#I honestly didn't expect any more questions bc I don't really see him as being genuinely interested in romance books
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MY PHYSICAL THERAPIST ASKED ABOUT MY BOOKS AND MY OCS AND IT MADE MY DAY RAAAAAAAAAAA
#I know some people want to hear about my silly little ocverse#like my friends#I just never find time to talk about them w/ my friends or get worried bc its a SLEW of TWs based off of my own traumas#BUT ITS OKAY!!! My PT will ask about my books and let me ramble#AND HE WAS EVEN ENGAGING!!! Asking about SO MUCH STUFF#He was so chill about it too for like. a 40-50 year old man.#Like he asks 'what genre of book is it' [in reference to the one im writing rn]#And I go '[name]... dont make me say its EMBARRASSING'#But at some point I mentioned that it was a Drama Romance and he still asked questions!!!#I honestly didn't expect any more questions bc I don't really see him as being genuinely interested in romance books#BUT THEN I GOT TO TALK ABOUT HOW EVERYTHING IS INTERCONNECTED#AND HOW SOME OCS SHOW UP IN MULTIPLE BOOKS#It was just really nice of him and made me really happy#Like sometimes he's just silent and doesn't say much#but he was so engaging when I talked about my books with him#the bugz speak
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I find it strange that a lot of people are coming forward and saying that the staged finale was a bad play for one reason or another but it really isnât and I donât understand where the hate is coming from.
yeah i've seen some of this the last few days--staged finale has always been somewhat "controversial" in the lorehead scene, so a measure of disagreement/discourse about it makes sense. especially bc it was honestly a very big change to what people thought was the story and required people to go back and reevaluate a lot, which. people are naturally resistant at doing
but while obviously i think that some healthy discussion about these things is good, and i feel like i have seen a level of...misunderstanding? about it?? which has gone into the ways that people disagree
staged finale refers to the decision to stage the finale. that's it. staged finale just asserts that based on preexisting foreshadowing and based on the sheer level of suspension of disbelief in order for genuine finale to be real, it made more sense for the finale to be staged than for it to have been genuine. how the finale was planned, when the finale was planned, and to what ends it was planned are all things that you can disagree on w/ other staged finale believers/supporters while still being a staged finale believer/supporter, ykwim? if you believe that c!punz faked his betrayal to c!dream, then congrats! you believe in staged finale. oftentimes i see people say things like "i don't believe in staged finale, i think that c!dream faked the betrayal and all and always had c!punz on his side but i think that the reason behind why he did it is [X]" and it's like. staging the finale is one (1) event, not a comprehensive explanation for everything c!Dream does. that would be more in line with something like the "strategist dream interpretation," which in itself does have different readings as well.
people have listed all of the inconsistencies in the staged finale before, but just to summarize--the guy literally could've dipped when everyone came to "defeat" him, c!tommy leveraging his own life is basically no leverage at all when the mans has the revive book, skeppy cage is a joke, c!dream revealing all of his plans when they were maybe 10% carried out (the entire damn attachment vault was empty of items besides stuff that was literally faked, his own damn stuff, and stuff that he stole recently from c!tommy such as the Axe of Peace and the discs) is ridiculously stupid, why the hell does he have blackmail against c!punz included in a bunker that c!punz clearly had access to???? the list goes on.
(as someone who took awhile to be fully convinced in staged finale, what really tripped me up was the stream punz did the day before: here's a post breaking it down that definitely helped me to see it in a different light.)
as far as foreshadowing goes, just off the top of my head: the original prisoner is a constant question from the day of the prison's creation, being something that's even highlighted on the day of the staged finale itself. c!Dream saying he has "the biggest house on the server" and how it's full of redstone. the entire conversation he has with c!punz, obviously. his holding back on the favor with c!techno, the connection between the revive book and the prison that he establishes the day they begin prison construction.
from a logical perspective, the plan as c!Dream establishes it doesn't make any damn sense. c!dream had opportunities to escape that he didn't take for illogical reasons (if the only reason why he allowed himself to stay in a fucking possible kill chamber was to keep c!tommy from committing suicide, then? what about the revive book? what about the fact that he literally kills c!tommy just a few months later????) -- a level of plot contrivance is expected in the medium, but for a lot of people this was just. Going way too far. Unless he literally lost his whole mind (which, to be fair, was the persona being played) there's just. really no other way to make sense of what was going on there, if it was all genuine.
the other argument is a narrative one--people claim that the story established by a genuine finale is cleaner than the story of the staged one, and honestly. it's like. like that's...a feature, not a flaw? the reason why the genuine finale worked isn't because it was logically believable. dream is Dream Manhunt. he's famously hard to nail down, famously good at escaping sticky situations, famously a man that can outsmart his way out of crazy disadvantageous situations--like. just in terms of minecraft skill, i'd wager that most people would think that dream would've technically been able to pull off an escape even when facing down the collection of enemies that were there. like he had 2 stacks of pearls.
narratively, though, the staged finale has a story that's quite appealing on the surface. the "story" of the events from the spirit speech onwards is one that revolved around the idea of "attachment." c!Dream rejects attachment in favor of control in the spirit speech when he says he refuses to let his love for his dead pet control him anymore, and he focuses on the ability to use the discs to control c!Tommy. the fact that c!Dream's relationships deteriorate at this time seems to support this point, and c!Tommy's strength in his relationships being what saves him and damns c!Dream ties everything off into a neat bow. c!Tommy wins because he has friends and c!Dream loses because he doesn't, moral of the story established, hip-hip-hooray. And so it goes.
but when we look at this more in specifics...? it does start falling apart a bit, doesn't it?
although c!Dream supposedly begins his rampage over his existing emotional connections with the spirit speech, his reputation had been in shambles long before that point. c!Dream-as-villain is first established as part of the greater story in the lmanburg revolution, and that's a title that he never really sheds (this point being emphasized in inconsolable differences and the book c!Wilbur has c!Dream write.) Dethronement happens within a day of Spirit Speech, iirc, and on that day c!Quackity specifically points out that c!Dream has no one on his side but c!Punz. the moments where he is more specifically isolated go back to events such as november 16th, where his alliance with c!Wilbur involved blowing up L'manburg, his deal for the revive book, which involved his publicly betraying Pogtopia, or his opposing Manberg to the literal Manberg cabinet. etc. all of these events in the Manberg/Pogtopia era had c!Dream's loyalties erode to end up as just c!Wilbur and later c!Schlatt for the book, two dead men. (and i say eroded loyalties as if pogtopia really believed dream was on their side, like, ever? like he was never trusted in their ranks, even by c!Tommy, who was definitely the person he worked the closest with outside of c!Wilbur.)
if we look at Dethronement itself, it doesn't actually fit the pattern of "c!Dream cuts off his attachment to people in order to make himself uncontrollable" -- in fact, what it does fit the pattern of is. Staged finale? Faking an end in a relationship with people that he does consider important to him, making a public appearance of betrayal + anger to mask an existing connection, drawing attention to their being enemies to hide the fact that they're actually friends--that's not c!Dream cutting anyone off. That's just the exact same ploy that he uses to make people think that c!Punz betrays him (only c!Sapnap and c!George ended up deciding that Nah We're Gonna Kill You Now. Fuck You It's Coup Time. so that's how that ended up.)
Otherwise there's...the Badlands, who were perfectly happy to agree to joining the coup on the day of dethronement if it got them more power and land. c!Techno, who c!Dream wasn't an ally of until later on with the favor established and then doomsday, and who was someone c!Dream was quite openly wary of + afraid of due to his combat skill. c!Dream was alone literally before exile even happened, his remaining "attachments" of c!George and c!Sapnap turning against him like the day he goes on a whole spiel about ohhoho from today onwards i DONT GIVE A SHIT ABOUT MY ATTACHMENTS !!! I ONLY CARE ABOUT THE DISCS !!! like congrats you don't even have a chance to cut off any attachment at all dingus they all hate you and want you dead already.
further, with c!punz, he literally says that they're more than just employer/employee in the infamous conversation they have about planning a betrayal. if the whole point of the story is "attachment good," then why is it that what takes down c!dream is...his one remaining attachment? if his fatal flaw is that he didn't trust people enough, why is it that he loses because he trusted someone too much? it's not like c!tommy had any attachment to c!punz--c!punz explicitly "has a reason" to betray c!dream because of money. he helps c!tommy because dream "should have paid [him] more." none of that reflects that spirit of "attachment" that people claim was c!dream's downfall.
(not to mention how the people present in the staged finale to take c!dream down included people who literally hated c!tommy's guts. like. what brought them together wasn't the power of friendship, it was the power of we hate this green bastard.)
this isn't to say that c!Dream didn't have some relationships that go up in flames because he starts acting particularly cackling evil villain (with the green festival being the specific moment where he really goes full in with that persona, going from someone that was framing himself as having a Reasonable Complaint to literally the joker as soon as he gets the disc from c!Tubbo. It's purposefully played as a "mask off" moment that is meant to make him look like a crazy fucking villain in front of a large audience--whether or not you think that was a choice that he made in character or not, the way his personality changes as soon as he receives the disc is jarring.) In particular, his relationships with c!Puffy and c!Sam come to mind--c!Puffy burns the house she made him when she decides that he's too evil (but, uh, c!dream really wasn't even there for that and didn't ever have a particularly close relationship with her) and c!Sam is among those whose opinions of c!Dream become drastically more negative around the period of time that spans green festival->doomsday->staged finale. but it's important to note that c!Dream's relationships on the server aren't...great, at the time of spirit speech. They're uh, really fucking bad, actually. dethronement only makes them even worse, and all of this happens pre-exile. c!Dream had significant reason to be paranoid and afraid for his life long before exile happens, which is Quite Significant, Actually, when you consider that that paranoia is literally what goes into his decisions to carry out the staged finale + put himself in the prison (which isn't the case for genuine finale, where he's more motivated by a desire to control the server without being controlled himself.) staged finale does solidify c!dream-as-villain for a lot of people, but it never would've worked if people didn't already see him as a villain in the first place. c!Dream doesn't make people hate him with the staged finale; he uses hatred that he already knows exists to put himself in what he sees as a safer position.
and look we could go into a whole discussion about manberg/pogtopia c!Dream (which i do think is way overdue to be fair considering that that's where the paranoia + isolation that motivates him post-november 16th comes from in the first place) but this post is long enough already and i still have to figure out a better way to articulate my thoughts on the matter. anyway. carrying on:
people still have different feelings on why he carries out staged finale in the first place, but what we do know for sure is that it was meant to protect punz and protect the revive book. by firmly establishing that c!punz and him were on opposite sides, he keeps the revive book safe and both of their lives safe by extension: as long as no one would kill both of them at the same time, they had a means of reviving the other if need be and obviously had the information on how to raise people from the dead secure. which was important to them. and otherwise...c!Dream is paranoid. c!Dream is very, very paranoid, and this paranoia goes back at the very least to when he learns about the revive book. the prison, for all the dependence that it required of him, was tailor made (and the construction process controlled by dream every damn step of the way) to make sure that whoever was in the main cell would be safe from external threats. the security of the prison and the prisoner was the POINT. i've seen some assertions that staged finale implies that he predicted everything that happened after he was put in prison and...no? i'd say that c!dream's behavior indicates him being thrown off by c!sam as early as bad's prison visit, c!sapnap's prison visit for sure. c!Ranboo being banned from visitation pretty damn obviously fucks him up, tbh. he has c!punz explicitly out there to keep an eye out on the server while he's in the prison, where he was meant to remain for a period of time that was supposed to be much shorter than how long he ends up being there. likely because, you know, he was supposed to have a consistent and reliable source of information with the outside world in the form of c!Ranboo, and c!sam wasn't supposed to fall off the fucking rails as soon as the prison started. people have also talked about how having the staged finale be true means that c!dream doesn't lose, which...i mean. gestures at the prison arc? that whole thing is a loss so catastrophic it literally destroys him. he's never the same after the prison happens. the false betrayal of c!punz is deliberately like ironically described to c!sam, who was the REAL betrayal that fucking. ruins him. he loses SO MUCH over the course of the prison, which was something he literally designed to keep himself safe from external threat. as far as losses go, i definitely find that a lot more compelling and a lot less contrived than watching c!dream go "whoop de doo guess i have to die now" when he's like 3 pearls away from making a clean escape in the disc vault, tbh.
at the end of the day, i think having some conversation about staged finale is fun! and it's always good to reexamine what you believe to make sure that it still holds water. but i've really not seen much staged finale crit that makes the genuine finale feel favorable as an explanation: logically, it makes a lot less sense. narratively, it relies on a story that the audience wants to be true and acts as a "clean" explanation for everything while not actually taking into account a lot of what was ACTUALLY going on for c!dream (cutting off attachments for the sake of control versus watching people turn against you and becoming increasingly paranoid, for example). and believe them or not, the content creators involved have always asserted that staged finale was the plan from the beginning, not any form of retcon. (and we do know that people have been dodgy about stuff like the "original prisoner" literally since the week that c!dream was imprisoned, so take that as you will.) (okay to be fair theyve been dodgy about the original prisoner since the day that the prison began to be constructed, but the QnA from that first week of imprisonment sticks out to me in particular because cc!Sam had the biggest fucking smile on his face and staged finale would've been planned out and then carried out in entirety by the ccs and the c!s by that point.)
this is a longass post but uh hopefully it makes sense, lmao. tried to touch on most of what i've seen recently đ
#my asks !!#long post#c!dreamisms#also like. im making this post from the perspective of someone who always saw staged finale as really cool#but really wasn't 100% convinced until like ehhh halfway through the prison arc roughly?#like im not claiming any credit as a believer from the beginning it took me awhile#so like. i get it.#i think for me a lot of it was also just a lack of faith in the ccs' planning and writing and feeling that narrative contrivance#could be explained through the ccs being less experienced writers + the sheer level of what they were carrying out#but you know. staged finale canon now and im not gonna sit here and pretend that im the smartest person in the room#when these guys definitely overachieved in terms of what i was expecting them to pull off#by making a plot twist that was THIS BIG and conning the whole damn fandom and server in one#like nah they deserve their W actually lmao
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How do you feel about the new ii episode!!
Ok so I'm gonna Answer this Rn bc I'm actually Tweaking and need 2 yell abt my thoughts I'm Not gonna Make itđ¤đ¤ (IM GONNA ANSWER THE REST OF MY ASKS 2 EVENTUALLY OK GUYS)
Ok so Good question cause i have a lot of feelings abt this episode !
Ok so the things I liked abt this episode! I LOVEDDD getting to see more of the earlier MePhones and Prime Shimmers, especially during their Egg Mission ... and MePhone3gs getting screentime with Suitcase and Knife was a total treat I love 2 see it!! The scene with 3gs when he was saying "please... don't" when Knife + Suitcase left referencing his earlier "Please Cobs don't.." oughhh that was gold I'm glad they added that/ didn't pretend like it never happened.
ALSOOOO MORE STEVE COBS and his SONGGG!!! LOVED IT!! and he felt pretty in character too like he's still a little silly and comedic which is such a relief especially since I fully believed they were just gonna make his character Entirely Evil with no qualities of his actual personality đ¤ˇÂ
Contestant wise I loved getting 2 see them all (mostly) get along at the Hotel OJ party (Microphone is unbelievably gay for Soap Omg. AND ALMOST EVERYONE GOT A SPEAKING LINE!!! POINTING FRANTICALLY AT CHERRIES AND BOMB.)
Also I. LOVE. Love. Love love LOOOOVE MePad not taking Any Shit from morphine4 anymore (and focusing on helping the contestants)Do u Kmow how Long I've waited 4 tjis.Â
And MePhoneX was actually Scary??? And what hes DONE 2 THE CONTESTANTS??WOW?? like I will not lie I low-key jumped in fear a little during the OJ MPX scene OkââLike ooook!! AnimationEpic crew are starting 2 make things a little scary and I honestly think that's so cool that they aren't dumbing this down
However ... despite all those things I felt mostly disappointed and Empty after watching this episode đ
? I'm not trying 2 be mean hateful or a party pooper when I say all this These r just my own personal opinions and how I felt abt this But! I don't really like where the lore is going ....like at allđ
I don't know... maybe it's cause the whole "the contestants/show aren't actually real and were created by MePhone4 âď¸âď¸" Feels a little too close to those "*childrens cartoon character* entire life was JUST A DREAM/COMA/IMAGINATION etc etc" 2 me and Honestly i expected something More?
It's totally unexpected, (especially for something that was planned) I'll give them that!! And maybe that's what they were going for- but I just feel like there's so many other ways they could've gone with the lore but they went this route, it's just not my cup of tea And that's just a me thingđ
! (Again I'm not trying 2 be mean and No hate to the crew they've done so much for this show!!)
And on another personal note ...I'm so upset over Toilet still not being shown in an episodeđ I suppose I'm biased over this since he is and has been my Absolute favorite for Years (and I've waited years excitedly hoping 2 finally see him revealed in an episode just for it to Not happen Ever lol), but the AE crew have been avoiding him Like the Plague for forever atp... like I get that they don't necessarily Gaf abt him but I DOđ˘đ˘
And I felt like it has been heavily implied that he was going 2 be important 2 the plot but maybe that was wishful thinking/theories getting 2 my head? I don't know maybe he's been hidden 4 so long bc he's gonna have an awesome important role in the last part of the movie Or he's just never going 2 returnđ¤ˇđ¤Ś (REAL TEARS BTW.đ˘đ˘đ)
(Or maybe he's just Tipped over on the beach Somewhere. But I highly doubt Memphis4 created him. Also I'm so sad no one has thought 2 look 4 him or be worried abt him but I guess everyone believes he got fired and went on with his life they don't know he was in danger) OK ANYWAYS I'VE RAMBLED 4 TOO LONG IM GOING OFF TOPIC
TLDR ANIMATIONEPIC HATES ME AND WE LIVE IN HELL SO THEY REFUSE 2 SHOW TOILET ON SCREEN AND THEY MADE THE LORE MIDđ˘đ˘đ˘/lh /j
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Okay, singer!reader but non-specific to any fic i'm writing. except for this one now!
just fluff, bc i'm feeling it.
You work at a dive bar that sometimes do karaoke, and that's how you and Eddie meet. He's undeniably metal, and you're more rock, though can do pop from time to time, you two sometimes clash with your music tastes, rip on each other, but there's mutual respect and yeah, attraction from the both of you. You never say anything about him being a super senior, you've been out of school for about two, maybe three years, a slightly older woman though not by much, but he'll call you Mrs. Robinson from time to time just to be a little shit.
You finally book a gig, but it's for the senior prom at Hawkins High, your old school, and of course, you can't do your kind of music, just what's approved. Which is mostly soft love songs from the 1950's and onward. It's slightly embarrassing, but you're getting paid actually doing something you love, and you get to wear a pretty dress. It could be worse. So, you make the best of it, singing your heart out, but seeing most just ignore the stage and not even paying attention, so when you're singing Hopelessly Devoted To You, you're kind of phoning it in. You don't mean to, but again, you're discouraged and rethinking your life choices.
And then Eddie Munson comes in, wearing a tux, and your eyes meet and you can't help but smile. The passion that had waned sparking right up, and you're belting it out, "My head is saying, foooool, forget hiiiim. My h e a r t is saying...don't let gooo.... Hold on to the end.... That's what I inteeeeend to dooo... Hopelessly devoted....to yoooou." And you're singing it, right to him, and he smiles wide, watching you as you sing song after song, giving it your all. No one else really seems to care, but he does, and you're singing to him, no one else mattering at that moment.
You get your break and walk off stage and he's waiting with a drink in hand for you. "Nice tux, Munson," you tell him, taking the cup and took a drink,"Mm, spiked, my favorite kinda punch."
"Yeah, well, figure you'd need a little kick to finish the night singing that kind of music. How does it feel, selling out before you even got started?"
"Oh, it'll feel great when I get paid, so..." You scoffed, taking another drink, a cautious eye over him. "Okay, but seriously... I didn't expect to see you here. Like... I thought prom wasn't metal enough for you. Hot date?"
"No, no hot date. And you're right, this place? Definitely not metal enough for anybody. Like, seriously? Under the sea? Had this last year, doesn't anyone get tired of the same old thing, year after year?"
"Honestly.... This looks like my prom which is sad and weird. It's been a few years and it's...the same. It's the same. Except better singing."
He smirked, taking a sip of his drink while his eyes looked over at you, noting your dress, your hair, make up, the works. "Definitely hotter entertainment than last year â I mean, not that I went to that one either. That's a pretty dress, sweetheart."
You didn't want to, but you smiled, feeling a heat at the back of your neck. You blamed it on his tux and how good he looked in it. "So that why you came? For the live entertainment?"
He gave a shrug, his eyes lingering on you still, "Maybe. You kinda make their lame song choices alright to listen through. That's talent. And maybe I wanted to see the dress."
"Is it metal enough for you?"
"Nah. But definitely looking..." He paused a moment, a smile flooding his face. "You look good. Mrs. Robinson."
"Fuck off," you tell him with a laugh. "You look good, too."
"Yeah?" he questioned, his brows raised, though obviously pleased. "Wanna do something about it?" He straightened up, placing his cup down and offered his hand, "Would the lady like to dance with me? Maybe make my first prom memorable?"
A snort left you, looking at him, waiting for him to lower his hand, to tell you he was joking. But he wasn't. It remained just as it was, waiting for your hand to join his. You give a shrug, finishing your drink and putting it aside. "I don't see why not. Would make up for my actual prom, my date had a thing for stepping on my toes."
"I promise, light on my feet, surprisingly." And he was, and it wasn't just one dance, it was several, the slow dances, too. All until you were on stage again, singing and only to him, only to Eddie. Something you both tended to do when you saw each other perform on stage after that night, your dreams of making it into music intertwining with one another, as your relationship grew past the first kiss that very night.
#eddie munson#eddie munson fic#eddie munson x reader#eddie munson x you#eddie munson x fem!reader fluff#eddie munson x fem!reader
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"Hard to love and yet I'll try"
An allium duo hurt/comfort fic BCS idk I feel like it. May or may not put this on ao3 idk.
Summary:
Tommy is a bully because he's being abused at home by his brother owner dream. Ranboo is a victim of his bullying but after they get assigned a project together Tommy opens up, Ranboo gets him help, and they become friends.
Ive been fascinated with the idea of a bully redemption story after seeing people here talk about how Tommy isn't a perfect victim and now here I am!
Fic under cut!
People didn't like Tommy. For good reason, in fact. He was loud, abrasive, annoying, he stole things, he demanded things from people, he acted entitled. He was the type of person you wouldn't want to be around for too long or at all, ideally.
Dream was Tommy's handler. He didn't refer to him as a brother, because he wasn't. He didn't see him as a brother figure. He couldn't.
But he was good at keeping Tommy in check.
He was good at giving him the discipline people thought he deserved.
He was a trainer. Not a brother.
But there was one place dream wasn't there to keep him in check, it was at school.
-
Ranboo seemed to attract the wrong type of people. While he was tall he was also quite skinny, he wasn't assertive, strong, or athletic. Simply put, he was easy.
Tommy noticed.
Every morning like clockwork Tommy would shove him to the floor and demand he give him his lunch money to which Ranboo would concede if only to prevent himself from getting hurt any more than he already had been. It'd gotten to the point where he had to start asking for twice as much money so he wouldn't have to starve his way through lunch.
His friend Tubbo offered to step in but Ranboo always refused. He didn't need a bodyguard, he wasn't that pathetic. He could hold his own against him if he really wanted to, he just didn't think it'd be worth it. It's easier to cough up the 12 bucks then end up with a broken nose over it.
"But it'd get him to leave you alone!" Tubbo had said, though Ranboo really doubted that. People like him didn't just give up. If anything he'd get more violent to match him and he really didn't need that. He'd stick with his daily shove, thank you.
That had been the plan, get shoved once, give him the money, don't think about him until the next day.
Life had other plans though.
History was the only class they shared together and as fate would have it, they got paired together for a project some random afternoon. Ranboo honestly expected him to be one of those people who let one person do all the work and take credit for it but to his surprise, he ended up coming up to him after class to ask "can we study at your house?"
He'd never seen Tommy so...docile before. It was weird, almost unnatural.
"Uh...I guess?"
"Kay, see you after school."
Tommy had walked away without discussing how exactly he'd be getting to his house. That lingering question was answered when the boy followed him into his mom's car who let him in assuming they were friends.
The car ride was tense. Neither of them spoke the entire way there.
It was welcomed though. From what little he heard from Tommy, his voice was raspy, loud, sharp. It gave off a "don't mess with me" vibe that Ranboo was quite comfortable obeying.
The two of them left the car and sat in Ranboo's room, the still quite anxious boy taking out his history text book and setting it on the floor so they could both see it.
Tommy didn't seem interested in working though, playing with the hem of his shirt while he seemed to wait for something. "Is your mum staying?" He whispered, as if he was afraid to get too loud.
Ranboo raised an eyebrow "yeah..? She lives here-"
"I know she lives here I'm not a fucking idiot!" Tommy shoved him once hard enough to knock him onto his back and Ranboo backed away from him instinctively. He really hadn't meant anything by it, "I'm sorry! I'm sorry-" he tried to backtrack. suddenly Tommy's hands were over his mouth, pressing down hard enough to keep him quiet as he said "Shut up. She'll hear you." He said that as if it would be bad for both of them if his mother was to hear. He guessed he'd appreciate that if there was any real danger, but there wasn't.
Still, Ranboo gave in as that was seemingly all he was good for, nodding quietly which got Tommy to finally let him go.
He was still a bit shaken up but he decided to just move past it. He didn't want to push anything and upset him further. Then again it seemed just about everything pissed this kid off. Briefly, he considered telling Tommy not to touch him but he could almost see the response he'd get; a harsh slap and a utterance of "dont tell me what to do shithead" followed by him probably ransacking his house and running off.
Tommy was such a gem.
He let out a huff as he pulled himself off the floor, muttering "Look let's just get this over with okay? Actually- why don't you just go home and I'll do it okay?" Usually he'd never suggest doing more work but he just wanted Tommy away from him at this point. Tommy scoffed "and let you take all the credit? Yeah right, give me that stupid book" in an instant, it was snatched from him. Okay.
The project was to research the history of a holiday and present a five slide PowerPoint presentation about it. Ranboo wanted to do Christmas but Tommy shot that idea down, claiming everyone would be doing Christmas, and instead chose Halloween. Ranboo kept his mouth shut. They're doing Halloween now, he supposed.
Ranboo did the bulk of the research while Tommy formatted it and put it on the slides. Ranboo wanted to make suggestions or maybe take on some more work. He didn't. It wasn't worth it.
Eventually though, his mother had entered the room to give them snacks. Ranboo didn't think anything of this as she did this quite frequently, but Tommy was acting like she had a gun pointed to his head. He immediately went stiff once he saw her, staring up with wide, cautious eyes as if trying to calculate whatever move she'd be making next.
"Would you boys like some cookies?" Tommy flinched as she leaned down to present the cookies to them. He didn't even take one until Ranboo to took one first as if to make sure that was a real offer.
Once they both took one, his mom smiled and set the plate down next to them, giving Ranboo a kiss on the cheek before leaving the room.
"Sorry" he whispered once she was gone. He wasn't sure what exactly he was sorry for, he just saw how scared the blonde got and figured he should say sorry. Tommy wasn't listening though and when Ranboo looked over at him he was scarfing down the cookies like he hasn't eaten in days. Where the hell had his lunch money been going if Tommy was going to end up this hungry anyway...
Ranboo let him eat as many as he wanted though, knowing that there was more cookies down stairs as his mom tended to make large batches. His other mom had a pretty big appetite, especially when it came to his moms cookies.
"If you stop taking my lunch money I'll have my mom bake more cookies for you," he tried to negotiate, seeing an opportunity to get to eat again. Tommy didn't think about it for even a second before saying "can't." Ranboo recoiled in disgust as he spoke with his mouth open "I need it. Rent."
"You pay rent?" The younger boy nodded, gagging as he reached for another cookie to shove down his throat. Slowly, Ranboo slid the plate away from him. He'd probably had enough.
"So..you haven't been eating lunch either, huh" he muttered. Tommy shook his head. "How long has it been since you last ate?"
Tommy had to think for a moment, then said "well I'm still alive aren't I?"
Ranboo furrowed his brows "huh?"
"People gotta eat or they'll die. I'm still alive so I probably ate at some point"
Well, that'd certainly explain why he'd been such a prick. People don't tend to be all sunshine and rainbows after being starved. Tommy gagged again and Ranboo quickly guided him to the bathroom. It probably wasn't the best idea to have the first thing you eat after who knows how long be a dozen cookies, and Tommy's body seemed to agree with him.
Fifteen minutes later, Tommy left the bathroom and wiped his mouth off with his sleeve.
"Do...you want a snickers?" Ranboo asked hesitantly. The glare he got in return was deadly "Oh haha because I'm not me when I'm hungry- I'll fucking kill you!" Ranboo jolted and took a step back "Okay! Okay- yeah I see where I went wrong there I just- I was trying to lighten the mood and- I'm sorry...I'll have my mom make some sandwiches or something, okay?"
Tommy tensed up again at the mention of his mother.
"My mom's really nice!" He tried to reassure him. A part of himself told him he shouldn't be so nice to someone who routinely robbed him but he thought that maybe, just maybe, if he was kind enough Tommy would leave him alone. Or at least ask for money in a less violent way. "she won't mind I promise...if you want to just stay in my room that's fine too? I just really want you to eat actual food.."
Tommy stared at him for a bit, shrugged, then turned and walked back into Ranboo's bedroom. He didn't say what kind of sandwich he'd want before he left so Ranboo made him just a normal bologna sandwich.
Tommy ate that one just as quickly as he ate those cookies (which was probably why he got sick the first time now that he was thinking about it), chugging down the glass of water he was provided after.
"You...drink water, right?" Maybe it was a bit of a dumb question but if Tommy didn't have access to food he had to wonder what else he didn't have access to. Tommy laughed at that question "I'd die without water" he said, as if he wouldn't die without food too "water is great for when you can't eat. A glass a day keeps the hunger away...or, several glasses do I guess."
This experience was really helping Ranboo appreciate how fortunate he was to be able to eat every day. He'd never even thought about something like that before.
"Do you..like...need help?" He asked hesitantly. Immediately whatever docile state Tommy had slid into went away and he shouted at him "No!" He shoved him for what felt like the hundredth time and stood up, saying "you mind your fucking business alright?! Dream he- he's a good guy, leave him alone!"
Ranboo had no idea who Dream was or why the idea of Tommy getting help would be an attack on him but he left it be. It wasn't worth it.
At the end of the day, just before dinner time, some guy had come to pick Tommy up. Ranboo vaguely recognized him as that guy that did professional tag on TV. He didn't even know you could be a professional tag player before he randomly flipped to the channel one day.
The second Tommy was in his presence it was like all the fight was drained out of him and all that was left was a toothless, obedient, dog.
"Hey Dream" it was uncanny seeing him like this. From the outside it'd seem like he was naturally a quiet and shy person but the past two hours with him had done everything to disprove that. It was weird how he could make something so obviously foreign to him seem natural.
The man grinned at the boy, briefly thanking them for having Tommy over before he grabbed his wrist and tugged him out of the house.
"You're pressing on a bruise" Tommy whimpered, barely audible but still there. "Please stop."
Tommy's quiet whimpering progressed to a wince as the man seemed to hold on tighter. Ranboo was horrified.
"I'm sorry he must've been such a handful- Tommy!" Dream tugged him closer as he tried to pull away, laughing softly after a second "I just recently became his legal guardian, I haven't gotten a good handle on him yet."
Ranboo nodded slowly. He was trying to be polite but his eyes couldn't leave the hand holding Tommy's wrist. His knuckles were white. Surely he didn't need that much force.
"Dream let me go!" Tommy demanded. It was in more of a normal speaking tone than the loud threatening one he used with Ranboo. "If I let you go you'll run to God knows where!" "No I won't I promise just please you're hurting-" the older man shushed him and Tommy immediately went quiet like a well trained dog.
"Haven't gotten a good handle on him." Yeah right.
"R..right um- well...I have to go eat so..." He closed the door slowly and the man gave him that weird TV smile "oh of course, thanks for taking him off my hands for a bit!"
"Yeah no problem"
Then the door was shut. He didn't like the way he constantly spoke of Tommy like he was an inconvenience. He probably should've said something about it but he couldn't think of anything to say.
Slowly, he made his way towards the window and opened the blinds just enough to see the two of them walking home. Tommy was still trying to free himself from the man's iron grip on him and eventually managed to pull his arm away but then...
Ranboo's eyes widened. The man had hit him. It was hard enough for Tommy to end up on the floor and the blonde almost immediately began to back away from him, tears sliding down his face. He quickly closed the blinds and took a breath. He just couldn't watch anymore. He didn't know what to do. Was he supposed to call someone? Who??
Needless to say he didn't have much of an appetite by dinnertime.
After a few minutes of his staring down into his rice, his mother gently placed a hand on his shoulder. "Are you okay hon?" Her voice was light and comforting. Ranboo sighed. He didn't know if he was, honestly. Not after witnessing that.
Suddenly things made a lot more sense.
"Yeah it's just...Tommy." He said quietly. Recognition flashed in his mother's eyes and her comforting tone changed to one of concern "Oh that wasn't Tommy Innes was it? I've heard some awful things about that boy," she said. "Kristen says he causes her boys trouble all the time. Apparently there was almost a fight!" She sighed and shook her head in apparent disappointment "I'm surprised he hasn't gotten expelled yet...but when have schools done anything about bullies."
Ranboo didn't know how to feel about her saying those things anymore. If he hadn't seen that it probably would've made him feel safe, seen, maybe even prompt him to open up about the way he'd been treated...
But it didn't.
The mental image of the boy being thrown to the floor with nothing but a single punch replayed endlessly in his mind.
He pushed his plate away and stood up slowly
"I think...I'm just going to go to bed early. I have violin recitals and stuff, gotta be well rested. Or something." He said, stepping further away from the table with each word.
"You have to be well *fed* too" his mother had said in return, which gave Ranboo an idea.
"Could you put that in a lunchbox for me please? I'll have it for lunch tomorrow" he promised. He was lying though, he wouldn't be having it for lunch.
Tommy would.
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Hi so I was intending for this to be a one shot but it ended up getting super duper long so uh I'm leaving it here part 2 coming eventually :D
It'll be uploaded on ao3 in one part but y'all get 2 because you're special
#dsmpblr#dsmp#mcyt#c!tommy#c!ranboo#dsmp fanfic#dsmp fandom#fandom#fanfic#part 1 because this was getting way too long
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3x08, part 3.
THIS.
Rebecca's facial expression change as she reads that nonsense. These two holding hands. This is MY silver lining in this. I miss Rebecca and Keeley spending more time together.
I love them your honor.
This is so awkward. :') I can't help but to wish Roy x Jamie x Keeley all together.
Not gonna lie, this was one of my first questions bc I'm curious, but I didn't think Roy would go there. Couldn't imagine that happening, even, bc I probably think better of him? At the same point, I can see him being jealous like that & can't imagine Jamie, of all people, asking that question now 'cause he definitely knows better. Would be ironic if he actually goes there, too, and Keeley answers. It's weird, and awkward, and I'm glad we get to see their personalities through this.
Keeley's soft, "That's okay" with an "Unbelievable" undertone is known to so many women, I think. This is so important.
What? You fucked up? :')
I keep wondering, what model and year is this car? It's such a huge change from Jamie's Aston Martin.
Keeley is THE best girl. The bestest.
"It's all shit, Ted." ROY X JAMIE X KEELEY WHEEEENNNNNN
They're really cute, and I'm still very much on the fence, but I wish they could stay together. :( Jack doesn't seem EVIL evil, you know? maybe she just needs to learn, idk.
THEY'RE SO CUTE. Ugh, Ted is the ultimate dad tbh. I'm 28 & even I kinda envy having a dad like this. If only he could pull himself together. :( At the same time he's poking that topic with Henry very gently, so I don't think there's any hard with that. Idk. Those things are complicated.
You know who's excited to be around you and looks at you like you're their entire world, Ted? That's Trent. He's right there, within the reach of your hand.
You definitely should have had. There is sooo much learning for Jack to do. You know who mostly learned their lesson? Jamie. :) My feelings are all over the place.
!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Beard smooching Ted WHEN???
Of course he does, what did you expect? :DDD His fav player is Jamie fucking Tartt. Also, Beard smiling like THAT.
I honestly love the idea of Beard and Ted living together, but at the same time the idea of Beard getting up early in the morning to stop by at Ted's and cook breakfast for him and Henry? Are you kidding me? Fucking goals. I want what they have.
RESPECT!!!!!! Beard is the real one.
Henry is his dad's son. Can he just move in with Ted, please? I wouldn't mind that kid growing up around the team, Jamie constantly interacting with him. Beard taking Ted and Henry out for fun activities. That kid would grow up an AWESOME person.
I'm sorry, friend? I thought you were open about this? Gosh, there is so much wrong with their relationship. Do they communicate at ALL? It's like i'm on a swing: on the ship, off the ship. Can you two finally establish what's going on between you? Are you showing off your girlfriend or what? Like, listen, queer people shouldn't come out every time, especially if they're not comfortable with people around them. At the same time, I'm confused. She didn't even address this interaction after while Keeley obviously felt awkward and insecure about this. That's not good.
This is what Nate should have sent. I'm so fucking done with Rupert, when will Nate leave him and go back to Ted?
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weirdly off topic (but on??? not sure)
what were your intentions/goals when making rip!mc?
and what are the differences between satosugu and rip!mc x gojo? (as ships ig)
like for me, when i think about satosugu, i always get an outer worldly, heavenly feel to it, if that makes sense? like both satoru and suguru were quite separated from everyone else (more satoru but u get it). they were soulmates, the were always linked to each other, from the beginning they complimented and contrasted each other perfectly (satoru's birth strengthening curses all over the world, suguru having to digest these curses). even their names đ
with rip!mc x gojo, they feel so... earthly ? or more homey (i don't even know if im being coherent right now). gojo requires work to be with her, he's kind of "forced" to be a better person because of her. she also has to realize that she can be loved and she can love too!
like suguru highlights how godly satoru is (being the strongest together with him) and rip!mc highlights how human he is. she views him as he is, the same guy she met in high school. just satoru.
(this is kinda like choosing to either date the handsome god that would do absolutely anything for you or that really sweet guy next door that you have incredible chemistry with đ)
not sure if i got this all right but im so interested in what you would have to say!
honestly i just didn't want gojo to have an easy love life. i also dialed up the pining by 1000x bc i love when strong men have pathetic love lives
i'd say you're spot on and named all the main differences yourself!! rip!mc and gojo definitely have much more of a power imbalance and uneven relationship dynamics which really shine through with gojo's whole 'i'll take care of you' spiel which i've written a whole post on somewhere. i think being with geto is so effortless because on a level they understand each other while gojo being with anyone else is going to face a bit more difficulties. it's absolutely not a new fandom interpretation by any means that gojo would be a difficult partner, i just think combined with rip!mc's denseness and own mental issues things become a bit more convoluted and harder especially when gojo has to articulate his desires in a way that he's never really had to before. he's always just pretty much gotten anything he's wanted in life and geto just always got it (tm)
when gojo's with geto i think they're both kinda stuck in this sphere of invincibility, while with rip!mc gojo's back on earth, right next to her and reminded of all his vulnerabilities. and like you've said rip!mc has never seen gojo as a god. god-like at times maybe. but to her he'll always be that guy that kept the gravure magazines she bought for him on his birthday just because she gave it to him. and the guy that jumped off one of the school buildings just to show geto he could really do it!!! and the guy that always lets her sleep on his shoulder. like. gojo was once a stupid teenager and once you see that and know it i guess it just gets really hard to reconcile that image with this all powerful god even though you know it in the back of your head. like that's just your lame friend who got drunk off a cocktail and soda and fell asleep in the wrong bed.
i personally don't like human god dynamics unless they're level, equal in some way. and it doesn't need to be strength. i can't fathom calling my significant other with honorifics or bowing to them or prostrating myself in some way. like im calling them by their first name period. im not bowing either and they shouldn't expect it!!!! it's just a personal preference though. i'm all about that give take in a relationship.
i feel like i've answered this question in more depth somewhere in my ripverse relationship meta tag so you can peruse that if you want!
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K ANOTHER QUESTION
what is something that you imagine happening in any scene that you did not write in. like, during the encounters between alex and eliza in these latest chapters, iâve been imagining that little toddler philip just being really restless and thinking he did something to upset alexander or smtn.
so yeah, are there any details not written in that you imagine happening?
*OKAY SO SPOILERS FOR MEANS TO GO ON IF YOU'RE NOT CAUGHT UP*
oh absolutely. little pip is an absolute wreck and he doesn't understand why. it has the same energy as sitting at your closed door and hearing your parents argue over something you can't comprehend. and where alexander is so closed off he can only assume it was something he did. pip is a really really sad boy and will unfortunately probably have trauma of his own from all of this. like in the scene after the reynolds pamphlet is released and alexander is having his breakdown, i wanted to make sure that i made it clear that philip was watching and he was more observant than alexander wants or expects him to be. just the thought of little philip standing on a staircase and clutching his stuffed toy tightly to himself while he just watches his father fall apart makes me SO-
also obviously i don't write much of angelica BUT it is her house after all so she hears and sees stuff, too. like her heart breaks for eliza and alexander so much. she tries not to pay attention because she doesn't want to eavesdrop, but she can't help it sometimes. like i imagine her just folding laundry or something and pausing when she hears eliza pleading with him to just look at her and just speak to her. then she has to go about her day as if nothing even happened.
OK SO ON A LIGHTER NOTE it's the most unserious thing ever but i love imagining philip church absolutely not giving a SHIT about anything. like it's literally an inside joke for me to me. like uncle alexander is having a mental breakdown on the parlor floor?? cool, but mOM WHERE THE FUCK AND MY FUCKING NUGGIES. like he's the type of child that would kick people in the shins and run away cackling. he is a menacing child and i love him, but i can't actually write him in the fic like that bc that would totally take away from the actual story. but just know there is indeed a menace child running around the church estate. honestly, if you were to release him on king george the third, the problem would be HANDLED. every family needs an absolutely psycho little cousin/nephew. thems the rules EDIT: OMG FOR PPL ON TIKTOK HE GIVES TOPHER VIBES LMAO
also the philips are absolute besties but they absolutely are polar opposites. like these two are as close as the schuyler sisters
the family and living dynamics are something i haven't delved into yet, but the hamiltons aren't the only family living there. angelica and philip church definitely have reactions to all of this. (and peggy. sometimes. she is living her best life too most of the time. she didn't get to live long in the musical or irl but she is galavanting happily around New York. for now.)
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If I am guessing your cryptic question right, stonathan or steddie? Which one do I prefer? See more chemistry in? Is that it?
I saw more chemistry between Steddie honestly. Maybe because Eddie was openly flirty and Steve was flustered most of the time around him.
Stonathan - I don't see the chemistry that much because Jon did beat him up for insulting his family and him. Even though Steve came to apologise, it was more like a formality rather than a stepping stone to friendship. They could have been friends, but they didn't. For Jon, Steve is an immature idiot that he fought one time.
I have read one Stonathan fic and I couldn't see the chemistry there. It was a nice fic, but the chemistry was missing, I felt. But the Steddie fics have chemistry.
Jon honestly has more chemistry with Argyle than Steve.
I would love to hear your thoughts, Denise.
mmmmmm my lawyer told me to tell you tht i can neither confirm nor deny these assumptions but tht i Can reply to u otherwise <3 so hiii, anon đ
that's fair. s1 jonathan and steve are works in progress for sure and then they drift apart again as their connections to nancy change. i do think that jancy's talk at the end can be interpreted as a hint that they'll interact again though, allowing jonathan to see firsthand what nancy meant, so maaaaaybe smth of some sort will happen there? who knows lol.
but! i do think that the apology was more than a formality. steve was really intent on going over there and making things right, he really felt like he'd fucked up and he wasn't expecting nancy to be there. he went for jonathan and really wanted to make things right with him. there was a desperate kind of sincerity there i felt in joe's portrayal. and then he seemed really pleased when jonathan received his gift later on! so, like. yk. i think jonathan's the one holding more resentment / preconceived notions than steve rn, which is understandable considering he doesn't know him like that, and why i think they planted tht seed i mentioned at the end there. there could still be more to them and i think there likely is!
tbh though i feel like i'd need more scenes with them to be able to say anything abt their chemistry on-screen. i get more â¨âĄď¸ from steve for those reasons tht i mentioned than i do jonathan rn. jonathan has had his defenses up too high n been too cold thus far, n charlie really sells tht n jon's trust issues lol. maybe it'll change in s5, maybe it won't.
as for steddie... i feel like you can say some of the same things? they became kind of friends towards the end there because eddie went to go save him and they had that little bonding moment where eddie opened up to him and got in his good graces. also... i feel like eddie's actions can be taken that way, but he's also a touchy-feely invades-your-personal-space kind of dude with other characters too. and i didn't really feel any electricity or interest there from steve's side, kind of the opposite of the stonathan situation. like joe wasn't leaning into what people believe joseph was.
it felt like interactions between a heroic jock who aggravatingly really is more than what people say and a freak who's had to puff his chest up n act tougher than he really is to survive, and how they navigate that as young men. like actually tough vs pretends to be. and there's a a kind of sheepishness on eddie's side where the freak who talks abt how others are so quick to judge n be hostile is now being saved n helped n treated well by someone tht he did all of tht to, this kind of ... ingratiating n dare i say submissive mannerisms tht i think ppl read as just flirting.
and then steve's mostly just there, taking this in and occupying the same space as him, more focused on the others, but still wanting to be nice n give his thanks bc he's just that guy n does it with everyone. he's chuffed tht eddie's blowing smoke up his ass, but i don't view him as being bewitched. when did you find steve to be flustered? i'd like to go back and watch, maybe i'll see it this time :)
jargyle my beloved đ i think it helps tht argyle is jonathan's friend, so there's naturally going to be this easygoing flow between them tht wouldn't be present in his scenes with steve. i think they play off each other wonderfully, but.. hm. idk. there's chemistry yes bc they definitely sell that safe harbor you're my only friend ride or die kind of relationship, but it's not like ... tht Charged kind of chemistry, if tht makes sense?
thank u for answering :)
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I've finished ouran and I have 2 questions
1. (unrelated) but have you ever tried Kraft Mac and cheese because I bought some the other day from this random shop, idk it was imported or something and why is it violently orange??
2. The ending to ouran made me cry for some reason, what do you think the club would do once like honey and Mori came out of high school and they slowly all grew out of the club? How close would each of them be to eachother?
I mean obviously life gets busy with all of them. No doubt Haruhi has a flourishing career in something or other and Kyoya is obviously busy. I'd like to see the twins mature a bit and actually gain a bit of independence from eachother and branch out to different things. Maybe they'd meet again after a few years and find out what changed about them.
(Or maybe they didn't know about Haruhi, Kyoya and Tamakis relationship until now)
Also do you think any of them would eat the violently orange Mac and cheese I ate
Anyway Ouran over, Bsd next... I sense a storm coming....
And yea tag me as Briccy if you like! I don't really have a preference.
HI BRICCY
Okay first question:
Yes, I have had kraft mac n cheese lol. To make it short, sweet, and simple: it's violently orange bc â¨chemicals⨠This is America after all and it seems that that is our main ingredient to..well a lot of things. But also I don't like Kraft or even the god forsaken Velveta because honestly I can make better with minimal things I have in my house lol
And yes, Tamaki probably saw the orange cheese noodles online and proceeded to buy like five packs for him, Kyoya, and Haruhi to try and then proceeded to send them to everyone as like a random gift or something idk. Whatever the case may be, Tamaki started the idea and Hikaru always keeps some at home as he liked it the most.
Putting a read more on this bc it got longer than expected đ
QUESTION TWO:
It made me cry the first time I watched it too lol then again i was also neck deep in crisis and impending debt bc my college didn't process my scholarship right and it was a MESS but that's a story for another day
I think that it isn't until Tamaki and Kyoya graduate that certain things drift off. Tamaki being at the center is, imo, what really holds the group together and him graduating is probably what hurts it the most. Obviously with Haruhi there, at least her and the twins' last year won't be void of Tamaki, but I think it's void of everyone else and that includes Kyoya. I'll explain further:
Honey and Mori as a duo stay close no matter what; they're family and best friends and Mori's loyalty will not have him leaving Honey's side outside of educational obligations. Even the businesses (I say lightly given what it really is) of each of their separate families is close enough to where they can probably work together on a lot of things. But when it comes to the others, sure they keep in touch separately but after Tamaki isn't physically at Ouran to head the club, there aren't a lot of group activities to do anymore. I think Mori and Hikaru keep in touch the most outside of Tamaki's mandatory group bonding and zoom activities and Honey and Haruhi with the same idea.
Kyoya, especially once he's graduated, isn't full into the whole calling and texting thing so if they don't reach out to him, he's not gonna remember to reach out to them lol. He cares, he's just busy with the whole family business thing. I want to think that his father probably sent him abroad too for at least a year during his studies and that caused a bigg rift as time zones really limited communication. Regardless, Tamaki always made sure to text him everyday, even just a simple good morning or good night and a reminder to drink water and sleep. Haruhi would try and message at least once every two or three weeks and they'd have long calls every other month to catch up. He only really speaks to Honey and Hikaru at group events but plays games on his phone like the farming game thing (HayDay?? is that what it's called?? idk but the thing where you can send shit to friends and all that) with Kaoru and Mori. Kaoru also calls every few months and they text like once every other week if they both remember.
I could make a whole post on the KyoTamaHaru relationship starting and honestly I just might bc, like I said before, after graduating, he kinda goes off and so obviously the relationship can't start then. I wanna say it starts at least three years after Haruhi graduates when Kyoya comes back for a longer period of time and Tamaki welcomes him back with such open arms that he both did and didn't expect and it's just a rush of feelings and he gets closer to Haruhi than they ever were now that they can have their deep talks in person and they end up feeling like home and fuck now I have to make an actual post about this.
Anyways, the twins try and text everyone equally but end up talking to Haruhi the most jointly and Mori (Hikaru) and Kyoya (Kaoru) the most separately. When it comes to university, they probably start at the same one to keep the theme of twins going strong but after like a year and a half or so, they find their own wildly different interests and probably split off. It was emotional for them and so hard at first, but they both were able to grow into their own persons as a result of it more than they could've if they just did different majors at the same universities.
As for Haruhi, she does her best to text everyone when she can, but doesn't stress about it. Her and Honey go on little outings to cafes and stuff and Mori will come along when he can every so often, but that's the extent of that. Outside of Tamaki at first and then adding on Kyoya later, though, the twins are who she talks to most. Either it's the three of them in their group chat or them separately, but those three are always. texting. each. other. She was one of the first people to get super close to them, after all. Omg can you imagine their grad photos wait I think they'd be so cute gasp waittt
Last but least there's Tamaki. He's planning all the reunions and has a stockpile of ideas for outings that they have AT LEAST once a month. Not everyone can go each time, obviously, but he still makes the effort to plan them. He has a rotation system for texting the twins and Honey and Mori too: every other day he texts one of them and then he's basically talking to them once a week. The only exceptions are Haruhi and Kyoya but he sees Haruhi nearly everyday so like duh and I already said about him texting Kyoya everyday so yeah.
All in all, Kyoya's the worst at keeping in touch, Tamaki is the one who talks to everyone the most, and Haruhi is the best out of everyone when it comes to giving enough time in between while still definitely caring (though they all care about each other regardless)
BSD hehe đ I can't wait to hear about certain reactions from you, and I hope you like it. I diced in head over heels to the point where I bought all the novels like a week after I started watching the anime lol but I've read already 6 of the 8 total and they are so so good.
#em answers#briccy :D#ouran highschool host club#ouran high school host club#kyoya ootori#tamaki suoh#haruhi fujioka#takashi morinozuka#mitsukuni haninozuka#bro i blanked on honey's first name so bad just now holy shit#i was trying to remember with the scene where mori like takes his bag when he has the cavity and i just#could not remember#but i got it in the end so we're good
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I finally had time to read the first chapter of this and Dana.. hold my hand when I say this bc I am loosing it...
OH. MY. GOD!!!!!!! DANA YOU HAVE SERIOUSLY OUTDONE YOURSELF WITH THIS ONE OH MY GODDDDDDD!!!!! I was so excited when you first started talking about this fic on your blog (as we know I am unfortunately weak for yandere stories lmao, I truly just love delving into the psychology behind them), but this entirely and utterly EXCEEDED everything I thought it would be!!!! Like damn, I knew you were an amazing writer with Trouvialle, but this just cemented all of my thoughts in steel instead of concrete.
God, from the first paragraph I was hooked. Originally, I didn't read any of the sneak peaks / teasers because I wanted to feel more like I was in the MCs shoes (clueless to the world / what was to come) and it was so amazingly fun reading and trying to decipher the world I was suddenly living in. You did such an incredible job setting the scene, making me feel like I was really living within the pages and I LOVED EVERY SECOND OF IT!!!!
It was so exciting reading and finding out each of the guys different personality types through the pages-- trying to figure out (along with the MC) what the different guys wanted and how they truly were. Jimin is such a fun character (I always enjoy reading him as sort of bubbly and aloof, disconnected from the rest of the world and living in a dollhouse of his own) and I absolutely ADORED how you portrayed him. Especially making him a playwrite?? I'm so excited to watch him almost make the MC perform, yk???
AND HOSEOK?? AS A PIRATE?? YOU WANT THE LILY DEAD?? LMAOO, no but seriously I was no expecting it. The little comment about how he's possessive, too?? I'm honestly so excited to see what becomes of that as well. What will happen if the guys start to grow an attachment at the same time as Hoseok? Will he become reclusive and try to keep the mc away? Could he start to become jealous when he grows attached and his coven mates bite her? I HAVE SO MANY QUESTIONS!!! (Obviously you don't have to answer any of them lmao, finding the answers through future chapters is just as exciting askjakjdh)
GOD AND TAEHYUNG!! I'm so excited to find out more about him. So far he seems very reclusive and like,, distant from the rest of the group? Just kind of aloof and like,, you can never really tell what he's thinking. I especially loved the line 'he looked like he had just frozen in 18XX' and it makes me so excited for whatever is to come. I love that aesthetic in generally, so imagining him dressed like that is so!!!!! Plus the scene with him acting as Joseph makes me want to know so much more. I know it was Jin that controlled it, but it also makes me wonder if it made Taehyung feel slightly better that he could have relaxed her in such a way when she was freaking out so bad. Obviously, we don't know much about him yet, but I hope we get to learn more soon. :DDD
God, I could go into so much detail with all of the rest of the guys too-- Yoongi already getting slightly possessive over the MC, (like, I know its mostly just the blood (wait but what if blood kind of binds the humans and the vampire drinking from them in some kind of way?? and that's what is starting their attachment to form-- hold on, I'm getting off track, haha. Let me stop theorizing.) and maybe the fact she, and watching her do things makes him feel alive that makes him already want to be closer) Jin just emanating some sort of aura that even made me tense up in the final scene (or maybe it was my fear of sharp objects and I was so immersed ajdbdksjd), Namjoon acting as this sort of omnipresent being for Jin to control at will (I am SO ready to see where that goes and the role it plays with the MC), and Jungkook who we know so little about (I'm convinced he's going to get obsessed with the concept of Joseph in the MC's memories and is going to become entirely too fixated on scrounging around in her brain.)
Like?? What can I say??? Your characterization of all of them is just so perfect. I have so many questions and theories bubbling up already as we discover more about this alternate world. I'm so very excited to see where you go with this fic, even more thrilled to be able to discover more with every chapter. You should seriously consider formal publishing if you haven't already-- you are an incredible writer and have such a talent for creating worlds around your stories. I'm so excited to read more in the future!!!!! MWAHHHH!!!!
Anyway, apologies for the length of this review considering its only the first chapter but if you made it this far GO READ THIS FIC NEOWWWW!! heheheh
Sanctity - Chapter One
Pairing(s);Â BTS OT7 x Reader
Genre/Themes;Â Vampire!AU, yandere!AU, horror, themes of the supernatural and mythology, historical topics, vampiric powers, religious themes, violence, romance
Rated;Â 18+ for swearing, violence/gore, toxic behavior including stalking, torture, and manipulation, future sexual themes. Reader discretion is strongly advised.
Word Count; 22.8k
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Hello my loves! For those who do not know me from Trouvaille, this is Dana! I am very pleased and excited to share this brand-new series with you. It has been a longtime desire of mine to write a story with vampires. Sanctity was born from a love of history and a past with yandere stories. I sincerely hope you enjoy this first chapter and the love that was poured into it!
WARNING! There are instances of gore, including cutting. Suicidal language is used, so please be warned if this is triggering to you.
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The bell struck six in the crumbling belltower, two young men in white robes pulling on the rope to swing the massive metal fixture to and fro. The haunting sound sent a murder of crows scattering across the steadily darkening sky when they were startled from their perches on the Sanctuaryâs roof. Y/N peered out of the arched window curiously, halting her task of wiping down the glass with an old, weathered rag, distant yearning filling her as she watched the black birds fly away to the greater unknown.Â
âY/N, itâs time to wash up for dinner,â Meredith, a fellow âacolyteâ and friend, reminded her, setting aside the wooden broom she was using to sweep the hallway they were working in.Â
Suppressing an agitated grunt, Y/N simply nodded, rising from her knees and adjusting the cream linen skirt she was wearing, the hem of it dirtied from skimming the old stone floors all day. Following the blonde girl, the wispy curls on her nape appeared silver in the darkened, wintery hallways, Y/N wondered when the Sanctuary would allow them to light the sconces in the frigid building so the acolytes wouldnât be numb and stiff by the end of the unforgiving November evenings. Not that the wardens actually cared one way or another if the acolytes were cold, as long as they were alive, blood still running through their veins, resources wouldnât be wasted on a few paltry fires.Â
âYou know, electricity exists. Doesnât it bother you that weâre forced to live like fucking peasants during the Black Plague?â Y/N seethed, Meredithâs posture growing stiff as she nervously looked around. Not a soul was in the hallway with them, so Y/N rolled her eyes at the blondeâs haughty reaction. âRelax, Mere. No oneâs around.â
âYou shouldnât swear, Y/N. Theyâll punish you,â Meredith whispered, her angelic blue eyes wide with concern. Y/N scoffed, her aching fingers curling into fists as they continued their way to the dining hall.Â
âWorking all day for nothing is punishment enough. Whatâs the prize? Becoming a walking transfusion one day?â Y/N, despite her agitation, lowered her voice when Meredith began to look truly frightened. âIâm sorry, Mere. There arenât any vampires here, you know that, right?â
âOf course I do. They never come on Sanctuary grounds. I wish to continue being your friend, Y/N, but I do not wish to invite punishment onto myself,â Meredith swallowed, looking a touch guilty. âIâll meet you at the table.â
Y/N sighed, watching the girl spirit away, a flurry of white skirts and matching billowy blouses. After so many years spent in the Sanctuary, Y/N realized she shouldnât be as bitter as she was, but the winter months brought out the aching in her.Â
âTalks like a fuckinâ walking pamphlet,â Y/N muttered, heading straight to the large basins lining the outskirts of the dining hall, cringing at the icy water that came from the taps as she scrubbed at her dirty fingernails.
At the very least, the dining hall was one of the warmest sections of the Sanctuary, thanks to the heat from the kitchens and the singular fire roaring in a brazier placed in the center of the room. The Sanctuary, free of 21st century comforts, was always crusted in ice in the winters and stiflingly hot in the summers. Sniffing the air, Y/N tried not to frownâ food from the Sanctuaryâs kitchens were never very tasty, even if she was often starving enough to eat a leather boot at the end of a dayâs work.Â
âWhatâs tonightâs mystery meat?â Y/N got in line, retrieving a tray for herself, and leaning up to whisper her joke into her other friend Josephâs ear. Unlike Meredith, the dark haired man snorted, mirth flashing in his eyes.Â
âOh, the usuals. Beef organs or tuna. Paired with lentil slop, shitty kale salad, maybe a sweet potato if weâre lucky. Donât forget the out-of-season orange and singular square of dark chocolate for dessert, too!âÂ
This time, Y/N did not hold back her light groan, startling a timid acolyte in front of her and Joseph, the girl dropping her hardened, âfortifiedâ bread roll onto the counter. Both her and Joseph bowing in apology slightly while they contained their snickering, Y/N shuddering when a slimy piece of beef liver was slapped onto her plate by a kitchen acolyte.Â
âI canât take these organs anymore. Why canât we have a steak? Steak is rich in iron,â Y/N sat beside Joseph at one of the long tables, her ass smarting against the stone bench. Meredith, across from her, eyed her carefully, using her spoon to push mushy lentils around on her plate.Â
âYouâve been eating organs for ten years now, squirt, arenât you fond of them by now?â Joseph teased, prodding at the gory looking organs on his own plate with a fork.Â
âFor once, I just want a bowl of pasta. I mean, come on, vampires eat the best food in the world, and they donât even need it to survive. Just pure hedonism,â Y/N continued, peeling the orange that came with her dinner considering everything else on the tray looked absolutely revolting.Â
Every meal served to the acolytes in the Sanctuary was required to be chock-full of ingredients with an abundance of iron and Vitamin C, allegedly making their blood more nutritious and appetizing to vampires. So, in order for vampires to eat like kings, mere human acolytes ate like cavemen.Â
âYouâre especially salty this evening,â Joseph remarked, a flicker of surprise flashing over his face. Meredith had ironically grown quite pale, considering the supposed iron-rich meal she was eating should have had a glow rising to her cheeks. âMake sure none of the wardens walk by while youâre still on your soapbox.â
âYou can hear their boots from a mile away, Iâll shut up well before theyâre in earshot,â Y/N pinched her nose as she stuffed some lentils down her throat so she wouldnât have to taste the foul mush. âIâll stop now, donât wanna upset you, Mere.â
âThank you,â Meredith murmured quietly, her eyes softening. Y/N knew that Meredith understood where she was coming from, but complaining about their situations did nothing to get them out of it, in the end. âWhen weâre back in our dorm⌠itâll be okay.â
Nodding, Y/Nâs lower eyelid twitched at the thought of her bedâ hard as a rock and no better than a bale of hay to sleep on, but kept her promise and changed the subject promptly.Â
âWhat was your task today, Joey?âÂ
âUgh. Joey,â Joseph shivered, nudging Y/N with his elbow. âThe usual. Raking dead leaves and preparing the garden for the snow.â
âItâs going to be a cold winter,â Meredith remarked, her gaze turning to the stained-glass windows overlooking a frosty courtyard.Â
âMaybe if weâre lucky, one of us will get out of here. Be able to stay in a warm building, with wool blankets, fires lit in every roomâŚâ Joseph twirled one of his dark curls around an index finger contemplatively, Y/N frowning at the unsaid. The only way that would happen would be if one of them got picked to become a human blood bank at the end of the week. Joseph read her mind. âTomorrow is the Drawing.â
Drawing day happened monthly. Each acolyte in the Sanctuary was required to report to the infirmary wing and offer up a pint of their blood to be sent out around the area for vampires to âsampleâ, like some kind of wine tasting that could be delivered to oneâs doorstep. Days after the Drawing, there would be a chance that word would be sent from a coven that they were interested in a sample, and the matching acolyte, in consequence, would be delivered to the coven to be a live-in blood donor.Â
The Drawing happened for a reason. While vampires held the most power across the globe, it was agreed decades ago, after many conferences held by vampires and human world leaders, that solitary vampires must go through a Sanctuary in order to receive a human to feed on. It was during that time when solitary vampires began to form covens to decrease demand for a human donor, and Sanctuaries were born. It was also that time where vampires roamed rampant, claiming any human on the street to drain dry. The death toll was climbing at an alarming rate, so a compromise was reached: vampires could not âhuntâ, only go through a Sanctuary to select a donor, one theyâd keep indefinitely. Â
Y/N often weighed the pros and cons of being selected for The Drawing: at the Sanctuary, she could keep her blood but spend her days freezing, eating nasty food, and scrubbing the filthy building. If she was taken in by a coven, sure, sheâd have luxuriesâ good food, riches, warm clothes. But sheâd be at the mercy of vampires, notoriously vicious and unforgiving creatures. That, and sheâd be fed on constantly by the sadistic beings, likely for the rest of her life.Â
âThatâs why we got extra organs today. Figures,â Y/N shrugged, once again pinching her nose to choke down a sliver of meat. âIâm beat. Gonna head back before the final bell. You can finish my portion, Joey.â
Joseph grimaced at the nickname, but eagerly reached for her tray anyways, Meredith watching Y/N slip from the hall. Delicately dabbing her mouth with a frayed cloth napkin, Meredith sighed.Â
âSheâs always like this the night before the Drawing,â Meredithâs voice was sympathetic, resigned. âShe never got used to it, even after all these years.â
âCan you blame her? She was living under the radar, forging her blood type results most of her life before she was caught. Iâd be jaded too,â Joseph pointed out around a mouthful of soggy kale. âYouâve been here your whole life, Mere. Y/N and I knew what it was like before living here. Having freedom.â
âI know that, Joseph,â Meredith, to her credit, had the decency to look chastised. âI never said I do not understand. I suppose since the Sanctuary is all I know, I do not yearn for freedom in quite the same way.â
Joseph collected his and Y/Nâs trays, smiling at Meredith wistfully. He often thought that life would be simpler if he began to think like her, but it was difficult to let go of freedoms after theyâd been tasted before. He remembered the days where he could wander in untamed forests, on the outskirts of town, where he could pick wild fruit and bask in the summer sun. Joseph recalled Y/N telling him about her life of drifting, hidingâ the excitement, the footloose feeling of it all. Smiling at his other friend still, he stood from the stone bench.Â
âThe freest weâll be is if weâre chosen after a Drawing. And even then, weâre birds in cages.â
Even though she had pulled two pairs of wool socks on her feet before passing out in bed, Y/Nâs toes were icicles when the obnoxious morning bell clanged through the hollow halls. Starting to regret not eating much dinner, Y/Nâs stomach was turning uncomfortably as she sat up in bed. The roiling in her gut was not just because she was hungry, but the familiar unease that festered there each morning of a Drawing day. As she watched Meredith, who happened to be her roommate, pull the threadbare curtains back on their barred window dutifully, Y/N sluggishly removed her nightgown and dressed herself in the dreaded white linens she was forced to wear on a daily basis. Â
âHopefully I wonât pass out today,â Y/N joked, knowing that Meredith was usually much more relaxed about complaining when they were in the privacy of their shoebox-sized room.Â
âTheyâll give you juice if you do. Just keep your eyes closed and focus on your breath,â Meredith gestured to the stool at the foot of her bed, encouraging Y/N to sit.
Humming, she did so, staring at the ceiling as her friend began to braid her hair. Meredithâs careful fingertips raking through her tresses calmed her down enough to stop the acid in her stomach from rising into her mouth. Meredith was singing quietly, a hymn, from the sound of it, and Y/N was thankful for the peaceful start of the day, no matter how cold and nauseous she was.Â
âYou wonât have to go to the infirmary until after lunch, right?â Y/N attempted to distract herself from the fact that sheâd be the very first to get her blood drawn.Â
âMm-hmm. B+ is scheduled for after the midday meal,â Meredith stopped singing, using a scrap of old cream fabric to tie off the braid hanging down Y/Nâs back. âSo Iâll see you in the dining hall, then Iâll meet you back in the west hallway to finish cleaning anything we didn't yesterday.â
âThanks, Mere,â Y/N reached back, passing her hand over the braid her friend weaved, wishing that there was at least a mirror somewhere. Y/N hadnât seen her reflection in years, except for blurry images in the surface of the Sanctuaryâs garden fountain; the wardens rejected vanity amongst acolytes. âIâm gonna get it over with, head straight for the infirmary.â
âAre you positive thatâs wise without breakfast? You hardly touched dinner, too,â Meredithâs pale eyebrows shot into her hairline, worry etched between them.Â
âIâm worried if I eat, the spinach smoothie will make another appearance as soon as they get the needle in my arm,â Y/N pictured the tasteless breakfast she normally had coming up for a round two and shuddered. âItâll be okay. Just like every time, right? Iâve been here for years. The local vampires donât seem to like my blood very much, or at least the ones that this Sanctuary sends it to.â
âGood luck, Y/N. See you at lunch,â Meredith didnât comment on Y/Nâs attempt to brighten upâ she knew the stakes were as high as Y/N did.Â
God must have felt particularly cruel the day he decided to bestow Y/N with one of the worldâs rarest blood types: the coveted AB-, a sought-after type for many vampires. Apparently, all of the blood types had different tastes, but Y/N hardly believed that. Blood was blood; tinny, salty, and a nauseating reminder of fragile mortality. There was a reason she had hidden from the world for many years, drifting from place to place. Those with AB- blood were hardly at Sanctuaries for long before a coven would promptly request them as their live-in donor. Y/N was basically living on borrowed timeâ she often wondered if her bitterness leached into her bloodstream and spoiled the âproductâ.Â
Dragging her palm along the stone walls of the Sanctuaryâs hallway, Y/N barely registered the crowd of acolytes passing by on their ways to the dining hall in the opposite direction from where she was going. Y/N was the only acolyte in that particular Sanctuary to have AB- blood, so naturally, she was by herself every Drawing day first thing in the morning, and the top priority of the wardens. Swallowing thickly, the scent of rubbing alcohol had her gagging as it filled her nostrils when she neared closer to the infirmary.Â
 Of course, the infirmary wing was cold as ice both temperature wise and atmospherically. In contrast to the Gothic interior of the rest of the Sanctuary, the infirmary was somewhat modern (or was once, in the 80âs), sterile, and covered in pastel vinyl flooring. Her Mary Janes squeaked against the tiles, nervously wringing her hands together as she stared at the plastic dentistâs chair in the corner of the room, the clump of wardens setting up the apparatus to collect blood. Clearing her throat, Y/N pressed her lips together in a line as one of the wardens turned to herâ Mrs. Sloane, a severe 60-year-old woman who ran the Sanctuary like the military. Y/N had an acute dislike for the woman, who saw her and the acolytes as nothing more but cattle to raise.Â
âAB-, come here. Everything is ready,â her voice was dry, sharp, like a whip cracking down. It had her flinching, but she obediently trudged towards the crinkled old chair, mostly out of fear of having to kneel in the chapel for several hours in punishment if she didnât follow orders exactly.
Knees wobbling, she lowered herself onto the chair while Mrs. Sloane eyed her like she was a slab of wagyu beef she was preparing to sell to the highest bidder. Biting her lip, she swiftly shut her eyes, heeding Meredithâs earlier advice. Perhaps she could prolong her anxiety attack if she kept her eyes shut the entire time, flinching in the seat when someone was not-so-gently rolling up the sleeve on her left arm past her elbow and swiping an alcohol wipe over her sensitive skin.Â
âWeâll be taking more than usual today,â Mrs. Sloane announced, and Y/Nâs plans of staying blind were foiled when her eyes snapped open in shock.Â
âW-what? But taking more than a pint is dangerous, is it not?â Y/Nâs voice came out panicked and thin, Mrs. Sloane scowling at her nastily.Â
âSilence. It is not your place to question,â Mrs. Sloane scolded, Y/Nâs breathing becoming fast and shallow. âA new coven has arrived in the area. They have requested a large sample of AB-.â
Dread flooded through every cell of her body, horrified that she was about to be drained dry, two pint bags on the steel table beside her. Barely having time at all to process that there was a coven of vampires that were new to the area, and that there was a great chance that theyâd select her as a donor, Y/N yelped when one of the wardens pinned her wrist down and another slid the hollow needle in her arm. Seeing stars dance in her field of vision, Y/N whimpered at the sting of the needle, feeling sick when she felt the warmth of her blood flowing into the tube connected to the pint bag resting on her arm. She absolutely loathed the feeling of her blood leaving her body, like her very life force was being sucked out, and before she could actively close her eyes, they shut involuntarily when they began to water.Â
âCalm down, AB-,â Mrs. Sloane sounded like she was spitting through her teeth, Y/N unable to feel her limbs. âYou should be grateful. Youâll have the rest of the day off to recuperate.â
Y/N hardly heard the woman. Ears ringing, she was drifting away, a cold, sticky sweat coating her forehead. While she was struggling to form a coherent thought, one of the wardens must have switched out the full bag for the empty one, and by then, Y/N lost consciousness.Â
Several moments later, Y/N not knowing exactly how much time had passed, someone was snapping in her face, jamming a straw in her mouth. Nearly choking on the orange juice that was being squeezed down her parched throat, her eyes opened blearily and all she could see was blinding white light from the fluorescence above her.Â
âYou may sit here for no more than five additional minutes. Then return to your dorm until the dinner bell,â Mrs. Sloaneâs arms were crossed, annoyed that Y/N was holding up the line of acolytes outside waiting their turns.Â
Though she was pretty much completely drained of energy, Y/Nâs mind was moving a thousand miles per hour. With a new coven in the area, there was a very real possibility theyâd be interested in her blood, considering the rarity of the blood type. She gleaned no additional information from Mrs. Sloaneâ typicalâ but how many vampires would be in that coven, if God forbid they chose her? Three, four? Four was typically the largest a coven would get, and the thought of four of them latching onto her at once had her leaning over in the chair and emptying the contents of her stomach into the bucket on the floor.Â
It didnât matter that sheâd be free of the Sanctuary. Though sheâd live lavishly, sheâd have constant open wounds and would be psychologically tortured by the creatures. Suddenly, meals made purely of beef liver and beds constructed out of pallets seemed much better than cake and down feather mattresses.Â
âYour time is up. Go back to your dorm. The midday meal will be delivered to you,â Mrs. Sloane barked, hauling Y/N up by her wrist. Feet faltering, Y/N swayed and scrabbled for the drywall, blindly feeling her way to the main hallway again.Â
Dazed, her arm throbbed where the needle had been inserted, and the only positive that came from that morningâs events was the fact that sheâd get to lay in bed all day instead of scrubbing floors. Y/N wasnât sure how she managed to find her way back to her dorm room, but before she knew it, she was wrapping two blankets around herself and curling up in bed.Â
She was woken up by Meredith hours later, the blonde bringing her a tuna sandwich on a undoubtedly stale roll. Choking it down like a wolf, she tried not to cry when Meredith gingerly wrapped a cloth around her arm, which was cruelly left to clot on its own by the wardens.Â
âItâs going to be me this time,â Y/N announced dully, eyes on the overcast sky outside her barred windows. âI can feel it.â
âThere is no way to knowââ
âA new coven has moved to this town,â Y/N cut her friend off, Meredithâs hands stilling. Withdrawing her touch from Y/Nâs arm, Meredith appeared tentatively unsure.Â
âTo Newport?â Meredithâs light eyebrows pulled together, disbelieving. Newport wasnât exactly a magnet for vampires, most of the ones that resided in the area werenât in covens at all, just solitary vampires. A new coven spelled danger for Y/N. âI heard that a vampire built one of the famous mansions by the ocean. Do you think one of the vampires could be him?â
âWell, if he is, then I guess Iâd get to live like a princess. You know, the one that got locked in a tower with a dragon and shit.â
Y/N had a bad feeling. Not that she was one to have premonitions, but trusting that feeling in her gut is what helped her to survive years before she was brought to the Sanctuary. Meredith stroked the back of her head in an attempt to comfort her, but Y/N knew she was just as nervous as she was. Because the coven requested so much of her blood specifically, and was the only person in the immediate area with AB- blood, if the vampires liked her blood her fate was officially sealed. Swallowing bile, she shook her head, not wanting to put the cart before the horse yet.Â
âI shouldnât get ahead of myself. Iâve been around for a while, none of the local vampires have been interested. Maybe my blood tastes like dirt, and Iâll be here until Iâm elderly.â
âItâs okay to worry, Y/N. However,â Meredith sat on the side of Y/Nâs bed, the old wood frame creaking with her weight. âThere are many others here with rare blood types. Perhaps they will prefer AB positive.â
âPerhaps,â Y/N agreed, beginning to sit up. âShall we go to the hall and finish the windows?â
âI have to go to the infirmary wing, itâs my turn. You should rest, Y/N,â Meredith helped her stand, Y/N furiously shaking her head.Â
âIf I stay here until dinner, my thoughts will continue to spiral,â Y/N shoved her feet into her well-worn shoes, slinging her braided hair over her shoulder. âThank you for bringing me lunch. Iâll get started on the windows and wait for you.â
Y/N headed out first, leaving Meredith to prepare herself for her drawing. The blonde often liked to pray before the process, Y/N not knowing whether she was praying to be chosen, or praying to be skipped over. She didnât have the stomach to ask.Â
By herself in the west hallway, she picked up the rag she abandoned the previous evening with a rough sigh. The sky opened up and ice-cold rain began to pelt the windows, crows eerily taking shelter in the eaves of the bell tower. Y/N felt like their beady eyes were on her, able to see through the glass and spot her wiping the window. Shuddering, she couldnât tear her sight from the birds, the superstitious side of her insisting that they were some kind of omen.Â
Two days later, Y/N was trudging through the hollow halls after dinner, which she again excused herself from early. There had been no news about the results of the Drawing, but it didnât stop her stomach from turning over in anxiety all day long. Hands coming up to rub her biceps, she glanced at the full moon outside of the large arched windows, slightly obscured by thin, dark clouds.Â
Kicking a stray stone as she turned the corner to the wing with the dorms, she paused a few feet from her and Meredithâs door with a frown. Light spilled out from the open dorm, more light than would have been possible coming from the small candles she and Meredith were allowed for nighttime reading. Besides, Meredith was still in the dining hall, so the door shouldnât have been open. Fear sunk into her bones, making a sticky heat flash over her skin with dread. Mustering her remaining courage, she crept towards her room like a mouse.Â
Torches were lit up in the usually empty sconces, three wardens, including Mrs. Sloane, rifling through Y/Nâs small dresser and nightstand. There was a large, old-fashioned suitcase box on her bed. Horrified and confused, Y/N accidentally bumped into the creaky door and snagged Mrs. Sloaneâs attention.Â
âCongratulations, AB-,â Mrs. Sloane was sickly sweet, and it didnât suit her whatsoever. âThe coven has chosen you. Help pack your belongings, you leave tonight.â
âWhat?â Y/Nâs world was spinning, vision getting spotty. âLeave? T-tonight?â
âYes, girl. Are you hard of hearing? Pack your belongings, we are to bring you to the coven in less than an hour,â Mrs. Sloane went back to her snarky self, Y/N holding onto the door in a desperate attempt to stay upright.Â
Mrs. Sloane reached for the pocket of her apron, where she kept a metal ruler so she could strike those who disobeyed her, Y/N stumbled into the room and shakily tossed her white skirts into the suitcase to avoid being struck. Hardly able to form a single coherent thought, Y/N moved woodenly, so shocked that tears didnât even roll down her cheeks.Â
âYou are lucky. The coven that requested you consists of some of the wealthiest vampires in the world. You will want for nothing,â Mrs. Sloane tossed the final garment Y/N owned into the suitcase, another warden closing it up and bringing it out to the hall. Y/N had to hold her tongue, considering she was about to shout but Iâm going to live with monsters. âAll seven of them have wealth, in fact. They are rumored to have great powers, as well.â
âS-seven? Did y-you just say seven?â Y/N gasped, flinching when Alfred, the burliest warden in the Sanctuary, grabbed her arm and began to pull her out of the room. She had never heard of a coven so large, and it made every cell in her body light up with sharp panic.Â
âYes, seven. Make haste,â Mrs. Sloane and Alfred hauled her through the Sanctuary, confused acolytes coming from the dining hall making space for them to pass. Y/N recognized the look on some of their faces, relief that they hadnât been chosen.Â
âBut, my friends! Please, let me say goodbye,â Y/N begged, tears finally starting to form when she spotted Joseph in the crowd, his eyes wide and mouth dropped open. Somewhere, Meredith was probably thinking about the book they were going to read together that night.Â
âThereâs no time. Youâll get to write letters,â Mrs. Sloane refused, a whimper coming from Y/Nâs throat as tears began to pour down her cheeks, getting one last look at Joseph who was mouthing something to her. Miserably, she couldnât figure out what he was trying to say, Alfred yanking her to the tall front doors, frigid air blasting her in the face as they opened.Â
In the courtyard, a place Y/N had only been once or twice when she was first brought to the Sanctuary, there was a horse-drawn carriage. Y/N, had she not been in the greatest shock of her life, would have laughedâ wouldnât it have been easier for her to be taken in a car? Hardly having the time to look back at the Sanctuary she called home the past ten years, her knees knocked together when she was pushed into the carriage with her luggage. Unfortunately, she wasnât allowed privacy to cry when in the carriage, Alfred clambering in after her with a grunt.Â
Y/N didnât talk to Alfred, mostly because he rarely spoke. At least he let her silently weep for a few moments, Y/N beginning to process the gravity of the situation. With watery eyes, she looked outside the carriage window, the gothic Sanctuary becoming distant as the horses trotted on. Her dread was temporarily numbed by the opportunity to see beyond the Sanctuary, land she had not seen in years. The trees lining the paved streets were barren, gray, and the hard-packed dirt had not a blade of grass. Even then, Y/N hadnât seen such beauty in so longâ a small taste of freedom before she was locked away for life again.Â
Her tears continued to flow even when she greedily took in the sights of the town of Newport, the homes of the wealthy humans who did not have to give up their freedom for vampires, shops that had closed for the day, parked cars on the sides of the streets. It was odd to see the vehicles, considering she had been living in an analog manner for so long, Y/N wondered if sheâd ever know what the inside of one looked like.Â
âH-how long will it take?â Y/N asked timidly, not confident Alfred would respond, but she tried anyway. The middle-aged man looked up from his Bible, giving Y/N an unfeeling look.Â
âWe are no more than ten minutes away, now. Wipe your sorry face,â Alfred responded coldly, Y/Nâs heart racing when she dabbed at her cheeks obediently. âYou will not shame our Sanctuary by showing the coven how miserable you are.â
Y/N had never heard Alfred speak so many words. She was starting to think that was for the best, his words like a slap across her face. Part of her pondered if sheâd ever hear a kind word again. Lapsing back into silence, Y/N sniffled up the remainder of her tears, the shock beginning to wear off and her survival skills kicking in. If she wanted to remain sane, and not give the vampires an inch before they took a mile, she had to appear unafraid and unaffected. Strong, confident, and indifferent, but pure, so if not to anger them. Vampires and their purityâ ironic.
The housesâ if one could even call the structures thatâ became grander and grander the further they traveled. The massive buildings made the ginormous cathedral the Sanctuary called home look like a garden shack. Y/N had a hunch, as they turned down a road that had imposing iron gates lining yards that looked like parks, that the coven she was to belong to resided in one of the famous Newport mansions. Passing by a white marble monstrosity, Y/N shuddered. The homes looked empty, cold, and imposing. Grand, yes, but the kind of display of wealth that had someone like Y/N, who lived her entire life struggling, clenching her fist in fury.Â
âWonât be long now. Straighten yourself out. The staff is to greet you,â Alfred slapped his Bible shut, grasping for the handle of Y/Nâs suitcase.
Breathing shallowly, Y/Nâs eyes nearly bugged out of her head when the carriage brought them to the largest iron gate on the street, initials TK welded between filigree at the top of the barrier. As if by magic, the gates began to creak open, Y/N stunned by her first glimpse of actual electricity illuminating the gatehouse. Of course, she had seen it prior to her life at the Sanctuary, but it was odd to see the night lit up after living by candlelight. Gnawing at her nails, thinking that she could be shocked no further, an audible gasp tore from her when the carriage pulled through the driveway of great trees, an imposing mansion coming into view.Â
Y/N had never imagined such a building could ever be constructed. It would take a person hours to walk the entire floor plan, the grounds aside. Y/N was struck by a memory from earlier that week, when Meredith brought up the mansions by the ocean. One of the members of the coven must have been the man that built it, and the only other thing Y/N knew was that the mansion was settled on a steep cliff jutting into the sea. One she could potentially careen herself off of, if need be.Â
Her elbow was tightly grabbed again when the carriage stopped before the covered front entrance, bright lights nearly blinding her as Alfred shoved her out of the carriage, Y/N freezing instantly when she felt a foreign touch on her forearm to steady her. Eyes adjusting, she frantically looked up, not ready to deal with a vampire right off the bat. To her great relief, a blue-eyedâ not red-eyed man, one dressed in a fine suit, righted her with a tight smile. A human, presumably a member of the mansionâs staff.Â
âIâIâ Iâm sorry,â Y/N managed, cursing Alfred colorfully in her mind. So much for confidence.Â
âQuite alright, acolyteâŚâ the man prompted in a British accent, the first whisper of kindness Y/N had in over an hour.Â
âOh. Forgive me. Acolyte Y/N,â she replied quickly, accessing the back of her brain where cobwebs and her etiquette surrounding that event resided.Â
âSir, you may leave. Acolyte Y/N will begin her duties under our watch now,â the man in the suit removed his touch from Y/Nâs forearm, not a single strand of silver hair on the manâs head out of place.Â
âContact us if there are issues,â Alfred hardly got out of the carriage, his scarred face twisting into a smirk. Y/N wanted to spit on him.Â
âOf course,â the man replied, tight smile still on his lips, standing importantly beside Y/N until the carriage was well on its way back to the gate. âHeâs a cup of tea, isnât he?â
Y/N blinked, not knowing whether or not to agree, if it was her place. Turning to the man, whose posture had loosened up and a more genuinely friendly expression taking over his features, Y/N nodded slowly.Â
âForgive me. Iâm Edmund, head butler here at The Breakers. Pleased to meet you, Miss Y/N,â Edmund extended a gloved hand to Y/N, who hesitantly shook it. Was he trying to get her guard down by feigning gentlemanly behavior? âI take care of important matters inside of the estate. If you have any needs, you can seek me out. Of course, youâll have personal maids, as well. Come, letâs get you out of the cold.â
Reeling, Y/N watched Edmund effortlessly scoop up her luggage, timidly following him to the door that was opened by an older man, also dressed in a sharp suit. With a house that size, Y/N realized that the staff must have been numerous to keep everything functioning smoothly. It was somewhat of a comfort that the staff she encountered so far seemed to be humans, likely ones with low status and common blood types.Â
Not even the imposing exterior of the building could have prepared Y/N for what the mansion looked like inside. In just the entrance alone, exquisite stone work, massive tiled floors, and tall ornate lamps illuminated by real light bulbs had stars circling around her head. Now that she was inside, she started to feel nervous again, waiting for a vampire to pop out from behind a thick stone column. In awe and in fear of her surroundings, she jolted when a young woman appeared from the left, carrying a tray.Â
âThis is Nadia, sheâll be your head maid. Iâll take your luggage to your room, and Nadia will show you around the first floor before you retire. Sheâll answer any questions you have.â
Edmund bowed to Y/N, which had her blanching in embarrassment. The butler disappearing further into the estate, Y/N turned to Nadia when the young woman cleared her throat lightly.Â
âMiss, Iâve brought you some cocoa. Hopefully it will warm you,â Nadia presented her with a large porcelain mug on the silver tray, a thick, sweet smell hitting her nostrils and making her nearly tear up. The only chocolate she could have at the Sanctuary was a square of bitter 100% cacao on Wednesdays and Sundays, not something decadent and rich like the cocoa she was being offered.Â
âI can have this?â Y/N squeaked, not daring to take the mug lest it was some kind of trick. Nadia cocked her head, confused by the question.Â
âOf course, Miss. Unless you donât like chocolate, I can prepare you some tea instead,â Nadia began to lower the tray, Y/N waving her hands urgently to stop her.Â
âN-no, no, you donât have to do that! Thank you, Iâll take it,â Y/N wrapped her hands around the ceramic mug, the warmth soothing her frozen fingers. âUm, you can call me Y/N if you want, please.â
Y/N was already weirded out, and people addressing her by formal titles was definitely a camel back-breaking straw. Nadia set her tray aside, watching Y/N take a shaky sip of the cocoa. It was the most delicious thing she had ever tasted, and she couldnât even find it in herself to be embarrassed when she drained the whole mug in five seconds flat. The drink was thick, rich, and warmed her from the inside out. She both wanted to cry and beg for a second mug.Â
âYou must be freezing, shall we head into the hall? Itâs much warmer there,â Nadia gestured forward, Y/N glancing at what appeared to be a giant ballroom in front of her. Gulping, she nodded, following the woman timidly. So far, not a single mention of the vampires that allegedly lived in the mansion. âIf youâd like, I can draw you a hot bath when we get to your bedroom. Iâve filled your dresser with warm clothes for you to sleep in, too, Iâll put them on your bed⌠This is the Great Hall. I imagine the coven will hold parties here from time to time.â
Y/N didnât know where to look. Between the sheer size of the space, the ornate artwork painted on the ceiling, and the endless colors swirling around the room, her vision finally landed on the enormous fireplace roaring at one end of the hall. It was then when she noticed it was the first time since mid-October she wasnât chilly. Prior to that evening, Y/N had a lot of assumptions about vampires. One of the assumptions was that they would prefer to live in a cold and dark environment, but the mansion she was standing in was toasty and brightly lit.Â
âItâs⌠big,â Y/N managed weakly, Nadia leading her to a red-carpeted staircase. All she could do was follow, wanting to ask the maid a few questions about the coven, but she knew that vampires had superior hearing and she didnât want to attract the attention of one of them.Â
âYes, but you will become accustomed to it. I can help you navigate the interior and grounds until you know your own way around. Oh, right here. This is a portrait of Master Taehyung. He built this estate,â Nadia paused on the landing, where the staircase split into two directions.Â
Whipping her head upwards, she soaked in the lines of the old painted canvas, Nadiaâs first mention of the vampires making her heart stop dead in her chest. The man depicted in the painting was beautiful, which was typical for the creatures, but Taehyung nearly took her breath away. Dressed in a Victorian-style suit, the vampire had a cold, stern expression. His dark wavy hair was parted down the middle neatly, and of course, the vampiric red irises staring back at her made her stomach turn in fear. Schooling her features, Y/N bit her lip at Nadiaâs expectant expression.Â
âHeâs, um. Handsome,â Y/N offered, hoping that her voice wasnât wavering, Nadia nodded, resuming her ascent up the stairs.Â
âMaster Taehyung made his fortune in steamships, railroads, and shipping in the mid-1800âs. Heâs a legendary businessman,â Nadia informed her, Y/N cringing that she referred to the creature as a âmanâ. Nadia herself didnât seem to have a problem with the vampire, and in fact, her voice almost implied that she admired Taehyung. âAll seven of our masters are impressive men.â
âWait, theyâre all male?â Y/N stopped in her tracks, feeling the blood drain from her face. She was hoping for a coven of mostly female vampires, theorizing that perhaps theyâd be less vicious.Â
âYes, Iâm sure you know that itâs atypical for a coven to be both so large and of all one gender. The masters are like-minded, which is why they chose to form the coven,â Nadia explained, stopping at a door at the end of the hall, beside a breezeway that likely looked out onto the ocean. âHere we are, this is where youâll stay. The rest of the bedrooms on this floor are occupied by five of the masters, Masters Seokjin and Namjoon prefer the bedrooms on the third floor due to privacy of the quarters.â
Y/N swallowed, stepping into her new bedroom, which was bigger than four dorm rooms at the Sanctuary smashed together. The walls were covered in an intricate pink floral wallpaper, all of the upholstered furniture a matching shade of blushing rose, and the marble fireplace was lit already. The room was decidedly feminine, Y/Nâs eyes catching on a painting above a nightstand depicting dancing women. Nadia, as she was bumbling around the room selecting clothes from a dresser, noticed Y/N staring at it. It was expertly painted, precise.Â
âThat is one of Master Yoongiâs pieces, depicting the Nine Muses of Greek mythology,â Nadia placed flannel pajamas on Y/Nâs new bed, which looked plush and was piled high with thick pillows. âMaster Yoongi is a painter, an artist. Very famous.â
âReally?â Y/N knew nothing about art, let alone Greek mythology. She didnât have the luxury of studying those things.Â
âThe hour is growing late, Miss. I can tell you more about the masters in the morning. They will not be back from the affairs that called them away tonight until midday tomorrow,â Nadia pulled out a pocket watch from her apron, heading towards a door by the back of the bedroom. âIâll run your bath, and leave you to rest. Youâll be woken in the morning for breakfast.â
Moments later, Y/N was left alone in her very own bathroom, not a communal one like she was used to at the Sanctuary with cold water taps. The bathtub had steaming water filling the room with humidity, the scent of lavender oil somewhat easing her frayed nerves. Chewing her lip, she decided she might as well indulge in the hot bath, considering her muscles were beyond stiff and there was no way sheâd be able to fall asleep right away, if at all.Â
Part of her wondered what kind of âaffairsâ that the vampires were involved with. If it were her, and she had accumulated all of that wealth and immortality, sheâd spend her days lazing around. The other part of her was thanking the sky that none of them were in the building; she had more time to prepare herself to meet the creatures the following day. Stiffly, she began to untie her skirt, letting the fabric hit the floor. Y/N supposed never having to wear those skirts again was a bit of a silver lining. Kicking it to the side, Y/Nâs vision caught on something silvery and polishedâ an actual mirror. Eagerly, she dashed to the sink it was fixed over to catch a glimpse of herself for the very first time in ages.Â
Unable to help the gasp that came from her mouth, Y/N didnât recognize the woman staring back at her. The image of herself she had in her mind was her fifteen year old self, not the twenty-five year-old reflected in the polished silver. In awe, she traced her sharpened jaw and cheekbone, lacking teenage fullness, and she realized that she had forgotten the color of her eyes. Tearing up a little, she turned from side to side, getting a look at her figure�� even going as far as removing the rest of her clothing in curiosity. Poking at areas of her body she was unfamiliar with in the mirror, like the curve to her hips, Y/N felt rather odd. The whole evening had her entire world turning upside-down.Â
After several moments, she tore her attention from the mirror, only feeling slightly guilty of vanity, and tentatively dipped a toe into the bath. The water didnât immediately dissolve her skin and bones, so she slowly sunk her body into the porcelain basin with a ragged groan. Maybe she had died and went somewhere beautiful, because being treated like royalty so far was not something she predicted. In the back of her mind, she reminded herself not to get too comfortable. She hadnât even met the coven yet, and for all she knew, they could be horrible individuals. Nadia didnât speak of them in that wayâ but maybe the maid wouldnât dare.Â
Y/N sat in the bath until the water became lukewarm and her skin was pruny. Limbs loose, she wrapped herself in a plush towel that was waiting for her on a rack that actually heated the towel. While the ends of her hair dripped water on the tiled floor, she bent down, looking through a chest beside the sink with interest. Each drawer held essential and non-essential toiletries, some things Y/N had never even heard of. Picking up a bottle of âskin oilâ and âhair detanglerâ, she blinked in confusion. Was it Nadia who stocked the drawers for her? Or were the vampires considerate enough to provide her with a toothbrush and facial cleanser?
Head full of cotton, she decided to ignore all of the products she was unfamiliar with and simply brushed her teeth and combed her hair. Peeking out of the bathroom door to make sure that no one had entered the room while she was bathing, Y/N tip-toed across the richly carpeted floor towards the ridiculously large bed. The fire was still going, warming the room, and Y/N hesitantly slid into a pair of flannel pajama pants left out for her. The elasticated waistband hugged her hips perfectly, and as she buttoned up the top and pulled on fluffy socks, she speculated about how Nadia managed to figure out her measurements. The Sanctuary probably had some sort of file on all of her personal information, which had her skin crawling.Â
While she was still on edge, her body was so relaxed from the bath that with slight resignation, she maneuvered herself under the sheets and heavy blankets, clasping a hand over her mouth as she sunk comically into the mattress. The bed hugged her in all directions, like getting to sleep on a cloud, and as she stared at the ceiling in awe, Y/N squirmed around to get in a cozy position curled up tight on her side protectively.Â
The lights would remain on, that was for sure. Y/N was never afraid of the dark per se, but in a new environment, she wasnât risking things watching her from the shadows of the old estate. While memorizing the shapes of the intricate carvings on the ceiling, Y/N tried to make a mental list of everything she knew about vampires in general, and the specifics of the ones she was about to serve.Â
Over the centuries, there were several old wives tales that were circulated by humans surrounding vampires; but Y/N hardly knew which ones were fact or fiction. There were the superstitions passed down through common blood-typed, lower class humans that would work as maids and butlers to the vampires, the awe-inspiring, intimidating tidbits wealthy and influential humans would spread after doing business with the creatures. Then, of course, was the probable propaganda Y/N and her fellow acolytes were spoon-fed in Sanctuaries.Â
Y/N started with what she knew was just plain phony: vampires did not have an aversion to the sun and could walk around in daylight as they pleased. They did not flee from crosses or garlic, and they could not be exterminated by a stake through the heart. Acolytes were told that vampires could not be killed, and had few, if any, weaknesses. That was enough to have Y/N shivering, even beneath all of her blankets and flannel pajamas.Â
The older the vampire, the less in-touch with humanity they became. There was a recalled memory, a boring lecture in the Sanctuaryâs dusty chapel, which consisted of a hazy memory of Y/N copying down âOldest known vampire is aged 1,291 years, but some may be even olderâ. Y/N couldnât even fathom living to be in her forties, let alone how it must be to live for over a century. On the other hand, âyoungerâ vampiresâ under three hundred years oldâ tended to be bolder, and adapted to modern times with greater ease.Â
Vampires needed human blood to sustain their powers, immortality, and to keep their internal organs functioning properly. While considered to be undead, a vampireâs heart kept beating, lungs brought in oxygen, and they could even digest human food if the creatures had consistent access to blood. Squeezing her eyes shut tight at the image of a vampire tearing into a rare steak, Y/N started to count off the things she found out from Nadia about the particular coven that requested her from the Sanctuary.Â
First, there was only a brief visual she had of one out of the seven, âMasterâ Taehyung. Y/N prayed she wouldnât have to use a title on any of them, but it was likely out of her hands. Sure, the portrait depicted a handsome young man, with all the airs of importance and wealthâ but Y/N couldnât get his unearthly red irises out of her mind. Taehyung was the vampire that commissioned the construction of the mansion she was currently cowering in, apparently a business tycoon that dominated during the Gilded Age. The next piece of information she got was âSeokjinâ and âNamjoonâ living on a separate floor for additional privacy, which made her nervous for some reason. Which was more dangerous, vampires in the bedroom next door to her, or those hidden in spots she hadnât even toured yet?
The last thing she learned about one of the vampiresâ Yoongiâ from Nadia is that he was evidently a famous artist. Cracking one sore eye open, she stared at the elaborately framed artwork above her nightstand again, noticing the fading of the paint and how it aged the piece. How old was the painting, and how old was Yoongi? Shutting her eyes once more, she sunk deeper into the mattress and pulled her blankets over her head. Nadia promised sheâd answer any additional questions Y/N had over breakfast, so Y/N miraculously fell asleep by coming up with a handful of queries.Â
âMiss, hello? The sun has risen,â Y/N sat up in her bed with a sharp gasp, her hair hanging in her face like a nest. Whipping her head around frantically, she couldnât believe she actually managed to get some sleep in a brand-new setting so easily. Knocking on the door, as well as a mousy, unfamiliar voice had her stumbling to her feet frantically. âMay I come in, Miss?â
âUm, uh, yes, come in,â Y/N panicked, smoothing her wrinkled flannel shirt into place and hastily raking hair from her face. The door creaked open, a young woman who wasnât Nadia hurrying inâ her uniform pristinely pressed.Â
âGood morning, Miss Y/N. Iâm Juliana, I work under Nadia. Iâll be helping you with your morning routine, while Nadia handles more important mattersâ coordinating breakfast, of course,â Juliana gave Y/N a slight bow, Y/Nâs mouth dropping open at the gesture.
Before she could respond, Juliana began to draw the great curtains around the room open, the blinding white light of the early winter morning flooding into the room and stinging her eyes. When her vision returned to her, she gasped again at the sight just beyond the windows. Unable to help herself, she tripped towards one of the windows, grappling for the sill so she could steady herself.Â
Her room overlooked the backyardâ if one could even call it thatâ and beyond the manicured grass and gardens was the vast, unending ocean once the landscaping dropped off of the famous cliff. It was like her eyes couldnât absorb enough of the scenery, and impatiently, she pressed her forehead to the glass plane to gawk at the icy, gray ocean.Â
âIn this drawer, here, weâve placed warm pants for youâ leggings, jeans, corduroys. If you prefer skirts and wool tights, those are hanging in your closet, and your tops and sweaters are in this armoire, here. Underthings are located in the lingerie chest beside you,â Juliana opened up various drawers, light on her feet and peppy, her curly brown hair bouncing with her movements.
âLin⌠lingerie?â Y/N tasted the unfamiliar word on her tongue, attention effectively stolen from the gorgeous view beyond her windows.Â
âForgive me. Itâs another word for your undergarments, such as brassiers?â Juliana clarified, raising her brows and crossing the room. Y/N had not a single clue what she was talking about, following her like a duckling.Â
âOh! Iâve neverâŚâ Y/N suddenly felt immensely awkward, peering into the drawer that held garments she hadnât worn while at the Sanctuaryâ the thick, burlap material of the Sanctuary tops were all she got, not delicate lacy scraps of fabric that seemed to exist for the sole purpose of cradling her chest. âUm, okay. I can⌠wear whatever I want?â
âYes, yes, as long as youâre comfortable, Miss,â Juliana took Y/Nâs confusion in stride, moving towards the fireplace. Taking up a fire poker, the maid prodded at the glowing embers in the hearth. âI hope you were warm enough while you slept. The fire tends to go out in the middle of the night.â
âY-yes, I was fine. Plenty of blankets,â Y/N chuckled nervously, not used to being so diligently cared for. Would it always be like that? âUm⌠have they returned?âÂ
âThey? You mean the masters?â Juliana paused, replacing the fire poker back on the rack. âTheyâll be back before noon.â
âOkay,â Y/N was proud of herself for keeping a tremble out of her voice, Juliana gesturing towards a vanity by one of the windows.Â
âI can comb your hair, Miss, then leave you to get changed,â Juliana herded Y/N to the cushy stool, Y/N once again blinking at her unfamiliar expression. Contrary to the circumstances, her expression told the story of someone who got plenty of rest the night before. âIâll wait by the stairs to show you to the breakfast room.â
That time, Y/N didnât reply. She was too distracted by the feeling of the young maid gliding a fine comb through her hair gentlyâ and with a sharp twist in her chest, she was reminded of the last time someone did her hairâ Meredith, on the day of the Drawing. Holding her breath, she waited patiently for Juliana to comb through every snag on her head, surprised when she finally pulled away without braiding Y/Nâs hair. Usually, Sanctuaries insisted that acolytes keep their hair braided if female, and cropped short if male. Juliana, however, left Y/N with her hair flowing free.Â
âAlright, Miss, take your time getting dressed. Iâll wait for you by the staircase,â Juliana smiled sweetly at her through the mirror, setting the comb back onto the vanity before she took her leave.Â
Y/N had a newfound feeling of determination when she absorbed her reflection, suddenly. She was going to get as much detail about the characters of the vampires from members of the staff as she could before the seven of them returned to the mansion. Swiftly, she pawed through various drawers for clothes, stomping to the bathroom to brush her teeth.
Tugging on fleece-lined leggings, she cursed at herself in the mirror when it took her several minutes to figure out how to hook a brassier around her bust. The top she selected was a large slouchy sweater, one that hid her figure and hung loosely around her thighs. It made her feel a bit more protected, not having so much skin exposed. There werenât any shoes in her closet, so she awkwardly stuffed her feet into her Mary Janes from the Sanctuary.Â
With a huff, she headed to the hallway, the mansion looking completely different during the day. Early winter sunlight flooded into the building, making the colors of the interior appear vibrant and excessive. Able to retrace her steps from the previous evening, Y/N didnât have any trouble meeting Juliana at the top of the grand staircase.Â
âRight this way, Miss,â Juliana started down the stairs, Y/N glancing at the portrait of Taehyung on the wall. She hadnât noticed before, but while he certainly seemed cold, there was a sort of melancholy look on his face.Â
âJuliana, did um⌠Master Yoongi paint that portrait?â Y/N launched into her interrogations, the maid cocking her head to look at the painting Y/N was referring to. Y/N had to fight the urge not to cringe when using the âmasterâ title.Â
âHmm. I never thought about that! Master Yoongi is mostly known for his work from the Renaissance. Now that you bring it up, however, the attention to detail does look quite a lot like Master Yoongiâs handiwork,â Juliana continued down the stairs, Y/N grasping onto the banister for stability. If Yoongiâs famous artwork was from the Renaissance period, heâd have to be over 500 years old. âDo you like to read, Miss? The library is full of rare books. Master Hoseok has collected them from around the world for hundreds of years. Nadia can show you the way after your breakfast.â
âOhââ
âGood morning, Miss Y/N, I hope you had a restful sleep,â Edmund was at the bottom of the staircase, interrupting Y/Nâs response to Juliana. âJuliana, youâre needed in the laundry.â
âYes, sir,â Juliana straightened up importantly, bowing at Y/N again. âHave a nice breakfast, Miss.â
Edmund stood with his hands clasped behind his back, watching Juliana hurry away out of earshot. The polite smile sort of slipped from his face, attention turning back to Y/N shifting from foot to foot by the staircase.Â
âY/N, after your meal, Iâd like to speak with you in the pantry. Have Nadia show you the way,â Edmund said quietly, gesturing to the left. Tightness in her chest increased when he said that, following him through the hall.Â
There was what appeared to be a grotto under the staircase, water trickling from a fountain and a couple of seats facing the structure. Briefly, Y/N thought that that would be a wonderful spot to read. Led to a sage-green room, Y/N blushed furiously when Edmund pulled out a chair for her at the round table in the center of the room. There was only one fine porcelain plate set in front of her, along with silver cutlery and crystal glasses.Â
âIâll tell them to send out the food. Please enjoy,â Edmund announced, filling one of Y/Nâs glasses with water from a metal pitcher. The butler was gone before she could ask him any questions, but moments later, at least ten staff members were filing into the room.Â
Y/Nâs eyes immediately bugged out of her head. A vat of creamy scrambled eggs, a platter of toast and pastries with jam and butter, plates of crispy bacon and breakfast potatoes, cinnamon-scented oatmeal, even a board with cheeses and bowls of every kind of fruit one could ever wish to try. Staff arranging everything meticulously, she could only blink as someone poured her a mug of coffee with cream and sugar left on the side, as well as a large glass of orange juice.Â
âW-wait, this is⌠this is all for me?â Y/N hadnât seen food like that well, ever. Everything looked gourmet and prepped with love and care. She wouldnât be able to eat everything, but she was going to try her hardest.Â
âYes, Miss. The staff eats before the sun rises,â a young man answered her, setting down a plate stacked with waffles and a gravy boat of syrup. âMeals will be quite large like this until we figure out what your favorite foods are. I hope thatâs alright.â
âO-of course,â Y/N felt herself flushing again, swallowing down a mouthful of saliva that was flooding her palate dangerously. âThank y-you.â
âEnjoy. Call if you would like anything else.â
With that, the staff left her alone in the room, and Y/N didnât know where to start. She compared the silence of the room to the loud chatter that she would listen to in the Sanctuaryâs dining hall. Slowly, she sniffed the steaming coffee in front of herâ she had never tasted it. Taking a small sip, she cringed at the bitterness, understanding at once why the bowl of sugar and fresh cream was left beside the mug. Not wanting to waste anything, she stirred cream and sugar into the mug until the drink tasted decent. With eager, shaky hands, Y/N stood with her plate and began to pile food onto it.Â
Y/N worked herself around the table. Ignoring the feeling of gluttony, she tried every single thing that was left out for her, her plate stacked so high she snorted at herself when she sat back down. To her embarrassment, she moaned in pleasure when she swallowed her spoonful of eggsâ buttery and topped with chives. Urgently, she nibbled on a strip of bacon, the meat hanging out of her mouth as she tore a croissant into pieces. Everything she put into her mouth was the most delicious thing in the world, and she felt like a ravenous bear trying to bulk up for the winter.Â
She stopped eating only when her stomach felt it was going to burst, pushing a bowl of peaches and cream away with a grunt. Y/N did try everything, but it looked like she hadnât even made a dent in the feast. Wiping her face with a fine cloth napkin, she clumsily got to her feet like a milk-drunk baby. Instantly, several staff members swept into the room when she stood to clear the table, Nadiaâs familiar face appearing.Â
âHow was your breakfast, Miss?âÂ
âIâve never had such delicious food,â Y/N admitted, absently trailing after her head maid through a door connected to the breakfast room, probably leading her to the pantry. âThe chefs here must be very skilled.â
âMaster Seokjin insists that we hire the finest chefs in the world. Though he is a vampire, he has culinary interests,â Nadia replied, Y/N finding it hard to walk with how stuffed she was. âEdmund told me you two were going to speak. Heâs likely going to give you a formal tour and tell you a few things about the manor, day-to-day routinesâŚâ
Y/N turned that over in her mind. The look on Edmundâs face earlier had a sort of graveness to it, which she didnât think matched up to explaining house rules. Y/N decided to keep her mouth shut, hoping at the very least sheâd have her questions answered. Suddenly, they were in a room filled with dark wood shelves holding china and crystal stemware, and when Y/N looked up, there was a loft that held even more shelves and dishes. Edmund was by a table in the center of the room, taking notes.Â
âThank you Nadia. I know you had some errands to run, so Iâll show Miss Y/N around until the masters return,â Edmund looked up from his notepad, Nadia nodding once before turning on her heel to leave the room.Â
âAlright, one moment, Miss Y/NâŚâ Edmund said in a chipper tone, moving around the room to shut the doors quickly, which had Y/N suddenly growing nervousâ was he trying to soundproof the room, keep the conversation quiet?
âOh, dear. You do not have to be frightened of me,â Edmund put his hands up when Y/N began to cower in the corner of the room. âI want to offer you information before the vampires return.â
âR-really?â Y/N released the breath she was holding, timidly getting closer to the table Edmund had returned to. He had a grandfatherly look about him, kind and warm. It was not lost on Y/N that he didnât refer to the vampires as masters.
âIt was lucky that they were called away yesterday. I fear you wouldnât have been prepared had they been here. Now, listen; this is very important. Most of the staff treats the coven like gods. I am the only one in this estate who you can talk about the coven negatively.â
Not a good start, Y/N thought, shivering.Â
âNegatively, sir?â
âChild. Looks can be deceiving. I know you that in the hours youâve been here already you have been treated gently. The coven will not follow suit. They are cruel, heartless creatures. You must do everything in your power to not upset any of them,â Edmund enunciated clearly, Y/Nâs heart dropping in her chest. âThe powers they possess are extremely dangerous. They do not have emotions like you or I.â
âThe way Nadia talked about them⌠painted a different picture,â Y/N uttered desperately, Edmund looking out the window wistfully.Â
âIâve been with the coven for decades, while they lived in Europe. Nadia has only been around for five years, and she does not deal with the coven as I do. She has not seen what theyâre capable of.â
âAre you telling me this because you feel bad for me?â Y/N suddenly became defensive despite her terror, hating when she was pitied in any circumstance.Â
âNo, child. I want to help you. I want to warn you, before they come back and they size you up,â Edmund shook his head, looking down at the notes he was taking earlier. âYou are dealing with four vampires that are very old and disconnected to humanity. The younger three are wild and reckless. It's important to remember this.â
âHow oldâŚâ
âIâll tell you a bit about each of them specifically in a moment. My largest piece of advice to you is never directly show the coven youâre afraid of them. Of course, theyâll be able to scent it on you, but do not give away your fear verbally, or you will be backed into a dark corner and toyed with.â
âOh my god,â Y/N breathed, then dreading the covenâs return to the estate.Â
âYou asked how old they are. Iâll start with the eldest, who is the most respected vampire in the covenâ he has seniority, you see, due to his age and his status. Seokjin is 879 years old, and when he was human, he was a crown prince of a Korean monarch,â Edmund began, using a handkerchief to dab his dewy hairline. âHe may appear very calm and unaffected, but he absolutely despises humans. He hardly tolerates the staff, and we know not to bother him unless necessary. Under no circumstance should you lie to him, ever. Iâve seen him kill many staff members and even associates over being deceived. One more thing about Seokjin⌠the âpowerâ he has. Vampires call it âCompulsionâ. He has the ability to make telepathic suggestions to others in order to control their thoughts, even wipe memories. He can convince a man to jump to his own death, or forget his happiest memories.â
Y/N didnât know what to say. All of the questions that she had come up with before falling asleep completely fled from her mind, and all she could do was grip onto the wooden table with slick palms. Over 800 years oldâ Seokjin was ancient, otherworldly, and sounded like a monster.Â
âOn the other hand, the youngest in the coven, Jeonggukâ just 124 years old. He has the gift of Telepathy, so you must learn to control your thoughts around him. If somehow, Seokjin is unable to find out you lied to him, Jeongguk can tear through your thoughts and report it back to him,â Edmund continued, tapping his notepad with his pen. âQuite a few in the coven have much experience with violence. Jeongguk, when he was human, was a bodyguard to Al Capone. When he was turned, he was not only a bodyguard, but he read the minds of enemy gangs to relay back to Capone. Heâs strong and lacks empathy, so he kills without mercy.â
âHow⌠will I be able to control my thoughts? Heâll know Iâm terrified, heâllâŚâ
âI can teach you, when theyâre away on business. It is difficult, but can be done. Child, let me finish telling you what I know before theyâre due back.â
Y/N clammed up, growing more petrified by the second by each word that came out of the butlerâs mouth. By the time he had run through the basic personalities of each of the vampires, Y/N had a cloth soaked in cold water pressed to her forehead. For lack of a better word, she was fucked.Â
âIâm sorry to tell you all of this,â Edmund said quietly when he was finished, regret flashing over his face. âJust know, you have someone here who is on your side. Iâll do everything I can to protect you from their wrath, or at least train you to handle it. Fortunately, youâre needed by themâ while they may be cruel to you, they need you alive in order to sustain themselves.â
âSpectacular,â Y/N wheezed, wishing she didnât eat so much breakfast. She didnât want it to make a second appearance. âTo think I was going to press you for information. I donât know if I was better off in the dark or not.â
âCertainly not. You know what to expect this afternoon, somewhat. Keep your guard up, and try to keep your fear in check, and the introduction can go smoothly,â Edmund insisted. âPerhaps⌠while you wait for their return, you can peruse the library, as Juliana suggested.â
Edmund began to open the doors again, and Y/N understood that meant their conversation was as good as over.Â
âEdmund?â
âYes, child?â
âWonât they know that you warned me about them? Will you be punished?â
âDonât worry about me, child. The coven knows how I feel about them, itâs earned me a teaspoon of respect. Besides, no other butler in the world wishes to work for them. Rumors of their behavior, you see,â Edmund placed a hand on Y/Nâs shoulder, smiling faintly. âCome. Iâll give you a brief tour and then escort you to the library.âÂ
About fifteen minutes later, Y/N was left by herself in the dark, intricate library. Hardly giving the alleged ârareâ books collected by Hoseok a glance, she sank down into a chair by the fireplace, staring into the flames blindly. Curiosity killed the cat, and Y/N hardly knew what to do. Every single one of the vampires were murderous, unfeeling monsters with horrifying powers. Powers theyâd likely be using on her any moment.Â
Y/N didnât know who she was afraid of the most. Seokjin sounded menacing, Jeongguk dangerous and immoral. The others, she didnât even know where to start sorting out what she learned. There was Hoseok, Y/Nâs eyes shifting to the weathered books on the shelves, who was once a pirate over four hundred years ago, and had the ability to âTrackâ people by scent. Edmund told her that Hoseok could find anybody without fail and even predict their future moves. He was greedy, fond of drinking, and impulsive.Â
She wondered if it was Namjoon she was most afraid of. His power was definitely the worst one: with eye contact and focus, he could inflict pain on others compared to being burned alive, a power called Pain Illusion. Apparently, he was once a Korean military general roughly four hundred years prior, and once turned, he became a sword-for-hire. Edmund told her that he enjoyed the kill, enjoyed watching others suffer, and was second to Seokjin as far as the hierarchy of the coven. Like the elder vampire, Namjoon had a disdain for humanity. Edmund told her to be especially careful around Namjoon, as he was a known sadist.Â
Head in her hands, she groaned. Yeah, Namjoon definitely was the scariest. The other three were no daisies, either, but the thought of having to experience what Namjoonâs Pain Illusion felt like was enough to have her heart racing.Â
Apparently Taehyung is the most deceiving of the bunch. He had all of the etiquette of a Gilded Age businessman, but Edmund relayed that he was absolutely ruthless when it came to his affairs and could Glamour his appearance. Jimin, a famed playwright of romantic tragedies the same years Jane Austen was active, was notoriously manipulative, hedonistic, and a feared Hypnotist. Finally, the artist, Yoongiâ apparently studied under an artist named Leonardo da Vinci, and was secretly known for using his power of Paralysis on his models so he could paint them for hours without interruption.Â
That tacky sort of nervous sweat began to roll down the notches of Y/Nâs spine. None of the vampires sounded friendly at all. Y/N knew that it would be wishful thinking to expect all of them to be somewhat tame, but she had hoped for at least one that wouldnât be insane or murderous. Hugging her knees to her chest, Y/N counted her breaths to calm down. Heeding Edmundâs initial advice would be wise; trying to keep her thoughts bland, maintaining aloof confidence. Not bursting into tears, or trying to hide behind Nadiaâs skirts.Â
Chin resting on her knees, Y/N closed her eyes. She wondered what Meredith and Joseph were up to. In the mornings after breakfast, typically they'd have study and silent prayer in the chapel. Y/N considered herself to be somewhat of an atheist, so usually sheâd daydream while on her knees, eyes glazed over. Meredith would let Y/N lean her shoulder on hers, and Joseph would make sure she wouldnât fall asleep and get punished. Sadness filled her at the thought of her memories. It was likely sheâd never get to see Meredith or Joseph ever again. Too busy wallowing, Y/N jolted in her seat when Nadia appeared in front of her, repeating her name several times.Â
âMiss, the masters have returned. We must greet them outside,â Nadia offered Y/N a thick winter jacket, Y/N audibly gulping. Sheâd run out of time.Â
Heart thundering in her chest, Y/N shrugged into the maroon felt coat, shuffling after Nadia with resignation. It was like the a monarch was coming, countless members of staff hurriedly heading to the front entrance or flying up the stairs with various linens. Deciding to think of only her friends, Y/N replayed scenes of the two of her closest kin harvesting vegetables in the gardens during the summer months. Reading with Meredith by candlelight in dramatic voices. Horsing around with Joseph in the hallways when they were supposed to be dusting statues.Â
Outside, the grounds were clearer to her in the daylight. In the spring, the landscaping was probably breathtaking. Quietly, she stood between Edmundâ the head butler, and Nadiaâ the former giving nothing away regarding their private discussion surrounding the coven. Holding her breath, Y/N watched the large iron gates swing open, the purr of car engines filling the quiet street.Â
Biting back a surprised noise, Y/N supposed she shouldnât have been stunned to see a line of luxury cars pulling into the drive. The first in line was a sleek, vibrant-blue colored sports car, followed by a cushy looking black sedan, two black SUVs, and two more small sports carsâ one in cherry red and the other canary yellow.Â
No one said a word. Y/N counted the vehicles againâ there were only six. Again, she was thinking about the excess of wealth. Would it kill them to share cars? Bouncing on the balls of her feet, the blue sports carâs doors opened firstâ upward, like a spaceship. In succession, the rest of the roaring engines cut off and Y/N stared blankly at the carportâs carved stone ceiling to put off matching names to faces. She hadnât even considered how old they looked physically, were they middle agedâ Christ forbid, were they teenagers?Â
âMaster Seokjin. I trust everything went well?â Edmund bowed deeply, Y/N urgently copying the movement when the butler glanced at her from the corner of his eye.Â
âWhoâs this little girl?â Seokjin ignored Edmundâs question, Y/Nâs eyes on the highly polished loafers that were just in front of her.Â
Y/N finally straightened up to take a look at the vampire in front of her, and all of the oxygen was sucked out of her lungs when the most beautiful face she had ever seen was studying her right back. He appeared to physically be in his early thirties, but the faraway look in his eyes gave away his true ancient age.
Tall, broad, and dressed in an expensive looking suit, the dark-haired vampire had his full mouth twisted into disapproval. With his short, choppy bangs, they gave a perfect view to sculpted eyebrows, a pallor to his flawless skin, and of course, the red eyes narrowing while he waited for an answer. Y/N felt like she had to look away, so her eyes slid from Seokjinâs statuesque face to the second figure disembarking from the blue sports car, the passenger.Â
âThis is Acolyte Y/N, from the local Sanctuary. The AB- donor. She arrived last night,â Edmund bowed again, this time at the second vampire storming up the steps to the front door.
âTake this upstairs, Nadia,â the second vampire, again, an exceedingly gorgeous man, barked. While his voice was rich and smooth like silk, he curled his nose up in a snarl when he spotted Y/N beside her head maid.Â
âYes, Master Namjoon,â Nadia grunted when a briefcase was shoved into her chest, Namjoon scoffing once at Y/N before disappearing into the mansion. Three things Y/N noticed about him: the skinny Asian-style sword strapped to his massive back, the thick leather gloves on his hands, and the air of total hatred coming off of him in waves.Â
âDidnât think sheâd be such a⌠scrap of a thing,â Seokjin sounded bored, almost disappointed she wouldnât put up a strong fight.Â
âThe Sanctuary diets arenât particularly nutritious. Sheâll gain more muscle and mass after a few weeks with our great chefs,â Edmund reassured the eldest vampire, whom Y/N wished would stop staring at her and simply go inside.Â
âMake sure sheâs present for dinner,â Seokjin drawled, lifting an eyebrow at Y/N. Was⌠she for dinner? âI have calls to make. Tell the chefs twelve courses tonight, rich food. The little girl needs more meat on her bones to be of actual use.â
With that, Seokjin brushed past the butler, Y/Nâs head already spinning. Next thing she knew, there were three more vampires stalking towards her and Edmund, Y/N wondering which one was the one that could read her uneasy thoughts.Â
âOh? A little dove!â A borderline childish voice is what caught her attention first, wicked delight coloring his tone.Â
If his eyes werenât so frightening, the grin stretching across the vampireâs face could have been on the cover of a magazine. He flicked his overgrown black bangs out of his face, biting down on his plump lower lip with a sharpened fang. Contrary to the chilly weather, all he wore was a loosely buttoned, thin white shirt, revealing a large strip of his pale bare chest.Â
âJimin, donât get carried away like last time. Youâre always breaking your toys,â One of the others, leaning against a stone column, picked his nails while tsking. That particular vampire wouldnât even spare her a glance, his wavy dark hair curtaining his face. While his body was lean, hands were extremely weathered compared to the rest of his smooth, pushing-30-years-old complexion.Â
Knees wobbling from that remark, the third vampire, who was eyeing every inch of her thoughtfully, noticed the movement with a slight smirk and a narrowing of his feline-like eyes.Â
âAw, that wasnât my fault, Hoseok. Donât listen to him, little dove! Weâre going to have fun together,â Jimin, evidently, pouted, but the effect didnât soothe her when she saw a psychotic glint reflected in his irises. âUgh, I hate traveling. I hope thereâs wine in my roomâŚâÂ
Jimin winked at her as he slunk inside. Rolling his eyes, Hoseok, the most casually dressed so far in a simple dark turtleneck, trailed after, Y/N noticing how sharply cut his jawline was and the geometrically perfect way his nose turned up into the air.Â
âMaster Yoongi, is there anything I can get for you before you resume painting?â Edmund cleared his throat, the long-haired vampire finally stopped smirking at Y/N, shaking his head silently. As soon as Yoongi stopped looking at her, she felt like she could breathe again, her fingertips twitching. âWeâve purchased fresh oil paints, as per your request.â
Wordessly, Yoongi was in her presence at once, and the next, with a blur, he was gone.Â
âVampiric speed,â Edmund murmured, Y/N swallowing thickly. She had forgotten that not only did they have individual powers, but they had strength and speed, as well. Only two more to goâ Taehyung and the mind reader, Jeongguk. âYouâre doing well.â
The driver of the second car that had pulled into the driveway, the black sedan, finally cut the engine. The second SUV, the first of which belonged to Hoseok, had long since been turned off but no one emerged from it.Â
âMaster Taehyung typically likes to take a walk around the grounds after returning from business. Here, however, is Master Jeongguk,â Edmund schooled his features, him and Y/N robotically bowing at the final vampire she was to greet. The mind reader.Â
âHello,â Y/N blurted impulsively, much to her chagrin. The youngest vampire appeared to be around her age, perhaps a year or two older, and besides his ghostly complexion and red eyes, Jeongguk looked remarkably like a human manâ perhaps like Joseph, but far more muscular.Â
âEdmund, Iâm assuming this human is the AB- acolyte?â Jeongguk completely ignored Y/N, which had humiliation pulsing through her body painfully. âLetâs see, you. Look at me.â
Y/N froze, Jeongguk stooping to make his face completely level with Y/Nâs. Suddenly, the grip she thought she had on her thoughts melted away into nothing, and she got lost in the doelike quality of the youngest vampireâs eyes.Â
âTypical, Edmund. Warning her about us? All you did was terrify her,â Jeongguk murmured, his youthful voice but a coo. Y/N knew not to trust it, especially when his chilled index finger jabbed into her cheek. âWhoâs Joseph, AB-? A lover from the Sanctuary?â
Y/Nâs tongue turned to stone in her mouth. Like his covenmates, Jeongguk was extremely handsome, but taunted her coldly. Luckily, she had motor function, shaking her head in the slightest. Tongue probing into the meat of his cheek, Jeongguk stood to his full height, the dark brown trench coat he was wearing hiding just how truly large he was.Â
âYouâre fortunate youâre the only butler available to us. Your head would be on a pike, if it were up to me,â Jeongguk, in a mild tone, addressed Edmund, who simply looked at the vampire placidly.Â
âYes, sir,â Edmund took a leather bag from the vampire, Y/N unable to believe how easy it was for Jeongguk to enter her mindâ her memories pulled from her mind to his in hazy flashes that had her skull throbbing.Â
âY/N,â she flinched when Jeongguk addressed her by name, whipping her head around to watch him stalk up the stairs behind her, wearing a murderous smirk. âWear something pretty to dinner, alright?â
Acid began to crawl up her throat, and when Jeongguk disappeared in almost a mist, Edmund placed a grandfatherly-like hand on her upper arm.Â
âRelax now, Y/N. You did well. Very well. You wonât see any of them until dinner. Returning to your bedroom for now would be wise, Nadia will help prepare you for the meal,â Edmund whispered, gripping Jeonggukâs bag in one of his hands. âHead in, child. Youâve been in the cold long enough. Soak up the warmth, while you can.â
It was a miracle that Y/N didnât make deep dents in the carpet of her bedroom as she paced back and forth. Escorted to her room after meeting six out of the seven vampires, Y/N was left to her own devices that afternoon. Nadia had left her a stack of books to entertain herself before dinner, Y/N thinking that sheâd rather swallow shattered glass than sit at a table with the monsters.Â
Halting, Y/N stood in front of one of the windows, hands coming up to brace herself on the windowsill. The ocean was choppy thanks to a biting wind blowing in from the North, the color of it almost black. Was it too late for her to jump off of the cliff? If she made a run for it, would anyone catch her before she could fall to her merciful death?
Eyes glazed over, her fingernails dug into the flesh of her palms. Suddenly and inexplicably, the hair on the back of her neck stood up, like a cold draft of air swept through the room. Ears picking up movement, Y/N spun around, a startled yelp coming from her mouth at the sight of the figure at her door. One of the vampires actually sought her out, lazily trailing his crimson eyes up and down her form. Tripping backwards, Y/Nâs back was pressed into the icy windowpane. The vampire boldly stepping into the light, Y/N realized who it was before he even opened his mouth.
âBe careful, little dove. It would be a shame if you fell through the glass and cracked that skull of yours open before we even had a chance to play,â Jimin teased, though the taunt was far from an innocent jest.Â
âW-whaââ
âI said, careful. Think about how to speak to me before you stutter out something disrespectful,â Jimin sneered, crossing the room in a split second. Flinching, his face was mere inches from hers, his skin so pale it was almost translucent. His eyes, while certainly red, were sort of a dulled tone, and there was nothing good-natured about his expression at all.Â
âIâm sorry,â Y/N whispered, voice cracking. Jimin seemed to accept the apology, tsking and backing up a degree. Y/N forced herself to remain calm, the vampire pushing up the sleeves to his blouse. His chest was even more exposed than it was before, his muscles seemingly carved from white marble.
âThatâs better, dove,â Jimin hummed, falsely sweet. âYou canât wear those rags to dinner. Juliana!â
Jiminâs voice was sing-songy, the vampire putting his hands on his hips and tapping his foot impatiently. Swallowing with great unease, Y/Nâs palms were slick as she held onto the windowsill. Then, the sound of hurried footsteps flooded into the room, Y/Nâs fright easing a degree when Juliana and several other maids joined her and the vampire in the bedroom. At once, Y/Nâs eyes went owlishly wide, each of the maids carrying brightly colored gowns, stacks of velvet boxes, and more pairs of shoes than she could count.Â
âThe latest fashions⌠Chanel and Dior, Cartier jewelry. Fashion design has come a long way these last few centuriesâ not bad for a bunch of humans,â Jimin seemed like he was talking to himself, plucking a heavy looking necklace up from the open case Juliana was holding. Y/N still couldnât get over the childlike lilt to his voice, paired with the unsettling confidence he carried, cautiously returning eye-contact when he sauntered towards her.Â
âDressing your new doll, Jimin?â Hoseok appeared in the doorway, Jimin still entirely focused on getting Y/N pinned to the window. The older vampire had a bottle of liquor in his grasp, an amused smirk on his face. Y/N felt ill.Â
âRubies suit her, donât you think, Hoseok?â Jimin bit down on his lip with a fang, like he did earlier. Then, his voice took on a silky tone, an index finger curling in her direction. âCome here, dove.â
Y/N didnât want to comply, but after nearly a heartbeat, everything in her body was telling her that it was okay, more than okay, to get close to Jimin. She wanted to, needed him, it felt like she could hardly breathe. In a darkened corner of her mind, Y/Nâs rational self realized Jimin was using Hypnosis on her, and there was nothing she could do to resist his his call. Moving on autopilot, Y/N almost stumbled over her feet to close the distance between herself and the vampire.Â
With a satisfied, wicked grin, Jimin tilted his head, looking down at her through his dark lashes. Spellbound by his presenceâ how had Y/N gone her entire life without him? Unprompted, she gathered her hair up and held it over her shoulder, exposing her bare neck to the vampire. Excitement flashed through her when Jimin licked his lips, and when his chilly fingers traced along a fluttering vein by the base of her throat, Y/N squirmed in delight. So removed from herself, as if in a trance, she obediently stayed still as Jimin clasped the necklace around her throat. Past the haze, she could hear an amused snort coming from Hoseok watching by the doorframe.Â
âIsnât that nice?â Jimin hummed, adjusting the jewelry so it sat perfectly on her clavicle. Boldly, he tugged at the neckline of her sweater, exposing more of her skin, the strength in his touch stretching out the flimsy wool with ease.Â
âVery obedient, pet. Juliana, get her ready for dinner,â Hoseok snarked, taking a swig from his liquor.Â
Slowly, like roots of a tree pulling up from the earth, the influence Jimin had over her mind and body untangled from her being with a deep ache. Different from the throbbing, disorienting pain that filled her brain when Jeongguk infiltrated her thoughts, Jiminâs affect gripped her entire being as if her bone marrow was bruising. With a whimper, Y/N staggered to the side, Juliana promptly righting her by one of her arms. Jimin had used his vampiric speed to join Hoseok at the door, winking at Y/N trying to catch her breath.Â
âHere, Katie. Make the human a pre-dinner cocktail. She looks like sheâs going to suffer from a paranoid break. I abhor hysterics,â Hoseok loudly placed his glass bottle of booze on one of Y/Nâs nightstands, addressing an older woman who was holding several silky dresses in her arms.Â
With that, the two vampires shut the door behind themselves, the sounds of their expensive shoes marching down the hallway, leaving Y/N to figure out what just happened. The necklace around her throat felt like a ten-pound weight, and if the room wasnât full of maids who acted like nothing happened, she would have ripped it off and pelted it at the bedroom door. Noise buzzing around her, rustling of skirts, the only thing that kept her on her feet was Julianaâs arm slung around her lower back.Â
âAlright, Miss, letâs get started on your bath,â Juliana said airily, Y/N feeling a single tear slip down her cheek, which she hurriedly swept away with her sweater sleeve before anyone caught it. âI have the most lovely hairstyle in mind for you. Master Jimin seemed to like that necklace on you, so weâll pick something red to go with it.â
Y/N was astonished. Juliana was in the room when that whole interaction happened, was she not? Did she not see how Jimin hypnotized her, and was she not disturbed by it? Perhaps it was something only Y/N and the two vampires could sense happening, but Y/N had never felt more vulnerable and alone. Hollowly, she let Juliana herd her into the bathroom, sitting on the closed toilet seat, she wasnât fully listening to the maid, tracing her fingers over the polished stones around her neck.Â
âThe chefs have been working so hard today on the meal, itâs going to be wonderful, Miss Y/N! I helped the executive chef select ingredients at the finest market in town,â Juliana tested the water coming from the bathtubâs tap, pouring various vials into the water. âI picked up some moisturizing rose oils, bubbles, and powdered milk for the bath. I even managed to find dried flowers, which is rare for this time of year. Come, Iâll wash your hair for you.â
âH-huh?â Y/N squeaked, not wanting to strip her clothes off in front of somebody else.Â
âItâs quite alright, Miss. Weâre your personal maids, there is no reason to be bashful,â Juliana insisted, keeping her eyes low, but helping Y/N to her feet. Too afraid to protest, Y/N stood statue-still as the maid carefully removed the necklace Jimin put on her and handed it off to another nameless maid. âHave you ever heard of a spa day? Think of it as that!â
âSpa day?â Y/N repeated stupidly, blushing furiously when she was left in just her brassier and the scrap they called underwear. Juliana turned, allowing Y/N to remove her undergarments and get into the mass of perfumed bubbles piling up in the tub. âNever heard of that⌠is that a holiday?â
âNo, Miss,â Juliana giggled, her cheeks pink with merriment. âYouâll just enjoy some beauty treatments. Itâs been a while since weâve gotten to do things like this, so youâll have to forgive us if we go overboard with spoiling you.â
Dumbfounded was the only word for how Y/N felt. At that point, she was going to get whiplash from being treated like a princess by the staff at one moment, and like a toy by the vampires the next. Bitterly, Y/N came up with the hypothesis that the reasons she was getting âspoiledâ was either out of pity, or that the vampires wanted their toy shiny and flawless. Katie, the older maid from before, appeared with a crystal glass filled with some kind of bubbling liquid, a slice of a blood-red orange floating amongst real ice cubes.
âAs per Master Hoseokâs request, Miss. Itâs a blood orange rum sour, his favorite,â Katie slightly bowed, a wisp of gray hair falling from her low bun. Alarm bells went off in Y/Nâs head.Â
âBlood?âÂ
âIt simply refers to the color and variety of the citrus, dear. Not actual blood,â Katieâs mouth twitched, like she was trying not to laugh. Y/N took a sniff of the drink, recoiling slightly at the burn in her nostrils. She knew it was alcoholâ something she never tried before.Â
âAlcohol isnât allowed at the Sanctuary. They tell us itâs bad for acolytes,â Y/N felt like a lamb going up for slaughter, unsure and anxious. Warm water was being poured down her back from a cup, where Juliana was slowly soaking the strands of her hair to wash, and it made her shiver.Â
âWell, dear, youâre here now. You may drink as much as you or the Masters deem suitable,â Katie bowed again, whisking away back into Y/Nâs bedroom to select her dinner outfit.Â
If she knew anything about alcohol, it was that it had the ability to steel oneâs nerves. Which was something she desperately needed- so bravely, her eyes fluttered shut and she took a hearty swig of the cocktail. The first thing that washed over her palate was bright, juicy citrus, but when she swallowed, the burn of alcohol made the contents of her stomach sting. Grimacing, she willed herself to drain the glass, wondering when sheâd feel the effects. Gut boiling, she kept her eyes shut as Juliana worked shampoo into her hair.Â
âYou have such pretty hair, Miss Y/N,â Juliana complimented, Y/Nâs cheeks hotâ not just from the compliment. A haze, a pleasant one, had her humming. Was it the way Juliana was massaging her temples, or was it the booze flooding through her system? âAnything else we can get you? Another drink?â
âOkay?â Y/N replied, just a tad bit more comfortable with asking for things. Juliana called out for Katie while she rinsed Y/Nâs hair, the warm water making her sigh.Â
And when she had another drink in her hand, Juliana wrapping a hot towel around her conditioned hair and a third nameless maid using a sandy scrub to slough off flakiness from her years-neglected skin, Y/N started to feel giddy. Maybe things wouldnât be so badâ being pampered sure was nice, and Y/N had always been strong-willed. Edmund was right, earlier; the vampires needed her alive, so they wouldnât dare kill her. To Y/Nâs knowledge, there wasnât another human in the nearest Sanctuaries with blood as rare as hers.Â
It was like she could feel her backbone growing, only peeling one of her eyes open when something odd was gliding up her legs. Cocking her eyebrow curiously, she watched the third maidâ Meiâ use a razor to shave downy hair from her legs. Strange.Â
When she was sufficiently scrubbed, shaved, and presented with oil and lotion to apply, Y/N was left in the bathroom to dry off and slide into a terry cloth robe. Wobbling a little when she got out of the tub, Y/N giggled as she slathered herself with a floral scented lotion, her legs foreignly baby-soft. The cocktails were certainly doing their job, Y/N pinching her cheeks in the mirror and fixing a determined look on her face.
She was always the brave one amongst herself, Meredith, and Joseph. Why should she dissolve into a puddle of helplessness and meek responses? Even though she was being made over into a perfect angel for a group of demons, she held significant power. She didnât need the coven to survive, but they did.Â
With renewed courage, Y/N returned to her bedroom. That time, only Nadia and Juliana remained, both of them waiting for her by the old vanity that was littered with appliances, jewelry, and cosmetics. The sun was starting to set, making the sky a burnt orange over the silver ocean.
âHowâre you feeling?â Nadia smiled at her through the mirror when Y/N sunk down onto the stool, Y/N returning the expression. She thought that might have been the first time she smiled in the previous 24 hours.Â
âRelaxed,â Y/N answered honestly, sitting still while Nadia worked a silky product through her hair. Juliana, however, began selecting various powders and tubes and comparing them to Y/Nâs complexion with a concentrated pout.Â
âFantastic! Iâm pleased to hear,â Nadia seemed to glow, like it was her lifeâs duty to pamper and please Y/N.Â
Lapsing into silence, Y/N stared at her reflection while Juliana began to dust her face with powder, and Nadia fired up a device that seemed to dry her hair. Buzzed, she watched the two maids make her up into a princess that Y/N used to read about with Meredith, her unruly hair manipulated into a pretty style, shimmering ruby gloss being painted across her lips.Â
Once the âhair dryerâ was switched off, Y/N dared to ask a question that popped into her mind when she got to the bottom of her second cocktail in the bath. Rolling back her shoulders, she got Nadiaâs attention while she was sliding a sparkly hair clip into Y/Nâs hair. When the query left her lips, both of her maids' expressions went from merry to grimâ which wasnât encouraging.
âNadia, what happened to the covenâs previous donor?âÂ
âWhere is the human sitting?â Yoongi crossed his arms over his chest, a dull ache all over his body. It had been too long since he had fed on human blood, and his immortal body was feeling the deprivation. âMight I suggest⌠not next to Jimin?â
âWhy, do you want that little girl at your side instead?â Seokjin hardly looked up from the documents he was signing, already seated at the head of the dining room table. âYouâre not the greedy type, Yoongi. Leave that to Hoseok.â
Yoongi curled up his lip into a snarl, but would not offer a retort to the elder vampire. Really, the only one who had the balls and Seokjinâs grace to allow challenging was Namjoon. With a sigh, Yoongi took his usual seat, his fangs aching. Since they returned to the estate, the scent of AB- blood intensified Yoongiâs longing to have a taste of that sample the coven received earlier in the week. Idly, he traced the veins on the back of his handâ usually pale blue, but with the lack of blood flowing through his system, they were nearly dark gray.Â
âWhich documents are those?â
âFrom the UN. They want us to sit in on an Assembly in December,â Seokjin sounded terribly bored, mostly because he was to death. Another human war heâd have to offer expertise on, expertise that would probably be ignored. After all, Seokjin and his covenmates were really only invited out of fear.Â
âWhat a pain in the ass,â Hoseok arrived at the table, collapsing onto the seat beside Yoongi. Kicking his feet up on the polished table, narrowly missing the china that was set there, Seokjinâs pen-scratching stopped. âI hate New York City. Filthy place. Should have burned it down when I still had my ship.â
âWas New York even established when you still had a ship, Captain Morgan?â Seokjin snarked, staring once pointedly at the bottle of rum in Hoseokâs hand, and then at his boots on the table. âPut your feet down, now.â
Hoseok rolled his rust-colored eyes but obeyed, knowing not to anger Seokjin unless he wanted Namjoon to use his âgiftâ on him. Taking a swig of the rum, Hoseok frownedâ the longer he went without human blood, the duller his taste buds got. He only tasted a flat note of cinnamon, not even the sting of the liquor. Hopefully, heâd get a taste of the mousy acolyte that night.Â
Snapping his fingers sharply, a staff member appeared out of the shadows to take the signed documents from Seokjin. With mild annoyance, he checked his watch for the time; he told Nadia, the humanâs maid, to have the girl at the dinner table at 8 PM sharp. Nadia still had ten minutes before her life was in danger. Seokjin couldnât stand humans who couldnât follow simple directions.Â
âIs twelve courses really necessary? Weâll be here for hours,â Hoseok complained, mostly because heâd have to hear the chefs drone on and on about the ingredients of each dish and the beverage pairing that went with it.Â
âYou saw how pathetically frail that human was. If she is to serve us, she needs to gain weight,â Namjoon thundered into the room, his tread heavy and confident. He sat closest to Seokjin, on the left, his expression made of stone. Again, Hoseok rolled his eyes.Â
âI agree. With just a few gulps, I could drain the little dove dry,â a melodious voice joined the conversation, Jimin giggling when he sunk into his chair just across from Namjoon. Annoyed with the buttons on his shirt, Jimin tugged the last one free, letting both sides of the garment hang loose.Â
Namjoon set his jaw in warning, already bracing himself for how insufferable Jimin would become with the arrival of the girl. Namjoon thought it was beneath him to interact with humans unless necessary, while Jimin preferred to see just how far he could push them. Jimin simply grinned back at Namjoon, slow and seductive, a muscle pulsing in the elder vampireâs cheek.Â
âControl yourself, Jimin. Youâre on thin ice,â Seokjin leaned back in his chair, his voice airy and high. His voice had even forced Namjoon somewhat stiff. âTaehyung, have you contacted Berwind?â
The owner of the estate the coven currently called home made his entrance, still in his tweed suit from earlier. Taehyung looked exactly like he did in the portrait of himself hanging above the grand staircase. Itâs like time, for Taehyung, stopped in 1869.Â
âWait, why?â Hoseok straightened up, with distaste on his face when Taehyung took the opposite head of the tableâ across from Seokjin. âThat guy is a blowhard.â
âWell, the blowhard might be our newest partner for marine affairs. You want a new ship, do you not?â Taehyung pointed out blandly, rubbing the grayish veins over his temples. âWeâre going to have to host a party soon. He wonât agree to anything unless we get a selection of acolytes and fine wine.â
âShe has five more minutesâŚâ Seokjin murmured to himself, secretly wishing Nadia would give him an excuse to blow off steam. âWhere is Jeongguk?â
âHyung,â Namjoon cleared his throat to get Seokjinâs attention, pointing to the door leading into the butlerâs pantry.Â
Jeongguk emerged, his hands shoved into his pockets as a very sheepish looking set of sous chefs followed him with silver trays.Â
âI donât know why they expected us to eat food when the lack of blood has stolen our sense of taste,â Jeongguk drawled, a chef shakily placing a cordial glass in front of Seokjin.Â
It contained the remainder of the AB- sample, the acolyteâs blood. The glass was hardly on the table before Yoongi snatched it up, draining it in one go. Anything to relieve the ache. Even after five hundred years, Yoongi could never get used to the feeling of being starved.Â
âSo sorry, Masters,â one of the chefs bowed, Namjoonâs eyes narrowing. Normally, he would have broken a limb for the forgetfulness, but he didnât have it in him that evening. âHors d'oeuvres will be out momentarily.â
Jeongguk scoffed, glancing curiously when Seokjin started tutting as the youngest vampire began to take his usual spot beside Namjoon.Â
âWhatâs wrong?âÂ
âLeave a space between you and Namjoon-ah,â Seokjin ordered firmly. âThe human will sit between you two, lest she decide to flee the table, you two will be able to restrain her swiftly.â
Jimin pouted, his lips stained with the blood he sipped from his cordial glass. Seokjin was about to get up to deal with Nadia failing to follow his order when every vampire in the room paused, clumsy footsteps hurrying in the direction of the dining room. Covered poorly by expensive perfume was the scent of unease, alcohol, and mortal vitality.Â
âCutting it close, Nadia,â Seokjin purred, the maid blushing as she ushered the young acolyte into the dining room.Â
The girl, dressed in a velvet ruby cocktail dress, fidgeted with the short hem of the garment while gawking at the crystal chandeliers hanging from the ceiling. Her racing pulse was audible and visible; veins fluttering at the base of her throat.Â
âI apologize, Master Seokjin. Iâm afraid Juliana and I got carried away with dressing Miss Y/N for dinner. It has been a while,â Nadia bowed, the human acolyte flinching when Jimin was abruptly at her side. âPlease, enjoy dinner. Iâll take my leave, now.â
âOh, our little dove! Youâre in the Mugler dress, your maids chose so wellâŚ. Matches the rubies perfectly,â Jimin cooed while poking the choker around her neck, the rest of the vampires knowing that there was nothing sweet about Jiminâs approval. Jimin, despite the raised brow from Seokjin that was directed towards him, took up one of Y/Nâs trembling hands, dragging her further into the room.Â
âThank you,â Y/N breathed, intimidated and sounding like she was far from flattered. Jimin delighted in the way her body completely locked up with his touch, her palm slick with perspiration.Â
Stumbling in her heels, Y/N had no choice but to be escorted to the table by Jimin, her large eyes widening when she realized who she was to be seated between. Pulling out her chair like a perfect gentleman, Y/N snatched her hand back as soon as she tumbled onto the velvet cushion. Jimin didnât seem to care, simply smirking, stalking back to his own place at the table. There was a pause, Y/N glancing around the room at both the fine decorations and the vampires, fingers still twitching at her dress hemline. It was likely she hadnât worn something so revealing before.Â
Y/N blinked when her sight landed on one of the heads of the table, the vampire in the portrait on the staircase staring back at her blankly. He looked precisely like he had in the painting, down to the light-colored suit. Sure, his face was a bit more drawn and he was much paler, but it was almost like he stepped out of the canvas like a realm-walker.
Nervously, she peeked to the left, where Namjoon was, the vampire taking a sip of a red liquid from a small glass, his leather gloves still on his large hands. He caught her gaze from the corner of his sharpened eyes, Y/N knowing at once what he was drinkingâ far too viscous to be wine, too red, it had to be blood. Whose blood it was, exactly, Y/N hoped sheâd never know.Â
âItâs yours, of course, remnants of the sample. Humans are so dim,â Jeongguk easily read her thoughts, not even having to put in effort to enter her mind. Even with the lack of effort, he could tell Y/N was uncomfortable with him probing around in her skull, the girl wincing and rubbing her forehead.Â
âDo not sap her of energy yet, Jeongguk. She must eat so she can be useful,â Seokjin sighed, still tasting her on his tongue. Though she was malnourished, her blood was still the finest he had tasted in centuries.Â
âWhat were they feeding you at that sanctimonious dump, pet?â Hoseok, still lazily slouching, drawled. Y/N hesitated, not knowing whether or not to reply, making Hoseok grow impatient. âSpeak when spoken to. Articulate.â
âU-uh, um⌠organ meats, mostly. Lentils and kale,â Y/N squeaked, her complexion a touch green.Â
âPoor little dove. How repulsive,â Jimin pouted, the expression teasing.Â
Y/N opened her mouth, fidgeting in her seat, Taehyung watching her mortal movements with fascinationâ they could never quite sit still. Before she could speak again, squirming under the weight of seven ruby gazes, staff members dressed in suits and white gloves came from the butlerâs pantry carrying dishes. One of the staff members was carrying a silver ice-bucket with a bottle of wine, Y/N eagerly waiting for more alcohol to take the edge off. Whatever she had earlier had long since worn off.Â
âGood evening, Masters, Miss Y/N,â a man in a chefâs uniform began, standing beside Seokjin at the head of the table. âTonightâs hors d'oeuvres is oysters rockefeller with Sambuca and garlic-buttered sautĂŠed spinach, paired with Clos des Bouquinardieres Muscadet. Please enjoy.â
Jeongguk laughed when he read Y/Nâs mind trying to wrap around unfamiliar words. Rubbing her forehead again, she stared at the odd thing placed in front of her. As someone poured wine for herâ to her disappointment, only about an inch of liquid splashing into the glassâ she was immensely curious about the seashell placed delicately on a tiny plate, containing something breaded within.Â
âNever had seafood before?â Hoseok raised a dark eyebrow, ignoring the oyster and going straight for his wine.Â
âThis is seafood?â Y/N blurted, Jimin finding her innocence quite entertaining. She was like a young girl heâd write as his heroine in one of his tragedies. Hoseok, however, glared at Y/Nâs failure to answer his question. âIâve just had t-tuna before⌠M-master Hoseok.â
âMaster! Look at that, the pet is already learning her place,â Hoseokâs laugh was boisterous, bouncing off of the great walls, a thin whimper leaving from the back of Y/Nâs throat. Namjoon had heard whimpers like that millions of times: pure, involuntary fear. It made him smile behind the rim of his wine glass.Â
âEnough. Eat,â Seokjinâs voice was a hiss, plucking up the small fork specifically for shellfish. âYoongi. I want you to get in touch with some artists in Italy. Weâll invite them here when we host Berwind, you know how much he loves being in the company of talent.â
Yoongi chewed the oyster thoroughly, relieved that he could actually taste the flavor after just a small sip of the acolyteâs blood. All of the painters Yoongi once knew, the ones he actually wished could be present during a party, were long since dead and gone. Heâd have to write to modern artists, who would be frothing at the mouth for an opportunity to meet Yoongi. What a bore.Â
âIâve seen Gianluca Traina, his work isnât half-bad. I can reach out to him and Agostino Iacurci,â Yoongi leaned back, letting a staff member take his plate. His hands itched to paint, loathing that heâd have to sit through eleven more courses. In particular, as he watched the young human girl cautiously raise a fork to her mouth, he wanted to capture how she looked when she tasted a flavor brand-new to her. âTheyâre no Boticelli or Michelangelo, though.â
âToo bad your mentor wasnât turned,â Namjoon spoke up, though Yoongi knew Namjoon really didnât care one way or the other.Â
âDa Vinci would have hated the modern age,â Yoongi muttered nonchalantly, Namjoon scoffing at the name-drop. Not that the human would have known who the artist was, Namjoon confirming that she had no idea who Leonardo da Vinci was when she peered at Yoongi vacantly, draining her wine glass with a shaky grip.Â
Y/N felt the wine burning in her stomach, stuck between relieved that she was being ignored for the moment and filled with anticipation for the next time the attention would be on her.Â
âNext we have the amuse-bouche. Pickled baby beets with herbed goat cheese, candied kumquats and basil chiffon. With it we have Sancerre.â
The chef reappeared, the next small plate and glass of wine placed before Y/N. The food, so far, were like works of art, and Y/N almost felt bad eating it. Especially when she thought about the bland, mushy pile of goo her fellow acolytes at the Sanctuary were picking at while she ate like a queen.Â
Mercifully, all the vampires talked about for quite some time was the event they were planning for the following week, and they left Y/N alone. Her guard was not coming down any time soon, so she stayed quiet as a mouse through each course.Â
Acorn squash soup garnished with pepitas, purple radish microgreens and sage oil with prosecco. Native lobster, roasted heritage carrots, carrot puree, buttermilk puree, spiced crumb and chardonnay. Kale and brussels sprout salad with maple-candied pecans, honeycrisp apples, pomegranate and lemon vinaigrette with sauvignon blanc. Ingredients, flavors, and textures Y/N never even dreamed of before. By the time she stuffed the last slice of apple from her salad into her mouth, Y/N was already feeling quite satiated, and the wine was dizzying up her head. Or perhaps it was Jeongguk still fishing though her mind.Â
âSeven more courses, human. Donât think you can leave this table before then,â Jeongguk reminded her mildly, her suspicions confirmed. Thankfully, she caught herself before she could grumble at him.Â
âTell me, little girl. Did you spend your entire life in that Sanctuary?â Seokjin asked, curious about how much she knew about vampires. That, and he was concerned about her purity; though judging by her innocence, he didnât predict that to be too much of a problem.Â
âNo, Master Seokjin,â Y/N replied, apprehensive towards a round of questioning.Â
âElaborate.â
Swallowing, Y/N glanced down at the fish that was just delivered to her, stomach turning. She found it hard to look at any of the vampires for too long, but Seokjinâs face was so hauntingly beautiful, it hurt to look at.Â
âI was brought to the Sanctuary ten years ago, when I was fifteen. I grew up on the outskirts of town and was raised by my grandmother. When she passed away, I drifted until I was caught by wardens who were testing humanâs blood types on the street.â
âIâve noticed those vans around town. Wardens drive them around looking for new acolytes,â Jeongguk remarked helpfully, when Hoseok looked distantly confused.Â
âYou have the rarest blood type in the world. How is it that you were not immediately sent to a Sanctuary upon your birth? It is the law,â Seokjin was frowning, extremely annoyed. Fifteen years of alluding a system set up so meticulously led him to believe sheâd be wayward.Â
âI was born off of the grid, not in a hospital. My grandmother faked my blood results later on, when we were visited by Sanctuary wardens,â Y/N spoke softly, too afraid to raise her voice. She didnât like the sharpened edge to Seokjinâs tone.Â
âI donât understand how an elderly woman could have pulled that off,â Hoseok said, his mouth flattened into a line. âWhat happened to your parents, pet?â
Y/N flinched, reluctant to give up a vulnerability to the predators. She knew she wouldnât be able to conceal her thoughts, however, with Jeongguk still prying into her head. With the fish cleared away, a roasted chicken was put in front of herâ this time, with a glass of red wine. Before answering Hoseok, she sucked down the velvety liquid.Â
âMy mother died in childbirth, I never knew her. Apparently my father was just a fling, I didnât know him, either. It was just me and grandma,â Y/N pushed a strand of pasta around on her plate, doodling shapes with the tip of her fork in the creamy sauce.Â
âThe little dove is an orphan. How tragic,â Jiminâs excitement was paramount. There was nothing he loved more than a heroine with an illâfated past. Y/N was disturbed by the twinkle in his eyes, barely able to finish the rest of her chicken.Â
âUm, itâs alright. You canât really miss what you never knew,â Y/N spoke impulsively, like she was talking to Joseph or Meredith rather than seven vampires who were effectively perfect, lethal strangers.Â
âAdorable,â Jimin gushed, licking his lips. Yoongi, beside Jimin, pinched the bridge of his nose, exasperated with Jiminâs theatrics. It came naturally to Jimin, being a writer of dramas and screenplays, so Yoongi couldnât actually fault him for it, but it was dreadful to withstand.Â
Blood rushed to Y/Nâs face, the three youngest vampires in the dining room becoming coiled and ready to pounce. Seokjin simply held up his hand disinterestedly, a silent order for the fledglings to get control of themselves.
âOh! Whatâs this?â Y/N had become incredibly loosened up thanks to the seven various wines she tasted over the course of the evening, cocking her head at the small silver dish placed in front of her.Â
âMiss, itâs a lime sorbet with mint to cleanse the palate before the second main course,â A staff member poured a bubbly wine into a skinny flute for her, presenting a miniature spoon for Y/N to use.
âSor-betâŚâ Y/N repeated slowly, scooping up some of the treat, the iciness washing over her tongue bizarre and making her audibly exclaim. A frozen sweet wasnât something she was able to have at the Sanctuary, and it brought a tear to her eye.Â
âThey brought out the Dom Perignon, what do they think, we have the Pope here?â Hoseok lifted his champagne flute to his face, watching the bubbles dance in the glass.Â
âIs it expensive?â Y/N dared to ask, a distant part of her screaming to shut up. Hoseokâs expression darkened when she addressed him, so she instantly corrected herself. âMaster Hoseok.â
âTaehyung will only drink expensive wines. That champagne you so hastily gulped down is the most expensive vintage wine that money can buy, pet,â Hoseok smirked, Y/N becoming embarrassed that she did, in fact, knock the drink back.
âYou paint me as a snob,â Taehyung frowned, earning a dry chuckle from Jeongguk.Â
âTake a look around this place, for Christâs sake. Of course youâre a snob,â Jeongguk remarked, gesturing around the lavish dining room they were seated in.
Y/N was positively stuffed. In fact, she clasped a hand over her mouth when a rack of lamb and rice replaced her empty sorbet dish, not wanting to eat another bite. She felt if she did, the velvet dress she was in would rip open.Â
âYou will eat it all,â Seokjin barked when Y/N made no motion to pick up her fork, the sound making her flinch into Namjoonâs thick shoulder. The vampire stiffened, a disgusted look on his face, Y/Nâs skin flashing with heat. âYou will eat it, or Iâll allow Jimin to go over there and force-feed you.â
That threat terrified Y/N, Jiminâs grin widening when she caught his eye. Without another second spared, Y/N began cutting through the meat, much to Jiminâs disappointment. With a bereft sigh, Jimin leaned on his elbows, craving some trouble he could stir up.Â
Diligently, Y/N picked her way through the final courses, nearly gagging on the rich chocolate truffles that ended the meal. She was laughed at againâ that time by Hoseok, when she asked if she could really eat the âgold leafâ dusted on top of the dessert. The final drink that was offered was an espresso âmartiniâ, which is what careened Y/N out of tipsiness and straight into dizzy intoxication. Giggling for no particular reason, Y/N started folding her napkin into different shapes, forgetting who her company was.Â
âSheâs a pretty little dove, isnât she?â Jimin held his face in his hands, ravenous even though he had plenty of human food in his stomach.Â
âThose words are familiar,â Jeongguk deadpanned, Yoongi spotting where things were going a mile away.Â
âI bet sheâd look pretty all drained, too. Like the last girl,â Jiminâs voice was dreamy, and it was fortunate that Y/N was too distracted by her cocktail to pick up on what he was going on about.Â
âWatch it,â Jeongguk warned, not wanting to end the evening with Jiminâs dramatics.
âOh, come now, Jeongguk⌠donât you want to pin her down, fangs in her throat?â Venom flooded into Jiminâs mouth, watching Y/Nâs pulse fluttering at the base of her throat. âWe could always find another, too, after we drain her. You take a wrist, Iâllââ
âNamjoon-ah,â Seokjin interrupted quietly, looking up towards the chandelier. The whole table went silent, Jiminâs mouth slamming shut, regret all over his sculpted face. With a grunt, Namjoon stood from his seat, slowly stalking around the table.Â
Y/Nâs attention towards the vampires was recaptured when she noticed Namjoon, eyes dark and determined, approaching Jimin. The silence deafening, Y/N watched curiously when Namjoon bent low, face close to Jiminâs. Even Y/N could sense Jiminâs fear, and it made her instantly nauseous.Â
Namjoon gripped Jiminâs sculpted jaw, his gloved hands rough against Jiminâs skin, and for a moment, Y/N thought Namjoon was going to kiss the younger vampire. Narrowing his eyes, Namjoon squeezed Jiminâs jaw, Jimin going absolutely rigid when they made eye contact, the martini glass Jimin was holding shattering in his grasp. Horrified, Y/N watched Jimin shake, eyebrows scrunched up in agony, and she realized Namjoon was using his âgiftâ on Jimin. For what, she wasnât sure, but it was terrifying that he could inflict so much pain on even a vampire.Â
âEnough,â Seokjin called, Namjoon releasing Jiminâs jaw at once, and the younger vampire gasped for breath, his body sagging over the table. âI told you you were on thin ice, Jimin.â
âSorry,â Jimin heaved, only apologetic because he had to suffer from Namjoonâs Pain Illusion. The sensation of being burned alive was unbearable, but he didnât regret what he said. Besides, it was trouble that he was craving earlier.Â
âNo youâre not,â Namjoon hissed, Y/N unable to process how scary Namjoon looked, standing beside Seokjin with his arms crossed. Y/N swore to herself, in that very moment, she would do everything in her power to avoid Namjoon using Pain Illusion on her.Â
âCan we wrap this evening up now?â Yoongi asked, peeved. He wanted to isolate, to paint. Â
âNot yet,â Seokjin twirled an empty wine glass contemplatively, his eyes then on Y/N. âCome here, little girl.â
âW-what? Why?â Y/N asked with dread, still nauseous. Seokjin clicked his tongue, agitated.Â
Come here, little girl.
That time, Seokjinâs voice was in her head rather than out loud. Forgetting that he could use Compulsion, she felt her skin crawling hearing his dulcet tones inside of her head. Staring at her expectantly, Y/N was frozen in her seat. Seokjin snapped his fingers, and Namjoon rounded the table again, hooking one of his gloved hands under Y/Nâs bicep. Roughly hauling her to her feet, she was effectively dragged to the head of the table, Y/N starting to hyperventilate and panic. Namjoonâs grip was bruising, her skin smarting when he let her go.Â
Sit.Â
Seokjinâs voice in her mind was firm and authoritative, spreading his legs expectantly. Y/Nâs eyes bugged out of her headâ there was no way on Godâs green planet she was sitting on that vampireâs lap. Still borderline hysterical, she did the only thing she could think of: beg and plead.Â
âP-please, please. Donât hurt me,â Y/N had a tear running down her cheek, Seokjinâs expression hardening at the sight.Â
Sit down.
Suddenly, Y/Nâs spine went rigid. Seokjinâs mental suggestion didnât seem so bad, then. Even though she was still crying and breathing heavily, her body moved on its own, lowering herself onto one of Seokjinâs thighs. The power of his suggestion, his Compulsion, was impossible to override, so embarrassingly, she was perched on Seokjinâs lap. The vampire curled a hand around her waist, his hold ironclad, to keep her in place. Panic setting in further, Y/N continued to beg the eldest vampire pathetically.Â
âPlease, Iâm begging you,â Y/N whimpered, Seokjin setting his wine glass down and tracing his fingers over a steak knife beside it.Â
âJeongguk, Taehyung,â Seokjin sighed, exhausted. The little girl was proving to be difficult, so heâd need some persuasion to keep her quiet. Confused, Y/N looked at Jeongguk, more tears slipping down her face when she felt him worming her way into her memories.Â
âI do not know if youâre aware how a coven operatesâŚâ Seokjin began, Y/N finding it hard to focus on his voice while Jeongguk was in her head. âBut as the head of the coven, I must be the first to bite you. However, my covenmates⌠theyâre starving.â
Chest heaving, Y/N hated the sturdy feeling of Seokjinâs chest pressed against her back. He was cold, plucking up the steak knife and totally indifferent to her hysteria.Â
âY/N, itâs okay!â A familiar, cheery voice had her head snapping in an opposite direction, pure amazement washing over her at the sight of the person across the table.Â
It was Joseph, from the Sanctuary, dressed in his usual white linens and grinning at her. The sight of him had her tears drying up, even if she had no idea how her friend had gotten there. She didnât even notice he had taken the spot that Taehyung once sat in.Â
What Y/N wasnât aware of was how Joseph managed to arrive at The Breakers. It was simple: Jeongguk found memories of Joseph in the acolyteâs mind, Seokjin pried the image of Joseph from Jeonggukâs report, and sent it to Taehyung, who then Glamored himself as the acolyteâs friend. The visual of her former friend was enough to have Y/N calming down somewhat, Taehyung keeping up the act by using words that âJosephâ would.Â
âI bet that meal was a lot better than the Sanctuary slop. We had canned tuna tonight.â
âJoey? How did you get here?â Y/N breathed, watching Joseph (Taehyung) push a hand through his dark curls, one of his common habits.Â
You are going to be calm while I do this.Â
Seokjinâs voice, a sirenâs call in her brain, told her. She wasnât entirely focused on the vampire whose lap she was sitting in, hardly aware that he was holding onto her wrist with a cold hand. All of her panic went away instantly, melting on Seokjinâs lap, limp for him.Â
âJust visiting. Actually, itâs really nice here, isnât it?â Joseph replied, Taehyung wondering just how close the two of them were as he saw Y/N through Josephâs eyes.Â
âI-I guess?â Y/N answered, still staring at her friend in disbelief. She froze when she felt something cold and sharp against her wrist, looking down to see that Seokjin had the steak knife against her skin. âWait, what are youââ
âY/N, I think youâll be happy!â Her friend interrupted, distracting her. Taehyung inwardly smirked at how easy it was to fool her.Â
âH-how? Ah!â Y/N yelped, Seokjin dragging the knifeâs blade across her flesh, cutting into the skin. A three inch long gash was created, blood immediately spilling down her palm, Y/N out-of-body when Seokjin placed her wrist over the empty wine glass.Â
âLook at me, Y/N. Itâs alright. Hey, remember when we used to weed the garden together and see who could pull out the most dandelions?âÂ
âUh-huh,â Y/Nâs voice was far away, somehow relaxed in Seokjinâs arms and talking to her friend even though her wrist was just slit. Joseph was right, it was alright, everything was okay, and sheâd be fine. âYouâd always win.â
âThatâs right, squirt. You could never beat me.â
His nickname for her had a stab of pain rocking through her. It really was Joseph!
âJ-joey,â Y/N began, feeling lightheaded from the blood flowing from the gash on her wrist. âWhat were you trying to tell me when they took me away?â
Joseph seemed puzzled, Taehyung unfortunately not having an answer. Thinking on his feet, he composed himself, leaning forward, and came up with a response the girl would likely be satisfied with.Â
âOh, I said that Iâd write to you every week. That Iâd never forget you.â
Y/N didnât reply, her expression wiping blank. Taehyung didnât know if that was a good thing or a bad thing. Surprisingly, Jeongguk couldnât even decipher what she was thinking when he probed into her skull. All he felt coming from the girl was deep remorse.Â
Then, Seokjin lifted her wrist again. Trembling, she turned to get a look at his perfect face, gasping sharply when the vampire brought her hand close to his face. Full lips parting, his tongue dragged along the cut he made on her wrist, and Y/N gawked in awe as she watched Seokjinâs eye color go from rusty to deep, dark red.Â
âVampire venom can cauterize wounds,â Taehyungâs low voice rang out, and when Y/N turned her head, Joseph was gone and Taehyung had returned to his seat. It was then that she realized she had been deceived, and her heart dropped. Joseph was never truly there, it was Taehyung Glamoring himself to make her docile.Â
âPass it around,â Seokjin spoke from behind her, his grip likely leaving a deep bruise on the small of her waist while Namjoon reached for the wine glassâ nearly full to the brim with her blood.Â
With horror, Y/N watched Namjoon take a deep gulp from the glass, color returning to his skin which took on a golden tone. His eyes, too, became richer in color, and in a daze, Y/N was still as the glass made its way around the table, each of the vampires seemingly coming back to life as soon as her blood touched their lips.Â
Stay still, little girl.Â
Seokjin, still ordering her around mentally, started to gather her hair in one of his fists, pushing it over her shoulder to expose the column of her neck. Helplessly, all Y/N could do was squeeze her eyes shut, knowing what was coming.Â
A pair of cold, but plush, lips parted against her throat, the eldest vampire collecting her in his arms firmly as razor-sharp fangs brushed her skin. Gripping the edge of the dining table, she shrieked when she felt Seokjinâs fangs sink into her neck.Â
There was a stinging sensationâ probably the venomâ but a head-to-toe pain flooded through her all at once. It was repulsive to feel Seokjinâs temperature immediately heat up, his chest becoming warm like a humanâs, all because of her blood flowing into his mouth. Unable to move due to his supernatural strength keeping her caged, she felt hot tears pouring down her cheeks while Seokjin latched onto her. The recognizable sensation of blood leaving her body, the sensation she hated more than anything, was intensified now that it was literally being sucked out of her.Â
âPlease,â Y/N wheezed, broken. Everything was spinning, and her vision was dimming.Â
Finally, Seokjinâs fangs retracted, the girl like a rag doll in his lap when he used his tongue to stop the bite from bleeding further. Though she was slight, simple, and weak, her blood was life-giving, and some of the best blood he had ever tasted. The emotion he was feeling, using the back of his hand to clean up the trail of blood dripping down his chin, was comparable to human amazement that he hadnât felt for over eight hundred years.Â
Y/N was completely shaken. Over the course of several minutes, she was manhandled and maimed, deceived and manipulated, and bitten. It was more horrible than she ever could have imagined, her head fuzzy and the side of her throat throbbing painfully.Â
Get up.Â
Seokjinâs voice haunted her, and she never wanted to hear it again. She knew, however, it was just the beginning of him residing in her mind, and it made her want to use the bloodied steak knife he used on her to cut her own throat. His mental suggestion was so powerful that she actually ended up struggling to her feet, finally out of the eldest vampireâs proximity.Â
âWhat did I tell you all? Sheâs a good little pet,â Hoseok, the picture of vitality with her blood in his system, chuckled, Y/Nâs knees buckling before she collapsed on the floor.Â
Taglist; @hanmyjisung @kiki-zb @hemmofluke @lovelyglares @honsoolfilter @kaeya91 @alessiamalfoyzabini @wisejudgepandafan @yoongtism @moonj-oon @melidramatic7 @the-theban-script @cryingnotcrying @m00njinnie @maeveontherun @tinybasementmaker-blog @jasmin-loves-k-pop @justlikecrazy @neverthefirstchoice @chibimanda @kayways @adoreyou976 @darkpuppysuit @mischieviouscassie @monkeytime3474 @asillyduck15 @a2zure @oopscoop @ellaints @artfrhe @trustfratedjin @lightwxodd @drenix004 @xicanacorpse @mar-lo @ancagab16 @imnotsleepyo__o @yxmer @levislifeline @susi-199 @bratalicious777 @lilacdreams-00 @tnafzi @miniminaa1412 @sassy-snassy @lilyalone @butterymin @dearbambideer @mar-lo-pap @chxmachxps @mxymii @wiredlifee @dachshunddame @1lykk1tts @opalturtle @nikkiordonez12 @justagirlinlovewithsevenboys @deemiin10 @yoonepilogue @7angelsinthiscruelworld
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For the series ask:
MacGyver
AHS Asylum and Coven
Mandalorian
ooh thank you!!
long answer, so I'll put this under the cut
Send Me a Series
MacGyver:
Favorite character: easy answer, but it's got to be Mac. I literally started watching the show for Lucas Till, and he quickly remained my favorite
Second favorite character: Hm... Desi. She comes in A.P. (after Patricia) so idk if you've actually seen the seasons she's in, but she's just a total badass and I love her dynamic with Mac
Least favorite character: Nikki. At first I liked the backstabbing arc because it was cool, but then they kept going back and forth with it and I got really tired of it.
The character Iâm most like: Mac, but like 60% less cool. I mean, I pride myself on being adaptable and prepared, I keep a Swiss Army Knife and duct tape on me at all times, and while I did well in college I did drop out because it was too stifling for me.
Favorite pairing: Mac and Riley!!! I was spoiled on it becoming canon when I was still on Season 3, but I ended up basically counting down the episodes until I got to see it. I love Mac/Desi too, but it's just not quite the same.
Least favorite pairing: Mac and Nikki I guess, just because they couldn't let go of it when it rightfully should have been left alone. I never saw the chemistry between them, especially when they tried to go back to it a second time
Favorite moment: sorry, I just can't choose! Though I do love the montages they do when he puts something together, it really scratches the itch in my creative-problem-solving brain. I was a Mythbusters kid and I still love seeing someone solve a problem in a really unique way
Rating out of 10: ooh solid nine or ten, it's easily one of my favorite shows
AHS Asylum:
Favorite character: Lana, mainly because I like the Nellie Bly arc to her story and how she dove right in. There's a lot to respect about a character like that.
Second favorite character: Kit. He's just such a sweetheart. Honestly vying for first place but Lana won out just bc I love Nellie Bly's story.
Least favorite character: Jude. Sorry. Never liked her before the electroshock thing, and the Name Game bit honestly just made me cringe. I like that she got a bit of redemption, but she really wasn't my favorite character.
The character Iâm most like: uh... not a clue. Asylum wasn't my favorite so I only watched it once, and I didn't find myself intensely connecting with any of the characters.
Favorite pairing: Alma and Kit I suppose. It ended a little weirdly but I like the way it began
Least favorite pairing: honestly idk. There weren't many pairings to begin with and I was neutral about pretty much all of them
Favorite moment: I liked when Shelley drags herself out of the lab all mutilated, simply bc I like SFX makeup and thought it was a well-done look
Rating out of 10: I'm gonna be real, I wasn't a big fan of Asylum. They tried way too much and it ended with a really chaotic season with too many loose ends. Not the worst, but not my favorite. Maybe a 6?
AHS Coven:
Favorite character: My boy Kyle!!! He had so much potential, they just utilized him so poorly. I wish they gave him more of his own arc instead of just using him to spur on Zoe's and Madison's, because they established SUCH a cool character with him and then went nowhere with it.
Second favorite character: I really liked Nan, actually. Her powers are cool, I like her personality, and I enjoyed her little romance arc with the neighbor guy.
Least favorite character: ZOE MFING BENSON. Don't get me started.
The character Iâm most like: Uh... I really don't know. Maybe Cordelia, just bc that social pressure and parental expectation was something I really resonated with.
Favorite pairing: Next question, Your Honor. Does it count if I say Kyle x my OC Jasper?
Least favorite pairing: Zoe and Kyle. They met ONCE and he was literally just a plaything for her. And she didn't even do much to help him when she brought him back, she just wanted him in a place where she didn't have to take care of him but could still use him however she wanted.
Favorite moment: Ugh, Kyle with the tattoos just breaks my heart. The realization as soon as the flashback starts, not to mention the dichotomy between him singing along to Toto on the radio with his buddies versus sitting alone, chained up and miserable, is just so heartbreaking.
Rating out of 10: Eight, I liked it a lot but there were a few missed opportunities
Mandalorian:
Favorite character: I really liked Bo-Katan, especially the way they worked with her character arc. There were some really cool moments and some wonderful developments with her, and I really enjoyed the non-romantic parents dynamic she had with Din and Grogu
Second favorite character: Paz!! He didn't have much screentime, but I loved his character. His relationship with his son, his devotion to holding back Gideon's guards so the others could escape... ugh, wonderful and heartbreaking.
Least favorite character: I mean this in a "he did such a wonderful job I can't help but hate him" way, but Moff Gideon. Seriously, so much praise to Giancarlo Esposito, fantastic performance for an utterly despicable character
The character Iâm most like: Bo-Katan, maybe.
Favorite pairing: Pass. There's not much romance in this one and that's okay. Honestly a breath of fresh air after so many other shows push romance.
Least favorite pairing: See above.
Favorite moment: when Din has to take off his helmet while undercover, but more specifically when Migs chooses not to acknowledge it and hands his helmet back when it's over. It shows such wonderful character development for both of them
Rating out of 10: Ten, without a doubt
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when you ignore him as a joke/prank
various x gn!reader
hcs, sfw, fluff??? idk, no cws, 648 words
plz reblog cutely kneels for u
note: hi happy 1.5k heres the all wanted post as promised <33 i didnt write on ny conclusions for this bc i got Lazy so pls lmk if you wanna know on how'd they react to it when they know it was just a joke !!
summary: you decided to prank him by ignoring him completely as if you two didn't know each other. how will he react to it? (dainsleif not included bc i didnt think of anything for him;;;;)
the one who panics and worries
thoma, diluc, zhongli and xiao
they have no idea if they did something wrong. did they do something to offend you? did they forget something you told him? there's no clue. all of the sudden you just started to act like he doesn't exist - as if you were total strangers even!Â
thoma would pace around the room, his hand on his chin and he would think of reasons why you were to ignore him. there has to be a reason, right? it isn't like you to just act like that. your relationship was fine when this happened too! what could possibly be the answer? no matter how long he thinks, thoma would never get an answer to his problem.
diluc is confused. very confused, in fact. were you not up for any interactions? but he sees you conversing with sara from good hunter casually. that couldn't be it. but diluc is⌠just very confused. he'd question on what the fuck is happening trying to piece your recent behavior to the one you have now.Â
zhongli sighs at the thought of this situation with you. if you simply just wanted a break from a relationship, you could've just told him. his gaze lands on you talking ever so casually to hu tao, wondering if you still even remember that he too is in the same area as you.
xiao is worried. he knows that he's still trying to understand human emotions but he didn't know that you'd act like this. you chat with verr goldet like you usually do but he doesn't hear you asking for his whereabouts like he usually does. it makes him sad, were you getting tired of him? did you perhaps decide to leave so soon? but you would say that to him if you really felt that way.
the one who knows that it but plays along
kaeya, kazuha, childe, albedo
he was quick to realize that this is all a prank but would it be that bad to play along? he's sure it wouldn't, any time spent with you is already worth it for him anyways. what's so different about playing a prank?
kaeya stares at you as he looks at how you're having fun talking to venti. you know he's looking at you - venti knows it too, he was in on the plan after all. but you don't know if kaeya's stare held jealousy, if it held hurt, or if it's just overall a blank stare.
kazuha smiles at your prank, he had a feeling it was a joke. you are usually the one who approaches him and he knows that you are never the one who'll just leave him immediately. he sighs at you, and plays along with your little prank. maybe your reaction to him knowing from the start would be more interesting than this whole thing.
childe was confused at first but he soon noticed that it was a prank. you talked with zhongli over a cup of tea, him being at a nearby table. he thinks of a way to get back but honestly? him just being really clingy to you will already make you regret this whole situation.
albedo is used to pranks. but he certainly didn't expect it coming from you. however, overhearing kaeya and klee talking about your prank in the headquarters of the knights of favonius, he sighed. he shouldn't be eavesdropping - but he heard your name and just by that he was already invested in the conversation. but he wouldn't want to see you so disappointed because your prank failed so he ponders for a moment - it wouldn't be so bad to play along in your prank for him a bit, no?
#genshin impact#genshin impact x reader#albedo x reader#diluc x reader#kaeya x reader#zhongli x reader#xiao x reader#childe x reader#kazuha x reader#thoma x reader#albedo#diluc#kaeya#zhongli#xiao#childe#kazuha#thoma#genshin x reader#genshin impact headcanons#THANKS FOR 1.5K AGAIN <33
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My bad, the technicalities were in reference to Aidma and her father, not the situation. I'm still kinda toying around with the technicalities of them but she's basically a clone of her father. I'm still figuring out how it would work genetic-wise.... It's just a whole pot of worms LAMFO đđâ˘â˘â˘
Najlynn is in the Night Class, I'm thinking one of her brothers is in the Day Class and another in the Night Class. They're both teenagers so I'd imagine Zeus teasing the Day Class brother would end up with him getting some lashes by Dima, which doesn't happen often.
I'd have to get back to you on the Cae, Zett and Viggo front tbh. It would take a while to come up with anything, mainly due to being Adius pilled 24/7. Brain worms (affectionate).
The incident relates directly back to the power hungry guy snitching to Aidma's father. Her father ends up coming to Gedonelune himself to try and get the younger generation of the clan (that's who all ran with Aidma) back under his thumb, by means of either kidnapping or killing Aidma. Ends up with her and her father engaging in a days long battle that ends up with him dead. Her Alchemy was realized in that battle and used to help her. The whole thing severely fucks her up physically and mentally though. When she does get better she realizes her homeland is without leader and probably in utter chaos, so after some procrastinating she just gets up the clan and heads back. Without word to the loved ones she's made in Gedonelune. That includes.......ya
Dima and Zu are kinda crazy, in their own ways. It's not exactly matching each other's freak bc they have different kinds of freak but ya they're a yeesh couple. She likes the trouble he makes honestly, even if she doesn't say it out right. However her not communicating is, as seen above, a point of contention. He's pushed to extremes with her, and for some reason likes it so. I wouldn't say that he does much side eye deserving stuff, aside from his usual antics but I don't see Dima easily opening up to him emotionally. I can't say it's fully healthy at times but they do get through it all when it's said and done.
As for more details on their meeting, I again barely have any?? Sorta?? Like I know that it was a day off for the Academy and Zu decided to spend it at a night club in town, where Dima was going for a target that same night. He walked out into the alleyway right as she was killing her target. She was bout to just knock him out and possibly drug him to just make it seem like he imagined what he saw but he just didn't seem bothered,,,, (it was bc he recognized the guy in the club from a news article and was coming outside to beat him up himself). Ended up talking and he stuck around while she cleaned up the site. That's all that really happened, but they didn't exactly expect to see each other the next morning, but Zu ended up being the middle man for her and Rem so they got closer through those moments. It's rare for her to be an instructor so it was special when she was teaching. But that's all I got on that front.
While I'm sorta on this block, I should bring back a question I asked someone else sometime ago. What are your ocs morals? For instance, Aidma thinks making a business off murder is just and uses her screening process as evidence, while a lot of other people disagree and think there's better ways to handle the criminals running around. It doesn't have to be about that specifically, but yeah lemme see!
And also on the topic of Zu, what are the ups and downs of his and Kajal's relationship? And I mean during their time together not before.
Kajal being able to see through Kannu's eyes is awesome, how have they used it before? Are there any theoretical situations they want to try out with this power? I'm guessing that the power is limited to Kajal as Kannu is her familiar, but imagine if somehow Zu was able to also see through Kannu,,,,, ooohhhhhh boyyyyy
Why does Kannu have beef with a pig tho omgfhchchxghc but why did Kannu warm up to Zu quicker than Khol? Sounds like she's pretty picky so I'm wondering how that plays out.
I know of another person that has a wh oc with a panda familiar, I bet seeing the two of them together would be so cute. But do you want to get into Lynn and Scarlett? Bc if you're in the mood I'm sat.
notes on safiya (one of my WH / multifandom oc)!!
anywaysss im answering a few questions i got from @eye-cri (eeeee bc im so happy to :3)
okie so yes!! safiya is a prefect (she becomes one around the same time as liz (so, after rem) when her friends convince her to try for it. honestly, she kinda is like joel TT. safiya is so fun bc she says whats on her mind and will sometimes manage to do it in the most unbelievably tactless way possible but shes rarely ever intending to be flat out rude. like she just says things sometimes, its great. she, like liz, got an acceptance letter, started off as a provisional student and then got her place at the academy (she and liz pretty much have the same starting tbh, theyâre both from villages tho safiyaâs family is still very much alive). also sheâs pretty good friends with joel, luca, amelia, scarlett and augustus- she and liz get along but they tend to argue from time to time.
also about the boots omg what was i thinking looking back at it, it rly is smthn but honestly its so very safiya in a way i canât fully articulate rn TT
additionally, iâve decided i may ship her w/ elias :DD idk just think thatâd be a cute pairing-
(also note: some of my oc lore does change from time to time depending on the characters and whatnot tbh but usually it doesnt- unless i forget stuff HELP-đ)
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Sorry to unload Byler into your askbox but I am going *insane* with the concept of Mike knowing and understanding that he likes Will, even before the Big Reveal(tm) and the only reason that he hasn't acted on it is bc he has internalised some wild homophobia/self hatred and like maybe he also has some vague idea that Will is possibly queer and yeah it's fine if it's his friend and he will defend him until death but god forbid Mike is queer
No worries anon! I don't mind at all. I am actually going to go on a very long rant about this so buckle up. (Sorry everyone)
I think Mike's feelings revolving around Will are extremely complicated. I am wary of the idea that Mike knows and understands his feelings for Will directly. I think that the repression is real for Mike unfortunately.
That being said, I think that people's opinion's of Mike's behavior in season 3 and 4 being the way it was is because he's straight is completely wrong. If anything, it just proves to me more that he's queer. (I am a bi mike truther, and I think that having any positive bi representation is always a wonderful and a much needed thing, but in truth, I am not too attached to any, specific idea for him. Gay, bi, pan, unlabeled. It doesn't matter to me. He is queer lol) I do love the idea of him being bi, because I think it explains some of his back and forth and confusing behavior that we've seen from the beginning. I also think it is a very real reason as to why he is so confused and repressed. As someone who didn't have "the revelation" until my twenties, but also have had some very complicated relationships that didn't make sense until after I had that realization, I honestly really feel for Mike. I get him.
Thatâs why I have to laugh when people say if people's opinions on Mike and Will are based on subtext then they are looking too much into it. What people like that donât understand is literally most queer peopleâs lives, especially when they are young and coming of age IS ALL ENTIRELY SUBTEXT. And the time period this show takes place in only exasperates that.
Things are never said out loud, true feelings are veiled with other issues, people are jealous and they donât know why, they canât figure out why they want that one friend all to themselves, why does it hurt so much when they choose to be with someone else? The way Mike acted in these seasons was very deliberate imo. Heâs pushing Will away on purpose in season 3. And why is it exactly, that Mike can never balance Will and El emotionally when they are expecting and asking things of him?
So to answer your question lol after this tangent just keeps getting longer, Iâm not convinced Mike truly knows why he feels like he needs to do that in season 3, but it doesnât change the fact that his behavior is and can be very normal for queer kids figuring out their shit.
In that season, it's entirely to do with repression and nothing to do with him not wanting to play d&d anymore. So yes, internalized homophobia and self-hatred and denial of feelings is strong in Mike's character. Much more so than Will. Will has his issues and definitely has a lot of pain and feels like a "mistake" sometimes. We can see that shown to us in the destruction of castle byers scene. But as far as self-awareness and accepting himself for who he is, Will has never had too much of a problem with that. Will has never tried to be someone he's not. He has never given into a relationship or a situation because "it's what you're supposed to do" or to hide himself in anyway. I feel like Will is pretty unapologetically himself, even with his insecurities. That's why, imo, he receives the brunt of the bullying out of all the boys, especially in the beginning of the show. He doesn't change his clothes or his hobbies or his quiet sweetness. His true self never falters. The only time I can think of a time where he does anything like that is when he dances with the girl in season 2. But who's the one that pushes him to do it? That had more to do with pleasing Mike than it did with trying to be untrue to himself. And we've seen obviously from the scene in the classroom in season four that Will has most certainly not continued to do that as he's matured.
As for Mike, I think that season 4 something shifts a little bit. I think that Mike had a bit of a revelation at the end of season three and I think that being separated from El and Will really made him realize some things. Is he ready to face what that actually means in his relationship with Will? No, not in my opinion. But the way he so quickly and honestly responds to the fight in Rink-O-Mania (one last push for Mike to push Will away) and Will's support regarding El's letter in Jonathan's bedroom to me really is showing how Mike's feeling. He wants/needs things to be good between them. He wants Will in his life. He wants things to go back the way they were in season 1 and 2. He finally gives Will the attention he has so desperately asked for for two seasons all while struggling with this "issue" of telling his girlfriend he loves her. I think that the uncertainty and push/pull he is feeling is actually painful to watch. Because Mike does love El. And as Finn Wolfhard said, "he just wants to be normal." Normal is telling your girlfriend you love her. Normal is being in a relationship with a girl. Normal is not choosing your best friend over your girlfriend. Normal is putting her first. And so he does go through with it, but I really deep down believe that that is not what he really wants. I really think that since the end of season 3 Mike has realized that he also wants to spend his life in the basement with his best friend. Has he figured out that that love is romantic and that his feelings are sexual? I don't think he's completely figured that out yet. But I do think we'll get some more scenes of Mike having ??? in season 5, even before the Big Reveal. And i think that internal homophobia, self-denial, and refusal to accept who he really is all played a part in Mike's struggle.
#byler#mike wheeler#byler ask#mike wheeler analysis#he's a conundrum that's for sure#a highly relatable conundrum#will byers
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đâ¤ď¸âđĽ "Bucket List" is my new treasured fic!!! It's honestly everything I wanted for the two!! I haven't read past the "main" novels yet and I've heard that SS is only a small part of WX's emotional crisis & don't you just feel sad sometimes thinking that he really wanted to protect him from becoming like this, but totally missed the other side of the coin of that decision? You just described so perfectly this part of them being mad but not being mad (and god the sex scenee đ so much love)
asdfghjhgfds YAAAAAAAAAAAAAAY you liked it? iked it????!!!!!!!
Yes, but to me its honestly more sad that he really thought that after he sacrificed himself, Wu Xie is gonna be able to just go on living like nothing happened. Like idk what he really expected: for him to open a cupcake shop during this 10 years? lmao Honestly I can't with my otps and whatever is going on with their heads sometimes.
I mean, I obviously do get why he did what he did, it's not even a question. I'm just really sad about the fact that it didn't even cross his mind that maybe for Wu Xie the worst nightmare was actually this and its really kinda debatable whether he protected the "innocence of his soul" or made it worse hahahaahahahah⌠:((( but thats just my take on this lol
Tbh everything about it is really sad and Xiaoge would for sure be in pain if he found out about everything, but they are what they are, and this is really one area where they are same, so they can't ever like get too mad at each other for such choices cause they would've done the same. And they're no hypocrites. So thus they can never blame each other for sacrificing for each other and its like basically a never-ending circle of competition aka you for me and I for you đ
Like Wu Xie despite hating this decision would never be like "you didn't have the right to do that" bc hey look who's talking lmao so truly its kinda funny to me to this day that their whole situation is like they're mad about this stuff but they'd never actually fight bc of that.
Like their only rule is like "don't hurt yourself and be reckless without good reasons". And Wu Xie during these 10 years did many things just "to forget" and these were not, you know, rational or necessary for his plans. And thats already another thing that they both get pretty agressive about. So to think that he was the cause of this is like... ouch. I mean, he became such mentally unstable that he harmed himself on purpose and just in general didn't care much for his life, purposefully doing reckless shit. That is not the usual you know risking your life for each other and your friends. This is... the worst.
But also I keep like rewinding it and thinking... was there any better options? Who knows. I honestly donn't see it. Talking would be nice, but they don't do such crazy things lmfao
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