#honestly the twins gates look similar but when you put them side by side you can see how different they are

[lcpmon]

i need to practise walk cycles so i can animate the whole kälher family but that will take patience. something i dont have 😔

[leafs-lover]

Because Two People Got Drunk: 33

Chapter 33

Series Masterlist

Summary: It’s Fred’s 35th birthday and the start of the season.

Warning: Swearing, drinking, smut

Word Count: 9500

“Mommy when will Daddy be home?” you toddler shrieks running back to you from the front door. The season recently started with a season opener in Philly on Fred’s birthday last night. They are flying back and you are celebrating Fred’s birthday tonight, with a party on Tuesday on their day off. Fred told Oliver he would be back at 11am, and it’s now 11:10 so he is eagerly awaiting his return.

You hear a ding on your phone alerting you to the front gate opening “I think he’s home now” you respond standing up with Liam wrapped in your arm. Oliver squeals and runs down the hall while you pick Noah up, who yawns against you.

“Happy Birthday Daddy!” you hear Oliver scream as soon as the door opens.

As you round the corner you hear his bag hit the hardwood floor while he bends down to catch him “thanks buddy.” Fred rises to his feet and kicks his sneakers to the side walking towards you with Oliver clinging to his neck.

“Hey” he says placing a soft kiss on your lips you faintly taste the coffee on his lips. He adjusts Oliver on his side and grabs Liam from you.

“Daddy there is so many decoarations” Oliver cheers from his hip. Fred pulls away with a smirk and starts down the hall. 

“Really lets go see” he says footsteps receeding down the hall. “Woah look at all them” Fred exclaims seeing the streamers and balloons scattered around, gently setting Oliver on the ground.

“I helped” Oliver exclaims grabbing his hand dragging him around the living room to show him everything; his excitement radiating off the walls. “These are my favourite!” he points to two numbered silver balloons “five and three.”

“Right because daddy is how old?” you ask him.

“Thirty-five” he repeats back skipping around the room. You hear Fred grumble something and shake his head, not overly thrilled about the milestone he is reaching. You laugh and sit on the couch waiting for Oliver to finish the tour, although the house isn’t overly decorated, most of them will be put up closer to his party.

“Wow it looks great Ollie” Fred says sitting beside you on the couch, he lays Lucas across his thighs and tickles his stomach eliciting some giggles from him.

“Mommy says we are having a party soon” he says walking over to the couch to play with his Lego.

“Good thing it’s not a surprise party” you say quietly causing Fred to chuckle slightly. He leans over and kisses you on the cheek; you turn your head and place a quick peck on his lips “happy birthday Freddie.” Fred brings his lips back to yours “thanks babe” he mumbles. Noah lets out a small whine and Fred turns his attention to the baby in your arms. He pulls him into his arms bouncing him slightly, your head falling onto his shoulder.

You look down at Noah and Lucas, their bright eyes staring up at you “think there eyes will stay light?” you ask Fred. “Ollie’s were dark from the beginning.”

“Maybe, they will change soon if it does” he responds, wiping some of the drool from Noah’s face. A big yawn falls from your lips, you bring your hand up to cover it but Fred turns to look at you.

“They keep you up last night?” he asks “thought they were sleeping pretty good the last couple weeks.”

“No they slept for 10 hours straight, all of us did. I don’t know why I’m tired” you say through another yawn. “I’ve only been awake for like 5 hours today.”

Fred shifts slightly beside you, and you pull your head away. He pulls Lucas into his other arm and puts Noah resting against his chest, relaxing into the couch.

“Just adjusting to the season, it’s always hard” you explain. Fred turns to look at you giving you a soft smile before turning his gaze to Oliver who is babbling away playing with his Lego. You rest your elbow on the back of the couch and lean your head against it, eyes shifting between your four boys. “It was hard before with one baby, now there are three” you yawn again.

“Go have a nap, can’t fall asleep at my birthday dinner” Fred laughs.

“What if they get hungry, there isn’t any pumped milk” you explain.

“We have formula?” he asks turning towards you and you nod back to him, eyes barely open on his shoulder. Over the last six weeks or so you have been struggling with milk production, which has led to a bit of formula being mixed in to their feedings. “Then we will be fine. Go nap. We’ll have some boy time.”

You laugh lightly and rise to your feet and make your way to your room. You crawl under the duvet and honestly don’t expect yourself to sleep; but after a few minutes your eyes get heavy and fall closed.

“Wow I think I’m wildly underdressed” Fred says walking in to the bathroom. He has on a tight black t-shirt under a long sleeve shirt left unbuttoned with some dark washed jeans. You look at him in the mirror while applying your lip gloss “thought we weren’t going anywhere” he says leaning against the vanity beside you.

“We’re not Kyle is coming here, but I figured it’s your birthday; your 35th birthday so I should dress up” you explain turning to him. His hand comes up and plays with your navy blue fabric. It is a high waisted navy blue strapless jumpsuit, the top is tight fitting but has a layer of fabric than drapes from the top of you breast to your waist.

“I’m not that dressed up” you smile “I mean I’m wearing slippers.” You bring your face closer, your lips hovering centimeters from his; you can smell his cologne and can feel his warm breath against your face.

Fred’s eyes narrow at you, you lean in a bit more “I’m going to go change” he pulls away leaving you to practically fall forward into the emptiness. You groan turning your attention back to the mirror. You try to shake off the encounter, but the damage has been done. Your panties are soaked.

You walk into the dining room and begin the finishing touches on the table, lighting the few candles in the middle. You hear little feet running on the wood floor and bend down to grasp Oliver “oh look at you” you say looking at him. Fred dressed him in some jeans with a white long sleeve shirt with a plaid sweater vest.

“Daddy did my hair like his” he says bringing a hand up to his head.

“I see that, you look very handsome” you see his red hair has been brushed to the side and he even put a little bit of gel in to hold it in place similar to Fred’s. Only difference is where Fred styles the curls out of his, he left Oliver’s falling around his face.

“Mhm” he hums in your arms while you drop him on the floor. You hear some cooing and Fred walks around the corner with the twins.  They are each in plain onesies but Lucas’s bib looks like a bowtie and Noah’s makes it look like he is wearing a tie.

“I was going to get them dressed but I figured they would just drool or puke on whatever I put them in, so we opted for stylish bibs instead” he explains and you laugh.

“Well they are still very cute” you smile helping buckle them in to their high chairs. You stand up straight and take in Fred, who substituted his jeans for khaki’s and has on a blue dress shirt. You’re eyes drop to his collarbone where he left the top couple buttons open, exposing the top of his chest. Your mouth waters seeing his chain dangling inches from his muscles that are peeking out.

“I feel like your eyeing me like I’m a piece of meat or something” he says lifting your chin with his thumb. You chuckle lightly, the edges of your lips curling up slightly.

“Oh it smells so good” you moan ignoring his comment. You were going to take Fred out to a restaurant for dinner, but he said he wanted to have a low-key night with the family before the party. While Oliver likely would have been okay in a restaurant you didn’t want to push your luck with the twins so you opted to bring in a chef to cook for you. This way you don’t have to spend hours preparing a meal, that you know wouldn’t taste nearly as good, and the five of you can enjoy time together.

“I don’t smell anything” Fred says rubbing his thumb over your cheek.

“Really?” you say nudging your face against his touch “he was just starting to roast the walnuts for our salad earlier; they smell like they are done.”

“I’ll take your word for it” he says bringing his lips down to yours. His hand cups your cheek and tangles around your hair. He slowly pulls away, his taste lingering on your lips. He steps aside and pulls your chair out, gently pushing you in to the table.

He sits beside you at the top the table, and picks up the napkin. He unravels the fabric, gently running it through his fingers; you become mesmerized watching his fingertips dance along the stitching. You wish it was your skin his fingers were dragging across; you swallow the lump in your throat when his hands dip below the table placing the fabric across his lap.

You are brought from your trance when Kyle walks in setting the salads in front of you “see the walnuts” you point your fork to the bowl.

“Mhm” he says stabbing his fork into the leafy green.

“Oh I forgot to ask about wine” Kyle says popping his head back in the room, holding a bottle of white and red in his hands. He walks closer stopping between you, for you to examine the bottles.

“Umm” you say looking over trying to decide.

“I think I’m fine with just water” Fred says before you can respond.

“Oh…um me too” you respond not wanting to drink alone. Kyle nods and turns around leaving the room “don’t feel like drinking tonight?” you ask bringing your gaze to Fred’s.

“No I’m kind of tired and have a game tomorrow” he explains. “I mean I didn’t have a three hour nap this afternoon” he smirks bringing his water glass to his lips. The two of you dive into casual conversation, while Oliver randomly tells Fred stories from the last two days.

“Ready to sing?” you ask Oliver lighting the last candle on the cake. He jumps down from the barstool and runs into the dining room beginning the song, you laugh and join him.

“Happy birthday dear daddy, happy birthday to you” you set the tray in front of Fred, who pulls Oliver onto his lap. “Want to help blow them out?” he asks and your son immediately blows them out, though it’s not hard given there is only 4 candles.

“This is a nice looking cake, did you make it Ollie?” he asks.

“Yeah daddy! I mixed it, and helped put the icing on and the sprinkles” he muses bringing his finger to the icing and to his mouth. You laugh and sit down beside them, pulling him into your lap.

It’s a small rectangular chocolate cake with chocolate icing; which Oliver claimed is Fred’s favourite but you know it’s actually his. While you have ordered a cake for the party, you and Oliver made one for your dinner tonight. One of your favourite memories from your childhood was making cakes on your parent’s birthdays.

“What about the candles” you ask him.

“It’s buzz lightyear and a firetruck” he exclaims while Fred cuts him a piece.

“You pick them out?” he muses already knowing the answer.

“Yeah!” Oliver says excitedly moving to his seat to eat his piece. He pulls you into his lap your arms wrapped around his neck. He reaches around you bringing a piece of cake from the tray to his lips, his other hand resting gently against your hip.

“Tonight was perfect skat” he murmurs pressing his lips against yours. You can taste the chocolate on his lips and feel his pants tighten under you. You pull away with a devilish grin, placing your hand on his chest and your head on his shoulder. You feel his chest rise and fall while he brings a few bites of cake to your mouth while you look out at your sons.

“Dinner was great babe” Fred says walking into the pantry leaning against the counter.

“Uhh, yeah it was” you say opening scanning over the shelves mindlessly. You just finished cleaning while Fred put Oliver to bed.

“What are you -” he asks.

“Found one” you say reaching behind some boxes to pull out a granola bar that had fallen out. You tear the package open and take a bite turning around “what I’m hungry” you shrug brushing past him.

“So I have one more present for you” you say finishing your bar. “But its upstairs” you gently graze your finger over his hand walking by him. You hear Fred groan while you walk down the hall. You make it to the stairs when you feel Fred’s arms wrap around your waist and he carries you up to your bedroom.

Once at the door Fred gently sets you down pushing the door open. Walking in the room, the lights are off the room being illuminated by flickering candles. Lying on the bed is a white square box with a red bow.

Fred’s lips ghost the skin behind your ear while he walks you forward to the bed “you got me more than enough already” he mumbles.

“Well it’s kind of for both of us” you tease rocking your hips back onto him his warm breath drawing you in. His mouth grazes the skin under your ear gently kissing your soft spot, goosebumps run down your spine.

He walks over to the bed sitting on the edge; you sit beside him while he pulls the box into his lap. He tugs on the bow the fabric falling onto his lap. He pulls the top of the box, throwing it aside to reveal some black tissue paper. He digs through it pulling out three different sets of lingerie, setting them on the bed.

He runs his finger over them and turns his head to you “I couldn’t decide on one” you explain. “Figured since it’s such an important birthday you should pick” your hand falls onto his thigh, inching its way higher.

His eyes scan the fabric lying out on the bed in front of him; he brings his hand to a black set and points “this one.”

“M-kay” you say grabbing it and skipping off to the bathroom. You change into the black teddy with cut-outs on your waist and back. Your stomach covered by a sheer black fabric with intricate floral designs. You adjust yourself in the piece and pull your black satin robe overtop, tie resting loosely on your hip.

You walk into the bedroom, Fred having placed the other options and the box on your dresser. He is sitting on the bed, back against the headboard, legs gently crossed at his ankles. He smiles when he sees you walk in, you crawl onto the bed straddling him.

“I love birthdays” he mumbles pulling you into his hard chest, his hands running down your side to your thighs. You laugh and bring your lips to his, your hands running through his hair. You roll your hips against him, tilting his head back engaging him in a heated kiss.

He yanks on the belt around your waist, your robe opening up to expose your body in the lace. He pulls away his eyes gazing up and down your body. You see his Adams apple pop from his neck, his eyes swimming with desire. “Fuck I love birthdays” he groans tangling his hands into your hair pulling your lips down to his.

After a few minutes Fred pulls away, both of you gasping for air. You bring a thumb to his lips wiping away some of your smeared gloss from him. “I actually got you something” he says reaching down beside the bed.

“That’s not how birthday’s work babe” you tease as a brown paper bag is dropped between both of you.

“It’s for the both of us” he shrugs shifting to sit up straight against the head board. “I didn’t really have time to wrap it though.”

You laugh knowing the only time Fred has a nicely wrapped present is when someone else does it for him. You reach in to the basic bag and feel a rectangular box wrapped in plastic and pull it out. You examine the box in your hand, eyes scanning over the box. A pregnancy test.

“What….uh” you trail off processing what’s in your hand. You run your hand through your hair, scoffing in the process. “What is this? Why did you get me this?”

“Come on babe” he says “it’s pretty obvious.”

“Obvious? What’s obvious” you ask getting slightly agitated. You set the box on his lap and crawl off him crossing your legs. “Are you saying I look pregnant?”

“No. No. Definitely not saying that” he chuckles awkwardly. “Just the way you have been acting” he says.

“Uh-huh” you say shaking your head. “And how have I been acting Fred?”

“Just you have been tired the last few days” he starts.

“Did it ever cross your mind that I’m tired because I have three kids, two of which are only 5 months old” you retort looking a few centimetres beside his face.

“Yes, obviously, but it’s more than that” he says bringing his hand to your thigh. “You are eating more than normal. I mean you had an extra salad after dinner and a granola bar a couple hours after we finished. Last time you were like that was when you were pregnant” he says softly.

“And the time before that was when I was breast feeding Oliver, because breast feeding uses a lot of calories” you say shaking your head. A loud exasperated sigh leaving your lips.

“Babe” he says gripping your hand “I’ve seen you pregnant twice before.”

“Yeah and I have been pregnant twice, I think I would know if I was pregnant again. Wait is this why you didn’t drink at dinner?”

Fred exhales “yeah, if I drank I knew you would, and if you are pregnant”

“I’m NOT pregnant” you cut him off.

“If you are you can’t drink. I figured if I didn’t drink you wouldn’t drink.” Fred shifts to sit closer to you, placing a hand gently on your thigh.

“Maybe I’m wrong, maybe you’re not. But isn’t it better to be safe and take the test” he asks concern carved across his face.

“I’m not taking the test” you cross your arms over your chest. “I’m not taking the test because I’m not pregnant.”

“Did you ever make an appointment for birth control?” he asks pulling you into his chest.

“Yeah” you respond your body stiff against his chest reluctant to lean into his embrace. “It’s next week” you mumble. Fred chuckles slightly, you feel him chuckle slightly against you. “But I’m breast feeding; you can’t get pregnant breast feeding.”

“Babe, have you actually looked into that?” he asks softly.

You turn your head to look up at him “what do you mean? The doctor told me I’m good for six months.”

“Okay well I looked into it, and that is true under some circumstances” he trails off. But there’s a lot of reasons it stops being effective.” He pulls his phone out and unlocks it showing you a website.

“Right here” he says handing it to you. You’re eyes scan over the screen.

“See the second point” he asks

You must fully breastfeed your infant, meaning that the baby receives only breast milk. Also, breastfeeding must be maintained with both day and night feeding, and no long intervals can occur between feedings.

“We give them formula sometimes” he says. Yours hands drop from your chest and you place your hand behind you putting your weight on it.

“Not a lot though, it’s mostly milk” you respond ignoring the advice of medical experts.

“Okay, and what about the last one’ he says brushing your hair behind your shoulder.

You must not have a period.

You sit in silence reading over the last sentence, having had one a few weeks ago. Fred kisses the satin fabric on your shoulder, he reaches out and grabs the test “you should take it babe” he mumbles against you.

You push his body away from yours “I’m not taking the test because I’m not pregnant.”

“Why are you impossible” he groans throwing his head back. Your frustration in the situation results in tears pricking the corners of your eyes. You sniffle silently as a few warm tears falls slowly roll down your cheeks and your throat tightens.

“(Y/N)” Fred whispers moving beside you. He brings his hand up to your face wiping away your tears with the back of his finger.

“No” you shake his hand away from you sniffling back your tears and rise from the bed. You walk into the closet; you hear Fred’s heavy steps behind you stopping against the door frame. You pull your satin robe from your body and hang it back in the closet. Next is the black set which drops in a pile at your feet. You step out of it and walk through the closet toward Fred, he tries to compose himself but you see his eyes rake over your body while he follows your body through the room.

You brush by Fred, his hand reaching out to grasp your wrist stopping you in your tracks. You crash into his hard chest; he wraps his arms around your shoulders holding you close. Instead of melting into his embrace your arms hang stiff at your sides.

“Come on babe” he groans.

“Fred I’m really not in the mood right now” you push off him walking over to your dresser and pulling out some pajama’s. After everything that has transpired you aren’t exactly feeling sexy or in the mood anymore.

“Babe I obviously meant the test” he sighs. “It’s not hard, the next time you go to the bathroom you aim your pee onto the stick” he jokes trying to lighten your mood but you shake your head in response; pulling your tank top over your head.

“I’m not pregnant Fred” you chew walking over to the bed and crawling under the sheets. You roll onto your side, your back facing Fred’s side of the bed. You feel the bed dip and he crawls up behind you still leaving some space.

“Babe why is this so hard” he asks brushing your hair behind your ear.

“Why don’t you trust me?” you whine.

“Babe this isn’t about trust, I obviously trust you” he wraps his arms around you kissing your neck lightly. “It’s just you are showing early signs of being pregnant. All I’m saying is that it’s possible” he pulls you up against his chest wrapping his arm around you.

“No it’s not because I’m breast feeding” you groan “it works as birth control.”

“Yes but we haven’t been 100% with our birth control. Last time we weren’t 100% you got pregnant with Oliver” he chuckles his warm breath on neck.

“Fred stop I’m not pregnant” you huff. You push his hand off you and shift away from him. You put your arm under your pillow, and adjust yourself.

“I’m sorry I upset you, I probably should have brought it up better” he says but your body remains frozen in place. “I just…I didn’t expect it go like this” he whispers. You don’t react but you swear you feel him reach out to touch you before deciding against his judgement. Finally you hear Fred sigh and adjust on his side of the bed; the two of you lie in silence. You’re too frustrated to sleep and Fred to upset and annoyed by your stubbornness.

You feel the bed shift a few times, Fred letting out a few exaggerated sighs; you refuse to move the entire time. He knows you are awake, and you know he wants to talk but he doesn’t know what to say. Your eyes are locked on the clock on the other side of the room, watching while the minutes drag on.

Over two hours go by before you finally hear Fred snoring beside you. You roll onto your back staring into the darkness at your ceiling, finally free from his waiting gaze.

***

You walk downstairs hearing the light chatter from some of the guests who have started to arrive. Walking past the stairs to the basement you hear the shrieking laughter of children and some banging of hockey sticks. You laugh knowing you likely won’t see your son much until you drag him away.

Walking into the living room, Fred is over in the corner talking with a couple of the guys, Kathy and Carlee are at the island pouring drinks. You walk by the guys and Fred’s eyes pop from his face and he almost chokes on his drink. You wait until you pass him to before letting a smirk cross your face knowing your outfit did its job.

You opted to keep it relatively casual with a white button up shirt, the top few buttons purposely left unbuttoned and it’s tucked into your high waisted 3 button denim pants. Your hair and make-up are kept pretty simple and natural with minimal products and nude lips; a grey wool fedora resting gently on your head.

“How do you never look like you’ve had kids?” Carlee scoffs.

You laugh lightly “it’s amazing what the right shirt can do.”

“Nonsense” Fred says placing a quick kiss on your cheek. You shift slightly into his touch “you’re beautiful.” You shake your head slightly and wrap an arm around him. It’s been 5 days since you’re argument, and during those 5 days you and he haven’t had much contact.

You took the boys to the home game which went a lot better than you thought. Oliver took off and spent the entire game with some of the kids his age and the twins while awake were relatively unfussy. While you have put on a front when in the presence of other people; at home has been a different story.

You talk to him about his day and the kids, but otherwise if you try to and talk to Fred he will immediately cut you off asking if you took the test. When you say no, he stops engaging in the conversation. You don’t see the need for the test and Fred believes the later, thus leaving the two of you in a stale mate.

It’s not that you have been enjoying the silence from him, every time you see him laugh with Oliver or smile at the twins it tears on your heart strings. You want nothing more than to see his upper lip curl while he brushes your hair out of your face. For him to crawl in bed after a game and wrap you in his arms, lips ghosting along the skin of your neck. To feel the heat from his 6’4” body on top of yours, your hands running down his back slick with sweat.

Instead he hugged you once after the home opener and here now. All in front of people, all to hide from everyone the current situation you are in. And it’s not that you are in a fight, neither of you are mad at each other. Fred is irritated by your stubbornness and thinks the only way to get through is to do this. But through your stubbornness you aren’t afraid to wait him out.

You are pretty sure if it wasn’t for the beer on his breath he wouldn’t be the first to initiate what appears to be an apology, but you’ll take it. You feel Fred’s hand resting on the small of your back ever so gently. But even as soft his touch is it has you dripping from your core and toes tingling. You release a soft sigh from your throat; it gets caught in your throat breathing in Fred’s cologne. While subtle Fred picks up on your que and shifts slightly closer to you.

“So does 35 feel different?” Carlee asks handing you a drink.

Fred laughs a little bit “You know I didn’t think so until I compare my life to five years ago; when I was 30 I was single with no kids.”

“No grey hairs or permanent bags under your eyes” you joke, Fred nudges you rolling his eyes.

“Anyways when I think of my life from five years ago then it kind of hits me.”

“Well 35 looks good on you” you say. You stand on your tippy toes and Fred gently presses his lips to yours.

Your hand reaches the top of your head tilting the hat slightly to allow him more room. While most of your interactions have been for the benefit of other people, this isn’t. The way he is gently holding you but keeping you safe against his chest, the way his mouth brushes against your lips makes you think maybe you are both ready to put this to rest.

You pull away and he smiles reaches his eyes. You bring your hand to his lips and wipe away the lipstick that has spread onto his. He chuckles and leans in to place another kiss on your lips when there is a loud commotion from a lot of the guys. You hear some loud teasing and laughter and both your heads turn towards the noise when you see Auston and Mitch in playful chirping with some of the Penguins.

“Freddie” Auston calls out walking over to you both, after hugging him he wraps his arms around you.

“You guys made it” you say smiling up at him.

“Yeah, they let us come down early” Auston says, the team is supposed to fly down tomorrow to play Philly.

“How are you doing momma” Mitch asks lifting you off the ground for a big bear hug.

“I’m good” you respond laughing softly.

“Where are the boys?” Auston asks.

“Some of the girls have the twins” Fred says “they are being passed around, probably won’t see much of them.”

“And the little man?” Auston asks twisting the cap off a beer.

“You didn’t hear him in the basement” you chuckle walking away. You make your way through the crowd brushing off some conversations before heading downstairs. You watch as Oliver is in net, two of the younger players shooting against him, you watch Oliver stick his leg out deflecting a shot.

“Woah look at you, almost as good as your dad” you say drawing all the eyes to you.

“There’s a surprise upstairs for you Ollie” you say and his eyes light up. His ministicks clatters on the floor and he runs past you “what is it?” he shouts running up the stairs. You hear his feet tread up the stairs and you follow him, before you reach the top step you hear him scream out “Uncle Auston, Uncle Mitch!”

As you round the corner you see your son holding on to Mitch’s neck, both of them leaning over the snack table. You groan knowing Mitch is only handing him the sugar treats but before you respond a hand grips your wrist pulling you into the pantry.

“Fred” you groan smelling his cologne “he’s just going to give him candy. The last thing our three year needs is a belly full of candy.”

“It’s a party smuk” he tilts your chin to draw your eyes to his “let him have his fun.” You shake your head letting out a displeased groan as Fred sets a cup on the counter and puts his hands on your hips.

“Thank you for all this” he smiles “getting Auston and Mitch here.”

“Yeah I’m glad they could come and” you are cut off when his lips reach yours placing a soft kiss on you. You tilt your head back to allow him more entrance but he pulls away chuckling. “Babe the door is open and there is like 30 people out there” he laughs.

“I know, I just….you haven’t kissed me like this in days” you whine a pout forming.

“Who’s fault is that huh” he says teasingly his lips a centimeter from yours. You shake your head, not willing to take the fault for this, even if you know it was an overreaction.

He picks his drink up and bringing it to his lips taking a sip “this is good babe what’s in it?” he asks.

“What?” you ask “you poured it” you chuckle turning you attention back to the party.

“No elske I grabbed your drink when you went downstairs” he hums in your ear. “Carlee makes a good mojito. I like that she added some raspberries in with the lime. There is something different about it”

“Oh yeah” you respond absentmindedly shaking your head as Auston hands Oliver a cupcake.

“It’s missing something” he whispers pressing his wet lips on your jaw. He gently places a few more kisses on your neck before finding your sweet spot. You giggle feeling his mustache hair tickle your ear as he pulls his lips millimeters from it.

“It’s missing rum babe” he whispers and your head snaps to the side almost hitting his face “why is your drink missing rum skat?”

You swallow and pull your face back to look in his eyes “I…I’m not…I don’t…” you stammer out. He smirks at you teasing his lips in front of his face, he quirks an eyebrow waiting for a response. He steps back leaning against the counter on the other side, arms crossed with a smirk.

“I didn’t take the test” you almost whisper your eyes dropping to the ground. You lean against the counter across from him while he waits for you continue. “But I thought maybe I should” you pause bringing your eyes up to his. At this point he is smiling ear to ear knowing he was right “and Carlee saw the test when she was looking for my hair spray.” You say laughing “so she is making me virgin drinks tonight until I take the test. She said she isn’t leaving until I take it, and she kind of scares me when she gets mad.”

“So you’re taking the test for Carlee” he laughs walking towards you wrapping his arms around you. You melt into his touch moaning as you breathe in his cologne.

“I’m going to do it tonight” you mumble into his chest. His mouth presses into your hair and a deep exhale leaves his chest. “I still don’t think I need it though. You two are just being ridiculous.”

He gently strokes his hand up your back, pulling some of the tension from you. He ignores your comment because he doesn’t care how he got you to this point he is just happy you are going to do it after almost a week. You stand wrapped in his embrace when you hear a loud bang from the kitchen which causes you to jump and separate.

You enter the party and see Mitch picking up a barstool from the ground Auston cleaning up a spill. Oliver comes running past you to Fred who throws him in the air before pulling him into his chest while laughter erupts from him.

“Daddy we do cake now?” he asks.

“You haven’t had enough cupcakes already” he teases wiping the icing off his chin.

“No” he replies.

“You sure?” he asks tickling his side. His laughter erupts filling the room, drowning out some of the scattered conversations and music that is playing. You walk away towards the crowded island wedging yourself between Auston and Mitch.

“You think this would happen?” Mitch asks. “Like three years ago when you were pregnant with Oliver and we all had dinner. Did you even imagine this is where your life would end up?”

“No not at all” you laugh remembering that time in your life. “At that dinner I had no idea what I was going doing with my life, it was terrifying.”

“Well I’m glad it all worked out” Auston says wrapping his arm around your shoulder pulling you closer to him for a soft side hug. Your arm wraps around his waist and you both watch Fred as he holds Oliver upside down by his feet while he squeals under him.

“Yeah me too” you say softly the edges of your lips curl upwards watching Fred and Oliver.

Three years ago, you had no idea what to expect with your life. You never imagined a life with Fred or friendships with Mitch and Auston. You honestly didn’t think Auston liked you in the beginning, he always seemed skeptical of you. Not that you can really blame him, you gave everyone more than enough reasons to doubt you.

But once Auston opened up to you, you understood why he is one of Fred’s best friends. While you don’t get to see him a lot during the season between their schedules; you always see spend time during the off season with him. That and the constant facetimes are part of the reason he is one of Oliver’s favourite people.

A few hours later everyone has left, the kids are all asleep and Carlee is downstairs trying to sleep off the liquor so she isn’t hungover on her flight tomorrow. You feel Fred come up behind you his hands wrapping around you resting on the counter on either side of you.

“Come to bed” he whispers as you pour some of the cups down the sink. He gently brushes your hair behind your shoulders and uses it to gently kiss your neck.

“The mess babe” you groan seeing scattered half empty cups and plates with food left around the room. “The cleaning lady comes tomorrow, and I gave her a very generous tip 2 weeks ago in preparation for this.”

He hooks his fingers into your belt loop and tries to pull you away from the sink but you push back rinsing out the cups. “Babe” he whines sucking on the back of your neck. You rock your hips back to his groin, when he reaches around you to turn the tap off; you feel his lips smirk against your skin.

You spin around and Fred quickly pushes you against the counter, pulling the collar of your shirt back to expose your neck. Your knuckles grip the counter while he sucks on your collarbone, “Fred” you groan “Carlee could come up” you say between your moans.

“Uh-huh” he hums against your skin, his mustaches tickles your ear as his mouth moves further up your neck unbothered by a possible intrusion.

His mouth is centimetres from your ear when you feel his teeth graze your skin before he bites your neck. “Frederik” you scold playfully pushing him away.

His eyes are dark as he bends down wrapping an arm around your knees and throws you over his shoulder. Your hat falls onto the floor and you shriek as he runs up the stairs two at a time. He kicks the bedroom door shut with the back of his heel and in a few large strides he is at the edge of the bed throwing you onto it.

You rest on your elbows and watch as he pulls his sweater. He undoes his belt and slowly pulls his pants down his body. You’re a bundle of nerves wrecked with anticipation feeling wetness drip from your core. He stands up with just his boxers on; your eyes walk over his body breathing in the curves of his muscles.

The past few days you have only caught glimpses of Fred getting out of the shower or changing a shirt, but it has been too long since you’ve laid eyes on him. Your gaze slowly drops until you see his bulge, straining the fabric of his boxers and your chest noticeably heaves.

Fred grins and reaches out to your ankle pulling you to the edge of the bed. He begins to undo the three large buttons on your pants while you slowly release those on your shirt. You lift your hips and he pulls the denim from your legs while you throw your shirt into a pile on the side.

You hear him mumble some Danish curse words as his eyes wander your body. You have on a matching white lace panty and bra set with floral embroidery. Resting on your waist is a matching delicate garter connected to some sheer white thigh high stockings. “You didn’t get to see me in any of the gifts I bought” you explain rising to rest on your knees.

He pulls your face up pressing a sloppy kiss to your lips while you both fight for dominance. His hands slide down your back, tracing the outline of your thong his fingers gentle run circles around your hole.

You feel his already hard dick twitch on your stomach while he swallows. “You’re gonna kill me one day you know that babe” he groans You press your lips to his, fingers dancing with the hem of his boxers for a brief second before pulling them down his large thighs. His hard member flaps against his stomach, the sound echoing in the room.

You see the precum that has spilt out and lick your lips. Hearing Fred’s breathing become uneasy you bring your tongue to the tip moaning at his flavour. You pull away and lick along the underside Fred’s head falling backwards, eyes fluttering shut.

You hollow your mouth and flatten your tongue, sliding him in. You start slow, each time taking a bit more of him in your mouth until finally your nose touches his pelvis. You thrust your mouth slowly looking up at him through your lashes. His hands gently grip your hair, pulling the few strands from your mouth and away from your face.

You slowly increase your pace gagging slightly while you breathe through your nose. You bring your hands around to his ass and give him a squeeze pulling him onto you. He begins to thrust his hips while your jaw relaxes around him.

He increases his pace when you playfully pinch his ass. He holds your head steady while he takes complete control fucking your face. Curse words fall from his lips, while drool falls from yours. Your tongue swirls around him, and his hips stutter.

You gently begin to massage his balls and it sends him over the edge. He pulls your head onto him when his dick twitches shooting ribbon after ribbon into your throat. Finally he stops and you pull off choking on some of the cum in your mouth, a little dribbling out.

“Sorry” he mumbles walking to the bedside table to grab his water bottle for you. You take a sip and Fred reaches down to grab his boxers and gently wipe the saliva and cum that has spilt down your chin. He takes the bottle from you and sets it back on the night stand before he lies on the bed, head resting on his pillow. He curls his index finger and beckons you towards him.

You rise to your feet and stop beside him “on or off?”

“Underwear off, everything else stays” he says and you smirk. You had an idea this would be his preference so you wore your thong over the garter to allow for easy removal. You step out of them and kick them aside climbing on top of him.

You grind your hips against him and Fred groans recognizing how wet you already are. You lace your hands with his using it as leverage to continue rolling your hips on him. You feel him start to get hard again causing you to smirk when Fred releases your hands. He grips your hips and nudges you closer and you follow until you are hovering above his lips.

His warm breath blows onto your folds, his beard rubbing against your thighs. His hands grip your hips as he pulls you closer licking up your juices that have been building. He moans feeling your wetness tongue grazing arounds your folds, your anticipation having built for the last week.

You gasp loudly when his mouth attaches to your clit, your hand finding the headboard for stability. His tongue swirls around your entrance when he finally pulls you closer slipping inside your walls. Your other hand slides down into his hair tangling into his locks.

His tongue dances inside your walls, sliding in until his nose brushes against your clit. He gently rolls your hips on his face while soft moans slip from your mouth. He finds your sweet spot and gently brushes it with each stroke. He could easily be sending you over the edge but instead is taking his time, relishing in your taste.

His one hand gently begins to caress the back of your thigh while soft whispered curse words are falling from your lips. His hand slowly trails up your ass tracing the hem of the white lace. His pinky strokes around your hole and you shutter above him. You feel Fred smirk below you, as he does this a few more times.

“Freddie” you moan softly feeling your orgasm start to build. As if right on cue he brings his hand down and slips two fingers into your slick heat. Your head falls back when he begins to suck on your clit and thrust his digits deep inside you.

He sucks hard on your clit, grazing it along his teeth. You tremble at the feeling, hips pulling away at the contact. “Stay still” he mumbles, his other hand digging in to the skin of your hips. Your moans turn into whimpers slowly getting louder as he pumps his fingers inside you.

You can feel your walls tightening, and Fred does too twisting his fingers inside you. Your whole body is hot and you can feel a bead of sweat trail down the valley of your breasts. Fred continues pumping his fingers in you and your legs begin to tremble above him.

You are seeing stars; Fred continues his movements to drag your orgasm out, getting lost in your moans. Your walls flutter around him and you spill over his digits while his mouth continues to suck, drawing out your orgasm. Your hands fall onto the bed in front of you, barely able to support yourself as Fred stills under you.

His fingers slip out and find your hips and he gently lifts you just high enough for him to slide out. You feel the bed shift as he crawls up beside you kissing your shoulder. You crane your head and he smiles taking in your wrecked appearance; mascara on your cheeks, sweat mixed in your roots while some saliva and spilt cum has made some of your ends stick together.

You smile taking him in, juices in his beard, a scratch mark on his forehead from you grasping too hard. But your favourite thing besides his boyish smile is that his eyes aren’t blown with lust, they are soft and adoring while he examines the woman he loves.

He watches your chest rise and fall waiting for it to return to normal when he brings his lips to yours. He slowly pulls you onto his lap while you rest on your knees. He pulls you up, so his mouth is in line with your chest. He gently presses his mouth to your chest slowly sucking his way up your neck.

Your head falling to his shoulder as a silent cry expels from your lips “Got you smuk” he mumbles against your collarbone while he slowly pulls you down to his lap.

You feel his hard member poke at your entrance your hands returning to his hair. He slowly coats himself in your juices before slipping inside your sensitive core. You drop down on him a few times, each time he groans when you bottom out.

His hands grip your ass cheeks using them to guide you. Your pace starts slow and just as you are about to increase it, you feel Fred’s finger dance around your hole. You shudder at the feeling, your head falls onto his shoulder when you bite your lower lip.

He slowly slides in two fingers, still soaked from your juices while your body heats up. You continue your slow pace, your teeth digging into Fred’s shoulder. You hear him mumble but you can’t hear over the ringing in your body. Eventually his patience wears thin, his hips snapping as he thrusts into you.

His fingers slowly move around inside you, while his dick quickly pistons in and out. You bring your head up only to place a quick sloppy kiss on his lips. You taste yourself on him, and lean in further swallowing Fred’s groans in your lips. When you finally pull away you both are breathless and gasping for air.

You aren’t going to last much longer. Fred works his fingers at a slower pace than his cock, but the two combined has you a writhing mess. His mouth finds your collarbone as he sucks bringing your release even closer. Strangled moans and curse words fill the room.

“I’m close” you hum against his collarbone.

“Let go baby” he whispers into your hair. “I’m right behind you.”

A few more hard deep thrusts and you come undone around him. Your walls flutter around him, spilling down his hard member and your thighs. You moan loudly while he continues to thrust into you working you through your high. You feel Fred stutter under you giving you a few more thrusts before pulling you down to spill deep inside you.

He coats your walls white muttering Danish in your ear but you are so spent you can’t focus on anything until he finally stills. His hand gently strokes your hair from your face; you see the beads of sweat on his forehead and down his chest.

“I love you” he mumbles gently pressing his lips to your forehead taking in your post orgasm bliss. You smile back in response feeling his lips gently brush against yours.

“I’ve missed you” you murmur breathing still erratic. While you have seen him every day, had silent dinners together and slept a foot from him, you almost have missed him more than when he is on road trips. He chuckles and brings his lips back down to yours cautiously pulling his fingers from your hole.

You wince at the feeling, but Fred quickly grips the back of your thighs carrying you to the bathroom. He takes you directly into the shower setting you on the bench. Shivers run up your spine from the cool tile while he turns on the water. You stand up and walk right into his hard chest, bottom lip shivering from the cool air.

Fred just laughs and pushes you backwards until you are under the warm stream. He runs his hands up and down your arms, his touch along with the water warms you up and you begin to massage some shampoo in your hair. Fred finishes his shower first and helps to rinse the conditioner from your hair. You melt into his touch, letting him gently scratch your scalp.

Once you are both done you stand wrapped in each other’s embrace. You feel his chest release a deep exhale and you turn your head to look at his. The two of you stand there for a few minutes neither of you moving, water rolling down your bodies

You feel the weight in the room shift from playful to serious, your breathing echoing through the shower. “You ready?” you whisper.

“No” he laughs.

“What do you mean no! I thought you wanted this” you reply stunned.

“Babe I’m terrified” he chuckles nervously.

“About having four babies?” you whisper.

“No we can handle four” he responds finger trailing over your spine. “We we’re worried about how stressful three babies would be and we’re killing it so I have no doubts we can handle 4. I’m terrified because last time you were pregnant it was hell for you, you almost died.”

“Because of a car accident” you trail off.

“But before that you were in so much pain, like every part of you. You had extremely high blood pressure; your feet, legs, back and hips were constantly in pain. I felt like I could hurt you just by looking at you. It killed me” he chokes out.

You sigh but don’t say anything knowing how much he struggled watching you, how helpless he felt. Nothing he did was good enough. He felt responsible, even though you both decided to have a baby. It was something you both wanted, it was just harder than you could have imagined.

“We don’t know it will be like that again” you say so quiet it’s almost inaudible. The air around you is cold and filled with tension. You tremble your damp hear sending a chill to your spine.

“We don’t know it won’t“ he says stepping away to grab your towel wrapping it around you. 

“Well it’s a good thing the test will be negative, won’t have anything to worry about” you say softly.

“I always worry” he almost whispers before walking away, leaving you alone with your towel draped over your shoulders. Instead of drying yourself you stand still, legs quivering underneath you.

He returns wearing some track pants, running his hands through his wet hair. He laughs seeing you in the same spot he left you in, too chilled to move. He helps you into some pants and pulls one of his t-shirts over his head. It’s one of your favourite t-shirt, having borrowed it from after you gave birth to Oliver.

He had left some laundry in the dryer and gone to hockey. When you went to dry your clothes you found his and started to fold it, when you stumbled across the blue jays t-shirt. You were new to the city, struggling to adjust to life in Pittsburgh and life as a mom and the shirt reminded you of home.

When Fred came home and saw his shirt smothering your tiny frame, one side tucked into your leggings he didn’t say anything just smiling. You washed it and put it back on his bed, later that night you found it tucked in your drawer. Ever since then his shirt became your shirt forever waiting in your drawer.

After taking the test you set it on the counter and wash your hands. Fred sets a timer while you both stand arms wrapped around each other in silence; you can feel his heart beating in his chest. “These five minutes are always the longest” you say softly.

“Feels different than last time with the twins” he says and you laugh.

”Yeah but it reminds me of when I took the test with Oliver” you say tilting your head to look at him. “I was wrecked with nerves. I puked waiting for the results” you laugh.

“What did you do when it was positive?” he asks.

“I took five more” you laugh. “And then I curled up in bed and cried, probably for an hour straight.”

Fred brings his eyes over to yours, scanning over your face. All the things you and him have shared you never told him this. “I still didn’t believe it until my doctor actually told me. Then I set out trying to find you, not remembering many details besides the whiskey and four orgasms.” Fred sighs against you, but his silence says more than any words.

“Fred” you say softly “I love you.”

“I love you too smuk, more than you’ll ever know” you rise on your tippy toes closing the distance. Not the full distance he is 6’4” after all. He tilts his head to bring his lips down to yours, his mustache brushing against your upper lip. Your hands run through his beard tangling in his hair, his hand pressing on the small of your back.

Suddenly the alarm goes off startling you. You swallow and set your feet back on the floor. The two of you take one final minute before walking back over to the vanity, flipping the test over.

Next Chapter

[cherripeach]

Chapter 4

Little Match Maker

Summary: Your life motto is “I have the power of god and anime on my side, don’t mess with me,” and you stand by that with your life. No human, magician, or random creature could ever stop your firm belief in it. 

However, getting transported to this world that seemed to turn your already bad luck worse was not what you wanted to be in your life story, but you made the most of it.Making friends, enemies, and disasters, you were in your prime in this world, and so you decided to help as many people as you could flourish, at least what you believed to be.

Prologue 8-10: hurricane katrina more like hurricane tortilla

Chapter Summary: Everyone in this school needs their hearing checked.

Warning:  Curse words, jokes about death, slight violence, fire,

Words: 4.3k

Relationships: developing but future twstxreader

While you normally say “Sleep is for the weak,” this is not what you meant. And honestly you want to be weak compared to the literal 7 minutes of sleep you got. Everything felt off, and it wasn’t like your regular sleep schedule was great anyway.  All you did the entire night was make up scenarios in your head and contemplate both life and exploring the campus more. However, by the time you decided to go find the tallest tower (just to see it dude), all three ghosts were floating above you close to your ceiling. 

You whispered as to not wake up the sleeping cat that needs to stop taking up the bed, “Yo, not cool dude.”

The ghosts just winked at you and proceeded to try and scare the cat out of his slumber by reminding him about cleaning the school, but Grim seemed more like a teenager than you when he responded with a wish of “five more minutes.” 

The ghosts did not find this at all amusing, so they continued and even tried to make a morbid joke:

“Laze about too long and you’ll never wake up!” The smaller one started the joke. 

“Just like us!” And the largest one ended it.

The ghost's appearance frightened the cat causing the little demon to spring from under the covers and frantically run around the room basically accomplishing nothing. The ghosts, however, did not find this appealing and turned to you.

The tallest one spoke to you, “Are you all going to be living here? You’re gonna get pranked.”

Nodding your head, you agreed to the wonderful idea, but with a twist, “See dude I know you wanna prank us, but I would love to help all of you prank others.” You paused for a second and put your hand on your chin. “I’ve never had ghost friends and I really wanna know what you guys can do..” 

Grim was the exact opposite and continued to scream at the ghosts, but you just nodded your head at your brilliant idea and thought of all of your plans that you could get away with ghost friends. 

Right at this moment, the oh so gracious headmaster appeared out of thin air and greeted you, “Good morning, you two. Did you sleep well?”

Grim apparently did not, which peeved you off because you were the one up all night, so you just responded with, “Yeah the best sleep I’ve had since I was conceived…”

You knew the headmaster would not understand sarcasm, but honestly why is he even in your room in the early morning without knocking? The world will never know. And with a small world from him you zoned him out. At least until he mentioned cleaning the Main Street of the Campus. Once he stopped his speech his eyes flew to yours to wait for an answer.

“Sure, headmaster, but what am I supposed to use and where is this “Main Street”??” He never explained anything to you. I mean even if you listen when you try, the man tells you nothing. 

Here he goes trying to not explain anything to you, “I'm counting on you. You have permission to have lunch in the school cafeteria. Take care of your work enthusiastically.” He yeeted out of here just like your world did to you. 

“Ughhh, at least we get lunch…” You sighed into the unknown hoping someone would save you from this.  

“Tsk... No way I'm doing any cleaning. I wanna go to class, and bang! Boom boom boom! Use a bunch of awesome magic.” There was no use speaking to either of the two children of the school. 

“Dude, please, let’s just go and get this over with. Got it?” The cat just muttered in response to your reasoning, and you took that as a sign that he listened and that was the best you were ever gonna get from him. 

You got yourself together and decided that since nothing was gonna go your way, why act like it was. Your ideal belief made you not even look at yourself in a mirror, but just pull up the hood you had on from yesterday and grab some of the cleaning supplies that you found in the dorm. 

You and Grim headed out, and you waved a goodbye at the ghosts and blew a kiss at them because it is for the homies. 

Grim did end up abandoning you for a while to go find some “great tuna” for him to snack on. 

While walking out of the dorm and into the normal path of the school you encountered some odd people, and you actually considered yourself to be odd so these people were like the weirdest of the weirdos. One was a really jacked up on steroids furry, another was this pair of twins who everyone was avoiding and had weird anime twin hair which was the same hairstyle but parted differently or something, and you even saw an adorable boy, which is not considered weird, but he looked incredibly peeved at the rocks that he was kicking. Their outfits were all similar, but you did notice that there was a slight color difference between all the different people. 

Since life is not going your way and probably never will, you decided that the next person who you saw that you did not already see before you would ask directions from. The one problem with that is that the dude had a very sus vibe. He had on like a hat that was from like the 1800’s, but he did not have any other terrible features. He was rather breathtaking if you thought about it, but his eyes moved all around the crowd walking to get somewhere, and that gave you enough stalker vibes. His blonde hair in the bob was very cute, and maybe a little bit attractive, but his fashion sense was eccentric. Honestly, he was just eccentric. However, weighing your options, he is mostly approachable, and besides who isn't afraid of everyone they meet. 

You strided up to the man with as much confidence as a supermodel has. The male’s eyes swiftly darted to your form once you changed directions just making everything more awkward. Confusion spread through his face, but you kept on walking and stumbling and even lifted your hand for a small wave to him. The male did observe you just like you did him and found that you would not be a threat at least not that much and allowed your approach. 

Once you were within a distance where both of you could hear one another, he spoke, “Well, well, well, is there anyway I can help you, canard?” The man gently smiled at you, and damn you were hooked, but the man totally watched you stumble around wondering who to turn to, so this was just a cute situation. 

“Um, you see, I don’t know where the main street is..Could you help me?”  This man was actually making you nervous, but you put it all to how charming he was. 

“Oui, who would I be to not help un petit canard.” His hand went to his chest, and while with the headmaster and most of the others on this campus would piss you off if they did it, the male in front of you actually made you feel a little reassured. 

Your mind paused for a second to finally realize, ‘It’s been five minutes and I already have a slight crush… wow.’ 

The male waved his hand to motion for you to follow him as his grin just grew and he turned around, and you in your confused glory stumbled after him. He slowed his footsteps to allow you to both match him and keep up with him in the long run, and he began to make conversation with you.

“You must be the magicless student, oui?” As gentle as he looked when he lightly smiled and closed his eyes, he also had an air of danger floating around him. You wanted to trust him but also didn’t. 

“Yeah, dude...don’t know why I’m here either, and I can’t leave. Nothing seems to be going my way.” You shook your head and sighed deeply, but you were just happy that someone would listen.

“Poor petit canard, it would be my honor to help you with any of your problems,” he’s really good. He’s probably the best person you have met since the sun because he actually seems a little nice. 

“Thanks a lot. With all of the assholes and weirdos here, I didn’t exactly expect someone who would care about me.” You placed your gaze on the ground where you watched your feet and his walk while your lips turned up slightly, but you did think that this guy was weird enough for making you feel embarrassed and his whole odd vibe.

“It is no problem, petit canard, but I would recommend giving a chance to the people here,” he halted his speech and steps for a second just to land in front of you and to turn around causing his gaze to meet yours while you slowly looked up at him, “No one is like they seem.” His eyes did those weird anime think where a light shines over them for a second. 

“What?” Your mouth gaped open in visible shock at the man before you. 

At least until he twisted back around with the wind giving his jacket a flutter, “We have arrived, canard. Do have a nice day, oui?”  With a bow of his hat, the blonde hair man was out. 

“You know what, that is probably gonna be the most normal person I will meet at this school,” you thought for a second recognizing that you forgot about the dude from last night, “either him or the silver haired sleeping beauty.” You chuckled to yourself. 

You began to scan your surroundings which consisted of seven different statues and a long path leading up to the school one way and out the gate another. Many trees also decorated the area outside the path. 

And from this you determined that you would need the broom and washcloth you brought, but a rake would be appreciated. 

You groaned out to announce your displeasure and got started on cleaning up the place, and that is when Grim showed up to begin complaining that he had to pay for the tuna and that no one would give it to him for free. He even said that someone even threatened to kick him out of the school, but that did not surprise you. You just threw a cloth at him and told him to go scrub the statues.

He did his job for a good ten minutes without mouthing off at any of the students walking on the street getting ready to start school, but he did turn to you while washing the statue of the Queen of Hearts from the Disney movie Alice in Wonderland. 

“Hey, servant,” the cat peered up at you with big doe eyes, “What’s with all these statues? All seven of them look pretty scary,” the cat gazed up at the statue he was cleaning again, “This granny looks especially snobby.”

You just giggled at his statement, but a male with red orange hair and a red heart on his face came up to you too, and he was puzzled, “You don’t know about the Queen of Hearts?”

Grim gawked back at the male, “Queen of Hearts? Is she important?” 

“Grim, no one is important unless someone makes them important, so logically speaking no.” You just had to cut in with an idea about society that you just thought about.

The male with the heart on his cheek had something to say and started going on and on about how amazing she was as a queen. You just ignored him and went to work because you have heard of her and all that she was before, but Grim was captivated and started basically worshiping the words that came out of the male’s mouth. Grim even added in comments about the Queen here and there, but then Grim asked, “By the way, who are you?” and that caught your attention from cleaning. 

“I’m Ace, a fresh-faced first year. Nice to meetcha~” Ace winked at the two of you.

But you had to open your mouth, “Who calls themselves a fresh-faced first year. That’s basically saying you're fresh meat.” You raised an eyebrow while asserting your belief. 

However, neither of the boys listened to you. 

“I’m Grim, a genius who’ll become the greatest magician.” Grim just had to introduce himself; he even introduced you and called you both a dimwit and a servant which did not surprise you. 

Ace turned to you and in your eyes tried to compliment you, “You’ve got an odd sounding name.” 

“Thanks I guess, dude, but why are you here?” He had to be leaving for class soon, but he was just sticking to you two. His introduction confused you about his personality because after all the people you have met only three of them had been slightly nice and even then, all of them were odd. This guy had to be hiding something, and you think it might be something to do about his personality. 

“What are you talking about? I’m just here to help you two. I don’t mean to cause any trouble.” Ace responded.

‘So he wanted to cause trouble,’ was your immediate reaction. 

Ace then turned back to Grim who started a conversation about Scar from Lion King. All that was in your head was “Be Prepared” the villain song in the movie while you watched the two discuss who Scar was and what happened in the movie. But Ace never mentions his death or how he betrayed those who helped him. From your understanding, there was a serious misconception about villains at this school. Now that you thought about it they must clearly respect and reverence them because they had statues of some of the worst Disney villains. And throughout your debate, those two started to talk about Ursula from The Little Mermaid, but Ace referred to her as “The Sea Witch.” Nothing was similar really from the interpretations of the story in your world or this other world’s interpretations. 

While you will admit that some of the villains were not as bad as they could have been and that they were not total villains because most times the main characters and heroes of the stories were total pretentious assholes who knew nothing of ruling a kingdom or anything, romanticizing villains is a little wrong. Moana, though, an absolute queen. Cinderella also deserved better. 

The two visited every statue from Jafar from Aladdin to the ‘Evil Queen’ which they called the ‘Beautiful Queen’ from Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs to Hades from Hercules but the entire storyline was off because in greek mythology Hades wasn’t even the villain behind the story but whatever. The two finally gathered their stuff next to Maleficent from Sleeping Beauty, so you followed the two along because this was the last one and you needed to observe Ace, “the fresh meat,” more. 

Grim asked the question about the statue, “And the last one, with the horns?” 

Ace went on about her too, “That is the Witch of Thorns from the Magic Mountains. Noble and elegant, even within the Seven, she is top class in magic and curses! She can summon lightning and storms, cover an entire country in thorns, her magic is on a whole other level. There was even a time she transformed into a huge dragon!” You just nodded along at his speech. 

Grim even contributed again, “Ooh! A dragon! All monsters look up to them!” Grim looked so overjoyed for having someone to tell him about the villains; he’s just your idiotic cat sibling. 

“They’re all so cool!”  There had to be a moment where Ace showed his true self but he hasn’t done it, “Unlike a certain raccoon.” And there it is!!

Grim backed up in alarm from the kid and switched his gaze quickly to you in panic. He was an incredibly trusting cat which made you feel pretty bad for him.

Ace ignored the communication between you and Grim and like a proper villain presented his monologue to you two, “Pfft... Ahaha! I can't bear it anymore! Ahahahaha! Aren't you the guys who went crazy at the entrance ceremony? You were summoned by the Dark Mirror even though you can't use magic, and you, a monster, weren't called but still trespassed. Yeahhh, it took everything I had not to lose it at the ceremony.” His laugh sounded like a fart trying to come out but was halted by the butt cheek and the fabric of the pants so really not cute. 

Grim shifted his attention back to “fresh meat” and gawked at him, “Whaaa!? You're a rude one!”

Since you wanted to find more about this kid before you beat him up, you gave him a second to explain himself.

“And now you aren't allowed in and got regulated to be a janitor? Haha, how lame.” Is this kid kidding? Grim even agrees with you after his noises of distress and disagreement with the kid, but the kid kept going, “On top of that, you don't even know about the Great Seven. How ignorant can you be? As I recommend you go back to kindergarten before coming to Night Raven College.”

You just shook your head at the boy ready to step in once he finished his little speech.

“I thought I'd just mess with you a bit, but you really blew my expectations away. Unlike you two, I actually have classes to attend. Keep this school squeaky clean, you two~” The boy whistled at you two and waved at you and walked away.

At least he tried to before his collar was in your hands and your eyes were right in front of yours. 

“Y’know I’ll give you some praise because you are the most pretentious fuck I have met at this school,” You let go of his collar and knocked his feet a little to make sure he would fall to the ground, “ And what are you like five. All of your jabs at us are literally terrible, but that’s not even the worst of it. You must be so bored of your life or have such a small dick that making fun of people supposedly weaker than you, just gets you off. I never get people like you who belittle and tease others. Is it fun kid, huh, to make jokes to basically another kid when you just know how they are gonna react? ”

Ace sat on the ground stunned by your comments acting like a helpless child who just got yelled at with his red flushed cheeks and his balled up hands by his side. At that point, you realized that there was a crowd gathering around your little spat, and Ace’s cheeks and embarrassment was probably due to getting yelled at by the magicless student who became the janitor. 

However, Grim did not process that you were already lecturing the kid before he blew flames at the two of you.

“Are you kidding me GriM? I’m right here!” Normally fight or flight would respond to his action, but yours was not working causing you to stay in the same spot while some of the flames got closer. 

The kid was running away screaming stuff like “Nope not today” and “why,” but after he stood all the way up and walked a couple footsteps his collar was in your hand again. 

“Not happening, pipsqueak. You’re gonna pay for your actions.” You pulled him around to make sure he could hear you and see the mess of people running around behind you and the cat still trying to blow fire at the two of you.

Grim even started yelling, only making the flames worse and more rowdy, “It's what you get for making fun of me! I'm gonna light up that fire-head of yours!” Grim even smirked to make his point and pointed at the boy still in your hold.

This immature boy was not able to read the atmosphere and stood up to the fire breathing cat, “Fire-head, huh?Heeeeee. You've really got guts picking a fight with me. You too. I'll turn you into a puffy, little toy-poodle!” 

You slapped him on the back of the head for that causing his head to go forward and his hand to grab where you slapped. But Grim kept on shooting fire.

At least until Ace managed to get out of your hold by twisting and wiggling so much. Once he left he ran over to join in Grim and have a fight, and it just seemed like these past couple of days nothing would go your way. 

Ace took out the pen thing you saw yesterday and pointed in directly with a light coming out of it at Grim causing wind to go everywhere blowing the fire. More people also began to crowd around the two and murmurs and gossip broke out everywhere, but all you could pay attention to was stopping them. 

That didn't work out. 

The two kept on spitting insults at each other and magic, and once you got close you grabbed Ace by the ear pulling on it causing him to slightly turn from the fight. You tried to lecture Ace in that moment to tell him to stop, but Ace was far too focused on the cat in front of him and ended up grabbing your wrist, throwing it off his ear, and then shoving you right on your hands and butt into the cement where some flames were. 

All in all basically getting roasted alive was a solid 3/10, but you are sure some people got pictures and videos of it. Since you did get out of those flames in a split second and ‘Stop, Drop, and Roll’ which surprisingly worked, all you ended up with is some burns on the palm of your hands and the back of your calves. And since everything was pissing you off today you also found out that the cult-like cloak you were wearing is fireproof.

Grim got more enraged the more the fight went on and finally had enough, “Eat that!” 

A great amount of flames appeared darted toward Ace, but Ace had other plans, “And I just change my trajectory with the wind like… that!” The wind sent the flames hurtling to the statue of the Queen of Hearts causing the statue to be engulfed into flames.

And your only thought was, ‘This school needs to offer a physics class even a basic math class if all these magicians are as bad at predicting as this one.’

The two children were panicking and running in circles with their stupid tails between their legs screaming at each other and blaming each other. You just wanted to get this over with because you knew that you would be in trouble even though you can’t control anyone or threaten anyone because you are magicless. Grim is also a wild cat, and cats never listen. 

Right as Ace tried to reason with Grim the headmaster showed up, but that only caused two to overreact in fear of him and run away from him and the problem both of them caused. 

Neither escaped of course because they both got whipped which made you think what were the laws regarding teachers and children because you know that whips mostly were not allowed at school and not to be used on children. 

Nevermind that because the lovely headmaster with his gorgeous top hap and magnificent cape started another lecture, “This is my Lash of Love! It'll be another hundred years before you can outrun me!I told you just yesterday to 'not cause any trouble', didn't I?Then you go and char the statues of the Great Seven!I very much would like to see you expelled.” 

You could not wait to be let out and with a blank voice you let out, “Honestly, please let me out. I’ll take the streets over this.” 

No one heard you or at least no one seemed to. 

“Assholes,'' you grit your teeth ready to bear with another problem the headmaster gave you. 

Ace did not agree with you and screeched out, “Wait! Not that!” He whined like the baby he is. 

The headmaster could only make your day worse by turning to you who by the way is still covered in burns and had a look of pure defeat on your face and address, “And you, this is not how you supervise Grim.”

You just exhaled and promised to yourself that while getting expelled and kicked out of this school sounded great, living on the streets did not (Even if it did for the tiniest second there), so you nodded and smiled as best as your strained face from anger could take. 

The headmaster thought that was enough and turned to Ace asking, “My goodness.. You, what's your grade and name?”

Ace actually replied, most likely in fear, “Ace Trappola, first year.”

The gracious headmaster was pleased, “Then, Trappola, Grim, and you as punishment, I order the three of you to wash 100 window around campus!” He bounced his head probably affirming to himself that he chose the proper punishment after he pointed at you. 

Grim did not agree, “Nyaaa!? It's all cause this joker was making fun of us!”

Ace also did not, “Eeeh!? Me too?”

You silently sympathized with the headmaster for having to deal with so many children because he could only respond undoubtedly, “Most definitely! After school, meet in the cafeteria. Understood?” 

The two children groaned in disapproval but went with it.

And Grim stated something that you couldn't agree more with,“Nothing but misery since yesterday!!”

Your only response to the entire situation was to fall onto the cement again and try not to cry because a bad bitch doesn’t. 

~~~~~

Hahaha...I can't with myself. I tried to make this short, but it's the longest one so far. Thank you so much for reading everything, and I hope you have a great day!

[winterbites]

Quicko thing I've seen about Yashahime

So, as a recent commenter and the general fanbase of InuYasha have said, the mother of Towa and Setsuna is theorized to be Rin. She's an obviously popular choice to be Sesshomaru's lover/baby mama. Honestly, I would be ELATED if she's confirmed canon as the mother but there are a few complications that need to be checked in order to reasonably explain the theory of her being the mother. Keep in mind, I'm not a guru of InuYasha and I'm going to be referencing mainly the anime canon for this. So, in the case that I get something wrong or miss something, don't mob my house and crucify me amongst my mint garden. With that being said, let's get into it!

So, right outta the gate is the obvious one: Rin's age as she's 11 years old at the end of InuYasha. The seasons never seem to change in the Feudal Era but we know it was spring when Kagome graduated high school and transported back to the Feudal Era. So, as we know that time in the Feudal Era moves at the same rate as the Modern Era due to the 3 year time skip, we can safely say it's fall during the Since Then chapter/episode. I'm not an expert in the Japanese school system but a quick Google search says Japanese high school begins in April and ends in March, so I'm just gonna assume I'm close enough. Anyway, we don't know Rin's birthday but, just for a best case scenario for the theory, we'll say Rin turned 12 during this time. The synopsis of Yashahime is that it begins "a few years after" Since Then and then time is skipped ahead by 10 years. The girls are 14 years old - 10 years + 9 months of pregnancy = they were 3-4 years old during "a few years after". If they were 3, then we'll just say they recently turned 14 as we're only counting the years and not the months or days. Now, in ye olde days girls were generally married off when they got their first period, and that usually happened when the young ladies turned 13-14 years old (due to changes in nutrients in the modern world's food, puberty and, thus, periods actually start earlier so that's why 13-14 years old might seem a bit old for it to start). With that in mind, I'm going to add a year to this Rin is the mother theory so that she can be 13 and become eligible for childbirth. Kinda weird to show a 13 year old as a mother but Miroku did have a 14 y/o girl beg to be his wife (Kagome commented on this as well) so it's obviously a line that Rumiko isn't afraid of crossing. Also, given that Miroku and Sango's twin daughters are 2-3 years old and Sango was a 16 y/o during InuYasha, Sango and Miroku were clearly married and got busy while she was still 16. This is Rumiko telling us that modern expectations don't mean shit in the Feudal Era; what we consider underage is overage in the Feudal Era.

Whew! I think that's the biggest one out of the way, so let's move on to genetics - phenotypes in particular (remember, genotypes have to do with genetic appearance and phenotypes have to do with physical appearance). Typically, children in the InuYasha universe look very similar to their parents. Sesshomaru is the spitting image of his parents: white hair, face markings (Sess takes after his mother in that category along with her pale skin) and golden eyes. InuYasha also takes after both his parents: Toga's tanned skin, golden eyes, white hair and (in his human form) Izayoi's black hair and eyes. We don't know what Kagome's father looked like but she does share many similarities to her mother in pretty much all phenotype categories. The only real difference between the two is that her mother's hair seems to be on the curly side while Kagome's (and Sota's) hair is more straightened, presumably a trait from their father. For an example from Yashahime itself, look no further than Moroha: brown eyes from Kagome, InuYasha's tanned skin, Kagome's (and technically InuYasha's) black hair - hell, she even got InuYasha's doglike behaviors (even if it was meant for comedy relief at most times). Setsuna and Towa though? They don't look a lot like Sesshomaru to begin with, let alone Rin. Assuming Rin is the mother, Setsuna has Rin's hair, Towa has Sesshomaru's hair, and both have Sesshomaru's pale skin; however, both girls have red segments in their hair and both have differently colored eyes, neither of which match their parents. Now, Setsuna and Towa are half-demons and, although we don't see a lot of half-demons in InuYasha, we DO know they don't always look like their parents. Case in point: Jeninji. Jeninji is...well, physically-wise, the general definition of a monster despite his father being godly in appearance along with a very pretty mother. The only other (canon) half-demon we've seen is Shiori, and the only things she got from her mother was her gender. So Towa and Setsuna, two confirmed half-demons, having physical features that match only one or neither of their parents? Fairly plausible.

Lastly is Rin and Sesshomaru's relationship and Sesshomaru's general relationship to the general human race. Sesshomaru fuckin hates humans, no ifs, ands or buts about that one; HOWEVER, there are a few humans that meet his exceptions. I'm fairly positive he only puts up with Kagome (she called him big brother at the end of InuYasha and no shit it looked like he wanted to kill her) because InuYasha loves her and I'm a firm believer that Sesshomaru cares for InuYasha more than he lets on. As I said in a previous post, Kohaku is on Sesshomaru's good list due to his efforts to protect Rin; I think the only reason Sesshomaru seemed to be harsher to Kohaku was because he was a boy and was expected to take care of himself (for example, Sesshomaru expressed annoyance at having to defend Kohaku and threatened to leave him to die but didn't follow through with it). Last human on Sesshomaru's 'this person is ok, I guess' list is, obviously, Rin. He loves her, no ifs, ands or buts about that either but we don't know what kind of love it is and we don't know where it could extend to as she grows older. When Rin died the second time, Sesshomaru cradled her body and probably would've cried if he was normal in literally any kind of way. When his mother (y'all ever realized that Sess's mother doesn't have a canon name?) revived Rin, Sesshomaru crowded her and caressed her cheek. As one of my dad's favorite songs goes, if that ain't love then I don't know what love is. The way Sesshomaru views Rin is never stated, whether explicitly or implicitly, and, in my opinion, Rin is too young to understand whatever type of admiration she has for him. Rin has stated that she wants to be with Sesshomaru for forever and Sesshomaru, who seemed to feel the same way, had obvious plans to retrieve her once she spent more time with other humans - but only if Rin wanted to come along. Also, lets keep in mind that Sesshomaru was reluctant to separate from her to begin with and he still visits her very often plus brings her gifts on each visit.

With half-demon daughters and his general hate for anything human, Rin is by far the strongest candidate to be the mother but we don't know what Sesshomaru is up to during his travels. For all we know, he could've bonded with some other human woman in the time between InuYasha and Yashahime. On a sidenote, and I know this is pretty stereotypical, but clothes (the type of gift he seems to leave her more often than not) is among the top 3 things you give to your boo to woo them (I especially say this 'cause even I enjoy clothes shopping) but that kinda depends on the person.

[everlarkficexchange]

Unmasked ~ Seven

Written by: ~ M ~

Prompt #88

Rating: E (Explicit) This fic will contain consensual sexual content; mild language; discussions of injuries, illness, and amputations in a historical setting; discussions of miscarriage; discussions of minor character suicide; references to non consensual sexual situations.

My thanks to the moderators of @everlarkficexchange for always running an entertaining event, and for playing along with a little fun and mystery. Please enjoy the seventh chapter of this adventure. Previous installments can be found here. Regards,

~ M ~

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

~~ Chapter 7 ~~

I wake eager to start the day with a list of tasks to accomplish. Having slept late after our late night of revelry, I haven’t as much time as I would like. I prepare in my head the things I wish to discuss with Robert. There is the obvious issue of my home and my need to return soon, but there is also the matter of Peeta.

After much thinking, I have determined that perhaps I have not been as kind to Peeta as I ought. He did help me that day in the rain, and he means a great deal to Robert, perhaps as much as Prim means to me. I cannot fathom severing their bonds as brothers and add making amends with Peeta to my list of tasks needing my attention.

Only, there is no word from Sir Robert. No love letters or sonnets. No pink roses waiting for me at the breakfast table and no cards announcing a visit, at least not any from the man I kissed last night.

The longer the day stretches with no word from him, the more agitated I become, especially given the looks of concern Madge continues to send me throughout the day. Effie begins the day with a wide smile, but by the end she is more distraught than I. Before the effernoon of visitors even ends, she retreats to her room to nurse a headache and leaves the remainder of the entertaining to Madge and I. I find myself in the awkward position of chaperoning a visit from three different gentlemen… who clearly have come to see Madge, not I. Technically I am not supposed to chaperone as I have never been married, but since I allowed a man to kiss me and half undress me in the gardens last night, I suppose it is apparent that I do not much care for technicalities and propriety anyways.

Uncle Haymitch joins us for dinner, adding another face of concern. It is more than I can stand.

“Perhaps he drank too much and was recovering today,” Effie suggests in a whisper and I bow my head, unable to tell them that if that is the case, then he went elsewhere to drink after the ball. He was perfectly sober when he left me in the gardens. “Tell me again everything that he said.”

I sigh and give Effie the highly redacted version of my night that I gave her less than an hour ago.

“There must be a reason,” she insists. “If there is no word tomorrow, Haymitch will pay a visit to him. Or to the Marquis!”

“I will not go see the Marquis unless it is to greet him at the gates of hell.”

“Honestly Haymitch, I do not know what your issue is with the man, but you must set it aside for the sake of our niece!”

“Madame. I warned you not to tangle with that family,” he snarls at her and stands, squeezing my shoulder once before leaving the dining room. Effie huffs and I can barely summon the energy to wonder at his words. Whatever his reasoning for not wanting me to pursue Sir Robert, it appears that perhaps he was right.

The sun sets and then another day passes. That is all the pouting I allow myself. I need to return home. I long for it in a way I cannot describe, but I cannot leave the city with no resolution betwixt me and my betrothed. I resolve to not sit on my haunches. With Madge fast asleep, I light a candle and pen a note to Sir Robert.

As the ink dries, I read through my words and scowl. That won’t do. I sound angry and petulant. I crumple it up and throw it in the grate, gnashing my teeth to release the anger into the air and not into my missive to him.

The next is discarded for sounding too lovesick. Another for containing one too many complaints. Another comes out accusatory and while I think it justified, the words may not inspire much passion on his part.

It is early in the morning when I throw away my tenth attempt and climb into bed, defeated. I have no idea how to pen a decent love letter. I shall simply have to throw another convention to the winds and visit him myself tomorrow.

My sleep is terrible as I spend the rest of the night reliving our time at the masquerade, searching for clues and only confusing myself more. All those beautiful things he said about dancing a thousand dances on a broken leg for me and he can’t even be bothered to send a note.

Perhaps he has fallen ill. As awful a person as it makes me for even thinking it, I hope that this is the case. It is uncharitable of me, yes but it is a decent explanation that satisfies my vanity and gives me the courage to brave the world in the morning.

I know that I still look ghastly when I finally make it downstairs, seeking food and nothing more, only to be accosted by Aunt Effie in a fit of screams.

“Look, my darling, darling girl!” She shoves a newspaper at me and hurries up the stairs. “I am going to wake Haymitch! He needs to see this! I knew that young man would turn up! He is besotted with you, after all!”

I glance half hearted at the newspaper and the words in the weekly society pages that have Effie so elated.

“Katniss! Go put on a different dress! That one is making your complexion look sallow. You cannot greet the Marquis or Sir Robert thus!”

“The Marquis is visiting today?” Madge asks as she emerges from the library with a book in her hands and a hopeful smile on her face.

“No card yet, but an engagement announcement in the papers! He cannot ignore you now!”

I shove the papers at Madge and walk into the breakfast room, loading a plate to overflowing as she reads the words aloud, announcing to the world that a Miss Katniss Everdeen of Southeastern Panem, daughter of Mr. Kent Everdeen and his wife Mrs. Elise Everdeen, shall soon wed Sir Robert K. Mellark, third son of the Marquis and Marchioness de Vale, Lord Reginald and his wife, Lady Tabitha Mellark.

“This is good news!” she says as I drop my plate on the table with an unladylike amount of vigour and noise.

“I do not understand it.”

“It was only two days without word, perhaps he was seeing to the papers and license,” Madge soothes and takes my hand in hers.

“Not even a note? No word for days, Madge.”

“You disturb my sleep for this?” Haymitch shouts.

“Tell your niece to put on the blue dress. It brings out her eyes and she won’t listen to me this morning! She must look her best today!”

I groan and stand to pour myself some coffee. I do not usually drink the stuff, but I think I might need it today.

“Katniss, sweetheart, if you have an ounce of affection for me, you will do as your aunt says so that she stops harping at me about something as trivial as the shade of your dress!”

Before a decent argument begins, there is a knock at the door.

“Oh! That will be Matilda. She will have seen the announcement!”

Chaos ensues as Effie attempts to push me up the stairs to change, before I am done with my breakfast.

“I do not need to see Matilda. She is your friend.”

“She will want to see the bride to be! I do not often get the chance to gloat and show you off, darling!” Effie gushes and Haymitch attempts to use a silver platter as a mirror to tie his cravat. “Margaret! A little help.”

“At least let her finish her toast, Aunt Effie.”

“Ahem.” We all turn to stare at the butler as he bows. “I beg your pardon. The Marquis de Vale and a Mr. Peeta Mellark await you in the study, Mr. Abernathy.”

“The study?”

“Peeta?”

“Not Sir Robert?”

The butler’s head swivels between the three of us ladies and finally settles on looking at Haymitch.

“They wish an audience with Mr. Abernathy and Miss Everdeen.”

“Not in the parlor?” Effie squeaks and Haymitch sets his hands on her shoulders. “That is not sociable at all. What is going on, Haymitch?”

“Compose yourself and let us deal with this. Take no visitors until we return. Not even Matilda.”

“But Haymitch!”

“Not one visitor, Madame. Katniss, come with me and hope you do not regret listening to your aunt’s courtship advice.”

I wipe my hands clean and then rub my palms on my skirt. They’ve begun to sweat horribly. Haymitch leads me to the study and opens the door for me. I walk in with as much dignity as my churning stomach allows.

Peeta paces the carpet and a man I can only assume is the Marquis stands in front of the window, staring out on the world with his hands folded behind his back. There is a third man I do not recognize, seated and paging through a stack of papers.

“Miss Everdeen,” Peeta says and takes two steps towards me before his father coughs in an annoying manner and Peeta halts. I stare at him as he bows to me, slow and sedate. “Good morning.”

“Abernathy,” the Marquis says and I turn slightly to examine the father.

Good lord, there’s more of them.

I almost blurt the words out as my eyes dart from one Mellark to the other. If Peeta and Robert look as though they could be twins, despite their difference in age, there is no denying that the man who turns from the window to examine me is most definitely their father. I feel as though I could be looking at one of the brothers forty years from now, with lightened hair at the temples and grooves carved into his face.

Peeta’s lips curl up on one side in a wry smile at my reaction, as though echoing Robert’s words from the other night. Impossible to deny, given the physical similarities. I almost laugh, but manage to contain what I am sure would be a crazed sound.

“Mellark,” Haymitch says and I swear I can hear Effie fainting upstairs at the subtle snub in not using his title. It stuns even me, although the Marquis does not even blink at it.

“It has been some time.”

“Not long enough.”

“Indeed.”

“To what do we owe the honour of your visit?”

“Cease the act, Abernathy. There was an engagement announcement in the papers today and we need to sort it out before it gets out of hand.”

“What is to sort? The announcement is true,” I say and the Marquis arches a brow at me, the lines on his face deepening with his scowl.

“Is it now?”

“Your son Robert proposed to my niece three days ago,” Haymitch says, stepping protectively between myself and the Marquis. The protective gesture annoys me.

“He did not,” the Marquis proclaims confidently.

For some reason, my eyes jump to Peeta. Anger leaps high in me at how he stands there, silent. Surely Robert told him? But no defence is forthcoming from the bastard as the father continues.

“My son,” he sighs deeply and sinks into the chair behind Haymitch’s desk. “Has made a number of costly and foolish choices recently, but proposing to this bit of fluff cannot be one of them. Furthermore, it is most vicious of your family to run this announcement without my approval.”

Anger and indignation rise in me, burning hot as the insinuations sink in.

“We did not run the announcement!”

“And yet here it is in print.”

“Robert must have–” my words are cut short by a solid hand slamming on the desk. I flinch and glance nervously at Peeta to see if the noise had any affect on him at all. He remains a stone wall, unresponsive, just like his horse. But now that I am getting a good look at him, I see that he appears as awful as I feel. Dark circles ring his eyes and his skin appears pale, unnourished.

Something dreadful has happened.

“Robert could not,” the Marquis insists, his face turning purple as he seems to be stumbling through his words, starting half a dozen sentences and failing to complete them before Peeta finally speaks.

“Robert is gone.”

In the silence that follows, we listen to the ticking clock in the corner and the third man coughs.

“Gone? Gone how?” I ask, thinking a hundred horrible thoughts of him dead along a roadside, murdered by a highwayman, killed by an overturned carriage, lost to a fever. Perhaps it is cruel of me, but in the moment, death would be welcome to the thought that he courted me, kissed me, and then discarded me so carelessly. My stomach sinks as the Marquis sighs.

“That is not for you to reveal, boy.”

“She deserves to know,” Peeta says and stares his father down. “Whether you wish to admit it or not, Robert was, for all appearances, courting her, and there are any number of witnesses to it. She deserves to know.”

For one second, I am struck with the impression of two colliding thunderstorms and then the Marquis relents. “Very well, then. You claim to know the tart, you tell her.”

I gasp at the insult and Haymitch steps forward, but Peeta comes between the two older men, a contrite look on his face.

“May I speak with your niece, Mr. Abernathy?”

“She is standing right there. No need for permission,” the Marquis says. He is lucky his son stands guard because I have half a mind to fetch a weapon and split his skull for his rude behavior.

“Please,” Peeta says softly. Something in his voice draws my attention to him, and I am frozen in place by his pleading gaze. There is pain in his eyes and curiosity gets the better of me. I squeeze my uncle’s arm. Haymitch nods his silent permission and Peeta takes a deep breath before explaining. “He has eloped with someone. My brother Ethan and several others went after him, but they were…”

I stare at him as though he’s speaking another language, unable to believe the words or what they mean for me.

“Too late. He’s already married the trollop and made annulment impossible, God help him,” the Marquis growls and launches into a tirade that I cannot follow. My head swims with the news.

Robert eloped and already married someone else. For an instant, I feel as though my soul separates from my body. I cannot process this news, cannot reconcile it with the events of the masquerade. How could this happen? I saw him only a few days ago and the man I spent the night with at the masquerade seemed enthralled with me. The things he said, the way he kissed me! How could he already have married someone else? I know that Peeta said Robert falls in love easily but who could he have fallen in love with that quickly?

Peeta. Peeta would know with who and how this happened.

I refocus my attention on him. Oddly, he seems to be the only person I can focus on right now as he whispers. “I am…sorry, Miss Everdeen.”

“I have restricted my son and his…wife to remain far from town until this has time to fade out of interest. It would have not been an issue at all were it not for this travesty.” The Marquis lifts the paper and smacks it down on the desk. “You people–”

“Who ran the announcement is of little consequence,” Peeta interrupts and his father glares hotly at him. “The damage is done and the important matter now is repairing it.”

“Indeed,” the third man finally dares to speak, but I’ve no time to ask who he is or why he’s here.

“I do not see how this is our concern. Your boy is the one who ran off and broke the engagement. Katniss has done nothing wrong,” Haymitch says and the Marquis smiles. The expression is repulsive, almost sadistic and I have to force myself not to reach for Haymitch’s hand.

“Do you really wish to test that theory, Abernathy?”

I wait for Haymitch to leap to my defense, to tell this man to go to hell. The silence stretches to unbearable until the Marquis stands and spreads his hands on the desk.

“I thought not. Here is what is to be done. Robert is now married and obviously cannot have two wives. We have an engagement announcement in the papers that will destroy his status as a gentleman if allowed to stand, and I cannot allow that, no matter how beneath his rank he has chosen to wed. Luckily, I still have one unmarried son. A retraction, a correction will run in the society papers next week. I have already submitted it for print, announcing that your…Katrina–”

“Katniss,” Peeta corrects.

“No matter. Announcing that today’s paper contained a mistake and she is to marry Peeta here instead.”

“I will not!” I shout. I have been insulted, accused, and abused this morning. I will not stand for having my life decided for me as well.

“Sweetheart, hush,” Haymitch tries to soothe and I turn my anger on him, glaring daggers that he seems willing to roll over and take orders from this pompous ass.

“My solicitor, Mr. Cameron,” the Marquis waves towards the third man in the room, “has already drawn up the papers. You will sign today and then you and your family will tell every caller to your house of the mistake. Play it for a lark or a joke. An amusing misunderstanding if you must. You will not breathe so much as a word of Robert’s marriage. Tell them whatever they need to hear. Perhaps that your niece fell madly in love with Peeta instead of Robert. There is precedence for that sort of claim to a fickle heart in your family after all.”

Fury contained burns hot in my blood as he speaks. Ruthless, manipulative, cold and demanding. My mother was too kind in her description of him when she only used one of those words. I hate him already and my fingers itch to claw his eyes out before he even delivers the worst of his verdict.

“My son and your niece will be married as soon as feasible. Afterwards, I will announce Robert’s marriage in such a way that it will not seem that his marriage prompted this fiasco, and then this mess will disappear, no permanent harm done,” the Marquis finishes and runs his hands over his waistcoat.

“No permanent harm done?” I take a step towards him with murder in my mind, but Haymitch intercepts.

“I would have a word with my niece,” he says as I struggle to free myself from his grip and not cry in front of these bastards who would decide my life for me.

“Of course. We will wait here.” The Marquis waves his hand, dismissing us and my anger nearly bubbles over into screeching at his treatment of my uncle in his own home, at his cold assurance that he will get exactly his way.

Haymitch drags me down the hall and practically slams me into a wall as my tears break free. “How can you let him speak to you so? How did this happen?”

“Katniss, get ahold of yourself! You’ve gotten embroiled in a scandal with the wrong family, that is what happened. God damnit! I should have listened to my instincts and not Effie’s insistence.”

“Explain now.”

“Twenty-eight years ago, that man in there courted your mother and proposed to her. She refused because she was already in love with someone else, and two days later her engagement to your father appeared in the papers. She was lucky to walk away unscathed. She had no sisters to protect, no obvious weak spots for him to exploit. He had not come into his title yet, he found another poor wretch to marry him instead, and his father was slightly more forgiving. Elise has no idea what she narrowly escaped. You are not going to be so lucky as your mother, Katniss.”

“I won’t marry his bastard son to salvage the reputation of a man who proposed and then reneged! It won’t damage Robert that much anyways! Ha-ha! He realised too late how unsuitable the poor, untitled farmer’s daughter was for him!”

“Sweetheart,” Haymitch shakes his head and his face twists in pain. “I hate this for you as much as you do. But you do not comprehend the danger. Just a word or two, even a whisper of a scandal out of that man’s mouth and both you and Prim will suffer.”

“Prim?” I ask, freezing in horror. “It would be lies!”

“It matters not. All that will matter is who chooses to believe him. His is not the sort of power you can enrage without consequence. Do you understand?”

My tears and heaving slows. I still do not understand what happened between the masquerade and the morning after to so change Robert’s affections towards me. I feel as though a knife has been lodged between my ribs, but I can understand what Haymitch is saying. Lord Mellark could make it so that no one decent will marry Prim or myself.

In other words, will have to marry Peeta. I have no choice.

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

Details are finalised. Mr Cameron adjusts the contract as appropriate. Lord Mellark makes a point of telling me how Peeta will now receive half of the amount meant for Sir Robert upon marriage as well as the amount intended for Peeta himself, since the youngest legitimate Mellark has caused his father and his family such embarrassment and trouble.

“Does that satisfy, Miss Everdeen?” Lord Mellark asks as Haymitch signs the paperwork in my father’s stead and hands the quill to me so that I may also sign.

“It is most generous,” I say, certain when he nods that Lord Mellark missed my sarcasm.

The last signature sealing my fate belongs to Peeta. He accepts the quill from me and nearly drops it with how hard he tries to keep from touching me in the exchange. A sickening feeling fills me as I wonder what, if anything, Robert told him about that night at the masquerade. My eyes jump to the scars on his face. Annoyance that he would so judge me when he is clearly marked as I am churns in my gut. Or perhaps there are other reasons he now acts as though I have leprosy.

Then I cannot watch as he bends over the desk to sign. I stare unseeing out the window and wait for the scratching of quill tip on parchment. It does not arrive. Peeta stands and sets the quill back in its jar.

“May I speak to you a moment, Miss Everdeen?”

“I think you have spoken enough,” I say.

“There will be time for that later. Sign the papers.” I truly wish I could challenge his blasted father to a duel.

“After then? Perhaps a walk in the garden?” Peeta persists.

“I would not foul the pathways so,” I say, furious that he would suggest such a thing, even if he is unaware of what passed between Robert and I three days ago. A proposal in one garden and a kiss in another. I don’t care if it was not real, I won’t allow this bastard to further sully my memories of that day. The Marquis makes an odd noise in his throat.

“You are a nasty piece, aren’t you? No wonder my son had no real interest in you.”

The words strike deep and cause such pain. When I was eight, my mare was spooked by a snake and threw me. I laid on the ground gasping for air, my chest tighter than a corset. I thought I might die and this feeling that Lord Mellark imposes on me with his words is far worse than that feeling.

Because it must be true. Regardless of what happened at the masquerade, Robert would not have eloped and married another with such haste and no word of explanation to me if he felt any true regard for either myself or my feelings. Whatever I felt that night was truly one sided.

“Enough insults, Mellark. She has signed your damn papers. Allow the girl some anger and upset for the way things have turned out,” Haymitch says.

Lord Mellark grunts and begins to gather his things. “I haven’t time for this, boy. Already I have wasted an entire morning on this mess. Either sign or I will pursue my initial plans.”

I have no idea what he means, but whatever it is spurs Peeta into action. I’ve never seen anyone sign their name so fast nor with so much restrained rage. The glare he sends his own father leaves me breathless. I feel a slight twinge of pity as I realise that I am not the only one being forced into this travesty of marriage against my will.

Then I crush it. I have no space in my shattered heart for Peeta’s pain. I’ve enough of my own to carry.

“Excellent. I’m off. Good day, Abernathy.” The Marquis departs with his solicitor and his papers.

The three of us left in the room linger in charged silence until the carriage leaves.

“Why are you still here?” I snarl at Peeta.

“I should go explain things to your aunt,” Haymitch says and practically runs from the room. I scowl after him, furious at his cowardice in leaving me alone with this bastard. Shouldn’t he at least punch Peeta to defend my honour?

I doubt that you need his help. Robert’s words about me not needing Haymitch to defend my honour rise up in my memory to taunt me. Very well then. I shall do it myself.

“There is something I must tell you,” Peeta says before I can so much as make a fist.

“I’ve no wish to entertain a bastard this afternoon. If you’ll be so good as to see yourself out.” I spin and march from the room. I make it to the stairs before the tears start and then I run.

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

I lay with eyes fixed on the window, the curtains parted just enough to admit the glow of the moon. So beautiful and cold in the night sky. I wonder if Prim or my mother were able to enjoy their evening. It has been several days since I heard from them. I never told them of my engagement, thankfully. At first distracted by the masquerade and then by Sir Robert’s silence, I never sent word. Now I am glad that I did not, for explaining that mess would only make this entire situation worse. And to think just three nights ago, I squealed with foolish, girlish joy over a few kisses, thinking myself to be falling in love.

My eyes ache, tormented by the need to contain my tears all day while I was forced to sit in the parlor between Aunt Effie and Madge. Forced to drink tea and laugh at the “mistake.” Forced to pretend joy at my betrothal to a man I despise and who I am certain despises me.

Of course every known acquaintance would choose today to visit, tempted here by that blasted announcement to offer their congratulations. Effie insists it was not her who ran the announcement. That leaves only Robert himself, but that makes no sense either and unfortunately, Peeta was right. It matters not who sent in the announcement. What matters now is repairing the damage.

While I have been mourning for my loss of something I am not certain I ever possessed, barely able to speak and instead hiding behind a false smile of speechless fake joy, Madge and Effie had the difficult task of explaining that no, Katniss shan’t be wedding the charming Sir Robert but the other brother, with whom I am apparently madly in love.

I could release them now. The tears. I’ve enough of a broken heart to fill the night with sobs aplenty and give myself a headache, but I refuse to give the trio of Mellark bastards determining my future the satisfaction.

“Katniss…” Madge whispers. Her voice sounds choked, as though she too is holding back tears. “I’m so sorry. I… I was so concerned about returning to Maysilee as soon as possible. So happy when it seemed that we might find you a decent man for a husband with such ease that I was—“ she sniffles as tears slip from my eyes. I know she is crying as well. “I’m so sorry. I do not want your marriage to be anything like mine was.”

I squeeze my eyes shut and summon as much cheer as I can manage.

“Perhaps Mr. Mellark suffers a terminal illness and will make me a widow by the end of the year.”

“Perhaps,” Madge says although she does not sound convinced.

“It is not your fault, Madge,” I whisper, my voice a detached monotone. “You did not elope with Robert, nor did you encourage him to do so.”

“No. But I ignored the warnings in his behaviour.”

“What warnings?” I turn slightly in bed, a sudden cold feeling sweeping over me.

“I do not know how to explain it and perhaps it is the clarity of viewing past events and knowing the outcome now speaking, but Sir Robert’s suit was… lukewarm at best. So little passion for such haste. In truth, now that I think on it, Peeta showed more interest in you than Robert did.”

“Until the masquerade,” I remind her, ignoring what she says about Peeta. She sighs.

“Yes. That I cannot yet explain.”

I do not answer, unable to do so without expelling a torrent of sobs. I wait until I have control and by then, I am certain she is asleep and unable to hear me.

“Nor I.”

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

I survive the second day of my engagement to Peeta Mellark and escape to the garden after the visitors cease their torment, using the excuse of cutting flowers for the dinner table. The gardner who would usually attend the task gave no resistance when I asked, handing over her shears and basket with a soft look of pity. Bah. Does everyone know of my misfortunes in romance?

I need a distraction and the flowers oblige. I have half filled the basket when a sound alerts me to the presence of another. I expect Madge and scowl when I see Peeta walking towards me. His gait is uneven and he moves with a pronounced limp. Good. While I do not know the source of his injury, I do know that he deserves some pain for what he and his brother have done to me.

“You are late for visits. We are fresh out of tea, and I will not be inviting you to dinner.”

“Miss Everdeen,” he says as he stops near me.

“Have you come to make more demands then? Is marrying you not enough?”

“I did not want this any more than you.”

I do not even try to contain my sound of disbelief. “You did not want Robert to marry me. You made no secret of that, and now you have exactly what you wanted.”

“Not like this. I did not want this,” he insists. I choose to ignore him now. Maybe then he will leave. “I merely wanted to be sure that he would not fall in love with someone who could not and would not love him in return.”

The silence the stretches between us, broken only by the songs of birds and the faint noises of traffic on the street in front of the house.

“You garden as a hobby?” Peeta asks, clearly not taking my hints that I wish him to be gone. I resign myself to attempting conversation.

“I suppose that is not a suitable hobby for the wife of a Marquis’ illegitimate son in your mind?”

“I have nothing against gardening.”

“Thank goodness. My continuation of my favorite activities was hanging by the thin thread of your approval.”

“You dislike me.”

“No more than you dislike me,” I say and examine a few stems instead of looking at him.

“I do not dislike you at all, Miss Everdeen,” he says softly.

“Good heavens!” I say and lean back, sheltering my eyes from the sun with one hand to look up at him. “Such high praise! I would hate to see how you treat someone who has earned your disdain.”

He makes a strange growling noise of frustration in his throat. “Despite what you may think, I find you…intriguing and…enchanting. I do not wish for either of us to be miserable in our lives together. If you could find it in your heart to give me a chance—“

The snorting, indignant huff of disbelief I make cuts off his words and he finally ceases. I am quite tired of seeing Peeta Mellark, I think as I stand, brushing dirt off my hands onto my skirts since in my haste to escape, I forgot gloves. Effie would be furious at the dirt I leave on my skirts, especially in the presence of a gentleman, but if we’re going to be married, he might as well know what he’s getting.

I have always preferred feeling the plants and the soil, the life between my fingers anyways.

“A chance to do what?”

“Tell you the truth, for starters.”

“By all means, do share,” I throw my arms wide and let them fall to my sides. “I cannot see how it could possibly make anything worse. What excuse will you give for your brother courting and misleading a lady only to discard her the day after he proposes, I wonder. It is certain to be quite entertaining.”

“Robert was gone mere hours after he proposed to you.” A stab of pain lances across my chest at this. I shake my head to deny the words that pour from Peeta’s mouth. “He never made it to the masquerade at all.”

“No.” I keep shaking my head, hoping that it will make this nightmare stop. “No I saw him there. He…”

“That wasn’t Robert,” Peeta whispers and his fingers trace mine, exactly as the man in the mask did that night. My heart revolts against what he is saying. “Katniss—“

“No!” I shout and step away from him, snatching up my shears again. “You are not allowed to address me so! You and your kin have lied to me, used me most horribly, insulted me, and played with my heart! You have taken away what little choice I had in to whom and when I am married! You are not allowed to speak my name thus!”

I spin back to my plants and grasp a rose by the stem then yelp as the thorns pricks me.

“Bastard roses!” I screech, bringing my hand to my chest and dropping the shears.

“Even the flowers meet your disapproval in their wanton ways of pollinating.” Peeta reaches out and grasps my hand. We engage in a brief tussle for control of my wrist, but he unfortunately wins with a glare reminiscent of the way my mother used to look at me when I would not sit still to have a scrape cleaned and dressed. “You have gotten a pair of thorns embedded in your palm. Come with me.”

Pain and heartache make me too weak to resist. I should kick him but am suddenly sapped of the strength to do so. Surely an effect of my outburst.

He leads me towards a rain barrel and produces a handkerchief and after assuring me that it is clean, dips the elegant cloth into the rain water. He gently cleans the cuts on my palm. My pulse turns erratic as he blows on the cuts to dry them, wiping away more dirt. I watch as his pristine white cloth grows dark with earth and my blood.

“This may hurt a little,” he warns and he slides a knife out from I’ve no idea where. I gasp, stunned at the quick flash of metal. “Apologies. Habit from–”

“The infantry?” I ask and he nods. I take a deep breath and give him permission. “Proceed.”

I turn my head away so I need not watch. As comfortable as I am with the blood of animals, human blood – in particular mine or that of anyone I love – never fails to make me nauseous.

“For shame on the flowers. Cavorting with the bees,” he murmurs as I barely feel a prick or two and then slight pressure.

I snort at this and shove the laughter down deep. I will not give him the satisfaction of my laughter as his warm palm cradles mine, loose enough to not hurt me but tight enough to prevent my escape. For me to feel the calluses on his skin and the caress of his thumb over mine in a soothing gesture. The touch feels familiar although I dismiss that as a trick caused by his words. I refuse to believe it was Peeta at the masquerade that night. I can only withstand so many blows to my heart.

“They are Aunt Effie’s favorite but, I am not fond of roses,” I gasp out and he lifts his head to look at me.

“Because they are so…scandalous?” he asks with a teasing smile lifting the corner of his lips. I fight back my own smile. I will not smile for him. I will not fall for more of his deception.

“No. Because their scent is overwhelming and sticks in the nostrils, eventually growing foul. They are quite common. Everyone seems to hand them out as gifts and has them planted in their gardens.”

“So you prefer more extraordinary blooms.”

“No.” I say, and he seems to be waiting for more.

“Perhaps something more wild and native to your home then.”

I cannot breathe. The intense way he looks at me wraps around me and squeezes the air from my lungs.

“Why do you care?”

“Because like you, I do not wish to marry a stranger, nor a person who cannot even stand my presence, regardless of the circumstances of engagement.”

He has been holding my hand for longer than necessary and gazing into my eyes for certainly much too long and yet I cannot seem to break the connections. I cough and nod towards our hands. “Are the thorns out?”

“Yes.” He lets go my hand then and steps away from me, only to remove his cravat. I am too speechless to ask what the devil he is doing. “And I do believe that you will live.”

“I am relieved to hear it,” I say and Peeta laughs. At my words or my tone, I cannot be sure, and I am too distracted by his state of undress and then by the awful ripping sounds as he uses the knife to cut a length of silk from his neck cloth. Setting aside the knife, he once more takes my hand in his and uses the strip of silk to bandage my hand.

“We have bandages inside,” I croak. He pauses in his work and I shake my head. “No, I do not know if Aunt Effie keeps any. My mother does, at home.”

He finishes his task while I stare at the scars that are normally hidden beneath his collar and that disappear beneath his shirt. How far down his body do they extend, I wonder, and does he already know of mine? The garden is unbearably warm this afternoon.

“There,” he says and then says my name like a plea, but I shake my head and return to the rose bushes.

“I do not wish to be miserable in matrimony either, Mr. Mellark. Dishonesty is something I cannot abide.”

“I have not lied to you.”

“Either you were deceiving me several nights ago at the masquerade or you are deceiving me now.” I turn back to judge his reaction. He clenches his jaw and turns one direction then another.

“It is more complicated than that. My only excuse for the masquerade is that I meant to protect my brother and I… became distracted.”

“How convenient, sir.”

“I cannot convince you?”

“No.”

“Shall I return tomorrow then? Perhaps you might enjoy a ride in the park, beneath the trees.”

I squint at him and shake my head. “A good attempt, sir, but that will not work. Robert could have told you everything that passed between us.”

“Not everything.”

My cheeks heat as he steps closer. Close enough for me to feel the heat shifting in the air around us, the currents I felt the other night reborn and charged with animosity rather than desire this time. No, it is a trick. I am feeling things that are not there, influenced by his deception.

I cannot stand the feelings and turn away from him to snip off a few more blooms without paying much attention to their quality and lay them in my basket to take inside.

“I want no deception between us as well, Miss Everdeen. The simple truth is that Robert was long gone when I found your note to him about the ball. Realising that you would be expecting him and questions on his whereabouts might be raised before Ethan could reach him, I was sent to…distract you.“

"Who sent you? Your charming father? It’s preposterous and you really expect me to believe that?”

“If you cannot believe me, then I shall refrain from speaking of it again, but it is the truth.”

“Then you’re off?” I say, unable to account for the sinking feeling inside me.

“Not yet. There is one more matter I wish to discuss with you before I leave you be.” I pause in my flower gathering long enough for him to take it as approval to continue. “I imagine you are anxious to return home to see to your father, your mother and sister, as well as the needs of your home. If you wish, I would join you at Everdeen in a week’s time. A small wedding at your home where your family could be present might suit best. If not, you can return here once you’ve seen to your responsibilities, and we can be wed at that time.”

“You are giving me a choice?” I turn slightly to face him.

“I leave it solely in your hands.”

I flounder for words, stunned by the gesture of handing me control, however little it may be.

“You do not need to choose now. Think on it and let me know.” He hands me a folded piece of paper, bows, and then departs, still limping slightly.

It takes several minutes after he has left for me to brave looking at the paper. He has written a fully addressed letter, sealed and all, and in the corner is his direction, so that I might write him my answer.

I stuff the letter in my pocket without reading it and hurry inside, deciding what flowers I have already cut will suffice. I will need to begin packing immediately and speak to Madge, Uncle Haymitch, and any number of servants if we are to leave for Everdeen first thing on the marrow.

I am going home.

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

To be continued…

[seleniftie]

Meeting Taylor.

It’s Sunday evening, I’m on the plane taking me back to Berlin. I’ve cried three times today. The pressure is off, the adrenaline is gone, and it hit me suddenly this morning: I met Taylor Swift.

I’ve been a fan of Taylor since 2009 and never got to see her live until this era. Each tour was a mix of happiness and sadness because I couldn’t make it. So when the UK tour dates of the Reputation tour were released and my friend Morgen bought us tickets without even knowing if I could make it, I couldn’t believe it. It was finally gonna happen, I was gonna see her.

When the tour kicked off, I was mind-blown. The positive energy radiating around Tumblr was incredible. With each tour date, I watched all of my friends getting picked to meet her and it couldn’t be more exciting cause they deserved it so much. I got lots of messages telling me it would happen for me too, especially since Taylor has been following my blog for three years and regularly likes my posts but I didn’t think anything of it — like everyone else on this website, I reblogged my tour posts in case she would see them but I was just rejoicing over the fact that I was finally going to see her.

But then something happened. On a Monday, June 18 at 8:25PM, I went on Tumblr and a DM notification almost immediately popped up on the app. I stopped breathing. It was Taylor Nation. What?! I clicked on the notification and there right under my eyes was a confidential message from Taylor’s team, telling me they’ve got an exciting opportunity they’d like to tell me about and asking me for my information and the best times to reach me. I fucking lost it. I was shaking and hyperventilating and couldn’t believe it it was ME who got that DM. I called my parents absolutely in shock before DMing them back. Then came the paranoia: when are they going to call me? what are they gonna say? I’d seen that they’d usually call people on the Thursday so I decided to keep on living normally and didn’t cancel any of my plans which I told Taylor Nation about. My week was so full!! On Tuesday evening my supervisor and I were invited to see an opera ballet one hour away from Berlin —  so fancy. I was honestly so happy to be there. At some point during the concert though, I decided to check my phone and suddenly froze. I had a missed call from an American number 7 minutes ago. You guys, I flipped my shit. I left the room in a hurry and tried to call Taylor Nation back. No answer. Fuck. Fuck. Fuck. I was panicking. What if I’d lost the opportunity of a lifetime? I tried to call them back a few times but nothing. A few minutes later though, my phone rang. It was them again!! But then the nightmare went on — I was lost in the countryside and had NO signal. The woman on the phone began to talk but I heard her pretty badly and suddenly the line cut off. She called me back again and I only had the time to explain my situation before it cut off again. We both were trying to call each other but it was a complete failure, and I was left stressed out. I immediately messaged TN to ask them to call me later or the next day.

The next day, I couldn’t calm down. I was bringing my phone with me everywhere I was going. You guys I was feeling so unwell, literally thinking « what if they don’t call me back? ». During the evening I went to another concert for work. God, it was amazing but I barely was listening. Try to picture it: a pianist and a cellist inspired by God playing Debussy and me in the background, phone in hands, stress at its highest level. At one point, my phone lights up: IT’S THEM! And dumbass Camille freaks out so much she declines the call. I swear I thought they would be sooo done with me at this moment, I was hating myself so much for being so clumsy. Thirty minutes later though, they called me back again and my Leaving-A-Fancy-Concert-Event-Thing-With-High-Heels number occurred once again. « Hello? Hi? Are you here ? » — it was the same person who called me the day before. A woman sounding very American. She asked me if she was talking to Camille, told me it was Taylor Nation and that they’d learned I was going to the show on Saturday and that they had a special opportunity for me. She asked me for my info and told me I’ll have to pick up something for me at the box office on the day of the show between 4 and 5, and that they’ll confirm it to me. I was so excited. I had read similar stories before and was almost sure of what it meant: I was going to meet Taylor Swift.

On Thursday I left for London. I there joined my baby Morgen in a hotel in the very lost south of the city, and we had the time of our lives. Friday was even more incredible. We made it to the stadium and there I met my best internet friends. Holly, Jenny, Bessie, Katy, Clément, Aurélie, Marion, Clémence, Ghada, Maya, this is for you. I’m so so so so excited I got to meet you guys!!! We had the best time. Once we entered the stadium, I got so emotional — after nine years, I was finally going to see the person who had inspired me so much for all these years. When she went up onstage I…. lost it. I was crying so much and I had the best time. The concert was obviously fabulous and something incredible happened: Morgen and I were right next to the barriers between the two B-Stages and throughout the night Charli XCX winked at us and touched my hand, then Camila did…. then… Taylor did. There she was, looking like a doll so close to me, grabbing my hand. I couldn’t think straight and came back home absolutely enchanted.

I wake up and it’s Saturday. I go on Tumblr and see Taylor Nation sent me a DM to tell I was confirmed. OH GOD I WAS SO EXCITED. Yet somehow, still couldn’t believe it…. I had so much to do on that day but started it off by making sure I would look my best for the moment I had been waiting for for years. When we were finally ready, we left for the train… but there was no train. Panic attack. I had to be at the stadium in two hours, was currently in the lost countryside of London and there was no train taking us to the stadium, to Taylor. After checking on the internet we found another way to get there but thank god Morgen stayed calm cause I felt so panicked and anxious and kept on saying « I can’t miss it I can’t miss the opportunity». Long story short, we made it there early (and we even had the time to stop at the Waterloo station for me to put on a bit of perfume).

4pm came faster than I thought it would. I started walking nervously to the box office and that’s where I first saw @thefirstdayswift and @9tay8tay9 and @ifoundtaylor13 and @imsoproudoftaylor . YOU GIRLS!!! I then walked up to the counter and told the person behind it I have to pick up something at my name. « On which guest list are you? ». Dude. I HAVE NO IDEA. He then handed me an envelope with my name on it and the following: « Meet & Greet ». It was getting so real I started to be really emotional. I then proceeded to open the letter (you can watch the video here) and my friends came and gave me the biggest hugs, we were all there sobbing and jumping around of excitement. It was 4 and we had to be at the section 144 at 5:45. LET ME TELL YOU IT WAS THE LONGEST WAIT EVER. We bought merch and ate our dinner and Morgen finished our outfits and then it was time. IT WAS TIME SHGDLFJGNSKLJN. I was so excited yet so stressed out. I asked a security guy how I could access the section 144 though I had tickets for the block 551 and he told me not to worry, that I just had to go to my gate and then once I was in, walk around the stadium… Oh how I wish it was that easy. Once we entered the gate we had to take an escalator that directly led us to our block. Realizing that I couldn’t access the section where we had to meet Taylor Nation, I walked up to another security guy and told him everything and let me tell you he was my lifesaver and I wouldn’t have made it without him. He looked at me dead in the eye and said « follow me, okay? ». Morgen looked at me and said « oh my god, it’s time already??? Have the best time and DO NOT FREEZE LIKE I DID » and he hugged me so tight. Then the security agent walked me around the stadium, asking all of his colleagues along the way and guys literally no one working there had any idea of what was up with our blue papers. He was so sweet and reassuring telling me we still had time and asked me how I was feeling and we took secret lifts and passed the security and to anyone asking him what was up he said « she’s got a meet and greet and she’s with me ». At this point I realized I had found my guardian angel and I’m so bummed I didn’t ask for his name but shoutout to you superman cause you saved my life.

At 5:45, we arrived at the section 144 and I saw other girls with the blue paper. My Superhero made sure I was at the right place then wished me lots of fun. I started talking with everyone and that’s when I got to have a proper talk with Helena and let me tell you she’s the sweetest bean! Her mom was with us and was very friendly. They then opened the doors of the stadium and we found ourselves out right next to other blocks and bleachers (we could see the stage). We were asked to walk down the stairs. There were lots of Swifties on the other side of the barriers cheering us on and it was the sweetest thing ever! Once we were downstairs there was this massive entrance and we waited there for about 15 minutes. I got to talk with the twins Pauline and Florine as well while waiting and I started feeling very, very good. Just… very good. This guy from Taylor Nation came up to us and checked our names and gave us the renowned « Reputation Meet & Greet » wristband. I said remember this moment in the back of my mind. A few minutes later and we’re taken inside of the stadium, backstage. We walk into a big lounge with lots of food and couches and there is Scott Swift on our left, greeting us. It was weird seeing him in real life but I enthusiastically said « HI SCOTT! » and he was like « hey girls how are you doing! ». He seemed so happy to be there. From the lounge we could see the Rep Room and we freaked out. We were taken right in front of it and were asked to leave our things on a table and to enter the Rep Room. I’ll never forget this moment cause I held the twins and Helena and we walked in there hugging. The Rep Room was gorgeous, way more beautiful than in pictures. There was music playing, a TV with the Delicate music video on it, drinks on the left and cooked and baked food in the back with the throne. They told us to form a queue and the M&G almost immediately started.

Florine, Pauline and I looked at each other and said « Wait. We’re in the Rep Room and we don’t have the right to walk around it? FUCK IT. ». We walked to the cocktail bar and there were several drinks we could choose from, each being indicated with a Taylor Swift lyric sign. That’s when I saw the « I knew it from the first OLD-FASHIONED we were cursed ». Should I drink alcohol right before meeting Taylor Swift? HELL YEAH. So there we were, drinking an old-fashioned in the rep room and it was so iconic. Then the woman in the back of the room close to the M&G asked us to get in line so we just left our drinks and went back in the queue. That’s when GODDESS TREE PAINE stops at the entrance of the Rep Room and greets us. Most people didn’t see her but I got to talk to her with a few friends and we mentioned the Proud Signs Project we had organized the night before. She said she saw it come to life and it was beautiful and she was being very friendly and she waved back at me when she left.

I started focusing on the moment. The twins looked at me and said «Camille, SHE IS THERE. » I paid attention and suddenly heard TAYLOR FRICKING SWIFT LAUGHING AND TALKING AND I COULDN’T BELIEVE IT WAS ACTUALLY HAPPENING?????? I was the third last person and the twins were right before me. As the line got smaller and smaller I noticed the food and went through the same mental process of should I eat right before meeting Taylor Swift but there was a cookie and honestly isn’t it goals to eat a cookie in the rep room so I quickly left the line to get one and ate it. But then I realized that the twins were next and then it was my turn… so I just left a half-eaten cookie on the furniture, sorry @taylorswift  and @taylornation for the inconvenience, it was delicious do not worry.

As the girls went into the room to meet Taylor, I was alone with Ghada and Morgan right behind me. I focused and told myself one last time what I wanted to tell Taylor (had also written them on my wrist just in case). It was happening. It was my moment and it was happening. The woman with the list (who I believe was Erika) asked me for my name and gave me the little card with which I could have access to my photo with Taylor. I could see Taylor. She was wearing this black t-shirt and had this kaki jacket wrapped around her waist (that turned out to be a fake-shirt skirt thanks @taylorswiftstyle ) and she had those killer heels high knee velvet black boots. Her hair was so pretty and she was telling the twins about how she had seen their tour post six months ago.

Then fate happened. I swear it did. One of my favorite songs of all time, Want You Back by Haim, started playing. I just love it so much!! I started dancing. Then the woman told me « okay it’s your turn » and I walk inside the room while dancing and I say « oh helloooothereeee »…

« Oh hi there buddy! » — a magical fairy princess walks up to me in all haste and hugs me. I’m in Taylor Swift’s arms and decide to introduce myself cause I wasn’t sure if she recognized me or not so while my head is in her hair I softly say « Hey, I’m Cee, seleniftie ». The magical fairy princess steps back and looks at me and her face lits up and I don’t know how I survived cause it was genuine but she looks at me deep in the eyes and shouts « OH MY GOD I LOVE YOUR BLOG SO MUCH YOU’RE SO AMAZING ». I look at her and say thank you I can’t believe you know my blog and she tells me how I’m always so positive and sweet which I reply to by saying that I try my best to send off positive vibes and she was like « that’s so nice, like honestly your posts always make me feel better ». You know how serious Taylor can get when she makes a speech or says something she genuinely means? That’s how she sounded and looked like. The room was silent but I couldn’t hear the music anymore, and still now I can clearly hear her say those words to me. But I played it cool, I have no idea how. So I then tell her how it’s been 3 years already since she followed me and I thank her for liking all those posts and she’s like « oh thank you! » and I tell her it’s so nice to meet her. I also thank her for wanting to meet me and she goes off like « oh I saw your post months ago and sent it my team as soon as possible, and like especially with the London shows I knew it would be hectic (that word really struck me) so I wanted to make sure I’d meet you » and in my mind a monkey jumps from tree to tree while playing cymbals but at this moment, I swear to you guys, I was being myself 100% and had no stress or whatsoever. Our conversation was so natural and she looked genuinely happy to see me. She then looks at me and says « oh my god you’re SO beautiful » which I reply to by saying « thanks you too! » and there I saw The Necklace™, it was really standing out since she was wearing this black t shirt so I just point at it and touch it and say « and look at that! oooooh » while doing the shimmy shoulders and she laughed and did the shimmy shoulders too and I was just out there backstage at the Wembley Stadium doing shimmy shoulders with Taylor Swift over the necklace that inspired my favorite song of hers like it’s a thing that happened.

We were just looking at each other so happily and there was this 0,2 seconds long blank and I suddenly reconnected to reality and heard Want You Back was still playing. I know she loves it a lot too and she liked my post about seeing HAIM two weeks ago so I start talking about them but she starts talking at the same time saying « so/do you… » and I was so unsettled cause TAYLOR SWIFT WAS TALKING TO ME that I mumbled something that apparently made no sense cause she looked at me all focused and serious and said « HUH? ». So there I go again telling « I love the music playing in the background, it’s Haim I love them » and she’s like « OH YEAHHH they’re amazing » and I tell her how I saw them in concert and she’s like « oh yeah you saw them in London? » and I said « no I saw them in Berlin » and it’s hitting me now that she actually remembered my post cause HAIM was playing in London a week before and I saw them two weeks before so she wasn’t exactly sure of the timeline but she remembered okay bye 

(Also did I mention all this time she was looking at me in the eyes ??? we’re both very animatic people so I remember me doing gestures and her moving around and just feeling very at ease but she did! not! break! the! eye! contact! ever!) (and I have no actual memory of this but when I went out of the rep room I recorded my story on my phone and apparently she told me « you’re such a sweet person, you’re so nice » right after we talked about HAIM what what what)

This small talk helped me recollect my thoughts and I remembered my time was limited so I tell her « okay there’s one thing I really want you to know », and I tell her that I play music and I make covers and her face lits up again and she steps back and shouts « OMIGOD I DID NOT KNOW THAT OMIGOD » and I tell her how I’ve done a cover of Babe (reaction to that: « OHHHH THAT’S AMAZING OH MY GOD ») and pretty much all her songs and how they’re on my Tumblr and she can check them out and she told me « OMIGOD that’s so cool I need to check them out ».

Right after Taylor looked at me and walked up to me again and said « so hey, should we take a picture » so she pulls me closer and turns to me and opens her arms and i’m like fuckfuckfuck and look on my left and see all the people in there I didn’t even notice and we hug really tight and pose. We were hugging so tight I literally forgot to smile with my teeth so 2 seconds before they take the picture I open my mouth and that’s why i was so scared of the picture being awkward, but it turned out to be lovely.

The moment we released our embrace I saw a man coming out of the exit of the room with the signed papers and I knew what it meant (your time is over bitch) but I wanted to talk to her about something else so I immediately started talking only to realize that she was making sure with the photographer that the photo was good and she didn’t blink eyes or anything so I quickly said sorry and yeah I always have to check too cause it happens all the time. She nodded and was turning her back to the autograph-guy (let’s call him like that) and I was like you go girl it’s your moment so I tell her about the PROUD signs project that took place the night before and that I helped to organize and I was telling her how amazing it was and how I was running around with my friends giving the pieces of paper to people asking them to raise the sign during the song and she thanked me and told me that it was amazing and explained to me that she’s hardly surprised by things but that our project got her « really really surprised » and she wasn’t expecting it.

I then told her it was so nice to finally meet her and she told me the same and I have no idea of whether we hugged or not cause it was all a blur, the autograph-guy was handing me the paper being like « thanks for coming goodbye » but I remember us saying goodbye and Taylor quickly telling me « I will definitely check out your covers » and I left. They told me to follow someone and I walked back through the lounge and made my way outside and I saw the twins and we hugged so tight. We couldn’t believe it. Then my security guy superhero was waiting for me and you guys he literally walked me back to my section #ANGEL and I thanked him. I then walked up the stairs to Morgen and it was the longest walk ever. I was in shock. I was hardly breathing and it took me forever to get up there, I was holding my autograph and my things so tightly and when Morgen saw me he knew. I could see how proud he was. This random lady asked me if I was okay and I told her I’d just met Taylor and she was very confused and then I told Morgen everything and told you guys… and that’s the story of how I met Taylor Swift. The show was amazing, and at some point she talked about how she had met people at the London shows that were coming from different countries and it made me feel so happy and included. She knows that especially with the UK shows many of us were traveling from far away and she’s so appreciative of it.

Once we came back home I logged on the website with Morgen and Holly on the phone and my picture got uploaded so slowly it was torture, but the moment I saw our faces touching I lost it and started sobbing so slowly… It was 1AM so 2AM in France but I called my parents and they were so happy and excited for me, I really didn’t expect them to be that supportive but I think they were really happy for me and excited that my biggest dreams had come true. I couldn’t sleep and I went to bed at 4am, and Morgen woke up at 5:30am cause he had to take his bus. We hugged in a rush and when I woke up a few hours later I was alone with my memories. I cried a lot that day but seeing my friend Holly helped a lot.

I can’t believe I’m writing this story, and it’s almost done but it wouldn’t be complete if I didn’t mention you who’s reading this. Thank you. When I created my Tumblr account three years ago, I would have never expected to bond with so many people, make so many friendships and be part of such a beautiful community. Many of my friends told me that when I posted I had met Taylor their dashboard was filled with posts being like « CEE MET TAYLOR » and I obviously wasn’t there to see it but one thing I know is that my notifications were blown up and it made the moment even more magical.

To Taylor -- now I’ve told you that in person but thank you for wanting to meet me and thank you for being such a lovely person. Meeting you felt like meeting a friend and I feel like we clicked cause we are the same person on many levels. Thank you for giving so much of your time to your fans and to me - when I heard Love Story in my pink bedroom at 12 I would have never imagined that a few years later the princess in the castle would want to meet me.

I started writing this story on the plane but now I’m home on my bed. I went back to my normal life, to my internship, to my German capital but I’ll always look back on that weekend, that bubble of happiness with a heart full of love. Because in this moment, everything I had ever wanted...had just happened. ❤️

- Cee -

[dansphlevels]

But Love Is Overrated Anyways (Ch. 19)

Summary: Dan is an angry mutant with the ability to control the cold. He shares a tent with a man Phil, who has powers over fire but refuses to use it for evil. Dan has no such moral qualms.

Length: Chaptered Fic 

Theme: Superpowers, Mutants, Dark, Dystopian

Read on AO3 / But Love Is Overrated Anyways Masterpost / All My Fics

Chapter 19: But They Didn’t Care

"That’s it, we need to stop," PJ announced. They had ran for as long as they could, then slowed to a jog, the adrenaline rush slowing wearing off. Finally, PJ stopped them. "We can take a break. One hour. Then we’ll keep going."

No one objected, not even Mandy. She dropped her bags, announced she was going to find water, and walking off.

Phil dropped his bag by hers, sitting next to it. Dan followed his lead, sitting and stretching out his sore legs.

Phil reached out, touching Dan’s arm lightly. "You feel cold."

"Good riddance. About time my powers come back." He held out his palm, trying to summon a miniature flurry of snow. Nothing appeared.

Phil held out his own hand, and immediately a flame appeared.

Dan grunted. "Showoff." He accidentally elbowed Mandy's pack, causing the notebook from earlier to fall out. He picked it up, turning it over.

He glanced at Phil, who’d closed his fist, suppressing the fire. He was gnawing on his lip, but he didn’t protest as Dan opened it.

"It’s like... a record," he observed, skimming over the first few pages. "Or a journal, or something."

"What does it say?"

Dan shook his head, flipping through the pages and looking for anything that looked worthwhile. His eyes caught on a drawing, and he stopped flipping, looking at it. Phil leaned closer so he could see. The drawing was crudely drawn, but the subject was clear. It was a person, half a familiar looking girl with dark wavy hair, and half a boy with light colored, short hair and a lightly shaded eye. They merged at the center, becoming one person.

Underneath the drawing was writing, a continuation from another page that had apparently been ripped out. It read: "She originally had a fraternal twin, but she absorbed him in the womb. He was also supposed to be a mutant, and she thinks that his power was supposed to the ability to project himself as a holograph. However, since he was absorbed, from time to time her image flickers and melds with his. She says that his influence doesn’t affect her, but-"

That was at the end of the writing. There was no more on the next page, and there wasn’t even a period to end the sentence.

The unmistakable sound of a bowstring being pulled backward made Dan look up.

"Put it back," Mandy commanded. "I don’t know what you just read, but whatever it was, you’d better forget it."

Dan and Phil were frozen in place, something about the drawing and the words, and the surprise of being caught.

Phil carefully took the book from Dan’s hands, not closing it. Mandy followed him with her bow, it ducking a little bit before she forced herself to point the tip at Phil.

"Who was she?" Phil asked, turning the journal around to show Mandy the picture.

"That’s Eli. Now put it back."

"Did she die?" Dan asked. "When your camp-" an arrow embedded itself in the trunk of the tree behind him, hardly an inch from his head and effectively shutting him up.

"That was a warning shot. The next one won’t be."

Phil didn’t close the book or put it down. None of them said anything as Mandy aimed another arrow in the center of Dan’s forehead.

Jordan came up behind her slowly, her eyes scanning the situation. "You read her journal?"

"She’s threatening us!" Dan proclaimed. "Reading her journal is not as bad as threatening to shoot us!"

Jordan stepped forwards and ripped the journal out of Phil’s hand, closing it and pressing it into Mandy's hands. "We don’t have time for this. And Mandy, we can’t keep doing this. You have to tell us what’s going on, otherwise, we’re going to stop running. I don’t know if you’ve realized, but we’re not defenseless. Whatever it is you’re running from, we could probably take them."

Mandy shook her head, looking a little panicked. Her bow was no longer drawn all the way back and aimed at Dan, but she hadn’t completely released the slack and the loaded arrow happened to be pointed directly at Dan’s foot. "We can’t. Trust me on this. Even if we were all awake when she attacked-" Mandy covered her mouth with her hands, her eyes wide.

Dan looked over. Phil was scowling. "That’s it. I’m done with this. Mandy, if this is something that could put someone in danger, then we deserve to know. I’m going to go to the bathroom now before we have to keep running. Dan?"

"Yeah, I’m right with you." They both got up, brushing their pants off.

"You’re going to pee... together?"

Normally, Dan would correct them. But he was running on about negative two hours of sleep, and didn’t care. "Yeah, deal with it!"

When they were done with their business, they walked back to camp side by side, not bothering to talk. "I want to sit for a while," Phil decided. "A little away from camp. Maybe... get my emotions out."

"Honestly, that sounds like an innuendo," Dan admitted, slouching beside him. "Want to set something on fire while I take a power nap?"

"Sounds good. Hopefully this time I won’t start a forest fire."

———————

Dan woke up to the sound of footsteps trudging through foliage. "Hey Phil, wake him up, will you? We have to get going."

"Yeah, I got it Peej."

Dan kept his eyes closed, trying not to give away that he was awake. He was the perfect level of warmth- likely Phil’s doing- and was slightly curled up, with his head rested on Phil’s lap. He waited for Phil to say something to wake him.

But he didn’t. Instead, Dan felt a hand in his hair, ruffling the messy curls softly. Then Phil was pushing some of his fringe to the side, humming "Dan? We have to get going now."

Dan didn’t want to move. He just wanted to sleep- preferably while Phil continued petting him. He scrunched up his face before he could stop himself, and heard Phil giggle above him.

"What, doesn’t more walking sound fun?"

"I’m going to chop my legs off," Dan decided, "so then I won’t have to do any more walking. Ever again."

"Well you’ll have to wait, because we have to get going now. If you plan on mutilating yourself, you’ll have to wait until later."

"Oh darn." Dan opened his eyes, plucking a blade of grass and playing with it, pulling off little strands from it. Phil’s hand was still on his head, but he wasn’t moving it anymore, almost as if trying to keep Dan from noticing it was there. They were living in an extended inhale, a lengthened moment. "Do we have to go?" Dan pleaded, almost too quietly for Phil to hear because, in truth, he didn’t want him to hear. He was the Ice King; Frosty The Snow Tyrant; he was not supposed to whine.

Phil hesitated, before relenting. "Come on, let’s get up. Before they send out a search party and find us like this."

"Ooh, that'd be bad," Dan agreed. "Especially considering all of the horrible, dirty things we’re doing. Me, sleeping. You... burning things? Did you end up burning anything?"

"Just your hair," he teased. "And that tree over there."

Dan glanced over, seeing a small tree with blackened bark. "Nice. Did you manage to put it out for once?"

"Nah, it burnt out itself. The area around it is muddy, not good for setting on fire. Let’s get up?"

They managed to disentangle themselves and walk back to camp, which, even though it was only a few meters, felt too far away. Only a hundred more of those to go, Dan thought grimly, then I can sleep and do it all again tomorrow.

It was daytime at that point, but the sky was covered in cloud that turned down the brightness and generally desaturated everything.

After they’d been walking for a little while, Mandy announced that she would tell them some things. So PJ, Jordan, Dan, and Phil walked alongside her in the back the pack, and listened as she explained what was going on in a little more detail, yet still oversimplified. It ended up leaving them with more questions than answers.

"I used to belong to another camp of mutants like this. Pretty similar actually, but a bit bigger, and we also had weapons and horses. And everyone used their powers. But that’s not the point. I had a... special friend. Who wasn’t who I thought they were. Basically, they were hiding things, and once I found out, I stopped... being around them. A few nights later, they used their powers to... kill the others. But I survived, and... got away. Eventually. I was the only one."

She shouldered her bag, refusing to look at the others. Her words felt edited and unfinished, but she didn’t open her mouth to speak more.

"And that’s who’s chasing us," Phil clarified. "Why?"

"Why’d they kill the other camp of mutants? People do bad things when they... when things get messy. I don’t know what’s happened since then, but... we’re not safe."

After that, she refused to talk anymore. Jordan and PJ went up to the front of the group to lead the way, and the others stayed behind.

Slowly, Dan and Phil fell back, letting Mandy have her space. And when Dan reached out his hand, Phil clasped it automatically.

———-

The city was like so many of the others. Except this one was empty.

A sign on the gates read 'A drought forced our citizens to relocate. We will travel north until we find adequate housing.' The sign was weathered with age.

Jordan kicked at the gates, but they didn’t open, so PJ came forwards and pressed his palms against it, closing his eyes for a moment before the entire door dissolved into dust.

They stayed close together as they walked, everyone on full alert. Mandy had her bow loaded, and both Phil and PJ had their hands practically twitching by their sides, ready to raise them and release their powers at any moment.

No one threatened them. There were no signs of life, besides the houses and buildings that crowded the streets, all empty. Some had collapsed in on themselves. Worst of all, long troughs could be seen all around, rectangular structures with low stone walls, less than a foot deep each. And every single one was filled almost halfway with water.

They stayed together as a group, breaking into a few houses for supplies, though it was hardly breaking in. Every door was open. Many houses were still fully furnished, with beds and blankets and half-full trunks and primitive-looking outhouses and a small backyard kitchen area for cooking. They found some supplies that they needed, though there was little food. They found some, however, and it’d be enough. Besides, food wasn’t their biggest issue at the moment.

Dan kept tripping. He saw the cobblestone walkway but was too tired to lift his feet up high enough to get over them. The others weren’t much better, all yawning, even the ones that were supposed to be on duty. They ended up settling down in a cluster of three abandoned homes with no plans for the morning.

They probably should have split up into more homes, but they didn’t want to spread out too thin.

Phil and Dan ended up in the smallest house with Mandy, since her pacing wouldn’t disturb them. There was only one room, with only two beds, but they were all too tired to care. Phil climbed in one, and Dan followed him without questioning it. He curled up beside Phil, falling asleep instantly. Phil followed his lead.

And Mandy lay with her eyes open, trying desperately to stay awake. She’d knew what they were dealing with, and knew that if she fell asleep, she just might not wake up.

Next Chapter-->

Read on AO3 / ‘But Love Is Overrated Anyways’ Masterpost / All My Fics

[alphagaymerw0lf]

Saints Life: Mission 2

Delayed because of work, finally got the second chapter up! Once again I only own Victor and Vincent Wolfe. Everything else belongs to the creators of Saints Row. DO NOT STEAL!!!

Enjoy~

~~~~~

Mission 2: Shooting Stars

Cops forced the Saints into their cells, Victor being the last one shoved behind the iron bars and into his brother's grip so he wouldn’t fall. Once his balance was back both brothers shot the cops a glare. "The fuck is this, we paid up this month!” Vincent shouted to the cops who smirked and replied with: "Someone paid more." Cockily before closing the gate and turned to walk off. Vincent punched a wall while Victor sat down next to Shaundi who wrapped an arm around him. Johnny sighed, pacing back and forth and shaking his head. “What’s wrong?” Vincent asked, glancing over at his friend. Victor and Shaundi looked up curiously. "What happened?" Johnny asked as if disappointed with his life right now. Vincent turned to face him fully while Victor sat up fully from his slouched position and Shaundi stood up with a frown. “We got arrested” she replied as if it was so obvious….which it was…. Johnny turned to them quickly, a bit pissed off. "No, to us. Birk's right--we traded our dicks in for pussies. Seriously... Movie deals? Commercials? The Saint's name used to mean more than body spray and some ass-tasting energy drink." Victor looked from him to his brother who shrugged it off as if this was nothing new. "Our brand's worth a shitload of money.." Vincent answered honestly. Johnny looked dejected and shook his head, looking off to the side. "Is that what it's all about?" He asked softly with a sigh. Vincent took a step to him, patting his shoulder only to be shrugged off. Victor opened his mouth to speak only to be cut off by- "It is always about the money, Mr. Gat." A female answered, the prison gate opened and all four Saints turned to look at the mystery women. Victor took note they were twins right off the bat while Vincent’s eyes narrowed to a glare, yet this mystery women didn’t seem fazed by the Saint bosses scowl and continued speaking. "Which is precisely why our employer wishes to speak with you." "If you will indulge us...?" The other added, standing next to her twin. “Give us time to think” Vincent demanded venomously. “You have 20 minutes until our plane takes flight” the first replied, both turning to give them privacy, waiting outside the room. “What do you think boss?” Shaundi asked, looking from the door to the older Wolfe. “I can’t let my brother rot in jail now...Johnny, whats your thoughts?” “It seems sketchy, but I guess we have no choice” Gat answered, looking over to him. Both men nodded and headed out, with Vincent’s arm around his brother's shoulder. Shaundi shook her head and followed. Once again cuffed, this time with rope to make things “More comfortable” as one of the twins put it they lead the Saints onto a plane and into chairs waiting for them. Victor was at least thankful they were nicer than the police….even if the uniforms of the men and women looked familiar. Johnny squirmed in his seat, as well as Vincent who growled at the man in the large leather chair. "You have any idea who you're fucking with here?" He snapped, snarling at the man. Truly lived to his Wolfe name, which made Victor smile a bit, It was the last name they both agreed on, something they lived up to since their days in the alleyway. "Of course." the man replied, bringing Victor back to the present and turned his attention to the man with a raised eyebrow of the accent. Mentally trying to pinpoint where he was from.  "A remarkable likeness. These visions are Viola and Kiki. And I am Phillipe Loren, chairman of a multinational organization called the Syndicate." The Saints stared blankly at him with Victor cocking his head to the side, Vincent raising and eyebrow and Shaundi shaking her head. "Never heard of it." She said, hey they were all thinking it. Loren sighed as if he were expecting it, yet still seemed annoyed at them. "Evidently not, or you wouldn't have robbed our bank. Perhaps you wonder why you're still breathing at this point." He replied as if he were a higher up. That...vibe he was giving off made Victor grit his teeth and tense in his seat. There were those he wanted to punch and there were those he wanted to slit their throats, those who acted as if they were gods of the human race or something….this man was one of those men. Gat snorted as if amused before replying with "Actually, I wonder why my foot's not up your ass at this point." as cockily as ever. Loren merely waved off the comment as if he were shooing an annoying fly, which was how he saw these four. "Like it or not, Mr. Gat, our organization is expanding into Stilwater. I am offering you the chance to leverage your assets against your lives. Ladies?" He gestured to the twins, Viola and Kiki who stepped up to demonstrate a power point they had up and ready. Vincent slouched in his chair with his head back and a long exaggerated groan leaving his lips. Victor smiled a bit, nudging his brother the best he could as if trying to reassure him this wasn't that bad, then again all he was thankful for was the fact he wasn’t in prison for another hour. "You may continue to operate the Saints/Ultor media group as you see fit, in exchange for 66 percent of your monthly gross revenue,"Viola explained calmly, the number making all four Saints straightened in their chairs, giving them all the same expression of: “Excuse me bitch?” "That is before taxes, of course." replied the other twin, Kiki. Vincent shot them both a glare before turning his attention to Loren. "Listen, you French fuck--" Loren cut him off with a hand up before replying with "Please. I am Belgian!" In a passive aggressive tone, correcting the Saint as if he was a foolish uneducated being under him. Vincent's gaze was ice, even sending a shiver down own Victor’s spine while Gat cut in with "So make yourself a fuckin' waffle. We're done here." Loren sighed, shaking his head like a disappointed parent to a child "And I had so hoped to come to a rational business arrangement." Gat got out of his chair, head butting one of the guards and turned his attention to Loren who buried a knife into his side, the action was all a blur to Victor he took a moment to collect himself before being knocked out of his chair after being freed. Vincent pulled his brother to the safety, looking over to Shaundi and Johnny. "Boss--you gotta bail!" Gat instructed, Victor saw the fear in his brother's eyes, quickly shaking his head and shouted: "Not without you!" Over the deafening sound of gunfire echoing off the plane walls Gat glanced over their hiding spot with a hum before turning back to them, smiling a similar smile Victor knew as ‘I got an idea that will end badly’ or what he called ‘Gat’s Smirk’ "There's like, half a dozen guys? I can take 'em." Gat replied “Besides, Vics to young to die in a plane crash, kids never gotten laid yet” he added teasingly, Victor frowned “Nows not the time Johnny” he reminded, flinching when a bullet barely nicked him. Shaundi had other concerns. "What about the plane?" She asked impatiently. Gat shrugged off the question, responding with "I'll fly it back to Stilwater." Now both Shaundi and Vincent sat up in concern, still staying under cover of the raining bullets. “Johnny, you can't even drive stick--how are you gonna fly a plane?" Again, Johnny shrugged off the question, this time was waving it off as if it was physically there. "Details, details--just cover the boss! Go--I got this!" Victor was about to share his concerns before Johnny took a gun from a nearby guard and began fighting back. If that wasn’t enough to get Victor moving, his brother shoving him out the door as well as pulling Shaundi with him as Gat closed it behind them was. Now the remaining three were racing against the clock. Over the intercom Johnny’s voice was being heard, shouting insults at the French fuck as well as playing the role of pilot...then classic music was playing through the plane followed by gunfire in the background. At this point, Victor wasn’t sure if it was the radio or their own ear-splitting noise. By now, they were at the back of the plane. Victor taking a daring glimpse over the edge...bad choice. His Stomach turned and took a few stumbling steps back. Vincent was grabbing a parachute and looked around for another while Shaundi got in contact with Johnny.   "Johnny, we're about to jump!" She informed quickly. Victor looked over while his brother helped him up and held him close. Gunfire followed by a grunt was their response before Johnny’s voice was clear at last, saying "Right on, I'll see you in Stil-" His voice was cut off by a closer sound of a gun going off, the noise made the three Saints tense. Shaundi clicked the button again and spoke in a tone that sounded broken. "Johnny..." Vincent grabbed her by the arm, his brother with the other and urged them to the edge. “No time, jump” “W-wait what about our parachutes?” Victor struggled, staggering a bit. “No time” Vincent repeated, shoving them both out and jumped after right in time for a car to nearly hit them. Victor couldn't even scream, unlike Shaundi who was shouting cuss words left and right as well as dodging all the shit the plane had in it. Looking up Victor saw his brother shooting these Syndicate bastards, literally making it rain men before catching them quickly. Shaundi was panting heavily and glared at Vincent while the younger Saint clung to him for dear life. "I'm not gonna lie, for a minute I didn't think you'd make it in time." She confessed, making Vincent laugh. “I wouldn’t let you guys fall to your death...Victor, you alright?” “Does he look alright to you!? You shoved him out of a fucking plane!” Shaundi shouted back “I want ground...I want ground...give me ground” Victor whimpered, his brother kissed his forehead gently “Shh, you're alright little brother, it's alright, I got you..” he reassured softly. Victor still was glaring deadly daggers at him. Once they were on the ground Victor was laying in the grass and held it for dear life. “I love you mother nature!” Vincent chuckled, taking Shaundi to an ATM in attempts to get funding, little did they know of a British hacker already stripping them clean of any penny they had. Leaving a pissed off Saint punching the machine screen, breaking the glass and bleeding his knuckles. “Alright, where are we Shaundi?” "Steelport... it's kinda like Bangkok's abusive father,” she answered, looking over to Victor who was still rolling around in the grass. “Best we find a place to lay low first” “Wait how do you know about this place? Where would we go? Victor stop rolling around your damaging your clothes” Vincent sighed “I nearly died! Let me enjoy my life while it lasts!” Victor shot back. “Here, take some of this and go explore” Shaundi replied, handing Victor $50 bucks. Victor sat up and hugged him. “You sure it's a good idea to let him walk freely?” Vincent asked “He’s going to have to get used to this place, we won't be going home anytime soon...Victor,  try to avoid contact with other gangs and don’t mention you're a Saint, got it?” “Got it, I’ll be fine Vincent...you guys be safe” Victor replied, hugging his brother who handed him a phone. “Keep it, my numbers already in it. Be safe little brother and call when you're in trouble” Vincent instructed. Nodding the younger brother walked off, hands in his pockets and looking around with a small smile. It was one wild day, least he was one with his brother...even if it was a sacrifice of his brother's friends life...guess all stars fall at one point or another...

[darkspellmaster]

Kuroshitsuji (Black Butler) Theory: We’re not dealing with Undertaker as the Main villain in this arc.

So on the forum I’m on there’s been a lot of bandying about on who is the main bad guy for the Blue Sect arc. Most are convinced it’s Undertaker, but I’m not.

See for me, from the start, this never felt like an Undertaker scheme. There is no joke at the end. Undertaker, much like the Joker from Batman, the Undertaker seems to have plans that have a sort of joke at the end. Look at the Bizarre Dolls for example.

The setup is who wins in a case of an equal number of zombies go on a ship with an equal number of humans? The delivery comes in the form of the whole ending with the fact that the humans do survive, and the punch line is pretty much that the Undertaker had a laugh again at the expense of his former reapers and Ciel and Sebastian. There’s a sick joke there, although to the readers it’s really not that funny. Same can be said for the whole situation with the school, the joke on Queen Victoria with her nephew, and the delivery with the zombies showing up for tea.

You can see how both these arcs are meant to be amusing in some twisted dark way that only someone like the Undertaker could find amusing. Yet the new Blue Cult arc doesn’t show any of those jokes. In fact its humor comes from the boy band music, and they, in turn, represent really a religious aspect that’s built into the arc. This is vastly different then Undertaker who doesn’t seem to equate anything to religion and seems, quiet happy, ignoring any sort of game that doesn’t automatically benefit him.

Now would the Blue Cult benefit him? I don’t think so, and that’s because it’s not going to help the dolls.

Let’s take a moment to look at the dolls. We know how they’re set up thanks to Undertaker:

1.      Bizarre Dolls have limited senses. Although we know the upgraded versions have the ability to act like normal humans for a small part as seen with Vice Principle.

2.      They need a soul. We have been told over and over that they need a soul over needing blood. So why then would they need to take that much blood?

3.      Under normal circumstances, save for the Atlantic Arc, there are usually not that many dolls as clearly it would take a lot of reapers to do what Undertaker did for the ship. It seemed like he probably was working overtime to create them, and clearly since Derek’s was a finer product that means that he took more care and a longer period to create him.

Now let’s look at the Blue Cult group:

1.      We know that they cater to all walks of life, but also that they split people based on blood types. (This isn’t the case with the dolls as it doesn’t seem to matter for them what their blood type is.)

2.      Music and smell seem to be a way to cause hypnosis and put people into a sleep state, causing others to rest so that their blood can be taken.

3.      We know that the blood is removed in a scientific manner that is very much similar to modern blood removal techniques.

4.      According to Othello this is stuff that normally only someone like a demon could conger up this sort of mechanism.

What’s interesting to me is that people assume that it’s Undertaker that’s causing the situation, but there’s enough hints dropped that, at least in this case, I don’t think it’s him causing the issue. For one thing we know that Undertaker likes to set things up as jokes, and there’s no joke here. There’s no punch-line period. This is quite different from Undertaker’s other games, like with Weston for example. Another interesting aspect is the use of the stars and such for their playing. Undertaker, as a Reaper, really wouldn’t see the use of this. His goals come from the dead, so the living, save for those he’s interested in, don’t really concern him as much. To add to this we’ve seen how Undertaker operates. While at Weston he let everything run normally, meaning that save for his little plans, he didn’t mess with much in the way the school was run.

On top of this, why would he need a machine to take the blood? This is someone who has supernatural powers, and we’ve seen that his scythe is powerful enough to cut into various things. We’ve also known that he already knows how to inter bodies as he did so with Madam Red. So why would he need blood removal, when he probably already has other ways of doing so that don’t require him to create machines? On top of that, we’ve already seen how he feels about said contraptions as he creates a false one for Stoker.

So, why would a guy like that set this whole Blue Sect up in the first place? I would say he wouldn’t. It doesn’t fit his MO. We know that his goal seems to be to create a perfected Bizarre doll to bring someone back to life (My money on Claudia), and how would taking all this blood be useful, since we know that the body had blood of its own, as we’ve seen with other Dolls when they’ve been attacked and they bleed. Undertaker has never said that he needed blood for them. Once their hearts start pumping and they get oxygen to their system they can move on their own.

Then the question becomes who needs this blood?

I keep going back to the image that Othello had behind him.

 While Undertaker certainly does have long finger nails as we’ve seen, they’re squared off, meaning that he rounds them rather than has them pointed. This is sort of important in regard to characteristics of hands. Nails that are rounded or squared tend to be less dangerous over all. You can certainly cut someone with them, but the main point is for them to be used for appearance. The idea of the nails being cut with a flatter edge is also to indicate that someone is not “dangerous” in a violent or “evil” manner.

 On the other hand, pointed nails are a different story. Pointed nails tend to be used for villains or “evil” types of characters. These are used to show that the person is intending to harm others with their nails.  In most cases. The sharper the nail the more likely that those nails will cut you. Harm can be brought to you with sharp nails, and normally villains with supernatural powers tend to have sharp nails.

Why am I going on about this? Well if you look previously at Sebastian’s hands, they have sharp nails when he was in demon form. When we look at the hand that is holding the gears and clock pieces, the nails are very much in the same vain as Sebastian’s.  So that leaves us the question of, is it a demon? Othello seems to hint as much and we know from Sebastian’s own implications that time has no connection to a demon. So it’s pretty easy to at least infer that we’re going to be dealing with a demon here.

But what does that mean for the Blue Sect arc as a whole? There are a few things we can deduce from the events so far in the Blue Sect arc.

To start with we have to look at what’s happening from the beginning to see exactly what the Blue Sect’s Stars and Blavat gets out of all of this.

In chapter 1 we’re given a hint of a religious feel to this location. Edward notices that the Blue Sphere music hall offers up free food, help with education, and the intermingling among all patrons. This is very much in regard to certain aspects in connection to religious cults or orders getting people to join. You see this when people talk about joining cults and are invited to meet and greet parties that are of a similar vein to the Blue Cult’s events.

We know then that Blavat and the Stars are getting a large number of people coming into the events. Not all will continue to come in, but some will become part of the cult.

Secondly, we know that the Stars are getting blood, a lot of it, and when we look at the order of the Stars and the blood that they get it seems a bit telling about their conditions, in various ways.  

Room 1, Sirius: Yes we’ve said before that there are similarities to Ciel’s room, but that doesn’t mean that it’s supposed to be his room. In all likely hood the room was designed to seem affluent, and because we’ve only seen Ciel’s room fully and Lizzy’s, we only have his to compare things too. What’s interesting about the room and the silence that comes from it is that there are jars on the side. At least one jar is a mason jar used for preservatives. The likely hood is that this Lord is suffering from a vascular disease since we saw how his veins are popping out.

Room 2 Canopus: Given the bloody bandages and the limited amount of items in the room. To me it seems this person is probably dealing with Hemophilia at the very least, at the worst it’s something to do with anemia.  

Room 3 Vega: Vega is a hard one to figure since it’s clearly a girl’s room and it appears there are twins there. We have very limited info on that other than female. This could also be a case of anemia given the fact that one could bleed a lot though their menstruation.

Room 4 Polaris: Now this one is hard. It could be that the blood is being used as a means of dealing with some form of mental disorder. Although I honestly think that the bed headboard has a name scratched into it. At least one Katakana is visible on the headboard and can be read as Ha, and the one next to it seems to be I and the last one is either Ta or Ya if you read it right to left. (So the name could probably be either Heath or Hiatt –meaning from the high gate.)

What’s also interesting is the fact that Sirius has the least amount of blood meaning that the issue with his probable vascular disease needs the most blood followed by Canopus who probably has the issues of hemophilia. While the other two have lesser version s of their condition as Polaris doesn’t seem to be using as much blood. Since the best blood is given to Sirius it’s clear that those that were receiving the rest were slowly depleting the supply, although they were killed off by being drained.

Thirdly, we also know that whoever is running this group clearly has a connection to a demon. Othello pretty much made that clear when he mentions it. It’s point blank in the text on the page that a demon would have to be the one helping with this.

So who would be the great inventor? Undertaker? Again, not his style also given his dislike of Sebastian, he, like the other reapers, don’t want to have a connection to them all that much. If you go back to the Murder mystery arc, you can see that he isn’t always happy with Sebastian and will, more than often, prefer the company of Ciel. So why would a Reaper work at all with a demon? Why would he need to? I really don’t think he would.

So that leaves the group that we see and Blavat as the connector to all of it.

So with these in mind what can we make out of the whole plan that’s been laid before us?

Chapter 112 Tells us what sort of person Lord Sirius really is: he or she is a genius of a person, a prodigy no less, but also someone who is versatile (a do anything, go anywhere sort of person) who also is two faced. Why is this important? Well this paints an interesting picture. This is a person who can con people, much like…oh Blavat. So the likely hood is that Blavat learned from Lord Sirius.

So what does a person like this do when they’re faced with something that they can’t cure? Why, go the occult route, and bring a demon into existence.

Well let’s start with the whole Plan that Blavat mentions in Chapter 124. He says that the songs explain everything, and this is pretty much true to the point that each song that the S4 sings defines the fact that the blood, or “shine” is being given to the four lords. We also know that from the start the idea was to give blood to the Lords and the pale Blue star.

Funny thing about this, Sirius is a two faced star, which should be a giveaway that the person is a wolf in sheep’s clothing. Not only that but then there’s the fact that it’s not a blue star. This is kind of important. Sirius is a normal star with a dwarf star beside it (thus the two faced aspect like a Gemini). This becomes interesting when you consider that there is a pale blue star in the dog constellation. It’s not directly inside of Canis Major, but it is south of it, and it’s a giant Blue star.

So going back to the Demon and the connections here:

We know that Blavat Sky is very interested in keeping things up for the sake of the Blue Star and to help them out.

So that would mean that Blavat has a keen interest in the Blue Star as well as the Lords that run this show.

Given that Othello believes this to be the work of a demon, and we know that outside of Grell, the Reapers have been pretty honest (even Grell herself/himself), so I’m taking Othello at his word here, we can assume that a demon is behind things.

Since that is the case we can then assume that the Lords probably set up a deal with the demon, or at least one of them did.

Or Blavat made the deal with the Demon and his helping the Lords is part of it.

In either case, we can then assume that the deal with the demon was probably made at an earlier age for these people. If it was then we can assume that they are trying to prolong their lives for the express purpose of not having to finalize the deal they made.

Keep in mind that demons are loyal only due to the contract. As such said demon is probably waiting on the chance to eat the souls of these four.

On the other hand, if Blavat is the one that made the deal, then we can assume that eating the souls of the four Lords might be a part of it. Then again, maybe Blavat is trying to keep the people alive.

Whatever the case is I think the Pale Blue Star and Lord Sirius are two different people.

However, I think that the demon is probably connected between these two without at least one of them knowing it.

My guess on this, and again I’m trying to reason things out as to why there would be a second demon is pretty simple. We know quite a bit about the Reapers. Who they are, and mostly how they function (within the context of the important aspects of the trio we’ve met, and Othello’s bringing new stuff in) as a group. Who we don’t know about is the demons. We only have Sebastian and he’s, as per Will and the others, a weirdo. He’s a picky eater who seems to be unlike the others. Or so we’ve been told via his own words.

What we don’t have is the comparisons. We don’t know at all about those that he contradicts, other then what he’s told us, and for the most part he’s a bit of an unreliable narrator. So what better way to learn about the demon world then, well, by a new demon? We may have already seen her in the form of a drawing that Yana-sensei has put out recently.

If this drawing is the demon in question, then what reason would she have to stick around? Well, again, we were told that we’d get some answers here, and what if that demon was the one that was set out to kill Ciel’s father? Remember not all Contracts have to end in a soul being eaten. On top of that, we don’t know if there’s rules in regard to taking more than one contract at a time. We’ve only seen Sebastian, and again, he’s the odd one. So there is a chance that the demon may be working with someone who is still alive.

This would rule out undertaker as he’s dead and I don’t think he can just offer up his soul since he was in the Reapers. So that means it’s someone who still has a soul to give. This opens up a lot of possibilities here and probably will have ties into the Osiris Company.

My guess also is that this female demon may have been the one that convinced Elizabeth to not go back to Sebastian. If she has no idea that this woman is a demon, and given the fact that she’s been brainwashed, then she’s probably given Lizzy a song and dance routine to make her believe that Ciel is in danger from Sebastian. Either though giving her info about him being a demon, or possibly just indicating that Sebastian may have had something to do with actions that Ciel took. We also can point to the fact that way back in the Halloween picture of Lizzy and Ciel with Undertaker, Sebastian was holding up a plate with a lid up and we saw two eyes peering from the darkness.

Please also note that she has black pointed finger tips, very much like the hand we see with the gears. My guess, this demon’s going to get away for now.

This got me thinking about the strange female shadow we see hovering around Ciel in Chapter 113. A demon’s magic could easily explain the brainwashing too. We know that Lizzy is, for the most part, someone that wants to protect Ciel.

So that’s my guess:

A female demon is pretty much controlling the show right now.

She managed to brainwash Lizzy into thinking that Sebastian is evil.

Blavat is either the one contracted or he’s working for the Contractor.

This demon may have been the one that destroyed or helped to destroy the house.

I know this is all over the place, but it’s hard to put everything in order without the pictures that I would use for proof.

Note: Added the pictures. Hope they help make sense of my ramblings. 

PS: The Blue Star that’s in Canis is  UW Canis Majoris (circle marked NGC 2362) and it has an interesting line onto Sirius. It’s also a Blue Super Giant which means it’s blue and white rather then just white like Sirius. So that’s what has me wondering if this is the Blue Star (or if not this one, then a similar Blue giant or super giant) that Blavat is referencing. 

[seracross]

Heart of Fire - Chapter Nine: The Witch’s Mirror

Summary: “A dragon without fire is nothing but a liability.” Nine years ago, Syra was thrust into a war: a hide-and-seek battle for control of five powerful crystals, hidden by a secret organization 200 years prior. Taking human-form, Syra searches the dragon-hating city of Altaira for clues on their location. But when her secret is revealed, fickle hearts are quick to change. And when an old enemy raises his scaly head, who will be there to turn to? Her estranged siblings? An ex-fiancé? Or a temperamental pixie the size of a duckling? In a race against her father’s murderer, Syra must traverse the five kingdoms to halt his efforts to rebuild a powerful relic that should never have been created. Are the bonds of love and family strong enough to survive the horrors of secrets and betrayal? And how do you fight an elder dragon bent on revenge when you’re a wyrmling who can’t even breathe fire?

Genre: Fantasy, Adventure, Romance, Drama

Rating: PG-17 (Strong Language & Violence)

Read All | Read Next

The morning came too early for Aidan and Petra, and while Aidan took his foggy head in stride, Petra glared at him from her seat on the cart.

“I hate you,” Petra grumbled to Aidan who, despite his fatigue, still led them onwards toward Edgewood.

“I told you to get some sleep,” Aidan said, wishing he had taken his own advice.

“Still hate you. I hate this town for being so far away, I hate this cart for making my rump sore, and I hate the sun for coming up when I just wanted to sleep.”

“Is she always this grumpy?” Aidan whispered to Cassius.

“Ooh, yes,” Cassius laughed.

“Just be thankful there was food to pacify her,” Syra said, bounding up to Cassius, “Otherwise, you might have lost your head.”

“I heard that!”

“At least you got a new toy, right?” said Cassius.

Petra scowled back at him, but hugged the twin blades lying in her lap.

The trip had gone smoother than expected. Ros had given them each a bag with travel essentials, including rations to the siblings’ delight, and fair weather made the hours seem to pass quicker.

It was this last leg of the trail that became more arduous. The rolling hills of farmland grew into foothills at the base of the Elder Mountains. The road wound through the valleys and over streams at a steady incline, and they had to stop to rest a few times on the way. By the time the city was visible in the distance, Leif was aglitter in sweat.

“We’re here, we’re here!” Leon chattered when they neared the simple, but strong gates of Edgewood.

They stopped briefly for the guards to examine them and their load, but upon seeing the herbs and Syra’s earring—and getting an earful from Leon—they had no further questions.

“Welcome to Edgewood!” cheered Leon, flitting about like a child released for recess, “Baba’s place is this way!”

Surrounded by trees with the gray mountains looming in the distance, the city had a serene feel. The bright greens of spring leaves accentuated the browns of the buildings, and the cobblestone roads were clean and new.

Syra was surprised by the crowds that wove among the streets of such a small city. Most went about their shopping and gossip, and the merchants called out their deals of the day. All were lively. Even the carpenters renovating the older buildings told jokes while they cut and hammered away. It was a stark difference from Landelle.

"Wow. Well, I’m impressed," Cassius said, as if reading her thoughts, "I honestly wasn't expecting something so...nice."

"Heehee," Leon beamed and hurried the group down the shop-lined street, "It's come a long way. You wouldn't have recognized it a few years ago."

"How so?" Aidan asked, taking in the array of magical and mundane items displayed on stands and behind windows.

"Well, when the truce between humans and dragons broke, we lost our supply of mana crystals. So, we had to find them elsewhere. Luckily, Edgewood happens to sit right next to a Sylic vein. That's why you'll see so many miners around here. It's really quite booming and has done wonders for the people here."

As they turned onto the main street, Syra's attention was grabbed by the handful of tall figures intermingling within the crowd.

"Even Tal come here?" Syra said in surprise, noticing the pointed ears sticking out beneath their silken hair.

"Why wouldn't they?" Leon asked, "They live just up the mountain. My favorite boutique is owned by one, actually," he tapped his tiny silver ear cuff, showing it off.

"I can see why so many people come here," Syra said, ignoring her urge to find the closest bakery, "so many choices."

"And! it's surrounded by all kinds of magical plants and bugs and critters. Baba's twice as busy as she was just a year ago."

"Speaking of Baba," Petra piped up, "are we there yet?" Her wound was starting to dry and scab, and the itching only added to her irritability.

"Oh, right right!" said Leon, flying off down the street and waving them over, "It's just a more few streets over!"

Past the busy main street and down a quieter side road that wound up into the hill, sat the quaint little cottage bordered by gardens on all sides. The front yard wasn't intended to be a garden. Baba had simply let it go too long and had resigned herself to 'keeping it natural'. In truth, she was just too lazy to mind with it.

Knock knock knock! went Leon's tiny fists on the door, "Old lady, Baba! I've brought people to see you!" he called.

"How many times do I have to tell you, I'm not old!" Came a scratchy but full voice from inside.

“They brought your cart back!”

“Oh, goody! I wondered where that thing went off to!”

Faint blue light glimmered around the door's edge, and with the click of a latch, it swung open.

"Come on in!"

Inside, the cottage was cluttered with jars and bottles containing colorful liquids. Herbs spilled from baskets on tall shelves that lined the walls, and a mad-alchemist set bubbled on the counter table.

"Excuse the mess, dearies! Allergy season has me busy busy!" An elderly woman with blue feathered cowl waved her arms as brooms zipped around sweeping, overturned containers righted themselves and found their proper places, and the fireplace ignited itself under a small cauldron.

Bark!

"Oh, no," Leon said. He braced himself as a small, but a bit rotund, pup leapt from the embers of the fireplace to greet him with steaming jaws. "Yes, hello to you, too, Yorkshire," he feigned politeness as he hovered inches above the hellhound's excited leaps and snapping mouth.

Petra covered her nose with a scowl, "With all these plants I’m surprised you’re not miserable."

"Ironic, isn’t it?" Baba laughed, "Plants that can cure a stuffy nose, can also cause one."

“Excuse me, where did you want the cart?” Aidan asked as he stepped inside.

“The cart? Oh, yes! Don’t worry about that deary, it’s already found its way home.”

Baba pointed out the window and Aidan jumped when he saw the cart putting itself away in the back yard.

Baba waved for them to follow her into a small living room, "Come, come! Put your things down and rest a bit!"

Shuffling to the side wall, she bumped her hip into a display table and raised an eyebrow, "Ahem! I said, rest a bit!"

Nothing happened.

"Shoo, shoo! Go on!" Baba shooed at the table and it walked itself, displays and all, to the far wall, coming to rest with a clunk. "Thank you.”

"Now then," she waved a hand at the wall and the bottom half folded outward and slid out into the room, revealing a plush bed. "And for the twins," with a flick of her wrist a set of bunk beds followed suit next to it.

"Not again!" said Petra.

"I thought we were done with those," said Cassius.

"Haha!" Baba laughed heartily at the twins' annoyed faces, "Nova told me you two shared twin ledges, so I decided, why not?"

"You knew our mother?" Syra asked, freezing in place.

The room went quiet and the air became thick and still.

"Indeed!" said Baba. Her eyes were bright, but their crystal blue held a buried remorse. "She was a student of mine at one time. Quite the mage, that one." They narrowed just a slight as she gazed at Syra, "But I hear she has a promising successor."

Syra swallowed back the knot forming in her throat and grinned. From the corner of his eye, Aidan caught Petra clench her jaw and turn her attention to the set of bunk beds, feigning interest in the quilted blankets.

“Is that an actual looking glass?!” Aidan approached the ornate mirror adorning the far wall, attempting to change subject.

"Don’t be stupid. Of course, it’s not," Leon said, fluttering with confidence above Aidan’s shoulder.

"I’m not stupid! I swear I’ve seen one of those before."

"Well let’s test it out, shall we?" Leon hiked down his britches and waved his behind in the mirror, "Mirror, mirror, made of glass, show this boy my shiny a—"

"Leon!" Baba snapped and Leon froze with his tush in the air. "Is that any way for a squire to behave?"

Leon adjusted himself with a reddened face, "No, ma’am."

"Wait. You’re a squire?!" Aidan asked, half laughing.

Leon whipped out his sword and poked its tip to Aidan’s nose, "Aye! And if you got a problem with that, I will sew your mouth shut."

"Is that any way for a squire to act?" Aidan mocked.

"Aye, it’s called honor. Are you familiar with that term, my prince?" Leon hissed low, shoving his sword at the ring hiding under his shirt.

"Aidan’s right," Syra said, approaching the mirror and analyzing the metal leafing around its frame, "I remember seeing a similar mirror in Valen’s chamber."

"What were you doing there?" Aidan asked with a light sneer.

"Does it matter?"

"Oh, good lord, just stop," Petra said, rolling her eyes and throwing her head back.

"Ah!" Babe cried out.

All hushed and whipped their eyes to Baba, hands on their hilts.

"I completely forgot our meeting!" Baba berated herself, pointing to the glowing bloom hanging from the mirror. The entire room exhaled in relief.

Aidan lowered his hand from his waist, "The what?"

"Scoot scoot, thank you," Baba scuttled between Syra and Aidan and grazed her finger along the bloom’s petals, causing it dim and close.

"So sorry, Valen! Got a bit caught-up," she said as light flickered from the mirror and Valen appeared on the other side.

"Oh, it's quite alright!" said the image in the mirror, "I'm just relieved they got there safely."

"Valen!" Syra shoved her face in front of the mirror and grinned wide. She could see his study in the background and she patted herself on the back for guessing correctly.

"Why, hello, Syra," he said with a chuckle and scooted closer to get a better look, "You're looking better. Been drinking your tea like I told you?"

"Yes, sir," she with a proud nod, "every day."

"Glad to hear it. Keep it up. I see the twins there," he gave a little wave to Petra and Cassius who sat on the edge of their bunks, "Seems they've gotten accustomed to their new forms."

"I still haven't forgiven you for cursing us!" Petra snarled back at him.

"Don't you worry, Petra, I'll fix you two right up once everything is taken care of."

"You better," she growled.

He turned his attention to Aidan, who remained silent, "How are things are your end, Aidan? Anything to report?"

"Report?" Syra asked.

"Your hunch was correct," Aidan said, ignoring her, "There's definitely unrest building out here." He paused and clenched his jaw, wording his thoughts, "It was a tough trip to get here."

Valen's peppy attitude turned grave, "I see. That's quite unfortunate. Is everyone alright?"

Aidan nodded and glanced down at Syra, who avoided his gaze as to avoid answering the question.

"Everyone is fine, for now," he continued, "Petra and Cassius got some bad scrapes, but they're healing quickly."

"As they should...can you explain what happened?"

Aidan spent the next few minutes describing the events of the previous days. How Syra nearly got captured, about the carriage trap, and how they had to watch Tilly and Radstrom's murder.

Valen tried to hide his disgust and anger, but his reddened cheeks betrayed him. A heavy sigh let off some of the steam, and he rested his forehead on his hands.

"That's worse than I thought. Were you able to dig up any information on these people?"

"Only that they call themselves, the Black Thorn, and they're growing stronger. A man in Landelle said he had friends in Renguard who have begun to see their handiwork."

"I was scared it was them," Valen said, glancing to Baba, "If they're in Renguard already, it's probably safe to assume they're even as south as Dairos. They're spreading fast."

"Hate always does," said Baba, her eyes clouding over.

"Wait," Cassius said from behind them, "you two already knew about them?"

"We knew of stories," Baba said, "Hearsay from travelers, patrons, barkeeps, and the like. I had also started noticing those bronze coins becoming more popular. At first, I thought it just a new fashion trend, but now..."

"You four are going to have to be even more diligent now," Valen said, eyeing Syra. "Maybe not so much when you get into Talian or Kiithrani territory, but do try to keep a low profile when around human areas. Even then, I wouldn't put it past them to recruit other races. Do you understand?"

"I understand avoiding situations like the carriage," said Syra, "but you're talking like our faces are on Wanted flyers."

"I doubt I need to remind you of your banishment status," Valen said, giving her a warning stare. "Plenty of people saw you that day, and not all of them were Altaira locals. You don't want to be recognized."

Syra lowered her head with a quick nod, "Understood."

"Does Father know about this?" Aidan piped up, "Why am I just now finding out about this? If they've grow large enough for concern, they must have been around for a while. The guards around here haven't even been told how to handle them!"

"Easy, Aidan," Valen hushed, "They haven't been told yet because we don't know how to handle them yet. The king is aware of the situation and working with his officials to finalize a plan."

At this, panic swelled through the party.

"Perfect!" Petra said flopping down on the mattress, "I love it."

"Hush, Petra," Syra scolded.

"Make me!"

"You don't even like people, so this doesn't concern you."

"Actually, it does," Valen said with some hesitation.

"What do you mean?" Syra asked. She and Aidan exchanged worried looks as they did not like how wrinkled his brow had become.

Baba raised a concerned eyebrow, "Valen, are you sure—"

"Yes, it's fine," he waved her off, "They'd hear about it sooner or later."

"I don't like this," Aidan said.

"I was going to wait until you collected the first two shards since you wouldn't be in human territory, but it seems time is more of an enemy than we originally thought."

"Just spill it, Valen," said Aidan.

Valen gave Baba a long look.

"You started this," she said, backing off with raised hands.

"The reason why we don't know how to deal with the Black Thorn yet," he started with a deep breath, "is because we don't know how to take on its leader."

Aidan blinked in confusion a moment, "How hard can that be? From what we've seen, they're all working class folks with a bad grudge. Altaira's army alone could snuff them out."

"We have reason to believe that Marrak is their leader," Valen said with a straight face.

Syra's blood ran cold.

"B-but, he's a dragon!" Syra said, panicked, "And not a small one, either."

"So are you," Valen said, causing her to flinch. "You think you're the only one who can shift?" His voice took on a condescending hiss, fed by fear and the knowledge of how outmatched they were. "Did I not tell you he was an archmage? He could have three forms if he wanted, and we wouldn't be any the wiser."

Syra bit the inside of her cheek and wrung her hands, unable to speak.

"That's why it's so imperative you keep your heads down," Baba added. "He knows about us and the other Kesh Raza, but we don't need him knowing that you're the ones collecting the shards from under his nose."

Syra's head swam and her hands felt clammy.

"Why would Marrak even bother to mess with humans, let alone lead them?" Petra asked. "He could just burn them to the ground if he wanted."

"What he wants are the shards," Aidan said and Valen nodded. "He knows he couldn't take them himself, so who better to use than dumb, unassuming humans to steal them right from under our noses? Even better if he can win over other races."

"Meaning we better hike double-time," said Cassius, standing.

"Right now, you need to sit," Baba said, pushing him back down, "and rest. The sun has gone and you leave for Mirna tomorrow. Your feet will thank you."

"Mirna?" Syra asked, spinning to Valen.

"As in the Talian capital?" asked Aidan.

"Yes, the first shard is under the protection of the Brother Kings, Tahlu and Lanis. They will be expecting you. It is quite a hike up Mount Tenlok, so go prepared." He looked to Baba, "I trust Baba can help with that."

"You question me after all these years?" Baba asked with a snicker.

"Good, I'll leave it to you. I'll go and inform the king of the new information. Please, take care your yourselves."

With that the light faded and Syra was left to stare at her own reflection.

"It'll take days to get to Mirna," she said, turning to Baba who took to sorting and packing supplies, "Will we have enough to get there from here?"

"Nope," Baba chirped, "That's why you're going to Kor Lahru first."

Leon's head perked up and he hovered just above the dusty teacup he was sitting in, "Wait, so—"

"Yes, Leon, you're going, too,” said Baba, “I wouldn't trust anyone else to guide them. Plus," her eyes nearly disappeared behind their creases as she smiled at the giddy pixie, "when was the last time you went home?"

Night sung of a soft breeze, tiny insects, and the wispy snore from Cassius' bunk. This night, clouds covered the moon and it was Syra who couldn't find sleep.

She stared at the dark hump curled up in the cinders of the fireplace, Yorkshire's tongue lolling out his mouth and happily dreaming. The bed was soft, but she was painfully aware of the mound of blankets separating her and Aidan. Though, she could still feel his warmth and his scent made her long to flip over and bury her face in his shaggy hair. I need...time. His words clawed at her chest.

This isn’t working, she thought, climbing from the bed and standing, silent, in the middle of the room. Her eyes wandered about, her vision monotone in the darkness, from the wad of blankets topped with Aidan’s disheveled locks, to her slumbering siblings sprawled out in their bunks—Petra had lost her blankets to the floor, and Cassius’ wound was barely a scar at this point.

A scar, a thin sliver of fresh skin…like the pale, slick blisters that covered Ethan’s body, charred and red…red, like the gash in her father’s neck. Image after image bubbled up from the chest she had stuffed them in. Red, like the fiery lines between Marrak’s scales…like his eyes as they locked onto her as a wolf stares at a slab of meat.

Can we actually do this? She thought, feeling the cold grip of fear slither over her. No, we have to. She padded over to the kitchen and fetched herself some water to calm her nerves. We don’t have a choice.

The scent of old flowers and ash drew her attention from her glass and to a door that was left slightly ajar.

On the back porch in an old rocker sat Baba, puffing at an old wooden pipe. A night breeze wafted the silver trail over Syra, the cloud tickling her throat and making her cough.

"Funny, isn't it?" Baba said, keeping her gaze fixed on the flickering lights of evening bugs floating about the garden.

"What is?" Syra asked, covering her face.

"How being away from something for so long can make the normal seem overbearing."

She peeked at Syra from the corner of her eye and chuckled at her confused expression.

"I bet your lair was full of smoke," she said, raising her pipe, "yet a wisp now makes you cough."

"Isn't too much smoke bad for humans?"

"Too much of anything is bad for anyone. So, you just leave an old woman her pleasures."

"I thought you said you weren't old."

Baba just grinned, "Heh, cheeky little thing. Just like your mother."

Syra froze a moment, mind racing to memories of the pearlescent dragoness teaching her to hunt, and fly, and prank her father with vanishing treats and belching potions.

“What was she like?” Syra asked in a small voice. “I barely remember anything outside the den.”

“Oh, that’s right,” said Baba, “you weren’t much older than a hatching when she died. Quite the shame, really, you are very much like her. Though, I will say, Petra inherited her intolerance for nonsense…and Cassius her compassion. Yes,” she said, looking up at Syra, “she would be proud of all of you.”

“Your father chose well,” she continued, seeing the desperation on Syra’s face. “She was kind and just, and so very patient. A tad self-centered when she was younger, but that’s to be expected. She loved just as strongly as she fought. Whether it was over stolen prey or because I wasn’t teaching spells quick enough, she was determined to get what she wanted or fix whatever needed fixing, be it through magic or fire. Everything was done with purpose.”

Baba smiled and padded Syra on the arm, “You would have learned a lot from her. But,” she booped her on the nose, “as her prior teacher I have at least one lesson for you.”

“Oh?” Syra asked, growing excited, “What is it?”

“Go to bed! How many times do I have to tell you youngin’s that a long journey requires ample rest?”

Syra laughed and put up her hands in surrender.

“Now go. Shoo, shoo,” Baba waved her away and returned to her pipe. And Syra returned to her half of the bed, forgetting her worries, if only for the night.

Petra was the first one out the door the next morning. Baba had changed her dressing and had added a healing balm that soothed any irritation and thus, Petra’s irritability.

“Are we leaving today, or what?” she asked from the front steps, awaiting Baba to finished her final checking of their bags. With the feathers about her neck, she truly did look like a mother hen.

“When you go hungry because you forgot your rations, you will be wishing you had waited,” Baba said, giving the bag her tap of approval before handing it over to Cassius. “All set.”

The party filed out the door, but Baba still wasn’t quite done.

“Not you, Aidan. Get back over here,” she waggled a finger at him to follow her to a set of drawers. “I have one more thing for you.”

From the drawer she pulled a necklace of leather strap and stone pendant. The pendant, with its rich, multi-colored sheen, was similar to that on Syra’s ring, but larger.

“A dragon duel is no place for a human,” she said, looping the necklace over his head, “you will need some form of protection. This can shield you from oncoming attacks and will grow stronger the longer you wear it.”

Aidan examined the stone with curious fingers and gave it a light tap.

“But!” Baba said, grabbing his hands, “You must be careful with it. It is not an ordinary stone, it’s  morakii, a ‘star heart’ from the Morai Mountains. They’re powerful little buggers, but quite unstable if damaged. If it cracks, it will explode and you will not be feeling very well for some time.”

Aidan rested to pendant against his chest with gentle hands, “Good to know.”

He looked out the back window to see Leif enjoying his fresh meal of hay. “Take care of Leif for me, okay?”

“I’ll make sure he gets back home safely,” Baba looked to the door to see Petra watching them intently, “Yes, you may go now.”

“Thank you,” said Petra, leading them into the street with Leon fluttering after them.

[texting-an-alien]

The Welders: Chapter Three

Chapter Three: Murderers, Ninjas, and Snakes. Oh My!

The way I felt when the world shifted was difficult to describe. It’s like when you’re a kid and people tell you that the earth is moving, spinning right under your feet but you can’t believe it because everything is standing still. You got this weird feeling in your stomach just thinking about it. It was as if I was reexperiencing my cousin explaining all the wonders of the earth to me. My stomach was churning and I couldn’t see straight. I fell to my knees, gasping for breath, and willing the vomit to stay where it was.

When everything seemed to settle, I looked up. Everything was normal, the trees were still the trees, the mud was still smelly and sticky, the ferns were still overgrown. It was as if I was the only one who had experienced anything, even the squirrel was still there… dang it. In front of me, lying between a dandelion and mossy branch was the crystal doom ball, without a scratch. I grabbed the stubborn thing and sat up, placing it back in my messenger bag.

I stood and nearly fell backwards from a pounding headache, my hands flailing blindly behind me, suddenly grabbing something cold and rough. As far as I was aware, there had been no fridges behind me so that was out of the question.

I turned around, and found something quite odd and strange that I knew it hadn’t been there before. Not without me noticing anyway.

Behind me stood a 10 foot tall brick and vine wall. As I said, there was no way it could have been there without noticing. If I tilted my head back far enough, I could see a million more trees and something that almost appeared to be smoke.

I know I had said everything about giving up on the stupid quest with the stupid crystal and all that other stupid stuff, but come on, a magic ball that makes brick wall with smoke appear? I take it all back.

I began wandering around the large enclosed area, knowing that for every wall, there was a gate. When I did find the gate, I understood why the crystal ball had been the one to show me this secretive community.

The wrought iron gate was about half an inch over my head, 2 feet wide and twisted with iron in swirls and shapes. In the very center of the gate, was a similar crystal ball,a bit larger than my hand.The gate was sealed with a rusty chain and padlock. On the other side of the gate, well I couldn’t tell. It looked just like the forest behind me, trees and all.

At this point I was really hoping I was hallucinating from biscuits and gravy because after staring at the other side for a while, I could swear on every single one of grams embroidered pillows that I had seen somebody walking through the trees, and it wasn’t a happy thought because they had made no sound whatsoever.

There was no way for me to enter, the lock refused to break no matter who much I pulled and pulled, the bricks were impossible to climb, and I eventually realized I was convincing myself to not just climb the gate. It was a very beautiful gate after all. Plus there was the fact that there could be silent ninjas or murderers in there.

My foot slipped a few times trying to get over, the iron was quite close together so my foot felt like it was going to break each time I stuck it into another space. I made the mistake of trying to get a foothold on the edge of the glass ball and nearly fell to my doom, technically not because I was barely off the ground.

I dropped to the ground and that’s when it happened.

The noise surprised me so much I smacked my head against the gate behind me. There was talking, music, laughing, and some kind of clinging and dinging noise. It was impossible though, on one side there had not been a single noise except for the wind or bird. Here, it was much louder.

I gripped the strap of my bag and began walking forward, and idiot move I know, straight to the voices.

+++++++++

Unlike outside the walls, there was no designated trail, no path that had been walked on so many times that you would have thought all of time square had been there at one point. I was walking straight to the voices with no recollection of how to get back to the gate if there was in fact silent ninjas or murders.

Silent ninjas and murderers who are laughing. I reminded myself. It honestly didn’t make me feel any better because have you heard murderer’s laugh… creepy.

The way the trees moved or the fact that I thought I had seen someone running through here scared me even more than the laughing because I realized, not only did I have no way back, I was possibly trespassing and possibly in a whole nother dimension, no one to stop a bunch of ninjas from killing me. My only hope was that Patrick was a dimension jumping super hero and would save me before I got a bamboo staff in the forehead.

The way the forest looked right now was entirely creepy. Maybe as creepy as a murderer's laugh. There was just enough sunlight that splotches of sun could hit the moss and dirt. It made it look like that was the only place happiness existed in the entire forest. The rest was shaded trees and branches that cast cringe worthy shadows.

The voices and laughing was getting louder, along with the metal on metal noise. I also noticed there was scraping and something hissing… maybe steam or snakes. Probably snakes. Murderers, ninjas, and snakes; this place was looking more and more inviting every time I took a step.

I stopped suddenly when I noticed a brick pillar that went just above my waist. The top was cracking grey marble and it was just a mossy and worn down as the wall behind me. As I looked around, I noticed a few more that were curving, forming a circle in which I couldn’t see the end.

That’s when I noticed the trailer. It was one of those 1960’s metal trailers that were curved at the top with the creepy circular window on the side. It was in the same shape as the wall and stone pillars, dented and ridden with overgrown nature. The only way it could have gotten in was if there was a larger opening or if the wall had been built around the trailer… which was not a happy thought.

For some reason my mind went back to my 5th grade english class where we had to recite poems for a project. This was probably the only class I didn’t fail that year. I remembered part of a poem that Jason Tucker had read, the only poem actually listened to. I think it had also been in some book, so that could also be a reason. It went like this:

Before I built a wall I'd ask to know

What I was walling in or walling out,

And to whom I was like to give offence.

Something there is that doesn't love a wall,

That wants it down.

Perhaps the reason my mind suddenly decided to have a flash from the past was because I was beginning to think that maybe the wall was meant to keep something in, not keep people out. That definitely scared me more than silent ninjas and murders laughing. Just as I was about to rethink my decisions and run for my life back to the forest, the trailer door swung open and low and behold, there was Patrick.

My legs were moving before I even knew it and I was suddenly right next to the trailer, pressed against it as I watched my cousin walk away from me. Seeing him in possibly a different dimension wasn’t even the most oddest, and possibly most exciting, part of my day.

It wasn’t just my cousins trailer, oh no. There was an entire civilization. Tents, trailers, something that appeared to be a ply wood and rock fort littered the entire space in front of the trailer. Each little camp site had been made out of things that looked like they had found in the forest. A few campfires blazed in front of the houses with pots or sticks with meat cooking, while all around trees sprouted from the ground and chipmunks jumped from branch to branch.

There were dirt trails lined with rocks that went from place to place and not only that, they had people walking on them. Actual people that weren’t wearing all black or swinging around meat cleavers. They were so normal, all laughing and sitting indian style next to the fires. Patrick was currently walking god knows where, past everything like it was completely normal for an entire village to be living in the middle of a forest and possibly on another world.

I was so awe struck by the people and tents that I didn’t notice the two people coming up behind me.

“Can I help you?” A voice said behind me and I jumped up, shocked.

A girl and a boy stood behind me, both with long black hair except the boys only went to his shoulders. Both had a universe of freckles, extremely pale eyes, and it was very clear they were twins. The girl was dressed in a orange sweater, dark blue overalls, and thigh high maroon socks while the boy, despite the cold, was only wearing a pair of denim shorts. Around his neck hung a necklace of a combination of different animal teeth.

“She’s not one of us." The boy said and the girl crossed her arms, tilting her head in agreement. “How’d she get in?”

“Well I don’t know Lee, I was literally standing right next you when you saw her. She could have just been sent here from one of the other camps, maybe the West." The girl replied and took a step forward. “What’s your name? How are you here?”

I was a bit too shocked about getting caught to answer and the girl rolled her eyes, sighing, and putting on the fakest cheesiest smile ever, quite similar to the one Patrick had done the other day. “What’s your name hmm? How did you get here sweetheart."

Okay now I was just insulted. “My names Amy, sweetheart."

“And she speaks. Were you sent here?” The boy, Lee, said.

“Sent here? Definitely not. You mind telling me where exactly “here” is?”

“You don’t know?”

“If I knew would I be asking you?”

“Touche," Lee said and smirked at me.

“Oh shut up." The girl said, I still didn’t know her name. She was definitely more in charge than Lee, that or she was just mean. “Everyone new goes to Barney that’s the rule."

There that name was again, ‘Barney’ I had heard it when grams and Patrick were arguing, something about him and his wife. All I was picturing was the purple and green dinosaur sitting on a throne made of twigs and leaves.

Before I had a chance to reply with some smart alec remark, the girl began walking away and Lee sighed, looking back to me who was still glued to the side of the trailer.

“Might as well follow her, she doesn’t slow down until she reaches where she wants to go," Lee said, trying to be friendly. I very unwillingly released the side of the trailer and took a few steps in the general direction of the girl and Lee began walking, slowly so he could walk beside me.

“You really don’t know how you got here?” He asked suddenly.

“I was following my cousin and then somehow got here."

“Who’s your cousin?”

“Patrick Preston, I think that was his trailer back there."

“I knew one of these days Patrick was gonna screw up. That’s why no one should ever leave the camp," Lee chuckled.

We were walking around the outside of the civilization, not through the trails and tents. These people seemed much to accepting to let a complete stranger walk through their home without any question besides who I was. It was a bit more difficult to walk in the plants that hadn’t been touched by any kind of feet for what seemed a long time. Lee was looking at me funny as I stepped of rocks and logs.

“Don’t have much experience with nature?” He asked.

I glared at him and said, “I live right next to the forest, I’m just used to the trails."

He raised his hands as a sign of mercy and we continued to walk. I didn’t actually expect that village to be this large. Actually I wasn’t sure I was expecting any of this. An entire civilization in the middle of a forest surrounded by a 10 foot brick wall that can only be discovered by throwing a glass orb onto the ground and hoping it doesn’t break.

“How large is this place?” I asked.

“Not that big. Maybe a mile in every direction give or take. Probably take," Lee explained.

“Okay, next question. Why are you letting me walk through here, I mean I could be a mass vigilante that just killed their neighbor," I said and Lee raised an eyebrow at me.

“We get a lot of people through here surprisingly enough. If you do prove to be one of us I might just answer your other questions," Lee replied.

“Like where we are and where we are going?” I asked and he nodded.

His verbal reply came as more of a yelp when he nearly ran into the other girl, she had suddenly stopped in the middle of the non-trail we were following. She looked back and glared at him before beginning to walk again. Only then I saw where we were heading.

There was an extremely large house at one side of the circle of tents. It was amazing that I hadn’t noticed it before. It was a very dark wood, antebellum, with two large white pillars, and at least two other parts coming off of the main part. The roof was grey and with window sills were all white along with the trim on the door. The door, now that was something out of a movie. It was a single brown door with a massive knocker in the shape of a lion and I nearly made a joke about it before I saw both their straight faces.

We walked up two white wood steps that creaked and sagged under our feet, right to the large door. I looked behind me, astonished to see that the camp was a lot smaller then what I thought. I could now see where it ended, where it curved, and everyone and everything inside of it… including Patrick.

He was just standing there, next to a small fire but he looked completely at peace, as if this wasn’t some secret village in the middle of a forest with a gigantic mansion out of a fairytale. The first few letters of his name left my mouth when the girl was suddenly dragging me by the forearm into the house. Patrick looked straight at me as the door slammed behind me.

The building we had just entered look more like a library than a house. The walls were lined with books of all ages and sizes, most bound in leather. There were ladders leading up to yet more floors of books. In places where there were small gaps of peeling wallpaper, maps of the world hung along with portraits of the famous dead. It was all dimly lit, flickering candles contained by glass holders hung on the walls as well as slowly dripping onto stools and desks. As Doctor Who as this is going to sound, the house seemed much bigger on the inside.

Behind a stack of books that were currently stuck to a desk, and didn’t look like they would be going anywhere anytime soon, was yet another boy, flipping through a book and not bothering to look up even though the heavy door had just slammed shut.

He was dressed in a vintage cotton shirt that went past his waist, ripped jeans, hiking boots, and had ginger hair that looked like it hadn’t been combed in a week. When he heard the girl take a few steps forward, his head moved upwards but he did not look at us, although I did catch a glimpse of his eyes behind his wire glasses. They were so amber the color was nearly golden.

“You can’t just go bringing people in here Delia," he said, breaking the silence and the smell of burning beeswax. Finally, I now know the name of my lesser companion, Delia.

“Yeah well I have a good reason," she said and he looked up. His eyes were definitely golden. His eyes fell directly on me and he tilted his head and crinkled his nose.

After looking from Delia to Lee, he took a few steps towards me and inspected whatever he was supposed to inspect.

“Who is she?” He asked, looking directly into my eyes but it was clear the question was for Delia and Lee.

“Says her name is Amy," Delia replied, crossing her arms.

“That’s because it is, well it says Amethyst on my birth certificate," I replied, looking away from his quite creepy eyes and to Delia.

“Oh come on, who names their kid Amethyst. Were your parents trying to ruin your childhood?” Delia scoffed.

“I ask myself that every time someone pronounces my name wrong," I mumbled.

“Just because it’s not Celtic doesn’t make it bad. It’s a great name, Amy," Lee said, reassuring me that it wasn’t as bad as it actually was.

“Whatever. She said she’s related to Patrick. Sister or something," Delia rolled her eyes.

“Cousin. And what do you mean my name isn’t Celtic? It is like an offense?” I reminded and asked her. Delia glared just a little bit more than she already was, if that was even possible which was very unlikely but somehow her pale eyes turned even colder. I was beginning to think she was screwing up on purpose.

“Where’s Barney?” Delia said, completely ignoring the fact that I was going to correct her every time she pretended like she wasn’t listening to Lee and I’s conversation.

“Out. Probably won’t be back till later so, let’s get this show on the road then." The boy replied and clapped his hands together. He seemed to change the entire mood of the room when he stopped staring and said, “Hello Amethyst, my name if Ferris and I’ll be making your family tree."