#cirrus takes one look and decides he’s adopting it

[siruswhack]

shedinja!!

#0290 - #0292

Nincada, Ninjask, Shedinja

[empressgeekt]

HTTYD/Trolls - Crossover - Branch is adopted by Gobber AU -Part 2, post movie

Okay, the basics of this au is that Branch was sent to the HTTYD universe as a young child and was placed in Gobber's care. I recommend that you read the first post.

Okay, so I did decide to match Branch up with the Light Fury, he names her Cirra, after cirrus clouds. Not entirely sure exactly when in the time line they would meet, but I know it would take place during, Riders/Defenders of Berk. Currently I'm thinking that Branch frees her, after Alvin captures her to try and have a "night" fury of his own. The outcast leader, disregards the light color scheme, as other species have different color variations. No Idea how Branch would end up on outcast island, maybe he snuck in after Astrid, but he'd find Cirra chained up and free her. Unlike the other riders, he doesn't have a saddle as a saddle would mess up with Cirra's cloaking, but they manage. Gobber is rather surprised, but accepts her.

And here is some horrible art I made of Branch and Cirra.

Now! On to the Post movie Plot!

After Hiccup recovers, Things around Berk change. With the red Death dead, their aren't any raids, meaning the need for weapons had dropped dramatically. Poor Gobber and Branch are left with out much to do in the forge, at least weapon wise. There's still the need for pots and every day tools, but business is much slower. Branch has his part time work with Gothi to fall back on but Gobber....It's a struggle to find a new role in the new normal. But in the end it works out. Being a Dragon dentist is something both father and son can work together on, as branch's medical training from Gothi can help.

I don't have much planned regarding Riders/Defenders, other then furthering the relationship between Branch and Dagur. And Cirra coming into the picture.

RTTE however I have a lot of thoughts on. Considering at the beginning of the Pilot that Snotlout was the offical weapons tester, then that means he'd spend more time at the forge, meaning he and Branch wouldbe spending more time with Snotlout. Probably form a similar sibling relationship like Branch has with HIccup. Not as close, but Branch would definitly become a more positive influance on Snotlout.

During part 2 of the RTTE pilot rather then going with the rest of the riders to the get the snow-wraith tooth, he stays on Berk to help Gobber man Gothi's healing shack. And despite Branch's best efforts, his Dad still manages to set one viking on fire and maybe kill another with a mystery potion that Gobber fudged. But there would be a bunch of bonding and funny scenes between them, with Cirra looking on in horror.

Branch would end up leaving with the rest of the riders, as and extra smith and assigned Healer. IN regards to the group, he's closest too Fishlegs and Hiccup, all of the mebing thinkers. Astrid is fine they can get along. Snotlout, once more their a little closer cause of the time Snouloat spent at the forge between RTTE and RIders/Defenders, but Branch still thinks he's a muttonhead. The twins? Branch just makes sure they don't kill themselves on accident.

When the events of "Crushing it" Roll around, I'm torn between Branch and Cirra saving Gobber from the watch tower or having Branch chase his brain-damaged father around the Edge. "Branch come over here and meet Peppy!" "Dad that's not a yak...you know what...never mind."

During "Have Dragon Will Travel" Part 2, Branch would 100 percent, have a chat with Heather before she left, about brothers and things like that. Brozone might not have killed everyone in his village but he knows how complicated family can be, especially after they abandon you. Probably be some Snotlout and Branch moments in the season 1 final too. During "The A Team" Branch supports Astrid with her extra training, staying behind on Berk to "Re-stock" with Gothi when he reality he stayed to keep an eye on her. "The Night of the Hunters" Branch ends up with Hiccup and Snotlout, helping them sew the Screaming Death armor. Though, i also like the idea of him stuck with all the Blondes in the cell, maybe slowly going insane from being stuck in there with them, and picking fights with Dagur.

Its when "Bad Moon Rising" Rolls around that things get much more interesting. It's a week before the episode starts, and on the shores of berk an interest group washes up.

Lets jump back to the troll world. When John Dory comes looking for Branch during TBT, he only finds Poppy, who has vague memories of a troll by that name, but they don't know where the trolling vanished too. Somehow they all pull together in the end, freeing Floyd and heading back to Pop village after the fact. But there's a piece missing and everyone can feel it. The last anyone heard of Branch was when the trolling ran off into the woods that surrounded Pop village. It being there only Lead they began to search the surrounding forest. The older three know it's a long shot, but they go anyway. Floyd is desperate to get back to his baby brother. He's not adjusting well to post captivity, all he wants to do was apologize to Branch for leaving.

They find a small little shelter out in the forest, a cave next to it. shovels and supplies are crowded around the place in neat little piles. No one had been there for a long time, clearly, but they look anyway. Floyd finds Croco next to a makeshift nest, and breaks down. Eventually they look into the cave...only to go too deep and get sucked into a wormhole that took their brother 19 years ago.

They don't remember much of the trip, but they wake up soaking wet and freezing on a rocky sea shore. The troll to human transformation is freaking them out some what. John Dory even more so, but not because of what happened to him. Rhonda went into the cave with them, and suddenly she's shorter then John and had a set of wings. She's still his girl though, and continues to follow JD everywhere. Poppy would spot what looks like a village up on the cliffs, and with out any better options they all trudged up to it.

Clay takes notice of the odd stares that the Villagers give them, and he suddenly he's very aware of the subtle differences between his brothers and the Pop Princesses and this village. While they appear to be the same species, All the villagers are much Paler then Clay and his brothers. Poppy and Viva are closer in skin shade, but it's still clear that they were outsiders too. They wander for a few hours before Bruce suggests they talk to someone. This makes Rhonda walk up to an older woman with long brown hair and green eyes, and a man with grey eyes and Black hair.

Woman: Oh well yer a friendly Gronckle *pets Rhonds*

JD: Sorry about her.

Woman: On it's not an issue, My boy has a dragon of his own, i'm use to there energy.

JD:Uh, hi I'm John Dory. Me and my brothers are new in town and-

Man: Ey! Step away from my wife!

Woman: Oh Spitelout, Hush! These lads are just asking for some help. Get back inside if ye, can't behave.

Spitelout: *huffs*

Woman: Sorry about him, he's boar-headed sometimes. Erika, now what can I help ye with laddie?

Bruce: Well, uh, like my brother was saying Ma'am, we're new in town and we're looking for someone. He'd be in...his twenties...might look like us?

Erika: If this is a vengeance quest, ye need to ask someone more idiotic, I'm not going to send ye to that boy to kill him.

Floyd: No killing, no vengeance, we're just looking for our younger brother, we were separated as kids.

Erika: Hmmm, alright what's the boyo's name?

Clay: Branch ma'am

Erika: The Smithy's boy?

Poppy: You know him?

Erika: Only child by the name of Branch I've met, sweet boyo, Ye won't find him here though. Lad moved off the island a few months ago....His father's still here though. Works down at the forge, just up the way.

Upon arriving at the forge, The brothers and sisters are greeted with an interesting sight, a Blonde haired human with a long mustache, a missing arm and leg, and a rock for a tooth, hammering away at a metal sword, while humming to himself.

Poppy: Um exucse me?

Gobber: Hmm? Oh, hello Lassie! Sorry I was bit distracted, with this piece. Wanna get all teh details right Anything I can do for ye? New sword, Axe? Personally I think you are a dagger lass, or are yet looking for something more special. *holds up piece of jewerly*

Poppy: Umm, Not looking for a weapons, but... actually that's really pretty, *admired neckless*

Gobber: Isn't it? It's my son's work. He's usually more practically minded but when asked to make something pretty he delivers. Makes a lot of lassies interested in him, but sadly none have made his cut.

Bruce: Sounds like he's great guy. Where is he? I might need to commission him for something.

Clay: Really Bruce?

Bruce: what, I need an anniversary gift in a few months.

Gobber: I'll let him know he's got a new customer, but ye might be in for a long wait, he's not home currently.

Bruce: Well when will he get back, we might be on a time crunch.

Gobber: I'd wish I knew, war seems to have no end once your in it.

Viva: You're son's at war?

Gobber: ey, why'd ya think I'm making 'im a sword?

Bruce: You let your son go to war?

Gobber: Let? No of course I didn't let him, it was his choice and if I had anything to say about he won't be anywhere near fighting, but he's his own man now. Faced 24 winters, and is still going strong. Besides I taught him everything he needs to know, hurl a bola, throw an axe, swing a sword. My boy will handle anything those namby pamby beserker throw at him. Now, ye wanted something lassie?

Poppy: Oh yes, but not for metal stuff, we were actually hoping you could help us find someone.

Gobber: Oh well, yer in luck, Ol' Gobber practically knows everyone on Berk, perk of being the only metal worker on isle. Does this person yer looking for has a name?

Floyd: Yes, its' Branch.

Gobber: HOW DO YE KNOW MY BOY?!

The next day or so is rather awkward. Gobber would drag the group, pulling a rather confused Stoick in, to Gothi's hut and made her read them. Eventually the old crone would confirm that they were from Branch's original tribe and they were sent on mission of reconnection by the gods. Poppy isn't so sure, about the Gods thing but she does step forward as a her peoples queen and begins to talk diplomacy with Stoick. Gobber however reiterates his question of how they know his son. Once them being brothers is out in the open, Gobber and the others are gobsmacked, the idea of having 5 children living to adulthood is almost unheard of in berk. With all the plague and fighting that happened in Viking life. Gobber immedately wants to know how his son was abandoned when he had such a large family. He's unsure about the answer of "We were seperated when he was very young", as some of the boys looked hesitent to tell him that, but He accepts it and even helps them find a place to sleep that night...these boys are technically family after all...and the girls with them are sweet.

By some coincidence, Gobber gets a letter from Branch the next day (curtesy of their personal Mail Terror "Gary"), inviting him to the edge, to learn how to make Gronckle Iron. He's excited and begins to prep a ship. Floyd would ask if they could join him, and not knowing how Branch would react, and just happy to receive a letter from his son Gobber agrees.

Over the week long boat trip, Gobber learns a lot about Branch's bio-family. John Dory is a bit of a mutton-head, but it's clear he cares, he's also the one most eager to learn how to sail (Apparently there isn't alot of ocean where their tribe was from, and that was a baffling thought). Bruce is easy going, and apparently has 13 children (once more baffling), he's also probably the one most vocal about thanking Gobber for taking care of Branch. Clay is clearly as smart as his boy, but sadly the lad spend the first few days of the trip horribly seasick. Poppy and Viva's boundless energy really liven up the trip and Gobber enjoys their bubbly nature.

Floyd is the one that sends a few alarm bells off in Gobber's mind. The Lad is show a lot of the signs that Branch gives off when something is bothering him Bad, so Gobber keeps a close eye on him. Not sure if there's going to be a confrontation on the trip there yet, but if there is Gobber would talk to Floyd during a sleepless night help him through the heavy guilt he feels. This is also how Gobber learns of the break up, and he wonders who on earth would let an 11 year old leave home. He can't even be mad at these boys for it. He's pissed off at the grown up who left, these kids to fend for themselves with and elderly woman. Gosh, when Stoick was too busy to take care of Hiccup Gobber was ready to care for the kid.

Over all the trip goes well. Gobber tells them all about little stories from Branch's childhood...some of which they don't believe. "What no way Branch hit a another kid" "Hah oh he did. Gave that brat a good bruise too, oh Oswald and Stoick were so mad but they couldn't punish him since technically he was defending his future chief". Gobber even teaches them some sailing chants, which leading to conversation about Branch only really singing while working the forge.

Eventually they arrive at the Edge, and port. Fishlegs and Hiccup meet them there. Meatlug immediately begins to play with Rhonda, the gronckles roughhouse on the deck. Fishlegs is very interested in speaking with Branch's brothers, and Poppy even more so. Ever since he learned that Branch was originally from a foreign tribe, there had been an underlying curiosity about what kind of people the elder rider came from. He wanted to know everything, adout their customs and culture. However, after Branch snapped at him for asking, Fishlegs dropped the questions. But these newcomers were prime researching material, and Poppy is very willing to teach him about "Pop Culture" (after she's done cooing over toothless of course). Hiccup is a little less enthusiastic, but he's polite, and ever sassy. "Wait you're named after a body function?" "And you're named after a rock, Clay, I don't think you can judge."

They're led up to the training arena, where they see a dark-haired dark skinned man, setting up a metal statue of a viking, with a snow white dragon laying lazily lounging on some boxes near by. Gobber, would immediately brighten at the sight of his son, and they'd would happily reunite, with a large hug, while Brozone would look on in shock. Their little blue baby, was now this rugged grown man. JD on impulse who be screaming, "Bitty B" and run up to snatch Branch in a hug of his own. Only to get ripped off by a flash of growling White, and Cirra leaped down to her rider's defence. The situation only escalates from there, Branch losing it at his Brothers for abandoning him, and not even Gobber can stop him. The other riders (minus tuffnut), look on in shock. Most of them didn't know about the fact that Branch was abandoned by his family, (other then hiccup but even then he didn't know the full extent). Branch only calms down Gobber redirects him towards sharing the Formala for Gronckle Iron and Branch breaking several swords on the gronckle iron dummy...at least until he has to patch up a rambling tuffnut.

The events of the Lychwing episode still play out. Only this time, you'd see Branch's Brothers try to make up with him, but hanging out near by. Listening to scary stories with Gobber, talking to the other riders, JD and Clay wandering into the workshop, while Branch is fixing up Snotlout after all the bites. It's only after they stop Tuffnut from Jumping off a cliff that Gobber intervenes regarding Branch and his family situation.

Gobber: Look son. I know yer angry

Branch: Angry doesn't begin to cover it, Dad. They left me! As a baby! They think they can just waltz back into my life after 20 fucking years! Well, guess what they can't!

Gobber: Branch...

Branch:...I don't know why your not more pissed! I remember hearing you rant to Chief when I was little, 'how could someone leave behind a kid like him!' 'you know i count my blessing the gods gave me my son!' where's all of that now?! Do I not matter to you anymore?!

Gobber: No, Laddie, don't ye ever think that! Ye are the best thing I have ever forged and don't ye forget that. And don't take my compassion for a lack of rage. Believe me, I'm pissed, but I can't blame your brothers for my anger.

Branch: *scoffs* oh really, you can't blame the people who threw me to the boars and abandoned me. How could you not blame them?

Gobber: because they were kids too, son. Listen just for a moment, do ye know how old yer brother's were when they left?

Branch...no...

Gobber: 17, 16, 14, and 11. Now the older two, maybe if they were mature enough could move out, but Clay and Floyd, they never should have been allowed to leave. No child that young should be on their own.

Branch: And I was even younger.

Gobber: That ye were. But it was the Adults around ye who were the name problem. Tell me, when Stoick was busy with the raids and winter rations, did he leave Hiccup alone. No, he left him with us, people he could trust to help. Remember that raid when you were 7 and I couldn't get to ye, what happened that night?

Branch: Miss Ingrid took me to her hut's celler with all the other children.

Gobber: Exactly, On Berk we were always looking out for each other, especially when it came to wee ones. However, you're birth tribe? From what I heard, they left a 14 year old in charge of a household of 6 with only and elderly woman for help, and after three years he finally snapped....you're brothers did hurt you Branch, they failed you, I'm not denying that. But they were also failed, by their community, the adults that should've stepped in and helped. You don't have to like them, you don't even have to forgive them, but you should at least let them apologize, let them and yerself have closer. Because I'll tell you now, the guilt their feeling...it's going to eat them alive.

Thanks to Gobber's instance it pushed Branch towards a confrontation. After icing Snotlout's Paper Jaw from Hiccup's punch (Good Job Hiccup), he finally has a sit down with his bio-siblings. He agrees to try and get to know each other again, but he has conditions; No calling him 'bitty B' (he does not need the twins picking that up), no bringing up the whole troll thing ( "Dad will start on the sock thing" "What sock thing?" "We don't talk about the sock thing"), no treating him like a baby, and Branch was not singing. (Unless it's a special circumstance). During this Branch Properly introduced his Family the girls to Cirra, and then there's the bang of a Zippleback distress call.

In "Snotlout gets and Axe" Tuffnut accidentally marries Clay and Viva.

At some point John Dory does ask for rider training, considering that Rhonda was now a gronckle. Branch makes him a saddle, and just sits back to watch at John Dory learn how to fly, laughing at every stumble. Cirra is not open to many riders other then Branch, she doesn't trust humans easily, and these "brothers" stress her rider out, but reluctantly she allows Branch to take Poppy on a rather romantic flight, and at some point Floyd needs a ride. Viva, and Bruce want to try it out, but Clay doesn't want to risk air sickness, apparently his human body doesn't like travel.

The brothers do help defend the Edge when Dagur and and Ryker attack. Once the fight on the beach broke out, Branch gets into the fist fight with Dagur, the latter wielding a knife. They are horrified with how bloody it nearly gets.

I think I'll play around with the time line and make "Tone Death" happen before "Maces and Talons", simply because of how much angst i could squeeze out of it. Like abandoned egg hatches on the edge into a dragon that only communicates by singing, then gets adopted by one similar to themselves? This episode is practically a reflection of Branch's story in this au. Also and excuse for JD to show off his songs and everyone, including the Deathsong, trashing on them.

Dagur's redemption might be something interesting to explore. Branch and Dagur never had gotten along, even as kids, to suddenly be playing on the same team would definitely cause tension. Especially for Brozone, the first time they met Dagur would've have been when he was trying to slice their baby brother's throat.

At some point, the topic of going back to the troll world would be brought up and the brothers talked about showing Branch what they had been up too all these years, and branch is just like "I'm not going back with you."

This once more leads to arguments, but Branch can't leave he's happy in the Hyttd, world, and Gobber would be left with out any family if Branch left. Still not sure if Branch decides to stay or return to his world, maybe they find a way to pass between the two at will so Branch can visit, and maybe Bruce's kids can come meet their Grandpa Gobber (Bruce doesn't see Gobber as a dad, but he's Branch's dad and the kids would definitely see him as Grandpa if they ever met).

Once more still figuring things out. Timeline and world building wise, let me know your thoughts.

[genderlessghoul]

Inspired by the recent puppy post from Motley Zoo and my undying love for animals, here's what I think each of the ghouls/ghoulettes would keep as a pet :

Phantom : He saw someone walking their dog his first week topside and made it his life mission to get one. After a lot of research and internal debate, he ended up adopting a pitbull/labrador mix from a local shelter. Her name is Petunia and she's the definition of sweet baby angel.

Mountain : He decided to fully commit to the farm boy aesthetic and he got himself some quails. They have their own coop and fenced little garden. They used to be have free range on the entire gardens but they'd always end up eating his vegetables. They look like tiny little chicks when he's holding them. He lets the other ghouls choose their name which unfortunately got him stuck with one called Cum. His favourite was affectionately named Nugget by Swiss.

Aether : Bunny. Tiny little miniature one too, all white except for a small black spot on its nose. It's free to roam around his room and Aether learned the hard way to hide any and all loose cables (more than once). He named it Dust. Because Dust Bunny. He swears it's funny.

Rain : AXOLOTL. She's albino and he named her Rose because of her pink little frill gills. He can understand her somehow, some weird water creature thing. She has a very simple brain tho and mostly screams at him for food. Dew and Swiss love to draw mustaches and hats on her tank with markers.

Dew : He has a black cat named Purrcifer. The cute little thing just started following him one day and Dew can't seem to get rid of him (not that he tried too hard). He says it's the Ministry's cat cuz he spends all day roaming around the ground and hunting mice, but the cat definitely sleeps in his bed every night.

Swiss : He swore he'd never get a pet, he's too unfocused to remember to take care of one properly. Until he accompanied Rain on a trip to the pet store and spotted a ball python. Love at first sight, just look at that puppy face. He spent weeks doing research and was pleased to learn that they only eat like once a week? Maybe every two weeks? That's perfect. He got a huuuge female and named her Fluffy. Fluffy is his pride and joy.

Aurora : Ferret. She wanted a cat at first but she discovered that they came in noodle format and was like !!!YES!!! She taught him fetch. They play with paper balls. He's stolen other ghouls' snacks on multiple occasions.

Sunshine : She really wanted a chameleon but she saw how high maintenance the suckers are and settled for a crested gecko. It doesn't officially have a name because it wouldn't recognize it anyway. Definition of no thought, head empty. Most times, she calls it NO STOP DON'T JUMP THERE. She loves it so fuckin much.

Cumulus : She has the cutest blue budgie. She taught it so many tunes that they sing together all day long. It loves nothing more than to hang on her shoulder all day and watch her do her tasks. One of its many favourite sounds to imitate is the ringtone of whoever's in the room with them. No one knows how it learned to differentiate them all.

Cirrus : She set up a pretty little saltwater tank in her room. It's home to two clownfish and their anemone. They're called Led Zeppelin and Metallica, no she will not take criticism on the name. The tank is very beautifully decorated and everyone keeps bugging her to put up a big one in the common room, which she always refuses cuz she doesn't trust any of them with salt water.

[concealeddarkness13]

WHG Post Games Boat Heist Part 1

There will be different POVs throughout this heist. I hope you enjoy this! Tagging: @ratracechronicler (also, thanks for Elvira and Rebecca!), @maple-writes (also, thanks for Asher and Cirrus!), @nightskywriter, @rhikasa, @pen-of-roses (also, thanks for Rowan!), @aeslin-writes, @the-moving-finger-writes, @knmartinshouldbewriting, @makeitmonstrous, and @timefirewrites!

Lynne

I just sat on the couch of the small apartment the Capitol had put me in. I stared blankly at the TV. It was on Capitol propaganda 24/7. I couldn’t turn it off, but I barely processed what was being said. We were going to escape from the party, and everything would be better.

There was a soft knock on my door, but I didn’t get up to open it. Whoever it was would come in anyway. I looked away and squeezed my eyes shut when Churi walked in with a smirk playing on his lips.

He sat down right next to me and put a hand on my shoulder, a normally gentle gesture that made me shudder when it was coming from him. He clicked his tongue. “Ms. Marne, you have still been rebellious even after I threatened your friends, so I thought I should come and visit you personally.” He pulled out a phone and pulled up a picture. “I thought you would like to see this.”

He held up a picture, and I gasped as tears welled up in my eyes. Atwater, but he was bruised and bloody and his expression was twisted in pain. He looked like he had been tortured. Churi laughed. “This is what happens when people get close to you, Ms. Marne. They’ll get hurt unless they comply. And I think you’ll be happy to know I followed through on my promises.” He flipped to something else and held it up for me to see.

It was a video, and tears streamed down my cheeks as I watched, but I couldn’t look away. Everyone I had allied with in Peacekeeper uniforms. Nesri beating up helpless District 11 families. Zenith stabbing helpless people. Rebecca wielding a sword against unarmed opponents while grinning. A sob escaped my lips, and I started shaking. I had hoped that they were safe, but here was proof they weren’t.

Churi took the video away and rubbed my shoulder as if he wanted to comfort me. “This is what happens to anyone who gets close to you. Even Alastair. You are property of the Capitol now. No one can come close to you and leave intact. Your friends were commendably rebellious and stubborn. At least until we brought in someone else. Hebi was very good at changing their minds. They can make anyone follow what they command. Your friends didn’t stand a chance. One order, and your friends were ours.” He snapped. “It was simple, really.” He paused. “We are ordering your friends to be at the party in a few days. To remind you what happens when anyone gets close to you.” He smirked and left.

I hugged myself as sobs wracked my body. I was alone. I couldn’t let anyone get close. They had someone who could change minds in an instant. No one was safe around me.

Nesri

The day of the party came, and we were all ready. Triel had successfully gotten all of the makeup and temporary tattoos on everyone, and then she showed up in her own costume. I had been annoying Cirrus, but I stopped and stared. She was wearing all black: high heeled boots; a low cut loose shirt; a long, black coat; and a black, wide brimmed hat. Damn. She looked good.

She smirked at all of us and put a hand on her hip. “Are you all ready? Shine will drop us off in Capitol-approved boats to take us the rest of the way. They’ll stay near in the invisible airship just in case something goes wrong.”

I nodded with a stupid grin. Dang. She was going to be my girlfriend someday. Rowan nodded too. Rebecca tapped the hilt of her sword in its scabbard, and Elvira nodded.

Triel nodded, and we headed out. The flight didn’t take very long, and Shine dropped us off with no problems in a secluded area where no one could notice what kind of airship dropped us off (spoiler alert: our airship looks completely different from the Capitol’s airships). There were tons of people heading toward the yachts, and we joined the crowd. There were even people airshipping onto the yachts, skipping the boats entirely.

After waiting in line for what seemed like hours, but was really only thirty minutes, we flashed our tickets to the Peacekeepers scanning them, and they bowed and let us on. Avoxes walked up to us right away and showed us to our rooms.

And we came face to face with two Capitol people who were covered with so much makeup and tattoos that I could barely tell them apart. The only way I could was one of them was wearing a bikini with pirate flags on it and the other was wearing swim trunks with treasure chests on them. And they were both wearing very cheap looking pirate hats.

They grinned at us and showed us their tickets that indicated that they were sharing rooms with us. The one with the bikini held out her (?) hand. “My name is Trieseuril. It’s pronounced ‘treasure’.” Yes, we know. You’re saying it out loud. “My parents were totally pirate fanatics. This is what pirates always wore! They had to be stylish while kicking butt!”

The person in the swim trunks laughed. “Truly so, my dearest.” He (?) held out his hand. “My name is Calypso. I’m named after the Egyptian goddess of treasure. My parents were totally historians. Since I’m named after the goddess of treasure, and she is named Trieseuril, we were totally meant to be.” He tipped his hat. “Our parents painstakingly made these by hand for us. They’re totally accurate with the rest of our outfits.”

“Your parents made mistakes,” Rebecca muttered under her breath.

Calypso didn’t notice. “And it looks like we’re your roommates!”

For once, I was rendered speechless. I didn’t even know where to start with how wrong they were.

Before anyone could say anything Trieseuril (I didn’t want to know how that was spelled) frowned. “That’s a problem, though, sweeties. You see, we’re on our honeymoon. We thought this party would be the perfect place, and we won our Hunger Games too! We got the tickets, and nothing is going to ruin that. So, there are two rooms and ten of us. I think it’s only fair that we get a room to ourselves. You’ll be fine in that small room together, right?” She grinned. “Thanks!”

Rowan stepped back, looking like they wanted to hide, and Cirrus looked indignant, but he actually didn’t say anything. Our new “roommates” still stood there, grinning stupidly, as if they expected us to congratulate them on their honeymoon, or something.

Triel stepped forward to save us. She smiled and tipped her hat. “It’s a pleasure meeting you. Of course you can have our other room. I can’t imagine eight people having trouble trying to sleep in two beds. I wish you the best of nights.” When they nodded with satisfied smiles and went into their room, she turned toward our room. “And by ‘best of nights’ I mean that we’ll make sure you won’t get any sleep until we head off tonight,” she muttered. She opened the door, and I stared at the tiny room as the Avoxes started setting our packs down in the room (we couldn’t come without bringing luggage, it would look suspicious). How did they even expect five people to sleep in such a small room?

“Well, this is…cozy?” Rowan looked around the room. “At least we have a—I think that counts as a window anyway?”

Zenith sighed, rubbing his eyes. “I must have repressed memories of these rooms. I don’t remember them being this small.”

“Well there probably wasn’t this many of you crammed in here.” Cirrus made his way through the room, checking out the beds and windows. After he was done, he dismissed the Avoxes.

Zenith grunted. “But Arque has no sense of personal space.”

I laughed. “None of us will have any sense of personal space if we have to wait in here very long before the heist starts tonight.”

“I’ll be reconnoitering.” Elvira sniffed and backed out of the room.

We all nodded and scattered. I was going to check out where the best place to escape would be. I could text Shine the location after I found it.

I walked along the deck, looking for a good place to make President Snow drink lake water and a good place to escape. I was texting Shine back and forth about good places when someone tapped on my shoulder. I just tried to ignore them, but they insisted.

I growled. “If it’s Trieseuril, I’m a little busy and your outfit sucks.”

“Who’s Trieseuril?” I sucked in a breath at the voice and turned to see Kiryth watching me with a cocked eyebrow. Shit. I had met him a year ago when Shine first had to be a mentor and Triel made the excuse that they needed adult supervision since they were still a minor. I had gone along as Triel’s other charge. Kiryth and I might or might not have dated for a while until we both decided that it wouldn’t work out, even though we both wanted it to. That didn’t mean that my heart didn’t melt when I saw him again.

I adopted my best rich voice, even though I knew he had already recognized me. “Oh, some posh woman who has the best name and the best pirate outfit.”

He cocked his head. “I’m not sure about that. Yours is very flattering, miss.”

I flushed. Crap. Control the situation. “Well, I can’t say the same for yours. Did you miss the memo?”

“Unfortunately, I’m on duty and not allowed to wear a costume.” He leaned in closer. “Ness, what are you doing here? You’re supposed to be dead.”

“I think you missed more than one memo,” I whispered back.

He smiled that crooked smile that always made me melt. “Come with me. We’ll talk somewhere more private.”

Could be a trap, but…he had never been as infatuated with the Capitol as all the others. His family had always served the Capitol, and they had forced him into that as well. I followed him down a hallway, and when there was no one around, he leaned against the wall and turned to me. “So, what’re you doing here? Can I help you with anything?”

I narrowed my eyes at him. “And how do I know you’re not an expert Capitol spy, using my weaknesses against me?”

He laughed and held up his hands. “I don’t even know what’s going on. I’ve had to prep these stupid yachts for weeks. I wasn’t able to watch the Hunger Games at all, which isn’t much of a loss, but I had hoped to see what happened to you.”

I pursed my lips, but he was a horrible liar. “We’re trying to help the captured tributes escape. We have a good plan already and everything. Maybe just listen up for anything that might fuck up the rescue attempt?”

He nodded, but after a pause, he smiled. “I can actually help more. The captain of this yacht is actually more sympathetic than most Capitol people. They would probably be able to help if you need a distraction. They know this ship better than anyone else. Would you like me to introduce you?”

He was so awesome, always thinking of good plans! I flung my arms around him and kissed his cheek. “That would be perfect! But first, I need to go. Find me in a couple hours.”

He nodded, and I ran off. I needed to let everyone else know.

Zenith

I had to find everyone’s rooms so we knew where to go to grab the captured tributes when we started the rescue attempt. It was hard to walk in a straight line with no depth perception, but I was getting better.

And just as I thought that, I bumped into someone. I mumbled an apology, but that person gripped my arm too tight, and I whirled on them, almost slipping my knives into my hands.

But it was just Alastair. He frowned and gripped my arm tighter, and I glanced at the other people who were noticing us. He wasn’t very subtle, was he?

I sighed. “Let’s get somewhere where there won’t be any eyes watching us.” I gripped his arm back, and pulled him away from all those people.

When we were alone, I turned to him and glared. “What was the idea with making a scene? Was it really that surprising to see me?”

He cowered away from me. Nesri must have been right about my scowl intimidating people. “I’m sorry. I just am happy that you got on safely.”

I sighed. He could be useful, though. “Do you know where the captured tributes are staying? I need to know where their rooms are.”

Alastair nodded and headed off wordlessly. Shit. I didn’t mean to intimidate him that much. He turned back to me. “Lynn and Laurel’s rooms are on the other side of the yacht. But here are where Poli, Ev, and my rooms are.” He pointed out each of the rooms, and I nodded. Alastair still looked nervous. “I think something is not right, though. It was my fault. I must have been too obvious when I got the special tickets. I’m sorry. The Capitol seems to expect that you’ll come and try to rescue them. They’re on high alert now.”

I tensed as Lynne’s door opened, and she walked out. She looked surprised, but in an angry way. I frowned.

She looked away from us, tears welling up in her eyes. “Why are you wearing Peacekeeper uniforms?”

I frowned even more. “What—?”

She flinched and started walking off. “I’m sorry. The Capitol is doing this to you because of me. And now they’re teasing me with you. We can’t be seen together, or they’ll hurt you worse.” She wiped her eyes and kept walking. I frowned and exchanged a glance with Alastair. What was the Capitol doing? And how were they doing it?

Triel

I looked on from under my hat as I sat at the bar with other rich snobs. I was waiting for President Snow. I had to see if I could rope him into meeting with me later. He hadn’t actually been seen by anyone yet, but he had to show his stupid face sometime soon.

Everyone who came to this party had no idea what pirates actually wore. They were mostly just wearing things that one would wear on a cruise. How boring.

Alastair seemed to be on edge when he showed up, but I didn’t try to get close when other people swarmed around him. I just smiled and sipped my drink.

At least until Snow finally showed up. I stood up, downed my drink, and walked over to him, exaggerating my strut. The Peacekeepers around him eyed me suspiciously, but they didn’t try to stop me from approaching him.

I grinned. “Ah, the man himself! President Coriolanus Snow.” I held out my hand, even though I knew he wouldn’t shake it and flashed my fake ticket with my fake name on it with the other hand. “Theria Stane. You should have heard of me. I have been reporting on this year’s Hunger Games. I’ve had interviews with all of the stylists, some of the mentors, and I have tried to have an interview with you, the orchestrator of the Games. Unfortunately, I have not been able to get in touch with you yet. Your guards are certainly diligent.” I winked at one of the guards, but he just scowled back at me.

Snow gave me a fake smile but ignored my hand. “Yes, your interviews with the stylists were illuminating. Thank you for your contribution to this year’s Hunger Games.”

Yes, that was what I had been doing the past few weeks (even before the Hunger Games finished). I had become someone else so I could move around and learn more about what was going on in the Capitol. And good thing too. I could pretend to be Theria Stane during this party. Alastair was being a little too obvious about how nervous he was. He must not have been used to heists.

I kept smiling. “Now, President Snow, I must have an interview with you!” I pulled out a pad of paper and a pen. “Could I please have a moment of your time?”

He shook his head still with that fake smile. “I’m sorry, my dear, but I am busy at the moment.”

“Then later!” I cut in. “Sometime tonight. You have to have some time for an interview, right? How about, say around 10?”

He sighed. He saw how futile it was to ignore me. “Yes, my dear, I’ll find you at 10 tonight.”

I grinned. “Thank you so much! You won’t regret this!” I walked away and ordered another drink. I smirked as I sipped it. I would need to find Elvira and tell her that I could possibly have a time when we could throw the dear president overboard.

Nesri

The first gang member I found was Cirrus. He was standing by himself, looking around near the dance floor, so I just pushed through the crowds until I was standing right in front of him.

I wasn’t going to take up much of his time. There were more people I needed to tell. I leaned close to whisper to him, just in case anyone else could hear me if I talked normally. “I found an old friend, and he has invited us to meet the captain. He says they will help us out. And he’s a horrible liar, so I trust him.”

Cirrus nodded. “Good.” He glanced around and sipped his drink. “I might have talked one of the avoxes into helping us too.”

I grinned. “That’s wonderful! The more the merrier! Did you find any other info? I saw you snooping around the corridors early on.”

He sighed dramatically. “Not as much as I would like. Nothing seems weird, and no one I talked to seemed to know anything besides trends.”

I laughed. “I bet those trends were horrendous too.” I paused and squeezed his hand. “Well, I’ve gotta move on. I want to let everyone else know so we can meet this captain soon.”

But before I could leave, a woman in a bikini approached us, holding a glass probably filled with alcohol. She grinned at us. “You two are the most adorable couple I’ve ever seen!” Couple? I gasped and started coughing instead of allowing myself to laugh. “You two simply must dance!” Dance? My face grew hot as I tried not to laugh. “It will be so aesthetically pleasing!”

Cirrus’s confusion was even more beautiful. I doubled over, trying to pretend like I wasn’t trying to laugh. He blinked. “Couple?”

The woman giggled, her drink sloshing onto the deck. “No need to be shy about it! You have matching outfits and everything!” Other people started noticing and crowding around.

Cirrus froze, looking like he was trying to figure out what to say, but he just turned to me. “Nesri?”

This was the best. My face was still flushed from trying not to laugh as I looked over at him. People were chanting for us to dance now. I cocked an eyebrow at him and smirked. “Well, you heard the woman.”

“Of course.” He did a mini bow and held out a hand. “Shall we?”

Oh, this was an opportunity I couldn’t pass up. We started dancing to the slow song, and his hands were so gentle. I wiggled my eyebrows at him. “You’re still cute when you’re flustered.”

He rolled his eyes. “I’m just not used to it, that’s all.”

I glanced at the people watching and cheering for us. “I wouldn’t have wanted this to be our first dance, with Capitol idiots insisting on it, but—” I turned back to him with a smirk. “I couldn’t have asked for a more handsome partner.”

He shrugged along with the dance. “I mean, my mother did say I was vain. Guess it paid off.” He grinned and raised his eyebrows. Damn. He was handsome. “At least none of them are probably going to throw food at us unlike some people.”

I gasped in fake indignation. “I would never! I can’t imagine anyone would do something so horrendous.” I grinned, but before I could say anything else, something caught my eye. I looked over his shoulder and stiffened. Churi was here, and he was staring right at me. My blood ran cold, and I ducked my head behind Cirrus. “Shit. Churi is here.”

“What?” He glanced over his shoulder for a second. “Damn it, of course he’s here. Would he recognize you?”

I nodded. “He would recognize me. He’s staring right at us. Shit.” What could I do to stop him? Would he target anyone else to get to me? Did I need to make sure that didn’t happen?

“I saw a door with a lock down the hall,” Cirrus said quietly. “Looked like a bathroom maybe but it might work.”

I glanced back at Churi, but he had disappeared. I smiled at Cirrus, shoving back my fear and forcing myself to relax. He was gone. Hopefully, he wouldn’t bother anyone else, just me. If that meant I had to confront him myself later to keep him from bothering anyone else, I would. But no need to worry Cirrus about that. “Nah. He’s gone. It’s fine. He’s the kind that won’t alert the Peacekeepers because he’s planning on a confrontation of his own, so if I avoid him, we’ll be fine.” Or if I confronted him and kept his attention away from anyone else, we’d be fine. I glanced around to make sure he had really disappeared, and people were still watching us with anticipation. I laughed. “I think they’re expecting a kiss at the end of this song.”

Cirrus looked surprised, but he glanced at the watching crowd and nodded. “Better they remember a show than strange people sneaking around the ship, right?” The music slowed down, and he dipped me and kissed me passionately. I melted, partly genuinely and partly to make sure Cirrus wasn’t worried about me. I kissed him back and ran my hands through his hair. Everything was fine. I’d make sure of it.

The crowd cheered and finally turned their attention to other things. We kissed a little longer, and when we broke apart, my expression grew serious. “Please don’t tell anyone about Churi being here. I don’t want to make them more worried. He’s probably only here for me. So, I’m the only one who needs to worry.”

“Fine.” Cirrus held me for a little longer before bringing me out of the dip. “But that doesn’t stop me from worrying.” He thought for a moment. “You said he isn’t physical but may I remind you Asher is trained as an exorcist? I won’t tell him anything, but you’re not here alone, Nesri.”

I smiled. “The Shades aren’t really so much spirits as different species from us. I don’t know if he’s able to help. But thanks.” I hugged him lightly and walked off to tell others about the captain. He shouldn’t worry. This was my burden to bear.

[changeling-rin]

Random DL Thoughts

Physical Appearance Headcanons, here we go!  LOOOOOOONG post ahead.

For the record, Anon, I blame you for getting me started.  ;)

Gen - I am of the opinion that Skyloft is actually between the cloud layers, as opposed to above the clouds entirely.  This is because cirrus clouds (the highest ones) happen at 20,000 feet up, where it is consistently -12*F and that just seems ridiculous for a society in cotton shirts.  My headcanon is that there’s actually quite a lot of cloud cover, so Skyloft doesn’t get nearly as much sun as people might think.   That said, Gen’s a bit paler than most Links, and he also tends to move a bit slower.  High altitudes means varied air pressure, and when he goes down to the Surface there’s always a bit of an adjustment period where he has to get used to breathing air that’s suddenly twice as thick as what he’s used to.  This also contributes to his stature: higher altitude means lesser gravity, which means Gen is easily the tallest Link in the group since there was less gravity pulling on him during growth spurts.  He’s kinda lanky, actually, at least as far as Links go.  We all know they’re kinda short.  Sandy blond hair, and kinda dark blue eyes, almost approaching navy in the right light.  

Speck - He’s the shortest one, and he’s always going to be.  Poor boy’s in his formative growth stage and he spends it shrinking down to be smaller.  Magic accumulates, and he’ll top out at a flat 5 feet... on his tiptoes.  That said, he’s actually pretty strong and stocky for his size.  Regularly having to shove acorns out of the way during the annual Picori Village Fall Cleaning will do that, and of course from hiking up to people’s ears all the time.  He’s also on the paler spectrum; when you’re small, there’s a lot more stuff that can block the sunshine.  He’s a bottle-blond, or at least he would be if that weren’t his natural hair color, and he’s got the bluest eyes of the whole group.  If they glowed, they’d be neon.

The Four - When I say they could be quadruplets, I mean it.  They’re completely and utterly identical in every way possible, except for their clothing.  If for whatever reason they decided to swap colors with each other, absolutely nobody would be able to tell the difference.  Not really a problem since ‘individuality’ isn’t necessarily a concept that the Four ascribe to, but still slightly unnerving when you first see it, which is why the Four don’t always like to advertise their hive-mind qualities.  Bright blond, blue eyes, but a couple steps below Speck in both categories.  I’d say they get an average amount of sun, so they’re probably a little bit tan - but they’re on the paler end of the scale.

Ocarina - He shares his hair and eye color with Mask, this being a golden blond and water-blue eyes, but he has a completely different complexion.  Remember that whole ‘seven years in the Sacred Realm’ thing?  Yeah, that screwed up his skin big time.  The sun hates him, and he's happy to return the favor, because he burns within ten minutes.  This is why he happily adopted the habit of wearing sleeves and leggings, because the less skin he has to burn the better.  He’s also way too pale for his own good, especially the first few weeks after the time jump.  He’s doing better now, having accumulated a little color in between sunburns, but he’s still the whitest Link in the group.  (For now.  Once we get BotW Link in here... whoo gosh.  A hundred years without sunshine, that poor pasty boy.)

Mask - Conveniently having gone back in time to before the Sacred Realm screwed with his skin, he has none of the sunburn problems that Ocarina does and is very glad to have that issue over and done with.  He does, however, have an cumulative and semi-permanent mild tan from the Temina three day loop.  It was sunny for all three of those days, after all, and Mask was running around in the fields a lot.  He’s also got a few acquired traits from the soul masks that he uses, because there’s no such thing as a consequence-free soul merging.  Nothing noticeable, especially not to outside people, but he frequently finds a leaf or two growing in his hair from Creak that he has to pluck out, there’s a small patch of rocky skin on his left ankle from Darmani, and underneath his right elbow there’s the faint blue sheen of barely-there scales from Mikau.  If he keeps hosting for Oni it’s pretty likely that he might develop a white shock or some partial face markings, but as of now that particular relationship hasn’t gone that far yet.

Dusk - He’s pretty tanned, since being a goatherd means being outside all day, every day.  Dark wheatish blond and bright blue eyes, which are striking enough compared to the rest of his coloring that people comment on it all.  the.  time.  At this point, he’s trained himself to respond to ‘blue-eyed [insert noun here]’ because of how frequently it happens.  He’s also got quite a lot of carryovers from his wolf side, because again there’s no such thing as a consequence-free soul merge.  His hair’s a bit thicker and rougher than most people’s, he’s got a few pointed canines even when hylian, and his ears have a tendency to redirect towards sounds regardless of which form he’s in.  Some of the wolf’s markings are beginning to carry over too, as almost birthmark-looking things, but they’re so faint that nobody’s noticed.  (Not even Dusk, yet.) He’s also acquired the ability to growl as a hylian, which was one of the few things that managed to unnerve him the first time it happened before he shrugged and got used to it.  He’s also pretty stocky and muscular, because anyone who can take a charging goat, a charging Goron, and throw around a ball-and-chain the way he does in-game is at least a little bit built.  

Blue, Green, Vio, and Red - They’ve all got the same complexion (relatively pale) and hair color, (sunny blond) but their eyes are individually colored in direct correspondence to their names and clothes.  They also took individual traits from the original Link, so Blue took most of the muscle mass while Vio has most of the intellect - the book smarts, that is, and is overall almost wiry compared to the other three.  Red is the smallest one, muscle-wise, and also tends to be slimmer all the way around, but he’s got most of the magic; and Green is built more like a runner than anything else, and coincidentally is also the most agile.  He’s also got most of the tactics and common-sense-leader stuff.  They look more like ‘normal’ identical quadruplets than the Four do, in that, while they still look a whole lot alike, there’s tiny little differences here and there that make them distinctive from one another... at least, once you memorize them.

Lore - I refuse to believe his hair is pink.  I absolutely refuse.  He is violently red-headed in my headcanons and I like it that way.  He’s the only ‘true ginger’ of the group.  He’s also pretty brown, in a tannish sort of way, because he’s been to enough places that it’s impossible for him to not have gotten some sun exposure.  Also, Holodrum/Subrosia are very, very warm places.  He’s definitely accumulated some color.  Dark blue eyes, not navy, but more like deep water.  He’s got an accent of indeterminate origin because of all the foreign countries he’s been to, and he’s also kinda wiry in a traveller sort of way.  He’s got the kind of muscle that accumulates through constant use; not stocky or bulky or any of that, but more lean and corded.  He’s also got a lot of small battle scars, mostly on his hands, because he’s really bad at using his bow correctly and keeps stinging himself with the bowstring.  This is also, coincidentally, one of the reason why his long-range aim is so bad.  (The other is that he just genuinely sucks at aiming.)

Sketch - He’s sort of ginger, but it’s really more of a strawberry-blond/auburn color than anything else.  He’s got eyes that are more teal than blue, probably the closest to being green without actually being green.  There is, once again, no such thing as a consequence-free soul merge, and as a result the whole ‘painting’ thing has some odd carryovers.  For one, he doesn’t tan.  At all.  Instead, the sun makes him get lighter, almost exactly like paint getting bleached.  He's not the palest Link, but he’s also not the darkest; I’d place him in the happy middle.  

Realm - His legs are the envy of track runners everywhere.  There is no excess fat anywhere on his body, at all.  He's not a heavily built Link; he’s definitely over in the ‘wiry’ corner, but he is literally all muscle.  Thin muscle, but muscle nonetheless.  He's the only Link who can claim to be truly brunet, and he’s also one of the few who doesn’t have blue eyes (his are also brown.  More of a cream-in-coffee brown though.).  He’s more on the pale end of the complexion scale, seeing as he does spend a lot of time in caves, but he will tan if put in the sun long enough.

Wind - He’s dark.  This boy lives on a tropical island, there’s no way he isn’t.  I don’t care what the game graphics tell me.  Wind has the kind of skin color that could be from an accumulated tan, but also might just be his natural tone.  It makes his very bright blond hair stand out in comparison, because his hair decided to go the sun-bleached route instead of following his skin.  He’s also one of the few who doesn’t have blue eyes - his are actually gray.  They tend to look silver in the sunshine and black in shadow, which means he gets a neat aesthetic, but they never look blue.  He can never get his hair to behave, due to a lifetime of salt and sea breeze, and he’s stronger than he looks.  Wrestling the rigging of a sailboat into submission to cross an ocean is one of those things that requires a lot of upper body strength.

Steam - Probably the least physically inclined of all the Links, because he spends most of his time steering a Train.  He’s bright-yellow-blond, and is the last of the Links to not have blue eyes - like Wind, his are gray.  His gray is a lot darker than Wind’s though, and is much more likely to come off as black unless the light hits it exactly right.  He also doesn’t get a lot of sun, because he tends to stay in his Train or in a workshop, building things for his Train, so he’s definitely on the paler end of the scale.  And he’s got workman hands - calloused in every spot possible and all but immune to getting caught in something.  

Shadow - He’s gray.  Actually gray.  The ashy stuff that a fire leaves behind?  That’s his skin color.  His hair is black, and his eyes are red, but that might change if he feels like it.  He patterned himself to be one of the tallest Links, because of course he did, and he also took a fair bit of muscle mass.  He’s a good candidate for the Dorito Ratio meme.  He is a free shapeshifter though, and this means that literally all of these features are subject to change, especially in accordance with his mood.  If he gets upset enough, he’ll lose focus on his physical form and just sort of dissolve into a hazy mass of black.  He’s also not above shifting his facial features to be more intimidating, such as temporary fangs or opening up six extra eyes.  

Oni - Somehow, he’s managed to be six-foot-three and nobody knows how he did it.  If he were competing, he’d beat Ocarina for being the palest Link, but it’s not because he doesn’t get sun.  He’s actually albino.  He doesn’t have visible irises, or pupils, due to some sort of magic effect that he doesn’t feel like sharing, and the warpaint isn’t actually paint - at least, not anymore.  Again, magic accumulates, and at some point it just became part of his skin.  Also, he might be a god - there’s nothing that says deities have to look normal.  He has a lot of scar tissue, which shows up kinda shiny and silver since his skin is already so pale, and of course he’s ridiculously strong.  Body fat?  He’s never heard of it.  

I have clearly never heard of a ‘reasonable post length’.  And to think, I didn't even get into BotW, Triforce Heroes, Cadence of Hyrule, Hyrule Warriors, OR any of the CDI games-which-shall-not-be-named.  

...I have way too many headcanons.

[skittlewaffle]

This is your free gush pass! Feel free to gush about whomever as much as you' like!~

Y’know, I don’t gush enough about Angel Dust!!

He’s a total jerk. An absolute bastard man with no empathy!!

...Or is he??

If anyone’s gonna be redeemed, he’d probably be one of the first. It is said that no demon would give two darns about being a better person, but in this instance, Charlie’s sad reaction to his words sparked instant regret over what he said! He wanted to comfort her, but stopped himself because he probably wasn’t the right person to help, he didn’t want to show weakness, ruin his reputation... whatever the reason, he was still clearly upset and wanted to fix things! (You can even hear him groan out of embarrassment / regret offscreen a moment later)

I also love how he comes up with flirtatious comebacks and jokes on the spot! He’s clearly experienced in talking to people like that..,

If it weren’t for his multiple relationships / not committing to one love interest, I’d romantic f/o him, but I decided he was the better candidate for a familial (parental) f/o! I believe that if he adopted a kid (my s/i Cirrus), it would distract him from immoral activities and give him a sense of responsibility and care. I’ll probably write about that with Angel and Cirrus if I ever I get the chance :V

I think if he really tries hard, he can be a great dad! It looks to me like he has a soft spot for the more innocent creatures of hell. To take care of one of his own could pave the path to his redemption!

These are just my thoughts tho. As far as physical, I love how fluffy he is! His spots are awesome, too, and when I see the heart shaped ones, I start fangirling XDD He’s really tall and skinny.. and honestly?? He’s REALLY pretty ✨ I love his multiple limbs too.. and his hair and eyes •////• And man he’s got style, too. I love his outfit :)) and dose LEGS-

[stardust-simming]

Following the death of Cirrus, Cumulus did not know what to do with herself. It hurt her to go on without Cirrus as there hasn’t been a time, at any point in her memory, where he wasn’t there with her. For a while it even hurt her to be around Cirrus’ twin Alto, even though they weren’t identical. She just couldn’t be around him.

During that time Apple, Pudding and Fig tried to be there for her, cheer her up and move on from the loss. She went out with them and even got a part time job to distract herself. However she found being around people and busy environments overwhelming and she quit after a week. 

It wasn’t until she had a tea outing with Nebula that she was really able to deal with her grief. Nebula,as a woman that had had trouble getting pregnant and lost a baby or two before adopting, had a handle on dealing with loss in a healthy way. Pushing herself to go out and socialize can  only do so much for her. Nebula suggested that Cumulus find something that she can do by and for herself. Nebula wrote children’s books that she doesn’t publish. Cumulus took up painting, it was something Cirrus had loved to do so it felt right.

Eventually it hurt less for her to be a person. She could face Alto again and she was adult enough to admit that she had missed him. Then common sense hit and she remembered that he was her younger brother-in-law and he was probably hurting too... Alto forgave her for overlooking his grief and the two spent more time together, viewing one another as just siblings.

While Cumulus then made an effort to spend time with everyone that mattered to her, Apple became her go-to gal pal and closest friend. 

Pudding was there to the best of his ability but ultimately he was unsure of how to be around her. Fig supported her though he fixated on giving her space and really threw himself into his work. He was a police officer that mostly handled domestic calls. 

Nimbus and Nebula were always there for her during her time grieving and rejoining society though Nimbus, in his grief at losing his son, really focused on him work as a restaurant chef.

On Cumulus’ twenty-fifth birthday, Apple took her out for drinks. Apple was hoping she would meet someone new and let herself be happy with a new partner. 

However, after a few too many drinks, the two ended up sleeping together. 

And when the two were sober and only slightly hungover they talked it out rather than let things get weird. They loved each other... just not in a romantic or sexual way. Cumulus laughed off the situation as clouded judgement. Which Apple agreed with. 

A few weeks after, while he was boss insisted taking time off, Fig reconnected with Cumulus. Since she seemed to be in better spirits than the last time he’d spent an extended period of time with her, Fig decided it was time. Time to share his feelings toward her. How he thought she was the sweetest baby and that he hated being mean to her but he didn’t want Apple and Pudding to turn on him, that he thought he’d like-liked her after getting to know her and that he was jealous when she and Cirrus began their relationship. 

Really he just unloaded the emotional turmoil he’d held in all those years. And when he finished she just smiled and, crazy as it sounds, she kissed him deciding to give him a chance. After all she did like him and he was there for her, supported her, gave her space. The very least she could do was see what happened.

Fig was thrilled! But he didn’t want to push her or make her uncomfortable. So he took things slow and he didn’t try to compete with how her relationship with Cirrus had been. Making her happy was his priority in their relationship. Which was something she really appreciated and being with him made her so happy. 

Things with Fig were great, her feelings toward him were growing and she could honestly say that she loved him... in the way he loved her. But something felt off to her. Off with her that is, not with them as a couple. 

So Cumulus went to get checked out, only to learn that she was expecting. Which at first confused her as she and Fig had not yet been intimate. Then she remembered... Apple. She had slept with Apple what was now at least a month, month and a half ago. 

Shocked, she sat Fig and Apple down and shared the news with the two of them. She was unsure of how the two would respond, but both seemed just as shocked as she was. Cumulus explained to Fig how she and Apple had hooked up. Supportive as ever Fig said that while he was flattered to be involved in the conversation, he didn’t feel he really had a say in this babies situation. 

Cumulus argued that he did because she wanted to be with him. Apple added that she wasn’t interested in Cumulus in a way that would threaten their relationship and that the three of them could probably just co-parent. Cumulus agreed that it could work and that she wasn’t going to give up her baby. 

Well babies. She ended up having twins. One boy and One girl. Cordial Fizz SugarVeil and Azalea Rose SugarVeil. And their three parents couldn’t help but love them. 

And it wasn’t until their first birthday that Fig purposed to Cumulus. A purposal she happily accepted. Though she was racked with nerves about getting married again. What it this one ended like her first? What if it was worse? There are children to take into account this time around... What if he comes to resent that they aren’t actually his? 

As if he could read her mind, Fig calmed her and promised that he’d never push her into something if she wasn’t ready but that she shouldn’t compare this to her first marriage. As that was special. and this would be too, just in a different way. His words really seemed to help her and she was really looking forward to it. 

Because of her initial worries, Cumulus and Fig agreed to not rush anything, take as long of an engagement as they needed. However, just because the engagement wasn’t rushed doesn’t mean the rest of their relationship was going at a snail’s pace. 

Cumulus and Fig were intimate in celebration of them taking the next step in their relationship. Cumulus was happy and Fig was sure of them. That this was right. And it felt right to Cumulus too. That is until they learned she was pregnant just a couple of weeks afterwards.

That’s not to say she wasn’t excited to have Fig’s baby, because she was. She really was. But she wasn’t sure if they could handle more babies while planning a wedding and starting a life together. 

This time it was Apple that put her at ease, reminding her that it wasn't just her and Fig. Apple was there and co-parenting didn't just go towards the twins. She then reminded Cumulus that the rest of their weird family unit would be there for them as well.

It wasn't quite as gooey as it would have been if Fig told her. But it did help her. With her renewed confidence in their love and family, Cumulus requested a simple family only town hall wedding with a sit down homemade dinner as a reception. She wanted to just be married now. Fig was all for it and they were married within the course of a month.

Cumulus and Fig kept their own last names when they married. They decided that it was enough to be tied together by the love they felt. Name changes weren't necessary.

This pregnancy was much more difficult than her first. She was constantly sore and nauseous. Fig wanted her to stay in bed resting for this pregnancy. Which she didn't do. She did take it easy, taking up digital art as her paint was making her sick.

Near the end of her pregnancy it got so bad she was put on bed rest and it really felt like she wasn't allowed to do anything. Which made Cumulus restless.

Fig and Cumulus' first child was a beautiful baby girl named Orchid Chiffon SugarVeil. Orchid stole Cumulus' heart the second they laid eyes on one another. Any negative feelings from the difficult pregnancy just melted away and even the love she had for Cordial and Azalea couldn't compare.

Orchid and Cumulus were practically inseparable. Which left Cordial and Azalea with Apple or Nimbus and Nebula fairly often. Not that any of them minded too much. Though the two almost two year old’s did miss their mommy.

Which was brought to Cumulus' attention by Apple, who thought it was unfair to the twins for her to give all of her attention to the new baby. Cumulus felt bad honestly and she made an effort to spend time with the twins too. Orchid was still her number one and they had their own special Orchid and mommy time. But it was no longer a constant thing. 

Fig cared for all three children equally and admittedly he did notice to special bond between his wife and daughter. It made him a little jealous and reminded him of how, when they were little, Cumulus and Cirrus just clicked. But he loved his daughter all the same. 

Life was good for them. Cumulus was happy, selling her paintings for a little extra money. Fig worked hard but always made time for their family. Apple still helped out with the kids, working when everyone else was in bed to help a little financially. Cordial and Azalea grew into social children while Orchid became an independent toddler who people really couldn’t help but fall in love with.

Then, a little after Orchid’s third birthday, Cumulus learned that she an Fig were expecting once again. Recalling how it was with Orchid, Cumulus was a little worried. Would this be another hard pregnancy? Well as it turned out, she had no reason to worry. Just like with Cordial and Azalea, it was a breeze. 

However as they already had three children, it was decided that this would be their last child, if they could help it. 

So, as one would be, they were fairly shocked to learned they were going to have twins. Cordial and Azalea, who would be six when the new babies came were excited for another set of twins in the house. Though they were planning a ‘battle of the twins’ for when the babies grew up. 

They had one girl, Lavender Lace SugarVeil, and one boy, Fig Cream SugarVeil. 

[royalcordelia]

If the Sea Should Part (5/5 + Epilogue)

Summary: Anne finds herself caught up in whirl of romance and adventure after rescuing Dr. Gilbert Blythe from the sea during a storm. She should let him go, but when she finds out Billy Andrews is plotting to take Gilbert’s life and estate, she realizes there’s nothing that can keep her from protecting him.

A/N: I want to thank you guys all the love you guys gave this story. I’m steadily becoming a person who finishes multichap fics (36k total, can you believe??) and it’s because you all are so kind and supportive. Special thanks to the ever lovely @hecksinki​ who basically sacrificed her first born for this fic and to @remylebub​ who left me the best motivating comments and understood the writing struggle.

• Rated G+  • 12k words •  Read on ao3 • Read on ff.net •

“I don’t know, Anne, I think you should have let him buy you the dress,” Diana said with a quirk in her eyebrow. Her pretty, round eyes were focused on the auburn gold strands of Anne’s hair as she stuck pins in strategic locations. “Let the man who loves you spoil you a little!”

“He does spoil me,” Anne argued, watching Diana work in the vanity mirror. “Almost too much. He pays me a teaching salary that is more than what any schoolmarm on the Island earns, I’m sure. He doesn’t ask me to pay for my board, meals, other necessary expenses. I couldn’t ask him to buy me a gown for this ball when I have a more than sufficient amount saved away. And that’s after I sent some home Marilla and Mrs. Lynde.”

“The eleven-year-old Anne I knew would be kicking you in the foot right now. You’ve become very practical.”

Anne laughed. It felt so good to have Diana here with her, finally together in the home that she loved, at the charity ball she’d helped organize. The distance between them had felt great over the past months, and letters fell dreadfully short to the real thing.

“I have become practical haven’t I? I hardly recognize myself sometimes, but then I take the boys out to learn about the weather or go walking with Gil through the woods and I’m Anne the Dreamer all over again. Perhaps that is what it is to grow up?”

“I’m glad you’ve found someone who lets you be yourself,” Diana replied, pulling back and examining her work for small mistakes. “I can’t wait to meet him. Is he really as handsome as they say?”

Anne blushed, tucking her shy smile into her hands and looking away.

“Tease all you want, Diana, but when you meet your Prince Charming tonight, you can expect to be paid back sevenfold.”

With a dramatic sigh, Diana crossed Anne’s warm seaside room to where her bag was positioned on the window seat.

“I’d endure a lifetime of your teasing if it meant I could find a man like yours, Anne. Tell me, is kissing a man as terribly breathtaking as the storybooks said?”

“Yes,” Anne said quietly. “But the ones that make you weak are the ones when you’re completely alone.”

“Anne Shirley! You mean to tell me you’ve been kissing Dr. Blythe alone to the point  of weakened knees!?” Diana spun around, her bag’s search quickly forgotten.

“He’s often busy!” Anne quickly defended. “So when we see each other, he’ll pull me into some quiet corner that shields us.” Seeing that this explanation did not aid her case, she quickly began to pack away her hair supplies. Diana merely rose her brow at Anne and continued looking through her traveling bag.

When she turned around, she held a long narrow box in her palm. “I know you didn’t ask for me to bring this, but I thought I might just in case.”

“What is it, dearest?” Anne said, rising to meet her.

“Uh uh uh, Anne-girl, stay put. It’s princess treatment tonight.”

With a humble smile, the redheaded royal turned to face the front, examining the reflection as if it were a long lost friend, so long lost that she almost seemed like a stranger. Who was that beautiful, dignified woman that stared back at her with mystified eyes. Who was she, with the sunset spun curls pinned atop her head and the face of ivory?

When Diana fell in place behind her, she realized the contents of the box.

“The pearls Matthew gave me,” she whispered reverently. “How did you know they would match the dress?”

Diana brought the string of rare jewels over Anne’s neck, clasping it in the back and letting them fall gently across the expanse of Anne’s throat.

“Pearls partner well with anything, dearest. There’s one more thing.” Anne peered over her shoulder at her friend, but Diana only shrugged and pulled out another box, this one the size of a matchbox. “I was told to give you this. It’s from Doctor Blythe.”  

Anne hesitated to open it, wondering if maybe having a wealthy man wasn’t as satisfying as she had dreamed it would be. After all, he’d gone to all this trouble for her? And what did she have to give to him? She forced herself to take a deep breath, exhaling so hard that the curls on the side of her face flew up. Love wasn’t about things . Anne knew that, and Gilbert did too. The tiny box with its darling mysteries wasn’t a present for the sake of gift-giving, and that’s why Anne finally lifted the lid.

It was an oval cameo brooch of a gentle pastel pink. In the middle, carved out bright ivory shell was a bouquet of lilies-of-the-valley. Anne brought the beloved treasure up closer to her face as she found more and more details - each little protruding petal, each wilting leaf.

“It’s beautiful, Anne. Would you like to wear it?” Diana prodded gently, knowing that Anne might need some guidance out of the dreamland of her mind. Anne blinked and smiled.

“I do believe I will wear it,” she said.

“I was wondering why he hadn’t sent you flowers,” Diana mused. “I suppose in his own way, he has.”

Anne felt the evidence of her own lovesickness show on her face, not caring in the slightest if Diana saw just how taken she was. With an almost shameful amount of pride and satisfaction, she pinned the brooch to the front of her mint green gown. It matched perfectly the applique flowers of the same blushy, white tones and for a moment Anne was unsure if she was looking at herself or if some fairy like queen had replaced her. Her brooch was prominent in its regality above her left breast. Let the world see that the kind hearted, beloved doctor was hers! She’d sing it to anyone who asked, a joyous song of how good it felt to love, and to be loved in return.

*#*#*

It was Anne’s idea that the schoolboys help decorate the estate in preparation for its company. When they’d gone into the fields earlier in the day to pluck flowers, she’d been the recipient of about half a dozen Do we have to? s and Picking flowers is for ninnies! However, dutiful, soft hearted Paul Irving led by example, impressing teacher with his enchanting arrangement. Soon, all the boys were begrudgingly - yet secretly somewhat enjoying - combing through the tall grass for hidden gems that would make teacher smile. Now the house was lined with them, a sight to behold for even extravagant company.  

Guests were already beginning to pour in from the long driveway, a dozen carriages a minute carrying Eastern Canada’s most prestigious elite. At the top of the stairwell, Anne watched the women’s skirts swirl across the floor like wispy cirrus clouds, suddenly overcome with the fragrance of expensive perfume.

Dr. Gilbert Blythe stood in his wide entryway, welcoming guests personally as they entered. He’d told Anne he’d be wearing his best suit, making it hard for her to picture if his other suits, with their starched perfection, weren’t his best. Sure enough, every stitch of Gilbert’s attire was finely sewn, fitted to each line and contour of him. He’d slicked back his rebellious brown curls so that they matched the rest of his refined appearance.

“Is that him?” Diana asked beside her in an amazed murmur. Gilbert chose that moment to catch sight of the women there at the top of the stairs, and the pretense of hospitality left his face. In that moment, Anne felt the Selene to Gilbert’s Endymion - the picture of glowing illuminance gazed upon in surrendering devotion.

“Yes,” Anne said with a joyous smile as they began to descend. “Come Diana, there is someone I’d like you to meet.”

He met them there with a courteous bow, though his eyes never left the redheaded dryad dressed in green.

“You’re breathtaking, Anne,” he murmured with a honeyed voice. Anne could feel the gravitation between them, magnetic and strong, allowing Gilbert to take her lightly into his arms and press a kiss to her cheek. He lingered there, long enough that Anne could get a trace of his spicy, earthy scent. He leaned back, holding Anne’s pale in his own. “You must be Miss Barry! It’s an honor to meet the object of Anne’s high esteem.”

“Dr. Blythe, I had intended to say the same to you. Thank you for inviting me tonight. It’s been some time since I’ve been somewhere quite so beautiful.”

Before the good doctor could say his charming reply, Mr. Laurents came up and whispered something in his ear. Gilbert’s grip tightened on Anne’s hand as he looked up at the butler with furrowed brows.

“And Bash has already spoken with them?” he asked.

“Twice, and Mrs. LaCroix did too,” Laurents answered.

Sensing her eyes on the back of his neck, Gilbert turned to Anne.

“The boys have decided they don’t want to come out and face the guests tonight,” he explained. Understanding ran through Anne, and for a few seconds she was back at the orphan asylum with pitying families staring down at her as if she were an injured dog up for adoption. “I just hoped they’d come out so that the guests would see them as boys and not the moral less rabble they are thought to be.”

“Would you like me to go speak with them? I might be able to change their minds.”

“No, I’d like to speak to them. Men to men. Besides, I’m an orphan too, you know. You and Diana enjoy the party. I hear the food is delicious, Mary has been planning the menu for days.”

“I want to help, Gil. How about I stay and welcome the guests?”

The doctor let out a relieved sigh, a weight lifting off of his shoulders.

“Darling, you are astounding.” He paused, his fingers rubbing against the palms of his own hands as an odd expression crossed over him. “I’ve something to tell you. May I steal you away for just a moment before we get swept up in ball pleasantries and dances?”

“Of course,” Anne said, a hand reaching up to cup his cheek. “Are you alright?”

Without response, he gave a nod to Diana, took Anne’s hand, and led her down one of the quiet hallways. Only a few of the wall lamps were lit, reminding Anne of all the moments they’d spent in the dusk together. Before Anne could question just what the meaning of their sudden escape was, she was being swept behind a marble pillar and held in the warmth of his hands. A gasp escaped her as his dark eyes ran up at down the sides of her waist. His eyes searched hers, a silent question of May I?

Anne’s response was her hands falling gently behind his neck, her fingers tugging the ends of his curls in the way that made him keen. She pushed herself up onto her toes, but Gilbert met her halfway, capturing her lips in a kiss that rivaled all the came before it. The soft lines of her were pressed against his firm chest, a feeling of being enraptured that swept Anne off her feet and made her lean into him even more.

“Why the sudden ardour, doctor?” she asked the second he freed her lips to taste the skin behind her neck, chest heaving against his. His answer came in between kisses, a finger trailing up her spine. Sparks erupted with this touch, and Anne could only succumb to the pleasure of it.

“Because, my love, you are the most beautiful creature I’ve seen. Because you’re easily one of the most intelligent, brave, strong people I know. Because this marvelous, important night we have planned was your idea, and it’s going to be a thrilling success. I’m...happy and proud beyond words.” He ran the back of his fingers down the sides of her torso, grazing the swell of her breast and settling on her waist. “But most of all, I pulled you away because I’ve been too busy today to show you how much I love you.”

“I surely haven’t forgotten,” Anne retorted, half-heartedly.

“Surely not, but only because of my steady reminders. Do you mind?”

“Not at all,” she beamed. “It gives me a chance to give some reminders of my own.”

Gilbert’s eyes darkened, but before he could lose himself in another passionate moment, he pulled himself back and offered his hand to her.

“I hear there are some boys that need some inspiration. You and I have important posts to return to.”

Ignoring the flush on her skin under each freckle that Gilbert had kissed, Anne straightened her back to refine herself, and let him pull her back away into the boisterous hall.

*#*#*

Anne met more people greeting them as they flooded into the estate than she suspected lived in Avonlea. As she shook what felt like the hundreth hand to walk in that minute, she remembered that Gilbert had mentioned that he knew each one of the guests. Most of them I know personally, he had said. You wouldn’t believe the amount of people I know, it’s exhausting. Anne suddenly understood, and she’d only been welcoming for twenty minutes. The rush of people seemed to be arriving, a tide of extravagance, wide skirts, and jewels.

Before she could be swept away into the sea of wealth, Anne’s eyes fell on a resplendent woman stepping into the hall as if she’d been here a thousand times before. She had kind eyes of moonshine blue and dark black hair that rivaled even Diana’s. She was the Cordelia of Anne’s childhood imaginations, radiant in beauty and poise.  

Anne was just about offer her warmest, if not utterly star struck, welcome, when the women rushed up to her.

“Good evening, miss. I was wondering if you might know where Doctor Blythe is. I simply must speak with him,” she said in a saccharine voice that suited only those of the utmost loveliness.

“I’m afraid he’s disposed at the moment. Are you ill, dear?” Anne replied. The woman was quick to shake her head, but frowned as she struggled to find the right words. A memory flashed in Anne’s mind of a similar situation that brought her here, though she hadn’t looked nearly as enchanting in such a state. She reached for the woman’s hand and gave it a reassuring squeeze.

“I’ll go find him for you. Whom may I ask is calling?”

The woman took a comforted breath, a thankful smile on her face.

“My name is Christine Stuart. I’m the doctor’s fiance.”

Anne’s heart turned to stone, the rest of her body following as she froze where she stood. Slowly, she dropped Christine’s hand and took a small step back.

“I’m sorry...I must have misunderstood,” Anne said in a voice that was not her own. Christine gave a kind smile.

“Not many people know, it’s been quite some time since it began. Who might you be, dear?”

Anne opened her mouth but no sound came out. She felt her cheeks lit up in flames, her throat closing out any sound. Christine’s smile began to falter, when a voice broke in.

“Anne?”

Both women turned to see Dr. Gilbert Blythe approaching with a triumphant spring in his step, but when he realized just what he was looking at, he halted.

“Gilbert, dear, it’s been so long since I’ve seen you!” Christine cried out, placing her hand on his arm. “You’re just the man I was looking for. I’ve just met the charming Anne.”

“I...I wasn’t expecting you, Christine,” he sputtered.

“Oh I know, but I thought you might be able to make some accommodations if I stay a few days. You don’t mind terribly much if I impose, do you?”

Gilbert looked at Anne, whose face had hardened into solid ice. He tried to send her silent messages of Please allow me to explain and I’m so sorry, but she refused to look him in the eye.

“There’s no where in the house for you and all the hotels are full. I don’t have anywhere for you,” he began to explain, but was cut off when Anne finally spoke.

“There is somewhere,” she said flatly. “She can stay in my room. I’m leaving.���

Anne felt like taking one of the glasses of wine passing by on a tray and dumping it all over his pristine, expensive suit. She felt like slapping him across his face, tearing off her brooch and stomping it to dust under her feet. She wanted to stand in the middle of the ballroom and shout to the world that Gilbert Blythe was the worst, most untrustworthy, horrible, cold-hearted men she’d ever met - ever . She wanted to pull him into one of their dark alcoves, get breaths away from his face, and whisper to him that she should have let him drown that day.

But most of all, she wanted to return to that sweet moment less than an hour ago, when she was pressed tight up against his chest. He’d whisper of his love over and over and over and over until the party was over and all traces of Christine Stuart were gone. But there was no taking it all back now, no magic that could erase the agony that throbbed through her like an acidic poison.

So instead of doing all the things she wanted to, she decided to do the thing she wanted to least. She turned on her heels and left them standing there in her dust, cursing the moment she ever laid eyes on the sailor who called her siren.

He might’ve been calling after her as she set out in search for Diana - or maybe she just imagined it - but refused to stop. She wouldn’t let him explain. She refused to even let him think about justifying why he-

There was Diana, she thought with relief, sitting on a bench against the wall. Her longest, most wonderful, faithful friend looked up to see Anne’s pale trembling form before her.

“Anne?” Diana asked nervously, leaving behind her bench crossing over to her. “Sweetheart, what’s wrong?”

“Diana,” Anne murmured, feeling the rock in her throat opening enough to let some words out. “Can we go home?”

“Home? To Avonlea ? Anne what-“

Anne reached out and grabbed Diana’s hand, pulling her through the crowd of partygoers toward the side staircase. They managed to nearly get the entire way when a voice broke through the noise.

“Anne! Anne !”

She sent Diana an agonized expression, then darted up the stairs. Before she could follow, she was faced with a frantic, equally pained Gilbert.

“Diana, please , I have to talk to her. It isn’t what she thinks!”

As Diana hurried to collect her thoughts, Gilbert attempted to break past her up the stairs. Diana was faster though, sticking her arm up and fixing Gilbert with a glare of blades and fire.

“I don’t know what you’ve done, but stay away from her. You’ve clearly done enough.” She tore away after Anne before he could say any more.

When she entered Anne’s seaside room, she found her friend standing in the window with her arms crossed over herself, trembling at her own reflection. She was a silhouette of the person she was just hours ago, soft edges that seemed to be dissipating away. Something was ending, but only Anne knew what it was.

“Anne? Honey?”

Then, Anne lowered her head, let out a devastated moan, and began to weep. Every choked sob echoed across the room as she covered her face, blocking her own reflection in the window. How could she look at herself - the woman who was played the fool, the woman who’d allowed herself to be a rich man’s plaything? She was ashamed. Marilla had been right.

Diana held her as she cried, cradling Anne’s head in her bosom until the broken woman had released enough of her anguish to form a single sentence.

“Take me home.”

Diana still didn’t know much about what had transpired with Gilbert, but she’d not seen Anne this heartbroken since Matthew’s unexpected death. All she knew was that Anne’s pain was hers, and to deny Anne this would be like running her through. Pressing a kiss to Anne’s bowed head, Diana nodded.

“Alright, kindred spirit. I’ll pack your things for you, and then we’ll go home.”

Gilbert was waiting from them at the bottom of the staircase when they finally came down. Diana, her bags in one hand and Anne’s in another, pushed past the doctor when he surged forward. She was nearly out of the threshold of the house when she turned and found Anne had frozen the second she looked at Gilbert.

Anne wished that time would stop and take Gilbert with it so that she might sneak past him and pretend she’d never come in the first place. It was hard enough to wade through the haze her heartbreak had drawn up around her, but to face him was too much.

“Anne, please my love, let me tell you the truth,” he pleaded, taking a step toward her when he saw that she had locked her words tightly inside of her. But Anne had heard more than she wanted to. She heard enough to unlock her aptitud for words just long enough to leave him with one parting gift.

“The truth?” she sneered. “ The truth, Dr. Blythe, is that you’ve been lying to me since the day we met. You lied about who you were, about what you were! It’s been up to me to find out for myself, and here’s what I think! I think you’re just like every other rich man, using things easily obtained for entertainment and discarding them when you grow bored. What’s more, I’m willing to bet you lied about ever loving me, and for that….” her voice trailed off. She couldn’t say anything that came to her mind to follow. “For that, I will be the one to pay the price. I will be the one to bear the pain.”

She yanked the brooch off of her dress and shove it into his hand, barely noticing the way the green fabric had torn and the sharp pin of the brooch scratched across his hand.

Then, she grabbed Diana’s hand, and left all the things she loved glistening under bright electric lights of the Blythe Estate behind her.

*#*#*

They didn’t make it far. Shivering in the evening breeze, Anne brought her arms back up around herself and blinked back the next onrush of tears. As they walked down toward the road, a group of gentleman sauntered up toward the house. In the dark, it was hard to make out of the details of their attire, and to an unfocused eye, it appeared as though the they truly were party guests late to the festivities.

But then Anne recognized the way they walked  - the way of an islander, the way of someone born and reared in Avonlea.

“That can’t be Diana Barry and the Cuthbert’s orphan,” a familiar voice called out. The blood in Anne’s veins turned to ice, and for just a moment, she forgot all about her heartache.

“Billy Andrews wearing a suit? I do say wonders never cease,” Diana mused, not stopping as Billy’s group halted in the driveway. “Good evening, gentlemen, we’ll be on our way.”

“Can we carry your bags for you ladies? They look heavy.”

“ No,” Anne forced out, unable to mask the terror to Diana.

“We’re quite capable,” Diana amended, picking up the pace to match Anne’s quickening one.

“Suit yourself. Bumpkins like Anne don’t belong at events like these anyway. Bet they turned you away at the door.”

Anne clenched her fists, but refused to turn around or answer.

“Keep walking, Diana,” she murmured in a voice so quiet it was nearly carried away on a breeze. When the babbling of Avonlea boys had disappeared into nothingness behind them, Anne reached out to grab Diana’s wrist.

“We have to go back,” she rushed out.

“What? I thought something happened with-”

“Something did happen,” Anne bit out, tears welling up in her eyes faster than she could blink them back or brush them aside. “But this is more important. You have to trust me. We need to go back!”

She spun on her heels to head back up the hill, but Diana grabbed her wrist before she could make it very far.

“Look, Anne, I’m with you anywhere, through anything. But you need to tell me what’s going on.”

Anne felt a gust of wind sweep through her skirts, loose strands of hair ticking the skin at the back of her neck. The whole world seemed to be vibrating around her, like a ticking bomb counting down second by second until the inevitable destruction.

“Billy Andrews wants to kill Gilbert. I heard him say so in Avonlea.”

“ What? Anne, that’s ridiculous.” Diana’s jaw had dropped.

“I heard the words leave his mouth as clearly as I can hear you now! Look Di, it’s complicated-”

“Then explain it!”

So Anne explained the whole story quickly, and Diana listened as closely as she could shivering in the mid autumn cold. Anne confessed knowing about Billy’s plans since before she came to the Glen, about telling Gilbert, about staying even after she told Gilbert because - as much as she wanted to work and teach - part of her would always ache to make sure he was okay.

“And what happened tonight?”

Anne let a single tear escape her eyes as she swallowed.

“Gilbert is already engaged. He has been. I met her tonight.”

Diana stumbled back as she comprehended Anne’s words. If she could feel the hammer in her own ribs pounding a crack into her heart, she could only imagine how Anne felt.

“That’s...Wow. And you want to protect him even though he broke your heart?”

Anne nodded, a resolute determination falling over her, like a mythical heroine of old. Even with auburn brows furrowed together in heartache and her figure trembling in the chill, she was steadfast and solid in her resolve.

“I ache so terribly, worse than I ever knew I could, but I don’t want him hurt. I know it’s why Billy is here tonight, I just do, Di.”

Diana’s eyes drifted the expanse of dark forests beside them, their wide expanse of unknown territory under the thick concealing blanket of orange leaves. Her mind was reeling, and she spent a moment trying to collect each one of her chaotic thoughts.

“Alright,” she said finally. “What do you plan to do?”

Anne’s green eyes flashed in the dark.

“Whatever it takes to stop him.”

*#*#*

As Anne crept into the ballroom, she couldn’t help but spare a thought to how lovely the evening had turned out. It was everything her imagination had conjured and more, with its brilliantly lit chandeliers, waves of music echoing off of the high walls, and laughter rising above every sound as dancers waltzed and whirled around like spinning tops.

“Do you see him anywhere?” Diana asked, just behind her.

Anne almost answered that no, she didn’t see Gilbert anywhere. He wasn’t dancing with any of the guests, nor was he with Bash in the corner - where had he gone? But then she remembered they had come back in for a different man, and began to scan the crowd for Billy Andrews. It would’ve been easy to spot him if he were here, since he could hardly hope to blend in with the sophisticated crowd. His hair would be too messy, his gait too unrestricted, his dancing too unrefined.

A sick feeling settled over Anne. If both Gilbert and Billy Andrews were nowhere to be seen, did they mean they had already found each other? Gilbert surely had no defense against Billy if he made good on his promise to bring a rifle.

“I don’t see him,” Anne nearly whimpered. She scanned the crowd one last time, then let her eyes linger to the second floor of the ballroom. It was accessible through the grand stairwell in the front of the room, and led up to balcony type passageways running along the sides of the walls and overlooking the main floor. A handful of party goers could go up and watch down over dancing couples if they needed a minutes rest. Maybe Billy had…

There he was! Anne thought with a start. He was up on the balcony, whispering something - instructions? - to one of them men he had come in with. From so far away, it was hopeless to try to make out what they were saying, but Anne was able to see Billy nod toward the thick rope that ran all the way up the wall to the chandelier and then hand his friend a knife.

“He’s going to cut the line to the chandelier!” Anne murmured to Diana in a rush. Diana’s gaze followed Anne’s and she let out a gasp.

“Is he crazy?” Diana cried out. “We should find someone to stop him! Isn’t that Gilbert’s brother up against the wall?”

“No, there isn’t enough time!”

Before Diana could stop her, Anne took off into the crowd, eyes locked to the boys up on the balcony. Somewhere between her struggle to navigate the masses, she misses Billy Andrews depart. Then, she caught a flash of his blonde hair descending the stairwell slowly and thoughtfully. She was quick to counter out of sight, waiting until he was out of sight to hurry up the stairs. The man had already begun sawing at the lines, and Anne could see the chandelier shaking as if there was a small earthquake in the room. If she confronted him from the front, sure enough he would turn the blade on her. Maybe she could sneak around behind him, and stop him from behind.

Anne crept along the edge of the balcony, taking the long way to the other side and turning herself into an unnoticeable sight in order to blend in with the shadows. As she neared closer and closer to the man cutting the line, she focused on steadying her breathing and quieting her steps. Just before she reached him, she grabbed a heavy floral vase from a nearby pedestal, clutching it so hard in her hands that her knuckles turned a terrified white. She was so close to him then that she could smell the beer coming from his pores.

Then, with shaking hands, Anne lifted the vase and brought it down upon his head as hard as she could manage. The man let out a grunt, collapsing to the ground in a heap of drunken unconsciousness. Frantic eyes turned to the chandelier line, which had been nearly sawed all the way through, but if let untouched, might be able to withstand the damage. Grabbing the short knife from the man and hiding it in one of her boots.

She rushed to the edge of the balcony, scanning the crowd for Billy Andrews. He was up against the wall, staring curiously at the chandelier, wondering why it hadn’t descended upon the guests yet. He shifted as if he was seconds away from coming up to investigate himself, when suddenly the music stopped and a voice rose above the crowd, partnered by a tap of a glass.

“Good evening everyone!” Gilbert said with delight that Anne sensed was forced. Billy stopped in his tracks, knowing that if he tried to sneak up the balcony stairs, he’d certainly be seen by everyone gazing upon their host. But this had been Anne’s home for nearly six months now. She knew of the small little passageway that led back down into the foyer, making it possible to reenter the crowd from behind. With everyone’s attention pulled away to Gilbert, she hurried down the line of the balcony, through the foyer, and back into the crowds amassing to hear Gilbert give his speech.

“I am delighted to see so many of my cherished friends here tonight! I am doubly delighted that the evening has already been filled with such pleasant revelry. I would like to interrupt, if I may, for a short time to tell you all the purpose of this event tonight.”

Through the aching pounding in Anne’s heart, she glanced over at Billy, who had begun a nonchalant saunter to the center of the crowd, directly in line of Gilbert.

“Someone very important to me recently advised me to let go of the hurt of the past in favor of enjoying the blessings of the present. I’d like to share with you some of that joy, if I may. Come on then, lads.” At his cue, forty-three boys filtered in behind Gilbert, wide, fearful eyes staring out at the audience who knew not yet to love them. Anne felt her chest swell with a strong pride - how brave these boys were, how brave and kind and true they all had grown to be. “These are the wonderful young men that I adopted from the St. Anthony’s Orphan Asylum. They are my greatest pride, strong in their goodness and courage. When my father passed away, I wondered how my life would have been different if  I had grown up an orphan, so I sought to see myself.”

He wrapped an arm around the two boys closest to him, smiling warmly when Paul Irving hid his face into Gilbert’s coat.

“I came home with forty-three of the finest young gentleman I’ve ever met. My brother thought I was insane.” Chuckles bubbled around the room. “But it was one of my biggest delights to give these boys a family, to provide for them the same thing we all have now. A comfortable home, food on the table, an education, and most important, someone to love them. That is why I invited you here tonight. I’m standing before you now, humbly asking you to share the blessings of your present with the boys of Saint Anthony’s, so that they might be the blessings of their future.”

The crowd was acutely aware of the boys staring back at them with their guarded faces and wide, hopeful eyes. Anne herself, felt the shared kindred connection with every child in the room who’d ever lost their parents.

“Tonight isn’t just a call for donations, though any small amount helps. I hoped that tonight, I could encourage all my wonderful friends to find some way to share the love in their lives. Write letters to the boys, make visits, send them sweeties on holidays, and certainly take one home if you feel compelled to open your home like I did mine.”

Gilbert’s eyes scanned the crowd as he tried to meet as many people as he could in the eye. When his gaze fell on Anne, he faltered, the brave smile on his face nearly disappearing altogether. Anne knew him enough to see the sudden torment that raged in him, suddenly frozen to the ground herself. But then she jerked her head to where Billy Andrews was standing, sending the strongest warning she could muster out of her entire being. Gilbert glanced over, startled, but missed the warning’s message.

The pause seemed to be the perfect opportunity for Billy. Anne watched in horror as Billy reached a hand slowly into a hidden pocket in his jacket and retrieved a small revolver. Where had he gotten one of those ? Anne’s mind grasped around desperately for something to do, something to stop him, but came up empty handed.

“There has been some question as to whether or not I intend to keep my estate,” Gilbert continued carefully, venturing onto a path with his speech that he had not rehearsed with Anne. Adrenaline began to course through her, as if lightning had been flashed and now all that was left was to wait for the impending thunder. Gilbert tightened his grasp on the boys, squaring his shoulders to face a force he knew not. “These rumors and hopes have been ill founded. I intend to keep my estate well into the future, for the sake of my patients, for the sake of this community and its harbor, and for the sake of these boys, for whom I vowed to provide for. Of that, you may be sure.”

A growl sounded from the middle of the crowd. Anne’s head whirled around to see Billy Andrews taking a few steps forward. He rose his arm, revealing the gun with its target set directly on Gilbert, half-dimmed metal reflecting the brilliant yellow light like a warning. There was no way to reach Billy in time, Anne lamented, feeling her senses roar to life, instinct taking over her limbs. She’d failed this time, she’d been too late.

Fate was prepared to prove to her otherwise.

Just as Billy emitted a roar of fury, Anne surged forward with all the strength and speed she could muster. She cried out a heart wrenching “No!” as she collided with Billy, pushing his arms so that the barrel of the gun was aimed at the ceiling the second he pulled the trigger.  

A thunderous BANG echoed across the hall, sending all the party guests to their knees, covering their heads with their hands. The resonance of the shot echoing into eternity around them was the only sound as every heart waited with baited breath for what might happen next.

Gilbert stood before them, the only one standing, shielding the boys with the wingspan of his arms and a stunned expression on his face when he looked upon Anne. The collision with Anne had knocked Billy off of his feet enough to send him tumbling to the ground, sending the revolver across the floor into Bash’s waiting hands. Yanking the weapon from the ground, Bash rushed forward, ready to collect Billy for imprisonment himself, but a sound creaked over them, like a rocking ship of aged wood.

The chandelier - Anne remembered with a jolt. Sure enough, Billy’s shot had cracked a section of the high ceiling where the chandelier was hung. With the rope that held the fixture already strained with too much tension, the shot had been all that was needed to snap the rope.

Gilbert yelled, “ Move! ” the second Anne herself had cried, “ Get out of the way! ”

The crowd hurried back, but they were never in danger of the crash. Only Gilbert and the boys, who’d all seemed to get out of the way just in the nick of time.

All except Paul Irving.

Anne’s heart leaped into her chest at the sight of her favorite pupil staring up at the falling chandelier, petrified with terror. Now alight with determination, she raced forward and shielded Paul’s small body with her own. Gilbert was there too, his arms around both of them, pushing them to the side, just out of the way.

The chandelier hit the ground with the crash of a thousand tiny glass crystals shattering against the hard floor. Anne felt just as many tiny cuts line her arms as the shards flew around them, but it wasn’t until she lifted her head that she saw Gilbert had shoved them just out of line of the chandelier.

Everyone was afraid to breathe, afraid that something else might jump out of the woodwork to harm them. Gilbert was the first to raise himself, with shaking hands, he carefully helped Paul stand, giving him a quick glance for cuts and broken bones. He peered around the room at every pair of wide eyes that stared back at him in stunned amazement. No one had been hurt. They’d all gotten back far enough in time.

Then, he spun around to Anne, who’d a line of blood trickling from her forehead and cheek. The lines of his lashes turned moist as he shook his head in awe.

“You came back,” he murmured. “You saved me again. ”

“And you saved me ,” she replied just as quietly.

The crowd around them had blurred into nothingness - there was only light, the hazel of his eyes, and that same magnetic pull between them that had been there from the first day of the storm. As reality befell upon her - Billy Andrews had failed, everything was alright, Gilbert was alright - he swept her into his arms and pressed his face into the crook of her neck. She felt his lips pressing kisses to the side of her head and heard whispers of, “My love, oh my love.”

She’d almost forgotten about Christine - almost allowed herself to believe that the whole day had been just a horrible nightmare. Reality broke in before she could drift away too far.

“I’ll get you Blythe, if it’s the last goddamn thing I ever do!” Billy shouted. Anne’s head spun to look, heart clenching with fear for a recurrence of what had just transpired, but she was relieved to find the man being yanked away by Glen police officers. “You’ll rot in hell! Your orphan bastard trash will rot! Your whore will rot! Your colored-” The officer had heard enough, giving the man a strong hit over the head and promptly knocking him out so he could be dragged out to the carriage by his elbows. Diana was close behind them, racing through the stunned crowd into Anne’s arms.

“Anne, you do beat all! You’re alright, aren’t you?” she wept, squeezing her bosom friend with all the weak strength she could muster. “I went to find help the second you took off up those stairs! What happened here?”

Anne’s eyes fell on the ground where the last remnants of the chandelier laid askewed on the tile. Each step would result in a crack, and Anne was sure there were shards in her hair and skirts. She wondered just what had happened. She turned her attention to the crowd, who was still too entranced by the chaos that had finally begun to settle.

“I don’t think we can begin to apologize for the strain you all have been through tonight. But that...” she pointed a finger at the door where Billy Andrews had been pulled away. “That is what happens when you let avarice strip you of your humanity. That is the fate of so many who are never given the chance to be good.”

Gilbert came up behind Anne, placing a hand on her shoulder.

“I’ll see anyone who has sustained physical injuries in my office. We understand if you’d like to get home to your beds and decompress after the tumult of the day. You are likely just as shocked as we are at tonight’s events, but I am deeply sorry just the same. Please have safe, comfortable travels home.”

The crowds began to filter out through the doors, many of them with odd expressions on their faces that Anne could not decipher. She expected they’d be appalled after the display shown tonight, expected to hear murmurs of “country ruffians,” but instead, every single departing guest was lost in thought. Anne herself felt as though she was glued to the floor, like moving would force her to return to the reality that she was leaving. After all, with Billy likely locked up for good, Gilbert’s life was no longer in any danger, so there was no reason to stay.

“Miss Shirley!” a chorus of voices called, breaking her from her thoughts. Anne’s head snapped up to see all forty-three wonderful boys barrelling toward her. They each grabbed her where they could, some holding tight to her waist and her arms, others clutching at the pretty fabrics of her skirts.

“Are you boys alright?” she asked, checking them over each one by one. When she found Paul Irving, who had his teary cheeks buried in her side, she caressed the side of his head. “Dear, are you alright? We had quite the fall, didn’t we?”

Paul’s sweet face looked back at her, little streaks of moisture trailing down the corners of his nose. “My wrist hurts,” he moaned quietly. Anne nodded understandably, holding up said wrist to see if it sustained any major injuries.

“I’ll take you to Dr. Blythe and he’ll take a look at it. How does that sound?” Paul nodded, anxious to be in the comfort of Gilbert’s company again. The doctor himself had snuck away as soon as he could, ready in his office to see to anyone needing treatment. “Are any more of you hurt?” Anne was met by forty-two shaking heads.

“Come on, Queen Anne,” Bash said, appearing from the side. “I was told to bring you up to see the doctor, something about a gash across your forehead.”

Anne reached a finger up to the area in question, and sure enough, they came back down with a hot smear of blood. She looked down at the expectant faces of the boys, and Paul Irving, and of Sebastian LaCroix, whose eyes told her that he understood her hesitation.

“Alright, let’s go see the doctor.”

*#*#*

“Well, this certainly has been an eventful evening,” Sebastian said, filling the silence of their short walk up to Gilbert’s office. He peered down at the Anne, whose eyes had fallen sad again, but she put on a brave face for the young boy clutching her hand.

“I’m only sorry that it turned out as poorly as it did,” she murmured.

“I can’t speak for everything that has happened tonight, but you’ll be pleased to hear that we exceeded our anticipated amount of donations. Most of them came after...well, after. ”

Anne’s stunned face turned up to him.

“What- How?” she stammered. “I thought for sure Billy ruined all chances of us reaching the goal.”

“I did too, but I decided not to look a gift horse in the mouth. St. Anthony’s will be well taken care of for the next few years.” Bash slowed to a stop as they neared Gilbert’s door. “I haven’t told the doctor yet. Could you?”

A sick, nervous feeling settled in her stomach, but Anne nodded. Sebastian gave one last parting smile, with its own traces of sadness, then turned on his heel to leave. Before he walked two steps, he paused.

“Anne,” he said kindly. “Let him explain. It isn’t all you think.”

Throat closed in, Anne looked down at the ground. She wasn’t sure if she was strong enough to let Gilbert explain. Could see endure sitting beside him while he told that she was only a passing infatuation, that his enduring love was for Christine Stuart? Oh, she wished there was another doctor in the Glen, she lamented. She had to brave this one last storm and seal the ending of everything her and Gilbert had been. As she had told him once, it was just another thing she’d have to mourn.

Knocking on the door, Anne took a deep breath and waited for it to open before her.

Her eyes were glued to the ground when it finally did swing open, and when she chanced a glance up at him, she fought the urge to let out of shuddering sob. How was it that after everything, she still loved him so? Her heart craved him as if he were water, or air, or peaceful summer days. How could she ever learn to break herself of him?

His amazement at seeing her did not go unnoticed, either, with his wide atlantic blue eyes and parted lips.

“ Anne , you ca-” He glanced down at the young boy peeking out from behind her skirts. “Paul! Come in.”

Paul reached for the doctor’s hand and followed him in like a duckling, leaving Anne to trail in at her own agonized pace. Being in the office was its own torment, the ghosts of their last real conversation in the nearby alcove lingering like smoke from a blown out candle. Anne could still feel his lips on her neck, his words in her ear.   

“Have a seat, lad,” she heard Gilbert say behind her. “Where does it ache?”

Anne intended to stand with her back to them, memorizing the titles on the spines of Gilbert’s books on the shelves, but  was interrupted by a small voice.

“Miss Shirley, could you sit with me?”

A pang of love hit her when she met his pleading eyes. The poor boy had just had enough excitement for an entire lifetime, of course he was scared. Kneeling down before him, Anne nodded.

“Yes, Mr. Irving. You’ve been very brave, of course I’ll sit with you.” Then she spared Gilbert a neutral look. “I believe he sprained his wrist in the fall.”

“I’m sorry son, that’s my fault for pushing you so hard. I’m awful glad I did, though.”

“Me too,” Paul murmured, hissing when Gilbert tugged a little at Paul’s fingers. According to his assessment, the bone seemed alright, but the muscle had been strained when Paul reached his hand out to catch his fall. The three sat in silence as Gilbert’s skilled hands bound the injury, only pausing every now and again to gauge Paul’s pain and to give Anne a loaded look.

“Go find Mrs. LaCroix and she’ll give you some ice to put on it. If it still hurts tonight, come wake me up and I’ll give you something for the pain. How does that sound?” Gilbert asked.

Paul’s tears had subsided, the binding helping ease the inflammation, and he nodded. Kicking himself out of the chair he gave both doctor and teacher a thankful hug, then scurried out of the room, leaving Anne and Gilbert waiting in the tense silence. Anne could not bring herself to look at him, worried if she did, she’d take back everything she said - and she meant it! Every word! Biting the inside of her cheek, she pushed back the part of her that ached for her to throw her arms around him and say Christine who?

“Will you let me clean and bandage your cuts?” he asked cautiously. Anne nodded her head, keeping her eyes locked on the sea outside the window. She could hear him rummaging through his doctor’s things again, pulling out the disinfectant and the gauze.

“And then will you let me explain myself?” he said. Anne opened her mouth to refuse him, but he rushed to capture the pause. “Please, just let me tell you the truth about Christine and then if you want to leave this place and forget you ever met me, I’ll understand. I won’t stop you, no matter how much it’ll kill me to see you go.”

“Isn’t this unprofessional, doctor?” she stated stiffly.

“Yes, very,” he agreed, pressing a cotton ball to her cut. Anne hissed, recoiling a little, but tightening her hands. “But it’s a special case. Will you hear me out?”

Anne should’ve wanted to say Absolutely not, you cretin, but really, she wanted answers. No amount of scorn or heartbreak was enough to mask her desire to know the truth.

“Alright,” Anne murmured. Gilbert, whose eyes had been fixed on bandaging her forehead, froze completely still. His breath shook as he took a deep inhale, and continued to work.

“There are some things I’m sure that you’ve noticed do not exactly add up about me. Why does my brother look completely different from me, when did I ever work as a teacher if I grew up in this house? They all have to do with Christine.”

Hearing her name made Anne’s throat close in, but if Gilbert noticed the tears filling her eyes, he said nothing. He simply allowed her to feel and listen as she might.

“When I was first approaching adulthood, my father had begun to take ill. It was the beginning of his very slow descent, but it also made him hyper aware of the responsibility that would befall me once he was gone. But to me, a very young man with dreams of his own, it just seemed like he was trying to control my life the same way he controlled the harbor’s finances. And because he was good with the harbor, I let him, thinking maybe he knew best, after all. I don’t think he meant to do it, but it was so much for him to take on.”

He gently took Anne’s arm, examining the small cuts for any tiny pieces of glass still remaining. His touch was gentle enough that Anne wondered if she could memorize how sweet it felt.

“I still believe that if we’d grown up in Avonlea like my mother wanted, we would’ve been happier,” he added with a taste of scorn. “While I was studying to go to medical school in the quiet corners of the house, my father was planning out every single detail of my future that would take place after he was gone.  One of those days, he pulled me into his office - this office - and told me each plan one by one. I was to take over the harbor as business executive, and I was marry the daughter of Joseph Stuart, creating an alliance between the Kingsport Harbor that would safeguard the PEI farms who sent out exports. Without maintaining that business relationship, the tariffs to Nova Scotia would certainly make it impossible for the PEI businesses to keep up financially.”

Anne remembered the days when she was first living at Green Gables, when Matthew had paced across the kitchen anxiously about the struggling Carmody port. If it had gone under like Matthew thought it would, where would that have left them?

“I refused.” Anne’s eyes shot up to his. “My father got to have his dreams - to fall in love and marry the woman he adored, to be a successful businessman to provide for his family, to have a son that would follow directly in his footsteps. But I had dreams of my own. I wanted to be a doctor, take care of the Glen and serve it faithfully. I wanted to find my own love, Anne, I wanted to find you . So I left home. I went to Queen’s Academy to get my teaching certificate, raised enough funds to go to college, and studied to be a doctor, just as I wanted.”

“Which school did you teach?” Anne asked quietly.

“A school in Bolingbroke, Nova Scotia - a rural town.”

A tear trickled down Anne’s cheek and she sniffled weakly.

“That’s where I was born,” she admitted. Gilbert smiled, wiping away the tear with a tender touch.

“I loved Bolingbroke, and I loved learning to be a doctor even more. I was able to win the Cooper Prize, with provided me the rest of the funds to make it through medical school. I knew that even if it disappointed my father, I had to follow my own ambitions. I told you that I graduated five years ago, and I did, but shortly after, my father’s illness took a turn for the worse and I had to adjust my plans.”

He took her hands and stared into her eyes straight on.

“My father wanted to know that I was going to be alright when he died, and when I looked at him on his deathbed, I knew that I couldn’t go against his wishes. He begged me to go through with the engagement with Christine, to run the harbor. So I agreed, and I’ve regretted it ever since, because I never wanted to be with Christine. I wanted to spend my life with someone who belonged in it. You, sweetheart, I only ever wanted you.”

Anne clutched Gilbert’s hands, the ice around her heart starting to melt, replaced with his adorative warmth.

“I spent a year on a steamer, getting to know the lives of the people who were using the harbor and how the tariffs worked on a personal and business level. That’s where I met Bash. I invited him to come back and be my business partner and to be my brother. He married Mary a few months later, and we’ve been living here as a family ever since. We’ve all only ever seen Christine a few times.”

“I suppose that leaves the story up to date,” Anne murmured. “I just wish you had told me all of that sooner, before I had to look her in the eyes and hear that she’s your betrothed.”

“There’s a little more,” he admitted, biting back a hopeful smile.

“I didn’t tell you because as soon as I knew you felt the same way about me, I begged Bash to find some loophole in the engagement, something that could keep the harbor safe - and thus the boys financially sound - but also let me finally propose to you the way it was intended. He couldn’t find anything-” Anne gave a barely audible whimper, lips tight together, “-but Christine did.” Anne blinked.

“What?”

“Sweetheart, Christine is pregnant. She’s in love herself, with a fellow name Andrew Dawson. I know the man, he works on one of the steamers that goes back and forth between the Glen and Kingsport. Her and I discussed it this evening during the party. Instead of her and I marrying now to cover up a potential defamation of her family’s name, I’m going to promote Andrew so that she might marry him. That is how her and I get to keep our right to love while protecting our family businesses. We ended the engagement a few hours ago.”

Anne’s mind was reeling. She clasped the arm of the chair to keep from toppling over, afraid that if she moved too quickly, everything from the last few minutes would vanish completely.

“And...you and I? What of us?” she asked in a strained voice.

“That’s your decision, Anne,” Gilbert assured gently. “But if you’ll let me, I will happily, eagerly, completely love you and make you my partner through life. You can write and teach if that’s what you want, and I’ll be a doctor, and we’ll have the boys, Bash and Mary, and only love and happiness to speak of. I’m tired of living on someone else’s agenda.”

Completely bandaged, Anne reached out, placed her hands on Gilbert’s shoulder’s, and leaned her head into his chest. His arms came up around her, tracing star constellations into her back as she tried straighten out her mind. Aquarius. Orion. Cassiopeia.

“I’m still furious that you lied to me,” she choked out, unable to swallow back any more tears.

“I know.” His own voice was just as choked. “I’m sorry Anne, you don’t know how much.”

She snuck her arms up, tugging him closer until she was completely wrapped up in his warmth, face tucked perfectly into the space of his neck. His apology had come from a genuine place inside of him, the place that she’d met the day she saved him and had fallen more and more in love with as each day passed. Here and now, with that piece of his soul breathing the same air as hers, she knew that this was good, this was what Fate had intended for them.

Suddenly, she remembered that day on the Avonlea cliffside, staring out at the sea. The ocean, the wind, the stars and clouds had all called out to her “He’s there!” over and over like a prayer whispered on the lips of a mother. Who was she, then, to let this man go? Who was she to go against the wishes of her own heart?

“I still can’t believe you charged into an armed man for me. You put your life in danger again for me. You  came back for me,” he whispered into her hair.

Anne pulled back, peered into his eyes, and answered him the only way she knew how.

“Yes, my love, I did it for you.”

Gilbert’s face crumpled then, the words affecting him the same way they affected her when he first spoke them. He released a sob on a laugh and nodded, because he knew what she was really saying - Yes, my love, I forgive you.

“Will you stay then, Anne? Will you stay with me?” He’d never been so hopeful, so tender.

“Is that a formal proposal, Dr. Blythe?” she asked weakly, running the back of her fingers over the soft skin of his cheeks. He smiled, taking her beloved fingers and turning them so he could press a kiss to her knuckles.

“It is if you’d like it to be.”

Anne launched herself into his arms, sprinkling kisses on his face and hair and neck like dew descending on a field. Laughter exploded out of him in breathless bursts as he desperately tried to reciprocate each loving kiss. Finally, he caught her face and lifted it up to his, kissing her with a matchless adoration.

“How about this, Gil,” Anne suggested, tearing away so that only their noses and foreheads touched. “Let me go home to Avonlea, to part with it the way I should have. And then, when you’re ready, propose to me there, under the lacy blossoms of the White Way of Delight. We’ll walk along our beach, remember the day that brought us together. And when we’ve had our fill of memories, we’ll come home, here, to the Glen.”

Bliss filled Gilbert, radiating off of him in waves, and he took her back into is arms, sneaking in one last murmur before capturing her lips once more.

“As you wish it, Queen Anne.”

This was how it was supposed to be, they both thought at the same time - lips curved into smiles as they kissed, fears of the past gone and resolved forever, and the future as bright and full as the moon that bathed them in with its radiance.

Anne spent a week in Avonlea, boxing up all her belongings and answering hundreds of questions about the night of the charity ball. She began to recount the story so many times that more and more callers came to hear the tale of Anne and the madman.

“Oh no,” she’d say with enduring patience, “It’s a story of a doctor, a madman, and forty-three loyal orphan boys.”

“And you,” Mrs. Hiram Sloane interjected. Anne had bit her cheek to keep from smiling too wide.

“Yes, and me.”

It was that encounter that led Anne to decline taking future callers, instead spending that time in front of her typewriter. She’d come down for an hour or two every time her fingers began to cramp, curling up next to an indignant Marilla on the sofa and saying things like, “I do love you so, Marilla. You’ve done this hopeless harem scarem some good.”  

And Marilla’s hard exterior would melt away just long enough to reply, “You’ve done even more good for this cranky old maid.”  

But on this night, Anne had a pressing worry on her mind.

“You’re not terribly upset that I’m leaving Green Gables to go live in the Glen?”

Marilla sighed, eyes falling on the old chair Matthew used to sit in when he was alive. Though he was never very good at expressing his feelings, when it came to Anne, he never hesitated. He would understand if he was here now.

“I always knew you’d have to leave sometime. After all, you’re a college graduate with your entire life ahead of you. At some point, we all must go out and seek our place in this world. Mine was with you, and now yours is in the Glen.”

Anne caressed Marilla’s thin knuckles with a gentle thumb.

“You’ll come and visit, won’t you? You’ll absolutely love the children and the house is beautiful! It’s got the sea on one side and the forest on the other. And Gil has been speaking with the staff about allowing me to redo the gardens myself for days when I need to be with myself and the island. There’s about a dozen guest rooms for your choosing and Mary plans the most extravagant meals. And-”

“Anne, of course I’ll come and visit,” Marilla interrupted, not wanting Anne to spoil all the splendor of the Glen. “Do you suppose you’ll marry the doctor here or at the estate?”

“We haven’t talked about it much since he hasn’t made his formal question yet, but he’s coming on the evening train.” Anne lounged back and turned her face to the setting set dripping in through the window. “If I had my way, we’d get married first here. Maybe out in the valley of Green Gables or in the Blythe Apple Orchard. We’ll have our closest family and friends, the spirit of the island, and the boys of course, and be married under the purple dawn. Then, we can go back to the Glen and have the big wedding his business circle will be expecting. I don’t suppose I’ll mind being a bride twice.”

Before Anne could drift too far away into nuptial daydreams, Marilla took a sip of her tea.

“I’m surprised he hasn’t arrived yet. Do you suppose the train was delayed?”

“I can’t imagine why, though with how old the train master is getting, I wouldn’t be surprised. Maybe I’ll take a walk into town and see if he’s gotten himself lost or wrapped up in some sort of medical emergency.” Anne tugged on her heavy sweater, the cream knit perfect for blocking out the autumn chill. “On days like these, I’m so glad we live in a world where there are Octobers.”

As Marilla watched her brave, beautiful young daughter cross the threshold of Green Gables, she could not help but feel as though a chapter was ending and soon the book would be closed. A calm breath filled her lungs as she smiled softly to herself. Perhaps the sequel would prove just as beloved.

The island was at peak beauty, with every tree at its most vibrant orange and the White Way of Delight at its bloomiest. Silky smooth petals rained down with each dust of wind, catching in Anne’s auburn hair like snowflakes. She was content to walk along this beloved road, remembering all the wonderful times she’d had here, and all of the ones yet to come. She was lost in thought, mind trailing alongside her in the shadows and trees, when a study gentleman appeared at the end of the Avenue.

The sight of Anne ambling happily along the road knocked the breath from him, making him pause to admire how lovely she was among all the warm colors of the autumn sunset. A stiff breeze carried her gaze to him, and the ethereal picture was broken, leaving Anne and only Anne.

The queen dryad herself seemed to be drinking in every sweet detail of him - how fit he looked in his suspenders, the soft curls of his hair that she positively adored, and the sunny grin on his face that rivaled any smile she’d ever witness. She squealed and ran forward toward him, easily swept up in his waiting arms. He lifted her, holding her up and above him so that he might admire her. It wasn’t much unlike they were the day she saved him and every day since.

“I’m so glad you made it!” she cried as he lowered her back onto the red roads.

“I wouldn’t miss such a wonderful day with you for the world. Not when I have such an important question to ask.”  

“And what might that be, doctor?” she said lowly.

The whole Island held its baited breath as the doctor knelt down upon his knee, offered his love a small box containing a band of pearls, and offered himself to her. The trees stopped swaying, the birds paused their song, the breeze stood still. Then, with tears that dripped down the sides of her face and into the soil, Anne accepted and the Island rejoiced. The doctor took his betrothed into his arms and pulled her close. His kisses tasted like tears and cinnamon, hers of the sun.

That night, celebration rang out all through Green Gables. In the morning, everything would tilt on a different axis and new paths would form in the earth, ready to be traversed. But for now, Anne, Gilbert, Marilla, and Rachel Lynde sat around the dining room table, exchanging stories of every kind until their stomachs and hearts were full.

“I must say Doctor,” began Rachel in her know-all tone. “I’m now willing to admit that perhaps Anne was right raising her voice to me the day you washed up on our shore.”

“He didn’t wash up, I jumped in after him!” Anne corrected teasingly.

“Credit where credit is due, ma’am,” Gilbert agreed with a loyal smile to Anne.

“Well, I still think it’s ridiculous the amount of talk going around the Ladies Aid about I wish it had been my daughter to jump in the storm to save Dr. Blythe,” Marilla cut in, wiping the table with a damp rag. “Asking if the doctor has any brothers, and if Anne intended to marry the man or not.”

Anne and Gilbert shared an amused smile.

“Alas, Gil’s brother is married and I intend to marry the good doctor as soon as humanly possible.”

“We could go get the preacher this evening,” Gilbert suggested when Rachel’s back was turned away, brushing his lips against her cheek.

“Or you could wait through a full engagement period as is good and proper!” Rachel shot, sensing the loosening of propriety behind her.

“Oh, do try not to get all twisted up Rachel, and give these two some solitude!” Marilla scolded from the doorway. She practically dragged the grumbling lady away by her ear, leaving Anne and Gilbert alone in the peace of the house. Within moments, they were side by side, hand in hand.

“I can’t wait to tell Diana,” Anne mused happily, pressing Gilbert’s calloused fingertips against her lips.

“She wasn’t very thrilled with me the last we saw each other,” he confessed.

“Diana only wants what’s best for me. Her and I talked and we’re both in agreement.”

“In my favor, I hope.”

“Of course,” Anne laughed. She leaned her head on his shoulder, glancing down at the beautiful band of pearls on her ring finger. For once, the exchange wasn’t single sided. “I actually have something for you, if you’d like it.”

Gilbert leaned to press a kiss to her cheek, smiling against all of her starry freckles.

“I’ll take that as a yes,” she laughed. His content eyes followed her as she crossed the room to the wooden secretary against the wall, from which she pulled a stack of papers tied together with straw ribbon on each side. She took a nervous breath, then handed him the ream of parchment. Gilbert accepted it anxiously, pushing aside the ribbon so he could make out the typewritten words across the front.

“Is this…?” he asked in awe.

“Our story, yes,” Anne finished for him, anxious for is reaction. “I was tired of telling it over and over, and thought it might make an interesting subject for a book. I’ve had such a block of creative words this past year, but something about these last months has opened me right up. Of course, the manuscript is only half completed. I’ve only been home a week! But I wanted you to read it so that you knew what you meant to me. Maybe this could help those Saint Anthony boys too.”

Gilbert had no words. He merely grazed his fingertips over the pages and admired how lovely the authorial name “Anne Shirley” appeared across the white title page.

“I can’t wait to read it, sweetheart, thank you,” he said truly. A pleased smile lit Anne into pure light and she laughed.

“You can read it on the train ride home tomorrow while I sleep! I’ve been up these past nights writing like a woman starved!”

They sat that way for some time, allowing the minutes to tick by on the clock until the clear sky overhead shone a sea full of stars. Green Gables kept them warm on this last night in the beloved home. Tomorrow would bring its own new adventures, of which Anne knew not their names. But the evening was for her and Gilbert alone.

And so, until their candles had burned out, the two recounted all of their present blessings, looking forward to the ones that they could count come morning.

[thebooklab-blog]

Review: Sweep Volume 1 (Spoilers!)

Hello friends! If this is the first post of mine that you are reading, welcome! If you have already read my spoiler free version of this review and are back for the spoiler version, thanks for coming back! This makes only my second post, so this is still all very new to me. I hope you enjoy anyways!

This will be a review of Volume 1 of the Sweep series by Cate Tiernan, and it is jam packed with spoilers! Volume 1 includes The Book of Shadows, The Coven, and Blood Witch. If you haven’t read this volume yet, then get out of here! You’ve been warned!

Okay, so here we go. I don’t even know where to start with this volume! I guess right from the beginning. So Wicca. It’s pretty freakin’ cool. As I mentioned in my other review, when I first read this series I was so interested in Wicca that I studied it more on my own. Everything it stands for is so pure and beautiful and I was completely fascinated. Tiernan does an amazing job making us feel like we’re learning right along with Morgan. While the writing style of the book isn’t my favorite, I think it overall does a great job describing everything from Morgan’s point of view.

Bree breaking off her friendship with Morgan over all was probably what surprised me most about The Book of Shadows. I mean, come on Bree! Cal can’t be worth ending a 12-year friendship, right? Wrong! She totally goes through with it, and I don’t blame Morgan one bit for being angry and hurt and lashing out at Bree. The things Bree continues to say and do throughout the next two books definitely irks me, and I wish they would talk it out and move on in the friendship. But you know, Bree getting in with potential baddies might make that a bit harder. More on the possible foes later!

And then there is Cal. As a high schooler when I first read this series, I definitely swooned hard core for Cal. I thought he was dreamy and wonderful and everything any girl deserved from a boyfriend. Now that I’m 23 and not a teenage girl anymore, I realize that Cal is actually a bit much. Like how can you seriously already be dropping the L-bomb when you two barely know each other and you just kissed her literally a day ago! I’m not down for that at all. But putting all of that aside, Morgan and Cal are pretty cute together, and I like how supportive he is on Morgan learning more about herself and growing as a witch.

Robbie is a character I haven’t quite gotten a feel for yet as of the end of book three, but I think he is a supportive friend to both Morgan and Bree and I can tell he loves them both a lot (and he love Bree a lot a lot). He forgives Morgan quickly after she uses him as a guinea pig for her first spell, and that seriously a good friend right there. Although I doubt he would have been as forgiving if she would have done something to make his face look worse instead of better.

Morgan finding out she was adopted didn’t really surprise me all that much. I think there was a lot of foreshadowing that hinted towards her adoption and the reveal wasn’t as revealing as it could have been. Nevertheless, in added that extra layer of suspense and wonder to the books, making us want to know more right along with Morgan. And when she uncovers Maeve’s Book of Shadows (BOS) and we learn we’ve been reading excerpts from it for the whole book! That was great. I really enjoy how Tiernan weaves others into each chapter by including BOS entries, even if we don’t quite know who those characters actually are yet (who is Sgàth?! And Giomanach?!).

Okay so book three. We were previously introduced to Sky and Hunter right at the end of book two, but we don’t know much about them yet. They begin to play a much bigger role is Blood Witch, where we see them emerge at those possible baddies I mentioned earlier. Bree and Raven have left Cirrus to join Sky’s new coven, and we learn she asked Bree to give her a piece of Morgan’s hair. And Hunter just starts showing up randomly, throwing all this information, truths or lies, at Morgan trying to get her away from Cal. It’s hard to tell at this point whether these two are truly the “bad guys.” We haven’t known Cal all that long, and Hunter was obviously telling the truth about some things (brothers?!) so we don’t know for sure what else could be true.

Then we get to Morgan’s 17th birthday celebration. She is still pretty nervous about getting intimate with Cal, and I’m totally with her there. She still barely knows him! It’s only November people! They’ve known each other for barely three months and are already using the L-word! I’m not against doing it whenever you want with whomever you want after whatever length of time you’re comfortable with, but obviously Morgan cares a lot about her first time and has every right to decide when she is ready to take that step. Cal’s snippy reply when she turns him down definitely peeved me a little, but he makes up for it by having that circle for two.

But then Hunter shows up! Dun, dun, dun!!! Epic showdown time! Okay, it wasn’t all that epic, but seeing the fight between Cal and Hunter had been something we were all waiting for the entire book, so I was satisfied they got around to beating each other. And then Morgan throws the athame at him and Cal pushes him over the cliff! Like wow, that got dark real quick. And that’s how the end the book! We have been left with so many questions!

Is Hunter dead? Why was he trying to bring Cal in to the International Council of Witches in the first place? Less important, but is Cal Morgan’s mùirn beatha dàn? What did Sky want with Morgan’s hair? I could go on and on! Good thing there’s 12 more books and they are already all on my bookshelf!

Disclaimer: As I mentioned, I originally read this series about 10 years ago when I was in high school. So I do know everything about this series. I am rereading them again now though, and I am writing these reviews as if I was experiencing it for the first time again.

If you read my about me or my spoiler free review, you already know all about my Liters of Tears Meter, a scale of 1-10 that I use to rank the amount of tears I shed for a certain book. Since this volume is just getting into the nitty gritty of the series, I didn’t quite shed any tears, so volume 1 ranks a 0 on the Liters of Tears Meter, although I expect some to come later on ;)

[concealeddarkness13]

WHG Post Games Boat Heist Part 5

Last boat heist piece! And then just post heists and we’re done! Tagging: @ratracechronicler (also thanks for Elvira and Rebecca!), @maple-writes (also thanks for Cirrus and Asher!), and @pen-of-roses (also thanks for Lynn and Rowan!)!

Triel (this is the next day)

Elvira and I met up with Nora, Chaudhary, and the rest of the assistants near a bar. I grinned at Mirabel and Sidney, since I hadn’t seen them yesterday, and we exchanged greetings. It was almost time, so we toasted each other, downed our drinks and headed for the dear president.

And he was actually where he was supposed to be! Last night must have spooked him. I grinned and walked up to him with arms wide as if I was expecting a hug. “And the dear president remembered! Thank you so much!” He eyed my assistants, and he raised his eyebrows. I laughed. “Oh, I thought I would need assistants for the interview. There are so many questions to ask, so I wanted them to write it out as well.”

Elvira stood behind me, looking Very Serious and holding a Very Convincing Clipboard. The others would fall behind and take care of the Peacekeepers.

I steered him over toward the right side of the boat, and I smiled my best smile at him. “So, let’s start with an easy one. Who was the tribute you were most cheering for in this year’s Hunger Games?”

He laughed. So fake. “Of course, I cheered for Poli. I always knew he was going to win.”

I knew you’d say that, you lying bastard. I laughed and wrote insults down on my clipboard. I could only imagine what Elvira was scrawling behind me. “I totally believe that. Now, which was the most gruesome death?”

He looked a little unnerved by the question. Good. Out of the corner of my eye, Nora and the others were working on Operation Dunk the Peacekeepers. He frowned. “I…don’t see the relevance of the question?”

I laughed. “Oh, it’s entirely relevant. I mean, you perform this charade year after year, and you celebrate all the deaths as if they don’t matter. As if that isn’t a precious life expiring right before your eyes. They’re children, my dear president, and you don’t care, do you?”

He glared at me and turned around to see all of his Peacekeepers were gone. Nora and Chaudhary waved at him as his eyes landed on them.

Elvira smiled sweetly. “Ah, President Snow? I’m afraid you won’t be able to summon your lackeys to do away with the uncomfortable questions. Not this time. Rather, we’ve done away with them. One by one. Until one remains in the spotlight.”

He glared at us, and his hand reached for his pocket, but I was faster. I activated my magic, and multi-colored light danced on my skin like fire. I transformed the small amount of water I always kept on hand into a sharp crystal and aimed it right at his heart. I smirked as he stared at it with horror in his eyes. “Not so fast, my dear president. If you try to call any back-up, they’ll find your body bleeding out on this deck, and we’ll be long gone. So, let’s play by the rules, yeah?” I laughed as he moved his hands away from his pockets, up in the air. “So, next question, all these children’s deaths are on your hands. How many people would love to see your corpse on national television?”

Sid raised a hand, and the others in the background did the same. I smirked at the dear president. “Unfortunately, I’m not in the mood to have president-cide added to the list of crimes I’ve committed. Too many people chasing me.” I nodded at the others. Nora walked over with a smirk and emptied his pockets, and Elvira sneaked around while he was glaring at Nora and pulled him by the shirt toward the rail, and I did the honors (after deactivating my magic) of giving enough upward force to send him toppling, screaming, into the water.

I smiled over at Elvira and held out a fist to fistbump. “Well, that went smoother than I expected.” Elvira reciprocated the fistbump.

I tipped my hat to Nora. “Thank you. Anything I can do to help after you so graciously helped me?”

“I think the publicity’s helped me enough, Sparrow,” she said, adjusting one of her braids before she turned to address the crowd that had gathered on the bottom deck after the dear president drank lake water. “Ladies, gentlemen, and spectators galore, today you bear witness to the turning of the tides of history. Far from the harbingers of good news and angelic messengers of old, I am here to tell you to be afraid. Be very afraid.” I had to stop myself from laughing. So serious. “I can’t promise your way of life is coming to an end, but I can assure you it will never again go unchallenged by those you’ve scorned and reviled. So clutch your precious pearls. This world is still our oyster. And when the real pirates come to tear apart your charade, you can always count on Captain Eleanor Skeates to bear a hand.”

My phone buzzed, and I glanced at it. Shine was ready. I gave a thumbs up to Nora, and she nodded. Elvira was singing “What Shall We Do With a Wicked Tyrant” with the rest of the crew as they waited for their ride. Nora’s tender had been invisible before this, but it appeared on the starboard side. She gave me a look that invited me for drinks later, but before she could leave, I dashed forward and snatched at her hat, and she let me, she just casually took my hat. We put the hats on in sync with flourishes and shared a meaningful look no one else would understand. Nora and the others swung ropes over the water and got to their ship.

Elvira and I headed off to where we would meet with the others to escape to the airship. The Peacekeepers would be too busy with saving the dear president from the lake to bother with us. Elvira looked over at me with a Meaningful Look. “Nice hat.”

I smirked. “Thanks. I acquired it recently.” We shared a smile and continued to the airship.

Nesri

After Shine completed the new and improved disablers, I volunteered to go disable Lynne’s shocker, and also disable Alastair’s shocker. I kept glancing at Cirrus as we waited for the right time. Had we really kissed last night? I just flushed as I leaned against him. There were more pressing things to think about, but my thoughts kept wandering back to the kiss.

It was finally time to head out. Triel headed out first, and we all filed out after her. I made my way, casually, over to where Lynne’s room was. I knocked on her door and adopted the same stance Zenith always had. It seemed right for a pretend Peacekeeper.

She opened the door and eyed me suspiciously. “What do you want?”

I grinned. “I’m gonna help you out!” I pushed past her and put my hands on my hips.

Lynne breathed in deep and slow. “Are you here just to torment me? I know the Capitol is controlling you.”

I wagged a finger at her, still smiling. “That’s where you’re wrong, my friend! The Capitol is actually controlling you by making you believe what they want you to. I’m sorry Zenith decided to be a stick in the mud and pretend. He wanted to get you back quickly, since we weren’t prepared to bust you out yet.”

She grit her teeth and shook her head. “I—I can’t believe you. Not when you’re wearing that.”

I cracked my knuckles. “Well, that won’t be for very long.” I rushed her, but she sidestepped, her expression hardening and all vulnerability disappearing. I rushed at her again and managed to snag her arm. I held on for dear life. “I know how the Shades can be. They fuck with your head, make you think the way they want you to. But whatever they say is a lie.” She whirled around with a snarl and punched me in the stomach repeatedly. She wasn’t that practiced at it, so it wasn’t too bad, but still. “I promise. Don’t listen to them. Or the Capitol. I’m here to help.”

She hesitated, tears welling in her eyes, and I whirled around behind her, took off the bandage, and placed the New and Improved Disabler to her shocker, and it did its disabling with a satisfying fizzle.

Lynne blinked and turned to me and frowned. “You weren’t wearing that just a second ago.”

I snorted. “Yeah, I wouldn’t want to wear that Peacekeeper trash anyway. Not flattering enough.” I grinned at her. “We disabled the shocker and the machine that was making you see us in Peacekeeper uniforms. Now, we just need to grab Alastair, disable the shocker he has, and head over to the rescue zone.”

She sucked in a breath, and tears streaked down her cheeks. She flung her arms around me and sobbed into my shoulder. “I was so scared. The—the Shades gave me their magic. And I’m still in pain. And I thought you were trapped and I had to find a way to save you. And I’m not as competent as I thought, so what choice did I have? And…I’m just so glad they were lying.”

I hugged her tightly with a laugh. “Me too. Let’s get going.”

*

The airship was invisible, but I could still feel the hum of the engines as we approached it. A ladder fell, looking like it was connected to nothing, and everyone was here. No one looked hurt either. I grinned at everyone as we waited in line to climb up. No one in the crowd did anything. They were too busy watching the president, and the Peacekeepers were too busy rescuing the president. We were doing great!

When I put my feet on the deck of the airship, Shine’s awesome machine allowed for me to see the airship, even though it was still invisible to anyone not touching it. Triel went to check with Shine, and the rest of us crowded into the same room we had when we escaped from the arena.

The airship took off, and everyone stayed quiet. Rebecca watched the windows, probably to check and see if anyone was following us. Elvira was looking around at everyone over and over. Lynn was hugging Rowan, and Laurel hurried over to both of them. Zenith was checking Lynne and Lynn’s wounds. Where had he even found the first aid kit? Lynne was leaning up against Alastair. Asher didn’t seem to be doing good. Cirrus was having to wrestle him down, and Amy, the Avox Cirrus had helped, was waving around a weapon she must have stolen from a Peacekeeper. Good for her!

Triel walked in with a grin. Her clothes were wet, as if it had started raining, but the sky had just been clear a second ago. She clapped her hands. “Congratulations on a successful heist! I couldn’t have done it without you!”

“We did it,” Rebecca whispered, a smile tugging at her lips. “So, we’re really getting away with it? There’s not, like, a squadron after us?”

Elvira looked over at Amy. “Ah…You must be Amy?”

She nodded eagerly, ignoring Cirrus’s request to put the weapon away. I liked her. She was awesome.

Lynn looked up. “This is real, right? You’re all really here, this is really happening?”

Rebecca nodded. “We are. You don’t still think we’re Peacekeepers, do you?”

Triel shook her head about Rebecca’s previous question about the squadron. “The winds were favoring us today. No one was able to come after us.” Asher grinned at that, looking out of it but proud about something.

Lynn shook his head about Rebecca’s other question. “No, not Peacekeepers, not a dream, real. You. The you from the Games at least.” Rowan hugged both him and Laurel.

Lynne frowned. “So, what’s going to happen now? Will we be running from the Capitol the rest of our lives?”

Triel smirked. “It just so happens that a mansion that was built specifically to evade the Capitol’s eyes was bought with some totally legal money. It’s a few hours away from most of the Districts and equipped with anti-Capitol machines. You can stay there. It’s a safe haven for us.”

Cirrus turned to face her. “How long until we can tell people we aren’t dead?”

“You can tell them now. I think it should be okay to stop by your Districts so you can talk to your loved ones. If you think you could be safe staying there, you can, or you can come to the safe haven. It’s your choice.”

“Also, we got a train,” Rebecca said. “We’re kinda on the run from the Capitol, anyway. But I’m definitely down at crashing at your mansion. You?” she asked Elvira, who nodded in agreement.

Lynn, Rowan, and Laurel shared a look before Lynn spoke. “Rowan and I will stay at the mansion, we don’t have much else, but Laurel has to visit her family first and tell them.”

Triel nodded and headed off, probably to tell Shine to stop in the Districts. I grinned at the newcomers. “But you missed something spectacular! I totally kicked Cirrus’s ass in a spar.”

“Liar.” I grinned over at Cirrus as he crossed his arms. “We have witnesses you know.”

Zenith shrugged noncommittally, eyeing me. I laughed. “Well then, what about when I hit you in the face with a piece of popcorn?”

He rolled his eyes. “Doesn’t count.”

I grinned. “Rebecca one-upped you. She caught her piece.”

“And ate it,” Rebecca added smugly.

“Maybe you should spar her too.” Cirrus was trying to sound irritated, but it was more like a joke. “I bet she’d kick your ass too.”

I pretended to think about it. “I agree. She’s much more intimidating than you.”

Asher laughed, and Cirrus huffed to himself. Ha. I won.

Rebecca punched her palm. “I forfeit immediately.”

Triel came back in, eyeing me. “And who’s the one who dumped a whole popcorn bowl on your head?”

Lynn eyed us with confusion. “Just what did you all get up to while we were there?”

“Very time-sensitive and important things,” Elvira said, face in one hand. “There were unbearable spans of killing time waiting for necessary information. It was either death by boredom, despair of your fate, or commit popcorn warfare.”

Zenith grumbled, but lightheartedly. “Too much.”

And I said at the same time, “Shenanigans, tomfoolery, etcetera.” I crossed my arms at Zenith with a smile. “Who’s the one that walked into the apartment in the middle of the night, cursed with magic, and had to beg Asher to knock you unconscious?”

“That was Zenith!” Asher laughed, throwing his head back. “Got himself cursed!”

Zenith sighed, but a smile was tugging at his lips. “Who’s the one who had me and Elvira swap bodies and then race?”

He grinned, teeth a little sharper than I thought they usually were. “Are you just mad you lost?”

Zenith grumbled something about toenails, but he didn’t decide to comment.

Triel smirked. “I’m sure we’re all looking forward to swapping stories; I just have one more bit of information to give you. Even at the mansion, we’ll still have our airship. If, at any time, you want to go somewhere, or go to the mansion from somewhere else, just let me know. Shine’s already hacked into your phones and put in a good number to reach us at for instant communication.” She winked.

Rebecca whipped out her phone and texted something, maybe to Shine? They were buddies now, after all.

We kept talking as Raian showed up with warm drinks for everyone. It was so calm and peaceful. We had finally escaped from the Capitol.