#his sister had a monster in the hall closet that wanted to eat her and he tried to be brave but he shook every time it came out

[polysyndetonaddictsupportgroup]

holy fuck, this gives the zenin so much more lore than what we got in the manga. like the potential is right there to have this great inter-clan generational dispute and cold war but gege just breezes past it and then gets rid of it completely.

with all this cool new shut we’re getting about them, im almost glad that megumi was born a boy. like could you imagine just how much worse the zenin would have been to him if he was a girl? they already have the whole misogyny thing going for them and then their version of jesus pops up and it turns out that it’s a girl who wields their prized technique?

god, i can’t imagine just how much more controlling they would be towards megs, although im still not sure if the whole training until ur bones fall off would still happen. i feel like naoya would be different towards megs but we also know that the zenin are totally okay with incest so i hate where that would go.

It would have been bad.

See, I think the entire training until your bones fall off thing would still happen, but there would be an added layer of cruelty towards it. Because megumi was a little boy who was being trained in a way that even adults couldn’t have handled, so of course he spent a lot of time getting hit and a lot of time crumpling under the pressure and exhaustion. There are very, very few instances where he remembers actually leaving the training room on his own two feet. He usually was pushed until he collapsed and woke up later in the room they kept for him. But if he was a little girl in the same circumstances? They’d make every “failing” about her sex. They’d blame her being a girl for it and constantly use it as a source of sneering superiority.

It would also be bad because she would very much be seen as a source of descendants. Boy Megumi wouldn’t necessarily be exempt from that, but it would happen sooner for girl Megumi.

Bloodline is very important to the Zenin. Inheriting power, techniques—they want to continue the flow of power through the generations. And most of the Zenin clan (and the wider jujutsu world) believe that Megumi is the most powerful Zenin alive right now, if not Gojo’s equal, and the only reason why hes being graded as a Grade Two sorcerer is because gojo’s purposefully sabotaging his development. Like. Mindset is a huge amount of jujutsu ability. Yuuta went from getting beaten up by normal high schoolers to having some combat ability but needing inumaki to handle a semi grade one to being the second most powerful person alive in the span of a few months. He absolutely blitzed the previous second most powerful person alive when he would have lost that same fight a few hours previous. There’s a lot of people convinced Megumi’s on Gojo’s level but he’s been keeping him on a leash since childhood. But the powers still there in his blood.

That’s power the Zenin want to pass on, regardless of gender. But as a boy, Megumi’s got a little bit more leeway—men are accepted as warriors first in the clan, and age won’t affect his ability to procreate. If megumi was a girl? She’s got that goddamn biological clock ticking down. As the ten shadows, I think the Zenin would still expect her as a warrior, but they’d also have a fucking quota she needs to fill before the clock hits zero. And they’d have some very proprietary concerns about making sure no one outside of the clan has a chance to become involved with her. They’d want her to stay within the clan with her partners. And they’d be absolutely creepy and weird about how they went about it. It’s a little bit of a mercy that Megumi’s a boy.

[leocancertaurus]

Best Worst Decision - Pt. 2

Summary: Today’s Zara’s 5th birthday and Y/n is just trying to get through the day with Natasha. 

Word Count: 4,039

Pairing: Natasha Romanoff x fem!reader

CW: Swearing (that’s it i think)

A/N: This takes place 6 months after reader files for divorce but, 6 months before the rest of the Avengers find out about Nat’s family. Thanks for the love on the first one :)  Here’s some family fluff and some angst. 

Word count: 4,039

________________________________________________________________

Today’s Zara’s 5th birthday. You absolutely loved celebrating birthdays and so every year you put in tons of effort to make sure both of your girls, and Nat celebrated their birthdays in ways that they loved and that made them feel loved. Speaking of Nat, she should be here any minute and you felt nervous about seeing her. Of course, she is still putting off signing the divorce papers that you gave her. At this point, it’s been 6 months! Every time she visits the girls and you get her to yourself, you make sure to mention it. Her reasons as to why she’s putting it off always vary. Either it’s “I’m waiting for my lawyer to review them”, or “I’ve been so busy lately”, or “I’m a catch, do you really want to divorce me?” One time you got “I lost them”. Being married to Natasha was not easy and divorcing her proved to be all the more difficult.

But! Today is not about your impending divorce, it’s about Zara. Currently, you were making what felt like a million confetti pancakes for breakfast. This became your tradition for the girl’s birthdays. Every year you’d make pancakes for breakfast and build a giant fort that covered basically the entire living room. You all would spend the morning eating pancakes and just hanging out in the fort. You were also taking them to a carnival that’s in town this week.  Zara was currently running around the house trying to gather as many pillows, blankets, and sheets as she could find. You didn’t want to know (or ask?) how she got the ones that were high up in the hall closet. Kali was enjoying watching her sister run around the house. Whenever Zara would add to the growing pile of pillows and blankets, Kali would climb up onto the couch and do a giant leap into the big pile. It was music to your ears to hear your babies’ giggles. This is what you’d dreamed motherhood would be like. Healthy happy kids, a decent sized house for them to run around in, a backyard for them to catch fireflies in. You were beyond obsessed with your daughters.

 You’re brought out of your trance by the doorbell ringing. Sigh, the time has come to face she who shall not be named. You used to be ecstatic to see Nat. There were times when she’d come back from missions and you’d stay up all night if you had to, just to be the first person to greet her when she came home. It’s hard to remember when that excitement dissipated. 

You turn off the stove and go into the living room to open the door, just in time to catch Kali do a canon ball into the mountain of pillows and blankets that was big enough for her to get lost in.

“What in the….” It’s unclear which child that was directed at. 

You open the door to immediately meet the sparkling green eyes of your estranged wife.

 “Morning.” Her raspy voice flowed. That combined with a hesitant, half smile sends shivers down your spine. Your feelings for her were... difficult to say the very least. She makes you so incredibly angry with her arrogance and stubbornness. But, damn she was captivating. You’re grateful to have these thoughts interrupted by Zara and Kali sprinting to greet her at the door. Nat quickly sat the box she was holding in her hands down before she was pummeled by the little monsters.

“Mama!!!” They scream in unison as they jump into her arms. You had no idea how she always picked them up at the same time so gracefully. That’s how you’d describe her as a mom, graceful.

 “Hi my loves.. I missed you both so much! Happy birthday Z!” She beams as she showers them in kisses.

 “Thank you mama. Can you help us build the fort pleeeeease??” Zara wiggles out of Nat’s arms to go over to her huge pile.

 “Of course, babe. Let’s get to work.” Nat closes the front door.

“Mama!” Nat raises her eyebrows at your 2 year old, encouraging her to continue. “Kali JUMP!”

“Kali jump?”

“Mhm”

“Show me?” She puts her down and Kali clumsily runs and climbs onto the couch, and leaps into the blankets.

Nat gasps and looks at you with wide eyes, “Um?” She breathes out a shocked laugh and goes to fish Kali out of the sea of linen. “Okay daredevil. No more “jump” before you give your Mama a heart attack. Let’s build a fort!”

“YAYYYYY!!”Zara started and Kali joined in on the excitement even though she didn’t fully understand what they’re getting excited about. Nat turns to you, “Maybe this one’ll be a diver.”

If it was like this for the rest of the day. You’d make it. As long as Nat was on her best behavior, you could do it.

“I'm gonna go finish up breakfast while you guys do that.” You head toward the kitchen.

“Ok, thanks baby.” Nat freezes. You freeze in the opening to the kitchen. You both slowly turn your heads over your shoulders and look at each other.

She gives you an apologetic smile, “I’m sorry. I really didn’t mean to”. You give her a warning glare.

Maybe this wouldn’t be so easy.

After a little while, the fort is done. The girls are keeping themselves occupied by playing with the many toys they hauled downstairs to play with in their mega fort. You’re decorating Zara's tall stack of pancakes, that she’ll never finish, just so she feels that much more special today. You’re really focused on making sure it looks perfect and you don’t realize Natasha has entered the kitchen. She sees it as the perfect opportunity to have a little fun.

“That looks amazing.” She says from directly behind you.

“Oh shit! Nat, you know I hate when you do that!” You whine. “If these had gotten messed up, I would’ve never forgiven you.”

“Mommy, you have to add a quarter in the swear jar!” You hear Zara yell from the other room.

You give Natasha an unamused look as she laughs at you. You point your spatula in her face. “You are adding a quarter to the swear jar.”

She puts both hands up in mock surrender, “Fine fine. I think I owe you that much.”

You give her a dry chuckle in response as you turn your attention back to the pancakes, topping them off with whipped cream, sprinkles, and a sparkly red 5 candle.

“Can I help with anything?” Her eyes almost plead for you to let her help, to relive some semblance of normalcy. Being near her was one of the most infuriatingly mesmerizing things you’ve ever experienced. 

“Have you had coffee?” You ask.

“No, I’d die for a cup right now.”

“Can you make some for us please? Everything else is done now. I could also use your help taking this all in there in a sec.”

“You got it.” she enthusiastically crosses the kitchen and crafts a pot of coffee. You sneak a look up at her while her back’s to you. You catch yourself staring at the way the defined muscles in her arms and shoulders flex as she moves around the kitchen. You reluctantly snatch your eyes away and starting moving things from the kitchen to the fort.

“Ok what should I grab?” Nat asks while the coffee brews.

“Anything.”

“Oh really?” She smirks and winks at you.

“Natasha.” You don’t even give her the satisfaction of letting her see how badly you want her to– Not today Y/n. Not today.

“Later?” She breathes out a laugh, failing to ease the tension. She grabs Zara’s special stack of pancakes off the counter and soon enough, everything and everyone was inside of the fort enjoying breakfast.

You all sang Happy birthday, ate, and played games together in the fort all morning. It was refreshing. You and Natasha had been at each other’s throats for months, you could barely agree on anything. You were both fighting so hard to ignore the consistent tension. She knew just how to make you want to kill her one minute, and want to pull her close the next. Nothing makes sense. You want distance and time but you also wanted her. But does she want you? You gave her chance after chance and she didn’t choose you. So why-

“Y/n, ease off the banana.” Natasha’s voice lures you out of that rabbithole. She softly places her hands on your fingers that we’re squishing the banana that you were holding. You can’t ignore the jolt of energy that you got from feeling her soft hands on yours. You gently pull away.

“Sorry I got distracted. How about we clean up and go to the carnival???”You divert your attention to your oblivious daughters. They jump and cheer at the prospect while Natasha is trying to figure out what just happened. You exit the fort without making eye contact. Remember, today is about Zara.

You and Natasha get everything put away and clean everything sticky off of the kids. The entire time, you avoided her curious gaze. Soon enough, you had the kids in the car and were driving to this pop up carnival that came to town.

“Woah! Mommy can I get on that giant ride??” Zara asks pointing at the ferris wheel that immediately caught her attention.

“We can do whatever you want, my love.” You turn off the car and start to get out when Nat grabs your hand, for the second time today, and piques a brow to nonverbally ask if you’re okay. As your hands meet, you’re overcome with a wave of emotion. You hate how good something so simple felt. You hate that this is the most you’ve been touched by her if you don’t even know how long. You’re really working on this whole standing up for yourself and knowing your worth thing but, fuck, you just wanted to be wrapped in her strong arms and sob. But, instead you snatch your hand away as if her touch burned your skin.

“Please don’t touch me. You threw your right to that away.” You try to say quietly enough not to alarm the girls in the back seat that are excitedly pointing out the things they want to do at the carnival.

“Bug—”That knocked the wind out of your lungs. You can’t quite place exactly how it started but you’ve had that nickname for years. It used to be your favorite thing to hear but now, the sound of it made you nauseous. 

“Natasha. Don’t. Please not today of all days.”

“Fine. I’ll stop.” She knew how important it was that Zara’s birthday passed with no bumps in the road. Natasha felt like the biggest asshole in the world these days. She’s been experiencing a lot of guilt surrounding your divorce proceedings but, today she felt especially guilty seeing how much work you put into today being special, and even moreso, how much effort you’re putting into keeping a smile on your daughter’s face.

 She wasn’t trying to throw you off with the pet names and touching but she wasn’t not trying either. It just came naturally. There was this undeniable gravitational pull between you two. The moment you handed her those divorce papers, her world crumbled. Things had gotten hard between you two for the first time ever, leading up to you asking her for a divorce. It scared her. At one point, you never fought and once that was all you did, she didn’t know how to handle it. So, she assumed that if she gave you space, things would calm down. The more you fought, the more she stayed away, hoping you would calm down and things would be fine upon her return. Now that she’s had time to replay everything, she realizes how fucking stupid that was. 

This led to you growing apart, Natasha missing important moments with the kids, you feeling anger toward her for that, her saying a lot of things she didn’t mean and eventually, divorce. Well, what would be divorce if she would just sign the goddamn papers. In all honesty, Natasha was hoping to worm her way back in, making those papers arbitrary. So, today she would be on her best behavior. For her family. While you on the other hand, were trying to regulate your emotions. 

 “Thank you.” You shift your attention to the giddy kids in the back seat. “Ready babies?”

“Yes mommy!” Kali tries to get herself out of her car seat.

“Okay, let’s go” you go help your wild child out. 

The girls were having so much fun at the carnival. You took them on the teacups, and the ferris wheel, and the carousel. With the giant bright smile plastered on Zara’s face, there’s no doubt in your mind that her 5th birthday was special. Nat seemed to be in good spirits too. It was so refreshing to see her with her guard down enjoying herself. She was the best mom and you were in awe watching her do her thing.  She was giving Zara a piggy back ride and Kali wanted her Mama’s attention too so, she was on her front. You all were simply enjoying each other’s company at this point. This is all you wanted. 

Kali starts to get cranky since she didn’t have her usual nap today. The day has gone fairly well overall and you still don’t quite want to end things since Zara is still having so much fun and getting the much needed time with her mama.

Feeling much calmer than you were before, you get Nat’s attention but gently place your hand on her lower back and you feel a jolt of something surge through your body. “Uh..hey I’m gonna take her on a short little walk on the beach where it’s quieter to try and calm her down a bit”, you explain as you grab your whiny 2 year old from Nat’s arms, she immediately nuzzles her head into your neck.

“Ok, you want some help?”

“No, I think we’ll be fine. Thanks though. Keep that one entertained for me.” You give her a shy smile.

“Always, let me know if you need anything.” 

You go your separate ways with one child each. Nat takes Zara over to the carnival games and gets extremely competitive at the balloon pop game. She has pretty good aim with most of the darts but can’t quite get all of them.

“You can do it Mama!” Zara encourages.

After a few rounds, Nat wins a couple small stuffed animals but wants to win Zara, the big shark that she wants. 

“Okay, this time we’re getting the shark, right?” Zara nods excitedly at her Mama. She puts a few more dollars in front of the game attendant. She zones in and is focusing really hard on the stupid balloons. You’re an Avenger and you can’t pop a few silly balloons Nat? Come on. Focus, she scolds herself. She zones in and pops all 5 balloons earning a boisterous cheer from Zara.

“Yayyyy, thank you Mama! I love him!” She hugs her new shark tight. 

“What are you gonna name him babe?”

“Mmmm” She thinks with the cutest little face, “Brian”. 

Natasha can’t hold her laughter. “Why Brian?”

“I like that name.”

“Fair enough. Welcome to the family, Brian.”

“Mama, can we give these ones to Mommy and Kali please?” She asks Nat with a hopeful expression.“ I think Kali would like the sloth and Mommy would like the cat!” 

“I think you’re right babe. Let’s wait until they come back and then we can give them to them, okay?” Nat can’t help but see the resemblance between you and Zara. Not only did she have a tinier version of your face but she also learned how to be kind and compassionate from you, which Nat absolutely adored.

“Okay Mama, can we play that one?” Nat nods before they head off to the next game. They both play a few more games. Then just spend some time walking around seeing everything, both enjoying this one on one time they’re getting. Your separation had been hard on both of the girls but especially Zara who idolized Natasha. She was basically her little shadow. The two settled down on a bench waiting for you to come back with your younger daughter, Zara nestling her head under Natasha’s chin.

“Mama?”

“Yes babe?” Nat lazily rubs Zara’s back.

“Are you and Mommy wifes still?” The 5 year old asks sitting up straight. 

“Wives, babe…and um, no I guess we’re not.”

“Do you want to be Mommy’s wive?” She tilts her head just the way you do.

“Wife,” she corrects Zara again, who slightly furrows her brow. “Yes I always want to be Mama’s wife.'' She emphasizes the last word hoping it makes a little more sense now. 

“If you want to be wifes (?), then why aren’t you anymore?”

Natasha chuckles at how hard the kid is trying to get it right. “You’re asking the hard hitting questions kid… Well, mama did and said some things to Mommy that weren’t very nice and Mommy needed some space.”

“But aren't wifes supposed to be nice to each other? Or are only sisters like you tell me and Kali to be?”

“Everyone’s supposed to be nice to each other, babe.”

“Did you say sorry to mom for hurting her feelings then?”  Natasha looked into her daughter’s big brown eyes and gave her a small sad smile. How could I not have fucking apologized?! Idiot.

“I don’t think I did.”

“Mama, that’s not very nice. You’re supposed to say sorry and then maybe you and mommy can be wifes again. That’s what me and Kali do and then we’re sisters again.” Who is the adult here again?

“You’re always sisters, silly! You’re right though, I need to apologize to Mommy, huh?”

“Yes and then we can have a million sleepovers again!” Zara says doing a little excited dance. 

“You're too cute.” Natasha peppers her face in kisses eliciting the most adorable giggles from the little girl. “Thank you for the advice baby. You’re so smart!”

You and Kali come back and she’s calmed down from her tantrum. You both had stopped to grab a huge funnel cake for you all to share before heading home.

“Hi Mommy!” Zara perks up at your return.

“Hi baby, look what I got!” You show them the huge funnel cake that you bought.

“Wait Mommy! First, I have a present for you and Kali.” She wiggles out of Nat’s grasp with the two smaller stuffed animals in her hands. She first hands the sloth to her sister, who hugs her new sloth, and the cat to you as promised. 

“Oh, you’re so sweet! Thank you for sharing baby, that’s so nice. Ok my turn to share.” You hand her and Natasha both a fork.

“Yes yes yes!” 

You laugh at her energy. You can not wait for her to crash later. You all get settled into the bench and start sharing the funnel cake. There are laughs and silly moments flowing between all of you. This felt good. You missed these moments with your family so much. Maybe giving Nat one more chance wouldn’t be– 

“Mommy?” Zara halts your train of thought.

“Yes, love?” You say clearing your throat.

“I want you and mama to be wifes again.” Since when can she read minds? You chuckle at her misuse of the word wives, though. 

“Wives love.” You gently correct. Zara glances at Natasha and raises an eyebrow. Nat tries her hardest to stifle a laugh.

“Do you want to be wives with mama?” She turns her attention back to you. 

“Why do you ask a kid?”

“Because mama wants to be wives.” She says as if it was obvious.

“Oh really?” You look between the two of them,

“Yes and I want you to be wives. Kali does too.” She slips in.

You play along, “How do you know what Kali wants? Did she tell you?”

“Yup, right Mama?” Nat dramatically zips her lips and throws away the key earning a giggle from Zara.

“Is that what you want missy?” You look down at your two year old that has chocolate sauce all over her face. 

“Mommy eat!” She points with a huff at the funnel cake. 

“Okay okay, I’m sorry. You two heard the boss. Eat.” You point at Nat and Zara.

The four of you continue to share the dessert. Nat tries to catch your gaze a couple times, trying to gauge where your head’s at but, you avoid her gaze. You’re really proud of how well you dodged that conversation. You realize the girls began to get sleepy after such a jam packed day. After you both get them cleaned up, you carry them back to the car to head home and get them ready for bed. They’re asleep almost as soon as you get them in their car seats. 

The car is almost completely silent except from the quiet music coming from the radio. 

“I’m sorry.” Nat breaks the silence. 

“It’s fine.” Since when does Natasha Romanoff say I’m sorry? 

“You don’t even know what I’m apologizing for.”

You sigh, “Why are you sorry, Nat?”

“That Z asked you if you want to be wifes.” She says with a short chuckle. 

“It’s okay. She’s very curious about… Well, everything.”

Nat’s eyes remain on you while you keep your eyes glued to the road and your jaw clenched.

“I feel like it’s not okay though. I’m sorry we’re even in a position for her to have to be curious about that. I’m sorry that I let you all down,” You’ve never heard her sound so dejected. Her eyes are fixed on you, hoping you would say anything but you wait. “I’m sorry to have betrayed your trust. I’m sorry for not choosing you every time. I’m–”

“Nat, why are you saying all of this now?”

“Because a very smart little girl helped me realize how much of a fucking idiot I am. I’m sorry I’ve been so stubborn and consistently put my pride over our family.”

“You have to put a quarter in the swear jar when we get back.” You try to ease some of the tension. Natasha does not laugh. “Look, Nat. I can’t just forgive you so easily. You really hurt me and I don’t really know how to go about any of this.”

“I’m not apologizing because I want to get something out of it. I mean of course I want you back. I’ve always wanted you. I always will. And I fucked it all up. But, as I’m processing this all more and trying to decenter myself I realize that I’m not entitled to anything. If you hate me for the rest of our lives, I deserve it. I’m just so sorry. Our kids don’t deserve this,” She pauses again, working up the courage, “I haven’t signed the papers yet because it’s just too real and it’s really hard for me to let you go. Every time I sit down to sign them I feel physically ill. I also realize how selfish that is. I can’t promise you that I can bring myself to do it tonight but I can promise that I’m working very hard to pull my head out of my ass. Anyway, I did have the best day with the three of you and I’m very grateful for that.'' She looks back at the sleeping children in the back seat. 

You two sit in silence for a very lengthy awkward, time. Of course, she comes around to signing the divorce papers when you’re not too sure that you want her to anymore. But, one good day doesn’t mean she’s changed. Slow down Y/N, you chide yourself.

“You really are an idiot, Natasha.” 

“I know, bug”, she sighs, continuing to look out of the window while you try to ignore the fluttering in your chest at the name. “And I promise I’ll put a dollar in the swear jar.”

[crimson-mage-02]

Curse of the Immortals

Summary: Rachel Roth, an agent to a secret organization is a single mother and works night shifts hunting monsters and demons to ensure her home’s safety until one day, evil has spread over the city and is forced to work together along with a half-demon and half-angel Damian to hunt them down. 

A/N: This is day 2 prompt: Enemies to Lovers/Fantasy and Fairytale. Mixed with Alternate Universe. I hope you will enjoy this because I do enjoy this a lot! I have been considering this as my new series! Let me know what you all think if you want to see more of this concept! 

Please sit and enjoy reading! Please comment and give feedback!

In a rainy night, she was reading a book in her hand and was looking around at the customers that were minding their own business, going about their day, and walked around the mall. She drank her warm coffee and felt a ball hit her foot, almost startling her.

The young, beautiful woman with black hair and purple streaks, bent down and grabbed the ball and past it to the young girl who smiled at her cheekily. “Here you go.”

“Oh, sorry about that.” The mother apologised sheepishly.

“You are good, kids these days, so spirited.”

The mother chuckled and nodded in agreement and rubbed her daughter’s face. She looked back to see the young woman in front of her has a badge on her and a holster. “Oh, you are a cop?”

“No, I am just an agent. I am off duty. Just….be myself, I guess. I’ve forgotten what it feels like.” The young woman replied, putting her hair behind her ear where her piercings can be seen.

“Where are my manners? Sorry, what’s your name?”

“My name is Rachel Roth, but my friends call me Raven.” Rachel replied, shaking the mother’s hand. “And you are?”  

“Sharon. I am a teacher nearby this mall. And I just picked up my daughter. On the way home.” Sharon chuckled.

“It is nice meeting you.” Rachel smiled as the mother and daughter took their leave while she watched them crossing the street. She smiled at the sight of Sharon interacting with her daughter and reminds her of her mother.

She heard some clanging noises and saw the waitress was giving her more coffee. She nodded politely at her and then drank more coffee while finishing up her book. She stood up and returned the tray to the employers.

She walked around the food court and looked at her phone seeing dozens of text messages keeps on coming. She looked at the GPS seeing a red dot appearing. She sighed. “Back to work.”

Rachel made a turn to go walk down the fire escape to the alley and saw her fellow agents getting their gear on. “Ready?”

“All set, sir.” Rachel said as she got her black leather jacket off, revealing a bow on her back and on her waist, there was her quiver filled with her arrows and on her thigh was a pack of knives along with her gun.

“Ten seconds.” Said her leader, looking at the GPS on the computer. Rachel got herself ready with an arrow pointing out in the air, waiting for the demon to come. She heard faint running footsteps and then she shot her arrow with an explosive with a demon appearing and roared loudly in agony, with blood spilling out from its eye.

The people around them all cried out in fear and all ran away from the demon with a truck coming to retrieve the demon back to their secret base. Rachel sighed as she lowered her bow down and helped her fellow agents.

She was in the truck with her closest friend Donna who just came back from her mission in getting another demon from another street. “Look at them. People are just so afraid. The world is no longer safe.” Donna said deeply as she took off her gauntlets of her arms.

“Someday, the world will be different. Someday.” Rachel hoped as she put her arrows away in her quiver. Donna nodded in agreement as she held onto her shield, that once belonged to her sister. She always wanted to become an agent just like her. Now she is. She wanted to make her proud.

“So, how is she?” Donna asked her with a smile.

“Hmm? Oh, Arella? She is doing just fine.” Rachel replied with a chuckle.

One of the men had stopped the truck with the creature roaring and growling at them as they entered a garage to a secret base. Rachel and Donna got off seeing all of the other agents all walking around with files in their hands and held on the tablets, looked through some video feeds. There are more demons on the loose and every day they hunt them in the middle of the night.

More agents were out in the field and are capturing more demons. She and Donna only take the earlier shift to capture the demons, since they both have their real-life jobs other than demon hunting. Donna checked their charts and then frowned. “Hey, Rach?”

Rachel looked at her friend while tying up her hair in a high ponytail. “Yeah?”

“It says we have another shift in about two hours.” Donna said to her as Rachel looked at the chart. She sighed deeply and then walked down the hall from the lockers and marched to the office seeing her boss, Diana holding the papers in her hands.

“I promised her. I promised my daughter that I come home for her.” Rachel said feeling guilty for her daughter.

“I am sorry, Rachel. We are on short of agents tonight.” Diana apologised to her fellow agent. “But I have given you those two hours to be prepared and have little time with her.”

Rachel nodded with a tired smile. She smacked her lips together. “Alright, thanks. I’ll give you my report over the weekend.”

“Of course, Rachel.” Diana smiled gently at the young woman. “And no need rush on those reports, you can pass them to my sister if you like.”

“Great. Thanks.” Rachel nodded as she walked out of the office. She walked along the hallways and greeted some of her co-workers with a smile and a nod like always. She walked down to the lower section of the base. She opened the door with a key card and walked in to see if her daughter was up.

“Arella? I am back.” Rachel called out to her daughter. She placed her weapons on the couch and saw a pile of books all over the place. She chuckled softly and slowly grabbed the books, putting them back on the shelves next to the tv. She also folded the clothes and put them in the closet and in the cupboard. She also put the bowls in the sink and the plates in the dishwasher. Turned off the TV.

Then she heard a door opening with her smile lit up, watching her daughter running towards her. “Mama!”

“Oh, Arella, my darling. How are you today? Did you read the book I have given you?” Rachel asked her, putting her hair back in her ear.

“Mm hmm! I was good the whole day. And Uncle Garfield has given me a new snack I could eat, but I waited because I want to try it with you.” Arella replied, going into the kitchen to show her the snack.

“Honey, I think I do need to have a healthy discussion with your Uncle Garfield about the snacks after dinner.” Rachel said seriously as she looked at the package.

“But it looks tasty.” Arella pouted, looking up at her mother. She sighed softly and then bent down to her level.

“Okay, how about this? After I finish with my work tomorrow, we can try this out. Alright? Does that sound good?” Rachel asked her, rubbing her arms.

“Yeah! That sounds good.” Arella smiled cheerfully hugging her mother tightly while Rachel frowned sadly, seeing she is going to be leaving her more in their small home. She was worried that her own daughter might resent her more. “Mama, I do understand that your job is so important to you. I will be okay. I can hang out with Auntie Diana today.”

“Is that so?” Rachel said, getting up and put the snack in the cupboard as she put the cutleries in the drawers while wiping the table.

“Yeah, she promised.” Arella nodded with her bright emerald eyes. Rachel smiled as she cleaned up the kitchen and then got her dressed up for the night so that she can walk around the base properly with Diana.

She got ready for her next mission and walked with her daughter in the hallway out of their home. Arella ran excitedly when she saw Diana opening her arms for her to run towards her. She hugged the little child in her arms. “Oh, I hope you are up for some hot chocolate and some movies.”

“Yup!” Arella giggled.

“Thanks again. You mind if you could get her to bed early? Unlike the last time, she read her new books late at night.” Rachel chuckled.

“Not to worry, Rachel, I have this wonderful warrior in bed in no time. Just be careful on your mission.” Diana smiled as she set the girl down on the ground and letting her get in the office. “So, Donna will be assisting you. And other agents will help you. Have you heard anything from Arella’s father yet?”

Rachel put her quiver on her waist behind her. She hasn’t heard anything from her ex and he barely was in her daughter’s life. She and him never got the chance to contact one another. “Um, no. He is off the grid. In fact, I never told him that I was pregnant.”

Diana looked at her friend with a sympathetic expression and placed her hand on her shoulder. “I’m sorry. But I am sure you made a right decision in raising her here rather than up there.” She was well aware that her daughter was a quarter demon and angel, though she has never shown to have any supernatural abilities.

“Okay, Arella, be good for Aunt Diana. I’ll be back in the morning to spend time with you. Alright.” Rachel smiled at her daughter.

“Alright, Mama, I’ll be good.” Arella smiled as she waved goodbye to her mother.

(~)

Up in topside, puff of smoke appeared with the lights blinking brightly on the billboards. He walked along the footpath. He also sensed something from behind him and he sighed, taking a right turn into the alley. He got rid of his cigarette aside and then pulled down his hood, revealing jet black hair with emerald eyes.

He got out his charms in his hands and saw the dark cloaked figure in front of him, preparing to fight him off. “So, you finally appeared, you son of a bitch!” He got out his twin katanas in his hands and swung his blades at the demon in front of him with blood spilling out on the ground as he cut off its head off. He looked to the side seeing more demons were after him. He made a run for it in the streets, but he was grabbed by the leg by the demon dog and dragged back in the alley. “Oh, shit!”

Meanwhile on the road, Rachel was getting her bow ready for their hunt. Donna was driving the truck while listening to the music softly. She hummed to the song cheerfully until they saw people running away and then a figure was thrown onto their windshield.

Both girls shouted in surprise while Rachel got out of the truck and saw the man was their other co-worker. “Damian? What the hell are you doing? You were supposed to be with your team.”

“I very much prefer to work alone, Rachel.” Damian huffed, getting off the truck, getting off the shards of the glass off his jacket.

“It doesn’t matter, you have to report back to Diana.” Rachel pointed out while getting her gun out while Donna yelling to the people to get to safety. “And what happened to you?”

“I found another demon. Seemed to be sucking the lives of innocent people in the city.” Damian replied, getting out his whip and then captured a dog while Rachel shot at it with blood spilling all over the road.

“Hey, I had that!” Damian exclaimed, seeing her jumping on top of the car, and shot all of the demons up in the air while Donna jumped up and captured them with her lasso. The two girls and Damian all worked together to get the people to safety.

Then he saw one man from the building was falling down. He got his white wings out and flew straight up to save the man from his death. He got him down to safety, but the man squirmed and cried out in fear seeing him in front of him and ran away from him. “Yeah, you’re welcome, human!” Damian shouted out to him.

An arrow was shot onto the demon’s head behind Damian, and he turned around to see Rachel shooting the demons that were coming straight at him. She kicked one with her foot and shoved a gun in its mouth, shooting inside.

“You’re welcome.” Rachel said to Damian who scoffed and walked away from her. “You should’ve let Diana know you were patrolling the city and we thought you back in Gotham.”

“I was in Gotham. But I got kicked out.” Damian gruffly replied until he pushed her aside with a demon attacking her from behind until he used his whip to capture him and be burnt onto the road.

Donna got most of the people to safety, leaving things to the police. Rachel and Damian had cleared the main road together and walked towards her. Then the citizens started to jeer, swear, cuss and threw heavy metal and rubbish at Damian. He growled in annoyance with the other agents were getting the people away from the scene.

They all had retired for the night as Rachel and Donna both taking Damian to their base. Hopefully, the night will not be long. Hopefully, Diana won’t be giving him another lecture of not informing his return back to New York from Gotham.

The two girls got out of the trucks with Damian leaning on the side of the truck, smoking a cigarette in his mouth. He glanced at Rachel who was checking in with the other agents. He noticed she has been a lot busy the last time he had seen her. She was more reserved, more assertive, more focused, and distant. He was about to approach her, but he smelt the scent of Director Diana arriving in the garage and approached him with her hands on her hips.

(~)

In the secret agent base, Diana rubbed her temple as she leaned back on her chair with a frown while Damian sat on a chair as he glanced at Rachel who looked at her oldest friend who hasn’t said a word since his return to New York. “You have broken protocol, snuck out the base and disobeyed orders from your superiors. For what reason, Wayne?” Diana asked him tiredly.

“I do have a very good reason. To stop monsters from hurting human kind. And to stop whoever is sending up there, killing innocents.” Damian replied as he sat up on his chair. “And my father have informed me that someone from the surface was a traitor and had unleashed evil.”

“And that’s the main reason why you are here?” Rachel asked him.

“Yes, that is the real reason why I am here, Raven.” Damian nodded, taking out his cigarette out of his mouth with a puff smoke coming out.

Diana narrowed his eyes at the young hybrid in front of them. “Alright. I will make sure I have other agents to handle it rather than a hybrid scaring the people off on the streets.”

The demon scoffed softly and looked away from the director and then raised an eyebrow hearing a noise from behind him and saw a little girl holding a book. He gasped softly and watched Rachel bending down to hug the little girl. “Oh, sorry, Rachel, I had Arella walk to the library again to get a book again.” Diana chuckled.

“Oh, it is fine. And besides, it is her bedtime.” Rachel chuckled lightly as she carried her in her arms, holding her book.

Damian stood up from his seat and then cleared his throat loudly getting the two women’s attention. Rachel sighed deeply while Diana cleared her throat and then continued. “As I was saying, until further notice, you are to stay in your quarters. Rachel will be your partner again until we let you go up to the surface.”

Rachel was about to protest but she doesn’t want to argue in front of her daughter who has fallen asleep in her arms. Damian was left shocked, not liking what he had heard from the head agent of this secret agency. “I am sorry, Rachel, but it has been years since the two of you had quit being partners and well, together. I thought this would be a good opportunity to mend some bonds.” Diana smiled, encouraging the two work together as a team again. Possibly try to work things out between each other.

Diana walked out of her office with Donna by her side and walked along the hallways. “You really do think this will be a good idea?”

“Well, we have no choice, sister. Besides, this will be a good lesson for the both of them.” Diana replied as she looked at the files and photos of the scene from the traffic.

Meanwhile, Rachel was walking back to her room with Damian following her but walked silently not to wake her offspring awake. He wondered when she had her daughter and who was the father and why he hasn’t seen him in the base.

“You used my room? Where will I sleep?” Damian asked with annoyance but saw Rachel was still ignoring him. “Rachel? Where will I sleep if I am going to stay here? You have a spare room?”

“Yes, but that is my room now and you will sleep on the couch tonight.” Rachel replied with a huff opened the door with one hand. She hurried to her daughter’s room and tucked her in with the dimmed lights on.

Damian walked into her little home seeing all of the pictures on the walls. Photos of her and her daughter. No sign of the father. He raised an eyebrow seeing a box of letters. He grabbed it and saw they were the letters that he once had sent her. His past may had held her back and now she had moved on. He put the box back on the shelf, remembering the moment he had betrayed her, and they decided not to be partners anymore. And realised that a demon and a human can never be together.

He turned around to see Rachel was gathering some bed sheets and blanket for him on the couch. “Rachel, I know you are furious of what had happened years ago and the other reason why I came back is that I want to set things right.”

“Well, you are too late for that. I already moved on, Damian. I have a job, I have a home, I have a daughter to care for.” Rachel said not looking at him in the eye. “You still betrayed me that day. You worked for that demon who terrorised innocent lives.”

“He was my grandfather, and he was going to make the world a better place.” Damian argued with his nails growing slowly reacting to his anger.

Rachel stayed still from where she stood. Looking into his emerald eyes and looked away from him. “I still believe that your grandfather wasn’t really going to make the world a better place. From what I had heard, your father had you trained, but you still haven’t changed one bit the last time we saw each other. But I am willing to try and help you and in return you help us.”

Damian nodded agreeing with the terms. As he took off his leather jacket and shirt to change with Rachel glancing at his scars on his back. She bit her lip and then grabbed the sheets and laid them down on the seat and had the pillows placed on top. “Make yourself comfortable. And get some rest.”

“One last thing, Raven.” Damian called out to her as he sat down on the chair looking up at her then glanced at her daughter who was sleeping peacefully on her bed, hugging her soft toy in her arms. “Your daughter……those eyes……” He looked up at her again with his eyes filled with curiosity. “Is she, our daughter?”

A few moments of silence had passed with Rachel breathing in and out shakily before speaking up to the devil prince of the Al Ghul Royalty bloodline. She was afraid he might find out the moment he had seen her. Damian waited for her to reply, but it looked like she wasn’t going to answer, seeing her shaking and trembling. He was about to say that there was no need for her to reply so quickly. He had loved Rachel, he loved all of her even though she is human and doesn’t care what others and other demonic beings say about him.

“Yes.”

“What?” Damian’s eyes widened and looked up at the agent before him.

“I said, yes. She is….in fact, our daughter. And you betrayed me, left us for your precious little demon world.” Rachel replied bitterly as she walked away in her room, leaving him all alone in the living room. She closed the door behind her and rubbed her face tiredly while sliding against the door, falling to her knees in exhaustion. She has never, ever felt so drained in her entire life.

(~)

Later that night, Talia Al Ghul had gotten word that her son, Damian has remerged into the surface. She grinned slyly as she drank her glass of blood in her hands. “It seems the humans had made him soft. And you…you have what I have ordered, Shiva?”

“Yes, my lady. It is all here. Little damned creatures will soon eat the flesh of human scums.” Shiva smirked.

“Excellent. Inform my father. Let him know of what has become of his grandson. Surely, he’ll be disappointed how he turned out to be after a very, very, long time.” Talia chuckled softly as she put the glass on her table and walked past her servant.

(~)

Damian explored the base and walked around to see if he saw anything familiar, but they had changed a lot of things after he had left the agency in New York. He also heard a few agents were bad mouthing him, whispering to each other while he could hear them due to his enhanced hearing as a demon.

He just ignored them as he made a turn to the left and then saw Donna who dropped her files. “O-Oh, sorry. I wasn’t looking.”

Damian took a step back from the human woman and sighed deeply, helped her to get the files. He gave them to her while being mindful of his nails. The very same claws he had slain other demonic and angelic beings. He was held back by his father who claimed he could change him for the better. He is the grandson of all Demons, but he is also the son of an angelic being, Bruce Wayne.

A blade was pointed at his neck and he glanced up seeing Donna looking down at him if he were a slave. He put up his hands to show he wasn’t going to hurt her or anyone in the base. “So….” He smacked his lips together before speaking up. “You were just here to kill me?”

“No. Just making sure you are not going to hurt Rachel, unlike the last time. You left her to care for her daughter.” Donna hissed at him.

“You mean my daughter? She’s mine and Rachel’s.” Damian smirked slyly.

Donna held onto her blade tightly and then lowered it down as she breathed out slowly and softly. She stormed away from the demon prince but before she does, she turned to the Prince. “If you do hurt her, that’ll be the time I’ll be sure to kill you. For real.”

Meanwhile, in Rachel’s room, she was cleaning her guns and arrows while hearing the door opening and saw her daughter wide awake. “My little bird, why are you still up?”

“I can’t sleep.” Arella replied rubbing her eyes.

“Oh, come here. Would you like to sleep with me tonight?” Rachel asked, taking her in her arms and let her lay down on her bed, she stroked her head and kissed her goodnight.

“Mama? Who was that man from earlier? He seemed so scary.” Arella said as she hugged her soft toy in her arms.

Rachel smacked her lips together and then caressed her daughter’s cheek softly. “He was an old friend of mine who came to visit us. And he is not that scary. He is just…misunderstood. I’ll explain everything later. Now, go to sleep.”

She put the blanket over her and kissed her goodnight before she turned off the lights and then walked out of her room only to see Damian was not present in the living room. His weapons were still on the table unfortunately. She sighed thinking he was just out of the base to get some fresh air.

As it has been said, he was taking some fresh air, smoking a cigarette until he had heard muffling from one of the guards. His head tilted to see as he jumped off the roof and then saw one of the guard’s soul was being sucked in. He grabbed his katana to fight him off until a gun shot was heard seeing a bullet came through a demon’s head and fell down onto the ground with blood staining the grass.

He looked up to see Rachel with a gun in her hand. She panted softly seeing a demon in front of her and then looked up at Damian who approached the guard and helped him up. “You alright?”

“Yes, I am fine. C-Can you let go of my arm?” The guard asked as Damian did not realise how his grip had hurt him and slowly let him go. He watched the guard walking past Rachel who put back her gun in her holster. “And why were you out here? I thought you were asleep.”

“I was getting some fresh air. Until I heard one of my friends nearly got killed by this monster.” Rachel gestured to the now-dead monster she had shot.

“it is not any kind of monster, I am afraid, Miss Roth. It is a demon from the Underworld. Sent by the demon lord.” Damian said with a glare.

“You mean the man who you used to work with and betrayed them? Your grandfather Al Ghul?” Rachel glared at him with her bow and arrow in her hand as her lavender eyes stared into his dark piercing emerald eyes.

“I suppose. But that man has exiled me. I have no choice but to come to my father. He was the one who vouched for me. And I yielded. I wanted to become a better man, a better demon……and angel.” Damian vowed with his eyes glowing in the dark. “I am on my very own mission to hunt every last of these demons to find him and take him down.”

“And what will that accomplish? You being welcomed back to your people once more?” Rachel glared at him.

“Yes, indeed. Claiming my title as the Prince of the Demon World. As you humans, don’t seem to be very fond of me being here.” Damian nodded, putting his katana back in its sheath. “You don’t want me to be anywhere near our daughter. And I do understand that. Remember, we are working together only for 6 months. After that if we completed my mission, we can all go to our separate ways.”

Rachel huffed softly and then looked to the side as she sighed. Thinking through of their deal Damian had offered. She knew for sure he wasn’t bluffing about working together and he was desperate to take his own grandfather down. But she cannot detect whether or not, if he’ll keep his word in leaving their daughter alone and not harming her. “You swear that you’ll never go anywhere near Arella? And that we’ll never see you again?”

“Yes. You know, I never lie, my beloved Raven.” Damian smirked as he offered his hand out for a handshake.

She looked down at his hand and then back at him seeing he was still smirking. She hated that smirk. She hated every little bit of him. But she has no choice but to work with him to finish the job faster so that she can spend more time with her daughter. “All right, but to make this less painful and fair. I’ll let you spend time with your daughter. She also needs a father, Damian.”

“Last time, I checked, I am not a father material.” Damian scoffed.

“Just for 6 months only. And she needs to know who you are until our deal is off. I don’t want to lie to her anymore.” Rachel pleaded softly as Damian sighed in defeat. Of course, deep down he cannot resist those beautiful lavender eyes of hers.

“Oh, what the hell, fine. Deal. As long as we can cooperate with each other. We are enemies and allies to each other.” Damian shook her hand as she nodded in understanding. Shaking their hands on their alliance with each other.

[mhdiaries]

Frights, Camera, Action! – Hauntlywood Clawdia Wolf Diary

August 25th

Today I was walking through the streets of Londoom I just wanted to howl and do a little dance because I’m so excited to be here. I didn’t, of course, do the dancing part, since I’m the one with the “clumsy gene” in our family and I didn’t want to fall through an open monster hole cover. It has never bothered me that I’m not as athletic as the rest of the pack, because I think it was pretty apparent even when I was a cub that I was better at writing stories about my brothers’ and sisters’ athletic exploits than participating in them. It’s not that I didn’t try, but my mind and body may have been in concert but they were not playing the same tune. I remember the last organized soccer game I played: the coach put me in the goal partly because I was tall for my age and partly because he thought that perhaps the prospect of a ball being rocketed toward me might keep my attention. It worked for a bit, until the ball stayed at the other end of the pitch for a while, and a butterfly landed on the net. All of a sudden I became a ferocious were-spider who decided to give the butterfly a reprieve. So I climbed up in the net to shoo it away when I heard my dad yell, “Clawdia, turn around!” A ghoul was on a breakaway, and the only thing between her and me was open pitch and the ball. I tried to turn, and my spikes caught in the net, so I just closed my eyes and leaped toward the front of the goal. Somehow the ball ended up in my claws, and I kept the ghoul from scoring. It was my one and only athletic achievement, so I retired with my legacy in check and got a good story out of it, which, I’m sure, will end up in one of my screamplays some day. 

September 8th

I was sitting in the lecture hall today not really paying attention like I should have been, partly because I was working on a not-for-that-class writing assignment and partly, okay, mostly, because symbolism in ghost-modern, neo-realist goblin cinema is only slightly less painful than rolling in flea-infested wolf’s bane. Honestly, I have no idea what a goblin miner wearing a red hat and pushing an empty ore cart says about the state of modern goblin-kobold relations. I’m sure it is profound and important, but well... it doesn’t matter. What did matter, howere, was that the professor asked a question that he wanted all of us to answer, and I didn’t hear the question. I could have asked him to repeat the question, of course, but then I would have had to acknowledge that I had not been paying attention, and since this particular professor hates that, I knew I was going to have to wing it on the answer. Which made me nervous, which made me look for something to chew on, which meant I wasn’t listening to the other answers, which meant I didn’t have a clue when he got to me. So when he said, “Ms. Wolf?” I said I didn’t think I could add anything to the discussion that had not been more profoundly stated in the answers my classmates had already given. This caused the rest of the class to burst out laughing, to which the professor said, “While I appreciate your humility, your answer leaves us no closer to knowing how many siblings you have.” I was mortalfied, but even more so when he said, “Please do try and pay better attention going forward.” Unlive and learn, Clawdia, unlive and learn. 

September 15th

I’ve been using my iCoffin tablet to do some of my writing lately, and I really like it. I mean, I like the tablet. It’s great for doing video chats, and there are some really cool Londoom based apps that have helped me find my way around the city better. As for the writing part, I still prefer my chewed pen and leghoul pad. It may be old-fashioned, but there’s something about a blank sheet of paper that’s less intimidating than a blank scream with a blinking cursor.

October 1st

The only thing that’s coming down faster than the temperature in Londoom right now is the rain. I’m not sure what the real temp is, but you know it’s cold when a werewolf has to put on her fuzzy wool socks... brrr... fortunately, dad did a good job preparing me for this climate by never allowing to turn the thermostat up past the “I can see my breath” mark during the winter. We would say, “Dad, the house is freezing!” to which he would always reply, “You can either have heat or you can eat.” Followed quickly by, “We’re werewolves, for ghoul’s sake, put on a sweater if you’re cold.” Then we’d all look at mom, who would just shrug her soldiers. It was one of the only things she couldn’t change his mind about. So we’d all just sit snuggled together on the couch watching bad TV, complaining about Howleen’s sharp, unclipped paw nails and making promises about what we’d do when we all moved out and got our own places. I distinctly remember saying that I would turn up the heat so high that it would make Gloom Beach seem like a Yeti cave. So the first time it got cold here, I did just that, and it was every bit as amazing as I imagined it would be, until I got my first heating bill. Let’s just say that grocery shopping for the next few weeks gave me a completely different perspective on dad’s old saying. I’m pretty confident that saltines and marmite will never darken the shelves of my cupboard again after having that formerly tasty combination as my only breakfast and lunch option for a fortnight. I’m really missing being able to snuggle up on the couch with my pack of siblings, and I wouldn’t even complain about Howleen’s uncut paw nails... well, maybe not a lot.  

October 6th

I had a great video chat with the fam tonight, and they could not stop talking about Draculaura being chosen as queen of the vampires. They were in complete shock, and I have to admit it was quite a surprise to me as well. The vampires haven’t had a queen since the last chosen one, a young vampire ghoul named Elissabat, disappeared some 400 years ago. What is really curious about this, as if Draculaura being chosen as the new queen right out of the boo wasn’t curious enough, is that Clawdeen told me Draculaura’s choice was confirmed by the Vampire’s Heart. I have actually been doing quite a bit of research on the heart, which is really just a massive jewel with magical properties, for a screamplay I wanted to write about the mystery of the missing queen. There are many scholars that believe the jewel disappeared at the same time the ghoul who would be queen did; so either the scholars are incorrect, or there is more here than meets the eye. I didn’t want to be the one to rain on the funeral though, until I had a little more proof, especially with Clawdeen being so excited about attending the coronation. I did notice that Clawd wasn’t in the room with everyone else, and I’m wondering how he is dealing with this news. 

October 7th

Clawdeen has sent me at least 30 texts and emails since last night detailing the fashions she’s thinking about taking to the coronation. I can see her now running around the room with absolutely every piece of clothing she owns spread out so she can mix and match fashions. She’s probably also been through Draculaura’s closet several times as well. I love her so much and I wish I could be there to make her laugh when she starts getting too serious. She’s so beautiful, though, that whatever she chooses will probably steal the show. I finally got an IM from Clawd asking if we could talk. This wasn’t unusual, since Clawd prefers one-on-one conversation to fighting for face time in a group. When he popped up on the screen he looked terrible, almost like he’d been crying, although it might have just been bad lighting. As usual, Clawd didn’t want to talk about himself and instead wanted to know every little thing I was doing. I finally had to say, “Stop howling around the moon and talk to me, little brother.” So he did. He told me that he didn’t trust the Lord Stoker character that showed up with the Vampire’s Heart claiming it led him to Draculaura. What’s more, neither did Draculaura. They both thought Draculaura would be miserable being queen, but that she would feel honor and duty bound to take the throne. Even so he was trying to be as supportive as possible and went on for a few more minutes about things that were worrying him. When he stopped I said, “You really love her, don’t you?” He looked down for a moment and swallowed hard, “She’s my best friend, sis, and I’m about to lose her forever.” Now it was my turn to swallow hard, and then he made an excuse about having to leave for practice and said a hasty goodbye. I’m going to do some more digging into this, because something doesn’t pass the smell test here, and a Wolf’s nose is always right. 

[shelikesloki]

Getting To Know You | Prequel - (Loki x Fem!Reader)

Pairing: Loki x Fem!Reader

Warnings: none

Summary: Maybe you're too curious for your own good, too gullible. Maybe you should have listened to your dad when he told you not to talk to Thor's brother. But maybe he really wasn't the monster everyone thought he was.

Notes: This is the prequel to my first series. In this part you’ll get to know everything a little. I really hope you like it!

Series Masterlist

You frantically massaged your temple while sighing loudly. "Friday? can you help me look up ways to cheat without telling my dad?" You smugly asked the AI system. Economics wasn't your strongest subject, but you had a test coming up, and studying alone didn't seem to cut it this time around. "I'm afraid I would have to report this to your parents. But I am sure that you were only joking." Friday sardonically answered. Even though the lady only consisted of a voice, you could almost hear her smirk.

After soundlessly sighing, you pinched the bridge of your nose. "I swear this is torture. This is totally meaningless knowledge. This stuff will knock the creativity right out of you. Why would you need to know business strategies by heart? Would be better to make up your own, to stand out. Dad would agree, he knows." You frustratedly complained, knowing that your mom had popped in. She probably wanted to tell you that she was about to leave for her business trip.

"I know that you despise this class, honey. But you only have to make it through this year, after that you're done!" She came up to where you were sitting at your desk and compassionately patted your shoulder. You graced her with a half-hearted smile before standing up. "Did you say goodbye to Morgan yet? Oh, and did you tell dad that he's not supposed to bother me while I cook?" Your mom knowingly grinned at your apprehension. Your dad had a habit of stressing you out while you were cooking. Even though he had no idea how to work a kitchen, he really liked telling you what to do.

"I'll go and say bye to Morgan in a minute, and yes, I told him not to step foot in the kitchen. But I do think that he'll take you guys out to dinner today." You grinned and hugged her. "We're gonna miss you!" "I'm gonna miss you guys too!" She gave you a brief kiss on the cheek and left your room with a feeble wave.

You were used to this. Your parents had to travel a lot for work. But it wasn't too terrible, after all, there was always someone home. Some of the Avengers were living with you in the tower, they all had separate spaces, but you would always find someone in the building's common areas. Natasha, Steve, Wanda, Bruce and Bucky are almost part of your family. But never being alone can be a significant disadvantage too. You were never able to host parties or bring anyone home without any snarky commentary. That's one of the reasons why you didn' have many friends, and it's why you never had a proper boyfriend. Being Tony Stark's daughter only made things worse, people seemed to judge you really hard on that matter. But you honestly didn't mind being single, guys your age were too immature for you anyways.

"Shouldn't you still be studying?" Your thoughts were suddenly interrupted. "Nat, what's up?" You asked while walking over to your closet to pick something out for you to wear. She let out a faint snort and stepped inside to look over your shoulder. "Pepper just left, so Tony wanted me to ask you if you were ready to go out to dinner. " Natasha stated and picked out a pastel green dress. You nodded, took the dress from her, and let her know that you'd need 15 minutes to get ready. "I'll tell him... Oh, and I also wanted to know if you were down for a workout tomorrow afternoon? Around three?" She asked while you were picking out shoes. "Yeah sure, sounds great, but ... go easy on me this time, okay? I'm still sore from yesterday's cardio workout." After some chit chat, Natasha left, and you got ready. When you were done, you went down the hall to help your little sister Morgan.

You really loved Morgan. She was an inquisitive, smart and funny little child. Of course, she was a bit annoying sometimes. You were 12 years older than her after all. But you really enjoyed spending time with her. You loved braiding her beautiful hair, playing with her barbie dolls and toy cars together. Your favorite thing was telling her great stories you made up and teaching her new things, that's when her eyes would light up.

"Hey, Morgan! What are you doing?" You went to sit on her bed and watched her play with some stuffed animals. "Are we finally going to go eat? I'm starving!" She dropped her toys and got up. "That's right! We just have to get you dressed. What would you like to wear? Maybe the new jumpsuit mom got for you?"

After a while, you finally sat at your table in the restaurant. "How's school?" Your dad asked you while looking at the menu. "Boring. How's Iron Man?" You replied, peeking over your own menu to look at him. "The new suit? It's coming along nicely... You're still not getting your own though." He glimpsed at you and shot you a smug smile. "Can I get one papa?" Morgan excitedly asked. "Nope, no one's getting a suit! You're both too young for all of this." He declared, trying to bring this topic to a close. "Well, Peter got his own suit and he's younger than me." You protested. Tony choose to ignore that and instead ordered his food. You just rolled your eyes and did the same. You've had this conversation a million times already. Your dad didn't want to involve you too much into his world.

"Are you home tomorrow afternoon?" Your dad asked you on your drive home. Morgan was already asleep in the backseat. "Yeah, why?" You asked him. He hesitated for a moment. "Thor's brother will arrive tomorrow... He's going to stay in the tower. To be honest, I'm not very happy with that arrangement. But it's the only place where I can keep an eye on him... He's supposed to redeem himself or whatever. So this Odin guy thought it would be a good idea to put him back on earth. Yeah, so you both have to stay in your rooms, I don't want you anywhere near this guy! Am I clear?" He took his eyes off the road for a second to give you a firm look. "Yes!" You answered. Your thoughts drifted off. Loki... The guy who destroyed New York. You only saw him on the news. Why would someone do this? Thor was always very defending of his brother. He had told you stories of his childhood and of Loki's magic. From what Thor told you, Loki seemed... almost, nice? So why would he do such horrible things? You couldn't stop thinking about it. So you made a decision, you would find out what he was really like.

[ Part 1 ]

[sebastianshaw]

RP Meme from The Lost Boys

I told you to stay off the boardwalk.

Hey, I liked that song.

I don't see any boogeymen or nasty guys.

Wait. That's from my era!

That's the ocean air.

Smells like someone died.

Looks like he's dead. No, he's just a deep sleeper.

If he's dead, can we go back to [PLACE]?

What's wrong with this picture? There's no TV. Have you seen a TV? I haven't seen a TV.

You're the only woman I ever knew who didn't improve her situation by getting divorced.

A big legal war wasn't going to improve anybody's situation.

Ouch. My hair.

Talk about the Texas Chainsaw Massacre.

We've got some rules around here. Second shelf is

mine. That's where I keep my root beers and my double-thick Oreo cookies. Nobody touches the second shelf but me.

There's another rule around here, and I want you to pay

close attention. Don't touch anything. Everything is exactly where I want it.

There are some bad elements around here.

You're telling me we've moved to the murder capital of the world?

If all the corpses buried around here were to stand up all at once we'd have one hell of a population problem.

I just like to read the TV Guide. Read the TV Guide, you don't need a TV.

I was so worried. Don't run off like that.

We were that age, too, once. Only they dress better.

You have a generous nature. I like that in a person.

So how may I help you this evening? We have it all.

I look that needy, huh?

You're chasing that girl, aren't you?

I'm at the mercy of your sex glands.

Don't you have something better to do than follow me around all night?

Just scoping your civilian wardrobe.

Listen buddy, if you're looking for the diet frozen-yogurt bar, it went out of business last summer.

That's a very serious book, man.

Only five in existence.

Where the hell are you from? Krypton?

Nobody drives this baby but me.

We have to let it warm up a little. Hear that sound? Just like a baby pussycat.

That's as close to town as I like to get.

It's a pretty cool place. If you're a Martian. Or a vampire.

Are you guys sniffing old newsprint or something?

You think you really know what's happening here, don't you? Well, I'll tell you something. You don't know shit buddy.

This is just our cover. We are dedicated to a higher

purpose. We're fighters for Truth Justice, and the American

way.

Think of it more as a survival manual.

There's our number on the back and pray you never need to call us.

I'll pray I never need to call you.

If you want your ear pierced, I'll do it.

I came this close to being called Moon Beam or Moon Child Or something like that.

I can't beat your bike.

You don't have to beat me, [NAME]. You just have to try

and keep up.

Just you! Come on! Just you!

That's what I love about this place. You ask, and then you get.

I can never sleep with the closet door open, either. Not even a crack.

Don't sneak up on people like that!

What, you don't like rice? Tell me [NAME], how could a

billion Chinese people be wrong? Come on!

You're eating maggots. How do they taste?

Sorry about that. No hard feelings, huh?

Drink some of this, [NAME]. Be one of us.

Give me those sunglasses.

You need sunglasses to talk on the phone?

Are you freebasing? Inquiring minds want to know.

Anything in here that might pass for after-shave?

Have a big date tonight, [NAME]?

Lose the earring, [NAME]. It's not you. It's definitely

not you.

All you do is give attitude lately.

Go take your bath.

What did you do to my dog, asshole?

I didn't hurt him. He bit me. This is my blood.

Why did he bite you, huh? What did you do to him?

He was protecting you.

Look at your reflection in the mirror. You're a creature of

the night, [NAME]. Just like out of a comic book.

My own brother/sister/friend/etc, a goddam shit-sucking vampire.

You wait 'til[NAME] finds out!

Just let me talk. Wait a minute! [NAME]!

You did the right thing by calling us.

Does the sunlight freak him out?

He wears sunglasses in the house.

He always had bad breath, though.

He's a vampire all right. Here's what you do.

I can't do that! He's my brother/sister/mother/friend/etc!

You better get yourself a garlic T-shirt, buddy. Or it's

your funeral.

I think we have to have a real long talk about something.

[NAME] help! He's coming to get me!

[NAME], help me! Open up! Help me! [NAME], open the window!

So what are you, the flying nun?

We're gonna work this out. We*re gonna work this out. Trust

me, okay?

I thought I saw something on my window, but I guess I got carried away.

I would like to have a personal life too.

Can I sleep in here with you tonight?

You smell like garlic.

What's happening to me, [NAME]?

I don't know how to help you.

Aren't we friends anymore?

Then let's act like friends. Let's talk.

We could talk about anything you want to talk about.

I have more serious things on my mind than girls and school. Things I'm dealing with.

Looks like I wasn't the only one who got lucky last night.

The dog chased my mom like the Hounds of Hell from Vampires

Everywhere.

We've been aware of some very serious vampire activity in

town for a long time.

[PLACE] has become a haven for the undead.

As a matter of fact, we're almost certain that ghouls and

werewolves occupy high position at City Hall.

Kill your brother/sister/boyfriend/aunt/best friend/etc, you'll feel better!

Look, it says here that if you kill the head vampire all half-vampires will return to normal.

Does he know who the head vampire is?

You'll have to kill him. And if you don't, we will.

Vampire require a daytime protector, a guardian to watch

over them as they sleep. Fierce dogs, the Hounds of Hell,

are often employed for this purpose.

Truth, Justice, The American way triumphs.

Smells good. When do we eat?

Are we gonna have company again?

Well, you are the man of the house and I'm not coming in until you invite me.

He promises to behave if you come back.

I didn't know you were having guests.

Our batting average isn't terrific, is it? Zero for two.

You're so sweet to him.

I don't know what got in to him. He's not like that.

If you ever want to see [NAME] again, you better come with

us now.

Initiation's over, [NAME]. Time to join the club.

Don't kill me, [NAME]. I'm basically a good kid, so just

don't kill me.

Just work with me and I can help you. You'll be okay.

Is she one of them?

You shut the window and lock your door.

She's one of them! And don't tell me it doesn't make her a

bad person, [NAME]!

Yes, and it's my fault. You would've not met me, if I

hadn't liked you. I tried to warn you.

You drank someone's blood? Are you crazy?

We're not them.

Why didn't you kill me last night?

You're supposed to be my first.

What are you doing here? What do you want from me?

Don't kill anybody until we get back to you!

I got connections.

The night crawler. The bloodsucker. El Vampiro.

I don't want you going down there.

Look, this isn't a comic book, [NAME]. These guys are

brutal killers.

Who'd you rather go down in with you? Them or me?

If something happens down there, I won't have the strength

to protect you.

This time I'll protect you.

Even though you're a vampire, you're still my brother/sister/friend/etc

If you try to stop us, or vamp out in any way, I'll stake

you without even thinking twice about it!

Where did you say you met these guys?

Don't you touch her. Stay away from her.

Flies and the undead go together like bullets and guns.

There must be coffins here someplace.

I thought they'd be in coffins.

That's what this cave is. It's one giant coffin.

Right now they're at their most vulnerable. Easy pickings.

Remember. You just have to kill the leader.

We don't know which one he is.

I guess we'll just have to kill them all.

What's that, a little vampire humor? It wasn't funny.

Good night, bloodsucker.

We blew it, man! We lost it!

We unraveled in the face of the enemy!

They pulled a mind-scramble on us!

We don't ride with vampires.

"Burn rubber" does not mean warp speed!

Your dog knows a flesh-eater when he smells one.

The sun goes down. They'll be looking for us.

[PLACE] is crawling with vampires

They're coming to the house as soon as it gets dark!

I'm gonna see [NAME] tonight, and you're trying to ruin it for me.

I don't know what you don't want me to see.

I'm not talking about [NAME]! To hell with [NAME]!

Good. That's just the way we like it.

We've got a date tonight?

They'll be coming for all of us.

It's just old memories coming back.

Why are you so jumpy tonight?

He seemed so sincere, but it's insane.

Tell me. I promise not to laugh. Honest.

I think I should warn you all when a vampire dies, it's never a pretty sight.

Some yell and scream. Some go quietly. Some explode. Some implode. But all will try to take you with them.

Don't go out there! Stop him!

I say we terminate them right now.

You're mine. You killed [NAME]

Try the holy water, dead breath!

I nailed one of them downstairs with a bow and arrow.

We trashed the one that looked like Twisted Sister.

We totally annihilated his night stalkin' ass!

Death to all vampires!

We are awesome monster bashers!

Holy shit! The attack of Eddie Monster!

Stop! Get away from him! Just stay away from him! He's just

a little boy.

You're afraid to face me, [NAME]?

I tried to make you immortal.

You tried to make me a killer!

Stop fighting me, [NAME]. I don't want to kill you. Join us.

It is too late, my blood is in your veins.

Don't let them see me like this.

What happened to your face?

I knew it. You are the head vampire.

You're the secret [NAME] was protecting.

Don't ever invite a vampire into your house, you silly boy/girl/etc.

It renders you powerless.

Has everyone gone crazy? What's the matter with all of you?

It was you I was after, all along, [NAME]

It was all going to be so perfect, [NAME]

Just like one big happy family.

Great. The bloodsucking Brady Bunch.

I still want you, [NAME]. I haven't changed my mind about that.

I didn't invite you this time, [NAME]

Don't you touch my mother/father/son/dog/etc

Don't fight, [NAME]. It's so much better if you don't fight.

How much do you think we should charge them for this?

One thing about living in [PLACE] I never could

stomach--all the damn vampires.

[vendettacanons]

Gladiolus for Mike

⚔️ Botanical Asks // CLOSED ⚔️

gladiolus :   describe a moment from your muse’s life that they will never forget .

// I can never remember if I’ve describe this in detail but Mike’s most unforgettable memory is the day his parents were taken from him.

// He was only around 5 at the time. He remembers they’d just finished eating dinner and he was in the kitchen baking cookies with his mother. He was laughing and rolling out the dough with his little hands while his mother pulled out the cookie cutters. She guided his little hands to make shapes in the dough. He remembers they had just put the cookies in to bake when they heard a knock at the door. His mother picked him up and his father got up from the seat all grumbly while she peered out through the closed blinds of the kitchen window.

// He remembers vividly the sound of knocking becoming banging on the front door, so strong that the already weak lights of the kitchen flickered. He remembers someone yelling out his father’s name and how his mother was holding him and froze up at the sound. She told him to be quiet and ran to his room looking for a place to hide him. He was already scared and starting to cry and she told him to go hide in the closet. He didn’t want to but she urged him so he did. He had the door cracked open. She left bedroom door open and he had a clear view straight down and into the living room right where the door was. He saw her go down the hall and duck left into the kitchen.

// He saw the front door get kicked down and saw three men come in. One of them grabbed his father and pushed him down. He didn’t have a clear view since he was half behind a wall at that point but he could tell they were beating him up. He heard one yell and look over towards the kitchen, and he heard his mother scream back. She came out with a knife and he remembered the way he grabbed her arm and threw her against the wall. He remembers vividly how the sight made his blood boil and he ran out screaming “don’t touch my mommy!” and beating his little fists against the man’s leg. The man went to grab him and he remembers biting down on the man’s hand so hard his little teeth slipped between some of the bones of his hand. He remembers getting popped on the noggin and kicked back. His mother yelled at him to run while one of the other men had her arms and was dragging her back out the front door. He got so scared that he did run. He ran all the way back to his room, he slammed and locked the door, and hid in the closet.

// He remembers peeking through the shutters in his closet and seeing the man kick his door down and start ripping apart his room. He pulled the covers off his bed, flipped the frame over, broke all of his toys, broke the window from how hard he threw it open to see if he’d jumped out of it, ripped the curtains off their rods to see if he was behind them. He remembers the man coming right for the closet, how he held his hands over his mouth while tears rolled down his face to stop himself from whimpering and giving himself away, when he heard a siren in the distance. The other men yelled for the one looking for him and he ran out of his room.

// He remembers sitting there, stock still and silent for the longest time. He remembers the smell of smoke and the red and blue light on his wall and the cool draft in his room. He remembered people calling out as they came in and looked around. Cursing from the kitchen and the sight of people in uniforms coming into his room and saying what a mess it was. He remembers finally whimpering when a firefighter opened the closet door and found him there. He remembers how he burst into tears and hugged him, clinging to his warm outfit. He remembers the man carrying him outside to talk to the police about what happened. He remembers calling out for his mother to tell her it was safe now and to come hold him because he was scared. He remembers that she didn’t show up and he cried when someone told him she wasn’t there. He remembers tearfully trying to tell the police what happened and asking where his mother was. He remembers them promising they would find her. He remembers asking them if he could go back inside to get the cookies they’d been making. He remembers them telling him not right now but he’d be able to have them later.

// He remembers sitting there on his doorstep, sniveling and trying to calm himself when his sister showed up. He remembered his sister asking what was going on, and when the cops told her she stomped right up to him. He remembers her telling him it was his fault; that if he had never been born that she’d still have a family. The their father would be normal. That their mother would be happy. That she’s have friends. That no one would pick on her for having such a weird, stupid little brother. He remembers how she blamed him for everything and told him how she wished they’d just taken him instead. He remembers shaking and crying and feeling so ashamed. He remembers feeling like she was right. He remembers that being the moment when he realized he really wasn’t a normal child like everyone else. That he could have and should have done more to protect his family, but he didn’t, and now it was his fault they were gone. He remembers how, as they adults pulled her away from him, she yelled how she hoped she never saw him again and that she had no sibling and no parents.

// He remembers that he slept at the police station that night. He didn’t get any visitors. None of his family came to visit or help him. He remembers the only visitor he got that night was from the kind firefighter who found him. He gave Mike a little plastic container and when he opened it, it was the cookies his mother and him had been making. He’d gone back and retrieved them after clearing it with the crime scene investigators. Mike remembers the man hugging him as he tearfully held the half-burned bits of his mother’s very last gift to him. He cried as he ate them, begging her to come back and share them with him. He remembers he was hungry so he ate most of them, but he still saved her one for when she came back.

// He remembers that she didn’t come back. She never came back.

// Mike remembers from time to time that he still has that cookie from that night. It’s long gone stale now from the years it’s been inside that container but the airtight seal has kept any mold or bugs away from it. He keeps it in a lockbox with the first missing persons’ poster they printed for his mother. It’s old and worn and faded now, but he still keeps it. It’s the last photo he truly has of his mother. And that cookie is the last thing. He remembers the house was repossessed, resold, and cleared out years before he ever got a chance to take anything from it, including any photos or heirlooms of hers.

// Mike doesn’t remember too much of his life after that and he tries not to remember either. All the things that happened in the years following his parents’ disappearance was excruciating and he doesn’t like thinking about it too much, but he can never forget how alone he was through it all. He remembers realizing even as a child that he was small and vulnerable and that he shouldn’t have had to endure the things he did. He remembers thinking that it didn’t kill him, and it didn’t make him stronger.

// Now he knows it just made him into a monster.

[sincerlypadfoot]

Comfort And Death (6)(Part 1)

~After the death of Regulus Black, you take confinement in Sirius who cared for you like a sister after Reguas died, becoming each other's person, you stay at the black house, after having a hard time griefing one night, you go to the place Regulas died.

A/N- So I decided, the next couple chapters will be long because they have meaning and a turn around for the whole story, so chapter six and chapter seven will both be split up into two parts. Im super excited to be writing this.

Word Count-1875

Send Requests Here

                                       December 24th 1994

“We’re going to be late aunt Stella,” Harry mumbled walking into my room shaking his head, waking me up in the progress.

“Late for what?” I asked unamoused and still tired, only going to sleep a hour before Harry had walked into my room, fourteen and still not knowing how to knock.

“The Weasleys are coming over for christmas don’t you remember, and Hermione too and a bunch of my other friends, they’ll be here anytime and everyone in this house is still asleep,”

“Cricket don’t panic,” I croaked remember how Remus had thought it was a good idea inviting Harry's friends over for christmas. “Sirius and Remus planned this, go bug them and I promise i’ll be ready when you come back,”

Harry walked out of my room, watching him the passed couple years growing up almost made me feel old, smiling at all his achievement, dumb pranks and detention he’s gotten himself into, and the trouble he had caused, expressly Remus and Sirius last year, pulling a whole prank on the school, almost sending the two of them to Azkaban.

I used my wand, bringing out some clothes from my closet, letting the magic pick as my clothes followed me into the bathroom across the hall. 

“I’m answering the door, someone's here!” Harry called out, I smiled knowing it was the Granger girl, she was always the first one here to any party Harry had suggested we host.

I quickly slipping on a nice apparently green dress, almost tearing up but stopping as I looked at myself in the mirror. I used my wand to put my hair up in a bun neatly, I opened a little box that sat in the corner of my section of my sink, pulling out a silver flat ring and slipping it onto my finger.

“You know i’d think Harry gets this from Lily,” Sirius croaked walking into the bathroom, only wearing boxers. “It’s nearly twelve and people are already showing up, he totally gets this from Lily,” I let out a low laugh looking at Sirius.

“Put some clothes on you monster, we have guests,” I crooked still half asleep, walking passed Sirius and out of the bathroom taking my gaze down the stairs where Harry stood talking to Hermione and a ginger boy filled with freckles top to bottom. Ron Weasley.

I waved my wand in the air, turning the lights on his the house, the red and green christmas lights turned on and decorations came to life.

“This is a lovely house Miss Black,” Hermione said watching me as I walked down the stairs, looking at the three kids.

“You can call me Stella Hermione,” I chuckled taking a glance around the room. “Come on, I’ll make you something to eat,”

“My mums already in the kitchen, my brothers and sister are around her somewhere,” Ron said shrugging his shoulders looking at me, taller than Harry and I both.

“Harry, why don’t you and your friends great the rest of your guests then gather everyone in the living room, i’ll help Ron's mother in the kitchen,” I gave Harry a pat on the back then walked passed towards the kitchen where I could already smell Mollys cooking.

“Hello dear,” Molly was turned around mixing something in a pot, she had enchanted our whole kitchen into making a feast.

“Hello Molly,” I said with a smile walking towards her, her spoon kept spinning as she let go and brought me into a hug. “How are you doing?” She whispered in my ear.

“Good, I feel old, Harry's already fourteen, Sirius and Remus I think are planning to get married, but you can’t tell anyone I told you,” I let out a low laugh letting go of Molly.

“Your telling me you feel old,” Molly laughed shaking her head. “My oldest is working at Gringotts and my other is fighting Dragons, i’m surprised my hair is still red,” 

“Good morning,” Remus cheerfully said walking into the kitchen. “Molly this smells delicious,” 

“There are so many people here,” Sirius cried out walking into the kitchen. “I didn’t know how many friends Harry’s gotten, but he’s got more then I thought,” a chair was pulled out and Sirius sat on the table, ignoring the chair.

“We’ve got more than enough room for a whole village Sirius,” I chuckled tapping his shoulder and walking out, I looked at Harry who was standing around in the living room, a bunch of teenagers sat in our living room.

“Cricket, come here,” I whispered aiming my head for the door and walking into the hallway. Harry followed me out. “Are you having fun?” 

“Yeha yeah I am auntie Stella,” Harry said smiling from ear to ear. “Come on, I wanna introduce you to all my friends,” Harry grabbed my hand and dragged my bag in the living room, I was shocked but smiled gratefully.

“This is my Aunt Stella everyone,” Harry introduce at we walked into the room, I gave a shy smile to the pile of teenagers that looked over at me. 

“Hello Stella!” The twins called out raising the hands, I let out a small laugh looking around the room.

“Aunt Stella, this is Cedric Diggory, Dean Thomas and Neville Longbottom,” Harry said pointing around the room at the three boys who sat together on the couch.

“Longbottom eh?” I asked walking over to the nervous boy who looked at me as I just smiled. “Nice to meet you,” I put out my hand, shaking Nevilles then Deans then Cedrics. “Dinner is cooking by Molly, enjoy yourselves and make yourselves at home, there are more then enough rooms for whoever will be staying for the night,”

“And,” Sirius said standing at the door, I looked at him who had a smirk on his face. “Not like we have a whole firewhisky stash hidden for when Molly goes to sleep,” Sirius whispered making the twins laugh.

“Sirius,” I tapped walking towards him and shaking my head. “He’s telling the truth,” I said to the kids then pushing Sirius out of the living room.

“I’m sure they could have a few drinks, their parents obviously let them stay over, i’m sure that's enough of a confirmation,” Sirius joked shaking his head.

“Make sure the house doesn’t burn down, I have some things to do,” I said to Sirius walking away up the stairs.

“The ring,” Sirius said stopping me. “I get it,” 

I looked down at my finger, looking at my ring. “We were gonna get married I hope you know, when the war was over we were going to get married, I found it under my bed with a note,” I paused holding my tears back. “He knew what he was getting himself into Sirius,”

“Hey Uncle Sirius, Aunt Stella, I was wondering if we could watch some telly,” Harry asked walking into the hallway, I walked up the rest of the stairs, tears finally fell down my face as I passed my room, walking to the end of the hall and closing myself into a empty room.

The room Sirius and I enchanted to be soundproof. I let out a scream and fell to the ground, leaning against the door and holding the ring in my hand.

“Why did you do this Regulas,” I whispered looking down at the ring that laid in my palm. “You planned a whole future then left me!” I screamed tossing the ring across the room in anger.

“Fuck,” I choked out grabbing onto the door to help myself up, walking to where I tossed the ring in angry, picking it up.

“Are you okay Aunt Stella?” Harry asked behind me. I whipped my tears away quickly and turned around with a fake smile on my face. “You usual don’t come in here when your happy,”

“I’m fine cricket,” my voice choked up as I walked over towards him. “Just having a hard time with something right now,” I placed the ring back on my finger. “Why aren’t you downstairs with your friends, I thought you were watching telly?” I asked pushing my problems back and pushing Harry in my head forward.

“I wanted to come check up on you, were you married?” Harry asked looking down at my finger. 

“We were gonna get married, Regulas and I, but Harry I think you should go downstairs, you have guests,”

“Not without you aunt Stella,” Harry said grabbing my hand, I smiled letting out a low laugh.

“Okay,” The both of us walked downstairs, Harry letting go of my hand as we walked out of the room and downstairs, Sirius not in the hallway anymore. 

“Are you sure your okay?” Harry asked before we walked into the living room. “I know your my aunt and you should be telling me this but we can talk about stuff,”

I laughed at Harry's cheekiness. “Another night Harry dear,” I paused hearing a faint noise, the familiar noise of Sirius shouted. “I’m gonna kill your uncle,” I mumbled opening the living room, looking at Sirius who had the twins on the floor as he poured to bottles of firewhisky into each other the mouths well Ron and Ginny were keeping look out.

I closed the door and looked back at Harry who had a big smile on his face. 

“Guess someone's gotta go make sure your uncle doesn’t give anyone alcohol poisons before dinner,” I let out a belly laugh, Harry and I walked into the room and Sirius looked at us, finishing the bottle.

“Hello,” Sirius said dropping the bottles on the ground and looking at harry and I with a smile, the twins stood up without a double whipping their mouths with the firewhiskey.

“It’s not even dinner Sirius,” I laughed grabbing the bottles of empty firewhisky that laid on the ground. “The rules were after supper,”

“What fun are rules if they aren’t meant to be broken,” One of the twins winking at me, sitting down on the couch, Cedric, Dean, Neville, Hermione and now Ron and Ginny were all sat down on the couch watching telly. Harry joined them and I sat down beside Sirius, who had a flask his his hand, oddly, passing it back and forth from the twins.

“You want some?” Fred asked pushing the flask towards me, I looked around the room, then took the flask from Fred. “So hotstuff, how are you?” 

I rolled my eyes looking at Sirius who just bursted out laughing, taking the flask away from me.

“You are not my type Fred Weasley,” I laughed making Sirius laugh even more. “Besides, I haven’t dated anyone in almost nineteen years, I don’t plan on starting with a sixteen year old,”

“Nineteen years,” George pipped up behind him. “Not one man has caught your eye in those nineteen years?”

“Who wants some food,” Remus asked poking his head out of the of the kitchen, immediately getting the smell of fire whisky. “Sirius. Stella, we agreed to wait tell after supper,”

“Sorry,” I put my hand up in the air catching his attention. “It was my idea, got a little two recluse,”

“Well come on, dinners ready, you four take a breath mint and sober up in two seconds,” Remus signaled the kids to walk into the kitchen and the four of us sat on the couch longer.

“Thanks,” Sirius said putting his hand on my shoulder reaching into his pocket, pulling out four tiny breath mints. “I always got them in my pocket for these emergencies,”

[copias-thrall]

Nothing nsfw, but how would Papa III be with a shy&adorable (but becomes more open and goofy after knowing someone better) type of female s/o? I know papa wouldn’t mind someone outgoing, but I’ve always felt that he would have a soft spot for the shy introverts and actually be drawn to them as well.

Hullo, sweet anon! You want fluff, you got it ( -_·)σσ

He would absolutely turn into that dumbass boy on the playground hanging upside down by his legs from the monkey bars to get his crush to notice him. And of course said crush WOULDN’T EVEN BE LOOKING AT HIM.

He’d noticed you around the Abbey—he knows all the attractive Siblings, but what made him really see you was watching you carry on with your friends. You were so reserved and stoic during mass, keeping your head down as you walked down the hallways—but put you in a group of your crew and suddenly you’d have this … spark.

At first it wasn’t even an effort to get into your habit—he’d just wanted to be the one to crack that layer of frost you radiate. He went about it all wrong, of course—he’s used to seducing Siblings who want to play and those who realize what he’s doing. You were just confused when he shored up with you as you had walked down another long hall in the Abbey. He’d waited for you to say something, but you’d just kept waiting for him to pass you.

“Come here often?” he’d tried finally.

Your head had snapped to him before you’d quickly lowered your eyes from his mismatched gaze.

“Um, me?” you’d squeaked.

The hall was practically empty.

“No, the Unholy Ghost.”

You’d wondered if you were that invisible that he’d never noticed you before.

“I mean, I live here? Your Unholiness,” you added.

His ghast had been so flabbered that he’d actually walked into a pillar. You’d felt such fremdschämen that you’d hurried on, hoping any ire he felt wouldn’t be transferred onto you.

Two days later he’d come out of nowhere to sit next to you in the quad—straddling the stone bench—making the Siblings around you immediately going quiet.

“Did it hurt when you fell?” he’d quipped.

You’d squinted at him, flustered and confused. “But … you’re the one that walked into that pillar?” 

You hadn’t even meant to be funny, but your friends had covered their mouths to stifle their laughter as Papa III gaped at you.

“I … um … I,” he’d stammered, his hand going to the unsubtle egg on his head. “Rude.”

You face had flushed, and you’d managed to squeak out an apology before making a hasty exit. Thoroughly embarrassed, you’d skipped mass the next day, only to be informed that he’d asked after you.

“I think he likes you,” one friend had said.

“Likes me? He only just noticed me 2 days ago.”

“—sitting in a tree,” another had singsonged. “F-U-C-K-I-N-G!”

“Shut your face!” you’d shrieked, shoving them in the face to shut them up.

None of you noticed Papa III out of his vestments looking on plaintively.

A few days later, the group of you had been joking around in the mess hall as you ate your lunches when all of a sudden the lights dimmed. Papa III was suddenly illuminated in the corner by a Ghoul with a flashlight. Another Ghoul had pressed play on a boombox he then held up. The opening riffs of “Cirice” had echoed in the mess hall.

The Siblings in the cafeteria had broken into an excited titter.

On cue, Papa III had held up an echo mic and had begun to sing in it.

He had strutted up and down the aisles, occasionally letting his unoccupied hand trail through a row of Siblings’ outstretched hands. When the chorus broke, he had jumped up on a table and pointed around the hall, as everyone had screamed wildly.

He’d jumped down to continue prowling around as he crooned into the toy. Once he’d started stalking the aisle as he crooned Can’t you see that you’re lost without me, the whole crowd thrummed with the anticipation on who’d be the recipient of Papa’s singular attention.

When he’d bent on a knee and thrust his hand in your direction, you’d done the only sensible thing and pushed your friend forward—this moment was all she ever goddamned talked about, and there was no way you wanted to be the focus of the entire congregation. There’d been a flicker of exasperation on his face, but quickly enough he was putting his heart into Ciricing the shit out of your friend.

After that, Papa had sauntered away to misuse another table top, and your friend had leaned over and said, “That was amazing, but you’re the dumbest bitch I’ve ever met.” (You found out much later that after that performance Papa III had been in such a sulk that one of his Ghouls had bitched at him to just be direct with you.) 

For days after that, he’d seemed to be glaring at you every time you caught his eyes. It had put you on edge enough that when he’d showed up at your room, you were sure you were about to be upbraided—perhaps even … kicked out of the Church? But he’d just sighed and smoothed his hair out of he face, his posture stiff.

“Would you like to have dinner with me?”

“Dinner?” you’d echoed.

“Yes, dinner. It’s a meal. You eat during it,” he mimed forking food into his mouth, “and sometimes there’s even conversation.” He opened and closed his hand a few times.

“Now?”

He’d blinked at you.

“It’s 2 o’clock.”

“I dunno. Don’t older people call ‘lunch’ ‘dinner’?”

His eyes had widened, and he’d mimed getting shot in the heart before stumbling backward

“Old people,” he’d sputtered. “Which old people?!”

“My grandma, I guess.”

“And how old is dear grandmama?!”

“Oh, um. Pushing 90?”

“Pushing 90—” He’d leaned forward, hands on hips. “You think Papa is pushing 90, do you?” 

“I, uh—”

“I am very youthful. Vibrant, even.”

“Er …”

He’d straightened his posture, lifting his chin.

“Dinner is at 6 sharp.”

He’d then turned on his heel and marched away.

You’d had the freakouts to end all freakouts then, and your roommate had come home to find you tearing through your closet.

“What’s your major malefaction?!”

“Papa invited me to dinner and ALL THESE HABITS ARE A LITTLE DIFFERENT!”

She’d shaken you by the shoulders. “ALL YOUR HABITS ARE EXACTLY THE SAME, AND WHY WOULD YOU WEAR A HABIT?!” Then she’d picked up your one formal dress from the pile and held it out. “For Lucifer’s sake, wear this!”

“It’s not a date!”

“OF COURSE IT’S A DATE, YOU COW—OMG.”

A Ghoul had shown up at 5 til to escort you. He’d given you a blatant once over, smirking, and you’d flushed. Your roommate had given you a shove and closed the door behind you. You’d been expecting to be led to Papa III’s private quarters, but instead the Ghoul took you to one of the balconies on the second floor.

There had been a table for two set up—one long candle on the table, and a myriad tealights across the balcony railing. Papa had been staring off into the quad, hands locked behind his back above his coattails.

“Your Unholiness,” hissed the Ghoul, and Papa III had turned. “Have fun with your … meal.” He’d given you another lascivious glance.

Papa III had hissed back and shooed him away. “Away with you foul beast.”

The Ghoul had only cackled as he’d slunk away. 

Papa hurried to pull out your chair. “Don’t mind him, he’s still feral—makes him excellent on guitar.”

Once the two of you were seated and Papa had removed the dish covers to reveal a dinner of PB&J’s with the grucifix stamped into them (“I made them myself”) you’d asked him why he’d invited you to dinner.

He’d taken your hand. “I like the cut of your jib.

“Uh …”

“I’d like to know you better. We talk and accomplish this, yes?”

The two of you had ended up talking all night, way after the tealights had burned out. Turned out, once Papa III got you away from big crowds, you were more open to participating in conversation. He’d used his charm and charisma to keep the conversation going—asking you questions about yourself when you’d flounder and cracking jokes to set your nerves at ease.

He’d walked you back to your room that early morning night, merely kissing your hand before taking his leave. But after that the two of you had many more nights of pleasant conversation, and soon enough you’d felt comfortable enough to joke with and tease him like you did your friends.

The real test came when Papa had joined you in the mess hall and he’d made a crack about you being Fort Knox. You’d responded by scooping the frosting off your cupcake and smashing it on his face. It had seemed like the whole hall had held its breath waiting for a Ghoul to drag you off—but he’d just burst out laughing, wiping the frosting off his face and trying to smear on your arm. He’d gotten it in your friend’s hair instead, which is when he’d said Oops and jumped up on the table yelling, “FOOD FIGHT!”

When Sister Imperator burst in demanding to know What the hell, Papa III had pointed at a Ghoul as all the Ghouls pointed at him.

“Seester! What’s that over there?” He’d pointed over her shoulder. She didn’t even flinch to look, but he’d just grabbed your hand and said, “Let’s make a break for it while she’s distracted.”

The two of you had run laughing out of the mess, through the echoing halls, and into a deep alcove. It was there—as he had threaded his fingers through your hair to get the peas out of it and you’d tried to clean the rest of the frosting off his nose—that the two of you had kissed for the first time.

He’s been quite enamored with you since. He’s learned his lesson about making you the focus in a crowd, but in private or amongst your friends, he feels free to turn his full wattage on you. He’s recognized your boundaries and your limits, fully understanding that just because you’ll make goofy monster voices with him in private doesn’t mean you’re comfortable doing so with the eyes of the congregation on you. (Well he doesn’t quite understand why you wouldn’t want to be everyone’s focus, but he respects that you feel that way.)

It’s been a real learning experience for him, but he’s found that he quite likes it—he never has to fight you to be the centre of attention in a battle of personalities and he gets a piece of you very few people get to see (it makes him feel special to have your trust like that).

Unfortunately, as one of his paramours, your days of being an anonymous Sibling are over, but Papa III tries his best to keep you under the radar. It totally goes against his instinct to flaunt you off for everyone to see, but—then again—it creates even more mystery, doesn’t it? (And he’s never been one to shy away from being dramatic.)

[nothingeverlost]

Remus Evans

  Summary:            

When Lily Evans is eight years old her parents (both wizards) take in a child who needs a home.  Remus Lupin's father is dead and his muggle mum has surrendered him, believing that she can't properly take care of a child who is both magical and a werewolf.   Eventually, Remus is adopted and three years later Remus and Lily Evans board the Hogwarts Express together.

  Notes:    

Not a linear story.  Will be jumping around the timeline.  

Lily's family are wizards and Petunia is a squib.  Other than that many things will happen the same, like the Marauders.  But different too, of course.

Eventually, there will be Sirius/Remus and James/Lily.

Probably a sporadic verse, but I couldn’t resist the idea. Open to prompts.

             II

Lily Evans was eight years old when she became a big sister.   True, he was only a month and a half younger and an inch shorter, but that didn’t matter to Lily.  She was ready to embrace being a big sister.  It might not have been as important to her even a few months earlier, but during the summer a letter to Hogwarts had not arrived for her sister, who was eleven.  Petunia hadn’t shown any signs of magic but there had been hope until the September of her eleventh year had come and gone without a letter.  Now Petunia hardly talked to her.  Hardly talked to anyone in the family, and spent as much time at the library or with friends as she was allowed.

“It’s going to take a little while, sweetheart.  Why don’t you go play and I’ll call you when they’re here?”  Lily was sitting cross-legged on the floor not too far from the fireplace in the drawing-room.  It was the floo that her dad would be using when he came home.  He wouldn’t be alone.

“I have a book.”   She touched the book that she hadn’t opened today.  “I want to see him when he gets here.  It must be kind of scary, don’t you think?  And kind of sad not to have a home anymore.”

“He has a home now.  You can show him his new room when he gets here.”  Marigold Evans kissed the top of her daughter’s head.  The decision to bring home a foster child had only happened a few days ago, but they had spent most of the time since then transforming the guest room into something more personal.  The walls had been painted blue the muggle way, but the stars the sparkled on the ceiling after the lights were turned off were magic.  The quilt on the bed was one that Grandma Evans had made, and there was a bookcase next to the bed filled with books, some donated by Lily, some bought at a second-hand shop.  A few of the stuffed animals that Petunia had declared she was too old for were on the bed.  “I have to go check on dinner.”

Lily didn’t have too much longer to wait.  Before her mother had time to come check on her the fireplace started glowing.  A moment later her dad appeared, his hand firmly holding onto that of a little boy.  Her new brother.  Lily scrambled to her feet.  “Welcome home, Remus.”

The little boy with the chestnut hair and the scar on his cheek stared at her for a moment before running from the room.

“It’s not you, poppet.”  Her dad set down the bag he was carrying.  “He’s had a lot happen already today.  He probably just needed a minute alone.   I’ll go check on him.”

“Can I do it?”  She knew all the best hiding places in the house.

“If he asks to be alone you need to listen, okay?”  Lily nodded solemnly.   He’d been giving her the same advice about Petunia but it was easier to understand this time.

She found him in the loo, sitting with his knees pulled up to his chest and his back against the tub.  The door was open so she went in and sat on the floor facing him.  “Is it okay if I sit here?”

Remus looked up when she spoke, but only shrugged before looking down at the tile floor again.

“My name’s Lily.  My dad says we’re the same age.  He’s the one that told me your name.  I’ve never met a Remus before but it’s a cool name.   Cooler than being named after a flower.”  She didn’t mind being named after a flower, not really.  Tuney was named after a flower too, and mum.  But so were lots of other people.  It would be nice to have a name no one else had.

“My mum likes flowers.  She has a garden.”  His voice was almost a whisper and Lily had to strain to hear it.

“My mum has a garden too, I could show it to you.”  Mum and dad had explained to her and Tuney that they weren’t supposed to ask about Remus’ parents.  His dad had died a little while ago and his mum couldn’t take care of him.  Lily didn’t know why it was important that his mum was a muggle but for some reason, her mum and dad thought that meant something. Remus shook his head.

“I could show you your bedroom?  It’s more comfortable than the loo and it’s across the hall from mine but if you want to be alone you could just close the door.   Dad charmed the ceiling to have stars on it but if you don’t like stars or blue we can change the color.”  When she was little she had flowers on her ceiling but the charm had long since faded.  She was thinking about asking her dad to do stars on her ceiling too.  “Mum’s making shepherd's pie for dinner but it’s not ready yet.”

Remus shrugged again, but this time he stood up and Lily figured that was a yes.  She reached out to take his hand but he didn’t take it so she stuck it in her pocket and let the way up the stairs.

II

Remus was cold.  He was always cold now, it seemed, ever since that night in the garden but it was worse since they had taken him to the building they called Ministry and the little room with the door that didn’t open.  There was a blanket on the bed but the floor was stone without a carpet and someone had taken away his shoes.  They’d taken away his mum too.   His mum had promised him that everything would be okay if he was a brave boy.   Someone would be able to take care of him better than she could.  She was a good mum and read him stories and made him soup when he didn’t feel good.  He understood, though, that it was his fault that he couldn’t stay at home.  Mum was a muggle and he was s monster, and muggles couldn’t protect themselves from monsters.  In the beginning, after he’d been in St Mungo’s and his bites had healed, dad had been able to keep her safe but he was gone now.  Dead, mum had said, but he didn’t like to think about that word.

“He’s a child.  A human child with no more ability to hurt you than a flobberworm.”  Usually there was only silence in the hall, but a few hours after lunch had been taken away Remus heard yelling.  He didn’t like yelling.  The floor was cold but there was space between the wall and the desk, so he crouched down as small as he could.

“Mr. Evans you can’t…”

“I think you’ll find that I can and I will.”  The door opened and while Remus waited for more yelling he heard only the sounds of feet shuffling across the stone floor. “Remus?”  The same voice that had been shouting in the hall was quiet now.  “Do you remember me?”

Remus looked up and found the man that he had talked to the first day he’d been in the room.  He’d brought paints and paper, and asked Remus if there was anything he needed.  Remus had lied and said he didn’t need anything at all.  He needed his mum and dad but he couldn’t have them anymore.  Slowly he nodded.

“I know things have been very confusing and probably scary, but it’s going to be alright.  I’m going to take you home with me, alright?  My wife Mari is excited to meet you and so is Lily, my daughter who is just a little older than you.  I have two little girls, Lily and Petunia, but I’ve always wanted a little boy too..”  The man with the bright red hair was bigger than his dad had been, but he wasn’t scary.  His hand when he reached out was warm.   Remus looked at the hand, so much larger than his own, and bit his lower lip.

“I’m going to get your bag, alright Remus?  And that picture on the wall, the one you painted.  I’d like to take that with us too.   Is that okay?”

Remus looked around the room.  He wanted to go home, but he couldn’t.  Somewhere else had to be better than where he was.  He nodded.

II

“He’s hiding in the closet again.  He’s such a freak, I don’t understand why he’s here.”  It wasn’t often that Petunia was asked to talk to Remus in the three days he’d been in their home, but she’d been the only one around to call him to dinner.  Her job a failure she sat down and dished food onto her plate, starting to eat despite the fact that everyone else was waiting.

“I’ll go get him.”  Lily took a roll from the basket.  Sometimes she couldn’t convince him to leave the closet and at least he would have something to eat until mum could take a plate upstairs.  Since he’d come home Remus had rarely left his room and hadn’t gone outside at all.

“Remus?” She knocked on his door even though she knew that he wouldn’t answer.   The room looked empty but the closet door was open.  She sat down just outside of the closet door.

“Mum made chicken and mashed potatoes.  Aren’t you hungry?”  He hadn’t come down for lunch, though he had been down for breakfast and had three sausage rolls.  She reached out and put the roll next to his feet.  His face was hidden behind a robe but when he snatched at the roll she could see the now familiar scar on his hand.  “I can bring you more if you don’t want to come down.”

“It’s better if I’m not there.”

“We want you with us.  Tuney isn’t mad at you, she’s mad at everything because she didn’t get a Hogwarts letter and it makes her sad.”  He didn’t say anything but she could hear him eating the roll.

“I’ll be right back, okay?”   She ran downstairs and filled a plate with dinner, as much as it would hold, and took two forks, running back upstairs before mum or dad could ask any questions.  Tuney was already gone from the table.  When she got back to Remus’ room she joined him in the closet and handed him the second fork.  “It’s like a picnic.”

He ate most of the mashed potatoes but she didn’t mind.  After they ate he needed to wash his hands in the loo, and when he came back he say on his bed instead of in the closet.

II

Lily was in the garden.  It was bright outside and he could see the sun on her hair as she checked on her pumpkins.  Remus watched her through the window; she’d invited her out with him but he couldn’t go.  He hadn’t been outside in weeks, not since he left his old home, and even then he’d only gone because he promised his mum he would.  Bad things happened when you went outside.  In April, a month after his birthday, he’d gone outside in the garden and when he’d woken up he’d been in the hospital and everything had changed.

“There’s some gobstones on the bookshelf by the back door, sweetheart.  Why don’t you take them out and play with Lily, I’m sure she’d love a game.”  Mari Evans, who told him he could call her Mari or mum, whatever felt comfortable, joined him at the window.  Remus shook his head.

“Did you want to help me make some cookies?  I was going to do some baking.”  Remus thought for a moment, because he liked watching his mum bake, and usually where there were cookies there was also chocolate.  Lily was outside, though, and someone needed to watch her and make sure nothing happened.  He shook his head again.

“Okay, sweetheart.  If you change your mind come join me.  When they’re done I’ll make some cocoa and we can all have a nice afternoon treat.”  She kissed the top of his head and let him stand at the window in peace.  Every once in a while he looked over to where she was working, but mostly he watched Lily.  She watered her pumpkins and picked up a gnome, sending it over the garden wall.  Finally she started back towards the house and Remus sighed with relief.

“Do I smell cookies?”  Lily grinned when she came inside.

“Your mum is baking.”  It was easier to talk to Lily than anyone else.  

“Our mum.”  Lily wrapped an arm around his shoulder.  “We’re sharing, remember?”  

Remus nodded slowly.  It was hard to say the word mum, even to Lily.

II

“I want to go.”  It was after dinner when dad and Remus headed for the fireplace in the living room.  Lily didn’t understand where they could be going so late in the day but she knew that Remus needed her.  After almost three weeks she was still the only person in the family who could get him to say much more than ‘yes please’ and ‘no thank you.’

“They’ll be back before you wake up, love.  Why don’t you run up and brush your teeth?  The sooner you’re asleep the sooner it will be morning.”  Lily’s mum was making bread, a sure sign that she was worried.  She always brought bread unless she was worried and needed something to do with her hands.

“But mum…”  

“You can’t go with them, it’s not safe.”  

“Why is it okay for Remus to go?”  He’d barely left the house since he’d arrived, and even then he’d only been in the garden a few times, never too far from the door.

“You have to trust that your dad knows what’s best, Lily.  You know he cares about Remus.”  Mum kneaded her bread and behind them, the sound of the floo meant then Remus was already gone.  Upstairs Petunia was in her room with the door closed, and Lily knew that even if if the door was open they wouldn’t be able to talk.

Lily went to bed reluctantly and tried to stay awake until her dad and Remus returned.  The moon was bright enough that she could read a book without using a light, and for a while that was enough to keep her awake.  She didn’t quite make it to midnight before falling asleep and woke up hours later to her mum and dad talking in the hall.

“I can’t do that again, Mar.  The room looked like a cage and the way they treated him…”

“We’ll figure something else out for next month, sweetheart.  We’ll do everything we can to protect him.”  Lily listened until her mum and dad were gone before creeping across the hall.  If dad was home then Remus must be too.  

She figured he might be asleep already but when she saw him it was the bandages on his arms she noticed, bits of blood seeping through.  He was sleeping but shivering despite the blankets on him.  Lily bit her lip, trying to keep herself from making a noise. If mum and dad knew that she was awake they might try and make her go back to her room and Remus needed her. She didn’t understand what had happened but she knew that she needed to keep him safe.  Carefully she climbed onto the bed, pulling the covers over her.  Making sure to avoid any bandages she wrapped an arm around his waist.  She could keep him warm for now, and she would learn how to keep him safe.  He was her brother, after all, and that’s what sisters were supposed to do.

[smittywing]

Bleach, S.1: Ep.2

It’s sort of impossible not to bop to this music.

I have seen one episode with the stuffed lion thing in the freeze frame and I was Not Impressed.

Every time Ichigo’s father shows up, I wonder if my dad would have wanted to teach me wrestling and self-defense if I’d been a boy.  Fortunately, we will never know.

Orihime Inoue - I know her, too. And her adorable barrettes. Ichigo just like, side checks her halfway down the hall and is like, oh, it’s you.  He is basically every 15-year-old boy ever, see e.g. the reason Order of the Phoenix was so painful. I like her friend. Do we ever see the friend again?

CHAD.  I pretty much was always on top of Chad’s name, although I had a rough 15 minutes today as my sister explained to me that Chad is not actually Chad’s name, an issue which is, unsurprisingly, Ichigo’s fault. 

Rukia is rocking her inner (and outer) murder sprite school girl.  She cannot go back to Soul Society because Ichigo took all her power.  Instead of half of her power.  Speaking of outer school girl, everyone can see her now because she’s in a spare skinsuit (to swipe from The Good Place) for depleted Soul Reapers.  (It’s called a gigai. Because I will forget in five minutes.)  She tells Ichigo that he has to carry out her Soul Reaper duties now. Like any teenage boy tasked with more chores, he flips out and refuses.  He’s not going to fight monsters if it’s not to save his family. Which, okay, I might put my foot down too.

Wait, what is that amazing fingerless glove with a skull on it that Rukai has and can I get it at Hot Topic?

Rukia punches Ichigo’s spirit self out of his body (who did it better, Tilda Swinton in Dr. Strange and Endgame or Rukia?) and takes him on a walk.  He immediately sees a monster running after a small child and forgets that he’s not going to fight monsters if it’s not to save his family. Rukia calls him on his BS and tells him it’s all or nothing - he gets to defend all souls or none of them. This is the story of how Ichigo became a hero due to poor impulse control.

Orihime has a ghost stalker who is taken by monsters. For a minute I’m worried that they’re going to eat him but no, they’re just going to...turn him into another monster.  Sorry, dude.

Orihime is maybe hit by a car.  I would not be surprised if she apologized to the car.  Rukia is super concerned about the bruise on her leg.

Orihime’s brother died in a car accident three years earlier and he was taken to the Kurosakis’ clinic.  I think he was the ghost stalker, so one mystery solved, but Ichigo also says he was her only family so...is she just living by herself now?

Aw, there’s her friend! Her name is Tatsuki and she has bought Orihime real food.  Thank goodness.  

Rukia is sleeping in Ichigo’s closet and stealing his sister’s clothes. And then a Hollow shows up.  Ichigo fights it. To be fair, it’s in his house.  The monster’s mask cracks open and it’s Orihime’s poor ghost brother.  Sadness.

Rukia suggests he hit them from behind so he doesn’t recognize who the Hollow used to be.  Ichigo is bent that she didn’t tell him Hollows used to be people.  

Meanwhile, Orihime and Tatsuki talk about how dreamy Ichigo is. And then creepy stuff happens.

End on Orihime’s-brother-Hollow’s tortured cry.

[fortunatelyhauntedblackcherry]

Moonshine - A Beetlejuice Fanfiction 07

Warning: swearing.

- Okay, I wanna go to that bakery. We NEED to travel there. - proclaimed Beetlejuice with a self-summoned 3D glass on his nose and popcorn on his lap. Rei was out, shopping for a new screen since one of hers got broken during moving, and Sof had a job interview for a position of visual leader for an artistic magazine and a business dinner that day, so Ari and Beetlejuice had the house all to themselves. They've been watching Sweeney Todd in the living room, with Sirius laying between them. - Seriously, don't tell me you don't want to taste those pies. - Ari scoffed.

- I mean, duh, they look delicious, but they're made out of human flesh. - Beetlejuice blinked, with a puzzled look on his face.

- I don't get the problem with that. - Ari tried to conceal a giggle with clearing her throat. He sounded so clueless.

- I meant I wouldn't eat human meat, Bug. - Beetlejuice let out a sigh of understanding. - But give me one of those pies with chicken filling and I'm SO down. - Sirius lifted his scruffy head up and jumped down from the sofa. He headed to the front door. Ari heard it opening up and someone stepping inside.

- I'M HOOOME! - shouted Rei from the hall. She came into the living room, carrying a huge box and a bag, while Sirius was barking at her and was jumping around. - Supp bitch? - she said to Ari. - Got ya chinese for dinner. - and with that, she put the stuff she was carrying on the dinner table and then handed Ari a takeout box from the bag.

- Thank yooouuuu! - said Ari in a sing-songy voice. - You are my favourite sister. - Rei winked and fingergunned at Ari, then bended down to Sirius and started to babytalk for him.

- And how was my little budbud's day? Was it good? Did ya get enough ear scratchies from Ari? - she leaned closer to Sirius, like she was listening to him. - NO?!? - she gasped at Ari who put her tongue out at her. - Ohmygod I gotta do my part then! - she started giving belly rubs to Sirius while looking up at Ari, who was already stuffing herself with noodles. - Gee, this place really is good for you. You look so much happier. - she stood up, got herself the other box and sat upon the dinner table. Ari smiled lightly.

- Yeah, I feel a lot calmer. - Rei started stuffing noodles into her mouth as well.

- If I wouldn't know you better... - she said with a full mouth, then slurped the noodles. - ...I would say there's a certain someone who's making you feel better. - Ari cleared her throat and shoved a handful of noodles into her mouth. She pulled her chocolate hair behind her ear. Beetlejuice looked at her with a huge grin and questioning eyes. He rolled over to his belly, legs playfully dangling in the air.

- Yes, babes, tell her how much you adore yours truly!

- Don't be ridiculous, Rei. - she said with a full mouth and a light smile. She wrinkled her nose a bit as she smiled. Rei swallowed her noodles too, got off of the table and grabbed the big box she was carrying before.

- Mmmhmmm, you do you, ya hoe, but I know that look too well. - she went to the sofa and blew a kiss on her sister's cheek. - Imma head back to my room, get this shit going and stream a bit. What are ya up to? - Ari shrugged.

- I don't know, maybe listen to a podcast and sew some shit.

- Great, have fun babe. Later skater! - and with that, Rei headed upstairs. Beetlejuice floated next to Ari.

- Soooo, you like my companyyy~~~ - he said in a sing-songy voice. Ari laughed quietly while playing with her food.

- Like you didn't know, stupid. - Beetlejuice looked at her with a huge grin and light pink tips in his hair. - How many times do I have to tell you how funny and awesome you are?

- The more the better! - Ari rolled her eyes. - Besides, how ya doin' with the whole "looking for my name" thing? Will you be able to summon me soon? I'd be way more fun if you'd see me. - Ari shut the TV off.

- Since you said you are not some kind of biblical idiot, the whole searching is not going that well. - they both sighed. A tiny strike of purple appeared in BJ's hair. - But look, I found a paranormal podcast where the members talk about not-so-mainstream demons, so we might have some luck with that. - Beetlejuice's hair lit up in green again.

- Great! That's awesome! Good luck, while you're listening to that, I'll just scare Rei out of her skin. - Ari rolled her eyes again. One of her sisters will die of anger issues caused by this idiot one day.

Beetlejuice went through Rei's door. The girl was setting up her new screen, cussing at the cables. He grinned, showing his sharp canines. Oh how much fun he'll have this night...

Rei's room was between Ari's and Sofía's. The walls (which were almost fully covered in posters of TBBT, Marvel and SW) were turquoise, and the ceiling was pale turquoise. In the middle of the ceiling, there was an industrial lamp. The floor was covered in fluffy brown carpet. On the right side of the door, Rei had a shelf full of videogames. The wall on the right side of it was fully covered with a closet. Opposing the door, there was a window, framed by dark blue curtains, glowing stars, moons and planets hanging from it. On the left side of the door, there was a mattress on the floor, covered with pretty starry covers, surrounded by a canopy, like it came straight out of "One thousand and one nights". There were thousands of pillows on the mattress, mostly with pop-culture references on them. On the wall, above the "bed", there were lightsabers, gently placed on holders. Next to the bed, in the corner, there was a detached little room, which Rei furnished as her studio. On the walls, there were a shitton of cute light pink shelves with anime figurines on them, and a hexagon-shaped lamp, glowing in green, blue and red. In the corner, there was her PC and next to it, a greenscreen.

When Rei finally started streaming, Beetlejuice took his place.

- How's it going slurpies? Welcome back to The Wonderful World of Rei-Chann, here's another Rei Plays! Tonight we're gonna play...

- Yaddi yaddi yadda, boooooring, get started with the game, sweetie. - proclaimed Beetlejuice with a smug grin and gestured with his hand. The screen turned a bit grainy for a second.

- ...okay, let's jump right into it! - she loaded a creepy-looking game and squeaked in excitement. - In advance, I'd like to say thank you for the creators for sending me their game to test out, I'm very thankful, you guys are awesome! - she smiled and did that japanese heart thing with her thumb and pointing finger that made Beetlejuice gag.

- UGGHHH PLEASE JUST START PLAYIIIIING. - he scuffed. - I'M BOOOOORED!

After like one and a half hours, when Rei was deep in the game, Beetlejuice started having fun. He made the camera grainy a couple of times, which made Rei groan with anger and bewilderment. The screens were next. He made some black and white stripes appear on them, and then giggled when Rei almost hit them once with her fist, she got so startled. He made the lamps glimmer as well.

- Guys, I don't know what's going on with my tech today... To be honest, at this point I'm pretty sure that this really is a haunted house.

Beetlejuice was grinning, his sharp canines flashing. This was the moment he's been waiting for. With a hand gesture from the demon, Rei's headset started creaking and her microphone started to make an unbearably high pitched noise. She quickly got it off her head, and held her ears in pain, but she didn't expect something to happen on her screen as well. Without any transition, a monster from the game jumped at the screen. Rei screamed, and in terror, she fell backwards with her chair.

- Oh how I missed that sound... - said Beetlejuice proudly, with a loud sigh and horniness in his voice. He hovered out of the room, leaving Rei on the floor, gasping for air. That was enough for the day. He had to leave something for the next day too, didn't he?

[kathyprior4200]

Smile, My Dear Annie!

 TO COMMENCE, JUNE 2020

For many years, orphan girl Annie wishes her parents would return for her and get her out of the orphanage from the strict Miss Hannigan. Warbucks appears on Bert's radio show, offering money to help find Annie's parents. Annie and the girls get excited and dance to "You're Never Fully Dressed."

 But then, something goes terribly wrong. The radio starts glitching and through the static, a demonic voice can be heard. Dad jokes, electro swing, and broadcasts of murders start appearing on all the radios. A mysterious brown-haired mixed radio host named Alastor arrives, claims to be desperate for money and food.

 Grace encourages Warbucks to adapt Annie, and Annie hopes to be able to leave the orphanage. But things turn south when Hannigan's brother and his girlfriend pose as her parents. Even worse, a new serial killer is on the loose, hungry for revenge and entertainment.

  No one knows what will happen with the strange supernatural occurrences and the rush for people to raise her. But one thing's for sure...

 Annie isn't safe anymore.

 Now she must reunite with Grace, Warbuck and her friends and escape the greedy couple...if Alastor doesn't end up finding her first...

The scene starts off with a brief snippet of Alastor's death in New Orleans in 1933. In Hell, he desires to go back to New Orleans to broadcast more murders and eat individuals who were cruel to him. He notices how some lower class demons get influenced by his radio broadcasts. After hearing from an overlord that "humans would be good bait to use in war," he gets an idea.

 With the help of I.M.P. Alastor gains access to Earth, but he accidentally ends up in New York instead. He looks over and sees his old radio he used to listen to when he was a kid. (It even had his name engraved on the side). Apparently, several people bought it from an antique shop in New Orleans and added it as a stage prop, after thinking it was “cool” that it had been cursed. As the radio was part of him, it allowed him to take on his physical demon form on Earth once he reunited with it. Annoyed in shadow form, Alastor emerges from the radio and proceeds to kill everyone at the show. The radio gets smashed by falling debris before Alastor can reach it, breaking his darken heart. He flees the gory scene and the survivors wake up, not remembering what had happened (due to the radio being destroyed). (off screen, he uses his blood to create his human body disguise).

 Scene shifts to Annie. Annie first lives in an orphanage run by the cruel Miss Hannigan, who forces them to clean the building all day. Annie hopes that her parents will return for her, and she keeps half of a locket as her treasured possession, to remind her of them. Annie adopts a stray dog named Sandy, but gets taken back to the orphanage by police.

 Annie travels to Warbuck's mansion where she meets the many servants and bodyguards. Warbucks lets her stay and takes her to the Radio City Music Hall to watch a movie.

 Warbucks appears on the radio show, offering money to help find Annie's parents. Annie and the girls get excited and dance to "You're Never Fully Dressed."

 But then, something goes terribly wrong. The radio starts glitching and through the static, a demonic voice can be heard. Dad jokes, electro swing, and broadcasts of murders start appearing on all the radios. A mysterious brown-haired mixed radio host arrives, claims to be desperate for money and food.

  (Alastor actually died the same year and, with the help of imps, traveled to Earth through radios in a disguise in an attempt to get back to New Orleans).

 Hannigan, her brother and his girlfriend search through Annie's belongings and plan to use the locket to pose as her parents. But Alastor's shadow steals it away from them!

 The more Annie spends time with Alastor, the more suspicious Grace and some of Annie's fellow orphans get.  Sandy, the dog, growled and sensed evil in Alastor from the beginning, but Annie told Sandy not to be mean to “our new guest.” Like Charlie in Hazbin Hotel, Annie dances and sings with the disguised demon, getting more influenced when the radio is on. (no romantic love). Alastor's demon reflection is revealed in mirrors. Kate notices it and warns Annie that a "monster lives inside him," though Annie doesn't believe it.

 Not having to worry as much about environmental threats and survival, Alastor begins another killing rampage, hunting deer and selfish adults while broadcasting again. He carves sigils onto their flesh, ensuring they become his slaves/prey back in Hell. The radios around him additionally served as hiding places for him after murders.

 Meanwhile, the newspaper gets a new heading "Random Serial Killer on the Loose." Another headline reads "Similar Kill Count to the now deceased New Orleans Deer Devil Cannibal," triggers back memories, making Alastor go insane. After debating on several terms such as the "Bayou Killer," "Devil of New York," among others, the public comes up with "Brusier of Broadway."

 Alastor broadcasts murders, dad jokes, and news, influencing others to tune in and listen. All the orphans are influenced by it…Alastor gaining more power. Sandy barks loudly, briefly snapping them out of their trance. Hannigan was follows Sandy into the room, threatening to butcher him. Hannigan, in a drunken haze does something redeemable for the first time: she yells “Stop having fun, get to work, and turn that thing off!” The static and noise was giving her a headache, the pain overriding the trance powers. Despite the girls trying to stop her, Hannigan smashes the device against the floor, the girls shaking their heads. “Whose drunk now?” she retorts.

 The other girls later tell Warbucks and Grace that Annie had been kidnapped by Rooster and Lily. The police begin a search. Rooster attempts to kill Annie and he knocks his sister away. Before Rooster can reach her, he is brutally stabbed by Alastor. Alastor reveals his plan to possess Annie and several others in both Hell and on Earth to create a diverse army to take down racist individuals, providing him with food and entertainment. (He only harms adults). His human disguise falls away and Annie watches in horror as he begins to eat Rooster and Lily. Punjab rescues her and destroys the radio before Alastor possessed her and she reunites her with Grace and Warbucks.

  Alastor would get distracted and a bit scared of Sandy the dog (as he had died due to rabies, being shot in the head and getting attacked by dogs).

A local church and police forces arrive and team up to defeat Alastor. He gets shot several times with guns and reels back when several silver crosses are held up. Not too far away, the imp portals begin to close and weaken...dragging him back to Hell (similar to how Dr. Facillier did but was more accepting of his fate and smiled the whole time). Annie lives with Grace and Warbucks and her friends arrive for the party. "Brusier of Broadway Vanquished in Less Than a Week."

 Annie didn't listen to the radio for several years afterwards. The scene ends with Alastor singing "You're Never Fully Dressed" on a radio in Hell, the old locket next to it, then saying "stay tuned, folks."

Transcript

Annie Script

Scene 1

Molly: Annie. Annie I can't sleep.

Pepper: Shut up! How am I supposed to get any sleep around here?

Sally: She cries all the time.

Duffy: And she wets the bed.

Molly: I do not!

Pepper: What are you doing in our dorm? You should be in the baby room.

Annie: She's ok you guys. You can stay here with me Molly.

Molly: I couldn't sleep Annie.

Annie: When I can't sleep. I think of my folks

Molly: (looking at Annie's locket) You're the only one who has folks here. Mine are dead.

Annie: I think of what they're like and how someday soon they're going to come and get me.

 (Song: Maybe)

Maybe far away, Or maybe real nearby. He may be pouring her coffee, She may be straightening his tie. Maybe in a house All hidden by a hill. She's sitting playing piano, He's sitting paying a bill. Betcha they're young Betcha they're smart Bet they collect things Like ashtrays and art. Betcha they're good - Why shouldn't they be? Their one mistake was giving up me. So, maybe now it's time And maybe when I wake, They'll be there calling me "Baby". Maybe. Betcha he reads Betcha she sews Maybe she's made me A closet of clothes. Maybe they're strict As straight as a line - Don't really care As long as they're mine. So, maybe now this prayer's The last one of it's kind; Won't you please come get your "Baby"? Maybe.

 Scene 2

Miss Hanagen enters

Miss H: Did I hear singing? Who's happy? Well?

Orphans: We love you Miss Hanagen.

Miss H: Sure. Well if you're so wide awake you can get up. Get outta bed and clean up this place. This room had better be regulation before breakfast my little pig dropping or kill kill kill!

Annie: But it's the middle of the night.

Miss H: (imitating Annie) But it's the middle of the night. And if this room don't shine like the top of the Chrysler building your backside will understand?

Orphans: Yes Miss Hanagen.

Miss H: What do you say Annie?

Annie: I love you Miss Hanagen.

Miss H: Why anybody would wanna be an orphan is beyond me.

Molly kicks Miss Hanagen's foot.

 (Song: ­It’s a Hard Knock Life.)

Annie It's the Hard-Knock Life for us! Orphans It's the Hard-Knock Life for us! 'Stead of treated - we get tricked! 'Stead of kisses - we get kicked! It's the Hard-Knock Life! Got no folks to speak of, so! It's the hard-knock row we hoe! Cotton blankets - 'stead of wool! Empty bellies - 'stead of full! It's the Hard-Knock Life! Annie Don't it feel like the wind is always howlin'? Kate and Tessie Don't it seem like there's never any light? Molly Once a day don't you want to throw the towel in? Orphans It's easier than puttin' up a fight! July No one's there when your dreams at night get creepy. Duffy No one cares if you grow, or if you shrink. Pepper No one dries when your eyes get wet and weepy. Orphans From the cryin' you would think this place would sink! O-o-o-o-oh...! Empty belly life! Rotten smelly life! Full of sorrow life! No tomorrow life! Molly Santa Claus we never see. Annie Santa Claus - what's that? Who's he? Orphans No one cares for you a smidge, When you're in an orphanage! It's the Hard-Knock Life! Molly (Imitates Mrs. Hannigan): "You'll stay up, till this dump shines Like the top of the Chrysler Building! Kill, kill!" Orphans (Molly) Yank the whiskers from her chin! ("Little Pig Droppings!") Jab her with a safety-pin! ("Rotten orphans!") Make her drink a Mickey Finn! ("Nobody loves you!") I love you, Mrs. Hannigan! Molly "Get to work!" "Scrape those beds!" "Scrub that floor!" "Polish my shoes!" "And I mean... start... NOW!" Orphans (Molly) It's the Hard-Knock Life for us! ("Mud in your eye!") It's the Hard-Knock Life for us! ("Egg in your bear!") No one cares for you a smidge, ("Hair on your chest!") When you're in an orphanage! Orphans It's the Hard-Knock Life! It's the Hard-Knock Life! It's the Hard-Knock Life! The... Hard-Knock... LIFE!

  Scene 3

(Annie jumps in the washing basket)

Annie: Cover me up good.

Duffy: All you ever do is run away.

Sally: Oh my goodness, oh my goodness.

Pepper: You're gonna get us into trouble.

Nell: I'm gonna tell.

(Miss H entering)

Miss H: What are you all standing around for? There's the kitchen and the bathroom to clean before lunch and if you skip the corners there will be no lunch. And we're not having hot mush today.

Orphans: Yay!

Miss H: we're having cold mush.

Orphans: OOOOOOOOhhhhhhhhhh!

Miss H: What?

Orphans: We love you Miss Hanagen.

Miss H: Where's Annie?

Molly: She had to go bathroom.

Miss H: (imitating Molly) She had to go bathroom.

(Mr. Bundles enters. Miss Hanagan tries to look pretty.)

Mr. B: It's heavy today.

Miss H: It shouldn't be.

(Orphans try to warn Mr. Bundles not to give them away)

Mr. Bundles: You sure look pretty today, Miss Hanagan.

Miss H: Oh Mr. Bundles thank you. I will be right here when you get back.

Orphans: Oooooooohhhhhhhhhh!

  Scene 4

Annie gets out of the basket and happily walks along loving her freedom when she sees a group of naughty children chasing a dog with tin cans tied to its tail. She runs after them.

Annie: Beat it kids what did he ever do to you? She punches one and they all leave.

Annie: You're ok now you dumb dog.

 (Song: Dumb dog)

Dumb dog, Why are you following me? I ain't got a crumb dog, How about lettin' me be? I ain't gon-na feed you, Ain't got a scrap for you. Need you? Don't give a crap for you. Dumb dog dumb-er than they come dog. You're the most presumin' dog That a human could know.

 (Dog catcher drives down the street and tries to take the dog.)

Annie: Hey, Mister, that's my dog!

Dog Catcher: Oh yeah? Where's his collar, his lead, his registration?

Annie: I left them home by mistake. Please don't take him to the pound. My father's blind and this dog leads him to work. If he can't get to work we'll all starve sir.

Dog catcher: What's his name?

Annie: My father's name?

Dog Catcher: The dog's name.

Annie: Oh the dog’s name? Well…his name is ...Sandy. Right Sandy.

Dog Catcher: Call him.

Annie: Call him.

Dog Catcher: That's right go over there and call him.

(Annie moves a few meters)

Annie: Sandy!

(Dog doesn't move)

Annie: Come on boy, Sandy, Sandy, Sandy!

(Dog comes)

Annie: Good boy!

Dog Catcher: You got yourself a dog kid. Go home and get his leash.

Annie: I will sir.

(Police man takes her by the ear back to orphanage)

Miss H: (gruff voice) Annie!

Police: Look who I found.

Miss H: (softer for policeman’s benefit) Oh Annie I was so worried.

Policeman: I knew you would be ­a big hearted woman like you

Miss H: How can I ever repay you?

Pepper: Kissy, Kissy, kissy.

Miss H: Kill, kill, kill.

    Scene 5

(Orphans are very excited to meet Sandy)

Orphans: Ooooohhhhhh!

Molly: What's his name, Annie?

Annie: Guess.

Molly: Fiffi?

Pepper: This mutt’s no Fiffi.

(Song:­ Sandy)

Fifi, That ain't a name for this mutt. So how about Champion? Champion you're anything but. We could call him Tiger, But there's no bite in him, Tiger! Kittens would frighten him. Rover! When you think it over, Rover is the perfect name for this dumb look-in' dog. Sandy, Sandy's his name if you please. If you don't be-lieve me ask anyone of the fleas Residing on Sandy, True he ain't pedigreed, Sandy, there ain't no better breed. And he really comes in handy, 'Specially when you're all alone in the night And you're small and terribly frightened it's Sandy, Sandy who'll always be there!

  Duffy: She's coming. Quick!

(They try to hide Sandy under laundry)

(Miss H approaching Annie)

Annie: I love you Miss Hanagen.

Miss H: And you will love the paddle closet Annie. And this (Grabbing Sandy) Will love the sausage factory.

Orphans: Oooooohhhh!

Miss H: What?

Orphans: We love you Miss Hanagen.

Miss H: Shut up!

  Scene 6

Grace: Miss Hanagen, I'm Grace Farrell. The New York Board of Orphans sent me. Miss H: Well My goodness, won’t you come in. Welcome to our happy home. She pretends to be nice to orphans .

Miss H: What did you say your name was?

Grace: Grace.

Miss H: Aptly named.

G: I'm here to inquire about an orphan.

H: Look Grace I can explain the whole thing. You see...what happened...she escaped in the laundry and I know I should have called Mr. Donatelly but I saw red so I called the cops instead. Anyway she's back and she's fine. No harm done huh?

G: Miss Hanagen, whatever are you talking about?

H: Wait a minute, honey are you peddling beauty products? Coz clearly I don't need no beauty products G: I'm the private secretary of Mr. Oliver Warbucks

H: Oliver Warbucks the millionaire?

G: Oliver Warbucks the billionaire.

H: My Lord!

G: Mr. Warbucks would like to invite an orphan to spend a week with him.

H: Isn't that nice. What sort of orphan did he have in mind?

(Annie sticks her head in through the door)

G: Well, friendly, intelligent…

(Annie: (whispering) Spells out M­I­S­S­I­S­S­I­P­P­I)

G: And happy.

(Annie laughs out loud. Miss H, slams door.)

H: How old?

G:Age doesn't really matter..7

(Annie raises her hand until right age guessed)

H:7

G: 8

H:8

G:9

H: 9

G: 10

(Annie makes stop gesture)

G: 10 is perfect. Oh I almost forgot. Mr. Warbucks prefers red headed children.

H: 10 year old red head, No, sorry. Ain’t got it!

G: What about this child?

H: Annie? You don't want Annie.

G: Why not?

H: She's a drunk!

G: Fiddle sticks! Annie, how would you like to spend a week with Mr. Warbucks in his house?

Annie: Oh boy, I would love that!

H: Slow down, hold on. You can have any child you want in the whole orphanage except Annie.

G: Why?

H: Because she's got it coming to her and I don't mean a week in the lap of luxury. This brat's got to learn her place!

G: Her place!

H: And Annie's entirely too cheeky.

G: Well Mr. Warbucks loves cheeky orphans.

H: Tough.

G: I assume your objection is something to do with Mr. Donatelly and the board of New York Orphans?

H: Don't assume nothin sweetheart.

G: Well Mr. Warbucks and Mr. Donatelly are like that.

H: Is that a fact?

G: Yes and he was at the house just the other day and he was saying how many people he had lined up for your job.

H: Is that a fact?

G: Yes that's a fact. It's an awful time to be out of work isn't it Miss Hanagen?

H: It's terrible.

A: Leapin Lizards!

Miss H (imitating Annie) Leaping Lizards.

Annie: Come on Sandy. This is my dog. He's real nice and he almost never jumps up on people.

(Sandy jumps up on Grace)

G: He's a really sweet dog Annie but I'm not sure Mr. Warbucks would approve.

Annie: Then I can't go.

G: What?

Annie: She said she would take him to the sausage factory.

H: I'm not a sucker for dogs.

G: We'll take the dog!

Annie: Oh boy!

 Scene 7

 (Annie is awestruck(

Grace: I have an announcement to make everyone. This is Annie and she'll be staying with us for a week and this is her dog Sandy.

Annie: And he'll be staying with me.

Servant: May I take your sweater?

Annie: Will I get it back?

Servant: Of course dear.

Grace: Now Annie, what would you like to do first?

Annie (looking around): The windows, then the floors. That way if I drip...

Grace: No Annie, you don't understand. You won’t have to do any cleaning while you're with us.

Annie: I won’t? How am I gonna earn my keep?

Grace: You're our guest Annie.

(Song: I think I'm gonna like it here)

Grace: Cecile will pick out all your clothes Cecile: spoken: Blue is your best color, no red I think. Grace: Your bath is drawn by Mrs. Greer. Mrs. Greer: spoken: Salts?...No, bubbles, I think. Grace: Annette comes in to make your bed. Annette: spoken: The silk? No the satin sheets, I think. Annie: I think I'm gonna like it here! Grace: The swimming pool is to the left Annie: spoken: Inside the house? Oh boy! Grace: The tennis court is in the rear Annie: spoken: I never even picked up a racket. Grace: Have an instructor here at noon spoken: Oh, and get that Don Budge fellow if he's available. Annie: I think I'm gonna like it here. Grace: When you wake ring for Drake Drake will bring your tray When you're through Mrs.Pugh Comes and takes it away. Grace and servants: No need to pick up any toys Annie: spoken: That's okay, I haven't got any anyway. Grace: No finger will you lift my dear ALL: We have but one request Please put us to the test Annie: I know I'm gonna like it here Used to room in a tomb Where I'd sit and freeze Get me now, holy cow Could someone pinch me please! Grace: spoken: She didn't mean it. (Singing) We've never had a little girl ALL: We've never had a little girl Grace and servants: We hope you understand Your wish is our command (Said together) Annie: I know I'm gonna like it here Servants and Grace: We know you're gonna like it here ALL Welcome

  Scene 8a

(Mr. Warbucks marches in)

Mr. W: Has the painting arrived?

G: Yes sir.

(Painting is held up for him. It's the Mona Lisa)

W: I don't like it. Send it back. Any messages?

G: Yes. President Roosevelt called 3 times. He said it was urgent.

W: Everything is urgent to a Democrat. What else?...Wait! There's something interesting about that woman's smile. I might learn to like her. Hang that in my bathroom.

G: Mr. Warbucks I'd like you to meet...

W: Why do I smell wet dog?

(Annie comes out from hiding with Sandy )

Annie: Because we gave Sandy a bath.

W: What's this?

G: This is Annie, sir. This is the orphan who will be staying with us for a week

W: Orphan. What are you talking about?

G: Sir, it’s a press story for the papers remember? It's only for a week.

W: This doesn't look like a boy. Orphans are boys

G: Oh you didn't say you wanted a boy sir. You just said an orphan so I got a girl.

W: I want a boy.

Annie: I've got an interesting smile too sir. Don't you think you could like me too sir? Hang me in the bathroom?

W: Take them back now!

G: Oh Sir but she only just got here.

Annie: That's ok. We'll be ok. It was real nice meeting you anyhow. I sure do like your place.

W: Thank you Annette.

Annie: Annie. I've had a really swell time. The driver came in a car the size of a train Mr. Warbucks and we made Drake sneeze and I played your pipe organ and Sandy got a bubble bath. And well I've had enough fun to last me for years. It’s really a swell idea to have an orphan stay for a week Mr. Warbucks. Even if it’s only for your image. Even if I'm not the orphan I'm glad you're doing it.

W: I'm glad you approve. Let's get to work.

G: Are you sure you need a boy? Couldn’t she stay? It’s only for a week.

W: Whatever but just for the week.

 Scene 8b

(Miss Hanagen is listening to the radio)

Male voice: I Love you.

H: I love you too.

Male voice: Kiss me as only you can.

H: Oh you devil!

(She kisses the radio. Orphans see and laugh)

H: Get away!

(Song: Little Girls)

Little girls Little girls Everywhere I turn I can see them Little Girls Little Girls Night and day I eat, sleep and breathe them I'm an ordinary woman With feelings I'd like a man to nibble on my ear But I'll admit, no man has bit So, how come I'm the mother of the year? How I hate Little shoes Little socks And each little bloomer I'd have cracked Years ago If it weren't for my Sense of humour Some woman are drippin' with diamonds Some woman are drippin' with pearls Lucky me! Lucky me! Look at what I'm drippin' with Little girls! Little cheeks Little teeth Everything around me is little If I wring Little necks Surely I will get an acquittal Some day I'll step on their freckles Some night I'll straighten their curls Send the flood Send the flu Anything that You can do To, little (little, little), little (little, little) Little girls Some day I'll land in the nuthouse With all the nut and the squirrels (giggle) There I'll stay Tucked Away Until the prohibition of Little girls

  Scene 9

(Rooster and Lilly appear)

H: Rooster.

R: Sis.

H: You're supposed to be in jail.

R: They let me out early.

Lilly: On account of his good behavior.

R: I want you to meet a friend of mine. Lilly St Regent.

L: Named after the motel.

H: Room Service.

R: This very afternoon I got my nose on this beautiful horse 8 to 1. All I need is 5 bucks to tide me over.

H: Not even a nickel for the subway.

R: Oh come on sis.

H: I bet you miss stick fingers here can lend you a lousy 5 bucks.

L: I beg your pardon. I'm short but I don't stoop to what you're incinerating.

H: Give me back the goods toots.

(Jewelry is pulled from Lilly's pickets and top.)

H: Ok Rooster if I loan you 5 bucks will you take this dumb hotel and just get the heck outta here?

R: I'm sorry sis. Not even a nickel for the subway.

L: You and her have the same mother? (

she takes something on the way out) Hanagen checks her bag when they leave and her purse is gone.)

H: (Screaming) Rooster!!!!

  Scene 10

 (Warbucks is practicing squash and Annie runs back and forth for fun)

A: Thanks so much for having me to stay. Mr. Warbucks. I’ve had the greatest time and Miss Farrell has been just so kind and all the staff. You know she really thinks you're sliced bread but you don't notice.

W: Sliced bread huh?

A: I've had enough fun to last a life time that it won’t even matter when I go back to that stinking orphanage.

W: How do you remain so positive?

A: I sing a little song and everything seems better.

(Song: Tomorrow)

Annie The sun'll come out tomorrow... Bet your bottom dollar that Tomorrow, there'll be sun! Just thinkin' about tomorrow Clears away the cobwebs and the sorrow 'Til there's none! When I'm stuck with a day That's gray, And lonely, I just stick out my chin And grin and say... Oh... The sun'll come out tomorrow So you gotta hang on 'til tomorrow Come what may! Tomorrow! Tomorrow! I love ya, tomorrow! You're only a day away! To-morrow! Tomorrow! I love ya, tomorrow! You're only a day... A-...wa-a-a-ay!

 Grace: (spoken) C'mon, Annie, let's go to the movies! Annie: (spoken) Let's go see the stars! Grace: Cowboy heroes, Cops and robbers, Glamour and strife, Bigger than life! Sitting in the darkness, What a world to see! Let's go to the movies, Annie, wait and see. Betty Davis is probably lying, And Greta Garbo is probably crying, While Robert Taylor Is locked in her dying embrace. Chico and Groucho And Chaplin and Lloyd Are all super. Sweet Mickey Mouse, Shirley Temple, And dear Jackie Cooper. Annie: Let's go to the movies... Annie and Grace: Let's go see the stars! Grace: Fred and Ginger Spinning madly... Songs and romance. Life is the dance. Sitting in the darkness, Popcorn on your knee! Give the maid the night off! Warbucks: (spoken) Turn the kitchen light off! Grace and Warbucks: Let's go to the movies, Annie, you and me! Ushers: Welcome to the movies! Welcome to the stars! Welcome to this Grand illusion. All of it's yours Right through these doors! Every plot's a dilly, This we guarantee! Welcome to the movies Wait and see. Female Chorus: Let's go to the movies (See the movies) Let's go see the stars. Red lights holler Big Depression What do we care? Movies are there! Only happy endings (Boy gets girl, yes) That's our recipe! Welcome to a lovely M-O-V-I-E! Male Chorus: Let's go to the movies (We love to go, to RKO, Columbia, Universal) Let's go see the stars (Jack Warner and, Sam Goldwyn and, MGM and Paramount) Both: Dreams of glory, Cast of thousands, Bigger than life, Bigger than life! Only happy endings, That's our recipe! So, welcome to the movies Wait... And... See!

Scene 11

(Warbucks and Grace having breakfast. Warbucks reading the paper not paying much attention to Grace)

W: I'll have to close the factory in Pittsburgh. Miss Farrell.

G: About Annie…

W: What about Annie?

G: Couldn't we keep her? You haven't seen that horrible orphanage. I can't bear to send her back there. I can't.

W: Get a hold of yourself! What's come over you?

G: She wouldn't be a bother. I'd take care of her. You have plenty of room here. The staff adores her. We could take her on, well as your ward couldn't we?

W: Absolutely not! I'm a business man. I love money, I love power, I love capitalism. I now and never will love children!

G: Watching you with her last night. I though well maybe...

W: Grace…

G: Yes?

W: I've just noticed something.

G: Yes.

W: You're awfully pretty when you argue with me.

G: Thank you sir but…

W: Oliver…

G: Oliver...Do you really just love money and power and capitalism? You know they're never going to love you back.

W: You're teeth are crooked.

G: I'll have them fixed.

W: I like them crooked.

G: I'll leave them.

W: Thank you.

G: I could have the papers signed this morning.

W: It means a great deal to you doesn't it?

G: Yes. It means a great deal to me.

W: I’ll do it myself.

G: I could just kiss you.

W: Grace!

G: Yes?

W: Get her a gift.

G: That's a great idea.

W: Something from Tiffany's. A new locket.

G: Oh and you be careful when you go to that orphanage. That woman has claws and fangs.

(Warbucks laughs)

 (Song: We got Annie)

Grace: We got Annie. Gardener: We've got Annie? Grace: Yeah! She's like the shine on your shoes, Or hearing a blues that's great. Makes you relax, Like a big tax rebate! We got Annie! Servants: We got Annie! We got Annie? We got Annie! Mrs. Pugh: And Benny Goodman's got swing. Bing is a king, by far. Mutt has got Jeff, And Eleanor, F.D.R.! Grace: We got Annie! Asp: We got Annie! Punjab: We got Annie! Asp: We've got Annie! Grace: We got Annie! (Whispers) Annie.

Scene 12

W: Miss Hanagen, I presume?

H: Yes.

W: I want to talk to you about Annie.

H: You want to return her and forget it? Or trade up?

W: I want to adopt her.

H: would you excuse me for a moment (goes into room and screams) (Returns)

H: Won’t you come in? Welcome to our happy home.

(She pretends to be nice to the orphans Warbucks hands her papers)

H: You know something? For a Republican you are sinfully handsome.

W: Thank you.

H: Why I just go absolutely weak at the knees over men like you.

(Noticing his diamond button)

H: My God! Is that thing real?

W: Miss Hanagen, just sign the papers.

  (Song: Sign)

Warbucks Miss Hannigan! You need to sign a paper. Miss hannigan Mr. Warbucks, do you know something for a Republican you are sinfully handsome. Warbucks Thank you. Miss hannigan Why I just go absolutely weak in the knees over men like you. My GOD, is that thing real? Warbucks Just sign the papers. Miss hannigan Don't you wanna see the bedroom, my little billiard ball? Warbucks Sign. Miss hannigan I make a very dry martini. Warbucks Right here. Miss hannigan I make a very wet souffle. Warbucks Just your name. Miss hannigan Don't be so mean, you mean ole meanie. Warbucks Come, my dear. Miss hannigan Let's you and me make, why shouldn't we make haste? Warbucks I have an appointment at 1. Miss hannigan This way... You ever been to Bonus Ires? Warbucks Where? Miss hannigan A hunger for the Argentyne? Warbucks ArgenTINE. Miss hannigan Let's me and you fill up our diaries Warbucks What? Stop! Miss hannigan Buy me a ruby Warbucks No! Miss hannigan Why shouldn't you be mine? Warbucks Come Miss hannigan I've got your numbah Warbucks Close Miss hannigan Ya like to rhumba Warbucks Madam, while Miss hannigan I'll call you Ollie Warbucks We Miss hannigan My hot tamale Warbucks Pry through this Miss hannigan And now I've gotcha Warbucks File Miss hannigan My cucaracha Warbucks From my pri- Miss hannigan Oh! Warbucks -Vate Miss hannigan Ooh! Warbucks Eye. Miss hannigan Ay ya ya! Warbucks You spend your evenings in the shanties, Miss hannigan You had me followed? Warbucks Imbibing quarts of bathtub gin. Miss hannigan Bronchitis. Warbucks And here you're dancing in your scanties. Miss hannigan Great gams. Warbucks With some old geezer called Little Caesar. Miss hannigan He's an uncle! Warbucks You lock the orphans in the closet. Miss hannigan They love it! Warbucks You hock their Christmas souvenirs. Miss hannigan Drink? Warbucks You steal the funds you should deposit Miss hannigan It's fresh... Warbucks You make them grovel, while you buy lavaliers. You'll Miss hannigan Must you upset me Warbucks Sit Miss hannigan Why don't you pet me? Warbucks Out this Miss hannigan It's you I crave now Warbucks Century Miss hannigan Let's misbehave now Warbucks In some Miss hannigan You wanna smoochie Warbucks Deep dark Miss hannigan My little poochie? Warbucks Penitentiary Miss hannigan Jail!? Warbucks Sign. Miss hannigan I guess I'll never know the feeling Warbucks You'll rot in jail Miss hannigan Of running fingers through your hair. Warbucks In Sing-Sing. Miss hannigan I guess this means no Buenos Aires. Warbucks Will you sign?! Miss hannigan Well I don't need ya! Warbucks That's fine. Miss hannigan So just forget me! Warbucks The dotted line Miss hannigan Forget my sweetness! Warbucks Don't whine! Miss hannigan Forget you met me! Warbucks You can't decline! Miss hannigan This day is sorta Warbucks Just sign! Miss hannigan Like Britain Waterloo. Warbucks Sign! Miss hannigan Why didn't you say so in the first place. Swine!

Scene 13

W: Annie I want to talk to you about something serious

A: You don't want me anymore right?

W: On the contrary I do. Good lord. Annie can we have a man to woman talk?

A: Sure.

W: What I'm proposing would involve a long term...well agreement. Actually maybe you want to know more about me before you make up your mind

A: Ok

W: Let's go for a walk.

A: Ok.

W: I was born in Liverpool in a rail road switch house. My younger brother died of Pneumonia because we didn't have money for medicine. Well I decided then and there that one day I would be rich. Very, very rich.

A: Good idea. (Warbucks is pacing up and down and Annie is copying him)

W: In those days America was the land of opportunity. I worked on a ship as cabin boy when I was 12. By the time I was 21 I made my first million and in the next 10 years I turned that into 100 millionaire.

A: Wow.

W: That was a lot of money in those days. I was ruthless, hurt a lot of people. Making money was all I ever gave a damn about until now. It occurred to me no matter how many houses I have, how many Rembrandt unless I have someone to share them with I might as well be broke and still living in Liverpool. Annie do you understand what I'm trying to say?

A: Sure...kinda...not really.

W: Damn.

(Hands her the present of a locket)

A: You've given me so much already Mr. Warbucks.

W: I signed the papers today. It's official.

A: What is? It's so pretty but...

W: Let me put it on you.

A: It’s a really swell locket Mr. Warbucks, but if it's all the same to you I’ll keep my old one.

W: It isn't all the same to me. Your old one's broken. This one's engraved. You didn't even look at it. “To Annie with love from Daddy Warbucks.”

A: Mr. Warbucks, when my folks left me at the orphanage 10 years ago they left a note saying they’d come back for me as soon as they could and they kept the other half of this locket so I'd know it was them when they came. I'm gonna find them someday, Mr. Warbucks. I'm gonna have a regular mother and father like a regular kid. I am! I don’t mean to hurt your feelings. You've been nicer to me than anyone in the whole wide world but I've been dreaming of my folks for as long as I can remember. And I just gotta find them.

W: Then I'll help you. Grace, get me J Edgar on the phone right now. Grace, get me the chief of police. Drake, get me Walter Winthrop. Ponjab, get me William Randolph Hurst and San Jay, get me a drink!

 Scene 14

(Orphans are listening to the radio)

W: This is Oliver Warbucks and I'm offering a $50, 000 reward to find orphan Annie's parents. 987 5th Avenue New York City. Drop Page. Johnson's minty fresh toothpaste will have you smiling from ear to ear with minty goodness all day. Did I just read a commercial?

(Song: You're never fully dressed without a smile)

Healy: (spoken) This is Bert Healy saying... Hey, hobo man Hey, Dapper Dan You've both got your style But Brother, You're never fully dressed Without a smile! Your clothes may be Beau Brummelly They stand out a mile -- But Brother, You're never fully dressed Without a smile! Who cares what they're wearing On Main Street, Or Saville Row, It's what you wear from ear to ear And not from head to toe (That matters) So, Senator, So, Janitor, So long for a while Remember, You're never fully dressed Without a smile! Boylan Sisters: Ready or not, here he goes Listen to Bert Tap his smilin' toes Healy: (spoken) Ah, the lovely Boylan Sisters Boylan Sisters: Doo doodle-ooh doo Doo doodle-ooh doo Doo doo doo doo Doo doo doo doo Your clothes may be Beau Brummelly They stand out a mile But, brother You're never fully dressed You're never dressed Without an Connie Boylan: S- Bonnie Boylan: M- Ronnie Boylan: I- Connie Boylan: L- Boylan Sisters: E. Smile darn ya. Healy: (spoken) Yes, this your old softie, Mrs. Healy's Boy Bert, saying until next time, bon soir, buenos noches, guten Nacht, bueno sera, and gosh, I almost forgot, goodnight. All: That matters.

 Tessie spoken: So, for all of the "Hours of Smiles" Family, this is Bert Healy saying... (Singing) Hey hobo man, Hey Dapper Dan, You've both got your style All orphans But brother, you're never fully dressed Without a smile Your clothes may be Beau Brummelly They stand out a mile But brother you're never fully dressed Without a smile JULY Who cares what they're wearing on Main Street Or Saville Row It's what you wear from ear to ear And not from head to toe. KATE That matters All orphans So, Senator, so, janitor So long for a while Remember you're never fully dressed Though you may wear the best You're never fully dressed without a Smile Smile Smile! Smile darn ya, smile.

 Hanigan: Do I hear happiness?

(Molly steps on her foot)

H: They never miss.

  Scene 15

(Hundreds of couples are crowded outside the Warbucks’ mansion)

Couples  Oh Annie darling yoo hoo!

Grace: It’s amazing how many dishonest people there are in New York.

(Annie walking in)

A: Have you found my parents yet?

Grace: No Annie. I'm sorry.

A: I guess they're dead. I think deep down I've always known that. I guess I just wanted to believe that I wasn't just any old orphan. I wanted to believe that I was special.

W: You are special. Don’t you forget that!

 Scene 16

(Rooster and Lily on the doorstep of orphanage. Rings doorbell)

H: Yeah.

R: Are you the lady who runs this establishment?

H: Unfortunately.

L: 10 years ago we left our little baby girl on the front step.

R: We were starving. There was a job managing a motel but only if we had no children.

H: Rap it up, I'm listening to the radio.

L: We never meant to leave our little Annie.

H: Annie?

R: Now we have a hardware store in New Jersey we can take care of her.

L: We've always loved her.

H: You're Annie's parents?

L: Our house isn't fancy but it's home. We live over the store.

R: There's a yard out back.

L: We have chickens.

R: And a rooster.

(They take off disguises)

H: Rooster! My God I would never have recognized you. Come on.

(Looking around to make sure no one is watching)

R: If we can fool you, we can fool Mr. Money Bags.

L: 50,000 smakos.

H: You'll be the death of me, Rooster.

R: Come on sis.

H: What's in it for me?

R: A split of the money. A 3 way split

H: I want half.

L: Half!

H: Half!

R: Alright 25 for you and 25 for me and Lilly.

L: Rooster! Wait and see what she's got first to see if it’s worth 25,000.

H: What do you want?

L: We need specifics on Annie. Details.

H: You want details I'll give you details! I've got specifics on every kid in this dump. It’s just a question of finding the right box.

(Looking through boxes.)

H: Annie wears a locket round her neck. She says her parents have the other half to one day come and claim her with. Years ago her parents were killed in a fire and the cops brought me all their junk. Well baby brother if Annie's parents can claim her with that locket so can we!

(Orphans overhearing)

L: 50,000 big ones!

R: And the kid, we'll drop in the river.

Molly: They're gonna do something bad to Annie! Pepper!

Pepper: (reading magazine) HAVE YOU CLEANED THE CAN?

MOLLY: LISTEN TO ME! I MEAN IT!

Molly: Listen you guys, we gotta do something.

Pepper: You want a knuckle sandwich?

Molly: We gotta warn Annie!

Pepper: Scrub!

H: It's in a sealed envelope. (to Lilly about boxes) Make yourself useful.

(They find the locket)

(Song: Easy Street)

Rooster: I remember the way Our sainted mother Would sit and croon us Her lullaby Miss Hannigan: She'd say, kids, there's a place That's like no other You got to get there before you die Rooster: You don't get there By playing from the rule book Hannigan: You stack the aces Rooster: You load the dice Hannigan and Rooster: Mother dear Oh, we know you're down there listening, How can we follow Your sweet Advice to... Rooster: Easy street Easy street Where you sleep till noon Hannigan: Yeah, yeah, yeah Rooster and Hannigan: She'd repeat Easy street Better get there soon. Rooster, Hannigan, and Lily: Easy street Easy street Where the rich folks play Yeah, yeah, yeah Move them feet Hannigan: Move them ever-lovin' feet Rooster, Hannigan, and Lily: To easy street Hannigan: Easy street Rooster, Hannigan, and Lily: When you get there stay Rooster: It ain't fair How we scrounge For three of four bucks While she gets Warbucks Hannigan: The little brat! It ain't fair this here life Is drivin' me nuts! While we get peanuts She's livin' fat! Rooster: Maybe she holds the key That little lady Hannigan: To gettin' more bucks Rooster: Instead of less Maybe we fix the game With something shady Lily: Where does that put us? Hannigan: Oh, tell her. Rooster: If you want: yes! Rooster, Hannigan, and Lily: Yes! Easy street Easy street Annie is the key Yes sirree Yes sirree Yes sirree Easy street Easy street That's where we're gonna... be!

 (Orphans running to find Annie at Warbucks’ mansion

Duffy: Oh my goodness, we're never gonna get there!

Pepper: Wait. Look there's 5th Avenue!

Molly: We're at number 1, we gotta find 987.

Nell: Ooooh my feet are killing me!

Molly: We gotta keep going!

  Scene 17

(Rooster and Lilly disguised as Annie's parents talking to Warbucks)

R: We were starving, we needed the job, that's why we left our baby girl.

L: We left her on the doorstep of the Hudson St Orphanage.

(Annie comes in)

L: Oh Annie! (rushes to hug her) Look Ralph, she still has the locket.

(She puts the other half of the locket on)

.L: We've finally found you

W: I suppose you heard about the reward?

R: Reward? What reward?

W: On the radio.

L: We don't have a radio.

Grace: How did you know Annie was here?

R: That kind lady at the orphanage told us.

L: I have the birth certificate right here (handing it over) I've kept it close to my heart all these years.

A: I'll go pack.

L: You want me to help you, baby?

A: NO thanks...Mum.

(Warbucks writes a check)

R: Sir we're just so thrilled to have Annie back. We don't need the money

L: (snatching check) We are poor. We could use it to buy food. A warm blanket for Annie.

W: Put it in your pocket, Mrs. Mudge.

(Annie packs with Grace)

A: Do you think the stores would take all these clothes back?

G: But don't you want to keep them?

A: My folks­, they're poor. All these clothes might make them feel bad. Could you maybe take them to the orphanage and give them to my friends?

G: Sure.

(Annie sings Maybe)  “Bet you my life is gonna be swell. Just looking at them it's easy to tell.

Warbucks seeing her leave sings “It will be fine”

Annie Betcha my life is gonna be swell. Looking at them it's easy to tell. And maybe I'll forget how nice he was to me, And how I was almost his baby... Warbucks It'll be fine, nothing to fear. She'll be as happy as she was here. Things have worked out much better than planned. It makes you smile to see fate take a hand. And I know I'll forget how much she meant to me And how she was almost my baby... Maybe...

Scene 18

(Outside the mansion Miss Hanagen pretends to be blind and gets into the car.)

H: You got it? (She grabs the check) I better hold onto it for safe keeping!

L: Give it back!

(Annie realizing the plot)

A: Mr. Warbucks help!

(They cover her mouth)

  Scene 19

(At the mansion Orphans rush in)

W: What's this?

Molly: Mr. Warbucks?

Pepper: I think he's a highness.

Molly: Your Highness, we're friends of Annie’s.

W: Annie’s gone. Her parents came to get her.

Duffy: But they weren't her real parents, Your Highness.

Molly: They was bad people.

Pepper: it's a swindle.

W: Leapin Lizards!

(Warbucks gets on the phone)

W: The orphan Annie has been kidnapped. I want all of your best men on it!

 Scene 20

(Annie in car)

A: Mr. I think you better pull over. I gotta go.

(No response)

A: When ya gotta go ya gotta go.

(They pull over)

H: Make it snappy.

(Annie kicks Miss Hanigan's foot and grabs the check and runs, ripping up the check)

L: Get her!

R: I'll kill her!

H: He's really gonna kill her. Rooster no! She's just a baby!

(Rooster grabs at Annie’s feet then he tries to strangle her but Hanigan knocks him out. The police arrest them.)

   Scene 21

(Annie is reunited with Grace and Mr. Warbucks)

(Song: Together at Last)

Warbucks and annie Together at last! Together for ever! We're tying a knot, They never can sever! Annie I don't need sunshine now, To turn my skies to blue -- Warbucks and annie I don't need anything but you! Warbucks You've wrapped me around That cute little finger. You've made life a song ... You've made me the singer! Annie And what's the bathtub tune You always "Bu-Bu-Boo?" Warbucks Bu-Bu-Bu Ba-Ba-Ba But you Annie Yesterday was plain awful Warbucks You can say that again Annie Yesterday was plain awful Warbucks But that's Annie Not now Warbucks and annie That's then Annie I'm poor as a mouse, Warbucks Ah ha! I'm richer than Midas. FDR Oliver, marvelous! Warbucks and annie But nothing on earth Could ever divide us! And if tomorrow, I'm an apple seller, too-- I don't need anything, anything, anthying I don't need anything... But you! Servants Annie Annie Annie Everything's humming now Annie Annie Annie Good times are coming now Since you came our way It's Christmas, Christmas everyday We dismiss Bad times, sad times Now they're all yesterday news Since Annie Kicked out The blues Annie Annie Annie Look what you've done for us Annie Annie Annie Turned on the sun for us Grace Have they sent the cheese? Drake Yes and ice camemberts and bries Grace Judge Brandeis ALL Annie Annie You filled our life with a song They're two of a kind The happiest pair now Like Fred and Adelle, they're floating On air now And what's the title of the dream Warbucks I don't need anything Annie Anything ALL Anything I don't need anything But you

End

[mhdiaries]

Diary of Clawdia Wolf

I’ll make you a villain if you read my diary.

August 25th

Today I was walking through the streets of Londoom I just wanted to howl and do a little dance because I’m so excited to be here. I didn’t, of course, do the dancing part, since I’m the one with the “clumsy gene” in our family and I didn’t want to fall through an open monster hole cover. It has never bothered me that I’m not as athletic as the rest of the pack, because I think it was pretty apparent even when I was a cub that I was better at writing stories about my brothers’ and sisters’ athletic exploits than participating in them. It’s not that I didn’t try, but my mind and body may have been in concert but they were not playing the same tune. I remember the last organized soccer game I played: the coach put me in the goal partly because I was tall for my age and partly because he thought that perhaps the prospect of a ball being rocketed toward me might keep my attention. It worked for a bit, until the ball stayed at the other end of the pitch for a while, and a butterfly landed on the net. All of a sudden I became a ferocious were-spider who decided to give the butterfly a reprieve. So I climbed up in the net to shoo it away when I heard my dad yell, “Clawdia, turn around!” A ghoul was on a breakaway, and the only thing between her and me was open pitch and the ball. I tried to turn, and my spikes caught in the net, so I just closed my eyes and leaped toward the front of the goal. Somehow the ball ended up in my claws, and I kept the ghoul from scoring. It was my one and only athletic achievement, so I retired with my legacy in check and got a good story out of it, which, I’m sure, will end up in one of my screamplays some day.

September 8th

I was sitting in the lecture hall today not really paying attention like I should have been, partly because I was working on a not-for-that-class writing assignment and partly, okay, mostly, because symbolism in ghost-modern, neo-realist goblin cinema is only slightly less painful than rolling in flea-infested wolf’s bane. Honestly, I have no idea what a goblin miner wearing a red hat and pushing an empty ore cart says about the state of modern goblin-kobold relations. I’m sure it is profound and important, but well... it doesn’t matter. What did matter, howere, was that the professor asked a question that he wanted all of us to answer, and I didn’t hear the question. I could have asked him to repeat the question, of course, but then I would have had to acknowledge that I had not been paying attention, and since this particular professor hates that, I knew I was going to have to wing it on the answer. Which made me nervous, which made me look for something to chew on, which meant I wasn’t listening to the other answers, which meant I didn’t have a clue when he got to me. So when he said, “Ms. Wolf?” I said I didn’t think I could add anything to the discussion that had not been more profoundly stated in the answers my classmates had already given. This caused the rest of the class to burst out laughing, to which the professor said, “While I appreciate your humility, your answer leaves us no closer to knowing how many siblings you have.” I was mortalfied, but even more so when he said, “Please do try and pay better attention going forward.” Unlive and learn, Clawdia, unlive and learn.

September 15th

I’ve been using my iCoffin tablet to do some of my writing lately, and I really like it. I mean, I like the tablet. It’s great for doing video chats, and there are some really cool Londoom based apps that have helped me find my way around the city better. As for the writing part, I still prefer my chewed pen and leghoul pad. It may be old-fashioned, but there’s something about a blank sheet of paper that’s less intimidating than a blank scream with a blinking cursor.

October 1st

The only thing that’s coming down faster than the temperature in Londoom right now is the rain. I’m not sure what the real temp is, but you know it’s cold when a werewolf has to put on her fuzzy wool socks... brrr... fortunately, dad did a good job preparing me for this climate by never allowing to turn the thermostat up past the “I can see my breath” mark during the winter. We would say, “Dad, the house is freezing!” to which he would always reply, “You can either have heat or you can eat.” Followed quickly by, “We’re werewolves, for ghoul’s sake, put on a sweater if you’re cold.” Then we’d all look at mom, who would just shrug her soldiers. It was one of the only things she couldn’t change his mind about. So we’d all just sit snuggled together on the couch watching bad TV, complaining about Howleen’s sharp, unclipped paw nails and making promises about what we’d do when we all moved out and got our own places. I distinctly remember saying that I would turn up the heat so high that it would make Gloom Beach seem like a Yeti cave. So the first time it got cold here, I did just that, and it was every bit as amazing as I imagined it would be, until I got my first heating bill. Let’s just say that grocery shopping for the next few weeks gave me a completely different perspective on dad’s old saying. I’m pretty confident that saltines and marmite will never darken the shelves of my cupboard again after having that formerly tasty combination as my only breakfast and lunch option for a fortnight. I’m really missing being able to snuggle up on the couch with my pack of siblings, and I wouldn’t even complain about Howleen’s uncut paw nails... well, maybe not a lot.  

October 6th

I had a great video chat with the fam tonight, and they could not stop talking about Draculaura being chosen as queen of the vampires. They were in complete shock, and I have to admit it was quite a surprise to me as well. The vampires haven’t had a queen since the last chosen one, a young vampire ghoul named Elissabat, disappeared some 400 years ago. What is really curious about this, as if Draculaura being chosen as the new queen right out of the boo wasn’t curious enough, is that Clawdeen told me Draculaura’s choice was confirmed by the Vampire’s Heart. I have actually been doing quite a bit of research on the heart, which is really just a massive jewel with magical properties, for a screamplay I wanted to write about the mystery of the missing queen. There are many scholars that believe the jewel disappeared at the same time the ghoul who would be queen did; so either the scholars are incorrect, or there is more here than meets the eye. I didn’t want to be the one to rain on the funeral though, until I had a little more proof, especially with Clawdeen being so excited about attending the coronation. I did notice that Clawd wasn’t in the room with everyone else, and I’m wondering how he is dealing with this news.

October 7th

Clawdeen has sent me at least 30 texts and emails since last night detailing the fashions she’s thinking about taking to the coronation. I can see her now running around the room with absolutely every piece of clothing she owns spread out so she can mix and match fashions. She’s probably also been through Draculaura’s closet several times as well. I love her so much and I wish I could be there to make her laugh when she starts getting too serious. She’s so beautiful, though, that whatever she chooses will probably steal the show. I finally got an IM from Clawd asking if we could talk. This wasn’t unusual, since Clawd prefers one-on-one conversation to fighting for face time in a group. When he popped up on the screen he looked terrible, almost like he’d been crying, although it might have just been bad lighting. As usual, Clawd didn’t want to talk about himself and instead wanted to know every little thing I was doing. I finally had to say, “Stop howling around the moon and talk to me, little brother.” So he did. He told me that he didn’t trust the Lord Stoker character that showed up with the Vampire’s Heart claiming it led him to Draculaura. What’s more, neither did Draculaura. They both thought Draculaura would be miserable being queen, but that she would feel honor and duty bound to take the throne. Even so he was trying to be as supportive as possible and went on for a few more minutes about things that were worrying him. When he stopped I said, “You really love her, don’t you?” He looked down for a moment and swallowed hard, “She’s my best friend, sis, and I’m about to lose her forever.” Now it was my turn to swallow hard, and then he made an excuse about having to leave for practice and said a hasty goodbye. I’m going to do some more digging into this, because something doesn’t pass the smell test here, and a Wolf’s nose is always right.

[entwinedmoon]

John Torrington: Reflections

(Previous posts 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10)

Today, January 1, 2020, is the 174th anniversary of John Torrington’s death. Him dying on New Year’s Day must have dampened whatever celebrations the crew were most likely enjoying, a dark day in a quite literally dark month, as the sun would not return for some time. He would have been buried in that endless night, during a snowstorm (a layer of snow was still preserved on top of his coffin), the first death in what had so far been a successful expedition. A death so soon may have worried the crew, but since it was due to an illness he’d brought with him, it may have just been considered a fluke. They may not have been concerned, still thinking they would make it through and discover the last piece of the Northwest Passage. If they had succeeded, Torrington would have been a minor footnote in the history of a triumphant journey, his grave a small curiosity for anyone who may pass by. But no one made it home from the Franklin Expedition, and Torrington is now seen as an early warning sign of the tragedy awaiting the rest of the men.

Why is it that, after all these years, anyone still talks about Torrington? What is the fascination with him and the other men buried on Beechey? I know what draws me to his story, and while I can’t speak for everyone, I think there are at least some people who share the same reasons.

So what intrigues me about John Torrington? Why did I write this series, spanning eleven blog posts and over 25,000 words (that’s half a book!), about a 174-years-dead Victorian sailor, spending my spare time researching and dedicating long hours to studying his life and death?

In trying to pin down just what fascinates me about Torrington, I went through some of my old writing, and I found this little snippet from an essay I never finished. It was written almost ten years ago, on January 13, 2010:

It was all John Torrington’s fault. I couldn’t sleep because of that frozen grimace, mouth and eyes both slightly open—eyes, intact, seriously, staring back at me. He just stares, cold, frozen, dead. I’m not likely to go on a polar expedition any time soon and possibly die from lead-tainted food or whatever killed him, but it’s not that idea that frightens me. He stares at me in the night, in the corners, in the reflections in the moonlit mirror on my closet door, in the folds of the dirty laundry on the floor, he’s there, staring at me. Going to the bathroom at night is the worst, walking through the dark hallway, knowing he’s following me, just behind me, out of sight, but still manages to jump ahead to stare at me in the split second before the bathroom light comes on, inches from my face in the thick darkness, but then he runs and hides again in the shadows of the hall, lurking, waiting to follow me back to my room.

Sometimes it’s Otzi or Jaunita or Ida Girl or Cherchen Man. Never King Tut or Ramses II for some reason though. But John has always stood above the rest, just the memory of a picture haunting me.

As you can see, I had a slightly different attitude toward Torrington back then. To explain this, let me start from the beginning.

When I was about seven or eight, my older brother brought home a copy of Buried in Ice from school, where he was learning about the Franklin Expedition. He of course shared the pictures in the book with me and my older sister because he thought they were creepy and that’s what you do when you’re a kid, you share creepy stuff to try to scare your siblings. I’m in my early thirties now, so the memory has faded over the years, but there’s still a lot that stands out even now. I remember eating a particular type of corn chip that to this day I associate the flavor of with lead poisoning. My brother told me about how the brains of the three mummies had turned into a yellow liquid—something we thought was gross but also cool for some reason. I remember that there was no way to just flip the book over to cover up the picture of Torrington on the front cover because—oh goodie—there was a picture of him on the back too. My brother and I commented on the golden color of Torrington’s discolored skin (I don’t know why we thought “golden” instead of yellow—it sounds more poetic to call it “golden” but that was certainly not our intention). I also remember that later, after my brother had returned the book to school but we were still haunted by the images, we couldn’t recall the names of Hartnell and Braine, so we called them Big Head and Snarl Face instead. But we remembered the name Torrington, probably because he was featured more prominently in the book. And due to that prominence, Torrington was the one I would think of when lying in bed at night, watching shadows in the closet morph into monsters.

To try to combat my fear, I used a trick I’d learned where I turn the scary thing into something ridiculous (this was before Harry Potter was published, but it’s the same theory as how to fight a Boggart). I put the three mummies into a long-running story that I’d made up in my head—and I made them undead idiots. Like zombie versions of Beavis and Butthead. Yeah, I did that. I made them weird funny sidekicks in my story, but it didn’t really stop me being afraid when I saw pictures of them again.

Remarkably, despite being terrified of Torrington, I became obsessed with mummies as a kid, an obsession that continues to this day. I would marvel over pictures of Tollund Man, Ötzi, and the Qilakitsoq mummies of Greenland.

But not John Torrington.

Whenever I would flip through a book about mummies, if I encountered a picture of Torrington, I would slam my hand over the page to cover it. I would be creeped out by other mummies, but it was never to the same level as it was with Torrington. And yet, I would still be compelled to peek, even after covering the page. I would regret it immediately, but there was something that made me want to look, even though looking at him was the last thing I wanted to do.

Over the years, Torrington would find his way into a few more stories of mine, in some form or another. In college, I wrote a short story for a fiction writing class where the picture of Torrington on the cover of Frozen in Time started talking to a young woman, representing her repressed thoughts and fears (he cracked a lot of jokes in that one). At that point in time, however, I hadn’t been able to bring myself to read Frozen in Time. I had bought a copy a while ago—the 2004 revised edition—and when it arrived from Amazon I flipped through it, telling myself that I was an adult and I loved mummies and I could bravely face the pictures of these boogeymen from my childhood.

That last part turned out to be incorrect. Several weeks of being too afraid to turn off the light at night ensued. I wouldn’t read the book for another eight or nine years.

But eventually I did read it, multiple times in fact, and I’m no longer terrified of pictures of Torrington, or Hartnell and Braine. That all started a little less than two years ago.

It began with another story idea I had that incorporated Torrington, one I have yet to write. I thought I should do some research into him first if I was going to include him. Around the same time, The Terror was airing on AMC. The exact timeline is a little hazy for me, because the story idea actually first came to me at the end of 2017, but The Terror first aired in March 2018. I can’t remember if I had the idea to add Torrington to my story before I started watching The Terror or not, but I think it was before.

Once I started researching Torrington and the Franklin Expedition, I quickly became obsessed. I had poked around Franklin research before, but my fear of Torrington would always hold me back. I would peer through my fingers at pictures and facts, but I could never do more than that. But now I was hooked.

My childhood nightmares were there at first, just out of the corner of my eye, but my research started to shift those in strange ways. I had always seen Torrington as this ancient, towering monster, but then I discovered that he was only twenty when he died and stood at only five-foot-four. I’m older than him. I’m taller than him. His desiccated body weighed less than ninety pounds, which I definitely weigh more than. Basically, if he came charging out of the closet, I could take him.

But what really drew me in was realizing that we knew so little about him. I could look at a picture of his face, frozen in time, but I couldn’t reach back into the past to ask him about himself. I’ve known about him almost my whole life, with him skulking in a corner of my brain, stepping out of the shadows every now and then, but I didn’t really know who he was as a person. The Franklin Expedition can drive people mad with the mystery of what happened to the men after they entered the Arctic, but suddenly I became obsessed with knowing what had happened before the expedition. Who was John Torrington? Who was this guy that has occupied my dreams and nightmares, who has taken up a permanent residence in my mind ever since I first laid eyes on him? Who was this young man who has somehow been a part of my life for so long, but whom I know so little about?

I know I’m not the only one who has been asking these questions, or who has been living with the Franklin ice mummies in their heads. I’ve met some amazing people online who are just as obsessed, if not more so. Thanks to this series, I’ve had people contact me about their own interest in Torrington and the Beechey Boys and how they understand my love for them.

Many times before, I’ve attempted to put in words just what draws me to mummies. In 2011 I even started a long-since-abandoned blog about mummies called Digging the Dead, where I tried to explain my interest. But I’m going to try my best now to pin down what has compelled me to study Torrington, and why he keeps popping up in my life.

I think part of the appeal of Torrington—and Hartnell and Braine—is the shockingly alive appearance of their preserved bodies, with some morbid curiosity over their undead vibe thrown in. The preservation of a body, preventing the natural process of decay, is fascinating. It’s a type of immortality, although one the mummy doesn’t get to enjoy. Torrington looks like he could get up and walk around—possibly in a zombie-like way, but still. He looks more like a real person than some mummies, like bog bodies that became too twisted by the weight of the peat or desert mummies that have a freeze-dried appearance. But a large part of the fascination with Torrington, and mummies in general, is that it’s like touching a piece of the past. When we see their pictures, we’re looking at something that is from a time long gone, but they seem so very present, so tangible in the here and now. They are time travelers, in a way, and this is our way of reaching out to them across the years.

And with the mystery of the Franklin Expedition, Torrington, Hartnell, and Braine add an extra layer of intrigue as well as reminding us that there were more than just officers on board. We have pictures of Franklin, Crozier, Fitzjames, and many of the lieutenants and mates, but the ordinary sailors and marines didn’t have the luxury of having their pictures taken. What they looked like has been lost to time, but the preserved remains of Torrington and the Beechey Boys literally puts a human face on the ordinary men of the expedition, the ones who never wrote memoirs or had journals that were preserved for posterity. Men who have been largely forgotten by history, who don’t get the same reverence we give the captains, who don’t get memorials or landmarks in their names. When thinking of the men of the Franklin Expedition setting sail for their destiny, it’s easy to see Torrington on deck—alive, his striped shirt billowing in the wind as they sail toward Lancaster Sound—and to imagine that these were working ships, fully manned with ordinary people who led regular lives and had dreams of what they would do when they returned home to double pay and the fame of having helped discover the Northwest Passage.

But on January 1, 1846, those dreams winked out for one of those men. On this day, I think not about how well Torrington’s body has defied time and decomposition, but about who sat with him as he passed. Was he alone? Did he have friends on the crew? And what of his family back home? Did they toast him and his journey, not knowing that he was gone?

Who said a prayer for John Torrington 174 years ago?

If it’s not too late, I think I’ll say one for him today.

<<Back

Torrington Series Masterlist

[yourdeepestfathoms]

Monsters Don’t Soften When They Die (part 3)

once again, this co-written by @millie1536 who has been an absolute joy to work with! she really knocked it out of the ball park with this one, especially how she took on two parts to get this chapter done! please go read her writing, she is so unbelievably talented!!

TW: Panic attacks, purging/vomiting, destructive stimming

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

To say that Maggie was on edge would be an understatement. Finding three headless cats on her bed had certainly taken her by surprise. The strangest thing wasn’t even the cats, though. They may have been the most fucked up thing, but they weren’t the strangest. The cats were horrifying, disgusting, yes, but what really threw Maggie was the prayer book. She had thought its location was a secret, and even it if hadn’t been, who would go to all the trouble of picking a lock just to get to it?

One name came to mind.

Margaret.

She knew the others didn’t believe her but she was certain Margaret had been the one to drug her before the show. The more Maggie thought about it the more certain she was that Margaret was dangerous.

Despite wanting to be as far away from Margaret as possible, Maggie spends all day watching her. She does her best to keep the girl in sight at all times. Maggie hadn’t been expecting it to be so difficult, watching the girl, but seeing how she and Bessie talked and laughed together felt like someone was constricting her chest with iron rings. Seeing Bessie being so soft, so loving, to someone who had caused her so much harm only worked to further the pain.

Joan and Maria both knew, as did Bessie, that Maggie needed time alone after shows to unwind. She needed the quiet and the space to relax as the adrenaline left her system, and so when Maria and Joan didn’t see Maggie go upstairs to be alone alarm bells began to ring.

As the hours passed Maggie only became more anxious. She thought back to one of Margaret’s first nights at the house. Maggie had woken up to find her standing at the edge of her bed, just watching her. She started to wonder if that really was all she had been doing that night. Maybe she was trying to see how deep of a sleeper Maggie was. Maybe she was planning on taking an axe to Maggie’s head.

To her neck.

The cats. They’d been decapitated. Three black cats.

In her last life she had heard many stories of witches taking the form of black cats. It was something she and Anne used to talk about, whether or not it was possible for someone to change their appearance like that. In the end it didn’t matter, not to Henry. All he cared about was getting rid of his wife quickly. He had no intention of going through the process of divorcing her. No, he knew how messy that could be.

And so Anne, like the cats, was killed. Beheaded.

Margaret must have known this. Must have known that Anne had given her the prayer book. Why else would she have laid it out like that?

What if it was a warning? What if Anne was next?

What if she was next?

By the time it was dark Maggie could feel the signs of an oncoming panic attack. Nothing felt real, it was as if, were she to reach out and touch something, it would shatter and leave her in darkness. She had locked herself in her room after dinner, having had enough of Margaret and Bessie by that point. Maggie just stood there. In the middle of her room. Not moving. She can feel her mind fogging over as the panic grows. Leaving only one thought.

Bessie.

As the fear takes over Maggie finds herself running to Bessie’s room. She knocks, surprised when the door didn’t disappear beneath her hand.

  “What is it?” Bessie asked when she saw the shaking girl before her.

  “I-I uh,” Maggie struggled to find the words, “Scared… ADD…. M-Meltdown.” Maggie stammered; it wasn’t unusual for the guitarist to struggle speaking when scared.

  “You’re probably just tired.” The bassist told her, not seeming to register the clear signs that that was not the case. “Just go to bed, you’ll be fine in the morning.” Bessie closes the door before Maggie can respond.

Maggie just stares at the door a moment. Not knowing what to do she stumbled back into her own room. Her mind seemed to clear a bit as she looked around the room. Now that she was certain Bessie wouldn’t step in to help her should Margaret try something, all she could do was hide. Knowing it was the most obvious hiding place, but unable to think of any others, Maggie did her best to make herself comfortable in her closet.

Alone and scared in the dark proved to be a terrible combination.

Without being able to see her hands shaking, or the blood that bubbled to the surface of her arms as she scratched, Maggie didn’t realized how far she was slipping. She didn’t notice how her vision was becoming blurry as she fought to breathe, the black dots that appeared in front of her eyes simply blended in with the surrounding darkness.

----------

       Breakfast the next morning was a silent affair. Joan and Maria exchanging concerned looks as the morning continued with no sign of Maggie. Bessie, too, had noticed the absence of the guitarist.

  “I’m going to go check on Maggie.” Bessie announced after breakfast, only to feel a small hand wrap around her wrist.

  “I spoke to her earlier, she said she had some work to do. She’s fine.” Margaret smiled sweetly. Bessie nodded.

  “Well then, that’s that I guess.”

Maria and Joan weren’t convinced. After breakfast they found themselves in Maggie’s room. Maggie’s empty room.

  “Where is she?” Joan asked, collapsing onto Maggie’s bed in frustration.

  “I-” Maria cut herself off.

  “You?” Joan prompted. Maria just nodded at the wardrobe and the way one of the doors seemed to bend towards them. Joan stood up as Maria opened the doors, only just managing to catch an unconscious Maggie.

  “Is she alright?” Joan rushed to Maggie as Maria lay her on the floor.

  “She’s alive, but I don’t understand what could have scared her so badly.”

  “You think it was a panic attack?” Joan asked. Maria nodded.

It takes almost half an hour for the guitarist to wake up. Her eyes flutter for a moment before she relaxes, however it doesn’t last long. In the blink of an eye Maggie has dragged herself back into the closet, her back pressed against the wall as she watches Maria and Joan through frightened eyes.

  “Hey, it’s alright, sweetie. It’s just us.” Maria sees the flicker of recognition that crosses the girl’s eyes, “You’re okay, we’re not going to hurt you.” At that the fear fades from Maggie’s eyes, replaced instead by despair. Maggie buries her head in her knees and sobs. Her whole body shakes as she struggles for air. She flinches when she feels an arm around her.

  “Shh, we’re right here.” Maggie allows herself to melt into Maria’s touch, as she does she feels a second pair of arms wrap around her. Joan.

The three of them stay like that for what feels like hours, but none of them mind. Maggie feels safe, loved for the first time since Margaret had arrived and Maria and Joan had no objections to sitting in a closet with their friend. They doubted they would ever say it out loud, but Maggie was their baby sister, and so they sat there with her as she cried, holding her and reminding her of just how much they loved her.

----------

       After finding Maggie passed out in her closet of all places Maria and Joan decided to keep an eye on their bandmate. It was hard to know how far her mental health had deteriorated, it had never been great to begin with and sometimes her ADD caused her to slip into an almost depressive state. Her physical health, however, was far easier to track.

She was barely eating. Her eyes were dull and sunken, with dark bags underneath them. They can’t stand to see her like this but they don’t know what to do. Maria does her best to get Maggie to eat and Joan has started sitting up outside Maggie’s door at night, but it isn’t enough.

Maggie herself knew she wasn’t well. She knew that, if she didn’t break out of the cycle she was trapped in, she was going to make herself sick. As she lay in bed she felt as though she were on a ship. She shut her eyes in an attempt to keep the world from spinning but when she did the bed began to rock. Her mouth and throat felt as dry as sand but the thought of swallowing anything, even water, made her already roiling stomach churn. She just wanted it to end. She wanted the pain in her stomach to go away. Maybe if she was sick it would.

Maggie pushed aside the voice telling her that what she was about to do was dangerous as she stumbled out of bed and down the hall, using the wall as support. When she reached the bathroom she allowed herself to collapse onto the cool tiles for a moment. Eventually, she dragged herself up so that she was crouched in front of the toilet. She never tried anything like this before, but she’d seen it in movies.

  “It can’t be that hard.” She said aloud, her voice booming in the bathroom. She closed her eyes before sticking her fingers down her throat.

Nothing at first.

But then she felt her throat constricting around her fingers as it tried to clear the blockage. She felt her body shake as she gagged before, finally, she felt the bile burning her throat.

She had hoped that by throwing up she would get rid of the nauseous felling in her stomach but she hadn’t. For a moment she considered trying again, but the sound of someone coming up the staircase stopped her.

She hurried to wash her hands; it was one thing for someone to see the vomit, it was another for them to know how it came to be there.

  “Maggie?” Joan asked cautiously as she entered the upstairs bathroom, “Are you alright, hun?” Maggie nodded.

  “Sick.” The girl said quietly. Joan’s eyes fell on the toilet.

  “Come on, love. Let’s get you back to bed.” Joan smiled sadly as she wrapped an arm around Maggie’s shoulder before leading her to bed. She made a mental note to come back and clean the toilet once Maggie was settled.

----------

        “You need to eat something, Mags.” Maria insists, her hand clenched around Maggie’s bottle of pills, “We both know you can’t take these on an empty stomach, so please love? Just a slice of toast? Can you try for me?”

Maggie nods. She can’t face the thought that she could lose Maria and Joan too, so she does as she’s asked. The toast is dry and flaky in her mouth, and she desperately wants to spit it out, but she needs her meds, she knows she does, and she knows that Maria was right. She really shouldn’t take them on an empty stomach, and so she swallows the toast and hopes that her stomach will accept it long enough for her to take her pills.

  “Sometimes I think those things do more damage than good.” Bessie sighed as she entered the kitchen that morning; Maria had made sure to get Maggie away before Bessie and Margaret got up.

Joan just shrugged. Maggie had told her and Maria about Bessie’s behavior the night of her meltdown and it was safe to say that neither of them were too pleased with her.

  “I mean I know that anxiety and loss of appetite are common side effects but surely they shouldn’t be this severe.” Bessie tried to start a conversation with the other two.

  “You’d have to ask the doctor.” Joan said coldly. There had been a time where she, where all three of them, knew they could talk to the bassist. They knew that she would listen to them and make sure that they knew they were safe, but not anymore. Now it seemed like the only person Bessie cared about was Margaret.

   “Hey, Bess, can we talk, actually?” Maria asked after a moment of awkward silence. The bassist quirked a brow at them.

   “Of course. What’s up?”

   “It’s about Maggie,” Joan started and didn’t miss the slight flare of Bessie’s nose, “We think something is going on between her and Margaret.”

   “Oh?” Bessie crossed her arms.

   “A lot of things have been going on lately,” Maria continued, “I mean...the allergic reaction, Maggie getting knocked into the street, her guitar strings weirdly snapping even though she always takes care of her instruments, the morphine incident, the...” She swallowed hard and winced, “...cats.”

   “We think Margaret is targeting Maggie for some reason.” Joan concluded.

Bessie’s furious expression was not what the two of them had been hoping for. The bassist clenches her jaw and pushes her tongue up against the inside of her lip like she usually does when she was agitated.

   “You really believe that? That my eleven year old child could do all of that?”

   “Bessie, you heard what the police said,” Maria counters, “Nobody broke in last night. Someone in this house planted those cats, and it sure as hell wasn’t one of us.”

   “Plus, only Maggie knows where the key to the drawer the prayer book is in and-”

   “Well, there you go,” Bessie cut Joan off, “You just said it yourself. Maggie set this all up.”

Maria and Joan stare at her in shock.

   “You can’t be serious.” Joan said.

   “She’s doing it for attention.” Bessie went on.

   “Elizabeth, are you even hearing yourself?!” Maria cried, ignoring the hard stare she earned from Bessie for using her real name. “You are accusing Maggie of not only doing everything that has happened lately, but also killing and decapitating cats! Do you really believe for a moment that she would ever do such a thing?”

   “You know what condition she has.” Bessie said coolly.

   “Bessie!” Joan yelped.

   “You two are just wrapped around her little finger,” Bessie continued, “It’s unbelievable. You both need to open your eyes.”

That was the end of that conversation, as Bessie walked away to go find Margaret, leaving Joan and Maria alone in the kitchen in silence. They exchange nervous looks, feeling like they just made everything ten times worse.

—————

        That day, Maggie noticed how Bessie was completely ignoring her. The bassist wouldn’t answer her when she tried to talk to her, she side-glared instead of making full eye contact, and generally just acted like her protégé didn’t exist.

It hurt, to say the least.

Maggie had already assumed Bessie was avoiding her, but this just confirmed that theory. And it didn’t make her feel good at all.

The queens started to really notice the tension between the ladies in waiting when it got so bad that they couldn’t even all be in the same dressing room without it being awkward. They wanted to help, but getting caught in the crossfire could be disastrous. So, instead, they decided to support Maggie, who seemed to be struggling the most by what was going on, by inviting her over more often.

   “Bessie hates me.” Maggie said at dinner with the queens. It’s taken a little bit of prying, but she was finally opening up to them about what was going on.

   “No,” Jane spoke first, jumping to comfort the distraught and stressed out girl, “That woman does not hate you.”

   “She adores you.” Parr added.

   “Not anymore.” Maggie mumbled, “I’m just a replacement...”

Katherine silently reached over and took the guitarist’s hand, giving it a comforting squeeze. Maggie smiles thinly to be polite.

   “Bessie sometimes gets like this,” Cleves said, slightly defensive of her close friend, but that was natural, “I mean, she is finally getting to be with the daughter she never got to meet.”

   “The lady had, like, seven kids,” Anne countered, “Don’t you think she’d be tired of knowing them after, I dunno, the first one she had with Henrat?”

She was kicked under the table for that one.

   “Besides,” She went on, despite the foot that had drove into her shin, “If, say, Edward came back, do you think Jane would start being an ass to all of us? Especially if he starts trying to hurt us?”

   “Well,” Jane said, straightening up, “If you’re putting me in that situation, then I can see why Bessie is in denial of it. She doesn’t want her little girl being some monster people are claiming she is. But I wouldn’t start shunning any of you and I would definitely realize something was wrong if it got really bad.”

   “Bessie’s not stupid, she’s just protective.” Cleves jumped back in, a little worked up about all this criticism her friend was getting, “She’s going to get aggressive over things she’s defensive of.”

   “So I just have to wait and hope she won’t be mad anymore?” Maggie asked.

From across the table, Aragon sighed both heavily and loudly. She rubbed her forehead with her thumb and pointer finger as eyes turned to look at her.

   “This is going to give me a headache,” She muttered before raising her voice so everyone could hear, “Elizabeth is difficult. Very, very difficult. It seems as though the stubbornness she had as a child had transferred over through reincarnation. And it’s gotten ten times worse.”

   “Is there a point here?” Anne asked.

   “What I’ve learned is that one of the best ways to get through to Elizabeth is to appeal to her emotions.” Aragon said, “Open a door for a conversation to happen instead of prying. Forcing to try and talk to her will only make her more defensive and aggressive.”

When she finishes, she notices some of the others grinning at her. She crosses her arms.

   “What? I’m just stating what I know.”

   “You wouldn’t remember all of that if you’d didn’t care about her.” Anne teased.

   “What did you do when this happened?” Maggie asked.

   “Me? Well, I usually sang to her.”

An uproar of coos rebounded throughout the dining room.

   “Oh, shut it!”

————

        It was almost the end of the next day’s show and Maggie couldn’t stop fidgeting. She kept glancing back at Joan and Maria, who smiled reassuringly at her each time.

After the MegaSix ended, Anne spoke back up, catching the crowd’s attention.

   “One moment, folks!” She said, “I know our show is over, but my friend actually had a little something planned, so you’re gonna get one last performance. So, please, give it up for Maggie!”

A supportive applause whisked through the theater as Maggie shuffled up to the apron with as much confidence as she could muster. Anne quickly retrieved a microphone stand for her.

   “Okay, hi! I’m Maggie, I play guitar. Umm... Sorry if I’m a little awkward, haha, I’m not used to talking during shows. Uh. So the song I’m about to play for you was actually written by my m-”

Many eyebrows were quirked.

   “-friend, Bessie!”

Maggie turned to gesture to the bassist, who looks very confused.

   “So this is dedicated to her. I hope you enjoy.”

Taking a deep breath, Maggie strummed her guitar and began to sing.

Behind her, Bessie was rigid.

At a musician’s standpoint, she was quite impressed by how Maggie was able to merge the chords of an electric guitar with Old English, but as a human being, she was horrified. Old memories, memories of Henry, Henry’s words, Henry’s touch, Henry’s tongue, came back strong and she wasn’t able to get rid of them. They only got worse as the song progressed, and she could suddenly feel phantom hands dancing all over her body.

Bessie’s stomach bubbles in warning and she sprints offstage.

Maggie doesn’t notice the bassist’s absence until she finished the song and had turned around, expecting to see the woman’s proud smile, only to find her not there. After thanking the crowd, she hurries offstage, looking for Bessie, and eventually finding her in the dressing room, hunched in a chair with her head in her hands. Margaret was by her side.

   “Bessie!” Maggie cried, “Are you-”

   “What the fuck is wrong with you?”

The tone of voice made Maggie flinch and back away. Bessie rises to her feet slowly, like a bear rearing to strike, and anger flashes in her dark eyes.

   “What gave you the right to sing that song?” She demanded.

   “I-I just wanted to try and cheer you up.” Maggie stammered.

   “Cheer me up?!” Bessie barked a harsh laugh, “How stupid are you, girl? Haven’t you ever wondered why I never bring up my music? It’s because it brings back traumatic memories.”

Maggie felt like she was just punched in the stomach when she heard that.

   “And all the songs you could have played, you decided to go with the one that made me sound like a whore! Is that what you think of me, Margaret Elizabeth? Do you think I’m a whore?”

Maggie made a tiny, strangled noise and shook her head, but that wasn’t good enough for Bessie.

   “ANSWER ME, MARGARET!” Bessie yelled, slamming her fist down on one of the makeup tables and making Maggie nearly jump out of her skin. If it hurt her hand, she doesn’t show it.

   “N-no!” Maggie yelped, biting the inside of her cheek to keep herself from crying.

   “Then why?” Bessie snarled lowly, drawing her face in close to Maggie’s. Her voice is reminiscent of a bear growling. “Oh!” She sprang backwards, arms outstretched in an overexcited gesture, “You wanted to cheer me up! Well, why didn’t you pour a bucket of pig’s blood over my head while you were at it? That would have made me even happier!”

By then, the shouting has been noticed by everyone, who can only hover uselessly outside the door.

   “I-I’m sorry,” Maggie whimpered, cowering beneath to bassist’s burning glare.

   “You’re sorry?” Bessie exclaimed way louder than she needed to, “Yeah, that fixes everything!”

   “Okay, that’s enough!” Joan finally steps in. She quickly got between Bessie and Maggie.

Bessie scowls, but says no more, giving Maria and Joan a chance to take Maggie out of the room. The moment she was out of sight from the angry bassist, Maggie broke, dissolving into tears. She nearly collapsed when her knees buckled, but Maria held her upright.

   “I didn’t- I didn’t mean-” The girl stuttered over heavy breaths.

   “Shh, shh,” Maria hushed her gently, smoothing out the hair on her head, “What you did was so sweet, honey.”

   “B-but-”

   “Don’t listen to what Bessie said,” Joan went on, “She’s just being an ass.”

The two of them sat Maggie down in one of the queen’s dressing rooms and Maria began to rub her back.

   “She wouldn’t be angry if Margaret had sang.”

Neither Joan or Maria knew how to reply to that, so they changed subjects.

   “Hey, why don’t we all get changed and then go out and get some food?” Joan suggested, “Just the three of us.”

Maggie sniffled, nodding as she leaned against Maria’s side. An arm snaked around her waist, pulling her in securely.

   “Love you, Mags.” Maria said when Joan went to go retrieve their clothes.

  “Love you too, RiRi.”

----------

       Once again Maggie finds herself craving comfort as she lies in bed that night. She briefly considers going to Maria or Joan but decides that she’s bothered them enough in the last few days. And, so, she does what she always does: she unlocks the drawer beside her bed and reaches in for her prayer book.

But the drawer is empty.

Maggie’s chest tightens as she thinks back to the last time she had it. She had taken it off her bed, away from the cats, that night. She was sure of it. She remembered falling asleep with it that night and then… Nothing.

Jumping out of bed Maggie used her phone to illuminate the darkness beneath her bed, hoping that the book had simply fallen. But there was nothing there. Sitting up Maggie can feel the tears forming behind her eyes. She couldn’t help but think about how many times she had felt like this, felt so utterly hopeless, since meeting Margaret. Without her book Maggie didn’t know what to do. She tried think of anything that could possibly calm her down.

Only one thing came to mind.

No. She wouldn’t. She had promised Bessie she would stop.

But did that matter anymore? Did Bessie even care if she started again?

As the tears fell more and more rapidly and her chest constricted to the point where she felt as though her ribs would snap, Maggie realized that she didn’t have a choice.

She bit down. Hard.

The pain in her hand seemed to tell the rest of her body to relax. As she sunk her teeth into her flesh she could feel herself coming back, could feel her mind clearing. She had forgotten how good it felt. The pain grounded her. It kept her from spiraling. After a few minutes, she crawled back into bed, her hand still held between her teeth. She didn’t care who saw her. She didn’t care if Bessie came in to find her mauling herself in her sleep, it wasn’t like Bessie cared enough to do anything. The chances of Bessie even considering checking on Maggie were practically non-existent. And so Maggie found her eyes closing as she was lulled to sleep by the pain.