#Natalia's Lullaby

[sageandscorpiongrass]

could you do a web about loving someone who doesn’t love you back

certainly!

I Wish That You Loved Me.

I Swear Somewhere This Works, Trista Mateer | For the Best, Gregory and the Hawk | Today Means Amen, Sierra DeMulder | from the unsent project | poem I wrote sitting across the table from you, Kevin Varrone | The Garden of Eden, Ernest Hemmingway | Cascando, Samuel Beckett | Hungry Thread of Nerves, Fatima Aamer Bilal | Catalog of Unabashed Gratitude, Ross Gay | @/haematiclove on twitter | Lullabies, Lang Leav | In a Dream You Saw a Way To Survive, Clementine von Radics | Don’t You Dare (Make Me Fall in Love With You), Kaden MacKay | Honeybee: Baggage, Trista Mateer | If This Were My Book The Ending Would Be So Different, Natalia Vela

[text transcription in alt text]

[nostalgink]

Now that Art Fight is back up I can finally post all of my art fight attacks!!! This year I more than doubled the amount of attacks I do and I'm so proud of myself. I finally told my brain not every single attack had to be a fully rendered piece, so I had much more fun with it this year!!! In Order of image below the cut:

Rosetta, Veronica, and Madame Blue: @oopsallmudkips, @veronicamouse , @honestlyspookymentality

J. Fowler: @gallivamp Quasicosmo: @megaceros Silvester Sharpe: @aikaikaik-art Magentus and Mal: @mistress-negs Daisy Bell: @robot-rocket Prissy, Dina, Basil, Vailea Grim, and Pitch: @tealottie @odorrana @sparklingsora @venum0us @octofiend Mousey: @/avengineering (instagram)

Cherry: @mossys Lady: @citricconnor Berry: @miyakoqualcker Lullaby Lopsy: @killbent

Cynthia Crimson and Magentus: @cryptella (instagram) Megavolt's Son and Magentus: @puffywuffy8904

Rosalyne Starlight: @/ziggy_saturn_star (instagram) Natalia: @georgiarose

[ladylaviniya]

A Lesson In Service

Masterlist || Chapter 2

Chapter Summary: In 1880 you are hired as the governess of Lord Dalgliesh's children. When you meet your employer after months of already being in his employment you feel a strange change in your position. It's terrible when we discover the people we are expected to trust are as wicked and evil as the devil

Pairing: Lord!Henry Dalgliesh x Governess!reader

Chapter Warnings: 18+ Dead Dove Do Not Eat, Dubious Consent, Indimidation, Drugging, Implied infidelity, implied sex trafficking/solicitating, Implied sexual abuse, manipulation, blackmail, Victorian era period typical sexism.

Word Count: 8.5k

Author Notes: My dream cast is Henry Cavill as Lord Henry Dalgliesh. Colin Firth as Colin Fowler. Cillian Murphy as Cillian Walsh. Ben Barnes as Benjamin Byrnes. Natalie Viscuso as Natalia Naclerio Tom Hiddleston as Tom Ransome. Smut is next chapter.

Inspiring Song: “How many miles to Babylon.” child's lullaby

London, England 1888, Saturday 14th January. 18:45pm.

A loud crack of thunder rattled the windows to the study where a man sat back cradling a glass of scotch.

Henry Dalgliesh was most incredibly not a kind or purely generous gentleman. Long ago he’d learnt to accept the rude whispers about his behaviour, he believed being bothered by comments made by those lower than he in title was pointless prattle to even hear. Thank God for his large fortune, physical attractiveness and major title that allowed him to spend, whore, drink, gamble, and travel to wherever he dared to venture.

A shine of lightening defined the shadows of his chiselled jaw, his presence was forever intimidating. A wicked smirk laced across his devious face; he raised his scotch and toasted the frozen grin of his past wife’s portrait over the fireplace. Her painted golden locks shining as bright as they did when cascaded over their marriage bed, and her casket.

The late lady Natalia Dalgliesh or rather Naclerio, the unfaithful wench, had often accused him of being a cold and a selfish monster. He chuckled to himself at the memory of her tears along with her cruel tone. She was right. But what of she? At constant, a needy bitch in heat? A nymphomaniac? For her, was he not enough? Henry truly had tried with Natalia, at least for a time he forced himself to be what she had envisioned.

He huffed and set his drink aside on his desk.

Sweet Natalia, goodness was she a darling piece. She obviously used her own innocent beauty to gain the attention of anything that could mount her. Henry did wonder, where did he go wrong? Was his size not to her desire? Was her appetite craving another type of bodily position he did not know? How was he not satisfactory? She should’ve known better than to marry him knowing full well he was not a man of pure affections.

In the end however he would forever remember her vile speech about how she had never loved him not that he cared- and that he was not even the legitimate father of their two darling children. Just like now he experienced a swirl of nausea in the pit of his stomach and a burning headache to his temple.

He lifted the scotch and pelted it at the painting, glass and alcohol splattered across her face down her neck and into her bosom he ever so missed. Her expression mocked him, that smile, the same lips that tricked him into losing fifteen years of valuable time.

He hated her.

Henry bit his lip and snarled, “Good riddance, you selfish cunt...you should count yourself lucky...Lucky it wasn’t my own hand that ended you.” Tears filled his eyes. His bottom lip trembled.

And sometimes, he missed her.

A whole year had went by. The four seasons changing back into the one that began his torment. Little Marianne and Michael, his beloved children had been sorely neglected for so long he knew it was time to return home. After the exposure of their false parentage, he felt an agony in even them knowing that their faces were of no spawn of his, Henry admitted he needed to man up and care for what his stupid wife left behind.

Yes, it was now time for the Earl of Jersey to return home to his estate of Radier Manor.

He buried his face into his hands and sighed, before plucking up the unopened envelope by his desk.

Radier Manor Jersey, England 1888, Monday 9 April. 01:30 pm.

On a canvas was a very artistic image of a charcoal vase of flowers. Leaves and petals shaded in nothing but strategic black strokes. You were delicately scraping the black drawing charcoal across the white papers when the intruding house keeper Mrs Sharpe simmered inside the children’s nursery.

The wrinkled prude sneered distinctively towards the you and you lessons to the two children, sitting on either side of you. Her dark greying hair appeared a little to tightly pinned today. Her thin lips slightly redder than normal...your eyes tried not to strain at the possibility of rogue on her cheeks. You forced a kind grin at her arrival.

“Miss Y/L/N,” Mrs Sharpe scowled, “I’m to inform you that you are required downstairs to the masters’ study immediately. He has just officially arrived and desires the attention of all new staff in his study, now,” her lips tightened whilst looking you up and down, “Oh! And do...I pray- make yourself a little presentable.”

The callously spoken crone tapped her cheek in reference to the black marks covering your face and rolled her eyes in annoyance as she spun sharply around to leave.

Your forced grin fell once the elder woman noisily stalked out of the room with her keys rattling away on the hip of her chain.

Rubbing your hands clean on your art apron you then turned and smiled to the two younglings in your care.

A pair of twins aged eight years old with dark reddish hair and similar features. The boy beheld blue eyes while his sister gained a pair of hazel.

“Well, my little darlings, I suppose our lesson in art must be placed on wait until tomorrow? I shall see you at supper and tomorrow we shall continue our art lesson but with watercolours instead.” You smiled at an excited Michael who unpinned the scribbly mess and Mary, who perched over her own work of rose sketching. Black smudges covered little Mickey’s hand who had given up his attempt of drawing daffodils and went by a creative approach of squiggly lines and stick figures of those in the household.

Nanny Nettle who sat in the corner of the room, polishing the children’s shoes chuckled, “Sharpe doesn’t make no move to hide her ill feelings towards you.”

You sighed, shrugged and looked to the elderly scots woman with a look of despair written across your face, “Mrs Nettle, I don’t understand,” You started to pack up the art equipment into a small supply chest and carried the box of art equipment to the children’s bookshelf, putting them away. Michael folded his picture to his chest while his sister placed her art on her miniature duchess.

While you folded the canvas stands the woman with her twinkling milky eyes observed you with an amused curl in her lip.

“I have been governess here for most of the winter and this spring, but Mrs Sharpe still treats me like a unwanted pest- I have done naught but share my kindness, my patience and my help around the estate: I mean really? What have I done to upset her so?” You approached the nanny and sat at her feet wiping your face with the corner of your apron of any black marks.

The children went and washed their small hands in the basin and hung their aprons on a wall hook.

“What have you done to offend her, lass?” Nanny Nettle grinned and shook her head, pausing her polishing she reassuringly patted the young woman’s cheek.

“I gather it be that she didn’t have a say in your employment to the household dear. That cow likes having everything under her control,” She cackled suddenly, “O’ course, it also don’t help that her nephew Thomas, that footmen who likes to smoke in the barn, can’t seem to keep his eyes off your chest when you waddle pass, acting like a drooling dog he does.”

You gawked and quickly fled to Mary’s side, holding her ears, if you had another hand you would’ve covered Mickey’s too.

You softly hissed with a flushed face, “Please Mrs Nettle, I must request you keep a decorum of respectful language in front of the children. And furthermore,” you flushed, “I don’t appreciate your jesting since I’ve never seen Mr Ransome acting so beastly as that. He is a gentleman.”

The older woman chuckled at your sweet innocent alarm and shrugged, “Alright, I’m merely explain’ why that housekeeper

‘Hoity Toity’ has it out for you, dear.”

You sighed and released the confused Mary who was very curious about why her Nanny compared her father’s footman to a puppy. In the end of her mind boggling, the girl went to sit on her bed and play with her doll she had come to name Antoinette.

The Nanny pointed her wrinkled finger at the door and then jabbed it back at the you, “Best be off downstairs Governess, the master don’t like to be kept waiting. He’s not known for his patience, lord knows I couldn’t teach it to him.”

Breath hitching, you nodded vigorously and hung the apron on the hook before you fled outside the nursery, down the hall to the stair case. You hurriedly descended the stairs while you prayed desperately that the Earl of Jersey did not take the same disliking to you that housekeeper Sharpe had. Fixing your hair into what you deemed suitable, you skated passed the kitchens.

It was honestly a miracle you had this position. You were a newly officialised governess just starting out in your first family, becoming employed on your first letter of recommendation written as a favour by a friend of your late father, Lord Colin Fowler. You desperately vowed to help the children grow fruitfully and improve intelligence majorly. Your wages were above the average at fifty pounds a year, including the free house boarding and food.

You knew there would be a time and day where you would need to ask or at least thank your employer for his generosity. You had worried that when you would meet him, he would see you for what you really were...a country mouse with only the capacity to teach what little you knew in the arts and literature.

Biting your lip, you decided all you wanted in this world was acceptance. And you truly needed the lord of the estate to accept you; Your father’s debt rested heavily on your shoulders at the moment. Your mother died a few days after the birth of your little sister Odette, and your father was a tremendously poor loser in gambling poker. He’d left you and Odette with a cough that killed him along with no money or respectable station in society.

At only a young age of eighteen, you’d been forced to leave the quiet life of the pastures in the south for the employment of the east. Boarding the ship out to this island was the most scary thing you had to partake. And in fact you had casted your bowls over the sides of the rocking boat more than twice.

Your twelve year old sister Odette was thankfully now in the custody of the kind and charitable Lord Fowler who only required a monthly fee to care for her which you were utterly grateful for. It was unfortunate though that even after the auctioning of your family cottage and small farm, plus your exuberant wages was still not enough to entirely pay the debts Mr Y/L/N left. If you were not so frugal with the expenses of books and dresses you owned, you wouldn’t be getting by and that terrified you.

‘Do not fall front you silly girl’, you mentally scolded, ‘if you muck up it’ll be Odette to pay for it.’

Reaching the closed door of the Earl’s study, you stood frozen and hesitated from twisting the door handle. Mentally and physically prepping yourself, you straightened your back and held your head high- but not too high to present too confident in a man’s presence, let alone an Earl.

Quickly you checked your hair again and the hairpins that secured it down in the ‘appropriate style’. Your hands you then noticed trembled, ‘goodness why am I so nervous!?’ your shaky fingers pressed down on your dark navy skirt.

You bit your lip and self-assuredly nodded, finally lifting your hand up to the wood and serving three slight taps. The door opened wide, behind it was Mr Cillian Walsh, the house’s head butler and supposedly personal keeper to the Lord Dalgliesh.

The butler gave you a grand smile, he was one of the most friendliest of the staff here in Radier

Manor. He was the one to first welcome you when you had gotten off the boat many moons ago. And Cillian was extremely helpful and kind, especially when it came to the children. He was the one to inform the little dears of their father’s planned return.

“Miss Y/N, do come in,” he whispered and fondly winked, “His lordship is eager to meet you.”

He stepped aside and bowed his head a little to you. Stepping into the study for the first time, you noticed another young man waiting inside. He clearly was another new employee of the household.

And in front of him was an extremely handsome male.

You had seen his painting in the drawing room but it was nothing compared to his true form. The Earl was sitting behind his large desk and when you walked into the room you witnessed him rise at your entrance. Y/N’s eyes widened. The painting depicted him with an image of late forties but now you gathered his age to be somewhere in his middle thirties or early forties. The painter had drastically aged him. His chiselled jawline and thin lips romanticised his face along with his soft brown curls falling like gentle swirls down his cheek.

What the painting hadn’t entailed too was his height. By god he would have put Goliath to shame giant. You had never met such a broad and tall man in your life. Your eyes widened as he slowly bowed his head to you respectfully.

Snugly fitted to his muscular frame was a black waistcoat that matched his deep blue eyes. It wasn’t hard to say you felt a tickle of attraction to this man. On his left hand a gold band entrapped his finger.

‘That’s right, he was a married man’.

You swallowed quietly and moved to stand beside the younger stranger with a leaner appearance, and dashing mid length Jett black hair.

The Earls gaze was dominating. His aura intensely intimidating. And it was all pinned directly onto you...poor thing. Butterflies fluttered in your stomach as the Earl’s eyes paused in front of you.

You kept your eyes low under his cool regard and fought to stand still and not fidget.

“Good day, it is my desire to formally welcome you both to Radier Manor despite the unfortunate obvious that one of you has been in my care for a few months already,” your employer said glancing your way while he stepped forward from behind his desk, “As I am sure you must already know, I am Henry Dalgliesh, the Earl of Jersey.”

Cillian gestured his white gloves hand to you while clearing his throat, “My lord, this is Miss Y/N

Y/L/N, the new governess.”

You curtsied too low and before it was too late you almost tripped yourself onto his shoes when his heavy hand caught your shoulder. A rush of blood dusted your face from nervous embarrassment. You wobbled back onto your feet and softly apologised for your clumsiness, eyes staring at his shoes.

Unseen by you, Henry smirked. Holding his palm out to you, you gently laid her own clammy own into his hand. He bent his head, his eyes set on your heated face while his oh so very soft lips pressed against the hot skin of your fingers, “Miss Y/L/N, It is a pleasure to make your official acquaintance after all this time.”

His facial expression was unreadable, only that he appeared to be kind and polite…

‘Oh goodness, he smells divine, like baked biscuits!’

The butler cleared his throat again, “and here Sir, is Mr Benjamin Byrnes, the secretary from Wimbledon.”

Cillian continued to inform the master about his benefits for this particular Secretary but you were too distracted by the Earls penetrating eyes that had refused to stop staring you down. Your heart pounded against your chest, you felt like you body was being dragged towards him despite being completely still and unmoving. Your eyes locked for a painfully wonderful eternity.

You exhaled gratefully when the Cillian led you and the secretary out of the study after Henry shook Benjamin’s hand and allowed the you both to remain employment. You felt weak and tired by your first encounter. After all you never expected to experience such an debilitating presence.

Radier Manor Jersey, England 1888, Monday 9 April. 18:30 pm.

That night Lord Henry didn’t make his appearance at supper, he was too busy under some account, which sourly upset the children who missed their father greatly.

And when said that they were upset, they were very, very disappointed. The twins had become woeful and unpleasantly behaved, deciding to ignore their food and gossip about what their father had done while he was away.

Marianne was mature and stated confidently that he was a business man perform business duties, when asked what duties they were she was unable to answer.

Michael on the other hand was a wild imagination. He was certain that his father had been away fighting criminals and bringing justice to the realm. He stabbed his mutton and exclaimed it was how he believed his father ran a sword through wicked men.

As Cillian passed with a tray to take to the masters study he paused and pinched Michaels cheek, before commanding the boy eat his dinner lest it turned totally cold.

After dinner concluded Nanny Nettle took them back to the nursery to ready for bed...

But as you were making your way down to the servant quarters where your room laid, you were nearly knocked over by a hurling body that flung itself back when it collided with your strong body.

You rubbed your belly with a light groan and looked dow at the floor and baring witness to one of your students.

Michael’s shirt front had a large wet spot. His red face was scrunched up, puffy crying eyes spilled tears and down his nose and chin was a trail of snot and drool. His little fists clenched and unclenched while he continued to wipe his face on his soaked sleeves. He was crying loudly.

Shockingly he stood up and collided into you but this time clung to you and held up his hands in silent pleas. Between tears he was clearly crying out sentences that were incoherent. You carefully pieced together what was wrong when you managed to hear, “Papa”.

Sighing you bent onto your knees and cupped under his armpits and lifted him up onto your hip and held him close, rocking him softly. He reminded you in that moment of your sister Odette who cried when your father died. You patted his back, he was a baby missing his parents. You rocked him as he clung to your shoulders.

The little boy sobbed into your neck and held onto you like you were a life anchor.

“O’Mickey dear, hush now, hush,” You gently cooed as you walked him to the nursery which conveniently was just down the hallway.

Your heels clicked to the thudding of the nursemaids’ feet just as she called around the corner “Michael! Where are you, Lad!? There you are!” She puffed, following her was Marianne who also looked to have been crying with the red hue of her eyes.

You turned to Mrs Nettle and smiled sadly, “I think someone won’t be letting go anytime soon,” just as you said this, Michael tightened his grasp on her blouse and shoved his head deeper into your neck, “Shall I put the children to bed?”

The Nanny looked slightly shocked at the offer, her grey brows raised and jaw dropped before sputtering “O’ course lass, I’ll get their nightclothes.”

As she tried to walk pass you into their bedroom, you reached out and touched her hunching shoulder. You knew the children needed a female figure who was frankly a lot younger than Mrs Nettle, sixty five years younger perhaps.

“Please Mrs Nettle, I can manage. Come Marianne, time for bed,” You held out a hand to the girl that tilted her head and bit her lip, reaching out to grab at your hand.

After bidding the Nanny a good night the three of you went inside.

Closing the door behind them, you softly sighed and brushed through Michael’s auburn curls with your fingers trying to sooth him a little more as his crying dialled down to sniffles. Slowly you sat on his bed, Marianne sat on hers across you both.

“Mary darling,” you gentle asked, rubbing her brothers back, “Could you please fetch yours and your brother’s night clothes?”

“Yes Miss Y/L/N,” She sniffled and smiled sweetly before hurrying off to the draws and closet.

Eventually you detached little Michael from your body and laid him down on the mattress. You quickly undressed the boy and soothingly brushed his wet cheeks with your thumbs. When

Marianne came back with the clothes, you made it your sole duty to ready them for bedtime.

The two hadn’t seen their father in over a year is what you had heard through the staff and on the day of lord Henry’ return he is ‘too busy’ for them?

You beckoned Marianne closer, you slipped off Marianne’s skirts and slipped over her head her long white nightgown. Marianne mumbled as she tugged her night dress on, “Pap- I mean Father, he did not want to wish us a good night and,” she choked, her little lips started to wobble, “Mrs

Sharpe smacked Michael across the cheek when he would not obey to leave.”

You gasped and brought her into your arms. While holding her close, you heard her ask on the brink of a sob, “Does he not really love us?”

‘What kind of man would act such a way ’, you grumbled to yourself, ‘and here I thought he was a very good looking man inside as he was outside. He’s unkindly neglectful of the family who missed and love him dearly.’

Then you sighed, ‘maybe he’s an extremely important man concerning business matters. He does after all own land on which now is booming with tourists.’

“I am sure your father loves you dearly Marianne,” you cooed and rubbed her back as she hiccuped.

Buttoning up his night shirt and wiping his wet face with his sleeve cuff, Michael had calmed down completely.

Turning her around to undo her braids, Marianne asked, “Miss Y/L/N? Can you…can you please sing to me and Mickey?”

Your fingers froze in Marianne’s hair. Such a request was endearing to you but was it too intimate? The girl turned around and forced herself into a hug between you . It was Marianne’s teary eyes that forced you to cave in.

“I can Mary,” you assured and pinched her shoulder playfully, “After you’re in bed.”

A bright grin returned to the little girls face. She and Michael eagerly clambered into their beds, diving beneath the covers.

You tucked the blankets of both their beds and made sure their sheets rested up to their chins. Then you laid Antoinette the dolly beside Mary on her pillow and picked up a toy solider off the floor, setting it on the bed side table next to little Michael. The two children gazed up to you awaiting their lullaby from their governess.

Carefully you knelt onto the floor and turned down the kerosene lamp on their shared bedside draw. Humming first and slowly slipping into song, you sang…

“How many miles to Babylon? Three score miles and ten.” They smiled and gasped lightly, happy and content.

“Can I get there by candle-light? Yes and back again.”

The little ones nuzzled into their pillows and smiled at you after sneaking a glance at each other almost as though they were keeping a secret with one another.

“If your heels are nimble and light, three more miles and ten, you may get there by candle-light there and back again.” You kissed each of their foreheads and tapped their noses softly.

“King and Queen of Cantelon, How many miles to Babylon?”

You stood and went to the curtains and drew them open, up in the night sky was a full moon shining down on them.

“Eight and eight, and another eight. Will I get there by candle-light?”

Coming back to the children, kneeling next to them you noticed Michaels mouth open wide and yawn silently. His eyes shut lose and his yawn lift his lips softly parted. Exhaustion took him first.

“If your horse be sprite and good and your spurs be bright.”

You continued to the last line of the diddy as you observed Marianne’s lashes fluttering down.

“How many soldiers there have been? More than yee dare come and see."

You laid your hands over both their belly's and rubbed small circles into them.

"How many miles to Babylon? Three more miles and ten. Can I get there by candle-light? Yes and back again."

Their chests lifted up and down with the steady slumber they fell into.

You whispered the final line, "Yes and back agaaiiinn."

It was such a sweet sight. You knew deep in your heart you loved them, for such little bodies they had such big hearts. From the moment you arrived they had been nothing but joyful creatures and to see them distraught so terribly by their father and housekeeper broke your heart. You smiled and rose from the floor to kiss both of their little foreheads again. Each softly moaned in their sleep and turned their heads into the pillows away from your sweet kisses.

Turning the kerosene down completely, You walked out of the nursery into the door way and carefully closed the door behind you. You prayed it wasn’t too loud to wake them up.

The sound of movement caught your attention away from the nursery, your eyes viewed a slight shadow moving through a door way at the end of the hall. For a moment you clenched the front of your blouse in fear of any ghosts.

‘Must be a servant cleaning one last room.’

You had no fear and no knowledge of any existing dangers. You decided to not worry, after all you were clearly safe and just needed to go to bed. You were tired from a day of work and meeting the formidable master of the manor.

Radier Manor Jersey, England 1888, Monday 9 April. 18:56 pm.

You retreated to the quiet sanctuary of your room. Located on the same floor as the laundry parlour but its door was opposite the wall. You were still grateful for your given room, since it was bigger than your own cottage one on the farm you sold off, not only that but the bed mattress was so comfortable that most morning you’d lay there and pray it was Sunday so you didn’t have to rise up and sleep in until the afternoon church service in town. In fact the only issue with your room was the lack of warmth with no fireplace.

Stripping down to nakedness you ripped over your head your cotton nightgown before unpinning your hair. Placing each pin onto the duchess and scratching your scalp you sighed and preceded to slink into your bed. You shut your eyes preparing for the world of being governess another day. Though after turning and tossing beneath the covers that provided the tiniest of warmth for another hour, you huffed and flung the sheets away. Sleep just wasn’t an option tonight.

It was like an itch as your mind trailed off in recalling all the activities of the day and vaguely came to remember the meeting with his lordship. O’ how he had kissed your hand in his study. The odd sensation of butterflies returned to your belly. Your thumb rubbed over the spot where his lips had touched.

‘Did he kiss every young ladies hand like that? Surely not? I should perhaps be offended by such impropriety...what would his wife have thought? He should still be in mourning, as should I...o’ he is a Earl after all...and he’s paying you plenty good, don’t be ungrateful over a light kiss on your hand.’

It was scandalous if thought long and hard about. But maybe that’s how lord’s greeted women of any standing.

You giggled to yourself as you imagined a scene of that wrinkly dragon Mrs Sharpe getting her paws kissed by the Earl. You imagined he would be very displeased doing so while the old beastly woman would salivate! What a lark!

Radier Manor Jersey, England 1888, Monday 9 April. 22:13 pm.

Knowing you were never going to sleep any time soon, your stomach made a faint murmur.

You believed that Mr Mikkelsen the cook wouldn’t mind if you went into the kitchen and snuck out a warm glass of milk and one of his sweet baked treats, surely that would aid this sleepless night? You rose from the bed with a sigh. Covering yourself with a wrapper that laid on the bar at the foot of the bed.

Making your way out of your room and through the halls that lead to the kitchen, your bare feet padded quietly across the carpet of the sitting room. You graciously were thankful for the moonlight that lit up the home through the unclosed curtains.

Your eyes casted to the wall above the unlit fireplace. His painting hung large and proud. The artwork held no candle to his true masculine beauty but might resemble his figure in another ten years. The moon truly reflected the blue eyes that lay on the canvas; they seemed to watch your every movement and with the stern frown brushed on his lips he didn’t look very pleased with your late awakening.

You tried not to think to hardly on your imagination.

Tiptoeing across the main entrance hall you sighed, finally you’d arrived. The wooden door was inches away from your fingertips, awaiting the moment you’d push it open; but something wasn’t right… Since a prickling sensation that trailed from the top of your skull, down your spine and through your legs suddenly sparked.

“Is it regular that you would wander about your employers home alone in the dark at night? Or is it just mine that’s so much more intriguing?”

Biting back a squeal of fright, you wheeled around to find that behind you was the Earl who had caught you attempting to sneak in the kitchen. His form was relaxed against the stair rail as he glared you down like a naughty child with arms folded across his chest similar to that of a displeased parent. Lord Henry body was basking in nothing but the light of the moon. His coat and cravat were long gone, his dark blue banyan draped over his shoulders and tied around his waist.

His height frightened you and made you feel inexplicitly tiny as a mouse.

This was your second meeting and now you realised how much you possibly looked like a dirty

thief.

You bit your lip and wrapped your arms around yourself nervously. It suddenly was obvious how immodest you appeared in your night garments, wandering about the house. You felt your breath quicken.

‘God, please don’t let him sack me’, you prayed.

You were already beyond humiliated and flustered at the extreme inappropriateness of being alone with the Earl in nothing but both your night wardrobe, you just couldn’t figure out how to politely flee back to your own room without walking around him.

You stammered “M-my Lord, please forgive me I had trouble sleeping an-and thought to get a glass of warm milk.” ‘Honesty is the best policy!’ your face screwed up into an embarrassed contortion, “Please do pardon and excuse my intrusion, I shall make way and return to my room immediately.”

You lifted a hand to your face and shielded your eyes away from Henry. Making movement to step around his tall form, you took your chance to escape, alas it was all in vain as the Earl’s large hand shot out and stole at your wrist. A high gasp drop from your parted lips. His grip not to rough but stern and strong. He was not making any notion to harm you, just to stop you from leaving his presence.

His warm liquid voice dripped out into your ears “Miss Y/L/N, please wait,” He pleaded in voice, his sapphire eyes mourned “I beg you not to leave under my sudden arrival.”

You bit your lip at the sight of his face- the hardness of his features fell away, replaced by a soft graceful smike as he quietly murmured, “It is not the first time one has found themselves awake in the night within search of Chef Mikkelsen’s delicious biscuits. Will you not sit for a moment with me?” he opened the kitchen door and gestured for you to enter.

You felt a gigantic wave of relief. Though the effects of shock were still attached to your body when all you could reply with was a scared hum.

Henry ventured into the pantry. You ventured around the table in the middle of the kitchen and looked around the spices that hung above the windows.

When his lordship came out with a tin box and two tea saucers, he noticed how his governess was standing in the middle of the kitchen looking rather…lost.

Clearing his throat he gathered your attention, “Miss Y/L/N please, do sit,” gesturing towards the chairs at the kitchen table, and graciously you sat in the chair when he dragged one out.

Laying the tin of biscuits down and placing the saucers in front of you, he fled to the cool room and collected a jug of milk. The stove unfortunately had been put out hours ago and the attempt to reheat it would take longer than desired.

He sighed, “I’m afraid only cold milk is available Miss Y/L/N.” He poured the ivory liquid into a rose painted china tea cup.

“Thank you nonetheless sir,” you politely smiled and accepted the cup into your hand. Laying your lips on the cup, you took a slight sip of the milk.

Your eyes widened, ‘this milk is phenomenon!’ Taking another small sip you hummed happily,

“Your milk must be sweeter here one the Island.”

It was lighter than cream but contained a watery consistency. Something edged the final flavour, it was eerily sweet like sugar or honey. The milk might’ve been cold to the lips but it was surprisingly warm in your belly.

Sitting down in front of you the Lord’s eyes were wide, “You haven’t tasted our milk? After all this time?” he jokingly gasped.

You shook your head. The past many weeks was too hectic for you to simply sit down and have a cup of tea or a glass of milk. You were too concerned for Odette’s wellbeing and support along with the Dalgliesh children’s education.

Your afternoons were busied with the planning of the next day. And even for the past three Sundays, you had caught sleep in bed and made sure your room was tidy and that you were ready for Mrs Sharpe intruding as she was known to do so well.

 The callous woman carried all the house keys on a large ring, so despite locking your door, your privacy would still be breeched. Henry threw his head back and laughed.

Your glanced between him and the kitchen door. He was so loud! What if someone saw you like this with him ? It would be the island scandal!

It didn’t matter...

For a man possibly ten to twenty years older than you, he was very charming and boyish; his smile made suddenly made you swoon. You grinned stupidly.

Lord Henry finally settled himself and paused, swallowing down a biscuit, and glanced over at you.

“Will you not have some of the biscuits? They’re sublime,” His long fingers hooked around the edge of the tin and held it out to her.

You shook your head again with all your meek sweetness, “Oh no, my lord, you enjoy it.”

You felt you had overstepped your place and should be humble when it came to his offers.

However a little growl from your middle betrayed your motives.

The Earl let loose another hearty laugh and stole a biscuit to give to you. Biscuit in hand reached out towards you.

Still you refused the offer knowing you should’ve removed yourself from that improper and intimate scenery, you whined “No, my lord, please I ca-“

The Earl smirked and shoved the treat into your talking lips, which caused you to stop midsentence and avoid not choking on the sweet biscuit. A light gag escaped you.

The crumbs rubbed rough on your throat and you wanted to be mad at the Lord but knew not to step that boundary, ‘you got yourself into this mess stupid girl.’

 “You’ll come to learn soon that I don’t take to hearing the word ‘No’ kindly Miss Y/L/N.” He flashed her a smile filled with bright whites, proud of his actions.

‘He’s rude and childish!’

A great prickling of hairs on the back of your neck rose up, something was telling you to be afraid of Henry. ‘But he only force fed you a biscuit calm down- if anything be grateful.’

“Now drink the rest of your milk, dear,” he said, pushing the cup up to your crumb covered lips.

You instantly sat back and away from his long claw like fingers, you now just wanted to go back to bed. Sculling down the sweet milk and hastily standing, you moved the chair back into place and waddled over to the sink.

You spoke respectfully but a slight tremble ran through your hands, “I should- um, I think it best I bid you a good night, my lord.”

‘Something is definitely not right, I shouldn’t be here…goodness Y/N don’t be such a scaredy cat!’ you chided yourself. Shaking your head slightly you told yourself firmly, ‘everyone knows full well that the gentry are an odd lot from time to time. He is just being friendly.’

Henry stood to attention and caught you again by the wrist before you could even lay the dishes into the sink. He had excellent aim for wrists it would appear. Providing you his uneasy smirk, he dragged you back in front of him. A single digit cupped your chin and wiped up to your parted gasping lips. Moving his finger away, he deliberately showed you the white spill of sweetness he’d caught on the corner of your mouth. His long tongue flicked out and licked up the drip before completely sucking his finger in front of you.

You gasped. ‘Too friendly, for a man of his standing; is he…with me? No, he can’t be flirting. Great scot girl, get a hold of yourself. Act not like the impute girls of your age, be a mature woman! Goodness! Why would he ever think like that? The man just lost his beloved wife a year ago.’

His hand holding your arm released and dug into the pocket of his over-night coat.

He tutted you softly “Come with me, I have an urgency to question and acquaint myself better with you.”

A hand twirled around your back and softly shoved you forward and guided you into the dark cold drawing room.

‘Is he escorting me back to my living space?’

Suddenly, he froze, his palm left your back and gestured to the lounge. You glanced behind back and up to your employer “Sir?”

“Sit,” he sharply directed followed by a lengthy spaced cough, “Please Miss Y/L/N,” he added “I desire to inquire about the children.”

You blinked under his intense stare, slowly you sat down in the lounge. You slowly drawled, “The children, my lord?”

Sitting down across from you, the Earl rubbed his hands, his brows raised followed by a light chuckle, “Yes Miss Y/L/N, the ones I am paying you to educate?” his fingers laced together.

….Marianne and Michael. So now he showed his care and interest of them?

You flushed and uneasily smiled, you felt like an utter fool, “Of course, my lord. They are doing exceptionally well. They have taken a joy to writing their own stories, they’ve demonstrated great imaginations.”

He didn’t seem too interested in what his children enjoyed that was obvious from his bodily reaction lacking any bright eyes or head perks. “I see...” He bit his lip and sighed, his face lifted to the fireplace. He looked at his portrait and snidely snickered to himself.

Scratching his chin he looked back to you, “Tell me, Miss Y/L/N, are you very tired?”

“Actually, my lord, I-“

“Miss Y/L/N. I have a few brief questions regarding the children, if you do not mind.” He asked as he lit some of the candles with a box of matched from the desk draws.

‘The children, not his children? For a lord he should learn how to speak correctly.’

You gripped the top of your wrapper collar with icy hands and uneasily shuffled. You just wanted to go to bed and sleep, but Henry pursued you further more even after you asked if they might continue the conversation at breakfast in the morning.

He release a wicked chuckled that bewildered you. ‘He’s mad!’

The Earl tossed a leg over one of his knees, he sat back and relaxed, “Now, now, I would prefer to keep this frank, quick and confidential between two adults…”

He turned his head away briefly before he leant forward into your face, his hot breath blew down on your cheeks and eyes as he tilted his head.

His dark eyes turned hot and frightening, he purred, “Do you fear me, Miss Y/L/N?”

As expected if not planned, You lurched back and gasped. Your cheeks heated up. The blue light of the moon shown on his profile. He looked like a painting of Lucifer you’d seen in a children’s bible. His mesmerising features were both terrifying and attractive to you.

You shook your head, trying to stand up straight and tall. You felt silly and embarrassed in yourself for being so flushed.

‘Except…Why would he ask me that? Does he want me to know my place, have I overstepped my glass standings too openly?’ you truly hadn’t meant to upset him enough to try and upset you in return.

“I don’t understand, my lord,” you nervously huffed, “I believed we were talking about Miss

Marianne and Mr Michael?”

You turned your head to the side away from his eyes that squinted and lips that frowned. He moved forward, resting his hands either side of your arms on the lounge. His body heat surrounded you, his banyan and your wrapper folded against each other. Silk against cotton brushing softly.

“S-sir, you come too close, please sit back.”

Henry leant into your ear and hissed in a threatening tone, “Perhaps you will learn to tolerate my ways in time, Miss Y/L/N, as my children learn from you.”

Now you were properly scared. Your chest heaved up and down. He might’ve just as well told you that he was going to throw you down the grand stair case. You were petrified and paralysed.

“Indeed but I beg you to remain civil, I am- I am most happy to inform you of their accomplishments.”

Henry smugly smiled and hummed, leaning away from your unprepared body. He clapped his hands lightly and licked his teeth. He was a hungry looking man, a man looking to conquer in war.

“Yes, I suppose you’re correct Governess,” he continued in his cheerier tone, “We must discuss the children, Miss Y/L/N. Please do tell me of their achievements in your lessons? Do they work hard? I want to hear your curriculum and methods of teaching since you seem to have difficulty understanding respect of your superiors.”

‘Difficulty understanding respect of my superiors?!’

You tightly swallowed and faced him. You wanted to bluntly tell him he was a terrible father and a rude man. Instead, you submissively answered every question he asked. Most questions he asked related to their French lessons, dancing, mathematics and literature.

“Où avez-vous appris à parler français?” Where did you learn to speak French? He asked suddenly in French. It caught you off guard his snap in transition to the language.

You curled your lips in and politely replied, “Mon père m’a appris” my father taught me.

He smirked and his brows raised, he slowly nodded, “Par exemple, un enseignant?” was he a teacher?

You smiled and shook your head. A small flush came to your cheeks

“Il devient marchand et propriétaire terrien.” He was a merchant and landowner, you gently explained. Your father was a travelling man and left he farm and cottage to you and your mother while he was away. And when your mother died, you took care of little Odette and father remained to work a little more in England instead of sailing off for months to India and China.

You felt your mouth grow incredibly dry and your lips numb. Your vision became spotty and the room swayed. You tried to stand to your feet and almost fell over onto him again like you had this morning.

“Je m’excuse,” you weakly slurred, “je suis fatiguée.” Excuse me, I am very tired.

You needed to go to bed. It was far too late for this meeting in the night that could wait till the morning.

Just before you could tell him any of this, your eyes rolled to the back of your head. You fell ungracefully to the floor and weakly collapsed.

The earl smiled while whispering ‘timber’ with a tiny whistle and left you to fall hard, but winced at the loud thud. Your wrapper tie became loose and fell away to reveal your scantily clad night gown.

You were still awake. Unable to move unable to understand what was happening. Why your body would not rise and why you were just so incredibly tired. The last thing you saw was the earls looming shadowing silhouette and his deep voice humming a familiar tune.

"How many miles to Babylon..." He smiled and cocked his head to the side as he watched your poor confused gaze flutter shut.

With your eyes closed and your lips parted and your arms perfectly lain above your head, he believe you were a grand depiction of a goddess offering her life to a sacrifice.

He dug into the pocket of his banyan again, while this time he pulled out a tiny vial the size of his thumb. Henry hummed the merry lullaby as he twirled it around his fingers. It was just too easy to slip it into something as milk.

"How many miles to Babylon? Three more miles and ten. Can I get there by candle-light?" He smirked, "No and ne'er again."

He believed it to be remarkable that you would fall unconscious so easily under the influence of his drug induced milk. He worried you would cease sipping after your exclamation on the sweetness.

While poor little you was trusting him to be a gentleman…but it was part of that old scally-wag Colin Fowler’s plan, sending the girl here to be his governess.

London, England 1888, Saturday 14th January. 19:03pm.

Yes, it was now time for the Earl of Jersey to return home to his estate of Radier Manor.

He buried his face into his hands and sighed, before plucking up the unopened envelope by his desk. From the side of his desk Henry ripped open a draw and collected a letter pen. Cutting the mail open, he plucked out the parchment and glued his eyes to the words that lay before him.

My dear friend Henry Dalgliesh,

It has been over a year since your dear Natalia passed and from our last meeting you had asked whether I could provide you one of my girls for your taste in desire. I wonderfully inform you that I have discovered something much more exceedingly pleasurable in the realm of succulent kittens, consider it a gift for the favour I owed you.

I have come across two young ladies from a small farm down south, they’re virgins and as pure as snow they come. Their names are Y/N and Odette Y/L/N from Bristol. Little Odette, I will be keeping under my hand for a few more years as the dear is not ripe yet only eleven or twelve I believe; the cusp of womanhood my friend, but her older sister; a true English rose is perfect for the reaping. After the misfortune of their father’s death whom was a gambling friend of mine, the girls are in a river of debt.

For every month I will expect a “payment” from Y/N to “support her sister” despite us both knowing I don’t really need anything to care for the little dear. I suggest you use the debt against her.

Do teach the girl some manners Henry, she’s polite and innocent but completely lacking in true submission. Make her cry, beg, squeal- break her, bend her, fuck her; whatever you do, don’t kill her. Henry, do not waste my gift, use her as you want and give her back when you’re finished. I have sent her your way as a governess for your children. She should be there in a week. Sincerely,

Lord C.F.

Henry sat back and proceeded to scrunch up the news into a ball of paper, casting it into the fire. He watched the flames engulf and swallow down the evidence of his ever interesting desire. He smirked and looked back up to the painting of Natalia and laughed at her face.

“I look forward to a nice new toy darling, don’t you?” Henry threw his feet up onto his desk and folded his hands behind his head, “I am sure you do, bloody harlot.” His eyes gleamed yellow as hellfire in the reflection of the burning letter.

Yes, it was now time for the Earl of Jersey to return home to his estate of Radier Manor.

Radier Manor Jersey, England 1888, Monday 9Th April. 22:28 pm.

“That worked rather well, bit too quickly for my liking though, however extremely effective,” He muttered to himself as he pocketed it back and bent onto one knee to hover above you.

His eyes travelled your the lines of your form that he was observing from the moment he discovered your shy presence around the estates home.

He slid closer, pressing his nose to your forehead to inhale the sweet scent or your hair and skin. His eyes fluttered as his lips gasped, his cock twitched. He caressed your soft cheek with his knuckled. His eyes scanning down to your entrapped bosom.

‘I wonder if she would taste better than she smells.’

With a solidary eye to the open area down through the drawing room into the dining room, he sighed and drew you closer. If anyone caught him, he would kill them. His hand softly rubbed your forehead, which cause you to react in a subtle moan.

‘Could she be as innocent as she seemed? Is this a mistake? Should I still do this?’ Henry dared ask himself. His eyes narrowed and he consi-

- Wait… Excuse me? Hello, reader, are you holding onto hope he’s gracious and kind? It’s because you think those are Henry’ thoughts don’t you? Well, I’m afraid you’re dearly mistaken. You see, it isn’t one of those stories....romance, no; here we feed on lust, blood and blackmail. Now that’s been cleared up, back to the story, where were we? He scares you, he drugs you, ah yes here we are-

Henry tucked his hands and arms beneath your fragile body and lifted you up onto his hip, his lust pressing harshly into your waist. He blew out the candle and fled. You were his prize being glided to the forbidden room, the room he considered very special indeed.....

Helplines:

If you are a victim of sexual abuse, assault or domestic violence or know someone who is please reach out to these links that share helpline services, phone numbers or emails. Consent and respect is important in every relationship whether between friends, family or even strangers.

Australian Helpline Services

UK Helpline Services

American Helpline Services

India Helpline Services.

[small-world-au]

Chat…I HAVE SO MUCH REWRITING AND RE-EDITING TO DOOOOO!

Like, I want to rewrite MOST of SW AU! Like all Odessa (1st roleplay to now) scenes will be replaced with Kip (Sora’s therapy dog)! The scene Zaria meets Odessa will be replaced with Natalia (Sora’s grandmother).

And I’ll be deleting EVERYTHING dmr! I will jot down your designs and ideas, for I have a DIFFERENT plot (YET AGAIN) in mind.

The au will be NO longer called “DEAD MAN’S REQUIEM” (it’ll be the title for the 2nd arc of the au), but “MONSTROUS LULLABY”!

Am so sorry for the inconvenience and sorry you guys have to deal with my inconsistent ass.

@baileythebean @m3rcuryxd2763 @lilacquintet @ask-mayfly @cornread @grandselfmythologizing @schnozzlebozzle @rebootgrimm

I HAVE SCREENSHOTTED YOUR DMR! ASKS AND GIFTS AND WILL MOVE THEM TO THE SECONDARY BLOG AS CONCEPT IDEAS! IS THAT ALL RIGHT WITH YOU???

[mydarllinglover]

Alone || Claimed

Previous

Trigger Warning For This Chapter: Sexual Assult.

Daryl and Natalia eventually went back into the house, to find Beth sat in front of the piano, singing.

They stood in the doorway listening for a bit, but then Daryl seemed to have enough, clearing his throat and scaring the teenager, who whipped around to see the pair.

"The place is nailed up tight." He said. "The only way in is through the front door."

Daryl walked towards the now empty coffin, whilst Natalia sat down on the posh looking couch.

He lifted himself up, climbing in the coffin whilst they gave him confused looks.

"What are you doing?" Beth was brave enough to ask.

"This is the comfiest bed I've had in years." Daryl remarked, laying down.

"Really?"

"I ain't kidding."

Natalia refused the temptation of closing the lid.

"Why don't you go ahead and play some more?" Daryl said, once he was comfortable. "Keep singing."

"I thought my singing annoyed you."

"Daryl needs a lullaby so he can go to sleep." Natalia teased.

When he didn't argue, Beth turned around and began to play again.

The two adults sat in silence and enjoyed the music.

"So what happens if you eat it?" Beth had asked at breakfast the next morning.

"Well, I start to get itchy, then red and puffy, then my tongue, it'll swell, eventually my throat will close up and I can't breath, and cause there's no EpiPen, I'll die." Natalia stated.

"Just from nuts?" Beth asked.

"Yeah, it's how my dad died, when I was four, someone gave him something at work, didn't think to check the ingredient's or something, I don't know, I barely remember him, my mom didn't like to discuss it."

"Alright." Daryl nodded, screwing the lid of peanut butter tightly shut and tossing it into the sink.

Outside, the cans rattled.

All three jumped at the sound, but Daryl was the first to stand up, grabbing his crossbow.

"Stay." He ordered, before walking out the kitchen and towards the front door.

Obviously, Natalia didn't listen, going to follow, but then so did Beth.

Daryl checked the gaps in the door before opening it, finding a one eyed dog.

"It's just a damn dog." He called out, he bent down, letting the dog sniff him "Come here, boy."

The dog yelped before running away.

Admitting betrayal and defeat, Daryl stood back up, closing the door.

"He wouldn't come in?" Beth asked.

"I told you to stay back."

"Yeah, but Daryl, you said there was a dog." Beth smiled.

"Maybe he'll come back around. Come on." He led the two back to the kitchen.

"Maybe he belongs to the owner, and Daryl scared him off." Natalia thought out loud.

"Brave thing for someone who's scared of a nut, to say." Daryl grumbled.

"I'm not scared, dumbass, I could die."

"Sounds like scared to me."

Later that night, they were sat around the table once again.

"I'm gonna leave a thank you note." Beth shared as they ate.

"Why?" Daryl asked, spooning out jelly to eat.

"For when they come back. If they come back."

"It's been a day, It feels kinda unlikely." Natalia sighed, taking a sip of diet soda.

"Even if they're not coming back, I still want to say thanks."

"Maybe you don't have to leave that." Daryl decided, catching Beth and Natalia's attention. "Maybe we stick around here for a while. They come back, we'll just make it work. They may be nuts, but maybe it'll be alright."

"So you do think there's still good people around." Daryl shrugged. "What changed your mind?"

"You know." He smiled at her.

"What?" Beth continued.

"Maybe it has something to do with a girl writing thank you notes after eating someone's stash." Natalia answered with a small smile.

"Oh." Beth said quietly, her cheeks warming up slightly as she fiddled with the pen.

The cans outside rattled, and a dog barked before drastically changing into a whine.

"I'm gonna give that mutt one more chance." Daryl said, grabbing the jar of pigs feet.

"Nah, I got it, dogs actually like me." Natalia stood up, "You'll just scare him off again."

Daryl grumbled as she left the room, heading for the door.

She opened it with a smile on her face, but instead of being met with the one eyed dog, a herd of walkers reached out as they snarled.

She pushed against the door to shut it, but struggled against the weight.

"Daryl!" She screamed out, who ran to the hallway in a matter of seconds. "Get Beth out of here!"

"Beth! Beth!" He called, running to help push the door closed.

The teenager came out the kitchen, holding his crossbow and Natalia's gun, quickly tossing the weapons to the pair.

"Go, run!" He ordered, pushing Natalia to go.

"What? No! I'm not leaving you!" Natalia argued.

"We ain't got time for this, help her, I'll be right behind you!"

Natalia groaned in frustration, bolting down the hallway, pushing Beth ahead of her as Daryl moved away from the door, shooting a walker as he followed.

"Pry open a window, Get your shit!" Daryl shouted, heading a separate way, the walkers following him.

"We're not gonna leave you!" Beth cried out, being led by Natalia, who was focused on getting the girl out of the house, just like he had told her to do.

"Go out. Go up the road, I'll meet you both there."

"Go, go, he'll meet us." Natalia encouraged. "Swear to god Dixon, if he gets himself killed, I'll kill him myself." She muttered with clenched teeth.

Whilst Daryl was leading the herd downstairs, Natalia shoved Beth into a room, shutting the door and barricading it with her body, the stragglers had found them.

"Beth, the window, I'll be right behind you, go!" She told her.

"But-"

"Now! Go!" Natalia ordered.

Beth hesitated but then ran to the window, lifting it up and crawling out.

Once she was out of shot, Natalia prepared herself before throwing herself off the door, using the gun, to knock the first walker that fought through the threshold backwards into the other, causing a small domino effect to give her enough time to wiggle out the window and on to the ground.

She jumped up just as a walker was about to fall on her, moving out the way and kicking it away, before sprinting towards the road.

"Beth! Beth?" She called out. "Shit! Beth!"

The blonde teenager was nowhere in sight.

The only evidence of her presence was the black bag she had been carrying.

Daryl came rushing around the corner.

"Where is she?" He asked.

"I - I don't know, she got out before me, I told her I'd be right behind her!" Natalia stammered, her voice was full of panic.

A black car with a white cross on the rear windshield, sped off down the road in front of them.

"Beth! Beth!" They repeatedly called out as the pair began to chase the car. "Beth!"

They followed the road way into the day, not able to catch up to the vehicle but refused to give up.

Natalia was drenched in sweat and her lungs were burning, as she slowed down, holding her side as a painful stitch tore at her, Daryl was the same.

"She could be anywhere!" Natalia said in an almost whimpering voice, doubling over as she tried to catch her breath.

Daryl sat down on the ground, admitting defeat as he stared at the road crisscrossed.

Natalia dropped down beside him, laying on her back as she tried to calm her racing heart.

The sound of someone approaching caught their attention after a while.

"Well, lookit here." A mans voice said.

Natalia opened her eyes, noticing that six middle aged men, who looked no way friendly, had circled around the pair.

Natalia sat up suddenly, clutching her gun as she looked around at them.

Daryl on the other hand, had stayed still, barely lifting his head.

What looked to be the leader, approached, reaching down, but Daryl was quick to snap to attention, punching the guy, knocking him on his back so that he could aim his crossbow at the mans face.

Natalia stood up as well, aiming her gun at the first person to aim at Daryl.

"Damn it, hold up!" The man shouted.

"I'm claiming the vest" A man with an bow and arrow said. "I like them wings."

"Shut the fuck up." Natalia told him in an icy tone.

"I'm claiming the little spitfire." Another man looked the woman up and down with a sickly grin.

"Hold up." The man on the floor repeated. Wiping his nose and smiling at the trail of blood, before he burst into laughter.

He then got to his feet as he continued to smile.

"A bowman." The man said. "I respect that. See, a man with a rifle, he could be some kinda photographer or soccer coach back in the day. But, a bowman's a bowman through and through. What you got there, 150-pound draw weight? I'll be donkey-licked if that don't fire at least 300 feet per second. I've been looking for a weapon like that. Of course, I'd want one with a bit more ammo and, uh, minus the oblongata stains."

The man with the bow laughed.

"Get yourself in some trouble, partner?" He asked.

"You pull that trigger, these boys are gonna drop you seven times over, then no doubt, your lady friend is gonna start shooting, then we'll deal with her soon after and you don't want to make us waste a pretty face like that, do ya? Is that what you want?"

Daryl didn't let up.

"Come on, fella, suicide is stupid. Why hurt yourself and your lil missy when you can hurt other people?" He smiled. "Name's Joe."

Daryl lowered his crossbow, but Natalia kept a tight grip on gun.

"Daryl." He rasped.

"And the lady?" Joe didn't even bother to spare a look, continuing to speak to the man.

"Natalia." She answered for herself.

"You can put the weapon down, sweetie, we ain't a threat." Another man said. "You even know how to use that?"

"Want me to prove it?" She snapped.

"Daryl, why don't you tell your girl to put the gun down, we're all friends here." Joe said.

Daryl stared at the man for a minute, seemed to be thinking. Eventually, he raised his arm, pushing the gun, Natalia was holding, down.

"Daryl?" She looked at him.

He shook his head, not giving her a response.

"Right then, lets get going." Joe clapped his hands together, turning around and continuing down the road.

"Daryl." Natalia tried again, when some of the others followed the leader, two of them trailed back to watch the pair

"Come on." He told her, gently pushing her back so that she would walk.

She couldn't believe he had actually surrendered like that, even after how they were all treating her like a piece of meat, that she was the one who had to back down, If she wasn't sure that they wouldn't just shoot her in the back of the head if she marched away, she would have left him there, quicker than he could reload his crossbow.

She was still seething when they decided to set up camp in the middle of the woods.

Natalia tried to fight sleep as much as she could, she didn't trust that she'd be safe if she closed her eyes for even a second, if not from walkers, but their new acquaintances.

She was quick to throw on her sweatshirt when she just about had enough of the lingering or blatantly obvious stares from members of the party, she was more mad about how it seemed that Daryl couldn't even pick up on anything, Natalia felt slightly betrayed by him.

She hadn't even realised she'd dozed off until she was startled awake, Daryl was gone, but his stuff was still beside her, so he hadn't completely ditched her.

Natalia stood up quietly, making sure she had her weapons on her, and they hadn't fallen out of place and onto the ground, in her short lived slumber, she checked once again that the men hadn't woken up, then ducked under the barbed wired perimeters.

It was still dark, but the sun was about to rise, she could only just see in front of her, as she set out to find Daryl, and maybe beat some sense into him.

Natalia had been walking for only a little while, when someone approached behind her.

She whipped around to met with who she believed to be Harley, the one who had made a "claim" on her.

She stared at him, her knife clenched in her hand as she waited for him to give her a reason to stab him.

"Whatcha doing out here all by yourself?" He asked.

"None of your damn business." Her brows were furrowed as she stared at him through her lashes.

"No need to be so hostile, I ain't hurt ya." He put his hands up in surrender.

Natalia didn't let up.

"Surprised yer boyfriend left ya alone, see, if it were me, I wouldn't let a girl like you outta my sights, not around a group of people like that."

"He's not my boyfriend, and I don't belong to anybody." She let out through clenched teeth.

"That so?" He took a few steps further.

A twig snapped a few metres behind her, distracting her for only a moment, she looked over her shoulder but nothing was there, must've been a small animal running by, but it was enough noise to let her guard down for the other enemy to advance.

Harley grabbed her arm with the knife, tugging her towards him.

"Hey! Get off of me" She demanded, trying to pull away, but he was stronger.

"Easy now, been a while since I've seen something so perdy." He trailed a finger down her cheek as he pushed her against a tree, she flinched away from him. "You think of screaming, ya just gonna make things a lot harder for yourself."

"Please, don't-"

"You don't wanna do that" He laughed cruelly, squeezing her wrist tightly, causing her to drop her knife to the floor. "That's just gonna make things even more fun."

He forced his knee between her legs, using both hands to push her arms behind her back, so he'd have a hand free without threat of her trying to escape, she gave him a hard time as she tried to wriggle away, but it only made his disgusting grin wider.

His free hand trailed around her neck, before sliding down, slipping under her sweatshirt, his fingers danced around the fabric of her bra, his nails digging into the flesh as he sniffed her hair.

Natalia bit her lip as she tried to hide away from him as much as possible, it wasn't enough. Her eyes pooled as his hand trailed back down her body, playing with the button of her cargo's.

She felt hopeless as he flicked it open, pulling the zipper down, she knew there was no chance she could fight him off, and she couldn't even grab a weapon either, if she tried to scream, she would only bring more trouble, whether it'd be his friends or the undead, there'd be no chance he wouldn't leave her for dead and defenceless, It made her feel worse to know that she had no idea where Daryl was, that he just abandoned her.

"You try to tell your boy, it's gonna cost him, lying is one of our rules, you don't wanna get him dead now, do ya?" He asked as he slipped his hand down, causing her to let out a squeak of fear and unwantedness, that he clearly took the wrong way, or maybe he didn't at all. "See, you want this really, don't you, pretty thing, no need to cry." He teased her as he felt her up.

A tear rolled down her cheek as he inserted two digits at once, she could feel the metallic taste as she continued to bite down on her lip, to prevent noise or bile.

"Missed this. You're so tight." He groaned.

Once he seemed to be satisfied, he pulled his hand out, winking at her as he not so discreetly sniffed his fingers before placing them in his mouth, sucking them clean. "Don't bother tryna run off either, we'll find ya, I ain't done just yet." His smile was cruel as he let go of her, backing away without taking his eyes off the woman. "Heads up." He nodded behind her.

Natalia, who had mentally shut off during half of the torture, snapped awake, looking around the tree and spotting a blurry walker heading for her, through her tear filled eyes.

She shakingly bent down, sweeping up the knife on the floor, mustering back all her strength to stab the blade into the walkers skull, imagining it to be Harley as she let herself cry for the first time that she could even remember.

She felt humiliated and weak about what had just happened, crumbling even more when she did the button of her cargos back up, herself, causing her stomach to empty on her recent walker kill. Natalia thought she had no choice but to put herself back together and walk back to the group, her self-esteem and worth had plummeted making her think she truly wouldn't be able to survive and get away on her own, she truly considered going back and shooting the man in the face before he even got a chance to realise, not caring that they'd take her down in a matter of seconds, but they'd take Daryl down as well, the voice of Harley came back to her, reminding her that if she squealed, they'd kill him, and then what, she'd be worser off.

Natalia would just have to make sure she didn't let the redneck leave her side again, she could prevent the sick bastard from getting another chance.

"There you are, was beginning to make us think we'd have to go and hunt you down." Another man, Billy jeered, when Natalia got back to the camp, except it was all packed up and they were ready to leave.

Daryl was distanced from them, she felt his heavy stare but she couldn't bring herself to meet it.

The group of 8 walked along the train tracks, She watched Harley, Billy and Dan as they were chatting and joking together, she had a slight idea of what, when the two latter's would occasionally look back and give her a smirk.

Len and Tony walked behind them, Daryl and Joe were further back.

Natalia walked at the end, keeping a wide distance as she willed herself to just run off into the woods and never look back, but every time Daryl looked over his shoulder and made sure she was there, her legs would stay on route.

"So, what's the plan, Daryl?" Joe had asked.

"How so?"

"You're with us now, but you ain't soon?"

Natalia's ears had perked up, she had made it obvious to him that she never wanted to stick around, and unbeknownst to him, her exact reasonings came true.

"Yep."

"So what's the plan?"

Daryl looked over his shoulder once again, making sure she was still there, before answering him.

"Just looking for the right place is all."

"Oh, we ain't good enough for you and your lady, huh?"

"Some of you ain't exactly friendly, or the gentlemanly type." He pointed out.

"You aint so friendly yourself. And as for her" Joe gave Natalia a nod. "They're gonna stare all they want, you don't get much women out here no more, no offence, Natalia" He over pronounced her name. "Can't blame them for that, just human nature, no disrespect by it. Should be proud."

"Yeah, a real badge of honour" She couldn't hold her tongue as she spat the words at him.

"They can keep their eyes to themselves." Daryl muttered, a threating tone in his voice.

"You know you need a group out here." Joe changed the topic of conversation.

"Maybe we don't" He shook his head.

"No, you do. You should be with us."

A walker was straggling towards the train tracks, snarling at them.

"People don't have to be friendly. We don't have to be nice. We don't have to be brothers in arms." Joe continued.

Tony walked off the tracks, catching the walkers attention as she barrelled for him.

He pushed her with his gun into Dan, who pushed against her weight and let Billy plunge a crowbar into her skull.

"We just gotta follow the rules. You claim. If you steal, you keel. I know that sounds a little funny, but nobody laughs when something goes missing. And you don't lie. 'Cause that's a slippery slop indeed."

"What happens if you break 'em?" Daryl asked.

"Oh, you catch a beatin'. The severity of which depends upon the offence and the general attitude of the day. But that don't happen much, 'cause when men like us follow rules and cooperate a little bit, well, the world becomes ours."

After his little speech, Joe whistled to the rest of the group.

"Right there. It's our abode for the evening." Joe told them, pointing at the rusty metal garages.

"Hey." Daryl caught Joe's attention. "There ain't no us."

"You leaving right now?" Joe asked, his eyes moving to glance at Natalia then going back to the man.

Natalia begged him to say yes and start walking, but instead he said nothing at all.

"No? Then it sure seems like there's an us." Joe walked ahead but stopped once again. "You a cat person, Daryl?" He didn't give him a chance to answer. "I am. Loved 'em since I was three years old. Vicious creatures, bit like this one here" He nodded at Natalia, who scowled back. "Anyway, I'll tell you, and this is true, ain't nothing sadder than an outdoor cat that thinks he's an indoor cat."

As the group headed towards the garages, Natalia stared ahead at the train tracks, fighting with her own brain to make her legs move, to forget about Daryl and to just run until she couldn't move.

"You alright?" Daryl hit the back of her hand with his own, pulling her out of her own mind.

"What?"

"You alright?" He repeated.

"Don't leave me again." She practically pleaded, she wanted to kick herself for feeling like a scared little girl, having to rely on him.

"Something happen?" He asked, stepping closer as he inspected her.

Natalia shook her head, looking back at the train tracks, begging the images in her mind to go away.

"Nat, if something happened-"

"No, just, don't, okay?"

"Fine, I won't." He backed off, nodding his head.

"Good, you had me looking all around the woods for you, I was worried."

"Hey, come on." Joe called over to them, as he stood with the rest of the claimers.

Daryl and Natalia were the last to enter, the place, him pulling the door shut behind her.

About 5 cars were spread around the garage, they didn't look like they could start, much to Natalia's annoyance.

"They ain't here." Tony told the others as Daryl was pulling a sheet of one of the cars. "Nobody's been here for a while. Whoever was, they got all the gas."

"That don't matter." Joe replied. "We're getting closer, I can feel it."

"Claimed." Billy kicked Daryl's stuff away from the car him and Natalia were stood by.

"Hey, you can't-"

"Come on." Daryl pulled her away, grabbing his stuff.

The men went around claiming the cars, leaving the pair stuck with the floor.

"Assholes." Natalia muttered to herself, taking off her sweatshirt so that she could use it as a pillow.

"What happened to your wrist?"

"Huh?" She looked at Daryl, confused about what he had just said.

"Your wrist." He said, taking hold of her arm and getting a better look at the bruising around it, Natalia didn't realise a mark was left, the other pain was a lot worse.

"Oh, nothing." She tugged her arm out of his grasp.

"That don't look like nothing."

"It's nothing, so just go to sleep or something, I don't care." Natalia rolled over, her back facing him as she stared at the tiny gap between the door, waiting for it to turn dark.

Once night had come, and she was sure the others were asleep, she snuck up, grabbing her sweatshirt and slowly sliding the door open, in order for it to not squeak.

Natalia sat outside the garage, a cigarette in hand as she thought about the past few days, from going to the college to save their people, to losing the prison as well as her friends and family and Sully, to Beth going missing, to this morning.

She had little faith in the thought of her friends being alive, but that stupid voice nagged at her that they were strong, they weren't quitters, especially Rick and Michonne, the grim reaper was running from them, but she pushed it down, hope can get you killed.

"Hypocrite." That familiar raspy voice appeared from beside her.

"Why aren't you asleep?" Natalia asked Daryl.

He only shrugged before taking a seat beside her, taking out his own box of cigarettes, placing one between his lips and lighting it.

"Thought you bailed on me, did a runner."

"Can't say I wasn't tempted." She drawled, staring up at the sky full of stars.

"I know they ain't great, but-"

"They're fucking pricks." Natalia interrupted.

"But we ain't gonna be sticking around for long."

"Lets just go now, grab our stuff and head off, continue looking for Beth, we don't need these people."

"We have no idea where to even start, Beth could be anywhere." He shook his head, staring at the dirt by his shoes.

"Anywhere away from here is a start."

"We'll leave when the time is right, when I find somewhere that you can actually stay safe."

"Where I can stay safe? Daryl that isn't your problem or concern, you don't need to look for somewhere to keep me safe, I'm not your responsibility."

He didn't respond, his hands slightly shook as he took a drag.

"Wait, is that why we're with these people, cause you think it'll help protect me? Look around, that's further from the truth." She raised her voice only slightly.

"That's why ya being so secretive about something, I already failed Beth, I ain't gonna let anything happen to you either."

"Daryl, listen to me." Natalia pressed. "Beth was not your responsibility, okay? If anything, it's my fault she's gone, I'm the one who told her to run, I took too long for god knows who to snatch her up, okay? But I am not your responsibility either, you don't need to keep me safe or protect me or look over me, I'm a big girl, I've been surviving on my own for a long time. We're a team, we're equal, if you're looking out for me, I'm doing the exact same, but don't feel like you owe me your services of protection, anything that happens to me is my own fault, don't you dare blame yourself if that ever happens, got it?"

Daryl shook his head, still not answering.

Natalia sighed, scooting closer to him, she raised her hand, sliding her palm down his arm and lacing her fingers in his, she was surprised when he squeezed back, she rested her head on his shoulder.

"I know you blame yourself for everyone, for Hershel, Beth, the others, but it's not your fault, it was never your fault, you've done so much for the group, you're a good person, don't think I just forgot how you defended me when Bob was gonna shoot at the college." She teased. "But you need to stop acting like a burden, like you always have to prove to people why you're around, you ain't the best conversationalist, but believe it or not, some people actually like your company." She teased, earning a scoff and a shove. "Myself included. So, lets just go, okay, if we leave now, by the time the sun comes up, these fuckheads will be in the dust."

"We will, just not yet. Can't."

Next

[natty1730]

Playlist (Metal Family OC)

🌼Daisy Oceanos Morozov 🌼

Blue Hair ~ TV Girl

Mary On A Cross ~ Ghost

Bring Me To Life ~ Evanescence

Call Me Little Sunshine ~Ghost

Teenagers ~My Chemical Romance

Chelsea Dagger ~ The Fratellis

Dear Maria, Count Me In ~ All Time Low

Oblivion ~ Grimes

Brutal ~ Olivia Rodrigo

Ain’t It Fun ~ Paramore

Cigarette Daydream ~ Cage The Elephant

Lovesong ~The Cure

Fade Into You ~ Mazzy Star

About a Girl ~ Nirvana

Iris ~ The Goo Goo Dolls

Love Will Tear Us Apart ~ Joy Division

Just Like Heaven ~ The Cure

Summertime Sadness ~ Lana Del Rey

Brooklyn Baby ~ Lana Del Rey

West Coast ~ Lana Del Rey

Watercolor Eyes ~ Lana Del Rey

High By The Beach ~ Lana Del Rey

Blue Madonna ~ BORNS

Sweet Dreams ~ BORNS

Jealous ~ Eyedress

Want Me ~Baby Queens

Romeo and Juliet ~ The Killers

Midnight Love ~ Girl in Red

Genesis ~ Grimes

Maya the Psychic ~ Gerard Way

Women ~ Harry Styles

My Boy ~ Billie Eilish

The Less I Know The Better ~ Tame Impala

My Type ~ Saint Motel

Happier Than Ever ~ Billie Eilish

Give You Hell ~ The All-American Rejects

Cornflower Blue ~ Flower Face

We’re Not Gonna Take It ~ Twisted Sister

The Story Ain’t Over ~ Avantasis

I Wanna Rock ~ Twisted Sister

Somebody Told Me ~ Motionless In White

Rock You Like a Hurricane ~ Scorpions

You Give Love A Bad Name ~ Bon Jovi

Smells Like Teen Spirit ~ Nirvana

I Was Mad For Lovin’ You ~ KISS

It’s My Life ~ Bon Jovi

Creep ~ Radiohead

Pour Some Sugar On Me ~ Def Leppard

Boulevard of Broken Dreams ~ Green Day

Psychic Reader ~ Bad Bad Hats

BLUE ~ Troye Sivan , Alex Hope

Cardigan ~ Taylor Swift

Lovefool ~ The Cardigans

Willow ~ Taylor Swift

Pretty Girl ~ Clairo

Always Forever ~ Cults

Candy ~ Robbie Williams

Something That I Want ~ Grace Potter

Can I Call You Tonight ~Dayglow

Melting ~ Kali Uchis

Moonlight ~ Kali Uchis

See You Again ~ Tyler, The Creator & Kali Uchis

Telepatia ~ Kali Uchis

I Wish you Roses ~ Kali Uchis

La Luna Enamorada ~ Kali Uchis

First Love/Last Spring ~ Mitski

Never Felt So Alone ~ Labrinth

Blue ~ LAUNDRY DAY

Colors of the Wind ~ Judy Kuhn

Lavender Haze ~ Taylor Swift

Heather ~ Conan Gray

Something Good ~ Alt-J

She ~ Dodie

Reencuentro ~ Huara

Zamba’l Mar ~ Anida

Chitquitita ~ ABBA (Spanish Version )

Ophelia ~ The Lumineers

Selfless ~ The Strokes

Once Upon a December ~ Anastasia

J’s lullaby ~ Delaney Bailey

The Night We Met ~ Lord Huron & Phoebe Birdgers

This Side of Paradise ~ Coyote Theory

I Wanna Be Your Boyfriend ~ The Rubinoos

Teenage Dirtbag ~ Wheatus

Luna de Xelaju ~ Gaby Moreno & Oscar Isaac

All The Things She Said ~ t.A.T.u

Parents ~ YUNGBLUD

Freaks ~ Surf Curse

Not Allowed ~ TV Girl

Living Life , In The Night ~ Cheriimoya & Sierra Kidd

King For A Day~ Pierce The Veil

Flames ~ MOD SUN & Avril Lavigne

Amnesia ~ MOD SUN

Bones ~ MOD SUN

Break the Rules ~ Charli XCX

Rebel Girl ~ Bikini Kill

Nunca Es Suficiente ~ Natalia Lafourcade

Haste la Raiz

Tu Falta De Querer ~ Mon Laferte

Amarrame ~ Mon Laferte & Juanes

Amor Completo ~ Mon Laferte

The Adults Are Talking ~ The Strokes

Soledad y el Mar ~ Natalia Lafourcade & Los Macorinos

Cariño~ The Marias

Remember the Time ~ Michael Jackson

Chicago ~ Michael Jackson

P.Y.T. ~ Michael Jackson

Arabella ~ Arctic Monkeys

I Wanna Be Yours ~ Arctic Monkeys

Green Light ~ Lorde

Liability ~ Lorde

All I Wanted ~ Paramore

Misery Business ~ Paramore

Still into You ~ Paramore

Kiwi ~Harry Styles

I WANNA BE YOUR SLAVE ~ Maneskin

Stargirl Interlude ~ The Weeknd & Lana del Rey

New Girl ~ Labrinth

Pumped Up Kicks ~ Foster The People

Free Spirit ~ Khalid

hate u love u ~ Olivia O’Brien

In My Dreams ~ Kali Uchis

Super Psycho Love ~ Simon Curtis (The YouTube Version)

She’s My Collar ~ Gorillaz & Kali Uchis

Cherry Flavored ~ The Neighborhood

Backyard Boy ~ Claire Rosinkranz

Dirty Little Secret ~ The All-American Rejects

Move Along ~ The All-American Rejects

Dueles ~ Jesse & Joy

Romantic Lover ~ Eyedress

September (Instrumental) ~ Sparky Deathcap

Magalenha ~ Sergio Mendes

Fanfarra - Cabua-Le-Le ~ Sergio Mendes

Mas Que Nada ~ Sergio Mendes & Brasil’66

The Girl From Ipanema ~ Astrud Gilberto

Baiana ~ Barbatuques

Me Gustas Tu ~ Manu Chao

Pais Tropical ~ Sergio Mendes & Brasil’66

Tubarao Te Amo ~ Dj LK de Escocia & Tchakabum & MC Ryan

Carta Ao Tom 74 ~ Toquinho & Vinicius de Moraes

Girl From Rio ~ Anitta

Dancando ~ Ivete Sangalo

Ai Se Eu Te Pego ~ Michel Telo

Balada ~ Gusttavo Lima

Taboo ~ Don Omar

Calm Down ~ Rema & Selena Gomez

R.I.P 2 My Youth ~ The Neighborhood

NYMPHOLOGY ~ Melanie Martinez

Smell Like Cherry ~ Alex Ves (Metal Family)

Light ~ Alex Ves (Metal Family)

Tales of a Pine ~ Alex Ves (Metal Family)

In One Ear ~ Cage The Elephant

Why ~ Sabrina Carpenter

Gold Hour~ JVKE

Billie Bossa Nova x West Coast

[mirabel393]

🦋Before 🏵(Floydrey)🏵After🦋

the Book of Once Upon A Time: A Tale of Madrigal Triplets: Beauty and the Troll

Juliano Pedro Madrigal

Meet Juliano Pedro, the youngest brother of Audrey Elena and the son of Julieta and Agustin

Full name: Juliano Agustin Pedro Madrigal

Age: one years old

Species: troll

Family: Abuela Alma (adoptive grandmother) Abuelo Pedro (adoptive grandfather) tia Pepa (adoptive aunt) tio Felix (adoptive uncle) Dolores (oldest cousin) Camilo (cousin) Anontio (youngest cousin) Josefina Sunnie (younger triplet cousin) Elio Pepito (younger triplet cousin) Pepe Felix (cousin) Alberto (eldest cousin) Alba (cousin) Billy (cousin) Marko (cousin) Martin (cousin) Esperanza (cousin) Gabriela (cousin) Adelita (cousin) Octavio (cousin) Amira (second youngest cousin) Pepo (cousin) tio Bello (biological uncle) tia Adama (biological aunite) Bena (cousin) Beau Rose (cousin) Isabelle (twin cousin) Bella (twin cousin) Emmo (cousin) Brianno (cousin) Odelia (cousin) Susie (cousin) Lila (twin cousin) Myla (twin cousin) tio Bruno (adoptive father) Oscar Anthony (youngest triplet cousin) Allyson Brunda (youngest triplet cousin) Brune Alma (cousin) Miguel (cousin) Melissa (cousin) Margo (cousin) Kuik (cousin) Fillip (adoptive cousin) Coraline (cousin) Bianca (cousin) Slivia (cousin) Rosa (cousin) Miya (cousin) Manuel (cousin) Juancho (cousin) Catalina (cousin) Bruna (cousin) tia Naveena (biological aunt) tio Tiano (biological uncle) Tasho (cousin) Talio (cousin) Tio (cousin) Tamera (cousin) Nathana (cousin) Naveena Jr (cousin) Jaime (cousin) Glooby (cousin) Lofty (cousin) Gooby (cousin) Kevin (cousin) Charlotte (cousin) Clarabelle (cousin) Opal (cousin) Clarity (cousin) Ralphie (cousin) Julieta (adoptive mother) Agustin (adoptive father) Isabela (eldest sister) Luisa (middle sister) Mirabel (youngest sister) Audrey Elena (twin older triplet sister) Spinel Juliano (twin older triplet brother) Priscilla (triplet sister) Fabiana (triplet sister) Sabina (triplet sister) Thumbelino (older brother) Tam Thumb (adoptive older sister) Nicholas (eldest older brother) Tobias (second older brother) Marta (third older sister) Luiza (fourth older sister) Petunia (fifth older sister) Jancinta (youngest sister) Natalia (second youngest sister) Pamela (third youngest sister) Ryian (older sister) Loren (older sister) Julieto (older cousin) Abuelo Constantino (biological grandfather) Abuela Maxine (biological grandmother) Cinderello (biological father) Christophel (biological mother) Chadae (oldest sister) Chleo (second oldest brother) Chrissie (third older sister) Cookie (younger brother)

Allies: his family

Likes: Audrey and Floyd singing together and sleeping with Floyd and Audrey too, telling a story of his big sister, spending time with Audrey and Floyd, Branch, Spinel, Thumbelino and Tam Thumb, Chrissie and Cookie, Oscar and Josefina, Allyson and Suvan, Tamera and Emmo, playing his plush elephant Dumbo, sing and dance with Barney on Audrey's Dino doll, eating his vanilla pudding and vanilla milk, singing lullaby, playing dressed up, art and crafts, hanging with Bruce and Clay, John Dory, Poppy and Viva, eating cookies and helping baking with his big sister, Audrey's Fairy Godmother, Qwerty the Disney Computer, hanging out with Audrey's Disney friends, going circus, befriend Veneer and Crimp, adventure, used a imagination and playing pretend, to the funhouse and Funny too, live in stage in the play, listening to her voice

Dislikes: nightmares, Audrey getting hurt, Floyd was under a sleeping spell by Evil Godmother, his cousins and family in danger, scared of dark like Audrey, Petunia being guilty and mean, boogie monster under his crib, Audrey being captured, brozone fighting and arguing, sleep alone

Backstory: Juliano Pedro was in his egg, Audrey promised her Nana Pippypuff to taking care of her new baby sibling in encanto in fifty years ago, before Audrey got captured by Velvet and Veneer in the Mount Rageous

[batllethinker]

Closer | w.mf + n.rv

Summary : Wanda and Nats' first time (kind of)

Rating: T

Warnings: hurt/comfort, hurt Nat, some crying, they don't actually have sex

Natasha has never felt this wanted, not with Wanda pushing her up against their door, her kisses desperate and touch just as desperate.

She could feel her heart racing in her ribcage, her sweaty palms as she squeezed her hands together against Wandas' back, she was out of breath. She pulled away, head falling back against the door, gasping for breath as her girlfriend pressed kisses against her neck.

"Wanda...we sh, we should move to the bed" Natasha could feel Wanda smile against her, before pulling her towards their shared bed, the younger woman took a moment to properly look at her, Natasha was shaking, if it was from nerves or want, she couldn't tell.

"Is it okay if I touch you?" Natasha frowned, confused as she stared up at Wanda. She shook her head, confused as to why she was even asking.

"I want you." Wanda smiled softly at that, and gestured for Nat to sit down, Nat was still in her head, no one has asked her that before, was it normal?

"Yes, but do you want this? Do you want me to touch you, like that?" She bit the inside of her lip, she wanted this, wanted Wanda to know how much she loved her.

"Baby, hey! We don't have to do anything, let's just cuddle" It wasn't until Wandas' hand touched her cheek, until she wiped away her tears that she became aware of the tears streaming down her face.

"No, I want to do this, please! I can do it!" Natasha was desperate now, she needed Wanda to know that she was capable of doing this, she wouldn't be seen as weak now.

"Natalia, don't worry about it, we don't have to do anything, let's just calm down, okay?" Wanda moved to sit beside her, and pulled her against her own frame, one hand running through her hair as the other rubbed her back in comforting motions.

"I'm sorry, I'm so sorry, I promise I can do it" The younger woman only shushed her, and pulled Nat tighter against her, the spy finally starting to calm down as Wanda hummed a familiar lullaby.

"Don't worry, let's just watch one of our romcoms" Nat only nodded, and let Wanda lay her against their pillows, she was exhausted but still kept her eyes on Wanda as she moved throughout the room.

[kalolasfantasyworld]

The lullaby 🦅

Summary:

Nozel wakes up in the middle of the night to not find Helena by his side.

Yes, there is an illustration 🩵

Type: One shot

Word count: 1263

Author's note: warning

This one shot contains slightly heavier topics exploring post partum feelings, but it's still fluffy and very comforting. 💕

Lullaby youtube link

Ao3 link

It was colder. That was the first thing he noticed. Lack of warm presence by his side and a familiar scent was weaker than usually. Nozel opened his eyes, it only helped a little, because the bedroom was dark. Few rays of moonlight were softly coming through the windows. 

Nozel turned his gaze to the spot next to him to find it empty. Helena was absent. He furrowed his brows wondering why his wife would be up to at such a late hour. He threw the covers to the side and let his feet touch the cold floor. Not that he felt it, because the socks he wore were keeping him warm. Nozel shot the bed one last look, before standing up.

He truly wished that Helena would sleep through the night. She needed all the rest she could get, so that she would regenerate well. Even though there were no complications with Natalia’s delivery unlike when Helena gave birth to Heinry and Noureen, Nozel continued to feel uneasy. She took a while to recover back then and now when she was getting up and moving around so quickly, he could not shake the worry of his shoulders. 

Just as Nozel was looking around the room wondering where to look for her, he heard a quiet hum coming from the room attached to theirs. It was the one where Natalia’s crib was. It was upon Helena’s insistence that when their children were baby birdies, they would be so close to them, so Helena and Nozel could reach them in a matter of seconds. It was the way it used to be in the Drazel household and he was happy to take over that tradition. He wished to be close to his children, to be a present father.

His lips softly tugged up as he quietly made his way to the ajar door. Nozel gently pushed on it and the words within Helena’s hum became discernible. 

A la nanita nana, nanita ella, nanita ella

Mi niña tiene sueño, bendito sea, bendito sea

Nozel felt warmth spreading through out his chest and gently enveloping his heart.

A la nanita nana, nanita ella, nanita ella

Mi niña tiene sueño, bendito sea, bendito sea

Helena stood there cradling Natalia and looking down at her daughter. Her chocolate hair was a bit messy, let loose in wavy strands. It fell on her red pyjama tank top, which made Nozel worry that she could be cold with that lack of sleeves and wearing her shorts. 

Fuentecita que corre clara y sonora

Ruiseñor que en la selva, cantando y llora

Calla mientras la cuna, se balancea

A la nanita nana, nanita ella

However Helena did not seem to mind. Her dark eyes were glued on the figure of a little silver haired girl. The small head was resting on her mama’s shoulder and chubby hands were by her adorable face. Natalia looked to be asleep, comfortable in Helena’s embrace.

A la nanita nana, nanita ella, nanita ella

Mi niña tiene sueño, bendito sea, bendito sea

Nozel approached them stopping just behind Helena, but his wife was so immersed into singing the lullaby, that she did not notice. 

Fuentecita que corre clara y sonora

Ruiseñor que en la selva, cantando y llora

Calla mientras la cuna, se balancea

A la nanita nana nanita ella

Nozel let her finish. 

“Did she wake up?” He asked quietly.

Helena jerked up, but not too drastically as she protectively brought Natalia closer to her chest. She turned around blinking surprised. 

“Don’t scare me like that mi amor,” she whispered and furrowed her brows. Nozel nodded that he understood, slowly closing his eyes. He took a step towards his wife and looked down at their little girl in Helena’s arms. “I just couldn’t sleep,” she admitted. “Since I woke up, I thought that maybe she did as well, so I came to check up on her,” Helena continued as Nozel placed his palm on Natalia’s head to gently stroke her. She felt very fragile to his touch. Weak, little person and yet so important to him and his wife. “I think she was hungry. I fed her, but she wouldn’t fall asleep.”

“Lullaby seems to have worked,” Nozel pointed out.

“It did,” Helena smiled softly.

“Are you not cold?” He raised his brow.

“I’m alright mi amor. I’ll snuggle once we get back to bed,” she said and turned to face the crib. It was made out of light wood and was padded with lilac cushions. In its corner was a little eagle plushie, a gift from the Silver Eagle’s squad. It was heartwarming to see them care this much about their captain’s family. “Off to bed you go,” Helena whispered, but for some reason she would not put Natalia down.

Nozel gently came from behind her and wrapped his right arm around her. Looking over Helena’s left shoulder he gazed down at their sleeping daughter.

“It’s silly,” Helena mumbled as he moved closer, placing a tender kiss on her temple. “I thought it was going to be much easier considering that we already had boys and yet I find myself worrying just as much. I don’t want to let her go.”

Nozel did not say anything. He did not have to, Helena knew that he understood her well. Each one of their children was special, this little girl was no exception. 

“She needs to sleep and you do as well,” Nozel whispered. 

“Just one more minute. I want to hold her. I’”

Since she asked and Nozel had no reason to decline, on the contrary he was content, they stayed standing close. The three of them. 

After a while Helena reluctantly put Natalia back into her crib. She covered the little girl and made sure she was comfortable. She leaned down placing a kiss on her forehead. 

“I love you niña,” Helena whispered, before looking up at Nozel. “She wants a goodnight kiss from papa as well.”

He probably blushed, because Helena chuckled as she stepped aside. Nozel shook it off and focused on Natalia. A warm feeling bubbled in his chest. She was a perfect miracle, that he and his wife had brought to life. Little silver haired girl with eyes of such a dark shade of brown they were almost black. Fortunately they were closed right now, while Natalia was peacefully breathing. Her small, chubby belly going up and down in that adorable lilac pyjama. When he touched her, Nozel once again felt the sense of fragility. He knew he was going to protect her, but he was going to do it right. Not the way he ‘protected Noelle’ or ‘protected Helena’. Nozel was going to be there for Natalia every step of the way, when she was going to make her first ones and later on as she continued with her life.

For now he could treasure the moment of kissing her forehead, stroking the short locks and watching her sleep.

“Sueños dulces hija,” he whispered. 

Natalia did not answer, but she smiled. Hopefully she was dreaming about something nice.

Nozel felt a hand grasp his own and fingers intertwining together. Helena squeezed his palm. In silence they made their way back to their bedroom. 

Helena had actually gotten goose bumps from the chill of the night, but as she promised she curled up next to him, burying her face in the crook of his neck and wrapping her arm over his chest. They fell asleep and did not wake up until the next morning, ready to greet Natalia, Heinry and Noureen.  

[inkabelledesigns]

Loraine’s Siblings for the ask game?

Alright Exit, you've got it! So I'm gonna give you part of my notes, but also a bit of actual writing.

A-Aisha (the eldest, most mature, but also strict/well-meaning)

B-Beau (handsome, a bit conceited)

C-Cordelia (bookish, old fashioned, hopeless romantic)

D-Damien

E-Ethel (some call her Emerald, lives a double life in the taverns playing tambourine/dancing)

F-Francis (maybe they call him Frankie?)

G-Genevieve (loves gardening, often found dancing among the landscaping)

H-Henry 

I-Illiad (writes poetry and performs them at slam poetry 

J-Josephine

K-Kallahan (goes by Kal) (sings the best lullabies) (loving big brother)

L-Loraine

M-Matteo (loves play sword fighting, very energetic)

N-Natalia (Christmas obsessive, loves the holidays)

“I don’t want to disappoint them, but I have no idea how I’ll get them all to match. Every piece of wood has a different figure hidden inside, how can I make them all the same when that’s not how they’re meant to be?” 

Odette pondered this. “Why do they have to be the same?” 

“They’re dancers, everyone tries to make dancers look alike.” 

“That’s true.” Odette pondered this for a moment. “Do they have to be though?” 

“I don’t know, that’s what my master seems to think. I need him and the client to be happy, or I’ll never get to be a craftsman.” 

The swan thought about it and got up from her spot by the fire. “I think you should ask them what they want. You want to be considerate of their needs, don’t you?” 

“Well of course, I want to do a good job!”

[widowbore]

🎶 - maybe in an au with child Tasha? @killerblackwidow

It had been a long day, but finally it was time to wind down, pulling the blanket up over her little girl, Irina hummed a lullaby as she stroked through Natalia's hair.

Watching as her daughter fought off sleep, Irina smiled and continued to sing softly.

"I love you, Natalia."

[twistedroseytoesy]

Hello it's 🎵 anon again! I've discovered songs for the other characters that may or may not fit:

Yuu: Young, Dumb and Broke by Khalid or Gimme Gimme Gimme by ABBA or Money On My Mind by Sam Smith or Hate Me by Nico Collins or Wonderland by Natalia Kills

Grim: Nom Nom Nom Nom Nom Nom Nom by Parry Grip

Crowley: Greedy by Ariana Grande or Money Money Money by ABBA

Crewel: Fashion by Lady Gaga or Fashionista by Jimmy James

Trein: Soft Kitty, Warm Kitty from The Big Bang Theory

Vargas: Physical by Olivia Newton

Sam: Shopkeeper Song from Undertale

Ambrose: Everything Is Not as It Seems by Selena Gomez

Chenya: Twas Brillig from Alice In Wonderland

Neige: Happy by Pharrell Williams or I won't give up by Jason Mraz

The Dwarves: Heigh Ho from Snow White And The Seven Dwarfs

Rollo: I'm Sorry I Couldn't Save You by Xinclair

Riddle's Mom: The Family Jewels by Marina and The Diamonds

Falena: Save Me by Not A Robot ft adrisaurus or Lullaby for A Princess

Cheka: I Just Can't Wait To Be King from Lion King

Rielle: Part Of Your World from Little Mermaid

Jamil's Parents: Robot or Good In Me by Jon Bellion ( I feel like it's Jamil singing this to his parents) or Afton Family by APAngryPiggy

Najma: Hey Bother by Avicii or Surface Pressure from Encanto (second one is more of Jamil to Najma tbh) or You'll Be In My Heart from Tarzan (again more of Jamil to Najma)

Vil's Dad- Superstar by CG5

And that's all for now. Please let me know if these are suitable for the respective characters.

HECK YA! nice to see ya again 🎵 anon! I do have to warn you that I don't really know a lot of the side characters that arent staff, so I might not be able to say if they do or don't fit the character. Sorry about that.

Yuu: Holy heck there are so many! But I guess that makes sense due to Yuu/Mc being a self-insert for many.

The first song is a fun and laid-back kind of beat and lyrics. Fitting for the more relaxed Mc type, happily enjoying the chaos and optimistic about the future despite any troubles.

The second song is a fun beat and song. Not really sure how to categorize this one though. Fun and good song!

Third song is really sweet, a nice beat and song with kind lyrics, this is for the Mc's that are out there to help the students of NRC, but struggle due to the financial stuff Crowley puts on them. Amazing choice!

Fourth song gives the vibes of an Mc that is in love with these toxic villains that go to this school. they're down bad despite how cruel some can be.

The last song is very fitting for the whole premise of the Twisted wonderland, using different fairy tales to call out to those they are in love with. Cool song, but didn't like the video due to its erotic nature but I could just ignore that and focus on the lyrics and music.

Grim: Roblox war flashbacks really cute song, but not much I can do with this song for Grim. A cute and fun song so thanks!

Crowley: The first song doesn't really fit him due to the fact that he would never admit that he's greedy. That's the opposite of how generous he always is! good idea but not quite.

The second song has an amazing melody right off the bat! this song is definitely fitting, could change the focus from getting a man with a lot of money to them doing better than RSA. Amazing fit, but I don't plan on writing it out. Good choice!

Crewel: The first song is a bit too intense for how he works in my head. Also, the second language that is used in the song would be hard to work with.

Second song is a lot more fitting of his personality. His commands and the way he talks to his students. PErfect fit for the fashionista teacher.

Trein: hehehe! what a cute and wholesome song for the grumpy old man. Can definitely see him singing this to Lucius when he thinks he's alone in his classroom. heck yes.

Vargas: Wow... It's a good song for him, I would just have to change a lot of the lyrics to make it more family-friendly. I like the energy just way too many innuendos.

Sam: Love this tranquil song, but there are no lyrics to change or song to write, it's great, but not quite fitting. Besides, I think the song he's got already is perfect.

Ambrose: I don't know this character, or any of the side characters much, but this song doesn't really fit his joyous attitude and kindness. Honestly think this song fits Crowley more than Ambrose. Also, A song that I think would be more fitting is "Higitus Figitus" or "that's what makes the world go around".

Chenya: Very fitting to have the Cheshire cat person sing the Cheshire cat song. Apparently, it's a part of a different song/poem, the Jabberwocky. So I might have him singing it and the mc coming into those specific lyrics. very good choice.

Neige: Both of these songs are so good for the ball of pureness that is Neige, the first song gets everyone dancing and will bring a smile to many. While the second song brings a bittersweetness that moves many to smile at times they've had in the past and to look forward to more times of joy in the future. They're perfect for him.

The Dwarves: Of course we have the little dwarves singing the original dwarves' song in the mines. Not much to say or change with this one, just perfect.

Rollo: New character I know nothing about since I try to avoid spoilers. Strange song and has fairly self deprecating vibes. Not sure if this fits him or not. not willing to look at spoilers for now over it anyway. interesting choice, I cant say much about it due to ignorance of the character.

Riddle's Mom: This woman fucking sucks. the song is amazing and shows a side to Riddle that he probably has buried to try and keep the tense peace between himself and his mother. The song shows that he's better than the things his mom demanded of him, that he's better because he strayed. He's made friends, he's happier and he's more beautiful being imperfect than the gemstones the mother expected him to be. Not going to write it since its so perfect.

Falena: So this is the brother of Leona, the king of the sunset Savana. The first song is deep and shows that Falena was aware of Leona's struggle and tried to help. The second song had an amazing MLP animatic that tugs at the heartstrings. Not fitting for the lion brothers but a song of love and heartbreak. I think the first song fits better.

Cheka: Fun childish song of carefreeness for the bundle of joy that is Cheka! also fitting for him to sing his Disney counterparts' songs. Another I wouldn't write due to not knowing him well enough.

Rielle: Apparently he's the twisted version of Ariel from the little mermaid. So that's cool! classic singing of the original characters' song. The longing to see another world, to learn something new and try something different. seems fitting for this excitable prince.

Jamil's Parents: Dang, that Robot song is very deep into the issue Jamil always had with his servitude. He blames his parents and Kalim for his upbringing, having to hold himself back, to seem lesser because he was just a servant just someone inconsequential and only there to help others. This could be an inner soul song for him.

The second song shows just how much Jamil hates that the things he was good at had to be restrained, that he had to hold himself back and never speak his mind. Another build-up to his eventual overblot.

the third song was awesome, but not very fitting to the story for Jamil. Good song and it had an awesome animation too.

Najma: the brother song is sweet but doesn't really capture the banter and the snarky remarks we see between the two, this is that deep familial love that we don't get to see much of due to how Jamil works.

Second song of surface pressure is pretty fitting for how hard Jamil works and puts on himself. During the festival we see how much Najma cares, despite the teasing, she doesn't push him or demand much. She listens and supports her brother. Probably what kept him sane when he worked as a servant for all those years.

The last song is again a bit too sappy for the two vipers, but The sentiment is sweet and they do care for each other in a passive-aggressive (at times) way.

Vil's Dad: Never seen this character, I think. So I don't know if this song fits or not. But if he's proud of what his boy can do, despite some not-so-savory things to others. Then ya that song fits him well.

[ornyange]

revival / eulogy / reverence / repentance / redemption / exit wound / revelation / recognition / reformation

whimsy / woozy / ditzy

paint / stain / natalia / splatter / neo

petri / virion / slouch / bile / iodine / scratch mark / itch / vial / gash

iota

lily / bunny / maggie / ronnie / vulture / pierce / phoenix / moth / millie / cricket / beetle / scorpion / spider / ladybug / petty thief / matchmaker / cariamae / snake / roachie

hannah (1) / carbon / hannah (2) / ellie / nosebleed / lupaster / fawn / astatine / suture / ??? / fracture / sweetheart / lullaby / octavia / naomi

[alsjeblieft-zeg]

072 of 2024

Soundtrack of Your Life

by kelifornication

In which decades (or specific years) were you 10 to 25 years old? 2000-2015.

Where did you live in your childhood, teens, and 20s? Childhood and teens, I lived in Middelkerke, Belgium. In my 20s, mostly living and working in Poland.

Do you have any cultural or language affiliations? Any specific regions? I'm quarter Dutch, so I tend to mix Dutch and Flemish dialects lol. I'm also quarter German. Mostly I use coast dialect from West Flanders, though, because I was born and raised there. In Wallonia, the southern part of my country, they speak French. I have some French ancestry, too.

Did your family have any special songs for family gatherings, holidays, or celebrations? No. But oh my, when they get drunk, they will just sing anything and everything, in English, Dutch and French. Sometimes also in German.

Are there songs your parents played or sang to you as a child? Which songs remind you of being a child? My dad was singing to me about two little kittens, and some more, but I don't remember them.

What songs did you sing to your kids when they were young? I don't have kids. I met my stepson for the first time when he was 12, a bit too old for lullabies :P

What type (genres) of music did you listen to when you were young? My mum was mostly listening to Shakin' Stevens and Modern Talking when I was a little child, so I have some kind of sentiment to them (and Modern Talking I like until this day). My dad liked The Beatles and Suzi Quatro. When I was a teenager, I liked metal, but it was going in phases: black metal, death metal, industrial metal, doom metal, djent/prog metal, sludge etc. Then I was introduced to industrial music.

Any memorable TV shows from your youth? The Smurfs. Did you know the Smurfs actually come from Belgium? :D

Any particular music you used to listen to on the radio? There were some French songs I liked.

Any memorable movies from your youth? I was never big into movies, so no answer here.

Any religious songs you were particularly fond of? Some Christmas carols and that's all.

Did you have any favourite love songs? Nah. I don't really like romantic music. But I would say Spiegel by Tourist LeMC - it's a very poetic song, I think he wrote it about his wife. Then there's another one of him, Koning Liefde - also about his wife.

Did you enjoy going to concerts or musicals? Which ones? Nah. I never liked musicals, and concerts cause sensory overloads in me.

Who were your favourite singers, performers, groups, bands, composers, and/or orchestras? Some I still love until today - Paradise Lost, Katatonia, At The Gates, Cult of Luna, Periphery, Vildhjarta, Suicide Commando, Combichrist, Hocico.

Did you have any records, tapes, or CDs that were your favourites? Any favourite songs from your collection? I had Fever by Kylie Minogue and the self-titled album of Natalia Oreiro and I loved them both. These two are the singers I liked as a kid and I like them until today.

Did you play any instruments? What songs did you play? No. I never had good coordination, but when my hand got paralysed after a stroke, it has gone completely.

Can you hum any of your favourite songs? Yeah, pretty much all of them. I have a great memory for music, it's like I have a built-in music player. I will remember the key, the lyrics, the instruments, everything. So no problem with humming a song, I pretty much always do it.

What songs did you dance to or play at your wedding? At your prom? Other special occasions? Well, I am married, but we didn't have a wedding party, let alone danced :P

Any meaningful patriotic songs? O dierbaar België :P our national anthem, La Brabançonne. It has three official version, each in different language.

Are there any songs you associate with a particular person, place, memory, event, or time in your life? Yeah, a lot. Here's a little list:

Volumes, Vahle (myself)

Blind Channel, Blind Side (that train guy)

Tesseract, Juno (my ex)

Walk the Moon, Shut Up And Dance (that driver guy)

The Rasmus, Rakkauslaulu (my sister)

Evanescence, Unraveling (Interlude) (multiple people, mostly two guys)

XXXTENTACION, Changes (several people)

Submersed, You Run (that train guy)

Panic Lift, Hourglass (my ex)

Evanescence, My Immortal (several people)

Tom Odell, Another Love (that driver guy)

James Hype, Ferrari (that driver guy)

Katatonia, My Twin (one girl)

Sleep Dealer, Nozomi (that train guy)

Norther, If You Go (several people)

Revolverheld, Mit Dir Chilln (several people)

Evanescence, Wasted on You (that driver guy)

Pride and Fall, Comforter (my ex)

Kim Petras, Heart to Break (two guys)

Katatonia, In the White (several people)

Otu, Frozen (that train guy)

Twarres, Wêr Bisto (that train guy)

Kno & Sadistik, Where You Want Me (that train guy)

[translationandbetrayals]

Music: The soul of an anime

[Recommendation: find the showed songs in YouTube meanwhile you read this text. It can help to give an atmosphere to your lecture. at the end of this essay, you can see the ones who are refered and some recomendations]

            Music. When we talk about music, we are not talking about theorical things like rhythm, pulse, tempo or even the creations of the sheets with our favourite music. When we talk about music, we talk about emotions, about feelings, about perception, about atmosphere and, why not, about empathy.

            The implementation of the music in any audiovisual medium is an effective mode to give the audience a form to relate with the situation on screen and give context about what do we need to feel. Even if you don’t feel it, you can know what you are supposed to feel.

            To introduce this essay, I propose an activity. Please search for an uncomfortable scene in some anime or any video with that goal (recommended: It don’t need to be gore or anything explicit), mute it and put a romantic music and then, repeat with a catwalk song and then with a sad song. Then, take a romantic, sad or a beautiful scene in an anime. Mute it and then put a creepy song (like the ones put in 2014´s creepypastas). Repeat with a clown song and then with a violent song. You can do this experiment with any scene and with any song that doesn’t fits the real purpose.

            As you can see in that activity, the music that is playing along with the scene change the feeling that wants to share. This phenomenon can be seen even in the intro of the show.

              We can take examples from Shingeki no kyojin “guren no yumiya” and kakegurui “deal with the devil” Both are anime very different between them and appeal to a different public. The first has a very energic and epic song that push you to fight with your soul, with honour and be to proud of it. The other one welcome you to a world of sin, greed, and chaos, but in a “jazzy” way, like if you were called by a mermaid to that world. (Both interpretations are subjective. It depends to the vision you have to that song)

[WARNING: the following lines may contain minor spoilers of “Yakusoku no neverland” and “Carole and Tuesday”. Watch carefully]

            Inside the show you can also see that scenario. In "the promised neverland", the “Isabella´s lullaby” can be catalogued as a “bad end lullaby” being an antithesis of what lullabies are meant for. “Bad end lullabies” are songs that, in a way to calm a child sadness, predicts the bad fortune of the child and who is singing, or even their despair (the person who is dedicated the song don´t need to be a child though). Examples in the pop music are “nana triste” (Natalia Lacunza) and “nana del mediterraneo” (Maria José Llergo)

            You hear it when a kid is murdered and when Isabella has their epiphany at the end of the show. It is clear and you can´t avoid it because isn’t just a decoration, is a “dialogue”.  You can see their destiny, but is sad, because Isabella feels that sadness too.

            In Carole and Tuesday, the example is even more explicit. “The loneliest girl” is their song. Is the song that defines their relationship. Both girls feel what they want to say. “Can you feel my teardrops of the loneliest girl? /Keep it close and you´ll start to grow” are both lines that the protagonists say to each other. Ironically, they are together in their loneliness. This song isn’t the only one that wants to say something special, but any of their songs are meant to relate with the characters. 

[End of minor spoiler section. (I really recommend Carole and Tuesday, so if you didn´t watched yet, do it)]

              Obviously, this doesn’t only apply to series. Anime movies are also a good example of soundtracks that capture the essence of the history. Joe Hisaishi, the musical composer of many of Miyazaki’s works, made a lot of songs that even went viral in social media. Some people may have not seen Miyazaki’s movies but is almost secure that the first approach to “howl´s moving castle” was Hisaishi´s “merry-go-round of life”. A song that gives a magical atmosphere to the film and even transcends outside the history and became a viral song.

            Doing a link to my first essay in this blog, the movies are also present in videogames. In Anime games, like fire emblem, you can see some songs that want to reach you the main plot and the atmosphere of the game, for example: “Twilight of the gods” (FE Echoes: Shadows of Valentia) “Lost in thoughts all alone” (FE fates) and “the edge of down” (FE thee houses).

            In conclusion, we need to appreciate the musical work that are behind our beloved anime. In this essay wasn´t shown a lot of background songs, but those songs also deserve recognition. The music is something that is always between us, and we need to put more attention to that melodies that help us relate with our favourite characters. Without the music, the shows could never be as good as they are with the music.

  It’s not just decoration but is a necessary and obligatory thing inside a show´s plot.

Songs mentioned and (R)ecomended:

Guren no yumiya (op. 1 Shingeki no kyojin)

R: Shinzo wo sasageyo (op. 3 Shingeki no kyojin)

Deal with the devil (op. 1 Kakegurui)

R: kono yubi tomare (op. 2 kakegurui xx)

Isabella´s lullaby (the promised neverland OST)

The loneliest girl (Carole and Tuesday OST)

R: Mother (Carole and Tuesday OST)

merry-go-round of life (Howl´s moving castle) 

Twilight of the gods (FE Echoes: Shadows of Valentia)

Lost in thoughts all alone” (FE fates)

the edge of down (FE thee houses).

¡Please share your favourite songs and OST from your favourite anime!

   -Pedro Maizares

[elgascreamslikehell]

[from @911-on-abc] Lightning aftermath for the Diazes for the WIP tag game! I'm super curious as to why you hate 6x11

I'll be brief. (And she was brief for forty minutes straight)

First of all, there's no Eddie and i literally have no explanation for this. At that time Eddie should be the first person Buck would run to. Not Chimney. I like Chimney but he's not like the first contact person on the list.

And there was something for Buck's parents I didn't get much. Like redemption arc? Hello? You failed him drastically. It could not be fixed only by that. I mean not that they were there before and Buck wasn't first time guest in hospital. But now he could die and they have a habit to lose children? I just don't really get it.

I liked the idea of Buck's growing up in this ep, but as we all see it was 'just a phase' cause in 6*18 Natalia 'sees him' like hello you already decided it should be you who should see you not some death doula?!!

And i hardly can believe that he left Chris there and never thought about it. Like it never occurs in his mind?!

And in general - back to Diazes cause Eddie is my favourite character. There's no Eddie? There's small scene but imagine what was in Eddie's head all this time. He added Buck to his will, he was pretty sure he would die before him. He wasn't ready. But he can't show it cause he can show his emotions mostly to Buck - 5*13 and his breakdown as example.

So 6*11 was really underwhelming for me personally.

I really tried to be brief!

And small snippet (also from the very beginning):

It became one of his worst habits - just sitting here in the corner of the ER room and looking anywhere but Buck. He just can't look at him. But instead he can tell, how many cracks there are on the wall and which machine has the most annoying beeping sound and also he can tell by the steps, who is entering the room. And now that's Bobby. Bobby is good. He can ignore Eddie's presence most of the time - since he understood Eddie would not 'talk about it' anytime soon. Actually, most of them are good. All 118, Maddie - even when she asks these stupid questions 'Did you have lunch?' or 'When did you sleep last time?' Like it matters. So, everyone is okay. Apart of Buckleys. Who knew Buck's parents are so unpleasant people at the very least. It looks like they gets it only now, that they can lose another child. Where have you been before?! It's totally none of his business but he needs to think about something. Anything that isn't connected to the fact that Buck is in a coma and hell knows when he wakes up. If he even wakes up. But now it's Bobby. Maybe Eddie could have a quick nap, cause really, Bobby's quiet prayers work as lullaby sometimes. Apparently, no. No luck for you today, Eddie Diaz. Maybe you've sinned too much? 'Okay, Diaz, you're here',- not that it was much of surprise: 'Come on. You need to have a check up' Eddie scoffs: 'Me? What for? It's not that.. well, I don't need it, that's what I'm trying to say', - he spends too much time here in silence, starts to forget how to talk. 'You', - cap is quite adamant on this: 'If I remember correctly, you was on the ladder when the lightning stroke. And do you know that this kind of trauma can have a lot of aftereffects?' And do you understand I'm not ready to deal with it again? Bobby won't say that, never. But he has the right to think it. He lost his children once. That is totally not the experience he wants to relive. 'I'm fine', - Eddie is stubborn as heck but Bobby apparently prepared for this: 'You don't have much choice. You go with me and have full check up or we won't let you come here again. I discussed it with Maddie and Athena, so we'll find a way' Eddie sadly smiles. It looks like it's not only him who doesn't take Buck's parents into account.