still. And semi-related, but Book!Fiona's commonplace book I headcanon as blue. Like, a sky blue.]

“Stepfather, what’s wrong?” Tegan closed her lichen book, and carefully sets it down on the side table beside her.

“It’s nothing much. It’s just…” Stepfather trailed off, and leaned back against the wooden desk chair. He removed his hat, and set it down onto the desk. “The organization just sent me a personal telegram. Aye. The organization asked me to volunteer for a rescue mission regarding a manatee.”

“Ah. A manatee mission. Got it,” said Tegan slyly, slowly nodding her head, with a small smile. She knew that there’s no manatee in need of rescuing, but knew it’s an important mission. Stepfather just has a weird habit of using manatee for codes. It’s not all bad. Stepfather always took her on these sorts of missions.

“Unfortunately, I have to do the mission by myself.”

“A solo mission? Why it is a solo mission? Is there something different has needs me to stay behind? Do you have no choice on leaving me?” Teagan stopped smiling, and continued to sit at the edge of her seat, for something just occurred to her. “You’re not going to leave me alone in the City at the family’s penthouse, are you? I can’t—”

“Calm down, Tegan. You’re not going on the mission, but this is giving us the opportunity we been waiting for,” said Stepfather. “Aye, after seeing you today out at Lake Lachrymose, I think it’s time for you to finally become an apprentice.”

Teagan couldn’t believe what she was hearing. “Really?! I’m starting my apprenticeship!? I didn’t think there’s a lichenologist left in the City who—” And here Teagan stopped talking. No lichenologist left in the City meant one thing. “You mean my captain apprenticeship. That’s…well, at least I’m starting my apprenticeship.”

“I’m glad you’re taking it well,” said Stepfather, as he started pressing away on his personal Volunteer Factual Dispatch. “Now, let me inform headquarters of the development, and make the proper arrangement with V.”

“…You want V to be my chaperone!?” exclaimed Tegan. “Stepfather, I know he’s family and a captain with years of experience, but believe me when I say this idea will completely backfire! V has enough problems trying to find a second crew member!”

“Exactly.”