#delia hayes

[guinevere-of-smiths]

a stained-glass variation of the truth

Book: The Unexpected Heiress

Words: ~6600

Rating: G

Pairing: John Somerset x f!MC (Celeste Hayes)

Characters: John Somerset, Celeste Hayes, Lady Ashbourne, Francis Somerset, Delia Hayes, Mrs. Watmore and Effie Ainsley

Warnings: I imagine Delia to be mildly emotionally abusive, but that isn't even really alluded to in this. She is just overbearing and unplesant.

Summary: John and Celeste think themselves safe after Lord and Lady Ashbourne agree to call of the engagement. They are wrong. Some in-between scenes for the beginning of Chapter 16.

Featuring, among other things: Lady Ashbourne having a soft spot for John, Delia not having a soft spot for anyone, Celeste being very determined and John being very fatalistic.

Fun Fact: The title is a lyric from Neptune by Sleeping at Last, which in my mind is the "John-romancing MC marries Francis"!AU song.

If John was hoping to find Celeste in the great hall, he was in for a disappointment. Neither she nor his brother were anywhere in sight, although they had been penning letters here only an hour or so ago.

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

Truth be told, it wasn’t all that surprising; both were eager to end their engagement officially. Certainly, they would have sent the letters out as soon as his parents had given them their approval. Someone of a more philosophical bent than John would find much to ponder about their unity in trying to disentangle their lives from each other, but as far as he was concerned, the sooner the better. He couldn’t wait for Celeste to be free of the engagement, if only because he would finally be able to court her as she deserved.

But that didn’t tell him where they were now or why Celeste hadn’t appeared for their stroll in the gardens as she had promised. It wasn’t like her to stand someone up without explanation.

He had just hazarded a step towards the family drawing room when a figure rounded the corner. He paused. “Mrs. Watmore. How fortunate to meet you here.”

Mrs. Watmore had never been overly fond of him, and her movements were clipped as she halted and inclined her head. “Mr. John. What can I do for you?”

“Do you happen to know where I can find Miss Hayes?”

“As far as I know, she is talking to Mrs. Hayes upstairs.”

At first, John thought he must have had misheard. Celeste’s stepmother wasn’t scheduled to arrive for a few days yet if his parents’ telegram calling off the engagement hadn’t postponed the journey altogether. “Mrs. Hayes?” he repeated, just to be certain. Mrs. Watmore sniffed and made a show of looking around, as if she wanted to make sure that no member of the Hayes family was within earshot.

“She showed up here a little while ago, without so much as a letter announcing her arrival, and wasn’t here two minutes before she started to make a scene to Miss Hayes about the engagement. Mr. Francis barely managed to welcome her before Her Ladyship arrived to take charge of the situation.”

Her dislike for Americans oozed from every word. Usually, John would have chuckled and gone on his way. Not this time. His blood went cold when he realized the implications of her tale. Francis, Celeste, and he had been so caught up in getting his parents’ approval to end the engagement that they hadn’t even considered that Celeste’s family might think differently.

Calm yourself. If his parents and, most importantly, Francis didn’t agree to the marriage, there was nothing Celeste’s stepmother could do.

And then he realized, to his horror, that that didn’t mean that she couldn’t sabotage her other marriage prospects. Celeste, at nineteen, wasn’t old enough to be married in England without her parents’ consent. He didn’t know where American law stood on that, but if Delia Hayes just carried her off, that didn’t matter either way. Maybe he would have to raise the possibility of his marrying her far sooner than he would have liked. Or maybe his mother, diplomat that she was, had managed to smooth the situation over already.

“Where is my mother now?”

“Her Ladyship is in her boudoir.”

“Thank you, Mrs. Watmore. That will be all.” His pace when he started towards his mother’s boudoir was far more measured than he would have liked, but even now, he couldn’t bring himself to run through the manor like a maniac. His mind was reeling. His mother would usually withdraw to her private sanctum to write letters in peace. Was that what she was doing now? If so, what about? Dread coiled in his stomach at the thought of the plethora of letters replanning the wedding would take. He stopped in front of the closed door to take several deep breaths, only knocking when he was sure that his face wouldn’t betray his inner turmoil.

The world hung in silence for a moment before his mother asked him inside, voice clear. Even if the morning’s events had upset her, she didn’t show it. She was even smiling, sitting at her small writing desk when he entered. That would have comforted John if he didn’t suspect that it was forced.

“Pardon the interruption, Mother, but I was informed that we have surprise visitors.”

“News travels fast, I see.”

Nothing was further from John’s mind than telling on the staff to his parents—even disagreeable staff like Mrs. Watmore—so he decided to keep the tone of her words to herself. “I crossed paths with Mrs. Watmore. If you want a thorough report on what everyone heard, I will certainly keep my ears open.”

“That won’t be necessary.” Sighing, she put down her pen and motioned for him to come inside. John closed the door behind him before taking a seat in the armchair nearest to her desk. “This entire situation is a debacle.”

He watched his mother put the cap back on the pen and waited a few more moments before speaking. He didn’t want to hear the answer to his question. He wanted to close his eyes and leave this room and stay in that blissful bubble he and Celeste had been in for the past few days. He wanted to court her until they were both certain that they were ready for marriage. He wanted her to be part of his life, but not as his sister-in-law, forever out of reach. 

There were so many things he wanted, but he forced himself to speak. “Then she really demanded for the marriage to take place?”

“Most empathetically. I must admit, she is not wrong about it being a waste to cancel the wedding on such short notice.”

“Not such a waste as forcing Francis and Miss Hayes into an unhappy marriage. You’re not implying that your opinion has changed just because an American showed up and made a scene?”

"John," his mother scolded.

“It would have been good manners to at least take off her coat.”

His mother didn’t even acknowledge the quip. “Her demeanour wasn’t the best,” was her single reluctant admission. “And I still have no wish to force your brother into a marriage that would make him miserable, nor Miss Hayes. But that decision at dinner a few days back wasn’t easy.” She sighed. “The upkeep of both estate and servants won’t lessen, John. And if Delia Hayes wishes to, she could make it harder for us to make another lucrative connection.”

“There are plenty of wealthy daughters in England. Delia Hayes has no sway over them.” I’d marry Celeste. The words burnt his tongue, begging to be spoken. Marriage was a step he hadn’t yet wanted to put into words. Celeste and he had known each other for barely two months. Much as he wanted to remain part of her life, it wasn’t enough time to be sure that it wasn’t just infatuation, a reckless reaction on his part to a fascinating, vivacious, beautiful woman he had gotten close to only because of the thrill of a murder investigation. But he refused to let that chance be taken from him. If Delia Hayes insisted on an engagement, she would have it—if it proved necessary. “Did she really threaten you with destroying our reputation?”

“No. But we are in no position to take that risk.”

“Fear usually isn’t a good tool for judgement,” John said, feeling like a hypocrite. Why had he flown abroad, if not for fear? But that hadn’t gained him anything but guilt about wasting more of his family’s resources. “I’m sure that once she has calmed down, we will find a solution that makes everyone happy.”

“I hope so.” His mother gave him a direct look. “But you should know that she will likely insist on a marriage between young Celeste and Francis.”

She knows. Dear God. The foolish, inappropriate need to apologize seized hold of him. He hadn’t thought the attention he gave Celeste subtle—he hadn’t wanted it to be, especially during the last few days. And still, he wanted to assure his mother that it hadn’t been his intention to fall in love with his brother’s fiancée. That the hope the false engagement had stoked inside of him had burnt too bright, turning all his resolutions to stay away to cinders.

But he was no longer fifteen years old. Carefully indifferent, he raised his brows. “What, is a prospective husband only worthy if he is to inherit a title?”

“She is a very ambitious woman. She didn’t say so openly, but it was certainly obvious that she wants her stepdaughter to become a viscountess. And I can’t fault her for wanting the best for her family.”

“Why stop at viscountess? Why not find a willing duke?” He shook his head. “I shouldn’t say that out loud; that will only give her ideas. But still. Father and you said we’d find another way. I don’t see why we should abandon that stance now. It’s a matter of principle.”

His mother’s smile was sympathetic. “I fear if we don’t assent, Mrs. Hayes will look for another husband for her daughter. Possibly a duke.”

The implication was obvious. Regardless of whether Celeste married his brother or not, he would lose her. And he refused to accept that. “And it is certain that she would only accept Francis?”

“I think it's quite likely. With her family's... resources, she has bargaining power, and she knows it.”

I’d marry Celeste. The words were searing him from inside out. It might solve their problem, but he couldn’t bring the idea up to his mother before speaking to Celeste first. Even if his mother accepted that he had fallen in love with his brother’s intended, she would have expectations regarding Celeste that might prove too difficult to bear. Celeste had just escaped an unwanted engagement. He owed it to her—and himself—that she chose him of her own free will.

But that meant that he might lose her just because he hesitated, and he didn’t know if he could bear that.

His mother had watched him closely, shaking her head with a sigh after a few moments. “You have always been too stubborn for your own good, John.”

“How do you mean?”

His mother had been Viscountess Ashbourne and a member of the English Peerage for far too long to do anything as demonstrative as to lift a brow; considering this, it was a far more impressive feat that it still felt as if she did. “I can suggest to Delia Hayes that there is a far happier marriage to be made between our families, but first I need to know if that is in your and Miss Haye's interest.”

“Mother, certainly you are not suggesting that I fancy my brother’s fiancée.”

It was a last desperate attempt at decorum. His mother only smiled benignly. “I may have gotten old, but I’m not blind. You have never cared about your brother’s marital prospects as much as you do now about arguing against his marriage to Miss Hayes.”

“I…” He realized as he opened his mouth that he was struggling in vain. His parents might have been blind about Amelia’s death, but the revelations at dinner seemed to have opened his mother’s eyes at least. “She’s a charming woman.”

His mother was still smiling. “That she is.”

“Does Father know of your suspicions?”

“Not as far as I know, for now. Until now, I wasn’t certain myself if I wasn’t reading too much into your friendship.”

That at least was a small consolation. As generous as his mother appeared to be towards his indiscretion, he assumed his father would think differently. He had, led by his anxiety over the estate, urged Francis’ engagement with the younger Hayes daughter from the very beginning. But that was a problem for a different point in time. “If Mrs. Hayes could be talked into it, at least our fiscal problems would be solved. And it would spare Francis the guilt of marrying Amelia’s sister.”

“And you’d be prepared to marry her?”

“As I said, she’s a charming woman.”

“That doesn’t answer my question.”

“You’re right.” The boudoir’s windows looked out onto the garden, presently bathed in the most beautiful sunshine he had seen in days. Had Delia Hayes not made her abrupt appearance, he and Celeste would be promenading there now, talking about everything and nothing—a book she had read, their travel experiences, absurd anecdotes about social engagements, society, philosophy, whatever brought them joy. The end of her engagement and the murder investigation had given their conversations a freedom that hadn’t seemed possible before. Feelings they couldn’t afford to indulge in had always stood in the way of the friendship they could have had otherwise. Imagining all of that being taken away, hardly won, hurt more than he dared to admit.

But did that mean that he was ready for marriage? He felt he had been once upon a time. But that had been in another life, with another woman. And while he was sure that he could love Celeste, was well on his way to loving her, in fact, he didn’t want to give her less than his entire heart. If it weren’t for the fact that he would lose that possibility if he let fear get the better of him now. As his parents’ younger son, he would never face the same marital expectations from his parents as his brother—he could wait for years if he so pleased. But would he ever find someone like Celeste again?

“John?”

“Forgive me. I hope you understand that that is not an easy question to answer. I greatly enjoy Miss Hayes’s company, and I think we could be happy together. It wouldn’t be my choice to suggest marriage to her under such circumstances, but if there is no other way..."

“Do you think she would agree to such an arrangement?”

I love you too, John. “I couldn’t tell you. I hope so.” He took a deep breath. “I would be grateful to you if you could at least put forward the possibility.”

His mother regarded him for a few endless seconds before nodding. “I will see what I can do.”

“That’s all I ask.” Guilt crept up from his chest to his throat, heavy and dark. He could only pray that he wasn’t wrong about Celeste’s affections for him. If he forced an engagement on her out of egoism, she would never forgive him—and he wouldn’t forgive himself, either. He stood quickly. “I should let you write your letters in peace.”

He was almost at the door when his mother spoke again. “John, one more thing.”

“Yes?”

His mother hadn’t moved; she hadn’t even picked up her pen. She was just looking directly at him. “Should Mrs. Hayes insist on the marriage we originally planned, and should your father and I decide that it is what is best for our family, I’ll expect you and Miss Hayes to comport yourselves accordingly.”

He swallowed. He had expected no less, but the knowledge that his mother would be watching them and know of his desires filled his stomach with lead. “Of course, Mother.”

Then he left, praying to every divinity that might hear him that his mother would be successful.

~*~

Whatever it was that his mother said to Mrs. Hayes, it wasn’t enough.

He shouldn’t have expected any other result. Francis was their father’s rightful heir and would be viscount one—hopefully distant—day, while he himself was only the child his parents had taken in out of pity and sorrow and had never cared much about societal influence. Not only did his brother stand between himself and Windcroft, but his natural father did as well, if he was even still alive. Looked at logically, the decision made sense. Celeste had mentioned again and again how ambitious Delia Hayes was and how desperately she wanted her family to climb the social ladder. An adopted son without legal entitlements to anything of relevance was bound not to be enough for her.

And still, deep in his heart, he had nurtured hopes that died an agonizing death that very afternoon.

It was cruel irony that it was his mother that told him the news. A year ago, it had been her that had taken him aside after his return from India to tell him what had laid his world to waste back then—that bloody ship, Victoria’s father’s business trip, her mourning brother’s note that had ended the faint hope that she, at least, had been able to escape. He felt just as numb as back then when he nodded, excused himself, and left the room.

Celeste was alive. That was the small consolation left to him. He would still be able to see and talk to her. She would remain a part of his life.

Until the thought of everything they would never have drove him mad.

~*~

For the rest of the day, he didn’t get a chance to talk to Celeste. Even when they were in the same room, Mrs. Hayes successfully kept her occupied—on purpose, if John wasn’t imagining the glances she threw his way now and then. Considering the antagonism he felt towards the woman, imagining foul play where there was none was a distinct possibility.

Heaven knew how he had managed to get through dinner—he had blocked out so much of it that he wouldn’t have been able to tell. Still not seeing much of what was around him, he followed his father and Francis to the library, only to nearly collide with Francis’ back when his brother suddenly stopped walking.

It took him a few moments to grasp the reason for the sudden halt: Mr. Barnes was speaking to his father in a low voice. After a moment, Father sighed and nodded. “Then I’ll better have a look at it right away. You two go on into the library.”

He only waited for a nod before walking off with Barnes. A viscount didn’t need permission to leave people out in the cold, after all. Privilege gave them the right to destroy lives or to stand idly by while others did the destroying.

For God’s sake, don’t be so dramatic. It was unfair of him to even think like that, and he knew it. His parents had given him so much, and they were only doing what they felt was best. It was ungrateful of him to jeopardize that. “What happened?”

“There has been a letter from Mr. Giles that father was waiting for.”

“Ah.” Disregarding Francis’ raised brow, John walked past him into the library. “If it is legal business, we could be waiting for a while.”

Luckily, there was already a bottle of port standing ready on a side table. Drowning his sorrow in alcohol was neither healthy nor effective—he knew well his problems would still be there afterwards—but he wasn’t sure he would survive the evening sober. He went to pour himself one and looked over his shoulder at his brother. “Do you want some as well?”

“Yes, thank you.” Francis accepted the glass and sat down in an armchair without taking his eyes off him. “John, you have to know that I am sorry.”

“It is how it is.”

“I’m serious. If there had been any way to convince Father and Mrs. Hayes that—”

“Francis, leave it be. There is nothing we can do about it either way.”

The last thing John wanted were discussions about something that could only hurt him. He didn’t blame his brother for what had happened. At least he was trying not to. Certainly, Francis could refuse to marry Celeste, but then her stepmother would whisk her away to the States and find her another husband. This way, she at least remained in his life. Maybe, someday, when the wound wasn’t as fresh, they could be friends.

Until that day, he refused to spend more time thinking about it than he had to.

“Maybe there is.” His brother put down his glass and rubbed his forehead. “There has to be some way to make her understand that you’d be just as good a husband for her daughter as me.”

“Only that I am not.” John drained his drink. “You’ll inherit the title; I won’t. That’s enough for that woman.”

“But-”

“Francis, leave it be.”

His brother shut his mouth and looked at him with far too much pity for comfort. When he didn’t say anything, John squared his shoulders. “Don’t make the situation bigger than it needs to be. Miss Hayes and I have known each other for, what, two months? We’ll bear it.”

For a moment, he was certain his brother would disagree, but then Francis only nodded and released a slow breath. “You’re probably right. I’m sorry nonetheless.”

After that, neither of them uttered another word. John would have liked to say that this would change nothing between them. All of them were mature adults. They moved in circles in which marrying purely for love was a luxury. He would be expected to master his feelings and be the perfect brother-in-law to Celeste.

He repeated that knowledge to himself again and again. Tried to internalize it. Tried to remind himself that what he took for profound, fervent love could well be nothing but infatuation that would dissipate if he ignored it long enough. That was how feelings were supposed to work once one was no longer an adolescent.

If only reality were as simple as the theory.

~*~

He stayed in the drawing room for as long as he could stomach, but in the end, he couldn’t bear it anymore. Listening as Delia Hayes talked excitedly about wedding preparations with his grandmother, while his mother and father made polite replies, Celeste sat there looking as miserable as he felt, and Francis gave every appearance of wanting to disappear then and there, was a new form of torture.

The proper behaviour on his part would have been to listen with a stiff upper lip, but his patience was at an end. He stood, instantly feeling all eyes on him.

“I’m sorry, but I just recalled that there was an urgent letter from an acquaintance I need to reply to. It slipped my mind, what with everything that happened today. I hope you’ll excuse me.”

His mother nodded immediately. “Of course. Will you rejoin us once you are finished?”

“I don’t think so. I wish everyone a good night. Mrs Hayes. Miss Hayes.”

“Can’t your letter wait awhile longer?”

Of those present, most could not have made him hesitate, but he couldn’t ignore the sound of Celeste’s voice. Everyone’s eyes shifted from him to her. Her gaze was on him, her smile brave, but with a plea in her eyes that made his heart stutter painfully.

He cleared his throat. “I don’t think I have much input to give on the wedding preparations.”

“That topic will surely soon be exhausted.”

Her stepmother tsked. “Don’t be foolish, Celeste. We’re not nearly done even with the guest list!”

Celeste’s smile was as polite as it was impersonal. “The guest list has been finalized months ago. I can imagine that you’d like to hear what important personages will be in attendance, but everyone here should be able to participate in tonight’s conversation, don’t you think?”

“As yet, nobody has voiced a complaint about this topic, dear.”

Her smile was so patronizing that it made John’s blood boil. As if Celeste was nothing more than a misbehaving child that one needed to explain basic concepts to instead of a mature, intelligent woman that knew her own mind.

His grandmother waved her hand dismissively before he was able to rise to her defence. “I’d like to hear more about the intended guests. So, Blythe, Rebecca has made certain of the accommodation despite this unfortunate matter?”

The beginnings of hope that had crept into Celeste’s face for a few traitorous heartbeats vanished. She was still looking at him, silently pleading with him to stay. And he wavered. He didn’t want to abandon her. But she was his brother’s wife-to-be. The sooner he accepted that there was no future to this kind of closeness, the better.

So, he held her gaze for a moment, trying to silently give her the apology he was unable to speak aloud, and then left the room.

There really was a letter to be answered (the only thing that had been a fib was its urgency), but he halted at the foot of the stairs to breathe in deeply. He might not have been able to bear the drawing room, but the prospect of his empty quarters seemed no more inviting. If he went about it quietly, he would be able to sneak out to spend a few hours at the pub. Its laughter and noise were sure to distract him. Going there wouldn’t solve his problem, but it would help him forget for a time.

But first, he would have to change his clothes. His tailcoat was unlikely to be inconspicuous in a pub. He was so immersed in debating his plan that he nearly collided with Effie once he reached the upper floor. The maid only just managed to jump aside.

“Oh! Master John!”

“My apologies, Effie. I should have watched where I was going.” He made to move past her when she suddenly cleared her throat.

“Beg your pardon, sir, but I have a message for you.”

“Can’t it wait until tomorrow?”

Against his better judgement, he had stopped, which allowed him to watch Effie look around furtively before pressing the sheets she was carrying to her chest with one arm and using the other to pull a sheaf of paper out of her apron’s pocket. “It’s from Miss Hayes. For you. She gave it to me before she went down to dinner. I was supposed to give it to you as soon as I saw you.”

If he were wise, he would dismiss the letter, especially after all his lofty professions of good intentions, but he couldn’t bring himself to. “Thank you, Effie.” He took the note from her and was about to turn away when she cleared her throat again.

“I’m sorry, sir, but Miss Hayes asked me to tell you to read it immediately, so I can give her your answer.” She lowered her gaze, as if she expected an upbraiding for her brazenness. Even investigating a murder together couldn’t change some things.

Celeste’s letter was short. Instead of the unnecessary apologies and vows to never forget him he had expected, there were only two sentences.

John,

I need to speak to you. Tonight, at the top of the tower, once everyone has gone to bed.

All my love,

Celeste

He shouldn’t.

But he couldn’t resist, either. “I’ll be there," he said, pocketed the note, and continued his way towards his room.

~*~

Celeste threw herself into his arms the moment he reached the top of the stairs.

“Careful!” The unexpected force made him teeter backwards; only a quick grab for the railing prevented them both from tumbling down the staircase. Celeste backed up immediately.

“I’m sorry, but I’m so relieved to see you.”

“It’s alright.” He took a few steps away from the stairs, just to be safe. “Are you telling me that seeing you during that farce of a dinner wasn’t enough?”

“You mean the dinner where I hardly had a moment to speak to you?” Celeste, usually a picture of decorum and grace, laughed bitterly. At least she hadn’t completed the indecency of their situation by having shown up in a nightdress. She was still wearing her evening gown, merely without her gloves and jewellery. “I’m glad Effie caught you before it was too late, at least.”

“I wasn’t sure whether to come.” Every shred of common sense he possessed was screaming at him to leave, that there was no use, that their disappointment would only get bigger the longer he held on, but instead, he wrapped his arms around her when she embraced him again. “But I couldn’t stay away.”

“You better not.” It was her who pulled away, if only far enough to look up into his face. “John, I’m so unbelievably sorry. I tried to change Delia’s mind, but she twisted every word I said.”

“I’m under the impression that your stepmother is quite determined not to let anyone veer her from her course. Even my mother couldn’t do a thing about her.”

Celeste twisted out of his arms completely, her lips pressed tightly together, and walked a few steps away from him, only to turn sharply around. “Delia has always been like that," she announces, her eyes blazing. “Whenever something doesn’t fit into her plans, she just stops listening, no matter how many arguments one brings forward. And with this, it doesn’t help that it’s about our feelings. Who cares that I’ll still marry into English nobility, but will be happy about it, if she could brag about her daughter the future viscountess instead?” She looked on the verge of punching or kicking something.

John understood. He was just as furious at the powerlessness he felt.

“She can’t force Francis and you to marry.”

“But she can force me to go back to the States.” Sighing, Celestes dropped down onto the cushioned bank they had sat on only a few days ago when he had confessed his love to her. The memory turned his stomach. How naïve they had been. “I don’t know whether she’d use force, but I’m financially dependent on my parents. And, well, they're my parents.” She looked away. “I can’t simply break with them.”

“They’d really disown you?”

“I don’t know.” She sighed deeply, closing her eyes for a moment. “But I fear it. In any case, I doubt they’d agree to pay the large dowry that made me attractive as a daughter-in-law for your parents in the first place.”

“Even if I don’t marry for money, Francis could still do so in the future.”

“But will his marriage prospects be improved by a penniless American, disowned by her own parents and without any connections worth mentioning?” Her hands balled into fists. “And all this wouldn’t be such a problem if Delia wasn’t so good at dismissing anything that doesn’t fit into her view of the world!”

He would have liked to reassure her that all her stepmother needed was time to acclimate herself to the idea, but she had told him enough about the woman to know that that was unlikely. Once Delia Hayes had adopted a goal, she held onto it, even if she had to walk across corpses to reach it. “I’m sorry, Celeste.”

Immediately, astonishment softened her angry face. “Why? Nothing about this is your fault, John. If anything, I have to apologize for Delia.” For a moment, she seemed on the cusp of saying more, but then, she pressed her lips together and shook her head. “We have to come up with something, and fast.”

John laughed without joy. He had been wracking his brain since his conversation with his mother, without one decent plan to show for it. Only ludicrous, half-formed ideas. “Sadly, I don’t have any claims to titles I haven’t told you about. Without eloping to Scotland, I don’t see a way out.”

Celeste was silent for some moments. She stared out at the moonlit hills, her brows furrowed. “If this was only about showing Delia that she can’t control everything, I’d be tempted to ask you for precisely that.”

“I beg your pardon?” He was sure that he had misheard.

But Celeste merely met his eyes and shrugged. “That isn’t a new idea, is it? Two lovers throwing duty and opposition into the wind and running away together?” She forced a smile. “Aunt Maude, at least, would be thrilled.”

“Your aunt would probably even help us if we asked her to.”

“Oh, she would.” As if she had suddenly forgotten why they were meeting clandestinely and talking about hypothetical secret marriages in the first place, Celeste’s eyes took on the mischievous gleam he so loved. “If only to see Delia’s face when she finds out. You don’t know how much Aunt Maude would enjoy holding that over her head for the rest of their lives. That all her tyranny and propriety didn’t gain her anything in the end, I mean.”

“There isn’t only your family to consider, however. There’s mine, too.” John had meant to remain serious, but when he looked into Celeste’s sparkling eyes, the same recklessness he always felt with her seized him. “My grandmother might actually have a heart attack when she hears of it.”

“Your grandmother always seemed rather tough to me.”

“That’d be the alternative: her having both of our heads.”

“Obviously, there is only one solution for that.” He had sat down next to her by this time, so instead of continuing her speech, Celeste scooted closer to him, let her fingers wander down his lower arm until she could take his hand in hers, and looked at him so intensely with her warm brown eyes that his chest warmed. Only then did she speak. “We just turn our back on it all and make sure we are never heard from again.”

“Or we rely on your charm winning over my parents to our side and let them deal with Grandmother. Provided you don’t object to marrying a younger son without much to offer.” He held her hand tightly in his. All of this was nothing but idle daydreaming, but he couldn’t make himself let go.

“Only if that younger son doesn’t object to marrying said penniless, disgraced American.”

He swallowed with difficulty. The mischief had vanished from her eyes, although her gaze hadn’t lost any of its intensity, and without her having to say it, he knew what she hoped for from him. “If this was only about myself, I wouldn’t care a whit about anything else, Celeste," he said, his voice suddenly hoarse. “I would go anywhere with you. But my family…”

His parents had done so much for him. He couldn’t repay them by not only foiling a lucrative marriage but making it harder to find another such one, at the very moment they needed the money the most. He wouldn’t be able to live with himself if he disappointed them like that.

Celeste didn’t seem to have expected another answer; she only nodded and took a slightly shaky breath without loosening her hold on him. “I understand.”

“But I’m grateful for the time we had," he said after a moment. “As short as it might have been.”

“So that’s it?” She looked up at him with those big, dark brown eyes he had found such joy losing himself in during the last few days, and his heart constricted painfully. It was obvious that she felt the same. He saw her swallow before she could speak again. “We just give up?”

It was as if her words pulled his fears and anxieties into reality with gruesome clarity. For a moment, he felt as if forced into icy water; his lungs closed as if every breath was pressed out of them, and his heart first stuttered and then beat thrice as fast as usual, painful and in panic. He had only just found her. No matter what they did now, their lives would alter forever, and both paths were littered with things they would regret.

But how was he supposed to put his own happiness over the financial security of his family?

“It was a beautiful dream, Celeste," he said, shaking his head. “But it was always too good to be true.”

“There has to be something we can do," she insisted, but at this point, she likely spoke out of stubbornness rather than real hope. He wanted to deny it himself, but the truth was that there was no escape. Hoping at all had been naïve, but he couldn’t regret having given into it. He was just about to say something to that effect when Celeste suddenly dropped his hand and stood. “We just have to find some means to delay the wedding; buy ourselves some time. Enough to come up with something to convince our parents to let us decide for ourselves.” She started to pace. “Maybe I can fake an illness. Effie would certainly aid me. How kind or liable to bribery is your family’s physician?”

“Celeste, even if we were able to fool anyone, which I don’t believe we could pull off, what good would it do? There is nothing that could make me look like a better match than Francis.”

“I refuse to just give up. After everything we’ve been through in the last few months, I won’t waste my life by being forced into a marriage that will make every single one of us unhappy.”

“Francis is a good man.” It hurt, saying the words, but someone had to. He had to make both of them realize that it was easier to look their fate in the eye. “He would never mistreat you.”

„He would do his best not to see Amelia every time he looks at me, you mean.” Suddenly, she stilled and looked at him with steel in her gaze. “How am I supposed to marry a man who I know wishes I were my dead sister, while he knows that I wish he were you? Just how do you expect this to work, John?”

“We would hardly be the first to marry other people than those we wish to.” She was right, of course she was, but what would admitting that aloud change? “It will hurt in the beginning, but we will learn to live with it.”

“Even if we could, that isn’t what I want.”

“It isn’t what I want, either.” He stood and walked over to where she was standing. In the dim light, her hair silvered by moonlight, her face gilded by the lantern’s glow, she looked like an ethereal creature out of a dream, hidden from daylight. Just what she had always been to him. And yet, she was so beautiful that he wanted nothing more than to pull her to him and kiss her until they forgot everything that had happened that day. The thought did nothing but feed his misery. “Believe me," he said, “I wish things were different.”

“John…”

“I can’t hang on to pointless hopes again and again, Celeste. Not after everything.”

“They won’t be pointless if we can find a way to convince Delia.” When he didn’t reply to that, because he honestly didn’t know what to say, she reached out a hand to gently stroke his cheek. The tender caress sent a shiver down his spine, and although he should have put distance between them, he leant his hand into her warm, soft hand when she let it rest against his skin. He didn’t want this moment, possibly the last they’d ever have, to end. Her thumb softly stroked his cheek. “Promise me you won’t give up, John, that you’ll at least try to come up with something. Then I’ll promise the same.”

It was pointless; it was foolish, but looking into her eyes, he couldn’t bring himself to say so. At the end of it, she was right: after everything they had seen and lost, sacrificing their happiness to duty was laughable. He could only hope that they would find a way to win this fight before it was too late.

[sapphoschoices]

The Unexpected Heiress MC: Zelda Hayes

Character Info

Age: 19 (1913)

Height: 5'4"

Occupation: Heiress & University Student

Birthday: April 2nd 1894

Love Interest: N/A

Location: London, England

Hometown: New York City, New York

Ethnicity: Anglo-American

Orientation: Aromantic-Asexual

Family

Cole Hayes (Father)

Marianne Hayes (Mother) †

Delia Hayes (Stepmother)

Maude Leighton (Step Aunt)

Amelia Hayes (Half-sister) †

Devon Hayes (Half-brother)

William Hayes (Half-brother)

Face Claim: Lily James (as Lady Rose, Downton Abbey)

Extra Information

Staying with her Aunt Maude after the events of TUH

Attending the University of London

Named after Zelda Fitzgerald (by myself, not canonically)

[sapphiccharacterstournament]

Canon Sapphic Characters Tournament Round 1 (Bracket 6) Master Post

Meh Yewll (Defiance) vs Amae Rali (Vagrant Queen)

Yuri Han (XO, Kitty) vs Leighton Murray (The Sex Lives of College Girls)

Delia Busby (Call the Midwife) vs Carina DeLuca (Station 19)

Nova Bordelon (Queen Sugar) vs Tara Thornton (True Blood)

Anissa Pierce (Black Lightning) vs Queen Maeve (The Boys)

Bernie Wolfe (Holby City) vs Kerry Weaver (ER)

Naomi Pierce (Succession) vs Camille L'Espanaye (The Fall of the House of Usher)

Susan Ivanova (Babylon 5) vs Camille Wray (Stargate Universe)

Kat Edison (The Bold Type) vs Lauren Heller (Younger)

Fleabag (Fleabag) vs Shona O'Keefe (This Way Up)

Josephine Barry (Anne with an E) vs Babs (A Series of Unfortunate Events)

Aline Penhallow (Shadowhunters) vs Tamsin (Lost Girl)

Wendy Carr (Mindhunter) vs Hayes Morrison (Conviction)

Chanel #3 (Scream Queens) vs Winter Anderson (American Horror Story: Cult)

Maya St. Germain (Pretty Little Liars) vs Veronica Lodge (Riverdale)

Sterling Wesley (Teenage Bounty Hunters) vs Bess Marvin (Nancy Drew)

[alj4890]

The Truth Comes Out

(Hugh Crawford x MC) in a Choices The Unexpected Heiress drabble

Thirty Kisses in Thirty Days Challenge with the prompt: kissing your lover because you believe you're going to die.

May Choices Monthly Challenge: weddings | crying | first love

Rating PG for mostly angsty fluff and some violence

Trigger warnings: gun violence, mentions of blood, mentions of poison.

A/N I haven't written for this pair in a long time. I give away the twist to The Unexpected Heiress in this long drabble, so spoiler warning ⚠️ enacted.

@hopelessromantic1352 @twinkleallnight @tessa-liam @choicesficwriterscreations @choiceschallenge-may2023 @jerzwriter

Masterlist

Catherine Hayes was at a complete loss. She'd actually believed she could be with the man she loved. After all, the Somerset family supported her. Though they were initially sad that she and Francis had decided against marrying, they'd still been kind to her, even considering her family.

She could still see Hugh's face when he thought they were finally free to be together. His smile twinkled brighter than the stars as he confessed his hopes for a future with her.

If only her stepmother, Delia, hadn't arrived. She was determined to see Catherine married to a peer of the realm. Titles and status were all she thought of. Anything that could elevate their already lofty level in society should be done to shine even more amongst the very wealthy of New York.

It was dreadful. Here Catherine stood, a young woman madly in love with another man, set to marry a man who though kind, was still deeply in love with her deceased sister.

Poor Francis, Catherine thought as she gazed out her window. How horrible it would be to marry someone who is a daily reminder of the one you lost.

And yet, in a few short minutes, that is exactly what would happen.

Catherine turned towards the standing mirror to gaze once more at her reflection. Her wedding gown was perfect. It was the dress she'd once dreamed of when playing make believe with her older sister, Amelia.

"Amelia." Tears came to her eyes. "What would you have me do? Would you want me marrying your Francis out of duty? Or would you rather I defy everyone and follow my heart?"

She searched for her handkerchief, pressing it to her eyes to stop her tears from leaving noticeable marks upon her cheeks. She sniffed, wishing she could once again be that carefree young girl who was able to daydream about her knight in shining armor.

Hugh Crawford at first glance might not appear the romantic hero. Yet Catherine had seen from the beginning that he was so much more than a mere solicitor. She didn't know what she would have done without his steadfast presence during the search for Amelia's murderer.

His kindness, his quick wit, everything about him drew her to him. She couldn't imagine a more perfect match for herself.

And now, as soon as the cue was given, she'd be separated from him for all eternity. There would be no chance to be together once she said her vows to Francis. There was nothing left for them to do.

Hugh already told her he was leaving England for good. Initially it had been his dream to practice law in America. Once he knew Catherine's family refused to let her marry anyone other than Mr. Francis Somerset, the future Viscount Ashbourne, Hugh was moving out of the country because he wouldn't be able to bear seeing her married to another.

Catherine knew he was somewhere in the chapel, sitting with the other guests. How was she going to be able to continue to walk down the aisle once she saw his face?

She was distracted from her thoughts when a brisk knock sounded at her door.

"Come in." Catherine called out.

Her maid and fellow sleuth, Effie came in, shutting the door behind her.

"Miss Hayes!" Effie was breathless with excitement and from rushing about. "I followed up on your suspicion."

Catherine blinked, her thoughts returning once more to Amelia's last words.

Blood runs.

Being half sisters, Amelia and Catherine's late mother stressed that blood does not run thicker than water. With so many people saying that the Hayes were not a true family in the same sense as many of their fellow wealthy counterparts, Amelia made certain that her younger sister never felt like she didn't belong. When their father married Delia and produced their younger brothers, this notion was repeated often to make each member feel more secure.

It was why Amelia's last words were so puzzling. If she wanted them to be a reminder of her love for Catherine, then she would have said blood does not run, instead of blood runs.

That's what spurred Catherine to take advantage of being in Huntsbury Hall. If the marquess was willing to murder her sister to protect his secret family in India, then perhaps his wife had a hand in it also to protect the legitimate family she had with him in England.

"Look what I found!" Effie handed her various letters from Vincent's mistress.

Catherine scanned the letters' contents. The hair on the back of her neck rose as she read about the marchioness knowing about her husband's other family and being the one to pay to keep them out of England.

At that moment, Rebecca, the Marchioness of Huntsbury walked in, quietly locking the door behind her.

"All is ready." She said in a cheery voice. "I must say, Miss Hayes that you look absolutely lovely."

"Th-thank you." Catherine stuttered.

She pasted a forced smile upon her face.

Rebecca's eyes zeroed in on the papers Catherine was hiding behind her back.

"Whatever have you got there? Surely you don't wish to walk down the aisle with those in hand."

She snatched them away from Catherine. Recognizing them for what they were, her pleasant demeanor turned to one of quiet rage.

"Why couldn't you leave well enough alone?" Her eyes narrowed upon the young lady. "Just like Amelia, you are determined to make everyone's private affairs your own."

Catherine paled the moment Rebecca pulled out a revolver.

"Lady Huntsbury!" She quickly said. "I understand your worries. With your eldest thinking of remaining in America, your younger children would be overlooked for their inheritance if Lord Hunstbury's other sons were to return and stake claim to his title."

"Then you see why the bribes had to be done." Rebecca kept the revolver directed at Catherine's heart.

"I do." Catherine tried to keep her tone reasonable. "But you can't force a woman and her children from returning home. They have rights too! And--"

"And like Amelia, you don't care that my children and I could lose everything?!" Rebecca snapped. "Vincent did nothing but bring us near financial ruin while he gave in to his lust."

She sneered at the very thought.

"I'm the one who has kept this estate and our family together! And if you think I won't do everything I can to keep it that way, then remember what happened to your sister."

"You killed her." Catherine shook her head in disbelief. "You risked everything to silence her."

"And you're next." Rebecca cocked the trigger.

"Is this the legacy you wish to leave your children? Their father a philanderer and their mother a murderess?"

"I'm leaving them a legacy of a mother who was willing to do anything for them!"

Rebecca took a deep breath.

"Goodbye Miss Hayes."

The door drew their attention once more.

Hugh was banging on it.

"Catherine, let me in!"

Delia's voice could be heard behind him, scolding him to return to the chapel.

He broke through the old lock, bursting into the room.

"Catherine, I can't let you go through with this wedding." He shook off Delia's hand trying to pull him from the room.

"You will leave my stepdaughter alone!" Delia snapped.

Catherine shook her head as the two were in the line of Rebecca's gun.

"Look out!" She shouted.

The pair turned and noticed the marchioness.

"Good heavens!" Delia exclaimed. "What are you--"

"ENOUGH!" Rebecca pulled the trigger.

Catherine attempted to push Hugh out of the way as he did the same with her. The couple tumbled to the ground. The bullet went into Hugh's side.

As Rebecca raised the gun to shoot them again, Catherine managed to knock it from her hand.

The marchioness went to grab a letter opener, determined to get rid of the young woman who knew all her secrets. She was beyond reason now and didn't care who witnessed her act of murder.

Delia snatched it away from her.

"You will not harm my Catherine!" She told her, pointing the slender knife at her.

Hugh struggled to his feet and knocked the marchioness down. He pinned her arms behind her back, shouted for Effie to call the constable, and checked to make certain Catherine was not hurt.

"Hugh, you're bleeding!" Catherine stumbled over to him.

She ignored Rebecca's shouts about Catherine and Amelia ruining her children's lives.

"I'm fine." Hugh bit out.

The color from his face was draining quickly as he handed the woman over to the authorities.

"Hugh!" Catherine tried to catch him as he collapsed to the ground.

"I'll get the car! We can get him to the hospital faster than waiting on a doctor to come." Delia ran out of the room with Effie following to find help amongst the guests.

"Hugh." Catherine cradled his head in her lap.

She gently smoothed his hair back from his forehead, tears falling down her cheeks.

His breathing was labored as he tried to remain conscious.

Hugh looked up at her. His lips twisted in a painful smile.

"Hello there."

Catherine laughed.

"Hello." She pressed her lips to his forehead. "Oh Hugh."

"Shh." He raised a trembling hand to cup her cheek. "None of that."

She sniffed, unable to stop her tears.

He gently urged her down for a kiss. Hugh could feel his strength leaving. Blackness ebbed at the edge of his vision, threatening to consume him.

His last thought was that if was to die, he wanted her lips to the last thing he felt on this earth.

Catherine returned the tender kiss. Her breath hitched when she felt his hand fall from her cheek.

"Hugh!" She pleaded. "Please, don't leave me. I love you so much. I need you--"

His eyes closed as the blood continued to seep from his wound.

*****************

Catherine sat by his bedside as the doctor explained the extent of the surgery. She held tight to his hand, willing him to wake up and reassure her that he would recover.

Delia and her sister Maude listened quietly to what the young solicitor had endured. They also couldn't ignore the obvious feelings Catherine had for him.

Once the doctor left, the entire story of Lord and Lady Huntsbury's actions were discussed.

"But why would she do it?" Delia repeated.

"She was determined to do anything for her children." Catherine pointed out. "No matter who it hurt."

Delia winced over that jab.

"I refuse to be anything like that mad woman." She stated.

Maude cleared her throat. "Our Catherine shared with me a while back her feelings for Mr. Crawford. Surely, you don't intend to keep them apart after all that's happened."

Delia met her stepdaughter's tearful gaze.

Her heart softened as she realized what she'd done to one she truly loved as a real daughter.

"You're right. I don't intend to." She reached over and took Catherine's free hand. "Forgive me, my dear. I won't force you to marry Francis."

"Delia!" Catherine hugged her. "Thank you!"

Delia shivered once she let her go. The mere thought of turning into the marchioness worried her. She'd been so ready to sacrifice the happiness of another to ensure that the right doors would always be open for her sons. She refused to go any further down that particular path.

"We'll leave you alone with Mr. Crawford." Delia gently patted Catherine's shoulder.

"We'll see you back at Lord and Lady Ashbourne's, cherub." Maude told her with a wink. "I believe you have some news to share with your Mr. Crawford once he awakens."

Catherine hugged her.

"Thank you, Auntie Maude." She whispered, tears glistening in her eyes. "For everything."

Maude kissed her cheek and quietly slipped out of the room.

"Catherine?" Hugh said softly.

She hurried to his bedside, taking his hand once more.

"Yes, Hugh?"

"I had the strangest dream." He mumbled.

"About what?" She pressed a kiss to his forehead.

His eyes searched hers. "That you were set free from your engagement."

Catherine captured his lips in a tender kiss.

"It isn't a dream any longer, darling." She whispered. "I am free to be with whomever my heart belongs to."

Hugh weakly grasped her hand. "I don't suppose you're willing to let it belong to a lowly, English solicitor?"

She smiled at him. "I'm afraid I can't give it to him now. For you see, he's had my heart this entire time."

"What a lucky fellow, he is." Hugh lifted her hand to his lips. "He lost his to you the moment he first laid eyes upon you."

"We are both lucky." Catherine pressed their clasped hands to her cheek. "Now, I need you to get well quickly."

"And why is that?" Hugh teased. "This is the first time I've been allowed to laze about in bed."

"I intend to make an honest man of you, Mr. Crawford. We're going to follow your family's tradition and have the little solicitors your family requires all Crawford's to bear. We will move to America and set up your new practice."

Hugh's smile grew as she went through all the plans for their future.

"And once in New York, we'll" Catherine paused as he tugged on her hand.

"Come here." He said.

Catherine leaned over, smiling as he gently ran his fingers through her hair, urging her down for a tender kiss.

"With a future like that, how could I possibly tarry in getting better?" He whispered.

[coralmorphologic]

Greetings, Earthlings! Today we offer a special #EarthDay Coral City Camera Mix from Animal Collective. Tune into http://www.coralcitycamera.com/ to jam the 23rd CCC Mix, 'Dream Stuff’ 〰️✨🌎✨〰️

For the 23rd CCC Mix, 'Dream Stuff', Deakin and Geologist of Animal Collective present a two-hour water magic mixtape that gently segues from golden hour meditations to gauzy twilight jams.

From their inception, the four members of Animal Collective: Deakin, Geologist, Avey Tare and Panda Bear have created music as primal as face paint and as expressive as the yells they first fed into their sampler. Every new record is a change in direction on a journey undertaken without maps. The destination remains the same - the Collective consciousness, where formulae and rules can never be applied.

Tracklist:

00:00 - Lia Kohl - or things may be dropping 05:06 - Extradition - A Water Song 09:30 - Shabaka - Ital is Vital 13:51 - Laraaji - All Pervading (excerpt) 22:15 - Marconi Notaro - Oh. Greedy Life 25:48 - Pierre Henry - Etudes transcendantes pour un piano imaginaire: No. 4, Étude à l'accordage 26:20 - Monoton - Singsang 28:59 - Mary Hopkin - Ocean Song 32:48 - Eric Vann - Bubble Snail 35:00 - David Casper - Dream Journey 39:29 - Roberto Musci - Water Music 41:20 - Brian Hodgson, Delia Derbyshire & Don Harper - Liquid Energy (Underscore Version) 41:53 - John Martyn - Small Hours 50:10 - Zomes - Improvisitions No. 2 (excerpt) 58:35 - Kendra Smith - Iridescence 31 1:11:26 - Branko Mataja - Da Smo Se Ranije Sreli 1:14:24 - Daphne Oram - Phensic 1:15:17 - Caterina Barbieri - Fantas Variations 1:21:54 - Bendik Giske - Cruising (Laurel Halo Remix) 1:28:15 - Lifted - Best (feat. Panda Bear) 1:33:15 - Markus Guentner - In Moll 6 1:38:54 - Francesco Fonassi & Marta Solagni - Deriva 1:42:50 - Patricia Wolf - Under a Glass Bell 1:47:10 - Peter Lind Hayes and Tommy Rettig - Dream Stuff

@anmlcollective www.instagram.com/anmlcollective/ www.discogs.com/artist/207958-Animal-Collective

Mix art by @coralmorphologic Mix art direction by @vacationsnyc

www.coralcitycamera.com/

[thencd]

Lucifarian Family 80s Redux: Bios:

Pride: Ves Lucifarian / Vesta Lyle (1984)

The first of the seven sins, but pride always comes before the fall, and vanity is only a pleasure for the vain.

"I am perfection personified."

Name

Full Legal Name: Vesta Diana Lyle

First Name: Vesta

Meaning: Probably a Roman cognate of 'Hestia', which is derived from Greek 'Hestia' meaning 'Hearth, Fireside'

Pronunciation: VEHS-ta

Origin: Roman Mythology

Middle Name: Diana

Meaning: Means 'Divine, Goddesslike', a derivative of Latin 'Dia' or 'Diva' meaning 'Goddess'

Pronunciation: die-AN-a

Origin: English, Spanish, Italian, Portuguese, Romanian, Catalan, German, Dutch, Danish, Swedish, Norwegian, Russian, Ukrainian, Bulgarian, Estonian, Lithuanian, Polish, Czech, Slovak, Armenian, Georgian, Roman Mythology

Surname: Lyle

Meaning: Derived from Norman French 'L'isle' meaning 'Island'

Pronunciation: LIEL

Origin: English

Aliases: Ves Lucifarian, The Princess of Pride, The Prideful Princess, The Vain Vixen, The Vainglorious Vixen, The Vixen of Vanity, The Princess of Pride Ves Lucifarian, The Prideful Princess Ves Lucifarian, The Vain Vixen Ves Lucifarian, The Vainglorious Vixen Ves Lucifarian, The Vixen of Vanity Ves Lucifarian

Nicknames: Ves, Vessie, V, Princess V, Vixen

Titles: Miss

Characteristics

Age: 32

Gender: Female. She/Her Pronouns

Race: European (Human)

Nationality: American

Ethnicity: White

Birth Date: August 5th 1952

Sexuality: Straight

Religion: Christian

Native Language: English

Spoken Languages: English, French, Spanish, Latin

Relationship Status: Single

Astrological Sign: Leo

Theme Song: 'You're So Vain' - Carly Simon (1972-)

Voice Actor: Rosamund Pike

Singing Voice: Kirsty McColl

Geographical Characteristics

Birthplace: Blackpool, Lancashire, England

Current Location: On The Road

Current Residence: Albany, Albany County, New York, USA

Hometown: Brigg, Lancashire, England

Appearance

Height: 5'6" / 167 cm

Weight: 150 lbs / 68 kg

Eye Colour: Brown

Hair Colour: Brown

Hair Dye: None

Body Hair: N/A

Facial Hair: N/A

Tattoos: 1

Piercings: Ear Lobe (Both)

Scars: None

Clothing Style: Preppy but Athletic

Health and Fitness

Allergies: None

Alcoholic, Smoker, Drug User: Social Drinker

Illnesses/Disorders: None Diagnosed (Possible ADHD)

Medications: None

Any Specific Diet: Vegetarian

Relationships

Allies: Bon Lucifarian, Nadia Lucifarian, Kat Lucifarian, Anna Lucifarian, Nora Lucifarian, Syn Lucifarian, Freddie Blassie, Lou Albano

Enemies: Moolah, Wendi Richter, Lord Alfred Hayes, Mr Fuji, Dynamite Kid, George Steele

Mentor: Damo Lucifarian (Damocles Lyle)

Significant Other: None

Previous Partners: None of Note

Parents: Damocles Lyle (62, Father), Phyllis Underhill (63, Mother, Née Peak), Persephone Lyle (57, Step-Mother, Née Marsden), Wayland Underhill (64, Step-Father)

Parents-In-Law: None

Siblings: Mercury Lyle (41, Half-Brother), Eris Kimberly (38, Half-Sister, Née Lyle), Neptune Lyle (35, Half-Brother), Quirinus Lyle (29, Brother), Enyo Judd (26, Sister, Née Lyle), Saturn Lyle (23, Half-Brother), Echo Horton (20, Half-Sister, Née Lyle), Ulysses Lyle (17, Half-Brother), Echidna Lyle (14, Half-Sister), Vulcan Lyle (11, Half-Brother), Doris Lyle (8, Half-Sister), Puck Underhill (23, Half-Brother), Calypso Harden (20, Half-Sister, Née Underhill), Gareth Underhill (17, Half-Brother), Atalanta Underhill (14, Half-Sister)

Siblings-In-Law: Erato Lyle (42, Mercury's Wife, Née Kellogg), Pluto Kimberly (40, Eris' Husband), Eos Lyle (36, Neptune's Wife, Née Jones), Electra Lyle (30, Quirinus' Wife, Née Jackson), Remus Judd (28, Enyo's Husband), Elara Lyle (24, Saturn's Wife, Née Hughes), Tatius Horton (22, Echo's Husband), Cassandra Underhill (24, Puck's Wife, Née Heath), Arthur Harden (22, Calypso's Husband)

Nieces & Nephews: Demeter Hill (21, Niece, Née Lyle), Adonai Hill (22, Demeter's Husband), Christos Lyle (18, Nephew), Delia Kimberly (18, Niece), Jesus Lyle (15, Nephew), Daphne Lyle (12, Niece), Messiah Lyle (9, Nephew), Cynthia Lyle (9, Niece), Satan Lyle (6, Nephew), Cora Lyle (3, Niece), Yahweh Judd (6, Nephew), Circe Judd (3, Niece), Beowulf Lyle (3, Nephew), Athena Underhill (3, Niece)

Children: None

Children-In-Law: None

Grandkids: None

Great Grandkids: None

Wrestling

Billed From: Hell Itself

Trainer: Damo Lucifarian

Managers: Damo Lucifarian

Wrestlers Managed: None

Debut: 1972

Retired: N/A

Wrestling Style: Trickster

Stables & Teams: The Lucifarian Family (1972-)

Regular Moves: Over The Shoulder Arm Drag, Forearm Smash, Leg Sweep, Chokehold STO, Keylock, Diving Somersault Evasion, Coronation (Neck Wrench), Lineage Ender (Standing Moonsault Double Knee Drop), Lion's Den (Crucifix Pin), Family Pride (Leg Trap Sunset Flip Powerbomb)

Finishers: Mirror Smash (Shooting Star Knee Drop), Flowing DDT, DDT

Refers To Fans As: The Prideful, The Prideful Ones, The Vain, The Vainglorious, The Vainglorious Ones

Commentary Name: The Prodigal Daughter

Extras

Backstory: Vesta 'Ves' Lyle grew up in a broken home, her mother an alcoholic gambling addict, her father a workaholic smoker. At the age of 10 Ves decided to follow in her father's footsteps, and by age 18 she made her debut in the British wrestling circuit. Ves, having the upmost trust in her father, made the decision that he would manage her, and thus the first sin joined the King's 'court of demons'.

Trivia:

Vesta's personality is supposed to make her come across as a vain, rich, arse of a person, yet deep down she's still redeemable, she's got a long way to go before she actually redeems herself though

Vesta's the type of person who makes sure every little detail of her matches and promos are perfect, to the point that she will control what other people do/say, down to the moment/way it's said/done

Vesta's the leader, the brain and the mouth of the group, due to her control over the others

Vesta is arrogant, articulate, demanding, diplomatic, nagging and polished

Vesta is an excellent planner and an excellent speaker

Vesta plans out her matches and promos, going over them several times to make sure they're perfect

Vesta pushes people away by being too controlling

Vesta has to look and sound perfect, or else she won't show herself or do promos

Vesta relies on her father's (Damocles') money, even though she's perfectly capable of paying for everything herself

Vesta likes: Her father (Damocles), Road trips, Purple, Fish and chips, Holidays, Competitions, Highland Cattle, Cloud gazing, Orchids, Mirrors, Sunsets, Leather jackets, V-neck shirts/jumpers, Seashells, Lavender scented candles

Vesta dislikes: Her mother (Phyllis), Deep water, Flying, Black Pudding, Wasps, Rugby, Arguments, Neon green, Sunflowers, Thunderstorms, Broken glass, Baseball caps, Vodka, Motorcycles, Gossip, Fairy Lights, Gambling

Both Damocles and Vesta were born in August, as they are the only (non-kayfabe) members of the same family within the main 8, and the dates were chosen to make them both Leo's, that being the zodiac sign represented by a Lion. Lion's traditionally symbolise: courage, nobility, royalty, strength, stateliness and valour

Vesta especially dislikes George 'The Animal' Steele, because of his very messy style going against her perfectionist views

Vesta's 'Lion's Den' Crucifix Pin is named that due to the idea of being trapped in a Lion's Den, unable to escape

Left: Vesta in 'Human form' (With her natural brown eyes)

Right: Ves in 'Demon form' (With purple eyes)

[build-a-problem-musical]

Hey, it's Ellie!

A little bit about me and this blog:

I'm the author of this dodie jukebox musical, which is based around the album Build a Problem. It follows the stories of separating best friends Emma Gardner and Celeste Anders as they learn to deal with interpersonal conflict.

My main blog is at @chaotic-theatrical-weaver.

Rules:

Keep your language kind, civil, and appropriate. No cursing.

No NSFW asks.

While we're at it, no shipping asks between Emma and Celeste or any of the BAP Periphery Girls (including Rose and Phoebe).

Note: Asks about pairings canon to any timeline are allowed. Main and Starless Sky Pairings: - Celeste/Thomas - Celeste/Theo - Miranda/Theo from “A Different Path, A Different Day” (ship name Miradore) Roleswap Pairings: - Emma/Theo - one-sided, non-romanticized Emma/Thomas

Main Navigation Features:

#the authors look down: meta tag for my point of view regarding the characters as a writer, or regarding writing in general

#pov: [character name]: posts I deem spoken by the character tagged. Currently established for Emma Gardner, Celeste Anders, Thomas Hargrove, Theo Gray, James Gardner, Elaine Gardner, William Gray, Delia Anders, Laura Anders, Rose Peresada, and Phoebe Sadler. Miranda Hayes, a character who appears only in "A Different Path, A Different Day," has also received her own POV tag.

#[character name]: accompanies #pov: [character name] but can also stand on its own (most notably if the post is about that character, but not by that character or if it's about that character in relation to the tagged POV character). Currently established for all characters with POV tags as well as Josh Anders, Delia Anders, Laura Anders, the BAP Periphery Girls (collective name for Rose’s and Phoebe’s friends Kaitlyn, Alice, and Lucy), and the Anders parents. There are also tags for Alice Hayes and Rachel Clark, featured only in "A Different Path, A Different Day."

#[character name] aesthetic: aesthetics for the characters tagged. Currently established for Emma Gardner, Celeste Anders, Theo Gray, William Gray, Elaine Gardner, Phoebe Sadler, Rose Peresada, and the BAP Periphery Girls. Miranda Hayes from “A Different Path, A Different Day” has her own aesthetic tag as well. #bap musical aesthetic encapsulates aesthetics for the show as a whole, often as the more darkly humorous counterpart to the serious #theme. #bap musical aesthetic may be used in conjunction with #theme as well for more sincere, tender aesthetics.

#[character last name] household: aesthetics for the homes of a character’s family. Currently established for the Gardners, the Anderses, and the Grays (including the Gray-Hayes/Miradore household).

#a different path a different day: posts about my story of the same name that takes place in the BAP universe 7-8 years after the main canon. This post details more.

#oc fun: in which people lampshade stuff about writing OCs, or in which I answer questions from OC question blogs. Can be accompanied by #the authors look down in the first sense if the post is specifically a lampshade for OC creation; always accompanied by #the authors look down in the second.

#asks: ask games and answers to asks

#theme: posts that capture the themes of BAP; sometimes used in conjunction with #[character name], but may not be if too serious or too general for any one character

#salt and light: in which the Christianity of the author works its way through the story

#bap fandom: posts about the hypothetical BAP fandom, be it my own behavior as part of it or my commentating on it

#not dodie + #ellie's influences: non-dodie songs, poems, or web weaves (standalone quotes or normal textposts not included). #ellie’s influences may also be used in a meta sense to refer to how Ellie interacts with or feels about her influences.

#christian oc tournament: my promotion of my characters in the Christian OC Tournament!

AUs:

#starless sky au is a canon-divergent timeline in which Emma dies after Act 2, Scene 7 after being met with Elaine’s continued attempts at positivity and stability at all costs.

#stars restitched au is another canon-divergent timeline and an offshoot of the Starless Sky AU in which Emma survives but is left with a disabling brain injury that she must now learn to manage.

#bap roleswap au reverses the characters' positions and retains their personalities.

#two-theo timeline features main timeline Theo meeting his roleswap counterpart and experiencing a recovery arc.

[randomestfandoms-ocs]

🔁

forgive me for going a bit insane here, I'm putting it below the cut because it got very out of hand! (this is also definitely not an exclusive list just the ones that came to mind!)

Send me a 🔁 and I’ll list one or more crossovers between our ocs that I’d be interested in talking about

Roni Tanner:

Mercy Bowen

Mia Queen

Piper Pan:

Finley Rider

Isadora Darling

Nerissa

Winnie Pan

Violet Kingsleigh

Terry Bell:

Nerissa

Winnie Pan

Rose Smythe:

Annika Webster

Imogen Allen

Kelsey Doyle

Mia Queen

Bobbi LaCosta:

Jane Forester

Lucas Gilmore

Charlotte Howard-Danes

Eleanor Doose

Eliya Rygalski

Evan Mariano

Gabi Mariano

Holland Bass

The Band (Matt King, Tommy Gilmore, Luca to-be-renamed Bloom, Livi Ruiz, Esme Gerard, Skye Bloom)

Sam Gleason

Carli Tanner:

Ophelia Wayne

Isolde Kean

(Plus other general batman & batman 2022 ocs who could be modified to fit gotham!)

Lila Lupin:

Adriana Flores

Gemini Black

Jessica Stevens

Holly Evans

Athena Prewett:

Bobbie Fortescue

Emerald Evans

Lyarra Vance

Nineve Weasley

Phoenix Dumbledore

Venus Malfoy

Violetta Greengrass

Stella Knight:

Atalanta Jackson

Carissa Grace

Cassandra Aelius

Delia

Lila

Melody Weiss

Gwen Macintosh:

Brandy Hayes

Sherry Unwin

Xenia Hart

Kris Smythe:

Imogen Allen

Sadie Maddox

Roni Stark:

Alessia Stark

Adelaide Stark

Adonis Stark

Aris Stark

Athena Stark

Aurora Hansen-Stark

Ava Potts

Brigid

Ezra Barton

Cora & Orion Royce

Tyler Barton

Zora Wright

Will Parker

(there's definitely more but I have too many mcu ocs so i'm trying to chill)

Rikki Lane:

Chloe Grace Routledge

Cody Maybank

Jo Clarke

Alexa Cantwood:

Cressida Brantley

Crystal Solace

Elyana Chase

Melody Weiss

Stella Beauregard

Victoria Blofis

Drea Jones:

Ana Andrews

Charlotte Jones

Delaney Carlyle

Fallon Parris Jones

Harper Harrison

Jett Jones

Kris Keller

Lyra Lovell

Tanya Conway

Sharon Henderson:

Beth Munson

Camila Nelson

Cara Henderson

Rhiannon Ballard

Samantha Mayfield

Sidney Hopper

Stacey Byers

Valerie Rush

Roxy Winchester:

Ainsley Winchester

Deborah Winchester

Elle Winchester

Esther Colt

Isla George

Nevaeh Murphy

Phoebe Winchester

Trix Stilinski

Cora Hargreeves:

Alice Hargreaves

Andromeda Hargreaves

Audrey Hargreaves

Cassie Hargreaves

Cleo Sullivan

Dahlia Mort

Kamaria Hargreaves

Max Carmichael

Mira Hargreaves

Mireille Labonair

Odessa Hargreaves

Poppy

Sierra Nearing

Vienna Montgomery

Virginia West

Wilhelmina Hargreaves

[nicsnort]

Trial by Fire - Meet Bedelia Hayes

[updated from original after story reveals]

(Contains slight spoilers for the fanfic which you can read in full on Ao3 or is currently being posted here to Tumblr!)

(Art made with Baydews' Picrew V1)

Name: Bedelia Hayes Nicknames: Bey, Delia

Love interests: Her work and Kurt Wagner/Nightcrawler

Background

Bedelia was born to Irish immigrant parents and raised her whole life in New York City. She had a relatively normal childhood until a house fire in which her parents died. Unlike other teenagers of the time, this tragedy did not result in a miraculous power - Bedelia's body rejected her fire-based mutation due to the trauma, leaving her x-gene inactivated. Going off to college, Bedelia pursued a degree in criminal justice, wishing to help those in need. It was at college that she was recruited by the CIA and was in training to become an agent and spy. However, when she began to investigate Essex Corporation after the disappearance of a mutant friend, she was told to stop. Instead of listening to her superiors, she chose to leave and be blacklisted from the government. Bedelia made her way into journalism, and a couple years after leaving the CIA, she published her first article on the abuses that homeless mutants face in New York City. Her career had been set - a "human" journalist who wrote on mutant issues. As an independent journalist, Bedelia has followed the underside of mutant issues for years. While she reads up on the anti-mutant legislation that politicians like Senator Kelly and others try to pass, Bedelia prefers to focus on less-known issues that are usually overlooked. Local mutant groups building a community shelter, homelessness, supposed mutant cures that are dangerous for those who take them, and the like. Though she feels the tug to chase after grand figures like the X-men, Bedelia would rather focus on the stories no one else does and pursue the truth wherever it may lead her. This drive eventually got her kidnapped by Mr. Sinister, the head of the Essex Corporation, who discovered her repressed X-gene and used his knowledge of mutation to activate it, unleashing Bedelia's pyro-genetic potential. Her job is her life. Bedelia has no time for outside relationships that don't involve her work and didn't exist before her career, particularly romantic ones. Luckily, Bedelia has never felt the need to pursue such affection. She does read romance books for fun and feels as though she may one day enjoy having a partner but it has never been a priority nor something she actively sought out. Though her preferences are something she has considered, she would like someone who is a friend, supportive of her career, is kind and caring about others, and works towards a better future - looks she could not care less about, any sexual attraction will come after personality.

Abilities

Fire Immunity: Bedelia is immune to fire and burning. She can still be harmed by the by-products of fire, such as smoke inhalation, or by asphyxiation, if fire eats all the air in an enclosed room. Fire Projectiles: Bedelia can hurl fireballs and firebolts at targets. With enough effort, she can shoot a steady stream of fire from her hands. Flight: When encased in her flames, Bedelia can float off the ground. With enough mental effort and by creating jets of flame, she could fly at great speeds. Spontaneous Combustion: Bedelia has the ability to spontaneously combust, engulfing herself in fiery plasma without harm to herself. Hand-to-Hand Combat: As a part of her training as a CIA agent before she left the program Bedelia received thorough self-defense and combat training. However, she has never had to use this in the field, leaving her actual combat experience something to be desired. "Hypercognition": While Bedelia does not actually have any hypercognitive abilities, she can pass as having them in the short term due to a combination of other skills. She can hack common computer systems, has well-honed pattern recognition, and has a naturally gifted intelligence with a broad range of knowledge with the ability to quickly apply said knowledge to fit her circumstances. Stat grid (per the official Marvel ranking) Intelligence: 4 - Gifted Strength: 2 - Can lift own body weight Endurance: 3 - Enhanced (fire immunity) Speed: 3 - up to 700 mph Energy Projection: 3 - single energy type, short range, and duration Fighting Skills: 3 - Some Training

Weakness

Pyrophobia: Ever since the house fire claimed her parents' lives Bedelia has been terrified of uncontrolled flames. Even around candles, gas stoves, or campfires, she is on high alert in case the fire goes out of control.

[theobrowningfd]

Theo appreciated the invitation, but his kids were there and it was his sister's wedding, two major factors as to why he wasn't about to let loose and go wild. "You trying to get me drunk, Doctor Hayes?" He asked, his tone light and playful, a smile creeping along his lips, "though if this wasn't Delia's wedding and my kids weren't here, I would totally take you up on that." He whispered in her ear as they arrived to the bar, settling up next to her, ordering a blueberry old fashioned. As he made a path for them back to their table, Theo pulled out Tam's chair before pushing it back in for her and then sitting down next to her. "How's your drink babe?" He asked before taking a sip of the one in his hand.

”As much as I’d love to get a little wild, I’m going to be the responsible drinker. You can absolutely have a few extra, though, if you’d like.” Because she still wanted to have some control over her actions, and not make an absolute fool of herself on the dance floor. She wouldn’t hold it against Theo if he chose to, she’d welcome letting loose a bit. Tamara ordered one of each signature drink with an appreciative smile, giving his hand a soft squeeze as the bartender working prepared the drinks. It didn’t take long, seeing as they were popular choices, and when they were slid in front of them she thanked the bartender before taking both drinks, gesturing with her head back to the table she’d lingered nearby with her belongings. “Make a path and I’ll follow.”

[choices-and-voices]

#sisterzzz

[korgbelmont]

Now Added: Delia Hayes

Delia Hayes has now been added to the newly created The Unexpected Heiress section of the Transparents folder

[sapphiccharacterstournament]

Masterpost of every character who has already competed

We do take requests for future brackets! Before you request a character be included in a future bracket, check this list first to make sure they haven't already competed.

Lena Adams Foster (The Fosters) Elida Al-Feyr (Vagrant Queen) Nyssa Al Ghul (Arrow) Cassie Ainsworth (Skins) Luisa Alver (Jane the Virgin) Winter Anderson (American Horror Story: Cult) Miss Audrey (Snowpiercer) Babs (A Series of Unfortunate Events) Saanvi Bahl (Manifest) Bambi (Minx) Josephine Barry (Anne with an E) Sister Beatrice (Warrior Nun) Bilquis (American Gods) Maya Bishop (Station 19) Sarah Bishop (A Discovery of Witches) Alana Bloom (Hannibal) Cheryl Blossom (Riverdale) Anne Bonny (Black Sails) Kelly Booth (Black Mirror) Nova Bordelon (Queen Sugar) Nancy Botwin (Weeds) Dana Bryant (Mythic Quest) Robin Buckley (Stranger Things) Lena Burnham (Ray Donovan) Calliope Burns (First Kill) Delia Busby (Call the Midwife) Amanita Caplan (Sense8) Wendy Carr (Mindhunter) Chanel #3 (Scream Queens) Max Chapman (A League of their Own) Piper Chapman (Orange is the New Black) Denise Christopher (Timeless) Grace Choi (Black Lightning) Cassandra Cillian (The Librarians) Jade Claymore (Willow) Dani Clayton (The Haunting of Bly Manor) Raelle Collar (Motherland: Fort Salem) Dulcie Collins (Deadloch) Delphine Cormier (Orphan Black) Theo Crain (The Haunting of Hill House) Frannie Crowne (Brave New World) Moiraine Damodred (The Wheel of Time)

Alex Danvers (Supergirl) Ashley Davies (South of Nowhere) Carina DeLuca (Station 19) Jo Deluca (A League of Their own) Bo Dennis (Lost Girl) Clare Devlin (Derry Girls) Rosa Diaz (Brooklyn Nine-Nine) Franky Doyle (Wentworth) Camina Drummer (The Expanse) Waverly Earp (Wynona Earp) Kat Edison (The Bold Type) Philippa Eilhart (The Witcher) Mabel Elmsworth (The Buccaneers) Camile Engelson (Stitchers) Eretria (The Shannara Chronicals) Isobel Evans (Roswell New Mexico) Dana Fairbanks (The L Word) Juliette Fairmont (First Kill) Emily Fields (Pretty Little Liars) Veronica Fisher (Shameless) Fleabag (Fleabag) Flower (Ghosts) Gabrielle (Xena: Warrior Princess) Lupe Garcia (A League of Their Own) Bibi Garvey (Bad Sisters) Mirror Philippa Georgiou (Star Trek: Discovery) Gigi Ghorbani (The L Word: Gen Q) Stella Gibson (The Fall) Sue Gilbert (Dickinson) Emily Grace (Murdoch Mysteries) Yara Greyjoy (Game of Thrones) Monet de Haan (Gossip Girl) Judy Hale (Dead to Me) Yuri Han (XO, Kitty) Millie Harcourt (The Bletchley Circle) Nicole Haught (Wynonna Earp) Lauren Heller (Younger) Emma Hernandez (Vida) Pamela Isley (Batwoman) Susan Ivanova (Babylon 5) Bradley Jackson (The Morning Show) Alice Jones (Once Upon a Time) Tara Jones (Heartstopper) Quinn Joseph (Harlem) Kate (One Mississippi) Annalise Keating (How to Get Away with Murder) Tina Kennard (The L Word) Kennedy (Buffy the Vampire Slayer) Yasmin Khan (Doctor Who)

Aneela Kin Rit (Killjoys) Camille L'Espanaye (The Fall of the House of Usher) Victorine LaFourcade (The Fall of the House of Usher) Lagertha (Vikings) Shelly Lambert (Minx) Sara Lance (Arrowverse) Lauren Lewis (Lost Girl) Lexa (The 100) Maggie Lin (Saving Hope) Anne Lister (Gentleman Jack) Veronica Lodge (Riverdale) Santana Lopez (Glee) Lucretia (Spartacus) Lyria (The Shannara Chronicals) Tara Maclay (Buffy the Vampire Slayer) Elizabeth Macmillan (Miss Fisher’s Murder Mysteries) Queen Maeve (The Boys) Maggie (Good Omens) Sofia Marchetti (Sex Education) Margot (Once Upon a Time) Bess Marvin (Nancy Drew) Cara Mason (Legend of the Seeker) Max (Black Sails) Katherine Mayfair (Desperate Housewives) Ally Mayfair-Richards (American Horror Story) Mazikeen (Lucifer) Shane McCutcheon (The L Word) Betty McRae (Bomb Girls) Lake Meriwether (Love, Victor) Freya Mikaelson (The Originals) Sandy Milkovich (Shameless) Mabel Mora (Only Murders in the Building) Ellen Morgan (Ellen) Rory Morningstar (Lucifer) Aleesha Morrison (Upload) Hayes Morrison (Conviction) Blanche Mottershead (Upstairs Downstairs)

Mulan (Once Upon a Time) Leighton Murray (Sex Lives of College Girls) Raffi Musiker (Star Trek: Picard) Susie Myerson (The Marvelous Mrs. Maisel) Nadja (What We Do in the Shadows) Nicky Nichols (Orange is the New Black) Nico (Vida) Nina (Good Omens) Allie Novak (Wentworth) Dani Núñez (The L Word: Gen Q) Ola Nyman (Sex Education) Shona O'Keefe (This Way Up) Kelly Olsen (Supergirl) Van Palmer (Yellowjackets) Marjorie Palmiotti (Veep) Gail Peck (Rookie Blue) Aline Penhallow (Shadowhunters) Valencia Perez (Crazy Ex-Girlfriend) Laura Peterson (The Morning Show) Lindsay Peterson (Queer as Folk) Anissa Pierce (Black Lightning) Brittany S. Pierce (Glee) Naomi Pierce (Succession) Alice Pieszecki (The L Word) Eve Polastri (Killing Eve) Bette Porter (The L Word) Bill Potts (Doctor Who) Arthie Premkumar (GLOW) Amae Rali (Vagrant Queen)

Scylla Ramshorn (Motherland: Fort Salem) Amy Raudenfeld (Faking It) Logan Rawlings (Young & Hungry) Maia Rindell (The Good Fight) Arizona Robins (Grey's Anatomy) Eve Rothlo (How to Get Away with Murder) Root (Person of Interest) Willow Rosenberg (Buffy the Vampire Slayer) Kenya Rosewater (Defiance) Susan Ross (Seinfeld) Siuan Sanche (WoT) Ellaria Sand (Game of Thrones) Jenny Schecter (The L Word) Jinju Seong (Snowpiercer) Seven of Nine (Star Trek: Voyager & Star Trek: Picard) Toni Shalifoe (The Wilds) Kalinda Sharma (The Good Wife) Carson Shaw (A League of Their Own) Sameen Shaw (Person of Interest) Leslie Shay (Chicago Fire) Amy Silva (Vigil) Bea Smith (Wentworth) Petra Solano (Jane the Virgin) Rose Solano (Jane the Virgin) River Song (Doctor Who) Kitty Song Covey (XO, Kitty) Serena Southerlyn (Law & Order) Zelda Spellman (Chilling Adventures of Sabrina) Maya St. Germain (Pretty Little Liars) Moira Strand (The Handmaid’s Tale) Della Street (Perry Mason) Tamsin (Lost Girl) Kit Tanthalos (Willow) Stahma Tarr (Defiance) Jamie Taylor (The Haunting of Bly Manor) Thirteen (House, MD) Thirteenth Doctor (Doctor Who) Tara Thornton (True Blood) Bess Till (Snowpiercer)

Tituba (Salem) Toni Topaz (Riverdale) Callie Torres (Grey’s Anatomy) Fabiola Torres (Never Have I Ever) Taissa Turner (Yellowjackets) Two / Portia Lin (Dark Matter) Alex Vause (OITNB) Mel Vera (Charmed) Villanelle (Killing Eve) Karen Walker (Will & Grace) Martha Walker (Silo) Poussey Washington (Orange is the New Black) Ellen Waverly (For All Mankind) Kerry Weaver (ER) HG Wells (Warehouse 13) Sterling Wesley (Teenage Bounty Hunters) Nora West-Allen (The Flash) Jayne Wetherby (Dracula) Lucy Westenra (Dracula) Ilana Wexler (Broad City) Ryan Wilder (Batwoman) Carol Willick (Friends) Lana Winters (American Horror Story) Bernie Wolfe (Holby City) Camile Wray (Stargate Universe) Xena (Xena: Warrior Princess) Meh Yewll (Defiance) Yorkie (Black Mirror - San Junipero)

[inacrowdofchoices]

The Unexpected Heiress, chapter sixteen

[earth627]

Delia Dent: Hey, is anyone else d-

Grant Wilson: Dead?

Zachary Zatara: Drunk?

Terra Markov: Drained?

Greta Hayes: Depressed?

Thad: Deprived of sleep?

Uriah: Drowning?

Delia Dent: …done with your drink? What is wrong with you people?

[kitty-does-stuff]

So Earth-627 has a weird team called Teen Titans East

Mara Al Ghul, Delia Dent, Grant Wilson, Uriah, Thad Thwne, Zachary Zatara, Terra Markov, Owen Mercer, Greta Hayes, Laney/Jon Lane Kent