#TCR fanfic

[catsafarithewriter]

Day 4: Superheroes

A/N: Welp it looks like I got my days mixed up and am running a day late, but no fear! This is for day 4 of this year's TCR birthday bash, superheroes. I thought I'd go with something more lighthearted today, so here is a little ficlet regarding a different way the cat kingdom could have tried to thank Haru :D

x

"We have decided," said the cat on Haru's windowsill, "that you must be thanked appropriately for saving Prince Lune."

"Uh-huh," Haru said. What she really wanted to say was something like, "I'm dreaming, right?" or "Excuse me, do you know you're a cat?" or even "AAHHHH" coupled with violently swinging a chair – but cats who could talk probably could do other things they weren't meant to, and she didn't want to find out if that included curses.

"Given the magnitude of our debt, the King has decreed that we shall do everything in our power to make you happy," the cat continued, oblivious to Haru weighing up the pros and cons of punting it off a first floor window. "For instance, our research has indicated that humans your age tend to struggle with low confidence, body image, and preoccupation with finding a mate."

"Uh-huh," Haru said again, for entirely different reasons.

"So, to show our gratitude, we have eliminated such problems!"

Haru stared. "...How?"

"Come to a mirror, and I'll show you!"

This had to be a dream. But now Haru was curious to see what her sleeping mind would conjure up in her reflection. She fumbled for her phone and switched on the camera. Maybe her skin would now be porcelain smooth. Maybe her hair would look effortlessly perfect. Maybe she would see entirely a different face.

She was disappointed when there appeared to be nothing changed. "Okay, cat, I'm looking."

"Open your mouth!"

She gave the cat a dubious side-eye, but did so. A maw lined with sharp feline teeth filled the picture.

Haru snapped her mouth shut.

"Do you like it?" the cat asked, with a tone that indicated this was a rhetorical question and that she could start thanking it any time now.

"You gave me fangs??"

"Canines! Fangs have venom!"

"Is that really what's importa–" She felt wood chips beneath her nails and quickly withdrew her hand from her desk. "And claws? What did you do to me?"

"We gave you the ideal body!" the cat announced.

"You gave me claws!"

"Claws are attractive! They're far better than those blunt little stumps you call nails! This way you can prove your hunting prowess and win a mate!"

"You think I'm gonna get a boyfriend because I can catch mice now?"

"Oh, Miss Haru, at your size you should set your sights on much bigger prey! Squirrels and rats, at least! Our research also indicated you were frustrated with your lack of balance–"

"This feels needlessly personal."

"–so we gave you feline grace!"

"Wait," Haru said as she realised the other insinuation of the cat's comment, "have you been watching me?"

"Yes!"

"Oh." Haru blinked. She'd expected at least a little guilt in the admission.

"If this is not sufficient thanks, I'm sure we can find other ways to improve your life–"

"No! I mean, no thank you. This is..." easy enough to hide. "This is fine. You don't need to thank me any more." This was not fine. This was so far over the line of 'fine' that it was a dot on the horizon.

"Are you sure? There was some debate over the inclusion of a tail..."

"I'm good."

"–at least on a permanent basis."

"What?"

"Don't worry, we realised that a persistant tail would require a strain on your wardrobe–"

"What does that–"

"–so we decided that you should get the best of both worlds and have it only when needed!"

A beat passed. A herd of questions hoofed through her mind. "And... the wardrobe problem?" she hazarded at last.

The cat waved a breezy paw. "Oh, don't worry about that! We've sorted it out."

Haru's mouth formed the word 'how' and then her mind thought better of it. "I don't suppose I could convince you to take it all back, could I?" she tried instead.

The cat's mouth wobbled. "You don't like it?"

Well darn it. Now she felt bad. "No, of course I like it!" she lied. "I just don't think I really need it. Or deserve it. I mean, I just acted without thinking, I wasn't being brave."

"Oh." The cat blinked, and the watery look vanished immediately. "Oh," it said again, with far too much assurance, "this is one of those adolescent lack of confidence things, isn't it?"

"I – no?"

"You don't think you're worthy of such a gift because you don't believe in yourself!" the cat proclaimed, with all the confidence of someone adding one plus one and getting three. It patted Haru's hand. "Don't worry, the whole cat kingdom has agreed that you earned this, so enjoy it! Oh, and before I forget..." With a flourish, the cat whipped a little velvet box out of thin air. "The final part to your reward."

Despite all her misgivings, Haru took the box and cautiously opened it. A beautiful silver necklace with a shimmering cat charm rested inside, its single visible eye carved out of a golden-brown gemstone. (Tiger eye, she suspected.)

"It's... lovely," she stuttered. "But I can't accept–"

"You can and you will! Goodbye!" And before Haru could fumble for any other excuses, the cat had leapt out of the window, Haru still holding the box. After a dubious moment passed, she gingerly put the necklace on. (After all, it was gorgeous. It would be a waste not to wear it.) Then she picked up the phone and was halfway through dialling Hiromi, when she hesitated.

Just what was she going to say?

Yeah, so you know the cat I saved yesterday, well it turns out it was a prince...

Look, when you see me, don't make a fuss over my teeth or my claws...

So it looks like cats are trying to help my love life...

She put the phone down. No, best to just not mention it and hope no one noticed. After all, who would jump to the conclusion that they were blessings from a cat and not just a figment of the imagination? Haru barely believed it, and her windowsill was still warm from where the cat had sat.

Then, because it was a Tuesday morning and school didn't accept sick notes for 'my entire physiology was altered by cats in the night' she dragged herself out of bed and prepared herself for the day.

It was just as she was finishing changing into her uniform that the giant rat stampeded past her front door. (Haru was fairly sure that 'stampede' was the right word for, even if it was only a single beast, it did have half a dozen feet.)

Since this wasn't an acceptable thing to see, not even on a gloomy Tuesday schoolday, Haru naturally leant of her window out to better see the chaos. She vaguely wondered if she should call the police – but rather suspected that things like rampaging rats taller than a bungaloo were probably already on the police's radar.

What were police even meant to do about unnatural megafauna? Build a giant mousetrap? Ask it politely to turn itself in? This kind of shenanigan, Haru thought, probably weren't covered in training.

Really, she continued to think, this kind of shenanigan was more the territory of comic book heroes or magical girl responsibilities.

It was as that exact thought struck, that Haru became engulfed in golden light. She felt her form shift, her hair change, and most notably, her clothes alter.

I've literally just gotten ready for school, she thought, and then she was deposited back on the floor. She looked down at herself.

What she was now wearing could best be described as a marriage between a leopard-print leotard and her school uniform. There were bows. There were ribbons. There was a sparkly tutu (and a pair of shorts, much to Haru's relief).

And, as she moved to sit down in disbelief, she discovered there was – emerging from perfectly-tailored shorts and tutu – a tail.

"Well," she said eventually, "I guess that does solve the wardrobe problem."

x

A/N: Gee, some of you may be thinking, it sure is serendipitous/a coincidence that the same day Haru gets 'superpowers' there appears a monster! Well, I'm here to tell you that it's less happenstance, and more like the truck driver who nearly ran over Lune is having the worst Tuesday of his life. (Don't worry, he gets transformed back with only an increase in cheese preference and a fun day explaining to his boss why he didn't turn up for work.) As far as the cats are concerned, if you reward a human by turning her into the best thing to be (cat, obvs) then you punish a human by turning him into the worst thing to be (a rodent).

[blairette-on]

Just a random funny thought I had about The Cat Return's fandom and fanfic.

How funny it is that in the movie Harry says she's a "meowsie" dancer and then everyone collectively agreed that she was a weapon of mass destruction on the dance floor with the only exception of Baron.

I love how fandom collective mind works haha

[cymraegdragon21]

The Dragon Challenge

Birthday Bash Prompt 7 - Dragons

'I beg your pardon, your majesty?' said Natori in confusion, surely he had misheard.

'Do you wish me to repeat myself?' growled the Cat King.

'Forgive me sire but I thought that you said that you wanted a dragon.' replied Natori.

'That's right Babe.' he grinned.

'But why?' asked his advisor in disbelief.

'I don't have one.' responded the Cat King as if it was the most obvious answer in the word.

Natori stared at him. The king had requested many strange things over the years but this had to be the most obscure.

'I don't think that it will be easy. There are no dragons in the Cat Kingdom.' explained Natori.

'Then we will need to look outside of the kingdom.' grinned the long hair 'I'm the king and everything I want I'll get.'

'Yes sire.' sighed Natori trying to think how this would even be possible. 'It's just that this is a more difficult ask.'

The Cat King sat on his throne stroking his moustache before his grin widened making Natori quake about what idea had entered his head.

'Why don't we make this a challenge for my subjects?' suggested the king 'We'll have to give them some sort of incentive of course. A prize for bravery.'

'Sire it's very dangerous.' gasped his advisor 'Some of them may die!'

'It's a sacrifice I'm willing to make.' he growled 'Now go and start putting the announcement of the challenge together. You're dismissed.'

'Yes your majesty.' sighed Natori before bowing and turning to leave the room.

He pulled the curtain aside and exited the room. He was so distracted by his own thoughts he didn't see the cat coming in the opposite direction and he crashed into them causing him to fall backwards onto the floor. He looked up in surprise to see Prince Lune standing over him looking concerned whilst offering him a paw to help him back up.

'Is everything all right Natori? You seem rather distracted.' asked Lune.

'Apologies your highness. I should have been looking where I was going.' he apologised as he stood up brushing down his robe.

Lune looked over him critically.

'Father has asked you for something ridiculous again, hasn't he.' stated Lune.

Natori looked at him nervously not feeling he could speak so openly in the corridor. Lune understood the look on his father's advisor's face.

'Follow me to my study.' he said before turning around and heading back the way he had come.

'Yes your highness.' responded Natori before following him.

Lune sighed. His father seemed to be falling further into his madness. Whatever next? Catnap a human? Lune ran a paw between his ears in frustration over what Natori had told him. If his father was going to issue such a challenge there wouldn't be anything he could do to stop him. He thought about how his father's history of blowing things up when irritated was bad enough but that would be nothing compared to the carnage a fire breathing dragon could do. He groaned. It was an impossible task but that didn't mean that cats wouldn't get hurt attempting the challenge lured in by the prize his father planned to offer. As he was mulling things over a pretty white maid came in with his afternoon tea. He offered her a weak smile whilst rubbing his temples.

'Do you have a headache your highness?' she asked.

'Yes, my father.' he murmured.

The young cat attempted to hide her giggle behind her paw. They had known each other for six months since Yuki came to work at the castle. They had developed an easy friendship and if Lune admitted it to himself he had a soft spot for her.

'Father wants a dragon.' he said eventually.

Yuki almost dropped the tea pot in surprise.

'I somehow need to stop the mayhem this may cause without him finding out and somehow he gets a dragon.' continued the prince with a sigh.

Yuki looked thoughtful as she offered him a biscuit.

'Why don't you contact the Cat Bureau for help?' she suggested.

'The Cat Bureau?' he repeated.

'Yes, they are an advisory service who offer their help with cases brought to them. I've heard the one in charge is a creation.' explained Yuki.

Prince Lune leaned back in his seat and looked at her.  Perhaps this was the answer to his problem.

'Tell me about this Cat Bureau.' he smiled.

A couple of days later, once he had caught up with his duties Lune set up a portal from his study that would take him to the Cat Bureau. He stepped out onto the cobbles and looked around the courtyard. One building in particular seemed to stand out so he headed towards it. He knocked on the double doors and waited. Within a few minutes he heard footsteps approaching and the door opened to reveal the cat creation Yuki had spoken about.

'Good afternoon. Welcome to the Bureau.' he greeted ' I am Baron Humbert von Gikkingen. How may we be of service?'

'Good afternoon. I'm Prince Lune of the Cat Kingdom. I really do hope that you will be able to help us.' he sighed.

'Please come in your highness. If you can explain what assistance you are requiring then we can see if the Bureau will be able to help.' replied Baron.

'Thank you.' nodded Lune.

Lune took a seat on the sofa and showed his appreciation when handed a cup of tea. 

'Now what seems to be the problem?' asked Baron as he took his own seat.

'I don't really know where to begin.' sighed Lune.

'Well what is the biggest issue?' replied Baron.

'My father ..' began Lune 'Well he has flights of fancy I suppose you could say. He decides that he wants something and then he must have it.'

'Oh and what is it that would be so troubling?' asked Baron.

'A dragon' replied Lune causing Baron to almost drop his cup in surprise 'It's the most ridiculous request I think I have ever heard him ask. The last thing we need is a fire breathing dragon on the loose. It's bad enough that Father has a store of explosives. He almost took down one of the towers the other day.'

Baron looked over at the frustrated royal. This certainly was an unusual case that had been brought to the Bureau's doors.

'May I ask how he plans to get hold of a dragon?' he enquired.

He noticed the young prince grip his paws into fists.

'He intends to hold a challenge open to all and reward the one who succeeds greatly.' he replied 'I really fear for the lives of our citizens.'

'What is the prize that is tempting enough for them to consider risking their lives?' asked Baron.

'As much fish as they can eat.' responded Lune.

'Now I thought they had only just been able to restock the lake.' came a voice from behind causing Lune to jump and turn his head.

'How do you know about that?' he asked the large white cat who had just entered the Bureau.

Muta shrugged as he continued towards the kitchen to investigate the cupboard. Lune turned back to Baron to find the creation in deep thought.

'Has his majesty ever seen a real dragon?' he asked finally.

'No.' replied Lune shaking his head 'There are no dragons in the Cat Kingdom. He has only heard about them from stories.'

'You said he had a stock of explosives which I presume you could gain access to?' continued Baron.

'Yes.' responded Lune slowly not entirely sure where this could be leading.

'Don't worry your highness, I am confident the Cat Bureau can assist. No lives will be lost and the Cat King will get his dragon.' assured Baron.

A look of shock passed over the prince's face before he rearranged his features into a practised more neutral state.

'If you can truly do this I'll give you whatever you want.' replied Lune.

'There is no need for that your highness.' smiled Baron 'Now please tell me more about the challenge so we can prepared in advance.'

A few days later Natori was nervously standing behind the curtain at the edge of the balcony which overlooked the castle's inner courtyard. Below was where those who had signed up to the dragon challenge had gathered. Having spoken with Lune he was aware that the Cat Bureau would be amongst them ready to play their role. He still wasn't sure how they were going to achieve the impossible task which made him anxious. As he attempted to sneak a peak at the cats below he felt a claw run down his spine causing him to stiffen.

'Hey Babe.' the king purred in his ear 'Is everything ready?'

'Ye yes your majesty.' stuttered Natori more at the physical closeness of the king more than anything else.

'Excellent.' he grinned 'Looks like we have a good number of adventurers to go and fetch me my dragon.'

'Yes your majesty.' nodded Natori.

'Right, it's show time!' exclaimed the king heading out onto the balcony to address the crowd below leaving Natori behind breathing in and out into his paw to stop himself panicking.

Time passed and no dragon was presented. Potential adventurers returned exhausted but empty pawed. Natori was grateful that none had received any injuries but he could feel the king getting increasingly agitated at not getting what he wanted. He was just contemplating how he was going to appease his monarch of the inevitable when Natoru came flying through the curtained door with an ecstatic grin.

'A pair of adventurers have returned.' he squeaked 'They have captured a dragon and have brought it to the kingdom.'

Natori stood up in shock before remembering what Lune had said about the Cat Bureau. This must be their doing. His stomach flipped with anxiety, not certain what the outcome would be.

'They say that they have contained the dragon in a cave not too far away and wish to present to his majesty as soon as possible.' continued Natoru.

'Very well.' sighed Natori feeling impending doom 'Inform them that we will be there shortly. His majesty is currently having a massage.'

The shorter cat squeaked again before disappearing out the way he had come.

Natori wrung his paws anxiously as they approached the cave. He already knew that many called him neurotic behind his back but this was serious.  A dragon could mean the end of the Cat Kingdom. He watched as the king swaggered confidently in front of him. He nearly jumped out of his skin when a paw touched the sleeve of his robe.

'Don't worry Natori. It's all going to plan.' assured Lune 'No-one is going to get hurt I promise you.'

'I do hope that you are right your highness.' he sighed.

As they were led towards the cave by one of the Bureau members posing as a dragon wrangler Natori wondered where the larger cat was. A loud noise filled the air similar to an explosion causing all thoughts to fly out of his head.

'Ah it seems like he's awake.' said Baron cheerfully as he led them.

The bang was followed by a couple more and the sound of rocks falling.

'Sounds like a marvellous dragon Babe.' grinned the Cat King.

'Indeed your majesty.' nodded Baron 'Not much further now.'

'We're all doomed.' thought Natori despite the prince's assurances.

Baron slowed down as they came closer towards the mouth of the cave. The eager king attempted to head straight in causing Baron to put his arm out.

'Forgive me your majesty but dragon's can be especially grumpy when first awake. If you will allow me, I'll go in and bring him out.' he explained. 'If you would mind just standing be the side.

Natori quickly manoeuvred the king and his heir away from the mouth of the cave. Only a few minutes later a plume of fire shot out of the darkness covering the area where they had been previously standing. 

'Well that could have been a little awkward.' laughed Baron before he removed a coil of rope from his belt. 'He is rather grumpy today. Please remain here whilst I go and fetch him for you.'

By this time Natori was practically hyperventilating. He waited for the inevitable scream and further fire but there was nothing but silence. Eventually Baron returned leading out a lizard. The group gathered were surprised as its size, not much larger than a cat when on all fours. Although smaller than expected the creature certainly looked like a dragon in the stories minus the wings. The creature flicked it tongue.

'What is that Babe?' asked the Cat King.

'It's a Pogona your majesty.' explained Baron 'A small but mighty dragon.'

It certainly packs a punch from what we experienced earlier.' confirmed Lune 'Will we be able to control it?'

'Of course. Once he knows who his master is. They can be quite docile with their handlers.' replied Baron confidently 'If you would like to approach your majesty.'

For all his confidence the Cat King was looking uneasy. He moved forward too quickly which cause the ruff on the dragon to puff up and his head to bob up and down.

'Careful your majesty.' murmured Baron 'You need to approach more gently.'

The king nodded and did as advised. When he was within arms length he reached his paw out to touch the dragon's head.

'It feels cool.' he muttered in surprise.

'Yes dragons are cold blooded. He will enjoy sunbathing so the Cat Kingdom is a perfect environment.' replied Baron as he handed over the rope 'Congratulations your majesty. You now have your dragon.'

'I'm going to call him Norbert.' he grinned 'Come on Babe. Let's show you your new home.'

'I'll go with you Father.' said Lune before turning to Baron 'Natori can discuss the reward with you.'

'Of course your highness.' replied Baron with a bow.

Natori seemed glued to the spot as he watched the two cats lead the strange creature away. He turned to Baron to discover Muta had suddenly joined them. The large cat smelt of smoke.

'Are you certain the kingdom isn't in danger?' asked Natori 'Prince Lune kept assuring me bit I still feel uneasy.'

'Of course. The bearded dragon is a rather docile creature.' confirmed Baron.

'So we are unlikely to be eaten?' replied Natori.

'Not unless you're an insect.' laughed Muta 'They are mostly vegetarian.'

Natori's eyes widened.

'What about the explosions and the fire?' he demanded.

'Well Prince Lune was kind enough to allow us to take a sample of his father's collection. Also Muta is a cat of many skills and from his time in a travelling circus he learnt the art of fire breathing.' explained Baron.

'Singed my fur a few times in the beginning.' laughed the large white cat.

'So we are all safe?' asked Natori needing confirmation.

'Yes, the dragon is no threat. As long as handled correctly the most he is likely to do is hiss. He should thrive well in the Cat Kingdom but if his majesty becomes forgetful of him once the novelty has worn off we can return him to his native Australia in the Human World.' replied Baron.

For the first time in a very long time Natori felt his body sag with relief.

'Thank you Cat Bureau.' he murmured. 

[mothmothwoth]

Okay okay I know I keep posting fanart of Fics but GUYS (god I have so much old fic fanart too)

the Children’s Rebellion is so actually insane,,,,(also some of these are from its sequel the children’s revenge) Also TCR!purpled is THE purpled of all time. He is my favorite character in the series (average TCR fan) and his relationship with everyone makes me want to bang my head against the wall. THE devoted follower of all time. Just genuinely this story is so good and one day it will return from war,,,,

ALSO for the like 3? TCR fans on tumblr, Worst case scenario by the Hoosiers is purpled singing about Tommy,,,,, and also Two birds. (Just them in general they both would kill for each other and love each other so much but they also despise each other and it’s such a good long standing platonic relationship-) Okay I am going to bed now-

[squaric-acid]

A Treat for the Eyes, Pt. 1

My contribution to the TCR Secret Santa 2023

I'm writing for @raythecomputerart, I hope you enjoy! I was going to write something short and sweet for the cozy tea party prompt but it got entangled with the high fashion prompt and this was the result.

=====

“Here’s your next assignment,” Natoru, assistant to the editor-in-chief of Cat Kingdom Magazine, said nasally, holding the manilla folder out to Muta.

Muta reached across the desk with a grumble.

“Probably another toothpaste ad,” he muttered under his breath.

Toto elbowed him hard in the ribs.

“It’s for Baron’s new collection. You’ll need to find a suitable model. Yuki’s called in sick again.”

Natoru hid it well but both Muta and Toto had known their boss’s simpering secretary long enough to detect the disdain in his voice for the magazine’s top model. Who also happened to be the fiancée of the editor’s son. Thankfully, neither Muta or Toto shared Natoru’s disdain for the model.

“Well, if it’s Baron’s work then it should be interesting,” Toto said cheerfully as Natoru sashayed out of the small office Toto and Muta shared.

Muta gave a long-suffering sigh as he flicked through the folder.

“Where are we going to find a suitable model in this short of time?”

~@~

“A modeling gig?” Haru gave Hiromi a quizzical look across the cafe table she was bussing.

“Not just any gig. Look!”

Hiromi shoved the flier in her skeptical friend’s face.

“It’s for Baron’s new spring collection!” Hiromi squealed.

Haru removed the flier from her face and gave it a glance.

“That’s nice,” Haru said blandly. “When did you hear about it?”

“Someone just put up a flier on the bulletin board. Some fatso from the photography department. Just as I was leaving.”

“That’s nice,” Haru said, turning back to her task.

“Oh, come on Haru! This is perfect for you! I know you’ve been angling for a change to work with Baron since you first laid eyes on his work.”

“Okay sure, but-“

“But nothing. Why not try? Yuki’s out sick and Louise is still in Kyoto.” A wheedling tone had snuck into Hiromi’s voice.

“Get serious, there’s no way he’d select me to be his model for his latest collection.”

~@~

Why does this always happen to me? Haru asked herself as she sat curled against the hallway wall outside of one of the many studio spaces in the Cat Kingdom Magazine’s creative department. A dozen or so models lingered around waiting to be assessed for their suitability and worthiness to model for Baron’s newest collection.

“Why did Hiromi have to call in sick? Now I’m here on my own!” Haru grumbled to herself. 

In the week since Hiromi had shoved the flier in her face, Haru had learned little else about Baron’s newest collection. She and Hiromi had clamored for spots in the modeling audition, luckily Haru’s second job at the cafe was accommodating. Despite being models for Cat Kingdom Magazine, the competition for the best gigs was cutthroat and she and Hiromi were among the more junior models.

Haru surveyed the other models all awaiting their turn to impress the famed designer. Baron was somewhat of an eccentric recluse amongst the top players in the fashion world. He always chose his models with the utmost care. And he favored the infamous photographer and stylist duo, Muta and Toto, for his shoots with the magazine.

The models around her all knew what a shoot like this could mean for their careers. They were dolled up to the nines and for models that’s saying a lot. Every single one harbored secret dreams of becoming Baron’s muse.

Haru, for all her aspirations in the fashion industry, had hardly bothered. Hiromi had convinced her to wear virtually no makeup to accentuate her features, instead of hiding them.

Muta and Toto worked extraordinarily well together but were exceedingly picky. Hence their infamy amongst the models of Cat Kingdom Magazine. When not called upon to work with Baron they often were out on small jobs, like toothpaste ads. If they were working for Baron on this shoot it meant that the standards would be astronomically high.

Hiromi and Haru had both done a couple gigs each with Muta and Toto for small ads. Cat Kingdom had originally been a talent acquisition company. It still kept up those programs and lots of models hoping to join the fashion seems started in Cat Kingdom’s talent agency. Apparently that’s how the son of Cat Kingdom’s editor came to know Yuki, one of the magazine supermodels. Haru and Hiromi had both met Yuki before, despite her newfound fame she always had the kindness of a hopeful new model.

The next model was called in to audition and Haru was pulled from her thoughts. She wondered if either Toto or Muta would recognize her. She wasn’t sure she wanted them to.

One by one the models went in and then came out. Each one sporting the tight smile of one who had been let down politely but rather scathingly too.

Soon Haru was alone in the hall. She stood and smoothed the wrinkles of her long skirt. She’d worn her favorite lacy socks and a pair of sandals over them. In retrospect not the most fashionable choice for an aspiring model.

Haru hadn’t been terribly self-conscious before this moment but she was now. And as the previous model exited with a classless upturned nose Haru felt her stomach sink down to rest around her toes.

“He’s so uptight,” she heard the previous model hiss to her friends who were waiting for her at the end of the hall.

“No wonder Louise left him.”

Haru felt her mouth go inexplicably dry. 

=====

I do hope you enjoyed this! Stay tuned for parts 2, 3, and 4!

[scorpiaiswifegoals]

Chapters: 2/2 Fandom: The Crowded Room (TV 2023) Rating: Teen And Up Audiences Warnings: No Archive Warnings Apply Relationships: Jerome/Danny Sullivan (The Crowded Room), Ariana/Jerome (The Crowded Room) Characters: Danny Sullivan (The Crowded Room), Ariana (The Crowded Room), Jerome (The Crowded Room) Additional Tags: Dissociative Identity Disorder, Period Typical Attitudes, Period-Typical Homophobia, Post-Canon, Second Chances, Primarily Danny/Jerome, Minor Original Character(s) Summary:

After years of instituanlized mandated therapy Danny and Jerome get an unexpected second chance to connect.

Split POV

[keisuromi]

Spread the word guys!!

It going to be an awesome animatic!!

[gaypiratebrainrot]

Heeey, so, you blew my mind on your post responding to the "where did you find fanfic" poll because you mentioned tds_rpf. I have to ask...what was your username on livejournal? You totally don't have to tell me, but I was DEEP in the TDS/TCR RPF community there, and I just have to ask. My username was shoebox_addict.

omg--ok, so i genuinely do not remember my lj username from that time, i had a couple different ones over my lj time and my tds_rpf era would have been my earliest one when i was like 14/15 i think (although...now that i'm thinking about it, i must have been reading fic in that broader community thru at least 2008 when i was 19, bc i wrote a NaNoWriMo in '08 that featured anderson cooper and keith olberman and jake shears, but that definitely never made it onto the internet), but i was almost definitely just a lurker and didn't participate beyond reading.

BUT i'm assuming you are shoebox_addict on ao3, and i have definitely noticed when you comment on my fic that your username/maybe pfp is very familiar to me, in that niggling "i know you from somewhere" kinda way, and i'd just assumed it was prob from my sherlock days cause that's where i recognize most fandom folks from (my longest/deepest fandom experience), but i just clicked on your ao3, and no sherlock, but your old fake news rpf has paul dinello and denis leary which is a BLAST FROM THE PAST. i don't remember that specific fic but that is almost definitely where i recognize you from, which is WILD! HELLO!

[melodichaeuxx-lacritquexx]

This writer strike is bad. You know what about to happen?

BIPOC (specifically BLACK) shows bout to be the first ones out. That’s a given; there weren’t a lot of us any damn way, and they barely made room for us. With this strike, we’ll be the first ones out, not the ones that NEEDED to be off the air ages ago (I’m looking at you greys anatomy 😒)

Talk shows are pulling their engagement. Those celebs that need to promote their shit won’t be able to because writers make up the rest of the show. You can’t be lucky like Jimmy Fallon and be a comedian first and just work with natural born talent, writers make up the funny parts. But you know what that also means? You can’t watch your fav and see how they’re styled! Kelly Clarkson just had to cancel her episode with Halle Bailey because of the strike. And for my Tom Holland fans, you just gotta rely on press tours for TCR.

Hollywood steals. So for my writers or fanfiction and fiction, you better start date logging EVERYTHING. They made After from a fanfic did they not? It’s very plausible to sell you dreams in trying to create a movie out of your shit. This ain’t a game.

Oh, before I forget, we’re about to be in reality tv show hell. They don’t need a script. And no offense to Tyler Perry or Sam Levinson but people who write their own scripts and spiral and the writing be horrible? (Sans Euphoria, idc what y’all say, that got some of the most realistic teenage dialogue which is concerning as to how he knows that but I love that show) that is what we’ll be stuck with.

They out here threatening to ruin endings for shows and ruin the fab experience if they don’t get paid, and rightfully so.

[destinyc1020]

In regards to Tom’s career trajectory, I recently read an interview with one of his agents James Farrell who represents Austin and John David Washington and it’s so interesting ppl talk about how bad his agent is when this same agent was able to turn around Austin’s career and make him seem more serious as an actor (critically serious not commercial like Spider-Man). His agent is all about taking the long road and waiting for quality projects as opposed to quantity.

While it’s great for JE to have a lot of projects going for him, whose to say that most of those projects are going to do well? Like I’ve seen that Ben Affleck and Ana de aromas film and despite a good cast, the film was subpar. Leo Dicaprio has done a lot of films yet the general public really only know him f from his few poignant projects, not the quantity of films that okay at best. Just like Bryan Cranston is always going to be Walter White for some because his performance was that good. Again this isn’t shade to Jacob but really fandoms in general who’s favs do less roles than their counterparts. I remember a few years ago Zendaya was casted in this film with Jake Gyllnehaal that didn’t go into play and just recently that same film was made with Jenna Ortega and it’s come out in film festivals and bombed. Not every film is gonna turn out great.

I trust Tom and Z and I know whatever project they do, they have a great team who cares about their worth and time. Yes there are actors who do a lot of roles and are great.

My fav Christopher Abbot who was in TCR(I recommend watching Sanctuary with Margaret Qualley if you have the chance cause it’s great) and now is in Poor Things. Though he had been acting for a while, it wasn’t until James white, a perfect film, where he was taken seriously from critics. Before then his was most notable as a boyfriend from Girls. He was 27 -28 when he filmed that project, similar age to Tom.

Sorry for the rant, I’m aware of fan wars but I hope to have brought a nuanced opinion to discussing young actors career. Tell me if you want the link to his agents interview. Peace and love xxx

Thanks Anon... Yea, they all 3 share the same agent lol. Funny huh? 😅

His agent is all about taking the long road and waiting for quality projects as opposed to quantity.

I didn't know that actually.... 🤔

But yea, playing the "long game" is actually not a bad thing imo. I mean, just look at Ke Huy Quan lol 😅 So, you're NEVER "too old" to do more substantial work/projects in the industry, or even win an Oscar! I think some of these fans need to take a look at some of these older actors out here. Even THEE Leo (who a lot of our faves seem to admire) was nominated at age 19 for his first Oscar, but Leo didn't even win an Oscar until he was already in his 40s!!! Soooo....why do stans of actors these days put so much pressure on their faves to win an Oscar at 25?? 🥴

I just don't get it. You have to look at the pattern and lower your expectations....

Like I’ve seen that Ben Affleck and Ana de aromas film and despite a good cast, the film was subpar.

That film was a Wattpad fanfic ROTFL 😅🤣 I couldn't believe what I was watching! No WONDER that film got scrapped for the big screen and got switched to straight to streaming lol. 😅

Leo Dicaprio has done a lot of films yet the general public really only know him f from his few poignant projects, not the quantity of films that okay at best.

Actually, I think MOST of Leo's film work has been pretty decent, which is why so many younger actors look up to him and his career. He's very calculated on what he will choose and what types of roles he will do. Even if the film he did itself wasn't a "blockbuster", they've typically been interesting, his acting is usually on point, and he puts butts in seats. 🤷🏾‍♀️

I trust Tom and Z and I know whatever project they do, they have a great team who cares about their worth and time. Yes there are actors who do a lot of roles and are great.

Exactly! At this point, I don't care what Tom and Z decide to do career-wise as long as it makes them HAPPY and feel FULFILLED. That's all that I wish for my faves... As long as they're happy and fulfilled, and feel GREAT about their work, then, I'm happy! :) 🥰

My fav Christopher Abbot who was in TCR(I recommend watching Sanctuary with Margaret Qualley if you have the chance cause it’s great) and now is in Poor Things.

Thanks for the rec! 😉👍🏾

Sorry for the rant, I’m aware of fan wars but I hope to have brought a nuanced opinion to discussing young actors career. Tell me if you want the link to his agents interview. Peace and love xxx

No worries! You know I LOVE discussing films. 😊 And yea, sure, send me the link to his interview! :)

[catsafarithewriter]

Day 5: Bodyguard

A/N: This is the second (and final) half of the red thread au that I originally posted as Day 1: Red Thread of Fate's prompt. Due to the length, and realising it also related well to today's prompt, I decided to split it. (I'm also running a day late, so I'm using today's 'free day' (usually used for a ficlet of my own choice) to catch up!

x

Muta has watched over Lady Haru Yoshioka ever since he was appointed her bodyguard.

Longer, in fact.

Over the years, he has seen parades of princes present themselves before her. He has seen hordes of heroes make hopeful promises of breaking her curse. He has seen herds of knights riding in, and then riding out when all their bluster came to naught.

He has learnt that, deep down, they're all the same. All men, seeking money or power or glory, and seeing Haru as nothing more than a stepping stone to their success. And he should know: it was an encounter with one such monster that set him on the path of bodyguard.

The difference is, this time around Haru seems to have forgotten that.

This Humbert - not Baron, Muta knows the man is not a baron, for no titled lord would travel with so little, without even the whisper of an entourage - is no better than the rest. He has seen too many of Humbert's ilk to believe otherwise.

"He's a liar, Chicky," Muta warns Haru while she takes a constitutional walk around the gardens. "He's not even a baron."

Haru's stride doesn't break. "You seem awfully sure of this, Muta."

"Well, he can't be. What kind of noble travels with only a talking cane for company?"

"A cursed one, perhaps?"

"A disowned one, Chicky."

"And how do you know that?"

"I heard yer father talking about it."

She looks back then, raising an eyebrow she has perfected from him. "And my father is always right, huh?"

"The source was sound." When she doesn't look convinced, he adds, "He's been here long enough that even your father is gonna look into things. He sent a messenger to Humbert's family. Turns out, he's been disowned."

"And?"

"And, if he's happy to lie about that, what else is he gonna fib over? Yer can't be sure he isn't just like the rest. Saying whatever he needs to get him where he wants to be."

"You cannot be sure of that."

"Nah, but when have any of the wannabe heroes been decent? And he's cursed."

"So am I."

Muta shakes his head roughly. "That's different, Chicky, and we both know it. Men like him, curses like his, they come from a certain kind of action, a certain kind of karma. Beasts, they don't get like that because of some family curse, but because they did something. What do you think he did?"

"I don't know, Muta," Haru says.

"Yer do. Yer know what kind of people get cursed."

"Yes, but he's not-"

"Not what? Cruel? Selfish? With a face like that, he's probably gotten pretty good at hiding it, 'cause it's already on the surface. Yer can't trust him, Chicky."

Haru does pause now. The roses she stands beside are in full bloom, blood-red and clustered with thorns. Despite all this, she rolls a blossom between her fingers. "No one else has bothered to make an effort, Muta." She doesn't look at him. "We both know all the wannabe heroes only try to break my curse because of the gold or the chance to marry into my family. And they've all given up the moment their plans came to nothing. But Baron... he's stayed."

"He's stubborn. It doesn't mean he's honest."

"It means something, Muta. At least to me."

Warning bells ring in Muta's ears, even louder than when he realised Baron had his eyes set on Haru. He realises Humbert has given Haru something more dangerous than proclamations of love or vows of curse-breaking.

He's given her hope.

x

When they rejoin Baron, he's buried up to his elbows in paperwork. An ocean of files and documents floods the desk, and it's only by some nifty elbow-pinning and sheer luck that it hasn't cascaded to the floor yet.

Muta raises an eyebrow. "Natori's gonna have yer head when he sees the mess you've made of his records."

"I have a system," Humbert insists. "I think." He pauses, and glances up. "Which one's Natori? Is he the..." and Humbert gives a wild grin, "one?"

"Nah, he's the," and Muta mimed readjusting imaginary glasses, "one."

"Ah. Duly noted."

Haru approaches the table and inspects the chaos. "Dare I ask what you're doing?"

"The logic, I think, is sound," Humbert says. "There may not be records of the identity of the peasant girl, but there are records of everyone who officially attended."

"And?" Muta prompted.

"And, that means that every eligible lady who officially attended the ball can be ruled out."

Haru perches on a stack of books remaining from a previous spat of research. "So you're trying to identify a single peasant girl out of... how many?"

"Many," Toto says with a tired sigh. "I have try to tell him that the chances of singling her out are next to impossible, but..."

"Next to impossible is not quite the same as actually impossible," Humbert says cheerfully. "Between the two lives a little island of fated serendipity."

"And have you landed on this little island?" Haru asks.

"...No." Humbert retrieves a list that is on the seabed of the paperwork. It's long and every inch is inked with names. "So far, these are the individuals I have identified as being present and eligible in the area at the time of the balls, but who did not attend."

Haru doubtfully takes the list. "And you're going to... what? Contact every single woman here - assuming they're still alive - and ask if they happened to attend a ball several decades back while wearing glass slippers?"

"...Yes." Humbert begins to say something, and then pauses. The magnitude of his task begins to dawn on him. "I didn't say it would work but it's an idea. And a novel one at that."

"What are you going to tell my father? You can't admit you're looking for this woman."

"I shall be sure to give some other clever reason for my search," Humbert says. "I shall disguise the important questions among the rest, so no one realises my true intent." He holds out a hand for the list. "I've just found another possible candidate. May I have this back?"

Haru hesitates. "No one's ever gone to such lengths for this."

"Then I shall be the first. Or possibly the most optimistic." Humbert smiles. "If it can help you, it must be worth a try."

Muta doesn't miss Haru's smitten grin as she returns the list.

x

The search turns up nothing. Of course it does. Muta could have told them that - but then again, Muta could tell a whole lot of things, and none of them will do anyone any good. For instance, what good will it do to tell them that peasant girls become peasant women, who marry travelling merchants and go on to see the world? None at all, and it would only add more questions to the mix.

Still, Humbert searches. It lasts for a good few weeks, nearly a month and to the end of Lord Yoshioka's patience, before he admits defeat. For weeks, Muta watches as Humbert travels out into the city and countryside, disappearing from Haru's side to question woman after woman after woman, all to no avail.

There must, Muta thinks, be easier ways for a cursed noble to earn some gold.

x

"I must admit, there is one thing that has been bothering me for a while," Humbert says, another week into dead ends and wild goose chases. They're in the library, as they so often are, and even Muta has begun to begrudgingly relax. This has become routine. Safe.

(He still doesn't trust Humbert. Not officially.)

"Only the one?" Haru teases.

"Well, one novel thing," he amends. "It's taken me until now to put my finger on it... no pun intended, but when you originally told me of previous attempts to remove the thread, you said that you already knew you couldn't cut it off."

"Yes. And?"

"Your exact comment was that you've known since you were a child."

"Yes. And?"

Humbert doesn't reply immediately, but instead seems to consider his next words with care. "It's merely that... from the official records, it seems as though your father only turned his attention to breaking the curse when you were some years into adulthood."

Haru says nothing and, after a hesitation, Humbert seems to take this as confirmation to continue.

"It only occurs to me now that it seems... odd, chronologically-speaking, that you should know such a thing long before your father sought to break it."

Haru looks away from him, and only Muta catches the bittersweet smile that flitters across her face. "I guess I could tell you that it was merely an accident of youth, that my hand slipped while eating and that my knife should have cleaved straight through it, but..." She shrugs. "Well, would you believe me?"

"Do you want me to?"

She looks to him then, and Muta can read the softening of her shoulders, the guard dropping. "Would you? If I asked?"

"Yes."

She dances her hand over her gloved fingers, brushing past the littlest one and its unseen thread. It's a nervous tic, Muta knows, but one that helps steel her. "When I was a child," she said softly, "I hated what it represented. I hated the choice it took away from me and the stranger it tied me to, but most of all I hated how only I seemed to see it as a curse. For my whole childhood, everyone around me acted as though the fairy had misjudged, that I'd been given a blessing in disguise..." Her little finger curls into her palm. "The funny thing is, once everyone started to treat it as a curse, then it felt like a blessing."

"How?"

"I realised that had I not been cursed, my father would have already had me betrothed, regardless of my own interest." Her hands flit across her finger again. "This curse gave me a little breathing space, the ability to be more than just a bride or wife." She chuckles weakly. "Of course, I became relegated to prize instead, but given that no one seems able to win said prize..."

Humbert lets her trail off. For several moments, there's only the ticking of the library clock and the sound of birdsong from the windows.

"Haru... do you want the curse broken?"

She smiles wanly. "Well, I don't think I get much say in that, either way."

"I could leave."

"What?"

"I am here to break the curse," he reminds her gently. "And if that's what you want, I will stay here until I find a way. But if you don't want it broken, then I should go."

"Do you have to?" Haru asks. "Couldn't you just, you know, pretend to be working on it?"

"Haru, your father is already wary enough of how much time I've spent here. He's only tolerated my presence this far because all reports show I am working to break it." He glances to Muta, as if wondering whether the guard is one of the lord's informants. Muta could put him out of his misery, assure Humbert he reports to no one, not least of all the lord, but he doesn't. "And, if I continue to find novel ways to try to undo the spell, then one day I might just succeed."

Haru is quiet for a long moment. "What did you do?" she asks softly.

"Do?" Humbert echoes.

She nods to his face. "To, you know, get your curse."

He doesn't quite stare, but he does still. His posture doesn't alter, and yet Muta gets the impression that's only hiding the whirring of his mind as the cursed noble tries to make sense of the sudden topic change. "Is that really the question you want to ask?"

"Yes."

His smile is soft. Sad. "Then I'm afraid it's not a flattering portrayal of the person I once was. But, then again, you've probably already guessed that."

"Curses like yours," Haru says quietly, "they come from a certain kind of action. A certain kind of karma."

"An act of selfishness," Humbert translates.

"I didn't say that."

"You didn't need to." Now, Humbert finally shifts, leaning forward to the desk. It looks like a steadying action. A bracing action. "On the estate where I was raised, my father would throw winter feasts – large, extravagant affairs catering to the comfortably moneyed – and when I came of an age, I was charged with greeting our guests. As the youngest of three brothers, I was excited to finally be able to play a part, a role I took to with a good deal of earnestness."

He hesitates.

"An old beggar-woman came to the door that bitter winter night. She was cold and suffering and far from the kind of person my family would look kindly on, and I..."

"You refused her entry," Haru finishes.

"I refused her entry." He doesn't meet Haru's gaze, and Muta wonders if he's still seeing echoes of that night. "I knew my father would be angry if she was seen by our guests on that most auspicious of nights, so I refused on the first time she asked, and the second, and on the third she revealed herself to be a fairy. I prided my family reputation over the life of another, and for that I was transformed into the beast you see today."

Humbert passes one hand over the other, in almost the same way Muta has seen Haru do so many times before - but in Humbert's case, his fingers brush over the gap between sleeve and glove. A sliver of ginger fur is just visible; a fragmented reminder of Humbert's curse, while the rest of the evidence - save his tail and face - is so carefully hidden away.

"How old were you?" Haru asks.

"Old enough to have known better, that's all that matters."

"Such curses can be broken-"

"Not this one, Haru. Not anymore; too much time has passed."

"No, but... at first." Haru's nose wrinkles into a grimace. "If you had met someone, fallen in love..."

"To do such a thing, I would have to meet people," Humbert says. "And my family were mortified by my transformation."

"You're not hideous-"

"Not by the details of my apparance," he clarifies, "but by what it represented. Like you said, a curse like mine come from a certain kind of action." He glances to Muta. "Not incorrectly, but to have acknowledged my enchantment would be to admit one of their own was capable of such selfishness, so I was hidden away. When I eventually decided I had had enough of being a secret, I left, but not before the curse had become permanent and my family disowned me."

"I'm sorry."

"Don't be. It was my own doing that left me like this."

"For your family, I mean," Haru says. "They shouldn't have abandoned you like that, they should have tried to help..."

"Yes, well, families are complicated things. Their help can come in all kinds of forms, even the kind you don't want." Humbert pauses, and then adds, "Sometimes, I think the fairy did me a kind of mercy."

"Howso?"

"Well, if life had continued, uninterrupted, I would probably still be there, echoing the kind of heartlessness I was raised in. By forcing me to become an outsider in my own home, I saw their callousness for what it really was. It made me want to be everything they weren't - to help without self-interest, to be kind merely for the sake of it - and it brought me here."

He looks to Haru then.

"I am glad I met you, Lady Haru. But I think we both know it is time I left."

"I don't," Haru says stubbornly. "You don't have to go, we can find a way, a reason for you to stay, even if it's not to break the curse-"

Humbert gently takes Haru's left hand and lifts it to his lips. She stills, cheeks flushed in a way no other do-gooder has prompted before. Humbert sees this, and smiles sadly. "We both know that my continued presence here will only make things... messy. Someday, Haru, this curse will be broken or you will find your soulmate, and in either scenario I can be nothing more than a bystander."

"I can refuse," Haru says hoarsely.

"Your soulmate? The suitors your father has ready?"

"Both. Either. All." She clasps her hands around his. "I want to choose you."

"You don't-"

"I do."

"Even after everything I've just told you-"

"I do," she repeats, this time with heightened fervour. "I want to choose the man who, despite knowing it might make me hate him, told me the truth. I want to choose the man who took a curse and used it to make himself kinder, who grew from it in a way my own father never has." She leans forward, speaking quicker now, as if afraid she is going to lose the moment or her nerve, or possibly both. "I want to choose the man who has spent months trying to break an impossible curse, who picked through decades-old records looking for clues, who saw me as a human, not a prize. I want to choose you, Baron Humbert von Gikkingen."

"Chicky..." Muta starts gently.

"Not now, Muta! I know, I know it's impossible, but I-"

Muta drops a hand onto her shoulder, and the rest of her argument is gone as she looks to him.

Muta has watched over Lady Haru Yoshioka ever since he was appointed her bodyguard.

Longer, in fact.

To some, taking on as a secret godchild the daughter of the man who had broken the heart of the previous godchild would be mere folly. But Muta has always been stubborn. And a bit petty. Admittedly, perhaps a lot petty. Other fairies would have washed their hands of the whole family, but Muta had suspected that the daughter of a man like Lord Yoshioka would need more help than most.

After all, a man who married for riches would surely ensure his daughter did the same.

So what better revenge than giving his daughter the kindness to find love on her own terms?

Because he's discovered that sometimes blessings like golden carriages and glass slippers can be a curse, and sometimes you have to make a curse into a blessing to save someone. Sometimes, the best blessing you can give someone is the abliity to choose for themselves.

"Choose," he says.

A heartbeat passes. He thinks she's not going to understand, or not follow through, but then she's tugging her gloves loose and then Humbert's. Her own she shakes off at the end, struggling against the sudden adrenaline-fuelled trembling, and then she holds Humbert's hands - one cursed palm in another.

She twists the red thread of fate around her fingers and somehow - impossibly - finds an end.

"You," she says to Humbert, and she ties it around his thumb. "I choose you."

[bagelbucket]

it took me almost 17 hours of total reading time but i finished The Children's Rebellion !! it was so good and i cried a lot which surprised me bc i usually dont. but there were scenes where i was like "oh ok yeah i cant stop the waterworks for this one" and now my throat hurts. all 58 chapters of pure angst and more hurt than comfort but the hopeful ending (gotta highlight that bit) + news ab a second fic has me making blender noises. im so happy (sad too. sappy. wait no. had..dy? hadd. i have no clue. you get it) rn. that was an amazing experience. fic link here and under the cut! check chapter 1 notes for tws

aria_cinabun is amazing. wtf

fic! https://archiveofourown.org/works/30653024/chapters/75627380

[cymraegdragon21]

One Day

Birthday Bash Prompt 1 - Red Thread of Fate

"Fate - a destined path a person follows outside of their control. Often regarded as predestined by an outside force of supernatural power."

Haru frowned. She didn't like the idea of that. Of having no control of her life. She felt that it would be like being some sort of puppet to some unknown higher being. Using her thumb to scroll up the page back to the search box she tapped in another word.

"Soulmate - a destined person who one feels a deep or natural affinity for. This could either be a platonic or romantic relationship."

Haru sighed. Although she wasn't keen on the idea of a predetermined life the thought of someone special to spend it with who was perfect for her actually sounded rather nice. Haru couldn't help but grimace slightly as she searched her final phrase.

"Red Thread of Fate - an invisible red thread that connects people who are destined to meet regardless of place, time or circumstances. They will share a life path together and achieve something good together."

Haru threw an accusatory glance at her little finger before dropping her phone on the bed next to her and burying her face into her pillows. Her seventeenth birthday was supposed to be when she would finally be able to feel the tug of the thread to lead her to her destined person and all her excitement had ended in bitter disappointment. Her phone began to ring causing her to pad her hand around to grab it before bringing it up to her pillow mound.

'Hello?' she answered in a muffled tone.

'Haru where are you? Are you at home?' asked her best friend Hiromi.

'Maybe.' she murmured, her words still distorted by the pillow.

'Are you still sulking at home over Machida?' said Hiromi.

'I am not sulking!' objected Haru finally sitting up.

'Oh you definitely are.' snickered her best friend 'Come on Haru it's not the end of the world.'

Haru couldn't agree. She felt like the bottom of her world had fallen out. Her birthday was the day before and she had almost bounced out of bed with excitement which had alarmed her mother. She had enjoyed her breakfast and headed to school early ready for the red thread to pull her towards her crush as soon as she entered the classroom. Unfortunately there was nothing but a biting anti-climax followed by the realisation that there was no tug on her little finger and the one she had pinned her hopes on was not her destined person. She had managed to keep herself in check for the whole day but as soon as the final bell of the day tolled she ran. She went straight home to throw herself across her bed before letting the frustrated and disappointed tears fall.

'He's not worth it.' said Hiromi breaking Haru from her thoughts.

'I really thought he was the one.' she whispered 'I mean I had a crush on him.'

'Haru people can have crushes on those who aren't their soulmate. That's what we have boy bands for. Machida turned seventeen before you, didn't you realise that he wasn't suddenly paying you any extra attention?' asked her best friend.

'I guess I didn't even think about that.' she murmured.

Haru's stomach clenched. Thinking about it now, since his birthday a few months prior Machida had seemed to have taken interest in someone in another class. Haru had been so deep in her own day dream that she hadn't seen what was right in front of her. She threw herself back into her pillows.

'I'm going to die alone!' she declared.

'For goodness sake, will you stop being so dramatic!' scolded Hiromi 'You're seventeen not an old maid.'

'It's all right for you. You found your soulmate on your seventeenth birthday.' muttered Haru.

'Yeah well that was just luck. How many couples actually meet in high school?' replied Hiromi 'Come on Haru, one day will be your day!'

'I guess you're right.' she sighed thinking of her own parents who had randomly met in a haberdashery shop 'One day.'

'I'm always right.' responded Hiromi and Haru just knew she was grinning wildly 'Come on, don't mope it's still your birthday weekend. Let's go out, I'll treat you.'

'Where?' asked Haru.

'How about the cafe with that fat cat? I'll ask Chika if she wants to come as well. I'll get you your favourite sundae.' promised Hiromi.

'With two flakes?' asked Haru hopefully.

She heard her best friend snort.

'Yes with two flakes.' she agreed 'Now go wash your face and run a brush through you hair. I'll see you in an hour.'

'Thanks Hiromi.' replied Haru. 

She could always rely on her best friend to cheer her up.

'One day.' she whispered to herself.

Haru wandered to the meeting point. Her mood hadn't lifted much despite the promise of dessert and she couldn't help dragging her feet a little as she walked. The biggest excitement of her teenage life had turned into the biggest disappointment. Haru let out a sigh and shook her head in an attempt to clear the gloom surrounding her. She was jolted out of her daze as an arm slid through hers and took her hand. She looked over to see Hiromi grinning at her.

'I saw you walking aimlessly.' she said 'The speed you're moving at it will be dark before you arrive at the cafe.'

Haru couldn't help but giggle.

'That's better.' smiled Hiromi before squeezing Haru's hand and releasing it 'Come on, Chika will think that we've stood her up.'

'Okay.' replied Haru picking up her pace to follow her best friend.

They were just passing a man with an organ grinder when Haru felt a sharp tug on her finger. She looked down in surprise at her hand. She then looked up in the direction from where she had felt the pull. No-one was there.

'Haru!' called Hiromi doubling back on herself 'What's the matter?'

'I'm not sure.' she murmured rubbing her finger unconsciously 'I felt a pull from that direction.'

Hiromi followed her friend's gaze.

'There is nothing but back alleyways down there Haru. I really doubt your fated person is going to be down that path.' she replied.

'Yeah, you're probably right.' responded Haru 'Enough of this nonsense! Let's forget it all and celebrate my birthday!'

'That's the spirit.' grinned Hiromi linking arms with Haru and marching her to where their other friend was waiting for them.

Baron stood at the edge of the courtyard staring out through the archway that led to the Human world. He had been doing this more in recent times.

'Hey Birdbrain. What's he doing?' Muta called to Toto looking concerned.

Toto lifted his head from preening his feathers to look at Baron and then sighed.

'It's complicated.' he murmured.

Muta shot him a look of disbelief.

'Is it a creation thing?' he asked.

'No it's a Baron thing.' responded the crow.

'Oh.' murmured the cat.

It didn't sound like it was something to worry about so Muta returned to reading his newspaper. Although his eyes occasionally drifted to the cat creation.

Baron sighed and looked down at his gloved hand. Many years ago when he had been created a bright red thread was tied to his little finger linking him to the one he was created with. Unlike humans as a creation he could see the red thread of fate. When they had been separated the red thread gave him reassurance that she was still somewhere out in the world and they would meet again. The day the thread began to fizzle from view had been horrendous. In an instant he knew that she was no longer part of the living world. He had been swept into a depression and without Toto he really didn't know what he would have done. They say the bond never breaks but without her in the world what was the point? Baron threw himself into his work of assisting people and the Cat Bureau was born. Then seventeen years ago he had been alarmed to wake up one day to find a red thread wrapped around his little finger once again. What could it mean? He had followed the thread to the edge of the boundary of the Refuge and watched as it disappeared into the Human world. Occasionally like today he would feel a tug on the thread as whoever was on the other end neared by. Baron sighed. He didn't belong in the Human world. There he was a mere figurine. Also whoever was on the other end just couldn't be her. However no matter how much he dismissed it, the slightest pull he felt sent him almost running to the spot where he was currently standing. Maybe one day he would bravely cross between worlds or perhaps they would one day come and find him.

Baron's heart ached with loneliness. Whoever they were would no longer be Louise but perhaps if he could look past that then he could find happiness again. After all the thread meant they were destined to meet. Whoever they were had Louise's soul and he hoped they would be an open minded individual who held the same morals as himself. He felt the thread slacken as the individual moved away.

'One day.' he whispered to himself as he turned around to head back into the Bureau. 

[blairette-on]

Hello TCR fandom!

I just wanted to share with you this WIP fanfic I'm posting!^^ I can't guarantee regular updates (between the most recent one and the last, there's a year gap *life happened*)

I hope you'll like it! :)

[saljunova]

Baron : You love me right, Haru?

Haru : Normally, I'd say yes without hesitation, but I feel like this is going somewhere and I don't like it.

________

Muta : Why are Baron and Haru sitting with their backs to each other?

Toto : They had a fight

Muta : Then why are they holding hands?

Toto : They get sad when they fight

_________

Haru : What doesn't kill me should run because now I am flipping pissed.

_________

( Also, this one is one of @catsafarithewriter story ' The Three Baron ' and when Haru was fighting with Duke. But then I thought, what if Haru...used more physical strength a bit? )

Haru and Duke : * Clashing their blades together *

Duke : * manages to send the sword out of Haru's hold * Hah! You are now unarmed!

Haru : * Punches him *

Haru : SaYs WhO?!?

Haru : * Punches Duke again, send him to the floor and presses her elbows to his throat to keep him down *

TCR Baron and Manga Baron, just arriving :

TCR Baron and Manga Baron : God, I wish that was me.

Toto : ...You do realize she's choking him, right?

TCR Baron and Manga Baron : God, I wIsH tHaT wAs Me.

[wolfiethewriter]

The Baron’s Apprentice episode 4

episode 4 is now up! in which Baron introduces Haru to his sister Louise - who calls him out for letting his new apprentice get kidnapped by fairies :)

find it on fanfiction.net HERE

and Ao3 HERE