#char: juliette.

[theinseparables-if]

can we please have some fluff facts for everyone plssss 🥺 (im rlly excited on ur IF ) and also have a nice day too!

Thank you so much! I hope you also have a nice day <3

Fluff facts -

A:

-> Huge dog parent! Could be in the worse state of their life and they’d drag themselves home just for Luce (a Great Pyrenees) and Marianne (a Beauceron).

-> Would really enjoy taking d’Artagnan on walks through the markets or through the palace gardens (which they have permission from Louis and Anne to do) with their arms linked as they talk and make each other laugh.

C:

-> C and Anne became very fast friends and often make up ridiculous stories for the nobles that attend the balls.

-> Has a really sweet laugh in public, but often snorts and straight up cackles when laughing with d’Artagnan.

Nasira:

-> Would love to get a matching tattoo with d’Artagnan.

-> Spends a lot of time making friends with stray cats and dogs.

J:

-> Would buy you a present, then get embarrassed that they’d done so just as they’re giving it to you, so they make up that it’s from someone else but they agreed to give it to you. Does this every time and fools no one.

-> Cries at tragic romance novels.

+

Aramis:

-> Extremely loyal to his friends, and would do anything to protect those he loves.

-> Has a lovely singing voice and would sing to d’Artagnan should you wish him too (and sometimes when you don’t).

Porthos:

-> Will give d’Artagnan piggy back rides without hesitation, even if you’re as tall as him.

-> Supportive king!! Will always be there if d’Artagnan needs to talk about anything.

Milady:

-> Honestly, Laurence is the exact opposite of fluffy 😭 she’d hug you just to stab you in the back.

-> She’s ‘let women be evil!!!’ and feminine rage personified.

[what-if-rpg]

↪ Have you heard about JULIETTE FABRAY? SHE is 25 and hails from LIMA, OHIO. Looks exactly like DOVE CAMERON, and is TAKEN.

“Being a part of something special does not make you special. Something is special because you are a part of it.”

↪ IMPORTANT INFORMATION:

FULL NAME: Juliette Celeste Fabray DATE OF BIRTH: January 15 SEXUALITY & GENDER: Bisexual & Female RELATIONSHIP STATUS: Single POSITIVE & NEGATIVE TRAITS: Driven, Dedicated & Detailed. Blunt, Demanding & Self-Involved. OCCUPATION: Author of the “Mr. Porkers” children’s book series - ‘The Amazing Adventures Of Mr. Porkers’ (2019), ‘The Extraordinary Adventures of Mr. Porkers’ (2020), ‘The Spectacular Adventures of Mr. Porker’ (2021), ‘The Marvellous Adventures Of Mr. Porkers’ (2023) CITY: New York, NYC

↪ HEADCANONS:

Juliette is all about her family, and for her, family extends well beyond blood relations; a fact the ‘family tree’ corkboard she keeps in her home office proves beyond a shadow of a doubt. As such, whether it’s by blood or friendship, once Juliette has decided you’re part of her family, you’re family for life (with one or two very specific exemptions).

Juliette suffers from mixed astigmatism and has since she was seven. Until she was 16, she wore glasses to correct her vision but since then, Juliette has primarily used contacts; in part for convenience but mostly because she is self-conscious about how she looks while wearing her glasses (thanks to the teasing she suffered as a child). She does still wear her glasses, but usually only for her early morning/late evening routines or if she is planning to read for an extended period of time.

Juliette is an avid reader and has been for as long as she can remember, a trait encouraged by her mother and to a lesser degree, her father (He did not approve of her preferred genres, Fantasy & Sci-Fi). The only reason she did not apply for a job at a bookstore after she moved to New York was that she knew she’d end up spending her paycheque before she ever got it.

As much as she loves reading, Juliette loves writing even more and is never without one of her trademark orange journals in case inspirations strike; a tradition since one of her grade-school teachers gave her one so that she could save her notebooks for her schoolwork. Her greatest hope is to follow in the footsteps of her idols and became an author, sharing the worlds and characters that live in her mind on the pages of her journal in her legible-only-to-herself handwriting with everyone she can.

While Juliette’s idea of a perfect day is one spent curled up with a good book and a glass of her Grandmother’s sweet tea, she is also very active; jogging or biking wherever she goes when she can or for the thrill of the wind in her hair or just to burn off the near-endless supply of energy she always seems to have. When jogging or biking is not an option, Juliette can often be found dancing around her room (usually while making another attempt at straightening up the clothes, books, and various and sundry that end up inevitably strewn around any room Juliette spends enough time in) or working out at the nearest gym.

For all of her positivity and exuberant energy, Juliette has never been one to seek out attention, preferring the company of a small circle of close friends to parties full of strangers. At the same time, she will also happily talk the ear of a perfect stranger in a one-on-one situation. Especially if it looks like they will be stuck together for longer than 5 minutes.

Learning the truth about her Father affected Juliette more than even she has realized, far beyond simply learning that she has two more sisters in her life, one of whom is an actual movie star. After the initial fallout with her Mother—the single most important person in Juliette’s life up to that point—that followed in the wake of learning that Flora had been keeping the truth from her, and the disconnect with from her grandparents—especially her Grandmother—on learning the role they had played in all of this, family has become incredibly important to Juliette, a fact that has fed into her tenacious and headstrong nature and forced Juliette to reign in her desire for stronger connection with her family—especially her new found siblings—on multiple occasions with mixed results

With Quinn’s marriage to Rachel, Juliette officially gained a sister and a niece, in Rachel and Moriah respectively, and though the sudden ceremony robbed her of her promised role of Bridesmaid, Juliette is happy to welcome both into the Fabray family.

Her non-human family has also expanded since coming to New York. Over the last few years it has seen the addition of several four-legged members: a pet mini-pig, Mrs. Porkers—a 20th birthday gift from Quinn, followed a year later by a puppy, Sir Woofers—a 21st birthday gift from another friend, with the most recent additions being a second dog, Mary Puppins—a Christmas gift from another friend, & a painted wood turtle, Shelly—a 22nd birthday gift from Quinn.

On the professional front, what started out as a gift for a friend’s daughter soon lead to Juliette realizing her lifelong dream of becoming a published author when the collection of stories based loosely on her own childhood adventures with her very best stuffed friend, Mr. Porkers gained the attention of a publisher. After months of late nights and early mornings spent writing and re-writing the first book while trying to maintain some semblance of balance between her schoolwork, her job at The Right Tone, and her personal life—all while maintaining her perpetually bubbly personality—the first book in the series, ‘The Amazing Adventures of Mr. Porkers’, hit shelves to generally positive reviews on March 15th, 2019. The second book, ‘The Extraordinary Adventures of Mr. Porkers’, was released in 2020, with the third, ’The Spectacular Adventures of Mr. Porker’ following in 2021.

In addition to her published works, Juliette has recorded audiobooks of the Mr. Porkers series thus far. She also took a year’s hiatus from the Mr. Porkers series to join the writing staff for a TV Series headed up by one of her friends from University Sadly, after several months, the project was canceled mid-production. That, coupled with the sale of her first Non-Mr. Porkers book falling through shortly after the cancelation was announced triggered a crisis of faith in her writing abilities, and Juliette took the last few months of 2021 and the first several of 2022 traveling, visiting family and friends, and re-evaluating her goals.

2023 saw Juliette return to form with the publishing of the fourth—and penultimate— book in the Mr Porkers series, The Marvellous Adventures Of Mr. Porkers. The final book is expected sometime in 2024, though neither an exact date or title has been announced. With the end of this era in her life, 2024 looks to be an interesting—and potentially life changing—year for Juliette.

↪ IMPORTANT CONNECTIONS:

RUSSEL FABRAY (Father): Juliette was never that close to her father, in part because he was always traveling ‘on a business’ when she was younger, and in part, because she was always closer to her mother, Flora. Since learning the truth of Russel’s double life and his other family, he has become persona non grata in her life and certain events since have only reinforced that position, prompting Juliette to all but eliminate any trace of him from her life as much as possible with the primary exception being her last name. Thankfully she has yet to come into contact with him since learning the truth and Juliette hopes that it stays that way as she’s not sure she wouldn’t physically attack the man on sight. FLORA DEVEREAUX (Mother): While Juliette has always felt closer to her Mother than her father, once she discovered that Russel had another family—complete with two sisters she knew nothing about— and that Flora knew, her relationship with her mother suffered for several weeks but eventually her love for her Momma won out and the two are now as close as they ever were, if not closer. Juliette even dedicated her first book to her Mother. AVERY FABRAY (Older Sister): In spite of their age difference, Juliette has always been a little bit closer to her sister than her brother, but with Avery and Daniel being twins, spending time with one almost inevitably meant spending time with both. At least that’s how Juliette remembers her early years of toddling after her big sister when she wasn’t toddling after Flora. Now that both have grown up and headed out on their own, their relationship is growing into one of equals. At least Juliette hopes it is, though there is still a little bit of that  Big Sister worship going on. DANIEL FABRAY (Older Brother): Like Avery, the age difference between Juliette and Daniel was something that the two would learn to outgrow over the years, and despite the usual residual Big Brother/Little Sister issues, Juliette considers their relationship much stronger now than it ever was when they were children. QUINN FABRAY (Older Half-Sister): After Juliette discovered the existence of her Father’s other family through a series of suspicious coincidences during an online conversation with Quinn, the two have built up a relationship in a surprisingly short period of time. It hasn’t always been easy or smooth, but when Quinn asked Juliette to be one of her Bridesmaids, it was a request Juliette was more than happy to say yes to (and one she still hasn’t entirely forgiven Quinn taking away from her when Quinn and Rachel eloped without warning). But despite the occasional upset–and Quinn’s tendency to ‘overshare’ parts of her personal life, at least as far as Jules is concerned–Juliette had grown almost as close to Quinn as she is the with the Twins. FRANNIE FABRAY (Older Half-Sister): Unlike the quick transition from stranger to family that Juliette and Quinn went through, Juliette and Frannie are still working out their relationship. While Juliette was the first to reach out and while she tries to reign in her enthusiasm to make up for all the years lost to them so as not to push Frannie away, she's not always successful. 

[yourcharateraigirly]

Hi! I’m Samantha!

I’ve been wanting to make Character Ai bots for a while, but I don’t know where to start.

So I’ve decided to take in submissions. Granted, I don’t have a long list of characters I know very well, but promise that if I can, I will read and/or watch whatever I can about that character.

I’ll accept as many submissions as I can while also, if needing to, go over sources for those and other characters.

Also, would y’all be interested in me writing short fanfics and AUs?

And before you scroll, please remember to stay hydrated, take your medication if you do, and fix that sleeping schedule of yours. (You ain’t hiding it well.)

Good Morning/Good Afternoon/Good Night wherever you are! 😁

[cabeswaterdrowned]

Do feel like in some cases there’s a disparity between how a char is perceived on tumblr vs the general public ex: Dawn is a lot more well liked by the Buffy fandom on here than she is in general. So some room to debate there, but I went more with like. The general opinion of most casual viewers/readers when in doubt. So chars like Rory / Elena / Devi who have whole video essays dedicated to how annoying / selfish / whiny they are (eye roll.) count to me. And some might be more polarizing than hated, but vitriol when it’s there is extreme enough I felt like I could count them (Grace).

Also re: Shallan (which is the one I’m most hesitant to include because I interact with the fandom least this is just the impression from what I have seen) will say I’ve only read the first two books of Stormlight and don’t really have plans to continue, but she was definitely my favorite part of the experience so I found it wild to find out people thought of her as the worst part LOL.

[sweetjulieapples]

Dear Commander - Chapter Eighteen : In Your Heart Shall Burn (Part Two)

Cullen x Trevelyan

AO3 MASTERLIST

(Spoilers for the "In Your Heart Shall Burn" quest)

Content warning : blood & violence

Full chapter below:

Panic filled the air as everyone scrambled for cover. The victory by the trebuchets had been short-lived. No one could have predicted a dragon would attack.

Red Templars had breached the walls, and it seemed as though no building, except for the chantry, remained unscathed by the dragon’s fury. It screeched and roared, terrorizing the settlement. The ground shook with each powerful beat of its wings, sending waves of fear rippling through the crowd.

In their desperate flight for the gates, Juliette was knocked down by a frightened stallion that burst from the stables. She crashed to the ground, a sharp pain coursing through her ribs, a reminder of the injury she’d sustained when the dragon’s initial burst of flame had obliterated the trebuchet. Blackwall had rushed to her aid, his strong hands pulling her to her feet, but he vanished at Juliette’s command. What if I put him in danger?

“We must find Master Dennet!” she had worried, glancing back at the stables as they lit up in flames. He had rushed into danger on her behalf, not once hesitating, leaving little room for argument. Regret washed over her as she fought her way to the chantry.

Cullen had informed Juliette that Dennet had safely evacuated to the chantry, along with the stable hand. When she told Cullen, frantic and worried, that Blackwall had gone to the stables, he ordered soldiers to find him. His frustration and anger gave way only momentarily when he pulled her inside the gates, begging her to stay out of danger before running off to fight alongside his soldiers.

Now, she found herself beside Cassandra, the two of them working together to protect Lysette from an ambush of Templars. Adrenaline surged through her veins as she faced the oncoming threat.

Juliette stepped back, a breath of relief escaping her when she noticed Blackwall slip through the gate. Cassandra and Lysette had the Templars under control, and she felt at that time, that her magic was of little use.  Leaning forward, she pressed her hands into her ribs, catching her breath.

Amid her labored breaths and the crackling of nearby flames, Juliette heard faint screams coming from the tavern. Her heart raced as she turned to see smoke escaping from the door. "Flissa? Is that you?" she called out, panic rising in her chest. A weak, muffled voice was the only response.

Frantic to get inside, Juliette dashed towards the door, reaching out with trembling fingers. Just an inch away, she halted, the intense heat radiating from within the building. How do I get this open?

Her gaze swept the area, searching for anything she could use to force the door. Her breath caught when she spotted an axe embedded in a nearby log. Without a second thought, she yanked the axe free and drew back, preparing to swing with all her strength.

“No! Stop!” Cullen’s voice sliced through her thoughts, his hand grabbing her wrist just before she could bring it down.

“What are you doing?” Juliette’s eyes widened in confusion.

“If you break down the door, it could explode!” he exclaimed, urgency flickering in his eyes.

“What? Well, how do I…someone is trapped in there!” Her voice trembled, laced with desperation as the words spilled out.

“I’ll try the window.” Cullen rushed to the side of the building, glancing at the smoke curling from the doorway. Juliette followed close behind, her mind racing.

As Cullen reached the window, he stopped, taking in the sight before him. The wooden frame, blackened and splintered at the edges, struggled against the relentless heat. Flames danced within, while thick smoke billowed out, twisting into the night sky. The glass panes were shattered, shards glittering among the charred remnants of the cabin’s interior.

He peered inside, heart pounding as his eyes adjusted to the flickering light. The fire crackled and roared, consuming furniture. He could see the flames swirling around, casting eerie shadows that made the scene even more dangerous.

Juliette’s gasp drew his attention. “There! Flissa!” she cried, her voice cutting through the roar of the fire. She pointed into the smoke-filled room, her face pale with fear.

Cullen followed her gesture, spotting Flissa motionless on the ground, encircled by flames.

Without hesitation, Cullen stepped back, his foot connecting with the remaining shards of glass. He kicked them away, creating a larger opening. The sound of shattering glass rang out . Taking a steadying breath, he pulled himself through the window, vanishing into the smoke.

As Cullen disappeared into the burning tavern, Juliette began to panic. Her heart raced, and her hands trembled uncontrollably. She bit her nails, the sharp edges digging into her skin as she paced back and forth, each step fueled by a rising sense of dread. I can’t see! What if he’s now hurt? The thought twisted in her gut, and she pressed her palms against her thighs, trying to steady herself.

The heat of the fire crashed into her, stinging her cheeks and intensifying her fear. She could feel it creeping closer, a relentless warning of the danger within. Her breath came in quick, shallow gasps. I should have stopped him from going in there!, she thought, guilt twisting her stomach.

Raising her palm to her forehead, she shielded her eyes from the intense heat. She stepped closer to the window and called out, “Cullen!”

Juliette wasn’t sure if he had yelled back because as she listened for a response, part of the ceiling began to collapse, crashing down with a loud, cracking thud.

“Shit!” she screamed, the sudden noise startling her. Her throat burned from the harshness of her voice and the thick smoke filling the air. “No, no, no!” she yelled in frustration, desperately trying to pull herself through the window. She made several clumsy attempts to lift her legs, each time just missing the ledge. She felt a rush of heat and fear, her heart pounding wildly in her chest. For a moment, she hesitated, her mind racing as she struggled to think clearly.

Then her gaze landed on a nearby crate. Relief mixed with determination as she realized she could use it to boost herself up.

When Juliette finally made it inside, she gasped for breath, her throat burning from the smoke. “Cullen!” she screamed, her voice hoarse and strained.

Amid the raging roar of the fire and the creaking of the building, she finally heard him. “Herald! Get down!”

Lowering herself to the floor, she began to crawl towards them just as Cullen pulled away the last of the debris trapping Flissa beneath.

Relief flooded through her as she spotted them both safe, but her heart sank when she noticed Flissa’s groggy state. Pulling at Flissa’s shoulders, Juliette tried desperately to get her up. “Flissa! Can you move?” she asked with concern.

“Herald of Andraste?” Flissa asked in disbelief. “I knew you’d come!” Her voice drifted as she struggled to hold her eyes open.

Suddenly, a loud crashing noise seized their attention as a rush of air surged into the room through the beaten-down door. Flames erupted, sending the Red Templars that broke in staggering back. Their entrance ignited a wild, uncontrollable fire that raged around Juliette, Flissa, and Cullen.

Cullen turned to Juliette, urgency in his expression. “Get out! Now!” he yelled, standing from his crouched position as he drew his sword. “I’ll hold them back! The window! Go! Move!”

Juliette's breath caught in her throat as she watched the flames surge higher. For a brief moment, shock paralyzed her, her mind struggling to process the scene. But that hesitation was fleeting. The dry heat of the fire stung her eyes, and the air grew scarce—a harsh reminder of the danger that ignited a surge of determination within her.

With a firm grip, she pulled Flissa to her feet, ducking beneath her arm for support. Through coughs and gasps for air, Juliette slowly guided Flissa towards the window, her determination unwavering despite the smoke swirling around them.

As they reached the window, Juliette spotted Cassandra and felt a weight lift from her chest. “Herald! Thank the Maker!” Cassandra exclaimed, reaching her hands inside to help. As Cassandra reached through the window, she grasped Flissa’s arms, pulling with all her strength. Juliette joined in, boosting Flissa up, her hands shaking with adrenaline.

“Come on, Flissa! You can do it!” Juliette urged, her voice strained as the floor creaked beneath them. Each groan of the building felt like a warning, the sound of splintering wood booming around them.

Flames inched closer, their crackling roar mingling with the distant shouts of the Red Templars and clash of swords. The heat intensified behind her, urging them to hurry.

“Faster!” she cried, glancing back through the swirling smoke, trying to catch a glimpse of the fight behind her.

As Cassandra successfully pulled Flissa through the window, Juliette released her feet, but the moment Flissa was safe, her heart plummeted. She whipped around, dread tightening in her chest.

“Cullen!” she shouted, the sound of her voice suffocating to the roar of fire. Panic surged within her as she scanned the room, desperate to catch sight of him. The building creaked around her, each groan a reminder that time was slipping away.

“Where are you?” she whispered, anxiety clawing at her throat, knowing he was still in danger. She poked her head out the window, gasping for fresh air.

“Quickly!” Cassandra shouted, reaching towards Juliette.

“No! Cullen’s still in here!” Juliette yelled, her voice raw with urgency. She shot Cassandra a look that reflected her fear and anguish, a silent plea for understanding.

Cassandra’s expression shifted, her eyes widening in alarm. With a swift movement, she took a few steps back and dashed away, disappearing from sight. Assuming she was making her way to the door, Juliette’s heart raced as she turned back into the suffocating heat of the fire.

Crouching low and pulling the fabric of her clothing over her face, Juliette caught sight of Cullen as the wind shifted, sending the towering flames dancing through the hole in the ceiling. He was defending against two Red Templar knights, much like the one she had faced earlier in battle. The knights were monstrous, their bulky forms adorned with lyrium that pulsed ominously through their armor.

Cullen had done well to hold them back, given the conditions, but time was running out!

A sudden, sharp cracking noise snapped above and Juliette watched as the flames began to consume the beams supporting the ceiling. Gusts of wind tore through the cracks in the building, accelerating the flames and changing their direction on a whim.

Juliette’s vision began to blur as did her thoughts. She felt like her mind was suffocating as well as her body among the smoke and fire. Her eyes darted back to the Templars. They moved with such ease, as though the smoke had no effect. Are they even human?, she wondered, feared, as they showed no signs of slowing their assault.

Feeling utterly useless, she watched as Cullen dodged attacks, his movements increasingly labored. Each time he parried a blow, he had to pause to cough, gasping for what little air was left in the smoke-filled room.

She no longer had any sense of time. Each second felt like an eternity and waiting for Cassandra to help from the other side of the building seemed too risky. Suddenly, another heavy beam fell, crashing to the ground with a deafening thud, sending a shower of embers into the air. Juliette snatched the staff from her back, almost instinctively, ready to cast magic. She paused. What use is more fire in an already burning building?

In that moment memories flooded her mind.

Musty tomes, late night lectures, Templars watching.

Fireballs, scrolls, another friend lost to the The Rite of Tranquility.

The thud of a book slamming onto my desk, Enchanter glaring down at me.

“Pay attention Trevelyan!”

With wide eyes and a sharp gasp, Juliette snapped back to reality. “Wall of fire!” she whispered, inspiration igniting within her. If she could create a barrier, he’d have a chance to escape.

Blinking through the searing, dry heat of the fire she crouched closer and screamed out “Cullen! Fall back!”

When Cullen glanced over his shoulder, their eyes locked for just a heartbeat. His gaze was intense, brows furrowed with concentration. The sharp focus in his eyes was as admirable as it was startling.

In that moment, Juliette understood the depth of his commitment—how, in the name of duty, he would risk everything, even his life, to protect her.

Her breath caught in her throat, a painful constriction echoing the dread in her chest. The chaos around them blurred; the crackling flames and the looming threat of the collapsing ceiling faded into the background. All she could think of was how desperately she needed him to notice her, to understand what she was trying to accomplish without the Templars knowing.

If she couldn’t do this - she’d lose him. She felt a tingle behind her nose and her throat tightened at the thought. A cold shiver ran through her.

She couldn’t lose him.

“Trust me?” Juliette yelled, raising her staff high above her head. As the words escaped her lips, a strange sensation washed over her. She felt a flicker of uncertainty about her own abilities, but desperation had left her with little choice.

Cullen tore his eyes away, raising his sword in a sudden motion towards the approaching Templar. Their blades collided with a sharp clang, locking in a tense bind. They wrestled for dominance, each straining against the other’s strength, the heat from the nearby flames crackling in the air around them.

Another beam collapsed, sending fiery debris into the air with a loud boom. Cullen released a fierce grunt, kicking the Templar down with all his strength. As another Templar charged at him, sword raised, Cullen dropped back, giving Juliette just a second to act. With a deep inhale, she raised both hands toward the ceiling in a controlled motion, summoning a wild, roaring wall of fire that flared to life just inches from Cullen’s face.

Cullen fell to the ground, eyes wide with terror at the inferno raging before him. He crawled backward, blinking against the sting of the heat. Nearby, Juliette hunched over, coughing violently from the smoke that filled her lungs as she drew upon her magic. For a brief moment, Cullen’s gaze flicked to her, but the creaking ceiling quickly pulled his attention back.

“It’s going to fall! We have to get out! Now!” he shouted, scrambling to his feet and dashing towards her. With a gasp, Juliette turned to the window, making a frantic attempt to pull herself through. Without a moment to spare, Cullen scooped her into his arms and launched her through the opening. She squealed at the sudden movement before crashing onto the snow-covered ground outside.

When Juliette fell to the ground, a sharp pain shot through her, the icy sting of snow a shocking contrast to the fiery chaos she had just escaped. Her vision swirled, colours blending into a dizzying blur, and sounds muffled into a distant roar. Each breath felt like ice scraping her throat, the dryness a reminder of the smoke she had inhaled.

As she lay there, the world around her began to sharpen into focus. The familiar sight of Cullen’s black and red fur coat hovered above her, framing her vision. He leaned over Juliette, his body shielding hers from the falling debris.

The unexpected closeness sent a jolt of electricity through her. The intimacy of their position took her by surprise, and for a heartbeat, time seemed to stand still.

Their eyes locked, and a rush of emotions flooded between them—fear, relief, and an unspoken attraction that pulsed in the air. Both panting from their narrow escape, the chaos of the burning tavern faded into the background, leaving only the two of them in that moment.

“Are you alright?” Cullen’s voice was a low whisper, strained and breathless, each word escaping between rugged breaths.

Juliette nodded, the surrounding snow brushing against the sides of her face while she tried to process her shock.

The moment seemed to last an eternity as they lay on the ground, staring into each other’s eyes. Each heartbeat echoed with a magnetic pull, drawing them closer despite the danger that still raged around them. Juliette could feel the warmth radiating from Cullen, contrasting sharply with the icy ground beneath her. It wasn’t just the heat from his plate armor, it was the warmth of his body, so close to hers, that enveloped her like a protective shield.

That closeness stirred something deep within her—a longing that had been lurking just beneath the surface, now ignited by their shared peril. The flickering light of the flames behind him illuminated the intensity in his gaze. She could see the way his breath quickened, the slight tremor in his lips as he tried to catch his breath.

Despite the noise and danger swirling around them, all Juliette could focus on was him.

As she lay there, looking up at him, Juliette took in the sight of Cullen. His hair was tousled and disheveled, the strands sticking together with sweat and ash from the fire. Her gaze drifted to a fresh cut near his hairline, a thin line of blood slowly trickling down the side of his face. Her heart clenched at the sight. In that moment, she felt a surge of concern for Cullen, a realization of just how close she had come to losing him.

“You’re hurt!” she gasped, reaching her hand upward, stopping just short of touching him. She hesitated, her fingers hovering above the side of his face. Her eyes searched his, filled with worry, as she absorbed the vulnerability in his expression.

Time seemed to freeze in a brief pause, and then Cullen leaned into her hand, resting his face against her palm. He welcomed her touch, the warmth of his skin igniting a spark within her. With a shaky inhale, Juliette gently moved her thumb, caressing his cheek in a tender, comforting motion. Their eyes held steady contact, a deep, intense gaze, the tension between them growing with each heartbeat.

The erratic pulsing of her mark cast a flickering green light across Cullen’s face as she softly moved her hand towards his injury. Her gaze slowly pulled away from his eyes, trailing up to his hair, where she gently brushed aside the blonde strands, revealing the wound beneath.

He rested his hand over hers, intertwining their fingers as if inviting her touch. The warmth of his hand sent a shiver through her, replacing her concern with a fluttering excitement. As she looked up at him, her eyes softened, a blush creeping into her cheeks. A shy smile began to form, her lips slightly parted in surprise and wonder. In that moment, she felt a longing swell within her, turning her worry into something far more intoxicating—an undeniable attraction that left her breathless.

Cullen moved in closer, his gaze locked on hers, assessing her expression with a mix of intensity and desire. As he drew nearer, his breath slowed, and a flicker of uncertainty crossed his features. He hesitated, lingering just a breath away, searching her eyes for any sign of encouragement.

She let her eyes close, surrendering to the moment, her heart racing in anticipation. But the blissful silence shattered with the piercing screech of the dragon overhead, jolting her back to reality. Her eyes flew open just in time to catch the shift in Cullen’s expression, transforming from deep yearning to alarm, the reminder of where they were and the attack that threatened them.

“No!” he exclaimed, his voice raspy with shock as he pulled back. He quickly sprang to his feet, reaching down for her hand. “We’ve got to go!” he shouted over the dragon’s roar, his gaze darting to the sky. “To the Chantry. Now!”

A battle raged on outside the entrance to the chantry. There was crackle of magical energy in the air as Solas stalled the enemy’s advance, giving the Inquisition’s soldiers a chance to secure a safe passage to escort villagers into the chantry’s doors. Near the tavern’s entrance, Cassandra and Lysette fought valiantly, pushing back the relentless tide of Red Templar knights. It had become clear that their effort had slowed the attacks in the tavern, allowing for Cullen and Juliette’s escape.

Cullen sprinted to their aid, sword in one hand, while the other remained firmly wrapped around Juliette’s wrist, pulling her along with a blend of urgency and protectiveness. He released her grip as he charged forward, plunging into the battle.

Juliette quickly snatched the staff from her back, spinning it with newly-practiced grace. Drawing on her magic, she unleashed a torrent of fireballs that soared towards the Templars, lighting up the battlefield.

At the first opportunity for a break in the battle, Cassandra and Lysette charged forward, moving closer to the Chantry. Juliette paused to catch her breath, her gaze drifting towards Cullen, a flicker of worry reflected in her eyes. Just as she prepared to follow them, desperate screams pierced the air. She spun around, her heart racing as she spotted a plume of smoke rising from the direction of the apothecary.

Dorian arrived from the opposite side just as Juliette did, their eyes locking in a shared moment of panic. Without a word, they sprang into action, frantically tearing away at the debris and overturned pots that pinned both Adan and Minaeve beneath. Each piece they removed felt like a race against time, the sounds of battle fading into the background as they focused on the rescue.

“It’s going to explode! Help!” Minaeve screamed between sobs.

The dragon flew above , it’s enormous wings casting an eerie shadow over the top of them, it’s scream almost paralyzing. Dorian glanced up at the beast, then turned back to Juliette, urgency burning in his eyes. “We’re losing people! We need to hurry!”

Cullen burst through the Chantry doors, the shouts of battle still echoing in his ears. Officers and scouts swarmed him, voices overlapping in a frantic uproar, each demanding his attention. He felt a wave of disorientation wash over him, the urgency of their questions blurring into a haze.

Wiping the sweat from his forehead, he winced as his fingers brushed against the sting of the wound, a sharp reminder of the fight still raging outside. The burn only heightened his awareness, sharpening his focus amidst the confusion.

“Can we get out of here?,” he asked, frustration cutting through the noise.

“They have the building surrounded, Commander,” a scout replied. “Even if we were to clear a path, that dragon…”

“Keep the civilians downstairs in the cells. It’s the safest place for now,” Cullen ordered.

“Yes, Commander,” the scout said, raising a fist to his chest in salute.

Cullen glanced back at the door, waiting anxiously for any sign that the others would make it through. The voice of an officer faded into a blur as he listed the supplies they had on hand.

“It will have to be enough, there’s nothing more we can do,” Cullen said, moving towards the war room. “We need to barricade the door to…” He paused, listening intently. He could have sworn he heard a banging noise. The ceiling of the Chantry rumbled. People gasped in shock. The dragon was once again perched on the roof.

Shaking his head with determination, Cullen pressed on. “We must block the door in the war room to prevent them from breaking…” He paused again, looking around. “I’m sorry, what is that noise?”

An officer gulped nervously, casting a guilty glance at Cullen. “The noise, Ser?”

“Yes, it sounds like banging on the—” Cullen turned and gasped at the sight of the crates stacked in front of Josephine’s door. Muffled shouts and banging from the other side could faintly be heard amid the bustle within the Chantry.

“Maker’s Breath!” Cullen shouted, rushing towards the crates to pull them aside. “What is this?”

As the crates fell away, the door to the ambassador's office flung open violently, Chancellor Roderick stumbling out. His face was flushed with anger as he cursed and caught his breath.

“Who is responsible for this?” Cullen yelled, glaring at the officers.

“It was… um…” one of them began, trailing off as the realization dawned that they would much rather face Cullen’s wrath than Leliana’s.

Cullen scoffed, frustration bubbling to the surface. “It doesn’t matter, we need to—”

“What have you people done?” Roderick shouted, cutting him off yet again. “The Maker will turn His judgment upon you all!” Driven by anger and shock, he stormed towards the chantry door.

“Chancellor! No!” an officer called after him, chasing Roderick into the danger outside.

Cullen sighed, dropping his head into his palm. “The war table is massive—let’s get it in front of that door at the back of the war room,” he suggested. Officers sprang into action, moving towards the war room at his command. He turned to the man stationed by the door to the cells. “Is the Herald alright?”

“The Herald?” the man replied, confused. “She hasn’t come through here yet.”

“What?” Cullen yelled, the urgency surging within him. With a heavy exhale, he drew his sword and marched towards the exit, determination hardening his focus.

Minaeve gasped and coughed as Dorian helped her to her feet. “Maker, thank you!” she exclaimed, looking at him with gratitude. “Thank you!”

“Run for the Chantry!” Dorian yelled, his voice nearly lost amid the dragon’s deafening screech.

“Herald? Herald!” Adan yelled to Juliette, shaking her arm. She stared at his leg with a vacant expression, shock consuming her while she looked at the wood that pierced through. The smell of smoke mixed with the metallic scent of blood carried in the air, the wind still blowing wildly through the night. “It’s too hot…” he slurred his words, fading in and out of consciousness.

“No, no!” Juliette whispered. “We can pull this out…free you from…” she looked up to Dorian as he crouched beside her. “Help me!” she begged, desperately turning to him for an answer.

“Juliette…” Dorian said slowly, a hint of sadness in his voice.

“We can move him inside. Heal him with a spell…right?”

“It’s hot, too hot!” Adan shouted, trembling violently.

“It’s okay, we’ll help you,” she soothed, her voice cracking as tears began to form. “Right? Dorian?”

Dorian met her gaze with a somber look. “Herald,” he whispered. “We’ve done all we can.”

“No, no!” she shook her head fiercely. “We will help!”

“Even if we do move him—” Dorian began, but the flap of wings intensified above them, the dragon drawing nearer. The air vibrated with a chilling roar, sending a tremor through the ground beneath their feet.

“We can’t leave him here!” she cried, desperation lacing her words.

Adan’s body trembled violently, the warmth slipping away from him like sand through her fingers. She cradled him, desperation rising in her chest. His eyes, once bright with life, began to dim, and a shuddering breath escaped his lips.

“Herald…” he gasped, his voice barely a whisper. “The pots…”

Her heart clenched at the weakness in his voice. “Adan, please—stay with me!” she pleaded, her voice cracking. Tears streamed down her cheeks as she felt his strength fading, the light in his eyes flickering like a dying flame.

He didn’t respond. Instead, his gaze turned distant, and with a final, shuddering breath, he slipped away, leaving her with nothing but the haunting echo of his last words. The world around her blurred as she clutched him tighter, anguish flooding her heart.

“The pots!” Dorian gasped. He jumped to his feet, pulling at Juliette’s shoulder. “Those were the pots by the trebuchet! They’re explosive!” he shouted.

“What?” Juliette whispered in shock, her eyes still focused on Adan.

The dragon circled back toward them, its massive wings casting a shadow that swallowed the ground. With a deafening roar, it flew closer, the ground trembling beneath the force of its presence. Panic surged through her as she realized the danger looming above.

“Juliette, we need to move!” Dorian shouted.

Thanks to the Inquisition’s soldiers and their allies, the Red Templars had slowed their invasion at the front of the chantry. Chancellor Roderick stood by the door, leaning against it for support while he clutched at his stomach. As he held it open, the last of the soldiers rushed inside.

Cassandra sprinted towards Blackwall, her voice carrying the weight of relief. “They’re safe! They’re coming now!” she shouted, glancing back at the raging fire that engulfed the buildings by the apothecary. Smoke billowed into the night sky and the sharp crack of the explosion still rang in her ears.

“Move! Keep going!” Roderick urged, his voice wavering. “The chantry is your shelter!”

Cassandra paused as she began to run inside the doors, noticing the state that Chancellor Roderick was in. The grimace on his face showed the pain he was trying to mask, struggling to remain upright. Empathy flickered in her eyes, her brows relaxed for just a moment. She exhaled heavily, determination returning as she prepared herself for what lay ahead. There would be many more injured.

Cullen ascended the stairs leading from the cells, the chaotic sounds of panic below echoing in his ears. Villagers cried out in fear, their voices a mix of desperate prayers, frantic arguments, and the harsh reality of uncertainty. The air was thick with anxiety, punctuated by the cries of the injured. Each step felt heavier as he carried the weight of their fear and confusion on his shoulders.

He had already lost soldiers—men he had trained and fought beside—and the thought of their sacrifice weighed heavily on his heart, a silent ache that threatened to crack his stoic facade. He forced himself to remain calm, reminding himself that he had to be their leader, to guide them through this disaster.

In the back of his mind, a nagging worry clawed at him. Where was Juliette? He hadn’t seen her down there, and there was no sign of her outside. He needed to focus, to keep the villagers safe, but the fear for her safety loomed like a dark shadow.

As Cullen reached the chantry floor, his heart raced, a mix of relief and anxiety coursing through him. The chattering of soldiers faded momentarily as his gaze locked onto the doors just in time to see Juliette stumble through.

Juliette stood there, breathless and disheveled, her hair wild and tousled, strands sticking to her forehead. Ash smeared across her face, contrasted against her pale skin. Her eyes, red and irritated, darted around the room, but they lacked focus—a vacant, haunted expression that sent a chill through him.

“Herald!” he exclaimed with relief, running to her. As he neared, her gaze snapped to him, sharp and alert for a moment before the dazed look returned. Cullen’s gaze softened momentarily, but the urgency of their situation pulled him back. He took a steadying breath, steeling himself. “Our position is not good,” he said, his voice firm yet gentle. He stepped closer, his tone shifting to one of authority, “That dragon stole back any time you might have earned us.”

Juliette met Cullen’s gaze, a flicker of understanding passing between them. The anguish in her dark brown eyes spoke volumes. She said nothing, the weight of unspoken words hanging in the air, and turned her attention to Chancellor Roderick, who slumped in a chair, looking battered and defeated.

Juliette’s gaze fell on Roderick. Despite their history—his disdainful words and the way he had treated her—she knelt before him, compassion flooding her heart as she assessed his injuries. The chancellor had never been kind to her, and yet here he was, vulnerable and in pain. In that moment, the true kindness of her nature shone through. Cullen watched her, struck by the depth of her empathy.

It was a reminder that, beneath the weight of their struggles, Juliette could still extend compassion even to those who had wronged her. He admired her for it, recognizing the strength it took to rise above personal grievances in a time of crisis. As she reached out to Roderick, he felt a swell of pride and concern for her. She was more than a leader—she was a beacon of hope.

Cole stood by Roderick’s side, an eerie yet comforting presence. “He tried to stop a Templar,” Cole explained, his gaze shifting to Juliette. “The blade went deep. He’s going to die,” he said nonchalantly, as if discussing the weather rather than the fate of a man before them.

Roderick coughed at the words, “What a charming boy.”

Juliette’s heart felt heavy, the familiar ache of loss settling in her chest. “There’s no chance for him?” she asked, numbly. Adan’s blood still settled in the cracks of her hands. She now understood, perhaps too well, that hope was a fragile thing have. She reached forward and held Roderick’s hand, a gesture of respect. She could offer little else.

Cullen’s eyes widened as she leaned forward, catching the sight of blood smeared down the side of her neck. “Herald!” he spoke with alarm. “You’re bleeding!”

“I’m fine,” she replied softly, her gaze unwavering as she focused on Roderick.

“No, you’re not,” Cullen insisted, his tone firm. He waved his arm, signaling for an officer to come over. “Fetch a healer. Now!”

“No,” Juliette said defiantly, her voice cutting through the air.

“Herald, you need to—”

“I said no!” she screamed, turning to him, anger blazing in her eyes.

Cullen was taken aback by her sudden outburst, his eyes widening in shock. The fierceness in her gaze cut through him, and a wave of guilt washed over him for pushing her too far. He hadn’t considered how fragile she might feel in that moment, her pain raw and close to the surface. 

Juliette’s anger quickly gave way, her voice dropping to a whisper. “I’m sorry... I...” she said, her breath trembling. “It’s not mine,” she added, her tone laced with trauma. She swiped her hand across her neck, as though to prove her point. “It’s not my blood.”

Cullen nodded, understandingly, sadness in his expression. Juliette looked up to the officer. “I…uh, I’ll take a healing potion if it’s not too much trouble. I might have a bruised rib or something.”

“Right away, your worship,” the officer replied with a respectful nod, hurrying to fulfill her request.

Juliette turned back to Cullen, determination flickering in her eyes. “What are we going to do?”

Cullen shook his head in frustration. “There has been no communication, no demands. Only advance after advance.”

Dorian stepped forward, joining the conversation. “This Elder One takes what it wants. From what I gathered in Redcliffe, the Venatori and their obsession—” he paused, his expression darkening. “It marched all this way to take your Herald.”

Cullen’s jaw tightened at Dorian’s words, a flicker of anger flashing across his face. Cole spoke with a haunting confirmation, “The Elder One doesn’t care about the village. He only wants the Herald.”

Juliette’s breath caught at Cole’s words, a whirlwind of confusion and fear tightening in her chest. Frustration flared within her, and she felt her temper rising. She leaned closer, her eyes narrowing on Cole.

“If you know why he wants me, just say it,” she pressed, her voice taut with anger. The weight of uncertainty was unbearable, and she refused to be left in the dark any longer.

“I don’t,” Cole said with a tremble to his voice. He looked up at her, his eyes piercing and unsettling. “He’s too loud. It hurts to hear him. He wants to kill you. No one else matters, but he’ll crush them, kill them anyway.” He paused, a small sigh escaped his lips. “I don’t like him.”

“You don’t like…?” Culled began to ask, giving up halfway through with frustration at Cole’s ridiculous, nonchalant comments. 

“Herald,” Cullen said, turning to Juliette, his expression grave. “There are no tactics to make this survivable.” His voice was heavy with sadness and regret. “The only thing that slowed them was the avalanche. We could turn the remaining trebuchets, cause one last slide.”

Juliette shook her head defiantly. “No, that’s…no!” She rose to her feet, her eyes wide with urgency. “We’re overrun, Cullen. To hit the enemy, we’d bury Haven!”

Cullen met her gaze, a deep sorrow reflected in his eyes. He leaned in slightly, his voice low and regretful. “We’re dying, but we can decide how. Many don’t get that choice.”

“Well, that’s not acceptable!” Dorian shrieked, his frustration boiling over. “I didn’t race all the way here, spend weeks doing your dirty work, and endure this freezing hellhole, only to have you drop rocks on my head!”

Cullen snapped, anger and frustration coursing through him. “Should we submit? Let him kill us?” he shouted, his voice sharp.

Juliette lowered herself back to the floor and buried her face in her palms as their argument escalated. Emotions swelled within her, and she sniffled back tears, her hands trembling against her skin. She felt a gentle tug at her arm and looked up, her eyes glistening with unshed tears. Chancellor Roderick’s hand rested on her arm, as though he had something to say.

“Yes, that!” Cole perked up with inspiration. “Chancellor Roderick can help. He wants to say it before he dies.”

Juliette looked back to Roderick, listening closely. With a soft, weakness to his voice he began, “There is a path. You wouldn’t know it unless you’d made the summer pilgrimage. As I have —”

Dorian’s shouting overpowered Roderick’s voice. “Dying is typically a last resort, not first! For a Templar, you think like a blood mage!”

“For the love of The Maker, will you both shut up!” Juliette screamed, the harsh squeal of her voice stinging her throat. She turned to Roderick, urgency creeping into her tone. “What? What are you on about?” She pressed , her patience wearing thin.

“It was whim that I walked the path. I did not meant to start—it was overgrown. Now, with so many in the Conclave dead, to be the only one who remembers… I don’t know, Herald.” He grasped her hand firmly, looking into her eyes with unexpected intensity. “If this simple memory can save us, this could be more than mere accident. You could be more.”

“A path?” Juliette asked, rising to her feet. She turned to Cullen, hope flickering in her eyes. “What about it, Cullen? Will it work?”

“Possibly,” he shrugged. “If he shows us the path.”

Leliana shouted from the door of the war room, “It is done. The door is blocked, now we wait.”

Cullen turned to her and shouted back, “Good. Go to the cells with the others.”

“Are you joking?” Leliana asked, offended. “I will stay and fight, Commander. If they break through here you have as much time as I have arrows.”

You have as much time as I have arrows.

Those words sent a chill through Juliette and Dorian, echoing exactly what she had said in the alternate reality. They shared a look, a silent understanding passing between them. The memory flooded back: Leliana sacrificing herself for their escape—a brave and selfless act that haunted them both.

Juliette looked down at her hands. Behind the glow of green light, the creases in her palm were stained with crimson. Blood on her hands. Adan’s , Roderick’s, possibly even Cullen’s. She looked back up, drawing in a deep breath and exhaling loudly.

“This ends now,” she said, a darkness creeping into her tone. “If it is me they want, they can have me.”

Cullen’s eyes widened in disbelief, his breath catching in his throat. For a moment, he was speechless, taken aback by her words.

“I can distract them while you lead everyone to safety.”

“But what of your escape?” Cullen asked, their eyes locking in a charged silence. The intensity of the moment wrapped around them, and as Juliette averted her gaze to the ground, a heavy weight settled in his chest. She understood what her words meant—she likely wouldn’t escape.

Cullen’s heart sank, and a wave of despair washed over him. It was more than just concern, it was a revelation. Seeing her like this, so resolute yet vulnerable, struck him like a cold dagger to the heart. He realized then just how deeply he cared for her—beyond duty, beyond friendship. She had become important to him, and the thought of losing her sent a sharp pain through his chest.

His expression softened, a mixture of admiration and heartbreak, but he also knew he could not sway her determination. She was willing to sacrifice herself for the greater good, and the weight of that choice hung heavy in the air.

“Perhaps you will surprise it, find a way…” he said, trying to inject some semblance of hope into his voice, even as anguish churned within him.

An officer returned, approaching Juliette with a healing potion that she swiftly accepted. Cullen moved towards his soldiers, his neck turning as he walked, not taking his eyes off her. He wasn’t ready to see her go.

“Inquisition! Follow Chancellor Roderick through the chantry! Move!” Cullen ordered, the soldiers scrambling to obey his command.

Cole supported Roderick, guiding him with slow, deliberate steps. As the Chancellor stumbled forward, he glanced back at Juliette. “Herald… if you are meant for this, if the Inquisition is meant for this, I pray for you.”

Juliette’s gaze was stern, a coldness that contrasted sharply with the usual warmth that sparkled in her eyes. Adrenaline coursed through her veins, her heart pounding wildly as she was propelled by shock. Each beat resonated with the weight of the moment, sharpening her senses and fueling a fierce determination within her.

Cullen stepped closer, and her eyes fluttered to his, softening slightly amidst the turmoil as soldiers rushed past her. His expression was stern and commanding as he explained in a serious tone, “They’ll load the trebuchets. Keep the Elder One’s attention until we’re above the treeline.”

Juliette nodded, her attention caught as Cassandra tore toward her, Varric following closely behind. “I’m going with you,” Cassandra declared, her tone firm and leaving little room for argument.

Varric added with a nervous chuckle, “If there’s one thing I know, it’s how to get an asshole’s attention!”

Juliette watched them walk out of the chantry, surprise spread across her face. A small sense of comfort washed over her, knowing she wouldn’t be alone in this fight.

Dorian pulled his staff from his back and followed after them. As he brushed past Juliette, he said with a wry smile, “We need to be noticed? Happens to be a specialty of mine.”

She turned back to Cullen, her expression of wonder fading as she noticed the look on his face. His brow furrowed, and his eyes told of regret. There was a heaviness in his gaze, a silent acknowledgment that this could be their last moment together. His mouth tightened, as if he wanted to speak, to promise her safety, but he knew he couldn’t. It was his duty to stay and lead.

In that moment, Juliette saw the weight of his emotions mirrored in her own. A flicker of understanding passed between them, but the overwhelming tide of the situation left her speechless. She turned away, feeling the ache in her chest swell, wanting to say something, anything, but the words wouldn’t come.

Cullen reached out and grabbed her hand, halting her. His grip was firm yet tender, as if trying to steal a few more moments in her presence. “If we are to have a chance—if you are to have a chance—let that thing hear you,” he urged, his voice low and intense, filled with both fear and fierce hope.

Juliette’s gaze fell to their hands, the way his fingers wrapped around hers, the warmth of his touch grounding her. She looked back up to his eyes, and in that moment, a soft look of admiration and respect filled her expression. She saw the determination, the unyielding resolve to protect their people.

For a heartbeat, everything else faded away. The weight of his words wrapped around them, anchoring them in that moment. With a quiet nod, she placed her other hand on top of his, her touch gentle. Cullen looked down at their hands, swallowed hard, and then met her gaze again. Her eyes glistened and emotion trembled in her voice as she spoke, “Maker watch over you, Cullen.”

All he could do was nod as she pulled her hands away from his and turned, slipping out the door. Cullen watched her go, the warmth of her touch still lingering on his skin as he stood alone , staring at the door.

[selidren]

Eté 1929 - Champs-les-Sims

9/20

Mais parmi les vides laissés, celui qui s'est exprimé le plus est celui de mon père. Lui qui n'est pas connu pour ses "excès de sentiments" comme dit Tante Juliette, nous a tous crevé le coeur un peu avant de partir à la cérémonie.

Nous sommes arrivés en retard, car personne n'a osé le brusquer. Sauf que mon père n'est pas du genre à se sentir poussé par les convention et il n'agit pas comme tout le monde. Cela dit, ma grand-mère aurait été ravie de savoir qu'elle a fait poireauter plus de deux-cent personnes sous la pluie le jour de son enterrement.

Bref, mon père a refusé de sortir pendant au moins deux heures. Antoine s'y est risqué avant de se faire mettre dehors séance tenante par Maman qui l'a houspillé car il "brusquait trop son père". Tante Rose a essayé avec les cajoleries qui la caractérisent, sans plus de succès. J'avais presque peur que ma tante Juliette s'y mette, avec la subtilité de char d'assaut qui la caractérise, mais c'est encore une fois Oncle Adelphe qui a débloqué la situation. Non sans casse.

Transcription :

Rose « Constantin ? Tu as fini de t’habiller ? »

Constantin « Oui. »

Rose « Nous n’attendons plus que toi. Tu peux descendre quand tu en auras envie. »

Constantin « Pas encore Rose. Pas encore. »

Rose « Constantin… Est-ce que tu as besoin de quelque chose ? »

Constantin « Non, de rien merci. »

Rose « Adelphe est juste à côté. Veux-tu que j’aille le chercher ? »

Constantin « Oui, s’il te plaît. »

Rose « Cousine Jeanne. Nous risquons d’attendre encore un moment. Je peux vous apporter quelque chose ? »

Jeanne « J’apprécierai bien un bon café bien chaud. Il faut emmagasiner des forces et de la chaleur, il fait toujours si froid dans cette église… Et Constantin ? »

Rose « Adelphe est avec lui. »

[feminaferitas]

jam bby, you already know how amazing i think you are! every character that you portray, from faith to the yj girls, you always try to get a deeper (hehe) understanding of the muses that you write and it shows every time in your threads and when you plot. i love discussing them all with you! we're so lucky to have you as part of this fandom! you help keep it alive and thriving. getting to know you has been one of the highlights for me and i can't wait for us to see juliette & the licks together at the end of the month!!

beep beep how’s my portrayal?

//RAE how dare you!!! thank you my love, i so appreciate you and char scooping me up and bringing me into this madness with you. i'm so happy we can all shout about this stuff together even if it deals immense psychic damage at the same time sdjklf <3

and YES omg even if you might not get your mosh pit dreams we're gonna have a fucking blast (and get you some good firsthand reference for your nat band AU at the same time). ilu !!!

[freakingoutthesquares]

What happened to the scarred landscapes?

Ex-Pulp guitarist Russell Senior gets his skates on and finds that, in contrast to 20 years ago, his hometown is awash with bangin' beats and basil. Observer Music Monthly, Sunday 15 October 2006

"At the age of 18 I escaped the squalor of Sheffield as fast as British Rail could take me and went as far geographically and culturally as is possible. To Bath, in fact. For months I slumbered in the golden light of Bath's beauty. But something was missing in this soft-focus dream. I pined for the furnaces. Sheffield was calling me back ..."

As the train sped north, past desolate wastelands, I felt a rising exhilaration. Then, as I saw the sickly orange glow of the city, the smokestacks and endless rows of grim, charred houses, I felt pride. A perverse pride that I came from a place so unremittingly ugly. A toothless old lady on the bus showed me photographs of her grandson, Nathan, who had just had his spleen removed; it is a shame, isn't it?

I discovered my own city. Concerts everywhere in underground clubs, pubs, abandoned factory buildings and railway stations. Distorted electronic experiments balancing on the edge of ugliness. Poets with haircuts that made the last bus home dangerous. Dark venues with half-lit figures banging lumps of metal and snarling in a flickering collage of projections. Dadaism for the masses. So you formed a band. Everyone formed a band.

By 1983 it was beginning to wane. Some bands had got big. Others had fallen by the wayside. It was sobering to see someone who you wouldn't have dared speak to, because they were so cool, begging or staggering around drunk. The miners' strike started the following year and I used to go out in the middle of the night on flying pickets around those scarred landscapes. Being in a band seemed trivial in comparison, but that's what I did for the next 14 years, which is two life sentences.

It was quite a relief to stop doing that and return to normal life in Sheffield.

In the last two or three years, while I've had my back turned, there has been a renaissance. Groovy young people are of a mind to check out new stuff, and there's plenty of it. The few concerts I have been to recently have been - get this - mostly enjoyable. The city has changed out of recognition. Sadly, it isn't half as depressed as it used to be. Cranes fill the sky with condos and you can buy a cappuccino, fresh basil and all the other essentials of modern living. So it's time to pass the burgers through the school fence and hit the town. It's raining and the sky is leaden, the best possible omen ...

First off is the Leadmill, where Juliette Lewis and the Licks are on. I don't know much about the turn; I think they must have won the 'Search for a competent yet generic and soulless rock star USA' competition. The audience will be ejected at 10pm so they can be charged again to come to the club night later. Now, correct me if I'm wrong, but surely one cannot attain the warm susurration of drunken bonhomie before 10pm? That simply isn't enough time to recognise a few faces, talk some crap, venture an opinion on the turn, change it in the light of other people's comments, stumble on to the dance floor, sidle ineptly up to an attractive person you've seen around a few times and ruin your chances of effecting coitus with them forever by vomiting. Anyway, Juliette isn't local so I shall eschew her scantily clad antics in solidarity with you, my oppressed brothers and sisters.

Next up will be Offbeat at the Raynor Lounge in the university, a tiny venue catering to the C2006 crowd. You can dance to Sonic Youth, the Pixies, and obscure Fall B-sides, but don't ask the DJ to play the Kaiser Chiefs or you'll be thrown out. If an unfamiliar track comes on, just ask yourself: 'What would Belle and Sebastian do in a situation like this?' Shuffle off the dancefloor until you've established that it's by the Yeah Yeah Yeahs then sidle back on as if you liked it all along and had got it on brown 10-inch vinyl. When I was a lad indie kids were the most flamboyant and vivacious. How things have changed.

I notice three girls looking across, nudging each other and pointing in my direction. One of them walks over and says: 'Excuse me, but aren't you ...' I suck in my stomach and cheeks and reach for my solid gold autograph pen. 'Yeah, yeah, yeah, who's it to? Invented Britpop, you say? You're too kind. The jacket? £1.50 from Oxfam. Yes, they are rubbish since I left. Yes, it is my own hair. Anyway got to shoot, catch you laters' - the usual stuff. ' ...Sophie Senior's dad?' she finishes.

As if that isn't bad enough, there are eight dance events on. Clubbers will know that Sheffield has a very good (or is it bad?) dance scene, with Gatecrasher and the like. So remember to restrict your vocabulary to 2,000 words max and only use smug affirmatives such as, 'bangin" 'mental' 'steamin" and the like. DJs are just people who play records! Personally I wish DJ Pied Piper would lead them all off a cliff like the sheep they are. Dat would be well wicked.

We drop into the Grapes, a pub which puts on three bands a night, seven days a week, to see Baby Pinkstar. They start tuning up and arguing with each other. 'Just play the bloody tape!' screams the singer at the drummer. This promises to be an awful, grinding dirge. Surprisingly, it isn't and the two songs I hear have a country and northern psychobilly edge. And it doesn't cost £12. And you can hang around and talk twaddle afterwards. And the bassist is fitter than Juliette Lewis.

Next up is Pink Grease, who are playing at the roller disco. Now that's more like it! The Friday night I first went there was in the mid-Seventies. Tentative newcomers clung to the sides on coltish legs as Noddy Holder rasped: 'We're all crayzee now!' A girl from our school got a love bite to the sirens of 'Blockbuster'. On Monday she wore a scarf to cover it from the teachers, but made sure it slipped down so her mates could see it at lunchtime. The slag! So imagine my surprise when I go up the same stairs 30 years later to find them playing exactly the same records. The people look exactly the same too, only even more Seventies. Current jumble-sale chic is offset by physics-defying hair topiary.

Pink Grease play glam as nature intended it. There's none of that intellectual Pierrot-doll Bowie/ Roxy/ Bolan fey stuff. No, it's just proper 'back-of-the-bike-sheds' British glam with a nod to the New York Dolls. This is the glam of 'Angel Face' by the Glitter Band, of Sweet and Slade and Suzi Quatro. They ride the colossal natural waves of reverb in the hall to catch some long rides of grooviness. Oh, and the singer has blue hair and jumps into the audience a lot, which is just as it should be. For the first time since the Eighties, I envy rather than pity the youth of Sheffield. Did I mention that the audience is on roller skates?

There's stacks more going on, so if you're lucky enough to live in or visit Sheffield, pick up a copy of the free listings fanzine Sandman and add your voice to the sound of the crowd. If you like live indie, you'll need to go to the Fuzz club. If you like electro, you'll want to check out Synthetic. If you like acid-folk, you'll be needing the Red House, Lantern Theatre or Cool as Folk. If you want to read some history, then get Beats Working for a Living by Martin Lilleker, which details the Sheffield scene up to 1984, when it all went downhill.

·Russell Senior played with Pulp between 1983 and 1997; he now writes, produces and manages bands

[witchesroad-hq]

CONGRATULATIONS, G, CHAR and RAE and welcome to the Town of Westray! Please make sure you've checked off all the boxes on the checklist and to send in your blog!

G with Prometheus Ashfield (Lee Pace, Owner of Emerald Lodge, Fire Leaning High Fae)

CHAR with Faith Hawthorne (Eliza Dushku, Owner of the Ranger Park, Hawthorne Hunter)

RAE with Veronica Avery (Juliette Lewis, Singer for Dramaturgy, Avery Hunter)

[forever-eternal]

I am giving the list lol—

1. Tsukihime (Fairy Tail)

2. Andromeda (Black Butler)

3. Marianne (Avengers)

4. Robin (WTTT)

5. Adam (WTT)

6. Literally all of my WTTT AU

7. Quena (Undertale/General)

8. Riley (Undertale/General)

9. Emily (Undertale/General)

10. Nicholas (Undertale/General)

11. Liam (Harry Potter/Char. Replacement)

12. Aster (Harry Potter/Char. Replacement)

13. Jessamine (Harry Potter/Char. Replacement)

14. Dakota (Halloween/Slashers)

15. Hassan (Assassin’s Creed)

16. Tariq (Assassin’s Creed)

17. Elijah (Until Dawn) +Indie

18. Hiro (Fairy Tail)

19. Damian (Fairy Tail)

20. Crimson Knight (MLP)

21. Savannah (Sally Face)

22. Zosime (PJO)

23. Fenris (Undertale)

24. Cadenza (Undertale)

25. Cyan & Crew (Among Us)

26. Kazuya (MHA)

27. Olivia (Little Evil)

28. Haven (AC:NH)

29. Leviathan (Avengers)

30. Cat (TMNT 12)

31. Auntie (ROTTMNT)

32. Miss Ray (TMNT 87)

33. Tank (TMNT 03)

34. ‘Noona’ (Mutant Mayhem)

35. Mama Mel (Hazbin)

36. Ves (Hazbin)

37. Bianca (Hazbin)

38. Blair (Hazbin)

39. Brielle (Hazbin)

40. Ming (ATLA)

41. Peyton (FNAF)

42. Glitch (FNAF)

43. Veronica (FNAF)

44. Shade (FNAF)

45. Ares (Lust Doll/General)

46. Ariel (General)

47. Isaiah (General)

48. Juliette/Guardian Angel/Princess Papillon (MLB)

49. Eilah (HTTYD)

50. Jackie (FNAF)

51. Victoria (Family Guy)

52. Amelia (My Child; Lesbensborn)

53. Laura/Lori (DHMIS)

54. Crea (Under the Oak Tree)

55. Cheyanne (Stardew)

56. Antonella (Encanto)

57. Breanna (Encanto)

58. Ricardo (Encanto)

59. Zhenlian (ATLA)

60. The Archivist (Creepypasta/General)

61. Nadine (The Forest)

62. Dai Lu (Kung Fu Panda)

63. Daniela/Apprentice/Specialist (TF2)

64. Firefly (HTTYD)

65. Beau (DnD)

66. Merdrath (DnD)

67. Keiko (And Others for a YanSim inspired Rewrite)

68. Michael (COD/General)

69. Dylan (Subnautica)

70. Leonidas (King’s Choice)

71. Yu-Jun (Train to Busan)

Hey guys I am having Many OC Thoughts and I want to ramble, so if there are any Fandom OC’s you wanna see, I can give you the list I have of all the named OC’s that I remember rn and you can ask about them—

[ssweeneys]

[rosebrielle-blog1]

All the even numbers :)

Oh, wow. This is a ton of questions and I totally love you for it, Jules!!! Thank youuuu.

2. What color underwear/boxers wearing now?I am.. wearing absolutely nothing right now! I’ve got bikini bottoms on, hence the job.

4. Whats your favorite number?13.

6. If you were a crayon what color would you be?A nice lavender color. Yes, yessss.

8. Who was the last person you talked to on the phone?One of my online friends who’s helping me out with the merchandise selling.

10. Do you have a significant other?I do not. I’m painfully single.

12. Siblings?SO MANY. Layla, Charlotte and Ashley.

14. Hair color?Originally a brunette, but I dyed my hair blonde a loooong time ago.

16. Do you wear contacts?I do, yes! Though I tend to wear my glasses more than anything.

18. Favorite month?December.

20. What was the last movie you watched?Captain America: Civil War. I love Tony Stark.

22. Are you too shy to ask someone out?Not at all. If I’m feeling someone, I’ll definitely ask them out. I do it all the time. I love people.

24. Hugs or Kisses?Kisses.

26. Do you want your friends to respond to this?Nope! They can do whatever they want.

28. Who is least likely to respond to a text from you?My ex-girlfriend, probably..?

30. Piercings?Two in each ear, anddd thinking of getting my eyebrow pierced.

32. Favorite football Team?DALLAS COWBOYS, ALWAYS AND FOREVER.

34. Butter, Plain or Salted popcorn?All of the above. I don’t discriminate when it comes to popcorn.

38. Favorite flower?Daisy.

40. Do you have a best friend of the opposite sex?Yesss, yes! Cammy Cam. @cameron-weston.

42. Who would you like to see right now?Hmm. No one, really. I’m in Cameron’s bed right now, so I’ve got all I need. Even if I need to go to work in a few minutes.

44. Have you ever fired a gun?No way. I’m way too scared to do anything like that.

46. Right-handed or Left-handed?I’m a lefty. I’m a weirdo and I’m a freak.

48. Are you missing someone?Cameron, when I go to work.

50. Anybody on Tumblr that you’d go on a date with?Uh, yes? Everyone. You’re all beautiful.

[regegade]

This is Juliette!  She used to work for Elisa

Then she brought he back to life as a demon. How sweet

Human Form (1700s) - Human Form (Modern) - Human Form Nude (Modern) Demon Form - Demon Form Nude

Original Design made by rhapsodize-adopts

[liliaeth]

People have talked a lot about First Kill, and how great it is as lesbian representation. And I love that for any wlw enjoying it as the young adult show it is. It's not great art, it's cheesy, and it's awesome just for that.

But the one thing I haven't seen mentioned even nearly as much, is how good it is for racial representation.

I never watched Vampire Diaries, so can't compare it to that or any of it's off shoots. (except that apparently Bonnie was done dirty, according to my tumblr feed)

I did watch Buffy the Vampire Slayer, Supernatural, Teen Wolf, and plenty of other fantasy shows. And it's led me to notice how rarely shows like these treat characters of color, and especially black girls and women, as characters in their own right. Characters with feelings and emotions that are just as important as those of the white characters. (esp. those of white men)

Just think about the characters of color in Teen Wolf, to give a most recent example.

Yes, Scott was the main character. But if the show had one flaw, it was that it consistently treated Scott's feelings as less important than those of his white friends. Stiles, Derek, Jackson, Isaac, ... could all whine and complain about the most minor thing, and it would be treated as this big important moment.

But Scott was expected to go through enormous trauma, without complaint, and was supposed to come out of it, primarily caring for his white friends, and how the things he went through, affected the white people around him.

When Boyd died, TW made his death more about him comforting Derek that he did the right thing in biting him, than about the horror of a teenage boy dying.

Davies actively claimed that Mason was 'too good to have permanent consequences from his possession by the Beast'

We got pretty much no interactions between Scott and Hayden after Scott bit her, despite him becoming her alpha, no moment to explore how both of them felt about it. In contrast to all such scenes we got from Liam.

Peter was never called out on what he did to Scott, not even by Scott's mother, and even after Scott literally died, Melissa was more ready to speech on him on what he owed others, than to console him on what had been done to him, and what he just went through.

And that's not even starting on how they treated Kira, let out the actress playing her.

And that's just a few examples.

So when I watched First Kill, I was happily surprised to find how much better this show handled it's non white characters.

From the first episode on.

How they cut the ep in half, showing the same events from two perspectives, first Juliette's and then Calliope's. Giving equal depth and importance to introducing both of them and the different families they came from. What their parents expected of them, and what their hopes and dreams were, and why...

And that was just the first episode.

As the series continued, we learn just as much about both families, different things, sure, but the series shows us what is important to each and why.

Cal isn't expected to be the strong black girl, who is just there to look after Juliette's needs. Cal's own feelings matter just as much.

We see them both fall in love, and why. Sure there's some lust involved at first, but soon that turns to more.

Even Ben, who in any other show would just be 'the black friend', instead is fully fleshed out, and gets to call out his white best friend when he feels she's done him wrong, and when the white boy he has a crush on mistreats him, he says so and breaks it off.

Often with characters like that, (esp. in fanfic), if a char like that were replaced with a teddy bear, you wouldn't notice the difference

But here, Ben is a full fledged individual, with needs, backstory, a plotline that hopefully will be built on more next season)

Cal's brothers get to have their own personality, the studious gentle but driven and dilligent studious older brother, Theo, and the hot hardheaded and somewhat arrogant jock, Apollo.

Both who get storylines of their own. And whose feelings matter.

In this show it isn't just the Fairmonts who get to be three dimensional characters, the Burns family and their friends are equally explored, and it's sad to see just how refreshing that is. (like seriously, there are far too few shows that are like this, Black Lightning is one of the only other ones I can think of)

[highwaytothedangerzone502]

India Lima Yankee - Chapter 23

Pairing: Rooster x Female OC

Word Count: 4055

Warnings: Death, terminal illness, near-death, lot of sadness

Summary: Juliette Kazansky discovers Maverick is back in town for a special training detachment, but she's more than a little blindsided when her Rooster arrives too. Having not spoken to him for almost ten years after their less than amicable break-up, Juliette can only imagine how the next few weeks are going to play out when she remains head over heels in love with him while he wants nothing to do with Juliette other than to forget her.

Or so she thinks.

Notes: Chapters in italics are flashbacks. I made this chapter long since y'all had to wait so long for it :)

Chapter Songs: You'll Be In My Heart (Piano) Beyond the Sea (Piano) Great Balls of Fire (Alternate Piano)

Chapters: Chp 1 Chp 2 Chp 3 Chp 4 Chp 5 Chp 6 Chp 7 Chp 8 Chp 9 Chp 10 Chp 11 Chp 12 Chp 13 Chp 14 Chp 15 Chp 16 Chp 17 Chp 18 Chp 19 Chp 20 Chp 21 Chp 22 Chp 23

Rooster

The words coming out of Juliette's mouth made sense individually, but Rooster couldn't make heads or tails of them combined. He didn't care, though. He loved how she lit up talking about her proposal, the way her sapphire eyes glittered with anticipation at the idea of presenting it, how an involuntarily smile would form on her kissable lips the longer she talked about it, how the facts sprouted from her mouth like she'd been born with them ingrained in her mind. Most of all, Rooster loved seeing Juliette's worries, stress, and melancholy melt away for a short while, the tension dissipate from her tightly wound shoulders. 

Rooster kept a hand on her thigh as a constant reminder that Juliette was here and alive, that this wasn't some cruel dream he'd wake up from and find himself staring at the charred remains of Coyote's plane instead of Juliette's glowing face. 

Around seven, she finished her work, and they migrated to the couch. Rooster turned on the TV, but neither one paid much attention to it. Juliette fell asleep on his shoulder thirty minutes in, exhausted from the rollercoaster they called today. Rooster didn't dare move a muscle, unwilling to break the peace that had finally overcome Juliette. Instead, he stared up at the ceiling, keeping his hand on her thigh as he unconsciously, lightly, tapped out the words he ached to say: India Lima Yankee. Even after their passionate kiss mere hours ago, Rooster was still scared to speak them in fear of pushing their relationship forward too fast. Juliette had never been one to act without thinking when it came to relationships. She liked slow and steady. Rooster learned early on before he started dating her that Juliette wanted to be wooed. It was the same day he bought the locket for her, the same one currently residing in the chest pocket of his flight suit. Rooster had meant to give it to her the next time they met, but he hadn't planned on that being this morning. Then she'd gone up with him and the other pilots, chaos ensued in the evening, and Bradley hadn't found the right time. Remembering Juliette hated being woken up, Rooster decided now was certainly not the right time either.

Darkness settled over North Island, but Rooster still didn't move. Instead, he allowed himself to close his eyes, to maybe get some rest while he waited for news, but the idea was short-lived because the door squeaked open. Rooster looked up, hoping it'd be Maverick with information on Phoenix and Bob. Instead, he found Hangman standing there, his expression perplexed but seemingly not from seeing Juliette passed out on Rooster's shoulder.

"What do you want, Seresin?" Bradley asked quietly, hoping not to wake Juliette. It didn't work. She stirred, blinking sleepily.

"Cyclone requested my help in finding Juliette. He needs to speak with her in his office. I'm to escort her there," Hangman said.

"Shit," Jules muttered grumpily, pushing herself up. "I swear to God if he's going to force me to see the doctor after what happened today..."

She got up and shouldered her purse. Rooster walked her over to Hangman and said, "I'll be here when you're done."

"Hopefully, this won't take long," Juliette replied, giving Bradley a quick peck on the lips. "I'll be back."

Rooster nodded and watched her leave with Hangman, who walked much too closely to Juliette for Bradley's liking. Swallowing his rising annoyance, he turned around and returned to the couch. He switched off the TV, the noise now grating on his frayed nerves. It'd been fine with Juliette by his side. She'd always had a calming effect on him, whether she intended to or not, but with her gone, the anxiety and worry from today rose up like a violent tidal wave, continually swelling, waiting to crash down on him in its monstrous size and drown him. Rooster simply sat in the darkness, though, unwilling and unable to move with the paralyzing fear gripping him. Something must've happened to Phoenix and Bob for it to be taking this long for him to get word on their condition. And maybe it was paranoia overtaking him, but a quiet, ominous voice in the back of his mind told him that whatever Cyclone needed to talk to Juliette about, it couldn't be good. 

Out of the corner of his eye, Rooster saw a familiar figure enter the room. He glanced at Maverick for only a brief second, avoiding looking at his captain's face in fear he'd see the news he didn't want to hear.

"They'll keep Phoenix and Bob in the hospital overnight for observation. They're going to be okay," Maverick informed, stopping a conservative distance away.

Rooster bowed his head in relief, silently thanking God for allowing his friends to live. There'd been too many close calls today, but they'd all survived. He could be grateful for that. "That's good," Rooster replied, his voice much steadier than he felt inside, the tidal wave still threatening to drown him. "I've never lost a wingman."

"You're lucky," Maverick said softly. "Fly long enough, it'll happen... there will be others."

Maybe it was his frayed nerves; maybe it was his pent-up fury at the man he loved so much but had been brutally betrayed by; maybe it was him wanting the answers he always wanted but never received; maybe it was Rooster wanting to hurt Maverick the same way his surrogate dad had hurt him all those years ago because as Maverick turned around to leave, Rooster said, "Easy for you to say. No wife. No kids. Nobody to mourn you when you burn in."

The words weren't true. Rooster knew Juliette and the rest of the Kazansky clan would be devastated if Maverick died, that Penny would be upset, that he himself would be distraught, but Rooster didn't care. The pain caused by the betrayal of Maverick cut Bradley to the bone, and it had been an open wound ever since, festering for almost two decades. Nothing and no one could stop him from finally unleashing his fury.

Maverick didn't turn around. All he said was, "Go home. Let's get some sleep."

The decorated captain tried to walk away, but Bradley snapped, standing up in outrage and demanding, "Why'd you pull my papers from the academy? Why did you stand in my way?!"

Maverick stopped, peering at Rooster over his shoulder. He hesitated before replying, "You weren't ready."

"Ready for what, huh?" Rooster stalked towards him, putting himself nose to nose with his captain. "Ready to fly like you?"

"No," Maverick said, finally turning around and meeting Bradley's gaze. "Ready to forget the book. Trust your instincts. Don't think. Just do. You think up there, you're dead. Believe me."

Had Rooster not been so far gone in his anger, the look of despair falling onto Maverick's face might've stopped him from what he said next. He wanted the man he used to look up to feel the same pain he had all these years, to feel some betrayal of his own. All Maverick had wanted was for the two men to reconcile. Bradley knew this, and he would steal those dreams the same way Maverick had stolen his by pulling Bradley's papers. In a quiet and accusatory voice, Rooster said, "My dad believed in you. I'm not going to make the same mistake."

Pained silence engulfed the two of them, both evidently hurting in their own way but unable to work it out. Rage rolled off Rooster in waves, colliding violently with the sorrow pulsating outward from Maverick. Who knows how long they would've stood there, their gazes unwavering from each other, had Warlock's quiet voice not gathered their attention from the doorway.

"Maverick," the rear admiral said. Something about his expression, although always stoic and collected, had an edge of sadness in it.

Mav cleared his throat and tore his eyes from Bradley. "Sir?"

Warlock's gaze briefly flicked over to Rooster as if he was trying to gauge the situation between the two aviators. But, if he figured out what was happening, he didn't ask. Bradley wished he would've inquired about the trouble between him and Maverick rather than the bombshell he dropped next. "Admiral Kazansky has passed away."

Both Maverick and Rooster staggered slightly back, stunned and disbelieving. How could Iceman be dead? The man who beat the cancer twice before already? Perhaps Rooster had fallen under the same denial Juliette had, that the doctors had misdiagnosed the terminal illness, or that he'd be a miracle case and survive it against all odds, or-

"Jules," Bradley breathed, the reality sinking in. Cyclone calling her into his office... it couldn't be a coincidence. "Where's Juliette?"

"I'm here," came her unsteady response, her voice barely above a whisper. Jules came into view, barefoot and supported by Hangman, who held her purse and heels in his free hand. How Juliette was even up and walking was beyond Rooster, but then again, she'd never reacted to shocking situations like most other people. 

She slipped out of Hangman's grasp and shuffled in a daze to Maverick, who enveloped her in a stupefied hug. "I'm so sorry, Juliette. I'm so sorry."

Tears rolled down her face. "I saw him this morning. He seemed to be doing better. I don't know what happened. I don't-"

Juliette broke down into hushed sobs, sinking into Maverick's embrace. Rooster bowed his head, hiding the tears forming in his eyes as he silently grieved the loss of Admiral Kazansky, the man who had supported Rooster at Top Gun when he'd had no family of his own, none that Bradley wanted there, at least; he grieved the man who Rooster wanted to ask permission to marry his daughter when the time was right; the man he had hoped to get to know once more but now would never have the chance. 

Out of his peripheral, Bradley saw Hangman set Juliette's belongings inside the room and shut the door behind him and Warlock, allowing the three to mourn privately.

Bradley rested a hand on Juliette's shoulder and squeezed it to let her know he was there for her too. As much as he wanted to be the one consoling her right now, he understood that she and Maverick shared a bond in regards to Iceman much deeper than she did with Rooster. Admiral Kazansky had been a rock for both of them, and now, he was gone.

"When's the funeral?" Maverick inquired, sniffling.

"Tomorrow evening," Juliette replied, hiccuping and pulling away. She wiped the tears off her cheek.

"I, uh, I need to go talk to Cyclone and Warlock about the preparations, see what I need to do." Mav turned to Rooster. "Take care of her and get her home, Lieutenant."

"Yes, sir." If there was one thing that could make the boys set aside their differences, no matter what, it was Juliette. Maverick kissed his goddaughter on top of the head and left the room.

"Let's get you home," Rooster said gently, wrapping his arm around her shoulders and pulling her close.

She sniffled, frowning. "You need to change out of your flight suit. You'll get in trouble if you don't."

"It's fine. I think some exceptions can be made right now."

"No, don't- don't make exceptions for me just because-" Juliette's voice hitched- "Nothing is normal for me right now, and I need... I need some type of normalcy to occur. Please. For my sanity, I just need you to do what you would normally do if what happened hadn't-"

Juliette covered her mouth as a sob burst forth, and Bradley immediately enveloped her in a comforting embrace. She wept into his chest, her fists clutching his shirt like it was the only thing tethering her to reality. Having been in her position before, the possibility of that being true was strong. Rooster let her cry until no more tears could be produced, and the second of many waves of grief subsided. Without a word, he once more slipped his arm around her waist and grabbed her things, escorting her to his room. Juliette sank onto his bed upon their arrival, and Rooster swiftly changed into casual wear. He draped his flight suit over the back of his desk chair, taking Juliette's locket out of the chest pocket and slipping it into his keepsake box before she could see it. He could give her the locket one day, but not today. Now was not the time to bring up their past in any way, shape, or form.

Rooster grabbed his wallet, keys, and Juliette's belongings. She stood up shakily and gripped his hand in a vise. She might crush his bones if she squeezed any harder, but he'd let her. Anything to help Juliette through this. Rooster had been here before. He understood the helplessness and disbelief, the inability to fully comprehend that someone you loved and cared for so profoundly was gone. Time would heal the wound, but the scar would always linger as an emptiness in the heart that nothing and no one could fill.

Bradley briefly let go of Juliette to help her in his car, get in the driver's seat, and reverse out of his parking spot. However, the second he could, his hand was back in hers.

"Do we need to pick up Raptor and Lightning?" Rooster asked gently.

Juliette shook her head. "No, they're with my par-" she stopped short, correcting herself- "my mom. I dropped them off this morning to... to cheer up my dad."

Juliette's voice went up a couple of octaves as she tried to stop the tears from falling again with a barely successful attempt. No other words were aid until Rooster pulled into the Kazansky driveway. An eerie silence had settled over the place, and the darkness of the house didn't help. The only light showing, dim as it was, came from the living room. 

"I don't want to go inside," Juliette whispered, staring at her home with what Rooster could only describe as fear. "I don't want to be in the house he's not in anymore."

"You don't have to," Rooster replied softly, kissing the back of her hand. "I can go get the dogs for you."

Juliette shook her head, giving a small appreciative smile. "No, I have to. My mom needs me..."

Taking a deep breath, Juliette exited the car. Rooster followed her up to the front and inside the unsettlingly quiet house. Juliette called out for her mom, who emerged from the living room within seconds. Tears streaks stained the Kazansky matriarch's cheeks, and she broke down when she saw her daughter, who appeared equally as distraught and depressed as her mom. The two women tightly embraced, their bodies shaking while they wept into each other's shoulders. Rooster hung his head to avert his eyes, feeling like he was intruding upon a moment the two were sharing. 

Sarah Kazansky pulled away, and her gaze fell on Bradley. She smiled so warmly at him for someone who had just lost her husband, and it reminded him of his mom whenever she would go through periods of severe depression when missing Goose, how she would plaster on a smile that could brighten even the darkest of rooms. 

"It's so good to see you again, Bradley," Sarah said, pulling him into a hug. 

He willingly returned it, telling her, "You too, ma'am. I'm so sorry for your loss."

"Thank you, sweetheart." Sarah backed off, wiping fresh tears off her cheeks. "We knew this day was coming, but it doesn't make it any easier."

"Are you by yourself?" Juliette asked, kneeling down to pet Raptor and Lightning, who had come strolling in at the sound of the owner's voice. The dogs acted as upset as the humans, almost like they knew Iceman wasn't coming back.

"Yes. Jack and Lillian will arrive in the morning, along with Joey, and will stay with me for a while," she replied.

"Will you two be okay by yourselves tonight?" Rooster inquired, unreasonably worried about them being alone. It's not like they were in any danger. However, the aviator still didn't relish the idea of leaving the grieving women alone.

Sarah smiled appreciatively at him. "We should be fine, but if you'd like to stay, I know neither of us would object."

"I don't want to intrude. I'm sure you two would like to be alone, but if-"

Sarah shook her head. "You wouldn't be. If you have to get back to base, I understand, but-" her gaze shifted worriedly to Juliette- "if not, I'd like for you to stay the night. I'd feel better about it."

Rooster nodded. "Of course."

"I'm, uh, I'm going to take a shower. It's been a long day," Juliette said, standing up. She picked up her belongings and kissed Rooster on the cheek. "I'll be back in a bit."

He watched her go slowly up the stairs; Raptor and Lightning followed closely behind. Sarah waited until her daughter was out of earshot before saying, "Thank you for staying. I know things aren't what they were between you two, but after she nearly crashed in the plane-"

Rooster blanched. "You know about that?"

"Yes. Maverick called me, told me he was worried about her. If he was concerned about how she was holding up, I knew it had to be serious."

Hesitantly, he nodded. "It was..."

"Juliette will never admit when she's struggling, but I know the signs, and she's been showing them for a while. Even though things have been tense between you two, she's been happier recently, and all I can think of is that you and Maverick are around."

"It probably has more to do with Maverick," Bradley admitted, shoving his hands in his pockets. "I think I've caused her more stress."

"Maybe in the very beginning, but not now. Not anymore." Sarah grasped his arms, a sadness falling onto her face. "Thank you for staying with us tonight."

"Anything I can do to help, just let me know," Rooster promised.

"Would you mind playing the piano for a little bit? The house is too quiet, and I missed having you around to play. None of us could do it half as well as you."

"I'd be honored." Bradley offered his arm for Sarah Kazansky to take, and she did. He escorted her into the living room. While she took residence in her late husband's recliner, Rooster took a seat on the piano bench, his fingers gliding over the keys to play some soft melodies, nothing too sad to avoid adding to the already somber mood in the house, but nothing too upbeat either. Just... calm. He played 'Dock of the Bay' as it was the first one to come to mind, followed by 'I'm Yours' by Jason Mraz, 'Half of My Heart' by John Mayer, and a few others he could think of. He noticed halfway through the sixth song that Sarah Kazansky's eyes were closed, but Rooster kept playing in the event she wasn't asleep. She had asked him to play, and he would until his fingers fell off. Anything to make the tragic situation a little more bearable for her.

As Bradley finished off 'You've Lost That Lovin' Feeling,' Juliette slid onto the bench next to him, wearing leggings and an oversized sweatshirt, the too-long sleeves pulled over her fists. She had her hair pulled back in a clip, and she would've appeared completely fine save for her bloodshot eyes, a dead giveaway for the breakdown she must've had in the shower.

"Your mom asked me to play," he whispered, continuing to play a soft melody to prevent waking Sarah with the conversation. "Do you have any requests?"

Juliette rested her head on his shoulder. "Dad always loved Phil Collins."

Rooster nodded, going over the playlist of songs in his head. Finally, he landed on one, although he hesitated to play it. Unlike the others he'd been playing, this song verged on nostalgic and melancholy, especially given the circumstances, but he swore he could hear Iceman's voice telling him, compelling him, to play it, convincing Bradley any other song would be insufficient for the moment.

Rooster's fingers started playing involuntarily, almost like they had a mind of their own, and he started singingly softly along to 'You'll Be In My Heart.' Although Bradley couldn't see Juliette's face, he could feel the muscles in it contorting against his shoulder. Halfway through the song, he heard her sniffle, and Rooster's playing trailed off.

"I'm sorry. I should've chosen a different one," he apologized guiltily upon seeing her crying.

Juliette lifted her head and shook it. "No, no, it's not that. I love that song. Dad loved that song. It's-" she wiped tears off her cheeks- "it's just of all songs you could've chosen that I know you know how to play of Phil Collins, you chose that one."

"How come?"

She smiled wistfully at the piano, a fresh stream of silent tears rolling down her cheeks, but she didn't seem to notice. "I told my dad that if I ever got married, he could choose our father-daughter dance. Dad chose that song."

"You know-" Rooster swallowed the knot down in his throat as the gravity of the song's meaning fell over him- "my mom always told me that whenever 'Great Balls of Fire' started playing, it was Dad saying hi. I usually heard the song when I was going through tough times and needed a pick-me-up. So maybe hearing this song tonight was your dad saying he's still here."

There were three specific times Rooster remembered hearing 'Great Balls of Fire' an abnormal amount of times for a song that had come out in 1957: after his mom passed, after he cut Maverick out of his life, and when he'd broken up with Juliette. It always came on when he was feeling incredibly alone. Perhaps it was just a coincidence, but Rooster had always believed his parents were watching over him. And, if his parents were his guardian angels, then Iceman was undoubtedly his family's, letting his presence be known through Bradley playing the piano. It's why Rooster had mentioned his little belief, not intending for his words to break Juliette down again, but she did. However, the tears weren't full of sadness because she was smiling through them. Glancing over at the piano, she whispered, "Hi, Dad."

Bradley reached over and grabbed her hand. Juliette squeezed it gratefully. She stood up, keeping ahold of him. He followed her to the couch, and they settled in under a plush blanket while Raptor and Lightning lay at their feet. Juliette turned on the TV, changing the channel to one playing classical piano versions of popular songs from all decades.

"What's the sign that your mom was around?" Juliette asked softly, resting her head on his shoulder.

"It's 'Beyond the Sea' by Bobby Darrin," Rooster replied, smiling. "I have one faint memory of Mom playing it before we went to see Dad at Top Gun, belting out to it. She would always play it on their wedding anniversary, even after he died, and the anniversary of his death, but no other times. I think it hurt too much to listen to outside of those times."

"She must be saying hi right now, then." Juliette nodded at the TV. Following her line of sight, Rooster zeroed in on the caption at the bottom of the screen stating the song: Beyond the Sea. "I guess your mom and my dad are hanging out together."

"All we need is for 'Great Balls of Fire' to start playing, and then we know it's not a coincidence that the songs are playing," he replied, resting his cheek atop her head. The two of them fell into a comfortable, albeit sorrowful, silence, both wrapped in their own thoughts of their late parents, wishing they were here in person rather than having to look for signs of their presence. 

Slowly but surely, Rooster started nodding off, exhaustion overtaking him. His heavy eyelids finally closed, and as he drifted off to sleep, Bradley heard the all too familiar piano riff, gentler than normal but still recognizable, of 'Great Balls of Fire.' Smiling to himself, Rooster murmured, "Hi, Dad."

***

Tags: @lgg5989@shanimallina87@polikszena@summ3rlotus@souslesyeuxde@gleasonmalfoy@icemansgirl1999@supernaturaldawning@thedarkinmansfield@lyannaforpresident@lapilark@getmyprettynameoutofyourmouth@simpofthecentury @blueeyes-blueskye @gleasonmalfoy @armyx78 @always-abigails-blog @pansexualwitchwhoneedstherapy

[foldingfittedsheets]

Okay, so my betrothed and I just finished First Kill, and as we knew we weren’t getting a second season the cliffhanger wasn’t as devastating. But it left a lot of loose threads, so! Here’s how I think the series should have wrapped up.

First off, Elinor stands trial and is found absolutely and unequivocally guilty of being an absolutely unhinged monster. Her parents stay away and learn later that she’s sentenced to burn at the stake once she fails the silver test. This is revealed as the first step of the big secret Legacy killing move. While being chained to the stake she starts screaming confessions trying to get mercy from her parents in the crowd. She admits to all the horrible things she made Oliver do as the flames go up and they shrink back in horror. Oliver shows up to behead her under the guise of zealous betrayed family and has a nice moment with his parents that ultimately doesn’t change his end goal of causing chaos.

Theo is utterly horrified at Oliver’s monster army. He plays along to get vampire training and ends up becoming a double agent, passing info to his mom on monster attacks so the hunters can stay one step ahead. I think it’s also fair to say that along the way he’s introduced to legacy lore and is able to trace the vampire who killed his mom and exact his revenge. He uses blood bags and willing donors to feed, and falls for one of his donors. He ends up being instrumental in taking Oliver down and in the process finds the spell to restore his humanity.

The parents decide to cut their losses and dip out of their extremely compromised identities, leaving to become embroiled in Legacy and Keeper politics which is hampered somewhat by:

Juliette and Calliope both respectively run away. They have had enough of borderline abusive family lives and the bullshit. Juliette has no desire to be Keeper in Waiting and abhors most of the current system. She flees to a new city and sets up shop as a freelance monster hunter. She finds a morgue hook up to keep her supplied with blood without needing to prey on anyone and keeps her chosen city safe.

Cal similarly sets out to be a lone monster hunter, no longer trusting the Guild who tried to kidnap her for unknown reasons or the family that turned on one of its own. She travels more, going from city to city cleaning up obviously supernatural massacres.

It’s seven years before they meet up again, Cal having heard rumors of a city with a mysterious protector. She suspects it’s a Legacy and is shocked to find Juliette standing over a recently dispatched demon. Cal initially is distrustful of Juliette’s motives and they duke it out. Juliette drops a hint in the fight that she’s not the real monster, Cal’s precious Guild is.

Cal backs off and they hesitantly begin to work together to uncover more of the Guild’s secrets. They grow closer slowly and warily and finally discover that the Guild is actually run by Legacy vampires. It’s the perfect way to suppress louder supernatural competition and keep the general populace from investigating them. It also means they can obscure and destroy any mention of Legacy vampires or their weaknesses when they’re uncovered. Hence why the Guild wanted Cal in the first place. It was Juliette’s grandmother who ordered the raid in the first place knowing Juliette’s father would be the only vampire actually vulnerable to the hunters.

They take down the Guild together and reunite in the ensuing adrenaline. Juliette asks if Cal still wants to kill her, and Cal admits she never really did, and that monster can mean a lot of different things, but that Juliette isn’t one of them. As they’re leaving the scene of the final battle in the Guild, walking passed the charred decapitated remains of the Legacy leaders, Cal sees a cracked door. It leads into a library of suppressed knowledge- one tidbit of which is that if a Legacy isn’t consecrated by the Malkia serpent then it’s possible to attain humanity. The girls look at each other and the curtain closes on the choice they’ll make together.