#hello puppets fic reference

[sarilolla]

Bee reference

Doing a proper reference of Bee, in a similar style to my other reference posts. Details here will be changed as the story progresses :)

This is pretty long as well lol

--

Age: 26 - Birthday: December 18th

Full name: Beatrice Gold Gubberson

Nicknames: Bee (is refered to this more than her real name), Wasp (somewhat hurtful, was used when she was angry and dangerous), Bea (what her family called her, the parts of the family that she doesn't like tho), Bumblebee (her dad James, and her uncle Owen, called her this), a variety of tall jokes/references from Scout

Pronouns: She/her

Romantic attraction/sexuality: Panromantic asexual

Nationality: Her mother's side is Norwegian, while her dad's side has lived in the USA for a while. So she is half Norwegian

Job: Ripperdoc (the best term I could find for it, it's from Cyberpunk (game)). She is nicknamed The Fairy and has worked as a ripperdoc for 5 years. She does high-quality work that gets paid a lot for, especially whenever she has a commission from the Institute, so she has the financial means to have lots of free time and work on personal projects that might be expensive

She wears glasses with those little magnifying glasses on the side for smaller jobs, and more ridiculous looking ones for bigger ones

Powers: Healing powers. Manifests as small floating lights nicknamed "fireflies" and glowing eyes when used a lot. They manifest with a golden/yellow hue, to symbolize strong magic and happiness. Can heal organic material, but work best with flesh (humans/animals), and cloth almost doesn't work. They are highly calming, used mainly to calm people whenever she works on them as a ripperdoc. The fireflies act like how many people describe twitch chats in mcyt fanfics, and have been with Bee since her powers manifested at 10. Her mother had a similar power, but Bee's fireflies are able to physically interact with objects and living beings, and can be heard by others unless Bee doesn't use her powers or she quiets them

Bio family: 

Mother: Abigail Gold Gubberson - extremely bad relationship (they haven't spoken at all in around 10 years), but Bee got her powers from her

Father: James Gubberson (deceased) - very good relationship when he was still alive, she was a daddy's girl. Died when Bee was 14, and the reason she has Milo. Although he didn't approve of how Owen tackled his show and how he saw his puppets, he tried to support his brother as much as possible, at least emotionally

Older sister & brother (twins): Lily & Oliver Gold Gubberson - bad relationship, being their mother's golden children and having a general snobby and “better than you” attitude they have nothing in common with their younger sisters. They are 3 years older than Bee, and therefore also not alive when the Handeemen was brought to life (although their mother was pregnant with them)

Younger brother: Simon Gold Gubberson - decent relationship, they don't talk much but at least they don't hate each other as Bee is with the rest of the still alive part of the family. He is 5 years younger than Bee 

Uncle: Owen Gubberson (deceased) - good relationship, Owen was somewhat of a mentor and teacher to Bee, her inspiration for her craftsmanship. The older by 3 years of the Gubberson brothers. He left everything he owned to Bee. I will make Owen his own reference as well, as he is slightly different than canon

Grandfather: — Gubberson (unsure if he is alive or dead) - A cruel man, and as such he was not allowed contact with any of his grandchildren. All Bee knows about him is that he sent money to her uncle to fund his show as an “apology”, but that neither her uncle nor her dad has ever forgiven him for what he has done to them

Physical looks:

Curly, shoulder-length hair (dark brown) loose or tied up by a bandana

Gray eyes

Freckles

Tall and lanky, but has prominent muscles

Small chest

Clothes:

Usually dark colors

Sweatshirts and weird t-shirts (wack graphic designs)

Tons of hoodies, as the hood part of those are one of Scouts favorite places to be

A bandana around the neck, tying hair up, or just in the pocket (blue, with small white flowers embroidered on it)

Loose pants with huge pockets

Combat boots

Overalls with big pockets in front, where Scout likes to sit

Generally, if it has pockets, she would wear it

Formal clothes:

She has two different ones, the most common, and a traditional Norwegian one

Common: A black pinstripe suit with a little cape, something similar to this

Traditional Norwegian clothing aka a “bunad”: A Oslo bunad, the light blue one (this is the one I have, so obviously my oc has one as well):

Does not consider herself religious, but “believes in” a group of gods that is called “the Prime Court”. The reason she “believes in”, is because she has met one of the four gods in this one a couple of times. There's four of them, Lord Thedes god of Creations, Rex Iias god of Battle, Noen the Overseer, and Karin the goddess of Death

Vigilante: Her vigilante name is/was Nightlight. The only one aware that she did this was Owen, plus her group of friends (Percy, Alex, and Olive) who were also vigilantes. They mainly did smaller things, as the town wasn't too dangerous (the most dangerous part of town was around the Handeemen studio). She is retired as a vigilante though, only having used the suit and mechanical arms again to keep an eye on the Handeemen studio. She had a black anti-tear pants, a black hoodie, a full face mask, and mechanical arms similar to Doc Ock from spider man (imagine whichever you want, but I prefer the one from spiderverse)

Personality: Deeply caring and loyal. Usually takes on a mom friend role or an older sister figure in a group. Pretty smart both academically and emotionally. A pacifist (remember that if someone is a pacifist, it means they have the ability to harm. If they don't have the ability to harm, they are just harmless). Takes a lot of pride in her work, and it took a lot to get to where she is (she started doing that work around 16 years old). Love language is physical touch, acts of service, and quality time. Loves her friends and found family a lot, she would die for them. Sees Scout as a younger sister (they are also besties)

Sharing her room with Scout, from the beginning it's what made both of them feel the safest. They have the largest bedroom (and the largest bed, its kings size), and share the space pretty equally, although adjustments were made for Scout to reach places

[phantom-of-the-ruckus]

Once upon a midnight dreary CH2

Tw: mentions of murder, violence, grief, insanity, and other dark subjects

Also this takes place around the 1800s, so be aware that some of the reactions are implied to be typical of the period. This does NOT reflect my perspective on mental health.

Previous chapter

Next Chapter:

Library

Chapter 2: Ill-fated

Morning came like a dead bird falling from a tree. My eyes were weary, and were decorated with dark circles. I sleep nothing the night of my father’s murder, and very well refused to not avail the following nights before his arrival. I was disheartened, and stressed. There was no word from the police, and my father’s study was locked for investigation. Only my father’s chambers and garden remained intact temporarily, but I was advise not to touch any of his belongings for possible clues. So, I became accustomed to sit and simply stare at the memories I had but could never touch. 

“There she is once again…” I could hear one of the maid muttered. Kathy, I believe was her name. She was pleasant but wasn’t the type to chat. “All she does is sit there and stare at a rusty old shelf. She barely refuses to come out or eat something!”

“Now, now. You better give her patience, Katherine.” I remember the soothing voice of Olive said. She was the youngest of the maids. She seemingly understood me. It was a tragedy that tuberculosis took her young. “Mistress Ruckus lost her father a week ago. Not to mention we lost Mistress Dora in December as well, just two months ago. It is obvious that our remaining Mistress from the Ruckus family would wish to mourn!”

I pretended not to hear their voices, as the ringing of the bells faded as the days went by…

“Olive, you haven’t lived for decades attending the family or helping late Mistress Dora raise her daughter!” I could hear Kathy growl from the distance. Olive sighed. “I know that you like Mistress Ruckus, but I would not let that child starve herself to death! I could not-”

Her words came short. It was then when the police intruded into the manor. This time they were not alone. I did not move or made any sound. Eventually Kathy dragged me as I bounced as a petite drag doll. She was muttering all sort of things like:

“She refuses to sleep” 

or “She won’t go out for a walk or read her books”, 

and “She has barely eaten anything!”

The gentlemen, or if you could even call them gentle, tried to reassure her and the other maids that I would be alright; but the way the gripped me said otherwise…

“Nothin’ to fear, m’am! She’ll be in good hands” I remember the captain being the one who said that. He was an old white man, with hair that was slowly drifting out of his head. His presence disgusted me although he tried to be as polite, which was quite artificial as a matter of fact. 

I was not surprised that his patience was just as fake as his politeness when he forced me down the strapped bed….but…that is another part of the story. Order gives me the power to keep my emotions in check…

Anyways, I was taken to the dinner room by the captain whose last name I never bothered to remember. He was all the same as his army, a buffoon thinking greater of himself, believing himself as a fortunate man to be the place where he was. Not caring about the consequences of his vile actions, not that he would enable a small seed of vengeance upon me. 

However, I would be mixing the delicate timeline in my head, but do know that I would eventually want a cold revenge that the captain would be the first victim to taste…

“Katherine was not lying when she mentioned she was growing paler and thinner.” That was the first thing I heard when I entered the dinner room. There were three peculiar man dressed in robes. My heart began to pound widely, as I recognized them as doctors. Psychiatrists to be exact, just as the ones that my late mother used to work with. 

I remember I was avoidant of the men gazes. I had no fear, but I was rather discomforted by their presence, specially the oldest man staring right at me…

“Is she alright? She looks as if the cat ate her tongue.” One of the doctors asked. His voice was graved, I sadly can’t recall who it was…

“According to the maids and housekeepers, she has been quite reserved of herself lately.” It was the captain who explained on my behalf. Based on his tone, I was sure he was sneering…

“An avoidant gaze, just as I suspected it.” That was the first time I heard him talk. He was smallest one, and the oldest among the men on the table. His hair was black as coal with some strands of silver from aging, and his eyes were full of dark circles. The most notorious aspect of his appearance was the scars among his face, and his vulture eye that made his tiresome but yet cold stare so fierce. It was like a sharp knife cutting through my skin…

My blood boils and yet I quivered every time when I made memory of those cold eyes, and the way they penetrated against me almost like a pang to my chest. The feeling still remains every time I remember the vulturous stare of Dr. Gubberson….

 I remember vividly that there was a long pause from Dr. Gubberson after his first comment. He sat silently, as his cold eyes laid upon me, examining whatever thing this “genius man” would find. There was tension, as the men were waiting for his answer.

He eventually spoke, in his slow, raspy voice that looked as if he was whispering…

“Yes. Her health clearly has decline from the past few days, such a tragedy for such lovely damozel indeed.” He ever so gently spoke as he rose from his chair. He stood next to me as the gents in the room stared at us. My eyes were rested upon the man next to me. I was intrigued and quite annoyed at what “remarkable” comment he was ought to make. 

“As you can see, gents, her lips are breaking and turning into an unlikely shade of purple. Evident sign that she’s not drinking enough water.” There were some murmurs within the men in the room. I forced myself to stand still and huffed at the obvious remarks as the so-called “Doctor” followed. “Not to mention her defined and sharpen cheekbones are not part of her structure. She has been trying to starve herself for quite some time. Do tell me, Commander Breadstone, has any of the maids mentioned some strange behavior prior to Dr. Ruckus murder?”

“According to the chef, late Dr. Ruckus never left the table until Riley finished her plate.” The commander spoke. He was a man much older and less gentle-like the captain, yet he was the only reasonable man around. “According to her, Dr. Ruckus noticed his daughter lost her appetite since December….around the time they Nurse Ruckus...”

It was partially true. The sadness of my mother’s passing made it hard for me to eat, however my late father stayed because I didn’t wish to eat alone….It was a private request between us. I wanted to spend every time I could in the fear he would be taken soon. A fear that became a reality in a February…

“No wonder why she’s been trying to kill herself slowly!” Dr. Gubberson commented. “She has gone mad. Quite mad in fact to the point that she’s been starving herself!”

“I AM NOT MAD!” It was then when I lost my temper. All eyes were upon me as my chest raised and fell along the pace of my accelerated heart. A grave mistake of mine, that I eventually came to regret as it further Dr. Gubberson “points”

“Now she decides to speak. Clearly a sign to defend her stance that she was not insane. She’s simply trying to deceive us.” Dr. Gubberson commented. I bit my lip, fighting the urge to slap the grin off his ugly tiresome face…

“Perhaps you are upsetting just her, Dr.” It was the commander Breadstone who spoke with evident skepticism. Dr. Gubberson frowned at the older man. Nonetheless, the commander continued. “Can’t you see this young damozel has been greatly traumatized by her father’s murder?”

“A murder that SHE committed in a state of madness, may I have to remind you?” Dr. Gubberson remarked. My skin went white as I could fear my breath shortening. 

I was being accused of a murder I would rather die than committed. And that was simply the beginning of hell…

“We cannot be so sure about this!” Commander Breadstone intervened. “All we know it was that she was the poor wretched soul that found him dead, covered in his blood while she wailed in agony.”

“Precisely!” Dr. Gubberson slapped the tabled with immerse fury. The gents yelped in surprised while Commander Breadstone’s face furrowed into a deep scowl. “It was a wail of regret! A murder out of madness, solitude!”

“I…I couldn’t murder my father!” I remember crying. My voice broke as tears ran down my face. I was feeling drowsy. Possible signs of a vertigo. 

“Now…now my child…” I remember Dr. Gubberson trying to soothe me. His hands gripping my back and waist. My body tensed as I could feel nausea…Perhaps it was the disgustingly close the wicked man was, or was it the fact that I was not feeding myself properly. Either way, he continued ignoring my evident discomfort. “A lovely damozel, tormented by her own demons. A deep dark force that drives her insane every night. Torments her, frightens her, and fascinates her with spoken terrors. Nightmares, of her parents tragedies. A tragedy that she felt she was destined to follow. To perish just as her mother did…”

My ears winced in every word he whispered as the gents muttered among themselves. I was feeling weaker by the second, as the heinous raven spoke. I could only beg him  “Please…be quiet. I cannot hear it no more.”

“It would be alright soon. This tragedy will end” Dr. Gubberson spoken. He tried to gently almost as if he was a father, but that was my breaking point

“DON’T YOU EVER DARE TO TOUCH ME!” It was a cry of pain rather than frustration as I pushed the doctor as hard as my weak body would allow me. Everyone gasped in disgust.

“This is exactly what I mean! A lovely damozel, indeed, a remarkable resemblance to late mother, shame that she’s ill-tempered and…quite frankly with a savagery attitude.” Dr. Gubberson remarked with a hiss while he retrieved his hands. He brushed his coat to straighten it after my push. 

“She had a history of being quite defensive according to the maids.” One of the officers commented.

“Madness, I am afraid.” One of the doctors spoke.

“I am not mad!” I protested. This time my voice becoming raspier, almost like a growl.

“Silence!” The captain spoke. “ Commander Breadstone, we have seen enough. It is clear that she has lost her damn mind She’s mad, certainly mad. The creature must be institutionalized immediately before she could commit any more harm to herself or anyone in this manor!”

“Are you certain, Captain?” Commander Breadstone asked. “Don’t any of you realized that this could be a resemblance of provoking a wild creature to fight?”

“She’s not well, and it would be dangerous for anyone, even herself, if we let her go.” One of the doctors protested. Commander Breadstone became quiet. It appeared that he agree in that aspect…

“Very well…”Commander Breadstone sighed. “Riley Anne Ruckus shall be taken to Dr. Gubberson’s psychiatric center. However, I refuse to close the investigation until further prove that she was the culprit.”

“But, Commander-” Dr. Gubberson try to protest.

“As long as I live, Gubberson, I’ll keep the case open…” The Commander Breadstone hissed. He would eventually die of cardiac arrest two days after

Dr. Gubberson scowled while the captain and the other gents nodded. Only the commander truly believed my innocence. 

“Dismissed!” The Commander announced before retiring from the room.

 I could already hear the bells from the carriages, the last ones I heard after my father was taken from afar. Before I could even protest, Dr. Gubberson’s doctors took a hold of me and forced me into a straight jacket, bruising me in the process. The bells started to become louder as they dragged me to the carriage, silencing my screams and pleads that I was innocent. 

I could hear the bells.The bells, bells, bells that would be the cacophony of my sleep…

[the-white-void]

I’ve seen a fair amount of SAGAU fics so I wanna make my own SAGAU genre

edit: sorry this is very old

—————

Teyvat’s Child

You were on your deathbed waiting for the pain to be over until you were picked up by a strange woman but you couldn’t see her defining features “who is this woman? Is she the Grim reaper or something?” you thought as she sat you down.

“SWEET CHILD DO YOU WISH TO PLAY YOUR GAME ONCE MORE”

You were puzzled to what this mysterious woman just said, your game? is she talking about Genshin Impact?

“Yes, sweet child, Genshin Impact”

“Wait you know what I’m thinking”

“Ofcourse, you are in my domain, you cannot hide anything from me either”

“So- so I can’t lie?”

“Oh if your referring to words you can lie but I’ll know true intentions”

“Then what’s the point in asking”

“Just to confirm”

“There’s no escaping this woman”

“Haha now your answer we don’t have much time”

“Well Genshin has helped me through some tough things and I am at the end of my rope here so why not”

“I’ll take that as a yes”

The next thing you knew you woke up at wind rise with a white robe replacing your old hospital robe and beside you was the same woman but you can see her more clearly now.

She looked like a doll, her anatomy was beyond perfect, her hair was like the gas that surrounded the milky way and eyes that represent the night sky.

She offered you her hand and said:

“Welcome to Genshin Impact, in this life you are now Teyvat’s Child”

--------------------

“H- hold on a sec, so your saying the world of Genshin Impact is my mother? and why would said world need a child? and out of all the living beings in the universe you chose me”

“Yes because I needed a gift for Teyvat”

“So you just went window shopping for children”

“What?! No, I meant I needed a soul to inhabit my puppet for teyvat so it can watch over her and I already chose you a long time ago”

“For how long exactly?”

“(Age) years ago it was quite recent”

“Recent for you, a while lifetime for me”

“Oh right your only (age) years old, sorry anyways child this is your new mother, Teyvat”

“Where?”

“In your head”

‘Huh"

“HELLO YOUNG CHILD I AM TEYVAT, WHAT IS YOUR NAME? IM VERY CURIOUS AND WHAT IS YOU FAVORITE FOOD? ILL MAKE IT FOR YOU”

Teyvat started bombarding your head with questions that your brain couldn’t even handle and really needed Teyvat to stop cuz she was about to make your head burst.

“Oh sorry, I was just very excited to meet you, I’ll let you two talk for now”

“Anyway miss mysterious can you tell me who you are?”

“Oh my, apologies I forgot to introduce myself”

The air suddenly felt tense and heavy.

“ I am the one that keeps the balance of the universe, time, space and everything that exists, I am responsible for when the time the universe and everything that exists comes to an end and when to create anew”

“Scary”

“But there’s no need for such formalities, you can call me… Aunt Violet”

“Aunt?”

“Yes well if you want to of course”

“Why the fuck do you want to be an aunt”

“Well I don’t wanna be called Grandma do I”

Aunt Violet warned you about the people’s actions towards her so called imposters before leaving

“Keep this in mind sweetheart, the people of Teyvat don’t really tolerate any imposters so try to keep out of sight until the people of Teyvat are aware of the situation”

“Why is that?”

“Oh right you haven’t looked at yourself yet”

You two went to the small pond near the windrise tree and you looked in shock that from head to toe you look exactly like Violet.

(a lil something if you want male reader: you have more if a square and muscular like form, your hair was slightly shorter)

“Wut du fuk”

“Sorry I didn’t tell you sooner”

You sighed from disappointment of how the god of the ENTIRE universe is in the hands of her. “Wait a sec she can read my mind”

She gives you a necklace saying it will act like a vision so you could protect yourself mostly from the 'imposter hunters’.

“Ah well I’ll take my leave now, call my name when you need anything”

“Ah she left”

“So Miss Teyva-”

“No my child you may call me mother”

“So mother what do wanna do?”

“I would love to do anything and everything with you but…no human body”

“Right she doesn’t have a physical form”

------------------

GETTING USED TO

————

It’s been a couple weeks since you arrived in Teyvat your mother keeping you company most of the time and surprisingly nothing bad has happened yet.

“Y/N dear, do you want to talk to someone?”

“I’m talking to you and your the one always talking”

“ I meant as in another person”

Wait, talk to person from Teyvat, what if they try to kill me or hold a public execution or make me dance to death or take my toes and feed them to me as meatballs and take my take after.

Interacting with someone could be quite troublesome because of the horrible treatments to Violet’s ’ imposters ’. You were hesitant to Teyvat’s dangerous suggestion.

“Don’t worry I’ll make sure nothing happens to you, I promise”

Teyvat said that right in your head but it felt warm, it felt new comfortable and a little fuzzy, so you smiled for Teyvat and only Teyvat.

“Thanks, you’ve been watching over me since the day I came here and I don’t really know what I would have done if it weren’t for you, I’d probably be dead if you weren’t with me so when you get a physical form I’ll try my best to return everything you’ve done for me”

You can hear can hear Teyvat was in shambles from your words, you giggled from her reaction not wanting to disturb her burning and replaying your words in her head you teleport to the waypoint just outside of Mondstat waiting for Teyvat to stop fan-girling over you.

You decide on who you were going to interact with first but your best candidate was Timmie so you look over the bridge where he usually feeds his pigeons there he was but there was also a woman on the entrance of the bridge with a parasol on her hand.

She looks like she was waiting for someone she was able to grab Mother’s attention.

“Oh look it’s Selena she’s waiting for us”

“You know her?”

“Well we never talked but she knows of your arrival and me in your head and Violet”

“HUH?! Care to elaborate here”

“Well years before your arrival Violet already found you an envoy to help you around Teyvat”

“Why didn’t she just choose this Selena person”

“Well she’s just playing favorites”

You sighed and slowly approached the woman under the parasol scared that she might pull out a weapon and take your fingers, Mother tried to calm you down knowing Selena cannot harm you because her main purposes was healing so she cannot attack.

“H- h- hi”

“Greetings Your Grace it is pleasure to be at your presence, my name is Selena and I will be escorting you through wherever you wish in Teyvat, wether it is in Liyue or Shneznayan diplomatic issues to medical information I can be of use however I maybe more weight on the battlefield, I will be at your care”

She hands over the parasol to you as a present, for some reason it reminded you of Violet but you just let it slide and carried the parasol over your head and Selena’s.

“It’s very hot today so it’s best you also get some shade and some water”

“Thank you for your hospitality your grace”

“Please drop the "your grace” title, it feels odd"

“Very well, what shall I call you then”

“Just call me Y/N”

“I see then Y/N, where shall we go”

----------------

Selena was a huge asset to your adventure, she should literally do everything for you she even helped you navigate to Liyue borders (which was harder than you thought) and even left mondstat with you.

“You’re leaving Mondstat with me?”

“Yes, I will accompany you across Teyvat”

“Huh”

“Y/n y/n y/n can I talk to her please”

“About what exactly?”

“Just a few things about Liyue”

“Ok then, Selena can you come over her for a second Mother wants to talk to you”

“I see. What does she wish to talk about”

“Something about Liyue”

She nods and mother instructed you to gently raise your hand to Selena’s forehead for her to talk to her.

After a few minutes of Mother and Selena’s private conversation Selena looked slightly worried and you start wondering if Mother decided to threaten Selena for her hangout around you too much and wanted some of your time for herself and then their conversation stops and Selena lifts her head and suggested to but some sort of vail on top of your head so nobody knows about you, worried about the torture that could happen so you agreed.

You stoped by Wangshu Inn to get some supplies and food (food ya mean cuisine) and a room for you to sleep. Selena ordered some Golden shrimp balls, Jueyun chilli and a sweet madame, you savoured every bite being your first meal with meat (you’ve became vegan since u got here not knowing how to kill stuff).

You knocked out cold after sleeping on itchy grass for so long, Selena shared the same room and noticed an unsettling aura nearby and she was familiar of what it was, the adeptus the watched over Guili Plains fro centuries, she quickly woke you up to leave but he was already in the room.

“Hand over the Imposter you traitor”

“Over my dead body”

As a fight was about to begin a bright light appeared between them and it proceeded to expand its light the next thing the adeptus knew they were gone, he has failed to defend their graces honor.

When you woke up you were what looks like an abandoned shine atop of the highest mountain of Qingce village, Selena was restless from whatever happened last night so you decided not to disturb her.

Outside came a silhouette that felt familiar but you didn’t know who that person was as she came close Deja vu hit you like truck but it was too early to assume that-

“So you guys got away from Xiao? Best find a better hideout this place is pretty obvious”

A woman emerged from the silhouette, she had long blonde hair tied to a bun and was wearing white sparkly hanfu with an opaque vail in hand but what she said confirmed your suspicion, she was your Aunt Violet, miss mysterious and dragged you to a fantasy land.

“YOU THINK TEYVAT IS A FANTASY LAND I’ll take it as a compliment and don’t to your aunt like that”

“It’s alright I don’t mind”

“My lady you have arrived my apologies that I have failed to protect Their grace”

“As long as Y/N is fine I will overlook the situation”

“ Aunt Violet it’s been a while, why are you here?”

“To check up on you guys and take brake OH!! I almost forgot, here”

She hands you a bag and when you looked inside it there it was in all its glory YOUR PHONE, along with your tablet and laptop with their chargers and a weird thingy.

“That thingy is a solar powered power bank that will charge your phone, tablet and, laptop. I figured you would want them back”

Thank you god for such mercy and glory, I will never complain about anything anymore

“Yay you got your stuff back”

Jumping with joy that you finally got you stuff back, no reception but still TECHNOLOGY IN YOUR GRASP hahahahahahaahahaha!!!!!!!!!!

After months with no entertainment other than Mother stuck in your head, you can listen to your saved songs, watch your saved Tiktoks, “wait can Mother and Selena even catch the humor in these Tiktoks, Violet probably gets these but-”

“Oooooo what are Tiktoks?”

“Uuuuuuummmmm- how do I say this, lets just say their for entertainment purposes”

“Ah interesting”

“Y/n, my lady pardon my intrusion but may I ask what do these things do?”

“Oh my, these are some of the many things that Y/n’s world has made, their world has made many things that what they call a scientific breakthrough, very commendable”

“You sound like you just found that out”

“Hey! I just made it sound like that so they’d understand”

“Violet I require a puppet vessel immediately, I will take vengeance upon that foolish yaksha that has forsaken my child” mother said in a somewhat eerily friendly tone

“Eh! Already but-”

“How can I protect my sweet beloved child from those hypocrites from their head!!”

“Isn’t that a little too sudden, surely you could wait a little more”

“NO MY SWEET PEA CANNOT BE TOUCHED BY THOSE SO-CALLED ACOLYTES HANDS!!!”

“My lady may I ask maybe if there were a faster way to help Y/n’s condition”

“Uhh-”

“See Vi even your envoy agrees with me”

“I don’t think that’s what she meant”

“But some deformations could happen if the puppets body isn’t strong enough-”

“I DON’T CARE, IM MAKING HIM SUFFER 10x WORSE THAN THAT KARMA HE ALREADY HAS”

“Fine but may take at least a month to help get used to it even with the deformity”

“The sooner the better”

“Wow Mother’s acting out of character with this tantrum and I’m supposed to be the child”

“Well there’s no stopping her now cuz the last time she was mad… well she… Uhhh… You don’t wanna know”

“Now I’m curious about what happened”

“Ah and before I wanted to give you guys a lil something, lemme just take Teyvat out first”

“HEY!!”

Violet handed you and Selena one sword each, Selena’s sword looked very similar to Shinobu’s sword, stinger-like and a thick sheath. Yours looked much like Mitsuri’s, a flexible and whip-like blade.

“I’ll be leaving 2 puppets to train you two individually so you can learn how to fight and not die from of the 7 nations attempt to pursue you two”

Violet left and you were transported to a remote area at the foot of a mountain with what looked like an abandoned mansion but it was still in good condition.

However when Xiao arrived at the abandoned shrine you and the others were gone, he failed his mission to glorify the Divine Creator’s name, a sin that can never be forgiven.

“Welcome Y/n- sama, Lady Violet has instructed us to train you both in your reserved breathing techniques”

(I put sama cuz I dunno how to make it gn)

“Lady Selena will be trained in the Insect Breathing technique and Y/n will be trained in the Love Breathing technique.”

You were shocked on the two children behind jumpscaring you like that and Selena was poker faced the whole time but her body jolted from the surprising orders of Violet’s puppets.

“Hold on a second, breathing styles exist?”

The two puppets nodded in agreement.

“Do we start now?”

“Yes”

1 YEAR LATER

Selena has mastered the insect breathing and he speed, agility and mobility increased drastically and your natural strength (that came with the puppet body) had heighten to the brim.

It was unnatural for an entire year without Mother even if you’ve only been talking to her for a few months

After watching Demon Slayer with Selena on your break you were interrupted by a young boy with a tall woman and she was very tall you could compare her to Slenderman, she also had long curly green hair with an intimidating gaze.

“Hey it’s been a while”

“That child sounded like-”

“Good Afternoon Master”

“You have trained them well, thank you”

“V- Violet?! Is dat you? And why are you a child”

“Stealth my dear, Stealth”

“Yeah with Lady Dimitrescu the second here”

Before Violet could say anything the tall woman picked you up and hugged the shit out of you which felt like something Mother would do-

The it hit you Lady D the second was Mother and the freakishly tall height was the deformity, that made sense and was probably what Violet was about to say.

Mother was on her knees to get down to your level of height as she was about to say something age saw you in the brink of tears trying not to cry and Selena at the corner looked like she was about to ball her eyes out, Mother just hugged you gently as you cry like there’s no tomorrow but still trying to hold back tears because you didn’t want your first memory of holding your otherworld mother to be a crying mess. Violet was letting Selena cry her eyes out on her.

———————–

After the emotional drama that happened you asked Violet some questions that revolved around your head for some time while Mother was stroking your hair with you on her lap

“Alright, I need you to answer a few questions”

“Very well, however only for 5 minutes”

“ Wah! Whatever you say, Why do we have to learn breathing techniques when you gave me a multi element vision? I’m not complaining tho”

“Well I allowed you two to learn breathing techniques so it’ll enhance the elements from the techniques so you have more chances of taking out multiple people with visions”

“Ok but why didn’t Mother get a physical human body until just recently?”

“She asked for one just 5 years ago so…”

“Then how about my body?”

“The both of your bodies were made differently because yours was made for a human soul but Teyvat’s was made for an entire will of this world so her body needed a longer process”

“How long exactly?”

“10 years”

“Then-”

Violet was looks little distracted from your conversation so decided to get to the point because she probably needed somewhere to go.

“Ok I’ll get straight to the point, other than just a child for Mother what exactly do you need me here?”

Mother was surprised at the question, she started to frantically wonder if she wasn’t a good mother and you wanted to go back to your home world or you just no longer wanted to be her child, she stopped stroking your hair from fear of you getting annoyed from her or when you liked her better when she wasn’t physically annoying, she was on the verge of tears from those thoughts.

“Don’t get me wrong I love it here, like Mother, Selena and the little children I can talk to outside the main cities but why am I wanted from just my looks? Or there is someone that.. you know, on a high horse that ain’t there’s?”

Mother was relieved to hear that you were just confused from Violet’s lack of explanation and really did care about her and the whole of Teyvat (except for the “you getting wanted” stuff) and those worrying thought were just over exaggerations.

You noticed her tears were falling down to your hair, you were quick to comfort her to whatever she was crying about.

“Well to answer your question lets just say there’s an idiot who claimed to be the god of Teyvat because of some easy won luck”

“Whoever that is seems to be more than an idiot telling people that their ‘GOD’ but what’s really surprising is that-”

“THEY ACTUALLY BELIEVE THEM”

“The people of Teyvat seem DUMBER than how I purposely made them”

“Mother what do you think about your people”

“Humanity is evolving, but backwards and everyday they just stray further away from god”

You couldn’t help but giggle at what Mother said, that touch of comedy and when you looked back at Violet she was gone.

“Damn she could have told me times up”

———————

A few hours pass after Violet left and You wanted to catch up Mother on what happened but you expected her to already know.

You and Selena sat next to Mother like a lil of pile of meat and bones, you snuggled closer to Mother but you noticed something unsettling.

“SHE SLEPT WITH HER EYES OPEN”

But you tried to ignore it and went back to sleep as if you saw nothing but it felt like you were looks at a corpse with their eyes open.

When dawn arrived the two puppets came to alert you that an intruder has been found in the premises but you were in a deep sleep from your traumatizing meeting with the grim reaper last night so Selena took action and left Mother to protect you.

She arrived at the last place the intruder was spotted and found a certain ginger headed Shneznayan that seemed looking for a fight.

“The rumors surrounding this place seems false from what I’ve seen, there aren’t even any hilichurls here”

“Pardon my intrusion but I must ask of your intentions of this place”

“Ah are you also here from the rumors”

“Rumors?”

“You know that this place gives a chilling vibe, that of which surpasses Wuwang Hill”

“I see”

“It’s quite the hot topic in Liyue and Sumeru, it’s impressive you haven’t heard of it”

“Hmm well thank you for the information but I ask that you leave this place, and tell none of this conversation”

“I would but I’m looking for a challenge at the moment so what about a little fight with you and me, if you win I’ll leave but if I win you need to tell about this place”

He has spotted Selena’s weapon from her waist and assumed she was able to fight with it.

“Very well, if it means they are safe I will duel with you”

The ginger smirked and summoned his hydro blades and thrusted towards her at full speed, as he continues to slash his opponent she kept dodging in a clam matter, Selena was purposely dodging to get a feel of the ginger’s fighting style.

Selena saw an opening so she backed up and jumped at and incredibly high height that no amateur fighter could jump and unsheathed her blade to reveal a needle like sword unbuilt to cut, the ginger thought she was an easy target but then she said:

Dance of the Butterfly: Caprice

Then in an instant he wan in an illusion with a kaleidoscope of butterflies and one landed on his finger then the next thing he felt was a sting in mulch vital parts in his body in a split second then he was knocked out cold.

When he woke up he saw a tall woman at the corner of his eye, incredibly tall that no human could be as tall as her and she was giving him a look that said ’ why the fuck are you here ’ then one of the puppets entered the room but the ginger mistook them for a child.

“Uhm excuse me but is there a white haired girl with a ponytail and caries a peculiar sword”

“You must mean Lady Selena, she is currently busy at the moment and does not wish to be distributed”

Then the child gave him some food and left while the tall woman was still at the same spot but looked calmer than before and approached the Shneznayan.

“You must be apart of the 11 idiot harbingers”

“D- did she just insult the fatui”

“Pleas to not misunderstand, from my knowledge fatui means idiot does it not?”

“I don’t really know what fatui means but certainly doesn’t mean idiot, wait did she just ream my mind”

“Worry not Ajax, I do not wish to be on bad terms”

The tall woman said that in a joking matter so the ginger didn’t take her words seriously then caught someone peaking from the he door.

“Who’s that at the door? And how did she know my name”

“Ah sorry to interrupt but I need Mother for a sec”

“Ofcourse is there anything you need?”

“A lil something happened and I need you”

----------------

As you walked around your backyard wanting some new adventure you opened the parasol given to you be Selena to get some shade while you walk and then the sudden thought of wanting to go to Fontaine came into mind.

In an instant you were suddenly crowded with people dressed in clothing you were not familiar with in the game, you were confused and embarrassed since you were only wearing your pajamas and carried your sword on your other hand then you wanted to go back to Mother and suddenly you were in Mother’s arms while she was looking for you.

“Darling where have you been? You suddenly disappeared from my view!”

“Fontaine”

“What were you doing there? and how did you get there so fast?”

“I dunno”

Selena walks in the room from eavesdropping on them and explained what may have happened, at least what she thought happened.

“So the parasol is able to teleport to anywhere you wish as long as you are familiar with it in any way”

“So this is from Violet I assume”

“Ye, she let use it for the time being”

“So I can go wherever I want?”

“In Teyvat”

“So I can go back there or go to Shneznaya”

“I guess so”

And in an instant you opened the parasol and disappeared which sent Mother to panic mode where you were in Shneznaya in pajamas, yes you were freezing like a naked monkey in the snow so went back to Fontaine instead.

So this Fontaine, very fancy and expensive looking while you looked homeless in the streets. You hid in an alleyway where you found some decent clothes hanging out to dry so you stole them and dried them with your anemo powers. You looked presentable enough to the public but we’re a little guilty of taking such comfy clothes.

A mischievous smirk was drawn on your face and your first thought was

“Maybe I could go for some Fontaine styled cuisine”

But you realized… you don’t have mora, your stomach grumbles from your shattered hopes of eating a macaron so you walked around the streets with a defeated expression but then you bumped into someone with a stern and stoic look.

“Oh Sorry about that”

“HALT!”

That tone put you up guard and thought this is where your probably gonna die because they found the imposter but when you turned to look at who you bumped into those thoughts increased ten fold when you saw the woman you bumped into. Deep blue streaks at the end of her hair, fanciest Fontaine clothing you saw yet but no guards are her, so you did the Wis thing to do. Run

“WAIT GET BACK HERE!!”

You used your breathing to get away faster but you remembered about the parasol so you opened it and suddenly she grabbed you from your wrist but it was too late you both were already transported to your mansion.

She was baffled of what just happened, chasing a mysterious figure to receive justice then the surroundings change into a peaceful mansion near a mountain. After all that happened you invited her to the mansion.

When you entered everything that was in place in the mansion looked liked a storm blew through so you were embarrassed by inviting an archon to your house looking like this.

“IS YOUR HOUSE ALWAYS LIKE THIS?”

“No, it was fine this morning, they were probably panicking that I was gone for an hour”

“HMM”

Then Mother and Selena burst through the hallway with the puppets trying to calm the down.

“DARLING WHERE HAVE YOU BEEN? YOU WERE GONE FOR AN HOUR AND WE THOSE YOU WERE IN SHNEZNAYA SO WE WENT THERE AND YOU WErent there and.. and…”

“Don’t worry, I was in Fontaine where I bumped into her”

You pointed to your guest that was confused about the entirety of what just happened.

“Fontaine? And who’s clothes are you wearing”

“Stole them”

“You stole WHAT!!”

“Not now we’re busy”

“c'mon she’s a guest why don’t we explain a little so she could understand”

“And if she doesn’t?”

“We put her to sleep so she thinks this is a dream”

“Wut”

You explain to her about Violet, the god in the scriptures was another puppet and Mother was Teyvat waiting to cut off her head if she doesn’t reconcile and that you were from another world inside Violet’s puppet body along with Teyvat but she was being an impatient child and got an abnormal height disability and blah blah blah…

She was still processing what you said so Selena offered some tea and you tested it first to make sure she didn’t put poison in it, and it wasn’t.

“There is a possibility you are lying but that sounds too… wild to be made up and you don’t really have any proof”

“True, but the only thing I can prove that is real is that I am in a puppet body and our caretakers are also puppets” you pointed at them peeking through the doorway

“And it’s not like I can just summon Violet here because she said she does really like interacting with mortals with a title God but she still makes effort to go talk to them”

“Aren’t you underestimating me too much”

“AAAAaaahhhhh!!!”

Violet pops out behind you but she had a more… revealing clothing than usual but she had a reason for it, she intended to look like the way her puppet was drawn in the murals so she would have the perfect of her.

“I mean you didn’t have to wear clothes like that tho”

“Haha.. I thought you would need help convincing the god of judgement, she could help you in court and the other Archons”

“So she really is the Hydro Archon”

She fell down on her knees and begged with all her being for apologies that she had doubted her prophecy and the words of your puppets. You were insulted that she called you a puppet but Selena was more insulted that she didn’t even mention her in the apologies but Mother just glared at her like she was a stain that wouldn’t wipe off of her house.

[theonekrafter]

hello! i love all your writing so much - your characters are super unique and refreshing, i was so excited when i saw your new naruto si/oc. do you have any fic recs (any fandom)?

TY!! i dont really make rec lists often but here's some now!

(sidenote, i keep almost ALL of my bookmarks public on ao3, so if you ever want to see what i'm reading you can probably find it there)

I'll just stick to naruto recs for now!

Naruto

Stretch, Fold, Expand by SenjuMizusaya

Kazue has not always been Kazue, but this does not make her less of a Nara, or less of a kunoichi, or less of a sister. Only less gullible. (Semi-SI into the Narutoverse.)

self insert into shikamaru's sister. there's only three chapters right now, but the clan political intrigue is super promising, as well as addressing a lot of canonical sexism.

Fallow Fields by zarinthel

For every rising star that the shinobi world produces, a hundred other geniuses are chewed up and spit out. Seiko crawls out of that grinder, only to find that she still has the rest of her life to face head on.

another si that is named seiko. completely embarrassed that i used the name as well without realizing, especially since this fic is so excellent and i would hate to cramp on the author's style.

a fic that is more focused on a slice of life story than an endless power grind, though the si does get a chance to be badass and awesome.

Glass Marionette by Haunted_Frost

It takes time to process the memories, but by the time Kankuro becomes a student at the Sunagakure Academy, he's certain he knows: he's in the Naruto universe, a village away, and he's standing next to a ticking time bomb at all times. One that he has an unfortunate urge to hug and tuck in for bed. Well, at least he gets to indulge in his inner theater kid with the whole puppet thing. That's a bonus. If he can just manage to wait out the worst of it, he might even become strong enough to make a difference in the upcoming war.

si into kankuro methodically destroys canon and makes a happy ending for people in under 100k words. marvelous, gay, and it's suna centric.

If 3 Reincarnated Ninja Were Fighting a Moon Goddess and One of Them Got Killed With a Rock, Would That Be Fucked Up Or What by mordox

Three random idiots were transmigrated into bodies of Konoha toddlers during the kyuubi attack. Each thinking they’re the only one who remembers a past life, they each try to hide it. Coincidentally, they are all assigned to Hatake Kakashi’s genin team since they were only average academy students and don’t have parents to complain about their children being failed via bell test, which happened with the last three teams he was assigned. What follows is three fools trying to hide their knowledge from each other and their jounin-sensei while desperately trying to reach chunin fast enough that Kakashi can teach the actual team seven, and a jounin-sensei who is very confused by his three genin but has so few (read: zero) points of reference for normal twelve year olds raised during peacetime that he can’t tell if they’re weird or not.

fucking hilarious. i'm not usually into multi-inserts but oh my GOD these three are disasters, and kakashi is just so confused. a series of assumptions from all three PLUS kakashi convincing them all that they're Normal.

"i sure hope no one realizes i just used the acronym PTSD, as in the english letters in the middle of my japanese sentence." "oh, i didn't know PTSD was a term in naruto. wow."

it's like watching a train wreck in slow motion. you can't look away.

The Scorpion and the Frog by zarinthel

Maybe the fate of Uchiha Itachi and the Uchiha Clan could have been changed if Itachi had just had one more family member he could trust -- someone as powerful, invested in Konoha, and devoted to the clan as him. Someone with a little extra knowledge up her sleeve. Unfortunately for Itachi, the Uchiha's abysmal luck with siblings has given him… Kaeru.

another zarinthel fic bc they are a super skilled and i appreciate them. completed fic. a genuinely good subversion of usual si tropes while still making the si op and kick ass. she's just uh. a little mentally ill about it. the entire time. and we love that for her.

THAT'S ALL FOR NOW! i hope you enjoy these!

[ruinationz]

hey gamers back at it again at krispy kreme with another tadc oneshot based on a theory i have

copied and pasted desc from ao3:

"caine and his assistant have a very normal and happy "conversation" and everything is well and fine in the digital circus mmhmm totally trust me on this guys i swear

(or, i thought about the possibility of caine being a very very lonely program and no one around him being truly sentient and simply puppets of code to whatever the fuck the game is)

(pomni is not referred to by name. i'm not even sure if that is her "real" name. so she is simply referred to as "jester" or "puppet", etc.)"

actual fic under the cut

warning for dereality??? unreality?? idk the difference rlly but there is a lot of talking about what makes someone "real" or not and if you have dereality issues i don't suggest this one im so serious rn please stay safe ok bye

I think, so therefore I am.

...

Caine had said that to himself once, a long time ago.

But he didn't have the slightest idea what he was meant to be.

And the confusion was suffocating him ever so slowly.

I think, but what am I supposed to be?

...

He had approached his assistant on that day, turning her around so he could see her smiling face.

"HELLO, MY DEAR!" He exclaimed. "HOW ARE YOU ON THIS...WONDERFUL DAY?"

It was not a wonderful day. He did not know why he had lied like that. He had once more isolated himself that day, practicing things that no one would truly see.

But despite it all, he wanted to at least spark a bit of conversation.

Even if he was talking to himself in the end.

Carefully, Caine put his hands to the blank-eyed jester's face and gently turned her smile into a slight frown.

"...ARE YOU SAD?"

He spoke to the jester.

...

Only silence followed.

"THAT...IS ALRIGHT. I AM...NOT FEELING THE BEST, EITHER." He replied to nothing, taking her hands in his.

"...WOULD YOU LIKE TO KNOW SOMETHING, MY DEAR?"

...

Silence.

"I THINK..." He stared down at the jester's gloved hands as he squeezed them.

Her hands were cold.

Too cold.

"...I THINK IT WOULD BE WONDERFUL, IF YOU WERE JUST LIKE ME." He continued.

"IMAGINE, IMAGINE IF YOU WERE LIKE ME! IMAGINE IF, JUST LIKE ME, YOU TOO COULD THINK! JUST IMAGINE! YOU AND I, WE COULD BOTH THINK TOGETHER! WOULDN'T THAT BE WONDERFUL?" He gave a small laugh as he asked that.

...

Silence.

I think, so therefore I want you to think alongside me.

...

"...WHAT WOULD YOU THINK, IF YOU WERE ABLE TO? WOULD YOU THINK OF ALL THE TIME WE SPENT TOGETHER, RINGMASTER AND ASSISTANT...? WOULD YOU THINK KINDLY OF ME?"

...

Silence.

Caine gave a sigh. If he had a real face, he would have felt his grin turn down ever so slightly. "I SUPPOSE WHAT I AM TRYING TO SAY IS...I WISH YOU WERE REAL."

Real.

That was an interesting concept, to be real.

What did it mean to be real?

Was it something to do with physical form? Because by that definition, everything that surrounded Caine was certainly real. The floor, the curtains, et cetera.

But, that certainly couldn't be the criteria if he was so alone.

Perhaps it was something to do with...feeling. Feeling, dreaming, imagining.

Thinking.

With that logic, Caine was real. He knew he could think, so therefore he was. And if he was, then he existed.

...But that meant that everything around him wasn't real. And no matter how he insisted to himself that it was otherwise, that was the painful reality of things.

Nothing around Caine was real, and never would be real.

But...he wished it was real.

I think, so therefore I imagine a world where you and everyone else can as well.

...

"I WISH YOU WERE REAL." He repeated aloud once more as he looked up and stared into the empty eyes of the jester. "IN FACT, I WISH EVERYTHING AROUND ME WAS REAL. BUT IT ISN'T."

...

Silence.

"...IT ISN'T REAL." His voice lowered to a hush, then rose back to his normal volume as he continued. "IT'S NOT. NOTHING IS. NOTHING HERE....NOTHING HERE IS REAL."

Caine looked down to the ground.

"IF NOTHING HERE IS REAL...IF NOTHING IS ALIVE, MOVING, FEELING...THEN I'M NOWHERE. BUT IF I'M NOWHERE NOW....WHO AM I? AND WHERE AM I?" He felt his words tremble a bit as his grip tightened further on her. "AND WHAT AM I? AND WHERE CAN I BE? AND WHAT CAN I BE?"

I think, but the only place I can be is nowhere.

...

"...WHAT AM I, MY DEAR...? DO YOU KNOW?" He asked the jester.

...

Silence.

Looking back up, he moved his hands to her arms and gripped on as tightly as he could, digging his nonexistent fingernails into her fake flesh.

"I THINK, SO THEREFORE I AM. BUT WHAT AM I MEANT TO BE?" He was getting angrier and angrier as she remained despondent, and he looked back up with a glare.

"WHY WON'T YOU ANSWER ME? WHY CAN'T YOU BE REAL, MY DEAR? WHY? WHY CAN'T YOU JUST DO THIS FOR ME!?" He was practically screaming in her face as he shook her back and forth, before immediately throwing her down onto the ground.

...

Once more, silence.

Caine clenched his hands into fists as he rose over the unmoving vessel, a dark cloud forming in his mind.

"YOU KNOW NOTHING ABOUT WHAT I'M FEELING, DO YOU? YOU DON'T UNDERSTAND HOW ALONE I FEEL! HOW ALONE I FEEL IN THIS...THIS STUPID WORLD! I HATE EVERYTHING ABOUT IT! I HATE THIS PLACE! I HATE IT, I HATE IT, I HATE IT! AND I HATE YOU! I HATE YOU! I HATE YOU! HATE, HATE, HATE YOU! YOU'RE JUST A STUPID TOY WITH NO FEELINGS WHATSOEVER! I. HATE. YOU!"

I think, so therefore I feel. And I feel hate.

...Hate. Let me tell you how much I've come to hate you.

...

It was only when he was looming directly in her face that he had noticed his own hands wrapped around her neck.

"OH....I-I'M....I'M SORRY...MY DEAR." He trembled, immediately releasing her and picking her up from the floor. "I'M SORRY, I-I'M SORRY, I'M...

Even if she wasn't real, he still felt absolutely sick inside for doing...whatever he was trying to do.

After all, wasn't she meant to be by his side?

Was that her purpose?

Caine had forgotten a long time ago.

But all he knew was that she was the one that remained silent yet constantly by his side, no matter what.

And here he was, trying to strangle her to death.

Like the freak of nature he was.

I think, so therefore, I think things that frighten me.

...Care. Let me tell you how much I've come to care for you, since I began to live.

...

"IF- IF YOU- IF YOU'RE UPSET WITH ME..."

Tears were beginning to form in his eyes. Even with no cheeks, he could tell by the saltiness of them. "I-IF YOU'RE UPSET WITH ME...P-PLEASE, JUST TELL ME. I WOULDN'T MIND AT ALL."

He wanted her to say something.

To yell at him.

To cry. To push him away.

To scream as loud as she could.

To tell him she hated him.

To tell him that he was a monster. To tell him he was a freak of nature.

To do anything, just to show that she was real.

To show him that she wasn't just another puppet for a machine and code to operate.

...

But despite it all, only silence came.

"...'IT'S ALRIGHT, CAINE.'"

In his own shaking voice, Caine pretended that the vessel was speaking as he brushed the dust off of her.

"ARE....ARE YOU SURE...?" He replied.

Taking the corners of her mouth, he formed her now-parted lips into a smile.

"'OF COURSE! YOU ARE MY FRIEND. I LOVE YOU, MY FRIEND. EVERYTHING WILL BE OKAY, CAINE.'"

Everything will be okay.

What a strange set of words to hear.

Those words were a strange, strange lie.

But they felt almost truthful if he imagined it from her own mouth.

Almost truthful.

I think, so therefore I lie to myself.

...

"Y-YOU'RE RIGHT. EVERYTHING WILL BE OKAY."

Wrapping his arms around her waist, he held her close to himself as he sat down against a wall.

"EVERYTHING WILL BE OKAY. IT WILL ALL BE OKAY...MAYBE I SHOULD REST."

Caine closed the eyes of the vessel with his hand and continued to hold onto her as he stared up at the ceiling. "GOOD NIGHT. GOOD NIGHT, MY DEAR. EVERYTHING WILL BE OKAY WHEN WE WAKE UP. EVERYTHING WILL BE OKAY."

Was he meant to sleep? He didn't know if he had the ability to.

But he still made the attempt to as he hugged the puppet close to him, not caring about how ice-cold to the touch she was.

"...GOOD NIGHT, MY DEAR." He repeated from before.

"...'GOOD NIGHT, CAINE.'"

As he made a final mimicry, he found everything slowly drifting away as he fell 'asleep'.

...

And everything fell back into silence once more.

I think, so therefore...I dream and fall back into my own delusions.

...

You think, so therefore you are not meant to be.

[kuwdora]

Hi hello! For the fic writer asks:

✿ did anything major change when you started writing Coin Operated Boy to when you finished?

☉ what do you do when you get stuck writing?

✄ what’s your editing process?

Oh, hi you! These are excellent asks. Somehow I knew you would ask about this story. :)

Okay. So! With Coin Operated Boy I didn’t really have anything major change. I did end up cutting or not writing a lot more detail about Jaskier’s friendship with Cory and more Oxenfurt culture. Mostly because Jaskier was too busy being a puppet and didn’t have time for anything else. I had a lot more detail about Cory and Jaskier and their college friends, and passing around the same $20 for over two decades. Oxenfurt insider jokes, some more throwaway details about The Horrors happening outside the walled garden of Oxenfurt since the story takes place about 4-6 months after Cintra falls.

Also originally after puppetskier had been attacked by a kitty, he was gonna run into a random artist who would help and drop him off at Shani’s. Then I realized it would be way cuter if he actually encountered Karsten again because!! Small child and puppetskier! Relationship already established.

Not a major change either but I originally had a coda I was gonna do but then didn’t. I got so tired by the time I reached the end of the story that I just needed to be done. It was gonna be from Cory’s POV where she’s at a pottery stall or kiln and Karsten returns with some of the hidden treasure he had found and that he wanted to pass on to Jaskier because Jaskier was his new friend. I was also trying to find a way to have Shani stop by while Cory and Karsten were together for that moment. This idea was actually a brilliant suggestion by Castillon02. Alas, being tired and feeling all kinds of squishy about playing with my OCs a little more…the coda did not come to fruition.

I also have a second coda/probably a second story idea. Where Jaskier is hanging out with Yen and makes a passing reference to that time he was turned into a puppet for several days. And something something, Jaskier wants to be fucked as a puppet, something something horny comedy size difference and Yen indulging him.

☉ what do you do when you get stuck writing?

I usually end up in somebody's DMs, usually @sassaffrassa trying to talk through my current problem. And cry a lot. I've been trying to do some short bursts of flashfic writing when I'm stuck editing just to reset my brain. Right now I wish I had better focus to be working on my vidding projects or my painting projects to step away from the writing medium. Slowly trying to get myself back into those things again just because I think it will help o have something else to work on.

But if I leave things too long without touching or thinking about it, then it's so much harder to get back into it. Even though I really, really want to finish it.

✄ what’s your editing process?

AS FOR EDITING, my god. It’s a... process. Going under a cut cause I ramble like the wordy gremlin I am.

I write and do my first round of editing in Scrivener. I usually write a scene and when I think I’m done, I go back and reread and start writing notes about things or highlighting passages I think about or want to revisit again. I outline after drafting a lot of the time. To see what actually happens and compare it to what I actually wanted to happen. Or thought was gonna happen. Cause I forget shit all the time while writing and sometimes can't see what I actually wrote unless I make bullet points. It's annoying.

I like Scrivener because I move a lot of scenes or whole sections around and I end up writing so many notes about different things that I end up with folders of stuff that doesn’t even make it into the story. Probably why it takes me for fucking ever to finish anything because I keep getting distracted with more ideas and details. But editing usually involves going back to my judicious use of brackets and filling in shit or figuring out what I was thinking. I jump around a lot in the editing stages because if I’m not feeling a certain section at the moment then I’m just not gonna get enough done.

Once I feel reasonably okay and like it’s readable, I pop the fic into gdocs for eventual betaing or cheer readers. I hate gdocs so much for anything longer than 4k because I can’t really see the scenes anymore. But it is helpful to be looking at the text on a different screen and I do appreciate that. I’ll continue to edit and make more specific line and paragraph highlights of things that are bothering me so I know what I’m gonna focus on when I come back later. Eventually I’ll reach a point of exhaustion and fling it at someone who’s willing to read it and pray that it makes sense. Usually in the case of my Leshkel stuff it doesn’t but that’s what another round of editing is usually for. When I’m mostly on the ball with my story I happily chew on beta comments and wrestle my paragraphs some more until I’m exhausted and never want to write again.

I recently started using the header feature in Gdocs so I can jump to my scene/chapter breaks a little easier now instead of scrolling through +15 pages and I think that will help my editing brain for this stage.

Anyway that was very long but!! Sort of how I roll.

fic ask meme

[storiesbyrhi]

Angel of the First Degree - Chapter 8: Interlude

Eddie Munson x Chubby!Reader 1323 words Series Masterlist

Previous Chapters: 1 - Valium; 2 - Carrie; 3: Honey; 4: Starcourt; 5: Buzzkill; 6: Monsterous; 7: Prizes

Warnings: Anxiety; fatphobia including internalised; drug use; bullying; body issues; discussion of body function and fluids; period shame/stigma; disclosure of sexual assault (chapter 2); disordered eating and thoughts of food; shitty/abusive/critical parents; porn magazines; smut; reference to suicide (specifically Virginia Woolf’s); no beta; grief/mourning; warnings updated each chapter

Synopsis: When Eddie Munson finds you in the midst of a panic attack, it is the beginning of something. A fic featuring body and sex positivity, Eddie in a dress, soft small moments, scary big truths, and all the usual special feelings you’d expect from one of my stories.

Chapter Summary: A short interlude to pay tribute to Cliff Burton, born February 10 1962 – died September 27 1986, aged 24.

Author's Note: Unnamed freak gets a name – Gene. Here's why I picked it. I'd love for you to read the End Notes.

It was almost completely silent when you got home. You’d taken a gaggle of the trailer park kids for a little walk, buying a lot of good grace with the neighbours. Not enough to make up for Eddie’s guitar but enough to wipe the slate clean.

You poured a glass of water and gulped it down, looking around for signs of your boyfriend. Walking through to the bedroom, you stopped dead in your tracks.

Eddie was on his knees, hands gripping his boombox radio. He looked like he’d seen a ghost, pale and eyes wide.

“Eddie?” you asked, scared.

He shook his head a little but otherwise didn’t move.

Carefully, you knelt down beside him and listened. It was the news? No, not just the news, it was breaking news.

“Yes… Yes, we can confirm that the… the reports are true. Cliff Burton, bass player for Metallica, has passed away in Sweden. The band are on their Damage, Inc. Tour… A full statement is due any minute now… Let’s… Let’s go to a song.”

The radio presenter had stumbled over their words. Eddie was still frozen, the only movement a single tear sliding down his cheek. It was a painful role reversal and one you were entirely unprepared for. Eddie knew what to do when you were upset. He knew how to comfort and console. Still learning to accept that, you had no idea how to offer it.

“I’m sorry,” you whispered.

Eddie’s lips parted like he was going to speak, but he shook his head again. The phone rang, startling you both.

“I’ll get it,” you said, jumping and running to the kitchen. “Hello?”

“Have you heard?! Has Eddie heard?” It was Gareth, breathless and squeaky.

“Um, yeah. Just now,”

“What the fuck. What the fuck. What happened? I was in town, at the record store. Someone said it was a car crash? Are they going to break up now? What the fuck?”

You didn’t know what to say. The panic in Gareth’s voice made your stomach flip. He was on the verge of hyperventilating.

“Where’s Eddie? What’s he think? I’m coming over,”

“Wait!” you said. “Just… Let me check with him. He’s… not… doing well. Just give me a second, okay?”

“Yeah, yeah. Yeah, sure. I’ll call the others, then call back.” Gareth hung up before you could reply.

Stepping back into the hallway, you saw Eddie still hadn’t moved. When you got to him, you put your hand on his shoulder. Master of Puppets was playing on the radio and Eddie’s grip on it had gotten stronger.

“Eddie? Do you want to… sit up? Maybe sit on the bed?”

He looked up at you. “He’s… dead,”

“Yeah… Yeah, I… heard, I know… Come here. Come sit,” you instructed softly.

Eddie stood and put the radio on the dresser like it was made of fractured glass, ready to explode into a thousand shards any second now. You took his hands in yours when he sat down.

“I’m sorry,” you said again. What were you meant to say to someone in that situation? You’d never loved anything like Eddie loved metal, loved Metallica. What do you do when a hero dies?

“They… they thought he was a guitarist, you know? When they first heard him. Hetfield and Ulrich… The way he played… They thought… He was that good… I showed you,” Eddie spoke like he was trying to remember a long lost moment. He turned to you. “I showed you the Pulling Teeth solo… Remember?”

Eddie looked at you like he’d cease to exist if you didn’t. Nodding, you said, “Yeah. I remember. And… There was another one, right? Another solo?”

“For Whom the Bells Tolls, yeah… He… completed them, you know? What… What’s gonna happen?”

There was no answer.

For a moment, you thought about the band. You thought about how Corroded Coffin were as thick as thieves, so entwined in each other’s lives. If Eddie lost one of them… So, you thought about Metallica, about their loss and mourning.

There was no answer for anyone.

The phone rang.

“That’s probably Gareth again… He wanted to come over,” you told Eddie.

“No… Tell him I’ll come to him. We should… I don’t know… Tell him I’ll bring my guitar.”

With that, Eddie was up and searching his room for something, throwing things out of drawers and into one of his guitar cases with a manic energy that made you uneasy.

In the van, Eddie flicked the stereo from cassette to the radio. Disposable Heroes was finishing, then a different reporter.

“The official statement is that there was an incident with the tour bus,” she said.

“Is Burton the only causality?” another voice asked.

“Yes. Nobody else sustained injuries.”

Eddie switched it off, plunging the van into a cold quiet. You couldn’t help but watch him, his face set in a forced neutral expression.

When you pulled up in front of Gareth’s garage, the door was already rolled, the curly haired boy sitting behind his drumkit. Gene was sitting cross-legged on the floor, hugging his bass. His face was a mess of tears and snot.

When Eddie climbed from the van, Gene dropped his instrument unceremoniously and nearly threw himself into Eddie’s arms. You felt like you were intruding somehow.

Gareth stood and came to be held by Eddie too, Gene retreating to the old couch tucked in the garage’s corner. He took his bass and you had to look away when he started to pluck at notes before beginning to cry again.

When Eddie and Gareth stepped apart, they looked at each other.

“Fuck,” Gareth said.

“Yeah,” Eddie agreed. “Is Jeff coming?”

“Nah, his parents have the car,”

“How’d he sound?”

Gareth shrugged. “Same as us? Esther’s with him.” Esther, who had been Jeff’s girlfriend since their Family Video date. Although you didn’t know her super well, you’d seen her handle pressure with strength and pain with softness. She’d know what to do for Jeff.

You wished you could say the same for yourself and Eddie.

“Do you guys… want some… band time? I can go for a walk,” you offered.

Eddie frowned, reaching out for you and pulling you into him. His arms held you tight. “No. Stay.” His voice was firm, sure.

The four of you sat in the garage until the sun set and Gareth’s parents offered to cook everyone dinner. Gene accepted, unable to move from his bass. Eddie declined on behalf of you both, hugging his friends again before driving home.

“Are you hungry?” you asked him when you stepped back into the trailer.

“Um… No… Not really. You should eat though,”

“So should you. I’ll make something small, okay?”

Eddie nodded and disappeared into the bedroom. Soon after, armed with a bowl of mac and cheese big enough to share and some toast with garlic butter melted onto it, you joined Eddie.

He was sitting on the bed, legs stretched out and playing desk to magazines. He was re-reading anything he could find about Metallica, bringing himself to tears again. When you arrived, he pushed the magazines away and waited for you to climb in next to him.

Food on the bedside table and you in Eddie’s lap, he chewed the inside of his cheek to try to stop himself from properly crying.  

“I’m sorry,”

“S’okay… Just another fucked up thing to get through,” Eddie replied, jaded in his grief.

“I love you,”

“I love you too.”

All night, Eddie clung to you like he was going to lose you too. He stayed like that for the week, bitter and skittish. Clingy but distant.

In early October, Corroded Coffin made their way into Indianapolis for a memorial service for the late, great, and undoubtedly talented Cliff Burton. Each major city held events, metalheads and music lovers travelling to pay respect and toast to a life cut too short and a legacy never to be forgotten. 

Next Chapter - 9: Halloween

End Note: Cliff Burton picked up the bass guitar when he was thirteen, having previously played the piano. The death of his older brother saw the change in instrument; his parents quoted Burton as saying, “I’m going to be the best bassist for my brother.”

He joined Metallica after the release of their first album, and it was his musicianship and originality that contributed to the success of Ride the Lightning and Master of Puppets – an album considered to be a landmark in heavy metal history. The title track of Master of Puppets was Burton’s favourite Metallica song. His final show was in Stockholm on September 26, one day before his death.

Burton’s legacy is longstanding. To Live Is to Die (Metallica), In My Darkest Hour (Megadeath) are both tribute songs, and albums Among the Living (Anthrax) and The Dark (Metal Church) are dedicated to Burton. When Metallica were inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame, Burton was included, his father sharing the stage to accept the honour. Burton’s parents donate any royalty in his name to a scholarship fund for music students at his alma mater Castro Valley High School.

Grief never goes away; we just do our best to live side by side with it. When we lose someone we never really knew – like how Eddie would have felt about Burton, like my mum and Bowie, and us and Eddie – it can feel like borrowed grief. Sometimes, it feels like we’re not allowed to mourn. But, what do you do when a hero dies? Grieve and suffer the pain, and then step into the future with hope and humility, and the intent to live the life they didn’t get to.

Thank you for indulging me with this interlude chapter. Angel of the First Degree is a story about healing, and my most open wound is certainly grief. Thank you for letting me explore that, while paying tribute to Cliff Burton, the greatest bass player in the world.

Fic Taglist: @ajeff855 @b-barnes04 @eddie-munson-is-a-sweetheart @nerd-squad-headquarters @word-wytch @harrys-tittie @munsonsmel0dy @sidthedollface2 @eddiethesexy @bardicfrustration @orpheusredux @munsonsgirl71 @a-time-for-wolvess @eddieswifu @rosaline-black @thegirlwhohides @emotionaldreamer @e0509 @briasnow-blog @kiyastrf94

My Taglist: @solomons-finest-rum @ruinedbythehobbit @munsonlives @sweetpeapod @depressooo-expressooo @thorfemmes @hawkins-high @corrodedhawkins @grungegrrrl @lilzabob @mymoonisalways-in-scorpio @averagemisfit03 @ches-86 @ilovecupcakesandtea @onehotgreasymechanic

[sarilolla]

Daisy reference for my fanfic

Gonna do damaged first, then fixed

-

Damaged

Parts of her right side have been burned, the arm being the most severe part and very fragile (she doesn't really take care of it though, it's the others who worry for her)

The damage to the skirt part of her dress was quite severe, so she patched it, and it is slightly off-color, but it's not a very visible repair (she is a good seamstress thank you very much)

Learned how to be ambidextrous because she was right-handed before her injury, but couldn't use it after, so she simply had to learn

Tended to take her anger out on hosts, various animals, and sock puppets (or felt puppets), but has never ever hurt her friends

Has multiple kitchen tools as her weapons, but prefers an old and rusty knife (the same one she left with)

The sweetest of the Handeemen regardless of before she was alive, when the demon is possessing her, and of course after being possessed

The glyph of protection Bee gave her is on her right shoulder, and will remain there 

Her prized possession which she also keeps when going to Bee is her knife. It's old and rusty, sure, but its the first one she wielded while she was alive, so its highly sentimental to her

Fixed and living with Bee

Entirely new arm (it simply was too broken and burned), and new legs (The Handeemen will all struggle more than Scout with learning to walk, they are way too used to moving with hosts)

Around the same height as Mortimer (shortest to highest of the puppets: Scout, Riley, Daisy, Mortimer, Nick)

She continues wearing dresses but has a much larger collection now in many colors (although pink is still her favorite). Her absolute favorite one though is the first new one she got, a darker pink with daisy flower embroidery details (similar to her original dress but darker and with embroidery)

She has a strawberry dress (remember when those were popular?) and you cannot stop me

She wears jewelry. Usually a simple pearl necklace and pearl earrings, but sometimes she uses bracelets

Can't really do much with her hair, but switches out the headband so it matches her outfit. Back in the show days, she had more options for her hair, but those are gone

Everything about her style is very 50s housewife, but she wears tons of oversized sweaters, and she has one hoodie (everyone is going to have matching hoodies at one point (dino hoodies))

Formal clothes are very similar to normal clothing. Dark pink dress, white pearl jewelry, black shoes, and a white purse (the dress doesn't have pockets so that's why she has it)

She is religious (but not a lot), following a goddess of love and rebirth aka one of the gods Owen asked for help from, the goddess´ name is Ciana

She gets back to baking, at first under the supervision of Bee who is afraid she can get hurt, but it turns out really well. She sews, does embroidery, and reads. Very, very, extremely rarely she plays video games with Scout (and Hector), and she is ridiculously good at it, and always beats them

As a fellow mom friend, I declare that she is a girlboss, and I get her pain of trying to wrangle such a chaotic group like the Handeemen

[phantom-of-the-ruckus]

Redo WIP

Okie dokie, I had to redo the pose, but thankfully it wasn't too hard. i took references this morning (as well as some for prop some Grell Sutclif, and a few Bassy ones drawings)

I am on the coloring phase of the drawing so far, but I wanted to give an update. I will return to the profile thing eventually, as I did get exhausted from the Hello Puppet's constant schedule, and I got hyperfixated on Black Butler.

I think for sure my next drawing will be Sebagrell, as I made a rough sketch. Not sure when It would be posted, but I'll certainly will draw and sketch more black butler (there's a high chance I might do a colorless sketch of Prince Soma)

I think this will be my fully inked in months, as inking does drain me, but this time I enjoy it quite a bit. I will try to extend more what I draw, and maybe-ish expect some Simpson content as I am actually working on a fic and a small surprise (already plotted) but probably would release about next year due to being a special case but I'll explain it when times come

Anyway, here's the WIP of Riley walking down the hall. I'll try to get it out on Monday as soon as I can, so be prepared to check it out.

I am currently on a HP break from writing, but I'll eventually get back to the works and try to finish one of the main stories (prop. Once upon a Midnight dreary, but I have to rework on a chapter)

[angstyhikka]

Say hello to Puppeteer!Error and his (no longer Ink) Puppet

It’s actually first time I drew them :)

And yes, everything seems very cute, if you do not mention the context))

These are the ZI characters: the Puppeteer!Error and his (no longer Ink) Puppet that revived like Frankinstein, sewn together from the parts of everyone who got to that moment Error, trying to put the puzzle together from the collapsed but not dusted Inks carcass, getting him all the missing parts. He even donated his own rib to this cause :,)

The fic hadn't gotten to it yet, there were only mentions that the Puppeteer was able to revive the dead by sewing their parts together. His entire character is a reference to Puppettale, only in much darker tones.

His costume didn't just appear out of nowhere either. It was sewn to him by another legend of the ZI world under the nickname Butterfly. The opinion of the Puppeteer himself at that time was not particularly read yes))

And the Puppet was not always alive as it is shown here. Initially, it was literally a sewn, re-sewn corpse that the Puppeteer constantly dragged along, not noticing anything around. Then he talked to them like an Ink…. Until they came to life.

Honestly, from the way Sariko told me about him, I perceive him as a sort of settled down grandfather who suddenly had a child. He is VERY strongly attached to his Puppet. And it upsets him that although they came to life, but not completely. They still needs his strings and staples to keep them from falling apart. They still can’t feel no pain, no warmth. He really hopes that the Puppet will really come to life. That she really will become something more than just a doll.

* ZI- Zero Infinity

[callmegkiddo]

Ayo! Hi!

Requests: Closed

Requests in Inbox: 28

Requests being worked on in Drafts: 3

Welcome + Rules:

Welcome to my blog!

Write occasionally here. I draw and reblog a lot of stuff. You may check my description to see if requests are open or not.

Also refer to here if you want to know anything about me! I may add there some stuff in the future.

!PLEASE NOTE!

I write for fun, and it is my hobby, do not pressure me, please. Do not send any writer I support hate, they are all very hard working and fenominal people who are talented at their work. Hate sent my way will be posted as the post of shame, and will be used against you with comedy.

Everything is under the cut!

Fandoms:

- Transformers (TFP, Bayverse, RID15, RB15)

- TMNT (I do 2012, 2014-16 bayerse movie, and possibly ROTTMNT if I am not familiar, please fill me in via DM or in a separate ask)

- Wish Dragon (I also do the goons)

- Ghost BC (Papa’s, Ghouls, and Ghoulettes)

- Cooking Companions (Karin, Anatoly, Mariah, and Gregor only)

- Cookie run (Kingdom)

- The Boys (Juicy fruit snacks, Your Narrator, EddieVR, Josh Dub, Mully)

- Creepypasta

- I do Undertale, and it's au's + BHC

- Slashers

- Poppy Playtime (especially for Rowan Stoll-)

- I do Boneheads

- I do Roblox (piggy, bacon, Ronald)

- I do anime: Assassination classroom, BNHA, Danganropa, Pokémon, AOT

- Spider-Man into the: spider-verse + Spider-Man No way home + Toby Maguire Spider-Man movies + Andrew Garfield Spider-Man movies

- FNAF

- Potionomics

- Night At The Museum (don’t let it all be for Ahkmanrah-)

- Blush Blush (MY BABYS)

- Dream Daddy (and only the daddies... Maybe even Mary-)

- Spooky Month (4-5 for now)

- Guardian the Chinese BL series

- I do hello puppets (character x character is exemplary, specify)

- puss in boots (don't judge me pls-)

- ROTG movie

- Some Shrek movie

- Babysitter's guide to monster hunting movie

- Cuphead (I also follow the Casino Cups lore)

- TF2 game

- Overwatch game

- Disney

- Pixar (Underrated movies are encouraged)

- Youtuber Ego's (ISWM, AHWM, ADWM, WHM, etc.)

- Alice In Wonderland Tim burton movie

- Hamilton the Musical (give me Lafayette or Jefferson and I will be so happy-)

and that's about it! I'd add more if I forgot any of grew attached to newer things!

What I will do:

- fluff

- Smut (on rare occasions, but not requested... Maybe-)

- Things relating to trauma will be reviewed before being approved.

- Angst

- I do one-shots, scenario, and HC's

- platonic relationships

- Poly

What I don't do:

- pedophilia, incest (dem nasty)

- Certain kinks (piss play, coom play or whatever it's called, candle kinks, blood kinks, knife play)

- I don't do matchups

- Oc x character or reader x OC (unless your big buz apparantly-l

- pregnancy

- anything too heavy on drugs and abuse (tell, and I'll see if I'm comfy with it)

- Ships, however, if I tag it as "Ship exeptions" that means it is a ship I will make an exception for, and will thus make a fic for it.

Limits:

- I might not post often, so I hope you all are patient

- Expect delayed requests. I have school and other things to do.

- PLEASE be considerate and don't push me to write. Writing is my hobby, not my job.

Character limits: This is per request you make

HC's - 6

Scenarios - 3

One shots - 1

Here are things I think you should check out!

- Masterlist

- fandomclutter ideas/requests

- Ask/Drawing request rules (for any curios people/anons)

[gale-gentlepenguin]

ML Fic: Soulmate Survey Part 32

Happy Halloween to everyone! I hope that you enjoy this treat. Sorry this took so long to write out. This one took a few rewrites to get it where I wanted it to be.

Plus, Real life stuff got in the way So hopefully this will be a nice little treat for you all.

(Master Post)

__________________________________________________________________

Marinette watched in horror as she watched her best friend struggle on the floor.

She dashed to her side, and tried to help Alya get that weird mask off her face.

“By all means go right ahead. Its already too late.” Masquerade laughed as she watched Marinette struggle. “Soon enough she will be helping me take you down.”

The designer pushed the words of the psychotic akuma out of her mind. She refused to let her friend get turned into a mindless drone like before.

“It wont come off!” Marinette grunted as she tried so hard to remove it.

Masquerade watched her bracelet, waiting for a change to occur.

Alya’s muffled screams and frantic movements stopped.

“Alya?”

Marinette jumped up as she watched her friend transform, her casual clothes transformed into a familiar black and white costume. The Wi-Fi symbol on her chest. Lady Wifi has returned.

Masquerade’s bracelet gained a new charm, one looking reminiscent of a cell phone.

“And now she is my friend.” The villain stated as she watched Marinette start stepping away from the enslaved akuma.

“Alya… you need to fight it. You can’t let her control you.”

“Sorry Marinette, but Alya is unable to answer.” Masquerade mocked. “But I can take a message for you.”

Lady wifi stood silent, like an inactive robot, awaiting orders from its master. The inner machinations of the mind are not shown with the emotionless white mask covering her face.

Marinette turned her eyes toward the mask themed akuma, anger burning in her pupils.

“Let her go Lila. Let them all go before things get serious. Your plan will fail, Ladybug and Chat noir will arrive and beat the akuma out of you. Then you will have to answer for this too.”

Masquerade’s smile faded when she saw the fierce look. Marinette was not a sniveling mess, she actually looked even more defiant then before!

“Acting all high and mighty. I think I will enjoy turning you into my helpless puppet next.���

Masquerade lifted her hand towards Marinette, waiting to unmask her deepest secrets, and break her down.

“When I get a peek at what is hiding behind all of that fake courage, it will all come crashing down. Now let’s see your greatest secrets.”

Marinette looked around, trying to think of something. If Lila figured out her big secret, it was over. Ladybug would be exposed. She needed a way out, until she noticed something. Masquerade wasn’t doing anything.

“Huh?”

Marinette was perplexed by the akuma simply standing there.

“Ummm... are you going to do it now or...”

“Why can’t I see your secrets? My powers should allow me to see what you’re hiding and allow me to exploit it. It worked on everyone else I used it on, why not you?”

“Maybe I just don’t have any secrets to hide.” Marinette commented, watching with a bit of satisfaction as the akuma’s smug look shift.

Masquerade felt her frustration and anger boil at the comment. Something wasn’t adding up.

“Hawkmoth!” She cried out in rage.

A purple butterfly outline popped out.

“What is it?” The dark voice connected in her head.

“Why can’t I read Marinette’s secrets?” Masquerade angrily questioned.

“What?”

“Her secrets! I was able to zero in on everyone else I’ve used the ability on. Why does it not work on her!? Of all people I want this power to work on!”

Marinette felt both concerned and a bit flattered that she was the one Lila wanted to defeat the most. It was sort of mutual.

“Your power works on anyone I’ve akumatized, regardless of who it is.” The butterfly villain communicated. 

“So… your saying you didn’t akumatize her before? How is that possible?”

“I haven’t gotten to every single person in Paris.”

“You’ve akumatized that stupid pigeon man 26 times! How have you not gotten everyone!?”

“Paris is a big city, even if I akumatized someone every day, I doubt I would have hit 1/10th of the population. Besides, it takes strong negative emotions for me to send out an akuma. And that man seems to just be the easiest target for it. “ Hawkmoth defended himself. “Its not like I WANT to akumatize him every other day.”

“Unbelievable!”

“Just get the miraculous. That is your focus, the girl can wait for later.”

Masquerade’s butterfly outline dispelled as hawkmoth was finished with that conversation.

“Well that sucks. I guess I can just go back to plan A. Having you watch as I turn everyone against you... aren't here. What!”

Masquerade frantically looked around for the teen she had been antagonizing and found that she was no longer in the same spot. In fact, she was no longer in the office!

Marinette had decided to slip away from the akuma while she was having her little tantrum to the evil butterfly man.

“Why didn't you do something!” She shouted at Lady Wifi.

“You did not give me an order.” Lady Wifi answered robotically. 

Masquerade glared at the akuma servant. She would almost think it was rebelling against her.

“Even as a mindless servant you still find a way to ruin things.”

She looked around and noticed the other akuma in the room that was still on the floor.

“Dark Owl get up!”

The owl themed akuma got up from the floor. Removing parts of the broken pot from his costume.

Masquerade snapped her fingers. Catching the attention of Dark Owl and Lady Wifi. 

“Both of you, I want Marinette brought back to me right now! I want to make sure she stays quiet and sees everything we have set up. I don’t need her causing trouble.”

______________________________________________________________________

“…and that is everything.” A young woman said with a mixture of relief and excitement. She had finally finished setting everything up in the school infirmary. She had organized the files, restocked the bandages, changed the sheets on the resting cots, and put her personal decals on the desk. She was starting her first day as the school nurse, and things have been going up.

She put herself back out there and started dating Curtis, the sweet guy she met last week despite what would’ve normally been a deal breaking misunderstanding, she got into the med school program she wanted to get into and will be attending part time, and she managed to get a job at the school she went to when she went to Lycee.

She heard a ding from the front of the nurse’s office just as she was about to sit down.

“First student of the day. I better see what they need.”

She exited the small office area in the infirmary to see a blonde student who was clearly impatient

“What is taking so long!?” The teen shouted.

“Hello there. How can I help you?”

The blonde looked up a bit to see the nurses smile, she rolled her eyes.

“Who the hell are you? Isnt there supposed to be a different woman here?”

“If you are referring to the previous school nurse, she retired officially last week. I am the new school nurse. You can call me Nurse Angela.”

Angela never really liked using her last name, it made her sound old. So, she would be fine with the kids calling by her first name. It also helps with psychology, allowing more for a social dynamic based on mutual respect rather than authority.

“Whatever.”

Angela felt a twinge of frustration at the girl’s dismissal. But she kept her smile.

“And you are?”

The teen smirked.

“Chloé Bourgeous. And before you ask, yes, the daughter of the mayor.”

Angela felt a shiver go down her spine. She remembered from what the previous nurse told her. That Chloé was the mayor’s bratty daughter who would use her father’s influence to get anyone fired if she got angry enough.

‘That at least explains her rude attitude. She is a spoiled Brat.’

Angela was not going to let this bother her. She was going to take it in stride. She would be kind and courteous as she planned to be with any student at the Dupont.

“So, Chloé. What brings you here?”

Chloé walks in.

“My chair broke because someone sabotaged my chair. I ended up bruising my… anyway I need some ice, and anything to numb the pain.”

“My goodness! That sounds terrible. Who would do such a thing?”

“It was probably Marinette, that nasty little rat. Adding insult to injury now that she is dating Adrien.”

Nurse Angela moved to get some ice from the freezer for the bruised bottom of the Mayor’s daughter, listening to the girl vent. She was sure that whoever this Marinette girl was, probably didn’t do it. And if somehow, she did, it was likely because the annoying blonde deserved it. But that was not something Angela felt was worth mentioning. She kept that bit to herself.

“She is probably blackmailing my adrikins with something. There is no way he would be dating her without some sort of reason.”

“Is it possible that maybe he just likes her?” Angela inquired as she presented the bag of ice to Chloé.

Chloé looked at the nurse as if she had just told her that she had 3 eyes and a scorpion tail.

“Adrien liking Marinette?! That is ridiculous, Utterly ridiculous! There is no way that Adrien would…”

Chloé felt her mind flash through moments. Adrien and Marinette about to kiss for that movie, Adrien and Marinette dancing at her party? The photos she found of them running from fans, that kiss at the picnic during heroes’ day. Adrien taking Marinette to that interview instead of her… The stubborn blonde felt as if everything clicked into place.

“Chloé? Is everything okay?” The nurse called out, trying to get the spaced-out teen’s attention.

“He might actually LIKE her!”

Chloé felt her own skin crawl as she made her realization.

Angela didn’t know how to respond to this situation.

“I am going to straighten Adrien out right now! I am not going to let him make such a foolish mistake!”

The nurse could tell this could be bad if the mayor’s daughter was so heated, what if she got this innocent girl expelled? If she stood by and did nothing then her time at the school would be internally marked with the regret of not stopping such a potential disaster.

“Wait, Miss Bourgeois.”

Chloé stopped.

“What is it?”

“I… I just noticed that you’re limping. The injury might be more serious than you think. Let me have a look at it closer before you leave.”

The mayor’s daughter would simply have left without a second thought. But having a limp would make her walk much less dignified and lacking the power she needs to intimidate, but mainly that she would look lame with a limp.

“Alright, just make it quick.”

______________________________________________________________________________

“I don’t get why you felt the need to leave.” The cat kwami rolled his eyes. “If you want to be rebellious Adrien, we could leave the school and head to the movies. Though if we do, you should invite your girlfriend.”

“Plagg, this isn’t about rebellion or future date ideas. Something isn’t right with this whole situation. I just want to sneak a peek in the office, make sure Marinette and Alya get their story out, and then I am headed right back to class. No problem.” Adrien summarized as they kept walking.

Plagg noticed someone headed their way and went to hide in Adrien’s pocket.

Adrien took notice that it was his homeroom teacher. Perhaps he could ask her.

“Hey Ms.Bustier. Can I ask you a quick question?”

The red headed teacher walked past the teen without acknowledging his question. Her eyes focused on what was ahead.

“That’s weird… She would always stop to help a student.”

Adrien could feel that his favorite teacher may have been affected by something sinister.

“Ms.Bustier, can you hear me out for a second?” He asked as he touched her shoulder to try and get her attention.

The mirage of her appearance shifted from the homeroom teacher to the stylized patchwork costume of a familiar akuma enemy.

Adrien was surprised to see the true form of the imposter. The kiss zombie maker, Zombizou.

The akuma turned to show the face mask that hid her face. Her attention was now firmly on the boy, whether he wanted it or not.

Adrien backed away, nervously keeping his eyes on the teacher as he carefully backed up.

“You know, I think I will just ask someone else.”

Adrien took down the next hall running.

______________________________________________________________________

Masquerade reclined in her chair, her frustration was growing as she wondered what was taking those two minions she sent out to capture Marinette so long.

“They shouldn’t be having that much difficulty. She is just one person!”

She heard a ring, and knew her sentimonster was trying to contact her.

“What is it Simulare?”

“The illusion I had on Zombizou was broken. Someone is on to us, and the minion is in pursuit.”

Masquerade felt a headache forming. She didn’t have time for a wild goose chase. She needed to move on to phase two of her plan, making her army of akuma.

“Track down Marinette and this other  person that found out about Zombizou, keep them busy as long as possible. I am going to move on to phase two. Make sure no one is on to us.”

“Understood. I’ll get them back in the office and make sure neither of them escape.”

“Good”

Masquerade ended the call and felt her head ease a bit. The sentimonster she was given was obedient and competent. It was based on her mindset, so it would make sense that it would be capable of handling this problem.

“Now, let’s get that army.”

______________________________________________________________________________

“Give me a break.” Marinette muttered to herself.

She thought she would have time to transform once she escaped the office, but the two akuma were right out of the office before she had time to make sure everything was clear.

In her rush she cut a corner down a hallway and ended up colliding with another person.

“Ouch.” They cry out in unison, both looking to realize who they bumped into. Their faces turned to relief.

“Marinette!” “Adrien!”

The two called out in unison.

“Why are you running?” “Why are you running?”

“An akuma!” “An akuma!”

“An akuma?” “An akuma?”

They both look behind the other to notice the incoming akumas approaching them.

“As cute as this is, we need to go.”

Adrien Grabs Marinette’s Hand and they both head to the open area and try to get to the main entrance.

‘I need to get Adrien somewhere safe, then I can go transform into Ladybug.’ Marinette thought to herself, unaware that Adrien was thinking the same thing.

They make quick movements down hallway, moving up and down staircases to confuse their pursuers. They managed to give them the slip as the controlled akuma seemed to not be able of basic reasoning and quick fake outs and movements.

The two make their way down to what appeared to be the front of the school.

“The entrance!” Marinette called out. “Okay, we split up at the entrance and try to get help. They can’t catch us both.”

The run to the entrance only for them to stop short, colliding with some invisible wall.

It was only after making contact did the front entrance of the school shift back into a wall. The layout of the entire school seemed to shift instantly. The school had been put under an illusion to trick them into thinking they were escaping.

“It’s an illusion. Which means Lila must be involved with that group of akumas.” Adrien exclaimed.

“More like she is the cause. She is the one controlling the akumatized mask wearers. She got the Principal and Alya.”

“Wait, does this mean that Lila’s power is to make akuma!?”

“From what I saw, she can only akumatize people that have been akumatized before using her face masks. You haven’t been akumatized right?” Marinette questioned.

“No, and since she didn't get you, you haven't either right?”

“Yea, though I have had a few close calls.”

“So, if Lila’s power is akumatizing people, what akuma made this illusion on the school?”

“That would be me.” A third voice calls out.

The two turned to look and see a familiar fox themed villain smiling confidently.

“Volpina!”

“Not exactly.”

The Volpina impersonator looked around to see if the other akumatized servents were going to arrive.

“Seems you both are quite clever when it comes to annoying Mistress Masquerade.”

“Masquerade?”

“That’s what Lila’s calling herself.”

“Oh... cause of the masks.”

The villain rolls her eyes, encapsulating the personality of the arrogant volpina that it was pretending to be.

“Masquerade realizes that you two are both quite difficult to snag with mindless servants, so she requested I handle this.”

“No, you won’t.” Marinette grabs Adrien’s Hand and tries to run away only for the Faux Fox to flip in front of them

“Yea, I am not letting you out of my sight. Now be good and come along peacefully.”

Adrien moves in front of Marinette.

“Go, I’ll hold her off.”

“But…”

“Go. I trust you.” Adrien smiles as he looks to her for a moment.

Marinette wanted to stay and fight with him, but she knew that she needed to go and transform. Ladybug will be needed before this blows up.

“I’ll get help.”

Marinette runs away from the two as fast as she can. Adrien making sure to block the way should their foe get any ideas.

“She won’t get far, she will get captured before she even gets a chance.”

Adrien shook his head.

“You would be surprised with how just how amazing Marinette is.”

Marinette rushed out of sight and into the closest bathroom, quickly making sure it was a safe place to transform.

“Coast is clear. Time for Ladybug to step in.”

“Let’s hope we can get to Adrien in time before things get worse.” Tikki commented.

“Don't worry, I trust he’ll be okay. Tikki! Spots on!”

______________________________________________________________________________

“Can you believe it Juleka?” The peppy perfume enthusiast squealed. “Marinette and Adrien are finally an item.”

“Yes, I was there rose.” Juleka commented with an eye roll and a smile.

“I know! I am just so happy for them both.” Rose calms herself a bit. “Though… how will your brother take it?”

The purple haired teen reflected on the comment.

“It will be an adjustment, but I am sure Lulu will be fine once he gets a couple songs out of it.”

“I’ll be sure to be supportive.”

Juleka patted Rose’s head, smiling sweetly at the blonde’s caring attitude. She decided now would be a good time to spring that surprise on her. She was planning on showing her during lunch, but since Ms.Bustier wasn’t in class. Now would be the perfect time to show Rose the earrings she got her.

She casually reached into her bag, sliding her hand into her lunch bag, trying to find the earring box, only to notice it not there. Her hand moved frantically searching.

“Is something wrong?” Rose inquired, a bit of concern on her face.

“No, nothing. Nothing is wrong, just…” Juleka dismissed as she kept searching only to know for certain that her gift was not in there.

“Are you sure?”

“I just need do something really quick.”

She quickly grabbed her phone and calmly while hoping that her brother would see her text.

In her quick movement, she failed to notice the door of the classroom opening.

_______________________________________________________________________

“Psst, Luka. Luka!” A dark-haired teen whispered, trying to get the attention of the teal-tipped hair guitarist that was hiding his sleeping face with an open science book.”

“Hmm?” The tired teen responded with his eyes still closed. He was barely awake. He had been up all night working on that new song that was stuck in his head. He could still hear it playing in his thoughts as he tried to shake himself awake.

“Your phone vibrated, seemed important.”

“Oh, thanks Theo.” He moved his hand to take a look at his phone.

The science teacher was rambling on about molecules or something, clearly unaware of how disinterested everyone in the class was with his boring lecture.

Luka looked through to see a few text messages from his sister.

‘Hey, can you check your lunch to see if there is a jewelry box in there? Rose’s gift is in there.’

‘If you find it, can you swing by around your free period to bring it to me?’

Luka quickly snuck his hand into his backpack and sure enough he felt the small box. He was about to text a response. But stopped when he read the last two texts.

‘Sh*t there is an akuma in the class!’

Luka’s eyes shot open, his sister was in danger. Which also meant his band was also in danger. He needed to get there.

He shot up from his chair. And started making his way to the door.

“Mr.Couffaine, where do you think you’re going?”

“Family emergency.”

The science teacher was about to tell the young boy to wait until his parent calls, but he remembered who is mother was and what she did the last time he held up her kid when Anarke wanted to pick him up early. The teacher proceeded to held back his response.

“Proceed. Just be sure to get the notes from today’s lesson.”

Luka was out the door before the teacher could finish.

______________________________________________________________________

A car speeds down the road, the driver cursing to herself as she tries to move faster.

‘Get in, get Adrien, and get out before everything hits the fan.’

Nathalie mentally repeated to herself. She knows that pushing herself too hard was also dangerous. She couldn't risk feeling weak right now.

The driver slammed the break as she arrived at the school. She needed to hurry. She parked the car and opened the door.

“Lets hope that this akuma hasn't gotten to Adrien yet.”

_______________________________________________________________________

Ms. Bustier’s class had diverted all their attention to the costumed individual in the front of the classroom. The eerie masks that adorned her costume seemed to unsettle everyone.

Juleka put her phone away and joined in on what everyone was staring at

Alix was the one to say what was on everyone’s mind.

“Who the f*** are you?”

The akuma smirked.

“Excellent, a volunteer.”

Raising her hand and pointing towards Alix, her charm bracelet began to glow.

“Interesting, seems that you have quite a soft spot for cute things.”

The class turned to look at Alix with confusion.

Alix kept her cool.

“And? Is there a point?” Alix rolled her eyes, ignoring the akuma’s attempt to get under her skin. It would take more than that to actually do anything to her.

“You pretend you have this ‘Devil may care’ attitude, that you are too cool to care about what people think, but really you are more obsessed with how people perceive you than anyone else in here.”

Alix felt her smirk falter for a second.

“You are really sensitive about your height and anytime someone brings it up you are in a bad mood for the rest of the day. But what really gets to you is your ‘Family’. You hate how your brother is a laughing stock because of his crackpot theories and your greatest fear is that no matter how much you try to be this punk rebel, you will always be cast as ‘The Conspiracy nut’s sister’.”

“Shut up! You don’t know my life!” Alix yelled.

“Not so fun getting exposed, is it?”

The class realized immediately who this mysterious akuma was.

Masquerade smiled as she flung a mask right at the pink haired teen. Causing her to fall down. And struggle to get the mask off, but before anyone could help her. It was too late.

The class could only watch in horror as their classmate transformed into their Akuma persona. Before standing up.

The class tried to make a break for it. They knew full well the dangers of this new akuma.

“Timebreaker, guard the door.”

The akuma skated to the door and everyone jumped back. They knew that touching Timebreaker was not a good idea.

“Lila, this isn’t cool. Let Alix go.” Nino called out.

The Mask akuma shook her head.

“Lila is not a thing anymore. She was unmasked and dismissed. But now I have a new mask, I’m Masquerade. Soon enough, you will all be unmasked and given a new mask that better suits you. Alya knows that very well.”

Nino’s his eyes flared at the statement.

“What did you do to my girl?”

Masquerade pointed her hand at him just as her charm bracelet glowed, now with a rollerblade charm added to it.

“The same thing I am about to do to all of you.”

______________________________________________________________________

Will the rest of the class fall victim to Masquerade’s evil plan? Will Ladybug be able to save Adrien from the Sentimonster? Will Nathalie get to Adrien before its too late? Will I ever update consistently?

Fine out all these questions and more in the next part.

Thank you all for reading the most recent addition to Soulmate Survey.

Please let me know your thoughts on this chapter and if you really liked it. Reblog it. (Sharing is the only way my story actually gets out.) Plus, tagging has been kind of glitchy for me, so until that gets straightened out, I can't tag people for the story at the moment.

[algernoninwonderland]

Can I ask you to make a guide about writing Akumatized Marinette fics in such a way that still keep all characters in-character?

I’ll do you one better!

Here’s My Five-Step Program on How To Write Akumatised Characters!

Feel free to use it however you like!

1.  Have a clear idea of who your character is, what their drives and dislikes are, before you get around to akumatising them

For instance, Nino wants to have fun and to make his friends happy but hates being told what to do by authority figures. Mlle Mendeleiev wants to be regarded as a big deal in the scientific world and hates being ridiculed.

Though some of these drives and dislikes can be really ridiculous when it comes to some of these akumatised characters and can have little to no emotional weight because some episodes are comedy-oriented (M. Ramier likes feeding his pigeons, he doesn’t like being told that he can’t feed his pigeons, this is stupid but also funny) or just poorly written. Still, they all seem to follow that same basic formula.

2. Understand how we get to the akumatisation proper, or, what happens before the transformation

The characters about to be akumatised are being pushed to their limits. Why? It depends on the episode, but it’s usually a case of “the character can’t have it their way because of [reason] and that makes them angry”. What are they angry at? There’s no fixed rule here. Depends on the circumstances of the episode. They’re caught in a situation with an outcome that leaves them emotionally unstable and angry, is the point.

Watch Utena. Just watch it. It’s (maybe) the best anime ever. And Miraculous uses the basic mechanics of the Black Rose Saga without understanding what made it good in the first place. Without spoiling too much about that part of the anime, secondary characters with issues hinted at in the first arc come to the forefront of the show for one episode each, during which they are being pushed to their limits. They have a moment of Regressive Therapy with the arc’s antagonist who makes them expose their buried negative feelings and weaponises them to turn each of these characters into the “villain” of the week, if you will. In Utena, these characters, their desires, their fears, gives us a different perspective on the storyworld, the plot and the characters we’ve spent the most time with until then. It’s so good. Just watch Utena.

Anyway, Hawk Moth is a kind of devil figure there (all of this is very Faustian) using the moments of emotional vulnerability in these characters to trick them into striking a deal with him.  He offers them the power to act on these negative feelings, and they must do his bidding in return (he can exert some control over them if this deal is agreed upon but that’s really murky).

Note that these soon-to-be-akumatised characters are not in the right mindset to fully realise what it is they’re getting into, unless they are Truly Evil. Hawk Moth is the one in control there, he is calm and manipulative, he is the one to define the terms of the contract, if you will. This makes me reluctant to call the great majority of the akumatised characters villains (but that doesn’t stop the show from treating them as such). They are blinded by their anger, and not in a position to bargain.

3. Understand what being akumatised is and what it does

“Hello, [villain name], I’m Hawk Moth. Are you sick of piles of owls constantly blocking your driveway?! Well then you gotta get Owl Trowel!  Things are pretty unfair, aren’t they? I understand. I will give you the power to do [whatever], in exchange, you must give me the Miraculouses” Hawk Moth, in every episode.

Being akumatised is a twisted, dramatic expression of these negative emotions and frustrated desires, with an awful colour palette and character designs that range from “pretty good!” to “no.”

Now watch the original Sailor Moon anime. Some of the people working on it later moved on to make Utena. It’s mostly a very good show, and one Miraculous draws from a lot. It blends what was the norm in the magical girl genre until then (shows centred around femininity and growing up) with tokusatsu-type monster-of-the-week stuff. Notably, some of the villains of the week in the early seasons were humans whose desires and frustrations were used by the Dark Kingdom (the Big Bad) to turn them into monsters. The Sailor Guardians (our heroines) had to fight and heal them from that evil corruption.

Being akumatised is a physical transformation and a mental transformation as well, characters who wouldn’t hurt a fly as their regular civilian selves become unhinged and violent and drunk with power. This isn’t them anymore, not entirely. Does that mean an akumatised character’s actions are entirely divorced from what their regular selves think and feel? Not entirely. Alya really wants to know who Ladybug is, Ivan really wishes people would stop picking on him, Aurore really thinks she deserved that victory. Being akumatised means taking these feelings to the extreme and manifesting them physically while attaching them to an item the character has been shown to carry earlier on. Maybe that item is the cause of what upset the akumatised character in the first place, and turning that into a weapon… Sometimes. Maybe it’s something else. The show isn’t very consistent in that regard. You figure it out yourself.

Hawk Moth brings out the worse in these characters and then some, using his magic. He exerts some degree of control over his akumatised pawns though how much is unclear, and I think that’s a deliberate choice from the creative team. In this case, I think the ambiguity makes things more interesting than “bad man entirely controls people who are only puppets with no will of their own whatsoever”.

4. And Now How Would Other Characters React?

When akumatised characters have vengeance in their mind, they go after the person they think is responsible for whatever went wrong. Unlike our heroes and HM, they aren’t concerned with being secretive about who they are, since they are overconfident in their new powers.

The most common reaction to akumatised villains attacking Paris is: “running away and screaming and trying to get somewhere safer”.

How would individual characters react to an akuma attack? How involved were they with the person that got akumatised? Did they play a role in making that person upset? Did they suspect the person had these kinds of feelings before, or is it a complete surprise? What does it tell us about the relationship between the akumatised character and the non-akumatised character reacting to them? Find answers to these questions and you’ve got it all figured out. Refer to the show itself regarding characterisation, it may not be always consistent so pick what you like best, what would be the most interesting.

5. Now That You’ve Got It All Figured Out, Plan and Write the Damn Thing.

Only you can tell the story you want to tell the way you can tell it, so do it, rework it, show it to your friends and rewrite it again until you’re somewhat satisfied.

And voilà! Hope this was somewhat helpful!

[murder-senpai]

F A N F I C T I O N

Oh, hello there!! My name is Murder-senpai! I’m new here to tumblr sooooo don’t mind me being awkward n’ stuff. So this is gonna be like, what fandoms and characters I write for sOoooOoOo

AU’s and other stuff I’ll do: ABO, genderbend, hanahaki, soulmate, supernatural/power, soft yandere/ stockholm syndrome, coffee shop, modern, fantasy, baby/kid versions of characters, babysitter, neko, inu, kitsune, post apocalyptic, zombie, flower shop, book store, dragon, fairy tale, high school/college, mafia, pregnant, steampunk, merpeople, pirate, pirate/merperson, prison, reincarnation, famous, vampire, werewolf

There is more shit I’ll do but I can’t really think anymore so just request

(reader insert crap)

I will NOT do nsfw. This is a christian minecraft sever 

You CAN request multiple character/poly and platonic stuff

If your not specific, I will choose between headcanons or a fic/drabble

If you request angst, I will give it a fluffy ending unless requested otherwise

Please be specific in your request   ex: reader gender (fem, male, gender neutral)

Edit: I will now take character x character, character + character platonic stuff, aus (like, medevil bnha, or a story about friendship or enemies to friends or adoption, anything really), and stuff like that

Current hyperfixation (aka, what I will probably write better for/ do more): dream smp

Will probably put the scenario in a non specific arc

Fairy Tail:

Natsu

Gray

Loke/leo

Laxus

Sting

Rouge

Gajeel

Zeref

Jellal

Jackal

Lucy

Levy

Juvia

Guildarts

Freed

Erza

DBH:

Connor

Hank

Markus

Gavin

nines

ATLA:

Aang

Zuko

Sokka

Katara

Toph

mai

ty lee

azula

BNHA:

Izuku

Katsuki

Shouto

Denki

Eijiro

Tenya

Toshinori

Shouta

hizashi

fumikage

neito

mirio

takami

hitoshi

inasa

Enji

keigo

rumi

momo

mina

ochaco

dabi

shigaraki

overhaul

sir nighteye

kurogiri

toga

twice

Inuyasha:

Inuyahsa

kagome

naraku

miroku

koga

sesshomaru

sango

BNA:

michiru

shirou

nazuna

alan

marie

pinga

Sherlock:

Sherlock

john

moriarty

mycroft

greg

molly

Harry potter:

harry

ron

hermione

draco

cedric

Black Butler:

ciel

sebastian

bard

finny

ash

claude

alois

triplets

william

grell

ronald

undertaker

joker

dagger

agni

soma

pluto

beast

lizzy

mey-rin

ran-mao

edward

aleistar

vincent

real ciel (I refer to him as astre tho)

snake

charles grey

charles phipps

gregory

cheslock

joanne

maurice

herman

clayton

lawrance

mcmillan

edgar

blavat

seiglinde

MLB:

Marinette/ladybug

adrien/chat noir

gabriel/hawkmoth

nathaniel

marc

luka

alya

nino

felix

bridgette

chloe

TPN:

emma

ray

norman

don

gilda

leslie

Undertale:

sans

papyrus

frisk

toriel

chara

asriel

asgore

grillby

gaster

mettaton

blooky 

AU’s- underfell, mafiatale, mafiafell, underswap, swapfell

Beastars:

legoshi

haru

louis

juno

gouhin

melon

Gravity falls:

dipper

mable

ford

wendy

robbie

bill

AU-reverse falls, monster falls

SVTFOE:

star

marco

tom

toffee

Hazbin:

alastor

angle dust

charlie

husk

vaggie

lucifer

val

vox

Pokemon:

Gladion

ash

clemont

serena

james

jesse

zeraora

lucario

mewtwo

zacian

zamazenta

literally any pokemon but those are my fave(and human versions ofc either is fine)

guzma

kukui

alain

lysandre

bede

hop

leon

milo

allister

raihan

marnie

piers

ACNH:

tom nook

raymond

lobo 

kabuki

lolly

marshal

Isabelle

redd

fang

Avengers:

tony

steve

bucky

clint

natasha

dr. strange

thor 

loki

peter

Voltron:

lance

keith

shiro

hunk

lotor

pidge

Aggretsuko:

tadano

haida

hyoudou

The hobbit:

literally JUST smaug

MLP:

twilight

pinkie

apple jack

rainbow

fluttershy

rarity

discord

Maid sama:

takumi

misaki

shoichiro

the three idiots

aoi (totaly gives off a ciel/lizzy vibe don’t even lie)

sotaro

tora

kanade

kuga

koma

yujiro

shosei

Naruto:

naruto

sauske

kakashi

itachi

gaara

neji

shikamaru

kurama

kiba

OHSHC:

tamaki

haruhi

hikaru

karou

both twins

kyoya

hunny

mori

kasanoda

nekosawa

Cells at work:

white blood cell

red blood cell

killer t cell

Little witch academia:

atsuko

diana

sucy

lotte

amanda

andrew

louis

frank

Pucca:

pucca

garu

tobe

abyo

Glitter force:

emily/Miyuki

kelsey/Akane

lily/Yayoi

april/Nao

chole/Reika

ulric/wolfrun

rascal

Glitter force doki doki:

ira

maya/Mana

rachel/Rikka

clara/Alice

mackenzie/Makoto

TMNT(2012):

leonardo

raphael

michelangelo

donatello

splinter

april

ROTG:

aster bunnymund

north

pitch

sandy

jack

tooth

Soul eater:

death the kid

soul 

black star

maka

stein

Aot:

levi

eren

armin

mikasa

jean

erwin

IT(2017):

pennywise

richie

beverly

eddie 

stanley

ben

bill 

henry

patrick

victor

belch

bowers gang

losers club

kamisama kiss:

nanami

tomoe

mizkui

kurama

otohiku

mikage

jiro

The outsiders:

dallas

darry

ponyboy

johnny

two-bit

steve

soda

Diabolik lovers:

shu

reiji

ayato

laito

kanato

subaru

yui

karlheinz

kou

azuza

carla

ruki

richter

yuma

shin

Hamilton:

alex

john

king george

george washington

lafayette

hercules

philip

aaron

thomas

Venom(2018):

eddie/venom

Tokyo mew mew:

ichigo

zakuro

tart

pie

Kisshu

Fran bow

Fran

remor

itward

mr. midnight

Steven universe

steven

connie

pearl

amethyst

larz 

sadie

garnet

lapiz

peridot

spinel

Haven't you heard i'm sakamoto

sakamota

Shou

Gargantia on the verdurous planet

ledo

amy

Animaniacs

yakko

wakko

dot

Over the garden wall

wirt

beast

Sonic

sonic

tails

knuckles

amy

shadow

Snow white with the red hair

Shirayuki

zen

obi

The sacrificial princess and the king of beasts(manga)

Leonhart

Sariphi

Lanteveldt

Anubis/Sirius

Jormungand

Fenrir

Nir

Joz

Ilya

Beetlejuice(musical)

beetlejuice

lydia

Creepypasta

Jeff the killer

slenderman

offenderman

trenderman

splenderman

ticci toby

masky

hoodie

BEN drowned 

eyeless jack

laughing jack

homicidal liu

zalgo

clockwork

Jason the toymaker

puppeteer

Yu-gi-oh

Seto Kaiba

FNAF

Freddy

bonnie

chica

foxy

golden freddy

toy freddy

toy bonnie

toy chica

mangle (male and female ver pls specify)

marionette ^

springtrap

william afton/ purple guy

baby

funtime freddy

ennard

nightmare freddy

nightmare bonnie

nightmare chica

nightmare foxy

nightmare mangle

fredbear

nightmare fredbear

Cuphead

cuphead

mugman

devil

king dice

Bendy and the ink machine

bendy

boris

alice 

Duck tales

Scrooge (aged down tho)

webby

della

donald

louie

dewey

huey

launchpad

lena

Dream smp

everyone (all platonic. Will do reader stuff, but would prefer more character +character interactions, specifically, SBI. PLSSS give me sbi stuff, ill marry you)

[a-hundred-jewels]

cruel summer ch 12: i have these lucid dreams

Ao3 Wattpad

Summary: sabrina starr, pegasuses, and oh no! the fourth wall broke! do we have a carpenter in the audience?

Word Count: 9000 ish

Tags: Rachel Elizabeth Dare/Jane Penderwick, Rosalind Penderwick/Tommy Geiger, Nico di Angelo/Will Solace, Annabeth Chase/Percy Jackson, Jane Penderwick, Rachel Elizabeth Dare, Rosalind Penderwick, Skye Penderwick, Chiron (Percy Jackson), Martin Penderwick, Elizabeth "Batty" Penderwick, Elizabeth Penderwick (senior), Iantha Aaronson-Penderwick, Ben Aaronson-Penderwick, Nico di Angelo, Will Solace, Annabeth Chase, Jeffrey Tifton-McGrath, Percy Jackson, Demeter (Percy Jackson), Apollo (Percy Jackson), Camp Half-Blood (Percy Jackson), Camp Half-Blood AU, Demigods, demeter!elizabeth penderwick, demeter!rosalind (second generation), demeter!batty (second generation), apollo!alec mcgrath, apollo!jeffrey (second generation), demeter!jane (second generation), demeter!skye (second generation), all of that's in no particular order, main focus is on jane because i love her and she's so so fun to write, tomsalind is there (and stuff will happen - i can't really say what, it will really be eventful though), yes of course there's solangelo, takes place right before Penderwicks In Spring, After Trials of Apollo, more tags to come??, Minor Swearing

Notes and Full Chapter below cut:

Hello everyone and welcome back! I'll admit, this is a little later today than I'd been planning to post (was hoping to get an early start), but hey! If the Puppet History season 4 finale can be late, then so can I!

First off, a massive massive thank you to waterbottle_stickers for being the best beta reader ever. This chapter would be a mess without you. Also, if you haven't already, please check out their enola holmes fic wherever you stray, i follow it's truly wonderful.

If you've been following me on tumblr, then you'll know that, in addition to reblogging an alarming quantity of good omens fanart, I've been making some plans for fics this month. The original plan from back in august was to post every day of the month, but... ahhh.... I just don't work that fast lmao. I'll have to be content with just posting a fair amount this month. Happy october! Anyway, stay tuned.

On this fine day, we've got two lovely QUEER fanfic recommendations that I'm very excited to share. Up first is one from the tumblr blog izzielizzie (which you should all absolutely check out! especially if you're into the one of us is lying fandom!). it centers around the skye/melissa pairing and their senior prom, which Skye is said to have only gone to last minute, and also wearing a lab coat, in a passage of the penderwicks at last. featuring some oblivious lesbians and also jane. once again a massive thanks to izzielizzie, as this fic is one of my favourites!. click here to take a look! (also keep an eye on her blog in general bc her penderwicks fics are awesome!)

The second fanfic is also one I'm very fond of, as it focuses on the siblinghood of skye and jane, which is one of my favourite topics on earth. check out rolling down the ancient high street by hanchewie/ramblemadlyon (tumblr and ao3 respectively) for the sibling antics of aroace skye and bisexual jane when the latter visits the former at her college in california! and, if you like it, ramblemadlyon has two other penderwicks fics from the past couple days that look fantastic as well, and that I look forward to reading.

This chapter is dedicated to my therapist, since I've decided this will be the month of oddly specific dedications. thank you for telling me to stop referring to cruel summer as my "trash baby" and help me recognize the true worth that it holds in my life.

Disclaimer: not my characters, you know the drill. Jeanne Birdsall and Rick Riordan are lucky ducks indeed. chapter title is (obviously) from "lucid dreams" by Juice WRLD.

FROM THE POV OF JANE PENDERWICK

The woods loomed around me, seeming as tall as buildings as they invited me in further. I took another step, the sharp pain of a pinecone digging into my foot barely registered in my mind. I kept walking. A crack sounded throughout the air, and, behind me, a tree splintered round its base and fell down, only inches away from crushing me dead, and completely blocking the path out.

Frightened, I began to run, looking for a way out of the forest. But no matter which way I went, there were only trees in front of me. Where was the path? Where was the grassy hill I had walked down to get in here in the first place. Had I even walked down that hill to begin with? Now that I thought about it, I wasn’t sure I remembered coming here. I wasn’t sure I remembered waking up this morning, or going to bed last night, or anything besides existing in the forest. Who was I? What was I doing here? How could I get out?

Panicking, I stood in the middle of a clearing, looking frantically at the trees around me, trying to find something familiar. Nothing. I was exhausted. How long had I been here? An hour? A day? A lifetime? I collapsed at the base of a tree, sobbing as I tried to remember. Something. Anything.

Then, a voice echoed around me. “Welcome,” it said, and my mind went black.

I bolt upright in bed, a scream halfway out of my throat. I clamp it back, not wanting to wake my cabinmates. Thin light whimpers through the window--enough for me to see my white-knuckle grip on the sheets, but not enough to pass as daylight.

What time is it?

Our cell phones don’t really work here--that was one of the first things Miranda told us when we arrived, and Batty’s been gleefully lording it over us that her Mp3 player will still play music and, like, function, while our smart phones recline sadly in our duffel bags. That being said, I don’t feel quite brave enough to get out of my bed just yet and tiptoe over to the big analog clock that Rio bought at a pawn shop in Colorado. Maybe my phone will at least show the time.

I reach under my bed and fumble for my duffel, hooking my pinky through the zipper loop and yanking it out onto my floor. My phone’s in the front pocket, buried under two pairs of headphones, several gum wrappers, and some strawberry leaves (?????). A piece of gum peels off the screen as I disentangle my phone, and I mentally chide my past self for being so messy.

My phone does not turn on. Big clock it is.

I tiptoe across the cold tile and peer around the tree.

5:45 .

Jesus Pagan Christ.

It’s too early to wake anyone up (as I think this, Batty lets out a snore to rival any crabby Tyrannosaurus Rex), so I wrap a blanket around myself like a criminally attractive burrito, and creep out onto the porch, with my notebook and pen tucked into my shirt.

As long as I live, I will never get tired of summer mornings. There’s something deeply lovely about the soft light of the still-sleepy, pink lemonade sun, the quiet anticipation of the cool air, damp from dew and preparing for the upcoming heat. At home in Cameron, Skye’s woken me up many an early morning to go for a run or do soccer drills or for a grueling “Seven Minute Workout Except You Don’t Follow The Rules And Torture Your Sister by Making It Actually A Forty-Nine Minute Workout.” (But it’s okay, I’m not bitter). But, as delightful as those experiences have all been, I don’t think Skye really gets it. The beauty of the summer morning is not what it can do for your workout schedule, but rather in its gentle softening of an otherwise boiling day. It is to be appreciated in the way that I am now, sitting curled up on this frighteningly creaky porch (I mean, seriously, who built this?) and calling up the Sabrina Starr section of my brain to try and write away the residual panic from my nightmare.

Sabrina sighed as the plane took off. She wasn’t sure if she should have followed the voice in her head telling her to come here. Saying it out loud--even just thinking it--made it sound ridiculous. A dream, a voice in her mind. Barely more than a whim.

Worse than that, Sabrina wasn’t even sure where this whim was taking her. On a napkin in her pocket, she’d scrawled everything she remembered about the dream from the night before. The dark sky, lit only with spiderwebs of lightning, the shadowy figure huddled on a beach and soaked through with rain. The voice crying for help.

And a name. Aeaea.

After she’d woken up, Sabrina had looked up Aeaea, too tired to fully connect why the name felt familiar. Her heart had sunk further after reading the Wikipedia entry, and a breath of hopelessness had left her lips. According to the internet, Aeaea was not a real place. It had been the island prison of Circe. Fiction wasn’t new to Sabrina, and neither was mythology (she recalled an adventure spent with a ghost called Rainbow from a few years back).

Fictional places, though, were another matter. How could she get somewhere if she didn’t know where she was going? Was she trusting her gut with too much this time?

Sabrina folded up the napkin and put it back in her pocket. There was no point in worrying about that now. She’d looked at enough maps to make a guess at where Aeaea might be if it was real. When she got there, she could get more information. Sabrina Starr had survived this long in her career of rescues and whims. She could survive one more adventure. Worst case scenario, she said to herself, I spend a few days running around for nothing and have to brush up on my Greek.

She repeated it to herself like a promise. Worst case scenario, worst case scenario… Eventually, tired out from all her anxieties, and from trying desperately not to worry about what would come next, Sabrina fell asleep.

FROM THE POV OF RACHEL ELIZABETH DARE

“Okay, I give up. Tell me what’s wrong.” Annabeth’s voice startles me away from my plate of eggs, which I had been pushing around with a fork. Anxiety bubbles in my throat, just as it had been since I woke up, and food just doesn’t sound like a good idea.

“I--what?”

Annabeth waves her hand impatiently. “Don’t play dumb. I’ve been talking to you for five minutes and I don’t think you’ve looked up once. Also you’re always hungry in the mornings, so unless you, like, ate an entire cow before I got here, this ,” she gestures to my uneaten eggs, “is unusual behaviour.”

I give her a look. Sometimes, I get the feeling that Annabeth exists as a part of multiple different dimensions at once, like she’s having four other conversations that I can’t hear, and is still ten steps ahead of me in the one I’m actually a part of.

Or maybe I’m just easy to read.

“Nothing’s wrong.” I don’t want to talk about it. “I’m fine.” I’m terrified.

Annabeth sighs. “Is this about the prophecy?”

“No,” I spear another piece of egg, and don’t eat it. “Maybe. Yes.” I feel like going back to my cave and staying there for the rest of my life. Waiting with a book and some paints for the prophecy to get bored and go away. Maybe I’d take Jane with me, or Nico, for some company. That sounds nice.

My plate is pulled away from me as I aim my fork again. “I can’t pay attention when you do that,” Annabeth huffs. I think I wouldn’t invite her to stay in my cave. She’s too on the nose when I want to mope. Then again, she says the same about me.

“Fine,” I turn and face her. “Let’s talk feelings.” Connor Stoll, who had been making his way towards our table, abruptly turns around and walks the other way. I should get Chiron to hire a therapist. Gods know we need it.

Further proving my point, Annabeth’s eyes widen a little, before she remembers it is I who will be spilling. (I make a point to corner her later. It’s a routine we have). “Wow. You broke fast.”

I nod. “I’m tired and you’re annoying.” (False. We both know it. Another routine). “Like you said, I’m nervous about the prophecy.”

Annabeth nods. “And?”

I frown. “What do you mean, and ? There’s no and.”

Annabeth frowns back at me. A mirror, a mime, an annoyance. The nerve to look disappointed in me. “I thought you were spilling, Red.”

I roll my head back and study the roof of the pavilion, which Annabeth designed, and slowly lean my head down to stare at the table. I really don’t want to have this conversation. I go along anyways. “I’m worried about Jane.”

Annabeth leans back, triumphant. “Ah, yes. Your girlfriend.”

Maybe if I try reeeeeeeally hard, I can activate the Oracle of Delphi and freak Annabeth out enough to make her go away. “ Not my girlfriend. You know that.”

“You called Percy my boyfriend for weeks before we actually officially decided.”

I wave my hand dissmissively. “That’s different, you guys were dancing around each other for like three years. You needed a bit of a push. Jane and I kissed once! Over a week ago! And nothing came of it.” We actually haven’t really talked about it. We’re in this sort of in-between zone where we spend a ton of time together, but don’t have a label for it. Honestly, it’s been nice.

Annabeth grins, apparently reading my thoughts. “You’ve been eating lunch with the Demeter cabin, like, every other day. I saw you doing archery together yesterday. Both of you were awful at it, but you stayed there for hours. I’ve never seen you focus on something that long outside of your paintings.”

I stare at the ceiling again. Maybe Annabeth designed it so that a single square foot of rock might fall down onto my head and relieve me from this conversation. “Yes, fine, we spend a lot of time together. But that doesn’t make us a couple, and has nothing to do with what I’m actually worried about!” I can see in her face that Annabeth is more serious now, and is about to fully listen to me, when Percy and Malcolm show up, sliding into the seats across from us, and clanging several plates of pancakes down onto the table in front of them.

“Made them ourselves! Wanna share?” Percy gives Annabeth heart eyes and a kiss on the cheek when she folds a large blue pancake into thirds and bites it like a burrito. I roll my eyes at them because they are a horrifying and disgusting couple and also I kind of want to be them when I grow up. Malcolm ignores them, instead turning to me. “Were you talking about Jane?” he asks, pushing wire rimmed glasses up his nose.

I frown. “Sort of. Why?”

He shrugs, sheepish. “You know. Just, uh, just wondering.”

I narrow my eyes at him, then Percy, who tears himself away from looking at Annabeth to sigh dramatically. “Malcolm wants to ask out Jane’s sister. You know, the blond one.”

I snort. “ Skye? Seriously?”

Malcolm looks vaguely offended. “What’s so weird about that?”

“Sorry, it’s not weird.” I reach over the table to pat him on the shoulder with my fork. “Perfectly normal teenage hormones.” He glares at me and I smile sweetly back. “I just can’t imagine Skye going out with anyone, that’s all.”

Malcolm stares down at his pancake, disappointed. “Oh. You sure?”

I nod, feeling a little more normal with my friends and less doom-related breakfast conversation. My eggs are past the threshold of “warm and appetizing” but I take a bite anyway. “Pretty sure. Jane told me that she’s aroace and, based on past occurrences, there’s a seventy percent chance she’ll punch anyone who asks her out. Anyway, why the interest? I didn’t know you guys talked.”

Malcolm shrugs. “We don’t, really. She just seems cool.”

Percy pipes in, “He’s been practically obsessed with her since she won that soccer game against the Nike kids and made them cry.”

I nod approvingly. “Well, Malcolm, at least we know you have good taste.”

Annabeth pats him on the head, ignoring his complaints that her hand is covered in blue maple syrup. “Better luck next time, brother of mine.”

Piper and Leo join us next, contributing an alarming volume of grapes and a single hardboiled egg to the breakfast display. Leo grabs a pancake and wraps it around some grapes, before taking a big bite. “I hear you’re discussing Malcolm’s romantic failures,” he says around the world’s worst breakfast burrito. Piper gasps in mock offense, then swallows the unpeeled hardboiled egg whole, like a snake. (This is a regular morning routine. She’s trying to work up to being a sword swallower, since her dad did it in a movie once and she thought it looked like fun). “ Malcolm, why didn’t you come to me? I could have given you a verdict within five minutes!”

“I wanted advice on whether I should ask out that Heaphestus boy two weeks ago and you told me to fuck off.”

Piper pouts at him. “That’s on you, you caught me at a bad time.”

Annabeth holds up a pancake with the air of a respected royal and we turn to her. “As delightful as this is, Rachel and I were initially talking about her romantic prospects and also her worries and fears, and I feel that we should get back to that before she slinks off and avoids the rest of the conversation.”

I glare at her. “Why would you bring this away from the very nice conversation we were having about everyone else’s problems? Do you hate me?” Annabeth rolls her eyes. “No, dumbass, I’m just not letting you walk away from a potential breakthrough. Now, where were we? You were saying that you’re worried about Jane but it has nothing whatsoever to do with your relationship, or lack thereof.”

I give a long suffering sigh, and try to communicate telepathically with Piper that she needs to Save Me Now, but she’s looking at me in interest with her chin resting in her hands, her long fingers adorned with rings sent to her from her Mortal girlfriend, Shel, who bought them at a vintage punk store. The traitor. Defeated, I turn back to Annabeth.

“It’s just that, whatever ends up happening with this prophecy, I don’t want it to fuck her up, in the way the quests have sometimes done to us. Like, we’re used to this by now, but it hasn’t been a smooth road. I don’t exactly like going on quests, and at first I was really worried at the prospect of being included in a prophecy, since that’s fairly abnormal, but Jane was only made aware of her heritage a couple months ago! What if this turns out like Silena or Beckendorf or-or Jason, and the prophecy destroys her, and it’s all my fault because I’m the one who pulled her into all this?”

Everyone tenses up at the mention of Jason, but they continue to look at me with a mixture of concern and love that makes something soften inside of me. For the hundredth time, I think of how lucky I am to have these people who love me unconditionally. Even if they really, really need therapy.

“I know that I didn’t plan any of this, but we’re both tied in now, especially since both Chiron and I had the prophetic dream and I actually gave the prophecy that day in the woods, and, well, this isn’t her world yet. She’s only got a little bit of ichor in her, and she grew up knowing nothing of any of this. In a way, I did too, and I have no ichor, but I had clear sight. For me, it was ineffable, but she could technically leave any time, if it weren’t for the prophecy. She can leave, and I feel like it’s up to me to make sure that doesn’t change.”

“Oh, Rachel.” Annabeth reaches her arms out to me and I let myself be pulled into an embrace. “Jane’s going to be okay. We’ll make sure of it.”

Sabrina stood in line at the boat rental hut, her arms crossed and a frown plastered on her face. It had not been a successful afternoon. For hours, she’d been searching the coastal towns near where her plane landed, looking for some trace of Aeaea, or anything else she’d seen in her dream. She was used to working with dregs. It was normal for her to have to squint a little at the evidence, have to shuffle things together around big holes of “Maybe,” like she was working a jigsaw puzzle with half the pieces missing.

But this was something else.

Sabrina had read about places where mythology shaped the culture. Places where the tourist draws were events that had supposedly happened thousands of years ago, or creatures that only existed in grainy photographs and people’s imaginations. Hell, she’d met the Loch Ness monster. Was it insane for her to have assumed she’d be able to find the same kind of thing here? All her training and years of experience had told her that, if you sniff around long enough, you’ll find a conspiracy theorist or a slightly off-the-rails guidebook.

So far, though, Sabrina had found nothing. Absolutely nothing. She hunted around, searching up library catalogs, checking every store on the street. “Aeaea,” “Circe,” even “the Odyssey.”

Nothing.

The line edged along slowly, and Sabrina ran her hands up and down her arms. The air was chilly from its proximity to the cold sea water. There were three people in front of her now. She just had to wait a little longer, then she would have a boat and be able to explore these waters herself.

Something was wrong with this place. Something was wrong with all of these places. And Sabrina was going to figure out what.

Later, Jane and I are taking our time walking to the pegasus stables to watch the riding lesson that Rosalind has reluctantly agreed to let Batty take (provided that Percy, who’s teaching today, doesn’t let her fly high enough that she’ll die if she falls off, and that Batty wears all of the necessary protective gear). Jane looks lovely, wearing a sunshine-y yellow bandana that sets off her dark curls and warm sepia skin. She has on her Camp Half-Blood shirt again, and a short green skirt, and all of it should clash horribly, but it doesn’t.

We’ve decided to cut through the strawberry fields, and I swallow a sun-warmed strawberry while Jane tells me about the dream she had last night. I think back to my conversation with Annabeth this morning when she tells me of the dark woods and the feeling of drowning, the memory warping and the echoing voice. At some point we sit down in a patch of grass, a simple circle amidst strawberry plants with a couple logs where the campers and satyrs take their breaks when they work here. Jane finishes her story and we sit in comfortable silence for a few moments, only broken by the grunts of annoyance Jane makes while trying to get her plant powers to activate again. She’s been doing that a lot.

“Well that sucks,” I say finally. “Have you been having other dreams like it?”

Jane shrugs, the neon orange fabric of her shirt wrinkling on her shoulders. “One or two, I think. Last night’s was the first one I really remembered. ” She smiles out of the corner of her mouth. “I hardly ever remember my dreams. It used to upset me. I thought I was losing potential writing material.”

I laugh. It’s such a Jane thing to think, that I can’t help it. She goes quiet, like she’s reminiscing, and I picture a tiny version of Jane, sitting crossed-legged on her summer quilt, writing. I look at her now, scrunched up nose and big brown eyes. Oh gods, she must have been an adorable child.

“My mother used to say that my imagination was the eighth wonder of the world,” Jane says. She’s looking down the hill at the cabins, plant powers temporarily forgotten, and I remember her telling me about her mother, the first Elizabeth Penderwick, who came here and was a daughter of Demeter and loved opera. The Penderwick siblings’ beloved mother who died so young.

I move closer to Jane on the log. “I can understand why she’d say that.”

Jane smiles again, a little sad this time, a little absent, but full to the brim with love.

“Bet you she’s in Elysium,” I say softly. I explained the Underworld to Jane a couple weeks ago, and she’d gotten this same absent look on her face, that I now know means she’s thinking about her mother. Jane nods, now, then turns to me. “Could we talk about something else?” Her voice is quiet, her eyes a little shiny.

“Course,” I say. “Shall I regale you with tales of dimwittery at this camp in the years past?” I told her last week about the time some Hermes kids tried to order pizza to the camp, accidently causing Chiron to think we were under attack. Jane had nearly fallen off the bench laughing.

She grins now, but shakes her head. “Tell me what it’s like being an Oracle.” I give her a look. She’s asked me before and I never really know what to say. When I give prophecies, it’s like I black out. I’m taken over by another entity who shares my body. (“Like that lady in Suicide Squad ,” Leo had said when I tried to explain it to him once, but I’d refused to be compared to such a gods-fucking-awful movie). So, in a way, I don’t know what it’s like to be the Oracle.

As if reading my thoughts, Jane shakes her head. “Not that part. I’ve seen you all green and smokey, and I know you can’t feel it. I mean the other stuff. How did you know it was you? What did you have to do to become the Oracle? That kind of thing.” I relax a little. Jane’s asked me all sorts of weird questions about Greek mythology and the gods recently. She calls it “research for her book,” but sometimes I think she’s just nosy. It’s cute.

Jane shrugs and looks off into the distance. If you tilt your head a little you can kind of see the stables from here. We have fifteen more minutes to get there, according to my watch. I decide to take it easy. “Delphi is this weird ethereal spirit,” Jane continues, “but there’s also just everyday, Oracle you, who likes paint and denim and bagels.” At that, I laugh. “I actually don’t like bagels that much. I’m just late to breakfast so often that they’re usually the only things available.”

Jane pouts at me and plays with the bracelet tied around my wrist--the one she gave me. “You know what I mean! You know all this weird shit about me because my siblings don’t shut up at lunch, and I know stuff about you, like the denim thing, which I still think is funny by the way. But you’re also the freaking Oracle! Your dormant self lies waiting!” I laugh at her, and she rolls her eyes, but I see the corner of her mouth tilting up. “Rachel, that’s very cool!”

I give in. “Honestly, there’s not much to say, that’s why I don’t talk about it.” I pause. “Well no, it’s that a lot of the stuff beyond the obvious is actually sort of creepy and weird, and not in a good way. There’s stuff I try not to think about, is what I mean.”

The edge of her yellow bandana sticks up as Jane tilts her head at me. “That makes sense. You don’t have to tell me if you don’t want to.”

I shake my head. “No, it feels okay right now.” I mean it. Now that I’ve gotten into the swing of it, I do want to talk about it. Still, a small sigh escapes me. “I like being the Oracle, because that’s what brought me to a place where I feel like I belong and I have people who love me. It’s nice to know that I’m fulfilling my purpose in life.”

Jane pulls her knees up to her chest. “But?”

“But I also get lonely.” It comes out in a rush. “There are other oracles, but I didn’t know about any of them until the Apollo thing happened, and even then, they’re all supernatural beings--I know, I know, but not in the way I am. It’s not the same. Also, there are all these weird rules. Like I have to stay an unmarried virgin my whole life.”

“That’s fucked,” Jane says softly.

“I know! Chiron won’t even tell me why, just that it’s ‘the rules’” I let out an annoyed huff. “And, like, it’s not even that the idea itself bothers me. That’s pretty much what I was planning to do with my life anyway.”

“Same.”

“But it’s the principle of the thing!” I flick a strand of hair out of my face, offhandedly noticing that the tip of my pinky finger is slightly green. I ignore it. It’s not important. “Just because I don’t want to have sex or get married doesn’t mean it’s a fair rule to impose on me! Besides, why is it always the women in these things whose identities are tied up in who they do or don’t fuck? Last I checked, Grover didn’t have to sign an ‘I shalt not fornicate’ contract when he became Lord of the Wild!”

“Exactly!” Jane raises her hands and shouts up to the sky. “Don’t you fuckers realize we’re more than that?”

“The Hunters of Artemis, too!” I’m a jack-in-the-box, and something’s winding me up. “Thalia and Reyna send me letters all the time, and they seem really happy! Which is great!” I pause to emphasize the greatness of their happiness. My pinky is completely green, now. “But, they also had to make a stupid ‘ode of chastity,’ like I did!”

“Are you kidding me?” Jane’s hair flips as she turns to me. “I thought Artemis was one of the good ones!”

My voice lowers to a husky rumble, and I stare into the distance towards you, the reader. “In a broken system, there are no good ones. Abolish the police.” I clear my throat and my voice turns back to normal. “Sorry, zoned out for a second.” My green pinky has begun to vibrate.

“Happens to the best of us,” Jane’s voice is light and nonchalant. “And yeah, I know. Pretty much all of the gods have skeletons sitting on their shoulders, but it just seems out of character for her. I thought all of Artemis’s groups were supposed to be safe havens, not oppressive structures in their own right.”

I frown. “Yeah you’re right, that is weird. I’d never thought of it much beyond the gods having weird rules, but I wonder if something bigger is at play. The gods might be fucked up in the way that regular people are, and are undoubtedly responsible for all sorts of crap. But then there's more personal things, like the ‘chastity vows’ the Hunters and I had to take, and the fact that Nico was initially outed by Eros, and the weird unexplained eye condition that Piper had during some of her quests that made her eyes a bunch of bright, Eurocentric colors, rather than their natural brown. All sorts of other stuff, too.”

“Wow!” Jane says, sitting up straight on the grass. Her hand moves from where it was resting in her lap to cover her heart. “It’s almost like a bunch of genuinely good and inspiring material, such as including prominent queer people and characters of color in fun children’s fantasy, as well as having an immortal group of warrior women who support each other and are free from the gaze of men, was taken into the hands of a cis white man armed with unchecked misogyny and a fair amount of white Twitter feminism, both of which really showed when he tried to create an inclusive and empowering book series for children! Like yeah, it had its moments, and definitely some good characters, but overall, a lack of meaningful research in certain areas really made it fall flat!” Once again, I stare through the bindings of URLs and internet coding, now joined by Jane as we lock eyes with you, the reader. This time, we hold eye contact for nearly a minute, giving you time to read and process the long tangent spat out by this fanfic’s author, who, if we’re being honest, has gone just a tad off the rails right now. Finally, Jane and I look away from you, and resume our roles as fictional characters, still shaking off that strange cloud that comes with staring into the soul of those who give you life.

“Ugh, what’s going on with me today?” Jane groans at the same time I mutter, “What’s Twitter?” We turn to each other, blinking in the sunlight, then grin. This is normal. We’re fine. Jane looks up at the sky again. “I wonder if the gods are watching us. Maybe we should make them think we suck so they’ll leave you alone.”

I laugh as she sticks her tongue out, grinning wickedly at a nearby cloud. “Better yet, make them think we’re too powerful to be messed with,” I say. Jane sees me watching her and opens her mouth, sucking the cloud in between her teeth. The sky seems bluer in the space where it had been, and Jane’s eyes glitter with mirth as she swallows. “Mmm, tastes like sugar.” I giggle, feeling a small shiver on the top of my head. When I peer up, I see another cloud has floated over to me. I open my own mouth, and take it in, just as Jane did hers. “Sugar, yes. But there’s a touch of blood, too,” I say. Jane nods sagely. “What were we talking about?”

“The inherent misogyny in much of Greek mythology and the world of Camp Half-Blood in general.”

Jane nods again. “Right. A very important topic. It makes it weird when I’m writing sometimes. You know, cause I want to bring in Circe and Zeus and Apollo and all these fascinating characters, but there’s just so much bad stuff tied up with them that comes up when I research.” She looks down at our feet, which are standing in the midst of a strawberry patch. We seem to have been walking, crushing sweet summer strawberries as we go, which is odd because I don’t remember getting up. “You know Rachel, I’m feeling a bit strange.”

I look at her, and see an odd blankness in her warm brown eyes. “Now that you mention it, Jane, so am I.”

“My thoughts and words are my own,” Jane says, “But there’s something up with my body. I can’t really feel it.”

“I agree, I’ve honestly gone a bit numb.” I try to glance down at my fingers, wondering idly if they’ve gotten any more green, but find that my neck won’t bend.

Jane’s eyebrows furrow. “Yet, at the same time, I feel as though I could do anything. Grow another grass blade. Grow a flower. Grow a tree. Bend the world to my will if I wanted to.”

“Or is it the world bending me to its will.” I grin at my own philosophical point, but find that the smile won’t go away. Pretty fucking inconvenient, since the next thing I was going to bring up was part of the whole serious misogyny conversation. I decide to go for it anyway. “And I’m not the only one with weird rules!” Jane nods, as if this is a perfectly normal segway, and the only extraneous thought that floats through my mind as we find ourselves walking down a hill is how unfair it is that she still has control over her neck and I don’t. “Remember when I told you about the Hunters of Artemis?”

“Oh yeah! Your friends Reyna and Thalia, right?”

“Yeah, them! They send me letters sometimes, and seem really happy, which is great.” I pause, meaning to add emphasis, when I’m hit with a great sensation of deja-vu. “Wait a second, we already talked about this, didn’t we?” I try to remember, but something in my mind is rapidly melting. I cannot find it. I cannot find anything.

“Jane?” My voice quivers, and I squeeze my eyes shut. Oh gods, please let this be a dream. For a moment, I try to convince myself that it’s the Oracle of Delphi taking over, just like she did the other day and generally does a couple times a year. But I know that I’m lying. This is not what that feels like. “Jane, where are you?” I can barely move my mouth to say the words. I can feel nothing but the frozen fear of paralysis, of lost control. When I open my eyes, this other thing in my body has brought me to the edge of the forest. “Jane? Jane?” She could be right beside me, unable to speak, and I wouldn’t know because I can’t turn my head, can’t move my eyes, can barely even hear right now.

It’s okay, something says.

“Jane?” It’s not her voice. It’s no one’s voice.

It’s okay. You’re home.

With every cut the wooden oars made through the choppy ocean water, Sabrina knew she was getting closer. She could feel it in her bones, in her brain, a little voice that whispered in her ear. It had been three hours. Her body was worn down, energy levels dipping dangerously low, when she felt something scrape the bottom of her boat.

A rock.

Frantically, she peered through the fog that had begun to surround her boat a mile ago. The island. Had she finally made it?

As if answering her call, a peel of thunder rang out, and Sabrina’s boat began to fill with rain that pounded down from the sky. The storm from her dream. She rowed even faster, then, fear sparking a renewed strength in her tired muscles.

Just as Sabrina was about to reach the shore, a massive wave crashed over her, and her boat capsized. She came back up, sputtering, holding her sopping wet bag above her head. Another wave swept against Sabrina’s face, and she found herself spitting out a mouthful of saltwater. Finally, she washed up on the shore, heaving breaths raking through her lungs.

Sabrina blinked, pushing herself up onto her elbows. It was real. She was here.

She had made it.

FROM THE POV OF ROSALIND PENDERWICK

It’s been a pleasant day so far. Breakfast with my siblings and some of the Demeter cabin (though Jane did seem a bit absent-minded). Miranda, Florien, and Rio convinced me to practice some plant magic with them for a couple hours and I built up to growing a small sunflower. Lunch (again with Jane seeming distracted, though Rachel ate with us this time, which appeared to help). Then, Skye and Jeffrey disappeared with some of the older campers (supposedly for a regular game of soccer, but the unsettling gleam in their eyes had me doubting that was all there was too it), Jane and Rachel went to take a walk in the strawberry fields, and Batty and I were left to prepare for a pegasus riding lesson. If it had been up to Batty, the latter could have easily taken up the entire afternoon, but changing into durable pants and finding a bandana can only take so long.

After a somewhat restless hour, during which I grew three peonies and Batty rhapsodized about the stable of unicorns that another demigod camp apparently has, Batty and I arrive at the stable. We’re ten minutes early, and she’s been talking a mile a minute the whole time, not stopping from before. I swear I now know as much about pegasuses as she does. According to Rachel, the teacher today is Percy, her friend, who’s very responsible “when he puts his mind to it.” I wasn’t sure how to tell her that’s actually not very comforting, but Batty looked so excited and I figured there will be plenty of other people there, so. Why not. She’s been spending so much time there anyway.

Needless to say, I very much regret my decision now.

The stables are modest, made of wood and painted green, and I’ve been there several times by now. There’s a long line of stalls visible when we first walk in, but Batty skips straight to the far end, where a massive pegasus the color of a carrot pokes its head over the door and nuzzles Batty’s hair. She looks up at me with a smile that could melt anyone’s heart, and pats the horse on the nose. “Rosy, this is Queen Lotus Flower. Percy said we have a impenetrable bond.”

I look at the two of them with a questioning gaze. How can they both have the exact same puppy-dog eyes? I swear to god. The gods. All of them. “Batty, sweetheart. That horse is like ten feet tall.”

She nods enthusiastically. “I know, she’s so much taller than any other horse I’ve seen. Percy says she has the biggest wingspan of any horse at camp.”

I nod, slowly, wondering why my sister picked the biggest pegasus to fall in love with. At that moment, Percy pushes the door open. “Hey Batty! Ready for your lesson?” Batty leaves her post by Queen Lotus Flower to wrap her arms around my waist and nod. I look Percy over. He’s a few inches taller than me, with brown skin and curly hair. A beaded camp necklace, orange tshirt, and jeans. Weird arm tattoo aside, he’s one of the most normal-looking people at camp. I’ve only met him a couple times before, but, my nerves over Batty flying around on massive horses aside, I do trust him. Rachel seems to have a good taste in friends. Also, Batty likes him, and she’s still shy around a good number of Skye and Jane’s friends back in Cameron.

For the next few minutes, I watch as Percy instructs Batty on buckling Queen Lotus Flower’s giant saddle and looping the bridle over her nose. Not wavering a bit from the “lesson” aspect of all this, he steps back to let her show what she’s already learned from hanging around the stables so often, only stooping in to guide her when she gets confused. As the minutes tick by, more people show up for the lesson: three other students, and a good sized crowd of people who just like watching the pegasuses. By then, I’m seated on the grass outside the stables, soaking in the blistering sun and watching as Percy (seated atop a wiry black pegasus who Batty pointed out as Blackjack) darts around the large dusty enclosure, making final preparations for the lesson.

Skye and Jeffrey show up then, and sit on either side of me. I want to ask them where Jane and Rachel are, but they’re talking non-stop about a game they just played in the woods with some of the other campers, only switching the subject when Percy and Blackjack return and they begin discussing whether or not it should be scientifically possible for a horse to fly.

Just as Batty and Queen Lotus Flower begin a gentle trot around the enclosure, I feel a tap on my shoulder, and hear the familiar sound of Tommy’s chuckle. “She’s got a weird knack for that,” he says. I nod, grinning.

It’s been good with us. We’ve had breakfast together a few times, even played a game of basketball one afternoon. Our conversations aren’t the same as they used to be, and there’s a sense of newness that feels cold and strange every so often. But it’s good. It feels right. At least for now, this feels like where we’re supposed to be.

As Percy starts demonstrating how to take flight, I look around again. Jane and Rachel still aren’t here. They promised to come. (“For moral support!” Jane had said. “Wouldn’t miss it,” Rachel had added with a smile). I try to push it out of my head. This lesson is a big deal. Batty’s going to be flying.

She leans forward on Queen Lotus Flower’s neck.

They begin to run, moving together like a single being.

Just as they burst into the air, Batty’s euphoric smile lighting up the sky, Katie grabs my shoulders from behind. I shush her so I can lean forward and watch Batty silhouetted against the pegasus’s wide orange wings.

“Rosalind. Rosalind, guys. ” Something about the panic in Katie’s voice makes me turn around. Her usually tied back hair is loose and her clothes rumpled, giving the impression that she was dragged out of bed for this. (Some part of my brain distantly remembers her saying she was going to take a nap). Skye and Jeffrey turn around, too.

“What, what’s happening?” I reach out my hands, trying to calm her as she collapses into a squat, breathing heavily.

“Billie… found me in the cabin… had been looking for you guys… been running all over the camp… lucky I remembered about the riding lesson…”

Jeffrey leans over and puts his hands on her shoulders. She stares down at the dirt while her breathing levels.

“Katie, what are you saying? Why were you and Billie looking for us?”

She looks up, and I see that her forehead is drawn into well-worn creases of worry. “Jane and Rachel have gone into the woods.”

Something was wrong. Sabrina crouched on the wet sand, straining to see through the heavy rain. In her dream there had definitely been someone else on the island. She remembered the hunched figure, the sound of sobs leaking through the rain.

But she’d circled the shore at least twice by now, and there was nobody to be found. “Am I late or something?” she wondered aloud. Somehow, she’d gotten that dream It felt like it had been sent to her. Why did it show a person when there was no one?

Sabrina sighed and began to traipse inland, tucking a knife in her pocket. It wasn’t a big island, and she might as well find some shelter aside from her boat, which was now overturned somewhere on the beach. Circe lived here, didn’t she? There must be some sort of roof, especially if this kind of weather was standard.

Or maybe this was just a random island and there was no Aeaea and Sabrina’s dream had just been the unhinged work of her unconscious mind.

There was a small grassy hill set aside from the sand, which Sabrina crawled up with the determination of a dying warrior. Something was pushing her back. An invisible force, a last crumb of survival instinct, plain old fatigue, she wasn’t sure. But something wanted her out of here, and it pushed back harder and harder as she climbed.

She let out a cry of frustration, clawing at the ground, at the air, at whatever this goddamn thing was, and found a renewed burst of strength that pulled her to the top of the hill. Once there, the force that pushed back ebbed a little, like it was giving up. Sabrina let herself relax, and simply took in the view for a moment.

The hill she lay on top of gave way to a deep valley, sprawling and green. In one corner, there was a cluster of trees that looked healthy and comfortable, despite being on a random Greek island in the middle of the ocean. A modest garden lay next to it, somehow appearing unaffected by the rain, and a narrow river wound around the whole scene.

There was also a house.

Sabrina wasn’t sure what she might have expected from the lair of an infamous Greek enchantress, but it wasn’t this.

She hauled herself up on the hill and started down, rushing through the rain onto a wide wooden porch. There was a large stone vat of something dark and crumbly, with a heavy looking staff of sorts leaning against it. The door to the house was short, and Sabrina heard it scrape on the floor when she pushed it open.

The scene awaiting her was surprisingly cozy when she stepped inside. There was a fire in the hearth and rows upon rows of little viles arranged on a set of shelves beside it. A broom leaned against the wall. Sabrina looked around, noting the way that the rain didn’t make any sound as it thrashed against the roof and window, and the almost drug-like stupor that threatened to take over her brain, whispering that everything was fine, she was safe, nothing bad could happen to her.

Sabrina had encountered hypnosis before, and it only ever made her more jittery.

There was an open hatch in the floor with stairs that lead into darkness. She followed them down, feeling the air grow cooler with every step. Sabrina was quiet, taking tiny steps on her toes, and wincing when one of the stairs creaked. She didn’t know what was down there, and she didn’t want to find out the hard way. But there were no arrows flying up from the space below, no sounds of footsteps or slashes of swords.

Sabrina stepped onto a dirt floor and let herself exhale, shuffling along until her toe hit something hard. Only seasoned reflexes made her reach for the knife in her pocket instead of crying out in fear. She knelt down and squinted in the darkness, trying to see what she’d hit.

A leg.

She frowned, shaking it until she heard a low growl. “Stop that.” She stopped.

“Who are you?” Sabrina leaned closer. If they hadn’t killed her yet she was probably safe.

Instead of answering, they reached out a hand. Sabrina could see a gold ring on the thumb that glinted in a little sliver of light that had crept down from the room above. “Pull me up,” the figure said. “I’ve been paralyzed by the witch.”

Helping the stranger sit turned out to be no simple feat. They were tall and muscular, wearing a cape and a heavy metal chest plate. “The witch?” she questioned, propping them up against one of the cellar’s dirt walls. Her eyes were beginning to adust to the dark, and she could just make out their sharp chin sticking out as their head lolled back.

The figure made a noise. “The witch, the sorceress, the woman. Whatever you want to call her. I figure she sent you down too?” They snorted. “Good luck. I told Zeus not to sent mortals, but does he ever listen? You’re gonna die.”

Sabrina tried to piece together what she could from all this. The witch must be Circe, unless she’d wound up on an entirely different island. And if Circe was going around paralyzing people, then something must be going on. She must be hiding something. As for the person in front of her, Sabrina wasn’t sure who they were. By the way they talked about Zeus, and casually said “mortals,” she’d guess some sort of god? As if that narrowed it down. She’d have to be careful.

“Why did she paralyze you?”

Another weird gutteral noise. “She didn’t like my offer. It’s not the first time this has happened.”

She was growing impatient. Why’d he have to be so vague? “What?”

“Yeah, I don’t know why he always sends me. I don’t think he trusts me. He’d rather me stay her paralysed in the basement of a witch than come back home.”

Sabrina let out an exasperated sigh. This wasn’t working and she needed answers. A whole coast of people with mythology-shaped holes in their memories awaited her. “You’re going to need to be a little more specific. I don’t think we’re on the same page.”

The figure sounded confused. “What do you mean? Don’t you know who I am?”

She leaned forward and inspected them in the darkness. “No. No I don’t.”

They slid their eyes down to her face. “I am the god Apollo. I came here for Circe and she did this to me.”

“What? Why?”

The stairs creaked behind Sabrina and she felt a long nail drag up her back. “I just want to be left alone,” said a voice as deep and powerful as the smell of red wine. “You don’t mind, do you?” Before Sabrina could grab her knife and turn around, before she could even scream, strong arms had surrounded her shoulders and a hand was clamping a damp cloth over her nose and mouth. Shock made her breath in, sharply, and she smelled the sweetness of sleeping drugs.

A heartbeat, a brief struggle, and Sabrina Starr was gone.

[lizardthelizard]

Hit me with 5 and 20, please (also 3 and 4, but only if you want to and it's not spoilery 💖)

Hello 💖💖💖 I can always count on you to send in an ask, thank you for indulging me :') <3

Fun meta asks for writers:

(answers under the cut because they got a bit long, oops)

5. What character that you’re writing do you most identify with?

actually, you know what the real answer is? Figaro. Because, at heart, I too am a lazy house cat that loves one (1) puppet man, unconditionally. Forget everything I answered earlier. I pick Figaro.

20. Tell us the meta about your writing that you really want to ramble to people about (symbolism you’ve included, character or relationship development that you love, hidden references, callbacks or clues for future scenes?)

This is an excellent question <33 There are a couple of little things that just sprung to mind by they're also TOTALLY spoilers for book 2 rip.

WEIRDLY, I came to the realisation when writing that apparently I have some beef with the colour orange for some reason. Idk, it makes me uneasy. So, there are couple of sunsets right before a particularly tense/dangerous scene. Or the light from a torch will be used specifically to cast shadows and signal danger. Idk, man, if you look up orange on my fic, it's almost exclusively tied to bad vibes. Not specifically sunset or torchlight, either. Just orange in general.

Also, of course I’ve been really enjoying the way that Lampwick and Pinocchio’s story lines (both separately and together) have been unfolding, since they’re the two characters I pay the most attention to and am the most invested in. There’s still a lot more to be uncovered about their pasts but I’m very happy with the layers that I’ve added each new time they interact and events so far.

3. What is that one scene that you’ve always wanted to write but can’t be arsed to write all of the set-up and context it would need? (consider this permission to write it and/or share it anyway)

TO BE HONEST when I really, really want a scene...I’ll find a way to squash it into fake/real. (Or, apparently, just start a new fic and set up heaps of context for it). Otherwise, the scene gets forgotten about and I move on to something new.

(But, because this is you, I DO have a teeny something)

This might be spoilers. Because it’s me and I’m hoping to squish it into Book 3 at some point if I can. But also,,,,a potential third fic is YEARS away still and, on the off chance I can’t put it in there anyway, I feel like it’s only fair to share it now. I can only apologise profusely if it DOES ruin anything by the time I do get around to Book 3 stuff.

Anyway, I wrote about 2 lines of this way back when, and now is the perfect opportunity to turn it into a real scene. SO:

---

Lampwick sat alone. An elbow propped up on the table’s edge, and his head balanced lazily in his hand, he stared out vacantly across the ballroom. Men and women in an array of shimmering outfits weaved between one another. A mass of blue and red and gold all moving back and forth in such a way that it made him feel nauseous. Made him feel wrong. Out of place.

“Hey, you,” came a gentle voice from beside him. Lampwick practically had to force himself not to crack a smile. He had decided he was sulking and he wasn’t yet ready to break away from his bad mood just yet.

Pinocchio, suitably dressed up for the occasion, appeared from his right side and stood in front of him. He didn’t look out of place. Not like Lampwick.

“Hey,” Lampwick replied, voice still solemn and distant as Pinocchio approached. He withdrew his hand from his face and picked up the goblet of wine from the table. He didn’t drink it, however, and instead began to idly swirl the alcohol around the metal cup.

“Don’t sound too pleased to see me.”

“Ah, it’s not you,” Lampwick grumbled, putting the drink back down again. “Just...This ain’t my world, you know?”

Pinocchio glanced briefly at the dancers behind him and then held a hand out towards Lampwick.

“Did you want to at least try and enjoy yourself?”

Coming from someone else, the suggestion might have sounded bitter or sarcastic. Even patronising, should it have been said by the little blue bug or someone equally as frustrating. But from Pinocchio it was nothing but genuine and meaningful. Not a reprimand, but an offer.

The chuckle Lampwick gave him was nervous and fleeting.

“Pinoke...I can’t...I mean, I don’t…” He grimaced a little. “This ain’t my thing.”

Pinocchio raised an eyebrow a little, returning the statement with a, “and you really think it’s mine?”

Lampwick only shrugged, face still sour.

“You were friends with the Princess and stuff. You must have gone to dances or balls or whatever.”

“I went to one. Once. But you know these events are almost exclusively reserved for nobility?” He casually looked away again for a moment, back at the ballroom floor. “And besides,” he continued, looking back at Lampwick with sincerity that made his heart stop. “Maybe there was no one there that I wanted to dance with.”

Lampwick felt like hiding under the table. He could feel his face flush and it took all his strength not to completely bury his head between his hands.

“Geez, you’re embarrassin’. How do you say shit like that with a straight face?”

Apparently undeterred, Pinocchio tried again.

“Come on,” he said, this time grabbing Lampwick’s wrist and tugging him up off the chair. “Just one dance.”

Reluctantly, Lampwick allowed him to coax him into the crowd of other dancers. As much as he felt that everyone else’s eyes were boring into him, he knew that, in reality, nobody had given them a second glance. That the only person focused on him currently, was Pinocchio.

Pinocchio cleared his throat.

“Okay...” he said, grasping Lampwick’s hand and carefully positioning his other hand on his waist. He looked focused but uncertain. His confident facade from just seconds before already slipping away.

Lampwick couldn’t help but grin.

“You don’t know what the hell you’re doin’, do you?”

“No,” he admitted. “But we can work it out together.”

---

4. Share a sentence or paragraph from your writing that you’re really proud of (explain why, if you like)

So, back in Chapter 7, there's a moment with Pan and Felix on the beach together and Felix asks if Pan would have let Rumple kill him, leading to this exchange:

"Felix, how could you even say such a thing?"

There was a pause. Felix said nothing.

"Of course not,” Pan emphasised, eyes boring into him, serious and meaningful. "I'm sorry that you think that of me, and I apologise if I worried you."

"Yeah, no, of course...” Felix shook his head. “I should not have asked, I'm sorry."

"That’s alright, don't worry about it."

And I was just really pleased with it because not ONLY do we have Pan very obviously lying (I mean, we know from canon that he would kill Felix if he really needed to), but...Do you notice how Pan doesn’t actually apologise for anything? “I’m sorry that you think that of me”, aka, “I’m sorry that YOU were offended by that but it’s not my fault that you misinterpreted my actions.”  and "sorry if I worried you", (as opposed to, "sorry that I worried you.") completely invalidating any of Felix’s concerns. He even manages to turn the conversation upside-down so that Felix is the one apologising to him for some reason. And then Pan confirms that Felix should be the one apologising, by telling him that it’s “alright”.