#Faustus (That Damned Woman)

[wyrmsweven]

lady Faustus being definitely more blorbo than dude Faustus is so real. She’s so pathetic yet so sharp. Cat that has been dunked in water. Honestly I supported her that entire play.

Also it was so funky that everyone keeps asking about her male partner and she KEEPS REFERENCING SATAN

[shredsandpatches]

Are you at all familiar with and/or do you have opinions on Faustus: that Damned Woman by Chris Bush? I feel like you would have interesting thoughts on it.

PS. I can send you a copy of it if you aren't!

Kinda sorta? I always get kinda picky about Faustus gender swaps that focus it entirely on Being a Woman in a Man's World even though it's a completely sensible approach and one that you kind of have to take if you set it in the historical period, since a woman wouldn't typically have access to the kind of institutional learning that a man would. But also the author of this one tends to see the original play as a story about (male) privilege and hubris and I look at it as being at least as much about isolation and spiritual trauma (the real eternal damnation is the friends we made along the way!) and I think genderswapping that approach would probably be more interesting to me, if done well. (It could also be pretty problematic since my take on Marlowe's Faustus is that he's less ambitious than he thinks he is, because he's really just lonely and wants to do humanities outreach and dick around with his boyfriend. That's more expected from women, so "companionship is ultimately more important than ambition" isn't as interesting a take in that regard, although I think it would work better with a female-presenting Mephistopheles. But the spiritual side of it--the idea that Faustus feels he's damned anyway so why not live while he can--can cross genders quite easily.)

I dunno, possibly I'm bad at solidarity: the implicit argument that being a woman is already hell doesn't actually interest me that much, I guess? It isn't something that resonates with the way I personally experience the world, even as a cisgender woman, certainly not as much as the original play does. But that gets into my complicated relationship with my own gender so I'll just say that Bush's kind of treatment is no doubt really important/resonant for a lot of people but doesn't do it for me.

[melodieyvonne]

Faustus, That Damned Woman A Brilliant Bounce Through Time and Consequence

[legend-collection]

Faust

Faust is the protagonist of a classic German legend based on the historical Johann Georg Faust ( 1480–1540).

The erudite Faust is highly successful yet dissatisfied with his life, which leads him to make a pact with the Devil at a crossroads, exchanging his soul for unlimited knowledge and worldly pleasures. The Faust legend has been the basis for many literary, artistic, cinematic, and musical works that have reinterpreted it through the ages. "Faust" and the adjective "Faustian" imply sacrificing spiritual values for power, knowledge, or material gain.

Faust With Mephistopheles by Mary Evans

The Faust of early books—as well as the ballads, dramas, movies, and puppet-plays which grew out of them—is irrevocably damned because he prefers human knowledge over divine knowledge: "he laid the Holy Scriptures behind the door and under the bench, refused to be called doctor of theology, but preferred to be styled doctor of medicine". Plays and comic puppet theatre loosely based on this legend were popular throughout Germany in the 16th century, often reducing Faust and Mephistopheles to figures of vulgar fun. The story was popularised in England by Christopher Marlowe, who gave it a classic treatment in his play The Tragical History of Doctor Faustus ( 1592). In Goethe's reworking of the story over two hundred years later, Faust becomes a dissatisfied intellectual who yearns for "more than earthly meat and drink" in his life.

Faust is unsatisfied with his life as a scholar and becomes depressed. After an attempt to take his own life, he calls on the Devil for further knowledge and magic powers with which to indulge all the pleasure and knowledge of the world. In response, the Devil's representative, Mephistopheles, appears. He makes a bargain with Faust: Mephistopheles will serve Faust with his magic powers for a set number of years, but at the end of the term, the Devil will claim Faust's soul, and Faust will be eternally enslaved.

During the term of the bargain, Faust makes use of Mephistopheles in various ways. In Goethe's drama, and many subsequent versions of the story, Mephistopheles helps Faust seduce a beautiful and innocent young woman, usually named Gretchen, whose life is ultimately destroyed when she gives birth to Faust's illegitimate son. Realizing this unholy act, she drowns the child and is held for murder. However, Gretchen's innocence saves her in the end, and she enters Heaven after execution. In Goethe's rendition, Faust is saved by God via his constant striving—in combination with Gretchen's pleadings with God in the form of the eternal feminine. However, in the early tales, Faust is irrevocably corrupted and believes his sins cannot be forgiven; when the term ends, the Devil carries him off to Hell.

[deadn30n]

@elemosyna from ✨

in   her   honest   opinion,   the   ipad   screen   is   way   too   bright.   Faustus   has   never   been   exceptionally   fond   of   bright   things,   and   even   less   of   technology.   but   given   as   the   thing   she   closely   guards   is   quite   literally   made   of   technology,   she's   begrudgingly   taught   herself   how   to   use   it…   to   some   extent   anyway.   and   the   unfortunate   part   of   learning   how   technology   works   is   coming   to   the   realization   that   a   vast   majority   of   it   is   too   hard   to   see   when   the   sun   is   blasting   down   directly   in   your   face.

which   is   why   the   ipad   screen   is   way   too   damn   bright.

for   all   her   woes   and   laments,   however,   these   things   have   proven   time   and   time   again   to   be   exceptionally   useful,   especially   when   tracking   a   specific   machine   that   had   an   annoying   penchant   for   wandering   away.   the   ipad   represented   an   opportunity   to   save   time   by   simply   following   the   pattern   that   Solstice   left   behind   when   wandering   the   city.   and   as   she   watched   that   little   dot   meander   about,   she   decided   it   was   a   good   idea   to   stop   in   and   get   some   coffee   to   handle   the   oncoming   headache   she   was   going   to   have   once   she   had   to   go   out   and   grab   the   damn   machine.   knowing   how   stubborn   it   could   be.

but   first…   “   excuse   me,   are   you   familiar   with   the   things   called   ‘apps’   you   can   download   on   this?   ”   she   held   up   the   ipad   in   front   of   the   woman   she'd   stopped   to   talk   to.   “   i   need   to   find   a   couple   different   kinds   of   them   for   something…   ”

[explorya88]

Purple: Nahara

Pink: Fang

Red: Ograth

Azure: Dracaena

Green: Onyx

Orange: Vinca

Bold Azure: Yvette

Bold Red: Lucceia Germana

Bold Green: Nerius Granius

Bold Orange Uzumati

Bold Pink: Nakoma

NAHARA'S EPISODE: Sorceress of island of Eowiressi.

Year: 2017, Month: June, Day: 22 State: Toirwen/ Falrysal/ Snowpond, outside Frigg Fortress.

Nahara: I've come this far and now the time has come...

Today is the day in which i start my conquest of Vinlad, avenge my fallen sister Choshuka and my fallen brother Sri-Yqoa and finally in the end, one day i will return home the island of Eowiressi, at the head of an army of slaves, kill my father and the other Sin Overlords so i can take the throne.

Nahara: ...Let us go, my daughter.

Year: 2001, Month: September, Day: 7 State: island of Eowiressi.

I was born and raised on the island of Eowiressi, i am the second daughter and thirdborn children of King Hercle of Eowiressi, also known as Void's Island; my older sister Choshuka and my older brother Sri-Yqoa where slayed by our father for their failed attemp to overthrown him thus proved theyself weak. I was trained from birth to be merciless in combat, to master all the type of magic and to predict anticipate any strategy my enemy may use so to humiliate and slay them all and like them i long since planned to kill him and be the queen. Until I saw the remains of a smuggling ferry and since I had nothing better to do I dug into the remains to see if there was anything useful...

Nahara: An egg, a big egg and not your average egg but the egg of a Mighty leviathan! The embodiment of chaos and eater of the damned, harbingers of disease and destruction.

And the egg hatches in my hand, the most adorable and cuddly leviathan in the world.

Most adorable and cuddly leviathan in the world: Mommy.

You got have kidding me right!?!

Nahara: How i am supposed to kill my father with a cute puppy.

I shouted and the puppy was nearly reduced to tear at my anger.

Nahara: Sorry, sorry, forgive my unjust wrath. Now, since i found you, i claim you as my familiar and so you need a name, let see...Dracaena, you like it?

Dracaena kissed my nose and coo, she is so cute.

Nahara: Together we will conquer Vinlad, my home and then the world.

Then two years later...

A woman named Lucia came to us, seeking our help in a war that her side was losing but we refused and she asked that at least one of us help her to go home, since her warjet is unusable. Dracaena the naive child she was, decided to help her to return to her fellow soldiers so Lucia took her hostage and demanded that King Hercle, my father provide warriors for her cause or she would kill Dracaena. Much to my horror, my father simply told me to save my familiar myself, which i did, by stabbing Lucia in the neck. My father explained that this was my final lesson, words and emotion could be potent weapons which i would need to master and familiars are only items of war. We had anticipated the rise of metahumans in the next yearrs and so we were sent out to infiltrate and gain control over them.

Nahara: Let's "befriend" the presidentess Nakoma, my daughter.

Dracaena: Yyyyyyeeeeessss!!!

Year: 2019, Month: June, Day: 22 State: New Thurwyn/ Clifflyn County/ Fort Merrimoor.

Lucceia Germana: Listen to me, you steak! You may even be one of the founding fathers Faustus Sestius Britannicus himself. Either make an appointment like any imbecile out there or wait for your turn! In case you haven't noticed, Presidentess Nakoma is engaged in a very important discussion with the ambassador of the island of Eowiressi Nahara Byrd, learn her name well and respect it, also known as the headquarters of the Sin Assassins and their leaders the Sin Overlords ruled by King Hercle and second do not use these slangs like terror judges, executioner dogs or whatever, are we or are we not professionals?

Nerius Granius: I'm here to put an end at her extended and undue influence Presidentess Nakoma with the good or bad manners!

Uzumati: We don't have time for this, get out of our way Lucceia!!!

My colleague roar as he grabbed Lucceia's neck, her lips tightened with fury; her eyes bulged in anger. She tried to lash out, to strike Uzumati, but his grip was like the jaws of a lion, holding her fast. She couldn't breathe. She couldn't move. Finally, after a few agonizing seconds, Uzumati toss her across the corridors and we entered. Lucceia staggered to her feet, her face and neck red and bruised from the attack.

Lucceia: You'll both pay for this!

-Presidentess room-

Nahara: Who is your mistress bitch?

Nakoma: You, my goddess.

Nahara: So you'll give me the Database off all metahuman, Sin Assassins, Dark Assassins and anything else to me.

Nakoma: Yes, anything for my mistress.

I crackled, my demonic flowers` unleashed their spores, removing Nakoma free will and turning her in yet another a bimbo sex slave and puppet.

Nahara: Oh and who truly rule Vinlad?

Nakoma: You...NAHARA BYRD!!!

I smile cruely at Nakoma's response, her red eyes glowing with satisfaction.

Nahara: Yes, i am the ruler Vinland and you are my new bimbo sex slave and puppet, Nakoma...I command you to do my bidding and before you fulfill my demands... give my daily dose of climax and you can't bumbo sex slaves don't deserve this me first.

She stood up, her blue, purple and gold dress slinking along the floor and once she naked Nakoma moaned softly as she obeyed my commands, her hands and lips exploring every inch of my curves. She wanted to please me in any way she could, to satisfy my desires, she wanted nothing more than to be my puppet for life as my body trembled with anticipation too as Nakoma moved closer to me. I caressed Nakoma's hair, pulling it away from her face so that i could better see her.

Nahara: Yes...That's it...let your desires free...do as I command...and serve me...

I laughed, my voice low and husky as i pulled Nakoma closer, my lips brushing lightly against Nakoma's only for Uzumati and Nerius stormed in and point their guns to me.

Nerius Granius: What the...

Uzumati: ...Presidentess!?! Nahara What have you done to her?

Nahara: Make this bitch useful but you ruined the fun.

With a snap of my fingers Uzumati and Nerius Granius were quickly trapped by my thorn vines. They tried to fight against her power, but it was no use, They were completely ensnared in my vines, unable to move. I smiled at their predicament, my eyes gleaming with evil delight.

Nahara: So much for your little rescue mission, you should have been faster useless fools.

Nakoma: You spoke wisely my master. This is what happens when you dare to interrupt my mistress fun!

Nakoma said, a look of coldness in her eyes. She approached Uzumati and Nerius, who were still ensnared within my thorn vines.

Nahara: Fuhuhuhuh, let's see the presidentess` database.

Nakoma: They made the mistake of getting in your way and now they will suffer the consequences. Let this be a lesson to anyone who would challenge you, my mistress.

I took advantage of the interruption to search through the presidentess database. I found a hidden file with information on all the metahumans, dark assassins, etc... in the world, including their locations and abilities and dowload to my computer. Then i ordered the thorn vines to whip Uzumati and Nerius Granius, while also ordering Nakoma to perform a humiliating act for their amusement. I laughed as i watched them squirm, enjoying their humiliation and failure to protect their presidentess.

Uzumati: Wh-what are you doing?

Nerius Granius: Let me go! Mercy! Please!

Nakoma felt a rush of excitement as she obeyed Nahara's order to perform a humiliating act in front of Uzumati and Nerius. She laughed at their failure to protect her and enjoyed mocking them as they were whipped by the thorn vines. She derived pleasure from their humiliation and loved every second of it, knowing that they were powerless to stop her. She felt empowered and euphoric as she danced in front of them, showing off her body and taunting them with her movements.

Nakoma: Oh look, it's the intruders. Did you think you could stop my mistress, little ones? You failed to protect your presidentess, and now you'll pay the price which is enjoy this show just for you and my mistresd.

Nakoma said, her voice sensuous and seductive and laughed, dancing in front of them as the thorn vines continued to whip Uzumati and Nerius Granius while she moved closer to them, her body swaying hypnotically and alluring. Lucceia came rushing into the room, only to stop in her tracks as she saw the bizarre scene in front of her. Me seated in the presidentess chair, while the intruders Uzumati and Nerius Granius were tied up by thorn vines, which were whipping them. The presidentess herself was performing a sexy show for them, smiling and laughing at their humiliation.

Lucceia: What the hell!?!

Lucceia exclaimed, unable to process the madness before her eyes.

Nahara: Hmm...the poor Lucceia does look exhausted, Nakoma, service her now.

I ordered the president to perform an act of service for Nakoma, enjoying the look of utter disbelief on Lucceia's face. I leaned back in the presidentess' chair, satisfied with the chaos i had caused and the humiliation she had inflicted until...

Nahara: What's the meaning of this?!?

I roared after downloading the database, i screamed as while reading the profiles until i read the recent update of the profile of the Wren twins better know as "Twisted Twins", the psychotic and depraved spree killers who stated that they were recentely seen with a woman on 20-25 years old, whose name is Dracaena and thanks to her they slowly conquering several turf including the twins hometown Minnesota.

Nahara: My daughter with not one but two women at same time! She too young for that.

I exclaimed, my maternal instinct kicking in. I turned to Nakoma whom as if to confirm my fears, Nakoma continued her lap dance on Lucceia while tied to the thorn vines.

Nakoma: But mistress, my database says that she's old enough to have as many women as she wanted. Why don't you sit back and enjoy the show?

She purred, looking up at me, her eyes hooded with lust and her voice dripping with sensuality as she continued to move her body seductively, her body pressed against Lucceia's.

Nahara: Big mistake, dead meat!!!

I say in respose as i exploded in blind rage, my demonic flora responded to my stormy emotions by mutated into carnivorous plants which swiftly swallowed Nakoma, Lucceia, Uzumati, and Nerius whole. The four were trapped in the clutches of the plants, unable to escape their deadly vines. I stood over them, my eyes glowing with a murderous light.

Nahara: Those two bitches will pay for stealing my daughter from me! No one messes with my family and gets away with it, those two better pray that I find them first, before my plants do...

I roared, my voice dripping with rage, as i watched as the carnivorous plants fully digested their prey and after they finish i proced to seek them.

Somewhere in Minnesota...

I tilted my head in confusion as i suddenly felt a chill in the air.

Vinca: It's suddenly cold here.

I said, shivering, Onyx who was standing nearby, agreed with me.

Onyx: You too?

She said, shivering herself. Dracaena looked at us with concern.

Dracaena: Are you alright? Should I call a doctor?

Onyx: Don't worry...

Vinca:...is unnecesary, now straddle on me cute pie.

Dracaena eagerly straddles Vinca, the strap-on pressing against her tight anus as Vinca thrusts forward, the sensation of her anus being stretched sends waves of pleasure coursing through Dracaena's body. She can't help but let out a deep, guttural groan of ecstasy, her desire for more growing with each thrust. I positions myself on Dracaena's chest, ensuring that she remains still and unable to move, with a mischievous grin, i leans forward and licks the top of Dracaena's head, savoring the taste of her skin. The sensation of my tongue gliding over her scalp sends shivers of pleasure down Dracaena's spine, intensifying the pleasure she is already experiencing. The combination of the strap-on filling her from behind and my skilled tongue teasing her head creates a delightful symphony of sensations that leaves Dracaena craving more. Vinca thrusts with a powerful force, driving the strap-on deep into Dracaena's eager anus. Each forceful thrust sends shockwaves of pleasure rippling through Dracaena's body, making her gasp and moan with every movement. The intensity of Vinca's powerful thrusts leaves Dracaena feeling utterly consumed by the overwhelming pleasure, her body trembling with desire as she surrenders herself to the relentless rhythm, my hands seize Dracaena's breasts, my grip firm and possessive. With an assertive squeeze, i exerts pressure on the soft mounds, causing a mix of pleasure and mild ecstasy to surge through Dracaena's body. My actions intensify as i delivers a sharp smack to Dracaena's breasts, leaving a tingling sensation in their wake. The combination of pain and pleasure heightens Dracaena's arousal, fueling her desire for more intense sensations, her eyes roll back in pure ecstasy, her body completely under our control as we continue to dominate her in every way, her mouth drools a torrent of saliva, a physical manifestation of her overwhelming arousal. She revels in the sensation of being completely dominated, surrendering herself to our desires and finding immense pleasure in every second of our intense encounter. The power exchange and our control over her ignite a deep, primal desire within Dracaena, leaving her craving more of our dominance and pleasure.

Meanwhile at New Thurwyn/ Clifflyn County/ Fort Merrimoor...

I am at work brainwashing a taxi driver and ordering him to drive to Minnesota where i had tracked down Dracaena's location and determined to put an end to my daughter's antics once and for all. With the help of my powers as an ambassador and my connections, Nahara had managed to track down the twins and Dracaena, a feat which i was proud of and eager to capitalize since i will not let my daughter throw away her life and her future so recklessly. I will put her foot down, and this madness would end now but suddenly, an earthquake erupted, causing a massive car crash. People were shouting and screaming in fear and shock, as buildings and vehicles were damaged. Of course, i am unscathed but annoyed at the disruption to my plans, i scanned the surrounding area, seeking to locate the source of the earthquake. I would not allow anything to distract me from my mission to find Dracaena and the twins, who were the main reason for me coming to Minnesota and this earthquake would not stand in my way. And i spot Ograth, the archdemon, controlling a familiar woman.

Nahara: So it's you, didn't you learn your lesson?

I growled, remembering our last encounter, despite the situation i couldn't help but notice the woman's appearance, particularly her thighs and breasts. She was definitely an attractive and delectable figure and i couldn't help but wonder what it would be like to lick her nipples, pinch them and scratch the abs. Nonetheless, i am determined to not allow such desires to distract ne since i have a job to do and i would do it.

Ograth: I do this is why i possess Fang, she's more than match for you and i'm rising an army of brainwashed metahumans, supernaturals and dark virtues, then we will defeat anyone who threaten my kind, especially you, the Sin Overlords and your father!

Nahara: Oh, I don't think so, More than a match for me? I'd like to see her try.

I said, with a cold and calculating voice since i had dealt with many powerful opponents before, and i was not one to be intimidated just because of a few flashy tricks, i would not let Ograth and his brainwashed puppets and supernatural allies menace my position, my plan, or my daughter, i will not hesitate to crush them and all who dared to defy me.

Fang: ... (Ograth control me but I'll not allow since he want me, metahumans, supernaturals, everyone, this world for himself but i won't allow it since this world is MINE OR NOBODY'S)

Fang proced to punch the ground causing a shockwave that corroded gradualy the bystanders, i love their scream.

Ograth: You are mine, we are one there is no you.

Nahara: Well, well, someone want to play, isn't that so baby girl?

Fang: (Baby girl!?!) You're coming with me. Wait! I won't allow ...IT!!!

My mind screamed out in desperation, even as i was being controlled by Ograth. The archdemon's grip over me was strong, but my desire to resist was even stronger so with a yell, i roared so strong that i shatter every single glass of this city.

Nahara: Most impressive, baby girl.

I found herself pleased by the scene. The fear and uncertainty of the bystanders was enjoyable.

Fang: I don't know who are you, but know that i crush any freeloader who stand in my way.

Ograth: (Capture her this cunt, stupid pawn) Give up bitch!

I licked my lips amused by Ograth fake bravado, while internaly pondering that after this how i should try to seduce this cutie and make her my lover.

Nahara: There is news just for you. This woman HITS BACK!!!

The bystander stared in horror as Nahara and Fang's fight continued, the impact of their strikes causing unimaginable damage and destruction. They desperately tried to flee from the scene, but the two women continued to trade blows, inflicting death and destruction around them, the Nilton Monument was reduced to rubble in the fight, and people were fleeing in fear.

Bystander 1: These two women are fighting like war goddesses!

One bystander shouted.

Bystander 2: They don't care about the destruction they're causing, they're just fighting!

Another screamed.

Bystander 3: Everyone run for your life, it's a war zone out here!

Nahara: Who is in control of the bus (body)? You Fang or Ograth?

Fang: I'm part of Ograth and so you'll be too.

I pouted, loathing to see that useless piece of shit messing with this cutie, especially is official that i will make her mine, since she so far prove to be a match for me.

Nahara: It sounds like it's you who desires me.

I teased, my voice dripping with seduction. I knew that the attraction was mutual and that my charm could easily have Fang wrapped around my finger. All Fang had to do was ask and she will be my only lover.

Fang: You will join us and free the demons.

Fang said, her voice flat and without emotions. In her mind, there was only Ograth's voice, overriding her own. I knew that she was under his control, and that she had no choice but to obey his commands.

Nahara: You never learn, everyone thinks they can conquer me, only to end up licking scraps from my heels, begging to be my toys.

I said, mocking Ograth's plans for me, then i turn my attention back to Fang, who was still under the control of Ograth, and i punched her across the road.

Nahara: Fang will be mine and those old pigs and sows, the Sin Overlords and dad dearly, will not rule the world but me!

I growled, determined to make my presence known, and prove that my power was absolute.

Ograth: I will enslave dark assassins, metahumans and everyone else starting with you bitch, so when your father, Sin overlords and their slave Sin assassins will come here to enslave us, we demons wil be ready.

Nahara: So this why is you enslave Fang, known as the Tyrant of Nevada, The Butcher of Las Vegas Strip and the personification of Vajrayaksa? Very clever of you old pig. It's a pity because your testosterone toxic attitude and typical male hubris needs me to bring you down!

I mockingly coo Ograth, taunting him with my knowledge while easily dodged Fang's frantic attack and delivered a powerful double punch that crashed her face into the road. I am enjoying the fight and the exercise of my powers. I am determined to win this fight and would not allow myself to be bested by a mere archdemon.

Fang: You're powerful i'll conced that, sadly for you, me and Ograth will enslave you. Give up you're embarassing yourself since if you don't noticed ...YOU'RE SURROUNDED!!!

Nahara: You'll have to do more than that to take me down. I'm surrounded? So what? I have you beat, and you know it.

My eyes were glittering, and i relished being in control of the situation, i knew that i am always one step ahead of Ograth, and there was no way that a silly archdemon could defeat me, my confidence was unshaken, and i had no intention of allowing the archdemon to take me down.

Nahara: My dear plants and flowers, keep them still!

My plants and flowers paralyzed Ograth, Fang and everyone else so i can act without interference.

Nahara: And now let me help you to enjoy the view.

Fang: V-View.

Ograth: Don't get distracted! Free me and kill her!!!

I purred while i walking, swaying my hips, showing my curves making Fang blushing and once i came face to face i show her my bosom, Fang blushes and squeak in surprise keeping stroking my desire and lust in her confront.

Nahara: Enjoying the view?

I struggled to free myself from the vines that held me in place. As i fought against them, i found myself blushing and squeaking in surprise when Nahara came face to face with me, showing her bosom. Seeing me struggle, Nahara asked if i was enjoying the view, to which i quickly lowered my gaze and she laugh demurely as i continued to struggle against the vines, my embarrassment growing by the moment. As i looked away from Nahara, Nahara's voice cut through the air, offering her something unexpected.

Nahara: They can be yours if you accept to be mine.

These words jolted Fang out of her embarrassment, forcing her to confront her desires.

But before anyone of us can answer, we're interrupted by a woman who had frozen all those around her, except for herself, Nahara, me, and Ograth.

Ograth: Who are...you?

My master asked, his confusion evident.

Nahara: So it was you... Yvette Holte. Want to join the party?

Yvette: No! Crucco, I wanted to point out that while you were too busy playing, we were invaded by them.

She point to the sky above us and...

Nahara: No! Not them!!! Not them!!!

[auntiezelda]

Zelda was tempted to laugh, to scoff it away. Who didn't know an abusive male authority figure? Mortals and witches alike could easily claim such a thing. Every man had it in him, that desire for power, the thought to take what they wanted consequences or collateral be damned. Faustus was just a man. Weak to his desires.

As she was beginning to consider ending this did she hear the last thing she said. The woman's tone unsettled her. Yet she kept her shoulders straight and then did she roll her eyes.

"Yes, I am," she replied, her own tone clipped. Why did it bother her so, she wondered. She understood why Sabrina's protestations upset her; Sabrina's opinion of her mattered. But this perfect stranger... It was almost as if it were a judgement. And wasn't Hilda secretly judging her enough?

Zelda cut the deck.

Smiling politely as she took the card, Lilia tapped it on the side of the card machine where a pre-set fee was already waiting to be charged. It was enough to cover one preliminary reading, but further details would cost extra.

"Shuffle and cut," she instructed once again and watched as her client moved her fingers through the cards, shuffling in an amateur yet successful fashion. But before she was finished, before she could even begin to cut, a card slipped from the deck and landed face down on the table between. Sometimes a dropped card was simply nothing more than the product of a clumsy hand, and other times it was a message; a reading demanding to be heard.

Reaching forward, Lilia turned the card over.

"The Emperor, reversed." She lifted her gaze from the card to the woman. "There's a person in your life, a man, who holds a position of authority. He's domineering, likes to be in control....and he often abuses the power he's been granted."

Someone dangerous, she added silently, feeling the energy from more than just the card. She pressed her fingertips to the image and could see a black dress, a crown, an altar.

"You're going to marry him," she realised aloud before she could indicate for the betrothed witch to cut for the next card.

[ruins-posts]

Hi can have some more jelly hcs about sebastian and undertaker with flrty bi s/o/ willam was sooo goood🥰🥰(undertaker seems to me that he would have bi wife energy or just mee) thank you soo much love the blog❤❤

Thank you, good to know you like my work❤

You requested for Claude and Grell separately, so I've just added them over here as well.

── SEBASTIAN MICHAELIS

Yes, flirt with him as much as you want, praise him, tease him, he loves all of it.

He'll pretend as if your flirting has no effect on him in public, he'll brush it off with an expressionless face, even though on the inside he just wants to kiss you right there.

He'll flirt with you just as much as you flirt with him. This man demon has no shame when it comes to flirting. He's going to leave you all flustered.

So you both often end up in a flirting competition, which usually goes on for days.

Sebastian Michaelis gets so damn petty when jealous. He's quite possessive of the things that belong to him, so you just cannot go on flirting around with people other than him.

He understands it's just your nature, but that won't stop him from wrapping an arm possessively around your waist, letting everyone know that they should back off.

Because you're his and his only.

── UNDERTAKER

Undertaker is honestly so glad you came into his life and decided to provide him with lifetime entertainment.

He is in love with your cheesy pick up lines. He'll laugh till he cries even though they're all super cringe.

Wants all of your attention. He'll miss your flirty remarks and compliments when you're not by his side.

Undertaker gets a little bit jelly when you flirt with others, but he will never show it.

You'll eventually figure out if he's upset, because he's not laughing like a madman like he usually does.

Just smother him with all your attention and love when you're alone with him, and he'll forget about it.

── CLAUDE FAUSTUS

Claude remains reactionless to your behaviour at first, not wanting to make himself vulnerable to you.

But he enjoys every single one of the compliments you throw in his direction.

Usually when you give your attention to others, Claude will pretend to not be bothered by that , even though he's burning with jealousy on the inside.

He'll wait patiently till you're done messing around, then he's going to remind you who you actually belong to.

── GRELL SUTCLIFF

Grell responds to all of your flirty comments and compliments, every single one of them. So there is a LOT of flirting.

Don't even try to give your attention to someone other than her, because she won't hesitate in beheading the other man/woman that got her part of the attention.

If you're going to flirt with someone, you can do with her and her only.

[willstafford]

Faust-Forward

FAUSTUS (THAT DAMNED WOMAN)

Birmingham Repertory Theatre, Wednesday 26th February, 2020

  There is more to gender-swapping in Chris Bush’s take on the Faust tale.  Her protagonist, Johanna Faustus, tries to use the diabolic powers granted her by her pact with Lucifer, to do good in the world.  At first, she is driven by her desire to know whether her executed mother had been, in fact, the witch…

[child-of-the-danube]

SPOILERS CHILLING ADVENTURES OF SABRINA PART 4

So it's time to fucking scream. I understand the conclusion was rushed since they probably didn't count on being cancelled but god damn was it hella rushed and badly done. I was fine with the Eldritch terrors being an episode-by-episode thing but some of it was straight shit. They almost appeared too easy to get rid of. Sabrina, to begin with, is the dumbest bitch on planet Earth. Does her brain function only short term without the capability of thinking of consequences?? Also, the writers/producers missed the mark on who their audience is. I legit don't know teens who watch the series. It's all 20+ people. The focus was too much on Sabrina's friends/the teens and not the actual characters with depth - the adults.

The only positive things I can highlight were:

1. Hilda's wedding/happiness

2. Zelda getting Vinegar Tom back

3. Lilith stabbing and banishing Lucifer

The singing was unnecessary filler and so was technically the whole of episode 7. Episode 7's good parts were the OG aunties and Salem.

Now for the what pissed me off the most.

ZELDA DESERVED NONE OF THIS SHIT!! For once it looked like she found someone who loved her and then she got fucked over again. This woman has to keep a family together, hold a coven together, run a school and clean up the mess her niece creates on a daily basis and all she gets over and over again is her heart ripped straight out of her chest. They catch Faustus and she gets no revenge for all he did to her???? She was abused and most probably raped while under the spell and that is just forgotten???? She gets her biggest fears thrown at her face and then they all fully happen. She already had Leticia taken away from her and now Sabrina who she absolutely was a mother to dies before her eyes????

Lilith. Sweet Jesus, Lilith. All the shit she went through with Lucifer, losing Adam, not getting the throne, being treated as a pet or a slave and now she killed her child in the hopes of being released of her millenia long pain and gets fucked over again. Her getting her revenge on Lucifer wasn't even that satisfying since they didn't even tell us what will happen with her and Hell. She was pushed aside to be a background character despite being one of the most interesting characters with so many possibilites to do with her story. I am beyond pissed. LILITH DESERVED SO MUCH BETTER!!

Sabrina dead at not even 17 is also bullshit but I'll let it pass cause they were probably planning on bringing her back if there were to be a part 5.

Now onto Nick. He straight up killed himself to be with Sabrina. I get it kinda. Endgame bla bla but someone who is practically a teenager killing themselves over their first love??? Even for a fantasy show that is a bit too much. They literally made the teen characters incapable of proper emotion and rational thought. No brain, just horny and impulsive.

ALSO, nobody wanted that sex scene with literal motherfucking underage people (in the show, I know they are of age irl). That's uncomfortable as hell to watch. Yuck!!

The weird sisters were also pushed aside. And what was that Agatha/Dorcas kiss???? When has that even been hinted at????

I don't understand what kind of vendetta the writers have against adult female characters and why they seem to be incapable of showing proper processing of emotions.

Overall, that's 8 hours of my life wasted for 4-5 maybe 2min long scenes that were actually worth the watch. What an end to a dumpsterfire year

[buryyourfavouritestrope]

Feel Things - Claude Faustus

Author Note: I haven't reread through this, so expect errors, I've just had the same several paragraphs in my drafts for months and really needed to finish this, because damn the concept was too good for me. Also I'm so glad someone made this gif because it fits super good for a specific moment in the fic below. Fruniscor

It was silly. It really was but she’d let a voice crow in their ear, and it had planted a charming seed of doubt. They’d passed each other by chance in a city of hundreds; a gentle yet firm grip had pulled her from the street matched with provocative eyes. The world stopped breathing in time with the Trancy Maid; all noise fell silent until the butler chuckled. As soon as Sebastian whispered his questions a shadow latched onto her young heart. He’d released the maid shortly after with a promise to see her again. A promise she had no intention of allowing him to keep.

This came as no surprise to either party, that along with the stagnant smell of the city street came the lingering stench of the Phantomhive butler. A foul smell that had been commented on a dozen times and would continue to be at the top of conversation. Claude had remained silent since she had returned home. His face contorted in displeasure – or could she see a hint of disgust hidden behind his liquid gold eyes.

“He should never have touched you, and for that I must apologise” Claude sighed. The demon was not the one to say sorry, but then he wasn’t one to let this happen in the first place. He could feel his irritation itching beneath his skin as he continued to inhale the fetor of the other demon. “However, before we go about any other business, you need to wash. I can’t stand that malodour.”

Claude’s fingers wrapped around her wrist felt drastically different to how Sebastian’s had felt earlier. His fingers held tight, almost painfully, as though he was worried, she would slip from his grasp and disappear. The Trancy Butler was all too aware of her pain threshold, and he always balanced on the precipitous edge. He wanted to let them know that he was still a demon. That he could still break them into unmendable pieces. Don’t get him wrong, he didn’t mean any harm by it; but she had this way of looking at him like he was almost human.

It hadn’t taken him long to draw a bath; nor had it taken long for her to disrobe and allow the steaming water to consume every inch of her body. Claude remained there, crouching beside the metal tub, his fingers idly skimming the surface of the water. Every so often he let his finger dive beneath the surface for a few beats before removing it. Both of them sat inhaling the soft scent of lavender.

In these moments, with just the two of them, the maid saw the serenity he was capable of. She found herself unable to remember the very simple fact that he was supernatural. She watched him turn slowly from a stone wall incapable of even faking an emotion, to this. A demon with a content smile drawn on his features and his eyes gliding over the ripples in the water as though he’d never seen it happen before.

Sebastian’s inquiry fought to the forefront of her mind. His sultry words squeezing at her heart. A jolt shot through her body; it caused the Demon to draw his focus to the maid. His eyes narrowed in confusion.

“Sebastian asked me a question earlier. A series of them, most pointless but one in particular.” The maid began, any confidence within her dissipated the instant Claude shifted closer to the bath. His fingers retreating from the water and resting on the metal. She hoped she would get the answer she imagined on her way back to the Manor. “He asked me why you kept me around, he said the other servants were demons and that with those four and yourself, there was really no need for-“

A guttural growl fell from Claude’s lips, his eyes darkening in rage as he gripped the metal tighter. The Trancy butler would’ve, in this second, liked nothing more than to destroy Sebastian. A task that he deemed easy considering the demon hadn’t fed in a few years. Yet, when Claude looked towards the shivering maid, who had so cleverly and without knowing stolen his thoughts, the tension within him dissipated.

“Claude?” She whispered, a damp hand settling above his own. Faustus winced; his eyes falling onto where they had joined. She’d touched him before. The maid had caressed his cheek one evening whilst he pretended to be asleep, in a poor attempt to keep the fact that he was a demon from her. He’d felt the soft callouses of her fingers on his skin for several days, and in the dead of night he imagined what it would feel like should she caress other parts of him. “I’m sorry, did I hurt you?”

It took a while for Claude to register her words; he was too busy discerning the loss of her warmth. Once it had settled in his brain the butler had all but fell backwards, his legs crouched by the side of the tub buckled as he lost his composure. Her touch hadn’t caused him pain, it had startled him, the feel of her flesh on his own had drawn him into the fantasies that lurked in the darkest parts of his mind, reserved for painfully long evenings.

“You didn’t harm me,” He uttered. Claude’s voice almost sounded foreign to himself. He hadn’t spoken for a while and the sudden crack as he returned to his position by the tub. His knees firmly planted on the concrete floor. Quietly she watched him, his eyes doing their best to avoid hers, should she see the hunger prowling. Claude dipped his finger into lukewarm water. “You should get out soon, I’d hate to have you sick, think of the additional work.” He commented. He was trying to hide behind his cruelty, like the coward he hated to be.

“Yes sir, sorry” She apologised, her voice cracking slightly. She was still picturing Michaelis’ words, she was reminding herself she held no real value to the Trancy Household and in that reminder, she had begun to thread the words into her subconscious. She was a mere plaything. An example for the servants on how a human servant act, and once they were bored of this charade, they’d dispose of her.

Claude watched her; he could practically see the thoughts weighing down on her. The heart, which should never have existed, within his chest tore a little. He missed her smile. The one that he’d receive at the crack of dawn as she wiped away the sleep from her eyes, and the same one that he had been allowed to see as the same sleep from the morning fought for control of her body. Every night she’d go out of her way to say goodnight to him; she’d even stood outside their master’s room and waited for Claude to leave before she gave her sleepy grin and whispered goodnight. A few times he’d carried her to her room; her head against his chest. On those occasions he’d find his demonic nature softening as he tucked her into her rickety old bed, his gloved fingers placing stray hair behind her ear before – in an uncharacteristic moment – he placed a gentle kiss on her forehead. Unable to help himself and as he moved back, he would find that smile on her features.

“You shouldn’t listen to demons” He announced; at this point Claude had fully submerged his hand. The limb sat limp for a moment in the water. “We’re notorious liars, thieves, scoundrels and we say whatever we can to plant those seeds of doubt in unsuspecting innocent humans. I’ve done in a thousand times before, in order to tempt someone else’s meal to move towards me.” He continued.

“Someone else’s meal…” she breathed. Claude frowned at his own reckless explanation. The woman before him was nothing like food to him. Her soul held no nutritional value to him; it would never hold that meaning to him.

“My apologies, that was not what I meant” Claude admitted. “That uncouth demon chose you to tempt because it would cause trouble for me.”

“Trouble…how?” She questioned. Claude growled in frustration. This was the first time in a long time that he had ever struggled with his words. Inhaling deeply the demon reached for her hand beneath the water, his fingers brushed against hers briefly as he settled his mind and focused on what he was going to say next.

“This isn’t working” Claude huffed, his fingers – that had settled beside her – wrapped around her wrist like they had done earlier. A small tug as her body fell towards his, his eyes searching her features as he placed his other hand beneath her chin. “What I’m trying to get across to you is this”

She felt his breath across her lips as he hesitated briefly. It was just the shortest of moments as he questioned his resolve once again before his lips found hers. The hand around her wrist releasing her. He gave her the option to move away from him as their lips moved with each other. He let her have the time to regain control of her logical thoughts; and yet it had been her to place her hands on his first. Her hand rested behind his neck whilst the other found his shirt as their breaths mingled.

The room felt a few degrees warmer to her once they had separated. Her hands still firmly rooted against him.

“In short, I keep you here because beside me is where I need you, you hold more value to me than the others, if anything the other four could be replaced in an instant but you, I could scour the world for centuries and never find a replacement for.” Claude uttered. “You make me feel things that should be impossible and that both scares me and excites me”

[rax-writes]

Enchanted - Part I

Fandom:  The Chilling Adventures of Sabrina

Pairing:  Caliban x Reader

Warnings:  None

Notes:  I’ve been thirsty for this blond bastard since he popped up in the show, so it’s about time I write for him. // So this is slightly OC, because the reader is a Spellman and it gives some backstory on that, but I still tried to keep it predominantly a reader insert.

As the only trueborn daughter of Edward Spellman, conceived during his very brief, loveless marriage to his late bride, you had grown accustomed to being treated differently. Your aunties fretted over you endlessly, despite being well aware of the fact that you were an extremely proficient witch. You were given unearned, unquestioned respect by each member of the Church of Night, as well as every witch and warlock you met. Typically, they asked you endless questions, being that your father had intended for you to be his successor, prior to his untimely death and Faustus Blackwood’s treachery-ridden rise to the position of High Priest. This meant that you had been a sponge for each and every one of Edward’s theories, teachings, and creeds, as well as his extensive knowledge of spells, conjuring, potions, and other witchcraft.

You prided yourself on being a witch of above-average skill and know-how, although that did not mean you were keen on being subjected to impromptu interviews about it all. Additionally, it seemed as though every single creature you encountered knew your father, which often meant they were twice as heaven-bent on killing you, as he had not been one to take mercy on monsters. All in all, it was rare that you were treated as you – not Edward Spellman’s daughter.

That is, until you encountered a certain self-proclaimed Prince of Hell.

Of course, you had been vehemently against Sabrina entering the Netherworld to save her boyfriend. However, you were aware that her determination knows no bounds, so she’d certainly be going with or without your approval, therefore you decided it’d be best to join her endeavor. Upon entering Hell, you, your sister, and her companions found yourselves on a somber, despondent beach, and a medley of wails filled your ears – which could only mean one thing.

“Wait, so… Hell is a beach?” Harvey inquired dubiously.

“Not quite. Hell is a vast realm, full of a myriad of abysmal regions, and this is merely one of them. In particular: the Shores of Sorrow,” you explained. This new information seemed to distress him further. Theo stood, fear in his eyes as he looked to the cages standing out on the water.

“Guys, look…. What are those?”

“They’re the souls of the damned,” you responded, in unison with another voice. At first, you thought it was some sort of echo, but quickly deduced that it was a separate voice entirely. You turned to see a man standing a short distance away on the beach, and your first thought was that he was so beautiful that he looked monumentally out of place in this dreary landscape. He was quite tall, with lovely green eyes, blonde ringlets cascading around his handsome face, and a body that looked to be hand-crafted by Aphrodite herself.

The visually pleasing stranger held searing eye contact with you as he took a few steps toward your group. He seemed intrigued by the fact that you – someone who was clearly not from Hell – was familiar with your locale.

“They drown as the tide rolls in, over and over… for all eternity,” he elaborated, as your party approached him. He surveyed your sister and her friends, then returned his eyes to you with a charming smirk. “Although, I’m certain you already knew that.”

“Hi, we’re looking for Lilith,” Sabrina stated. “Uh… Madam Satan, Queen of Hell. She’s in Pandemonium, if you happen to know the way.”

“I would be more than happy to assist anyone accompanying a woman of such intellect and ethereal beauty,” the man stated, charm dripping from his voice as his eyes remained set on you. You would not deny that he was easily the most attractive man you’d ever seen, but you were also conscious of the fact that you were in Hell, therefore he was almost certainly a demon – not exactly ideal dating material. So, you merely met his gaze, donning a smirk of your own, crossing your arms gracefully, and giving a slight tilt of the head to wordlessly meet the challenge posed by his advances.

“All blood flows to Pandemonium. Follow the blood-red road where it flows, and there you’ll find the throne of Hell,” he responded, after your silent exchange, as he gestured toward a small creek of blood nearby.

“Thanks,” Sabrina said, nodding. “And you are?”

“We greatly appreciate your kindness, sir, but I’m afraid we’ve no time for formalities,” you interjected. It was just as well, as the man seemed hesitant of answering her query.

“Understandable. Although, I do hope to cross paths with you again,” he admitted, then took a step forward to take your hand and bring your knuckles to his lips, maintaining eye contact with you as he did so. He then turned to your sister. “Never step off the road. It’s clever you’re wearing dead men’s shoes, though… any demon worth his salt can smell mortal flesh a mile away.”

The two of you shared one last, lingering look, then he slowly spun on his heel and returned his attention to the nearby elaborate sandcastle.

“Come on. Let’s go,” Sabrina said, and the five of you made your way to the flowing blood.

After a not-so-pleasant stroll through the Field of Witness, and the Forest of Torment, where you searched with Theo and Harvey as Sabrina and Roz located Dorian’s pestilential flower, as well as an excursion to a hellish version of Sabrina’s high school, you found yourselves in the throne room of Pandemonium. Lilith decided to allow Sabrina to leave with Nicholas, so long as she would crown Lilith in front of all of Hell. She agreed to do so, but as soon as the ceremony began, it was evident that the Kings were still displeased.

“And who do you propose would rule?” Lilith asked.

“Ahh,” Beelzebub responded, and it was clear that Lilith had stepped right into his trap. “All hail Caliban, Prince of Hell. Molded from the clay of the pit itself. Native son of the inferno, born to restore and rule our dark domain.”

To your surprise, the good-looking blond from the Shores of Sorrow stepped forward, clad in a different outfit, one more suitable for Hell, and smiled at your sister. “Hello again.”

“Uh… hi?”

This Caliban explained that he intended to restore stability to the Nine Realms, and ultimately, conquer the Earth to make it the tenth circle. Unsurprisingly, your sister was simply not having it. She claimed the throne as her own, shut down Caliban’s refutation, and decreed that the Infernal Court be dismissed.

As Caliban turned to go, he locked eyes with you. With a small smirk, he stated, “It appears our paths will cross again, enchantress.” He left through the colossal double-doors of the throne room, and silence befell the room, before you all left, Nicholas Scratch in tow.

Upon returning to your room for the evening, you laid in bed, unable to sleep and staring at the ceiling. Although you attempted to steer your train of thought to more important matters, such as how to help the coven and what it would mean for Sabrina to be the Queen of Hell, you found your mind veering back the dashing young “prince.” Aside from the fact that he’s a demon, and that he sought to descend Earth to chaos and enslavement, he had challenged your sister – and that simply wouldn’t do. So, you conceded that you must push your unwelcome thoughts to the side, such as how his eyes made you feel vulnerable and on fire all at once, or how pretty that alluring voice of his would sound in the bedroom…. Hell help you, you were going to need to try much harder than this.

A sudden whooshing sound and a bright light brought your attention to the corner of the room, and as the vortex of fire dissipated, you saw none other than the object of your desires standing before you.

“To what do I owe the pleasure? Here to berate my baby sister some more?”

“No. I am here for you.”

You sat up in the bed, then swung your legs off the side, staring at him quizzically. You noticed that Caliban eyed your attire hungrily, and you briefly thanked yourself for choosing a red silk nightie with black lace trim this evening. Opting to bask in the feeling of him undressing you with his eyes, you stood and crossed your arms over your chest – both to show resolution, and to accentuate your chest. His gaze grew ever more ravenous.

“Speak your piece, then.”

“I wish to court you,” Caliban stated coolly, that smirk of his gracing his lips.

“And why is that?”

“You have piqued my interest. Your beauty is beyond compare, and your intelligence and self-assuredness are both endearing and intriguing. I am quite taken with you,” Caliban admitted, now perusing your bedroom and investigating your elaborate bookshelves. He then turned to you, and in a few strides, he was standing in front of you, towering over you as those enthralling green eyes seemingly bore into your soul.

“Allow me to court you. I vow to do my utmost to make you happy, and keep you unquestionably…” he trailed off, bending down to hover his lips mere centimeters above yours as he finished his sentence, “... satisfied.”

You did not miss the way your breath caught in your throat as a result of his actions – nor did Caliban. It caused his smirk to widen further. Nevertheless, you squared your shoulders and looked up at him with all the confidence you could muster.

“Stand down from your attempted coup d'état of Sabrina’s place on the throne, and I will gladly court you, Caliban.”

“Although my name falling so sweetly from your lips is enough to persuade me of almost anything, I’m afraid that I cannot comply with your request, princess,” Caliban responded. “But, if bartering is the ticket to courting you, then so be it. Even if I wanted to, it is impossible for me to stop the Plague Kings’ quest to unseat Sabrina Morningstar and Lilith, but I can let you in on how they plan to do so, which will allow your sister time to prepare for it. And if the Kings or Lilith ask, you didn’t hear a word of that from me.”

You pretended to mull it over for a moment. If you were being honest, it wasn’t exactly twisting your arm to go out with someone as mind-bogglingly attractive as Caliban, so having the opportunity to do so and help Sabrina certainly seemed to be a win-win.

“I agree to your terms.”

“Excellent,” he said, his smirk changing to a toothy grin, flashing a set of perfect pearly whites. He seemed genuinely thrilled that you agreed to court him. “You may inform Sabrina that the Kings intend to evaluate her progress as Queen of Hell for a short time, and if she fails to meet their expectations, they shall send she and I on a quest to find the Unholy Regalia. Whoever is the victor shall earn a rightful place on the throne, by infernal law. So, I would advise that Sabrina watch her p’s and q’s for the next few weeks, but still prepare for the inevitable quest for the Regalia.”

“Thank you, Caliban.”

“Anything for you,” he responded, taking your hand and placing a kiss upon your knuckles, as he had earlier that day, before cradling it in both of his hands. “Now, where would you like to go for our first outing, little dove?”

“I have heard rumors of a carnival coming to town this weekend. Take me?”

“It would be my pleasure,” Caliban said earnestly, then sat down languidly on the ornate velvet couch immediately behind him, and gently pulled you down to sit with him. “In the meantime, I would very much like to get to know you better, if it would please the lady.”

The remainder of the evening was spent on that very same couch, with the self-proclaimed Prince of Hell. The longer you talked, the closer you grew in proximity, until you were nestled against his side with your legs tucked underneath you, his arm draped around your shoulders. Caliban listened intently as you told him about your life, and he readily told you tales of his own past and answered all your questions. A large percentage of the conversation entailed you explaining earthly matters to the Hell-born gentleman, and he was genuinely interested in all the information you had to offer. It was incredibly refreshing for someone to be interested solely in you – not your father’s legacy.

After a while, your eyelids began to feel unbearably heavy, and eventually, you succumbed to sleep, your head falling onto his shoulder. As Caliban looked down at your sleeping figure, after sharing an invigorating, intimate night of soul-sharing, he vaguely wondered of the possibility of love for a man made of clay.

The warm, fuzzy feeling now forming in his chest was all the answer he needed.

Part II

[veeples-archive]

remembrance

✨ pairing: implied mason x faustus valentine

✨ rating: t, for language

✨ word count: 1.2k

✨ warnings: general death and grief feelings

@wayhavensummer day 4: flowers

i meant to write something a little fluffier for flowers but... i did not! unedited, because i'm just in feelings mood for my idiot man.

🌻🌻🌻

Rook liked sunflowers.

At least that’s what some faded pictures with well worn edges Faustus found stashed in some of Rook’s belongings suggested. They feature a younger Rebecca, her face rounder and skin unmarred by wrinkles, and what Faustus assumes is a younger Rook too, hair dark and smile crooked the way Faustus knows his own is as well. Handwriting he doesn’t recognize -- neat, crisp, with big loopy Rs and bs -- notate Rook and Rebecca, June 1982 on the back of them.

They look happy standing in front of a near endless field of sunflowers. Maybe Rook liked sunflowers for how yellow their petals were, or maybe because they dwarfed even Rebecca’s taller height and softened the severity of her posture.

Maybe Rook didn’t give a damn about sunflowers at all.

Faustus couldn’t say. They seem appropriate, though. Better than roses.

“Hey,” Faustus begins, unsure of how to refer to the plain grave marker. Father? No, who the fuck is he, some begotten Victorian child? Dad? Did Rook earn that in his heart? His name-- “You.”

Nothing about this feels right or natural. Skirting a visit to the cemetery was no accidental act Faustus had managed for twenty some odd years.

The last time he’d visited he was ten, maybe. Maybe a little older. Rebecca hadn’t been the one to take him -- she preferred her visits to be solitary, as every bit as selfish with her vulnerability and her grief as he was. It was his nanny, a kind faced woman with graying hair, who set him in her beat up car with a box of cleaning supplies and fresh flowers tied together with ribbon, so that she could wipe the marker clean and leave Rook a token of remembrance.

“Rook was never neat in life. Shirt always creased, desk lost underneath all those papers and folders,” she had said once while she wiped away the dirt clinging to the gray stone. “I know he wouldn’t mind the mess, but he always showed me such kindness. I want to do the same for him.”

Faustus liked her. He didn’t keep the monthly grave clean routine when she left due to some nameless medical issue Rebecca didn’t elaborate on, but he liked that she wanted to do it at all.

“I brought you flowers. Sunflowers.” Faustus fingers the smooth stems, keeping his eyes pointedly away from the marker. The marker’s nearly blank. It states Rook’s name, his date of birth and his date of death. Nothing else. The emptiness unnerves him and he’s already halfway ready to spin around on his heel and leave.

God, what the fuck is he doing here?

“I wish I could say this was a visit of fondness or remembrance.” Faustus smiles thinly. “Your son grew up to be an avoidant prick, do you know that? Selfish, too. Lost.” He kicks a clump of dirt away. “Confused.”

No one answers. There’s nothing but wind shifting through the trees, rattling the leaves and whispering through the long grass that Faustus thinks the maintenance should be mowing soon.

“There’s this. Person. A man.”

The words scrape against the dryness of his throat. Right to it, then.

“A vampire, actually. By the way, got caught up in the same bullshit you did, love the legacy.” Faustus laughs shortly. It sounds strained. “He’s such an asshole. Smokes nonstop. Steals my damn laundry detergent all the time. Has one of the most vulgar mouths I’ve ever heard and still manages to say the most tender of things in a handful of words.”

Faustus shifts his weight. A breadth of emotion he hadn’t given acknowledgement to is welling up fast in his chest, bulldozing its way through. If the sunflowers shake in his hand, he’d swear it was only because the early morning is gray and chilled.

Haltingly, he continues. “How did you deal with trying to charm Rebecca? God knows I wouldn’t have put up with her shit if I were you. She’s a damn headache of a woman but.” Faustus bites his hips, clenching his fingers harder around the sunflower stems until they begin to bend. “I’m as big of a mess as she is. And Mason deals with me all the same.”

There. He’s said Mason’s name. It feels all at once like pressure relieving his throat and like a vacuum emptying himself out. He feels cavernous inside, cold and dank.

“‘I’ve never met anyone like him. It’s so easy to just… be with him. With the others, when it’s just me and him watching a shitty horror movie or watching the sun dip below the tree line from the roof I feel so distinctly me with him.” Faustus says, eyes focused on a cluster of dandelions next to the toe of his boot. Their buds are full, yellow peaking out, on the precipice of blooming.

Gross. Too on the fucking nose. He looks away.

“I like him, Rook.”

He says it as a whisper, but it sounds like thunder in his ears.

“I like him so much that I don’t think my body’s big enough to hold it all in. I feel like I’m being crushed from the inside out.”

Tears burn at the corners of his eyes and blur the grass he’s glaring at into a haze of pale yellow and green. Faustus hunches his shoulders in like if he just tried hard enough he could curl himself around the aching wound in his chest and keep himself safe.

He feels small. Smaller than any person of his height and stature should rightfully feel.

“I’m scared.” He says, throaty and horrifically raw. “Not of him, never of him. He’s all muscle and looks like he’s made up of all edges and sharp teeth, and you’d never know how damn soft his hands are. Firm, yes. Strong, yes. Steadier than anything I’ve ever known, but his hands are so soft it’s laughable.”

Faustus inhales sharply. He’s deflating, slowly. Like air leaking from a balloon.

“I’m scared I’m gonna ruin this. I’ve ruined so many other things in my life,” Faustus finally focuses his blurry gaze on the headstone, looking for something there. Some sign of acknowledgement, some show of strength that he does not feel. “I don’t want to ruin him too.”

There is still no answer. Of course there wouldn’t be. There aren’t ghosts, in a world teeming with supernaturals who occupy mundane spaces like being a husband to Verda or parents grieving for their child it’s fucking ridiculous that ghosts don’t populate their ranks, but Faustus desperately needs to believe someone is listening to him.

There’s still only rain tinged wind sliding against his cheek, stinging where his tears have dampened his skin. Almost like a caress, if he wanted to be romantic about it. The cemetery is just grass and dirt and stones for the living to pay their thoughts to the ever silent dead.

All Faustus has done is give his grief to the Earth to turn to silt and soil. Maybe it’s enough that it’s been received.

“Here.” Faustus says suddenly, crouching down in front of the small stone vase to arrange the sunflowers neatly. Might as well forgo leaving an untidy pile of flowers. “Little bit of sunshine for you.”

[know-the-way]

Hi, writing to you because you have such a clear head and have been so very good at untangling my messy responses to Caos.

My question is whether it is wrong to feel thrown under a bus as a Spellwood fan when Miranda Otto comes out in a live to say she doesn't only ship MS but thought from the start they should be endgame, and a reason for part 5? She also said something about relationships once established being uninteresting in dramatic terms. And it was implied the reason for other relationships was that MS should not happen too early.

I personally don't think MS makes any sense but support all fans to love all the ships. I completely disagree about the dramatic potential of established relationships. It's what happens next that intrigues me personally.

So obviously it's her privilege and her love for MS has been no secret. It may even be a way to promote part 5 but if that's true about her ideas about Zelda and MS from the start I feel truly manipulated and it's not a good feeling, especially when I consider how dishonest certain emissions made in some paid-for video messages (really Q and A about Caos) feel to me in hindsight.

Hindsight is 20/20 and I already learned from you my not seeing the bi potential of Zelda in part 1 was because it wasn't part of my life experience and expectations. And it's quite clear the whole keeping actors and characters apart in terms of fandom is even more important than I already thought. Lessons learnt I guess. After all I'm generally completely fine with my ships being alternate universe. But damn, Zelda and Faustus were so good and interesting together, it feels such a shame their relationship was apparently discard material from the start for at least one of their actors. Whose wishes may well have influenced the character's arc.

And since my love of Spellwood was somehow part of a personal grieving process it wasn't great to lose them as canon, too. But that's nothing anyone could have predicted while creating of course.

I suppose my question is whether it's stupid to feel so stupid. And for feeling manipulated, and not liking it.

And whether we, who love Spellwood fictions and art or create them, need to be influenced by the creators' intentions if we also really respect them as creators. But have other choices and preferences. Especially when actors come out so strongly in favour of one version. It's their embodiments that made us ship these characters after all...

I'd love to hear your take on this.

*slow exhale* I’ve gotten several questions about this over night and let me just start by saying - I can’t speak for Miranda, I can only try and discern her intentions from the things I have observed in the past.

That being said, I did not take her saying she and Michelle were “endgame” as a “fuck you” to all other ships. Tbh, I’m not entirely convinced - and I don’t mean this as an insult in any way - that Miranda fully understands what endgame means in the fandom world. Because, to us, it means “character a and character b are soul mates and should end up together forever.” But I got the impression, from the way Miranda used the word, that she perhaps thinks it’s just the relationship that happens last lol (“I thought we’d have another season and that would be our endgame thing!”).

Could you read this as Miranda giving fuck all about the other ships in favor of MS? Sure, I guess. But I rather think, given how generous and kind she’s been to fans of every ship, that she just wanted everyone to have a little bit of something on the show. MS is the only main ship yet to have any romantic moments of substance after four seasons, and I think Miranda - knowing how large that part of her fan base is - wanted to change that. To give them something, because it means something to them, just like any other person’s ship means something to them. It appears she thought part 5 was going to be that opportunity, and anticipated that being the last season, so MS would be endgame because it very literally happened at the end.

I could be interpreting it all wrong, of course. But this is the same woman who declared “all ships still sea-worthy” in the middle of shooting part 4, the same woman who posts cheeky teasing photos on instagram for every ship (Zarie, Spellwood, and MS), and the same woman who I believe, given past interactions - if asked about Spellwood or Zarie directly the way she was MS - would have equally positive things to say about them. Because she’s a lovely, considerate person who wants everyone to enjoy themselves and be happy.

[luanna801]

Your favorite story with a full-blown Downer Ending?

This is actually pretty easy for me, because a lot of stories I love are full-blown tragedies. The most obvious place to start is probably Shakespeare's tragedies, of which my absolute favorite is probably Hamlet. And that's such a cliche answer, I'm tempted to say something else, but I think it's also the honest one. I love the writing, the drama and the themes about family and revenge and loyalty, but most of all I think it just really resonates with me as someone who's struggled with depression.

I'm also a big fan of King Lear (the play that made me originally fall in love with Shakespeare!), Othello, and Romeo & Juliet. And I have to give a particular shout-out to the 1968 movie of R&J, which is one of my favorite movies of all time. Everything about it is stunningly perfect to me, from the actors (both leads are perfectly cast for their roles and the supporting cast is great too), the incredible score, the gorgeous (and, overall, quite historically accurate!) costumes. Literally my only complaint is that they had to cut a bunch of stuff from the play to fit the movie runtime, and I'd have happily sat through another hour.

On a related note, I don't think it's a surprise to anyone that I also love Marlowe's tragedies, particularly Doctor Faustus and Edward II. Marlowe's writing has a sharpness and power (and at times, a poetic beauty) that's unique from Shakespeare's, and I love his use of language and the pathos of his lead characters. Faustus has an incredibly complex and compelling dynamic between Faustus and Mephistopheles, and the themes about what it means to be damned and how you can be the agent of your own damnation are really interesting. Edward II is much more political, and I think Marlowe does a great job of balancing Edward's failings as a king (and a person) with his sympathetic qualities and his love for Gaveston.

I haven't read a lot of Greek tragedy, though I def. want to read more someday, but my favorite is probably Antigone. I remember reading it as a teenager and being blown away by what a strong and unique character Antigone is, especially for a female character written in that era. It's rare to see a woman portrayed as so devout and virtuous and yet also so strong and stubborn (to a flaw, really - the woman cannot back down or give a single inch, come hell or high water), and not see her be demonized or condemned for any of it.

Going a little more modern, two of my all-time favorite books are Frankenstein and The Picture of Dorian Gray, both of which end pretty dang horribly for almost everyone involved, but good lord is it a deep and satisfying and gorgeously written road to get there, in both cases. I genuinely think Frankenstein's Creature is one of the most interesting and compellingly written characters of all time, and it's a dang shame that adaptations so often take away his intelligence and complexity. And I think in both of these books, the supernatural/sci-fi elements and the Gothic drama are used in a great way to explore these questions about humanity and morality.

Depending on how you read it, I think The Godfather also qualifies here. Unlike the main characters of literally every other work I just mentioned (spoilers?), Michael Corleone is still very much alive at the end of the first movie, and for that matter the second we don't talk about the third. But I think seeing him go from a sweet and idealistic young man, to sinking deeper and deeper into the world of the mob and becoming the worst version of himself, reads to me like the arc of a modern-day tragic hero. He might be left standing at the end, but at what cost?

Then there's also the fact that I love historical fiction, and many times those are based on the stories of real people whose lives ended tragically. You could definitely mention Marlowe's Edward II in that category too, as well as a number of Shakespeare's history plays (though neither Marlowe nor Shakespeare was ever that concerned with historical accuracy). But again, going for something more recent, two of my favorite movies are Anne of the Thousand Days (1969), which tells the story of Anne Boleyn's rise to power, downfall, and eventual beheading, and Wilde (1997), which ends with Oscar Wilde's imprisonment and his life basically being destroyed by his conviction for "gross indecency".

I think there's definitely a certain fascination with tragic historical figures, and what their stories tell us about the ways society failed them, and thinking about the missed potential if they'd lived longer. But I think in the best tellings of those stories, the ones that really honor those people, it's about more than defining them by the way their lives ended. You have to remember their strengths and their joys and their triumphs and loves and everything that made them human, and not just portray them as walking tragedies or cautionary tales.

I think in all of these stories, they might end badly, but that doesn't make them joyless to read or watch. Because there's so much beauty and complexity along the way, and in some cases incredible joy before the tragedy, too. One of the things I love about the '68 Romeo & Juliet is that despite it being a tragedy, the early scenes are so dang JOYFUL. There's this scene I wish I could link, but I don't think anyone's posted it online yet, where after the balcony scene Romeo just runs off whooping and giggling in pure joy, like the smitten teenager he is, while there's this gorgeous swelling music and the Italian sunrise in the background, and it's honestly one of the most pure, exuberant, uplifting scenes you'll ever watch.

I've said this before, but it's also VITAL in a tragedy that the ending makes sense for the story and the themes, and isn't just being a downer for its own sake. I think in all of the examples I mentioned, the ending feels like the inevitable conclusion of everything that came before it, and that makes it satisfying to watch even though you might feel for the characters and wish things could have gone better for them. There really is a unique catharsis to watching an ending like that.

[lynelovespopculture]

THE CHILLING ADVENTURES OF ZELDA-CHAPTER 15 THE DREAM/PART 4 I HAVE BEEN WORKING MORNING, NOON AND NIGHT FOR 3 DAYS TO GET THIS ‘EMERGENY’CHAPTER OUT TO YOU. IF YOU’VE NEVER COMMENT ON MY WORK BEFORE, NOW’S THE PERFECT TIME TO START BECAUSE AS A WRITER AND A SPELLWOOD FAN, I’M FEELING FRAGILE RIGHT NOW. -THANKS, LYNEZELDA

“No! Oh dark mother, please, no!” Faustus Spellman jolted up in bed, pushing the bedspread off his naked chest which now heaved up and down with heavy breaths.  Faustus was unaware of just how sweaty he was until he buried his face in his hands.

“Honey? What is it? What’s wrong?”

Faustus looked up to see his Zelda, in her eyes he saw concern for him. “Zelda, come no closer! Don’t make me hurt you more! Please, I beg of you, stay away!” Faustus moved from middle of the bed to the end. 1 moment he felt the mattress beneath his hand, another moment there was only air. Faustus prepared himself for the fall, only it never came, for Zelda had rushed to his side, pulled him up and in an effort to comfort him, tried to put his head on her chest, which made him very confused. He fought her. “Zelda!  Get away from me while you can!”

Still, Zelda was worried. “Darling? Hush now, can’t you see that you just had another nightmare?!”

Faustus shook his head. “It wasn’t,” He insisted. “It was too real this time.”

Zelda tried again. “What did you dream about? Walk me through it, all that you can remember.”

Faustus sighed as he ran a hand through his hair. “It was like no time had passed. I was struck inside Blackwood, who of course, trying to hurt you and the coven. I just can’t escape it, can I? I truly am evil!”

“Try to focus, Faustus. Please tell me what happened.”

“I founded another church. The Church of the Night Pilgrims.”

Zelda shook her head. “There is no such church. I would know, as an ordained high priestess, I have a current list of all the world’s covens. I can show it to you if like.”

“I won Mary Wardwell to my cause!” He said firmly.

“Impossible for 2 reasons!” Zelda’s reply was just as firm. “Mary Wardwell would never abandon her faith that easily and secondly, you never properly meet that mortal, only once when you with stuck in Blackwood.”

“I freed the Eldritch Terrors.  I did!” He insisted when Zelda only sighed.  “All 8 of them, the darkness, the uninvited, the weird, the perverse, the cosmic, the return, the endless and the void. I also almost ruined Hilda’s wedding with the uninvited.”

Zelda pleaded gently by putting her hands on his chest. “You have warned us about the Terrors ever since you spilt from the curse. We have taken all the precautions but not 1 terror has shown up yet. It’s been 13 years and waiting.  You didn’t ruin Hilda’s wedding. You escorted her down the aisle after saving her groom from armed robbers. The 2 of you have been best friends ever since remember? Darling, please, you have to stop!”

But Faustus couldn’t stop; He was afraid if he stopped talking, he would give into the tears that were just below the surface and then he would never be dried eyed again. “Oh, and Lilith gave birth to a boy and called him Adam.”

“Easy fix. Lilith’s son is named Alexander and shortly after his birth, she met a man called Adam who was working for Emperor Blackwood. You just got your wires crossed on that 1.”

Rather than calm down, Faustus stiffened. “Oh goddess! Emperor Blackwood! Even if I had the power, why would I go around arresting witches? It makes no sense! For goddess’s sake, I’m a witch myself! And why would I spent so much time and energy to get rid of Sabrina? She’s such a sweet girl and we have made our peace.”

Zelda listened patiently. “Yes, I agree with you about Sabrina, but I have no idea what else you’re talking about. Blackwood took the title of Emperor when he stole Elizabeth’s throne, not you. As for arresting witches, well, my love, that simply never happened.”

“What of the weird sisters?” Faustus demanded.

“They’re fine,” Zelda assured him.  “Prudence, Dorcus and Agatha are all fine.”

“No. Agatha was insane and was murdered by Prudence and Dorcus.”

“You cured Agatha of her insanity years ago and then all was forgiven, for her and for you.”

“And the other sisters?”

“What other sisters?” Asked a confused Zelda.

“Well, for 1, Rosalind Walker.”

“What?! Rosalind is a seer, not a witch. Never was, never will be.”

“And Mambo Marie? Or Baron S-something, as he turned out to be. He was a lord of the underworld, who was still in love with you.”

“What? Poppycock! Mambo Marie is still living in New Orleans. We know that because she got married last month. Prudence went to the wedding and we sent her off with a gift. Hecate, Faustus, you signed the card. We all did! I just got a lovely thank you card from Marie and her new wife the other day. Anyway, it doesn’t matter because I love you.”

“Well, you shouldn’t!” Faustus jumped away from the bed and from Zelda’s gentle touch. The tears finally started to fall. “I killed Sabrina! Or I helped her to her death when I tried to sacrifice her to the void so I could have it power for myself. You tricked me which made me blind and later, Prudence took a chainsaw, cut off my limbs and buried them at the 4 corners of the world and you were both right to do it!”

Zelda calmly got off the bed and went to her husband. “I don’t know what the void is, but I do know that Sabrina is fine. Yes, she is!” Zelda stressed when Faustus shook his head violently. “In fact, right before I came back in here to check on you, I just off the phone with her. Sabrina just got final approval for her new office and she wanted me to thank you.”

“Sabrina thank me? Whatever for?!”

“Perhaps because you helped her find the place? Or because you co-signed for the loan. Or because you gave the idea to be a therapist in the 1st place?”

“I did?”

“You did.” Zelda confirmed. “What about the other things you said? Are you blind now?”

“Only by my tears.” Faustus mumbled.

Zelda gently wiped his eyes for him. There. Now, what do you see?”

“What I always see when I look at you. The most beautiful woman, witch or mortal, in all the realms.” Zelda smiled at him and it would have been so damn easy to give in. Faustus wanted so badly to believe he could be this great guy who would live with this goddess who had owned his heart forever.  He leaned in to kiss her but turned away at the last second. “No! I can’t! If I can dream all this, then I must still be dangerous.”

“Faustus- “

“Zelda, I’m going to leave now and you must promise me that if you ever even hear the name of Faustus Blackwood, you will run the other way!”

“Alright, I will.”

It broke his heart completely to hear her agree but it was for best. However, he only half turned before he felt Zelda’s hand on his arm.

“You know; Faustus Blackwood no longer exists. You are Faustus Spellman and this” Zelda leaned over and took a framed picture from the nightstand. “is Faustus Spellman’s family, taken not even 2 weeks ago.”

Faustus looked at the photo. They were all there. Him, Zelda, Hilda, Dr. C, Sabrina, Ambrose, Prudence, the twins, Judith and Ju-no, their names were LJ and Jake now. They were all smiling and happy. Then Faustus saw a face that was not in his dream at all. “Cordelia?”

“Of course, Cordelia.” Zelda smiled. “Our 12-year-old is probably downstairs right now, eating cereal and watching TV, like she does every Sunday. I love you, and I won’t let you throw away 13 years of your hard work to be mentally well. It was all a dream, Faustus. It means nothing. Everything’s fine. I really hate that it’s been over a decade and Edward’s curse still has the ability to haunt you like this.”

Faustus couldn’t quite hide a little smile. He was touched beyond words how Zelda thought of it as Edward’s curse, not his own. Still, he wasn’t sure. “How can I know that this isn’t the dream?” Faustus wondered. “What if I’m still stuck inside Blackwood?” That thought terrified him.

“Blackwood has been gone and buried for the last 12 years. Still, if you have to be convince that this isn’t a dream.”

“Ow,” Yet he smiled when Zelda pinched him.

His wife raised her eyebrow. “Not enough? Okay.” Zelda leaned forward and kissed him deeply.

During the kiss, Faustus felt Zelda unbuttoning his shirt. “What are you doing?”

“Checking,” Zelda said matter of fact. “Earlier you mentioned Prudence cut your limbs off. If that actually happened, you would have scars.” She lowered his shirt and kissed around his shoulders. “No scars here. Wait, I need to check on something.”

“Where are you going?”

“On the night we buried Blackwood, I had to save your life with a binding spell. Which means that if you have a mark on your body, I have it on mine as well.”  Zelda explained as she went to look in the mirror.

Faustus came up behind her, wrapping his arms around her middle. “I was beheaded too, but your neck seems fine.”  He gently brushed her hair aside and began kissing her neck.

“What about my shoulders?”

Faustus was still kissing her neck when he tugged off Zelda’s silk robe and let it fall to the floor. Then 1 at a time, he pulled down the straps of her nightgown. “Nothing here,” he reported. He claimed her lips with his own and then kissed her brow. “You know; I did say all 4 limbs.” Zelda felt a delightful shiver as Faustus let her nightgown fall to the floor. His long arms felt the front of her until he got to the limbs of her thighs. His fingers made quick work of her underwear, letting them fall as well. “You are perfection.” He whispered as he touched the most secret part of her.

As soon as she was able, Zelda turned around. “Now that I’m all checked out, let’s finish with you.” The pretense was dropped entirely after that, just like Faustus’s pants. They tumbled backwards onto the bed, clinging tightly to each other as they made love.

“I love you, Zelda.”

“I love you, Faustus.”

Faustus fell asleep quickly after their lovemaking. It was no surprise to Zelda. After all that dreaming in the night, he must have gotten very little rest. She kissed his forehead and whispered, “Sleep long, sleep sound. Let no more dreams come around.” Happy with her spell, Zelda got up, got dressed and started the phone calls.

 Faustus awoke to the sounds of a busy kitchen. 1 look at the clock told him he had slept the day away. Just taking a shower and getting dressed made him feel better. He went downstairs and the 1st thing he saw was the weird sisters, who were setting the table.

Prudence looked up first. Although Faustus felt weary, her eyes and her smile were welcoming. “Hello, Father.”

“Hello, Mr. Spellman.” Agatha and Dorcus said together, in that unique weird sister way.

It was oddly comforting. “Hello, girls.” Faustus was still smiling when he felt a pat on his back.

He looked beside him to see Dr.  C. “Hey buddy! Zelda called and said you had a rough night. We thought a nice family dinner would make you feel better.”

Faustus remained speechless but he walked into the kitchen with Dr. C. Then he saw the steel wrist band on Dr. C’s arm. “You still have the incubus?”

“Of  course. Why wouldn’t I?”

“Uh…never mind.”

They reached the kitchen where he saw more Spellmans readying dinner. Well, most of them. Ambrose was leaning against the island, casually reading a book and dipping his free hand into a food bowl, until LJ slapped his hand away.

“Father! You’re finally up, sleepyhead!” Jake tossed him a teasing smile as he carried the chopped carrots to the stove and dropped them into the pot that Hilda was stirring.

“Hey Dad,” the child’s comment was casual as she walked by him, carrying a side dish, bound for the dinning table. However, Faustus had to reach out and touch her, afraid she would disappear right before his eyes.

“Cordelia!  You’re real!”

Her face, exactly like Zelda’s, clouded over in confusion. “Thanks? So are you?”

He watched her walk away and for the 1st time, Faustus thought that perhaps Zelda was right, perhaps it all had been just a dream! Then Faustus saw something that made his heart drop into his stomach. A very   much alive Vinegar Tom got off his dog bed and went to his food bowl. Of course, he had no problem with the dog being alive. Heaven, when he first heard of the familiar’s death, his gut instinct was to run and comfort Zelda, yet he couldn’t because he was still married to Constance at the time. No, the problem was that Tom’s life was Marie’s final gift before returning to the underworld. If that part of the dream was real surely everything else was real too.

Faustus was still trying to sort fact from fiction when an arm came around his waist and Zelda kissed him. “Feeling better, darling?”

“Vinegar Tom is alive?”

“Yes.”

“How?”

“Don’t you remember?”

“Humor me, dearest, please?” Faustus begged.

“Well,” Zelda’s voice lowered to a whisper. “As you know, I cried hardest for Tom on his birthday and you always do your best to comfort me. But 3 years ago, when she was 9, Cordy must have heard us for later, when we went downstairs, we found her petting Tom’s stuffed form.”

“Yes!” The memory struck Faustus’s brain like lighting. “I managed to get Cordelia out of the room, but you called me back a moment later, Vinnie was alive. We didn’t know how to explain it to Cordy, so you kept Tom at the academy for a few weeks. When Vinnie came back, we told Cordelia that he was a new dog, named Vinegar Tom as tribute.”

“Yes! That’s exactly what happened.”

Faustus was smiling at his wife when his feet felt warm. He looked down to see Vinnie sitting on his shoes. He picked up   the dog and, together with Zelda, petted him. “I’m glad you have your soul mate back.”

“I’m glad I have both my soul mates back.”

“You said that to me before. The night VT came back.”

 5 minutes later,  with everyone around the table, Faustus finally realized who was  missing. G  He was about ask when the front door opened.

“Hi all. Sorry I’m late.”

Before he realized he was doing it, Faustus ran to her and hugged her. “Sabrina!”

“Hi Uncle Faustus. Nice to see you too.”

“Your tongue! For the love of Hecate, please show me your tongue!”

“O-okay.” Sabrina spit out her tongue.

“Pink and normal. Yes!”

“What’s with him?” Asked Sabrina.

Zelda came up behind her husband. “Your uncle had an awful dream last night. I’m afraid he’s still recovering.”

“Oh, well, don’t worry, it’s just a dream.” Sabrina kissed his cheek.

Faustus was still feeling his cheek when Zelda took his hand and led him back to the table. “1 more question, have any of you ever felt like you ever on a tv show?”