#eva smith

[justrainandcoffee]

Masterlist

Theme, date, characters

Autumn leaves (1/10): Tommy Shelby x Lucy Winters

Log cabin (3/10): Tommy Shelby x Reader

Home made cookies (5/10): Alfie & Cyril

Pumpkin picking (7/10): Esme Lee x Reader

Bonfire (9/10): Tommy Shelby & Evelyn Shelby

Coffee shop (11/10): Alfie x Tommy

Candles (13/10): James Delaney x Lorna Bow

Warm drink (14/10): Tommy Shelby & Lydia Shelby

Castle trip (15/10): Alfie Solomons x Rose Coldwell

Thunderstorm (17/10): Alfie & Allie Solomons

Open window (19/10): Tommy Shelby x Quinn Meyer

Rain walk (21/10): River Cartwright x Reader

Forest (22/10): Heaven Shelby

Black cat (23/10): Winston Ferrante-Shelby

Bakery (25/10): Cillian Murphy x Jiyan Fabris

Book shop (27/10): Tommy Shelby x Reader

Graveyard (29/10): Jack Nelson x Eva Smith

I finished them like two weeks ago and finally October is here to post them. It's all queued, hopefully Tumblr will work and post them as I ordered.

This post is also queued. If you see this, then it worked. Any idea to link the characters to the themes? 😌. Not all the characters are in the tags and I didn't want to make it obvious.

Sincerely yours... Me.

[evita-shelby]

New Year's Ava

The Mirror Demon is out again, this time to throw a party to die for. All ---fictional and not--- are invited by Ava herself.

👗- have the demon herself dress you for the party

🍧-have the demon give you food crafted by her own hand

🍾- share a drink with the demon and ask her anything you wish to know

🎁- get a gift from the demon

🪞- give your oc its own mirror version

be sure to ask everything before December 30th

⚠️ all items sourced from the mirror demon dimension open at your own discretion⚠️

dividers by @saradika-graphics

[poppletonink]

Resources For People Studying 'An Inspector Calls'

Videos:

Mr Bruff's Analysis Videos

An Inspector Calls in 5 Minutes

Articles:

Plot Summary

Characters

Themes

Form, Structure and Language

Dramatization

Sample Exam Question

Podcast Episodes:

Act 1

Act 1 Key Quotes

Act 2

Act 2 Key Quotes

Act 3

Act 3 Key Quotes

Structure and Chronology

Setting, Lighting and Dramatic Irony

Character Analysis: Sheila

Sheila Key Quotes

Character Analysis: The Inspector

Character Analysis: Mr Birling

Mr Birling Key Quotes

Character Analysis: Eva Smith

Character Analysis: Mrs Birling

Mrs Birling Key Quotes

Character Analysis: Gerald Croft

Gerald Key Quotes

Character Analysis: Eric

Eric Key Quotes

Mr Birling and Pride

Themes: Class

Themes: Responsibility

Themes: Gender

Attitudes To Women

Blame and Responsibility

Socialism VS Capitalism

Abuse of Power and Corruption

Social Class and Inequality

[novashelby]

"Make a Move, Darling"-Jack x Eva Nelson

“Eva, my darling,” Jack sighed, leaning back on the velvet couch. He folded one leg over the other and spared her a narrowed look. “It’s Christmas Eve, you don’t have to be so hostile.” Eva has been entirely focused on the chess board in front of her, each piece carefully laid out. It was all a meticulous system. One wrong move and she’d be done. 

“Time is irrelevant,” she said, swiping her tongue across her red stained lips. Jack rolled his eyes, bored of it all. Just make a fucking move, he thought to himself as he checked the time. “And it’s called competitive. Our children shall be glad to know at least one of their parents has drive….”

“That is unfair,” he pointed. “I have drive.” Cockily, he waved his whiskey glass around, making a notion that it was he that afforded them the lavish lifestyle they enjoyed. That only infuriated her more…Eva, not Eva…the successful woman she was. “Besides,” he chuckled, reaching a hand over to touch hers. “Wouldn’t you rather us do something a bit more fun?”

Eva looked up at him, jaw tight. “Get your testicles tied first, love.”

Jack’s grin wiped from his face and sunk lower in his chair. “Alright,” he groaned. “Can you make your move soon? I don’t know what you are waiting for! The new Year or the second coming of Christ-”

“For you to stop talking so I can think.”

Happy Holiday season to @evita-shelby! Juli, you have been such a great writing buddy these past few months. Thank you for supporting Evie and her journey. I hope you enjoy this token of appreciation. I'm also hoping I did Eva justice. Eva belongs to Juli!

Divider: @strangergraphics

[peakyswritings]

Eva Smith

Oh, who is she?

A misty memory

A haunting face

- Who is she, I Monster

Happy birthday, Eva! @evita-shelby I hope you (and Eva) will like this little thing I made for her!

Eva Smith is @evita-shelby ’s OC

[hegodamask]

An Inspector Calls (2015)

[unsuspicious-nobody]

I type 4 Eva on the groupchat and they think I mean forever when I actually mean for Eva Smith from an inspector calls who deserves better

[eva-and-jasper]

Beware of the Ides of March

Quadruple Trouble at the Shelby Mansion...

TW - Blood, Murder, Death

The two couples entered together, devious smirks all around.  Their host would have no inkling of the actual motivation behind their attendance. Had he, he might have considered revoking the gold leaf edged invitations that he'd had hand delivered to the ladies that were now entering his mother's mansion on the arm of a demon and an angel.

Instead his hubris had overpowered all and he'd sent the invitations.  Seeing them both now, a wide grin spread across his face.  Those that doubted him would soon come to understand that he could come to run the family business just as well as any of them.  He would show them, he would show the all!  And with those two ladies on his side, no one would doubt that he could pull in contacts and associates that would form an empire.

Jasper and Adriel knew they had little to worry about from the mortals milling about.  In fact, the mortals should be fearing them.  Only slightly less lethal were the women they walked in with, the witch and the grigori.  So, there was no fear that anything would happen as they momentarily left the beauties to obtain drinks from their host's bar.

With the latest bauble that Jasper had gifted her, a blood red ruby, around her neck, Eva was damn near untouchable, and Anna was a power immortal in her own right. Eva and Anna were the perfect juxtaposition of dark to light in almost all ways - magic, complexion, business dealings. They could both be ruthless and devious when the need arose, and it most certainly had this night.

For the next few hours, liquor would flow, conversations would as well, dances would be shared, and food enjoyed.  The end goal would never leave the mind or sight of the foursome, but they would allow themselves some enjoyment before the pinnacle of the night.

There was supposed to be an announcement at midnight.  One about the usurping of the throne of the Shelby dynasty. However, that announcement never would come.  

At a quarter til, Anna lured their host into his office with seduction she had honed over the years of having to distract beings in New Orleans.  The men were in the room, but kept to the shadows, they were mere observers in this endeavor.  Once the door was closed, and privacy ensured, Anna pulled their host very, very close.

“Michael, you really never should have double crossed Tommy, cher. I'm afraid you have to die now.  And then you can rot in Caligo.” Anna whispered it in his ear and then pulled back just in time to see his eyes go wide as Eva slipped her blade slowly between his ribs to embed it in his heart.

Both women then moved to the side, joining hands as they watched the life drain from Michael Gray.  A large crimson stain growing on the beige oriental rug beneath him.  Jasper and Adriel came to stand on either side of the two women. The quadruple being the last thing Michael saw as he slipped into the hereafter.

“Right then,” Jasper quipped with a devious smirk.  “Time to take this bastard down to Caligo.  Arioch is so looking forward to a new play toy.  He has a new cerberus puppy, you know, needs a chew toy.”  He winked and kissed Eva on the cheek before ripping Michael’s soul free from his body with a *pop*.  “Be right back, love.  Don’t want to keep the Demon of Revenge waiting, he gets testy, you know.”  With a wink, the demon was gone.

“He does enjoy doing that.”  Adriel chuckled as he waved his hand.  All fingerprints and memories of the foursome were removed from the entire party.  When Michael’s body was found, there would be nothing to tie them to it, and therefore, nothing to tie Tommy to it either.  Jean Pierre’s attorney was getting him released from jail presently on the trumped up charges Michael had orchestrated with the Bowery Boys from London.  They’d also brought over a few friends from the French Quarter to help him get some payback for that.

“He promised to take me to see the puppy tomorrow, I’ll have to give our regards to Michael again.  It was such a nice ending to the party.”  Eva smirked and winked.  The surprise on Michael’s face had been quite delicious.

“Want to join us for dinner?  We’re going to myst down to Tuscany for some authentic Italian.  I know an amazing cook down there that is over a century old and has some tricks up her sleeve.  You and Jasper are more than welcome to join.”  Anna smiled.  She was glad her friend had found a woman that complimented him so.  “There’s also a siren down there that needs a talking to, so we’re going to take a dip in the Mediterranean.  Always a fun time.  We like to do it naked.”  She winked at Eva.

“Now, how could I turn down an offer like that?”  Eva grinned deviously.  Naked fun with her demon was always a good time and if that siren looked at him wrong..well, accidents did happen and she knew Anna was always amused when Adriel had to fix things.  She and the other woman did get along so well.   Yes, this was turning out to be a very good night.

Eva Smith belongs to @evita-shelby

banners by: @cafekitsune

[fablesfolklore]

In The Graveyard with Lilith Rose Shelby (and Jack Nelson)

This work is inspired by @zablife and her 2K celebration: An Evening at The Arrow House. The OC of Lilith Rose Shelby is my own. The characters of Scarlet Shelby, Aurora Sabini, Heaven Shelby and Eva Smith belong to @zablife, @evita-shelby and @call-sign-shark. I only mentioned them because they inspired me. Eva is only mentioned by name but I did my best to do Scarlet and Heaven justice. Thank you for inspiring me.

TW: Violence, Sexual Content, Swearing.

Lilith Rose Shelby was all grown up. She’d flown the coop and (unlike most members of the Shelby clan) had miraculously escaped the clutches of Tommy’s schemes. Some suspected that her untapped freedom had to do with her immense luck in life… but for those who knew better….it was because Thomas Shelby loved no one more than his youngest sister. No one held such an influence over the greatest gangster turned MP in all of Great Britain (and its dominions) than Lilith, no one else had the keys to his smile or to his heart. You might ask Why, then, she was allowed to roam free? Not shackled to the Arrow House as Ada had once been to the shithole in small heath. Not obligated to attend every family dinner or family meeting that Tommy threw whenever he felt like it.

       “Why?” The new Mrs Shelby kissed up Tommy’s back as he sat on the edge of the bed. “Will she not meet me?” Of all the people she desired to make a friend of in this family, Mrs Shelby wanted to make the best first impression on her mysterious good sister. Everyone spoke of her with reverence. Lilith’s name was the very essence of sorcery. Once spoken, even whispered in corridors and in dark corners, a shiver danced up one’s spine…or one’s blood spiked with adrenalin and excitement.  

Thomas bristled and stiffened, not responding. Mrs Shelby paused, a pout forming on her nervous lips. In truth, she had expected for Thomas to be eager for his new wife to meet Lilith. The siblings were so close, that she’d expected for her to have been the first person he’d have introduced her to. Instead she was met with a cagey Thomas.

       “Lilith doesn’t like Arrow House.” He deflected easily, lighting a cigarette as he stood up and wandered to the window, looking out into the foggy grey autumnal morning. He exhaled some smoke in the way that had her swooning, before he spoke again. “It reminds her of Grace.” Mrs Shelby’s heart dropped. Grace, the woman whose shadow she was forever enshrouded by. She didn’t openly wish to express her dislike of Grace or Lizzie, but she was beginning to despise them. She knew their spirits were mourned and honoured in this house…. if only by the staff and the children. It was complicated. But she hated being compared to them, hated the way the children refused to acknowledge her but would gaze in awe at the portraits of their respective mothers. It made her feel like a replacement…. nothing more. Perhaps Lilith would think the same of her. She chewed on her lip.

        “She must have loved Grace a lot.” She mused. Tommy scoffed.

        “On the contrary, Lilith hated Grace.” He licked his lips, glancing at his wife. He’d put it politely for her, spared some of the details. No one hated Grace more than Tommy’s beloved little demoness. “She disliked Lizzie as well, but for different reasons.”

        “Oh.”

        “Grace betrayed me. Lilith refused to forgive that. The only reason she refrained from dancing with joy when she died was that she loved me too much.”

        “And Lizzie?”

        “Lizzie broke John’s heart.”  Tommy spoke casually, remorselessly as though he’d had nothing to do with it.

        “I’ve not done anything to hurt anyone.” Mrs Shelby sulked, looking at the floor. Tommy strolled back over to the bed and took her into his arms.

        “Quite right.” He kissed her forehead. “Perhaps it’s not such a bad idea to invite her this weekend.”

        “But she hates the Arrow House.”

        “She’ll come for the family, and for me. The kids will be delighted to see her”

        “She’s good with them?” Her interest was piqued. Perhaps Lilith could shed light on the way to Charlie and Ruby’s hearts.

        “She dotes on them.” He smiled, a real genuine smile. “They’re mine, after all.”

*****

Mrs Shelby skipped towards Tommy, her letter filled left hand raised in triumph. Her sparkling sapphire engagement ring sparkled in the light.

     “They’re coming.” She kissed him joyously. “They’re all coming.”

     “All?” He chuckled.

     “All.” She confirmed. “And they’re all staying. Scarlet and Luca will stay in the room opposite Finn and Aurora. Alfie and Ada will stay in the room opposite Polly and Aberamma.” Tommy smiled as she babbled out her arrangements. He imagined it was a good idea that Alfie and Arthur should stay in separate wings of the house…. otherwise Ada and Heaven would be forced to intervene, and no one wanted a mess. Gina and Michael would go next to Ada and Alfie. John and Tatiana would have to be kept in the room next to Tommy and Mrs Shelby so he could keep an eye on that mad bitch. Speaking of that insane Russian duchess…. she’d have to be kept as far away from Lilith and her beloved husband, Jack Nelson. Last Christmas had been a disaster when Tatiana – having had way too much to drink – announced that herself and Lilith had been lovers for the entire year before Lilith had met Jack. Jack had hated her guts since. The children would have three whole rooms to themselves. Something Mrs Shelby wasn’t sure was appropriate, but something Tommy had insisted was necessary.

     “They all love being together.” He insisted. “And it’s not like we’re giving them the entire house.”

     “I’m still so shocked they’re all coming.” She smiled dreamily up at him. “I’ve always wanted a big family.”

     “Well, now you have one.”

     “You never told me Lilith was married.”

     “Ah.” Tommy looked sheepish. “I didn’t think she’d bring him.”

Two years ago she’d eloped with Jack Nelson, the last man on earth Tommy had thought suitable or good enough for Lilith. Jack Nelson was everything Tommy (ironically) hated. He was unfaithful, violent, a fascistic Irish American and he was the most obnoxious, ambitious, cunning bastard he’d ever encountered…It was like looking in an ever so slightly warped mirror. His dislike of the American hadn’t stopped Lilith marrying him though…And yet somehow, the marriage worked. Jack followed the little Shelby witch round like a lost puppy, salivating whenever she looked at him. It was like she held some sort of magical enchantment over him. The loved up pair made Thomas feel a little bit sick. Mrs Shelby smiled teasingly.

      “You can’t stand him, can you?”

      “He’s not good enough for her.” He grouched. “But for some unfathomable reason, he makes her happy. That’s enough for me.” From the way he gritted his teeth it seemed like that hardest thing he’d ever had to say.

      “Everyone thinks you’re a big bad gangster…but I know you’re really just a big softy.”

      “Don’t go telling everyone, ey.” He laughed, “I have a reputation to uphold.” Wrapping his arms around her waist he hoisted her up onto the table, taking her lips with his own. Someone coughed. Tommy turned to see Mary, the maid.

       “The house is all prepared for the guests, Mr Shelby.”

        “Thank you, Mary. That will be all.” She nodded, turning to leave but not before she eyed Mrs Shelby with frigid, calculating eyes. Thomas didn’t seem to notice though as he shifted his attention back to Mrs Shelby as his fingers slid beneath the hem of her dress.

*****

They were nothing like she expected. None of them. Polly arrived first, gliding in like the image of sophistication, barely glancing at Mrs Shelby. Aberamma following closely at her heels. He grunted in greeting, simply tilting his head after removing his hat. Arthur and Heaven arrived at the same time as Scarlet and Luca. Arthur’s greeting had been sweet. He seemed to like her, spluttering over his words to greet her. His hands shook and his eyes looked a little wild. But he meant well. Heaven waltzed in behind him, looking like an angel in her white fur coat. The snow haired beauty’s presence seemed to ease Arthur’s nervousness. He wrapped his arm around her waist as she held out her hand for Mrs Shelby to shake.

     “You must be Heaven.” Mrs Shelby stuttered, transfixed by her crystalline eyes.

     “Pleasure.” Heaven’s eyes slid to Tommy and her expression instantly shifted to a predatory one. “Bastard.” She acknowledged with a cat like smile.

      “Yes. He is.” Scarlet stated as she sauntered through, pushing her way past them and following Polly into the drawing room.

      “You’re not going to say hello, Tesoro?” Luca paused in the hallway, smiling at Mary as she took his hat and coat.

       “There’s no point in greeting Tommy’s latest victim. Knowing him, she won’t last the year.” Scarlet called back. Tommy watched Mrs Shelby’s confidence dissipate momentarily. Headlights glowed in the driveway.

       “Heaven, why don’t you take Arthur and Luca into the drawing room.” Tommy suggested. Heaven’s icy eyes hardened before narrowing at him. Her lips parted in order to respond in a somewhat poisonous manner but Mrs Shelby stepped forward and whispered to her.

       “I wouldn’t normally agree with Tommy but Alfie’s just arrived.” Heaven observed the mouse like woman Tommy had married for a moment before she nodded, escorting her husband and brother in law to the drawing room. Music blared as the door opened and Mrs Shelby could see the reflection of Scarlet in the large mirror as she turned the gramophone up.

       “SHALOM Thomas!” Roared the bear of a man as he wandered in. Ada rolled her eyes beside him. She hugged Thomas tightly before embracing Mrs Shelby, much to her surprise.

       “I hope they’ve not been too scathing to you.” She whispered. “Don’t worry, they’ll warm to you with time.” She pulled back and smiled. “This is my son, Karl, my daughter, Elizabeth and this,” She brushed her hand over her swollen midsection as Alfie beamed with joy. “Is baby Solomons.” Tommy paled as she spoke, only just noticing the pregnancy.

        “Jesus Christ.” He muttered beneath his breath.  Mrs Shelby held his hand and gave it a squeeze as she spoke.

        “You’d better head on in before he has a stroke.”

Tommy had just about recovered when the door to the drawing room opened and he heard Arthur exclaim.

         “Fookin’ hell Ada! You bloody kept that quiet, din’t ya?!”

Finn and Aurora Sabini arrived next. Polite and jovial as ever, though Aurora didn’t appear to like the way the youngest Shelby boy looked at his new sister in law. John, Tatiana, Michael and Gina all arrived together. Lawrence ran in from the cold, zooming in circles around Tommy and Mrs Shelby before running past them to the drawing room, banging on the door and yelling “Granma, Granma!”

       “My boy!” Polly called in joy as she came out and greeted him, swooping down and collecting him in her arms before slipping back inside. Gina made a noise of disgust.

       “Thomas.” She acknowledged.

       “Regina.” She scowled as he full named her.

       “So this is you’re newest whore?” She studied Mrs Shelby with critical eyes. “She doesn’t look like much, I’m surprised you’re so taken with her.”

        “She’s worth ten of you, Regina.” He snapped.

       “Michael.” Mrs Shelby smiled warmly. “Thank you for coming.”

        “It’s nice to see you again, love. I hope he’s treating you right.”

        “He is. Very Much.”

        “I took the liberty of bringing a wedding gift. It’s out the front.”

        “That’s very generous of you. Really, you didn’t have to.”

        “Yes, Michael. You didn’t have to.” Gina snapped before stalking off to the drawing room and loudly demanding a drink. Michael winked at Mrs Shelby, smirked at Tommy and left them to it. He turned to greet John and Tatiana and froze.

      “Fuck!” He fumed. “What the fuck are you wearing?!” He looked at John. “What the fuck is she wearing John-boy!”

      “Don’t worry, Thomas.” Tatiana purred sensually. “It’s not for you…or your wife.” She stepped around him, the thin scrap of material she called a dress clinging to her figure. “Tatiana Petrovna Shelby, delighted to make your acquaintance.” Mrs Shelby blushed and stepped closer to Tommy as the Russian duchess invaded her space. Grabbing her jaw, Tatiana kissed both of Mrs Shelby’s cheeks.”

       “She’d got a beautiful neck, Thomas. I can see why you like her.” She paused. “And that ring!” She snatched Mrs Shelby’s hand, admiring the sapphire encrusted in diamonds. She tutted. “I would have thought you’d learned your lesson with sapphires.”

       “They’re a particular favourite of my wife’s.”

       “Grace liked sapphires too.” Tatiana smirked, her dark eyes flickering madly in the candle-light. “Is Lilith here yet?” She changed the subject.

       “Is she the reason you’re dressed like a whore?” Tommy took a swig of the amber liquid in his tumbler. “You not bothered by this John?”

       “As long as I’m the only man she fucks, doesn’t matter to me.” He joked.

       “It’ll only ever be you Johnny.” Tatiana turned and kissed him.

       “Aye, John-boy. As long as you’re a Shelby, she’s not picky.”

       “What’s that supposed to mean?” Mrs Shelby asked, nervously glancing at Tommy.

       “It means that before she chose me, she was fucking Tommy…until she got bored of him.” John answered. 

         “Are we interupptin’ somethin’?” Came Uncle Charlie’s deep gravelly voice. He stopped short to shake Tommy’s hand, flanked by Johnny Doggs, Isiah and Curly. Curly smiled bashfully at Mrs Shelby and handed her some flowers. She blushed.

         “Thank you Curly.”

         “How’re you findin’ us so far, petal?” Johnny Doggs asked loudly.

         “So far I’m struggling to find someone who likes both of us. Polly, Aurora and Gina dislike me, everyone else has a gripe with Tommy.” Johnny Doggs barked out a laugh. “Welcome to the clan!”

          “Families.” Isiah scoffed. “Who’d have em?”

*****

Lilith Rose Shelby was the most beautiful creature Mrs Shelby had ever seen. So beautiful, that the air rocketed out of her lungs when she first saw her. They heard Jack first as he escorted her up the steps and held the door open for her. She looked like a goddess, draped in silk. Tommy was fascinated that Jack never once looked away from her. His only greeting to the new Mrs Shelby was a nod and a smirk. He sneered at Tommy before his attention gravitated back to his wife. She had the most beguiling dark eyes Mrs Shelby had ever seen. They were like pools of endless night. Lilith catapulted herself into Tommy, who embraced her tightly and inhaled her scent. Pomegranate and dark amber. She relaxed into him. Releasing her, Tommy cupped his baby sister’s face in his hands and looked at her for a moment.

     “You grow more and more beautiful every time I see you.” He smiled.

     “Brother.” She spoke quietly….and she sounded like magic. Soft and sensual. “You look well.” She beamed at him. And Mrs Shelby’s heart fluttered at her smile. Jack snaked a hand around Lilith’s waist and pulled her back against him.

      “Shelby.” Jack acknowledged. “Married again? You can’t seem to get em’ to stay, can ya?”

      “Nelson.” Tommy spoke evenly. “I can keep women just fine. In fact, I’ve never had to cross a continent and steal a woman away to make her mine. I suppose that means I have better luck than you.” Lilith covered Jack’s hand with her own.

     “Or,” She interrupted loudly, “It simply means that I was special enough that he had to travel all this way to find me.” Mrs Shelby watched, fascinated as both men melted at Lilith words. Jack kissed Lilith’s forehead and Tommy smiled.

    “Could be.” He agreed. Lilith stepped away from Jack and turned her attention to Mrs Shelby. All the noise fell away. She couldn’t hear anything. Apart from the sound of her blood pulsing through her at a rapid speed. She glanced at her husband, and watched his beautiful lips move as he spoke to Lilith and Jack. She watched Lilith study her, eyes raking over her in an unreadable manner. Mrs Shelby’s finger twitched as Lilith’s eyes pause over her engagement ring, her full soft lips quirking into a small smile for a moment before it vanishes. Mrs Shelby gasped, startled when Lilith unexpectedly stepped forward and smiled at her. Lilith took Mrs Shelby’s left hand in both of hers. Her thumb brushed over the sapphire. Her eyes pierced into Mrs Shelby’s hypnotically and Mrs Shelby found herself transfixed as Thomas brushed a hand up and down her back, comfortingly…. obliviously.

      “Sister.” Lilith tested the word on her tongue as she surveyed Mrs Shelby. “You’ll be good to him, yes?” She sounded so innocent. So angelic. Her eyes held no malice. Mrs Shelby stuttered.

      “Y-Yes. I shall try to be all that he deserves.”

Lilith beamed at her and released her hand. Mrs Shelby’s ring finger throbbed momentarily as she watched her fascinating sister turn and enter the drawing room with Jack. She saw through the reflection in the mirror as Polly embraced her niece tightly and was startled to see Lilith’s reflection gazing predatorily through the looking glass at her.

*****

Dinner was a fucking disaster. It had been nothing like she had hoped. Perhaps she was just projecting her own fears but it seemed that none of them liked her…. even the ones who appeared to. It seemed as though they were watching her every move with a pre-existing negative judgement. She was guilty to them, of something. The problem was she didn’t know what and she didn’t know how to change that. Tommy had enough to deal with, especially after Tatiana had goaded Jack into a row and she was swearing at him in Russian. Arthur had had way too much to drink. Scarlet was screaming at Tommy for something he’d done years ago and Luca was trying desperately to calm her down. She turned to look at Michael, who was in a heated discussion with Gina…and Aurora kept throwing her dirty looks.  In the end she’d left the table, claiming to check on dessert. She’d just found a quiet alcove to take a few moments when someone touched her shoulder. She jolted and turned to see Lilith.

    “Feeling overwhelmed?” Her voice was so soft, sympathy swirled in her onyx eyes.

    “A little.”

A lot. I’ve bitten off more than I can chew.

    “I know. We can be a lot to handle.” She looked out into the darkened garden. “Why don’t we go for a walk.” She suggested. “Take a moment to ourselves.” Mrs Shelby’s heart soared at the prospect of having a moment alone with someone who might actually like her and in doing so, might sway the opinion of the others. She nodded and took Lilith’s offered arm as the two of them stepped out into the cool autumn air.

It hadn’t been long since they had returned from their honeymoon and so Mrs Shelby hadn’t yet had time to explore the grounds of the Arrow House properly. In the dark murkiness of the evening she couldn’t really see where she was going and clutched on to Lilith’s bare arm a little closer for security. She smelt dizzyingly alluring. Away from all the smoke and whiskey the magic of her perfumed the air in a wonderful way. 

    “How did you meet my brother, if you don’t mind me asking?”

    “Da’s one of his employees at Shelby Company ltd. I met Tommy when I brought Da his lunch.”

    “How…. quaint.”

Mrs Shelby wasn’t paying attention. She was too bust staring at the purple love bites littering Lilith’s creamy throat. Lilith flushed and giggled when she noticed.

    “I’m sorry, I should have covered up more, Jack can get carried away some times.”

    “He’s very fond of you.”

    “And I, him.” Lilith patted Mrs Shelby’s hand. “I never expected to find Jack. But he’s my better half. As Heaven is Arthur’s and Luca is Scarlet’s. We were worried Thomas would never find someone….worthy.” Lilith stopped her movements and released Mrs Shelby’s arm. For the first time, Mrs Shelby noticed her surroundings. Lilith had brought her to the churchyard close to the Arrow House. She turned, only just able to see the outline of it looming in the moonlight. She shivered, looking back to Lilith who was now staring at something in front of her. “Thomas has very specific needs.” Her voice had lost all of its warmth. Mrs Shelby’s mouth ran dry as she read the names on the gravestones in front of her.

Grace Burgess Shelby.

Daughter, Mother, Beloved Wife.

Elizabeth Stark Shelby

Mother, wife, friend. Lost to childbirth.

Something rustled behind them. Lilith turned and smiled adoringly as Jack stepped out of the shadows. Mrs Shelby wondered how he had known where to find them. “You have to be a certain kind of person to survive in this family. Don’t you, my love?”

    “Ya got that right. It’s an honour to love a Shelby…to be prepared to kill and die for them.”

“Thomas needs a fighter.” Lilith reached out and caressed Mrs Shelby’s cheek. “You didn’t fight tonight. You fled, little mouse.” Lilith tutted and stepped closer, so close, Mrs Shelby could feel Lilith’s sweet, warm breath burning against her flesh. “How can I trust that you’ll fulfil him?” Lilith shook her head, looking sad, disappointed even. Jack brushed his wife’s hair off her shoulder, exposing her flesh. He pressed a kiss into the crook of her neck. Mrs Shelby watched Lilith relax a little. “You’re not good enough for him.” Lilith purred softly, Jack’s lips and tongue trailed down Lilith’s neck as she spoke. “Neither of them were, either.” She glanced to the gravestones behind her. “I was lucky with Lizzie; God took care of her. But I had to intervene with Grace.”

  “B-but we’re happy.” Mrs Shelby spluttered, fear creeping into her voice every second longer that she spent in Lilith’s presence.

   “For now. Until he realises that you’re not enough for him.” She paused, relishing in the look of despair on Mrs Shelby’s features. “Don’t worry. He’ll be happier than ever with Eva. They’ll be perfect together.” Jack hummed in agreement with his beloved and imprinted his teeth in a perfect love bite into her neck as she slid home a beautiful carved and somewhat bejewelled blade into Mrs Shelby’s sternum. Mrs Shelby gasped in pain, a sharp sound leaving her soft lips. “She’s earned him, you haven’t.” Lilith continued as she twisted the hilt, a horrible tearing noise was heard before Lilith let go. Mrs Shelby staggered back and fell back against the willow tree overhanging the makeshift graveyard.  Lilith looked down at her blood spattered fingers. Lifting them to her face she licked one, smearing her lips in the substance. Greedily, Jack took her fingers and painted his own mouth with them. Lilith spun in Jack’s arms, giggling and moaning as their lips fused, unbuckling his belt. She murmured something to him and he acquiesced without question, sitting and leaning back against Grace’s headstone. Lilith slipped her dress over her head until she was wearing barely anything in the coldness of the autumn night. She straddled Jack, kissing him deeply before sliding down onto him in the ghostly glow of the full moon.

Mrs Shelby heaved, opening her mouth. She tried to call for help but no sound emerged. Instead she found herself mute, only coughing and spluttering on the crimson blood as it tried to liberate itself from her mouth. Her vision grew blurry for a moment as tears gathered and obscured her sight.

And then she saw them.

The ghosts of Grace Burgess and Lizzie Stark, both completely drenched in blood and staring in horror, not at her but at Lilith and Jack, as he flipped his wife over and took her like an animal. Lizzie’s expression was melancholic. Her hair loose and wild, eyes ceaselessly spilling tears and her mouth agape in silent cries of agony. Her body had been slit open from chest to lower abdomen and still, even in death, she was bleeding. Grace stood beside her still in the gown she wore the night she was murdered. the bullet wound on her chest still wept even though she didn’t. Her face was curiously, disturbingly calm. The sapphire around her neck pulsed and throbbed and pulsed and throbbed. And suddenly Grace wasn’t looking at Lilith and Jack anymore, her pale grey eyes locking onto her second replacement. Mrs Shelby found herself growing shivery and yet unable to move, unable to scramble backwards as the sapphire whispered to her over and over some kind of spell in Romani. The curse…. she recalled hazily as she forced her limbs in an attempt to move. Tommy believed it had been cursed by the Russians. Mrs Shelby’s fingers dug into the soil as she pushed herself up into a sitting position. Every movement was excruciating in both pain and in effort. Her eyes fluttered closed in exhaustion and the spell of the sapphire seemed to sing louder and louder, it’s feminine voice echoing seductively in her ears. She realised it was coming not only from the necklace Grace’s ghost wore, but also from the ring on her engagement finger. Struggling, she tried desperately to remove it. But to no avail, it was as though it had fused to her flesh, strangling her finger.

Mrs Shelby’s eyes snapped open. Just in time to see the ghost of Grace stood over her.

“I should feel sorry for you.” Grace whispered. “You’re a victim of this family, just like me.” She paused, licking her discoloured corpse lips. Grace heard it too. She heard that it was Lilith’s voice cursing her inside the blue sapphires, not Tatiana’s. “And Tommy does love you.” There was a moment of silence. “But… I’ve come to realise something.” Grace leaned down and kissed Mrs Shelby’s lips, her ghostly fingers coming up to wrap around Mrs Shelby’s throat. “If I can’t have Tommy…” Grace murmured as she pulled back looking deeply into Mrs Shelby’s eyes.

Her grip tightened...and tightened…and tightened. Mrs Shelby choked and spluttered, her body convulsing. The last thing she saw was Lilith’s dark eyes staring at her over Jack’s shoulder, her nails digging into his back as he held her to him. And Grace’s hoarse voice looming over her.

“Then no one can.”  

[mischievouslittlecreature]

🕯🕯🕯

Thank you for the ask, Juli! 🖤 I did this most for Venor/Look Both Ways Lucy. Also sorry for the essay I got excited lol.

I think that Venor!Lucy genuinely cared deeply for Eva. She's got a big heart and I think while she may not have been madly in love with her, she thought of her as more than a friend. And I think when Eva left, it came as a huge shock for her. She feels horrible for not noticing how unhappy Eva was with their arrangement. And I also think she was hurt that Eva couldn't really bring herself to care the same way about her.

She's shocked when she finds out that Eva and Tommy still got divorced and that Eva is with Billy. And I think a part of her would originally suspect that Eva was with Billy just to make Tommy jealous, and that they would still eventually get back together.

I think Lucy, as a result of her low self esteem, would kinda put Eva on a pedestal in a lot of ways, at least in the context of her relationship with Tommy. She'd feel like she could never measure up, because Eva is prettier, stronger, and gave him a child. This is why it may still take her awhile to agree to marry Tommy even after they get back together, because she's terrified she wouldn't make as good of a wife as Eva.

But at the same time, I think there would be some confliction under all the guilt and everything. She'd feel in a way that Eva views her as weak and pathetic because of her devotion to Tommy, and she wouldn't really understand that because as we've talked about her and Eva's ideas of loyalty are different. And there would be some hurt there too because she views Eva generally pretty positively and thinks she's so strong and perfect most of the time. I think there might be a pill of bitterness in there when Eva doesn't help with Charlie growing to hate Lucy, but she'd do everything could to suppress it and bury it deep down, because she still feels like she deserves to be punished for fucking up Eva and Tommy's marriage.

I agree with your post that they probably wouldn't interact a ton after Lucy comes back, unless it has to do with Charlie. And even then, Lucy would probably leave most of it to Tommy. Because of her guilt, Lucy would try to leave Eva alone as much as possible. She doesn't wanna disturb her life more than she already has.

In other universes where the failed poly relationship isn't a thing, I think Lucy would really like her. I'd like to think they'd be a least friendly with each other.

[justrainandcoffee]

Now they're underground because of the bombs, be prepared for a three-year old girl that is ready to:

-Style Lucy's hair and maybe could end being a mess. And probably will need a bottle of conditioner to remove the knots.

-Copy Nina's braids because she's like her aunt and "she's cool, daddy." Only to Alfie roll his eyes.

-Hear bedtime stories from Eva in Spanish, (she heard her insulting once). She thinks she's inventing words because her young mind can't comprehend that another language exists, but it sounds amazing even if she doesn't understand a thing.

_

@emotionalcadaver @peakyswritings @evita-shelby

I don't think I'm going to include in detail these things in the story but maybe in a side-fic. And even if I don't, all this happens 😂.

[evita-shelby]

Snake in the Grass

noun 1: a treacherous person, especially one who feigns friendship. 2: a concealed danger.

--Dictionary.com

thanks @mischievouslittlecreature for sending that ask 🖤

[cljordan-imperium]

//Eva belongs to @evita-shelby

//This started out as a blurb...turned into a 1-shot at just over 800 words...

RED GOES BEST WITH DEATH - JASPER & EVA

“Jasper!!”  Brie’s voice echoed off the stone walls and vaulted walls of the palace; her high heels sounding like gunshots as they resounded off the tile floors as she searched for him.  When she found him slinking out of the door to his quarters, she pinned him with a murderous glare. “You bellowed, my Queen.”  He bowed before her, trying to subdue the smirk on his face.  The tone of her voice said that she was not amused and pressing her might not be pleasant.

“Excuse me?  I what?”  One perfectly shaped brow rose as Abriella resisted the urge to dust him for the second time in a week.  Resurrecting him was a pain and he whined.

Jasper coughed, one day sarcasm was going to get him handed over to Cruz, who might not bring him back from the dead.   “Goddess, I take it you are displeased.”  His smile was tight now and he wondered what he had done, this time, to garner her ire.

“Would you care to tell me why there is a female, human, Earthly witch in my Palace in Imperium, in your chamber specifically.  You have been advised that snacks need to be consumed elsewhere.”  Both brows rose as she pinned him with a very direct glare from her hazel eyes that made it clear he had better start explaining or pain would follow.

“Now, Abriella, she is not a snack.  She is a…friend.”  He watched her lips and eyes thin simultaneously.  “And she’s not from Earth, well not this Earth, well not this current one, or at least not this timeline for this current one.”  She was going to let Cruz hit him, or maybe Adriel.  It was going to hurt and mess up his perfect face.

 “You brought a date..to Hell?” Abriella closed her eyes, she did not have the words, not for Jasper, not today.  Not after having just passed Seamus with a corpse he said killed in Constantinople, and when she corrected him it was now Istanbul, he said that - no…she had been in cold storage a while.  She needed fewer human eating people in her Palace.  “You know what…just skip that question…here, enjoy…”  Abriella handed him two bottles of red wine and turned around before Jasper could elaborate on anything.  She had to be losing her mind…

For a minute Jasper stood a little befuddled, then shrugged and turned back and entered his quarters where Eva was waiting, and looking a little nervous.  “I think Abriella is softening on me, love.  She gave gifts and no injuries, this time.”  He grinned as he strutted over towards the curvaceous and devastatingly gorgeous dark haired beauty who now looked amused.

Eva’s brow rose as an amused look formed on her face. “She normally leaves you with wounds?”  Jasper had normally spoken fondly of the other woman, but now Eva was having her doubts.

“Only when I’m acting the most like me and Anna isn’t around to soften the blow.   I must have been extra charming this evening.”  Setting one bottle down on the table next to him, he wrapped his arm around her waist and used his now free hand to pull her tighter against his side.  “Or…” He spoke very low and close to her ear, “she wanted us to have a very, very good time when we go topside, my darling witch.”

Eva gave a throaty chuckle, the candlelight in his main foyer dancing in her dark eyes as she gazed up at him with a mischievous smirk forming on her crimson painted lips, “maybe it is both?” She proffered.  They were, after all, going to keep all the human deaths limited to taking place outside of Imperium.  A rule is a rule after all.

“You know, love, you may be onto something there.  I think we should enjoy then.  Wouldn’t want to disappoint the Queen by not partaking of her gift.  I’ll have to introduce you sometime when she’s a little less worried about snacking on humans.” With a wink, a cheeky grin, and a kiss to her cheek, he let her go so he could open the first bottle of wine.

“That might be advised, the little blonde friend of yours is so delightful.  We should go monster hunting with her sometime.” Eva wasn’t quite sure what that entailed, but if it was as fun as the debauchery they were about to embark on, then it had to be just utterly delightful. 

“Now, darling, for that one, your body has to stay in my bed.”  He saw her brows go up and laughed outright.  “They are literal monsters and you are still a bit too fragile for my liking to allow you around those yet.”  He shook his head as he handed her his glass. “So, spirit gets bound to me, body gets to take a nap.  We all win.”  He winked and raised his glass towards her.  “To a night of death and debauchery with my absolutely favorite witch in creation.”

@blind-the-winds @saltysupercomputer @aziz-reads @pheita @writingmaidenwarrior @toribookworm22 @late-to-the-fandom @outpost51 @spookyceph @thebejeweledwatercat @dreaminggoblin @evita-shelby @cillmequick @raincoffeeandfandoms @call-sign-shark

still working on the next chapters for my other Peakyverse crossovers...fingers are improving and brain is solidifying

[ezekiel13]

Euphemisms are beautiful but like. I’m thinking specifically about Daisy Renton and the meaning of that name. And Eva Smith. Auyghhh

[kattt-5865]

eva smith was onto something

[secretagentsagainstwhatever]

I saw ‘An Inspector Calls’ on stage today and holy shit