#OHHHHH AND ORION'S

[lecliss]

If you want OC questions, tell me the favorite food of the first OC that pops into your head 👀

Hhhhhhhhhhh aweeome awesome awesome can always rely on you buddy youre the best 💕💕💕

Okay first one that popped into my head is my edgy boy Eblis, who Ive never talked about on here so this is just gonna sound like nonsense but whatever.

So he grew up in a port town where his dad was a fisherman so he ate lots of fish and seafood in general and thats like definitely a comfort food for him throughout his life. And his favorite of that is actually grilled squid and the way his mom makes it is like, perfection. He'll eat that all day man. But he's also too embarrassed to admit that to his companions. God forbid he express positive emotions ya know?

But later on when he has to move away from home he mostly eats junk food and snacks cuz he's a 14yo edgy gamer boy with too much freedom(technically). He has a stockpile of this very specific brand's octopus flavor chips and he refuses to let anyone see him eat them so he just eats normal flavors in front of others cuz again, god forbid he express positive emotions and actually like things, ya know?

But there is this really chef guy in the group and whenever he asks Eblis if he's interested in eating anything specific he's like "idk man fuck if I care. I guess seafood would be fine tho...." Cuz again, GOD FORBID and he's really going through it, but he misses seafood from home and will take any opportunity he can to have it.

And years later when he travels the world alone, definitely not because he's a wanted criminal, he's still mostly eating junk and snacks, but if the place he's passing through has a seafood restaurant he will absolutely stop there and eat and while that's great and all it also gives him a little depression moment cuz he misses home(really he just misses his parents) but he definitely can't go back so he's like "this is the last time I eat this stuff" but its never the last time. It never is. And along the way he eventually learns to catch fish and cook it himself cuz sometimes no money ya know. But that part gets fixed when he reunites with an old friend and a former enemy.

And then when he's living on the base in space with them and some other allies he actually becomes the best cook in the group but hes kind of an ass about it like "you will eat what I make and you will like it" cuz STILL, god forbid he express he likes these people's company and likes cooking and admits that he gives a shit if they eat well or not. So anyway obviously he makes seafood a lot when they have the resources but like half of them don't like seafood but ya know, you better eat what he makes. But also a lot of the time he doesnt actually wanna cook so he just eats junk and snacks again. He will eat the octopus chips in front of people now tho. They found out and they dont care so he doesnt feel weird about it anymore.

Also after he reconnects with his mom and she moves somewhere better on an island he visits a lot and eats her grilled squid and he's okay with showing that hes super happy about it. He is no longer in his God Forbid Era.

Thank you buddy, thank you. Im actually starving myself. I have not eaten at all and Ive been up for like five hours so Imma go make me some choccy milk, MY favorite. If that counts as food since its a drink. I mean. You consume it. Yeah, fuck it. Thats food. Thank you buddy lol

[breakdownsbuttlights]

In that Dratchet party, in the last one deadlock at the end says "Ratchet, I'll kill them" but who is he talking about

Ohhhhh that fic references a bit in the Spotlight: Orion Pax comic where Ratchet is abducted and held hostage by Bludgeon. Deadlock is promising to kill any Decepticons who mistreated Ratchet.

[transingthoseformers]

I would like to propose: while D-16 is struggling to try to pull Orion up, Sentinal kicks them both in from behind. So D-16 is clinging to Orion's rapidly cooling corpse while tumbling deeper into Cybertron than he's ever been, deeper than level 50.

Ohhhhh?

Ohhhh what the consequences could be :)

[bellamby]

I saw Transformers One. I am so normal about it (SPOILERS AHEAD)

(Some OC doodles to hide the spoilers! If you have a cool name for her, lemme know ^^)

Honest Review: 9/10

I went in with high expectations and I was not disappointed. The best summary I can think of is that this movie is truly a love letter to the fans.

I could rant for days, but I'm gonna break it down into sections so I don't talk myself in circles ^^

Story:

The story focusing on how the war began was such a good move on the writers' part! It showed a version of Cybertron that I haven't really seen in other Transformers films, and the setting was incredibly explored.

When it comes to the origins of Cybertron and the whole "Primus/Unicron" battle, I think it was well explained considering the limited time they have in the movie.

Overall, a well-paced and actually interesting NON-HUMAN-FOCUSED story, but I will agree with others that I just wish the movie had more time to explain some things. That's basically my only complaint: the movie wasn't long enough 😭

Art:

The animation style is gorgeous, and really takes inspiration from that Retro/VHS style and colours and merges them with a shiny modern look. It took a good chunk of inspiration from the 80s vibes and I think that really showed how much care was put into it.

When it comes to the designs, I freaking LOVE the way we see them level up throughout the movie!

Characters:

Orion Pax/OP = I loved him. I will love him in every continuity, but this one especially, showing him with all his flaws and then how he rises above them for what he believes. His relationship with D-16 was so well built up, and to see it torn down so harshly as the movie went on was the level of brutal I was expecting.

The scene where he finally gets the Matrix of Leadership was SO well done. My hype for Solus Prime will never die.

D-16 = He needs a hug so badly. He's the classic tale of "Never meet your heroes". To see him shift from "I made peace with my misery, why did you have to ruin it?" To "I'm going to destroy the people who made me this way" was such a painful thing to watch. But I can't even be mad because this is literally what Megatron's whole story is about.

His origin will almost always come from a point of seeing injustice and wanting to rise against it, and they showed the lengths he'd go to really well here.

Elita One = MY QUEEN. I will follow this woman into battle any day of the week (and so would Shockwave). I feel like there was a point where she was mainly just regarded as "Orion/Optimus' GF", but they really separated her from that stereotype in this. She's not just "pink Orion Pax", she's a character in her own right.

Seeing Orion have to earn her respect helped show just why the two hold each other in high regard. I hope we get to see more of her as a Commander in the sequel!

BEEEEEEEEEEEEEEE = MY PRECIOUS BOY. Okay, there was a point in the trailer where I was really worried he was going to just be the comic relief character who makes a joke every time something serious is happening, but instead he's an awkward bot who means well. He doesn't always get it right, but he also doesn't actively mess things up for the group.

Bumblebee's wholesomeness was so well captured especially the part where he's like "Orion Orion! Watch me cut these guys in half!" While the guys in question are literally running away in fear. He's so cute, I can't. I am going to fight D-16 if he's actually the one who tears out his voicebox, I swear to Primus.

Can you tell who my favourite is? ^^

Favourite details:

- Starscream's high-pitched voice origin. The second he started sounding like that I was like "OHHHHH, MEGS DID THAT?!?!"

- "I'm...speechless" BEEEEE STAAAAWWP

- Alpha Trion's "ROAR" era.

- Sentinel's Death. I love that we can get away with gore in PG films when it comes to robots. Man literally got snapped in half like a KitKat, and the age rating people were like "...yeah, 5-year-olds can watch this"

- Origins of the Decepticon symbol being from Megatronus. Before, I just headcanonned Megs sitting over a desk with several balled up bits of paper trying to come up with a super cool symbol to show his Ex that he'd moved on (he hasn't)

- Chromia's little moment of rage when she won the Iacon 5000. Not enough people talk about Chromia, but I love how Ironhide matches her wild, slightly-unhinged energy.

Conclusion: Hasbro, more movie, please

I NEED to know where this goes. This movie is such a fresh change of pace from all the hesitation and back and forth in recent years. There have been so many different series and continuities starting up that it seems Hasbro is unsure of which one will stick, but this is my plea to them:

YOU HAVE STRUCK ENERGON, HERE, DO NOT WASTE IT

We're getting a sequel either way, but it's up to Hasbro whether that's written by them or by a hero on AO3 or Fanfiction.net

Thank you for coming to my TED talk. I have several nights of crying to do now.

[laertesthelocalstranger]

Uh huh. Best of us best of us best of us

We’ll see.

Macbeth. I’m assuming it was you who stabbed my sibling?

Ri!!!!! I’m out of universe, right now.

[the-golden-comet]

Character Voice Tag 2

Thank you for the open tag, @orions-quill ! I’ll hop aboard this for Benjamin from Peter Hart

My line is: "If you do this, you will be dead to me."

Your line is: “How did you ever think this was a good idea?”

Peter, what are you doing?….W-why are you looking at me like that…? Oh no. Don’t you dare. I swear to God Peter, if you so much as THINK—!! !!!! H-HEY!! PUT ME DOWN—!! You will PAY—Ay, AY—HEY!! Did you just—?! Ohhhhh you motherfucker, you just slapped my arse. You are so dead.”

I will no pressure tag @autism-purgatory with a gentle request for Tors, and @fortunatetragedy with a gentle request of Sullivan, but you can choose any characters you want if you want to participate (I love these two 💖)

And I will leave this tag +open for anyone else who wishes to join! ✨

[lichtecht]

do u have a favorite nebula !!!! or space formation thing (whats the word hlep)

ohhhhh good question 🤔

tbh not really?? i know surprisingly little about space given how much i love it

the first nebula that comes to mind are the pillars of creation.

the one that looks like a skull (rosette nebula) is pretty cool

also the one that looks like an eye (engraved hourglass nebula)

i dont have a favorite constellation either, honestly?? i like the dogs (canis major and minor). also the whale

and a constellation that i see often is orion, i have some fond memories about that :)

[teutaranaway]

thoughts on amnesia the 2nd so far ignore the pic

HELPP

I THINK ITS REALLY FUN THE COMMON ROUTE WAS A BIT WEIRD BC THE CHARACTERS FEEL SLIGHTLY OFF AND I THINK IT WAS INTENTIONAL BC EVEN SAWA AND UKYO COMMENT ON HOW EVERYONE FEELS OFF . and it ended super abruptly (at least on ukyos route i havent done the others yet) but like it makes sense bc in the first game it takes the heroine 25+ days to get her memories back in the fandisk she gets them back on day 11... .

the story part after the common route is super cute however ukyo is being so embarrasing i need to kill him forever

the localization is still in character (like orion's speech being exaggerated w him going "woohoo!!" or "ohhhhh boyyyyy" while the japanese dub is him talking Pretty normal) but sometimes theyre translated a bit too literally?? and there's very small typos?? and i think the art of the common route was a downgrade but the story route art is gorgeous ough). and of course. the voice acting. *dies forever* (positive)

[marauderswolf22]

Remus: im dating your brother

James: what?

Remus: im dating your brother

James: I can't hear you

Remus: IM FUCKING YOUR BROTHER, SIRIUS ORION BLACK

James: ohhhhh

James: WHAT-

[crowbuns]

6 & 8 for you and orion? (you two are genuinely SO cute, i love your colors together too!)

OHHHHH THANK YOU this makes me so happy...

6 - What small quirks do they love about each other?

something i usually do (almost as a stim) is twirling my ears i'm talking about my s/i's bunny ears and is something orion loves to see i don't know why... it's funny because sometimes it's me playing with one of my ears then there's him with the other

orion always sits like this and it's something i really like because it's just an excuse for me to simply get under one of his arms and snuggle closer to him😭

8 - Who gets jealous easier?

me... that's definitely something i'm not very proud of even if it doesn't cause any conflicts since i don't show these insecurities in an agressive way orion always comfort me about it but... yeah jealousy is still a bad feeling🥲

[cuuno-moved]

no idea who the person in the red pants is but OHHHHH THAT SHIRT <3

everyone slaying tho im just a sucker for that type of pattern lmao

-benny

that's my older brother orion he's really cool

[isaacapatow]

with @orioncarnell | the prom : a terrarium and a discussion on the nature of love and romance, in redwood and before it

ike apatow: -Ike tows Orion in without any explanation whatsoever aside from 'hey come with me'; he shuts the door and turns to Orion with a huge grin- You're gonna love this. I mean, I assume you're gonna love it, because I love it.

Orion: -Orion follows Isaac, gaze wandering around the room curiously before settling back again on the head raider; Isaac's excitement is contagious, making Orion feel warm inside- What is it?

ike apatow: -he tickles under Orion's chin with the bundle of wildflowers the younger man had presented him with at the beginning of the evening- Hold my posies for a minute. -Ike goes over to a table with a sheet draped over it, tugging the cloth away to display a big clear tub that's been made into a terrarium of sorts; branches, pebbles, a water feature- There's four -- count 'em, FOUR -- dragonflies in there. Can you find 'em?

Orion: -Orion blinks at the terrarium for a moment before something in his eyes lights up- You made this? -he asks, stepping up to the tub and pressing the pad of his fingers against the clear plastic as he peeks inside; letting his eyes trail over the little nature reserve, he spots the shining blue and green bodies among the foliage- There they are. -he mutters, pointing at them, his eyes glimmering- They always disappear in winter. They like warmth. You caught them? -he turns his gaze towards Isaac, still half bent down near the terrarium-

ike apatow: -is practically bouncing on his toes, brimming with excitement, eyes soft and fond as he watches Orion take it in- I dunno if we can keep the little mites alive through the winter with us, but we can try, right? Release 'em if they seem like they're doing poorly.

Orion: We can. We can keep them warm. Maybe they'll make it through the winter. And we can release them when spring comes. -Orion pushes himself up straight, fingers still pressed against the plastic; he can sense Isaac's excitement, and feel his own brimming through his chest- It's amazing. That you made this. It's beautiful.

ike apatow: Yeah? -the open, quiet joy is so very Orion, unlike anybody else, and Ike drinks it in greedily, loping closer and colliding against him, taking back his wildflowers- You always get so distracted by 'em when we're out. When we were little we used to call 'em 'zings'. I could get them to sit on me, back then, because I could hold so still. -snickers, picking out flowers stalk by stalk and weaving them loosely into Orion's hair, then sticking one up at the back of his own head- I can't sit still now if you glued me to a chair.

Orion: Zings. -Orion repeats the word carefully, leaning forward slightly as Isaac decorates him with the wildflowers; his fingers trail up to the back of Isaac's head, feeling the stem amongst the surprisingly soft grey hair- You're always moving. Even inside here. Like making the chair with me. Or catching fireflies. -Orion grasps Isaac's hands in his own, giving them a squeeze; they feel cold- Do you want to hold still? Sometimes? But you can't?

ike apatow: Sometimes. But I can't. -he repeats Orion's questions back as if they'd been his own statements, giving a pleased shiver at the warmth of Orion's grasp- I can't ever hold still. I don't really know why. Maybe I feel like I don't have any time to -- to waste.

Orion: -Orion meets Isaac's gaze, blowing his breath onto Isaac's hands in an effort to warm them; he is quiet for a moment after Isaac ends, carefully considering his words- It is like you are constantly preparing. For something bad that might happen.

ike apatow: Ohhhhh, baby. I love you. And I want to make your life better than it's ever been. But I think you and I both know ... something bad always happens.

Orion: It can happen. -Orion presses a kiss to the tips of Isaac's fingers- Are you scared?

ike apatow: I'm terrified. Which isn't new for me, and I know how to handle it, but it's new for here. It's new for this me. -wiggles his fingers slightly in Orion's grasp, against his lips- There's a thing that happens with people who are hypervigilant. We can't settle down when everything's good, and when we have a support system we can rely on that just makes it worse, almost. Because we keep waiting for when we inevitably fuck everything up and it's all over and we gotta start again. I'm too fucking old to start all over again, Orion.

Orion: So you believe you will do something wrong. -Orion keeps hold of Isaac's hands, feeling them slowly warm up in his own; his gaze meets Isaac's; there is a quiet earnestness in Orion's eyes- You don't have to start over. I will be by your side. I know there are other people, too. Not just me. But you will always have me. As long as I live. I promise.

ike apatow: -he blinks at Orion for a while, feeling like his eyes are slowly, incrementally, swelling shut from pure exhaustion; then leans forward and bumps his head against Orion's, rubbing their faces together- You're one of the best things that ever happened to me.

Orion: -Orion nuzzles against him, finally releasing Isaac's hand to wrap his arms around the other man's waist and tug him in close- You too. I don't want to live without you. -he presses their noses together, smushing them up against each other- Stay with me.

ike apatow: -that particular request, the words particularly chosen in Orion's very precise way -- he doesn't say anything that he doesn't literally mean -- hits Ike and he breathes in a choppy breath, poking forward against Orion's face until his beaky nose folds and squishes- I ... okay. Okay. I will. I'll stick through it. For you. I don't wanna leave you by yourself to puzzle shit out without me. Okay. -he reaches up, pinching a spray of tiny yellow flowers out of Orion's hair, and drags it down to press it between the other man's lips before kissing him-

Orion: -Orion can feel the coolness of the stem between their lips, taste the earthy bitterness of it in his mouth as they kiss each other; one of his hands trails up to the back of Isaac's head, holding him as they kiss; when they pull away, Orion reaches up to catch the little flower between his fingertips- I love you. I do. -he mutters, pressing the stem to Isaac's cheek as he pushes their foreheads together- Thank you, Isaac. Ike.

ike apatow: -going up on his toes, thrilled- Ike! Calling me Ike! That's a new one, sweetpea. -he slings his arms around Orion, kissing him again and again- Thanks for asking me to this thing. It felt ridiculous at first, I'm not gonna lie, but I liked it. I like it. You're an odd kid but you're mine.

Orion: -the kisses feel warm against his skin; however, the words catch him by surprise for just a moment; something in his chest seems to hitch for a second, before he speaks again- I'm yours. -he repeats; after a few moments, he reaches down to tug the flower into the pocket of Isaac's shirt- The flower- -he presses his hand on the outside of the fabric- it can be a bookmark. If you press it. Preserve it.

ike apatow: Mmmm, yeah. We used to do that in Ark. -rolls his eyes, putting on a faintly dopey voice at the obviousness of this statement- In our Bibles, of course. -snickers and kisses Orion a little more before swinging them to look at the terrarium, two of the dragonflies alighting on the branch together- You really like it? I thought you might enjoy having a lil bit of nature indoors with you. And Cat'll get a kick out've it. He'll be entertained for days.

Orion: I like it. I do. -Orion responds, watching the two dragonflies on the branch, bodies shimmering- Cat too. Cat loves catching flies. In the summer. He is good at it. He will love watching them. -Orion is quiet for a moment- I don't know what they eat. I will have to read more on them. -one of the dragonflies flitters back into the air, whirring around the terrarium; Orion trails it with his gaze- I want to give you something, too. Something like this. For your apartment. I know you don't have things. But I want to. It would be something small.  Something that makes you happy when you come home. 

ike apatow: Yeah, I can't say I did any substantial research on the care and feeding of zings. I figured I'd saddle you with that responsibility. -laughs, warm and low, and rubs his hand against Orion's side, looking at him when the younger man states his intention- I'd like that. I think. -considers, then more surely- Yeah, I'd like that. I wanna know what you come up with to make me happy.

Orion: That's good. -Orion thinks for a moment, watching the insect whirr before settling down again; Ike leans slightly against Ike, not resting weight on him but making him feel it- Your birthday is coming soon, right?

ike apatow: Yeah, in about a month. When's yours, sweetie? -up till now they haven't really bothered with this sort of thing, too busy getting to know each other on a more immediate, survival-based level- You planning on giving me birthday spankings? You better not. With how old I am I'd be dead by the end. -can barely make it through this statement without guffawing, then grabs Orion and shakes him around, smooching his cheeks- It's a ridiculous custom, giving somebody a swat -- playful, like -- for how many years old they are. They used to do it for kids. And I guess girls liked it for sexy reasons.

Orion: It was a short while ago. October 23rd. -he makes a mental note of the date; Isaac's voice pills him out of his thoughts; as do the gentle shows of affection that Orion leans into at every instance- Unless you want me to. That is a strange custom. It doesn't sound... Sexy. -Isaac's clear joy makes him feel warm; his pull on the raider tightens just a bit- How do you celebrate your birthday, usually?

ike apatow: Oh, I dunno -- depends on who I'm with and what's available. Haven't done much the past few years, obviously, but for a few of 'em Vi would find the worst possible cover band she could and drag me to one of their shows and we'd gorge on cart hotdogs after and maybe get new tattoos. Those were nice. -pets at the back of Orion's head, gazing at him fondly- If we didn't already have tattoos with each other I'd do that, this year.

Orion: That sounds like it was fun. -Orion leans his head back into Isaac's touch, his hair still intertwined with the flowers Isaac had tied in- We can still do that. -Orion reaches for Isaac's arm petting him, holding it still so he can trace the crown inked there with his thumb- Get a tattoo together. I wouldn't mind having one more. Would you?

ike apatow: Let's do it. I want you on me wherever I can get you. -hums in his throat as he flicks his fingertips through Orion's hair, making a hopeless mess of tiny flowers and stems and pollen, plucking out a bluebell and dragging it over the ski-slope of Orion's nose, then down to his throat- You're a very pretty boy. Who-all have you slept with, anyhow? Here in Redwood?

Orion: Me too. I like having something of you with me. -he tilts his head back, feeling the feathery touch of the petals against his throat; his arm wrapped around Isaac tugs on the hem of his shirt, fingers trailing below and splaying out against the skin- In Redwood Mayra, Nicki, Lucien and Maya. Is that important?

ike apatow: No, no, it's not important. Well, it's important in that you were close with people, but not between us in any way. I just wanted to know. -gives a throaty, pleased hum at the feel of Orion's hands against his bare skin, shivering into it; he's so warm that Ike can't help compulsively trying to get more of it all the time- I'll be better soon. I mean, able to go out again. I think. I should get that new doc to clear me. -leans in to take a long, self-indulgent inhale of how Orion smells, then- Wait. Mayra?!?

Orion: That's good. It's healing well. I would like to go out again with you. There is a cave I found that I want to show you. -he turns to face Isaac, pressing a kiss to the top of his head and tugging their bodies closer together; he knows Isaac is cold often, and he can feel the way the other man enjoys the touches; Isaac's sudden surprise however surprises him in turn- Yes, Mayra. She came over to bring catnip for Cat and I asked her whether she wanted to sleep together. -he tilts his head- You're very close with Mayra, right?

ike apatow: I was very close with Mayra, yeah. Things kinda went sideways. -sighs, slinging his arms low on Orion's narrow hips- I don't think she even really likes me anymore. She thinks she's in love with me. -snorts, voice dipping lower and more rocky- Which, come to think of it, is the surefire way to not like me anymore.

Orion: -Orion regards Isaac and the way the raider's voice tumbles as he talk; slight confusion on his face- But you don't think she is. -he raises a hand, pressing the palm of it against Isaac's jaw to let his thumb trail through the other man' beard- What do you mean? That loving you is the way to not like you anymore?

ike apatow: Ahhh, don't mind me. I get maudlin at parties sometimes. The weirdest shit happens to me. -but he does owe at least a little more discussion, after bringing it up- I don't think she is actually in love with me, no. You weren't around people much, my darling, so you don't get some of the messy things that can happen when you're close to somebody. Like how you're used to a certain pattern in your life, so it creeps its way into other relationships and you don't even realize it. But the person you're sticking that pattern onto doesn't fit it, and doesn't wanna be it.

Orion: No. -Orion presses his thumb against the other man's cheekbone- I want to hear. -and Ike does; Orion listens to him intently, not breaking eye contact once as he keeps his warm hand against Isaac's jaw- I see. Did she do that? View you as part of a pattern that you weren't part of? -Orion let's his gaze wander of Isaac's face for a moment, taking in the little signs of exhaustion- Are you in love with her?

ike apatow: I'd like to think I don't fit that pattern. Some days it's hard to tell. Some days I do feel like anybody's worst bet. -thins his eyes slightly, though he's not moving from Orion's orbit- It's not constant, or anything, I don't feel down on myself all the time, it just gets me kinda wonky in the head sifting through all the things people see me as. -he almost snorts at Orion's question, but clamps it back at the last second- I'm not in love with her. I love her very much, but it's ... I dunno. In love isn't the be-all end-all when it comes to how much I care for people. I'm not in love with her the way she thinks she wants me to be, let's put it that way.

Orion: I see. -Orion leans forward, pressing his forehead against Isaac's and closing his eyes- Some people don't like you, do they? I hear others talking about you, sometimes. -raising his head again, Orion meets Isaac's gaze, carefully- What do you see yourself as?

ike apatow: Eh, people don't like me with good reason. That doesn't bother me. Mostly. Usually. -Orion's next question, though, gets Ike scowling and angling his shoulders like he might shove out of their embrace- Don't ask me shit like that. I don't come to you for therapy, Orion.

Orion: -Orion doesn't let go but eases up on his grip slightly- I'm sorry. -he says, hand dropping from Isaac's jaw to his waist- I wanted to know. I want to know things about you. And it seemed to bother you. -he shakes his head- I want to know if how you see yourself and how I see you is different.

ike apatow: -bares his teeth, still wary, but then settles with a sigh- No, don't be sorry. You can't help upsetting my tripwires sometimes. Even you. -tugs on a lock of Orion's hair, teensy white flowers scattering down- But you love me no matter what. That's the important thing, not how I see myself. I'm a million different people from one day to the next. -he snickers, even though there's no way Orion would catch the song reference, and just continues- Whatever's the most useful, that's what I am. With you, eh. I maybe don't have to be useful at all. I can just be me.

Orion: -Orion watches him carefully, tightening his grip again when Isaac seems to settle back into his arms- Alright. -he mutters and leans forward to press a kiss to Isaac's brow- I like that you're you. And that you can be that with me. -with a sigh he leans in and presses a kiss to Isaac's lips as his hand trails up the other man's back below his jacket, following the shape of his spine-

ike apatow: God, you're so fuckin' warm. My own personal space heater. Helps that you're eight stories high, leaves no inch un-warmed. -kisses back, almost a little drowsily; this room is actually fairly warm because of its location- Are you in love with anybody? I know you love me, and it's good, the way you do, I like it, I like how we do it, but ... are you? In whatever way.

Orion: -for a moment he is content, lazily kissing Isaac as their bodies warm each other; Orion keeps quiet for a few moments after the question; he remembers his talk with Lucien, about how being in love and loving somebody were different things, how you knew when you were one thing or the other, because it was different- I don't know. -he answers finally, words careful- I don't think I know what the difference is. Between being in love and loving. I... I haven't loved many people. So it's hard, understanding this.

ike apatow: Ah. Ahhh! -reaches up to run both hands along either side of Orion's head, smoothing his long brown hair against his face as he cups it- Of course! That makes sense. -gives him a few pecking kisses- Okay, so. It's like ... you love me. And you love Cat. And you love Nicki. And you love ... Ember? Lucien? The difference comes in how big that person feels in your chest, when you think about them. That's kinda how it works for me.

Orion: -Orion considers this, carefully; Isaac explanation makes sense in a way- So the person you are in love with is the person that feels the biggest inside of you? -he asks, tilting his head; he works through the people he likes in his mind, Isaac, Nicki, Ember, Lucien, his father; evaluating his feelings on them; after a moment- You feel big. Inside of me. Am I in love with you?

ike apatow: -solemnly- Yes. You are in love with me. But everyone feels it their own way. Your big might not mean, oh ... valentines and romantic dates. It might mean remembering I need socks. And telling me you like how I look when I'm shit warmed over wearing my fuckin' bifocals.

Orion: I see. -Orion is quiet again for a moment; Isaac's explanations make sense, in a way that he can understand- I don't... want a relationship. -Orion finally says; he said the same thing to Lucien before- I like being like this with you. What is between us. It's good. I don't want you to be my boyfriend. Or my husband. I don't want to be like Ijemma is with you.

ike apatow: Ohhhh-kay. Now, see, that's a good example. Because I don't know if I'm Jemma's boyfriend, or husband. Finding a word for stuff like that is ... -hisses, crinkling his nose- ...hard for me. Gets me all kinds of hot-footed and restless and looking over the horizon for that bad thing coming that I mentioned. It's good that you know what you don't want! That's great, that's fuckin' -- it's perfect, my darling. For us. And I think that's all it needs to be, is perfect for us.

Orion: I agree. It works for us. It's good. -Orion mutters, softly before leaning in and pressing another kiss to Isaac's lips, overcome with a sense of affection- Does it work for you and Ijemma too? The way you are?

ike apatow: I think so. Time will tell. I mean, people -- normal people, that is, not like you or me or Nicki -- they can say that they're okay with what I'm like, but actually being with me is a whole 'nother ballgame. But I don't wanna not ... have things because I'm scared they'll get ruined. They might get fuckin' ruined some other way anyhow, and then I'll never have had them at all.

Orion: If you have nothing, you lose nothing. -Orion says, slightly mechanically as if it were a saying he'd heard; he shakes his head- It's good. To have things. I'm glad I have you. And I hope you're glad to have me.

ike apatow: Hey, hey now, kid, what's up? -Orion normally talks formally, it's not unusual, but there's a cadence that he utilizes when he's feeling loose and comfortable and safe, one with less sharp pauses and in-draws of breath like he's doing now- Of course I'm glad to have you. What's going on up there? -smooths a hand over Orion's forehead, thumb petting between his eyebrows-

Orion: It's a saying I remembered. I said it to Lucien earlier, too. -he has plenty of sayings like that, lessons ingrained in his mind- My father used to tell me that. It brings up memories. -he leans into the touch, closing his eyes for a moment- I was in love with him, too. He felt big inside my chest, too.

ike apatow: Oh, sweetheart. Oh, my baby. -the endearments tumble out without Ike thinking them over much, and he wraps his hands around the back of Orion's head, his neck, pulling him in- I know. He meant so much to you. He was so much of your life and what shaped you, huh? Even though he didn't let you be everything that you should've been.

Orion: -he doesn't open his eyes, his breath trembling slightly as Ike pulls him in- He was. So much in my life was him. -his voice sounds pained as he opens his eyes- I miss him.

ike apatow: -for a moment, Ike can barely say anything; it feels like there's a band around his ribs, constricting at the hollowness in Orion's voice, the striations of misery and conflicted anguish over the father who'd used him and died at Orion's hand- You might always miss him. But he's gone now, honey. However you feel, whichever way it goes -- that's yours to feel. You understand what I'm saying? -he holds Orion's face still, holds his glossy gaze- It's yours. Just yours. He's not here and you are your own grown-up, fucking amazing, capable and kind and alive man. You, baby, you fuckin' made it. You survived.

Orion: -his eyes widen; he takes in a long, slow breath at Isaac's words, blinking at the head raider for a long, long while- I survived. -he breathes out, slowly, his grip on Isaac's tightening- I'm here. -he leans in, pressing a kiss to Isaac's lips, gentle, loving, full of affection and love- I'm here. With you. I made it. I- Thank you. -Orion's voice breaks down into a whisper as nuzzles against him, leaning their foreheads together- I love you. I do. I really, really do.

ike apatow: That's right. -it's a relief, to watch his words melt into Orion to that degree, that it leads the younger man to some sort of epiphany, some hope for peace when it comes to this mangled-up piece of him- Right here with me, where you belong. I love you like crazy. Don't you forget that, no matter what. -they're quiet for a while, close and kissing, and then Ike frowns slightly at the terrarium- Should we leave it here for now? Come back and get it tomorrow to take to your place?

Orion: We can leave it. Though- Do you think it will stay warm enough in here? So they don't die? -there is mild concern in his gaze as he looks at the dragonflies-

ike apatow: It's warm in here. They'll keep the heat bumped all night because of prom, we're expecting people to be in and out till the wee sma's. The early morning, that is. They'll be happy. -rubs his hand against the small of Orion's back- No dying.

Orion: Good. That's good. -he watches the dragonflies for a few moments longer, leaning up against Isaac; finally he turns and presses a kiss to the other man's temple- Do you want to get back to the party?

ike apatow: Yeah, we might as well. It's your first one, sugarpie!! You gotta get out there and enjoy yourself. -pats Orion's chest, wheeling them towards the door- Just don't get too drunk and start dancing with a lampshade on your head. Classic party move but people might actually mistake you for a lightpost.

Orion: I will try not to. -Orion nods seriously, casting one last glance at the terrarium before he makes his way out of the room-

[crossover-enthusiast]

I dont know if i've told you about her but theres this OC that i have that Blossom reminded me of because of her idea of helping the dead pass on, They're called "The Firstborne" because they were Orions first child, before skid, his daughter, that he sacrificed to the eyes. she lurks around the manor as a hivemind of all of the children that have been sacrificed

Ohhhhh you haven't told me about her! Her concept sounds cool! Poor kid though :<

[fayewoods-2]

Ohhhhh Yeah I know Orion.

*walks in* hello!!!

*the carnival is empty of life, however there is a group of darking skeletons near by. Then a strange being with 8 arms appears* Hello there! Welcome to the carnival! I am your tickettaker, come inside, come inside...

[miu15]

[carewyncromwell]

The Cinderella AU is baaaaack! Have a bad-ass magician’s-apprentice!Talbott -- you deserve one! 🦅

Talbott’s tunic was inspired by this costume worn by Romeo in the 1968 film adaptation of William Shakespeare’s Romeo and Juliet. The design coming off of Talbott’s hand is the Helm of Awe (otherwise called Aegishjalmur or the Viking Compass), a Norse symbol associated with a supposedly invincible magical shield conjured by the dragon Fafnir in the Poetic Edda. Norse Vikings used to draw the symbol between their brows with the thought that it would invoke the power of the gods to protect them, endow them with strength, and bring them victory in battle. The trident shapes around the outside evoke the rune Algiz/Elhaz, which means protection and divinity. Talbott’s earring is also a rune which represents courage! 

“Take My Love” is from The Glass Slipper, a 1955 musical film adaptation of the Cinderella story. 

Previous part is here -- whole tag is here -- Katriona “KC” Cassiopeia belongs to @kc-needs-coffee -- and I hope you all enjoy! xoxo

x~x~x~x

Talbott did indeed have to take his time “crafting” the spell before casting it. This involved him drawing several complex-looking diagrams with a quill on a piece of parchment, crossing them out, and then retooling them. It greatly intrigued Carewyn, but the rest of the Royaumanians were a little more tentative in how they watched the young magician work. Carewyn’s silent interest eventually prompted Charlie to break away from the others to get a bit closer.

“Is...is magic really that complicated?” he asked, curious. 

Talbott didn’t look up -- he was too focused. 

“It is if you want it to work correctly,” he said curtly. 

Bill and KC took a step forward too, though they stood back a bit further than Carewyn and Charlie did. Erika, however, didn’t move at all.

“If it’s that dangerous if it’s done incorrectly, then it’s not worth the risk,” she said grimly, her arms crossed over her chest as she looked at Andre. “We should go now -- Skye Parkin and I can charge ahead to the camps while you and Prince Cosimo stand back -- ”

“I will not endanger Skye’s life thusly,” said Orion in a very quiet, but final sort of tone, “and I doubt that Andre wishes to endanger yours either.” 

His expression then softened. 

“Magic is like all things -- if you want it to last, you must invest some time in it. Isn’t that right, Talbott?”

Talbott snorted, his eyes still on his work. “You’ve had experience with other magicians, I see. I suppose I shouldn’t be surprised, given you’re from Florence -- the Baroness has said Florentines are more favorable to magic than people in Royaume are...”

“Well, our King did get killed by a magician, in case you’ve forgotten,” Erika said rather bluntly. 

“I haven’t,” said Talbott just as bluntly. “And my parents were killed by a mob after the people in town learned they were magicians. You don’t see me holding that over every one of your heads.”

There was a very uncomfortable silence. 

“Magic is mysterious, yes, and it’s not always safe, but it’s not evil,” said Talbott very firmly. “Its purpose is always to protect, not harm. If you use it in a way that causes harm to someone else, it leaves a permanent mark on you. Haven’t you ever wondered why, if we’re supposedly so powerful and dangerous, we never thought of just blowing you all up and being done with it?”

Erika and KC exchanged a look. 

“Vengeance is a cycle that will continue ad infinitum if we let it,” said Orion solemnly. “That’s why one must be the better man and decide to not take their own pain out on others.”

Skye and McNully both nodded. Carewyn looked at Orion, her blue eyes flooding with admiration. When he looked at her in return, however, she couldn’t hold his gaze, so she turned away again. 

Bill glanced from Talbott to Orion. “...I have to ask, though...why didn’t you move to Florence, if it’s so much better for magicians there?”

Talbott shrugged. “This is my home. Florence never was. And once the Baroness found me and offered to take me in and train me...well, it made it so I didn’t have to abandon who I was, just to learn how to control my magic.”

Carewyn’s eyes welled up with sympathy. “I can’t imagine what it must’ve been like, having that kind of power and no one to help you control it. It must have been really lonely, and scary.”

Her eyes softened. “...It’s a really good thing you found the Baroness.”

Talbott glanced at Carewyn out the side of his eye. It was the first time he’d looked up. 

“...Yes,” he said softly. “It is.”

The magician’s apprentice then turned back to his work, scribbling a few more details. 

Andre glanced warily at Carewyn, and then at Orion, who gave him a very small reassuring smile. The Prince of Royaume then slowly approached Talbott, coming to stand between Charlie and Carewyn to look over the apprentice’s shoulder at the ten crossed-out diagrams. 

“I must confess, I...don’t know much about magicians at all,” Andre said, sounding rather embarrassed. “Are all of you born that way? Practicing magic?”

“Yes and no,” said Talbott. 

He crossed out the diagram in front of him, turning the parchment over so that he could draw another on the back. 

“Magic is split up into two categories: spells and potions,” he explained. “People can be born with a certain talent for one or the other, but it’s just like any other kind of talent -- if you don’t use it, you lose it. I daresay half the reason Florence has more magicians than Royaume does is because such talents are nurtured, rather than buried. The other reason, of course, being that magicians actively moved there, so that they could find people who could help them control and master their power.”

“So I guess your specialty was spells,” surmised KC. 

Talbott nodded. 

“Transfiguration, specifically,” he said, his lips curled up in a smirk. “When I was little, I used to transfigure my least favorite foods into sweets.”

Carewyn had to suppress a giggle behind her hand. “Your parents must not have been very happy about that.”

Talbott shot another quick glance at her, his smirk broadening to show teeth. “Hey, I tried to offer to do the same trick for them, and they said no.”

Carewyn giggled harder, and Talbott returned to his work, that broader smirk still adorning his features. 

“I think I’m just about ready,” he said with a flourish of his quill. “I just need to finish writing out these runes around the edges, and I should be able to create a shield strong enough to protect everyone who touches me.”

“I’ll go get the horses ready, then,” said Bill.

“I’ll help,” said Carewyn quickly. “My horse is easily spooked -- I’d better handle him myself.”

As the two gingers left, Charlie looked at Talbott with a frown. 

“Can we all really keep touching you the whole way to the battlefield, though? I mean, we do kind of have to have our hands on the reins.”

“And I still need to ride in the coach,” said McNully, his hand resting on his chin thoughtfully. “I don’t see a scenario where I could keep a hand on you without making it so that no one else can touch you...unless we all try to pile back into the coach again, but it won’t hold all of us. I hesitate to use this level of certainty, but I’d say there’s a 0% chance that a spell like that could protect all of us.”

“I know,” said Talbott grimly. “But a spell’s more effective with specific restrictions -- if I broadened the terms, the shield won’t be as strong. I’d say under the circumstances, I should only take the Princes. They’ll be the ones who can stop the fighting. Once the fighting’s stopped, it’ll be safer for the rest of you to get closer. Anything I cast won’t last long anyway.” 

“Because you’re still in training?” Skye asked. 

Talbott nodded. “My magic isn’t strong enough yet for any spell I cast to last longer than an hour or so. The Baroness can make spells last for their calculated duration -- but I can’t cast illusions like she can.”

“Illusions like the one hiding her manor?” guessed Charlie. 

“Exactly.”

KC frowned. “What do you mean by ‘calculated duration?’”

Talbott scratched out some complex-looking runes around the edges of the diagram he was working on. 

“There are Four Chief Principles of Magic.

“The first is that the more specific a spell or potion’s terms are, the more likely it’ll work. You generally need three terms in mind while casting any kind of spell: person, place, and day. In a potion’s case, it’s usually more about using just the right ingredients for just the right person and problem. 

“The second is that all of the magical terms applied must be valid in order for the spell or potion to work. If you create a spell meant for one person, in a certain place, on a certain day, it can’t then be shifted over to another -- you’ll have to start all over again and craft a new spell from scratch. Same thing applies if you remove a spell and then want to recast it. For potions, it’s a little less risky, but potions are still best when brewed fresh and for a specific person and problem. 

“The third is that a magician must have singular focus on the magic they’re casting in order for it to be effective. You can’t cast more than one spell or brew more than one potion properly at the same time. Most magicians need to put their attention solely on maintaining a spell or brewing a potion and shut out everything else -- anyone who can do it for a length of time without giving themselves a migraine, like the Baroness, are both incredibly powerful and incredibly well-trained.

“And finally the fourth was already cited by your friend, Prince Cosimo -- the longer something takes to cast or brew, the more lasting its effects are. This is why most Healers tend to prefer potions to spells -- no matter how powerful a spell or its caster is, everything will immediately go back to the way it was before once a day has ended.”

“Because the terms of the spell -- in this case, the day it was meant for -- would no longer be true,” said Orion. 

Talbott nodded. “Obviously in the cases where a spell or potion’s effects kills somebody, that’s not undone...but that’s because death is something nothing can undo, not even magic. The most it can do is delay it a little while.”

Bill and Carewyn appeared in the open doorframe again at that moment. 

“We’re ready to go,” said Bill.

“Good,” said Talbott.

He got to his feet. Slowly raising his hand, the apprentice started to trail a finger through the air in front of him, as if drawing something. As he did so, his hands began to glow with bluish-white light, leaving streaking lines behind in a complex-looking wheel in mid-air not unlike the one he’d plotted out on the discarded parchment. Once all of the details were in, Talbott then held out his hand and touched the complex magical circle. In an instant, the light seemed to fade away into his hand, rippling through his skin and making his veins flicker with tiny sparkles. When the light had faded, the circle remained on the palm of Talbott’s hand, still glowing faintly. 

Talbott’s eyebrows were knit very tightly together as his eyes flickered over to Andre and Orion. 

“Come on,” he said very lowly -- it was clear that he was trying hard to stay focused on the spell, since he didn’t look at them straight-on. “Let’s go.”

Orion and Andre each climbed onto their horses, with Talbott climbing up behind Andre so that he could focus on the spell instead of riding a horse of his own. Andre kept a hand on Talbott’s arm, and the contact made him glow ever-so-slightly with blueish-white light himself. 

Orion looked incredibly pale as he climbed onto his black mare. His eyes kept migrating over to Carewyn, longing for her to look at him. It was only once Carewyn had properly “mothered” Andre by reminding him and Talbott to be careful that she met Orion’s eyes. When she did, she was startled by their intensity...as well as by the flicker of something oddly insecure as he slowly rode over to her on his horse. His hands on the reins were trembling. 

Carewyn’s eyes filled with concern. As Orion approached her, she extended a hand and gently rested it on top of his hand. The gesture made Orion stiffen ever-so-slightly, but he didn’t make any move to pull away. 

“Will you be all right?” Carewyn asked him, very softly. 

Orion’s midnight-black eyes grew a little smaller upon her face. “...I don’t have any choice but to be.”

He hesitated -- it was like he wanted to say something, but had decided against it. In the end, he slowly broke his hand out of the vice grip he’d had on the reins. Carewyn released his hand so as not to impede him, but before she could move her hand too far, Orion seized it, holding it tightly. 

“Once the fighting’s stopped,” he said softly, “may I meet him? Your brother.”

Carewyn gave a start. 

“It wouldn’t be safe for me to enter the Royaumanian camp myself, but I can wait outside of its gates for you, once I’ve stopped my father’s army,” Orion said very quickly. “I’d...like to see that you and your brother are together again. That...you’re happy again.”

There was something unspoken that passed between them in that moment, when their eyes met. It was the first time they’d really spoken to each other since Orion’s true ancestry was revealed, and it was clear to both of them, when they looked into each other’s eyes, how much it changed everything. It had been easy to play pretend, before...but now that Orion’s true identity had been revealed and would soon become common knowledge, he wouldn’t be able to return to Royaume dressed as a peasant and expect to not get attention. And even if the War ended this very day...it would still probably not be safe for him to return, for a long while. And Carewyn...Carewyn wouldn’t be able to visit Orion in Florence. Charles would never let her go. 

Carewyn broke eye contact with Orion at last, her gaze falling down to their linked hands as she tried to smile. 

“...Yes,” she whispered. “Yes, I want you and Jacob to meet.”

Jacob might be a bit protective, but...I want him to know you. I want him to know how good of a man you are.

Forcing back her tears, she forced herself to look back up at Orion, her blue eyes blazing. 

“I can’t be out there with you when you confront your army,” Carewyn said in a very low, but fierce voice, “so take my strength. My spirit, my courage. All of it.”

She squeezed his hand. Orion mirrored her, squeezing her hand just as tightly in return -- then, impulsively, he brought it up to his face, brushing the back of it lightly with his lips. 

“Carewyn...” he whispered her name against her skin as he closed his eyes.

Andre and the others looked very reluctant to separate them. Talbott, however, pressed the issue. 

“I’m sorry to interrupt,” he said in a voice that was much blunter than he meant, his eyebrows knit tightly over his closed eyes, “but the longer I try to maintain this spell, the more I want to take my own head off just to stop the migraine behind my eyes. We need to go.” 

Carewyn nodded. “...Yes.”

She gave Orion’s hand another squeeze before sliding out of his grip. Orion, already missing the contact, nonetheless took hold of his horse’s reins again, shifting his horse over enough so that he could press his foot up against Talbott’s leg. The contact made the blueish-white light of Talbott’s spell trail over Orion’s shoulders as well. 

“Together?” Orion said to Andre. 

Andre nodded firmly. “Together.”

And in unison, the two Princes flicked their reins, and their horses charged out over the hill, into the growing blackness of night, straight onto the raging battlefield. 

The accounts from that day were highly romanticized after the fact. Some soldiers claimed that a bright light, like a massive star, descended from the night sky and landed right in the heart of the battlefield. Others claimed that there was a great, silent explosion of light that made everything and everyone freeze where they stood. 

One thing is for certain, though -- when Andre and Orion charged out onto the field, ordering their soldiers to cease fire, the effect was immediate. And when they broke away from Talbott and his fracturing shield to reach their army’s respective generals, Alastor Moody and Ethan Parkin, and order them to stand down and organize a retreat back to camp, everyone within ten miles of the two war camps were stunned by how instantaneously the sounds of battle had stopped. 

General Parkin, for his part, responded to Orion’s arrival with overwhelming relief. 

"When the King received your letter, saying you were going to the Royaumanian palace, he feared the worst! We thought for sure you’d have been captured...”

Orion could feel his clasped hands sweating, but he maintained the calmest face possible. “Well, clearly I was not.”

General Parkin babbled on a bit more after that, but Orion found it difficult to pay attention, with the smell of death making screams from the past echo in his ears. He closed his eyes and breathed in through his nose and out through his mouth to try to calm his heartrate. A murky memory of sitting in the grass with Carewyn rippled over his mind. 

“Greensleeves was all my joy...Greensleeves was my delight...”

“...touch reckless, you know,” said Parkin dismissively. “But never mind, never mind, we must return to camp at once -- his Majesty -- ”

“General, please see to the retreat and do not interact with the enemy again until I send word,” Orion said very calmly, to cut him off. “I will return to the capitol shortly.”

Parkin did a double-take as Orion returned to his horse. 

“What?” he said, suddenly looking more urgent. “But your Highness -- his Majesty -- !”

“Can meet me in the capitol, if he wishes,” Orion said in a very level, but firm voice. “It has an aura much better suited to discussing diplomacy.”

And ignoring General Parkin’s cries after him, the Prince led his horse into a fast gallop back across the Royaumanian border. 

Carewyn had barely waited for the fighting to stop to head straight for the Royaumanian camp. Bill and Charlie caught up with her not long after on their own horses, and Erika and KC caught up with them in the camp itself. Carewyn then immediately set off around the camp, seeking out Jacob. 

The camp truly was a dark, filthy, hopeless, miserable place. It was comprised of many, many tiny tents over worn beds made of hay and old sheets, though there were several pots cooking some sort of unpleasant-looking soup and lines of dried meats made of what looked like squirrels and rats. A sickening sour smell stained the air, likely evident both of rotted food and of rotted flesh. There was no soldier without some sort of permanent injury, whether a missing limb or eye or a deep scar across the face from a bayonet -- and almost none of them had a complete uniform. Many of them had even had to bundle their feet in bandages since they had no shoes. 

Because of the lavish lifestyle the King and Queen had indulged in and given their son so as to stay sheltered from the hardships of War, the soldiers of the Royaumanian camp were just as starved for rations and supplies as their Florentine counterparts. Even KC -- who had mapped out plenty of war strategies for the army -- had only ever seen the War through the lens of charts and maps, and so had no concept of just how bad conditions were until she walked into the camp herself. 

When KC, Erika, and the Weasleys collided with Andre and Talbott at the camp, the Prince of Royaume looked very shaken. 

“I...I had no concept it was like this...”

Andre looked out at the lines of pale, starving men marching out of the darkness and back into camp, taking each soldier in one by one. 

“To think,” he whispered, “all this time I’ve been making elaborate suits and gowns for balls, just to entertain myself...while my men starved.”

His eyes narrowed as they flooded with tears. Bill moved to the Crown Prince’s side and took hold of his shoulder. 

“You didn’t know,” he said gently. 

Andre closed his eyes, his eyebrows knitting tightly together as the tears streaked down his face.

“That’s no excuse,” he said bitterly. 

“The King and Queen have always shielded you from the War, Henri,” Erika said solemnly. “This is part of it.”

“Yes, but I didn’t question it. I didn’t even think to.”

Andre opened his eyes, and they were blazing around his tears. 

“Orion was right,” he said lowly. “This isn’t a place anyone should like to visit. It’s not a place any of these men should have to stay in.”

With a heavy breath, Talbott climbed off Andre’s horse, massaging his temple with one hand. His eagle-like eyes swept over the others.

“...Where’s Carewyn?” he asked.

“She went ahead, to look for Jacob,” said Bill. “Come on...let’s go catch up.”

Carewyn searched the face of every soldier she saw. She combed every military line and peeked into every tent. And yet, as she searched, there were no familiar faces. There was no Jacob. 

Undeterred, Carewyn tried a different tack. Jacob had been at War so long that it would be unsurprising if he were unrecognizable. He might not even recognize her, after so long -- she had only been about Ginny’s age when they were separated...

And so she cupped a hand around her mouth and started to sing as loudly as she could as she walked through the camp. 

“Climbing rose on the wall --

Pluck it now before the petals fall.

Apple, ripe on the bough --

Take it, for the time to take is now.

Happy day, sun or rain --

Live it, for it never comes again.

Lads have died, young and gay --

Pretty maids can fade away...

Nothing is forever; always is a lie...

I can only love you till the day I die.”

It was a song Carewyn hadn’t sung once in all her time at the palace and hadn’t sung at the Cromwell estate in years. Lane had had an old music box that had played it as a child, and she in turn used to sing it to Carewyn as a child to help her sleep. Later on both Jacob and Carewyn took to singing it too, Jacob whenever Carewyn woke up from a nightmare and Carewyn whenever she caught Jacob falling asleep at his desk rather than his bed and had to put a blanket around his shoulders and a pillow under his head. The song always brought back too many painful memories for Carewyn to like singing it for anyone -- but in that moment, she decided she had to. 

It was Carewyn’s singing that helped the others catch up with her. It was not long after that that a male voice in the distance echoed Carewyn’s voice.

“So my love...oh, my love...

Dream no more, my love: awake, my love...

Oh, my love...wake, my love...

Turn to me and take my love.”

Carewyn felt her heart race as she pursued the voice, pushing her way around lines of soldiers until she reached the medical tent. Just outside of it, she caught sight of a tall man with a mane of dark hair.

But when she got closer and the man’s face was revealed by the yellowish lantern light coming from the medical tent, no almond-shaped blue eyes met hers. Instead the eyes were a very dark, flat brown. And there were no curls in his hair -- instead it was almost absurdly sleek. 

The soldier in question looked Carewyn over as she approached him. 

“Was that you singing?” he asked.

Carewyn had to recover herself. The relief and joy on her face had flickered and died. 

“...Yes,” she said at last. 

The lantern light dipped into the contours of the man’s face as he smiled. “Your voice is lovely. I haven’t heard that song in a very long time.”

“Thank you,” Carewyn said reluctantly. 

“The name’s Chester Davies,” the soldier introduced himself, with a small bow. “My family owns a music box shop, in the capital.”

So that’s how he knew the song, thought Carewyn, her heart becoming a little heavier in his chest. His family probably made Mum’s old music box.

“It’s nice to meet you,” she murmured. 

Her eyes drifted away, over his head. She was thoroughly prepared to walk away when Chester spoke again.

“Is something the matter?”

Carewyn shook her head without looking at him. 

“Forgive me,” she said as politely as she could. “I...merely thought you were somebody else. Please excuse me...”

“Wait.”

Carewyn looked up, startled. Chester adjusted the crutch under his arm and inched himself off of the barrel he’d been leaning up against on his bandaged leg. He considered her face very carefully, as if struggling to remember something.

“I know your eyes,” he murmured. 

After a moment, Chester’s brown eyes grew very wide. 

“...Wyn?” he whispered, amazed. “Is your name Wyn?”

Carewyn gave a violent start. 

“Yes!” she said, her voice strained with emotion. “Carewyn -- my name is Carewyn. My brother calls me Wyn.”

Chester’s face flooded with awe and sadness. 

“I can’t believe it,” he said, his lips curled up in a small smile. “After all these years...I’m so glad to see you’re well.”

Bill had appeared on Carewyn’s other side, squeezing her shoulders supportively from behind as he faced Chester. “So you know Carey’s brother.”

“Please,” said Carewyn urgently, “please, where is he?”

Chester looked taken aback. Then his face flooded with dismay. 

“...You...you don’t know?” he murmured. “I...I thought after nine years, you would’ve...”

Carewyn’s heart clenched. “Don’t know what? What’s wrong? Where’s Jacob -- is he hurt?”

Chester swallowed. It looked very painful to do.

“I’m sorry, Carewyn...but your brother, he...he passed away.”

Bill stiffened, his hands clenching over Carewyn’s shoulders. Charlie, Andre, and KC’s faces all flooded with disappointment and sadness. Talbott bowed his head. Even Erika closed her eyes grimly. 

Carewyn, however, reacted with instant, fervent denial. She pulled out of Bill’s grip and strode right past Chester, heading for the medical tent. 

“Forgive me,” she said very lowly. “But you’re mistaken.”

“I wish I was,” said Chester. His expression appeared very pained. 

“Then take comfort knowing you are!” Carewyn shot back, her voice unusually sharp, like a slap.

“Cromwell...” Erika muttered, and her hard voice actually betrayed some pity. 

“No,” Carewyn cut her off. 

She slapped the flap of the medical tent and headed inside. 

It was only when she emerged twenty minutes later, prepared to immediately search the rest of the camp, that Andre stopped her by taking hold of both of her shoulders.

“Carewyn,” said the Prince of Royaume, his voice full of sorrow, “he’s not here.”

"Then he’s at another camp,” said Carewyn fiercely. She tried to break out of Andre’s grip, but he held fast to her shoulders.

“KC says there is no other camp!” he said, and his voice cracked with the effort of him trying to hold in his emotion. 

“Then he deserted!” Carewyn shot back. “Jacob is alive!”

“He did desert.”

Carewyn whirled on Chester, her blue eyes wide and oddly hostile, like a dog reacting aggressively to a stranger. The soldier was holding his injured leg as he leaned against the barrel beside the medical tent again.

“I arrived in camp about a week before your brother did, nine years ago,” Chester said quietly. “I remember because he was raging like a mad man, when the wagon transporting him first pulled in. Everyone had thought he was some sort of criminal, since he’d had to be chained inside the wagon. When they set him loose and set about trying to force him to join the ranks, he somehow threw off both of the men holding his arms, punched both of them in the face, and immediately stole General Moody’s horse and rode it out of camp. It took about ten men to capture him, and Moody ordered that your brother be locked up in solitary for a few days, in the hopes it might help him cool off. 

“All the other soldiers kept at a distance, as your brother seemed unstable...but I’d been assigned by General Moody to bring him his daily rations, so I didn’t have much choice. By the time I approached him that night, though, he’d stopped lashing out. Instead he’d gone very quiet and still. I reckon he’d finally accepted that the chains he was locked in were too strong for him to break. When I brought him his food, he thanked me, and introduced himself as Jacob Cromwell. ‘Don’t judge me by that surname, though,’ he’d said. ‘I’m nothing like that bastard Charles.’ Jacob’s wrists under the manacles were very badly bruised, so I asked if he needed medical attention. Even if they couldn’t take the chains off, they might at least have some cold compresses that might help. But Jacob said no. Said there was no point. ‘I’m nearly out of time anyway,’ he’d said. I didn’t know what he was talking about, but his voice...”

A shadow fell over Chester’s eyes. 

“...It sounded...so empty. So defeated. So full of despair...like a man awaiting the gallows. Then he just...crumpled in on himself, sobbing. ‘Wyn. I’ve failed you, Wyn.’”

Bill’s fists clenched so tight at his sides that they went stark white. Carewyn’s eyes were locked on the ground -- she couldn’t show her face to her friends, hearing this. 

“I asked him who Wyn was, and he said she was his sister. ‘My sweet, brave little sister,’ he’d said.” Chester’s expression softened slightly. “It seems Jacob was right about that. You were brave, to have come here...”

“‘Is,’” Carewyn corrected fiercely. “He is right. Not ‘was.’”

Chester shook his head sadly. 

“I wanted to sit with him until he stopped crying, but I was set to start a scouting mission on the enemy lines just after midnight, so I couldn’t stay. After I returned to camp the next morning...I learned the news.”

Carewyn’s face had lost all of its color.

“Stop,” she whispered.

Chester looked upon her, his face very firm despite the pain in his expression, and he pressed on anyway. 

“I found the entire camp in disarray. Everyone was packing up and preparing to abandon the site, and clothes and personal items were being thrown up onto a bonfire. It soon turned out that someone had arrived in camp carrying the Plague, and that everyone in the prison had been exposed...meaning those people had to be put down and their belongings burned, so as to try to prevent it from spreading further.”

“Stop,” Carewyn repeated. 

Chester’s eyes rippled with grief and empathy. 

“I’m sorry, Carewyn,” he said as gently as he could. “There was nothing you could’ve done -- nothing any of us could’ve done. But your brother loved you so much: I could tell he did. I have a younger brother too, but I never once thought of trying to run away from the War, just to get back to him...”

“Stop it!” 

Carewyn had to restrain herself from shoving the soldier off his feet. Her entire frame was shaking, whether with rage or pain, no one knew. 

“Jacob is alive!” she said, her voice so strained it almost sounded hysterical. “Whatever injury or illness or whatever else he’s gone through, he’s alive! He’s under a spell! His life is bound to my grandfather -- as long as Grandfather wills it, Jacob won’t die!”

The others excluding Bill all looked stricken. 

“Charles Cromwell used...?” started KC.

But Talbott looked the tensest of all. He seized Carewyn’s shoulders and steered her around to look at him, his expression grimmer than anyone had yet seen it.

“Carewyn,” he said very lowly, “the longest a spell can last is one day.”

Carewyn stared at him, her face disbelieving. 

“It’s the second Chief Principle of Magic,” he said. “‘All of the magical terms applied must be valid in order for the spell or potion to work.’ You need to have a person, place, and day in mind to activate a spell. When a day ends, those terms are no longer met -- and so at the stroke of midnight, every spell breaks, regardless of when it was cast or how powerful the magician is...and everything goes back to the way it was before.”

Carewyn couldn’t speak. Her throat felt like it was being clenched in someone’s fist.

Talbott’s eyes welled up with empathy. “...I’m sorry.”

Carewyn tore out of Talbott’s grip, taking a shaky step back. 

“No,” she repeated, her voice a mere shadow of what it usually was. “No...no...”

The memory of Jacob’s relieved face as he ran to her back at the Cromwell estate melted away into that of Jacob’s sweating, shuddering frame as he fought through the Plague that had taken their mother. 

“Everything goes back to the way it was before...”

“...Someone had arrived in camp carrying the Plague...”

Bill’s eyes, wide with horror and grief, had welled up with tears. He tried to pull Carewyn into his arms and hold her, but Carewyn wrenched herself out of his reach and bolted.

“NO!”

Her scream was mad -- anguished -- grief-stricken. And even though all of her companions rushed after her, trying to stop her, none of them could prevent her from leaping back onto her white horse and slapping its reins sharply at the sides of its neck to make it run off. Carewyn was so lost in her own pain and despair that she saw nothing and no one as she rode out of the Royaumanian camp at a full gallop.