#but this person assumes harrison was saying that

[technicolorxsn]

watching the newest chezzkids analysis vid and im wondering if I might have misinterpreted some stuff,,,

[dark-frosted-heart]

He Doesn’t Know That I Turned into an Animal - Roger Barel (Premium End)

As usual, can’t guarantee 100% accuracy on this. None of my translations are proofread until a day after posting

Roger: Can you follow this scent too?

Roger held out a white handkerchief to me.

(This is the handkerchief I lent to Roger on a mission…!)

(Could it be that the one he’s looking for is me…?)

Roger: I have sharp ears, so I was listening for the voice of this handkerchief’s owner, as well as her heartbeat and footsteps. But I haven't been able to hear anything. So…please. Help me find her.

(Last night you were listening for me…)

(Why did I assume that he wouldn’t?)

(I want to tell him that I’m right here since he’s so worried about me!)

I led Roger to my room.

Roger: The scent led you to this room?

Kate: Arf! (Yes!)

Roger: …Any clue where she went after?

I made laps around my room. I wanted to convey to Roger that the scent couldn’t be traced out of this room.

Roger: You’re telling me that Kate never left her room…? No…that’s not right. She left without anyone noticing?

(Yes! You’re doing great, Roger!)

I’ve been wondering about how I ended up like this, but…

I think the cause was me touching some kind of chemical while cleaning up the infirmary.

The things Roger researches range from useful to questionable.

The fact that he had a drug that could turn a person to an animal shouldn’t be a surprise.

(Since Roger’s the one that manages the drugs, he should be aware of the possibility of me turning into a corgi…!)

Roger: …Like if she could disappear like Liam, or transform, then no one would notice her.

(You’re pretty sharp, Roger…!)

Roger: As an animal, the lil’ lady wouldn’t be able to say anything or call for help…

(You’re getting there, Roger!!)

Roger: And then a cute female corgi just so happens to show up… Meaning you’re— 

Kate: Arf! (I’m Kate!)

I met Roger’s eyes and barked to make it sink in. However…

Roger: … No, that’s impossible…

Roger looked away from me, throwing the answer he worked toward out.

Roger: This is bad. I don’t have a clue.

(You’re kidding me…All that work and you’re not putting it together?!)

From experience, I knew Roger was knowledgeable and open-minded.

Normally it’s impossible to turn into an animal, but I thought he’d consider it.

(How do I tell you…?)

Roger: Hmm… I should write down what I know so that I can find Kate…

Roger took out a notepad from his pocket and started writing things down.

Maybe he was writing down things he noticed while looking for me.

(...It felt like Roger was analyzing things just then, but maybe I was imagining things?)

(In any case…I can’t give up! I’ll keep trying until I get through to Roger!)

And so I used all of my corgi brain power…

I tried to tell Roger that this corgi was Kate.

I tried to use the typewriter… (My dog paws were too big)

I tried to use the piano to show that I was human inside… (William praised me for being a genius, though as a dog)

I tried to show the mystery novel where people and animals swapped places… (Harrison tossed me out his room)

After numerous failed attempts, the sun set— 

By the time I returned to the infirmary, I was completely exhausted.

(What can I do…)

Ale: Arf? (What’re you trying so hard for?)

Kate: Awoo…(I want to tell Roger that I’m Kate…)

Ale: Woof woof? (That guy can’t understand us though?) …Woof, woof (...Sometimes Roger gives me a sad smile)

(Huh…?)

Ale: Awoo…(Maybe he still thinks about how he couldn’t wake my previous owner up) Woof, woof? (I enjoy being with Roger, but I can’t tell him that you know?)

Kate: Woof… (Ale…)

(Until now, I’ve always thought that it was important to deliver people’s thoughts and feelings. But as a fairytale keeper…)

(...I’m now in a position where I can’t no matter what I try, so I understand the pain better now) 

Ale: Woof! (There’s no point in moping. Let’s eat some snacks!)

(Snacks…?)

Ale: Arf? (Hey Roger, what do you have there? In your pocket!) Woof… (It’s been rustling for a while now…)

What Roger’s been repeatedly taking out of his pocket was just a notepad.

Every time I did something, Roger would take it out and jot something down.

Ale: Woof?! Woof! (Do you have tasty treats in your pocket?! Give it here!)

It seemed that Ale mistook Roger’s notepad for a treat or something.

Suddenly, Ale jumped high and the notepad fell out of Roger’s pocket.

Roger: Ah, Ale!

Ale: Woof… (What the…This isn’t a treat…)

The notepad fell open on a page…and I happened to catch what was written on it.

“Animal transformation curse observation record…Subject: Kate”

And then the page turned thanks to Ale’s paw touching the notepad.

(...Hm?! This…)

“She understands human speech, but can’t speak due to having a dog’s vocal chords.”

“To reveal her identity, she played the piano and tried to show me a novel. She’s kept her memories from when she was human.”

His notes were filled with information related to me as an animal.

Kate: Arf…? (Roger…?)

I stared hard at Roger and quickly put his notepad away.

Kate: Arf! Arf?! (This! This is my record, isn’t it?!)

Roger: Ah…You saw, lil’ lady?

Kate: Arf! Arf?! (Just now! Did you say “lil’ lady”?!) Grrr…(You noticed that I’m Kate, didn’t you…!)

Roger: Can’t understand what you’re saying, but I know you’re angry.

Kate: Arf! (Explain!)

Roger: You probably want an explanation now?

Roger sat down on a chair in the infirmary and began his explanation.

Roger: I didn’t notice that you turned into a dog until this morning. When you led me to your room after smelling the handkerchief… That’s when I finally realized that you might be a dog.

~~ Flashback ~~

Roger: As an animal, the lil’ lady wouldn’t be able to say anything or call for help…

(You’re getting there, Roger!!)

Roger: And then a cute female corgi just so happens to show up… Meaning you’re— 

Kate: Arf! (I’m Kate!)

Roger: No, that’s impossible…

~~ Flashback end ~~

(You did notice at that time…?!)

Roger: …This is probably why you became a dog)

Roger fetched a green bottle from a shelf.

Roger: This bottle has a “become whatever animal you want to be” drug. But…it was leaking because of a crack on the bottom, so you probably touched that while cleaning.

Kate: Woof…(Yeah…)

Roger: Also, I have a guess on how to turn you back. With a kiss…

(K-kiss…?)

Roger: Like in the fairy tales you know? A curse is broken with a kiss.

(If you knew that, then why…)

Roger: Why didn’t I turn you back immediately? So that I could study you, of course.

Those words reminded me of how Roger acted this morning.

~~ Flashback ~~

Roger: This is bad. I lue. Hmm…I should write down what I know so that I can find Kate…

~~ End flashback ~~

(At the time, I thought Roger’s tone was analytical…)

(I can’t believe you were pretending to take notes to find me when you were really just writing down your observations…!)

If Ale hadn’t jumped and Roger hadn’t dropped his notepad…

I would never have known.

Kate: Grr…Yip! Yip! (You…mad scientist! Egoist!)

Roger: What’d you expect me to do? It would've been such a waste to turn a valuable research subject back so soon. But I’ve done enough research for now, and I miss your human form. Shall we turn you back?

Kate: Grrrr…! (You’re the worst…!)

It’s true that Roger looked hard for me before realizing who I was.

Last night, he looked so serious while listening for me.

(But…that’s besides the point!)

(I worked so hard to make you realize who I was so it’s right for me to be angry that he decided to use me as a research subject!)

Ale: Woof…? (I don’t know what’s happening, but is it Roger’s fault?) Arf! (In that case, go all out!)

(Go all out…Yeah, let’s do that!)

Following what Ale said, I jumped onto Roger’s lap—

Roger: !

I kissed Roger on the lips.

I didn’t do this for Roger, but because I wanted things to go back to normal, but…

Maybe because I wasn’t used to having a corgi body, I only touched the corner of his lips.

I doubt this could be called a kiss.

(Will this really turn me back…? …Ah)

At that moment, my body grew hot…The corgi body started to shift.

Kate: Finally! I’m back…!

Roger: Ah…Lil’ lady, I don’t wanna say this, but…

Roger’s gaze on my body made me realize that I was naked.

Kate: D-don’t look!

I quickly wrapped myself in a blanket and huddled a corner of the infirmary.

Kate: Will you take responsibility for making me your research subject and bring me some clothes?

Roger: Yeah, no problem. But… Is that what all?

Roger pointed at my head and my body that was hidden by the blanket.

Kate: …? What do you mean— 

I casually touched the spot on my head that he was pointing to…And froze.

There was something coming out of my head that shouldn’t have been there.

Kate: W-what is this?!

I borrowed a mirror to check…

I still had corgi ears on my head and a short corgi tail on my butt.

Roger: Maybe because it wasn't a full kiss so it wasn’t a complete transformation. This really is interesting.

Kate: No way…! How do I turn back completely?!

Roger: Why not kiss me again?

Kate: It doesn’t have to be you, does it? All I need is a kiss.

Roger: If that person loves you, then it’s no problem.

Kate: Love…

Roger: Actually it has to do with the area of contact, the duration, and saliva composition… A loving, passionate kiss should do just the trick. A loving kiss is what breaks the curse in a fairytale after all.

(If that’s the case, then the half-hearted kiss only undid part of the transformation…)

Kate: Roger…do you…l-love me?

I felt oddly embarrassed asking that, and my voice was shaky.

Roger: Of course I do. You were so cute as a corgi.

Roger’s answer wasn’t really what I wanted to hear.

He probably knew what I was really asking and dodged the question on purpose.

Roger: Is that all you wanted to ask? Then go ahead and kiss someone else?

Kate: …

I was angry with Roger for knowing who I was but not saying anything about it because of research.

That’s why I wanted to kiss someone besides him…

(...Why can’t I move my legs?)

Roger: Just so you know… If you leave this room with those cute corgi ears and tail, you’re gonna run into some troublesome men. Not everyone in this castle’s a gentleman. Since research’s my priority, it’d be safer to kiss me.

Kate: Why are you saying stuff to make me stay?

Roger: It doesn’t feel good watching someone you’re fond of wagging their tail for someone else. It’s only natural.

(I can’t take this anymore…)

(I should be angry with Roger, but more than that…)

(I really want to kiss him)

Surely this was just an after-effect of Roger doting on me when I was a dog…

That’s what I told myself.

Kate: Okay… Since you took care of me while I was a dog, I’ll take care of you.

Roger: That so? Thanks.

The moment I saw Roger’s satisfied smile, my tail started wagging under the sheet.

(What am I so happy for!?)

Roger: But before a kiss to turn you back— —Let me do a thorough examination of your body.

[ethereal-blossom]

Deep dive on Victor and his possible past + curse

This man is as attractive as he is mysterious and the curiosity is killing me, so I just need to let out some thoughts.

** I'm going to be referencing some translations and posts so I'll link them and their OP's (I'm too afraid to tag hehe but they deserve all the love and appreciation🩷)

Be aware of JP and EN spoilers

First, what are some things we know and are safe to assume when it comes to Victor? He's the co-founder of Crown and the Queen's Aide. I think it's safe to assume Victor is the oldest in Crown; Harrison calls him an old goat, he acts like a mom, and I believe in the Valentine event the dynamic between Harry and Victor was labeled child-parent. Through this detailed post that @/kurishiri made we can guess that Victor is 30/32+ years, which I have to subjectively note is very hot. William was 14 when he was invited to the castle where he met Victor, meaning that Victor has been associated with the castle for at least 14 years. Was he already the Queen's Aide back then? High-likely, yes.

But how long exactly has Victor been the Queen's Aide? And how did he become one in the first place? One thing that stands out to me is this dialogue in Victor's Wicked Little Secret event:

For context, Victor is sharing why he started doing magic tricks. He explains it's traced back to the queen and how she does them as a reminder of how difficult but precious it is to get someone to smile.

Of course, it can be that Victor simply didn't go with the queen to the slums that day or that she told him about it, but I like to think about the possibility he didn't know the queen at this point but knew about it anyways because he was a kid in the slums. It might explain why he doesn't necessarily pay attention to status and why he treats people such as the villagers and Kate as his equals despite being the most powerful man in the country. Does he stay humble due to perhaps having experienced the lack of power, money, and status to a severe degree? And is the Victorian slums the reason why he suffered enough pain for a lifetime?

@/Reccyls translated an event in which the suitors are meant to win over Kate's heart by having her give the suitor a heart-shaped necklace. Jude, Roger, and Alfons are being very proactive while Elbert, William, and Victor are drinking tea. The nobles team points out there's no rush because it's the end of the day that matters. Victor agrees but then suggests they're also probably laid back because they are rich. It might be nothing but if you ask me, that's pretty self-aware and honest for a rich person. Not every rich person will realize having money does influence you, and not everybody loves to point out the frowned upon behavior that comes along with money, especially when it applies to yourself. So, it's a very small thing to say and I might be reading too much into it, but I think the people who know the affect of money better than anyone are the people who weren't born first class.

Victor continues to point out what makes William and Elbert rich, but right when he wants to talk about himself he cuts himself off (🖕/affectionately) . It confuses me because sir, you are the Queen's Aide. Why is it a mystery that you're rich? Elbert asks if Victor comes from nobility but we never get a yes or no answer to that. So is there still a chance he might have been born in a rich family? Yeah, but I'm not a strong believer of it. Victor is known to cook and sew, and I don't remember where or when but I believe he said somewhere that if he can do it himself he won't let the maids do it. Does that sound like the skills and the mindset of a man born in nobility during the Victorian age? Not to me, so here comes my next thought: what if queen Victoria has taken young Victor under her wing?

I don't know how it would necessarily end up like this, though. But I was thinking: it didn't go unnoticed by us that Victor and Victoria's names are scarily similar to each other (it's like yeah whatever we're a bit like Sherlock ourselves yknow💅). What if his name was quite literally inspired by the Queen's name in the story itself? Maybe Victor chose it or Victoria gave it to him.

Because @/shatcey recently made a post pointing out that William said "the man who calls himself Victor." I heavily agree with her that the phrasing is suspicious, mostly because of Victor as a character.

If he is from the slums then perhaps he's an orphan who doesn't know his actual name, or maybe he took up another name? If Victor is not his actual name, it might explain why we don't have a last name in the first place. Also, @/otomefiend translated the Black Wedding event when it came out in JP. While the official English translation uses "business smile" to describe Victor wearing a smile to bury his dark comment, I like her translation saying "Victor, the Queen's Aide' expression" much better. I genuinely could go into depth about this but I sadly digress. It makes me think back on the summary reccyls did for the first christmas event wherein Victor was wondering if he should give a "Victor-like" response.

Naturally, it can also mean he just has different persona's connected to his masks as this is a reoccurring theme and topic in his content. Victor said in the Between Villains' epilogue (translated by otomefiend) that he wants to be seen as the gentle Queen's Aide by Kate, so after showing a bit of his darker side it's natural he goes back to his gentle side that still implies distance to ease Kate. However, that doesn't make any of his masks a lie or someone he is not. Important disclaimer to put out there because this doesn't have to be proof that Victor isn't who he says he is. The phrasing just reminded me of this.

So, it wouldn't be a deep dive if I didn't talk about the theory that Victor might be the queen. Harrison has pointed out twice that Victor lies a lot. I think it'd be so funny if Harry is going to be like "stay away from Kate you old goat >:(" in Victor's route and then William is going to be the complete opposite like "listen to your desires and get a room already :)"

I think we might have seen the queen once, but it's canon that people have cosplayed her so who says it doesn't happen all the time? Victor only has to say the Queen's safety is in danger and then someone will fill in. I think it's safe to assume Cybird is making us doubt whether the queen is alive on purpose and what does that say about the mystery? You don't create mystery when there's nothing to reveal.

In Wrapped in Wicked Romance, something broke from the Queen's tea set only for Victor to reveal that, surprise, it's his own set! During the first anniversary epilogue (talked about by shatcey here) Kate gets told the queen is waiting for her in Victor's office and surprise, it's Victor! Or how in Between Two Villains it's mentioned how Victoria doesn't seem human because of the dedication she has as queen but then the doubt of humanity is a theme in Victor's events as well. Or how in Harrison's route Jude is reading the morning's newspaper and it mentions a criminal situation and surprise, Victor shows up from behind and says the queen ordered a mission related to it... almost like he overheard the news and decided on the spot it had to be dealt with.

To be honest, I don't know what to think when it comes to the queen. If she's actually dead, I think she might have died from an illness and then the veil + private persona might have been crafted to make it easier to look like she's alive (a bit like this one thing in Ikemen Prince). Why she should give the impression of being alive? I don't know, there's a high chance I am reaching. Maybe the queen is very healthy and happily living her introverted life.

Going back to another translation by reccyls, here Victor ends on the note that even if he has feelings for Kate he can't offer anything as "I belong to her majesty/ Victor belongs to Victoria." Ignore that you can call me the wicked witch of the west with how green of envy I turned, but this stood out to me a lot.

I think it shows an incredible amount of dedication and loyalty, and I read it in two ways. If Victor was saved by Victoria, it might be that he feels like he owes her himself, or perhaps a deal/promise was made? But, in a way, I also read it as Victor belonging to England. His loyalty towards queen Victoria is loyalty towards the safety and well-being of England, a land he's passionate about keeping safe.

The relationship between Victor and Victoria is lowkey fascinating to me because if she's still alive, they have been together for so many years. Victor always talks so positively about her so even though we barely interacted with her, I became to really like and admire ikevil!Victoria. Victor is also the only one who we know speaks with the queen directly. For the tea set mentioned earlier, Victor said he replaced them with his own because he is known to break them when he and the queen are drinking tea. Victor braids the queen's hair and helps her with fashion. William even said in this event translated by @/judesmoonbeauty that the queen knows everything about Victor.

We've almost reached the end but the last thing I want to talk about is Victor's birthday event translated by @/archiveikemen. Victor murders a bunch of criminals with what I assume is his curse or something in that direction. He commands them to succumb to his wickedness and the people essentially kill themselves with a peaceful expression. William makes a comment about it, saying these men look as if almost possessed by a God. Victor thinks to himself it's like saying "Her Majesty The Queen" was no God, and then he says humans can never be God. To be honest, I'm slightly confused because I feel like this can mean different things. When Will makes his comment he's speaking about the peaceful faces, so I don't think he's talking about how the criminals were unhealthily worshipping the queen but I assume he's talking about Victor's ability.

One of the reasons why I think it's a curse is because of this post Shatcey made. One of the screenshots translates to Victor saying he doesn't want Kate to end up lying at his feet with a happy face. It sounds an awful lot like what happened to the criminals in the event. Victor worrying about Kate's fate like that makes me believe it might has something to do with the fate of his possible curse. Think about it: Kate essentially gets dragged in every cursed fate of the suitors and if Victor is another cursed individual, it's high-likely his curse is related to death.

There must be something special going on, though. Is Victor's curse like any other but kept a mystery because something about Victor's identity should stay a mystery? Or is there actually something special about his curse or whatever ability he has? Because his birthday event convinced me he's not an ordinary human. However, something special must be going on for this to be a mystery.

Funny story but for a while I thought that if Victor is cursed it might be Ursula from The Little Mermaid. Sometimes you can see Easter eggs of the suitor's curses back in the outfit designs so when I looked at Victor's outfit, I saw he has scrubs on his jacket (reminding me of fish) and something that looks like knots/ropes (reminding me of sailboats), plus the deep blue and black aesthetic still reminds me of the dark sea. There is also a part in the christmas event where Victor thinks to himself he has sacrificed his human soul to death in order to get what he has now, and who has a song about doing business with poor unfortunate souls?

In this flashback translated by reccyls, I think we are witnessing the moment he's sacrificing his soul. He has a choice that'll impact him as a person greatly and I feel like it's safe to assume he's close to dying, so it'd make sense if this part of his life triggered a curse related to death. Also, his flashback says "the path of becoming the dust of history" which is another reason why I think Victor might have come from the slums, or at least not nobility. It sounds like Victor himself thought he had left no footprint on the world, which actually aligns with his character if you read the translation of Will saying Victoria knows Victor better than anyone till the end.

But I got sidetracked a lot. I think the comment Victor made about the queen in his birthday event is another micro-hint. I sometimes feel like I'm reaching like a clown trying to figure out if Victor isn't keeping up the idea the queen is still alive. It almost feels like having a gaslighting lover; am I picking up clues or am I picking up clowns makeup? Wouldn't it actually be a possibility for Harry to help Kate unreveal the mystery that is Victor? Because while they're not the most interactive dynamic, I feel like Harrison will at least have a little role in Victor's route. As I mentioned before, Harrison pointed out twice that Victor lies a lot: one time in his own route and the second time in the Christmas event. He goes a step further in the latter one, saying that if Kate takes the first step towards Victor's darkness, he'll open her eyes to the truth. Plus, Harrison already had his "when you have eliminated the impossible, whatever remains, however improbable, must be the truth" moment in his route so I think it makes sense for the Sherlock lover who is a walking lie detector to play a role in the most mysterious suitor who is a walking liar's route.

The actual last thing I want to talk about (guess I'm a liar like Victor) I notice that in events wherein Victor and Kate are together, they declare their love in an interesting way. Since death seems to be a huge part of Victor that possibly is connected to a curse, the two put focus on loving each other even after death. I'm curious if this is part of Victor's possible fate or if this is just a romantic way of thinking that fits Victor's theme. Either way, I think it's perfect to end on this note.

So, I think this is mostly what I wanted to get out. Thank you for having read all the way through and please share any theories you have! And spread love for the people mentioned in this post because I'm eternally grateful for everything they translate and post🩷

[leclerc-s]

the blue - part four

masterlist previous next

i think i like him...

congratulations, you're officially the last person to know

HOW COULD ANY OF YOU KNOW WHEN I DIDN'T EVEN KNOW MYSELF??

the way you look at him but don't worry he likes you too

HOW DO YOU KNOW THAT?

easy, the way he looks at you

WHAT THE HELL DOES THAT MEAN THOMAS??

well, you look at him like he hung the moon and he looks at you like you're the only person in the room who matters to him.

ASK HIM OUT!!!

no! and risk our friendship? no fucking way

it worked out for me didn't it?

yeah, but it's different.

how is it different amelia?

i don't know it just is.

god you're a fucking idiot. no wonder we're related.

okay rude

i'm being an idiot.

do you want to go on a date?

fuck i like you do you like me?

am i fucking 5?

OH SHIT!

FUCK!

I'M SORRY THAT WAS AN ACCIDENT! I DIDN'T MEAN TO SEND IT TO YOU!

so you meant to send it to someone else?

NO! FUCK!

amelia, it's okay. i get it if you meant to send it to someone else. it's fine.

jesus fuck how can i write songs but not get through this one fucking thing?

okay, fuck it. i can do this.

do you want to get lunch with me?

i mean we already have plans for tomorrow, so yes amelia, i do.

NO YOU IDIOT!

okay, that was uncalled for.

ME. YOU. DATE?

oh.

forget i said anything. it's okay. i get it. i hope we can still be friends.

read 13:28

14:04

amelia screamed into the nearest pillow scaring her little brother. she had hoped that oscar had gotten busy and wasn't just ignoring her, she didn't want to ruin her friendship with him, not over some stupid feelings.

"mum! she's doing it again!" paddy shouted. nikki holland walked into the room watching as her daughter continued to scream into a pillow. nikki shooed her youngest son out of the room, which he did without protesting. he did not want to watch his sister cry knowing there was nothing he could do. last time she had sobbed for 45 minutes when they were alone without telling anyone what it was about. to this day paddy suspects it was harrison’s fault, it always seemed to be these days.

nikki sat next to her daughter waiting for her to stop her screaming. when amelia's head popped out from inside the pillow, she smiled at her mom. nikki knew her, she knew it wasn't a genuine smile, something was upsetting her.

"what's wrong?" nikki questioned her daughter. amelia smiled, "i’m fine mum."

"no, you aren't. talk to me, is this about harrison?"

amelia groaned, "did everyone know about that?"

nikki nodded, "we did honey. now what's wrong?"

"am i unlovable? is there something about me that people don't love?"

"what?" nikki questioned, "no, you aren't. you're the most loveable person i know, and i'm not just saying that because i'm your mother. what makes you think that?"

"i asked oscar out on a date. he only said oh. i thought he liked me, tom said he did."

nikki pulled her daughter in for a hug, the girl placing her head on her mum's chest listening to her heartbeat, "i'm sure you caught him off-guard. let him get back to you, don't assume the worst."

amelia opened her mouth to reply but was interrupted by a knock at the door. she exchanged looks with her mum before standing up and going towards the front door. she gasped in surprise when she noticed who was at her front door.

FORTY-FIVE MINUTES EARLIER

i need a favor

what happened to hello tom? how are you tom? how's your day going tom?

hi tom, how's your day? how are you? i need a favor.

i'm great oscar, thanks for asking. what favor do you need?

i need your address

excuse me?

well amelia's address

can i ask why?

i fucked up. amelia asked me out on a date and all i said oh. i have to fix this.

and you plan on fixing this how?

by taking her out on a date? and apologizing profusely for fucking up.

at least you're apologizing. i'm still waiting for harrison to apologize to amelia.

don't fuck this up piastri and my sister is staying with my parents right now. she didn't want go home to her empty apartment yet.

i won't, now what's her favorite flower?

tulips, she loves tulips

take care of her oscar

i promise

NOW

amelia gasped in surprise at who was at her front door. oscar smiled at her, holding a bouquet of tulips in his hand. he looked a bit relieved that she had been the one to answer the door. oscar has silently prayed her parents or brother hadn’t been the one to open the door, that would’ve been awkward.

"hi," he greeted, "i was busy so i didn't answer your text. does the offer still stand?"

"of course," she whispered. oscar held the flowers out to her, "these are for you."

amelia grabbed them, "tulips are my favorite, who told you?"

"a little spider," oscar joked. amelia laughed, and oscar felt his heart skip a beat, "so about that date?"

"now?" amelia questioned, "i'm not dressed properly."

oscar took in her appearance, she was wearing a t-shirt and jeans. a simple outfit and yet she was still the most beautiful girl he had ever seen, "i think you look beautiful."

amelia blushed, "i have to go put these in water," she told him. oscar nodded, "i'll wait here."

paddy appeared behind his sister, "i'll do it. go. get out of the house for once."

amelia jumped, "when did you get here?"

"i saw a cool car in our driveway, i had to know who it was," paddy explained, "hi oscar. what kind of car is that?”

"hello," oscar greeted, “it’s a mclaren.”

"of course it is,” paddy joked, “i want her back home before midnight," paddy threatened, switching his demeanor from the kind boy he had been moments ago.

"paddy!" amelia scolded. paddy and oscar laughed, "this isn't funny."

"it kind of is," oscar said, "she'll be back before midnight mr. holland."

paddy sweetly smiled, "she comes back in tears or anything less than happy and we will hunt you down. understood?"

"yes sir."

"good," paddy said, handing her a jacket and pushing his sister out of their home, "have fun but not too much fun!"

"paddy!"

the boy giggled maniacally before oscar held a hand out for amelia to take. she took his hand, ignoring the butterflies in her stomach at the cause of that simple action. paddy closed the front door as the two began walking towards his car. he shared a knowing look with his mother and he made his back to his room, she fondly rolled her eyes at her youngest.

amelia quickly realized oscar piastri was nothing if not a gentleman. he had opened the car door for her, shutting it behind her before rounding the car and sitting in the driver's seat. he gave her a bright smile before leaving her family’s driveway. the two talked for what felt like hours but was only a few minutes as oscar parked his car in front of a coffee shop. amelia gasped, it was her favorite shop in her hometown, she turned to look at oscar and he just gave her a bright smile.

"you're brother helped out more than i would like to admit," oscar softly said, "but this was the best i could do on such a short notice, you kinda caught me off guard."

amelia smiled at him, before leaning over the console of his car and hugging him, "it was better than my idea."

oscar pulled away from her, ignoring the closeness of their faces, "what was your idea?"

"attempt to cook lunch for us, fail, and order food," she joked.

oscar laughed at her joke and amelia smiled again, at least someone in her life liked her jokes. her brothers didn't understand her jokes half the time, except for paddy, he always got them. her parents didn't understand them at all and her friends always told her not to underestimate her skills. the truth was amelia was a shite cook, there was no denying that, she was a great baker but cooking was a no go.

oscar gave her a final look before getting out of the car, rushed to her side and opened her door, holding a hand out to her, "shall we?"

amelia laughed, "we shall," she said as she intertwined their hands, oscar gave her another smile before leading her inside the coffee shop.

ameliaholland 'in a world of boys, he's a gentleman'

view all comments

landonorris AMELIA? WHAT IS THIS?

↳ ameliaholland it's an instagram post lando. duh.

↳ landonorris I FUCKING KNOW THAT! WHO IS THAT??

↳ ameliaholland that's a secret i'll never tell.

samholland1996 AMELIA? WHAT THE HELL?

↳ ameliaholland isn't it such a cute post?

↳ samholland1996 NO! WHO IS THAT??

↳ ameliaholland please refer to my earlier comment.

harryholland64 AMELIA GRACE HOLLAND!!!

↳ ameliaholland yes??

↳ harryholland64 ANSWER THE FUCKING PHONE!!

↳ ameliaholland can't i'm on a date 🤭

username AMELIA GRACE HOLLAND SOFT LAUNCHING WAS NOT ON MY 2023 BINGO CARD!

oscarpiastri oh?

↳ ameliaholland oh?

↳ username WHAT DOES THIS MEAN???? WHAT DOES PASTRY BOY KNOW??

hazosterfield oh.

↳ username the difference between their comments is hilarious to me

username where are the overbearing and overprotective comments from paddy and tom?

↳ username those two probably knew.

danielricciardo AMELIA?? HUH?

↳ ameliaholland cute post right?

↳ danielricciardo i've joined the list of your brothers, i don't know who he is but i'll break his face if he hurts you like you-know-who

zendaya i'm sorry? why wasn't i told about this??

↳ ameliaholland i'm sorry z! it just happened! i'll text you the details later!

↳ zendaya i'm holding you accountable to that!

oscarpiastri posted a new story

seen by logansargeant, landonorris, ameliaholland and others

¡leclerc-s speaks! they're my babies who just had their first date. they are not dating, not yet. the hard launch is when they start officially dating, i'm working up to that. i also clearly don't know how time works so ignore that plot hole, i'll probably fix that later.

¡disclaimer! this is in no way making assumptions about the people involved in this story, this is all fake. it is a fanfiction please don't take any of what is said seriously. this is all for entertainment purposes and as a creative outlet for me. enjoy!

[kurishiri]

04 . . . the past records ˗ˏˋ🍎🪞´ˎ˗

— this translation may not be 100% accurate or may contain creative liberties for characterization or narrative flow purposes. if you enjoy, please consider reblogging, but don’t repost or claim these as your own!

— cw: talking about one's death lightly, mentions of murder.

Alfons: The day we first met, when I suddenly appeared before you, what made you want to take me into the manor?

Elbert: ......

E: Because, at that time, I needed you in my life.

Alfons: Because you can’t discern that which is ‘beautiful’?

A: If so, you could simply ask anyone, and they will give you the straight answer you need.

Elbert: ...But, I want to hear the answer from you.

E: Even now... I feel the same way.

E: The day we met, you had given me——‘the answer that I wanted to hear.’

E: Even though... I had just killed the person who took you under your wing before when we met, you still gave me that answer.

Alfons: ......

Elbert: That, is the reason why I wanted you to stay with me at the manor.

Alfons: ...To think that one answer was enough for you to acknowledge us as friends...

A: My amazement for you knows no bounds.

Elbert: There is another reason too... but that is a secret.

Alfons: ...?

Harrison: God, there are cats left and right... just how did you two get yourselves like this?

Upon hearing another voice that was neither Elbert’s nor Alfon’s interject into the conversation, the two looked over toward the entrance of the warehouse.

All around, the cats’ purrs and meows flew past each other as they frolicked about.

Within that, William and Harrison approached the two.

Alfons: It pains us to say there was an eyewitness we couldn’t take care of...

William: If you’re referring to the man who ran from the warehouse, I took care of him without issue.

Elbert: Sorry... and thank you.

Harrison: All’s well and good. You found the proof, didn’t you?

Alfons: Yes, most certainly. Those who have been hiding said proof have been taken care of by you two...

A: ...which only leaves calling the police over so they can confirm the site.

When they were pulled out of the mountain of cat powder, Alfons patted his clothes.

Alfons: Would it be safe to assume we can consider this mission completed?

William: Indeed.

Alfons: Well then, I will excuse myself to play around in the night streets of London. Everyone, I bid you all a pleasant night now.

Elbert: ...Take care.

Seeing off the back that had left as unexpectedly as it came about, Harrison let out an exasperated sigh.

Harrison: ...You sure you shouldn’t stop him?

H: That’s the kind of thing that’ll put a stain on his reputation as a noble, Elbie.

Elbert: Yes... I get told that a lot.

E: But... Al will be fine.

—— Time skip to the dining room ——

Alfons: I have a pudding in my right hand, and another one in my left. So? Which one do you want?

Elbert: ......

Liam: Ohh, could this be that Dead or Alive game?

Alfons: Good morning to you, Liam. And yes, you could say it’s something akin to it.

Liam: So it’s a choice between which pudding to eat? Seems pretty tame this time to me.

Elbert: ......The right one.

Alfons: …Are you sure?

Elbert: ...I’m sure.

Alfons revealed the puddings in both of his hands, which he had just been hiding behind his back.

The pudding in his left hand was a normal amber color.

And on the other hand, the pudding in his right hand was an abnormal, vibrant green color.

Liam: Oh, geez—

Elbert: ...That’s... a very interesting color, I feel like.

Alfons: Ahh, truly, what a tragedy. To think we have played so many of these games together, and yet I have never once won.

Alfons made a dramatic show of crying before he gave Elbert the normal-looking pudding.

Elbert: What are you going to do with the other pudding?

Alfons: ...Under normal circumstances, I would dispose of it, but...

A: I don’t think I will die from eating this... and I know from experience.

Turning toward his own hand that held the green pudding, he turned it upside down, eating the entire pudding in one bite.

Liam: Ueghh!?

Alfons: ...Let’s just say, the taste leaves much to be desired.

Liam: A-are you okay!?

Alfons: Well, wouldn’t you love to know? How about you take your bets on whether I will die from food poisoning or not?

Alfons shrugged his shoulders and laughed before leaving the dining room, as though he had no more business,

leaving only Elbert, who was eating the normal pudding elegantly with the spoon,

and a very flabbergasted Liam.

Liam: Hey hey, Lord Elbie.

Elbert: Hm...? What is it?

Liam: Don’t you think if Al keeps this up, he might someday actually die from this?

L: And you go along with those games, too, but don’t you ever feel uncertain or something, about all this?

Elbert: ......Not really, I think.

E: Al will be fine.

E: Because, as long as he is living... I won’t let him die.

Taking a bite into the normal pudding, Elbert gave a small smile.

—— Outside the dining room ——

Liam: ...I didn’t think this before, but could it be Lord Elbie actually has the upper hand...?

Roger: What’re you talking about?

Liam: Hey, Roger. It’s about Lord Elbie and Al’s relationship.

Roger: You were still caught up in that?

Liam: Ahah, maybe it’s the Cheshire Cat’s curiosity at play?

Roger: So, did you find your answer, in the end? About ‘why those two are together.’

Liam: Hmm... I think the reason is...

L: ...because they want to be together, maybe?

Roger: ... [surprised]

R: Haha! So that’s how it is?

R: I gotta say, I like the sound of that.

Fin.

← prev fin.

full masterlist 🍎🪞

END NOTES: thank you to everyone who read til the end! how did you guys like this story? personally I thought it was interesting how there’s no “concrete answer” even in the end. they really only present you with these little vignettes or snippets about them, before encouraging you to come up with your own answer, like Liam had. but, I think that’s also the beauty in their relationship.

both of them seemed to have been going through a lot when they first met, and so it was natural that they had stayed together. maybe Alfons had “used” Elbert at one point for convenience, but he is human like the rest of us, and so I think over time he naturally grew attached to Elbie. and I think that does show in this story, in a very unconventional, but very Alfons way.

that is to say, even if they may have severe trauma that follows the both of them and in turn makes their friendship a bit unorthodox, I don’t think their meeting was a mere coincidence.

I think, in a way, they were meant for each other.

[jimmybutlrr]

If Pleasure Is What You Wish, Then Pleasure Is What You Shall Receive

Part 1

Pairing: Joseph Bologne x Average heighted Thick brown-skinned Women

Warnings : 18+, Mature Content (Cursing , Teasing ), Use of N-Word, Sensitive Topic

Summary: She got what she wanted but there held consequences.

A/N: This is a Kelvin Harrison Jr Story, Chevalier is the movie. please do watch it, it is very good.

*Please let me know if you want to be tagged in future writings.

“Why play the violin when you could play with me” 

Since you guys have been such a good audience, I will open the floor to some requests. “ Symphony 25” “No.2” “No.4” the audience yell out. “ Violin Concerto No.5.” A man shouts out, pushing everyone's attention to the loud disruption, He walks forward into the light making his presence known. “I am quite fond of that one. No.5 it is”. The violinist states

“May I play with you, Monsieur?” the audience gasps, that this random man has the audacity to say such a thing.  “What “ “May I play along with you” the random man makes his way up onto the stage, the violinist laughs “Come now, who put you up to this?” as the violist sees the person that dared to make such a request. A Negro Man.

 “Myself, monsieur” the random speaks, the violinist turns to the audience and makes a face causing the audience members to laugh. “Pardon me. Do you believe you’ll be needing…one of these” as the violist gestures to the violin in his hand. The man and the violist have a little “friendly" back and forth. The violinist makes one of the men in his orchestra give up his violin. “Now, ladies and gentleman, I give you music featuring help ... .from a dark stranger. I assume you know this piece” 

The violinist smugly say “Yes, monsieur”. “ from the allegro” The orchestra starts playing, they stop and the violist starts playing together” while the orchestra starts up again. The random man starts playing better than the violist, and while he and the violinist are competing with each other, the random man searches the audience to capture their attention. When he notices a strange site, a negro women is standing in the way back of the room, staring at him in amazement and wonder.

Wondering why the Chevalier de Saint-Georges is challenging a white man in a random concert hall. As Joseph and the violinist play, the violinist takes notice that Joseph caught up to him and plays better than him, which makes him pause and step back. Joseph who noticed this, takes a pause, searches with his eyes to find the negro women, he finds her, smirks and starts showing out to keep her attention on him. 

She winks feeling flattered that someone of his stature, would make flirticus actions towards a negro women. Throughout the solo they keep their eyes on eachother. Her smile drops, suddenly remembering that he can’t be with a negro women or a negro ingeneral or else he’ll lose his status, which she known is something he would never do.

Thinking about that little piece of information, she leaves not wanting to be fooled anymore then she has already. Joseph watches her leave, but never drops his smirk. Ending his solo, his smirk gets slightly bigger seeing that he has won the audience. “Bravo””Bravo” the audience gave the man a standing ovation. “Who the fuck is that” said by the violinist feeling ashamed that he lost to A NEGRO of all things and people on earth. 

A few months later, Joseph is found frustrated and stressed as he hoped that Marie-Josephine that sang opera at the party would attend  his auditions, he had tried convincing her but to no avail. Upset that every woman that walks before him, thinks they can sing but truly can not he takes his leave. “That’s all I could take for today, Madame Genlis ” “Are you not certain that we could find a singer before the deadline Joseph” Madame Genlis said wondering why he would take his leave, when they were not even somewhat close to having a singer at hand.

“ Madam, I am completely positive that we shall find a woman to sing for us, but at this moment, I need to take my leave. We can continue tomorrow morning madam” Joseph gathers his music sheets messily in his hand, and leaves the stage, exiting the building feeling every emotion but good. 

Joseph reaches home, putting down his music when he hears a knock at his door. Wondering who it is, he walks to the door and opens it, seeing a negro women. “How may I help you” ,“I was taking a walk to Central Square, I noticed you walked past me and you may have dropped this paper”. She holds up the paper in her hand, showing it to Joseph “I tried to yell out your name but I was not loud enough I suppose.

So I asked an acquaintance of mine where you were located and they led me to this penthouse". Joseph looks at the paper, when he has taken notice of it being one of his music sheets. “Oh, why thank you.” he stares in her eye’s, wondering how a negro women could have such beauty. “Would you like to join me for some tea?” Joseph offers, wanting to take in more than just her beauty. 

As she accepts his invitation, as time goes on they have a tension filled, delighted conversation. Joseph feels a familiarity towards her, suddenly it comes back to him. She is the same woman from the audience in the concert hall. “ I remember you, you're the woman that I found absolutely stunning at the concert, during my solo”.

She smiles as joseph closes the distance between them “Your beauty has been on my mind since the moment I had seen you, may I know what they call you” She averts her eyes from his eyes to his lips back to his eyes again “They call me Madame Sari-Bet Harris” She say as she introduces herself. Joseph picks her hand “Well it’s nice to formally meet you Madame Sari-Bet Harris” Joseph said in a low tone, kissing the back end of her hand while staring into her eyes.

He stands back up, looking from her eyes to her lips to her eyes , it’s pure silence as they take in each other's looks.

Joseph, who is tired of fighting the temptation, picks his hand up and strokes the side of her face, leaning in to seal their lips together.

Both losing the battle of desire to one another. 

Tags -

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@jenlovey

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[archiveikemen]

『 The Past Records 』 Collection Event: Chapter 1

Jude Jazza & Ellis Twilight

This is a fan-made translation solely for entertainment purposes with no guaranteed perfection. I do not own any of the original content. Please support CYBIRD by buying their stories and playing their games. Reblogs appreciated.

❥･• Warnings and FAQ

< Ellis' POV >

I’m sure we met each other four years before we joined Crown.

On the night I arrived in London and was wandering around town in search of accommodation, I was crossing a bridge when I saw him there looking up at the moon.

Looking at his vacant facial expression from his side profile as he finished smoking a cigarette, I thought he was going to fall into the river below.

So, I asked him a question.

Ellis: Are you happy?

Jude: … So what if I am?

Ellis: I’ll make the happiest moment in your life… last forever.

Jude: Hah? What was that? You’ve got a screw loose.

Jude: The happiest moment in my life, huh. Perhaps—

…

< Third Person POV >

Victor: Work again? I was informed in advance, but you two sure seem busy.

It was morning at Crown’s castle. Victor had just arrived at the dining room for breakfast when two people were already heading out after finishing theirs even though it was still early in the morning, and so he called out to them as they passed by one another.

Ellis: Sorry, Victor. We’ll be back by nightfall, so let’s discuss the mission then.

Victor: Ahh, how very commendable! I’m perfectly OK with that!

Jude: Shut up. You don’t have to apologise to this weirdo every single time.

Victor: You have a very sharp tongue, Jude. But I like that about you.

Jude: Creep.

Ellis: We’ll be taking our leave now.

The two left the castle with facial expressions contradicting each other’s.

Liam: I’m impressed with how you’re still not depressed despite being treated with that tone daily, Victor.

Victor: Well, those two were recruited by me after all.

Liam: Just like them, you also told me that you were “OK with me keeping my current job” when I joined Crown. But they seem so much busier than I am.

Liam: I wonder if they have the time to go on missions for Crown.

Ever since Ellis and Jude joined Crown a few days ago, the two had yet to even go on their first mission.

William: Well, there’s no deadline for when they must have their first mission by.

Harrison: … You know, can we really trust those two guys?

William: What makes you say so?

Harrison: They say that they're traders, but I heard some suspicious rumours about them. It’s said that they have enemies everywhere holding grudges against them.

Liam: Oh, I heard those rumours too. Such rumours occasionally spread amongst my fellow actors.

Liam: There's rumours about things like an aristocrat got swindled of their entire fortune.

Harrison: It won’t be a problem if they’re merely immoral businessmen.

Harrison: But if they're spies from elsewhere, we can’t just sit back and do nothing.

Victor: Do you not trust them?

Harrison: As much as you’re a weirdo, but I believe that you’re a good judge of character. It’s just that…

Victor: !! Did you hear that, William?! Harry just praised me!

William: Yes, I did. He has more to say.

Victor: Right, please continue!

Harrison: … You’re really a pain in the neck.

Harrison: It’s just that because of these rumours, their background is too dubious for us to feel like we can safely assume that they’re trustworthy.

Harrison: Don’t you think we shouldn't let them go their own way too often?

Victor: Hmm, you have a point… but I don’t want to impose too much restriction on their freedom.

William: Why don’t we ascertain for ourselves, whether they can be trusted?

Victor: Ascertain for ourselves… I like that idea!

Liam: Ahaha, looks like something’s brewing.

Harrison: Ohhh I have a bad feeling about this.

…

Victor: All members of Crown are here~! It’s time for a new mission, and I call it “Operation Observe Jude and Ellis’ Way of Life”!

Liam: Wow—! *seal clapping*

Alfons: Another one of Victor’s idiotic plans? Marvellous.

Victor: I want everyone to observe the two of them and submit reports to me.

Victor: The theme shall be “are the two of them suited for Crown?”.

Harrison: Damn it… I shouldn’t have said anything. I already have enough on my plate as it is.

Elbert: … You’re busy?

Alfons: If I’m not mistaken, you’re in the midst of a proofreading job with no extensions allowed for its deadline, and the author of the book has yet to submit their first draft.

Alfons: I think you also mentioned having to burn the midnight oil before the deadline.

Liam: Then, why not have Harry be the commander?

Liam: The investigation works will be distributed amongst all the members except Harry!

Alfons: A Sneaking Mission? Sounds like fun.

Elbert: I don't mind.

Roger: I mean, I don’t see why not?

Harrison: … By the way, can I choose NOT to be a part of this?

William: At this juncture, I highly doubt so.

Harrison: … Right.

Victor: Well then, the investigation begins!

[shatcey]

Hey!! I’m not sure if Victor is high among the guys you like in Ikevil, or even Will for that matter. However, I love your thoughts on a lot of things Ikevil so I was wondering since everyone seems to be mentioning Victor now if you had ever given it any thought about how much even Will truly knows about Victor. Sometimes I think it’s a lot and sometimes I think even Will is clueless but he doesn’t care to question because he trusts Vic. He is such a wildcard as in none of us know about him, including the guys in Crown, but Will and him confounded Crown so does that make him more privy to information??? Or perhaps maybe Will is clever enough to read between the lines and has him all figured out on his own. I need someone to bounce ideas off of😂😂😂😂 If you aren’t sure feel free to pose this question anywhere. It just won’t leave my mind😂😂😂

Thank you very much for the question. I'm always ready to answer or (as in this case) speculate. I'm very glad that you find my thoughts interesting. I'm sorry I didn't answer right away. I… made a promise to talk only about Ally for a few days. And I take my promises very seriously, no matter how silly they are. If I make a promise, I have to keep it. Besides, I needed time to think and look for screenshots… Sorry for delay.

I love Vivi very much. He's my second favorite after Ally. And lately I've been thinking about him a lot, partly because I'm collecting information to find evidence for my theories or create new theories about him. Actually, he was second right after the prologue, but then Ellis was my favorite. And now I suddenly found myself with Ally, but Vivi is still the second favorite. A very constant guy. Or me… it's hard to say. And I consider Willy to be my friend. I respect him a lot, and despite the fact that I see many gaps in his life philosophy, I still think it's a very interesting concept. And I like him as a person. It's nice to be around him. Actually I would really like to have a friend like him in my real life. Maybe I already have such a friend… long-distance friendship is the best one. I've never thought of Vivi from that perspective. It's nice to find something that I hadn't thought about before… How presumptuous of me…

So... about Vivi and Willy...

First of all, I think their friendship is based on a commonality of views. What is good, what is bad? How to protect what they want to protect? How far they are willing to go to achieve these goals? Willy was only 14 when they met, and I see him as a pretty naughty boy back then. Based on a few lines from Harrison's route. But his life philosophy was already strong back then. And this firm conviction may have resonated in Vivi's heart.

I may be wrong, but I consider William to be a man of the present. He doesn't care what happened in a person's past, as long as it doesn't bother him in the presence. As far as I remember, he didn't dig into Kate's past (Vivi did) and waited patiently for her to decide to tell him about it or... as he like to say "unravel the truth himself". But IF it affects the development of the person (which he is so much looking forward to), he can dig. To find the problem and solve it. He has the resources. "Army of ants," as Ally said.

But (damn it, I like this silly joke, so I'll repeat it) and this is a big BUT. I think it's extremely difficult to find out about Victor's past. I think only he and the Queen know about it. I have no proof, but I have the impression. That doesn't mean William doesn't know anything about Vivi. For example, this line of his from Ally's route...

...assume that he knows, but thinks that others will not like this information. Maybe I'm wrong. So he probably knows a lot about the current Vivi that no one else knows about. But about the past one… I'm not so sure… Unless Vivi had told him about it herself. But this is very unlikely.

These are just my thoughts. It may be wrong, and I'm totally fine with that. The developers haven't given us much information. And it's likely to stay that way, at least until Vivi's route comes out. Which I'm very much looking forward to. I would be very glad to hear other opinions. Or any opinions at all. Don't worry, I don't bite… ... ... ... ...much. Damn it, I like this joke too.

Maybe @william-rex or @aquagirl1978 can add something or correct me. I think they know Willy much better than I do.

Thanks for the question. It was a lot of fun thinking about it.

dividers @.fanguro

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

🔝 𝕊𝕋𝔸ℝ𝕋 ℙ𝔸𝔾𝔼 🔝

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

[japage3moondog]

post-beatles george harrison hc's

laid back 70's geo for the soul, post-all things as well. if you squint you're a married couple.

george was always quiet and reserved but he's even more of a recluse post-breakup. he doesn't really like attention and keeps to himself as much as possible. there are days where you're the only person he talks to. it's not that he loves his peace and quiet, it's more that loud noises are just a no for him. your record player is permanently set to half volume just to make sure you don't accidentally upset him.

he gets a bit antsy if you're out for too long, especially if he's not with you so you mainly rely on personal assistants for groceries and such. not that either of you mind much. on the rare occasion you have to be out for a prolonged period of time without george, he insists you keep a talisman of his on you, a necklace or a bracelet or once even a small stone from his garden. it puts him at ease knowing a part of him is with you, keeping you safe.

he does his best to provide you with the romantic dates you deserve in the house. whether it means he has to change your dingy dining room into the perfect place for a candlelit dinner or set up an elaborate picnic date in his garden. i mean you definitely have the space for it.

he still writes songs, but he takes a break from recording. he says 'you're the only audience he needs'. sometimes you'll wake up to him on your bedroom floor, gently finger-picking guitar and scribbling down lyrics and chord progressions. especially since one of the best ways to work through something is to put your feelings into a piece of art, like a song. he likes playing a song before he goes to sleep to put an end to his day and because it helps both of you sleep.

you answer the phone for him. the phone's ring is also turned down almost as far as it can go. paul, john and ringo are accustomed to hearing your voice when they call but anyone ringing for business or outside your social circle assumes your his secretary. it's funny but a little demeaning at times.

[prettygirlstothefloor]

Cowboy Carter Review

sorry if i write a lot. i like to yap lol

Ameriican Requiem- i'm a huge sucker for a sitar so i was gripped in from the beginning. i grew up on country music (mainly 90s/early 2000s) and so when she showed up at the CMAs and performed with the chicks it was a childhood dream. but as a person who liked country music around the time 9/11 happened, it's only become even more racist since. the way they treated her that night even though she was one of, if not THE, best performer of the night was so upsetting to watch. even as the best artist on the planet, at the top of her game, she's always going to work a million times harder than any of her peers. i'm so proud of her being able to make a song like to this to put her thoughts out on the whole night that night.

Blackbiird- obviously everyone has heard this song before. i was unaware of the actual backstory to the song since i don't follow the beatles too much (i like george harrison but that's about it lol). i was not aware that the song the song was written for black women during the civil rights movement. i assumed the song was mainly written by john lennon who to my knowledge was kind of a grifter when it came to his activism. having this song come right after ameriican requiem is so poetic.

16 Carriages- shockingly i was able to avoid hearing this song in full until tonight. i tend to only do one single per release and so texas hold em was the one. this song is so heartbreaking because i think about all the kids in the entertainment industry who can probably relate to this song all too well

Protector- these songs she makes for her kids... i'm gonna need her to stop. not because they're bad but i straight up can't listen to blue and probably this song because i want a mom like this 😭

My Rose- i hate that this is an interlude. it's so beautiful and not to be dramatic should've been 10 hours long

Smoke Hour • Willie Nelson- idk what to say about this one lol

Texas Hold 'Em- i love this song. the only problem i have with it is it sounds too clean. like the production sounds too clean. maybe it sounds better on the radio where the quality is lower than streaming but its definitely a song that needs to be played not so isolated.

Bodyguard- there's something in this song. she channeled carole king for this on or something. it's so good instantly a top 20 if not top 10 song of hers through her whole discography.

Dolly P- once again idk what to say about this one its too short to say anything

Jolene- i mean i think the same way about her version as i do about dolly's version. why are we getting mad at these women when we should be getting mad at the men?? take away that beyonce is beyonce for a second. if she was a normal lady and this girl was unaware her man was taken, isn't that more on him than anyone? he's letting it happen.

Daughter- her voice in this song is insanity. the control she has is unmatched truly.

Spaghettii- the beat omgggg. i know this would hit so hard in a mashup with "my house" i'm obsessed.

Alliigator Tears- just from hearing snippets of the country music that's on the radio nowadays, i think this might be one of the few songs from this album that they will eat up. i'm not saying that as a diss at all. i love this song alot especially after a second listen.

Smoke Hour II- i guess i can add on here a random tid bit. i made a country playlist in preperation for the album to come out. i made it on valentine's day. tell me why i named it KNTRY. i didn't even know the "radio station" she has on the album was called that lol.

Just for Fun- i don't listen to lana del rey anymore. i had a small time during last year where i did but then she got real messy again and signed that letter thanking joe biden. that being said this song sounds identical to "norman fucking rockwell". which is a compliment because both are good songs. keep jack antonoff away from beyonce though. that's the good thing about beyonce is she doesn't sound like everyone else which he makes everyone do (yes i am a fan of him but i'm critical of his production lol)

II Most Wanted- i'm sorry i've never been a fan of miley cyrus (except for the song she did for black mirror and that one EP she put out). i want to like this song because i like aspects of the song but it being a miley cyrus song with a beyonce feature is not want i want.

Levii's Jeans- this is also a collab i'm not a fan of. i actually enjoy post malone but i would've liked to see them in a more upbeat song.

Flamenco- idk how to take this song. it's stunning as usual. my thoughts on the lyrics though is she's kinda talking to fans maybe like the OG like destiny's child fans who have started to leave because she's starting to experiment more with her sound and they miss her old sound. i would love to know her take on this song in particular. because i know so many artists who decide to change their sound throughout each release are terrified of losing fans because they're so stuck on a certain sound.

The Linda Martell Show- another one i can't say much on since it's an interlude

Ya Ya- now.... remember what i said about bodyguard??? easily top 10. idk where on my ranking but it's there. the interpolation of "these boots were made for walking" and "good vibrations". there's something about that old soul rock sound that gets me every single time. i know that it doesn't sound anything alike but "freedom" has that same vibe, where it takes alot from old 60s blues soul rock. this is gonna hit so good on tour!

Oh Louisiana- i will say i really like this interlude. second favorite out of the ones with actual music

Desert Eagle- another song she chose to make extremely short when it should've been hours long... come on B

Riiverdance- its a fun and cute song. i think the beat is good but i think i like it more on my first listen.

II Hands II Heaven- i'm hoping this will finally click for me. im seeing everyone really love this song but idk whats not clicking for me. i'll definitely keep listening to it though maybe someday.

Tyrant- someone said this is the thique of cowboy carter and yeah i can definitely hear it. it's a sexy song and it's a fun song. definitely like it alot more after a second listen

Sweet • Honey • Buckiin'- her sampling "i fall to pieces" in this song is so special to me. i do want someone to take this "honey" and add it to the end of pure/honey though i wonder if it would sound any good. i think sweet and buckiin are the best songs out of the three of these.

Amen- i love how this really rounds out the album, calling back to the first song. it feels and is a very emotional song. don't know if i'll go back to it only because i think it could make me cry lol

overall, i think it's a solid album. if we're comparing the acts, which idk how you can because they're two distinctly different sounds, i would probably still go with renaissance but there's still so many solid songs on this album that are now some of my top faves. usually i rate out of 10 but it feels too low tbh, so i'm rating it out of 100. it will definitely grow on me just like renaissance did. 89/100.

[ceofjohnlennon]

"Eventually I learned to distinguish the differences in temperament. John's granny glasses and pale skin, milk-white like the tigers in the Delhi zoo, suggested the persona of a studious intellectual, high-strung and enigmatic, carefully sifting the text of the Maharishi's wisdom for the grains of something that he could recognize as the truth. Like a lot of other people west of Suez, in Europe and America, he'd been expecting a guru to turn up, and suddenly, 'There he was in the Hilton hotel.' Yes, he said, it was great to be rich, great to be famous, but 'we're not the eternal rich men,' and money isn't what makes or sings the songs. One evening when Harrison said that 'nobody can be one hundred percent without the inner life,' Lennon told the other students at the table that the band's records served as diaries of its developing consciousness. In the photographs seen on the covers of their recent albums, he hoped and assumed that people might notice 'something going on behind the eyes other than guitar boogie.' He wasn't sure that the Maharishi was wiser than Lewis Carroll, but he knew that if a person could find within himself an inner wonderland impervious to the pressures of space and time, 'then nothing's going to shake my world.' Ringo and Paul didn't talk as much about the meditation. Yes, they had results with it. No, it wasn't a put-on, but their attitude implied that it was George's thing, and if he wanted to go to India, okay, fine, everybody went to India. Ringo missed his children and his nine cats, and he figured that he could assume the lotus position just as successfully in Liverpool. Maureen hated the flies — to the point that if there was only one fly in the room she would know exactly where it was, how it got there, and why it must be destroyed. She and Ringo had consulted the Maharishi on the subject, but the Maharishi told them that for people traveling in the realm of pure consciousness, flies no longer matter very much. 'Yes,' Ringo said, 'but that doesn't zap the flies, does it?' McCartney objected to the Maharishi's excessive adulation of the band and all its works ('the bit about being the sons of God and the saviors of mankind'), nor did he much care for the abstractions that sustained the yogi's grandiose metaphysics. 'I get a bit lost in the upper reaches of it,' he said. He also wished that the Maharishi would avoid talking to the Beatles about subjects that he, McCartney, knew something about. He found the Maharishi's support of the draft laws disillusioning; his girlfriend, Jane Asher, often wondered aloud what it would be like to see the moonlight on the Taj Mahal. Talking to Paul was easier than talking to George or to Ringo — his accent not as strong, more willing to exchange meaningless pleasantries, still fond of smoking cigarettes, his sense of humor affable and tolerant. When he showed up one day at lunch to say that he'd had a dream about being trapped in a leaking submarine of indeterminate color, it was Anneliese Braun who provided the interpretation. She clapped her hands in the enthusiastic way of a child seeing its first snowfall. 'How very nice,'x she said, wondering if McCartney appreciated the great truth with which he had been blessed. Paul smiled and said he didn't think he quite got all of it. 'Why it's the perfect meditation dream,' Anneliese said. The voyage in the submarine represented the descent into pure consciousness in the vehicle of the mantra; the leaks represented anxiety, and the surfacing of the submarine in a London street signified a happy return to society and one’s fellow men (like Ulysses coming back to Penelope), which was the purpose of all good meditation. The other people at the table applauded, and Geoffrey drew a comparison to the paintings of Hieronymous Bosch."

The Beatles in India. ㅡ From the book "With The Beatles" by Lewis Lapham.

[dark-frosted-heart]

Ghost House Report - Roger Barel (part 1)

This event came out back in the start of July. This story event happened before Roger’s route, so Kate and Roger aren’t in a relationship.

As usual, can’t guarantee 100% accuracy on this.

Every night, sobs could be heard coming from an abandoned mansion—

There were rumors of this mansion being a ghost house and that it was the base for crimes, so Crown was sent on a mission to investigate.

Since we were only given a day, we split up to investigate the mansion—

Harrison and Jude, Elbert and Alfons, and Roger and I paired up to start our investigation.

--

The old hallway creaked with every step we took.

I kept rambling in an attempt to distract myself from my fears.

Kate: R-roger, rumors say the sobs are heard at night. If this is a criminal hideout, now’s probably a good time to investigate since it’s unlikely that there will be anyone around during the day!

Roger’s reliable back was like a shield as I nervously followed along—

Roger: You’re pretty chatty today. You sure you don’t need me to hold your hand?

Kate: Huh? Ahaha, I-I’m fine!

Roger: Your words and actions don’t match. And your heartbeat’s higher than normal.

Kate: Urgh…

(He can see through me…)

Roger: Or I can hold you—

Roger smiled back at me, but then suddenly became serious when he glanced over my shoulder.

Roger: Lil’ lady, there’s something behind you…

Kate: Eek?! W-w-w-what is iiiiiiiit?!

I instinctively held onto him—

Roger: …Pfft…Heh…

Roger’s strong abs shook.

Kate: ?!?!

Roger: Hahaha, didn’t know you were that scared.

Kate: …Were you teasing me?!

Roger: Heh, sorry. You’re just too cute, I had to. Don’t worry, there’s nothing there.

I was annoyed by Roger laughing through his empty apologies.

Kate: Y-you’re so mean! Don’t laugh—

I tried to push him away, but he kept me trapped in his arms.

Roger: Hmm, sorry.

He patted my back as if to comfort me.

Kate: …I’m not falling for it.

Despite saying that, I didn’t feel like giving up the comfort from his hands.

(So annoying…yet it’s kind of calming)

Roger: Hey, why’re you so scared of ghosts?

Kate: Hmm, well… I guess it’s because I’m not familiar with them. I’m worried about what they’ll do. Aren’t you scared, Roger?

Roger: Well, I don’t even believe in ghosts in the first place. There’s no scientific proof and I’ve never seen one before. But a lot of people talk about them. Let’s assume that they do exist. If a person dies and comes back as a ghost, then we can assume that they had regrets and attachments. If we can discover why their soul’s left in this world, then we’ll have a higher chance at dealing with it. —At least that’s my hypothesis. That’s why I don’t really feel scared. 

(Ghosts were formerly human…)

Roger’s line of thinking was clear and made sense.

Kate: Is that so…I agree with you. I’ll also focus on thinking it over and learning instead of being scared. Let’s do our best on this investigation!

When I flashed him a thumbs up, Roger’s eyes softened.

Roger: Looks like you’re back to normal. But don’t push yourself.

(So he asked that to calm me down)

Kate: Yes! Thank you.

(Alright)

I marched on with Roger beside me.

Kate: Come to think of it, you said you wanted to investigate this area. Did something catch your eye?

Roger: Yeah. Wasn’t sure if I should tell you, but it should be fine.

Kate: ?

Roger: Truth is, I’ve been hearing some weird noises since we entered the mansion. From around here.

Kate: Huh?

Roger: There are no heartbeats or signs of life though. Could just be the draft shaking something, or could be from something “not alive”.

Kate: …

(It might be a ghost…Ugh, I have to stay calm)

Roger stopped in front of a door and listened.

Roger: Ready? I’m opening it.

He turned the old doorknob, but the door wouldn’t budge.

Roger: Hm? It doesn’t seem locked.

Roger put strength into his arms and the door rattled as he pushed and pulled.

Kate: R-roger, if you keep doing it roughly—

Roger: Guess I got no choice…Hmph!

Roger rammed the door with his shoulder.

(!)

A creepy sensation burst out when he broke the door open—

I closed my eyes on reflex.

Kate: …?!

I cautiously opened my eyes—

Kate: An examination room…?

The dusty room had what appeared to be medical equipment and specialized books.\

Roger: So the mansion has a room like this— So maybe it also functioned as a shady clinic.

Kate: R-Roger, didn’t you feel some strong presence when you opened the door earlier?

Roger: Yeah, I felt it. If this was a shady clinic…then no wonder there’s rumors about it being haunted. The noise is gone now, like it scattered. But…I’m getting some sense of deja vu from this room.

Kate: Huh? Have you been here before?

Roger: Nope, it’s my first time. But all clinics have a similar design. So that’s probably why. Anyway, let’s investigate.

(...Aren’t you a little too excited, Roger?)

Roger surveyed the room like an excited boy.

Seems like he’s not just interested in researching curses, but also exposing the unknown.

(Alright, I’ll work hard on looking for clues)

--

Roger was muttering himself as he looked through the equipment, documents, and specialized books.

Roger: There’s handcuffs. I knew this wasn’t a normal clinic. And…there’s some huge bloodstains…must’ve been from losing a lot of blood. There’s some specialized books…the brain and the soul…hm? Cytology? The human body and…research related to it…?

Kate: Hmm, Roger, this drawer’s stuck…

Roger: I’ll help.

Roger easily pulled the drawer out.

Inside was a crumpled sheet of paper that looked like a medical chart.

Rogre: This is—

His brows furrowed as he read through it and then he let out a deep sigh.

Roger: I see…It’s possible that there was research done on the cursed in this mansion.

Kate: Huh?!

Roger: Now I know why this place felt familiar. These documents and equipment…I saw some similar ones when I was a kid.

Kate: When you were a kid?

Roger: Yeah. My old man’s a doctor. I’ve been into medicine since I was a kid so I’d follow him around. One time my old man went on rare trip to a research facility out of the country and I tagged along— What I saw there was similar to the stuff here. Even as a kid…I knew something didn’t feel right. Now that I think about it, That place wasn’t just a simple research facility. They were researching curses.

(Researching curses…Like Roger)

Kate: If that’s true—that foreign facility and this clinic… Why were they researching curses?

Cursed ones are a rarity around the world. There aren’t a lot of people that know they exist.

I couldn’t even think of a reason for or motivation behind putting all your effort into researching something so unconventional.

Roger: There’s a lot of ways you can use “the cursed”. Things someone as kind and earnest as you can’t imagine. 

(Now that I think about it, Roger has said that his research was “for the sake of the cursed”...but what else?)

Roger: Alright, there’s probably some other stuff left here.

When Roger moved a heavy-looking filing cabinet, something looked out of place on the wall that was hidden behind it.

Kate: Roger, over there!

Roger: Yeah, I’m gonna remove this board.

Within the double wall was an old linen sack.

Roger: …Something to hide? What’s inside?

We looked inside and found a bunch of letters, notes—

Elbert’s? voice: Stooooooop!

Kate: ?!

Elbert’s? voice: Uuuu…Don’t…Don’t touch that!

Panicked steps approached.

Kate: What’s going on?

When I turned to the clinic’s entrance—

[juliwuzhere]

Tbh I really want to hear more of the Nerris hypnotizing Max episode idea you had like dialogue know if you have that because it’s really interesting!

Sorry it took me so long answer but I decided to write a snippet of chapter one of this fic. I know it’s not quite what you asked for but I felt very motivated at the time. Take in mind, it’s obviously going to be tweaked. But still, I’m planning to post the final, polished chapters on Ao3. If it’s any good anyways. If not, well at least it was a great practice piece to get back into writing :)

Realistic Magic

Chapter one:

Ever since they're dad had taught them about Dungeons & Dragons, Nerris has wished that magic was real. They wished they didn't have to roleplay to be able to cast a healing spell or any spell for that matter. But it seemed that Nerris would forever be bound to the mortal plane. Or at least before their mom introduced her to the concept of hypnosis.

Nerriss had never really liked their moms job. She worked as a psychologist, which is the opposite of what Nerris likes. While phycology was more logical and scientific, Nerris liked fantasy things that were much illogical and artistic. Nerris never thought she'd like hearing about psychology until her mom started talking about hypnotherapy during dinner.

Nerris had asked her what it was and their mother had explained that Hypnotherapy was the use of hypnosis in psychotherapy. Which then led to the question of what hypnosis even was? Because it couldn't possibly be what Nerris had seen used in cartoons and movies, but turns out, it was. Her textbook definition of it was “the induction of a state of consciousness in which a person apparently loses the power of voluntary action and is highly responsive to suggestion or direction.” The moment Nerris heard that, the first thing that came to mind was the hypnotic pattern in D&D. Was it the same per say, no. But did it sound pretty damn similar, absolutely.

From that point forward, Nerris developed a deep fascination with the concept of hypnosis. It was the closest Nerris could get to learning Magic in real life, and so they set a few goals for themselves.

1. Learn how to hypnotize someone before summer starts

2. Showcase their talent in front of everyone,

3. Make Harrison look stupid.

Those were the three goals that Nerris used to motivate themselves to continue to study and learn about hypnosis. Nerris didn't know how good of a motivator it was until they realized that they had the entire process memorized and at the time they still had a couple days before camp. Nerris not only felt proud of themselves but also confident in their abilities. Sure, it had sucked to study over the summer but it was all going to pay off at her sleepover.

It had become a tradition to hold sleepovers at different people's tents. Nobody quite knows how it started but they are always having a great time. It's like having a very small party with no balloons, music, and a couple stolen snacks from the mess hall pantry. It's better than it sounds. The moment Nerris had settled in on the first day of camp, they had made it clear that they were going to hold the first sleepover. Nerris was not going to let anyone get in the way of them beating their goals. The day of the sleepover had arrived and Nerris was ecstatic. Tonight was going to be the night that Nerris proved themselves.

Every time they had a sleepover, everyone always agreed to be quiet, but nobody actually believed they would be. Sounds of laughter and hushed whispers, probably some gossip Nerris assumed, resounded throughout the tent. The only thing that illuminated the tent being a lantern they had stolen from QuarterMasters shed. Everyone was wearing their vibrant pajamas, even Ered. And Nerris looked around the tent, they felt a smile start to grow on their face when they caught a glimpse at the Garfield pajama shorts Nurf was wearing. Seated right next to him was Ered, who wore much more trendier pajamas. But in Nerriss' opinion, Garfield is way cooler than Forever 21.

Due to the tents in Camp Campbell not being very large, everyone was practically inches away from each other. At every sleepover, the campers looked like a singular group of people, not a bunch of trios and duos huddled in different corners like how it was everyday at camp. Going to the sleepover always made Nerris feel a sense of euphoria start to blossom in their chest. They liked it when the camp felt united, it made them feel less alone. Nerris stood up, ready to show off her talent.

“Alright everyone! Listen up.” The tent grew quieter and quieter until Nerris had everyone's attention. “Who wants to be the first to try and be hypnotized?” Nerris asked, adding a dramatic and suspenseful hint to their voice, courtesy of Prestons advice.

“Oh, oh, me!” Spacekid yelled, raising his hand with a toothy smile.

“Alright! Come on up to the front.” Nerris responded, gesturing to the spot right next to them. Since everyone was huddled away from the entrance of the tent that gave Nerris and Spacekid the closest thing they had to a stage. A spot where everyone in the tent could see the spectacle. Nerris was starting to understand why Harrison was so fascinated with being a magician, having people's attention felt nice.

Spacekid sat down right in front of Nerris, waiting expectantly. Nerris pulled out their pocket watch from the pocket of her pajama pants and let it hang right in front of the space kids face.

“Alright Spacekid. I'm gonna need you to stare at this pocket watch. Do not break eye contact with it. You have to stare at it the whole time. Got it?” Nerris asked. Spacekid nodded his head, his eyes filled with excitement and determination. Nerris and Spacekid didn't have much in common, but today they seemed to be on the same page emotionally speaking.

Nerris was ready to prove Harrison wrong. They were capable of performing magic and being a mage. It's just that Nerris can perform a different and much more logical kind of magic.

Nerris took a deep breath in and out, then finally, started moving the stopwatch from left to right. Letting it sway and move in a constant rhythm.

“Okay. As you watch this pocket watch you are going to start entering a deep state of relaxation. The longer you stare at the pocket watch, the further into this state you will start to be enthralled in.” Nerris explained, letting the pocket watch sway for a couple seconds. She looked at Space Kids eyes, expecting the signs of exhaustion to become more and more apparent but nothing changed. A spark of doubt started to light inside Nerris but it was quickly put out. They still had one last part of the process to go through.

“On the count of three, I will snap my fingers. The moment I snap them you will feel yourself fall into a deep sleep” Nerris drawled, glancing at the crowd before starting to count. Their excitement made Nerris feel excited.

“One…” Nerris starts. “Two…” Nerris starts to raise their hand. “Three!” Nerris snapped their fingers. Nothing happens. Nerris’s smile falls, why didn't it work?

“Did it work?” Spacekid giddy asked, expecting an answer from Nerris.

“If it had worked you would have been asleep right now, dumbass.” Nurf retorted, earning a few giggles from some of the campers.

“Oh.” Spacekid said, clearly disappointed.

“Well, maybe I just have to try it on somebody else. You know, it said in my book that some people can't be hypnotized so I guess you're just one of them, Spacekid.” Nerris replied, not letting this bring her down. It was a rough start but at least she still had many more people to try and hypnotize.

Nerris moved on to the next camper, Ered, and followed the same process as before. But once again, it didn't work. Nerris is glad they had asked Ered to be the second try when hypnosis sounded cool. Because after their fourth attempt, Nerris had not only made themselves look stupid and made hypnosis look uncool. By the time Nerris had reached their last camper, they had lost all hope. A feeling of embarrassment started to replace their previous euphoria.

“C’mon Nerris, just admit it. The only person who can perform magic is me.” Harrison conceited. Nerris had just snapped her fingers and, as expected, nothing had happened. They had followed every rule, trick, and even shortcut to try and make their attempts successful but all had failed. The confidence in Harrison's voice made Nerris feel even more embarrassed than they already did. They let the chain of the pocket watch slip out of their hands, too exasperated to care if it breaks from the fall.

Nerris had gone through everyone in the tent and Harrison had been the last to agree to be hypnotized; And from the looks of it he appeared to be the only one enjoying himself anymore. Everyone else in the tent looked bored, their attention now elsewhere. Nerris knew Harrison hadn’t meant to me too hurtful with his comment. Afterall, it was how they spoke on a daily basis. But today Nerris was just too upset to not feel even a little butthurt.

“Fine. Maybe you were right. I guess I'm just a loser who will only ever be able to act like they can do cool stuff rather than actually be able to do it.” Nerris admitted. It seemed that roleplaying and strategizing in a board game would continue to be the only skills they had.

“Well, acting is a very powerful tool too, Nerris.” Preston stated in his usual dramatic voice. “It is one that only true professionals, like myself, can master.”

Nerris felt a smile tug on their lips. In Prestons own way, he was trying to cheer them up. Even if he built himself up to be a professional actor along the way. But although they appreciated the help, Nerris still felt like they’d taken a critical hit. Nerris picked up the pocket watch and cupped it in their hands. They look at the reflection of themselves in the pocket watch, not surprised to see their disappointment evident in their face. Nerris failed, and in front of everyone for that matter. Nerris didn't even know if their face felt hot with anger or embarrassment anymore, probably both.

Suddenly, the loud ruffling sound of the tent being opened made Nerriss' thoughts quiet for a moment. They really hoped it wasn't David. This was the first time the camp sleepover was being held in their tent, it would be horrible if the night ended with Nerris failing at the thing they had been hyping up ever since they got to camp and a punishment. They would never let Nerris live it down.

But just as quickly as the fear had started to build up in her chest, it evaporated. Instead of the tall and cheery counselor they had all grown to tolerate, stood the short and moody Max holding a party size bag of chips while three Capri Moons peaked out of the front pocket of his hoodie. He was still wearing his signature hoodie that nobody could seem to rip off of him, but replacing his jeans were a pair of dark blue plaid pajama shorts. Nerris never thought that Max would be a sight for sore eyes. For a brief moment his eyes widened slightly, clearly not expecting for everyone to be staring at him. But in an instant calm confusion seemed to wash over him.

“Damn, did someone die or some shit?” Max asked, opening the party size chip bag and taking a bite.

“Oh Max, you have got to hear this!” Harrison exclaimed, clearly excited at getting to embarrass Nerris some more. Nerris really shouldn't have insulted his outfit last week. Actually, no, nevermind. They don't regret it, it was horrific.

“What?” Max grunted, his brows furrowed with suspicion; the distrust in his tone was evident. Nerris is reminded that Max has never been quite fond of Harrison. Harrison stands up with a large grin mocking on his face. Nerris glares at him when he glances at them on the way towards Max.

“Nerris apparently thought she was a wizard or whatever, because they learned how to hypnotize people. Well, they tried to learn at least.” Harrison joked. Nerris scoffs, they were starting to get very pissed. Harrison started to summarize what Max had missed in the sleepover, which is the entirety of the sleepover. This was the first time through the whole night that he had come to Nerriss' sleepover, and it wasn't even expected he would come.

He had told everyone that he probably wasn't going to attend because he was too tired and would prefer to just go to sleep. However, it is very clear he didn't even get to have a nap. As Harrison continued to giddily summarize everything , Max looked at him with tired half closed eyes, every so often reaching into the bag to get some more chips to munch on. He radiated disinterest and exhaustion, his eye bags were more noticeable than everbefore, and Nerris can tell that whatever Harrison is saying is entering one ear and coming out the other. Surprisingly, the rant wasn't very long. However, it was still very annoying to hear. Nerris hopes they don't sound like that when they make fun of Harrison.

“Yeah, yeah, we get it Harrison.” Nerris groaned. “I suck, you suck a little less. Listen Max, it's probably not going to work but would you be fine with me trying to hypnotize you?” Nerris pulls out the pocket watch and holds it up from the chain to let Max see it. Max considers the question but Nerris already knows the answer. Max doesn't usually do something just because you asked him to. In fact, he'll probably go out of his way to not do what you asked him to do.

“You know what, it's fine.” Nerris starts. “You don't have to-”

“No, I'll do it.” Max responds. Nerris looks up and stares at Max, their brows knitted together.

“Wait…really?” Nerris asked, their eyes wide with shock. He wants to do it? Nerris wondered why he would even say yes, until they came to the conclusion that he's probably just doing it to make fun of Nerris. Yeah, that makes more sense. Nerris glances towards the huddled campers to find their equally surprised expressions.

“Sure. I've got nothing better to do anyway.” Max yawned, making his way towards Nerris. He handed the bag of chips and Capri Moons to Neil and Nikki and promptly sat down with his legs crossed. Neil and Nikki scooted over to be closer to Max and to get a better view.

“Just make this quick.” Max mumbled, rubbing his eyes.

“Don't worry, it will be.” Nerris avowed with a resigned sigh. This wasn't going to work, but Max was already here so, whatever.

“Okay. Just look at the pocket watch and don't break eye contact the whole time. Got it?” Nerris asked, much less excited than in her first attempt.

“Sure.” Max replied. Nerris took a deep breath in and out, this time more out of exhaustion rather than anticipation. For one last time, Nerris started swaying the stopwatch.

“Okay. As you watch this pocket watch you are going to start entering a deep state of relaxation. The longer you stare at the pocket watch, the further into this state you will start to be enthralled in.” Nerris said, repeating what they had told every camper. The words now tasted sour in their mouth. Nerris glanced at Max and felt conflicted.

Either Nerris was imagining things or Max looked more tired than before. They noticed how Max’s shoulders started to slump and his eyes started to droop down. Still, they just brushed it off, remembering that he was already tired to begin with. As Nerris let the stopwatch swing from left to right, they were ready to say the final words and just go to sleep. Nerris wanted this to be over as soon as possible, the embarrassment was becoming too much to handle.

“On the count of three, I will snap my fingers. The moment I snap them you will feel yourself fall into a deep sleep” Nerris drawled once more.

“One…” God, Harrison is going to make fun of Nerris for this until they're dead. “Two…” Well, at least it's almost over. “Three.” Nerris snapped their fingers. And unexpectedly, Max slumped over.

Instinctively, Neil leaped and grabbed Max's head, effectively cushioning a hard fall. A couple people in the tent had gasped as they saw Max collapse into Neil. Nikki stands up from her spot in the tent and tries to help Neil lift Max up, concern evident in both their faces. Neil and Nikki start saying his name, trying to get a reaction out of him, and Nikki starts shaking his shoulder. Max was completely limp, made clear by how much Neil was struggling to lift Max back up, but Nerris didn't buy it.

“Just stop faking it Max, I'm not in the mood today.” Nerris scowled, their eyes narrowed. They looked away, waiting for Max to stop pretending. But the longer Nerris waited, the more curious they got. Nerris glanced back at the trio, now very confused.

“Wait. Is he not joking?”

“No!? He wont wake up!” Neil shouted, his voice cracking. Nikki shakes Max violently to emphasize the statement. Max was now being cradled from his upper half by Neil, with Nikki right beside him concerned but also curious. All the campers leaned and scooted closer to get a better view of the issue. Eyes staring unblinkingly at Max. Everyone started murmuring amongst each other, but Nerris couldn't care. Nerris had just had the greatest realization.

“It worked…” Nerris gasped, a smile tugging at their lips.

“What?” Harrison blurted, his eyes wider than everyone else's and his jaw on the floor.

“It worked! I did it!” Nerris beamed, standing up and pumping their fists in the air victoriously.

“In your face Harrison!” Nerris laughed, pointing at Harrison; whose face was the epitome of shock. Oh man, Nerris was never going to forget his face. Everyone started talking, the tent sounding just as loud as it had been at the start of the sleepover. Campers started to blurt out requests.

“You should make him do something embarrassing.” Ered grinned.

“Or make him not be able to lie. Do you know how many dirty secrets I could blackmail him with?” Nurf smirked, him and Ered smiling at each other in agreement.

“Could you make him like art? It would be great to have a new art partner!” Dolph said eagerly.

“No! That's stupid. Make him unwilling to not act in my next play!” Preston protested. “He never puts in the effort that is needed to create the perfect theater viewing experience.”

“Oh, can you make him want to talk about space?” Spacekid asked nervously. All the requests started to blur with each other, the volume in the tent being deafening. By the time Nerris had realized they should probably quiet down, it was too late.

“What is going on here?” David shouted. Everyone immediately went quiet. “You kids are lucky I was the only counselor who woke up. You should all be asleep, it is way past all of your bedtimes.”

“Oh geez Louise, sorry David!” Preston replied, trying to make himself sound innocent, but in the end, only making himself sound like a mini david. “We were just so excited after hearing your lesson today that we decided to get together to talk about…um, trees!” Preston excused. Nerris was glad Preston had done an improv class. Everyone started to agree with Preston, following the “yes and” rule he had driven into their heads when he had taught an improv class lesson they were forced to attend.

“No we weren't.” Spacekid innocently denied. “We were talking about what to make Max do now that he's hypnotized.” Apparently, he had forgotten all about the rule.

“Spacekid!” Preston shouted angrily, with a chorus of “shut up”s and “be quiet”s being thrown Spacekids' way. Well, looks like playing dumb was no longer an option.

“Listen, I need one of you to tell me the truth right this instant or you are all cleaning the mess hall tomorrow.” David warned, crossing his arms to appear more threatening.

“Fine.” Harrison murmured. Nerris snapped their head to stare at him with angry eyes. Quietly communicating that she wanted him to shut the fuck up.

“Nerris wanted to show off how they had learned how to use hypnosis on other people so they invited us to their tent.” Harrison explained, excluding the fact that they have sleepovers very often, and instead making it sound like they've only had one sleepover. Although Nerris currently hated his guts, they are glad that he didn't snitch about all the other prior sleepovers. It would have been worse if Nerris caused everyone to get in trouble.

“So,” Harrison continued, “they tried to hypnotize everyone until they got to Max and it actually worked. In my opinion, Nerris is still a pretty shitty wizard.”

“A mage…” Nerris corrected, looking down. God, they were in so much trouble.

“Okay…” David said exasperated, clearly trying to make sense of things. “First off, language. Second of all, what do you mean Nerris “hypnotized” Max.”

“It means that he's asleep for as long as Nerris wants him to be and we can make him do whatever we want.” Ered elucidated.

“Yeah, I shook him and everything and he didn't even get mad at me! He's completely knocked out.” Nikki grinned, patting Max on the cheek.

“Are you sure?” David started walking towards the clueless Max. “Listen I know you kids are very talented but learning that sort of stuff takes a lot of professional lessons. I don't think that you can just learn that kind of stuff from youtools.”

“Youtube.” Neil corrected.

“Right, yes, youtooth.” David said, getting down on one knee and putting his hand softly on Max’s shoulder.

“Max, c’mon bud. It's time to wake up.” David gently said. No response. “Max, time to wake up. You actually followed the bedtime rule but you got to be in your own tent to get the full credit buddy.” David smiled. When Max didn't wake up, his smile faltered.

“Max?” David asked much louder. Concern started to become evident in his facial expression and body language. You could see the exact moment David started to consider the reality of the situation.

“See. Told you.” Nikki said. David looked at her then back to Max, he still seemed in denial.

“Well um, maybe he's deeply asleep! He is a very heavy sleeper afterall.” David argued.

“Yeah, but can he sleep through this?” Nikki raised her hand and smacked Max so roughly she turned his head the other way. Nerris grimaced as the sound of the slap echoed through, other campers exclaimed and cursed in alarm. That sounded like it hurt a lot.

“Nikki!” David shrieked. He reached for Max, seemingly expecting him to be outraged, only to discover he was still asleep. Not even a little rattled by the very harsh slap Nikki had given him.

“See! Nothing! No reaction whatsoever.” Nikki insisted, gesturing towards Max.

“I mean, if that didn't attest our claim I don't know what else will.” Neils adds. Although he seemed pleased with finally having a obvious piece of evidence, he clearly had not expected such a move from Nikki.

“Gosh darnit. How did you even do this?” David asked, looking at Nerris.

“I don't know, I just sort of…did it?” Nerris began explaining. “I read a book about hypnosis and studied how to actually do it but it only worked on Max. Maybe because he was really tired or something. Anyway, it only worked on him and I have full control right now. He’s not dead or in a coma…Well actually I guess it could technically count as a comma.” Nerris looked back at David. David stared at her with huge eyes and an agape mouth.

“No, wait! What I mean is that as long as I dont tell him to wake up he will stay asleep.” Nerris corrected themselves.

“But I can tell him at any time to snap out of this state and he will be back to normal.” Nerris assured

“Well that is exactly what you are going to do right now.” David scolded. Nerris knew that even if they did as they were told, they would still get in trouble. Which means this sleepover would not only end in a very anticlimactic way, but they would also be stuck cleaning the sticky mess hall floors and whatever other punishments CJ added on. Nerris needed an alternative.

“But-” Nerris started.

“No but’s!” David interrupted. “You will make him wake up and you will do it now.” Nerris could tell Gwens lessons on how to be authoritative were working.

“I can make Max do anything you want him to do! I can tell him to be nice, clean the campgrounds, or participate in activities.” At the mention of the last possibility, David glanced up at Nerris.

“Wait, you can make him actually want to do the activities?” David asked. Bingo. Nerris had just found their way out of trouble.

“Yeah. I can tell him that whatever activity you tell him to participate in he will want to do, no questions asked. No arguments needed.” Nerris reasoned

“All you have to do is let us get away with this sleepover and in return you don't have to deal with an angry Max anymore.” Nerris offered, making the deal sound extremely beneficial, which for a very tired counselor, it probably was.

“And I mean, making Max do activities isn't really a bad thing.” Nerris added. “Because…well you know, it's great health wise to be active. So really, you're doing him a favor.”

Nerris didnt know what the fuck they were saying, but they had heard David go on enough rants to remeber some of the phrases he had used when he tried to make them do an especially boring activity. And by the look on his face, Davids seemed to be considering the deal.

“Well you're not wrong but…” David responded, his brows furrowed. Nerris was losing him. They had to come up with something quick.

“How about this? I only make Max do it for…let's say a day or two. And at any point in time or if anything goes wrong, I can make him snap out of it.” Nerris explained.

“We don't get in trouble and you don't have to beg Max to participate in an activity for 15 minutes. I think that's a fair deal, no?” Nerris concluded. If playing D&D had taught them anything, it was to be able to strategize on the spot. David stood there for a couple seconds, clearly thinking his answer through. Swiftly, his shoulders slump and his eyebrows unknit.

“Mhm… fine.” David drawled. Everyone cheered, glad to have avoided cleaning the mess hall floor with toothbrushes.

“But I will stay while you do it.” David affirmed. “Don't want you to make him do something I didn't agree with.”

“Of course.” Nerris replied.

“And he's really alright? Like, this isn't going to hurt him or anything” David questioned.

“Obviously not David. C’mon just sit down!” Nerris quickly answered, too excited about their successful attempt to want to waste anytime. They had done it. Sure, apparently Nerris could only hypnotize people who were extremely exhausted, but they still had the ability to do it! Nerris sat down quickly, not caring if they fell a little too hard on the ground. Unlike Nerris, David gently sat down on the floor, crossing his legs just like Max. As they got ready to tell Max the commands, the smile on Nerris’s face grew wider. Nerris was finally a true mage.

[theredhavendelegate]

Off The Record No. 1: Carmine Letter

Here's a scoop you won't get anywhere else. They won't print stories like this in the paper, not even in rags like The Broad Street Negotiator.

If you want to know what's really going on in Redhaven, then you have to go off the record.

---

A man in a bowler hat, a vest, and wire-rim glasses walks down a long hallway. The carpet is ornate, patterned with fibers of dark red, blue, and gold. The walls are papered with an equally ostentatious style, and wood trim covers them from the baseboards to a little over waist height. It is dim, lit just by gas lamps. The windows are all shuttered.

There are paintings hung along the way, well dressed figures standing alone, contrasted and framed by rolling landscapes, statues, and bowls of fruit. One portrait depicts a brown-furred foxhound so saggy and wrinkled that it appears to be melting.

The Valet stops in front of a pair of hand-carved wooden doors and knocks with an uneven cadence. The response is a single knock from somewhere on the other side, and The Valet enters.

The room is a study, walls lined with bookshelves and more paintings. There are side tables, a couch, a balcony, and a large, imposing wooden desk at the center, which has been etched on its front with the image of a large feather.

Behind the desk is a woman with long, reddish-brown hair and ice-blue eyes. She wears a small amount of makeup, something to sharpen her brows and, to the keen-eyed, foundation on the cheeks. Her clothing is practical, though flawlessly tailored from shoe to cuff.

She smiles coolly at The Valet and gestures with a hand as she says, “We’re on a wonderful little adventure now, meddling in the affairs of the lay folk so directly. I wonder, will it all play out in our favor? I worry that I’m beginning to lose my edge.”

The Valet closes the doors behind himself with a featherlight touch, and then walks over to the desk. Arms at his back, he replies, “One cannot make statements encapsulating a whole person, but your plans, at the very least, are as keen as those of any Carmine to come before you.”

The mayor leans back in her seat and steeples her fingers. “You would know better, wouldn’t you? I see vanishingly little of the effects of my decisions. The balcony provides a stunning view, but very little insight. Enlighten me.”

The servant nods and removes his cap to reveal a mostly vacant scalp which is interrupted by a neat row of thinning strands. “You’ve chosen wisely. All the laborers you’ve selected have agreed to the meeting, including today’s visit, Mister Dahl. He has more influence than he realizes, and his cool temper should prove a balm to that of The Blue Coalition’s agents. All that said, assuming this first meeting goes well, Redhaven’s laborers should be protected without upsetting General Harrison too badly.”

The mayor scoffs. “Nothing could prevent that man from getting his medals in a tangle.”

“Quite right,” The Valet agrees.

There is a knock at the door and the mayor comments, “Right on time. Let Lord Redhaven in and fetch us refreshments. You know what he likes.”

The serving man goes towards the door, his gait soft and prudent. He pulls open them open to reveal an old man with a white, well kept beard and a broad build. The Valet bows and gestures deeper into the room, and once Lord Redhaven has walked past him, closes the doors again. The valet exits through a side door.

“Oswald,” Mayor Carmine calls brightly. “Please, make yourself comfortable. My man will be back in a moment with tarts and Candamoran coffee, a good, coastal blend.”

The lord’s brow is furrowed and his lips are slightly pursed, but he forces a smile and nods, taking a seat before the desk. He slouches deeply into the maroon upholstery and clears his throat. “Well, Desdemona. It’s good to see you again.”

She beams fawningly. “My lord, the honor is all mine! It’s always a blessing that you’re willing to take time out of your busy day to talk about matters of such import with a lowly public servant.”

He rubs a temple. “Well, my schedule only gets busier with the passing days. Did you know that the Confederates conducted an inquest at my estate? They wanted to imprison half of my scientists and philosophers! Claimed they were operatives of The Covenant! I had to bargain directly with that upstart general just to keep those good people free, and I still had to lay a few of them off for his satisfaction.” Oswald has begun to rake his fingers through his beard and the strong impression that he’d been wearing sloughs off to reveal weariness.

The side door opens silently and The Valet returns. He carries a sterling silver platter, upon which rides a set of fine porcelain serving-ware: saucers, teacups, and a steaming carafe, along with a plate of fresh fruit pastries.

The server fills a cup with coffee so dark it seems to suck the light out of the air around it, and then passes it to Oswald. The lord takes a sip and another layer sloughs off of him, weariness giving way to calm. He mutters to the man, “Thank you good sir, thank you.”

Mayor Carmine serves herself a cup as well and turns to The Valet. “Thank you, that will be all.” He bows low, a hand on his bowler hat, rises, and takes his leave.

“Now,” Carmine begins, “It can’t all be bad news, can it? What have your learned men discovered?”

Oswald turns his chin up slightly and smiles. “Ah, yes. Progress. The fog, which had been making people quite fatally ill, can be filtered. Doctor Bell has already seen success with a round of prototype suits, which also mask his condition to his satisfaction while he searches for a cure. He’s rather a lot more confident with his face covered. Another thing: The complex is finally secure again. The entrances that formed during The Transit are all locked down and it’s no longer threatening to collapse, and we’ll be back at full capacity in another month or two.”

Desdemona nods and stirs her coffee, which must have four sugar cubes in it by now. She says, “That’s wonderful to hear. I’ll have you know that the civil side of things is stabilizing as well. Our friends in orange should have their hands full soon enough, and The Blue Coalition won’t be any bother. I’m working on giving them some…competition.”

Oswald nods with a furrowed brow, “I see,” he says, clearly lying. “This…competition, you said? It should see a little…uh…reduction in the population’s general anger, yes?”

The mayor nods decisively and stirs her coffee.

“Good, good then.” Oswald takes another sip from his cup, closing his eyes and sighing with contentment.

A grandfather clock by the window chimes and his eyes snap open. “Oh, goodness me! Is it that late already?” He rises, mildly aback, and sets his cup on the platter. “I’ve got to see Doctor Bell. He has a demonstration for me, something about these peculiar crystals he’s found in the ‘Void Fields’, as he’s taken to calling them, but it was a fine visit, very fine.”

Desdemona pushes the plate of pastries towards the lord and he takes a strawberry one from the stack as he turns to the door. “I really ought to arrange to swing by more often. I swear, our conversations are the only times that I get any rest. Take care and all that.” She nods and waves, and the lord hurries off without another word, pulling open the office doors with one hand while the other handles his tart.

Carmine stares at the doors as they shut and she keeps her eyes fixed on them as Lord Redhaven’s tread fades down the corridor. Once the sound has fully vanished, she sets her untouched drink back on the platter and claps once.

The Valet reemerges from the side door and strolls over to the desk, placing a notepad on the corner of the desk. A few pages are filled with large, neat handwriting, which mirrors the conversation that had just taken place. Carmine tucks it into a drawer as the serving man carries off the platter, and she sets to work writing her own notes after a moment.

She doesn’t write for long. There is a thunderous knock on the door, a sound that echoes throughout the room, and Carmine’s face rankles with displeased familiarity. “Enter,” she vociferates dispassionately.

A brusque man pushes through the doors and throws them closed again. He has rich, olive skin and black eyes that pierce the gloom. His clothing is robe-like, beige and maroon and tied off at the waist with yet more fabric. He carries himself to one of the chairs in front of they mayor’s desk, seats himself, and crosses his legs. “The seat’s still warm,” he remarks.

“Indeed,” Desdemona sneers, not bothering to look up from her note-taking. “The lord was just here a minute ago, and I doubt he’d be happy to see you out and about.”

The man pouts. “You consider this ‘out and about’? You really out to get more sunshine.”

Carmine sets down her pen and glances up, locking eyes with the man. “You are here under my service, Mister Jazari.”

“Please, call me Hasan,” he interjects.

She relaxes slightly and rolls her eyes. “I can tell that you’re bored, Mister Jazari, but I’ve got a bit of good news for once.”

The mercenary raises a dark brow.

The mayor explains, “We’re expecting some agitation at the northern science post not too long after public hiring begins. You’ll be on over-watch to make sure nothing gets too loud: we want to bring things to a simmer now, not a boil.”

Hasan cocks his head to the side and grins. “Over-watch,” he repeats, gnawing on the word slightly. “Sitting around and gazing about? Holding fire unless absolutely necessary? That means I get out of the kennel and I don’t have to waste ammunition. I like the sound of that.”

Carmine furrows her brow. “Regardless of how much ammunition you expect to waste. Make sure you and your rifle are ready. The Valet will give you more details on a need-to-know basis.”

The mayor goes back to writing, and Hasan stares at her for a moment. without looking up, she says, “There are fruit tarts in the pantry, help yourself, and don’t come back in here until I call for you.”

The mercenary grins and finally rises. He heads off through the side door and disappears, leaving Carmine alone in her office. She sets her pen down and strolls over to the glass balcony doors. The sky outside is a dim grey, and it grows dimmer by the minute.

“We’re on a wonderful little adventure now, aren’t we?” she whispers to no one in particular.

“A wonderful little adventure.”

---

First

Prev

Next

[shadowmaat]

Since no one's sending me prompts I guess I'll do it myself. lol

Endless- Maul, Old Guard AU

Maul is killed on Naboo and wakes up whole and alive. Most of the prequels stuff stays the same, but Maul is, for a while, convinced he's some kind of god. When he meets up with Savage he's convinced his brother is just like him, so when Savage dies and stays dead, it shatters something in him he didn't know he had. He's also captured by Palpatine and tortured/experimented upon because immortality is absolutely something that withered bastard wants.

Maul still isn't able to defeat Palps, which is another big mark against the "I'm a god" theory, but he does finally escape and goes off to lick his wounds and try to recover.

The Jedi are still wiped out, but while at first this seems like a good thing to him, there is an emptiness to existence that wasn't there before. Palpatine being in charge of the galaxy galls, and worse, he's doing a bad job of it, in Maul's opinion. It doesn't help that when Empire troopers see him they assume he's a Jedi and try to kill him. Sometimes succeeding.

One of the reasons Maul never got a chance at bettering himself is because he was too consumed with his own grievances to see past the end of his nose, but now he has an eternity to learn and eventually... he does.

Sure, part of it is still fueled by his anger at the universe, but over time he finds he likes helping others. It's strange and off-putting to encounter people who are kind to him and who don't fear him. Once upon a time he'd have been insulted, but now it's... nice. Ish.

He still backslides a lot because, well, he's Maul, but also backsliding is part of moving forward. He helps the Rebellion here and there because anyone who wants to destroy Palpatine is welcome, as far as he's concerned. If he meets the twins, he definitely favors Leia over Luke.

By the time the Sequels happen, Maul has been on the "good" end of the spectrum for a while. Maybe the lower end of it, but still good. He's absolutely not putting up with this First Order bullshit.

Lots of stuff is still the same, but I'll say Maul was fucking around on the Deth Star X-treme! so the attempt to wipe out Hosnia system partially failed. Still lots of death and destruction, but enough of the central government survives that they're forced to realize they may have made a mistake with all their waffling. Maybe.

Maul kills Snoke and is killed in return. While some underlings drag the bodies off to the incinerators, Kylo and Hux are in a standoff over who's in charge.

Maul wakes up and knocks out the troopers carrying him and Snoke, then stashes them in a room without any means of communication. See? He can learn not to kill everyone. Plus, if Fin could rebel maybe these guys will, too. Snoke burns, and Maul heads off to the reactor thingy in time to see Han talking to Kylo.

It's very important for me to note here that there is absolutely no way to excuse Kylo's choice to kill his father: with Snoke dead it is absolutely his own choice to put a saber through Han's chest. Except thanks to some timely intervention from Maul, Han is only grievously wounded instead because fuck you, Harrison Ford.

Maul taunts Kylo, saying that he's met Anakin Skywalker and can confirm that Kylo is just like him: a sniveling, spoiled brat with more hair than sense. He also says Kylo doesn't deserve the name Ben because Obi-Wan, at least, was a worthy opponent.

They fight, giving our plucky heroes time to drag Han to the safety of the ship. Kylo is all you don't understaaand, but Maul is very been there, done that, don't even have the scars to prove it.

Is there a chance Kylo could someday learn to be a better person? Maybe, but it took Maul seventy-odd years and a lot of deaths to unstubborn himself and he really isn't in the mood to take that chance.

Now. At this point it could go one of two ways: the fast solution is Maul kills Kylo and then it's just a matter of wiping out Hux and Phasma and getting Fin to help "deprogram" the troopers and dismantle the Order. OR Kylo could kill Maul and go off to have the big fight in the snow with Rey and Fin while Maul, who isn't recovering as fast as he used to, struggles to get back to the ship and trusts his apprentice(s) to handle it.

With the former the Resistance is going to realize that a First Order without Darksiders mucking things up is actually a lot more dangerous and harder to kill, though it still gets done in the end.

With the latter, the drama lasts longer and it'll be Rey who winds up killing Kylo only to get killed, herself. ...And wake up.

Either way, the trip to Luke's Sooper Seekrit Hideout includes Maul. Because I can play god with this, I'll say that Luke isn't sulking out his entire life on Ahch-To, but rather went there for Important Reasons and got stuck. He and Maul can be bickering co-Masters to Rey's training (and eventually Fin's). Maul teaches her how to create mental shields so Kylo can't intrude on her thoughts (if he's still alive).

The baddies are eventually defeated. Maul & Rey have a lot to talk about re: near-immortality. Han, Leia, Luke, and Chewie are reunited and happy to retire for good, maybe with Lando. Fin & Poe are tasked with trying to return the dozens of children saved from First Order training camps, but it's likely they're going to be raising a lot of them themselves.

Maul is finally comfortable and satisfied with the person he's become. He may not be able to change the past, but he can help shape the future. And he can try to prepare Rey for whatever may be coming next.

(Maul isn't the only immortal, just the only one relevant to this particular story)

[archiveikemen]

Ellis Twilight Main Story: Preview

This is a fan-made translation solely for entertainment purposes with no guaranteed perfection. I do not own any of the original content. Please support CYBIRD by buying their stories and playing their games. Reblogs appreciated.

Did this in a rush, not proofread. Does Harrison want to proofread for me...?

❥･• Warnings and FAQ

My evil is — the desire to twist around you, like the vines of a thorny bush.

…

Ellis: … You’re a very lovely person.

Ellis: I was wondering if I could help you with your first assignment in the “new department”... may I?

Ellis Twilight — a young man with eyes the colour of twilight.

To the point where I forgot the uneasy feeling I got when I first met him, he devoted himself fully to bringing happiness to anyone, anywhere, at any time.

…

Victor: Miss Kate’s life will be at risk before her contract ends—

Victor: — That means the confidentiality of Crown’s information will also be compromised! Right?

Ellis: Yeah.

Jude: … I have a bad feeling about this.

Victor: Therefore, Jude and Ellis…

Victor: I’d like the two of you to take on the responsibility of ensuring Kate’s safety as her bodyguards!

Life with Crown, a group of people who were involved in assassinations, was filled with ups and downs.

…

Ellis: … You’re hardworking.

Kate: Huh? I don't think so.

Ellis: … Nope, you are.

Ellis: You’re a wonderful person, Kate.

…

Ellis: Let me know if you don't like it. … Otherwise, I’d want to remain like this.

Kate: … Why?

Ellis: So that you won't feel nervous.

Ellis: … Is that not okay?

Ellis’ kindness always enveloped my heart like thick and sweet jam.

I drowned in that happiness — until I couldn't escape from it.

…

Kate: It’s more than just making the other person happy.

Kate: I feel that it’s better if you become lovers with someone who you truly want to always have by your side.

Ellis: Someone I… always want to have by my side?

…

Ellis: … I’m sorry. That must've scared you.

Ellis: I should've told you to close your eyes, so that you wouldn't have to witness that.

(Are you alright?)

He locked away his emotions and desires in a tightly sealed box hidden deep inside his heart.

With the same hands that spread joy everywhere he went, with the same facial expression, he casually took the lives of others with ease.

I wanted to know what was inside that tightly sealed box hidden in Ellis’ twisted heart.

…

Ellis: … Okay. Shall we be lovers?

Ellis: I’ll do… everything to make you happy.

Ellis: I can kiss you, or do more than that— anything at all.

Kate: Can I assume that, right now…

Kate: You want to kiss me because you want it too?

— Before I knew it, I had fallen so deeply in love that I longed for him.

The origin of the occasional uneasy feeling I got around him, and the depth of the darkness of the things hidden inside that box — remained unbeknownst to me.

…

Ellis: Before I become any more selfish — I have to put a lid on this.

Ellis: I’d like for you to be happy.

Kate: Ellis—

Ellis: Say, Kate.

Ellis: How happy are you…?

…

I was engulfed by the darkness, unable to see a thing—

There, I discovered Ellis’s true feelings that were like twilight in the middle of the darkness.

Ellis: Let’s stop time at the peak of our happiness.

Ellis: Therefore… be mine forever.

Meeting you taught me what happiness was.

And this love… killed me.