#(that one fairytale event)

[sonicsquid3000]

When they say you get to romance a beast but it's really just a normal guy who just happens to be rude.

[distant-velleity]

“What I want isn't simple enough for one wish... Please, share it with someone who needs it more.”

Yuhua Wei - "Fairytale Attire"

event: Fairytale Soiree ( @angelwishess )

LMAO okay sO- i may or may not have my priorities TOTALLY out of whack; a fully shaded drawing like this is way more effort than just. a card; but i had a vision that had to be realized

um i don't really know what his rarity would be since this isn't a card submission, just art i felt like making -- it's up to viewer imagination/hope, i guess? LMAO

(design thoughts and other rambles under the cut)

~

so i need to conserve energy instead of writing voicelines but

OKOKOK. design notes. yuhua has always been more or less twisted from the tales of ye xian/cinderella, but all of his existing outfits related to that are heavier on the ye xian elements-- so i took inspiration from cinderella this time!

... it just... kinda got lost along the way as i kept changing the design... NKSDFKSJHFKSHFKSF

but it's there! kind of! and he would have these almost glass-looking shoes too (perfectly walkable I PROMISE 🙏 HE WILL NOT LOSE THEM TRUST)

if i had the opportunity i would have also emphasized the clock pattern in his eyes 😭that's the biggest giveaway of his relevant fairytale regardless of this event but ... oh well LMAO

...

should i stop putting yuhua in big social events when he's an introvert with a low social battery? 100% HAHAHAHA but i will never stop. i love putting him in these pretty outfits. this might be the first time i've drawn him in a dress outside of A Specific Circumstance and it's really cute so we ball (i was also getting tired of drawing suits for EVERY SINGLE EVENT but yk lolll)

also, does he want that wish? maybe, but i think more than anything, he knows what he wants is something emotional/mental, some kind of validation he can only seek and obtain himself... and so he'd rather the wish not be wasted on him hahaha. that’s basically what he means (and also bc he feels too selfish if he tries to go for the wish but you knowwwww :) )

if you read this far, thank you for bearing with me <333

-

taglist (ask to be added or removed): @thehollowwriter @theleechyskrunkly @elenauaurs @casp1an-sea @nahelenia

@skriblee-ksk @boopshoops @scint1llat3 @nyx-of-night @nemisisnemi

@sillyslipperybananapeel @beneathsakurashade @kathxrat-01 @lumdays @twistedwonderlandshenanigans

@taruruchi

[it-happened-one-fic]

A Cinderella Fairytale - Deuce

Author Notes: @miriamladyvoid So this is the selection from my 600 followers event that corresponds to the book you chose (A book that has been lovingly re-covered in now sun-faded fabric). i wrote this while listening to "Lavender Blue" from Disney's Live action Cinderella (2015) OST. I kept this one as a female reader as well since that was what was in your request. I hope you enjoy!

600 followers event!

Type: female reader/ fluff/ romance/ charming fairytale in a book that has been lovingly re-covered in now sun-faded fabric/ Isekai

Word count: 2416

I exhaled, scrubbing the floor that magically seemed to gain more filth each time I blinked.

Never had I so regretted touching a book as I regretted touching the one that had transported me into this fairytale world that was a little bit too much like Cinderella for my liking. Especially considering I was the one in the role of Cinderella.

I should've known to be wary of the enchanted books Crowley had told me to take to the library for safe storage. If I had, then maybe I would have found myself getting transported to a magical world that wasn’t my own or Twisted Wonderland.

Of course, I hadn’t exactly been planning on opening one of the books. One of them had just slid off the top of the stack and fallen to the ground, opening as it did so.

I’d frowned at the book covered in sun-faded fabric that obviously hadn’t been original to it as I sat down on the other books before kneeling and slowly picking the book upright as Deuce had come into the room behind with yet another stack of books. 

I’d barely even gotten a chance to glance up at the young man as a flash of light sparked out from the book, causing the young man to shout in surprise before everything had faded into darkness and I’d woke up here.

I hadn’t woken up with no clue as to where I was. The enchantment on the book had been kind enough to give me all of the information regarding my character’s backstory.

And it was almost exactly that of Cinderella. Meaning that I was essentially trapped in a retelling of one of the world’s most famous fairytales known to man.

The only real comfort was that, at the very least, Deuce had no doubt seen me get sucked into the book.

He would go and get help; I knew he would, and as soon as they could figure out how, I trusted that my friends would get me out of this book and back into Twisted Wonderland.

But up until then, my best options seemed to be filling my role and playing the part of Cinderella. Which included servitude to my apparent stepfamily.

“You still haven’t finished cleaning the floor, Ashes? You won’t be able to go to the ball at this right!” My supposed stepsister trilled at me from the upper staircase, and I twisted to look up at her.

I had to hand it to her and my stepmother, who stood behind her with a faux-disappointed expression; they weren’t going with the classic nicknames of ‘Cinderella’ or ‘Cinders.’ Instead, they referred to me as ‘Ashes.’

I watched as my stepmother shook her head, her lips pulled together in a pout, “Really, dear, I would have thought you would know this by now. If you try to clean the floor while covered in filth, then you’re only going to spread filth around.”

I glanced down at my clothes, which were not, in fact, covered in filth but were considerably stained. I nodded nonetheless, my fingers curling into the filthy rag I was using to clean, “Yes, ‘Mother.’”

I heard the tapping of heels, and then my chin was lifted by a fan so that I was looking up into my stepmother’s face, which was just a little bit too red to be colored by blush alone, “I told you to call me ‘Duchess,’ Ashes.”

I pulled my mouth up into a fake smile, “Yes, of course, Duchess.”

She let out a hum before twisting to look up at the clock and tutting lightly, “It is far too late for you to join us at the ball, Ashes. I’m afraid you’ll have to stay behind tonight.”

I twitched slightly at her words, indignant on my character's behalf. For tonight, she said. More like for the rest of your existence.

I wasn't particularly looking forward to meeting the prince charming of this story, but I was looking forward to my entrance at the ball. At the very least, I would get to see her shocked and dismayed face then. Though that was only a little comfort, considering it wasn’t actually going to be ‘Ashes’ who finally bested this woman.

The fan was yanked from under my chin, and she made sure to drag its sharp corner along my skin before finishing pulling it away as she smiled at me, “Be sure to finish your chores, ‘Dear.’”

She stepped away, turning in a swirl of rich but gaudy fabrics as I watched her stalk out of the kitchen and to her smirking daughter’s side, “And remember, tomorrow the prince will be visiting to declare his intentions to my daughter.”

My daughter. Not your sister.

But that was fine. In no way did I want to be accused of being related to the caution orange monstrosity of tulle that was the wicked step-sister of this tale.

I bowed my head, idly wondering what my fairy godmother would look and be like as I murmured my response, “Yes, Duchess.”

The two women left, trailing shrill laughter behind them as they swept out of the room, and I sat back.

As I recalled, the fairy godmother usually showed up right after Cinderella’s heart was broken, which did make me wonder if she would even show up.

According to the plot, she should, but I was hardly heartbroken.

But that was fine. I’d found a dress in the attic that was a perfect match for my size that was no doubt left by the previous lady of this house.

Ashes’s mother.

Changing didn’t take long, and I glanced at the clock as I walked through the house. The only question now was how, exactly, I was going to get to the palace without a pumpkin carriage to take me there.

I stepped out of the house, glancing around and feeling my eyebrows raise as I spotted a carriage that was parked right outside the house. A little bit too handy to be a coincidence, as the man in front waved me over.

“You must be a lady of this house. We’ll have to hurry to get you to the ball on time, my dear,” He smiled warmly, and I felt myself grin back at him before clambering into the carriage and sitting as it took off.

I frowned at the box next to me, though, immediately suspicious as I leaned out the window, “This box… Are you delivering it?”

The man shook his head, “No, ma’am, that would be for you. Some faerie stopped by and left it here, saying the lady who took this carriage to the palace would need it.”

I frowned at it, feeling my eyebrows lift before I carefully opened the box to reveal delicate glass slippers.

I felt myself laugh slightly; I supposed it wouldn’t really be a Cinderella fairytale without at least one gift from a fairy godmother after all.

And, just like a perfect fairytale, they fit like a dream and were impossibly comfortable despite their design.

I found myself shaking my head and smoothing back out the full, layered skirts of my dress, idly wondering about what this prince charming was going to be like.

Probably perfectly handsome, in a brilliant white suit, and totally at odds with the young men I’d gotten so used to being around at NRC. And there was nothing wrong with that. In fact, that would make him someone that I’d want for this story’s protagonist. 

Ashes deserved someone who would be good to her in ways that she had experienced since her childhood, when her father and mother were still alive.

It didn’t seem like I’d been in the carriage hardly anytime at all when it rolled to a stop and the coachman leaned around, a smile on his face that somehow reminded me of Cater, even though he looked nothing like the ginger-haired young man, “Here’s your stop, ma’am. And good luck on winning the prince’s heart.”

I felt myself smile at him as I stepped out of the carriage, noticing that its roundness really did make it appear like a pumpkin.

“It looks like I’m going to be fashionably late,” I was surprised to find that I felt oddly nervous as I looked up at the grandiose staircase that led up into the sparkling palace just ahead.

He leaned down, winking at me lightly, “All the better for making an entrance, I say. Now, farewell, my lady.”

And with that, he snapped his reins once, and the carriage pulled away as I started up the staircase, at first slowly and then trotting, as my skirt fanned out around me.

Sets of doors after sets of doors were opened for me as I hurried through the palace, idly checking clocks as I went. Even I knew that the magic would wear off at midnight, and if I wanted this story to move forward, I needed to meet the prince before then, at the ball.

And right now, even as I filled the role of the princess in this story and even looked the part for once, ending this story was still my best chance of returning home outside of relying wholly on my friends to get me out.

I found my pace slowing, though, as I approached a particularly ornate set of double doors in front of which two men stood. Both of them looked my way and nodded slightly before they opened the doors silently for me. Revealing the glittering spectacle of a ball that was spread out in front of me as I walked out on a dais from which two sets of stairs fanned out.

I could see the musicians getting ready, but they obviously hadn’t started playing yet, which meant I’d made it before the prince had made his choice of partner.

I swallowed thickly, letting one hand rest on the stair’s gently curving rail while the other reached to lift my skirts, just enough for me to slowly step down the stairs and the rest of the way into the brightly lit ballroom.

I exhaled softly, bracing myself to meet Prince Charming when I saw him, and somehow, instead of being surprised, I only smiled.

His eyes were wide as he took a few, almost hesitant steps towards me before he smiled in return from across the room.

Guests parted around him, their confusion evident as he walked towards me at my quick pace and heads turned, their eyes landing on me as he slowed and came to a gentle stop right in front of me, “I finally found you.” 

His voice was so soft, and I laughed slightly, shaking my head in slight disbelief until I found my voice, “Deuce… I didn’t even know you were here. Did you get sucked into this story at the same time I did?” 

He nodded, glancing down and making a slight face before he looked up at me once more, “Yeah…  I’ve been looking for you ever since so we could get out of here, but I’ve also been getting forced to act like a prince…..”

He trailed off, and I laughed slightly, tilting my head at him, “Well, you look like a perfect prince.”

He brightened at my words, though he also looked a little bashful before he nodded slightly, “And you look like a real princess, Y/n!”

He reached out, taking my hands in his, and I heard music start up almost immediately, causing my eyes to widen and glance over towards the musician right as one of the men from the top of the staircase spoke up, “His Highness has chosen his partner!”

I looked back towards Deuce, only to find him looking around just as startled as I was, “I don’t know how to dance though….”

I squeezed his hands lightly, pulling his gaze back to me with just that slight gesture, “Hey, we’ll do it together.”

I watched as he blinked at me slightly before nodding, a determined glint entering his gaze, “Right, together.”

And with that, we shifted, spiraling across the floor with unpracticed motions that somehow seemed oddly perfect. They fit the two of us. Two people who weren’t originally from this story but had still ended up swept up in the tale.

As the music trailed off, we came to a slow stop, with his arms wrapping around me as we both laughed slightly. Perhaps from the giddiness of having danced in front of an entire group of people, or maybe from the ridiculousness of us being in a fairytale such as this one.

And then, as I leaned against him, the lights seemed to brighten and turn the entire ballroom white.

I closed my eyes, pressing my face into Deuce’s shoulder as his grip on me tightened until, at last, I chanced opening my eyes only to find the glittering spectacle of the ballroom gone.

I sat back, startled, and my motions caused Deuce to jolt slightly, his own eyes opening as we looked up at the Heartslabyul students around where we knelt on the floor of the school’s library.

“Guys! How-”

“We just closed the book,” Ace was shaking his head at us, his arms crossed as he looked down at us, and I blinked as his stare shifted over to Deuce and he snorted.

“Next time, instead of diving in after the Prefect, use your head, and maybe they won’t be trapped in a book for so long.”

Deuce frowned, straightening from his seated position, “Hey! I had to do something!”

And just like that, the two of them started bickering. But I felt a light tap on my shoulder that had me turning as Cater smiled down at me, “So what was being a princess like?”

I blinked at his words before a smile slowly started to crawl across my face, half in amusement and half in genuine happiness that I’d gotten to experience such a magical little story.

I looked over at Deuce as I smiled, realizing I’d probably never get to see him dressed up like a prince or dance with him like that ever again. And those, at the very least, were two memories I’d treasure for the rest of my life.

And when I answered Cater, I was still smiling, half-wishing we could have made it to the end of the story. It had felt like we’d only just gotten to the good part after all. 

“Like a fairytale.”

[little-pup-pip]

Hi there! If you've already done this moodboard and I missed it in the list don't hesitate to ignore this but I have a request if you're willing! Could you possibly do a masculine royalty/prince themed moodboard? A paci included but no gems or charms (if you can!). Thank you thank you thank you for reading and for your time! I appreciate it :3

Here you go!!

[lilacerull0]

don achille's basement is KEY. i say this about most things, but hm hmm.

[potionpeddlerpatchy]

Oh thank you, kind peddler! I am quite intrigued by many items, new and old, in your dwelling. While many things catch my eyes in interest, the one that truly reaches for my soul is the Intriguing Book of Old. I have quite a love for stories and would love to hear more of your peddler tales. For the price, I humbly offer my best tea, peaceful company and 15 pieces of gold from my travels. I can only hope it is precious in your sight.

How kind of you, dear traveler, to wish to bestow upon me a gift of gold in exchange for the book of old that seemed to take hold of your attention as you first walked in. Though I can assure you Marquie, that such gold is not needed in order to obtain it. I am more than willing to part with an old book if I know it is going into the hands of a good person, which I know you are 💛

Though, I must say, I am tempted to take upon your offer of tea and the chance to let you know of all sorts of adventures I have been on; all the people and places I have traveled to.

But, I think it best you read the story in your own hands first. 🔮

Music was a passion of yours, at least as long as you could remember. A gift given to you by the gods above, a blessing you parents would tell you, whenever you went near an instrument and began to play it. Whether it was stroking the ivory keys, or plucking the strings of a lute, you were blessed with a musical touch, with your muses being whatever song was held within your heart.

With the violin being your most favorite of instrument. How you could pull back your horse-haired bow and have it play out the melancholy that you felt to create a tragically beautiful melody, to then have those same bows and string play a more upbeat tune as you made a strain of music that would have those that listen tap their feet and dance to.

It was the dichotomy that you enjoyed. How those simple strings could help you emote so much better than any other instrument you had ever held. Even after all the years passed, and you memory of how to play eloquently faded through fingers that stumbled over the ebony and ivory, or unable to strum up an enjoyable tune, they never faltered whenever you placed you chin over your violin.

But with age came more responsibilities. Work needed to be done in order to provide a roof over your head and food within your belly; and though many enjoyed your tunes they could not bring themselves to spare you some of their hard-earned coins over it. Thus, you were regaled to work alongside your fellow man to earn your keep, only having the chance to play whenever you weren’t. A task much harder to accomplish when the moment you walked through the threshold of your home you were expected to do your share of the housework and cleaning.

It left you little, if at all, the chance to indulge yourself in the one thing that brought you a semblance of serenity. So, with the knowledge and experience you have earned, you figured out a solution for you and your passions.

On the days that you could, you would sneak yourself off to the nearby woods into the small, flowered, meadow that was kept inside it. There you were able to play with out interruption, without someone calling for your name, to hear yelling voices requesting you of you a tune to play, or to those that were scold you and tell you to stop playing and interrupting the peace they had finally found themselves. It was the rare moments you could find where you could be one with your emotions, without the expectations of the world around you.

Whenever you would play, you would have an audience too; one much more respectful than the townsfolk you were used to. Foxes, rabbits, birds, even a lone whole or two, would stumble across you and would take a moment to sit and appreciate your lovely tunes before wandering back off to where they were meant to go. Sometimes they would even sit upon your lap whist you played, if they felt bold enough to do so. And some days, you would spot him. A lone woodsman as he went to collect some timber for the fireplaces of those who could not get it themselves.

He was incredibly handsome, at least you thought he was. Tall, with hair as dark as any raven you saw, and peculiar dots of freckles upon his face. You always wished you could see him more closely, but the moment he would stumble across you playing, or even catch wind of your beautiful music, he would turn the other way. The sound of his axe strikes would echo further and further as ventured away from you.

You had long to know his name, but perhaps he did not think the same. Whenever he would pass you by, choosing to once again ignore you in favour of his solitude, your music would turn more woe some to match the ache in your heart. Perhaps the Gods above, those that had granted you such a fortune, grew tired of hearing your sorrows, tired of hearing the wonderous gift they blessed you be used for things less jubilant than they intended. Forced, they played their hand and gave forth to you another gift.

This time, a wolf.

One that came up to you whilst you played and sat before you, it waited patiently almost as if it was politely waiting for you to stop playing before it began to speak. And much to your surprise it did, after you gently lowered your instrument down from your shoulder to greet it.

“Y-you can speak?” You questioned, shoulders tensed, as you questioned how this could be as the wolf nodded its head.

“Indeed, I can.” The wolf sat more upright in respect to you, before reaching a paw to gingerly touch the bow in your hand “I wished to pay my compliments to you, for your play beautifully.”

You muttered out you appreciation as you tried your hardest not to move; you did not think that the animal before you would take it upon themselves to harm you, but you could never be sure. Animals had an unpredictability to them, and you always favoured being cautious than not.

“Suppose that was not all you wished to tell me?” You asked, giving forth a weak smile as your eyes kept darting towards the heavy paw upon your hand.

“You are far more perceptive than those around you give you credit for’ The wolf nodded, “I wished to learn to play the violin as well, and am hoping a master as yourself would teach me the needed skills.”

“Well, I…” You began, though you could feel the claws hidden beneath the fur of the paw slow sink into your skin; a clear indication that a rejection would not be tolerated “I would love to.”

You saw the wolf’s ear perk at your acceptance as you felt the sharp sting of its nails recede from your skin. He watched you with interest as you began to think how best to proceed, though he thought it was how to start a lesson, for you to was a way to rid yourself of the beast.

“But we cannot practice here for the rest of the woods to hear, we must go someplace quiet” You spoke, trying your best not to stammer out your words “There is an old oak tree, not far from here, one that is hollow and split in the middle. Do you know of it?”

“I do”

“Wonderful, I shall meet you there for your first lesson” You smiled, moving to stand as you gestured for the wolf to take the first few steps away from you “I shall meet you there one I pack up my violin”

The wolf merely nodding before running forth ahead to where the hallowed oak was. One out of sight, you let out a panic sigh as you began to pack your things; wishing to rush out of the woods and never return. Though you did not get far, only halfway through the foliage that stood between you and your village, before you heard the grumbled growl of the creature you had crossed.

Before you could even think to start a sprint to outrun it, you path was blocked by its figure; how breath heaved in anger as it looked up you – clear that your trickery has caused more ire to the creature that you had hoped. You stumble back as you tried to keep your footing, for at least you found some semblance of control if you were upright.

But to wasn’t long before your fright caused your feet to trip upon themselves; with a loud, broken cry, you fell to the forest floor. You closed your eyes as your body began to tremble fiercely. You hoped that at least death would be swift should the wolf’s anger lead him to such an action as his snarling came closer; so close that you could feel the wet and the heat coming forth from the creatures mouth.

You took one final breath, accepting your fate fully, before you heard a pained cry from the wolf. It took you a moment, a breath as you came to the understanding the wolf was not near you any longer, before you filled your aching lungs with air once again. You peaked an eye open to see where the wolf had gone, only to be faced with a pair of legs, rather than an angry beast.

“D-did you kill it?” You asked the man who stood before you, your heart still pounded as you awaited response.

“No, merely sacred it off” He replied, voice deep as his head never moved from where you assumed the wolf has ran off to.

With that knowledge, you felt your eyes spring with tears of relief as you struggled to calm yourself down; your breathing laboured as you tried to allow yourself to find a balance between the strong sense of both fear and solace it had gone through. Though it stopped altogether when the man finally turned to regard you.

It was the woodman.

“Are you alright?” He offered his hand to help you stand, though he sensed your hesitancy and thus offered his name in hopes it would allow you trust his aide “My name is Sakusa Kyioomi”

You gave your name in kind, gingerly placing you hand upon his as he helped to guide you back onto your own feet. Though once you had stood, he kept hold of your hand. When you tilted your head in question, he ducked his own in a timid display.

“I think I should tell you, now before I lose my nerve like many a time before” He began “But you - !”

~

The call of your name snapped you up from your reading; your friend from the other side of the shop had a look of complete exasperation as she waved you over to come to where she stood; you could only suppose it was to leave. You quickly placed a finger upon the sentence you were reading as you closed your book as best you could; taking hold of the bag you brought with you as you slung it over your shoulder. Though in your haste you fumbled and dropped your newfound book.

A pair of hands took hold of it before you could, gently turning it over before holding it out for you. It was the shopkeeper, and she had a patient smile as she waiting for you to properly gather your wits as you gingerly took the book back.

“Was it a good read?” She asked, watching as you placed the book into your bag “Yes it was, thank you” You rushed, still doing your best to adjust from the dangers you had just seemingly faced to the reality of the world around you.

“Ah, I can see you are a little upset over losing your place.” She nodded her head “But you need not worry over something as trivial as that.” The confusion you were sure was written upon your face made her smile grow larger, more mischievous, “The book knows where you have left off, and much like your friend, it is patiently waiting for you to go back to it.”

Suppose it might be best for you to come back another time for that tea? I think your friend would not like it if I took up more of your time to tell you one of my long, and often confusing, stories.

I do hope you, and your woodsman friend, do stop by soon~ 🔮

I do hope you wish to keep what you found, for all 'sales' are final

[starpros-sunshine]

OK FOLLOWING UP ON THE BARD THING i think eichi definitely invited wataru to perform at a noble party before. because they'd usually have musicians and so? so ok picture this. it's eichi's birthday so his parents want him to hold a ball and he usually thinks those are annoying but then he gets an idea. make it a masquerade (for the drama). invite wataru as both a performer And his partner for the ball. he's an actor! and everyone is of course impressed by wataru's performance but they're even more impressed because the always polite but unreachable tenshouin heir is expertly dancing with a masked stranger (i love the fact that eichi's specialty in his profile is ballroom dancing). and then they're annoying and overdramatic in public together but no one can figure out Who That Is

and also i know you said that shu was a tailor but i think it would be funny if he also were a noble (his family is also of high standing in canon i think) so he can be there to judge eichi. harshly. i havent figures out yet how to make him besties w wataru but ! it can work

!!!!

This got soooo long again so this is once more put under read more I am so sorry

The idea with the Masquerade comes up while Eichi complains to Wataru about his parents pretty much forcing him to throw a ball for his upcoming birthday (they already planned the whole thing and didn't reallly give him a choice in the matter) and how much of a hassle he thinks that is because of all the superficial politeness between people that everyone knows are gossipping about each other behind each others backs and how sick he is of the pretending to be well acquainted with these people he's talked to maybe once or twice and all the ladies that wish to dance with him and that want to suck up to him because of his families wealth and how really this is all just one big farce to "save face". So Wataru suggests "why not make it a masquerade ball" to spice things up a little bit maybe, take some of the stiffness out of it. And Eichi says he wants to invite Wataru because what's a public event without proper entertainment? Wataru agrees of course and they come up with all of these overly grandiose ideas and scenarios (most of them are utterly absurd. One they genuinely consider involves Wataru pretending to kidnap Eichi and causing a scandal (Eichi woud miraculously reappear the next day and they'd gaslight everyone into thinking that never even happened and all the people are just imagining things)).

Wataru mentions that he'll be gone for an evening to play at the noble's ball to the elderly inn-keeper couple over dinner and they make a really big fuss about it and tell him to dress nicely and to watch his manners because "Remember, you can't just drop from the ceiling with those high society people like we let you do it here they're very sensitive about manners you have to make sure to watch your manners!" and for a minute he wonders how it got to the point that his landlords started to treat him like they personally picked him up from the street when he was a child.

I like to think he met Shu when he was out on the street doing a little street performance to earn some extra money for himself and Shu, the way that he is, came by, looked him up and down, and then started a conversation with him about music as an art form and that somehow turned into a philosophical discussion and at the end of that they each went their own ways with the knowledge that there was a new friendship formed that day.

And maybe he's the one that sews Watarus clothes for the ball because if you spent most of your life as a traveling bard living hand to mouth from your music you won't really have the money for fancy clothes (Eichi still insists on paying for Wataru here because he wouldn't need to spend so much money on fancy ballgowns if it wasn't for him in the first place and also he just wants to treat Wataru to something nice and sees this as his chance seeing as Wataru declines most gift offers me made before). Wataru tells him about the entire thing and Shu scoffs because dislikes Eichi (still need to come up with a way to explain that disdain but I will come up with something trust me!) but his parents force him to be there too so "he might as well" (it's obvious he still puts in a lot of care "because of his pride as an artists" (because Wataru is his friend and he wants him to have something nice)).

Shu only has to be there because his family guilt trips him into going and he doesn't see the point in opening that can of worms again ("We already let you pursue your foolish dream of sewing clothes like a commoner this is the least you could do for your family.")

And then at the actual event he's in some secluded corner together with some other people who only attended as a mere formality because they also do not like the Tenshouin family but they have to be there because they're important and aristocrat politics are weird that way I suppose.

Meanwhile Wataru does his usual thing and charms everyone with his beautiful beautiful voice and his elegance and charm and oh he is so agreeable as a performer. Eichi has to handle the usual "pleasantries" (nothing pleasant about those tries) and he exchanges the one or the other suffering glance with Yuzuru when nobody pays attention that just screams "God when will it end". Yuzuru shoots him back a look that conveys the exact emotion of "my condolences" and then he goes on to look for Tori who's 1.53m figure has disappeared in the group of people and when he finds him he's talking to a gentleman that's about a head taller than him and the mask obscures his face but judging by the hair and the slight "animosity" between them he's talking to Tsukasa, so Yuzuru decides he's in good hands and leaves to do his own thing. (do they know they're talking to each other? Who knows! But they'd probably manage to start bickering either way.)

And eventually it gets to the actual Ball bit of the Birthday Ball Event where they actually dance (there's an actual orchestra there now and they play very lovely music). And almost everyone asks to dance with Eichi at least once. Eichi does not want to waste his time and energy on these people who are just interested in him for his money so he always makes up something about being preoccupied or a little tired or something that gives them no other choice but to back off. Suddenly Wataru appears behind him and does a little "boo!" and Eichi didn't expect that so he startles and almost drops his glass and tells Wataru not to do that anymore at public eventshas while Wataru has to stiffle a laugh because he thinks Eichi is cute when he pretends to try to be firm with him. After he's done with his "scolding" (you can barely call it that. he was very soft on Wataru.) Wataru asks him for a dance this time and he's very chivalrous about it - he goes all out really - he kisses his hand and offers him a rose while he does a little bow and asks if he "may have this dance with the lovely star of the evening" (and oh Eichi wants to kiss him so bad right then and there but in a room full of people that are worse than a committee of vultures that is very much not an option). Of course he agrees and they move to the dance floor and suddenly a Lot of eyes are on them because Eichi Tenshouin, whom a good chunk of pursuers have already given up on - because let us be real. It will never happen. The man hasn't shown interest in anyone at any moment in time and lives together with the Himemiya heir and his butler as far removed from the rest of the aristocracy as one would be able to - is waltzing with this masked stranger and it becomes very obvious very quickly that Eichis constant declining of dance offers was not for a lack of expertise because those two look breathtaking together.

Eichi actually dips Wataru once and some people wish they had hired an artist to paint the scene (because I'm a sap and wataei is beautiful I don't care I'm being self indulgent here)). And they talk but nobody can understand what because of the loud music and they curse the orchestra - which is still playing very lovely music (it's heavenly really) - for it.

After their dance is over Eichi goes back to declining every dance offer he gets with the excuse he's exhausted and needs to rest a little before he can dance again (the "I don't wish to dance with you" is implied and in the room but most people chose to ignore it to spare their ego and decide to take him at face value) and Wataru disappears to somewhere, nobody really knows where but somehow he's nowhere to be found. Until he sneaks up to Eichi a second time and does the whole "Boo!" thing again and Eichi almost drops his glass yet another time and as he turns around to "scold" Wataru again Wataru shushes him and takes Eichis, who is more confusedd than anything by now, hand and sneaks out of the ballroom with him.

Eichi asks where they are going and Wataru doesn't answer he just keeps walking and Eichi decides to just trust the process and suddenly they're on the Balcony again, not a cloud in the sky and the only sounds to be heard are the muffled instrumentals from the orchestra that started playing their next piece. The only lightsource being the moonlight reflected by the new years snow. And Wataru turns around, he's not wearing a mask anymore, and he does his little bow and kisses Eichis hand, hands him a rose he had appear from nowhere - a white one this time - and does his entire "May I have this dance with the lovely star of the evening" spiel again. It's the same routine really but it's different somehow. More intense. Because he says it with more sincerity than he did when they were around more people. And Eichi doesn't even have to reply before he finds himself whisked into this waltz yet again, somehow in the leading position. And then they dance and they dance and it's just the two of them, the stars as their only witnesses. And as the orchestra finishes their piece and the music fades out Eichi dips Wataru again and they kiss and it is so sappy and they are so so so so sappy.

They stay out on the balcony a little while longer but they retreat back inside rather timely seeing as it is still january and the night and as the following consequence of those two circumstances actually pretty cold and they'd both rather Eichi not get sick (he already got Watarus coat but then they'd also both like it very much if Wataru also didn't get sick either so they migrate back into the empty, dimly lit hallways of the mansion rather quickly)

(meanwhile at the actual ball people have noticed Eichi missing and started to ask questions, poor Yuzuru has to repeatedly tell people Eichi probably retreated into his quarters already, seeing as it is rather late and he was rather tired "Please excuse the young master for his failing in notifiying the other guests, he told me he didn't wish to interrupt the nice atmosphere and preferred to leave unnoticed".)

After the festivities died down Yuzuru and Tori go to check up on Eichis room because he's been gone without any notice and it would probably be useful to know if their kind-of-roommate just went away to fool around with that strange bard man they've been seeing sneaking around their mansion from time to time that Eichi seems to be oddly fond of or if the should actually be worried about his well-being. After they knock and get no reply Yuzuru just opens the door and he and Tori are both greeted with the view of Eichi asleep in his bed and next to him the also seemingly fast asleep figure of Wataru who's braid got considerably more lose during the course of the evening and who's also seemingly wearing some of Eichis sleepwear.

They both decide they have seen enough they do neither need nor wish to see more. Yuzuru, who has been in this situation before doesn't even have it in him anymore to react in a specific way. He just lets out this big sigh because he doesn't get paid enough for all of this as he directs Tori out of the room. Tori who has not been in this situation before has a Lot of questions now because he doesn't know this man but he's apparently closer to Eichi than most other people and he doesn't know how to feel about that but happy is probably not it.

(The following day Eichi has to listen to a (rightfully) disgruntled Yuzurus passive-agressive-yet-somehow-still-very-polite-sounding-Yuzuru-complaints about him just disappearing like that and leaving it to Yuzuru to take care of his mess (Eichi promises him to make up for it and that if Yuzuru has any favour to ask he's very welcome to come to Eichi about it). Tori really wants to ask about the strange man Eichi was so involved with but between not really getting a word in while Eichi and Yuzuru are talking and not really knowing how to take the exceedigly good mood Eichi is in (he's had "A very nice evening". With utmost certainty it was for reasons other than him actually enjoying the mingling witht the high society at social function he was obligated to host, Tori guesses), he kind of clinks out here and decides to simply take matters into his own hands when he gets the chance.)

[polisena-art]

"someone help me I'm giving catholic guilt TO BIRDS" LMAO OMG, thank you for the angst! your ideas actually make a lot of sense, i specially liked the "ze can be an asshole with relationships because he is an insecure lil bastard and doesnt know how to deal with it" i would love to see how panchito could maybe help him with that, even though this will probably cause some conflicts between the two initially :( panchito is a small baby and must be protected jose DONT BREAK HIS HEART PLS-

JKSNASB It's insane how much slack I cut José just because he's my favorite, like homeboy needs some serious therapy-

One of the things I like to consider is that José, through all of his life was usually the pursuer, he's the one doing the chase until he gets what he wants or fails miserably. I think that with Panchito it wouldn't play out like that! That rooster is way too spireted to play by someone else's rules.

SO José might experience for the first time what it is like to be on the other end of the chase. It's a different dynamic, he's not the only one doing the courting now. He'd be euphoric maybe a bit overwhelmed and confused about these new feelings. He loves Panchito, but oh wow, is it scary to feel so strongly about someone so different but also so alike him!

I sincerely don't know how they'd resolve all of this jnshbd BUT I do think Panchito would help José on being more confident about who he is! Proving that he doesn't need to lie to impress anyone or to be loved. And José, funnily enough, would help Panchito understand that patience is key in a relationship, and you can't expect everything to play out with no complications as if you were in a fairytale.

[veggieharumaki]

ok y’all. so I might have like thirteen billion things to do BUT if you had to see a new dnf fic from me. what would you lean towards

[wonder-worker]

"It is difficult to argue that [Edward IV] was wrong in what he did. His advancement of [Richard of Gloucester] can be criticized only by those who believe that the only good nobleman is an impotent nobleman. Medieval kings did not think in these terms. Gloucester’s power was valuable because it ensured royal control of a significant and troublesome part of the country. Nor can Edward be blamed for not foreseeing the ends to which Gloucester might put his power. The duke had been a loyal upholder of the house of York, a central figure in Edward’s polity*; there was no obvious reason why he should not occupy the same role under Edward V. In this respect, precedent was on Edward’s side. Previous minorities had seen squabbles over the distribution of power, but no young king had ever been deposed. Even royal uncles traditionally drew a line at that, something which explains why Gloucester’s actions seemed so shocking to contemporaries and, perhaps, the reason why he got away with it so easily in the short term.

In the immediate sense, Gloucester must take final responsibility for what happened in 1483. However one explains the motives behind his actions, things happened because he chose that they should: there is nothing in the previous reign which compelled him to act as he did."

-Rosemary Horrox, Richard III: A Study of Service

*Richard was also, yk, Edward's own brother who had been entirely loyal to him during his life. The problem wasn’t that Edward trusted Richard (why wouldn't he?), the problem is that Richard broke that trust in a horrible and unprecedented way to usurp a 12-year-old. Please understand the difference.

[daz4i]

COWBOY EVENT?????????

[wetpapert0wel]

i will forever be sad that razias shadow is as obscure as it is.

[it-happened-one-fic]

Hi, there! :D

I saw the new event once a book and I thought it was interesting, If it's not too much trouble I would like to request:

Fandom: TWST (Silver x Fem reader) Story: Charming Fairytale the Book: A book that has been lovingly re-covered in now sun-faded fabric. <3

If my order does not convince you, you can discard it without problems, but if not, take your time and without pressure. Thank you. The new event made me excited, you are one of my favorite twst writers and I am happy to finally place an order here

Oh my goodness! I’m so touched that you like my writings and I’m thrilled to write a fic for you. In all honesty, the book selection actually serves as the character selection, but since I didn't clearly indicate that int he even, I've written two fics for you. One for Silver and one for the book you chose. The one for Silver is below (which was written and edited while I listened to “Entendez-Vous” by Cécile Corbel, but I’ll make sure to link the other one to you as well! I hope you enjoy your tale(s)!

600 Followers event!

Happily Ever After - Silver

Type: Female reader/ fluff/ romance implied/ charming fairytale/ isekai

Word count: 2465

I had to give it to the enchanted book I'd been sucked into; I had been given a very simple role. Find the lost prince and return him to his home so he could save the land from the rule of an evil witch.

It was a pretty basic fairytale plot, and I could only hope that finishing the story would result in me going back to Twisted Wonderland. If it didn’t, I really didn’t know what I could do other than place all of my hopes in Silver.

After all, he had been in the room with me when I’d opened the enchanted book that had, quite literally, pulled me into its story.

I scrambled up onto a rock, glancing around in search of some place that looked even vaguely like where I thought a lost prince might hide or be hidden.

To be honest, I fully suspected that he’d been locked away more so than he had been lost, since that seemed far more in line with what I’d expect from a fairytale about a supposedly lost prince.

But then, this particular fairytale had already surprised me in that there was a dude in distress with a lady savior rather than the usual damsel with a male hero. But then, I quite possibly wasn’t actually the hero of this story like I’d been thinking I was.

But no matter exactly what my role was, I was the one attempting to find the lost royal that the country was counting on to save the day.

I felt my eyebrows lift as I spied a shadowy castle that wasn’t terribly far from where I currently stood and did look almost exactly like what I’d expect from a place where a royal in distress would be kept.

I nodded slightly to myself before setting off, my pace fairly leisurely as I made my way towards the dark castle that looked like it had seen better days.

I almost smiled as I noticed the bats fluttering around the towers that stretched up towards the sky. A nice, almost gothic touch to the overall villainous aesthetic of the castle.

What made the place even better from my point of view was that the massive gate was open, and I had no difficulty getting in. In fact, I quite literally just walked into the place.

I did have to admit, though, that the fact that I’d gotten in so easily did beg the question of why this lost prince hadn’t simply escaped or come home on his own?

There was, of course, the possibility that I’d wholly misunderstood this situation and that I was dealing with a runaway prince rather than a hostage situation.

A runaway prince who was plot-ordained to save the country would make for an interesting tale, though it certainly wouldn’t be that of your typical fairytale.

More of a subversion than anything.

I frowned slightly as I walked around the seemingly abandoned castle that looked like it was steadily crumpling into nothing.

It was the sort of place Malleus would like, but that hardly helped my current dilemma.

Because if this prince was a runaway, he would probably be hiding from me. But if he were instead a hostage, like I’d initially suspected, then the first place I’d look would be in the dungeons or the tallest tower.

I glanced up at the towers, grimacing slightly at the thought of going into the mass of rocks that looked like they were about to collapse the very second a wind blew through.

I paused in my survey of the castle, though, feeling my eyebrows arch as I caught sight of a door that looked far heftier than any of the others. And it wasn’t just that either; that section of the castle also seemed far sturdier than the rest.

I rolled my shoulders and braced my hands on the dark wood before pushing, only for nothing to happen, causing me to frown at the weight of the door.

I inhaled deeply, though, and leaned fully into my shove as I dug in with my heels. I breathed through my motions as I slowly started walking forward, pushing the door open slowly but surely before I stumbled to a stop and looked up into the room beyond. 

It was mostly dim, with only a bit of sunlight filtering in through the damaged roof above and spotlighting a single area on the dais. But otherwise, it looked wholly uninhabited, and no one was obviously hiding in it either.

I hesitated, though, frowning as I listened closely to a distant sound that slowly became clearer until I could identify it. Footsteps.

I glanced around, my eyes searching for the person, until a figure became visible as it approached the dais.

I felt my eyes widen as he stepped into the light that made his pale hair shine in perfect opposition to the darkness that was all around.

And he looked like a perfect prince. A dark uniform with silver epaulets and a sword hanging at his side. It was almost like I was looking at a picture out of a storybook, and I blinked up at him, hardly believing my eyes as my words failed me.

At odds with my speechlessness, he spoke in an almost tired tone, “Y/n… I wondered where you were.” 

I blinked, almost like I was snapping out of a spell at the sound of his soft voice, and my voice returned to me, “You’re the lost prince??”

I openly gaped up at him, but I couldn’t help but be shocked that all of this time I’d been looking for him. Somehow, it seemed oddly fitting. I had gotten the strange sensation that I’d been searching for him my entire life before, but I’d always shaken it off and refused to ask him if he’d ever had that same sensation.

Despite my surprise, Silver was just like he always was. Utterly stoic and seemingly unbothered as he nodded at me. 

I could only assume he’d gotten used to his role in this book just I like had, but I still found myself walking towards him with surprise still rolling through me, “You got sucked into the book too?”

It was another rather obvious question, but if he was bothered, he certainly didn’t show it. Instead, he just nodded before calmly walking down the stairs and meeting me in the middle of the room.

“Have you been in this place the whole time?” I found myself scanning him for injuries or anything else of the sort, but he seemed wholly unharmed.

“Yes, this castle seems to be cursed to keep from leaving,” He explained calmly, turning and walking over to the still open door only to be stopped short of exiting by a wall that shimmered into place.

I had been right. He wasn’t a runaway prince at all. He was being held hostage, no doubt by the witch that was currently ruling the country.

I felt myself frown as he stepped backwards, causing the wall to disappear once more as he turned to look back at me.

On the bright side, I now knew why it had been so easy for me to get into this place. But on the down side, I had no idea how to get him off here if this castle was specifically enchanted to keep him in.

And to make matters worse, if I couldn’t get him out, then we were stuck just in here, but in this story, and since he was in here, no one back in Twisted Wonderland would know where we were.

But then, I also didn’t know if finishing this story would get us out. For all I knew, we might be trapped in an endless rotation of the same story over and over again.

I glanced over at Silver before walking over to join him by the open door, “Do you know if finishing the story will get us out of this book?”

I watched him closely and prayed he knew the answer, only to sigh as he shook his head, a slight frown of his own appearing on his face, “No. I’d heard of enchanted books from Father, but he never mentioned how one got out of such a book.”

I watched him silently for a moment before inhaling and turning my gaze back to the door, “Well, working with the idea that finishing the story will get us out. We have to get you out of this castle first.”

I paused, glancing back his way before I continued, “Do you know anything about the curse on this place that’s keeping you inside?”

Again, I was desperately hoping he did because, despite all of the information I had received the very moment I’d woken up in this tale, none of it had anything about cursed castles.

A smile briefly flickered across Silver’s face as he nodded, shifting slightly to better face me, “Yes, ‘Only through the help of another who truly cares can the lost prince escape his home of old.’”

He spoke like he was reciting something, though I didn’t know. Perhaps a prophecy his character came pre-downloaded with or something.

I felt myself frown as I echoed his words, “‘His home of old’?? Was this the old royal castle or something?”

Silver shook his head, the motion disturbing his hair so that it was laying more like it usually did rather than the way it had been carefully placed beforehand.

I let out a hum, abandoning my questions about this story’s plot in favor of focusing on the rest of what Silver had said.

Only through the help of another who truly cares.

It sounded suspiciously like an explanation for how to break a curse since most fairytales usually include some sort of way to save cursed individuals.

Though, admittedly, that usually involved a kiss. A thought that had me avoiding looking at Silver and instead staring out the open door.

After a brief moment, I glanced back over his way once more. At the very least, I did care about Silver. I had for quite some time now, even if I often did my best to avoid thinking about it in favor of not messing up the friendship we currently had.

But, since I cared, that meant that I should be able to get him out of this castle.

I smiled at him slightly and held out my hand, watching as he glanced down at my palm before he reached over and carefully took my hand in his and looked my way expectantly.

I held up our conjoined hands between us, “Trust me?”

A smile flickered across his face at my light teasing before he nodded, and I grinned, “Alright then….”

I trailed off as I lowered our hands and tightened my grip on his hand as I turned to face the door once more. I inhaled, bracing myself before taking a step forward with Silver at my side, following my motions perfectly and even matching my stride as he stepped forward with me.

And at first, there was a strange sensation of being engulfed. Almost like something was pressing in on us from all sides.

And then, as quickly as breathing, it was over, and we were outside. But we weren’t just outside the room. We were also outside the entire castle, and I found myself glancing behind us in surprise.

“I can’t believe it worked…” My words were barely muttered, but were wholly honest. I really had expected it to be harder to actually get him out of the castle.

I turned to look at Silver, only to feel myself go still as my gaze collided with his, and I saw the way he was smiling at me. With gentle fondness. Just like he had ever since I’d gotten to know him.

And though I’d already thought it, I couldn’t help but wonder at how he really was the perfect choice for a fairytale prince. Almost unfairly so.

“W- Well, I guess now all that’s left is to get you back home,” I managed a smile despite the way my voice wavered.

Something flickered in his gaze that bordered on amusement. Almost like he knew exactly what effect he had on me, but he didn’t say anything about it. Allowing me a small bit of dignity even as he squeezed my hand lightly, causing my eyes to widen as he spoke, “And to get both of us back to Twisted Wonderland.”

I blinked slightly before feeling a genuine smile stretch across my face and I nodded, “Yeah.”

I gazed at him for a brief moment longer, letting myself relax now that I wasn’t alone in this storybook and had him by my side. But then something shifted.

He noticed it at the same time I did, his gaze sharpening before he whirled. Putting me behind him as he reached over and grasped his sword.

I stepped closer to him, glancing around warily, “What's going on?”

He shook his head, his voice solemn and lacking all of the warmth it had just previously held when it had just been the two of us standing together, “I don’t know. Something’s wrong.”

His words were the only warning I was given before the world bled away into white, slowly absorbing everything else into it. The last thing I saw was Silver whirling to look back at me with a determined expression before even he disappeared from sight, and all of the whiteness that threatened to blind me turned black. 

I twitched slightly, and then my eyes flew open as I inhaled sharply.

The first thing I really registered was Sebek’s voice bellowing “HUMAN!!” as Lilia leaned over me with an amused smile.

I blinked up at the fae in alarm as he titled his head, his eyes glittering with amusement, “Looks like you both made it home just fine.”

I almost frowned in confusion as my brain fought to slowly catch up to reality before I realized that we were in the school library. I shifted before freezing as I realized something was wrapped around my waist that shifted with me.

I slowly twisted, my eyes widening as I made eye contact with Silver, who smiled at me slightly in an almost apologetic fashion as I realized what, or rather, who, I was sitting on.

“Do you know how this story ends, Malleus? It is a Briar Valley classic, after all,” Lilia’s tone was beyond amused as he spoke from behind me.

I heard Malleus hum in response as I sat, frozen in mortified embarrassment, in Silver’s lap. And somehow, Malleus’s response just made it all the worse, “Of course, how could I not? ‘And so they lived happily ever after.’”

[magiamemoriareview]

The Heroine I Longed to Be

Obtainability: Limited to completing the “Winter Recollection (Part One)” event.

MLB Effect: Magia Damage Up [12.5%] & Blast Damage Cut [15%]

Effect Definitions:

Magia Damage Up increases the damage done by a Magia or a Doppel.

Blast Damage Cut will reduce damage from enemy Blast attacks.

TLDR: “The Heroine I Longed to Be” is Enhancement Fodder.

Review: “The Heroine I Longed to Be” is an oddly specific memoria that has two effects that can work together but aren’t a natural fit. When you’re not using Magia or not taking Blast attacks, this memoria is not doing anything for you. As a free memoria it’s not the worst, but it’s uses are certainly limited.

“The Heroine I Longed to Bel” can be useful when you expect to use Magia and also want to prevent Blast damage on the selected character. At the very least, if you don’t have anything better, the passive attack stats might be nice to have. The Magia Damage Up here is similar to other unlimited Four Star memoria in the game with Magia Damage Up, so it’s not lacking in that regard.

Overall this memoria is okay for what it is. Whales won’t see much use out of it, but free-to-play players or newer players may find it more useful.

For most players, this memoria is Enhancement Fodder.

[aromanticasterisms]

"this event is cute but it has nothing to do with natlan" TO YOU. i understand the themes and messages

[potionpeddlerpatchy]

Good morning dear Patchy!

It's nice to stumble into your little shop on this fine October day~

Been looking around and that Demon Slayer book of old has really caught my eye. Would you mind too terribly to part with it?

Well, good morning to yourself my dear Yezi! I am so happy to finally see you within my little shop after our fateful meeting; especially now as I have plenty of items to give away to curious people like you. I am grateful you wished to partake! 💛

I also see you were comfortable enough to rummage through all I had already. I always hope the patrons who enter my store feel that same sense of ease to do the same as you did. More than happy to part with that book, my friend, especially if it has caught your eye as it did.

And well, we have all morning, so why not sit and read for a little bit? 🔮

You shuddered as the wind howled around you, chilling you in its ruthless hold as rain splattered across your skin. It was truly not your idea to be riding out in a hailing thunderstorm that showed no mercy to whoever traveled, be it rich or poor, but the guilt that gnawed at you gave you the courage to continue forward. With each ragged breath, one that ravaged your throat and left remnants of pain, all you could focus on was getting to the castle that once held you prisoner.

After all, even a beast could so compassion, could show mercy, could showcase a level of tenderness never thought possible. To be humane, even in the most inhumane environment possible.

Even a beast could love.

And you would never forgive yourself if you stood idly by and allowed those who let fear run through their veins, the same kind of fear that makes a wounded animal lash out and attack, to find him and take his life away. To lead said beast to slaughter simply because he allowed you to go home and be with your father. You couldn’t.

You shook the water that had accumulated upon you lashed, that has forced them to droop and obscure your vision, and urged your steed to run to even faster. You had to get the mob, and to the man who congregated and led them, before the reached their destination. And sadly, the ground you had to cover to reach them was much too great for your comfort. Though, when you saw the silhouette of the castle your body slumped forward, tension leaving your shoulders for a moment, in relief as you regarded the almost run-down palace like an old friend. It almost made you laugh when that feeling overcame you. For when you the same view months previous you did not have the same warm comfort as you did then.

No, back then it was dread that filled you when you slowly approached the dark gates that surrounding the land. How unwelcoming, almost threatening, everything looked – a clear sign to you, and anyone in your position, that you were not welcomed here. But you knew your father was there, you had to help him, for who knows how sick he must be without your care?

He was always sickly, your father. In his aging years his body seemed to turn against him in some fashion. That was why you stayed at home, so you could care for him; a task easier said than done given his energetic nature. He was never one to sit and allow the world to pass him by. Why is why, despite your pleading otherwise, he had taken it upon himself to go to the next town over to participate in a fair being held. To see if he could sell some of his homemade trinkets and furniture. But he never wrote to you once he arrived. When a week had gone and passed, you grew even more concerned; and when his horse came back without him, you took it upon yourself to jump upon its back and thus set off to find him.

You were sure he got turned around at night, chose the wrong path when two choices appeared. So, you did the same when the option came; given how your beloved horse wanted to do otherwise, you knew it was the right path.

It led you to where you are now. To a castle of grand nature, on you were sure held a lot of beauty and charm, but had been neglected for years and thus seemed unwelcoming of anyone who came to see it. You heard your fathers cries, and when you found him locked away you did all you could to break the locks and set him free. Though, you were stopped by a thundering voice asking you what you were doing.

“W-who are you!” You called out, eyes struggle in the dim light to make the man who loomed over you in the shadows.

“I am the master of this castle.” He deep voice sent a shiver down you spine as it rumbled forth. “And now I ask who you are.”

“I’ve come here for my father! Please let him out! Can't you see he's sick?” You pleaded, tugging on the iron that separated the pair of you. “Please he could die! I’ll give you whatever you want, just let him out!”

“Then he shouldn’t have trespassed!” He growled out, his frame growing as he stood taller “There is nothing you can do for him now, you can beg for his release all you want but it will not be done. He is my prisoner!”

You remembered in that moment the choices set upon you, to run and leave your father to die or for you to take his place so he may get the help he needed. As your heart pounded in your chest you cried out how you would take his place, that you would stay here forever if it meant his freedom.

The man took you up on it, throwing your father into and enchanted carriage and allow him to go back to your village. Your relief of his safety was short lived when you finally saw him in the dim light of the moon. It was not a man you had made a deal with, but rather a hideous beat covered in grey fur, almost the colour of snow; with horns, a tail, and claws you were sure could rip through anything if the scars along his body were any indication of the power their wielded.

But you had made a deal, and you were to keep you word – at least for now. Swallowing your fear, you squared your shoulders and gave him your name, trying to keep the tremble out of you voice as you spoke. He only replied with one word back before motioning you to follow him to where you would stay.

Sanemi.

That was his name, the servants of the castle would tell you as they informed you of all that had befallen them. How they were cured and the forgotten, doomed to spend the rest of their days trapped in a place that was no longer home, in forms no longer their bodies.

You felt a sense of pity for all of them, even the master of the estate, though it took you a long time finally allow your guard to come down and to see them all in a light different than the one your first casted; especially to Sanemi. How you tried in vain to escape, to throw yourself in the throws of danger just for a taste of freedom, for death seemed a better option that staying within a castle you were frightened of.

But he always saved you, always came to your aide whenever you were attacked, bruised, or beaten by whatever worse creatures that lurked in the forest around you. He always ensured you the best care, for it became clear to you that he simple wanted a companion rather than a prisoner. That even if it meant caring for someone who would never do anything in kind, he would do it for even a sliver of your kindness.

It took you months to do so, to open up to him and allow yourself to try and enjoy his company, but once you did you could not help but find yourself happy to wake in the grand room given to you. To eat meals with him, to enjoy the plethora of books in his library, to enjoy some evening tea, and to walk along the castle gardens – ones he decided to upkeep once more for your enjoyment – with him.

You grew fond of him, of the man he used to be that was hidden away in the form of the beast, and he in turn grew to love you unconditionally. So much so, that Sanemi did not even hesitate to allow you to leave him, to condemn him to a life of solitary once more, if it meant your happiness. Thus, he sent you away to be with your father.

When you returned, however, you were met with mod who had imprisoned your father for insanity due to his tales of the beastly man he had met and were now out to kill him and destroy the castle for good. At first you could not fathom why they would take such cruel and dramatic measures, but when the man you had refused to marry lead the charge, you got your answer. Out of desperation and jealousy, this man wanted to destroy all you had enjoyed and loved to ensure your had; turning into the beast you once thought Sanemi was.

That was why you had to get to him first, to prevent his death and to spare those lived in the home you grew fond of. Disembarking off your horse you scrambled, feet sliding along the wet cobble stone, to find Sanemi and try and make all this right. You ran through the estate, calling out his name in hopes of a response.

You finally found him atop of the balcony of his room, a place once forbidden to you, struggling against an attack from the man from your village. You did not hesitate, much like when you first arrived here, to throw yourself into the dangers before you – to try and give your life for another.

But it was too late.

The man had struck Sanemi’s chest with a broken arrow, wounding him and causing his to fall to the ground in a defeated heap. Though he could celebrate his victory for long, as the slick marble of the balcony’s ledge caused him to trip and stumble back and fall the long way down. But his life didn’t matter, not to you anyway, as you stumbled and threw yourself atop of Sanemi and wept.

“Please, please don’t go!” You cried into his coarse fur “I don’t want to go, I need you here with me! I-I… I love you, Sanemi!”

After you quite, muttered admittance to your true feelings, you felt his body move before a blinding light overcame his form. You stumbled back as you watched with bated breath and awe-struck confusion as his body was lifted into the air and slowly his form shifted and grew smaller. What was once a beast now seemed to be a man as he was lowered back down upon his feet.

You were frozen as you awaited to finally see the man who was hidden beneath the mast of a beast, the one you had found to love, for the first time; waiting for the blinding light of the enchantment put upon him to go away before throwing yourself into his arms.

It seemed forever before the light faded, and finally you got to see him. His hair that match the white fur you had touched so many times, his face….! ~

You jolted as a hand covered up the words you were so invested into reading, stopping the enchantment you seemed to be under – one that made all of it seem real – as you blinked up at the offender. It was merely the peddler who allowed you to take the book you held within your hands; free of charge. You watched as the corners of her mouth moved into a kind smile as she removed her hand from the written work.

“Apologies for interrupting” She spoke, voice soft and soothing almost as if to fend of any wrath you may hold for her “But my shop is now closed for the night.”

“Night?” You questioned, eyes now darting around the room to find a window to confirm her accusation, to which you did “Have I really been here that long?”

“Afraid so!” She chuckled, “Suppose you found that book to be really good, hm?”

Apologies again for causing your strife in ending your reading session just as you got to the end! As much as I wanted to allow you the chance to finally be with him, as you seemed quite fond of him, I desperately needed to close so I may rest.

Though, I can promise you shall see him soon. Though I suspect without such a beastly enchantment upon him🔮

I do hope you wish to keep what you found, for all 'sales' are final