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crazyunsexycool · 1 year ago

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The love we gave away

Chapter 5

Pairing: Ransom Drysdale x Reader

Word count: 6.9k

Warnings: fluff, angst, smut!, oral (f receiving), sad reader, bit of asshole Ransom

A/N: so here is the next chapter. I’m sorry I guess 😬

Series Masterlist

Song that Faith and reader sing along to

The sun was out providing warmth and another bright day. A light breeze kept you cool enough as you sat on the balcony on the last floor of the hotel you were staying at. It was the perfect place to relax, take in the view and enjoy the free time and inspiration as you sketched new designs. You were waiting for Faith to show up for brunch in your room but you also knew she was a bit on the drunk side when you last saw her.

It was another half hour before Faith finally showed up followed by hotel staff carting food. You had them set everything up out on the balcony and tipped them as they left. Faith groaned as she walked out to the balcony with her huge sunglasses and loungewear on. She plopped herself on one of the chairs and grabbed a strawberry.

“Did you have a good night last night?” You tease.

“Did you?”

“I did, I slept great.”

“With Ransom as your body pillow of course.” Faith smiles.

“Nope. All by myself.”

“Say just kidding right now.” Faith takes off her sunglasses so that you’ll look her in the eyes. “But you were all over each other yesterday. And don’t think I forgot about you telling me everything about your meetup in New York.” She says as she pours herself a cup of coffee.

“Yeah well, we actually met up for the first time a few weeks ago.”

“You’re playing with me.”

“Nope.”

“How did it happen? Why did you guys meet up?” She leans forward and places all of her attention on you once she sees your brilliant smile.

You grabbed your phone and searched for something before turning it toward Faith. She studied the photo for a moment before it clicked. Faith screamed as she grabbed your phone and stared at the picture of the twins you had pulled up.

“How? I mean look at them. They’re beautiful. When did this happen? You have to tell me everything.”

So you did. Over brunch you explained everything that had happened from the moment the twins showed up in your life until now.

“Wow. I mean that’s amazing. So when can I meet my niece and nephew?”

“We can get together when you get back from your honeymoon.”

“Perfect. What about you and Ransom?”

“What about us?” You ask as you pop a grape into your mouth.

“Don’t play dumb it doesn’t suit you. It’s obvious you guys still have feelings for each other. Just the way you looked at each other.” She sighs.

“Nothings going to happen. I mean he has a girlfriend.”

Faith perks up at your statement and then she grins. “You don’t know?”

“Know what?”

“They broke up. Why do you think he’s here alone?”

“I don’t know, I thought she’d fly in today or tomorrow.”

“This is perfect. You’ll be back together before the wedding is over. I can feel it.” Faith does a little happy dance in her seat.

“Well I’m not getting my hopes up. Now let’s go try on your dress.”

You both get up and head to the separate room the dress was being held in. Faith gets into the dress with a little bit of your help and you make notes to add a few finishing touches.

The day went by quicker than you would have liked. The rehearsal dinner was fantastic and now everyone was meeting in the lobby to catch a party bus to go out to a club or two. It wasn’t really your thing but considering you were with people you knew and Faith badgering you to go you got dressed.

In the lobby you were one of the last people down. You wore a gold sequin bodycon mini dress, matching gold stilettos, your hair was down and your makeup was simple with bold lipstick. As your heels clicked against the tiled floor you saw Ransom turn his head in your direction. His jaw went slack as he took you in. He took his time looking at the way the dress hugged your curves. When he finally made eye contact with you his eyes were dark and full of want.

Ransom was dressed in dark brown almost black dress pants and a short sleeve button up with an orange, black, cream and white design on it. He looked good and pulled off the look effortlessly.

“You look stunning.” He says as you get closer to him.

“Well you look quite handsome yourself.”

Heels click behind you as Faith and Scott appear. She was dressed in white and he was dressed in black. Everyone cheers for them as they lead the group outside. Ransom immediately sticks to your side. His hand on your lower back as he guides you to the party bus which could probably be seen from space with all the lights it had on.

Music is already blasting as you get in. Faith and a few of the bridesmaids are already dancing. You on the other hand decide to sit and Ransom follows your lead. His arm drapes behind you.

“Let’s take a picture.” You whisper in his ear and he nods. “I haven’t told the twins that we ran into each other.”

You pull your phone from the clutch you brought with you and Ransom leans in and waits for you to snap a few. Butterflies erupt in your belly as you look at them. You remember what Faith said to you about him being single now. When you look up she’s giving you a wicked grin and a thumbs up. With a quick message you send the kids a picture.

Abigail: You went together? 😱😱

Theodore: make good choices.

You explain to them that you didn’t know he would be there and that you would in fact be making good choices.

****

For the next three hours you go through the same routine. The bus comes to a stop at a club and everyone gets out, excited for the party to continue inside. The group skips the line and are escorted straight to the VIP section. It doesn’t take long for everyone to have drinks in their hands, yourself included. Soon after, Faith and the bridesmaids leave for the dance floor, dragging you along with them.

It doesn’t escape your notice how Ransom hangs out by the area that gives the best view to the dance floor. His eyes rarely leave you as you move around and sway your hips.

Eventually a slower song comes on at the club you’re currently in. It happens to be a song that you and Faith love.

🎶“You know what I'm thinkin', see it in your eyes.

You hate that you want me, hate it when you cry.

You're scared to be lonely, 'specially in the night.”🎶

You sing to each other at the top of your lungs as you sway. Faith looks over your shoulder and smiles before Scott steals her away. But before you can go, hands find their way to your hips. You’re ready to elbow whoever is grabbing you.

“It’s just me, Thimble.” Ransom’s breath tickles your ear as he pulls you into his chest.

Since he doesn’t make a move to leave you begin to dance. And if you decide to grind against him and he doesn’t complain, so what? You’re both single and you know there’s still something between you. For the first time in your life you’re going to take a chance on something. No more carefully calculated plans, just a carefree night and whatever happens, happens.

🎶“The distance and the time between us

It’ll never change my mind ’cause

Baby, I would die for you

Baby, I would die for you, yeah.” 🎶

Ransom sings just for you to hear as he moves with you. You turn your head so that you can look at him and he gives you a nod towards the exit. It’s more than a silent request to leave early but you still nod your head. Ransom smiles, like he did when he was younger. With no ulterior motive other than he’s genuinely happy, you can tell by the way his eyes crinkle. You grab his hand and let him lead you out. Through the crowd you see Faith and smile before sending a wink in her direction. Last thing you see is her jumping up and down in celebration.

The ride back to the hotel is quick and the elevator ride up to your hotel suite is even faster. But it didn’t feel like it at times. None of it mattered though once the door to your suite closed and Ransom pressed you up against it. It had been the first time in a long time that you’ve kissed someone and even longer since you’ve kissed him.

A small moan escapes you as you feel Ransom’s hands everywhere. He’s possessive with his kiss, his tongue dominating yours. It’s obvious you both have more experience now. Ransom moves from your lips to your neck. He finds that spot that makes you weak while he moves a knee between your thighs. The pressure he applies is enough to get you hot and bothered.

“Ransom, please.” You say as your hands find their way to his hair and you tug.

He lifts you and carries you over to the bed without his lips leaving your skin. That all familiar ache that settled between your legs grows. Ransom lays you down softly on the bed. He gives you a quick kiss before standing back up and getting undressed until he’s only in his black boxer briefs.

“Do you want this?” He asks as he moves to hover over you.

“Yes.”

“Good because I don’t think I’d be able to leave now.” He says before he continues to kiss your chest, pulling down the top of your dress and immediately taking a nipple into his mouth.

His hand palms and kneads your other breast before alternating his attention. You whimper and writhe beneath him as your hands explore the expanse of his much more muscular frame. The experience was new but familiar. Both of you had matured and learned new things. Yet it felt like everything was the same. You’re brought back to the moment when you feel Ransom’s hands on your hips as he pushes up the skirt of your dress up. He groans as he observes you.

“Dirty girl,” he says when he realizes you weren’t wearing any underwear. Your breath hitches when his fingers travel through your folds. “No panties and you’re fucking soaked.”

“Panty lines would have ruined the look.” You shrug.

“Well you did look good. But now I’m going to ruin you. And I’m going to start by doing what I’ve thought about doing for the longest time.”

“What’s that?”

“I’m going to taste you.” He says as he settles between your legs.

Ransom starts by kissing your thighs until he reaches your center and then he dives right in. His lips wrap around your clit and he sucks hard and up until this moment you never realized how much you needed Ransom to eat you out. You can’t help the need you feel to push your pussy more into his face but it only seems to spur him on. He groans as he tastes you and you pull on his hair. His tongue moves from your clit to your weeping entrance and back before he adds a finger and pushes in. Ransom’s pace is quick and suddenly he adds a second finger while he continues to flick his tongue over your clit. Your orgasm is rapidly approaching and you feel like you’re on fire.

“Don’t stop. Please.” You say breathlessly. “Gonna come.”

“I can feel it, pretty girl. Doing so good. Be a good girl and come for me.” He commands and you do as you’re told.

Your orgasm washes over you like a tidal wave. You have your eyes closed and your head thrown back in pleasure as you chant his name over and over. When you finally get a hold of your senses you realize Ransom is hovering over you again. This time he’s just watching you. A smile graces his lips and his eyes are full of that sweet and loving gaze he always held for you. It’s almost too much and not enough at the same time.

“You look so beautiful like this.” He murmurs against your lips. With the kiss you taste yourself in his tongue and you gasp.

You do your best to push him so that he’s laying on his back but he doesn’t budge and he chuckles when you roll your eyes. Finally he moves and watches you get rid of the dress which became more of a belt with how it was only around your waist. Vulnerability hits you suddenly. He hasn’t seen you since you were 17. Your body has definitely changed since then and since having the twins. All you want to do is cover yourself up. Ransom notices the sudden change in your demeanor and moves towards the edge of the bed.

“Hey, none of that.”

“I can’t help it. It’s been a while.” You confess.

“So what. C’mere.” He pulls you to stand between his legs. He immediately starts kissing your belly and the stretch marks that remained even after all this time. “You’re so beautiful, don’t hide from me. You gave me the most beautiful gift ever with this body.”

Ransom pulls you back to bed and he settles between your legs again. You can feel how hard he is against your thigh and you move your hand between both your bodies. His breath gets caught in his throat as you palm his hard cock through his underwear before pulling him out.

“Fuck.” He mutters as he ruts into your hand.

Ransom pulls away from you and you move with him. You have the intention of returning the favor. But he pushes you gently back against the bed and then grabs his pants. You give him a confused look until you see that he’s pulling a condom out. Ransom puts it on and is hovering over you again.

You look him straight in the eyes as you line him up and he pushes in. He moans with you as he bottoms out in one quick thrust.

“Still so fucking good. Best pussy I’ve ever had.” He mutters as he starts to move.

“Ran.”

“Tell me pretty girl. What do you want?”

“Faster, please.” You say. Your nails dig into his biceps as you hold on to him.

“Whatever you want, baby.”

Ransom pulls back until he’s kneeling between your legs. His hands are on your hips as he pulls you with him and his eyes never leave yours. Neither of you can break eye contact as he moves faster just like you asked. He hits your g-spot every time and the second orgasm of the night hits you quickly. You say his name over and over again until he’s kissing you.

His hands move from your hips and travel up your body until he’s holding yours over your head. You intertwine your fingers with his and the moment shifts from just getting pleasure to something more. His thrusts slow but are still hard.

“I missed you.” You say, a tear escapes you.

“I missed you too, baby.”

Neither can deny that the attraction is still there. That you still seek each other out for more than talking about the twins. Things between you were left unresolved but as you lay there underneath him you can’t ignore the emotions that bubble under the surface. The possible meaning of having sex after being apart for so long.

“Ransom. S’good.” You mutter between kisses.

“You gonna give me one more?” He looks down at you to find your beautifully blissed out face. “I can feel how tight you are. I know you can give me one more.”

One of his hands leaves yours and he shifts until he can start circling your clit. The added stimulation has your jaw slacking. You mewl and move your hips to meet his thrusts.

“Come with me. Please baby.” You whisper as he hides his face in your neck.

You shudder as Ransom thrusts faster and harder. He grunts against your skin and you know you’re both close to the edge. Your legs wrap around him as his hips stutter with a few more thrusts and you feel yourself being pulled over the edge with him. You can see stars and feel Ransom’s weight on you and nothing has felt better than this in a long time. After a minute of catching his breath Ransom reluctantly pulls out of you softly and lays down beside you.

“That was amazing.” You murmur.

“You’re welcome.”

“Shut up.” You lightly slap his chest as you chuckle.

You feel the bed shift and look to the side to see Ransom get up and go to the bathroom. When he comes back he has a damp hand towel in hand.

“I’m gonna clean you up thimble.”

You hiss at the over sensitivity as he cleans up the mess between your thighs but you thank him anyway. Then he pulls back the covers and lets you get comfortable before sliding in next you and pulling you into his chest. You both stayed awake, the conversation was minimal but Ransom keeps you close. Soon enough he’s kissing you again and you find yourselves wrapped up in each other. Over and over again.

It’s mid morning when you finally stir. There’s a hushed conversation happening as you stretch out in bed and an obvious empty spot next to you. However Ransom saunters in wearing nothing but a bathrobe.

“Good morning, beautiful.” He says as he leans down and gives you a quick kiss on the lips. “Come on, get up. I ordered us some breakfast.”

You stretch again and this time the covers slide down and reveal your chest to him. He does nothing to hide his ogling.

“Maybe we can stay in bed for a few extra minutes.” He says as he moves to lay back down.

You laugh as you cover yourself up again by wrapping the sheets around you.

“Fine,” Ransom pouts. “But hurry up because the water is getting cold.”

“The water?”

Ransom smirks as he leads you to the huge ensuite bathroom where he had prepared a bath for you. There were rose petals floating on the water and the scent of rose and bergamot permeated in the air. The breakfast that Ransom had ordered was set up for easy reach from the bathtub and it was all bite size versions of your favorite foods.

Ransom gets in first and you drop your sheet and he holds a hand out to help you in. Once you’re settled and relaxed Ransom hands you a cup of coffee and he takes his own. You talk about the wedding and work. By the time the water was cold, breakfast was gone and you had to go finish the last few details on Faith’s dress.

“Are you free tonight?” Ransom asks as he stands at the door.

“I should be.”

“Good, I’ll pick you up at five-thirty.” He says before giving you a kiss and leaving before you can protest.

****

“You got dicked down.” Faith states as she walks in on you finishing up the last adjustment her dress needed.

You look over your shoulder and roll your eyes.

“I saw him walking out of your suite and toward the elevator. I knew you’d get back together.”

“Woah,” you raise a hand to stop her. “We had sex… multiple times. But we didn’t talk about getting back together.”

“What are you talking about? It’s inevitable. Your kids are back in your lives, you’re both single and successful. Nothing is getting in the way of you being together. If you don’t end up together right away, you will eventually.”

“If you say so.”

“I do.” Faith nods as she looks over the dress one more time. “I’m the bride, I'm never wrong.”

“Why are you here? Didn’t you say you had a whole spa day planned?”

“I booked some things for you too.”

“But I’m adding-“

“The dress is already perfect. The only way it can be more perfect is by me wearing it, which I will, tomorrow. Now let’s go relax.” She pulls your hand as you put away the last of your sewing kit.

“Fine, let’s go.”

“Wow.” Ransom mutters as you open the door. “Stunning.”

You were wearing a simple navy sundress with small white flowers on it and sandals. Your hair was up and away from your face and you kept your makeup simple. Ransom wore a simple short sleeve button up shirt and dark jeans. He pulled you by the waist and kissed you.

“Ready to go?”

“Mhm.” You hummed wide eyed and slightly breathless. The things this man could do to you and you’d happily let him.

****

Ransom had led you to the docks where there was a wooden runabout boat waiting for you. He got in first and offered you his hand so that you could get in before you were whisked away.

You were kept on your toes and pleasantly surprised when the boat was docked at a private beach. Ransom led you further away from the dock and toward a picnic on the beach. It was just in time to watch the sunset.

“This is amazing.”

“Anything for you, thimble.” Ransom kissed your cheek once you settled next to him.

“I didn’t realize you were such a romantic.”

“What, was me climbing up to your dorm room to deliver the foods you were craving during your pregnancy not romantic enough?”

You smile at the memory of that. He did get in trouble more than once for sneaking out of the school grounds in the middle of the night but he never let you down. Those were some of your favorite memories. He would sneak into your room and sit with you and talked to the twins while you ate.

“It was very romantic, you’re right.”

“I know.” He smirked as he handed you a flute of champagne. “I know you don’t really drink but I thought we should celebrate.”

“And what are we celebrating?”

You look at him over the flute of champagne as you take a sip. His ocean blue eyes don’t leave your face for even a moment as he thinks over what he’s going to say. Ransom drinks his champagne in one go.

“Reuniting, meeting the twins, getting a chance to know them.” He starts rambling before he looks down at you. “This.” He says as his lips slot over your perfectly.

The champagne glasses are long forgotten on the picnic blanket as you move to straddle him. Ransom’s hands are lost under the skirt of your dress and you don’t waste any time in unbuttoning his shirt and then undoing his belt. He groans against your lips as you pull him out of his pants and begin to slowly move your hand up and down his hardened length.

“You’re so fucking wet baby.” He mutters as he runs his fingers through your folds.

“I want you.”

“Then take what you want.” Ransom says as he holds your panties to the side.

You line yourself up with his cock and sink down. He’s big so you have to go slow. Once he’s buried to the hilt you stay like that for a moment. Ransom kisses and nips all along your neck before pulling down your dress and taking a nipple into his mouth. As his tongue plays with your pebbled peak you begin to move. A slow roll of your hips here and there until Ransom can’t take it anymore. His hand comes down on your ass.

“Stop fucking teasing, and I know you liked me smacking your ass. I can feel the way this pretty pussy is gripping me.” He says with a growl. “Now move.”

You do as he says and you begin to bounce on his cock. Ransom brings his hands to your hips and he helps you move until he flips you so that he can hover over you. His hips move faster and harder against you. His and your moans mix with the waves lapping up against the shore and the breeze moving the tree branches. Your legs wrap around his waist as you try to pull him closer to you. That fire in your belly that only Ransom seems to ignite is spreading like wildfire and you know you’re close.

“Fuck, right there.” you moan as he hits your g-spot. “Don’t stop.”

“Feel so fucking good.” He grunts into your ear. “Come for me baby. I want to feel you come around my cock.”

Your eyes roll to the back of your head as he begins to circle your clit. With a plea of his name you come undone.

“That’s my fucking girl.” He says as he comes inside you. His lust blown eyes never leaving yours.

The two of you stay there and catch your breath. You can’t help but laugh a bit.

“What’s so funny?” He asks as he pulls back to look down at you. You reach up and fix the few pieces of his hair that have fallen into his face.

“No matter how long it’s been, we still act like horny teenagers. At the first chance of us being alone we start fucking.”

He chuckles before capturing your lips with his.

“I can’t help it that you’re irresistible.”

“Mmhmm.” You say as he slowly pulls out and fixes your dress before tucking himself back in. “This is the best picnic I’ve ever been to.”

“I should hope so.”

The morning of the wedding was going to be chaotic. You could feel it as you practically kicked Ransom out of your suite. After taking a quick shower and getting your hair and makeup done you rush to Faith’s room with all the dresses in hand.

Just as you expected everyone was running around like crazy. You got there just in time to help one of the bridesmaids not rip her dress and then sat in the corner to fix the issue. At some point Faith had had enough of the bickering and chatting and demanded that everyone leave the room except for you. And the photographer of course.

With some music on and some champagne for the bride you helped her into her dress. In the mirror you stood just beside her. She grabbed your hand and looked at you through the mirror, a scene that the photographer captured. It was a sweet moment between friends. She looked beautiful.

“This could be you.” She says after a moment. As she gently smoothed her dress out.

“Oh really? Is our wedding still on then? I have something else I can wear if I’m replacing Scott.”

You laugh but Faith just raises an eyebrow.

“I’m being serious. This could be you and Ran. You were made for each other.”

“I don’t know. I don’t want to get my hopes up.”

“Just his dick?” Faith quips.

You roll your eyes but step away to check your makeup one more time.

“All I’m saying is give yourself a chance, ok? You’re reunited and both of you are single. I mean you spent the last two nights fucking.”

“Ok, can we just stop this conversation right now. It’s your wedding day. All attention should be on you.”

“I’m the bride and I decide what I want to talk about. But you’re right I’m going to be walking down the aisle any second now.”

“Ms. Carter I think we should do some shots of you with your family seeing you for the first time.” The photographer speaks up from the corner of the room.

“I’ll leave you to it and I’ll see you down there.”

****

You had made it down to the lobby of the hotel where the rest of the guests were milling about until the ceremony started. There were at least three hundred guests in attendance. A small wedding, in these social circles. Every once in a while someone would stop to talk to you about wanting you to design something for them or asking how you’ve been. You gave quick answers because you desperately wanted to find Ransom.

As you move closer to the entrance where the ceremony is going to be held you spot him. His hair is styled back and he looks so handsome in his tailored tuxedo. The smile on your face falls when a beautiful tall brunette leans in and kisses him. The issue wasn’t that she kissed him but that he kissed her back.

It was as if the wind had been knocked out of you. You turned on your heel and walked to the nearest bathroom. Taking a few deep breaths you tried not to cry. The last few days had been wonderful but just the thought that he had used you to cheat on who you assumed was his girlfriend made you sick to your stomach. Your phone went off and you grabbed it from your clutch to see a message that you were needed by the mother of the bride. You took some tissue and dabbed the corners of your eyes in order to not cry and ruin your makeup and headed back upstairs.

****

The ceremony went off without a hitch. The only issue you had personally was your seat. The chairs had been arranged in a semicircle and unfortunately for you, Ransom and his girlfriend were right in your line of sight on the groom’s side. You had noticed that he kept scanning the seats, probably trying to find you but you do your best to stay hidden from him.

Thunderous applause snaps you out of your thoughts as the husband and wife kiss for the first time. Everyone stands as Faith and Scott start walking down the aisle. Faith’s eyes find you immediately and she gives you the biggest smile you’ve ever seen. Tears sting your eyes as she starts walking back hand in hand with Scott and then you’re met with ocean blue eyes.

You square your shoulders and your eyes move from him to his date and back. His jaw tightens and you watch as he shakes her off of him. It doesn’t matter though, you turn your attention to getting out of there and up to the bridal suite to help Faith change into her reception dress.

Fortunately you were seated at the family table so you were next to Faith’s parents. Her mother kept you distracted enough to not look around the room in search of Ransom. It wasn’t until Faith and Scott made their grand entrance and had their first dance as husband and wife that you made eye contact again. He was sitting at a table on the opposite side of the dance floor. His date sat next to him dreamily watching the couple dance.

For the next few hours you had to make sure you stayed at a safe distance. You didn’t need to hear his shitty excuse. This wasn’t the time or place for it. He tried to get closer though, on multiple occasions but you made sure to walk away before he could reach you. At some point Scott whisks you away to the dance floor.

“He’s an idiot.” Scott says.

“Who?”

“Ransom. If it makes you feel better he really did break up with her before the wedding. She just showed up today.”

“It really doesn’t but thanks I guess.” You murmur.

“You know when we were in college he was always at parties, getting drunk and doing everything a guy does at a frat house.”

“That’s thrilling. Why are you telling me this?”

“Just making small talk.” He gives you a little smile when he sees you glaring up at him. “One night though got very drunk. It was in May at the end of the semester. He got completely wasted, that’s when he confided in me that he had left the love of his life behind. He felt horrible about it.”

You tensed because the only important date toward the end of May was the twins’ birthday.

“Every year like clockwork he would do the same thing so eventually I started looking out for him. It didn’t click until the yacht that it was you. I should have known because when I brought Fai to meet him they already knew each other. But I’ve never seen Ransom smile like that in my life. I know there must be something else going on and I don’t need to know it but just talk to him. The girl that’s here, she’s nice and all but it’s obvious she’s not you.”

“Are you really being a wingman for him right now?” You ask as you look around the room. Those piercing blue eyes seem to be everywhere you look.

“No, I’m being one for you. I’ve never seen you smile like you have this weekend either. I can’t imagine what happened between you two in high school but isn’t getting past that worth being happy again?”

“That’s the thing Scott, you don’t know what happened.” You say as the song ends and you leave him standing in the middle of the dancefloor.

You try to walk out as fast as you can. All of the day’s emotions were starting to suffocate you and you needed a moment away from it all. The hotel has a lovely garden that overlooks the ocean. With the reception going on it happens to be empty so you take a seat at a bench facing the beach. After a few minutes of silence and you thinking things through you hear rustling behind you and you dread to look over your shoulder only to find Ransom.

“You’ve been avoiding me all day. What is your problem?”

“My problem?” You look at him incredulously. “After the last few days we spent together you show up with another woman on your arm. How am I supposed to feel?”

“She means nothing to me. Is that what this is about? Are you jealous?” He smirks.

“I’m not jealous.” You snap. “I feel used and lied too. Did you really break up with her before the wedding or did you lie about that just so that you could get into someone’s pants?”

Ransom rolls his eyes which only serves to piss you off more. His flippant attitude is not helping the situation and only adding on to your thoughts that he was only using you to have a good time this weekend. If it were true that would be just as devastating as when he walked away without reason.

“I was going to ask you to let me stay in your room when she got here, I just didn’t get a chance to talk to you before the wedding.”

“Didn’t seem like you were trying to get away from her when you shoved your tongue down her throat. Did you think about how I’d feel at all by seeing you with her like that? The answer’s probably not.”

Ok so maybe you were a bit jealous. But in all honesty even if you hadn’t spent most of your time in bed with Ransom for the last few days you would have still been jealous.

You could see the mask that Ransom had methodically crafted to protect himself after years of abuse and fights, slip into place. He’d never just shut down like that on you and whatever was going to happen next wasn’t going to be good. The muscle in his jaw ticked and his hands were balled into fists at his side.

“We aren’t kids anymore, we don't need to be in a relationship to sleep together. What did you think was going to happen? That we’d ride into the sunset together? Don’t be so fucking naive. It was just sex, it didn’t mean anything.”

Every word cut deeper but you didn’t allow yourself to cry. You wouldn’t give him the satisfaction to see your tears.

“I thought you’d have a bit of respect for the mother of your children.”

“What children? The ones you gave away?” He sneers.

It would have hurt less if he would have slapped you across the face. You stared at him with wide eyes, hurt and disbelief written all over your face. Neither of you say anything and you will yourself to turn around and walk away from him. You send Wanda a text and ask her to have the plane ready to leave tonight, you also miss the way Ransom’s shoulders deflate as he watches you walk away.

****

You had packed up everything quickly and had it taken to the plane while you checked out. The wedding was still going on but you texted Hope and let her know you left. Although you were sure no one would miss you. In the lobby of the hotel you check out and head to the restroom before you head to the plane.

As you give yourself a once over in the mirror one of the stall doors open and you come face to face with someone else you didn’t want to see. She gets closer to the sinks and looks up making eye contact with you through the mirror.

“You’re Y/N Y/L/N.” She states excitedly and then groans. “I’m sorry it’s just I’m such a huge fan. I’m Bertie Wilcox.”

“Bertie?”

“It’s short for Alberta. I used to hate it as a kid.” She smiles. “It was actually my boyfriend who gave me the nickname. I’m not sure if I should even call him that. I don’t know where we stand right now.” She rambles as she washes her hands and you turn to look at her. “I guess we’re in a bit of a rough patch. But I hope things work out.”

You give a small hum to acknowledge that you’ve been listening.

“I’m so sorry I don’t tend to ramble about my personal life with someone I just met. This is so embarrassing.”

“Don’t worry about it.”

“The wedding dress was so lovely. I didn’t know you had a wedding line.”

She’s being nice which means she most likely doesn’t know about you and Ransom. It also makes it difficult for you to hate her. What’s happened between you and Ransom really isn’t her fault and she is the one in a relationship with him. You have no right to have any hateful feelings towards her but you still can’t help it. If she hadn’t shown up then tonight would have gone completely different.

“I don’t.”

“Oh. What a shame. You’d definitely take over that industry.” She smiles at you and you give her a half hearted smile back.

“I should go. I have a plane to catch.”

“It was nice meeting you.” She says as she watches you walk away.

She waits a minute before she heads back to the reception. Bertie finds Ransom at the bar and takes the seat beside him. He doesn’t look at her or acknowledges her presence and Bertie can only sigh. For the rest of the night he’s more distant than before. When they do make it upstairs to the suite Ransom had, she takes the bed and he takes the couch.

By the time you get back to New York your eyes sting from having spent most of the time on the flight crying. How did such a good weekend go bad so quickly?

It was still fairly early in the day and the only thing that made you smile was the pictures of Theodore and Abigail for their first day of school. You made sure to have one of them printed so that you could keep it on your desk at work. With a quick text a promise to do something that weekend and wish them a great first day.

Wanda meets you at your apartment and immediately hugs you. You weren’t sure if it’s what you needed because you started crying again. Fortunately Wanda didn’t ask any questions and you only said that you and Ransom had a disagreement but she knew it was more than that.

“I cleared the next two days for you.” She says as she helps you unpack.

“That’s not necessary. I’d much rather work.”

“Then work on new designs but you won’t be meeting any new clients this week.” Wanda crosses her arms over her chest.

You open your mouth to say something but then decide against it. Wanda takes it as a win and gives you one more hug before inviting you over to her place to a dinner party she’s hosting at the end of the week.

After she leaves you take a quick shower and decide to take a nap. At this point you’d been awake for way too long. As you settle into bed your phone rings. You see Abigail’s smiling face and you quickly answer it. She immediately goes into details about her first day and how different schools are in New York than they are in the smaller town in Ohio she grew up in. Theodore adds his own commentary as his face pops into frame. You smile and ask a few questions here and there. After a few minutes they let you go and the need to sleep is stronger. Maybe if you take a nap everything will be better by the time you wake up.

Ch. 6

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emerxshiu · 11 months ago

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Elfilis for valentines :3

did on y'all but im back, hopefully i'll post for a few more days before i dissapear again

anyways have a drawing of my wife

with text

i actually wanted to draw kirfluff but my need to draw elfilis took over and my hands and back hurt like hell so i didnt draw the rest of stuff i wanted. maybe i could draw it later or tomorrow but im posting this now before i fall asleep or something and dont post.

It was also an excuse to draw the redesign of my fecto gijinka i had made a few weeks ago so, yeah it was fun.

Tho i might make some adjustments to my gijinka if i see fit. also in this drawing he has some differences from the actual gijinka, mainly, the little hearts arent like that in my gijinka and the bangs here have been tied up because i wasnt feeling like drawing them since theyre really long. also the lashes, but here i kinda tried doing their eyes differently and then colored them so i might make my lis gijinka have his eyes like this or change them, im not sure.

tho the more i look at the drawing, the more dissatisfied i become, i mean i did it yesterday around night and stuff so i didnt really think that much about it, (it took around seven hours and i finished it at like 1 am, i definitly wasnt the most concious at that time) but i feel like something is missing i dunno

maybe its the coloring, i had to remake the shading a lot of times since i didnt know how to do it, my style is really inconsistent a lot of times, going from cell shading to soft shading to mixing them both and so on so forth with a lot more of that.

i do have a sketch with some half finished lineart i did of one of the ideas i had (i was originally going to do more pieces with more characters but i didnt go trough it cuz i knew i wouldnt be able to do it in time) but im too embarassed of it to post it

and even tho i complained, i still kinda like this drawing

(small edit i did)

next post is either one about a gijinka i have almost finished of an obscure kirby character i decided to adopt into an oc or a splatoon post following the fresh season 2024 and side order trailers, (fun fact side order releases just a few days before my birth day! im eating good with nintendo just like last year (last year was wave 1 of the dlc and return to dreamland deluxe))

Now im going to take a break after posting this on my other accounts and then later fight fecto elfilis (i do this almost every month sooo) and then grind my catlogue to get it to 100 before the next season starts

Jambuhbye!

(fuck i just remembered i wanted to talk about a silly headcanon i made for lis while drawing this but i forgot and i dont want to write more ahhhh)

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cinderswrites · 10 months ago

Text

Frayed ::

three

In the midmorning hours the following day, Rhea had rushed through her chores and was getting cleaned up, putting on the dress that Portia had pulled out yesterday. She smoothed it over her figure, picking off a stray hair. From the bottom of the same closet she pulled out a pair of worn but decent looking dark brown shoes. These were salvaged from Scarlett’s massive collection.

Once feeling like she looked representable enough as a commoner, she grabbed one of her handmade bags and slung it over her shoulders. She didn’t expect to buy anything, mostly because she wasn’t paid to be a servant in her own home, and what she did have, she saved for only worst-case scenarios. But if she found a pretty flower, or a nice rock, she might pick it up to liven up her room a bit. She also had her sketching journal stashed inside which held many designs of dresses and clothing she wanted to make.

Bidding farewell to Portia, she left through the front door, feeling a strange sensation coming over her. How long had it been since she left without anyone demanding her presence, or anyone forbidding her from doing so? Years, definitely. Before the funeral and before Thelma, she was almost certain of that. Stepping down the stone steps and onto the path towards town, Rhea took a deep breath of clean air that had the slightest smell of the sea and smiled.

Median Shores was a quaint place. It used to be just a few houses of the nobles closest to the prior king. These days, it was a proper town, with more housing and shops and a proper town square. King Roland had been strict but fair, and he was also charming from what Rhea knew. He had a wife, but she ended up disappearing sometime before Rhea had been born. Because of her disappearance, the king fell ill and was sick for a long time. The searches for the queen eventually stopped once he neared death. When he died, there was no one to assume the throne other than his brother, the current king, Gareth Edwards.

Rhea remembered Gareth. He had lived with his family just down the road from her family. As she passed the now dilapidated structure, she paused and examined the yard. It was overgrown, with natural weeds and wildflowers growing thick and unruly. In her mind’s eye, she remembered herself and Cynfael, Gareth’s only child, running around and playing games together. Kicking a ball back and forth once in a while as their fathers visited over foreign relations and their mothers swapped family recipes. Both children on the ground, watching a line of ants marching towards food or their home. Days like that were rare back then, and impossible after Gareth took over the kingdom.

The last time Rhea and Cynfael had spent any time together was after King Roland’s funeral. They sat side by side on the beach, watching the water. The sun was setting and it was still a few days before the coronation.

Cynfael had picked up a stone and chucked it out with all the force a thirteen year old boy could muster. He let out a shout after it, hitting the sand with his fist. Rhea observed him quietly, and offered some words after he’d calmed down, “It’s okay, you know. To be mad, and to not like the situation you’re presented with.”

Cynfael sniffed and swiped at his eyes with his shirt sleeve. “It’s not fair. None of it is! Because he died, now my life has to change and I… I won’t get to see you anymore.”

“Nonsense!” Rhea declared boldly. “Your dad will be king, and he’ll be one of the best we’ve ever had. You’ll see. He knows we’re friends, and he wouldn’t isolate you from your friends, right?”

He had looked at Rhea with a dampness to his amber eyes, “I suppose not…”

Rhea smiled brightly, reaching over to pat his hand, “Keep your head up, Cynfael. Everything will be okay.”

The boy nodded, “Can you promise me something?”

“Depends on the something,” she teased.

“Marry me. When we’re older, marry me so we never have to be apart!”

Rhea’s eyes went wide and her face heated up with his brazen proclamation. “I-“

He suddenly held up his hands, face paling. “Wait! Don’t answer. I don’t think I could handle it if you said no. Just… forget it.” She didn’t say anything, but after a few moments of silence both of them started giggling. Despite his seriousness, or lack of awareness of what he’d just asked, they had ended the evening on a brighter note than they entered it. That last day became a fond memory in her mind, and she’d hoped and prayed that he had grown into a fine gentleman as the years passed. It had been a while since the last time she’d thought of Cynfael, especially since she was cut off from most of the news in the kingdom aside from what was overheard in her own house.

Taking another deep breath to recenter herself and clear her mind, she gave a small wave to the old house and continued down the path to town.

***

Almost an hour later, she found herself in the town square, examining different trinkets and wares from various sellers. According to one of the townspeople she’d asked, today was the monthly Crafters’ Guild Market. Many people in the guild came to sell their products, much like the Farmers’ Markets she and her mother visited when she was a child. There were merchants and many more townspeople milling about, hauling wagons with goats or donkeys. Rhea found it fascinating.

She was bent over looking at a spinning flower pendant curiously just as there was a loud shout from a few stalls away. “Thief!” one of the merchants shouted at a thin woman.

“No!” the woman cried. “I swears by the heavens, I haven’t stolen a thing!”

Rhea stood up and walked closer, drawn in by the crowd forming. As a thin young woman herself, she slipped easily between people to see what was happening. An older man with a round belly was pointing to an empty spot on his table and he had one of the woman’s wrists in his other hand, clenching tightly. “Guards! Someone find the guards! This woman right here is a thief! She stole one of my fabrics!”

A low murmur passed through the crowd. Rhea noticed the fear in the woman’s eyes and her gaze traveled to the goat standing just behind the woman. There was a peculiar piece of “grass” hanging from its mouth. Rhea’s eyes moved to the man’s feet, just underneath the table. There was the crumpled pile of fabric, matching the piece in the goat’s mouth. She wondered if anyone else had noticed this while the man was still screaming about the theft.

Thudding footsteps alerted her to the sound of the guards coming, and she made the decision to step forward. She bent down to pick up the fabric on the ground and cleared her throat quietly. The man looked around before turning and seeing her. Noticing the fabric in her hands, he looked at her confused. “Pardon me, sir,” Rhea started, her voice calm. “Is this the fabric you’re missing?”

The man regarded her silently before dropping the other woman’s hand and nodding, “It is.”

“It was lying just under the table there. It seems the goat took a liking to it,” she added, amused.

He turned again to look at the goat, then groaned and snatched the fabric from her hands. He said something in a language she didn’t know and walked around to the back of the table. The woman stepped up to her and put her hand on her shoulder. “Oh, thank ye, miss, thank ye!” she said in a shaky voice. She scolded the goat and tugged on the leash as she hurried away from the man’s table.

The crowd dispersed and two guards had stepped up to talk to the man. Rhea smiled a little and turned to continue her browsing. Just as she did, she ran into someone’s chest. “Oh! Excuse me, I didn’t see you,” she apologized, stepping back to put space between them.

“Rhea?” an unfamiliar voice said her name.

She looked up, blinking. A man, taller than her by a few inches, stood with another even taller man at his side. He had short raven colored hair slicked back and shaved at the sides, with inquisitive amber eyes, a color that sparked her memory. “Cynfael?” she asked, astounded.

“You will address the royal prince accordingly, miss,” the man next to her old friend said in a gruff tone. Rhea noticed his piercing green eyes, the color of which reminded her of thick bright river moss. His mahogany colored hair was slightly longer than Cynfael’s and was left wavy, almost disheveled. She noticed a thick scar across his brow before she averted her gaze shyly.

“Alaric, please,” Cynfael put his hand on the man’s shoulder, “Rhea’s a friend, and she’s Henri Sr.’s daughter.”

The man named Alaric cleared his throat and adjusted his stance. “I wasn’t aware he had a third daughter. Please excuse my ignorance, my Lady.”

“O-oh, no, I’m not a lady. Please, just call me Rhea,” she said nervously, avoiding that intense stare.

Cynfael chuckled quietly, “It’s so nice to see you after all this time!” he exclaimed, raising his arms as if measuring the years between them. “You’ve grown so much.”

“You should talk,” she smiled, “there was a time, if I remember correctly, where I was taller than you once.”

He puffed out his chest, placing one of his hands on it like a proud pigeon strutting around. “Thank you.”

“What are you doing out here? Shopping?” Rhea asked, gesturing to the market.

“On a leisurely stroll, as it were. I like to come to town and see how people are doing,” the prince said, looking around. “We heard the commotion from the street over and came right away.”

Cynfael gestured to the man next to him and suddenly became embarrassed. “I apologize, I haven’t introduced you. Forgive my lack of manners,” he turned back to Rhea, “this is Alaric Vaughn, Captain of the Royal Guard. My babysitter, for lack of a better word.”

Rhea grinned at the joke, turning to offer her hand to the captain. “Pleasure to meet you, sir.”

“Likewise, Lady Rhea,” Alaric took her hand and brought it to his lips. The stubble around his mouth poked her skin lightly, and the feeling of his warm touch sent pleasant shivers up her arm. She blushed, feeling out of place.

“Are we interrupting you right now?” Cynfael asked.

Rhea shook her head, “Not at all! It’s the first time in a while I’ve been out, so I was surprised to see this market. I was just looking around.” “Doing some shopping of your own?”

Her smile was more polite than anything as she shook her head sadly, “’fraid not, my friend. My purse is lacking, to put it mildly.”

Realization crossed over the prince’s face, “Didn’t the port master leave yesterday for Silverwater? Why are you here?”

“Ah, yes,” she shifted her weight uncomfortably, “Father and Thelma left with their children.” Her words were matter-of-fact and didn’t offer any more than that.

Alaric’s ever-aware gaze flicked between the two and he spoke up to clear the awkward air, “Perhaps, my Prince, Lady Rhea here was left to ensure the upkeep of the home while they’re gone.”

Cynfael nodded, “Of course. My apologies for questioning you so, Rhea.”

Rhea shook her head and waved her hands, “It’s no trouble, don’t worry about it.”

“Well, since we’re here and it’s a rare occasion, would you mind joining me for tea?” Cynfael smiled kindly at her. “Perhaps a meal?”

Her eyes flicked between the kind face of her old friend and the steely expression of the captain. “I-I don’t have any money—“

“It’ll be my treat, Rhea,” Cynfael interrupted her. In a softer voice he added, “Please let me do this for you.”

She looked down at her hands while she ran excuses through her head. No matter what she said, he’d try to interject into her plans. That’s just how Cynfael was. She smiled at the thought that she was here, in the flesh, to see he hadn’t changed, that the royal life hadn’t made him cold or hardened. Rhea finally nodded, “Of course, Prince. That sounds lovely.”

“Fantastic!” Cynfael grinned, walking forward and placing a hand on the small of her back as they escorted her out of the market. “I know a little place overlooking the water.”

She felt both joy and trepidation at the impromptu lunch invitation, wondering if her earlier observations were completely accurate about the prince. Not only that, but it had been so long that she’d conversed with anyone other than children or Portia. What if she made a fool of herself? Talked herself into a corner? She couldn’t let him find out about the state of her wellbeing, not right now. Her burdens were her own to bear, she believed that and reminded herself of it as she continued to walk with both men.

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oc-cafe · 2 years ago

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No one killed the King.

It’s been three days, seven hours, nine minutes and exactly sixty nine seconds since Vea Amaris broke into our ballroom, collapsed on the floor and cried. In the past three days, seven hours, nine minutes, and exactly sixty nine, well seventy seconds since then, a lot has happened. My mother has decided to acknowledge herself as the queen until I breach eighteen. After that, I will be the ruler, and she an advisor.

Vea Amaris is now well enough to sit up straight, well partially. Their ministers have already received a letter, explaining where their acting ruler is, as their father’s whereabouts are unknown. Eren left early yesterday morning, determined to find King Amom.

There’s so much to do. Father’s funeral has already been held. We had no body to bury so we buried his falchion, even though he never used it. He stuck to his daggers until the very end, but they were lost at sea along with his beloved bow and arrow, if only we had them.

Grief weighs down every move in the castle, Zuri can no longer be seen sketching the horizon or taking one of her long walks on the beach, she’s shut herself in her wing and has allowed no one to see her. She’s even stopped taking her meals with mother and I!

I wish I could fault her, blame her, but it would be hypocritical of me. If I could, I would hide away in my room as well, but I have duties. I am expected to rule while my mother recovers from the shock, she is still queen but I am still the heir. I still have to lead my people, I still have to look after Vea, soothe our agitated allies before they turn on us, defend my kingdom and most importantly, find my father’s killer.

There aren’t any leads to follow, I haven’t been allowed near Vea, therefore I cannot question them about his death. There’s no ship to inspect, no bodies, no witnesses, nothing. Nothing. NOTHING.

Nothing’s such a horrible word, there’s no point to it. It’s the only lie we accept. Every question in the world could be answered with those seven letters, but it’s never nothing, is it? There’s always something, or someone.

This is basically a long winded way of saying, I’m sneaking into Vea’s hospital room to ask them questions about my father’s brutal murder. Yay! This will definitely not backfire, Amaris is… reasonable, for the lack of a better word.

My shoes are off, and all that could give away my identity is hidden away in my room, where I’ve arranged a few cushions to pretend that I’m asleep in my room. The borrowed (read: stolen) servant’s gown is slightly uncomfortable but nondescript enough that no one will pay attention to me.

Now. I have a royal to harass.

-X-

I quietly make my way around the clinic, careful to stay on my guard, while Ababyomi may be out for now, she’s sure to return soon, and she knows every single nurse that works for her. The second she’s back, I’m screwed. The other nurses mill about restlessly, currently the only patient in the castle is Vea. That makes my work a lot harder. I manage to disappear behind the curtain that separates my mark from me and my questions. Vea looks less pitiful today, the swelling around their eyes has gone down, making them look less racoonish. The blood that clung to their armour and skin that night, has been painstakingly cleaned, the only trace of their injuries are the stitches that line most of their body.

They cock their head to the side, and sit up. Their smile is tired and their hands barely obey them when they lift it in a silent gesture. “You’re welcome here.” It’s small and silent, a mutual understanding. We’ve both lost our fathers and for tonight, there is to be no mention of the war, only a grim compromise.

I’ll tell you what you want to know, and you’ll tell me what I want to know. No ifs, no buts.

“Good evening, Vea.” I drag a chair next to their bed, allowing my body to finally rest. For the past three days, I’ve done nothing but run around, and deal with agitated allies. A few moments of rest and relaxation was much needed. “Daraja. I am truly sorry about your father, I wish I could have done more , helped him, somehow.”

“You still can, help me find who killed him, Vea. Please.” I want to scream and cry but diplomacy helped us before, perhaps it can again.

“I’ll help however I can…. For a price.”

“A price?” “Nothing is ever free Princess.” They smile at me softly, their gaze carries no heat, a simple aura of cool intellect hidden by a weak exterior.

“I’m aware, name your price.” “A walk around the palace?” Well. That was…surprising.

“Uh. Sure.” What could possibly go wrong?

-X-

After a nerve wracking escape from the clinic, we wander around in the gardens, there is not a single soul in sight. Only Vea and I.

For a few moments neither of us speak, the only sound passing between us is that of their cane sounding against the cobblestones.

“So.” A brave attempt at breaking the tension, a failed one but brave nonetheless.

“Right.” “I don’t know how to start.” A beat.

“I’ll tell you exactly what happened and then you can decide what you want to do with me.” Vea offers, their gaze turned away from me. They don’t wait for an answer.

“We set sail almost immediately after the treaty was signed. He didn’t want to wait until dinner, he didn’t want to wait a second longer. All he could talk about were his girls, he talked about Zuri and The queen but mostly, he talked about you and how proud he was of you. He really loved you Daraja.” The weather is exceptionally warm, even my eyes are perspiring.

“ I wish both of us could have made it home Daraja, I really do, but when those monsters took me…”

“Monsters? Took you? Wha-” WHAT MONSTERS? LITERAL? FIGURATIVE? ELABORATE.

“They didn’t tell you, did they?” Of couuuurse they did, I’m just pretending not to know. Read the garden Amaris.

“I’m sorry, um I forgot that Aiga wasn’t aware of the skelons.” Skelons? What?

“Skelons?”

“It’s a long story…” “I’ve got time.”

A/N: Has this been beta read? Absolutely not no. Has this been posted after a billion years? Absolutely yes.

I apologise for the incredibly long hiatus, I really didn't mean to do that. I’m really hoping y’all haven’t lost interest yet.

Mod Tag: @tiredguyswag@ne0npurplefantasies

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#the royalty representation project #mod🔥#battlecrown #battlecrown the rrp #written by: mod 🔥#battlecrown 2022

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the-prsc · 2 years ago

Text

Day 3:

Previously in PRSC...

The boys in Genesis, Rush and King Crimson continue to progress and gain a tiny bit more comfort in their… difficult conditions.

Tensions within the Yes and ELP camps reach an all-time high. Steve Howe does a runner and reaches ‘The Court of The Crimson King’ by midnight. (Keyboard wizard) Rick Wakeman and (Fish) Chris Squire plan their well-needed escapes...

Death count: 0

In The Court of The Crimson King... Steve reached the camp late last night and has since been welcomed by all members of it (except Broof, who tries to ignore him following his awkward exit from Yes). He is put to work with John and David in doing various dull, laborious tasks overseen by Fripps right-hand-percussion-men, Bill and Jamie Muir who are ‘keeping them in check’. Although Steve feels tired, he also finds the structure, safety and sense of community that he felt was lacking with Yes. We cannot say the same for John and David.

Meanwhile in ‘Epping Forest’...

This is the supper of the mighty one! Genesis eat well tonight as (during a particularly long prance around the woods) Peter found nice, ripe fruit on the forest floor (little does the band know that Jon dropped it earlier that day, made clumsy by his consumption of the mushrooms). Tony is spending hours a day perfecting each detail of the entrancing face of his Etch-a-Sketch recreation of the Mona Lisa. Phil, Steve and Mike have managed to make primitive fishing rods out of the spare guitar strings that Steve forgot he brought (also forgetting to bring his guitar). Good one guys!

Rushing over to another camp…

Their fishing may be less effective (standing in the river and lashing out at any passing fish. In the event that one is caught, the band all stress out as to how to kill the thing) but, the three companionable Canadians of Rush continue their hygienic progress. The band have exhausted their camping supply of bottled drinking water and sadly, in the wilderness the band cannot dine on honeydew or drink the milk of paradise. Luckily Neil remembered a 7th grade science lesson he had where he was taught that boiling water kills all dangerous microorganisms and disinfects it. He removes the camping stove and small pot from his bag, fills the pot with water from the cleanest part of the river he could find and begins to boil…

Close to the Edge, Down By the River…

Near the ‘pretty view’ of the river Jon selected, Yes are crumbling to some extent. Steve asked Jon if he could go over to The Court yesterday and Jon reluctantly agreed and let him go. Steve didn’t mean it personally but I think Jon took it that way (poor guy). Meanwhile, Rick is getting fed up with waiting around for Jon and Alan to get vegetarian food when he could eat as much meat as he likes (though in reality, he is far too lazy to do so). Chris isn’t a fan of Jon’s leadership style. Its a sort of strange hotchpotch between Hippy and autocratic that he doesn’t like. All the while, it doesn’t help that Jon has found some magic mushrooms and spends quite a lot of his time in ‘dreamland’. He and Rick have planned to leave the camp to find ELP next time Jon and Chris go out gathering together.

In the ELP camp...

The last few hours have been somewhat monotonous at the ELP camp. The band’s relationship is fractured (particularly Keith and Greg’s). Morale is dipping sub-zero, and Carl still hasn’t figured out the drum part for Karn-Evil 9 so instead of making useful progress to prolong their lives, the half-starved threesome chose to discuss new project ideas for ‘when all this forest crap is out of the way’. One could call this a useful conversation to keep up hope and distract them. They could also call it valuable time and energy wasted that will eventually lead to their doom. Either way, in their hungry, delirious state discussion is getting heated quickly. Carl leaves early to actually try and help them survive, and is also hurt by the two of them calling him a ‘shit Buddy Rich knockoff’.

The issue on the table currently is Greg’s suggestion, ‘Love Beach 2 (Electric Boogaloo)’. This thought seems to be sending Keith into something of a violent frenzy.

I will spare the details of the real-time commentary for the next few minutes. This passage is written in retrospect: Keith and Greg got into a physical confrontation which included a lot of punches from Keith and in the process, Greg hit his head on a large protruding rock in the wood’s undergrowth and by the time Carl returned from his mission of trying to keep them alive, and managed to pry Keith away from his friend, it was too late.

The two of them aren’t talking as they submerge the body into the dark, cold river water. What he has done is beginning to dawn on Keith and he has been battling with his tears since they left to the water. All Carl can think about is that his friend and bandmate is a ‘fucking murderer’. He must negotiate a way away from this knife-wielding maniac. Luckily, upon return to the camp, he recognises two new, trustworthy silhouettes, CHRIS AND RICK!!! He is currently having a private discussion with the two of them featuring sentences like, ‘Guys please get me out of here. He’s a crazy madman with a knife. I’m gonna die’. Chris sensibly responds in a hushed voice, ‘We could always give those Canadian kids a go?’. And that is the plan for the three of them...

That’s all for today, so we’ll see you tomorrow for...

The Prog Rock Survival Competition!

#progrocksurvivalcompetition #prsc #progressive rock #prog rock #prog #rock #elp #genesis band #king crimson #rush #yes band

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totallynotlocomocoenthusiast · 2 years ago

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You’re my muse (Namora x Reader) :))

A/N: Before I joined the service one of my favorite jobs was sewing with my elders, they passed it down to me and taught me how to make the ofu’s that our village loved the most, my main projects that the elders trusted me with was matching couples ofu’s, because like many cultures Samoans love to match with their lovers. I feel like I use way too many commas so please bear with me.

I scribbled one of my many sketches as I laid in my hammock at the hanging market, the fine dresses and capes flowing freely in the current, business like always was flowing freely as usual, mother's commissioning clothes for their children, young women shopping for fine dresses, lovers buying gifts for their significant others. I quickly tied up my sketches, stowing it away securely before collecting the empty hangers and change, tucking it into a satchel before tying it to my back to make my swim home. I loved swimming back to my home, greeting elders and playing with children. I lived in a small home, tucked away in the city with a small ‘tailors’ sign outside of the post of my door where my business is held besides the markets. I drew back my curtain as I swam in, setting the money down before putting away the hangers. There were rolls of fabric stacked neatly against the walls with baskets of beads, jewels and fine things, a mannequin and a table filled with needles, thread and a thin blade. I signed, picking up the bag, swimming to my quarters in the next room, emptying the bag in a thick vase, and shutting it tightly with rope. I took a deep inhale before laying down on my bed, looking up at the ceiling as I dreamt of new things to create.

Sewing was a trade passed down from my mother, from her mother, and hers and so on. My mother told me my work would excel the most when I had a muse, and my muse was my best friend, my childhood friend, someone who would just see me as a friend. Namora and I had met when we were little, in the hanging market in fact, it seems just like it was yesterday we were just kids swimming around the market causing trouble and playing soldiers. It was almost everyday she would return and play with me, and as we grew up together I was blessed to see her grow into the strong woman she is. As we grew my mother said it would be best I use her as a practice model to help with my sewing, and so everyday she would stay with me for a few hours to hold still and let me poke her with needles and drape her in fine cloth, then after she would let me come along with her and watch her fight and train to be the best soldier she could be, I had always admired Namora, her hair is beautiful and long, her strength is unwavering, and her smile is just so dazzling. At first it was little things, making little accessories for her here and there, saving some fruit for her as I swam back home from the market. Then realizing how much I wanted to be around her at all times, following her as she invited me to her sparking matches, getting fussy about her wearing something from another seamstress, swimming up to Ku’Ku’ikan’s cave to wait for Namora to be released to come home. The worst was the sketches, it was the base that all of my creations start off of, but as I made a dress I simply would draw Namora in something that I felt would accentuate her beauty best. It was embarrassing to be drawing her all times of the day, i couldn't help myself, I grabbed a new parchment and some charcoal before sitting up in my bed to draw a new sketch. It was a long one shoulder dress, to the side of the paper I drew her adorned in jade with a few lionfish quills to decorate her bun as I moved back to the dress, she loved flowing materials, and I loved how well they flowed around her body. I added swipes around the bodice to act as ropes to make a macrame cage around the bodice I signed looking at the picture before picking up another parchment to draw her again. I’m in love with the general, I know I shouldn’t be, she’s far too important to be tangled up in the likes of me, I had no name that held the kind of power hers did, I was just some seamstress that met her at the right place at the right time. My heart ached as I drew her again, seeing those striking eyes pierce my soul as I yearned for her. I wish I was strong, I wish I were born a man so that I could have won her heart in battle, I wish I could tell her how I felt, I wish, I sighed looking down as the drawings floated around my room. ‘I wish’ a loud rhythmic knock sounded at the door as my ears perked up, quickly snatching up the parchment and shoving it under my pillow before straightening my dress and going out to greet my favorite person. Pulling back the curtain I saw my Namora, leaning against my workbench still dressed in armor as she untied the crown of lionfish around her bun, “It’s always good to see you Y/N,” she smiled opening her palms to greet me, I smiled returning the gesture as I felt her arms wrap around me in a warm embrace, “how was your day friend?” I reveled in her touch as I felt her arms around me, her question falling on deaf ears as I heard her laugh, “Long day huh friend?” She joked as I nodded, holding her for as long as I could, I laughed awkwardly as I regrettably pulled away, “Today has drained me Namora, please come in, sit with me I’ll prepare you some fruit!”

We both sat together, eating fruit, passing a jug of wine between each other as we’d take a swig, before passing it back to each other. I admired the way the light shone through the curtains, illuminating her face as she smiled, “I have a new design for you,” her ears perked up at my statement, “I swear if you stick me again with one of your needles I won’t be your model anymore.” I laughed passing the wine back to her, “I promise I won’t,” we both stood up clearing the space as I shut the blinds firmly, hanging a sign on my door labeled “fitting in progress” I turned back to see Namora stripping off her armor, putting it to the side. I swallowed hard trying to advert my eyes as I made my way to my fabrics, picking up a roll of soft sun yellow fabric, holding it up to her check, “I think this one compliments you best Namora.” I watched her hold her arms out, “then by all means Y/N work your magic.” I pulled out a few yards, leaving the roll to fall to the floor as I wrapped the fabric around her body, cutting and pinning out a shape to the dress. I would steal a glance at Namora here and there, watching her catch my eye and smile. We talked about her work, how she was proud of her soldiers, how her and Attuma had gotten along as leaders. She’d tell me about Ku’Ku’Ikans paintings and how they grow more colorful by the day and how beautiful the cave had glowed. In return I would tell her about the newest gossip at the market, who’s seeing who and the new customers I’ve gained, it wasn’t as flashy as Namora’s stories but she seemed to enjoy them, and would ask questions every now and then. “So I was thinking,” I spoke as I pinned around her bodice, “Macrame!” I whisper shouted with a large smile on my face. She smiled as she shook her head, “you’ve sure got a kick for macrame don’t you?” I giggled, swimming back to admire the figure in front of me, the fabric hugged her body perfectly, the orange hue accenting her skin perfectly as the dress flowed and ebbed in the current. My heart ached looking at her, she’s the most beautiful thing I had ever laid my eyes on, I watched as she felt the fabric, smiling softly admiring the dress, “You look beautiful,” I cooed as she looked up,

“Yeah I think the dress looks beautiful too!” My heart fell as she misheard me, swimming up to her to remove the dress carefully as to not prick her, “You’ve outdone yourself again Y/N, another satisfied customer!” She smiled as she put her armor back on, fishing through her pockets to try and pay me, “You know your money is not good here Namora.” I spoke as I hung the dress on a mannequin, pinning it down, “Please, you waste so much money on me.” She tried to put a satchel of money in my hands but u refused, pushing them back to her, “If it wasn’t for you I wouldn’t be half the seamstress I would be today. Please,” I wrapped my hands around her hands, “I have a dress for every occasion because of you, you know that right.” She smirked looking into my eyes, I felt my heart skip a beat, “A lady like you deserves a new dress every day of the week.” I wanted nothing more then to hold her tightly, to feel her lips against mine, to feel those strong arms wrap around my waist, “You spoil me too much Y/N,” she laughed tying her headdress back on, “I have to be up early tomorrow,” I nodded grabbing some fruit, tying it up in a net and attaching it to her belt, “I’ll see you tomorrow Namora!” I smiled watching that beautiful smile creep up on her lips as she gave me one final hug for the night, savoring any moment I could with her before pulling back to swim home, waving sweetly as she swam away.

My heart ached as I closed my blinds, looking around the empty room, our sun down down the room was lit by bio-luminescent lanterns at the corners of the wall I swam to the mannequin, fitting it fully before pausing, regrettably I wrapped my arms around the mannequin and held it closely, pretending it was her. I breathed in holding it tightly, ‘this is pathetic’ I thought to myself as I felt my chest hurt and my heart ache. I couldn’t confess to her, I shouldn’t, I didn’t want to ruin the years we grew up together, I didn’t want to take the risk of her rejection. Tears welled in the corners of my eyes as I held onto the mannequin, it was my biggest fear, the thought of her rejecting me and even worse watching her fall in love with someone else, ‘It wouldn’t hurt to confess,’ I muddled the idea feeling the soft fabric under my fingertips, ‘how would I even tell her?’ I let go of the mannequin to go back to my room, pulling out my parchments as I stumbled upon a sketch I hadn’t made yet. It was a two piece dress with a racer back and a feathered shawl, I mulled over the dress, it’s not like the ones I usually make her, it was extravagant and regal. ‘It’s a clear sign to show her just how I feel about her’. I breathed in deeply before pinning the parchment on the wall and got to work.

First I had to make the first part of the dress which was the main body, this part was hard because in my sketches its more a form fitting dress so trying to fit it to her was a challenge without being obvious that it was a courting gift for her. “Oh this is beautiful,” Namora cooed as she slipped on the dress, “You look stunning Namora,” I patted her shoulder as I strung on the racer back with carved beads on the back, “So what’s this one for Y/N?” she asked as she felt the interlocking patterns on the bodice, “Oh,” I tried to think of an answer, “I don’t make enough racer-backs so I just thought I could use the practice?” I watched a sweet smile grace her face as she replied, “Well I can’t wait to wear this one out its beautiful.” I laughed awkwardly trying to change the subject as I unzipped the dress letting her change, “Well this one has a lot of details so I’d just be best to forget about it you know?” I quickly folded the dress putting it away as she finished changing I coudn’t help but stare, she was just so tone so strong it was hard to focus on anything else sometimes, I swallowed hard trying to distract myself as she finished dressing sitting down with a satisfied smile pulling a net of fruit out of her satchel as she waved to me, “Come and eat Y/N,” she pulled her knife out to portion out our food as we sat and ate, “So Namora,” I swallowed a bite of ripe fruit, “Anything new on the home front?” I watched her rest her head on her hand as she thought of how to best answer my question she clicked her tongue before looking to me, “I don’t want to alarm you but we’re getting dangerously close to war.” I gasped leaning in my brows furrowed, “You’ll be alright though right?” I would never forgive myself if she were ever hurt or even killed in battle, “I’m too strong to be killed don’t worry.” sitting together I leaned in putting my hand on her shoulder, “Please just be careful,” she cooed taking my hand, “Don’t worry about me I’ll be fine. If anything I worry about you,” my heart skipped a beat as she continued to hold my hand, “You have to take care of yourself too you know. You can’t stay here cooped up in your shop by yourself.” I felt her hand grasp mine as I felt her rough hands, “I-” I couldn't properly form all I wanted to say to her, I don’t think there was even words to exist how I felt about her. “If you keep your mouth open like that someone would think you're trying to filter feed now,” she chuckled taking a bite of her fruit as I closed my mouth trying to put up a smile as she gave this cute knowing look, “You know I could always set you up with someone!” she smiled as she began to cut up another fruit from her net, it hurt hearing her say that, ‘maybe we could go out?’ I thought mulling over the thought of saying then looking to her and watching her cut up her fruit, passing half to me in a small dish with a smile on her face as I took a bite, “I don’t know,” I chuckled, “I don’t think I’m ready to date someone Namora.” shaking my head nervously as she took a bite, “Come on there has to be someone here in Talokan you like!” my ears felt hot as she poked, “Oh so there is someone?” she smiled laughing, “You like someone awe Y/N!” she hugged me tightly then pulled back her hands still on my shoulders, “Who is it? Are they tall? Are they strong?” she paused smirking, “Is it someone I know?” I swallowed hard as she looked at me with stars in her eyes, “I-” I breathed out, “Yeah,” I nodded knowing if I didn’t at least answer one she would hound me till the sun returned. Namora cooed as she readjusted her seat pulling me close, “You have to tell me everything Y/N!” she smiled with an expectant look on her face, “Well,” I swallowed hard, “She’s tall and um really pretty.” I couldn't help but just gush about her to her, it’s not like she would ever notice keeping the most blatant things out such as “she visits me daily and I dress her up because its the only way I can be physically close to her” you know, little things. “She sounds like such a catch Y/N” Namora cooed as she braided my hair, “You have no idea,” I laughed as I felt her fingers run though my hair, “You should ask her out!” “No I don’t think-” she placed her hands firmly on my shoulders as she leaned down to my ear, “You should go for it, no matter what happened what if she says yes?” I turned to meet her gaze, “And what if she says no.” watching her brows furrow as she gave me a sympathetic look, “And what if she says yes?” I couldn't help but think of kissing her right then and there, just cupping her jaw and bringing her in close no pacing around my feelings just going for it. But it was just as a thought as she re-positioned herself behind me to continue to braid my hair. Leaning back I savored being close to her like this, feeling her strong legs wrap around my hips as she sat up feeling myself go lax in her embrace as she gently tugged on my hair, “Falling asleep there?” I gently shook my head as I rested my head on in the crook of her shoulder feeling her gills gently move against my ear as I closed my eyes, “It feels nice.” I mumbled into her neck as she laughed wrapping her arms around me, “You’re so funny Y/N” I shook my head as I tried to enjoy this fleeting moment. Soon she patted my shoulders gently shaking me awake, “Its getting late Y/N,” I sighed heavily as I turned around hugging her softly as I felt her arms wrap around me, “Can’t you just stay the night again?” I looked up at her gentle smile, “I have to be up early tomorrow so I don’t want to wake you up too early,” letting go she turned to the door, “I’ll see you again tomorrow?” I asked wringing my hands, “Of course I’ll be here,” she pointed to me before leaving, “And we’re going to discuss this lady of yours!” she smiled as she dashed off, swimming home. I sighed as I grabbed her courting gift, unwrapping it and putting it on the mannequin before grabbing a small basket filled with fine beads and accents, finishing up the details I sighed thinking of how she was persistent to know who this mystery woman was, ‘I have to tell her sometime,’ I thought to myself as I tied the line finishing the base of the dress, pulling out layers of tool and draping it around the mannequin to make a cape. I couldn't sleep, not now knowing that she knows I have feelings for someone, as I measured the pieces and cut them out before pinning them to the mannequin, her words echoed in my head, “You should go for it no matter what” she said. I sighed looking back at my finished look, I just needed to line the individual pieces and tack it to the cape and it should be ready and when its ready I’ll be ready. No matter what. I sighed looking out of my door just a peak to see the city was still asleep so I swam over to my bed to get some rest just for a little bit before I go back to the market to sell some dresses. Laying in my bed I looked over to see the sketch of Namora in the courting gift I pulled my heavy blanket over my shoulders as I took one glance and said a silent prayer to the gods to give me some luck and some courage to confess how I feel for my best friend and quickly succumbed to a deep sleep with the thought of Namora on my minds eye.

With the dress finished and the tensions of war heavy on the world there was no other time then now I thought I could say something. For the past few days she’s been gone, up in the cavern where Ku’Ku’Ikan worked when he wished to be unbothered. I wrapped the dress in fine cloth, tying it with a brightly colored rope, taking an sweet smelling oil i marked the fabric then held it close to my heart, hoping that she would accept it along with my feelings. I took deep breaths holding the gift close to my chest as I tried to steady my nerves, apparently after Ku’Ku’Ikan had brought the Wakandan princess down to Talokan one of her soldiers came down here and killed the guard and maid watching over them, I didn’t know any of them personally but I coudn’t help but feel the pain that the rest of Talokan felt at this betrayal. They were someones child, someones lover, they were someone with a life and aspirations and now they coudn’t live those anymore, all because of the greed of the surface world, I sighed feeling a pang in my heart for the two women then immediately was shaken from thought as I heard the beads of my curtain rustle with a certain ‘swoosh’ as I saw my Namora swim through the door post, she looked tired, as if she hadn’t slept in days. “Namora,” I cooed ushering her to me pulling her into a warm embrace, “What is it?” I pulled her back looking into her tired eyes, “I’m just a bit tired thats all, but I wanted to come see you before the big speech.” my brows furrowed, “What speech?” she gave a tired smile as I led her to my bed to sit down and rest, “Ku’Ku’Ikan is going to declare war on the surface world, and I want to you to come with me so you can get a good spot too.” I felt her head lean on my shoulder as she faded in and out of sleep, I fiddled with the soft fabric of her skirt as she settled next to me, it was another one of my creations this one I was playing with dying on the surface giving it a nice red to white type of tone. “This is for you,” I put the gift on her lap as she sat next to me, “Oh Y/N,” I swallowed hard trying to think of how to say how I feel as I watched her unwrap the parcel revealing the the dress, “Oh Y/N its beautiful,” she held it up sitting up straight now as she pulled the cape up admiring the bright hues swaying in the current she then pulled out the main piece, a certain glimmer in her eye as she recognized the piece then turning to me embracing me tightly, “I love it Y/N,” pulling back I watched her eyes light up again, “I can wear this to Ku’Ku’Ikan’s speech!” she jumped up immediately changing into the new dress, “I wanted to gift this to you as a way to segway to tell you that I care about you, a lot that is and where ever this war takes us I just wanted to tell you how I feel.” I looked up to see she was still slipping on the dress quickly jumping up, undoing the back of the dress for it to fit snugly over her body as I laced up the back, pinning the sides and wrapping the cape around her snugly, she looked down smoothing down her dress as she looked up to me with a beaming smile, “I love it.” there was something about how she smiled that never failed to make my heart skip a beat, “I-” I looked at her, “I’m glad you like it,” wringing my hands I watched as she twirled in her dress watching the cape flow, “Oh Y/N, I didn’t quite catch what you said when I was putting the dress on what were you saying?” as I looked back at her I couldn't help but remember how tired she looked when I saw her, my feelings were the last on her agenda and with a war in the making theres no chance a person like me could ever provide for a woman like her. “It’s nothing, I think I was just gushing how you don’t have any fine gowns and with all these tensions going on I thought it would be nice to help bring up your spirits.” there was a certain pang in my chest as I said each word, it was heavy and hurtful as I said each word as I realized I could never be anything more then her friend. It hurt even more feeling her arms wrap around my shoulders as she thanked me telling me how I was her best friend, but sometimes you just have to embrace the pain and welcome it in open arms I guess thats what I did when I hugged her back tightly remembering shes embracing a friend and nothing more.

sorry also idk how to use this platform

#namora #Namora x Reader #mcu namora #wlw #mcu x reader #angst #MCU fic #implied poc reader

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thisnameisnotspokenfor · 10 months ago

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The Kingdom of the Stars Chapter 22: The Reception

Previous: Chapter 21

Next: Chapter 23

‘Take it from someone like me

When your hopes are in despair’

Came her Saba’s voice in tandem with the gentle strum of his mandolin.

Somewhere in Asha’s memories, she could hear that song as a gentle lullaby sung by two voices that would waltz around the kitchen at night when all the world had gone to sleep.

‘If your desires have strings

Feed them, give them some air’

But times had changed, and a song that had once been sung by two could only be sung by one.

'Cause any wish that's got your heart

On the edge of breaking

Is a wish-....is a wish…

Her Saba’s voice stopped, as she heard him mumble, “Oh what was that last part of the line again? I always forget it…Capella! Capella wake up! I know yesterday couldn’t have left you that exhausted!” The goat didn’t reply. “Do you remember the last bit of the line?”

Silence as she heard him sigh, “It’s been a while since I’ve sung that one, and I’ll admit, my memory isn’t what it used to be, not since she… departed…”

Asha felt her heart hurt at the mention of ‘she’, meaning her grandmother.

“She would’ve known what the last part was. She always did.” The sad strum of a mandolin followed his words. “It was one of her favorites that we’d sing together…sometimes I can still hear her singing along with me. That any wish that’s got your heart on the edge of breaking-,”

“Is a wish, well worth making,” Asha whispered to herself before she shook her head.

As much as she’d loved and missed her grandmother, she’d have to disagree with her there.

There was no wish worth making, not if it had to rely on magic or danger to come to pass. Wish only inspired complacency. People made wishes because they trusted the king to grant and protect them for him. Nothing about that inspired improvement or risk.

Her Saha let out a hearty laugh, as his old wooden rocking chair groaned. “Silly goat. Are you going to sleep the whole morning? We’ve got things to do today! Big things!”

‘At least he was in a good mood,’ Asha noted before turning her attention back to the astronomer’s journal she’d been needlessly trying to decipher for the past hour or so.

She paused, examining the rough sketches of what appeared to be the outline of a beautifully designed building on the corner of a bustling street, before flipping to another page where more strange contorted figures had been drawn.

Asha sighed, rubbing her eyes as she continued aimlessly flipping through the old astronomical journal.

Truthfully, she hadn’t had much success deciphering the book’s contents from the last time she’d opened it. All the letters etched into the page were still unknown to her, and she hadn’t found much luck with understanding the strangely drawn diagrams or illustrations either.

But she refused to be deterred. She’d opened the book in hopes of finding any semblance of proof or verification as to what the star had told her, wondering if any of the unknown words on the page roughly translated to ‘celestial courts’.

But all she had found was the same picture that she’d seen in the wish garden of the crimson star that loomed overhead. Unease slowly filled her as she was unsure of what to make of it, of what to make of any of the journals, but a few more page turns had taken her once fruitless search down an interesting path.

She had now neared the final pages of the journal, and the only thing she could make out was two strangely detailed diagrams of the Ursa Major, with all of its stars properly labeled, the dots representing them varying in size.

It was a nice diagram, and after a cross-examination with some of her father’s scrolls and her star maps, it was highly accurate, leaving it strangely void of any cryptic yet nonsensical symbolism.

Maybe the astronomer may have done it as a warm-up exercise. It was worth a guess, but part of Asha doubted it. Interestingly enough, it’d been the only constellation that they’d sketched in pain painstakingly detail, almost as if they’d wanted someone to remember something, to see something.

But what?

An immediate sharp knock on her door caught her attention as she paused, hearing her grandfather’s voice say, “How much more time do you need to eat your breakfast? You’re supposed to leave before the sun rises! Not after!”

“Give me two minutes!” she called, reaching for her last pieces of pita bread that she quickly shoved into her mouth before gathering her things and two satchels.

“Alright then! Just be sure to meet me in the backyard no later than two minutes!” he called, before taking his leave.

Leave it up to Saba to want her to spend her first day ‘partially off’ by getting up way earlier than she’d planned, but he’d sworn it had been important. Whatever that had meant.

She quickly slipped her sketchbook and the old astronomer journal into one of her satchels before she looked over herself in the mirror.

Today was going to be a long day. She could feel it.

She took a deep breath, in and out, as she tried to relax.

Today was the day she was going to help save Rosas.

Quietly slipping out of her room, she ventured down the steps and towards her front door where Valentino stood, finishing the remains of his breakfast before greeting her with a pleat.

“Good morning Valentino,” she called as she stepped past him and towards her backyard where her Saba had gone. As expected, he was standing there, holding the lantern in one hand and his cane in another as she neared. Lit torches surrounded them, illuminating the backyard that had been partially turned into a makeshift training ground.

“Good morning Saba,” she called.

“Morning Asha,” he muttered in response, as he shifted. “Although it’s a little too early to call it good.”

She crossed her arms and groaned, “Please tell me you didn’t wake me up to visit the tree again in the wee hours of the morning.”

“Shh!” he sharply hissed, holding the end of his cane towards her as she watched his eyes narrow. “Not so loud, child!” Carefully he lowered the cane, before leaning towards her, his eyes glancing around the still-darkened clearing as she heard him whisper, “We’re not alone.”

“We’re not alone? What do you mean? Saba look at the time! Who else in their right mind would be out here with u-,”

“Me,” came the star’s quiet voice as she saw him wave his hand from the darkness beneath the nearby trees. He looked uncomfortable, skittish even as she saw his eyes quickly dart elsewhere.

He hadn’t looked like the powerful being that she’d met in the forest nor reunited with on her way back from Antaris, nor did he even faintly resemble the very satisfied human teenager that he’d disguised himself as in the market.

No, he looked sad, and maybe even uncomfortable .

She shook her head, promptly dismissing the thought. There was no point in feeling sorry for the star, even in light of what her mother had told her. She still wasn’t ready to let him off the hook for what he’d done at the market nor for what he’d told her last night.

After shooting him the iciest glare she could muster, she snapped, “Of course, he’s here.” She turned to her Saba, sharply asking, “Why is he here?”

Her Saba shrugged, leaning against his cane. “I was hoping you were in a charitable mood this morning-,”

“I’m not.”

“Seeing as you’re willingly donating your time to the king-,”

“Emphasis on the king part! But even then it’s not only for that!” she argued, her grandmother’s music box and father’s scrolls coming to mind before she watched him raise a brow. “I…I have some other things I need to handle, but it’s only for today,” she swore.

Her Saba didn’t seem convinced. “… Right…well…where was I?”

She sighed. “You were hoping I was feeling charitable?”

“Ah right! Yes! I was hoping you were feeling charitable enough to provide our recent guest, your stellar friend-,

She narrowed her eyes as she shot the star another glare, “He’s not my friend.” It was true. She was currently making a plan of getting rid of him, once and for all.

“- with a demonstration!”

She turned to her grandfather incredulously, “…you took me outside to bake a Tarta de Turron?”

“What?! No no no! I took you out here to show him what I taught you all those years ago!” He pointed his cane towards their makeshift training ground where an old wooden table stood, covered with a variety of weapons and straw-filled training dummies. “Now I would’ve had Capella do it but she’s been out cold all morning. She must’ve been eating something sweet last night. She always does that when she eats Tartas de Turrons”

“You gave her some Tartas de Turrons?” When had he found the time to do that last night?!

“Of course not! I’m no fool!” he grumbled as if he didn’t casually give the goat things that Asha was quite certain a goat shouldn’t be eating. But in his defense, Capella seemed to be nearly indestructible, so there was a good chance that most of the stuff she ate didn’t hurt her anyway.

“So where she’d get them from?!”

He shrugged, “At this point, only God knows, but either way that leaves you!”

“...Do I have to?”

“Yes! Unfortunately for us, your friend is an even worse fighter than he is a baker!” The star couldn’t fight? Wait. The star couldn’t fight! Was that another possible weakness she could exploit?

She’d spent part of her earlier hours thinking over what the star had said. He’d claimed he was too young and weak to be an alpha star- a statement that had both surprised and confused her as she’d tried to figure out what exactly his role in the yellow court had been. But if he couldn’t fight or defend himself- both of which were skills required by warriors and monarchs- then maybe he hadn’t been lying about his lack of experience.

The old man shook his head in disbelief, “ I know. I didn’t think it was possible either! You should’ve seen the amount of times he nearly stabbed himself. It was almost impressive!...Almost.”

She frowned. “But I don’t know why he’d need to be a-,”

He lifted his cane, sharply cutting her off.“In that castle, you take no chances!” You know I wouldn’t be making you do this if I didn’t think it wasn’t important.”

She looked from her grandfather to the training grounds, and then back to her grandfather. He seemed serious about this…“...Do I really need to show him? He’s still a stranger, and like you always say it’s foolish to reveal your trump cards early.”

“I do say that, but I also never said that you had to show him everything you could do, just hint to him what you know.” She frowned, feeling a bit hesitant at his words as she thought it over. Finally, her grandfather leaned towards her, whispering, “ You want to knock him down a few pegs, don’t you? So go on. Show him something that he can’t do, but you can..”

Well when he put it like that-, she nodded, grabbing one of her grandfather’s old training armor that he’d modified for her.

Once she had secured and fastened it onto herself, she grabbed the bow and quiver from the table, before making her way to the archery grounds.

The archery grounds of their backyard consisted of nothing more than a few targets, that ranged from the usual archery targets to something far smaller, like sandbags that often hung from the nearby trees.

Something must’ve been in the air that morning, as she found herself quickly selecting the furthest target as she got into position.

Carefully drawing the string back she aimed the tip of the bow toward the center of the target as she heard her grandfather murmur, “Steady.”

The morning was still, no breeze she’d have to account for or correct for when releasing the arrow.

“Aim!” he called, his tone growing stern.

She held her breath, her focus turning from her surroundings to the target in front of her.

“Fire!” she released her hold on the string watching as the arrow flew from her grasp, before firmly embedding itself in the center of the target.

She quickly grabbed another arrow from her quiver, turning her attention to another target- a distant yet small sandbag hanging from the tree. Without hesitation she released the bowstring, allowing the arrow to fly before firmly embedding itself into the sandbag.

Valentino pleated, excitedly leaping around as she heard her Saba chuckle, before turning to the star to say, “And that is the way of my granddaughter.”

But she wasn’t done yet, as she neared the table where she’d taken the bow and arrows from, exchanging it for one of the wooden training longswords.

“Assume a defensive stance,” her grandfather commanded as she obeyed, positioning herself as she went through the notions, following her grandfather’s calls.

Since she’d started her apprenticeship, she’d often tried to practice these stances during any amount of free time that she hadn’t dedicated to her astronomy or building. It’d been too few to keep her movements as sharp and precise as she’d liked, but years of her grandfather’s seemingly incessant drilling had paid off. She still remembered the forms, matching them to every beat of the unknown syllable he’d called and after a few more drills, she could feel the rust slowly loosening around her edges.

He’d finally stopped her at the beginning of sunrise, giving her a satisfied nod as she’d placed the wooden sword back on the table.

“I hope you’ve learned something,” she heard him tell the star as he walked past him.

Save for her Saba’s pleased humming, it was a quiet walk to the town stable, with a dark cloud looming over the group.

Asha had nothing to say to the star, nor did the unhappy star have anything to say to her. Valentino could only unhappily look from her to the star as he trotted beside her. The only one who seemed remotely happy at that moment was her grandfather, who unlocked the stable, before guiding a white horse out towards her. “They say her name is Lucia,” he remarked, before handing the reigns to her.

Wait- Lucia???

Where had she heard that name before?!

After a moment or so of strange silence, her grandfather started speaking. “Well if that’s everything, I suppose I’ll leave you two to figure out your travel arrangements. Just try to be home in time for dinner, alright? I’ll be baking your favorite tonight! ” her grandfather grinned, as she heard the sound of a sharp yet distant pleat.

“Capella?” he called, turning to look towards the goat that lazily stood on their front porch. “Capella it’s about time! I’ve been trying to wake you up all morning!” he scolds before walking off, leaving them alone.

She stared at the horse curiously. Lucia, Lucia, Lucia. She knew she’d heard the name before. Wait! Hadn’t she heard it at her time on Antaris in the horse stables when the star had-

The horse winked at her, before innocently neighing as she heard Valentino excitedly pleat.

Oh no.

Oh no no no!

“Hey!” Lucia the horse sang as Asha could only look on in shocked horror. “Bet you weren’t expecting to see me again, were you?!”

“Lucia!” the star called, looking a bit pleased to see her.

“In the flesh!” she proudly answered before straightening herself.

“How are you doing? It’s nice to see you again-,”

“Oh! Oof, well it’s been a long story, let me tell you, and a crazy one too! That night you guys were there they started hauling and heaving us into the ship! We landed a few hours later but only reached the castle a few hours ago when they were deciding what horses to take back. “They usually go for the strongest or smartest horses, so it wasn’t a surprise when I was chosen!” she proudly posed.

Asha nervously chuckled, snapping out of her stupor as her hands reached to gently pat Lucia. “Lucia that’s nice, but do you remember what I told you the last time we met?”

Lucia was silent, but from her blank stare, Asha could guess that she most likely did not remember what she’d told her. “You know,” Asha began. “About being careful?”

“Oh…OH! Yeah! Don’t worry! To most, I’m nothing more than a regular white horse! I didn’t speak a single word on my way here!”

“That’s a relief,” she sighed. “So, I hope you don’t mind being the one to carry me to the castle today?” Asking a horse whether or not it minded being ridden was definitely an experience Asha wouldn’t have ever thought she’d go through, but given her circumstances, it wasn’t an unreasonable question to ask, was it?

“Not at all!” Lucia sang, lowering herself as Asha quickly mounted herself before pulling Valentino up. Now that only left the star. “Oh…what about him? Isn’t he coming with you?”

“Oh, he is,” Asha rolled her eyes, before gesturing to her spare empty satchel. “But he’s traveling by unconventional means.”

The star frowned but offered no form of protest as she watched him quickly shapeshift into his small spherical form before wordlessly slipping into her satchel.

Asha would’ve been lying if she said she wasn’t half tempted to yank that satchel off to fling it towards the mountain, but for the sake of not appearing completely insane to anyone who may have the misfortune of watching, she decided not to.

Why was the star acting so sad anyway?

It wasn’t like he was genuinely trying to help her! Despite his words, she knew he must’ve been benefitting from wish granting one way or another! And then there’d been that strange deal that he’d offered her last night.

She scoffed, patting Lucia’s side as Lucia began to trod forward. She bet that the only reason why he was sad now was because his deal had fallen through.

Like she’d said it wasn’t like he actually cared-

“You okay Asha?” came Lucia’s voice as they continued making their way towards the village’s edge.

“Huh?” Asha blinked before nodding. “ Yeah, I’m fine…why do you ask?”

The horse hesitated, “I don’t know, you just seem a little…what’s the word?” Valentino pleated. “Yeah, that! You’re totally that right now!”

“I don’t understand what he just said, but I’m just going to safely disagree with it. I’m fine Lucia, really, I just have a lot on my plate right now.”

“Is it food?”

“I wis- I mean, no,” she shot her satchel containing the star a sharp glare. “Unfortunately not.”

“Well, I know that when I’m stressed it helps to usually talk to someone, you know!” Lucia commented as they passed the edge of the village “You can’t keep it bottled up inside all the time! That’ll just make you want to explode!”

“Noted! But tell me, what stresses you?”

“Oh! Where do I start?” Lucia exclaimed as the scenery changed to lush valleys and hillsides.

Thankfully they were still alone, as the conversation continued.

“You can start with your time on Antaris,” Asha teased, as she watched the horse bristle. “What was it like living there?”

“Honestly? Quiet. People and animals move around there like they’re afraid of being heard!” Lucia exclaimed with a shiver or a horse’s best attempt at a shiver. “Well, most people and animals did, but there was this one exception, I think he was some sort of count-,”

“Count Mercado?”

“Yep, that’s the one! He was the biggest stressor!”

“Ugh, tell me about it!” Asha groaned, remembering how he’d accused her of acting strange, or worse, being the king’s spy. “But save for the count, what else stressed you?”

“Well- Lucia began, picking up speed as her walk turned to a gallop. “there was this one stallion-,”

After what was an hour or so worth of conversation, Asha concluded that Lucia had at least 56 stressors, more than half of which were caused by other horses. To Lucia’s credit, she’d recounted most of her ordeals with a remarkable amount of humor that had made it far more entertaining than what Asha thought a life on an exiled island, should’ve been.

They’d nearly reached the entrance of the town when she’d heard the sound of the commotion ahead.

For some reason, there’d been a crowd full of people gathered around the official’s building.

She tugged her cloak over her head, hoping to stay unnoticed as they walked on the outskirts of the crowd. It seemed like everyone was here, even the town crier stood quietly amid the crowd, whispering.

“I didn’t think it would happen again so soon.”

“You don’t think it could be true, do you?”

“I hope it is! They had it coming! Did you see how they raised the prices for their silk? It was preposterous!!”

This is exactly how the others went a decade or so ago. I remember. The scandal had been tremendous….Sometimes I think I can still hear their voices…..”

“What’s happening?” she heard Lucia whisper.

“Not sure,” she replied, carefully eyeing the crowd. “But keep your voice down. You don’t want to be the next thing they talk about,” she whispered as the horse nodded, slowing her pace as she fell silent.

A crowd around the official’s building was never a good thing, not unless they’d called for a town hearing… But a glance towards the sky told Asha that the sun still had yet to rise. A town hearing in the darkness? They only did those in case of emergencies…

A low murmur passed through the crowd as she felt the reigns in her hand tighten as Lucia carefully rode towards the town stable where the other horses were. “Wait…What are you doing?!” Asha nervously whispered, glancing from the horse back to the uneasy crowd.

“C’mon, everyone’s speaking in riddles and we’re lacking context.” That…was true, they didn’t have the full context here. “So I’m getting to the bottom of this! Don’t worry! I’ll be quick and sneaky! No one will ever notice!” Lucia whispered as she reached the horses, communicating to them through neighs.

“What did they say?” Asha whispered, not taking her eyes off the still-growing crowd.

“Well, I was speaking to a horse who said they knew another horse who knows another horse who knows someone else’s horse who knows a horse from the Clariveau stable!”

“The Clariveau stable?”

“Yeah! Apparently last night they were all rounded up and shipped out.”

“Shipped out?” Asha repeated as she heard Valentino pleat. “What? Why were they shipped out in the middle of the night?”

“No one knows,” the horse answered with a shrug as Asha felt her satchel, or rather, the star within her satchel move. She stilled the satchel, before risking a glance toward the officials’ building as its’ door quickly opened.

“Good morning, people of Rosas!” Came Lady Allard’s voice, as she and several other officials exited the building. However, it was the sight of the man who trailed behind that brought the crowd’s volume to a low whisper. He was dressed in the familiar attire of a royal messenger, one that could’ve only been sent by the king himself.

“Now I’m certain that many of you are aware of the news, or rather rumor that’s been circulating last night from the Clariveau’s estate. And after consultation and careful decision-making from the king himself. He has declared,” she paused, glancing towards the royal messenger who nodded. “That for the safety and prevalence of Rosas…the Clariveaus have been banished to Antaris.”

“What?” Asha breathed as the crowd erupted into chatter. The Clariveaus had been banished? But how? The king whom her father had always described would never turn his back on the family of a former ally!

But it had seemed as if he would turn his back on them, especially if they posed a threat to his kingdom, which was exactly what Julian had done.

What the star had allowed him to do, was to achieve her goals, and now the entire Clariveau family was suffering for it.

It was her fault, wasn’t it?”

This had all happened because of her…

They were all gone because of her and the star she had brought to Rosas.

“Please do not bring it upon yourselves to worry!” Lady Allard interjected over the sound of the crowd’s worries. “His Highness informed us that he had explored many options before reaching this verdict and that the family had left him with no choice! They chose and they chose against us, against Rosas!” she hissed, her fingers grazing the remaining bandage on her neck as the crowd cheered for retribution.

“Banishing them was an act of mercy!” someone from the crowd hissed as several others nodded in agreement.

The Clariveaus had fallen out of favor, that much was clear.

She understood the king punishing Julian and probably wanting to make an example out of what he’d probably deem ‘a traitor to Rosas’ but for the entire family to be banished to Antaris so quickly and suddenly…

If the king could do it once, then he most certainly could do it again, only this time to someone else…someone else who the crowd would most definitely think deserved it…

He was probably sending a message now, not just to the peasants but to the nobles as well.

When it came to what the king deemed as a threat, no one was safe, regardless of whatever favor they may have garnered before. His kingdom came first and foremost.

“Ugh…better them than me. Antaris gets exceptionally rainy this time of year,” Lucia shivered, breaking her train of thought as the crowd’s cheers continued to grow louder and louder.

“Let’s continue towards the castle. It might be best to not linger here” Asha whispered as she caught sight of another official stepping forward to address the crowd in Lady Allard’s stead.

She concluded that this had probably been the news that had shaken Lady Allard last night, or at least she’d hoped it was. The other words she’d overheard them saying like ‘incident’ and highness didn’t inspire much confidence.

But if she had thought those words weren’t very encouraging then she was fortunate to not have heard the news that the official had delivered on the queen’s injury. Had she heard that before making her swift departure with Lucia, then there was a good chance that she probably would’ve never made it to the castle at all that day… But fate had other plans as the group left unnoticed, riding off towards the castle in blissful ignorance that left them oblivious to what lay ahead.

They’d been riding for at least another hour or two before Asha had managed to convince Lucia to take a break near a stream in a small meadow only a few miles away from the castle.

“It’s been a long time since I’ve been to the castle,” she heard Lucia confess as she swallowed a mouthful of grass. “The last time I can remember being there was when I was a foal. I was just starting to get used to leaving my Mother’s side when they took me and several others that night to send us off…” She raised her head, eyeing the castle in the distance as she quietly added, “I never saw my mother again.”

“I’m very sorry-,” Asha began as Valentino let out a surprise pleat and she nodded, “it usually takes a horse four years to reach maturity. The prince was gone for three, so if she was a foal before then she’d definitely be an adult by now.” Valentino pleated in disbelief as Asha smiled and rolled her eyes, “What? It’s true? Animals do age differently from humans. I mean look at you, you’re only three weeks old and well past Capella’s knees.”

Valentino rewarded her with a less-than-amused expression as she heard Lucia snicker.

“If you want help with finding your mom, I know someone who could assist,” Asha offered as she felt the satchel remaining the star begin to shake as he peaked his small head from out it’s pouch.

“Really?!” Lucia exclaimed looking from her to the star.

“Yes, I know one of the head stable boys named Safi.” She couldn’t help but smile as she felt the star’s movement come to a sudden halt. “He’s super close with animals! If anyone can help you then it’s him!”

The star squeaked in protest as she rolled her eyes, yanking the pouch strap over his head. “Really?” Lucia began. “Do you really think he’d help me find her?”

“Of course! I can’t think of anyone else more suited for the task! He practically lives and breathes around animals so all I have to do is ask and you two will be reunited in no time!”

“Oh thank you! Thank you! Thank you!” Lucia cried excitedly galloping around. “The first thing I’ll do when I see her is gallop all over Rosa’s and we’ll scream at the top of our lungs! Then we’ll finally settle on which part of Rosas has the best grass!”

“It’s Hamlet, next question,” Asha called to the horse as the remainder of her words blurred together becoming nothing more than excited yet indecipherable gibberish.

Asha smiled watching as Valentino trotted and pleated with the horse as she took the moment to relax underneath a nearby tree.

The scene was peaceful of course.

The air was crisp and cool, and the grass was lush and green.

The nearby eucalyptus trees stood tall, with their strong branches making a tempting offer to provide her with a better view of the slowly climbing sunrise. She’d nearly taken that offer too, reaching for a branch as she caught sight of the distant misty mountains and the forests that surrounded them.

The whole scene was breathtaking… but…

Hadn’t she seen this scene before?

Yes…she had, but just…not here…slowly her mind began to drift to the day she’d been in Banquo, the day she’d seen the grass and trees turn-

She gasped, releasing her hold on the branch as the sharp outcry of birds emerged from the forest.

Slowly her eyes drifted down to her feet where she could see the gray grass surrounding her. The tree before her promptly wilted as she gasped at the stench of decay and death filling her nostrils.

But it wasn’t just the grass or the tree that disturbed her.

No, it was the sights and sounds of the animals that lay around her, their coats lacking the distinct shine and vibrancy that most of the wildlife of Rosas had. From a distance she could hear a few fight to draw in their last breaths, shaking and writhing before going completely still, as her eyes landed on the form of three small familiar figures of birds lying in the distance.

“No!” she screamed, running towards them. Upon reaching them, she noticed that they too lacked the vibrancy of all the other dying animals, only this time, she could see the clear sign of claw marks and blood caking the parts of their body that were missing both feathers and limbs. “No! No! No!” with trembling hands she reached down, picking up the cold still forms of her birds as she felt her eyes burn with tears.

Their blood caked her fingertips as she breathed. Only Mara was still breathing, but her breaths were shallow and uneven as if she were nearing her last. “Mara…Adelina…Abril…Please… please hold on.” She pleaded, helplessly watching as Mara's eyes weakly watched the bird still.

Something had attacked them, ripping them apart.

And s he couldn’t save them.

She couldn’t save anyone.

She doubled over fighting the bile that had risen in her throat as her mind reeled

Why…why was this happening?!

She knew why.

It was because she hadn’t done enough.

She’d failed, but only this time she couldn’t blame magic like she had done before.

Her eyes turned to the darkened sky above, watching in horror as the prevailing storm clouds from the night before were now strangling any ray of incoming light.

What she’d seen in Banquo had been bad, but not to this extent. It had just been the trees and plants dying and- and-

Oh no.

Her stomach churned as she looked around desperate to catch any sight of Lucia or Valentino.

“Lucia?!” She cried. “Valentino?! Where are you?!” She took a step, trying to ignore how her foot sank into the dead grass. “Valentino?!”

They need to go. They needed to leave before she saw it again.

They needed to-

Her heart stopped at the familiar yet dreadful cry that she’d prayed to never hear again.

She felt her body begin to tremble, fear enveloping her as she turned around.

There it was, watching her from a foot away, perched on a branch.

The blackbird.

“No, no!” She cries. Its bright scarlet eyes narrow in response. “You’re not supposed to be here! You were in Banquo!”

The blackbird screeched, its cries so terrible that she felt her hands desperately trying to shield her ears.

It was all she could do as the bird spread its wing, lunging towards her with its open talons to-

“Asha!” Came the star’s voice breaking the illusion as she felt him shake her gently.

“Huh? Huh?! What?! Yes!” Asha cried, looking around as her eyes landed on the concerned eyes of the concerned star, horse, and goat before her. “What are you doing outside of the satchel?” she frowned, taking a step out of the star’s grasp.

The star’s frown only deepened as she heard Lucia answer, “I called him! First, you were looking at the forest where a few birds were flying but then you just sort of…spaced out for a moment…and then you were trembling and! And!...” the horse paused, glancing at the confused and curious look that she received from Valentino and the star respectively. She cleared her throat, resuming something of a calm posture as she politely asked, “Are..are you sure you’re ok?”

She sighed, gesturing to her satchel, “I’m fine. I’m really fine! I’m serious! I just need to get to the castle, that’s all! My boss hates it when I’m late and I’ve got a big day ahead of me you know!”

Neither the star nor the goat seemed to believe her as the star glanced from her to the sky above.

It was almost daybreak.

She needed to get moving.

Luckily for her, the horse wasn’t as (no pun intended) bright as the star or as familiar with her as Valentino as she watched Lucia nod, glancing from her to the castle’s outline.

“That is true, Plus It’s only what a few yards away? At the speed I can go I can get you there in under fifteen minutes!”

“Less than fifteen minutes would be fantastic!” Asha exclaimed remounting Lucia as she pulled Valentino up to her.

She was only a few miles away and she still had no idea how she was going to break the news to the king. But anything was better than staying out here.

She turned, glaring at the star who had yet to move. She gestured to the satchel, but he still didn’t move.

She could always leave him out here. That was more than fine by her.

Hesitantly Valentino pleated something looking from her to the star.

“Uhhh Valentino said you guys shouldn’t fight-,” came Lucia’s hesitant voice.

Neither Asha nor the star said anything in response to that. He merely stood there, staring back at her as Lucia shifted uncomfortably.

Finally, Valentino pleated again. She wasn’t sure what he’d said, but whatever it had been was enough to convince the star to back down as she watched him quickly shapeshift back into his orb before slipping back into her satchel.

“Finally,” she muttered, rolling her eyes as she pulled Lucia’s reigns gently, feeling as the horse pulled forward, the castle growing closer and closer…

True to Lucia’s words, she arrived at the castle ten minutes later.

Her mind had been so focused on what she’d tell the king that she’d nearly missed the sights and sounds of her birds as they flew overhead.

She laughed, bringing Lucia to a slow as she waved to their descending figures.

“Hey, guys,“ she cooed, feeling relief as she felt Abril land on her shoulder while Mara perched on her finger. Adelina seemed to be quite comfortable on her spot on Valentino’s head as she looked them over.

They were safe.

Of course, they were safe, she’d done everything in her power to protect them. She’d built them a sanctuary and cared for them. That had been enough, right?

She tried to shake the sight that she’d seen earlier from memory. How strange was it that the three birds she’d seen dying, were the first three to greet her?

She felt uneasy as Abril chirped.

“It’s good to see you too,” she gently pet Mara who nuzzled into her hand. “I hope you guys had a safe trip back-,”

Adelina proudly chirped in reassurance, before Asha saw her glance forward to the sight of several guards, gathered near the castle entrance.

She patted Lucia, quickly bringing the horse to a halt as she watched a pair of guards turn their attention towards her. Quickly, the crowd of guards parted itself as she watched one of the king’s messengers step forward.

He adjusted his glasses, withdrawing a small scroll from his pocket that he promptly unrolled.

Two royal messengers in one day?

The king was certainly off to a productive start this morning.

The messenger glanced at her before clearing his throat, “Ms. Asha,” he began. “The king requests the presence of all his apprentices at the dining hall in roughly an hour. Please bring an empty stomach.”

An empty stomach probably meant that the king was holding a reception or celebration of sorts.

An odd choice to hold one now, given how he’d promptly banished the Clariveaus a few hours prior, but she supposed she couldn’t condemn him for trying to keep up appearances, given how his nephew had returned. The same one whom he’d exiled until deciding otherwise…

“Thank you, I will be there as soon as possible” Asha replies, sliding off of Lucia as she sets Valentino down on the ground. The messenger nods, walking off with the guards in tow to do their morning patrol. At the sight of the approaching stable boys, Asha turned to Lucia, whispering, “Thank you for your help,” she patted her, watching as Lucia beamed. “But Remember what we discussed about keeping a low profile. I’ll find your mother soon, so until then, stay low .”

Lucia nodded as she handed off her reigns to the stable boy, leaving her alone to soak in the sight of the castle.

“Well,” she breathed, adjusting her strap on her satchel, before turning to Valentino. “It’s either now or never.”

The goat nodded, following her as she headed towards the entrance of the secret passage.

Using the passage at this time of day did, admittedly, look shady, but in Asha’s defense, she didn’t trust the star to behave well enough to transport him to her quarters in any other fashion.

“That much we can be sure of, ” came the king’s muffled voice from the other side of the wall.

She paused, glancing at Valentino, who looked just as surprised as she did as she.

“That still doesn’t tell us much.” came the prince’s voice as she heard the sounds of his muffled footsteps.

How she wished the passage walls had cracked so she could see what they were doing! But perhaps it was for the best that she could only hear and not see them.

A book shut. “It tells us enough. In fact, it narrows the list down quite nicely. I will need to consult with my studies a bit more, but I’m confident of it.”

“Consult with your studies? Oh…you mean that, don’t you?”

The king laughed, a sharp contrast to the fury that had riddled his voice the last time she’d heard the pair speak. “What’s with the tone? You know as much as I do that the information this provides is very valuable. Rosas could not exist without it.”

“So you keep saying.” The prince didn’t sound convinced.

“So you should believe me,” replied the king’s voice. She could hear the sound of pages flipping, “You know there’s a whole chapter dedicated to that star in this? It’s one of the longest too! Can you imagine?”

“I try not to. That can’t mean anything good, not if it’s belonging to that book.”

“That’s not a bad assumption to make.”

“I can only imagine how dangerous it is-,”

“Or how powerful it is,” the king added.

“They’re not mutually exclusive. But we shouldn’t want something like that here. Ever.”

“Agreed. But I suppose with it, comes opportunities, benefits of sorts if you will.”

The prince was silent as the king continued . “Someday, if or when the burden becomes your own, and you live long enough to take the throne. You too will understand, but for now, we must prepare for the inevitable. As this age of Rosas draws to a close, the hour of reckoning comes quickly.”

“How can you be so sure that they’ll attack now of all times? Why wouldn’t they have attacked before?”

“You do not get to give them enough credit. Coming from someone who has taken them on, I can tell you that they are far more devious and cunning than one would think. No, the stars have waited not out of want, but out of necessity. In their time away, they’ve been planning, and cultivating. Even now I can still hear them.”

His voice trailed off as she heard the muffled sound of a knock on the door, followed by the feeble voice of a young servant, “Your Highness?”

“Excellent! Come, Ignacio, I have something I think you’d love to see-,” the door shut, signifying that both prince and king had departed as Asha slowly began to continue her venture through the passage.

Soon she passed what she could assume was the kitchen on the other side of the wall, peeping through its cracks to catch sight of a formally dressed Dahlia along with several other chefs scurrying around the now-chaotic kitchen.

Dahlia was at the counter, fervently mixing something before she paused, speaking to one of the head chefs who passed her on his way to put something into the oven, while the other chefs moved other platters onto carts that she was sure Dahlia would have to push towards the king’s study.

“Looks like she could use some help,” Asha whispered to Valentino who nodded as she took off towards her quarters.

She opened the entrance to her quarters, haphazardly tossing the satchel with star onto her bed before making her way to her desk. Grabbing a piece of bread that she’d kept for her bird’s breakfast she quickly scattered its crumbs by the window before opening it, allowing for several of her birds to enter into the room.

They chirped, eagerly hopping over her crumb-filled window sill as she addressed Valentino. “Keep an eye on you know who and make sure nothing is touched or destroyed,” Valentino frowned as she opened the door, stepping through as she promised. “I’ll bring you all back some pastries soon!”

The hallways were slightly busier than she’d expected with various servants and maids cleaning and carrying tea. She was surprised to see healers following after the servants down the hall to the eastern wing.

She quietly slipped into the kitchen, ducking and dodging past the incoming chefs as she made her way towards the corner she’d seen Dahlia working in. To her surprise, Dahlia had moved away from the countertop and was now seated in her favorite spot near the ovens, quietly mixing something.

Coincidentally, it’d been the same spot Asha spoke to her after she’d returned from the market roughly a day and a half ago.

Everything looked the same, except for the beautiful flower tree that was now perched next to her. It’s petals littered her lap around the bowl as she quietly mixed some frosting.

“Hey, Dahlia!” Asha called, waving to her as the girl looked at her in surprise.

“Oh hey, Asha! Asha? What are you doing here?” Dahlia blinked in surprise.

“I heard that the king was planning some type of food reception today and thought it would be nice if I helped you out I mean, I owe you for the food you packed for me.”

“You don’t owe me, if anything I’m the one who owes you. I mean you kept your promise, didn’t you?”

Asha nodded, a comfortable yet small silence falling between the two before Dahlia broke it, “You somehow did the impossible-,”

“I’ll take my payment in either your world famous ji dan gao sponge cakes, or lemon cake. Whichever you prefer.”

“I made you some lemon cake for the road, didn’t I?”

“You did.”

She paused, mid-stir, “Was it delicious?”

“Like always,” Asha answered, placing down the platters of Maamoul on the nearby cart as Dahlia instructed, before picking up a dish of torrijas.

“Thanks,” Dahlia sighed, carefully taking her seat by the tree once more.

Asha carefully set down the plate before turning to her. “So…are you going to tell me what’s up with the tree?”

“Oh, this?” Dahlia asked, glancing from the tree filled with beautiful pink blossoms to her.

“It’s very pretty.”

“It is,” She nodded, looking away as she picked up her batter bowl, quietly stirring. “It’s a gift from the prince,”

“A gift?”

She nodded, “It’s a cherry tree he found on his travels, and said that every time he looked at it-,” she watched the batter fall from her spoon back into the bowl. “It reminded him of me.”

“Oh?” Asha looked from the tree to the baker, a grin teasing on her lips. “He said that looking at a beautiful tree reminded him of you?”

“It’s what he told me…wait….why are you smiling?”

“Nothing, nothing,” she placed her hands in a surrendering gesture as she looked away. “ I mean- if a guy told me something like that and actually went through all of the trouble of bringing the literal tree back, well, me personally? I’d definitely be feeling some kind of way-,”

Dahlia frowned, narrowing her eyes, “And what way is that?”

She shrugged, “The same way someone used to feel in regards to how much the prince resembles his uncle in his prime.”

“What?! Who told you that?!” She accusingly pointed her spoon at Asha as she forcefully adjusted her glasses.

Asha innocently smiled, taking a step or two out of swatting range before asking, “Are you asking or demanding? Context is very important when addressing a future princess, if not queen-,”

“What?!” Dahlia exclaimed as Asha burst into laughter.

“I’m kidding! I’m kidding! But come to think of it, I think you’ve always held a special spot in the prince's heart.”

“I know, my cooking clogs his arteries.”

“I didn’t mean it like that,” Asha teased before placing a ji dan gao sponge cake platter on the cart. She’d need to retrieve a new cart for the rest of the platters. “Think about the time when you two first met. You remember that, don’t you?”

“How couldn’t I? It was on the day before the harvest festival when we’d heard the queen was coming to visit. It was also the one day that you decided to be sick.”

“Ha, ha, very funny. I didn’t decide anything-,” Asha rolled her eyes before pulling another cart out of a nearby closet and pushing it into the kitchen. “But I do know that the prince was more or less the reason that the queen took notice of you.”

“Because he trashed my pastries?” Dahlia rolled her eyes. “Yes, how very charming of him-,”

“Don’t forget the eating. He did it while eating them and gave his aunt one as well! And that’s how you got your job here!”

“Right,” Dahlia paused her mixing, as the sound of the surrounding chefs whispering and talking filled Asha’s ears before Dahlia shook her head.

“He’s come a long way from then,” Dahlia sighed before she put the finishing touches on her flan. Flan was splendidly decorated with caramel, blueberries, and strawberries, just how the prince liked it. “Now he can’t stop asking me to bake things for him!”

“Awww,” Asha laughed, earning herself a half-hearted glare from Dahlia.

“Easy for you to say. You’re not the one making this stuff for him,” she huffed before turning her attention back to the plate of magnifico-shaped cookies.

“I’m not,” Asha conceded. “but you should put it on his tab. His pockets are infinitely bigger than mine.”

“That’s not a bad idea…” Dahlia smiled before handing her the plate of magnifico cookies. “I might just spare you for that.”

“Your rare display of mercy is much appreciated,,” Asha rolled her eyes before placing the plate on the cart. “But look at it this way; At least you have a rich, good-looking guy getting on your nerves. The only people who’ve been trying me lately are peasants.”

“Hey, I’d give the guy you were with at the festival more credit than that! He seemed kind of cute.”

She tensed, placing the platter she’d been holding on the cart with a little more force than intended. “Wait the guy with me at the festival?! You saw that?!”

“…oops.”

“Don’t get it mixed up first of all I said rich, good-looking guys and he’s as much of a peasant as I am. Second of all, he wasn’t with me, he just doesn’t know how to get lost!” She shook her head, fuming.

“Sounds like an admirer-,” Dahlia grinned, thoroughly enjoying Asha’s rage.

She rolled her eyes, remembering what had happened to Julian and his family. “More like a grade-A curse…”

“Are you saying this because he’s a peasant and not a prince? You know riches and status climbing aren’t everything.”

She sighed “I know, I know but you have to admit, it does open a lot of opportunities,”

It must have been nice to be a noble. Maybe even a prince or princess. Traveling far and wide to meet with those abroad, learning and educating at the finest institutions for the betterment of yourself and your country.

Of course, it was probably not as glamorous as she thought.

But a girl could dream, couldn’t she?

“We better get moving! The reception starts in less than fifteen minutes” Dahlia called, breaking her daydream. Asha nodded, quickly pushing two carts of pastries after Dahlia pushed the other.

The two quickly made their way through the busy halls, maneuvering themselves and their carts through the chaotic crowd of passing servants.

Geeze. This was a lot of effort for an event outside of the ball, wasn’t it? But he’d never said that this reception would be a small gathering, did he?

Asha frowned, silently praying and hoping that the king wasn’t holding a gathering that was as big as the crowd of passing servants seemed to indicate. She still needed to talk to him and that would be nearly impossible to do if he was entertaining others!

The two quickly reached his study, with her hopes and prayers quietly dying as the doors to the hall opened, revealing a crowd full of Rosas’s wealthiest nobles all dressed in only a way that a noble could classify as being on the simple side.

“I was there when he was setting the market on fire! I remember looking at him as he stood there!” gasped one noblewoman overdramatically, as Asha glanced her way, more than certain that she was making her tale up. “he had lightning for hands and eyes that could glow?!”

“Quickly! Write that down!” came the familiar voice of Miguel de Vegas, hissing towards his assistant who noted while quickly jotting down notes. “Ugh! Esperanza, why do cool things keep happening and why are we never around to see it?!” he exclaimed, shaking his assistant by the shoulders.

She shrugged, “welcome to Rosas, I guess?”

“Pardon me!” Dahlia cast the nobles a polite smile as she slowly pushed the cart forward. “These are for the king! Sorry!”

Several of the nobles eyed the pair carefully, before relenting to form a path for the two to make their way through as they pushed their carts towards the food tables where the other servants and chefs took the platters from them.

“Thank God that’s done,” Dahlia sighed, clapping her hands before turning to Asha. “Are you looking for someone?”

She nodded, trying to look over the passing servants who were giving drinks to several nobles. “yeah. Where the heck is the queen? She should be here!”

“You didn’t hear the news about the queen?” Dahlia frowned before taking two glasses from the offering servant.

She offered Asha a glass, which she gladly took, “Thanks…wait what news?”

“Asha,” she lowered her voice before leaning towards her. “The queen isn’t here because she was injured last night.”

“What?! What happened to her?!”

“They say she was attacked by the same lunatic who tried to burn the market down.”

No. No, Julián didn’t … how could he?!

No wonder his family had been banished overnight… he was probably rotting away in the dungeons now…

“We should probably go find the king…are you ok Asha? The news was a bit shocking when I heard it too but the prince says that the healers think she’ll make a full recovery.”

“That’s good. I’m glad she’s ok. I just wish she was here…”

The crowd parted, offering her a view of the two royals, the prince and the king; the latter of whom was holding the dreaded cat. Both were standing in front of a large object, shielded from view by the large cloth that covered it. Next to them were all of the apprentices, save for Dario, dressed in their uniforms. They regarded the crowd with seemingly as much interest as the crowd regarded them with- which was not much beyond politeness.

The king was speaking, quickly earning himself a burst of laughter from the surrounding nobles as he gave his nephew a firm pat on the shoulder.

Looking at them felt like Asha had been seeing the same person at two different points in their lifetime. A magnifico nearing his prime, and a magnifico who was still at the pinnacle of his power.

Did the king also see his nephew that way? Probably not, they were family after all. Surely that must’ve meant something even in the world of royal politics.

The prince’s eyes quickly scanned the crowd before meeting hers and then settling on Dahlia. His smile wasn’t lost on either of them as Asha chuckled, watching Dahlia roll her eyes.

But her laughter quickly died down as the king repeated his nephew’s actions as her eyes met his.

The prince must’ve informed his uncle of her arrival. The king smiled, the music in the hall coming to a stop as all eyes turned to her.

Quietly she and Dahlia made their way to the king, both giving the royal pair their best curtsy before she heard Charo screech, clawing at her from the king’s grasp.

“Whoa! Whoa!” he called, pulling the cat away from Asha. “You’ll have to forgive him, he’s not the friendliest of cats…” His brows furrowed as he leaned his head down towards the cat. “Charo! No clawing! Remember what I told you earlier?” the cat stilled in the king’s arms as he smiled.

Slowly, he lowers it to the ground, somehow missing the final yet lethal glare it casts in Asha's direction before lazily trotting off through the crowd... “That’s right, now go on. Go have fun elsewhere!” the king called before the cat disappeared from view.

“Asha!” The king called with a bright smile before turning to address his subjects. “As you all know she’s one of my best apprentices! She was able to make the impossible possible! Let’s all give her a hand!” The surrounding nobles nodded, all applauding Asha as she gave them a polite smile and bow.

Her eyes met the other apprentices, and as expected, none of them smiled in return.

“As promised, now that my final apprentice has arrived I will unveil the surprise,” the king interrupts as the sheet around the large object falls by itself.

The crowd of nobles gasped as Asha felt her jaw drop in shock as well, trying to make sense of the now-revealed object.

It was a statue of Julian. Terror and horror danced across his features as he posed in a lunging position. He looked so real that had it not been for the pale coloring of the marble and the crack on the palm of his hands where his flames had emerged, she would’ve thought it was real.

She wished it wasn’t real.

His rotting away in the dungeons with his family exiled had been bad enough- but to celebrate it with a statue of him on the same day?

Asha wasn’t sure what to make of it. But the nobles around her most definitely did as they applauded and cheered, both in a mixture of what she imagined was full of fear and schadenfreude.

She nearly had to applaud the way the king had kept his nobles in line. He always seemed to dance on the line of pleasantly stringing them along when needed yet never hesitating to remind them of just what he was capable of.

“It’s a wonderful statue isn’t it Ignacio?” The king smiled.

“Of course,” the prince smiled politely as he looked at the crowd of still-cheering nobles.

“I’m glad you like it. I’ll have it placed in your study. It’ll go well with your other ones.”

The prince’s smile wavered but he quickly recaptured his composure with such speed that Asha wondered if she’d imagined it. “That’s not necessary, your highness-,”

“Oh but I insist! And besides, the movers are on a tight schedule. They’ll have it placed in there before noon.”

The prince quietly sucked in a tight breath, his smile growing tight “You’re too kind-,”

“Indeed I am,” the king nodded, cheerfully oblivious to his nephew’s sarcasm. “In light of yesterday’s events, Donato has seen to it to make this statue to commemorate the defeat of evil and the triumph of Rosas. He informed me of its completion this morning and I just couldn’t resist the chance to share it with all of you! So Please give a hand to our sculptor!”

The sculptor stepped forward, bowing and trembling, trembling as he nervously smiled at the surrounding, applauding crowd.

Asha and Dahlia exchanged glances. As generous as the king was, there were two problems with this.

One: Asha had been at the market all day yesterday and not once had she seen Donato enter or leave. He couldn’t have, not when he’d moved north to attend Rosas’s best five-year art school two years ago. And two with the amount of detail imparted into the statue there was no way he could’ve gotten this finished overnight, not unless he too had magical powers like the subject of the sculpture.

Something here wasn’t adding up…

“Please! Enjoy the celebration!” The king declared as the music began once more. “Rest assured there’s more to come!” He turned his attention back to Asha and Dahlia surprising them both as he spoke, “The pastries are excellent Dahlia. Please be sure to send a platter or two to the queen’s quarter in an hour or so.”

“Yes your highness,” she bowed. Maybe Asha was being nosy but she couldn’t help but notice how intently the prince was staring at Dahlia, like she alone was standing in front of the king.

“Is something wrong Asha?” The king asked. Why was everyone asking her that question today??? She was nearly ready to voice an answer when he held up his hand stopping her. “Nope nope nope. I saw your face. It’s the same face your father used to make when he too was lost in thought.” He paused taking a sip from his wine that Asha was certain was far more expensive than the statue behind him. “So what’s got you so concerned on this fine day?”

“Well your highness,” Asha began. “I…I would like to speak to you in private- please.”

The king’s smile shrank, “this isn’t about your projects is it?”

“No! No, Your Highness, it’s about something else,” she paused glancing at Bazeema whose eyes widened with her following words. “There was something I noticed while on my travel to the western market of Rosas.”

“Hmm, I see,” the king replied nearly looking relieved as Asha watched him seem to be lost in thought. He paused as his gaze settled on an incoming servant, pushing through the crowd. “Hold that thought, please,” he told the Asha. “I’ll get back to you in a few minutes.”

“Thank you, Your Highness,” she said with a bow before watching him follow after the servant. She’d turned nearly about to say something to Dahlia when she’d noticed that the girl was currently wrapped up in conversation with the prince.

“Bazeema!” She called, waving to the girl who smiled or rather grimaced, as she approached.

“Hey,” she quietly replied, her eyes not quite meeting Asha’s as she neared.

She glanced around before leaning forward to whisper, “Bazeema you were right.”

“Right?” She repeated.

She nodded, “I went into the forest. I know you told me that I shouldn’t but things happened and when you were right. Something weird is happening to the farmers' land, I saw it…But you saw it too didn’t you? ”

“I-,” Bazeema’s voice trailed off as she watched her uncomfortably take a bite from a torrija.

“Did you tell the queen and king about it? The grass? The trees? The blackbird?”

She paled, immediately shrinking away from Asha as she trembled. “N-no! I.. I'm sorry,” she squeaked, nearly choking on her cookie as Safi and Hal looked over in concern. “I…I don’t know what you’re talking about!”

Confusion filled her as she eyed Bazeema carefully “What? But you said-,”

“No!” she heaved. “I didn’t!”

“Bazeema are you ok?” Came Hal’s voice, abruptly cutting her off as she stepped past Asha to Bazeema who was trying to cough quietly.

“I was,” she paused to cough. “Trying to eat a-,” cough. “It went down the wrong way.”

Hal gave her a firm pat on the back before casting several onlooking nobles a brilliant smile. “It’s ok, Bazeema. just take big breaths-,”

“What happened?” Safi asked, looking from her to Asha with a frown.

“It was nothing,” Bazeema interrupted, finally clearing her throat. ‘No, it wasn’t just nothing,’ Asha’s mind whispered. She’d seen what had happened in Banquo and the horror on Bazeema’s face when she’d mentioned it.

So why was she trying to pretend that it had never happened???

“Actually-,” Asha began, her voice trailing off at Hal and Safi’s frown along with the uncomfortable look on Bazeema’s face. All three of them looked as if they’d rather be elsewhere with anyone else, something which Asha could agree with.

She’d been lying if she hadn’t admitted that times like this had nearly made her contemplate quitting her job. Dreams for funding, treasonous wish granting, and moral obligations aside, what was there for her in being the king’s apprentice? It wasn’t like he was teaching her anything magical nor was she making friends with the other apprentices.

But she’d tolerate them now, for Lucia’s sake at least.

“I actually wanted to ask you a question,” she turned to Safi.

“M-me?!” He stammered breaking into a cold sweat.

“That’s right. I was wondering if you could possibly help one of the recently returning horses from Antaris out?”

“Oh,” he relaxed. “What’s their name?”

“Her name is Lucia. She’s a white mare, and pretty friendly too. But I can’t help but get the feeling that she’s lonely. So many of those horses were sent away when they were foals…they probably miss their family-,”

“They do,” Safi nodded. His eyes watering. “You should hear the stories they tell me!” He sniffles “But I’ve been trying to track down their families in the meantime. It might take me some time but I think I can help Lucia out. Just leave it to me!”

“Thank you, Safi,” Asha smiled. “I don’t know how you do it so quickly.”

“Everything becomes a lot easier when you can talk to animals,” Safi said with a shrug.

Hal feigned a cough, quietly slipping in the words, “Show off much?” As Bazeema giggled.

Safi’s face nearly turned as red as his nose as he fumed, “What did you say?!”

“I said that you and I can go head out to the stables as soon as the party winds down! And of course, the king is occupied- but I think I heard some of the others talking about checking the old records,” Hal offered, as Safi nodded.

“That’s a great idea! Wanna join us Bazeema?”

“Sure!”

“You think the prince will want to come?”

“I dunno. Have you asked him yet?”

“No not yet,” Safi answered as the three turned their attention towards the prince who was still talking to Dahlia, only this time he was enjoying the flan she had made for him. “Eh let’s ask him later…he seems busy.”

Busy was one way of putting it.

“Has anyone seen Dario?” Hal asked, just as the sound of loud drum music emerged.

All eyes turned towards the source of the music as Asha quickly caught sight of Dario drumming his heart out in a small corner of the room, as the strangely sourced music attempted to follow his lead.

Emphasis on the attempt part.

Several nobles cringed, quickly distancing themselves from Dario as he continued his drum solo.

To Aha’s surprise, the king stepped from the crowd, quietly taking his place by the prince’s side with a less than amused expression on his face.

“Remind me why I allowed this?” He whispered to the prince.

“Because I asked nicely.”

“You asked nicely.” The king smiled. “It sounds like someone needed more time away.”

“Ha ha, no thank you. This is the best Dario can do, Your Highness. Sometimes you just have to be…encouraging.” They all winced as Dario began to drum louder. “Sometimes.”

The king rolled his eyes, “Fair enough…alright Dario that’s enough” he called, waving his hand as the drumsticks telekinetically pulled themselves from Dario’s grasp.

“But I was just getting to the best part!” Dario cried.

“You were, which was the end,” the king smiled as the drumsticks disappeared into thin air as the crowd gratefully cheered. “Which unfortunately brings me to our untimely conclusion,” the king sighed as his expression turned to sadness as the crowd cooed and groaned. “It’s of the utmost importance that I currently see to my apprentices’ training-,”

Training? She blinked in surprise, vaguely taking note of the shocked looks the other apprentices exchanged.

When was the last time the king had willingly given any of them a lesson? She doubted any of them could remember. For him to be doing that now of all times could only mean that things were more serious than she thought…

“But you need not worry. In six days, we will have a feast like no other!” The crowd cheered, roaring so loudly that Asha swore she’d felt the ground shake. “I look forward to seeing you all there and in good spirits, but until then I will wish you all, farewell.” He paused, turning towards the entrance, sending all of his apprentices a glance that could only mean that he’d now wanted them to follow.

They complied without question, trailing after the prince and king to his study as the study’s doors abruptly closed themselves behind him.

Asha was surprised to see that Dahlia too had followed, but after seeing the plate of flan and Magnifico cookies on her cart, she’d understood why.

The whole study was silent as they watched the king take a seat as the prince stood by his side.

“Let’s begin shall we?” The king asked no one in particular. “Now I know what you all are thinking. Yes, I do. Don’t be surprised. You all wear your thoughts on your face like a second skin,” he paused picking up a magnifico cookie and carefully examining it as Asha saw Dahlia gulp. “You’re probably wondering, ‘Why is the king holding a lesson now of all times? When was the last time he did it? What else could he possibly have to teach us? !”

As expected, no one answered.

“Well my dear apprentices,” he paused as the study’s doors opened themselves, this time several servants entered carrying large stands and notecards as he continued, “as right as you all may be with your questions. I think it’s time I be honest with you.” The servants carefully placed the stands and cards down as both cards and stands began assembling themselves. The way they did it, eerily reminded her of the star’s power.

“Time is of the essence,” the king spoke once more, his staff suddenly appearing in his hand. “You’ve all heard of it, much less seen it. What many have affectionately coined as The light .”

The apprentices nodded, Asha’s throat felt dry as she noticed that the king’s eyes lacked its usual humor. “Well unfortunately for us all,” the cards flipped themselves over, each revealing a name on it.

‘Alderamin’

‘Polaris’

‘Sirius’

‘Arctarus’

‘Altair’

‘Antares’

Wait. Hadn’t all of those names been in the astronomer’s journal? This was the third time she’d seen Alderamin and Sirius. One had been sung about in the play. The other had been the one she’d seen in the prince’s study.

The names of stars had no reason to be here, unless…the king was suspecting something.

Oh no.

“I believe that there is a monster among us one that’s descended to capture the wishes like the other monsters so long ago.”

She didn’t know why his quick reasoning had horrified or shocked her as badly as it did. Of course, he’d be able to identify stars- he’d fought and killed so many.

He must’ve figured it out from coming into contact with Julian.

She quietly cursed Cepheus, nearly missing the terrified gasps that escaped the other apprentices or the uneasy look on Ignacio’s face as he glanced towards the card that read ‘SIRIUS.’

Did he still suspect the star to be Sirius?

Come to think of it the star did act suspiciously when she’d asked about naming him Sirius. He’d even claimed to know who he was… but In retrospect, he’d backed off the name a little too quickly for her liking. That, Orion, Earendall, and Polaris seemed to be the only names he’d had physical reactions to. But she didn’t want to imagine him as being the prominent star her parents had used to save themselves at sea.

But then that brought up another question.

The star had claimed to have been too weak and young to be an alpha star. He’d clearly lacked experience in granting wishes too… yet he was enough to make the king, an experienced star slayer, concerned?

Why would the stars send someone so weak after all this time to continue their mission? Why would Magnifico worry about it?

Of course, a possible explanation of this could have been that the stars Magnifico fought were never alpha stars and their strength had been greatly exaggerated. Or, maybe the star was just a small piece of a much more intricate plan of his superiors.

It was hard to tell, but still unsettling when thought about.

Sure maybe she’d have a different definition of ‘weak’ than the star, but it felt as if she was missing something, something that had been purposefully omitted.

“Cool names,” Dario called with a grin as he suddenly broke the silence. “Did you come up with them?”

The king’s face twisted with what one could only describe as annoyance. “Dario…just how ignorant are you?”

Dario shrugged, “It varies sir.”

“Of course…” the king sighed, glancing towards the prince who grimaced. “For your information, These are the names of stars-“

“Ohhh-,”

“Stars that could have possibly been what we all saw a day or so ago. Granted said star could be another star than the ones listed here. In fact, it could be anyone or anything or anywhere.” Like here in the castle, Asha thought. “That’s what makes them so dangerous-,”

“Question!” came to Dario’s voice again.

“Yes Dario,” the king groaned, rolling his eyes.

“So you’re saying that stars are more or less shapeshifters that can change their form to fit their needs.”

“Yes.”

“Well if we’re going to be dealing with it, wouldn’t it help to establish some sort of password or secret code that we could all use to differentiate ourselves from the star in case it tries to infiltrate our ranks?” The room fell silent once more as everyone looked towards the teen in amazement.

“What?”

The king blinked, briefly exchanging glances with the slightly less surprised prince as he confessed, “Oh it’s just…that’s a very good idea…I wasn’t expecting it from you that’s all!”

“I try to have my moments of brilliance every now and then sir,” Dario replied.

“Your self-awareness worries me but I commend the honesty!” The king looked pleased now as he suddenly stood up and walked towards them. “We can come up with the password before the day is done, but for now, I want you all to prepare for the lesson.”

“Do we need our alchemy set?” Bazeema asked.

“Our spell journals?” Safi sniffled.

“And our containment jars?” Hal questioned.

“Yes, yes and yes! But I was thinking we could try something new today. How about we take our lesson on the road?”

“On the road?” the apprentices said in unison. “We’ve never practiced magic outside of the castle before-,”

“I know! But in light of recent events we all need to be ready at any moment's notice. So I’m going to give you all five minutes to get yourselves ready before meeting me outside to start. Understood?”

“Yes, your Highness!” They all called, collectively exiting the room as they left Asha alone with Dahlia, the prince and king. She’d been here long enough to know that she was usually excused from most magical lessons.

The king took his seat again, the scrolls unrolling themselves as she watched the king quietly scribble something down on it, before murmuring something to the prince.

The prince nodded, walking over towards Asha and Dahlia. He cast Asha a polite smile before regarding Dahlia, “Hey Dahlia.”

“Hello Your Highness,” Dahlia replied with a small bow, missing how the prince rolled his eyes before taking his side at her cart. “you wouldn’t happen to have a spare plate of flan I could bring to the queen now, right? Weren’t you the one who said that flan always tastes better when it’s shared with the ailing?”

“No your hi-,”

“Yes, yes you did! And I’d be more than happy to help you take them to her!” he interrupted her, moving Dahlia through the doors. He stopped, whispering something as the study doors began to close themselves offering Asha a final view of the prince as he turned to her to mouth the words ‘Good luck’ over his shoulders.

Yikes. How bad was it when the exiled prince of all people was wishing her good luck when dealing with the king?

“Ah, you wanted to speak to me, didn’t you Asha?” came the king’s voice from behind her as the final scroll sealed itself.

“Yes Your Highness,” she carefully started, silencing the doubts and nerves that ate away at her. “I...I needed to talk to you about my travel-,”

“So I take it that your trip went as well as expected?” he asked, not glancing up at her as another scroll slowly levitated itself from the bookshelf towards his now outreached hand.

“It did your highness. Thank you.” she paused, trying to measure his expression. For someone who’d banished the entire family of one of his last friends/allies, the king didn’t seem…all that distressed. At least not on the outside.

She needed to proceed with caution.

“But during my stay in Banquo, I noticed a problem with the farmer’s-,”

“Is this about the strange grass and bird?” he interjected, the scroll set itself down on the table as she hesitantly nodded. “I sent Bazeema out there a while back to have a look at it…And given everything that she’s reported since, it seems to me that they’ve grossly exaggerated the situation-,” Grossly exaggerated the situation? “-You know how people are with any animal that pertains the shade of black. They’re all terribly misunderstood creatures-,”

“But your Highness, what I saw-,”

“Was nothing more than your mind playing tricks on you. You know save for the farmers, you are the only one who’s complained about, what they would call…” he paused, glancing to the ceiling thoughtfully. “This…blackbird…was that what they called it?”

“Yes, your Highness.”

“Thank you, this black bird’s presence! So far I have yet to hear the officials or Bazeema even murmur a word about it!”

She hesitated. She’d known what she’d seen, and that she hadn’t, she couldn’t be making it up! How could she be making up something that she, Valentino, and Alonso had seen at the same time? It just wasn’t feasible for three people to simultaneously see something that didn’t exist!

Oh how she longed to voice this thought, but from how the king poured most of his attention into the scrolls, she knew it was better than arguing with him. His lack of full attention was always a sign to tread cautiously with topics that he disagreed on.

So she only had one logical option, confess that she was wrong and he was right.

Would she have hated herself for letting the farmers and wildlife of Rosas down? Absolutely. Would it come back to bite her if the situation escalated? Probably, but she was more than prepared to use the king’s words against him if she could escape a bad situation.

Maybe she couldn’t blame him for this, not when Bazeema herself was acting so strange as well...

But there was no point in arguing over this, not when she needed him to listen about the wishes, which she knew he wouldn’t do if he were displeased with her.

“Ah…I see, my apologies then,” she started carefully, lowering her eyes to the ground as it took everything in her not to scream.

“It’s quite alright,” he admitted with a sigh as another scroll rested itself on the table.

Cautiously she broke the silence once more. “But on the night of the curfew, I was on my way back from the newest play-,”

“Miguel de Vega’s?” the king asked, glancing at her as she nodded. He chuckled, “I’ve heard it was quite the play. The songs were catchy too. What do you think about having him direct it the night of the astral ball? It could be fitting!”

“Uh…certainly your highness! I think you would most definitely enjoy the play’s….theme…” she grimaced, watching as he looked back at his scrolls and nodded. “However, I do think I should tell you that on my way passing the wish garden…I noticed strange figures going to and fro the garden long after its visiting hours-,”

“Strange Figures? Strange figures?” he repeated, setting down the scroll as he stared at her. “And what did these strange figures look like?”

“I…I don’t know, I didn’t get a good look at them, but I think they were up to no good. I think…I think the wishes are in danger…”

The room fell silent as she watched the king’s grip on the feather tighten as he drew in one terse breath, then another.

“Asha,” he began quietly, rising out of his chair as he slowly leaned over his desk. “With the current system in place, regarding every protocol that’s been meticulously thought and installed- what you’re saying is not possible. Not for a mortal, and most definitely not for a sorcerer.”

“Maybe it was something else, Your Highness? Our world is admittedly full of oddities that mankind has only scratched the surface of-,” such words were a mistake as she watched him draw in a deep breath.

He was angry.

She knew it, even when he was trying to hide it, you could always sense that rage underneath the surface, eating away at him.

Her thoughts were only confirmed by his next words.

“Do you know how much protection I’ve put on those wishes, on those gardens? On this kingdom? It’s all to prevent that-,” he paused, pointing his staff at the half-burnt quilt that hung over the fireplace. “From ever happening to us again!”

He straightened himself, drawing in a deep breath or two before he calmly continued, this time walking towards her. “Since coming back to the castle I’ve spoken with every maintainer from every garden across the country and not one of them has mentioned these strange figures or any strange tampering with the wishes…So, pray tell what were you even doing around a wish garden that time of night?”

“I was settling in for the night after the play,” she confessed while trying to meet his eyes. There was only one way she could calm him if the queen wasn’t here. It was the same way she’d calmed any noble. “We’d had so many reprises about how you’d conquered the stars, we just couldn’t help ourselves. Hearing not only about how you helped my father and the others find Rosas but did the impossible by defeating all of those stars was…incredible to say the least.” She had to stop herself from crying from relief as she watched his eyes slowly soften.

Flattery and nostalgia tended to have that effect on people.

“It was amazing, wasn’t it?” the king sounded pleased now.

“And inspiring too, seeing you do so much, made me want to help too. I’m sorry for offending you, your highness. Maybe I misinterpreted what I saw, but I only meant to protect the wishes because I know how important they are.”

He smiled, a sincere one as he nodded in agreement. “The wishes are the heart and soul of Rosas’s people. Without them, there is no Rosas.”

No Rosas? That didn’t sound right to her, but she politely nodded, more than happy to agree to it if it would placate the king.

“I’m glad that the play has given you a new perspective on things. You’ll need that moving forward.”

“Yes your Highness-,”

“Although I will admit that I am a bit perturbed at all these strange ideals and misgivings you’ve suddenly brought forward, how about we save those for Dario, hmm? I tend to think of you as being the most levelheaded of all my apprentices.”

She reluctantly nodded, barely having any time to brace herself for the king’s next words.

“Perhaps a trip to the library would do you some good. The librarian took his leave a while ago to visit his family abroad, so I’ve been meaning to clean it… Perhaps you could benefit more from sorting the shelves and clearing whatever you come across?”

“I-,” she began, her heart falling.

“Of course, that’s not to say that if you are done by the time I and the others return, I will be more than happy to discuss funding one of your projects.”

She blinked in surprise. “Really?”

“I gave you my word didn’t I?”

She nodded.

“Good! Well then, I’d get started if I were you! I wish you the best of luck!” the smile the king had gifted her with looked all too similar to the one he’d given her the moment she’d accepted his initial proposal.

Quietly, he stood to his feet, making his departure as he began to hum a tune that also seemed to resemble the one he had also hummed when he’d left her in the west wing.

Was history repeating itself?

She could only hope not.

“I’m not sure why they dislike me,” she heard the star whisper to the goat as they descended down one of the lesser-used stairwells to the library. “I tried to say hi to them but all they did was stare!”

They were nearly halfway there to the library, and neither of them had said a word to each other since they’d arrived at the castle. The star had been too busy complaining about how unfriendly her birds were to Valentino and had yet to even mention what had transpired the night before, which was more than fine by Asha. Really.

After what he’d said last night in combination with what he’d done at the market, and to the Clariveaus well…She’d be fine if he never spoke to her again.

“It’s because my birds are an actual good judge of character. If they don’t like you then there’s not much hope for you,” she replied, barely holding the door open for him as he followed after he down the hallway and towards the library.

The star paused, glancing every which way as he seemingly took in the sights of the castle hallway. He frowned. “So let me get this straight, you have to clean an entire library before the king comes back, which could be at any given time?... Who are you? Cinderella?”

“What?” Asha repeated, looking at the star incredulously. Finally, she stopped, placing both hands on her hips, “Cepheus be honest with me. Can your people be killed?”

“Well,” the star cautiously began. “That depends. Do you have any hidden weapons on you?”

“They’re called hidden weapons for a reason.”

“Well in that case the answer is a resounding no. We’re indestructible.”

“Seriously Cepheus?”

He frowned, “You asked! And besides, executions are…delicate and complicated matters that's usually handled by the alpha stars. So it’d be best for you to not get involved,” the star answered, looking away as Asha retrieved the spare library key from her pocket. “But, you said that…you had something for me? Which hopefully doesn’t involve…death?”

“Yes,” she grunted, carefully sticking the key within the lock as she turned it.

“You remember what Valentino proposed we do in the market with a little friendly competition?” the star nodded as she heard the goat cautiously bleat.

“It never materialized-,” he slowly nodded.

“No… It didn’t. But I’m proposing we do it here.” She looked from the look to the star standing behind her. It was time to cut her losses. The lock clicked, as the door slowly cracked open.

“Oh?”

“We’ll settle it here. As a wager. Mano y mano. Me vs you.”

“A wager, hmm?” the star glanced at the library. “What are you willing to wager?”

“It’s simple, whoever correctly stacks and sorts the most books by any means necessary, wins. If I win,” she pointed to herself. “You do me one final favor and go home. No ifs, ands or buts about it.”

He tilted his head, looking her over before asking, “And if I win?”

She frowned, not wanting to entertain the possibility, but nevertheless answered, “Then you get to pick a prize of your choice.”

“A prize, hmm,” he scratched his cheek. “Alright then, how about your time?”

“Pardon?”

“All I ask for is a day of your time. You know, just to get to spend some time to know each other! You said we couldn’t be friends because we hadn’t known each other for long-,”

“I did, but a day isn’t going to fix that Cepheus!” she hissed.

“We’ll see!” he laughed. “But, I can promise you you won’t have a bad time! It’ll be fun!”

Fun was subjective…but they could probably at least agree to it not being boring… But it didn’t matter, not when Asha was more or less certain she’d win this.

Why you may ask? Well, she had two aces up her sleeve, three if you were feeling as unethical as she was at this moment.

The star couldn’t read. So she doubted he’d be able to properly sort the books without magic.

The library ranked second only to the west wing when it came to areas covered in protective runes and who knows what else security measures the sorcerer king had put in place. If the star was smart he’d have to restrain himself to not trip any of them.

She could fight, the star couldn’t. She could hurt the star. He couldn’t hurt her. She’d leave the rest up to you.

Even if, God forbid, the star won, she’d still win the war if it would make the king fund her projects.

“Is that what you really want?” she asked as the star nodded and Valentino panickedly pleated.

“Fine,” she called. “But I need you to agree to one final thing. If you get into trouble. If you so much as fall, under no circumstances are you allowed to take me down with you. If anyone catches you, not only is that an automatic forfeit on your part, but I will not save you from any consequences that emerge, and you can’t say that we’re together. Got it?”

“Fine by me,” the star answered with a familiar bright smile, before holding out his hand. “Care to shake on it?”

She narrowed her eyes, glancing suspiciously from the star to “Why would I shake your hand?”

“It’s just to solidify the pact.”

“The pact?”

“Well if you want me to go back, then you’ll need something just as strong as the rules that keep me here, right? And what better way than a pact?”

She had to admit, after yesterday she had reason to be wary with him when it came to his promises but if this was binding, it would at least give her the assurance she needed to make him leave.

“Fine,” she huffed, taking his hand as they shook.

She hated how warm his fingers felt against hers and how immediate regret seemed to fill her at the star’s smile.

There was no way she planned on losing, not without a fight.

#wish asha #wish 2023 #wish disney #writers on tumblr #fanfic #wish au #asha #star boy #cepheus #disney fanfiction #a03 fanfic

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