#Alina Masquerade

[yetanotherexhaustedalchemist]

In honor of Glorious Masquerade

Carys and Grim with my favorite love to hate character

+version with mask and reference image

[salems-lots]

Managed to draw (2) whole reference images for artfight and they both slay (literally. These women will kill you)

[crxwnedbarbie]

𝐌𝐈𝐀 𝐌𝐀𝐍𝐀𝐆𝐄𝐃 to get lost, and she was dying of a killer hangover. She hardly slept, there was literally an explosion, and she felt so useless… She was with Ruby until she wasn't anymore. She knew she has to look out for her sisters, despite her ill appearance. The Hungarian princess didn't even walk half of the hallway, decided it was a nice spot, and she lay on the floor. Her head was aching so much, due to the amount of alcohol she ingested in the party. She left the ball early that night which wasn't very typical of her. In her mind if she stays where she is, observing people passing she would see any of her sisters. Suddenly a familiar silhouette came into her vision and it was her… ❛ Lili? ❜ This is what she calls her baby sister. She hated when she sees like this… A trainwreck. When she is the one to show an example and protect her.

@rcmcntique 🌸 alina

[thinkingboute]

masks | harry styles x model!oc

summary: Carolina Saraiva, 20 year old supermodel, has fallen into the dark. looking into the mirror, she hardly recognizes herself. At Vanity Fair's new masquerade ball, she embarrasses herself in front of one of the most famous men of 2014---Harry Styles. Chaos ensues. For many, many years.

part 2 here! and part 3!

warnings: mentions of drugs, disordered eating, vomit, anxiety, claustrophobia, (eventually sexual content but be patient friends)

a/n: I have been writing fics for myself for ages and I had an idea for a little HS series the other night and felt the need to share. Wrote this in one go and did no editing. I never read OC fics. Why am I writing an OC fic?

word count: about 1.5k

Every camera flash seemed brighter and more obnoxious than the last. Lina thought she’d have been used to the visual assault, but she was wrong. 

She’d been wrong a lot lately. 

Vanity Fair’s first ever masquerade ball drummed up quite the ruckus in the few months since it was announced. Of course, her management was thrilled when she received an invitation. At just 20 years old, Carolina Saraiva was a modeling sensation. At 18, she opened the Victoria’s Secret show, walked for Dior and Prada, and graced the cover of British Vogue---soon to be American Vogue, if her team had anything to say about it. She blew up so quickly, it was as if she spawned into superstardom in a mere moment. 

“The next Gisele,” her mother said wistfully after seeing her Vogue cover. “I have never been happier.”

Lina, however, had certainly been happier. In fact, she had never been further from happy. Joy was a limited resource in the modeling world; one that had been used up long before she took her first headshots. All that remained was coke, tequila, and passing out in the bathtub. Not that she partook in all those things exactly.

Only two. 

She was sure the cameras would catch her exhaustion, blinding light illuminating her dark circles, hallowed cheeks, and heavy lids.

Is Carolina Saraiva Bringing Back Cocaine Couture?

Model Down: Fresh Face Carolina Saraiva Faceplants on the Way into Vanity Fair’s Latest Party

Coke-alina: Brazilian Bombshell is Strung Out at High Profile Event

She was sure the tabloids would have their think pieces on the health of supermodels and their drug usage by sunrise. She didn’t bother with the coke rumors anymore. It’s not like there wasn’t validity to them, really. Lina wasn’t doing coke, but she was one of the few. 

“To your left, Carolina,” one photographer called out, stirring from her daydream. Lina whipped her head around, hair cascading down her back, and shot the man a wide, dimpled smile. More cheers erupted. For once, Lina was glad for them; they confirmed to her that her mask---the metaphorical one---had yet to slip on the outside. The real one, large and feathered, actually did seem to be sliding down her nose. She charmingly pushed it back up, eliciting laughs from the eager-to-please paps swarming her. 

A strong hand made its way to her mid-back: Darren, her security. She leaned back into it, grateful for the support. He took her small handbag from her without even a glance. She smiled her first genuine smile in a long time. She was prone to losing every bag she carried. With a half-hearted wave behind her, she made her way through the large, iron wrought doors. 

The opulence of celebrity events still floored her, even years into her career. There was a time, so distant in her memory, when she would have slashed, bitten, and crawled through fire to be in this position. Now, she would give anything to leave. 

Where else would she go, then? There were times before that she missed the tranquility of her family’s ranch in Florida, or the warm mornings in their family home in Sao Paulo. 

These days, Lina couldn’t think of anywhere she wanted to be. 

Darren’s hand dropped from her back, causing her to stumble at the loss of support. She surveyed the scene, eager to find a back door or balcony for fresh air. That was one thing New York lacked. 

Instead, her eyes caught a tall figure, adorned in pale pinks and gold jewels, with a dress whose hoop must’ve added at least two feet to her radius. 

Behind that bejeweled mask, the woman’s eyes caught Linas. 

“Oh, my goodness, you lady of the night!” Gigi exclaimed, shuffling as fast as she could through the crowd to grab Lina’s hands. They both looked down to examine her dress. The blackish blue, corseted, tulle ballgown was vintage and, for once, Lina couldn’t remember the designer. The silhouette was historical, remanent of Victorian style pieces. Alongside the dramatic, feathered mask, she was reminiscent of a ghost. She laughed to herself. How fitting.

Mustering up her most genuine smile, she said, “You look like a princess!” Gigi smiled at that. Lina really meant it. Gigi was always happy, it seemed. She was more human than any other girl she’d met in the industry. 

They looked around the room, startled as the chandeliers shut off dramatically. A sort of eerie light filled the room from some other source. It was as if there was a nightclub in the 1800s. 

“It feels like I left 2014 the moment I got here,” Gigi whispered. Lina was inclined to whisper, too, with the atmosphere changing so quickly.

Before she got the chance, deafening bass filled the room, shaking the floor. Gigi waved in apology as she was pulled by faceless hand back into the crowd. Lina could have thrown up right there. Her eyes set on the bar, she pushed her way through the crowd. 

Sweat seemed to fog up the room, humidity surely ruining her freshly blown out hair. Each time she found a pathway through the gyrating bodies, an arm or leg or ass threw itself in her way. The room that seemed endless when she first walked in was no larger than a corridor now. Worse, a coffin. She was panting. Another woman stepped back into her path. Lina threw her hands out towards her, shoving her back into her dance partner who was clearly on another planet. She heard a distant ‘augh’ but could not find it within herself to care. She was having a hard time finding anything within herself. She couldn’t remember the last time she ate something. 

The bar came into view, or really, the crowd the engulfed the bar came into view. She shoved into two men who leaned casually on the counter. A drink appeared in front of her, and she was inclined to take it. 

Turning around to lean her back against the cold marble, Lina closed her eyes. She downed the drink and handed her empty glass to one of the men standing beside her, who slid his hand along her lower back. Saliva filled her mouth. Slapping a hand over pursed lips, she ran towards what looked like a bathroom.

She tried to slam the door open, but barely had the strength to push it open. Her steps were uneven. Her head was in the toilet bowl before she even realized she found a stall. 

After retching for what felt like an hour, Lina attempted to stand, but her ankles gave out under her. Yelling out in frustration, she slapped her hands on the toilet bowl for leverage. 

Hands washed, she leaned on the cool countertop, looking up at herself in the mirror.

Hair frizzed on top, lip gloss everywhere but her lips, darkness beneath her cheekbones that she knew was not from her hour-long stint in the makeup chair---Lina looked in to her eyes, hidden behind the mask, and cried. 

The door shot open behind her, followed by a long sigh, followed again by a yelp. 

Lina’s head shot back. There was a man behind her. Because she was in the men’s bathroom. She was sure she would vomit into the sink.

“Oh---oh my god. I’m so sorry, I could’ve sworn this was the men’s toilet, Niall that absolute fucking bastard.”

Lina’s head whipped back just before bile filled her mouth. 

“Holy shit, are you alright?”

Lina took a deep breath. “I’m perfectly fine, thank you.” She had never sounded less fine in her goddamn life. “Now, if you’ll excuse me…” her hand swiped around the counter for a handbag that wasn’t there. 

Fucking Darren. 

“No, no, why don’t I go, yeah?” the man said, coughing to cover his laugh. “I think you might need…to be here more than me.”

“Nope, nope, I’ll be going,” Lina whined. 

“Actually, why don’t I just grab someone for you. You come here with anyone?”

Lina could not remember Darren’s name at the moment. 

“How much have you had to drink? Or have you…done something else?”

“Are you asking me if I’ve done coke tonight, Harry Styles?”

Lina turned to look at him fully. He wore an all-black suit with satin flower details along the lapels. His mask was simple, matching the detailing of his jacket. Behind it, green eyes above pink-flushed cheeks looked her up and down, stepping back as if to avoid another onslaught of vomit. 

“No. I mean, yeah, sure, if you have, but I don’t mean to assume anyth---”

“No. I have not. Why does everyone think I do coke?”

Harry looked at her once again. 

“I mean---”

“I am not typically puking in men’s restrooms.”

A laugh. “Never said you were, Carolina.”

Oh. 

“You know my name.”

“Hard not to. Can’t escape your face if I fucking tried.”

“You want to escape my face?”

“Never said that either, darling.”

Oh.

“I think maybe I should go.”

Harry’s teasing smile became a grimace of concern. “At least let me get you a cab.”

Lina shook her head, the room shaking with it. “No, no, if you leave, they won’t let you back in.”

“I’m Harry Styles. Sure, they will."

“How presumptuous.”

A shrug. “Just saying.”

Lina swipes, once again, for the handbag that isn’t there. Harry’s eyes widen slightly. “Go find whatever bastard you were moaning about earlier. I’ll be fine.”

“Come on---” But Lina had already pushed passed him. Back into the sea of people. Back into that coffin of a room. 

a/n: please let me know if you want to see more of this!! I will write it anyway but I'm curious lol

part 2 here!!

[marvelmusing]

Starlight, Star Bright

Pairing: Darklina x Fem!Star Summoner!Reader

Summary: The arrival of the sun summoner - your darling Alina - changes everything for you and Aleksander.

Warnings [18+]: canon level violence and death, mentions of death, nightmares, use of sleeping tonics, anxiety, mentions of Luda x Reader x Aleksander, angst, smut, oral (fem receiving), fingering, mentions of masturbation, smidge of corruption/innocence kink, Alina had a strict and conservative upbringing

My Masterlist

Alina’s concentration face is rather adorable. Dark brows furrowed together, pink lips parted, and a tiny peek of her tongue can be seen at the corner of her mouth. It hadn’t been intentional - watching her like this. But the library at the Little Palace is one of your favourite places to hide from your duties and seeing her here feels like an unexpected treat.

Her concentration dissolves into frustration, plush lips pressing into a firm line, then emotion seems to overwhelm her. A redness has crept over her throat which bobs rapidly and her dark eyes blink in an embarrassed flurry. When you realise she’s holding back tears, you move towards her without thinking.

It’s only once you spot the mountain of books surrounding her, piled up over the desk in heaps, that you begin to suspect what has caused her distress.

“Good evening, Miss Starkov,” you say softly.

She looks up at you hurriedly and the action has tears filling her waterline which she quickly attempts blink away. A piece of your heart snaps away, quivering in your chest, aching at the thought of seeing tears rolling down her cheeks.

“Good evening, Lieutenant.”

“Shu isn’t the easiest language to learn, but once you understand the basics the rest will follow.”

A bright blush spreads over her cheeks and her gaze lowers to the open book in front of her. When you see her chin wobble slightly, your stomach twists, and you add,

“Can I offer you a recommendation?”

She looks up at you again, nodding slowly.

Moving over towards a nearby shelf, you search for a particular book, pulling it carefully from its place and settling it down in Alina’s lap.

“It’s a book of fables,” you explain quietly. She tilts her head, eyeing the cover. “It might seem a little childish, but I find it to be one of the best ways to introduce someone to a new language.”

She begins to turn the pages with infinite care, her delicate fingers tracing over the illustrations inside.

“Would-”

Her words falter.

“Yes?”

She shakes her head, a pretty blush warming her cheeks.

“No. It’s silly.”

“Alina-” Her eyes snap up to yours at the sound of her name from your lips and your own voice falters. “May I call you Alina?” She nods and you smile softly. “I want you to feel at home here, in the Little Palace. There’s nothing you can’t ask of me.”

From what you’ve heard from her tutors, Alina has been struggling with Grisha theory, alongside her physical training. Judging by the dark circles under her eyes and the way she pushes her food around her plate at dinner every night, she hasn’t been able to summon very well either.

Anything you can do to make her feel better, you vow to do it. Particular memories have concerns stirring in your stomach. For centuries, you had been by Aleksander’s side, masquerading as the Darkling’s otkazat’sya wife.

It was only when Aleksander presented his newest alias at court, General Kirigan, that you revealed your power to the world - Ravka’s only star summoner. The sudden pressure you felt to help your country, alongside the expectations of your fellow Grisha, had made you almost ill with worry. Everyone had hoped your light would have been able to destroy the Fold.

Alina squares her shoulders a little, seemingly drawing some confidence from your encouragement.

“Would you read it to me?” she asks.

There’s a small pause as you look at her, your expression softening at the sight of her looking so flustered.

“I’d love to.”

She smiles and the sight has the breath halting in your lungs. She shuffles back slightly as you sit down beside her, your fingers brushing against her clothed knee as you take the book from her lap.

“Each of the stories are only a handful of pages in length. I could read them in Shu first, then again in Ravkan - if you would like that?”

Her eyes widen, something hopeful glimmering in their dark depths.

“You don’t mind?” she asks shyly. You shake your head.

“Not at all.”

»»---------------------►

Reading to Alina soon becomes one of your favourite things in the world - a guilty pleasure of sorts to escape from the stress of helping Aleksander run the Second Army.

One night, she comes to your door with the book of Shu fables in her arms tucked against her chest.

“I couldn’t sleep,” she admits in a hoarse whisper and you wonder whether she has nightmares too. Instantly you take her hand, pulling her gently into your bedroom.

She settles at the head of your bed, plush pillows and velvet cushions bundled up around the two of you. With a flick of your fingers, you summon enough light to read by. Alina is entranced by your starlight, eyes wide as she stares up at the miniature constellations swirling above your heads.

As you read stories aloud in her mother’s language, Alina slowly inches her head down onto your lap so that she can watch the tiny stars shining down on you both. This provides you with the perfect opportunity to thread your fingers lightly through her hair. At your request, Genya has been taking care of Alina and her hair is much softer and fuller than when she first arrived at the Little Palace.

The darkness of her eyes offers a perfect reflection of your stars and every time you risk a glance at her you’re captivated by the sight. Some of the tension slips away from her body and a low, sleepy sigh falls from her lips. Her eyes flutter closed.

»»---------------------►

It isn’t surprising that the sun summoner loves to sit in the sunlight. After all, even before you could summon, you’ve always adored a starry night sky. But seeing Alina soak up the sun, her head tilted back, eyes closed, has your steps faltering as you watch her. She’s so beautiful like this, waiting for you at the foot of an oak tree in the grounds.

Aleksander is nearby, tending to the horses used by the two of them on their morning ride. Alina is sitting on his kefta, using it as a blanket to shield her legs from the cool dew of the grass beneath her.

When she notices your presence, a luminous smile brightens up her features. It isn’t long before the two of you have settled into your familiar rhythm. Alina lies down with her head in your lap whilst you read to her. The story you’ve selected for today is an unacknowledged favourite of Alina’s.

Once you’ve finished the story, you take a moment to admire Alina. Her eyes remain closed, lashes fanned over her cheekbones. There’s a sun kissed glow over her cheeks, her skin tone revitalised by her time in the sun - and her increase in summoning.

When her eyes open slowly, she blinks up at you, though you don’t shy away from her gaze. She smiles softly, sitting up slowly to face you.

“Can I ask you something?” she asks quietly, tucking a stray hair back from her face as the breeze drags at her dark locks.

Tilting your head aside, you study the nervous press of her lips and the way her eyes shift over the grass, avoiding your gaze. Then you nod slowly.

“In the story,” she begins, head inclined towards the book lying open in your lap. “The princess and the fairy… they get married.”

A subtle frown creases at your brows before you nod again.

“They… I’m not getting the translation wrong, am I? They’re both girls.”

“Yes, Alya. They’re both girls.”

“And that’s allowed?”

“I’m sure a few more conservative members of the nobility might have something to say about it, but yes, it’s allowed.”

Alina seems deep in thought, staring at a particular leaf as it is carried away by the breeze.

“Nadia flirts with girls,” she states.

“She does,” you agree.

“Sometimes, when I was in the First Army, someone would make a joke about two girls tumbling each other…” Her voice trails off slightly, her cheeks glowing a rosy pink with embarrassment as she adds, “But I didn’t know… girls actually do that with each other.”

You nod with a small smile, a knowing glimmer in your eyes.

“They do.”

The pink on her cheeks burns to a deep red, her mouth open with a question poised on her tongue. She’s adorable, innocent and flustered and curious. The sound of long grass rustling draws your attention over to Aleksander, who seems to be making his way towards you and Alina.

“Enjoying yourselves?” he asks with a tender smile, the affection in his gaze is obvious to you after years of learning to decipher his emotions.

When you glance back at Alina, there’s a spark of alarm in her eyes, widened as she looks almost pleadingly at you.

“I was just telling Alina about the trail around the lake,” you inform Aleksander. There’s a questioning tilt to his head, observing your lie instantly. Nevertheless, he nods and turns his attention onto her.

“Perhaps we could take that route on our next ride around the grounds.”

She smiles softly, shooting you a grateful look before she glances at Aleksander. Her smile widens when their eyes meet and she nods bashfully.

“I’d like that.”

»»---------------------►

“Healer! Is there a healer here!?”

Aleksander’s voice is hoarse, a guttural cry for help that has you stumbling to your feet, hurrying through the makeshift rooms of the Grisha sanctuary. Voices and the sound of frantic movement aid you in your search for him, your heart pounding in your chest as fright fills you.

“The best we have is a tailor,” someone says. “We were waiting for Luda.”

At the mention of your other lover’s name, the tidemaker’s words falter and you rush quickly towards them. Luda is lying limply in Aleksander’s arms, blood staining her clothing. He places her on a cot, smoothing her hair back once she’s settled.

“Luda,” you cry. “No.”

At the sound of your voice, Aleksander stands back, attempting to grasp your arm as you approach - to shield you from seeing her state. His hold is weak and you slip by him easily, sinking yourself onto the bed beside her.

Luda’s eyes flutter, the pain limiting her awareness, though she manages to hold your hand weakly. There’s a sickening twist in your stomach when you see the wound, blood flowing at a frightening speed. Tears fill your eyes as you smile softly at her, trying your hardest to be brave for her.

There are no other healers in the sanctuary. Even if you could staunch the bleeding, she has already lost too much blood and the damage looks too deep for a tailor to fix.

“It isn’t bad, milaya,” you assure her. “You just need some rest.”

Leaning forward, you press a gentle kiss to her forehead, cool to the touch yet damp with perspiration. Hovering over her, you wait for the sound of her next breath. It doesn’t come.

A broken cry catches in your throat, the beginning of a sob, as you sink onto the cold stone floor beside the cot. Hot tears spill over your cheeks, dripping down onto your lap as you curl in on yourself, shoulders shaking with the weight of your anguish.

The two of you had grown up in the same village. She had been the first person to see your starlight. Your first kiss. She’s the one who always soothes your heartbeat when it quickens with anxiety.

Luda had been the one to nudge you towards the mysterious Darkling, stating with flushed cheeks that she would not mind sharing you with such a handsome man. Innocently, you had laughed and shaken your head at her, completely unaware of Aleksander’s eyes on you both.

She had been so determined to gain an amplifier, to stay with you and Aleksander for as long as she could. Deep down, you know some part of her had craved a forever with you both. To see that slip away so quickly has your throat closing up with emotion.

“Just mortal,” Aleksander murmurs quietly.

Lifting your head, you manage to meet his gaze. He looks just as broken as you feel, his eyes filled with a grief so tangible you want to grasp hold of it, take it by the throat and throttle it. A wounded cry escapes you as Aleksander curls his hand around your wrist and you begin to sob in earnest.

Aleksander wakes you, fingers curling firmly around your wrists when you begin to struggle in his arms, still in the throes of your anxious slumber. When you realise where you are, and who is holding you, your body slumps defeatedly against him.

Aleksander lets you cry, allowing your grief to course through your body as you sob. He keeps you close, stroking a hand down your side as he murmurs gentle reminders to you - to continue breathing through your tears and that he’s here for you.

When your sobs relent, you manage to sit up beside him, the two of you leaning against the headboard.

“I’m sorry for waking you,” you sniffle. He retrieves a handkerchief for you, smoothing the soft cotton over your damp cheeks.

“Don’t be.” He pauses, eyeing your features with concern before he asks softly, “Luda?”

Closing your eyes, your expression crumples as you nod.

“First love always leaves it’s scars,” he murmurs, tracing his finger over the jagged skin tissue that curls over the slope of your shoulder - from the tip of your shoulder blade through your collarbone. The scar from the volcra, when you had escaped the Fold during its creation.

There’s a small scar at the corner of Aleksander’s eyebrow, one that you reach for now. He had gained it when he was thirteen, and he still rubs at the spot when he’s been working too long. There’s another scar, from the same incident, that runs over the length of his calf.

“Let me fetch you a sleeping draught.”

“Aleksander, I don’t need-”

“You look tired, my love.”

The concern in his voice has your hand lowering to your lap, your gaze following it as you remark quietly,

“You know I don’t like taking tonics.”

He nods. Aleksander rarely suggests such a solution, since the sleeping draughts put you in an immobilised state, where your limbs become too heavy to move. He knows you hate the lack of control, and the alarming decrease in your awareness.

“I know. But your nerves are overwrought, and a deep dreamless sleep will fix that.” He strokes your cheek gently. “I will watch over you, I promise. We’re safe. No one will hurt us here.”

A warm tear spills down your cheek, which he brushes away tenderly with the pad of his thumb. Breathing in shakily, you nod in consent. As Aleksander leaves the bed, the mattress dips and you bite back a whimper at the loss of his warm presence.

Leaning your head back against the headboard, you allow your heavy eyes to flutter closed as the sound of pouring liquid reaches your ears. Metal clinks lightly against porcelain as he stirs the sleeping draught for you.

He stokes the fire, encouraging a little more warmth into the room, before scooping up some burning coals to fill the warming pan.

With a tender smile at you, he lifts the covers at the foot of the bed, slotting the pan between the sheets to keep you cosy. Affection buzzes in your chest, an adoring smile quirking at your lips as you watch him.

He rounds the bed, sitting down by your side with a tea cup in his hands which he holds out for you to drink from.

“A few sips will suffice,” he says in a low voice.

Holding his gaze, you swallow down a small mouthful of the bitter liquid. He smiles softly when he sees your nose wrinkle at the taste. Aleksander hooks a finger under your chin, keeping your mouth close to the lip of the cup.

“Just a little more, my love.”

Somewhat reluctantly, you drink another mouthful and Aleksander casts the cup aside.

He settles you in his lap, tucking you against his chest as the draught begins to take effect. A haze clouds over your thoughts, filling your body with a limp heaviness. When you whimper quietly, Aleksander strokes a hand down your spine, pressing a reassuring kiss to your forehead as he hushes you. He continues murmuring comforting words to you.

As your eyelids flutter, your breathing shifting into something more heavy and rhythmic, Aleksander pulls the two of you down under the covers.

»»---------------------►

“Aleksander!” you hiss quietly. He slows his pace slightly, turning back to reach for your hand. “I think you’re forgetting I can’t see in the dark as well as you can.”

“Then summon some light.”

“What if someone sees?”

“No one is awake at this hour.”

Sighing, you summon a low twinkle of starlight, faint galaxies billowing like wisps of smoke around your ankles to light your way. Aided by your stars, you follow Aleksander through the darkened corridors of the Little Palace. He stops at a familiar room, releasing your hand as he turns to look at you.

Quietly, you knock against Alina’s door.

There’s a beat of silence and you both strain your ears, listening for any sound of movement from within her room. Slowly, Alina seems to rouse herself from her bed, moving towards the door. Her eyes widen as she looks at you and Aleksander, a frown creasing at the space between her brows.

“Um, hello?”

“I know you were upset that you couldn’t join your friends at the banya,” you say in a low voice.

Her gaze lowers, her feet shifting in her slippers as a subconscious pout puckers at her lips.

“It’s fine,” she says quietly. “I know you were both just concerned about my safety.”

Despite the guilt stirring in your stomach at the thought of Alina missing out on time with her friends, the smile growing on your face is hard to suppress as you consider the idea you’re about to propose to her.

“Well, we were thinking…” you trail off, looking expectantly at Aleksander. He smiles indulgently.

“That there is no one safer for you to be with than us.” Her eyes widen with excitement at Aleksander’s words and you add,

“It’s a warm night and the water at the lake will be the perfect temperature for a swim.”

“You mean…” Her smile is infectious and you’re smiling too as you ask her,

“Where’s your bathing dress?”

She frowns.

“My what?”

“Bathing dress. Genya told me you have one.”

She glances back into her room, eyes darting between her cabinet, vanity table, and her wardrobe.

“Would you like me to help you find it?” you ask. She nods.

It doesn’t take you long to locate the garment, folded carefully in the bottom drawer of the cabinet beside the window. Aleksander sits at her vanity table and you perch yourself on the end of the bed whilst Alina changes behind the folding screen in the corner of her room.

She steps out rather shyly, fidgeting with the hem of the dress while you and Aleksander stare, captivated by her.

The skirt of Alina’s bathing dress stops mid thigh and the neckline dips enough for you to catch a glimpse of her cleavage despite the modest capped sleeves which cover her shoulders. The fabric hugs her body comfortably, though you’re certain once the water has soaked through the material it will cling sinfully to her every curve.

Her cheeks are flushed, her gaze lowered to avoid your gaze as her fingers graze over the hemline of the dress, fingers playing nervously with the fabric. When she finally finds the courage to meet Aleksander’s eyes - then your own - her blush deepens.

Saving her from further embarrassment, you extend a hand out towards her which she takes instantly. A smile spreads over your features as her fingers curl around yours.

“Let’s go for a swim.”

»»---------------------►

Alina’s head lifts the moment she hears her door open. The smile that spreads over her features has your stomach flipping and she lowers her pen to give you her full attention from where she’s sitting at her vanity table.

“Good evening, Alina.”

Her smile brightens as she wraps her bath robe tighter around her body.

“Good evening.”

There’s ink smudges on her fingertips and your eyes peek around her to examine the pieces of parchment strewn over the table. When she catches your gaze, you lift a brow questioningly.

“Drawing?”

She shakes her head.

“I was just writing another letter for Mal.”

Sadness creeps into her expression and guilt stirs in your stomach.

“Alina-”

At the sound of her name on your lips, she lifts her head, eyes scouring over your face and your words fade as you lose your courage. But Alina deserves the truth.

“All letters that leave the Little Palace are read by either myself or Aleksander, to ensure that no important information falls into the wrong hands.”

She stiffens slightly, embarrassment touching her features.

“You mean you’ve read my letters to Mal?”

Guilt settles in your stomach as you shake your head.

“No.” She frowns, then you pull out a bundle of letters from the pocket of your kefta. “They haven’t been sent.”

She remains still, eyes fixed on the stack in your hand.

“I haven’t opened them. I wanted to tell you that Aleksander and I check letters so that you wouldn’t be uncomfortable. I was going to tell you… but the days went by and I just kept forgetting.”

Every word is the truth. Though it isn’t the whole truth. In all honesty, your reluctance to tell her about the letters is most likely an attempt at keeping her for yourself. Tears glimmer in her eyes and it sickens you that your selfishness is the reason for her distress. She shifts away from you and there’s a physical pain in your chest.

“I told you he hadn’t written back,” she says quietly, a quiver in her voice as she stares down at the envelopes. “You said he would soon. You told me there had been problems with the mail carriers. You lied to me.”

“Alina-”

She shakes her head, stepping away again, and you force your features to harden, shoving the hurt in your chest deep down. It twists inside you, making you step towards her and place the letters down on her table.

“I thought I should give these back to you. I’m certain you will choose your words more carefully, now that you know Aleksander and I will read every word that you write.”

It’s cruel, throwing the feelings you know she has for you and Aleksander in her face. Her cheeks flush red, anger and embarrassment flashing over her features as she looks away from you. The beginning of tears glisten in the corner of her eyes and you turn towards the door before you can see them fall.

»»---------------------►

A familiar presence lingers at the open doorway to your bedroom as you continue folding your trousers up, placing them in your trunk for the third time this morning.

“Sasha, would you pass me the…”

As you turn, your words are halted by the sight of Alina hesitating at the threshold of your room. She hasn’t spoken to you since that night in her rooms, turning away when she sees you in the grounds and keeping her gaze lowered when she passes you in the corridors.

“Alina.”

“You’re leaving.”

You nod.

“I’m going to oversee the new campaign on the Fjerdan frontlines.”

Aleksander had only casually suggested it but you had leapt at the opportunity, believing you need some fresh air and a chance to use your power productively.

There’s a pause as Alina steps towards you, almost cautiously. Her gaze is lowered, searching over your belongings that have been strewn across your bed.

“Can I write to you?” she asks.

There’s a twinge of guilt in your chest at the mention of letters, though the softness of Alina’s features express no ill will in regards to her unsent letters to Mal.

“Of course. I can’t promise my replies will be detailed or lengthy, but I would love to hear from you, Alina.”

She fidgets with her fingers, nails picking at her cuticles.

“How long will you be gone for?”

“I plan to return just before the Winter Fete.”

Her eyes widen.

“That long?”

“It’s only a few months. I’ll be back before you know it.”

»»---------------------►

The problem with being the person who censors letters within the Second Army is that you find it all too easy to remove what has been written on the page.

»»---------------------►

Alina,

I should have told you about the letters. I know this is a cowardly way to apologise, but seeing so many casualties today - knowing there will be more tomorrow - has made me reflective as it always does.

Please forgive me. I don’t want to lose you.

»»---------------------►

Moi Sashenka,

My official report on the front has been sent and hopefully you will have received it by the time this letter reaches you.

Fjerda is as cold as it always is and I hate being so far from you. Too many times I find myself longing for your advice or your embrace. I miss you, Sasha.

I miss Alina too. How is Alina? I hope her lessons have improved and that she’s feeling more settled. Could you remind her that she can write to me? I’m afraid I’ve ruined us.

Take care, as always

Forever yours

»»---------------------►

One particular letter you set alight with your starlight, watching the paper crumble as the flames remove your words from existence. That night you sleep curled in on yourself, old grief burrowing it’s way into your chest as you remember a girl with hopeful eyes the same colour as the sky.

She slips into your dreams, gentle hands holding you. The bed is warm, soft sheets caressing your naked bodies. Aleksander’s touch is familiar, like being welcomed home. He kisses you. She kisses you. A featherlight brush of her lips, before you’re sinking a hand into her hair to deepen the kiss with a fierce longing to keep her like this. It feels so real.

The tears have scarcely dried over your cheeks as you wake. The sounds of your army rousing itself from slumber draws you out of your bittersweet state, grounding you as you stare up at the cloth ceiling of your tent.

»»---------------------►

Aleksander folds his arms over his chest, drawing his bath robe tighter around his body as he looks over the map on his table. A chill brushes over his skin when his eyes land on the collection of figures placed by the Fjerdan border. Immediately his thoughts fall onto you.

The two of you aren’t often parted from each other; you’ve been one another’s constant companion for the last few centuries and he feels the temporary loss of you in his chest.

It appears he isn’t the only one who feels your absence. He turns at the sight of movement in the corner of his eye, shoulders tensing as the shadows stir at his subconscious command. They dissolve the moment his gaze falls onto her face.

“Alina.”

She tucks her hair back shyly.

“Am I disturbing you?”

He shakes his head.

“Not at all. Come in, please.”

He watches Alina’s eyes bounce over the contents of his table and can’t help but notice that she also lingers on the spot where your camp is. As she approaches him, she keeps her gaze lowered, looking over the pages in front of him.

Then she spies your letters.

“Is this from-”

Aleksander says your name softly, nodding as his fingers trace affectionately over the loops of your handwriting. His eyes skim over the words, reading between the lines of your ink in a manner only he can.

“She misses you.”

“I miss her too,” she admits in a whisper.

He gestures for her to sit in the armchair by the fire which she does, quietly tucking her knees beneath herself, bundling the fabric of her night robe closer around her body. Aleksander watches her, leaning back against the war table, his palms splayed over maps and papers.

He looks at her for a long moment, admiring her features as the firelight dances over them. There’s a contemplative furrow to his brows as he thinks of a promise he made to you before you left for the frontlines.

“Alina, I have something to tell you but I want you to make me a promise first.”

She eyes him somewhat warily. In your absence, the two of them have grown considerably closer, but you had been the one to coax Alina out of her shell.

“What’s the promise?” she asks.

“That you won’t leave.”

Her expression softens.

“Aleksander-”

“I want you to give me your word, that you will listen to everything I have to say tonight. Afterwards, if you would like to leave I will provide you with whatever resources I can to ensure you a safe journey.”

She’s frighteningly still, wide eyed like a rabbit weighing up the threat of a potential predator. He watches her swallow, steeling herself before she nods curtly in agreement. The knot in his chest begins to loosen slightly, though he dreads her reaction to what he’s about to tell her. He can only hope that you are right.

»»---------------------►

Dear Alina,

I know winter has already arrived for you in the capital. Whenever I begin to fear that frostbite has taken my toes, I picture you curled up by the fire with Aleksander. Home has never felt further from me, even as the date of my return inches closer.

I hope you will be happy to see me. I long for you. The silence has been torture.

I have enclosed another letter, which I hope you might be able to pass along to Aleksander. There has been little time to write these days and ink is scarce. Give him my love. I hope you have a happy Yuletide.

»»---------------------►

Sasha,

There is a Yuletide gift for you underneath your bed. Alina’s gift is under my bed. Kiss her under the mistletoe for me.

All my love

»»---------------------►

My dearest Alya,

Fjerda is cold and I miss your warmth.

I hope that I reach you before this letter does. We begin our return to Os Alta today. I’m coming home.

»»---------------------►

As soon as you arrive back at the Little Palace, you find yourself drawn to Aleksander’s room, abandoning your trunk in your bedroom and seeking solace in the war room. The moment you set your eyes on him, the months-long tension leaves your shoulders and you stumble into his open arms.

Aleksander doesn’t have an opportunity to speak, as you grasp hold of his hair and drag his mouth down to yours. As soon as your lips meet, the leftover strain in your body and mind melts. The sigh that leaves you is fuelled by relief.

“Sasha,” you whine against his lips, unable to articulate anything else.

His hands cup your face, mouth moving eagerly against your own. After months of not being able to see one another, without touching one another, you’re both desperate.

“I forbid you from leaving the Little Palace for the foreseeable future,” he says, an edge of command in his tone.

“Yes, moi soverenyi,” you breathe against his lips.

A growl catches in the back of his throat and you squeeze your thighs together at the sound as white hot arousal coils in your stomach. He tugs you closer, hooking his hands beneath your legs to hoist you up into his arms. His next words are breathless, interrupted by your hurried kisses as he carries you into the bedroom.

“If it weren’t for the damned fete tomorrow, I would forbid you from leaving this bed.”

His mouth trails down your body, pressing hot kisses over your skin. A simmering tingle of pleasure shudders down your spine with each firm brush of his lips or stroke of his tongue. Heat creeps over your cheeks, as you realise your moans are getting louder and more desperate.

Once his mouth finally reaches your cunt, a sharp yelp falls from your lips. Holding onto his hair always encourages Aleksander, so your attempts to ground yourself only entice him further into your cunt. Slick arousal smears over his lips and chin as he devours you, leaving no inch of you untouched by his tongue.

He holds each of your hands in his as he works your body into a quivering climax that has tears spilling down your cheeks, relief soaking into your skin now that you’re finally home.

Aleksander’s expression softens as he observes your pitiful state. There’s a tremor in your legs that he attempts to coax out of you, smoothing his palms firmly over your thighs, his fingers squeezing at the sore muscle of your calves.

“Oh my love,” he coos. “You didn’t touch yourself at all while you were gone, did you?”

You shake your head.

“Didn’t feel right without you,” you admit, wiping the tears from your cheeks as they continue to pour. “Didn’t feel safe enough.”

A soft sigh heaves at his shoulders as he lowers himself over you, kissing his way up your body. He knows that feeling all too well, something he had hoped you would never experience again.

He sheds the rest of your clothing, tossing his own down onto the floor until your bare skin meets his. Sheer pleasure prickles through your body at the opportunity to feel his body against yours. Smooth skin, both of you marred with callouses and scars. The trail of hair down his stomach. Lean muscle and soft flesh. A soft moan escapes from your lips as his hips grind gently into yours.

“I have you now, my love,” he breathes out against your collarbone, mouthing over your throat. “You’re safe.” He reinforces his words with a firm kiss to the underside of your jaw. “You’re home.” Another kiss, a little higher. “Let me take care of you.”

“How is Alina?” you ask breathlessly.

He smiles down at you.

“She can summon at will now.” His mouth moves along your jawline. “For her Winter Fete display she plans to split sunbeams.”

He parts your thighs, positioning the head of his cock at your entrance before he eases himself forwards. A rough moan tears itself from the back of your throat as the feeling of Aleksander stretching you open floods through your body.

“She sleeps with your letters under her pillow each night.”

His words make your heart ache and your cunt clench around his cock, drawing a small hiss of surprise from him.

“I’ve missed her. I’ve missed you, Sasha.”

“I know, my love. I’ve missed you too,” he breathes out against your neck. “We talk about you all the time.”

He bites down on the juncture of your neck, teeth dragging on your skin before he strokes his tongue over the mark blooming there.

“You do?”

There’s a shy naivety in your voice, as if you can barely believe that the two people you adore most in the world would spend their time talking about you.

“She- she isn’t mad at me… is she?”

He kisses your cheek, his forehead pressing against your temple.

“No, my love. She isn’t mad at you.”

He moans quietly as your nails bite into his hips, clinging to him with an intensity that has you shaking. Aleksander kisses you, his mouth moving leisurely against yours. There is hardly a moment to breathe, with the head of Aleksander’s cock nudging against that sweet, sensitive spot inside you and the way he occupies your mouth.

Pleasure spirals in your stomach, as your cunt clenches tightly around his cock. Aleksander cries out a deep, startled sound. He grits his teeth, pressing his body directly into yours. Arching your back against the mattress, you grip onto Aleksander, writhing as your mind fights tooth and nail to resist the climax that your body is dragging you towards.

“Let go, my love,” he whispers, warm mouth suckling gently on your earlobe. “You’re safe, I have you. I promise.”

The next wave of pleasure that runs through you completely shatters whatever resolve had been subconsciously established in your mind. Another, rather unexpected, bout of tears trace down your cheeks and a small sob catches in the back of your throat as your climax peaks.

Aleksander continues his motions, thrusting into you as he cradles your face between his hands. He kisses your tears away as best he can whilst chasing his own climax. The shaky gasps of his name only entice him further, drawing a wrecked moan from his lips as he pulls out, spilling his sticky spend over your thighs.

The two of you remain in one another’s arms as you catch your breath, trading slow kisses and gentle touches. Aleksander’s fingers dance along the curves and dips of your body, following the path he knows by heart. As your eyes flutter closed, you link your fingers with his, giving them a gentle squeeze which he returns without hesitation.

Aleksander inhales sharply as you press a delicate kiss to his knuckles. In the absence of one another, it has been all too easy to forget the luxury of tender touches. There’s a softness to his features as he looks at you, tilting his head slightly to watch as you continue to kiss over each of his fingers.

“I told Alina about our past,” Aleksander confesses quietly. That has you freezing for a moment, eyes flickering up to study his face.

“How did she take it?”

His gaze lowers, his hand flexing slightly in your hold.

“She looked frightened at first. She had promised to listen to me, but I could see she was waiting to run.”

“What changed her mind?”

“You.”

A frown creases at your brows.

“I told her about you, about everything we’ve been through together. Everything we’ve lost over the years.” Emotion hardens in your throat, though you do your best to swallow it down. His tone grows regretful. “Even after everything I’ve done, you’ve remained by my side.”

“Because I love you,” you say quietly, pressing another kiss to his knuckles, squeezing his digits affectionately. “Because I know that everything you’ve done has been to keep us safe and keep our Grisha safe.” Tears well in Aleksander’s dark eyes. “How could I ever leave you - knowing that?”

He leans forward, cupping the back of your head to kiss you soundly.

»»---------------------►

Alina looks magnificent in black. The colour belongs to you as much as it belongs to Aleksander. To see her wearing your colour, her kefta perfectly moulded to her figure, drives the air from your lungs. She had been pale and gaunt when she first arrived at the Little Palace; it seems that your sun summoner has blossomed in your absence.

Aleksander moves towards her first, the crowd parting instantly for the three of you to meet.

“You were supposed to enter accompanied by palace guards,” he says in a low voice.

She blushes, her eyes bouncing between you and Aleksander.

“I’m sorry. I just… I wanted to see you.”

Her tone is shy, as if she truly hadn’t intended on diverting from Aleksander’s strict schedule for her safety. Aleksander blinks slowly, the corner of his lips twitching into a hint of a smile. His voice softens as he murmurs,

“You look lovely, by the way.”

The blush spreads down her neck and you lick your lips at the sight.

“Beautiful,” you add softly.

Her eyes darken as she meets your gaze and your stomach flips. She inclines her head demurely, a brief curtesy as she stares, seemingly drinking in the sight of you.

“Lieutenant.”

The only response you provide her is a brief tilt of your head.

“Miss Starkov.”

The urge to kiss her claws fiercely inside you, so strong that your lips tingle with a phantom anticipation. Her skin is glowing under the light of the chandeliers, her cheeks flushed prettily. Her lips have been coloured with a dewy layer of gloss that you want to feel smeared over your own mouth. Instead, you say,

“I look forward to your demonstration.”

She worries her lower lip between her teeth, brows furrowed slightly with concern before she manages to smile, somewhat distractedly. Her gaze lowers to the front of her kefta, as she begins to pick at the delicate embroidery there. Instantly, you curl your fingers around hers, halting her nervous fidgeting.

“I am certain it will be wonderful.”

Her inhale is sudden, her lips parted, eyes widened as they flicker rapidly between yours. Taking her hand to your lips, you press a gentle kiss to her knuckles. She swallows hard.

Inferni flame illuminates her features as Polina and Pavel begin their demonstration, fire arching over your heads. As the deep orange flickers over her face, you keep your eyes on her, admiring the soft glow of her skin.

There’s a knowing glimmer in Aleksander’s eyes as he looks at you. He smiles, ducking his head down to murmur quietly against Alina’s ear,

“Let’s give them a real show.”

His lips graze her temple and she shivers.

»»---------------------►

“I have something to confess,” Aleksander murmurs quietly against your ear.

With the demonstrations and dinner done, the royals have long since left the party, as have the majority of the nobility. Now, the people surrounding you are Grisha, which means you feel comfortable enough to sit in Aleksander’s lap. His chest is pressed against your back, the heat of his body warming your spine.

A minute frown creases at the space between your brows, though your eyes don’t stray from where Alina is standing, hiding behind a column with Genya, a flute of sparkling wine in her hand. She giggles and you drink in the sight of her flushed cheeks and bright eyes.

“Confess?”

His hands graze over your sides, his shadows slipping beneath your kefta to caress your body.

“I have been… tutoring Alina. Teaching her how to pleasure herself.”

You blink at him.

“Truly?”

He nods.

“She wants to touch you.”

“She does?”

He nods again, the bulge in his trousers hardening.

“Our darling Alya is rather shy. It took until she was bone limp with pleasure for her to admit it, but yes, she wants you.”

“You’ve touched her?”

“Not intimately.”

His answer has your frown returning.

“The poor girl can’t seem to relax enough without my touch to soothe her. A hand around her wrist, guiding her. Or a gentle pressure against her thighs. It took quite some time to convince her that she was allowed to touch herself.”

“From what she’s told me, the orphanage she grew up in was a conservative household. No doubt she feels embarrassed at the thought of wanting someone.”

From Aleksander’s expression, it’s clear that he is in agreement with you. Then the corner of his mouth lifts, a familiar darkness twinkling in his gaze.

“Now that she is aware of her desires, she is somewhat insatiable.”

The thought of innocent, wide eyed Alina throwing herself at your unflappable Aleksander is equal parts arousing and amusing. Thoughts of Alina touching herself, growing frustrated without him, and seeking out Aleksander to help her has a coil of need curling in your abdomen.

Aleksander smirks, lowering his mouth to graze against the shell of your ear, his voice dropping low so that no one but you can hear him.

“I’ve seen her touching herself, and with the pretty shade of crimson her cheeks gain, I’m certain her fantasies verge on obscene.”

“She’s perfect,” you whisper.

He presses a kiss to the sensitive skin of your earlobe.

“She is.”

His lips lower, trailing down your throat.

“Tonight?” you ask in a soft gasp.

“If you wish so,” he murmurs against your thundering pulse.

“I do. Sasha, I want her so badly.”

“I know.” He kisses your cheek softly. “Would you like her to yourself first?”

“I want her to come undone over my hand, while you watch us.”

He smiles widely.

“One condition.” You nod. “Afterwards, I want to teach Alina how to kiss your cunt.”

At the thought of them both between your thighs, trading slow kisses as they take turns licking and mouthing at your cunt, a small moan catches in the back of your throat. Aleksander curls his hand around your neck.

“She’s watching us.”

The inhale you take is shaky as you flutter your lashes.

“Now?”

He nods, squeezing at your throat gently. His nose brushes against yours delicately as he smiles indulgently at you as he whispers,

“Go to her.”

He releases his hold on you and warmth rushes to your cheeks as you wobble on unsteady feet. There’s a few eyes on you whilst making your way towards Alina, though they look away quickly after one glance in Aleksander’s direction.

Genya’s hazel eyes land on you, pink dusting over the porcelain skin of her cheeks when she sees how your gaze is fixed on Alina. She takes your sun summoner’s empty glass from her, making herself scarce with a knowing smile as you approach.

“Alina.” Her eyes widen, her gaze wandering from your lips downwards, lingering on the loosened neckline of your kefta, and your stomach flips. “I have a gift for you.”

She blinks in surprise.

“You do?”

A smile spreads over your face as you nod.

“Come see me later tonight, in Aleksander’s rooms. I will give it to you then.”

»»---------------------►

Aleksander’s footsteps are smooth and confident as he walks through the war room, his boots echoing over the polished wood. It’s only once he reaches the threshold of his bedroom that his gait falters.

“Where in the name of all saints did you get that?”

Turning from your reflection in the mirror above his vanity table, a coy smile curls at your lips as you smooth down the sheer lace of nightgown.

“To your liking, General?”

He breathes out a sharp laugh.

“Poor Alina won’t know where to look.”

“And you know exactly where to look,” you remark teasingly, adjusting the belt so that the length of your bare leg is on display.

His smile is wide and dazzling as he steps purposefully forward towards you.

“I do.”

Lowering himself onto his knees, Aleksander parts your nightgown, ducking his head between your thighs to kiss over your lace clad mound. A sound of surprise catches in the back of your throat, which dissolves into a moan when his tongue traces eagerly over the crease between your thighs and your hips.

He chuckles when you squirm, his warm hands settling over each of your knees to hold you in place as his mouth moves over your skin.

“Sasha,” you gasp. He smirks teasingly, eyes darkened as he looks up from between your thighs.

“My love, we’ve barely begun.”

There’s a tentative knock at the door.

Aleksander releases his hold on you, smoothing his hands over the knees of his trousers as he stands in one fluid motion. He strolls over towards the door, threading a hand through his hair as he does so. Suddenly conscious of your appearance, you brush down the fabric of your night robe to preserve your modesty.

“Alina,” he says softly.

There’s a small pause, and you know the sight in front of Alina will have her blushing already - Aleksander with bright eyes and flushed cheeks, his hair perfectly disheveled from delving between your thighs.

“Hello.”

“Please, come in.”

She’s dressed in her night dress, silk and lace clinging to her curves, with a velvet robe thrown over her shoulders. Her gaze bounces over the entirety of your body, unable to fix on any particular aspect before another steals her attention. She smiles as she approaches you.

“I actually have a gift for you as well.”

Rather shyly, she hands you a painted wooden box, wrapped in a sleek black ribbon. At the edge of the room, Aleksander circles around the two of you, watching silently.

The box is made of a wholesome wood, carved around the edge of the lid and along the sides. On every side, a detailed scene has been depicted in paint. The Little Palace, the True Sea, Morozova’s stag grazing in a sunlit meadow. Each brushstroke has been created with care and a skill you can only marvel at.

“Alina,” you whisper in awe.

She blushes.

“I painted it myself.”

Opening up the box, you stare at the contents for a long moment. Countless papers. Folded with care. Some of them are in envelopes, sealed with a rosy pink wax. Alina’s handwriting is instantly recognisable, looping ink on the creamy parchment.

“Are these-?”

“I didn’t want anyone but you to read them.” There’s a pause which weighs heavy over the room and Alina grows nervous. “If you don’t like it-”

“No. Alya, I love it,” you insist earnestly, tucking your hands around it protectively. Rather bashfully, you look down, tracing your fingers over the delicate brushstrokes. “My gift feels somewhat lacking now.”

“What… what is it?”

There’s a curious gleam in her eyes as she looks around you. Nervously, she tucks a stray hair back behind her ear as she sits tentatively at the foot of Aleksander’s bed. Slowly, you place her gift on the vanity table, your eyes examining her expression when you ask,

“Can I kiss you, Alina?”

Her eyes widen, and she blushes a bright shade of scarlet, then nods.

“I haven’t done this before,” she admits, a touch of worry spilling into her eyes. You smile at her.

“I know.” Inhaling slowly, you stand and walk over towards her. “It’s been a long time since I’ve done anything like this.”

Taking her chin between your fingers, you guide her mouth to yours for a tender kiss. The soft press of her lips against yours is better than you could have imagined. Gentle and warm and the shimmering gloss tastes sweet like strawberries.

She gasps out a little sound of pleasure as you cradle the back of her head, while your other hand strokes along her jawline, encouraging the steady motion of her lips. Without thinking, your hands wander down her body, grasping at the silky fabric covering her. She’s panting for breath as you cup her breasts, mapping the curves of her waist with each of your palms.

With little effort, you move her backwards and she sinks down onto the mattress with ease. It’s only after several more kisses that she seems to realise she’s lying on her back, in your bed, with your body attempting to nestle between her thighs.

“Would you part your legs for me?” you ask against her mouth.

She complies slowly, a smidge of embarrassed hesitation in her movement. Instantly, you begin to move downwards, pushing the velvet robe aside before you slide the silk of her nightdress up over her waist.

“Good girl.” She whines at your praise, which only encourages you further. “What a good girl you are, Alya.”

Her hands cover her face, as you lick a stripe over her bare thigh, heading towards the apex of her legs. As your nose nudges against her clothed mound, your mouth waters at the heady scent of her arousal.

“Has Aleksander ever touched you here?” She peeks at you from between her fingers and you raise a brow at her, a wicked smile tugging at your lips when she nods. “He has?” She nods again, breathless already as you laugh teasingly. “Does he touch you with or without your underwear in the way?”

Her cheeks are inflamed, you can feel the heat of her body burning with arousal against your lips as you kiss across her hips and thighs.

“W- with my underwear on,” she stammers bashfully. “Always with it on.”

“Would you like me to take it off?” She stares at you wide eyed, as if she hadn’t even imagined you wanting to touch her so intimately. “Would you like me to stroke your bare cunt?”

She whimpers your name, dropping her head back against the pillow and you grin at the sight of her so disheveled already - from a few heated kisses and some dirty words.

“I-” She worries her lower lip between her teeth. “Are you sure you want to?”

That has you growing still.

“Alina. Can I show you something?”

She nods hesitantly. Taking her hand, you entwine her fingers with yours. Slowly, you slide your joined hands down your body, slipping beneath the fabric of your night robe. Her eyes widen, lips parted in shock as her cheeks burn bright, though she doesn’t pull away even when you press her fingertips against your dripping entrance.

“Can you feel how much I want to, sweet girl?”

She nods.

“So soft.”

There’s a slight slur to her words, as if feeling your arousal has pushed her into a daze, and the temptation to push her fingers inside you prickles over your skin in a burning need. Her hand moves curiously, dipping into your centre, and you groan quietly at her hesitant touch.

Her gaze wanders down your body, before she becomes fixated on the spot between your legs.

“Yours is prettier than mine.”

“Alina,” Aleksander says sternly from where he’s seated himself at his vanity table. His tone has you clenching around nothing and a small pout puckers at her lips in response to his admonishment. “What have I told you about comparing yourself to others?”

Her pout deepens.

“Not to.”

“And why is that?”

She mumbles an answer that you can hardly hear, her cheeks inflamed with an embarrassed heat. Aleksander raises a brow, before prompting her to repeat herself, his tone remaining firm.

“Alina.”

“Because I’m beautiful,” she whispers, her voice wavering as she squeezes her eyes shut.

The smile you share with Aleksander, unseen by Alina, is devious. It seems you are no longer alone in your mission to improve Alina’s sense of self-worth.

Unable to stop yourself, you reward her with a kiss. Her robe slips easily from her shoulders, pooling over the mattress as you grasp at her body. She gasps at the feeling of your hands wandering, squirming beneath you with small sounds of pleasure that she breathes against your lips.

“Aleksander tells me he’s been tutoring you.”

The hint of a whine catches in the back of her throat, her cheeks hot with embarrassment at your words. She nods.

“Will you tell me what you’ve learnt? Will you tell me what you like, sweet girl?”

She bites down on her lip, the plush skin breaking between her teeth. Instantly, you lean forwards, suckling her lower lip to soothe the sting of her bite. The coppery taste of her blood touches the tip of your tongue and she moans louder when you lick over the sensitive spot.

“Tell me, Alina. Let me pleasure you.”

She whines again, a sweet noise that you want to tease out of her over and over again. Taking her hand again, you splay it between her breasts, using your own hand to smooth it down her body. Her thighs tremble.

“Tell me, sweet girl.”

“I- I like it gentle at first,” she stammers quietly, which has a smile quirking at the corner of your mouth as you slip your hand beneath the waistband of her panties.

“Hm? Like this?”

Her lips fall open into a perfect circle as you dip your finger between her soaked folds.

“Oh,” she breathes out, dropping her head back onto the pillow. “Yes.”

The base of your finger nudges against her clit and she writhes beneath you. Her hand curls around your wrist, squeezing as she pleads softly,

“Faster, please.”

Her hips jerk as you begin to circle her clit with the pad of your finger, your thumb hooked over her mound, the digit buried amongst the dark curls there. Alina squeezes her eyes shut, brows scrunching adorably as she gasps.

“Can I stretch your little cunt open now, sweet girl?” She whimpers, nodding fervently.

Her eyes meet yours, an endless darkness of desire spiralling in her blown pupils. Ducking your head down, you allow saliva to pool in your mouth before letting it drop down onto where your finger is pressing against her entrance. Her mouth drops open at the vulgar action, red blossoming down her neck and chest as it heaves with a shaky breath.

The mattress dips as Aleksander sits down at the foot of bed, his eyes fixed on where your hands explore Alina’s body. With the mess of her arousal and the added lubrication of your saliva, you slide your finger inside her. The heat of her cunt clings to your digit, dragging you in greedily and the feeling makes you groan against her neck.

“Alya, fuck, you’re so tight. Such a warm, pretty, little cunt.”

She shudders beneath you, whining your name as she grasps at the fabric of your night robe. With a few deft motions, you untie the belt and reveal your bare chest to her. A desperate noise catches in the back of her throat, her eyes wide and round as she stares at your breasts.

Curling your finger, you search for the spot that makes her clench harder than ever, stroking her quivering walls as you begin to speak.

“You can touch, Alya.”

“W-what?”

“You can touch me. Anywhere you want. Everywhere you want.”

Expecting hesitation from her, the feeling of her hands on your breasts, squeezing the flesh and tugging experimentally on your nipples, has you gasping in surprise. A soft groan escapes you, as the repression inside Alina seems to break. She grasps at you eagerly, perfectly trimmed nails digging into your skin.

Tenderly, you nuzzle your face into the crook of her neck, kissing over her collarbones.

“Let go, sweet girl. I have you.”

She gasps, her grip on you tightening as she bucks her hips upwards, chasing the motion of your hand. Sweat glosses over her body, her power shimmering beneath her skin. Light dances at the edge of the room, but all you can focus on is Alina as she reaches the peak of her pleasure.

Her back arches away from the mattress, dark eyes widened as she cries out your name, body succumbing to her climax. Her cunt twitches around your finger, pulsing violently around your digit. With her head thrown backwards, you can see each frantic beat of her heart thrumming in the veins across her throat, bared vulnerable to your hungry eyes.

She breathes heavily, pupils wide and sparkling with pleasure as she stares at you, her gaze flickering between your face and your body. Her smile is almost shy now, as she tucks a stray hair behind her ear with a shaky hand.

Aleksander’s hand curls around your throat, squeezing softly as he directs your head backward towards his mouth. It’s easy and well-practised, the way he moves your body so that you’re lying on your back with him nestled perfectly between your thighs.

“Remember what we agreed on, my love?”

“Sasha,” you whine against his lips, imagining Aleksander and Alina kissing between your thighs, their lips smeared with your arousal.

His hands are well acquainted with your body, paying attention to every dip and curve that he knows by heart. He squeezes the softest areas, blunt nails dragging purposefully over the spots that make you shudder as he works his way downwards. He kisses over your hip bones, tongue laving over the sensitive skin there as he traces his way down your thighs.

Aleksander retracts onto the balls of his heels, parting your folds smoothly with his fingers and your body burns at the feeling of being so observed as your arousal sticks to his digits. He leans over to kiss Alina’s flushed cheek, his lips grazing her ear as he speaks in a low voice.

“Kiss her here, just like you’d kiss her mouth,” he instructs Alina.

She takes your hand, brushing her thumb over your knuckles and a previously unnoticed tension slips from your shoulders, allowing you to settle comfortably on the mattress. There’s a determined set to her jaw, enthusiasm glimmering in her eyes as if she has been wanting for months to taste you. Slowly, she leans forwards.

The soft press of her lips against your cunt has you squirming, a keening whine slipping from your lips as her tongue darts out tentatively to lick up your arousal. She hums and your stomach flips at the thought of her enjoying the feeling of your cunt against her tongue.

Aleksander smiles at you both, squeezing your thigh as he pets the back of her head.

“Very good, Alinochka.”

The praise makes her sigh against your cunt and you clench around nothing, wishing she would slip her tongue inside you. Aleksander traces his fingers over your mound, drawing a shiver from you as he directs Alina’s attention to your clit.

“Watch carefully,” he tells her.

He ducks his head down, taking the swollen nub of your clit into his mouth. Instantly, you cry out, writhing over the mattress as you grasp at his hair, tugging on it with carnal need.

When he releases you, Alina is eager to take his place, mimicking the pressure of his mouth whilst lapping at your clit with her tongue. Breathless, you moan brokenly. The two of them are taking you apart, piece by piece, stealing the fractured shards of you for themselves.

Nerves stir in your stomach as your pleasure begins to sharpen into something tangible, almost within your grasp. Nevertheless, your climax evades you, until you can feel your sweat soaking the sheets and glossing at your forehead.

“Sasha, I can’t,” you whisper weakly.

“You can, my love.” He kisses your temple. “You’re doing so well.”

He strokes your hair back gently, reaching out to cup your breast comfortingly as he lies at your side. His thumb circles over your nipple in a soothing motion and you press your forehead against his shoulder as you whine. Taking your chin between his fingers, he turns you so that you’re looking down at Alina.

“Doesn’t she look beautiful like this? Our darling Alina.” At the sound of her name, her eyes flicker up to meet yours, a lustful sheen in her gaze that fills her features as she looks between you and Aleksander. “Don’t you want to spill yourself over her pretty face?”

She seems captivated by you, an awestruck expression glimmering in her eyes. Innocent little Alina, staring openly at you - as you lie splayed over Aleksander’s bed, almost completely unraveled by her mouth.

“Fuck, fuck, fuck- Alina.”

As your climax hits, your curses turn into frantic whines and your hips jerk against Alina’s face. Pleasure blooms beneath your skin, prickling down your spine as your cunt clenches a rapid rhythm that sends you spiralling into bliss.

Eyes fluttering closed, you drop your head back against the pillow, turning to press your forehead onto Aleksander’s shoulder. Each breath you take is a desperate heave of air, your body warm and sated with a blissful satisfaction as your pulse gallops a steady rhythm beneath your skin.

Alina stares at you, pink tongue tracing her lower lip as your eyes lock for a heated moment. Then she scrambles up your body, straddling your waist eagerly as she leans down to kiss you, smearing the remnants of your orgasm from her mouth to yours. Aleksander breathes out a soft groan at the sight of you both as you kiss lazily.

“Sasha,” you murmur against Alina’s lips, reaching downwards with the intention to grasp at his still-clothed cock.

His hand curls around your wrist to stop you.

“I want a clear head tonight,” he says when you meet his gaze.

On occasion, Aleksander denies himself a climax in order to stay fully aware of his surroundings, particularly when he’s feeling anxious about your safety. A rebuke is on the tip of your tongue - after all, the Little Palace is one of the safest places in the world. You and Aleksander ensured it. But with Alina here in your bed for the first time, you can understand why he would be concerned.

Pressing a soft kiss to his cheek, you whisper,

“Thank you, Sasha.”

He smiles, stroking your cheek affectionately with his knuckles.

“Anything for you, my love.”

“Can I wake you with a treat tomorrow morning?”

His smile widens.

“A treat?”

As you settle down by his side, curling up beneath his outstretched arm, you nod.

“Hm. I want to teach Alina how to suck your cock.”

Alina stifles a gasp. The apple of his throat bobs, a muscle in his jaw flaring as his eyes darken.

“My love,” he says warningly. “Your proposition isn’t helping my current issue.”

Biting down on your lip, you feel a touch of guilt as he shifts his hips, breathing deeply through his nose as he attempts to rein in his arousal.

“Sorry, Sasha.”

He hums with a smile, clearly unconvinced by your apology. Then he cups the back of your head, sinking his fingers into your hair as he kisses you.

“Let me clean the two of you up,” he suggests.

He glances at Alina in a silent question, requesting her consent which she gives with a soft smile and a small nod. Leisurely, you stretch out over the mattress as Aleksander stands to retrieve a wash cloth and basin full of water.

Alina breathes out a sigh and your eyes flutter open to admire her form draped beside you. Candlelight flickers over her skin, your fingers following the shadows that dip into the curves of her body as you reach out to trace over her figure with a featherlight touch. She hums quietly, eyes heavy-lidded as she looks at you. When your eyes meet, the smile that spreads across her face is luminous.

She blushes when Aleksander parts her legs, wiping a warm cloth over the space between her thighs. Once he’s done, you kiss her lips as a reward. He tells her that she can wear anything she likes to bed and she immediately moves towards your wardrobe as Aleksander’s attention moves to you.

He kisses you softly, hands cradling your face as you both smile at one another. He cleans you with the same care given to Alina, and once he’s done, you retrieve one of his night shirts to sleep in. As you shrug the garment over your shoulders, you turn your attention back to Alina.

She’s wearing one of your cosiest night robes, the soft fabric bundled around her frame. It drags over the floor as she moves towards you and Aleksander, climbing into bed between you both - where she belongs.

Finally having her in your bed seems to be quite the distraction for you and Aleksander; neither of you can keep your hands off her, taking turns to kiss her lips.

Alina giggles breathlessly.

“Aren’t we going to sleep?” she remarks teasingly, gnawing on her lower lip. The sight of her, dark curls askew and flushed cheeks, makes you and Aleksander both sigh.

“Yes, milaya,” Aleksander says decidedly as he reaches for the lantern on his bedside. “We’re going to sleep.”

He lifts the glass, blowing out the candle, and the room descends into darkness. Slipping your arms around Alina’s waist, you pull her backwards and she slots perfectly against your front. Aleksander drapes his arm over Alina, encaging her between you both as he reaches for you. He strokes a hand over your bicep, languid petting as the three of you fall asleep.

»»---------------------►

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[theweeklydiscourse]

Maybe Mal was just an unlikable character with a terrible resolution to his character arc.

Sometimes…the writing was just bad.

I’ve always disliked these sorts of explanations of Mal’s behaviour in Shadow and Bone. I find that there’s something reductive about framing Mal as a little hapless teenage boy who only ever got angry about justified matters and only wanted to help. It flattens him and makes him very boring to engage with. I find that this argument removes his agency and attempts to obscure the legitimate issues Mal has seemingly by characterizing him as just a “boy” who’s actions are less severe as a result of that boyishness.

Additionally, I don’t like how the commenter intentionally revises their summary of the book’s events. Mal was never bullied at the Little Palace (quite the opposite actually) and implying that Alina made him feel worthless during that time unnecessarily vilifies Alina for putting more effort into saving Ravka than her sulking boyfriend. It uses Mal’s youth as a pass for his meanness and pettiness’s towards Alina in Shadow and Bone while masquerading as a defence of a character being unjustly criticized.

In the text, it seems clear that Mal acting out is an immature response to an unfamiliar situation. He acts childish, but the issue is not the childishness itself but is instead with the way the narrative addresses it. Mal’s bad attitude towards Alina’s powers and her connection to the Darkling are validated by an ending where Alina is stripped of both as a punishment for her greed. It validates Mal’s discomfort with Alina’s new identity and somewhat justifies his cruel words to her during their arguments in Shadow and Bone and Siege and Storm. This is in conflict with the actual arguments themselves because Mal’s points in those scenes are immature and flawed but aren’t confronted in a manner that shifts the status quo.

I’d also like to add that this appeal to Mal’s youth and inexperience approaches Mal as though he is not a fictional character. As a fictional creation, Mal’s actions and words influence the overarching themes of Shadow and Bone and thus, require a resolution that addresses them. It’s not surprising that readers had such an adverse reaction to Mal when he acted like an asshole for at least 2/3 of the trilogy.

I view Mal as a character with a botched arc. I believe that his character could have been something truly compelling if we had seen his journey from a petulant and selfish boy into a self-assured young man. Mal is challenged by the revelation of Alina’s Grisha identity because it confronts him with a version of the future that reveals a diverging path. Therefore, coming to terms with his codependency and becoming his own person would allow him and Alina to reconcile and find identities outside of one another. But because this never happens, I can’t really buy into Mal’s youth being a legitimate factor in his assholery because it isn’t supported in the text and is never fully understood.

So once again:

[keira63fic]

The Muffin Man and the Mascot (1/1)

Olympic swimmer and viral sensation muffin man Aleksander meets gymnast Alina while she’s masquerading as a mascot.

[bookclub4m]

45 New & Forthcoming Indie Press Books by BIPOC Authors 

Every month Book Club for Masochists: A Readers’ Advisory Podcasts chooses a genre at random and we read and discuss books from that genre. We also put together book lists for each episode/genre that feature works by BIPOC (Black, Indigenous, & People of Colour) authors. All of the lists can be found here.

Fiction

Weird Black Girls: Stories by Elwin Cotman (AK Press)

False Idols: A Reluctant King Novel by K’Wan (Akashic Books)

Sister Deborah by Scholastique Mukasonga, translated by Mark Polizzotti (Archipelago Books)

Bad Land by Corinna Chong (Arsenal Pulp Press)

These Letters End in Tears by Musih Tedji Xaviere (Catapult)

The Coin by Yasmin Zaher (Catapult)

Cecilia by K-Ming Chang (Coffee House Press)

Fog & Car by Eugene Lim (Coffee House Press)

We’re Safe When We’re Alone by Nghiem Tran (Coffee House Press)

A Woman of Pleasure by Kiyoko Murata, translated by Juliet Winters Carpenter (Counterpoint Press)

Bad Seed by Gabriel Carle, translated by Heather Houde (Feminist Press)

The Default World by Naomi Kanakia (Feminist Press)

The Singularity by Balsam Karam, translated by Saskia Vogel (Feminist Press)

I'll Give You a Reason by Annell López (Feminist Press)

Tongueless by Lau Yee-Wa, translated by Jennifer Feeley (Feminist Press)

Outcaste by Sheila James (Goose Lane Editions)

Silken Gazelles by Jokha Alharthi, translated by Marilyn Booth (House of Anansi Press)

Dad, I Miss You by Nadia Sammurtok, illustrated by Simji Park (Inhabit Media)

Secrets of the Snakestone by Pia DasGupta (Nosy Crow)

The Burrow by Melanie Cheng (Tin House)

Masquerade by Mike Fu (Tin House)

The World With Its Mouth Open: Stories by Zahid Rafiq (Tin House)

I Love You So Much It's Killing Us Both by Mariah Stovall (Soft Skull Press)

Non-Fiction

RAPilates: Body and Mind Conditioning in the Digital Age by Chuck D and Kathy Lopez (Akashic Books)

All Our Ordinary Stories: A Multigenerational Family Odyssey by Teresa Wong (Arsenal Pulp Press)

Dispersals: On Plants, Borders, and Belonging by Jessica J. Lee (Catapult)

My Pisces Heart: A Black Immigrant's Search for Home Across Four Continents by Jennifer Neal  (Catapult)

Beyond the Mountains: An Immigrant's Inspiring Journey of Healing and Learning to Dance with the Universe by Deja Vu Prem (Catapult)

Out of the Sierra: A Story of Rarámuri Resistance by Victoria Blanco (Coffee House Press)

Thunder Song: Essays by Sasha LaPointe (Counterpoint Press)

Born to Walk: My Journey of Trials and Resilience by Alpha Nkuranga (Goose Lane Editions)

Jinny Yu (At Once/À La Fois) by Jinny Yu (Goose Lane Editions)

Log Off: Why Posting and Politics (Almost) Never Mix by Katherine Cross (LittlePuss Press)

Becoming Little Shell: A Landless Indian’s Journey Home by Chris La Tray (Milkweed Editions)

World of Wonders: In Praise of Fireflies, Whale Sharks, and Other Astonishments  by Aimee Nezhukumatathil (Milkweed Editions)

Opacities: On Writing and the Writing Life by Sofia Samatar (Soft Skull Press)

The Story Game by Shze-Hui Tjoa (Tin House)

Black Meme: The History of the Images That Make Us by Legacy Russell (Verso Books)

Poetry

i heard a crow before i was born by Jules Delorme (Goose Lane Editions)

We the Gathered Heat: Asian American and Pacific Islander Poetry, Performance, and Spoken Word edited by Franny Choi, Bao Phi, Noʻu Revilla, and Terisa Siagatonu (Haymarket Books)

A Map of My Want by Faylita Hicks (Haymarket Books)

[...] by Fady Joudah (Milkweed Editions)

Comics

A Witch’s Guide to Burning by Aminder Dhaliwal (Drawn & Quarterly)

Oba Electroplating Factory by Yoshiharu Tsuge (Drawn & Quarterly)

Lost at Windy River by  Jillian Dolan, Trina Rathgeber and Alina Pete (Orca Books)

[morally-grey-girlbosses]

Bracket is up! Matchups are in text form under the cut. Reminder that all of these matchups were chosen randomly, and that this bracket will be run in a double elimination style, so a character failing out in round one does NOT prevent them from proceeding into the tournament.

Ursula Boulton (Merge Mansion) vs. Betty Grof (Adventure Time)

Evelyn Wang (Everything Everywhere All At Once) vs. The Coin / Boss (Blaseball)

Morgan Le Fay (Fate) vs. Edelgard Von Hresvelg (Fire Emblem: Three Houses)

IMOGEN (Stellar Firma) vs. Amalexia (Elder Scrolls)

Maeby Funke (Arrested Development) vs. Manon Blackbeak (Throne of Glass)

Taylor Hebert / Skitter (Worm) vs. GLaDOS / Caroline (Portal)

Cleo DeNile (Monster High) vs. Nico Robin (One Piece)

Helen Richardson / The Distortion (The Magnus Archives) vs. Calanthe (The Witcher)

Irving Braxiatel (Thieves & Tardises) vs. Nefera DeNile (Monster High)

Alina Starkov (Shadow & Bone) vs. Lady Barbrey Dustin (A Song Of Ice & Fire)

Eclipsa Butterfly (Star vs. the Forces of Evil) vs. Jennifer Check (Jennifer’s Body)

Moira O’Deorain (Overwatch) vs. Captain Jack Sparrow (Pirates of the Carribbean)

Iron Maiden Jeanne (Shaman King) vs. Artemis (Greek Myth)

Tomie Kawakami (Tomie) vs. Dame Obsidian (Murdle)

Rachel (Animorphs) vs. Juri Han (Street Fighter)

Shego (Kim Possible) vs. Asajj Ventress (Star Wars)

Tabitha Scarlet (Scarlet Hollow) vs. Morte Asherah (Sands of Destruction)

Theresa (Fable) vs. Morgana Pendragon/Le Fey (BBC Merlin)

Nailgun Sue (IRL) vs. The Witch (Into the Woods)

Chara / The Fallen Human (Undertale) vs. Nimona (Nimona)

Klaasje Amandou (Disco Elysium) vs. Margot “gottiewrites” Garcia (An Unauthorized Fan Treatise)

Prince Ianthe Naberius the First, the Lyctor Prince, the Saint of Awe, previously known as Ianthe Tridentarius, the Princess of Ida, heir to the House of the Third, Mouth of the Emperor, the Procession, House of the Shining Dead (The Locked Tomb) vs. Baru Cormorant (The Masquerade Series)

Anna Croft (Omniscient Reader’s Viewpoint) vs. Sailor Galaxia (Sailor Moon)

Ms. Pauling (Team Fortress 2) vs. Lady Alcina Dimitrescu (Resident Evil)

Charlie Magne/Morningstar (Hazbin Hotel) vs. Vriska Serket (Homestuck)

Willie Jack (Reservation Dogs) vs. Gretchen Klein (The Wilds)

Rachel (Tower of God) vs. Galadriel (Lord of the Rings)

Charlie (Don’t Starve) vs. Pomegranate Cookie (Cookie Run)

Rose Quartz / Pink Diamond (Steven Universe) vs. Filo (Shield Hero)

Tokiko Shigure (Ai: The Somnium Files) vs. Sandy (TokiDoki Cactus Friends)

Shion Sonozaki (Higurashi When They Cry) vs. Banica Conchita (Evillious Chronicles)

Mima (Touhou) vs. Yūko Ichihara (xxxHolic)

Yuno Gasai (Future Diary) vs. Laerynn Coramar-Seelie (Critical Role)

Riza Hawkeye (Fullmetal Alchemist) vs. Granny Weatherwax (Discworld)

Catherine Earnshaw (Wuthering Heights) vs. Susie Haltmann (Kirby: Planet Robobot)

Lae’Zel (Baldur’s Gate 3) vs. Starlight Glimmer (My Little Pony: Friendship is Magic)

Dr. Frank-N-Furter (Rocky Horror Picture Show) vs. Angela (Library of Ruina)

Miranda Vanderbilt (Monster Prom) vs. Jinx (Arcane / League of Legends)

Rose Thorburn Jr. (Pact) vs. Eva (Umineko When They Cry)

Empress Phillipa Georgiou (Star Trek) vs. Shiv Roy (Succession)

Paige Duplass (The Silt Verses) vs. Akua Sahelian (A Practical Guide to Evil)

Poison Ivy (DCEU) vs. Nickel (IDW Transformers)

Joyce Messier (Disco Elysium) vs. Reagan Ridley (Inside Job)

Kalina (Fantasy High) vs. MegaGirl (Starship)

Sloane Parker (Eidolon Playtest) vs. Power (Chainsaw Man)

Marcille Donato (Dungeon Meshi) vs. Raiden Ei / Beelzebul (Genshin)

Patty Bladell (Insatiable) vs. Remy “Thirteen” Hadley (House MD)

Tanya von Degurechaff (The Saga of Tanya the Evil) vs. Fang Runin (The Poppy War)

Nomi Malone (Showgirls) vs. Han Sooyoung (Omniscient Reader’s Viewpoint)

Wu Zetian (The Iron Widow) vs. Lariska (Bionicle)

Teresa Agnes (Maze Runner) vs. Emma Perkins (Hatchetfield Series)

Lucrecia Mux / Maligula (Psychonauts) vs. Nadja of Antipaxos (What We Do In The Shadows)

Akako Koizumi (Magic Kaito) vs. Junko Enoshima (Danganronpa)

Blackberry (Chicory: A Colorful Tale) vs. Malva (Pokemon)

Vermouth (Detective Conan) vs. Kumoko / Shiraori (So I’m a Spider So What)

Eleanor (Do Revenge) vs. Bryony Halbech (Red Valley)

Asuka Langley Soryu (Neon Genesis Evangelion) vs. Terezi Pyrope (Homestuck)

Leliana (Dragon Age) vs. Archbishop Rhea/Seiros (Fire Emblem: Three Houses)

Grimora (Inscryption) vs. Anthy Himemiya (Revolutionary Girl Utena)

Audrey Redheart (Wandersong) vs. Kyoko Sakura (Puella Magi Madoka Magic)

Fujiko Mine (Lupin III) vs. O-Ren Ishii (Kill Bill)

Anne (WOE.BEGONE) vs. Gwendolyn Poole (Marvel Comics)

Lappland Saluzzo (Arknights) vs. Avrana Kern (Children of Time)

Harley Quinn (DCEU) vs. Cassandra Jones (Rise of the TMNT)

Faith Lehane (Buffy the Vampire Slayer) vs. Rosalyne-Kruzchka Lohefalte / La Signora (Genshin Impact)

Revan (Star Wars) vs Rue Kuroha / Princess Kraehe (Princess Tutu)

Eve (The Bible) vs. Prospera Mercury (Mobile Suit Gundam: The Witch From Mercury)

May Angelica Jones Goodwin (It Takes Two) vs. Elle Williams (The Last of Us)

Marina (Sinbad: Legend of the Seven Seas) vs. Naksu / Mudeok (Alchemy of Souls)

Patrick Bateman (American Psycho) vs. Sucre (OFF)

SHODAN (System Shock) vs. Cocolia (Honkai: Star Rail)

Alana Bloom (NBC Hannibal) vs. Halea Haumea (Phantomarine)

Delirium of the Endless (The Sandman) vs. Arcee (IDW Transformers)

Morganthe (Wizard 101) vs. Wu Zetian (History)

Jude Duarte (Folk of the Air) vs. Miranda Pryce (Wolf 359)

Perihelion/ART (The Murderbot Diaries) vs. Kanamori Sayaka (Keep your Hands off Eizouken!)

Princess Bonnibel Bubblegum (Adventure Time) vs. Anais Watterson (The Amazing World of Gumball)

Croix Meridies (Little Witch Academia) vs. Lady Macbeth (Macbeth)

Harrowhark Nonagesmius (The Locked Tomb) vs. Big Mama (Rise of the TMNT)

Katherine Pierce (The Vampire Diaries) vs. White Gladys the Orca (IRL)

Doctor Carmilla (Doctor Carmilla & the Mechanisms) vs. The Handler (Umbrella Academy)

Catra (She-Ra & The Princesses of Power) vs. Liliana Vess (Magic: The Gathering)

Jasnah Kholin (Stormlight Archive) vs. Liraz (Daughter of Smoke & Bone)

Lilith Clawthorne (TOH) vs. Medea (Greek Myth)

Odin (The Bifrost Incident) vs. Enma Ai (Jigoku Shoujo)

Mordred (Fate) vs. Nana Daiba (Revue Starlight)

Beatrice (Umineko When They Cry) vs. Hester Shaw (Mortal Engines)

Balalaika (Black Lagoon) vs. Any Female Praying Mantis (IRL)

Veronica Sawyer (Heathers) vs. W (Arknights)

Angelica Pickles (Rugrats/All Grown Up) vs. Eleanor Guthry (Black Sails)

Asha Rahiro (Kubera One Last God) vs. Willow Rosenberg (Buffy the Vampire Slayer)

The Administrator (Team Fortress 2) vs. Shadowheart (Baldur’s Gate 3)

Noi (Dorohedro) vs. Leopardstar (Warrior Cats)

Sue Miley (Your Turn to Die) vs. Beatrix Kiddo (Kill Bill)

Juliette Cai (These Violent Delights) vs. Rat God (Mad Rat Dead)

Petra Solano (Jane the Virgin) vs. Kycilia Zabi (Mobile Suit Gundam)

Franziska Von Karma (Ace Attorney) vs. Monika (Doki Doki Literature Club)

Anne Boleyn (History) vs. Cinder Fall (RWBY)

Kokomi Teruhashi (Disastrous life of Saiki K) vs. Major Margaret Houlihan (M*A*S*H)

Mrs. Lovett (Sweeney Todd) vs. Enyo (Granblue Fantasy)

Claudia (Interview with the Vampire) vs. Essun/Syenite/Damaya (Broken Earth Trilogy)

Lady Eboshi (Princess Mononoke) vs. Lady Maria of the Astral Clocktower (Bloodborne)

Entrapta (She-Ra & The Princesses of Power) vs. Ilsa Faust (Mission: Impossible)

Princess Azula (Avatar: The Last Airbender) vs. Dahlia Hawthorne (Ace Attorney)

Samantha Groves / Root (Person of Interest) vs. Charlotte “Lottie” Matthews (Yellowjackets)

Shanoa (Castlevania) vs. Sally Reed (Barry)

Evil Lynn (He-Man) vs. Makima (Chainsaw Man)

Mabel Pines (Gravity Falls) vs. Raphaella La Coginzi (Doctor Carmilla & The Mechanisms)

Edalyn Clawthorne (The Owl House) vs. Yennefer of Vengerberg (The Witcher)

Toriel Dreemurr (Undertale) vs. Monaco (Hetalia: Axis Powers)

Elizabeth Swann (Pirates of the Carribbean) vs. Vala Mal Doran (Stargate)

Wanda Maximoff (MCU) vs. Adelina Amouteru (Young Elites)

Mapleshade (Warrior Cats) vs. Amy Dunne (Gone Girl)

Gertrude Robinson (The Magnus Archives) vs. Hornet (Hollow Knight)

Homura Akemi (Puella Magi Madoka Magica) vs. PearlescentMoon (Double Life SMP)

Lady Bone Demon (Lego Monkie Kid) vs. Annabeth Chase (Percy Jackson Series)

Jung Sun Ah (Devil Judge) vs. Muu Kusonoski (Milgram)

Romanadvoratrelundar (Doctor Who) vs. Electra (Starlight Express)

Rouge the Bat (Sonic the Hedgehog) vs. Akane Kurashiki (Zero Escape)

Wen Qing (The Untamed) vs. Yubel (Yu-Gi-Oh)

Ponyo (Ponyo) vs. Renata Glasc (League of Legends)

Aubrey (OMORI) vs. Menou (The Executioner and Her Way of Life)

Olivia Octavius (Into the Spiderverse) vs. Anna Limon (Mabel)

HG Wells (Warehouse 13) vs. The Shapeshifter (Odd Squad)

Miles “Tails” Prowler (Sonic the Hedgehog) vs. Isabella (Promised Neverland)

Riley Grace Davis / Bonesaw (Worm) vs. The Fairy Godmother (Shrek 2)

Misty Quigley (Yellowjackets) vs. Nami (One Piece)

Olivier Mira Armstrong (Fullmetal Alchemist) vs. Lucretia (The Adventure Zone: Balance)

[shvdwscng]

STATUS : CLOSED ⟳ @valiantscribbledword ;; poppy

𝐓𝐇𝐄  𝐍𝐄𝐖𝐒  𝐎𝐅  𝐓𝐇𝐄  spring  equinox  ball  did  not  come  as  a  surprise  simply  because  the  high  lady  of  summer  expected  the  royals  to  find  ways  to  keep  their  guests  entertained.  given  how  the  last  party,  a  coronation  no  less,  ended  in  the  most  unfavorable  manner,  she  would  wager  sitara  was  quite  eager  to  wipe  away  the  unpleasant  memories  of  that  with  another  memorable  party.  the  masquerade  was  a  creative  one  enough,  even  if  the  idea  of  anything  obscuring  her  features  was  not  the  ideal  way  to  spend  the  evening.  ever  the  critic,  alina  simply  gave  her  surroundings  a  quick  appraisal  though  the  sights  of  this  transformed  space  did  improve  her  mood,  even  if  marginally.  it  would  be  unfair  to  think  her  moods  were  not  doing  far  better  these  days,  for  some  time  he  could  distract  alina  from  the  worst  worries  of  her  court  she  was  so  far  from.  it  was  the  flash  of  blonde  hair  that  pulled  alina  from  her  thoughts,  smoothing  down  her  gold  dress  she  appeared  next  to  poppy.  "i  see  you've  decided  to  take  a  break  from  the  books  after  all."  the  raven-haired  high  fae  remarked,  though  her  tone  indicating  she  was  pleased  the  scholar  had  taken  her  advice.

[vibewithkai]

masquerade

Music flooded the halls of the castle and sent goosebumps down her arms. The light woodwinds dancing with the thundering of drums sent her heart racing. She shouldn't be here. She should be hulled away in her quarters, nose in one of the many books scattered about her desk, practicing her languages or even sleeping off the long week she's had. Yet something had her spending her rations on an extravagant sage gossamer gown that flowed like the wind from her waist, had her swiping the heels from a merchant that had stiffed her last week and sliding various pins into her raven black hair. Slowly, she approached the guards at the nearest entrance and shifted her wrist to show the emblem branded into her skin. With a nod, the ballroom doors were opened and she loosed a breath. Hundreds of people filled the room as they danced and laughed and drank to the sounds made by the band on the small stage before them. Each and every person had adhered to tonight's theme and wore varying sized masquerade masks. Some had their entire face covered while others covered only their eyes, all of which were breathtaking. Though admittedly, not always for good reason. Alina's own mask covered most of her nose and cheeks, only her chestnut brown eyes shone through, a fact she was very grateful for as she felt many men look her way. Ignoring the blood that rushed to her cheeks, she smiled and took a flute of champagne from one of the many servers making rounds around the room. Once she drank every drop from her glass, she immersed herself in the crowd. Most people had started partying long before her arrival and would continue to do so long after she left, but for now, she was among them and she was going to have fun. She was going to be someone else tonight. Dancing her way through the sea of faceless souls, Alina felt exhilarated. She had not felt this free, this alive in quite some time and she was not sure she would ever feel this way again. She wanted to pause time and live this way forever. To simply live, to simply laugh among those who want the same. Her thoughts were interrupted as a cold splash had her stopping in her tracks. Turning, she saw a masked man with an empty champagne flute, smiling at her. "My apologies, miss. It appears your gown is wet," he said with about as much charm as a dung beetle. The two men at his sides chuckled. "Perhaps you would like some help taking it off?"

Alina rolled her eyes. They noticed. "Oh come on. My boys and I are perfect gentlemen." Alina simply turned to walk away. Though her annoyance had her jaw tight, she resigned to let it go. No need to sour a good night over people so inconsequential. That was, until the dung beetle gripped her by her wrist and yanked her backwards. Whipping around and glaring at him, he gave a smile that was more like a baring of teeth than anything else. "It's rude to walk away from a gentlemen without saying anything." Alina stared into his dark eyes and forced steady breaths into her lungs. She wanted to strike him. She wanted his head in her hands and his body lifeless on the floor. That, though, would certainly spoil the night for everyone else and bring unwanted attention to her. Maybe there was a way if she lured him-- "I think laying your hands on a lady without permission is the higher offense," said a cool, male voice from behind her. "I suggest you let her go." This only garnered a laugh from the dung beetle. "Back off pal, we're just having some fun." "This is a sad excuse for fun. Or, maybe just a sad excuse for a man?"

"What did you just say?" The dung beetle shouted.

"Oh no, is your hearing as awful as your manners? Maybe you should look into remedies for that."

"Fuck you," the dung beetle spat. "If you know what's good for you you'll back off and leave us to our party."

The man behind her only laughed. It was the kind of laugh she knew well, one she has used many times. Not one of humor, but one of malice. One that seeped venom into the floorboards.

"If you'd like to keep your hand attached to your body, you will let go of her and leave." Alina's body tingled with excitement at the threat.

"I-"

The dung beetle was cut off as the man suddenly appeared in her view, gripping dung beetle by his jaw hard enough to strike fear in his heart and lifted him a few inches off the floor. The dung beetle's eyes went wide as he stared into the eyes of the man that still managed to tower above him.

"I will not issue another warning," the man said. Without so much as a last look at Alina, the dung beetle released her wrist and looked to the man expectantly.

"Do not make a habit of meeting me," was all he said before releasing his jaw and watching the dung beetle scurry off with his friends the second his feet touched the floor.

Though his back was to her, the man before her was quite the sight. He was tall and his dark hair seemed to cast starlight in its reflection. His aura radiated something strong, something powerful, and it was more intoxicating than any drug or drink. When he finally turned around, his blue eyes laid into hers though he said nothing.

"I hope you're not waiting on a thank you," she said at last. He tilted his head. His mask mirrored Alina's, showing only the bottom of his face and his eyes, though she could still read him. "I could have gotten out of that situation a dozen different ways."

"Really? Only a dozen?" He smirked. His tanned skin reminded her of burnt honey.

"You interrupted before I could divine more."

"I see," he mused. "I guess an apology is in order. I shall have to make up for my intrusion."

"Not sure it's possible, it was a grave offense."

"Perhaps, but maybe a night of revelry in good company shall help?"

"I was going to have that anyway," she said with a shrug.

"I assure you, you've never had company like me before," he said with a subtle bow. Staring into his eyes as he stepped closer, his hand outstretched and lips twisted into a wicked grin, Alina could not help but give into the danger.

"We shall see," she said taking his hand. "But I am quite hard to please. I do not recommend disappointing me."

"Is that a threat?" he asked, guiding her towards the center of the dance floor. Something in his voice made her think he hoped it was.

"I have been told I have great issues controlling my anger," she countered. "People tend to get hurt."

"Then it is a good thing I do not baulk," he said kissing the palm of her hand and leading her into the next dance.

The night blurred by in a way she wasn't expecting. It was spent laughing, dancing, drinking and crafting stories about other partygoers around the room. She had more fun than she could have expected at such an event, in such a Kingdom, with such a man. She felt renewed. Though as the night gave way to dawn, so was her resolve.

As she slipped out of the bed that was too big for any one man and slid on her heels, she took one last look at him as he slept. Peaceful and dark, in a sleep so deep it made her smirk as she recalled the night they spent tiring one another out. Squaring her shoulders, she ducked into the hallway and softly closed the door behind her.

She would not be distracted or swayed.

She would not get buried like the others.

She would not betray her mission.

It did not matter that she had just spent the night in her target's bed. It did not matter that she had slept with him. All that mattered was her mission.

Fore it may not be tonight, but she was going to kill him all the same. She was going to kill the Prince of Whestari.

[fanfics4world]

Our Little Secret - Part 2

Pairings: Alina Starkov x Fem!Reader

Part 1 - Part 2 - Part 3

Summary: Alina searches for Y/N in her secret hideout in the library, only to find her in the stables. There, Y/N invites her for a night ride on horseback, taking her to a magical place where they spend hours talking under the stars. Upon returning, Alina plucks up her courage and finally invites Y/N to the ball.

Word count: 1868

The midday light filtered through the tall windows of the dining room, bathing the room in shades of gold and orange. Alina sat at the long table, surrounded by the bustle of Grishas chatting and laughing as they enjoyed their dinner. The conversation flowed like wine, but despite the festive atmosphere, she was barely paying attention, lost in her thoughts about the mystery girl in the library.

Nadia, with her usual enthusiasm, leaned over to Alina and asked with a playful smile, "So, Alina, will you be inviting someone special to General Kirigan's masked ball?"

Alina, surprised by the direct question, blushed slightly. "Well, there is someone I've considered" she admitted, avoiding the curious glances of her companions.

Marie, sitting on the other side of Alina, interjected eagerly. "You must invite him or her! A masquerade ball is the perfect occasion for a romantic rendezvous!"

Genya, who had been watching Alina with a complicit smile, discreetly leaned over and whispered "Everything seems to be in favor of your mystery girl, don't you think? No one will know who's under the mask"

Alina nodded, feeling a mixture of nervousness and excitement. "True, it could be an interesting night" she said, thinking about what it would be like to see her again, this time in such a different setting.

Zoya, with her characteristic bluntness, interjected from the other end of the table, with a teasing laugh. "Just make sure your mystery guest knows how to dance. It would be a shame to waste such a lovely evening with someone who has two left feet"

Alina smiles. "I don't think that will be a problem," she replies with newfound confidence. "If she accepts, I'm sure it will be an unforgettable evening"

The conversation continued, and Alina felt grateful for the company of her friends. However, deep in her heart, a question lingered: would Y/N accept her invitation to the ball?

As the dishes were cleared away and the candles began to flicker, Genya approached Alina and gently nudged her. "When you see her, ask her. And remember, under the mask, we're all the same. You may find that she is as intrigued by you as you are by her"

Alina smiled, strengthened by Genya's words. "I will" she promised, and with that promise, the night of the masquerade ball became a possibility full of promises and secrets to be discovered.

XXXXXX

The library of the Little Palace was a labyrinth of knowledge and mystery, and Alina wandered through it with a singular purpose: to find the girl who had awakened in her an insatiable curiosity. The candlelight flickered, casting dancing shadows on the spines of the books as Alina wandered into the heart of the sanctuary of knowledge.

She arrived at the secret hiding place, her heart pounding with the hope of seeing her there. But she found only emptiness and silence. The room was deserted, the books seemed to watch her with a solemnity he could almost feel. "Where are you?" murmured Alina, her voice lost among the ancient pages.

Unwilling to give up, Alina left the library and began searching throughout the Little Palace. Disappointment settled in her chest, but she would not allow herself to give up. She wandered the halls of the Little Palace, peering into every shady corner and every candlelit room, searching for some trace of the girl who had captured her curiosity and to her surprise, her heart.

With each door that opened and closed without revealing her mysterious friend, Alina's hope faded a little more, mingling with doubt. "What if I never see her again?" she thought, her mind tormented by the possibility.

Finally, she stopped on a balcony overlooking the palace gardens, the cool night air caressed her face, and for a moment, she allowed herself to feel the magnitude of her loneliness. "Where are you?" she whispered into the wind, almost like a prayer.

Just as she was about to give up, a figure moved in the shadow of the trees below, on the way to the barn. Alina's heart leapt with hope. ¿Could it be her?

Twilight hovered over the stables of the Little Palace, a blanket of tranquility that contrasted with the turmoil in Alina's heart. She entered cautiously, her eyes roaming the shadows until they finally settled on a lone figure, it was her mystery girl.

Y/N reached out and gently stroked the neck of a horse black as night, who lay calm and serene under her touch. Alina watched the scene, finding an unexpected beauty in the connection between girl and animal. There was a palpable harmony in the air, as if she and the horse shared a silent understanding that went beyond words.

Alina approached slowly, her gaze fixed on the way the girl's fingers moved with such care, such affection. "It's beautiful," Alina said, not only referring to the horse, but also to the tenderness the girl showed. "I've never seen someone calm such a large animal with such ease"

Y/N looked up, her eyes glinting with a reflection of the moonlight. "Animals understand more than we think," she replied. "They just need to feel they can trust you"

The calmness Y/N exuded was infectious, and Alina found herself relaxing for the first time all day. There was something about Y/N's presence that made her feel as if everything was in its place, as if, at that moment, there was nothing else in the world that needed her.

"I was looking for you, mystery girl" Alina said, her voice echoing in the open space.

Y/N turned with a slight smile. "I've been called a lot of things, but 'mystery girl' is new"

Alina took a step forward, her determination growing. "It would be easier if I knew your name"

Y/N stepped closer to Alina, narrowing the distance between them until Alina could see the glints of light in her eyes. "And why take the excitement out of the mystery?" asked Y/N, her voice low and filled with unexpected warmth.

Alina felt her cheeks flush red, Y/N's proximity sending waves of heat through her body. "I guess you're right" she admitted, her heart pounding with a mixture of nervousness and anticipation.

Y/N smiled, and in that smile was an unspoken promise, an invitation to discover the secrets that were yet to be revealed.

With the soft moonlight as her only guide, Y/N turned to Alina, a playful smile on her lips. "Would you like to go for a ride?" she asked, her hand still on the black horse's back.

Alina, surprised by the sudden invitation, hesitated for a moment. The thought of riding a horse at night, through the unfamiliar grounds of the Little Palace, was as frightening as it was exciting. "Where are we going?" she asked, her curiosity overcoming her caution.

"Not far," Y/N replied, extending her hand toward Alina. "There's a place I want to show you. A place where the sky meets the earth and the stars seem to be within reach"

Trusting the mysterious girl who had entered her life like a whisper of wind, Alina accepted Y/N's hand and approached the horse. With a grace she didn't know she possessed, she climbed onto the animal, feeling its warmth and power beneath her.

Y/N mounted behind Alina, her hands finding their place around Alina's waist to steady her. "Hold on tight" Y/N whispered, and with a soft click of her tongue, the horse began to move.

The world around Alina became a mixture of shadows and whispers as they walked through the silent gardens and open fields. The wind played with her hair and the feeling of freedom was intoxicating. Alina leaned back, leaning against Y/N, and for the first time in a long time, she allowed herself to simply be.

Finally, they came to a clearing where moonlight filled every corner, and the night sky unfolded in all its splendor. They dismounted, and Alina looked around, awed by the beauty of the place. "It's amazing" she said, her voice full of awe.

Y/N stood next to Alina, her eyes reflecting the stars. "Sometimes, we need to escape to see things more clearly," she said, her voice barely a whisper. "And now, this place is as much yours as it is mine"

The moon had completed its ascent in the sky, and the stars twinkled as if they were silent witnesses to the connection that had formed between Alina and Y/N. They had spent hours sharing stories and laughter, each word and each pause weaving a stronger bond between them.

Finally, Y/N stood up and extended her hand to Alina. "We should get back," she said with a soft smile. "Dawn won't be long in coming, and the palace isn't the same without its sun"

Alina accepted Y/N's hand, feeling a tug in her chest at the thought of parting from her. They rode once more, and the ride back to the Little Palace was a silent agreement that the night had been something special.

As they neared the palace walls, Alina found herself wishing the ride were longer, that the night would not end. But all things had their end, and as they dismounted in the silent courtyard, she knew that tonight would be a cherished memory.

"Thank you for tonight" Alina murmured, her voice laden with gratitude and a hint of sadness. "You're welcome. It was my pleasure" Y/N replied.

Y/N was walking away, her silhouette against the light that was beginning to filter into the horizon. Alina watched, feeling a sudden emptiness as she watched her leave. But something inside her refused to let the night end like this, with a silent and unpromising goodbye.

"Wait!" exclaimed Alina, her voice breaking the silence of the early morning. Y/N stopped and turned, one eyebrow arched in questioning.

Alina took a breath, her heart pounding. "I want... I want you to come to the masquerade ball with me, as my date" she finally said, each word a leap of faith.

For a moment, Y/N simply looked at her, and Alina feared she had crossed an invisible line. But then, the corner of Y/N's lips curved into a smile, and she nodded. "I'd love to" she replied.

Before Alina could react, Y/N reached over and deposited a soft kiss on her cheek. It was a feather light gesture, but it left Alina with a feeling of warmth radiating throughout her being.

Y/N started to walk away again, but Alina wasn't ready to let her go. "How will I know who you are?" she asked.

Y/N turned to her, a mysterious smile on her lips. "Seek out the Black Dahlia" she said, her voice a whisper that seemed to carry with it the promise of another encounter.

With those words, Y/N walked away, her figure disappearing into the gloom as she made her way towards the stables. Alina stood there, touching her cheek where she still felt the echo of the kiss, and knew that the masked ball would only be the beginning.

A/N: Here is the second part, I didn't expect to publish it so soon, but I started writing and I couldn't stop.

[queermtl]

Queer MTL things to do : November 2024

As the weather grows colder in November, indoor activities heat up all over the city! And like every month, Montréal is stuffed to the brim with events, parties and unique experiences painted in all the colours of the LGBTQ+ rainbow. From drag to community, circuit to underground, here’s some of our picks for the best LGBTQ+ things to do in the city. For further announcements, including those not announced at time of publication, follow QueerMTL on Instagram, Twitter, Facebook and Tumblr! Got an event coming up? DM it our way!

Alors que le temps se refroidit en novembre, les activités d’intérieur nous réchauffent dans toute la ville! Et comme tous les mois, Montréal propose une foule d’événements, de soirées et d’expériences uniques qui font briller toutes les nuances de l’arc-en-ciel LGBTQ+. Entre prestations drag et activités communautaires, festivals bien en vue et événements underground, voici notre sélection des choses les plus gaies à faire dans la ville. Pour rester à l’affût de tout ajout, suivez QueerMTL sur Instagram, X, Facebook et Tumblr! Vous présentez un événement? Écrivez-nous!

LEGEND

🎥 Cinema 👑 Drag 🥳 Parties 🎶 Concert ✊ Activism 🏳️‍⚧️ Trans 🏳️‍🌈 Community 😆 Comedy 🎭 Performance 💪 Sports 👯‍♀️ Dance 🎤 Karaoke 🎨 Arts 📚 Literary / Educational 👠 Ballroom / Vogue

Friday, November 1, 2024

🎨 Pointe-à-Callière’s exhibition Witches—Out of the Shadows runs until April 6, 2025, Pointe-à-Callière 🥳 Pikete returns with Ori Lababy, La Niña Kiwi, Jashim, Culturalex, Anaconda Lasabrosa, Sisi Superstar, Queefy Latina and MCHERRY, La Sotterenea  🥳 GIRLS THEYS RAVE present GTR | Lesbian & Sapphic Halloween with DJs GwineStefani, Dracvla and Medasking, Cabaret Berlin 🥳 Cerise Noire goth night with UN, Esther Splett and DJ JTA, Notre-Dame-Des-Quilles 🥳 BIMBO presents BIMBOWEEN with Ian Jackman, DISKOMMANDER, DJ G3MINI and Esirena, plus a multi-category costume contest, Le Livart  🥳 Psychdelic Babylon presents the Psychedelic Halloween Masquerade with Electric Universe and Phase, Le Sainte-Catherine Hall 🎭 Closet d’Alibabette presents Le Cabaret des Curiosités : Spécial Halloween with La Freak du Show, Demone Lastrange, Sir Vergon, Xtra Dip and others, Centre de médiation culturelle “L’éphémère 💪 Montréal Roller Derby hosts Champs at Champs: Global Championship Roller Derby Watch Party Fundraiser with DJs and crafting, Champs 👑 Mado Reçoit with Mado Lamotte, Tracy Trash, Carmen Sutra, Erica and Nana, Cabaret Mado 👑 Vendredi Fou with Michel Dorion, Bar Le Cocktail

Saturday, November 2, 2024

🎤 Bareoke: Strip Karaoke, Café Cléopatra 👑 Doll Domination featuring an all-trans cast with Esirena, Denim, Jay Show, Casanova, Bijoux, Shasha and Safierce Diamonds, Complexe Sky 🥳 Homegrown Harvest presents Halloween Rave 2024 with WATA IGARASHI, Marie Davidson, Lis Dalton b2b Esme, Xia b2b urmumsfavdj, Hidi, Kris Guilty b2b Gene Tellem, Lexis and Alina b2b Guthrie, venue announced day of 🥳 Queen & Queer hosts their Halloween Dance Party with Sandy Duperval, DJ Mc Coy, Lisa Dalton and Lia Plutonic in B2B and DJ Sam, Bain Mathieu 🎭 Voulez Vous Productions presents an Affordable Costume Making Class with Rosie Bourgeoisie, book for location 😆 Le brunch with Raquel, a queer and trans bilingual comedy show with Raquel Maestre, Kě, Lucy Gervais, Carmina Berbari, Nat Pace, Alo Azimov and Caro Monast, Agenda 💪 Montréal Roller Derby hosts Champs at Champs: Global Championship Roller Derby Watch Party Fundraiser with DJs and crafting, Champs 🥳 🏳️‍🌈 Studio ZX, FANTOM and PUMP present PUMP with DJs FLLEUR, Technique Nado and Syana and rhythmic cardio by Mags, Place du Village 🥳 SUPER TASTE MTL presents 90's DANCE PARTY : Édition Halloween, Ausgang Plaza 📚 L'Euguélionne, feminist bookstore hosts a book launch for Monia Mazigh’s Farida, L'Euguélionne 👑 Jackbox Games with the Gahds with Uma Gahd and Selma Gahd, Bar Le Cocktail  👑 Mado Reçoit with Mado Lamotte, Tracy Trash, Carmen Sutra, Erica and Nana, Cabaret Mado 👑 Drôles de Drags with Miss Butterfly, Ciathanight, Crystal Starz or Emma Déjàvu in rotation, Bar Le Cocktail

Sunday, November 3, 2024

🎭 Ligue d’impro Gailaxie, Cabaret Mado 💪 Montréal Roller Derby hosts Champs at Champs: Global Championship Roller Derby Watch Party Fundraiser with DJs and crafting, Champs 👑 Le Tracy Show with Tracy Trash and Bobépine, Carmen Sutra and Gina Gates, Cabaret Mado 👑 Dimanche Show with Michel Dorion, Bar Le Cocktail

Monday, November 4, 2024

👑 C’est juste lundi, place à la relève !! with Sally-D, Bar Le Cocktail

Tuesday, November 5, 2024

👑 Full Gisèle : Top et bottom with Gisèle Lullaby, Lady Guidoune, Victoire de Rockwell, Clay Thorris and Tracy Trash, Cabaret Mado 😆 Stand Up St. Henri Open Mic focusing on women, non-binary, queer and allied comedians, Impro Montréal

Wednesday, November 6, 2024

🎭 The Poly Mic open mic, Bar Notre-Dame-des-Quilles 📚 L'Euguélionne feminist bookstore hosts a book launch for Martina Chumova’s Je mets mes rêves sur la table, L'Euguélionne 👑 Sasha Baga presents DIVAAS with Pétula Claque and Adriana, Cabaret Mado

Thursday, November 7, 2024

👑 Krystella Fame presents Girls’ Night Out with Crystal Starz and Zahra Bizarre, Cabaret Mado 👑 Butterfly de nuit with Miss Butterfly, Bar Le Cocktail 🥳 L’Orage presents Jeudi diversité !, L’Orage Club

Friday, November 8, 2024

📚 L’Euguélionne feminist bookstore hosts reading and signing with Chanel Sutherland and Murgatroyd Monaghan, L’Euguélionne 🏳️‍🌈 Eros and JAG host the Le VibraFonds 2024—Soirée Bingo!, Longueuil  👑 Mado Reçoit with Mado Lamotte, Crystal Starz, Ciatha Night, Velma Jones and Nana, Cabaret Mado 👑 Vendredi Fou with Michel Dorion, Bar Le Cocktail

Saturday, November 9, 2024

📚 The Violet Hour Book Club reads Alice Winn’s In Memoriam, Librairie Pulp Books & Cafe 📚 L'Euguélionne feminist bookstore hosts a book launch for Eve Martin Jalbert’s Promesse d'un monde encore incertain, L'Euguélionne 🥳 🏳️‍🌈 Studio ZX and FANTOM present Oxygen with DJs Bullshit Artist and Persuasion, Place du Village 🥳 SUPER TASTE MTL and Homopop presents Hot To Go: Chappell Roan & Friends Dance Party, Bar Le Ritz PDB 👑 Jimmy Moore personifies Taylor Swift, Cabaret Mado 👑 Mado Reçoit with Mado Lamotte, Crystal Starz, Ciatha Night, Velma Jones and Nana, Cabaret Mado 👑 Drôles de Drags with Miss Butterfly, Ciathanight, Crystal Starz or Emma Déjàvu in rotation, Bar Le Cocktail

Sunday, November 10, 2024

👑 Le Brunch aux Folles with Misty Waterfalls, Sisi Sinatra and Miss Fountain, Social Verdun 👑 Afternoon Drag Cafe with Itsh and Timothy Toxic, Agenda Co-op Bookstore 🎭 Reines Stones present Sunday Sin Day: Circus of Hell with Quinzy Chase, Sasha Désir, Siren Mayhem and Mina Minou, Wiggle Room 🎭 Ligue d’impro Gailaxie, Cabaret Mado 👑 Le Tracy Show with Tracy Trash and Kiara, Kelly Torrieli and Marla Deer, Cabaret Mado 👑 Dimanche Show with Michel Dorion, Bar Le Cocktail

Monday, November 11, 2024

👑 Vous êtes invité.e.s featuring the wedding ceremony of Val de Freak and Prudence, officiated by Heaven Genderfck with special performances, Cabaret Mado 👑 C’est juste lundi, place à la relève !! with Sally-D, Bar Le Cocktail

Tuesday, November 12, 2024

👑 Full Gisèle : Pop Y2K with Gisèle Lullaby, Saltina Shaker, Sunshine Glitterchild, Lady Boom Boom and Pétula Claque, Cabaret Mado 😆 Stand Up St. Henri Open Mic focusing on women, non-binary, queer and allied comedians, Impro Montréal

Wednesday, November 13, 2024

🎭 The Poly Mic open mic, Bar Notre-Dame-des-Quilles 📚 L'Euguélionne feminist bookstore hosts a bilingual discussion on Mandi Gray’s Suing for Silence: Sexual Violence and Defamation and Kharoll-Ann Souffrant’s Le privilège de dénoncer with the authors in attendance, L'Euguélionne 👑 Dance Again with Amy Haze, Gabriella, Kelly Torrieli, Kitana, Miss Butterfly, Rita Baga and Sasha Baga, Cabaret Mado

Thursday, November 14, 2024

🎭 Slaysians with Manny, Ad’horrible, CC Chanel, EmmÖtional Damage, Jebbie, Justin, Kajol, Khann, Korra Anarch’key, Psyberia, Rameez Karim, Song, Suri Racha and Ken Antonio, Cabaret Mado 👯‍♀️ Montréal Heels Festival, dedicated to the art of dancing in heels, Hôtel Bonaventure Montréal 🎭 Sis Void and Dark Felina present Cabaret Nocturna with Diana Bastet, Celesta O’Lee, Tristan Ginger, Miss Pretty Pretentious, Royal T and Sasha Désir, Cabaret Berlin 🎥 Queer Cinema Club of Montréal and Image+Nation hosts two screenings of Gregg Araki's Mysterious Skin, Cinema Moderne 👑 Butterfly de nuit with Miss Butterfly, Bar Le Cocktail 🥳 L’Orage presents Jeudi diversité !, L’Orage Club

Friday, November 15, 2024

📚 L'Euguélionne feminist bookstore hosts a book launch for Aimée Lévesque’s Parmi les femmes, L’Euguélionne 👯‍♀️ Montréal Heels Festival, dedicated to the art of dancing in heels, Hôtel Bonaventure Montréal 👑 Mado Reçoit with Mado Lamotte, Barbada, Daisy Wood, Peggy Sue, Krystella Fame and Nana, Cabaret Mado 👑 Vendredi Fou : Pants Free Evening with Michel Dorion, Bar Le Cocktail

Saturday, November 16, 2024

🎤 Bareoke: Strip Karaoke, Café Cléopatra 🥳 Lez Dance hosts Soirée entre elles! LEZ DANZE together! with DJ Franklyne, Stock & Soda 🥳 Butch-Femme Prom, Champs Bar 👯‍♀️ Montréal Heels Festival, dedicated to the art of dancing in heels, Hôtel Bonaventure Montréal 📚 L'Euguélionne feminist bookstore hosts the roundtable discussion Littérature et révolution with Sayaka Araniva-Yanez, Liza Hammar, Paola Ouédraogo and Missila Izza, L’Euguélionne 👑 Jimmy Moore personifies Madonna: The Celebration Tour, Cabaret Mado 👑 Mary J. Kay presents Patsy Gallant, Bar Le Cocktail 👑 Mado Reçoit with Mado Lamotte, Barbada, Daisy Wood, Peggy Sue, Krystella Fame and Nana, Cabaret Mado 👑 Drôles de Drags with Miss Butterfly, Ciathanight, Crystal Starz or Emma Déjàvu in rotation, Bar Le Cocktail

Sunday, November 17, 2024

😆 A Very Pretentious Comedy Show #20 with Raquel Maestre, Eve Parker Finley, Lou Laurence, Brad MacDonald, Sara Meleika, Andrina Learmonth, Jason Houle and Sarah Boivin, Café La ligne Verte 🎭 Ligue d’impro Gailaxie, Cabaret Mado 👑 Le Tracy Show with Tracy Trash and Sasha Baga, Pétula Claque and Lady Boom Boom, Cabaret Mado 👯‍♀️ Montréal Heels Festival, dedicated to the art of dancing in heels, Hôtel Bonaventure Montréal 👑 Dimanche Show 19th Anniversary! with Michel Dorion, Bar Le Cocktail

Monday, November 18, 2024

👑 C’est juste lundi, place à la relève !! with Sally-D, Bar Le Cocktail

Tuesday, November 19, 2024

👑 Full Gisèle : Wicked with Gisèle Lullaby, Marla Deer, Johnny Jones, Kiara and Rowena Whey, Cabaret Mado 👑 Lulu Shade and Sally-D present Shade-D Show with Mike Oxlong, Bar Le Cocktail 😆 Stand Up St. Henri Open Mic focusing on women, non-binary, queer and allied comedians, Impro Montréal

Wednesday, November 20, 2024

🎥 Image+Nation Culture Queer film festival, various locations 🎭 The Poly Mic open mic, Bar Notre-Dame-des-Quilles 😆 The Alt Comedy Show #2 with Raquel Maestre, Mike Carrozza, Mason Terry, Sadie Moland, Shawn Stenhouse and Carmina Berbari, Notre-Dame-Des-Quilles 👑 Bobépine presents Céline Dion... en Fête with Victoire de Rockwell, Marla Deer, Jay Show, Clay Thorris and Tracy Trash, Cabaret Mado

Thursday, November 21, 2024

🎥 Image+Nation Culture Queer film festival, various locations 🎭 The L Word Season 2—Live! with Sarah Laurendeau, Marie-Soleil Dion, Florence Blain Mbaye, Marie-Fanny Guay, Camille Léonard, Noémie Lira, Mélodie Noël Rousseau and Geneviève Labelle, Cabaret Mado 📚 L'Euguélionne feminist bookstore hosts the poetry evening À la santé de ce qui nous a pas encore tuées with Emmanuelle Riendeau, Marie-Pier Lafontaine, Marie Darsigny, Rosie Desbiens and Mélopée B. Montminy, L’Euguélionne 🏳️‍🌈 Festival Jouissif Montréal hosts Noël Jouissif, and erotic and other curiosities market, Bain Mathieu 🎭 MainLine Theatre hosts performances of Michel Marc Bouchard’s Tom à la ferme, MainLine Theatre 👑 Contestant Uma Gahd hosts screenings of Canada’s Drag Race Season 5, Bar Le Cocktail 👑 Butterfly de nuit with Miss Butterfly, Bar Le Cocktail 🥳 L’Orage presents Jeudi diversité !, L’Orage Club

Friday, November 22, 2024

🎥 Image+Nation Culture Queer film festival, various locations 📚 L'Euguélionne feminist bookstore hosts Les disparitions qui nous habitent, a discussion on Sarine Demirjian’s Un froid qui ne me quitte pas and Nada Sattouf’s Requiem d’un après-midi with the authors in attendance, L’Euguélionne 🏳️‍🌈 Festival Jouissif Montréal hosts Noël Jouissif, and erotic and other curiosities market, Bain Mathieu 🎭 MainLine Theatre hosts performances of Michel Marc Bouchard’s Tom à la ferme, MainLine Theatre 👑 Mado Reçoit with Mado Lamotte, Jessie Précieuse, Lady Boom Boom, Celes and Nana, Cabaret Mado 👑 Vendredi Fou with Michel Dorion, Bar Le Cocktail

Saturday, November 23, 2024

🎥 Image+Nation Culture Queer film festival, various locations 👑 Xtra Dip! hosts A Verry Glee(k) Show with Uma Gahd, Casanova, Coco Charlemagne, Champagne, Hollie Woods, Alexandra Moss, Muz’Emma and Psyberia, Bar Le Cocktail  👑 Jimmy Moore personifies Céline Dion, Cabaret Mado 🏳️‍🌈 Festival Jouissif Montréal hosts Noël Jouissif, and erotic and other curiosities market, Bain Mathieu 👑 Mado Reçoit with Mado Lamotte, Jessie Précieuse, Lady Boom Boom, Celes and Nana, Cabaret Mado 🎭 MainLine Theatre hosts performances of Michel Marc Bouchard’s Tom à la ferme, MainLine Theatre 👑 Drôles de Drags with Miss Butterfly, Ciathanight, Crystal Starz or Emma Déjàvu in rotation, Bar Le Cocktail

Sunday, November 24, 2024

🎥 Image+Nation Culture Queer film festival, various locations 🥳 Vol X. rave with Hector Oaks, x3butterfly, Solitary Dancer and Runa & Asha, details at link  👑 Celebrate 15 years of drag with Emma Déjà-vu, Bar Le Cocktail 🎭 Ligue d’impro Gailaxie, Cabaret Mado 👑 Le Tracy Show with Tracy Trash and Victoire de Rockwell, Daisy Wood and Misty Waterfalls, Cabaret Mado

Monday, November 25, 2024

🎥 Image+Nation Culture Queer film festival, various locations 👑 C’est juste lundi, place à la relève !! with Sally-D, Bar Le Cocktail

Tuesday, November 26, 2024

🎥 Image+Nation Culture Queer film festival, various locations 👑 Full Gisèle : Full Céline with Gisèle Lullaby, Nana, Crystal Starz, Bobépine and Gina Hamilton, Cabaret Mado 😆 Stand Up St. Henri Open Mic focusing on women, non-binary, queer and allied comedians, Impro Montréal

Wednesday, November 27, 2024

🎥 Image+Nation Culture Queer film festival, various locations 🎭 The Poly Mic open mic, Bar Notre-Dame-des-Quilles 👑 Marla Deer presents Popcorn Extra Beurre with Gisèle Lullaby, Tracy Trash, Bambi Dextrous, Bobépine, Clay Thorris and Johnny Jones, Cabaret Mado

Thursday, November 28, 2024

🎥 Image+Nation Culture Queer film festival, various locations 🥳 QUARTZ Soirées Lesbiennes presents To The Moon and Back with DJ Lavender May, Club Confessionnal 📚 L'Euguélionne feminist bookstore hosts a book launch for Aimee Wall’s Nous, Jane, L'Euguélionne 👑 Celebrate Canada’s Drag Race Season 5 contestant Uma Gahd’s Birthday with special guests, Bar Le Cocktail  🎭 Zize Dupanier presents Zize, Cabaret Mado 👑 Le Sami Party with Sami Landri and special guests, Cabaret Mado 👑 Contestant Uma Gahd hosts screenings of Canada’s Drag Race Season 5, Bar Le Cocktail 🥳 L’Orage presents Jeudi diversité !, L’Orage Club

Friday, November 29, 2024

🎥 Image+Nation Culture Queer film festival, various locations 🥳 SUPER TASTE MTL presents ABBA and Friends Dance Party: 5th Anniversary, Bar Le Ritz PDB 📚 L'Euguélionne feminist bookstore hosts De corneilles et de tantes / Of crows and aunties: a conversation with Jessica Johns with Catherine Leroux and Éric Fontaine, L'Euguélionne 👑 Mado Reçoit with Mado Lamotte, Gisèle Lullaby, Marla Deer, Sasha Baga and Nana, Cabaret Mado 👑 Vendredi Fou with Michel Dorion, Bar Le Cocktail

Saturday, November 30, 2024

🎥 Image+Nation Culture Queer film festival, various locations 🏳️‍🌈 CASA Cares hosts Q-Hour, spotlighting queer-owned and operated businesses, Concordia University 👑 Mado Reçoit with Mado Lamotte, Gisèle Lullaby, Marla Deer, Sasha Baga and Nana, Cabaret Mado 👑 Drôles de Drags with Miss Butterfly, Ciathanight, Crystal Starz or Emma Déjàvu in rotation, Bar Le Cocktail

OTHERS / LES AUTRES

👠 Twice a month on every second Tuesday, Bring It! hosts an OTA night of ballroom and vogue with commentator and DJ. Follow their Instagram for dates and details.

💪 Montréal Roller Derby hosts regular matches and open boot camps throughout the year. Follow their Facebook page for additional info. 

🤠 Club Bolo—Danse Country Montréal meet on Fridays at the Association sportive et communautaire du Centre-Sud.

👯 Tango/Salsa Queer holds lessons every Saturday, visit queertangomtl.com for information or contact tango.queer@hotmail.com or call +1 (514) 709-4678 for prices and signup information, Espaces des Arts.

🏐 Les Ratons-Chasseurs (Montréal’s LGBTA dodgeball group) holds regular events. Keep an eye on their Facebook for upcoming opportunities to join in and play. 

🕹Montréal Gaymers hosts regular gatherings including board game nights and gaming gatherings. Check their Facebook for what’s next!

🏃🏾Join the Out-Run run and workout club for people relating to the queer / sapphic experience. Details on their Instagram!

🐦 Bird lovers should keep their eye on Queer Birders' regularly scheduled birdwatching events and excursions. Join the Facebook group and get those binoculars at the ready.

[leitereads]

mind dropping some eugen lore? (your vtm ideas sound really cool btw!)

Hello there!

Thank you so much for asking! In all honesty, I thought Eugen was going to be a character I wouldn’t be playing for much longer, because he almost died a few sessions ago. And right now one of the players dropped the campaign due to lack of time and I am fearing for my character’s future hahah but hopefully his character arc will have some sort of conclusion, I truly hope so!

Just a heads up - we are playing Vampire: the Requiem, which is some sort of spin-off version of Vampire: the Masquerade, so a lot of the lore ends up being different (vampirically, politically speaking, that is).

In fact, a few days ago I compiled a very extensive character sheet regarding all of Eugen’s lore, so let’s try to sum it a little bit in this answer hahah (Still, I am so so sooo sorry for all the info dump: it’s basically all of his backstory here hahah).

Content Warning: mentions of nazism, fascism, cruelty, traumatic historical events, medical racism/eugenics, horror and suicide.

- Eugen had an older brother in life (Wilhem) that he saved from a wolf attack, when he learnt that he had healing powers - though, those powers came with a curse: wasting his vital life, ultimately ending up in death.

- He then went to university, got his medical degree and then was recruited to the German army, to work as a military doctor in the battlefield. His brother became a renowned general, but ultimately ended up being killed. Eugen tried to save him, but sadly enough not even his powers were enough.

- Utterly devastated by the horrors of the war, Eugen decided to work as a doctor/researcher for the Axis at the time, and his actions during this time were, sadly enough, what we expect of the barbaric and inhuman experiments that took place during WW2. But during this time he started realising that the data he was getting was not matching the medical racism/eugenics that were so popular back then. Interacting more with, sadly enough, the people he was torturing to get these results helped him opening his eyes to the fact that what he believed in was wrong.

- Eugen loves children, and during that time period as a researcher he interacted with a child named Noah and he had an affair with a man named Mot. His wife (pregnant at the time), found out about the affair and ended her life.

- Mot technically is still alive (he is a vampire now, and he took the name “Eli Crescas”) and he is trying to get revenge on Eugen. He is very, very mad. Which, in all honesty, I find it more than reasonable.

- Eugen developed a very rare and incurable disease during the time he was in the battlefield, and using his healing powers he was able to cure it. However, he had used his powers in such a great extension that the curse connected to them was fulfilled and he died. In all honesty, the one who allowed for such a strong ritual to be performed and successful was his unborn child.

- He still wears a locket around his neck with a bit of blood from his unborn child till this day.

- Before dying, the doctor he worked with (which was a vampire) asked him if he wanted to become a vampire, so all the knowledge he had accumulated over the years could still live on, somehow. Eugen accepted. This transformation (Embrace) was not authorised by Berlin’s Prince (the vampire leader of the city) at the time, and no one ever heard of Eugen’s sire(the vampire who transformed him) ever again.

- Eugen then ended up staked in the heart and in torpor (a coma-like state) till around 10 years ago, when his body was found by another vampire.

- Noah is still alive in our days! But sadly enough the elderly man has a brain tumor. Eugen is the doctor that is taking care of him, and his mission is to save him, in a way of preserving a bit of the innocence that Humanity still has.

- He has a therapist named Alina who truly thinks he suffers from serious psychosis. But Eugen loves tot talk to her, because she reminds himself, once again, of how humans can be that innocent and good-natured at times.

- For some reason Eugen always has loads of coupons on his overcoat’s pockets that he never really uses.

- Nowadays he is living in Berlin, working as a doctor at a hospital there. Of course he only does the night shifts hahah

[stupittmoran]

Luigi Cosplay "Super Mario Bros" by Alina Masquerade

[endlessly-cursed]

WWTG, Winter Solstice: The Winter Masquerade

Primrose once again checked her outfit for tonight: it was the signature Somerset blue, adjusted to nowadays' fashion. Her aunt, the Dowager Viscountess Alina, had agreed to come up and socialize for a bit.

Finally, she put on the highest tiara she could find, with jewels that Queen Anne gave to her ancestor. It was kokoshnik style and had a massive sapphire that sparkled as brightly as the moon. Malcolm entered the room and smiled at his wife's beautiful ensemble. He dipped his head to kiss her cheek as he rounded his hands around her growing belly "You look wonderful, my love. There won't be a doubt on who's in charge here."

"I'm glad my choice of outfit pleases my beloved husband."

"I hope you feel less dizzy. You left the archery contest really early."

Primrose grabbed his hand and kissed it "It's just pregnancy sickness. Nothing out of the ordinary. Almost every woman has gone through it."

He nodded, but was still unsure. Primrose was tense still. It was the night of the solstice, and tonight had to go perfectly well. She was not the perstitious kind, but in the wizarding world, magic did play a role. She would rather not risk it."

Composing herself, she gave Malcolm a smile "I think I'm ready."

Three hours into the ball, Primrose had decided to take a break from socializing and pretending not to hear the rumour mill about her past, and the fact that some ex-flames of hers were in attendance.

As she observed how the moon seemed closer to its goal by each hour, a pair of familiar hands surrounded her, kissing her bare shoulders. Malcolm.

"Thought I'd find you here."

"You thought well." She tiptoed, but Malcolm stopped her and crouched down to kiss her. "Given by how Aunt Alina's friends were gossipping, I knew you'd need a breather. Stress is not good for the baby."

Primrose bit her lip "Don't you mind? That I have a... past?"

Malcolm kissed her forehead "I don't. Do you know why? Because your past is there, in the past. There might have been others, but you chose me, and I'm thankful every day for it."

Primrose smiled widely and kissed him softly "Although, I do have a question." He nodded, a signal of go ahead "Did you? Have past relationships as well?"

He looked at her intensely "There might have been other women interested, but nothing of that sort ever happened."

"Why? You're handsome, rich and charming."

"Because I have loved you all my life, Primrose. Before I knew the word 'love', I knew that you were the one for me. Every time you were in the room, all the women ceased to exist, and when you weren't, they only reminded me that they were not you. You are my past, present and future, mitt allt. All I've ever wanted, the only thing my heart and soul ever desired and cried out for. My heart was born to be yours, dearest."

It might have been the pregnancy, or the fact that it had been the first time since announcing her pregnancy that he had bared his heart so, but Primrose couldn't help but tear up, feeling loved and stupid.

"Did I torture you, my love, every time I was in somebody else's arms?" She asked, her voice trembling.

"A bit. But in the end, here you are, in my arms, telling me that you love me. My dream coming true has overcome any torture or agony I ever felt."

And thus, they kissed, and he kissed the tears away. After what it seemed like an eternity, Miss Gwyn told the couple that they were waiting for the opening dance, and that Mr. Rowle could only stall the guests for too long.

With their heads high, they entered the ballroom and started to dance. Mal was yet to become as graceful as his wife, but with only looking at her in the eye and allow himself to become one with her, it was more than enough to conduct the dance with the grace the Somersets executed everything.

As they bowed, Primrose felt it. She gasped, her hands going to the growing three-month belly and beamed, looking at her husband "Kicking. The baby's kicking!" She cried out of happiness.

Mr. Demiurgos took the lead "It seems that the solstice has blessed our hostess. Let us give her an applause and carry on!"

Ignoring the claps, the couple embraced.

Cecilia observed the young couple wistfully. Years ago, the thought of forming a family scared and disgusted her in equal measure. But now, with Vinnie at her side, maybe it wasn't so bad. She looked at her and whispered "I'd love to have that one day."

"What? Her clearly expensive and ancient coronet?"

"No, my love. A family. The three of us."

Vinnie whipped her face towards Cecilia "Are you... are you sure, Cecy?"

"When it comes to you, my love, I am."

Both women smiled, holding hands for as much as they could before pulling apart, but a clear happiness in their eyes.

Tagging @gaygryffindorgal because Malcolm, Harlan and Vinnie belong to them <3