#i just wanted agnes to get a happy ending and not have been so conditioned to becoming a god that she could be a normal kid and end up with

[c0ckedgun]

THE MESSIAH AND HER LOVING BODYGUARD 🔥 ✝️ 

[guarmommy]

alone, desire, and future for any oc(s) of your choice

alone: How does your OC deal with loneliness? Have they ever been completely alone before? How do they act when there's no one around to see them?

desire: What's one thing your OC wants more than anything in the world? Are they open with that desire? Why or why not? What would they do to fulfill it?

future: What's the worst possible future for your OC? Are they taking steps to avoid that outcome? Are they even aware it's a possibility?

Nalin🦚

Alone Nalin hates being alone. Loneliness is an anathema to them since they constantly crave social interaction and connection. They just cannot stand it. However, there were rare times when they were alone, and with a creative spark, they would do something to make people happy. That's how they got into crafting jewelry. Desire Happiness. Nalin knows sometimes life can be hard and tragedy can shatter one's life and wellbeing. They've been through hardships that drove them to the edge, even close to death's door. To Nalin, happiness is the most precious thing to have. Being beautiful makes them happy. Adoration from others makes them happy. Seeing people adorning precious gems they make brings a smile to their faces. Future Nalin has family and friends back in Alinor, and they miss them dearly. As much as Nalin wants to see them again, they have to keep up the facade of being a regular jeweler. They "disappeared", covering their tracks, to escape to Skyrim and start a new life. I think a possible worst-case future scenario for Nalin would be the Thalmor finding out and hunting them down

Marlyn🍰

Alone Being born and raised as a Telvanni, Marlyn is familiar with loneliness. One day, that solitude inspired her to do more and become more than a mad wizard cooped up in a mushroom tower like her strict mother. In her lonesome, Marlyn buried her nose in dusty books in her family's library, which aroused her curiosity about the outside world. After reading a book or two, she would get lost in daydreaming about a life different from hers. One of the books that piqued her interest the most was about baking, especially pastries. Desire Much like Nalin, she thrives for happiness. She left her old life to begin a new one. She didn't want to be a wizard, she wanted a life that would make her happy and she found it. She bakes delicious pastries for everyone to enjoy. Future In the worst-case scenario, Marlyn would end up being sought out and taken back to her mad mother. Her mother is a powerful wizard with connections, so hiring mercs is not out of the ordinary in the long list of things she'd do. Because of this, Marlyn tries her best to keep a low profile and avoid attracting attention. When she fled to Solitude, no one knew who she was, which gave her the upper advantage. And let's be honest, the average Skyrim citizen does not personally know a Telvanni wizard.

Zalyn🗻

Alone To combat loneliness, Zal interacts with Dunmer, and he prefers it that way. Social interactions in a slum full of his people give him a sense of normalcy and comfort. Otherwise, he would go completely mad. Desire Zalyn yearns to return to Morrowind, his ancestral home. He lost everything when Red Mountain erupted, but his heart belongs to Morrowind. He wants nothing more than to live the comfortable life he had before everything went to hell. While living in the slum in Windhelm, he's been saving up to hopefully one day leave. Future A horrible future outcome for Zal would be dying alone in the Gray Quarter, succumbing to his personal vices, via alcoholism. But he does take steps to avoid this outcome by having some self-preservation and self-control. He is aware that the conditions in the Gray Quarter aren't going to improve anytime soon. So Zal tries his best to, as mentioned earlier, save up enough coins to leave the squalor for good.

Agne🌼

Alone

Agne experienced loneliness on the day that Thalmor agents killed her family. After witnessing death and loss for the first time, she went from being a happy child to a terrified orphan fleeing for her life. As a result, she was forced to be in survival mode, wandering from place to place to find anyone kind enough to take her in. Unfortunately, every adult she came in contact with either ignored her or harshly shooed her away. Cold, alone, and on the beak of starvation, little Agne was rescued by a caravan of Dunmer refugees and soon after adopted by a couple amongst the refugees.

Desire

What Agne wants more than anything is for her found family to be proud of her. Living in Windhelm is tough but surviving while in poverty in the wintry city is tougher. She will do whatever she can, even to her detriment, to ensure that her family is well. They saved her life and she is forever grateful for their kindness. Because of this, she feels greatly indebted to them.

Future

Being a "flower girl", Agne learned to be aware of the potential dangers that come with it. That means attracting the attention of individuals with malicious intentions. Some clients have no qualms about hurting her, treating her like an object they can use and abuse. One of these clients is a Dunmer named Uulan. The worst-case scenario for Agne would be forcibly procured by him, to be his and only his. The best way she can avoid this outcome is to evade him as much as possible.

[ceescedasticity]

a terrible, terrible idea I will not be finishing

TMA SBURB session scenario

The setup is that somehow, one of the current main character survivors finds out about SBURB, and comes up with an outlandish plan to force a session and drag the fears into the Incipisphere, thus leaving Earth to return to its original state. Pretend this is a feasible plan. Pretend it comes with a good plan to keep the Reckoning from destroying Earth immediately after it's restored.

The fears aren't going to be naturally inclined to go to the Incipisphere. It has a very low population — I'd be surprised if carapacians and consorts together topped a hundred thousand, though if you count underlings that's probably at least doubled — and even setting that aside some fears are just not well-represented. It's a very sterile place. So, the plan is to fill the "player" positions with people who can provide anchors for the fears and drag them into the Incipisphere, too. Pretend this makes sense.

(That puts us at over twelve players in a session, so I'll be using some original classes and aspects.)

The necessary qualifications for "players" are that they (1) are well-marked but not overwhelmed, (2) can be convinced to cooperate, and (3) are… accessible. Obviously live people are most accessible, but most live people are either overwhelmed and most of the rest are Avatars who are… actually they could also be described as overwhelmed, just in a different way. And the Incipisphere does have that little "dreamself" mechanism, so if they (read: Jon) have a sufficient... trace on a person (read: direct statement, Archive contract, accumulation of indirect statements, or some weird stuff), they can toss them straight into their dreamself, thus reviving them, possibly closer to human than they were before. (Or possibly creating a functionally identical copy. Hopefully no one asks.) Pretend this makes sense, too.

(They didn't attempt to exert any control over which moon people got, or which 'role'.)

Also benefiting from a dreamself: Jon, who barely survived the gross overextension of his powers figuring out how to do this and pulling in the "players" but just dropped upon entering the actual Incipisphere. He's now definitely in pre-coma condition and possibly even more regressed; he's been too disoriented to do much experimenting.

Melanie agreed to be the primary anchor for Slaughter because it's one of the stronger fears in the Incipisphere (the Battlefield and Prospit-Derse war in general mean the carapacians tend to be a good source for it) so they need someone trustworthy in the position. She's monitoring herself VERY carefully. She's also a secondary anchor for Beholding, but there's not any shortage there anyway. Her role according to the Incipisphere is Mage of Breath, Prospit dreamer, Land of Reeds and Whistles.

Georgie can't really anchor anything but End. Which is fine because it's also a fear native to the Incipisphere, and the only one that's a conceivable flight risk since the horrorterrors aren't afraid of anything else. Her mythological role is Sylph of Time, Derse dreamer, Land of Knells and Echoes.

Martin is the primary anchor for the Extinction, which may be a bit player as far as the entities are concerned but which is deeply engraved in the Incipisphere what with the Reckoning and everything. He's a secondary anchor for the Lonely as well as Beholding. His role is Rogue of Blood, Prospit dreamer, Land of Smoke and Craters.

Jon is the primary anchor for Beholding and a secondary anchor for pretty much everything else. (Beholding isn't a major concern for the Incipisphere's natives, but it's a potential issue for players, depending on their awareness.) He hasn't been needing statements, which he hopes is because he's regressed past the need for them, but which is actually because his Aspect is standing in for them. His role is Prince of Light, Prospit dreamer, Land of Sand and Searchlights.

Basira is the primary anchor for the Dark (since Beholding is taken). It's of middling strength, more than Beholding but much less than Slaughter or End; you get some Prospitians and consorts scared of the dark, but usually it's the least of everyone's worries. Her role is Maid of Mind, Prospit dreamer, Land of Pitch and Frames.

Annabelle Cane probably would agree to participate, but no one trusts either her or their own ability to manage her. Mikaele Salesa wouldn't want to interrupt his retirement, and if coerced he might sabotage things. Uh… that Jordan Kennedy ECDC fellow still seemed to have his head on fairly straight, right? He can anchor Corruption. (All of Corruption's strength in the Incipisphere is built on Dersite revulsion for amphibians.) His role is Page of Fire, Derse dreamer, Land of Toads and Hellbenders. (Did I mention how reliant Corruption is on Dersites and amphibians just now.)

At this point we have exhausted our living candidates. So: cast some dead people as players, force their dreamselves to form, maybe give them a nightmare about the post-Change world so they understand what's at stake, and wake them up.

The remaining fears that are really seriously strong in the Incipisphere are the Hunt (players hunt underlings hunt consorts) and the Desolation (meteors and RED MILES).

The Hunt goes to Daisy, who has been rebooted to mostly human in her dreamself and is unsurprisingly very shaken up about everything, but at least she knew about the Change (though she doesn't remember clearly). She's a secondary anchor for both Buried and Beholding. Her role is Haunt of Heart, Prospit dreamer, Land of Tracks and Traces.

Desolation goes to Tim, who is... not thrilled to be alive and conscripted again. He's somewhat mollified by it at least DEFINITELY not being more of the SAME bullshit. He's a secondary anchor for Beholding and Stranger. His role is Heir of Rage, Prospit dreamer, Land of Stone and Ashes. (He really likes the sound of Heir of Rage but isn't about to admit it.)

Stranger goes to Sasha, who is having an odd time of it. A lot of the background information everyone else knows already is new to her, and bringing her up to speed is extra work, but Jon and Martin were feeling sentimental and everyone agreed she'd be a stabilizing influence on Tim. She has MOST of her memories. People have MOST of their memories of her. (The Stranger isn't particularly strong in the Incipisphere because the locals are predisposed to accept any kind of weirdness from players without being bothered. Everything is familiar to them, no matter how strange it should seem.) She's a secondary anchor for Beholding and Spiral. Sasha's role is Clerk of Doom, Prospit dreamer, Land of Masks and Music.

Since the game prefers an even number of players, and it's already established the fourteen/fifteen don't REALLY cover everything, it's more complicated than that, maybe include an anchor for 'Unclassifiable'. Give that one to Gerry. (Jon can't decide whether he should feel guilty about this; Gerry wanted an end, but this definitely isn't life as a book.) (For his part Gerry is in 'this might as well happen' mode.) Gerry's role is Knight of Grief, Derse dreamer, Land of Tomes and Boxes.

The Incipisphere's natives aren't automatically AWARE of being steered, but they are; players always have their options restricted by alpha timeline bullshit; this particular group of players mostly got thrown into it without asking them so may be even more aware of their lack of control. All of which is to say the Web is not particularly weak and they need a trustworthy anchor. They settled on Gertrude and still aren't sure whether it was a good idea. What she thinks of it she isn't saying. Her role is Seer of Space, Prospit dreamer, Land of Webs and Frogs.

To everyone's surprise, Gertrude apparently came with a bonus Agnes. Possibly because they were leaning on her Web connections? Who knows? They set her to anchor Lonely, because even though she never had room for any marks but Desolation before she was definitely lowercase-L lonely. Agnes's role is Witch of Void, Derse dreamer, Land of Smog and Drizzle.

(At this point someone finally figures out lunar alignment is apparently being determined by whether someone has ever signed a contract with the Archives.)

The Vast goes to Adelard Dekker. Vast isn't among the strongest of the entities in the Incipisphere, but there's space involved and theoretically an entire universe, so it has definite potential and needs to be anchored by someone who won't go out of control with it. Adelard's role is Count of Hope, Derse dreamer, Land of Stars and Stairs.

That just leaves Buried, Flesh, and Spiral. None of them are particularly strong in the Incipisphere — you might think the Spiral would be, but SBURB does have its own rules.

For the Spiral, the main thing is they don't want the Distortion. They could try for non-Distortion Helen Richardson, or even non-Distortion Michael Shelley, but if something went wrong then they'd have the Distortion alive again and who knows what would happen. So… uh… hmmm… Oh, Mike Crew had a prolonged Spiral problem! He might not be very happy with the because of… everything, but he could probably be talked into cooperating for his own benefit, right? So he's reluctantly anchoring Spiral, because it's supposed to be temporary, he wants to live, and at least that stupid Lichtenberg figure hasn't showed up. He's also more human than he's used to. His role is Bard of Stone, Derse dreamer, Land of Mazes and Ravines.

And as long as they're giving second chances to dead avatars who probably don't deserve them but who did start out as traumatized children, what about Julia Montauk? She could maybe anchor the Flesh — there were those beating hearts in the shed, and she probably ran into more while Hunting… Okay, Flesh. She's not super happy about the Flesh thing but is more disoriented by being much less Hunter than she has been in years. Her role is Ghoul of Life, Derse dreamer, Land of Ribs and Regrowth.

And finally… okay, they're going to throw Buried at Jurgen Leitner. He's probably marked by about everything, and he was "buried" in the tunnels for years. It's fine. His role is Thief of Strange, Derse dreamer, Land of Pits and Dust.

How does it all turn out in the end? Who knows. Almost certainly no worse than canon will.

[mindthelspace]

Sad TMA thought for the day

So... Agnes being prone to ‘violent rages’. 

Let’s think about what kind of people the Cult of the Lightless Flame attracts. The kind of people who would have been responsible for helping raise Agnes. The first things that come to mind are ‘lacking in empathy or compassion’ and ‘takes pleasure in hurting others’. There also seems to be a trend towards arrogance, poor social intelligence, and religious fundamentalism. 

Additionally, we know none of them wanted to be stuck looking after a child. They wanted a Messiah to end the world for them. The childrearing required to get one was just a necessary annoyance. 

So... how often, during Agnes’ childhood, would she have been, for instance’

- Palmed off on some grudging newcomer because the leaders couldn’t be bothered to sit with her.  - Been mistreated by one of these newcomers, because they registered children mainly as “people smaller and weaker than me”.  - Been used as hazing for newcomers. (”If he can survive a few hours with her, he’s in! Haha!) - Had her emotional needs ignored because nobody around her saw other peoples’ feelings as mattering, ever.  - Been snapped at, mocked, or derided for behaving like a kid around somebody who didn’t want to be looking after a kid.  - Hurt someone or damaging something accidentally, and been alternately and almost randomly yelled at, laughed at, or congratulated. Almost never asked about it though, or asked if she was OK.  - Had to learn to deal with inconsistent treatment by the adults around her. People A and B worship her and give her anything she wishes because of that. People C, D, E and F tightly control her. Person G treats her sort of normally. People H and I are horrible shitheads. Person J just acts like she’s not there. Sometimes people change categories, either permanently or by the day. Often completely new people are brought in and she has to get used to their brand of inappropriate childcare too.   - ... You get the idea. 

Plus there were all the normal child things she was denied by virtue of what she was being made into. No cuddles, no interaction with other kids, probably not much affectionate or playful attention at all (nobody joins the Cult of the Lightless Flame to play hide and seek with a five year old, after all). At some point they’d have had to start denying her normal food and drink, as being able to subsist on a Fear-only diet was important apparently. 

Plus plus she was basically forced to shoulder the hopes and dreams of a bunch of adults from birth. “We made you to change the world in the way that we want! This is the entire reason we let you exist! We need you to do this, our happiness depends on it!” 

... TLDR what I’m getting at is that there were almost definitely a lot of times where small!Agnes's violent rages were actually reactions to being raised in stressful, miserable conditions by by a group of sadistic negligent pricks. But the Cult couldn’t see that- its’ members aren’t the kind of people who think the wellbeing of a child is important- so they shrugged and concluded that she was just being ‘a brat’ for no reason. It didn’t occur to them to work out the difference between a desolation induced fit of rage, a normal tantrum, and a reaction to being hurt- and even it had, they probably wouldn’t have seen the point. 

(This also means that there’s a good chance that when Agnes became consistently quiet, considerate and engaged in her studies, it was because she’d finally internalised that her own feelings didn’t matter, and that she should just focus on what her caregivers wanted from her. Only say things they want to hear, only do things they want her to do etc.)

[wanna-b-poet31]

A (maybe) 4-part meta on Good Omens: Part 1: Aziraphale’s Abuse and Trauma

SOOOOO I promised myself I wouldn’t get too obsessed with Good Omens but I’ve got some meta-thoughts. 

So, it’s no secret that abuse is prevalent in Good Omens, but the methods of abuse are interesting ultimately working as a catalyst for how Crowley and Aziraphale interact with humans, Heaven, Hell, and each other. 

Several of the characters we see in Good Omens are traumatized by the time we meet them, although some more than others. For example, Newt, for what little we see him is clearly ostracized by everyone around him and he shows signs of trauma via isolation. Until the end of the world, it’s heavily implied that he’s bullied, if not dismissed from the rest of the world due to his explosive tendencies with computers. He’s not shown to have healthy coping skills with the isolation, and although it is ultimately good he doesn’t get his job, and works with Shadwell, and meets Anathema, but he’s unable to express himself in a healthy way or handle his past.  Similarly, due to the stress of saving the world, Anathema is traumatized by the expectations of her family, of being a “descendant” of Agnes Nutters.  

But, both begin recovery journeys by beginning to assert their own needs and well-being. Newt begins forming real, relationships and coping with his loneliness by making friends and Anathema defies her family’s obligation by burning the letters. Overall, it’s a straightforward approach to begin recovering from traumatic events. 

However, Crowley and Aziraphale do not have quite as straightforward a narrative. 

Heaven is unbending. It is clear to both of them that God and her representatives punish independence, asking questions, and having any defined version of a “self”. 

Look at the photo below. It’s an environment that (per my last post) is cold, abusive, and really, isn’t a functional space. Nothing can get done reasonably in here. There aren’t any personal touches and it makes the space devoid of any sense of home. AND THIS IS SUPPOSED TO BE HEAVEN, land of milk and honey Heaven. It’s not just bland, it’s much more insidious than that. It’s false transparency, a “nothing to see here” mask that the angels use to belittle, attack, and intimidate each other. 

Then there’s the messy business of the dogmatism Heaven follows that affects Aziraphale throughout the series. We see it first in the garden that questions (a la Crowley) lead to abandonment. The fear of falling, of knowingly being discarded by people/entities that supposedly love one another is a violent space to grow up in and incentivizes the remaining angels to keep their head down and not question actions that are clearly wrong. It is Crowley who asks why it would be okay to kill kids (because it’s clearly wrong) to which Aziraphale responds: “I’m not consulted about policy decisions”. It’s clear that 1000 year after the garden he’s internalizing his conditioning. 

His behavior, especially coming from THE angel who gave away his flaming sword without any hesitation and then LIED to God about it, shows that he clearly knows right from wrong is jarring. But, it’s unsurprising, given the abusive place he is attached to. Heaven’s love for him is conditional and wholly dependant on him being able to do as he’s told, not what might be right. 

It’s also clear that Aziraphale is being abused during the events of the series. While not always physically violent (although I’ll get to that in a second), he is continuously belittled and degraded. 

Take a look at Heaven’s least favorite Asshole: Gabriel

When we are introduced to Gabriel the first few things out of his mouth are insults. Although we’ve had Aziraphale for only like 5 seconds and we already can tell how passionate he is about food. Aziraphale is eating sushi, presumably a favorite food given his familiarity with the chef, and taking some time for himself, and like a good family member offers some to his “fellow”, his “ally”, an entity who supposedly had his back. When the food is refused, it’s presented with a dismissive tone and called “gross matter” that would “sully” his body.  This is is a smack in the face to Aziraphale and he quickly lies, saying he’s only eating to keep up appearances. This shutdown of interests and likes pushes Aziraphale to be like Newt, ostracized from people who are supposed to be his friends. Then, like Anathema, his exposure to the “great plan” and what is expected of an angel is villanizes his interests, causing him to feel shame and associate his individuality and sense of the self with “wrong” or “broken”. 

This differs greatly from how Crowley and Aziraphale meet. Although we see Crowley tempt eve, they talk to each other as equals and Crowley does the one thing Heaven has never done -- tell him he’s doing a good job. There is no harm in eating or enjoying eating but he’s being treated like he’s committing some kind of sin. Crowley, in contrast, reaffirms Aziraphale’s actions and helps relieve his concerns. Gabriel, instead, aggravates his anxiety.

Then, we see Gabriel do one of the more insidious discreditings of Aziraphale’s sense of self at the bookstore.  Whereas Crowley is able to tell when there are new books in the shop and knows that losing the shop is a significant loss for Aziraphale, Gabriel can’t be bothered (more on that at the end). At some level, it’s his disdain for humanity that makes him indifferent at best about the bookstore. But, his disregard for Aziraphale’s livelihood, something that is a clear point of pride and joy, is belittling. He is demanding that Aziraphale drop everything he loves to fight the great war, and while asking to fight is not intrinsically abusive (Crowley too asks Azi to join him and fight), the dynamic is not of equals with the same motivations, rather it is clearly meant to be talking down to Aziraphale. Gabriel sees no value in the shop or his “brother” and if he can’t see it there must not be any. The blow to Aziraphale’s emotional state is apparent in the grimace he gives the two angels. 

Even when Aziraphale, (who does his best to uphold what he has been conditioned to be “right” and after many millennia has grown to trust Gabriel despite no reciprocation) DOES go to Heaven with a plan, news about where the anti-christ is and how to stop it, or push him to be neither satan no saint, he’s met with more belittlement. None of the angels at the meeting believe that Aziraphale can accomplish his goals, but worst than that, none of them are willing to give him the support he needs to achieve his goal. Sure they don’t smite him where he stands for purposing an alternative to the end of the world, but that’s not the same as being a support system he can rely on. He can’t even voice here the reasons why he cares so deeply about Earth or why they may be wrong. He is not their equals in their eyes. 

You can also see it at the park when Gabriel and Aziraphale are running, and Gabriel punches his stomach, telling our adorable angel he needs to lose the gut, devaluing Aziraphale’s worth further. Even the face he makes in the gif below is filled with condescension. He’s not taking Aziraphale, or Aziraphale’s concerns seriously. 

Which brings me to the final nail in Heaven’s abusive coffin via Gabriel. The intended violence of his “sentence” is meant to, like the fall, strike the fear of abandonment, disownment, and death into Aziraphale. There is no scenario (except the one we see) where Aziraphale is meant to make it out of Heaven alive. 

After Armaggeddon’t Gabriel, who knows Aziraphale’s intentions of diverting the apocalypse, if perhaps not the rationale, is pleased to belittle the restrained Aziraphale. There is legit joy in his face when they force Aziraphale to walk into the hellfire. 

In the above gif, you can see that not only is he being verbally abusive, throwing ill-intent insults at Aziraphale, but that he fully expects the fire to kill his supposed brother and PLEASED about it.  

LET ME REPEAT THAT. The place/people who Aziraphale is supposed to love, trust, and be loyal to are ready, and happy to, drop him at a moment’s notice. At this point, considering the layers of abuse already outlined, Aziraphale’s insistence that he can’t be on Crowley’s side because Heaven wouldn’t like it is symptomatic of someone who is longing for a genuine, honest connection and has been “raised” to believe that is Heaven, no questions allowed.   

this is not to say Heaven isn’t above physical abuse towards Aziraphale.

I’ve seen some excellent metas floating around dissecting the Crowley vs. Aziraphale  and the Angel’s vs. Aziraphale “intimidation” (although I can’t find them now, please @ them if you know them) and the bottom line is that Aziraphale is terrified by Uriel and her legion of Angels much more than Crowley ever could. Aziraphale is damn well aware of how violent the angels who aren’t even touching him can be vs. his calm response to Crowley pushing him against a wall. 

Which brings me back to Crowley and Aziraphale. Although I can (and will) do another one of these on Crowley, and dive deeper into the implications of their relationship and the closure they need/got by being on their own side. I want to take a second to articulate just how much Crowley does not (try) to do be this way to Aziraphale. 

I maintain that Crowley, is aware of Heaven’s abusive tendencies due to his fall and the subsequent fear that must have caused other angels, I do not think he’s aware of the levels of mental, verbal, and emotional abuse that heaven throws Aziraphale specifically. The way Aziraphale talks up heaven, you’d suspect he was getting awards left and right, or at least some semblance of respect. But no. In stark contrast to Gabriel, Crowley will entertain Aziraphale’s interests/passions like food and books even if they aren’t something he indulges in often himself. Whereas I said earlier Gabriel dismissed the bookshop and presupposed it was something Aziraphale would be able to drop like a rock, Crowley KNOWS that Aziraphale cares so deeply for his books, his food, and his identity as an angel, that losing any of them would be unbearable. Although Crowley pushes and sometimes goes too fast for Aziraphale, he’s not approaching Aziraphale in bad faith. 

Of the 10 observed historical meetings, we see Crowley initiate at least 6 of them (it could be said the Victorian meeting is also Crowley’s doing, but the jury is out about who called that particular meeting as Aziraphale walks toward Crowley first in that scene). We also see Crowley go out of his way to do things that make the Angel comfortable and does not once break his trust. Although he storms out 3 times in the show, he always uses it as breathing room, before once again seeking Aziraphale out, and doing his best to work on their relationship AS EQUALS. Their dynamic (Which I’ll go into more later) is not on uneven footing, and both parties treat the other with a kindness neither of them is offered by their respective worlds.  

TLDR: Crowley’s love for Aziraphale helps heal him from the abuses of Heaven

Thanks for coming to my tedtalk

[go-events]

GO Rom Com Spotlight: @wildtrakone

The ever-compelling @wildtrakone has claimed The Proposal to adapt for Good Omens in the Good Omens Rom Com Event.

For reference, here’s some information about the source material!

Synopsis of The Proposal: Faced with deportation to her native Canada, high-powered book editor Margaret Tate (Sandra Bullock) says she's engaged to marry Andrew Paxton (Ryan Reynolds), her hapless assistant. Andrew agrees to the charade, but imposes a few conditions of his own, including flying to Alaska to meet his eccentric family. With a suspicious immigration official always lurking nearby, Margaret and Andrew must stick to their wedding plan despite numerous mishaps.

We spent some time chatting about how the adaptation is coming so far, as well as future plans for it! Now, get to know @wildtrakone​ (also wildtrak on Ao3) a little better!

* * *

goromcom: Normally I tease people here about what Tumblr says they post about, but it was very mysterious about you and didn't give me anything!

wildtrakone: Any mysteriousness is entirely accidental. Or is it? >:D

goromcom: That’s an excellent answer. :)

You chose to adapt The Proposal as your rom com. Has this movie been a favorite of yours, or is there some other reason you chose it?

wildtrakone: I have seen The Proposal what is probably an unhealthy number of times. I'm usually more of an action/thriller fan, but The Proposal is just one of those fun and happy films that you can keep coming back to enjoy. Also, the film is directed by the fabulously talented Anne Fletcher, who has two films being adapted in this Rom Com event. 

For me personally, I love that the story depicts an older woman who is at the peak of her career and doesn't compromise her work for a relationship. Instead, she has a love interest who is proud of her and her accomplishments, and who wants to join her on that journey. It's a dynamic that I think will work well in translation to the Good Omens universe. Also, fake relationship FTW. 

goromcom: What's your favorite moment of your chosen rom com, and are you looking forward to presenting it in your adaptation? Any loose plans for that scene that you can share?

wildtrakone: There is a lot of brilliant physical comedy in The Proposal which I think lends itself to my writing style, so I am hoping that I can do those scenes justice. Poor Crowley is going to cop the majority of the humiliation (sorry mate!), but to be fair he does tend to run afoul of his own carefully crafted schemes in all the good stories. In the original movie, the family had a small rescue dog that stole the show, so I am definitely including those scenes. In my case, it's a cute little hellhound who is an adorable fluffy cuddlebug for everyone—except Crowley. Crowley is his nemesis.

goromcom: Do you plan to stick very closely to the story beats of the original movie, or make bigger changes?

wildtrakone: I am going to be as faithful as is reasonably achievable. The story is not an AU, so there are several elements that need a bit of extra thought, particularly in terms of what is motivating Aziraphale and Crowley to embark on a fake engagement when it doesn't necessarily seem like the logical play. But there are a lot of elements I am keeping, including the setting at a book publisher. Also staying are the familial tensions that Aziraphale experiences when his duties to Heaven compete with his own desires to stay on Earth and to stay with Crowley (which is of course a running theme in Good Omens canon). 

goromcom: What's an interesting decision you've made in your planning so far--a notable casting decision, a changing of venue, or some other plan you have to paint Good Omens all over your rom com?

wildtrakone: Good Omens presented me with an opportunity at the end of the existing canon, whereby there was a second book written by Agnes Nutter. I've taken that and run with it in a way that I hope people will find fresh and interesting. With a new book of true prophecy in the works, someone has to make sure the publishing process goes smoothly. That person is probably neither Aziraphale, nor Crowley, but they're who we've got. Also, Betty White is God. Enough said :D

goromcom: Well yes, of course Betty White is God, but what does that have to do with your rom co--oh! I get it! You mean in your rom com too. ;)

I am blatantly stealing this last question from The Good Place: The Podcast, but here goes: Tell me something "good". It can be something big or small. It can be a charity you think is doing good work, or you can talk about how great your pet is.

wildtrakone: I must admit it's been hard to see the good under all the smoke in my country at the moment, but every day I'm hearing amazing stories of people helping others that really restores my faith in humanity. The kindness of strangers even in the midst of a disaster is why I love my country, and despite all the uncertainty, I feel lucky to be an Australian. My wish for everyone is to be safe. 

goromcom: Absolutely, that is a wonderful wish, and I hope it comes true soon. 

And hey, we’ve got another canon GO rom com coming your way soon! Poor Agnes, I hope her second book actually makes it to the press...

[tomeandflickcorner]

Umbrella Academy Rewatch 1x08

1x01 1x02 1x03 1x04 1x05 1x06 1x07

The race is now on, as Allison attempts to find Vanya, in order to warn her that her boyfriend, Leonard, is actually Harold Jenkins, a convicted murderer who is believed to be the man who will bring about the apocalypse. 

As Allison drives out to the cabin that had belonged to Harold Jenkins’ grandmother in the hopes that she can find Vanya there, she remembers an event that had happened a year ago. She had been putting her daughter, Claire to bed and had just finished telling her a bedtime story about some of the exploits of herself and her brothers when they were still involved with their superhero stuff with the Umbrella Academy.  Particularly a time when they stopped a bank robbery.  When the story is over, Claire kept insisting on hearing another story, but Allison insisted it was time for her to go to sleep.  When Claire started to get demanding, Allison ended up using her power on her, by saying ‘I heard a rumor that you’re really tired, and what to go to sleep.’  This ended up getting Claire to back down and go to bed without a fuss.  Unfortunately, Allison’s now-ex-husband, Patrick, had witnessed this, and is clearly not happy.

Okay, so... is this the incident that resulted in the courts stripping Allison of her custody to her daughter, mandating that she had to take court-ordered therapy sessions before she could get visitation rights?  If so, that’s really stupid.  It’s possible I’m just not getting it, but why exactly was this such a big deal?  I don’t get if.  It’s not as if she was using her powers to force Claire to get her beer while she sat in front of the TV all day instead of taking care of her kid, or anything neglectful like that.  She was getting her kid to go to sleep.  I think we can all agree that kids that age need a consistent sleep schedule.  I’m fairly certain any mother in the land would have done the same thing if they were in Allison’s shoes.  Was there more to this story?  Was their some sort of concern that Allison using her power on Claire would have caused her permanent brain damage?  Was it a case of X-Men-esque paranoia?  I believe, in the X-Men comics, a lot of people feared the mutants on principle simply because they had out-of-the-ordinary abilities and therefore persecuted the mutants.  Did the courts have similar prejudice against Allison going on?  I don’t understand!

Regardless, this incident has ended up being traumatic to Allison, as she’s now sworn off using her powers ever again. And this is driven home when we hear Allison’s memories of other times she used her power on others.  Some seem pretty innocent.  Case in point one moment when she used her power to get someone (probably Claire) to like broccoli.  Eating vegetables is important, after all.  But with others, I can see why Allison is feeling like she was abusing her powers.  For instance, there were apparently times she used her power to force someone to be her friend, land an acting role, or even got someone to love her.  Yeah, I can agree those examples are pretty bad.  Eventually, Allison makes it to the cabin,  But when she gets there, nobody is home.  Which makes sense, since Vanya and Harold/Leonard are still at the hospital following the incident the night before.  

Speaking of which, we then switch over to them.  Harold/Leonard wakes up Vanya, who had been sleeping in the chair next to his hospital bed.  Vanya is surprised to see he’s already dressed, and even more so when Harold/Leonard announces he’s leaving.  After all, he probably still needs to be observed one more time before being officially discharged.  But Harold/Leonard states that’s not necessary, as the hospital just wants him to come back tomorrow so he can be fitted with a prosthetic eye.  Vanya, upon being reminded that he lost an eye, starts to apologize, but he waves her apology off.  They then head off.  But on the way, they’re stopped by a nurse, reminding Harold/Leonard that the doctor hadn’t discharged him yet.  Vanya is momentarily confused by this, as that statement has contradicted what he’d told her, but Harold/Leonard insists that he’s ready to leave, so he simply signs the voluntary discharge papers.  Before they leave, Vanya asks about the three other men that had attacked them, who were also brought into the hospital after being injured by Vanya’s power explosion. The nurse informs her that two of the men were DOA, but the third man was still alive, though in critical condition.

Back at the Umbrella Academy mansion, Luther wakes up with a massive hangover from his night of drinking at the rave.  He is shocked to find that a naked woman is lying in bed next to him, indicating that he brought someone back from the rave for sex.  Klaus then swings by Luther’s room and proceeds to simply be a typical brother, good-naturally teasing the flustered Luther for it, especially when he realizes this was Luther’s first time with a woman.  Klaus then gets serious, telling Luther that they’re having a family meeting downstairs.  

When Luther makes it down to the kitchen, Klaus pours him a cup of coffee, which Number 5 (who is clearly feeling better) promptly steals.  Ghost Ben is also there, but of course, only Klaus is aware of that.  While Klaus voices his awareness that Diego and Allison are absent, he nevertheless begins the meeting, informing his brothers that he managed to make contact with Reginald last night.  Luther is confused, reminding Klaus that he claimed he hadn’t been able to conjure up anyone in years.  Klaus admits this is true, but states that he’s now completely sober.  He goes on to inform Luther and Number 5 that Reginald wasn’t murdered but that he committed suicide in order to trick them into getting together again.  Luther, however, refuses to believe it, accusing Klaus of playing games again.  Until Pogo enters the room and confirms Klaus’ statement, also admitting he and Grace had assisted with the suicide, with Grace’s programming being altered so she wouldn’t be able to administer first aid on that fateful night.  Reginald had believed that, if the Hargreeves Siblings had banded together to try and solve the murder mystery, it might inspire them to want to be a team again, so they could save the world. Luther is incensed over this bombshell, especially since he was still feeling hurt over the revelation that his mission on the moon had been meaningless all along.  He berates Pogo for not saying anything sooner, despite watching him search for answers.  Pogo is visibly remorseful, but tells Luther that he had only been honoring Reginald’s dying wishes and that he had no choice.  This isn’t good enough for Luther, though, and he storms off, telling Pogo that there’s always a choice.  Number 5 also teleports off to think, leaving Klaus alone with Ghost Ben.

Sometime later, Vanya and Harold/Leonard return to the cabin.  Harold/Leonard attempts to reassure Vanya that what happened to the three toughs wasn’t her fault, and that she had acted in self-defense. Vanya is still shaken up, though, stating that she shouldn’t be able to do something like that.  It’s clear that, while she is starting to accept the fact that she does have powers, she’s upset that she can’t control them, with them only exploding out of her when she’s not trying to use them.  Harold/Leonard consoles her, stating he’ll help her learn to control it.

While all this is going on, we also get the subplot with Hazel and Agnes.  They did indeed run away together, but are now stuck in a traffic jam. Hazel grows morose when he sees that Agnes’ road trip has three years worth of sights in store, with her happily stating they have time to see them all.  After all, she doesn't realize the apocalypse is supposed to happen in just two days.

In a curious coincidence, Allison is also stuck in the same traffic jam.  Why she didn’t stick around at the cabin is anyone’s guess.  She ends up driving past the same restaurant where Vanya’s powers went haywire, seeing the police are there investigating the incident.  As Allison glances over at the crime scene, she notices Vanya’s scarf hanging from the restaurant's sign, making her realize that Vanya had been there.  So she gets out of the car and ducks under the police tape to investigate.  Allison is immediately stopped by a cop, Sergeant Cheddar, who is investigating the scene.  She tries to question him about what happened, but he insists that she simply read about it in the paper tomorrow.  Although, Sergeant Cheddar’s tune completely changes when he recognizes her.  It turns out Sergeant Cheddar and his wife are huge fans of Allison’s movies.  (Remember, Allison is a big movie star.)  Taking advantage of this fact, Allison tells him that she’s actually going to portray a cop in her next movie and is looking to do some research on law enforcement.  She asks if she can shadow him for the day, as it could help her develop her character if she could witness him in action for the day.  Sergeant Cheddar, being a huge Allison Hargeeves fanboy, agrees to this almost instantly.

Meanwhile, Diego is still in his jail cell.  He is visited by Detective Beeman, who informs him that they’re transferring him to upstate that afternoon.  He also states that he does believe in Diego’s innocence, knowing that he wasn’t the one who murdered Detective Patch.  However, that’s not enough to get the suspicion against him thrown out, since Diego was placed at the scene of the murder, and people on the force had witnessed the two arguing on more than one occasion.  Detective Beeman then reaches out to shake Diego’s hand, wishing him luck.  After they shake hands, Detective Beeman walks off, leaving Diego alone with the key he stealthily slipped him.

Back at the cabin, Vanya is practicing her violin, getting ready for her big concert.  As she’s practicing, Harold/Leonard secretly consults Reginald’s journal, which includes Reginald’s notes on Vanya’s powers.  The notes reveal that sound can help activate Vanya’s abilities.  This is further illustrated in a flashback, where Reginald, during a training session, managed to get Vanya to shatter a wine glass simply with the sound of a tuning fork.  Taking advice from this, Harold/Leonard takes Vanya deeper into the woods and instructs her to try and recreate the scene last night.  Vanya then thinks back, remembering the men laughing, the sound of them kicking Harold/Leonard and the rumbling of the car engine and a dog barking nearby.  Instantly, Vanya realizes that it was the sound of the car engine that did it, as that sound ended resonating in her mind to the point where it was the only thing she could hear before her power unleashed itself.  She finds the whole thing terrifying, but Harold/Leonard insists that its extraordinary.  He then convinces Vanya to try and tap into her powers again, getting her to focus on the sounds of nature around them.  Such as the wind chimes hanging from the cabin nearby, a squirrel in a nearby tree and the water rushing along a creek.  Harold/Leonard tells Vanya to focus on one sound in particular, with Vanya zeroing in on the sound of the water in the creak.  This results in Vanya’s power manifesting again. Harold/Leonard is ecstatic, but he sees Vanya is starting to panic, so he calms her down, informing her that her ability is tied to her emotions.  Vanya is confused how he knows this, as she doesn’t know about Reginald’s journal.  Harold/Leonard is able to cover up his slip up by claiming he made a lucky guess, going on to ‘theorize’ that Vanya can convert the sounds around her into energy when she is feeling strong emotions.  Vanya accepts this explanation and kisses him.  Though she has to push him out of the way when a tree branch falls towards them,

Of course we also get a reminder of how dangerous Vanya’s power can be.  In another flashback to her training sessions with Reginald, Young Vanya not only shattered all of the wine glasses, she also ended up cracking Reginald’s monocle.  Which also apparently left a cut along his cheek.  Reginald seemed almost fearful of the raw power she possessed, as he announced their training sessions were over for the time being.

We then cut back to the Umbrella Academy mansion.  Klaus is in his room knitting something when Number 5 walks in, trying to wrap his head around things.  He starts to discuss with Klaus his confusion about something that he can’t figure out.  He only learned about the approaching apocalypse by travelling to the future.  But Reginald, who can’t travel in time, clearly knew enough about it to know to kill himself a week before it happened.  Number 5′s musings are interrupted when Diego rushes in, having just escaped from jail with the key he got from Detective Beeman.  He informs them that Allison may be in danger, as he knows she went off to track down Harold/Leonard alone.  They search for Luther, locating him at a bar, still drowning his sorrows.  Diego tries to offer him some comfort, telling him that their father lied to all of them.  But Luther just wants to be miserable, stating he’s done with all if it- with Reginald, his brother and the whole family.  He states that if if the others want to save the world, they’re welcome to try, but he’s going to stay put and keep feeling sorry for himself.  Until Diego tells him that Allison headed off on her own to find Vanya, as Vanya’s boyfriend is a convicted murderer.  The knowledge that Allison was in danger pushes Luther into action, with him telling Diego he should have led with that detail.

Elsewhere, we see that Cha-Cha has managed to get free from her handcuffs.  She heads right over to Griddy’s Donuts, but finds the place is closed, with a sign from Agnes on the door informing customers that she’d decided to close the doughnut shop.  Angered, Cha-Cha breaks in to search for clues on where Agnes and Hazel were going.  In doing so, she finds a brochure for some bird sanctuary.  And then, for good measure, she blows up the building by turning on the gas burners and leaving a lit candle behind.

We then cut back to Allison and Sergeant Cheddar.  The latter is questioning Mr. Luntz, the guy who survived the incident with Vanya’s powers the night before.  Mr. Luntz reveals that it was all a setup. Turns out, Harold/Leonard had actually paid them to pick a fight with him, saying he wanted to impress his girlfriend.  But they had gotten drunk and got a bit carried away.  Allison cuts in, asking Mr. Luntz about the description of the guy who paid him, also showing him the picture of Vanya on the back of her copy of Vanya’s autobiography and asking if that was the girlfriend.  Instantly, Sergeant Cheddar realizes that Allison had lied to him and confronts her over it.  Allison apologizes for lying but explains that it was the only way she could get answers, and that she’s trying to find her sister, who might be in trouble.  While Sergeant Cheddar still isn’t happy, he seems to understand Allison’s reasons.  But before they could question Mr. Luntz further, the nurse stepped in, stating they’d have to come back later so they could run more tests on the injured man.

Returning to the cabin, Vanya announces that her concert is tomorrow, and she wants to practice her violin a bit more.  Upon hearing this, Harold/Leonard gets a bit petulant. He tries to coax Vanya to practice mastering her powers some more, as they already had a breakthrough and Vanya mastering her powers is important.  Vanya counters this by stating her music is also important.  Harold/Leonard instantly backs down, but he doesn’t seem to happy as Vanya steps out to practice her violin.  While she’s occupied, he quietly steps out.  So, when Vanya is done with her practice session and comes back inside, she finds that Harold/Leonard is gone.  Immediately, she starts to panic, searching the cabin for him frantically.  In her panic, she has a flashback to a point in her past, most likely after Reginald started to grow fearful of the magnitude of Vanya’s powers.  One evening, Reginald had brought Young Vanya down to a chamber deep beneath the mansion and placed her into a soundproof cell, telling her she needed to stay in a controlled environment.  Once she was sealed in, he left her down there for an undetermined amount of time.  To try and settle her nerves after that flashback, Vanya starts to practice her violin, simply focusing on the sound of the violin.

Meanwhile, Hazel and Agnes have arrived at the bird sanctuary.  Hazel, still mulling things over, asks Agnes what she would do if she knew she only had two days left to live.  Agnes replies she’d choose to be anywhere Hazel was.  Which is just too sweet!  I can’t with these two!  Anyway, Agnes notices that Hazel seems distracted about something and she asks him what’s going on.  Hazel tells her he can’t really explain at the moment, but there’s something he has to take care of before he can join her.  He tells her to go enjoy the bird sanctuary and that he’ll come back for her as soon as he can.  So, after sharing a kiss, Hazel drives off, with Agnes watching him go.  Of course, Hazel may have made the wrong call in leaving Agnes alone, as we see Cha-Cha is already on her way to the bird sanctuary.

Back at the hospital, Allison and Sergeant Cheddar are waiting to question Mr. Luntz some more, but the nurse comes out to inform them that he’s gone missing.  She had taken him out to for x-rays, but he disappeared.  Sergeant Cheddar states he’ll call it in, in case anyone spots him.  Allison then asks the nurse if she’d seen Vanya and the nurse confirms she had been there that morning.  Allison realizes that Vanya and Harold/Leonard had been there when she’d stopped by the cabin earlier and decides to try going back.  Sergeant Cheddar instructs her to not go anywhere, as Harold/Leonard might be dangerous, and they have a missing person to boot.  But Allison chooses to not listen to his instructions and heads off anyway.  

She arrives back at the cabin while Vanya is still playing her violin.  And Allison immediately notices the lights and rocking chairs out on the porch. are swinging from side to side, as they’re being manipulated by Vanya’s powers.  Allison quickly heads inside and finds Vanya, who is surprised to see her sister.  Allison is equally surprised when Vanya tells her of her newly discovered powers, but she pushes her amazement aside to focus on the more important task of getting Vanya to safety.  She tries to break the news to Vanya about who her boyfriend really is, telling her that Leonard Peabody doesn’t exist and that he’s really Harold Jenkins, who murdered his father when he was 13 and spent 12 years in jail as a result.  Vanya, of course, doesn’t believe her.  Allison tells her that the proof is all in the police file, which is waiting in the car, also telling her of the whole murder shrine of the mangled and defaced Umbrella Academy memorabilia they found in Harold/Leonard’s house.  She goes on to try and reassure her sister, saying that she can understand how it must be a lot for her to take in, but that she loves her and wants to be there for her sister.

Understandably, Vanya has an emotional breakdown.  She’d fallen in love with Harold/Leonard and can’t believe any of this stuff about him could be true.  Not to mention the revelation that she’s had this power all her life and never even knew it.  At that moment, Allison remembers an old childhood memory of hers.  One that never really made sense to her, but now that she’s learned of Vanya’s powers, she’s able to look at it again with fresh understanding.  It turns out that, while Vanya was being kept in that soundproof room when they were all 4-years-old, Reginald had told the other Hargreeves Siblings that Vanya was sick and had to be isolated.  But then he brought Allison down there and instructed her to tell Vanya ‘I heard a rumor you think you’re just ordinary,‘  (It was at this time that Reginald also started putting Vanya on that medication, which we now can see was meant to nullify her powers.)

So obviously, Reginald had been so fearful of Vanya’s raw abilities, he chose to simply keep them hidden from everyone rather than continue to train her to control them, and had even manipulated Young Allison to assist him in his goal.  And it kind of makes sense how nobody remembered that Vanya used to have powers when they were very young.  After all this all went down when they were 4. Not many people can have clear memories of their life that far back.  Anyway, When Vanya learns of this, she is understandably furious.  But in her anger, she ends up blaming Allison, accusing her of knowing she had powers the whole time and choosing to keep them a secret because she didn’t want Vanya outranking her.  Vanya continues her rant, declaring she plans on staying with Leonard, who was the only one who ever really loved her.  As Vanya’s rage builds, the light fixtures around the house start to go haywire and eventually explode, and Allison’s attempts to calm her down only enrage her further.  In sheer desperation, Allison elects to use her powers to calm Vanya down. But before she can complete her statement, Vanya lashes out with her bowstring, which ends up slicing through Allison’s throat.  

The moment this happens, Vanya’s rage vanishes, being replaced by horror over what she’d just done.  She dashes forward to catch Allison as she falls to the ground, clutching her heavily bleeding throat.   As Vanya cries out her apologies for hurting her sister, Harold/Leonard returns to the cabin.  He takes one look at the scene before him and seems to figure out what just happened.  So he grabs Vanya and physically drags her away, telling her that they have to get out of there, during a deaf ear to Vanya’s cries and sheer reluctance to leave Allison bleeding on the floor.  In the end, however, Harold/Leonard manages to drag her away and he drives them away from the cabin, driving right past the body of Mr. Luntz, who he must have killed to keep him from blabbing.  By the time, Luther, Diego, Klaus, Number 5 and Ghost Ben make it to the cabin, Allison has lost consciousness and appears dead.  And so the episode ends on that cliffhanger.

Final Observations/Questions:

Is Allison going to live?

What’s going to happen to Vanya?  Will she get away from Harold/Leonard?

While I do understand Vanya’s fury, it wasn’t fair of her to blame Allison for what happened.  Allison was just as much a victim as Vanya had been.  Thy were toddlers at the time.  Of course they wouldn’t question what Reginald was telling them.  And I believe Allison was telling the truth when she said she didn’t understand what happened that night until now.  And the fact that they all forgot that Vanya had powers at the age of four is also believable, since they were still very little back then.

What exactly did Reginald do to get Pogo to go along with everything he did.  It was clear from his facial expressions that he wasn’t happy with what he was doing to Vanya, but he still went along with it.  So what kind of psychological hold did Reginald have on him?

[xxfanfiction-emo-trinityxx]

Wingmen (Part Two) - Five x Reader

Summary: Five introduces you to his siblings

Word count: 1 794

It was one of the precious days in the lives of the seven Hargreeves kids when their father was not home. He had flown to Europe in a matter that he obviously kept to himself, leaving the adopted siblings and Mom behind in the huge mansion.

It was almost six pm, when the teenagers piled into their favorite shop, Griddy’s Doughnuts. Grace, Mom, had allowed them to stay out late, so they did not have to be home before bedtime. This would have been unthinkable while Reginald Hargreeves was in the house, since he insisted on strict discipline. The siblings had the feeling that Pogo had something to do with the permission to go out over the evening, since otherwise Grace’s programming surely would not have allowed them this freedom, but none of the seven mentioned it.

Now they were squeezing into a booth by the window. On the one side sat Ben next to Klaus and Luther, who had his arm wrapped around the shoulders of Allison, and on the other side Vanya leant against the cool glass of the window, Diego had already pulled out one of his knives, and Five sat at the aisle, his eyes darting around the room to see whether he could spot you.

The air still felt warm after the sunny afternoon, but without the direct sunlight it already got a bit chilly. You hurried down the street towards the doughnut shop, and smiled to yourself, when you saw the Hargreeves siblings sitting inside, knowing without doubt that your boyfriend Five would be with them. Your heart skipped a beat at the thought of him, making you grin as you realized how much in love you were with the young man.

And today you would tell his siblings about your relationship with each other.

The last time Five and you had met, you had decided that it was time for you to tell them. He had asked you to do your job as usual, but when you came over, to kiss him, or hug him, or anything else that made it clear that you two were together. You had agreed to his idea, and even though you felt nervous, fearing his siblings would consider you not good enough for him, you were excited to do this.

You entered the doughnut shop from the back door and quickly pulled over your pink apron, stepping out of the kitchen behind the counter exactly in time for your shift to start. Agnes, the woman who had been on shift before you, gave you a soft smile, and said goodbye before disappearing in the back.

Standing up straight, you looked over the guests. There were two elderly ladies chatting quietly in a corner by the window, some dude in his mid-forties with a baseball cap was sitting at the counter, stirring his coffee, a group of young women had their heads stuck together at a table in the middle of the room, and of course there were the Hargreeves, sitting by the door, laughing and chatting.

There was not much to do, the man with the baseball cap waved you over for a refill, and the two ladies left the shop, but apart from that your first thirty minutes were quiet. Leaning against the counter you watched the customers who were left, to see if someone’s plate was empty, or if they were waving for you, but most of the time you were watching Five. His siblings were laughing; the seven seemed relaxed, for once not getting into each other’s hair, and even Five smiled occasionally, trying not to look over to where you were standing.

When the group of young women had emptied their plates, you collected them, and they asked you for some milkshakes, which you were happy to prepare. You liked making milkshakes. Something about it, especially the decorating with whipped cream, sprinkles and fruit made you feel like you were in a movie.

Carrying out the tablet with the tall glasses, you noticed that some of the Hargreeves’ plates were empty. So after you had served the milkshakes and settled up, you walked over to their table, knowing it was now or never.

A strange feeling settled in your guts, realizing that after all the months of hiding your feelings for Five while his siblings were around, would now come to an end.

You walked over to where they were sitting, and approached Five from behind, stopping a little behind him, and placing your hands on his shoulders. As always he was wearing the uniform, the black material of the jacket smooth under your fingers. Gently you pressed the tips of your thumbs into his shoulders, giving him the hint of a squeeze, before you leant down next to his head and gently kissed his cheek. His skin was soft, and he smelled faintly of the deodorant you had gotten used to over time. A strand of his raven black hair was ghosting over your cheek, tickling you.

You realized that by now you had the attention of Klaus and Ben, but you resisted the temptation of looking over at them, to see how they were kicking their siblings under the table to get them to notice you as well.

Five, who initially had stiffened slightly at your touch, had realized that it was you, and he could not help the breath that caught in his throat. The mere thought of you would probably cause him a heart attack one day, but having you kiss him this sweetly, sent him spiraling out of control. With a knowing smirk he turned his head, placing his lips on yours, returning a sweet kiss, while placing his hand at your waist. He was tempted to pull you into his lap, but you were still working and he did not want you to get into trouble, so he resisted, as hard as it was.

When you pulled away from his addicting lips, you smiled softly, meeting his ocean blue eyes. Then you stood back up, as if nothing had happened, and turned to the siblings.

“Can I get you guys anything else?”

Looking into the faces of Five’s siblings was better than expected. You had known that they would be surprised, that was the whole point of this, but this was truly marvelous.

Vanya was the one who seemed the least impressed. She just smiled gently, obviously a little embarrassed of having watched her brother exchange such an intimate gesture, and she was surprised, you could see it in her eyes, but she was not completely shocked, unlike Diego.

He, Ben, and Luther had their mouths hanging open, their eyes wide as soup plates, darting unbelievingly between Five and you. Allison was looking at you wide eyed as well, surprised, but rather pleasantly, as it seemed.

Of course it was Klaus whose reaction had been the hardest to predict. He was giggling violently, bouncing in his seat, and clutching his hands over his chest, looking as happy as a toddler who found out Santa Clause was real.

The first one to move was Ben, closing his mouth slowly, and starting to grin instead.

“When you said you already were in a relationship-“, he asked you, gesturing back and forth between Five and you.

You shrugged, “I didn’t say it wasn’t with someone in the room.”

“I knew it, I knew it,” Klaus squealed happily. “I knew our stone cold Number Five over here had a little crush on you!”

“Well, you better bet I do,” Five agreed, wrapping an arm around your waist and pulling you into his side proudly.

“You are really cute together,” Vanya smiled.

“Thank you,” you blushed, looking down at Five, combing a hand through his hair.

“So- so… wait a moment,” Diego demanded, “you two really are a thing?”

“Yup,” Five answered, turning to his brother, “again: you better bet we are.”

“So last time when I said you should try flirting with them-“

“We already were together, correct.”

“When did that happen,” asked Luther, obviously uncomfortable that he had not noticed this thing going on with you and Five. As Number One he felt like it was his duty to know about everything, and even though he knew that his siblings had a right to have their own private lives, it still was difficult to shake of the years of conditioning from his father.

“About three months ago,” you answered, smiling at Luther, “We just wanted to be sure about this- us- before telling anyone.”

“And I wanted some privacy before all of you start snooping around in our relationship,” Five added, sending a warning glare at Luther, Diego and Klaus, all of them for the different reasons they definitely would find to spy around.

“I’m just glad you are happy,” Allison quickly threw in, distracting her brothers before they could start an argument, “for both of you.”

“That’s very kind, thank you,” you smiled, finally feeling yourself relax a little. None of them seemed to immediately hate you, or think you were unworthy of being together with their brother, which had been your main worry.

“Why don’t you sit down with us, if you’ve got time,” Ben suggested, “We’d love to get to know you better.”

His siblings were nodding eagerly, all of them curious about the person who had managed to steal Number Five’s heart.

Taking a quick look at the few customers in the shop, you nodded with a smile. Before you could even move to get yourself a chair, Five had already pulled you down into his lap and nuzzled his nose in between your shoulder blades.

“I’ve had to wait far too long for that,” he complained quietly against your sweater.

“Ugh, get a room you two,” Klaus laughed, flinging his feet onto the table, just to have them pushed off again by Ben.

“You know, we actually might do that,” Five answered.

Diego pretended to throw up into Vanya’s lap, making her giggle and playfully slap his head.

“No, we will not,” you disagreed with you boyfriend, “I haven’t got my salary yet.”

“Ugh, now I know why they get along so well,” Luther groaned jokingly.

You turned so you were able to look at Five, who smiled up at you, his eyes filled with adoration and love. Damn, you really were helplessly in love with him.

You spent the rest of your shift sitting with the Hargreeves, and only got up to serve the few customers who decided a doughnut shop was the perfect place to hang out at a Tuesday night. The siblings welcomed you with open arms, into their group, and you were pretty certain that this was the best night in your life so far.

[donaldresslerfanfic]

The Dress

Rating: M

Warnings: Strong Language, Sexual Content.

Word Count: 2834

Donald Ressler X OC Maggie Waters.

Chapter: Fifty

Chapter Index

Story on Wattpad

Maggie.

I let a box fall on top of another as I sighed, looking at my sister across the room and placing my hand on my hip.

"That's all of them" I said, checking my watch. My sister moving in the middle of my wedding planning wasn't ideal, but at least now I had her to help me from here, even though we weren't really that behind on anything.

My aunt Martha gave Donald the money for my wedding cake, even though I asked her not to do it. Earlier in the week I picked the cake, just a simple one with three floors, still, the cake tasting was today and I needed to pick up the samples, Don had already told me he couldn't make it, so I had to pick them up and take them home for tasting tonight.

I had pushed the dress fitting until today because I didn't wanted to get stuffed with cake before having the fit, but Ramona had warned me, I had to have the dress picked by the end of the week, and I was already half way into it.

Once my sister confirmed that was all, she ushered me to the car and to the BHNLD in Maryland. It took us a while to get there and in the venue I was already pissed off.

I really wasn't picky about anything else except the dress, that was something that got me in a bad mood.

Fortunately, we hadn't been to this venue before and they had dresses from the last season, giving that we were closing in on the next spring-summer releases. I was browsing with my sister while we were being served some champagne. With us were my Aunt Martha, who was like my mother, Sara and Gina, so I felt like I had a good aray of people who had met me in different times of my life.

I had given the helper just one condition, backless. At this point I didn't care if it ended up being a skin tight mermaid style dress, I'd beaten around the bush long enough.

While turning yet another dress, I gasped loudly and my sister came rushing from the other side of the store to me.

"What? Oh Jesus" she said, I took the dress out of the hanger and looked up at it.

"I need to try this one on" I said to the vendor, she gave me a smile and walked me back to the dressing room.

"You might be in luck, this one was going to be taken out of sale next week. "

I replied with a smile and took out my pants and shirt while she helped me into the dress, it was a backless like a wanted, looking at it, it was a seath style dress, and from the waist down it just fell perfectly, the length was ideal too.

She zipped me up and helped me get outside while walking to the step in front of the three mirrors.

My sister just looked at me with a straight face but I could see she was trying to hold back tears, Gina had her hand on her chest and so did Sara. This one might be it.

I brought the shoes I was going to wear to try on with the dress and when I was finally standing in the step and making the dress open up in front of me, I looked up, I looked at myself. I looked at how the dress fell from my waist down, and when the girl tightened it around my figure, I fit perfectly. This dress was fucking beautiful, and I looked beautiful in it.

I'd fallen speechless, I was just looking at it with wide eyes, when I turned around a bit and saw the dress open up and leave my back open down until my lower back, my mouth fell agape, I just couldn't believe how good this dress was.

When the dress was tight on my body, the girl moved to expand the dress to it's full length around me, it was big, but surprisingly light, and it had a considerable long train, not too long or too short. Fuck me I loved this dress.

"Mags you look beautiful" I heard my sister say with a little voice. I smiled and looked at her through the mirror, she was crying.

"Maddie don't cry" I said, feeling my eyes fill up with tears. I looked at myself again. I pulled my hair up in the simple hairstyle I was going to have for my wedding and looked again at how I would look for the big day.

"Do you like that one?" My sister asked again, I saw her clean her cheeks from the mirror in front of me.

I grabbed the dress to my sides and moved it around, I felt like a five year old twirling her dress around, seeing how it moved.

"Yes, I love this one" I said looking up at her. I felt nervous, I had a knot in my stomach. "I'm getting married in this dress"

My sister clapped happy and stood up, walking up to me as I walked down the steps carefully, then she hugged me, I heard her sniff away her tears as she held me.

"Do you think Don will like it?" I said, Madison looked at me with a smile.

"He better, you look amazing in it, and you aren't even dolled up, when we get you the make up and the jewelry, the nails, the hair, you'll be a dream come true"

I paid for the dress and the vendors had warned me about not pulling anymore weight, since the dress fitted perfectly with my figure the way it was now.

While walking out, my sister told me she would keep the dress in her place, avoiding Don seeing it before the wedding, and on the way back to the house I picked up the samples and a suit I'd gotten Don just because. He had been given me so many gifts and surprises lately I had to give something back.

I opened the door of my house with a big smile, the image of my dress on me still on my mind.

"Donnie?" I called, hopping he would be here

"Kitchen" I heard him reply. I took of my heels in the entrance and walked in, leaving the platter and the suit on the table.

He turned to greet me but instead I jumped to his arms, downing my lips to his while I held him by the neck.

"I got it" I said over his lips, he walked me to the kitchen table and sat me on top of it.

"You got what?" He said touching my waist while giving me a short kiss.

"I got my dress." I kissed him again "and I don't owe you a thousand goddamn dollars alright?"

He chuckled against my lips and pulled me in closer.

"I'll believe it when I see it" he leaned me back on the table again and kept his lips on mine.

I complained and pulled back, moving to the side and away from his grip.

"Nope, we can't do this now, we need to eat all of this cake" I opened the paper that wrapped the tray "and we need to pick, so, get a few spoons and let's get to it"

He walked back to the kitchen and got a few spoons for us along with water. While we tasted the first little piece I made conversation.

"So what did you do today Agent Ressler?"

He shrugged and gave me a twist of lips

"Nothing, went around talking to people, caught a guy who stole identities and killed researchers." He spooned the next piece "I don't like that one" he said

"It's got" I took the card and read it "it's got cream and strawberries with walnuts."

"I hate walnuts" he said, I smiled and spooned the next one with him.

"And how are you on getting Agnes back?"

"Mm" he hummed "Liz is working another angle with Reddington, they flew to Ginebra hoping to get the drop on him but Kirk seems to be two steps ahead" he lamented. "I never thought it would take us so long to get him, it's been a month, more than a month"

"The lemon one, it's to die for" I was already halfway into the pieces while Don talked. "He's a slippery one, but you guys will get him. Working on different angles help to cover all bases"

His phone rang, and he looked down at it with a frown.

"Ressler" he said while picking up. His eyes moved around and then he leaned back in the chair "right, Aram's friend" he looked at me with a little complicit smile. I leaned to him and he leaned to me to let me hear the conversation.

"I was wondering if you knew what kind of take out restaurants Aram usually orders from. I want to surprise him with dinner tonight"

He gave me a look, and I quickly mouthed.

"Paco's Taco's?" He asked trying to make out what I said. He listened a bit more and then nodded and pointed at me "yeah, ginger beer, he loves that" I nodded and gave him a thumbs up "I'm glad I could help" he said, then hung up.

"That's kind of cheating though, like I didn't have anyone to bother when I was trying to get with you" I jokingly complained, leading another piece of cake to my mouth.

"It didn't take much" he said looking at me, he chuckled and leaned his hand to me "you've got cream all over your face" he ran his thumb on my lower lip, and before he could pull back I held his hand and licked the cream off his thumb.

I saw his pupils turn as he looked at me, I gave him a little smirk and took my spoon back.

"I'm taking you to bed right now" he said, I chuckled and motioned at the pieces of cake.

"Let's pick three, then we head up."

"You pick two then, I'm not a big fan of cake anyway"

"I want the double chocolate one and the tiramisu, and you want-" I lingered, waiting for him to finish.

"Lime and coconut" he said, then leaned to me and held me by the legs, pulling me up from the chair

"Ew" I complained while leaning to his lips

"Ew what?"

"I don't like coconut"

"It's my side of the cake, don't eat it" he said, leading his lips to mine again and walking us to the couch.

Ressler.

I hadn't gotten word that I needed to go to the Post office today, and given by yesterdays mess with Le Bron, I intended to spend the day in, helping Mags and her sister unpack everything in their new home.

We had everything on schedule, wedding wise. Ramona just needed to set up the finishing touches and we just had to wait for the day.

At 6:30 the doorbell rang, and when I opened it I was greeted with a delivery guy.

"Nick's Pizza" he said, handing me a box. I frowned and took it, looking down at it while I walked to the kitchen.

Mags skipped the stairs and walked to the kitchen with me while I opened the box and found an envelope stuck to the lid.

"It's 6:45 am and you ordered a pizza?" She asked.

"I didn't order anything" I said motioning at the envelope as I opened it "it's from Reddington"

"Oh" she lamented "I was hoping since you had your day off you could help me with the-" she stopped to gasp loudly, looking at the envelope. "oh, my, god, I need this" she declared.

"What?"

"That wax seal. I need to get one I wanna feel like the pope"

I chuckled, looking down at her and pulling her from the waist to kiss her temple

"Like the pope" I repeated while laughing. "Okay baby you get one today and when I come back tonight we'll set them up for tomorrow alright?"

"On it" she said taking out her phone and quickly opening her browser. I looked at her with dreamy eyes, I loved how spontaneous she was. "what?" She asked still looking at the phone, knowing that I was looking at her "does that make me sound ridiculous? Wait until you hear how much time I spent on the calligraphy for the envelopes"

I chuckled and quickly jogged upstairs to get a jacket, seeing that it was almost time.

"One Express delivery for a costume wax seal with the initials M and D. Should be here" she quickly looked at her phone while I opened the front door for her "in 8 hours. Perfect" she said giving me one fast kiss on the lips. "Have fun today, hope you get closer to her Agnes back, so you can rest" she silently stroked my chest while still close to me.

"Me too, I'll see you tonight"

It was a slow day, and finding out that Aram's girlfriend was a spy, that she'd backed into our system, that wasn't nice for Aram. After we got out confirmation on Kirk, Reddington told us to stand down from this, and there was nothing else for us to do.

I got back home and from the front door I could see Mags sitting on the kitchen table, going through the invitations, looking at them. She turned her head to me as I walked

"Hey" she saluted "any luck?"

"Apparently so, Liz is going to get in touch with us tomorrow, she has a meeting with Kirk tonight"

"Mm" she hummed

"And by the way" I said taking out my jacket and sitting next to her. "you'll have to delete Aram's plus one, his girlfriend is a spy"

"Yeah well, she might not be the only one" she said with a little smirk.

I looked at her while she gave me a mischievous look and continued folding the invitations.

"You have a tell, and you suck at lies"

"A tell? What tell?"

"You hide your hands when you lie"

She looked down at her hands and frowned.

"I do?" I nodded and took a handful of envelopes, taking the folded invitations and placing one in each. "Is it annoying when you find out I'm lying?"

"A little. But I know you don't do it because you like lying to me. You do it to not bother me" Maggie gave me a twist of lips and opened a little package, pulling out the wax seal and the wax sticks.

"I'm sorry" she said.

"Don't be" she stood up and looked in the kitchen for a lighter.

I handed her one of the invitations in the envelope, she wrote on of her sister's name in a very elaborate font, then she turned it around and burned a little bit of wax on it, pressing the seal before it cooled down.

She took it out and placed a hand on her chest, leaning back on the chair in exaggeration.

"I love it" she said looking down at the seal "I feel like the king in the north"

I chuckled, and we spent a good two hours doing the invitations.

"It's almost time" she said while we were nearing down on the last 10 "are you ready to get married Agent Ressler?"

"I am" I said giving her a quick look and a smile "are you nervous?"

"I'm..." I saw her scratch her head as she leaned forward on the table, stoping for a minute "I'm a little scared"

"Scared of what?" I held her hand and looked at her with a frown, she gave me a little twist of lips.

"I don't know" she avoided my gaze while she held her face with her closed fist "it's just that... Sometimes I think about what you do and... It's scary" she shrugged and finally looked at me "the uncertainty"

I moved to cup her cheek and brought her closer, she took her hand off her cheek and placed it on top of mine.

"Mags, we both know this isn't going to be easy. But there are people who work on what I work on and have a normal life, with a normal family. I'm going to try my hardest to avoid you getting caught up with my work, you and our future family. You don't have to worry about it"

"Those people don't work with Raymond" she said, it was my time to give her a twist of lips, because she was right about that one.

"But" she said leaning in to me with a smile "I knew I was signing up for a challenge" she kissed my lips shortly and I half smiled against them.

I loved this woman, I really did. And I'm going to do anything in my power to never, ever lose her.

[laurasinele]

Magpies

Prompt 4: “I know you didn’t ask for this”

Fanfic from: the Harry Potter series

Tags: preslash Drarry, epilogue what epilogue, heavy dialog, seven years post Battle of Hogwarts, ofc, Harry & Draco’s friendship, mental health, guilt

Warnings: mild swearing, mentions of abuse, mentions of war, mentions of death

Ao3

Outside the window a couple of magpies were fighting over an apple, effectively distracting him from his reading. Not that he was very focused to begin with. One of the birds had picked a rotten apple from the orchard ground and the other was trying to steal it. They cawed angrily and flopped their wings in ampulous, threatening motions while clashing talons. Draco was engrossed by their belligerent dance, open book forgotten on his lap.

The hinges of the reading room door screeched as it opened. All the elfs in the Manor had left to work at Hogwarts or the Ministry immediately after Draco informed them of that possibility, so there was no one left to oil the joints nor announce visitors. Not that there was any need. The only visits he got regularly were Ministry’s agents on Ministry’s business or his designated/volunteered auror, checking weekly on the conditions to his house arrest. Mother wasn’t allowed to leave St. Mungo’s and his aunt Andromeda, who was trying to forge a family bond with him, was always sensible enough to owl before coming. By the works of the DMLE, the doors and floo system would not open for anybody else. 

Aware of this at all times, Draco didn’t pause his keen observation of the magpies’ strife. It was Friday after all, and Auror Appleworm made always her appearence on that day at the time of her best convenience.

“I would have prepared lunch for us both, had you come half an hour earlier”, said Draco as he rose and put the book aside, still looking out the window.

“Thank you Malfoy, I’ve already eaten”. 

Malfoy startled at the male voice, and then startled again when he realised who it belonged to. He turned slowly, disbelieving, his aristocratic training supplying a small surge of nonchalance thanks to which he managed to pocket his hands and look calm. 

“Excuse my surprise, I was expecting Mrs Appleworm, as usual. To what do I owe the pleasure, Potter?”

Harry remained near the door, politely waiting for an invitation to sit. His auror robes were impeccable, their maroon bringing back to Draco’s memory their quidditch matches.

“Mrs Appleworm’s daughter went in labor this early morning. She is going to take some months away, although we are trying to convince her to retire and enjoy her grandchildren. Septuplets”, he added at Draco’s curious expression. 

“Oh, my. I thought she wasn’t due until next month. I trust they are all healthy and well”

Harry nodded, “I paid a visit on my way here. They are all well and Agnes and Mr Appleworm are over the moon”.

“I’ll have to remember to send them a present”. 

An awkward silence settled between them while Draco reigned his nerves and Harry looked around the room, taking in the elaborate shelf-cases, the light upholstery and drapes, and the yellow wallpaper. It was nothing as he remembered the Manor. 

“I made some changes”, offered Draco, guessing Harry’s train of thought. “Now that I am the only inhabitant I figured I could make this house, eh, more welcoming. Please, do sit down”, he finished gesturing towards the armchair next to his, by the other side of the window. “And please excuse my manners earlier, I was caught in two magpies fighting over a piece of apple in mid flight right outside the window”

Harry looked perplexed at that confession and a small smile graced his face while he approached the window. “They don’t look like fighting now”, he said as he spotted them through the window, resting atop of an ornamental stone cornucopia, grooming each other. 

Draco followed Harry’s pointing finger and he couldn’t contain a delighted exclamation upon finding the two birds. 

“They must have learnt to share, then. Now, what can I do for you, Auror Potter?”

--

They fell in a comfortable routine. Every Friday at precisely 2 o’clock, Harry appareted outside the reading room door and knocked before entering. Draco would put aside whatever book he had picked from the list the Ministry had provided as one of the conditions to keep him out of Azkaban and, after the compulsory questions and tests, they’d settle in an easy conversation that could go on until dinner time. Draco would always politely extend an invitation to stay and Harry would always politely refuse. They’d talk about quidditch, muggle culture —a big part of Draco’s assigned readings—, recent news, what were the Manor’s elfs up to…

Over time, more than seven years if he wasn’t mistaken, Draco had struck a sort of friendship with Mrs Appleworm. He had started to forgive himself for his acts of war and his past arrogance upon learning how she saw him. A veteran auror and elderly mother, when she looked at Draco Malfoy she saw an abused child never too rotten to mend. Draco might not think as benevolently about himself yet, but he was willing to get there someday, which was a huge step forward from the self-deprecating, self-harming depressive state Agnes Appleworm found him in. This days he barely indulged in regret and sadness and fear. He stayed firmly attached to calm and apathy. 

After five weeks of Mrs Appleworm leave, eagerness joined those two main emotions. Draco found himself eager for Friday afternoon well early in the week, and Saturdays and Sundays were usually filled with a peaceful sensation akin to happiness. It felt good to face Potter once a week for a few hours. It gave his before and after a certain continuity. They never talked about school or the war, not even a passing mention, but the fact that Harry Potter existed, and acknowledged Draco’s existence, made all the memories and every movement away from them and past his prior ways, somehow more real. 

That afternoon, however, Harry’s dark mood was all over the place, making it impossible for Draco not to ask if everything was alright. 

“I’m sorry, it’s nothing important. I just had a tough session with my therapist last evening”, said Harry with an apologetic smile. 

“A therapist? Like a muggle psychotherapist?”, Draco couldn’t refrain to ask, surprised as he was. Harry scoffed.

“A muggle psychotherapist, actually, yes”. 

Draco made a very polite, very English face of understanding and promptly looked through the window in search of and urgent change of topic, for he could not possibly fathom a non-personal, prim and proper way to continue this conversation. Providence delivered in the form of two magpies landing on the windowsill. 

"Oh!", softly exclaimed Draco, inexplicably delighted. "Would you look at that!" 

"Are they the same two?" 

"I couldn't tell…"

Both young men fell silent, watching the birds. They had landed side by side with a fraction of a second between them. They had looked around with that avian sort of movement that made most corvids look offended, and then started to skip all along the windowsill, apparently without purpose but very pointedly ignoring each other. 

After a while, Draco could not take the ominous feeling that scene had sparked in him, and turned to Harry, who was still transfixed by the magpies' bizarre dance. 

"Should I ask? About your therapy". 

Harry smiled as if he had been expecting the question, and didn't say anything nor looked away from the birds for a little while. 

"Why, Malfoy, what would you ask?", inquired Harry, finally looking at him with a placid expression, devoid of any hostility Draco might have anticipated. At this, Draco shrugged his shoulders almost imperceptibly and gave a spontaneous response that seemed to be aching to be spoken.

“What is it for. Although I can imagine. How is it going. Or whether it helps or not”. After a very brief pause he added: “How are you”. 

Harry laughed softly, throwing his head backwards. He covered his face with his hands and sighed. 

“I am fucked”, he declared meeting Draco’s gaze. “I’m a child soldier with PTSD, abandonment issues, identity issues and claustrophobia. I’m an abuse victim and have a deep distrust towards any authority figure. This, added to my natural tendency to bend rules results in ‘severe misanthropy and incapability to work within a hierarchy’”, he said, signing in the air the quotation marks before dropping his hands on his lap with mild frustration. “Every fatherly figure I ever had aside from Hagrid and Arthur Weasley is dead. All my friends are war heroes with similar issues, so we barely talk about normal stuff. So to avoid feeding each other’s neurosis we barely talk, full stop. My adopted family was so invested in actually making me one of them that they unconsciously pushed a relationship that ended up feeling unsettling close to incest and finished awkwardly and dramatically, distancing me from them. Oh, and right when a single month had passed without the press pestering me, tomorrow the Prophet is going to be all about me being queer because the guy I met at a muggle gay pub last Friday happened to be a squib, and he knew exactly who I was. So, uh, yeah. I’m fucked”.

Draco’s eyes were wide in shock and concern. He hadn’t known what to expect when he had enunciated the hypothetical questions he would make, but he was pretty sure he’d have been shook even if he had imagined the half of what Harry had just said. 

“I am deeply sorry, Potter. I shouldn’t have brought the subject up”.

“I wouldn’t have told you if I hadn’t wanted to”.

“Nevertheless, it is none of my business”.

Harry scoffed, this time a tad irritated. When he spoke it was patent that he was trying to refrain from lashing out completely onto Malfoy:

“How is this not your business? My psychopathic tutors certainly aren’t, but all the rest? My parents’ death? Voldemort’s return? The war? You were a part of it ever since you were born!”. Draco only managed to mouth like a fish, watching as Harry grew more and more indignant. “You conspired and helped to set on the battle at Hogwarts. At a bloody school!”, he boomed now. “You put a cursed necklace on a student! You let the Deatheaters into the castle! You were a bloody little soldier just like I was!”.

Draco rose from his seat, trembling with rage and shame: 

“I didn’t have a choice, Potter! I was born into it! I didn’t ask for any of it. I didn’t ask for this!”

From his armchair, Harry was looking up at him, at first with defiance. Upon hearing this, watching Draco looming over him, eyes wet and breathing deeply, his features softened. 

“I know you didn’t ask for this. It was uncalled for. I am on edge since I knew about the Prophet, but that’s not an excuse. I am very sorry for yelling at you and bringing up the past. For the record, I think you’ve already done more than enough to repay your debts and change your ways”. 

Draco was still staring, still looming, still breathing heavily and holding back his tears with all his power. He stood there for a few beats, and then he sat back down slowly, not taking his eyes off of Harry. A few moments of silence elongated between them, faces flustered, bodies tense, eyes locked. Finally, Draco relaxed into the backrest and spoke calmly:

“I never knew you were mistreated as a child. It’s an abomination”.

“I never knew you would be learning about muggle culture willingly”. 

“It’s part of my sentence”.

“Hermione told me you wrote her like six feet of an apology letter and asked for books, music and films”, shot back Harry with a mischievous grin. Draco rolled his eyes, mocking annoyance:

“You can’t keep secrets anymore”.

“Not between Hermione, Ron and I, no”.

They smiled at each other with something warmer than the pleasant politeness that had grown between them during the past weeks. Harry broke eye contact first to look out the window. Draco kept looking at Harry, letting the list of his presumed flaws sink in. They both spoke at the same time: 

“The magpies are gone”.

“Did they know?”.

Harry looked at him, seeming at loss.

“Sorry, who knew what?”.

“The new head of Muggle Relations and her husband. About you being queer”.

Harry avoided Draco’s eyes and bit his lower lip. “No they didn’t. If I don’t tell them today, they’ll find out tomorrow and they’ll be pissed I didn’t tell them. Luna Lovegood was the only one that knew besides my therapist. We had a one night stand some years ago. In the afterglow we were talking about this and that and I told her I liked guys. She said that people is people no matter what they pack, and love is love. Honestly we were high and I’m derailing. You’re the third person I tell this and I’m not getting any good at it”. 

Draco smirked. He rested his elbow on the armrest and his face atop his open palm, his little finger tracing the corner of his smile.

“I used to think I was asexual. Many honorable wizards were by birth or choice. Something to do with amplifying magic with your ‘life drive’”. Harry stifled a laugh and Draco smiled wider. “I used to think I’d marry Pansy Parkinson, or Millicent Bullstrode or one of the Greengrasses, force myself to produce one single heir and dedicate my life to study potions and being a socialite. Then I saw Cedric Diggory on a broom”.

Harry gaped, completely pleased with this piece of gossip, and maybe also with the fact that he and Draco Malfoy were talking about Hogwarts and it was not a sensible topic.

“Cedric whispered in my ear that I should bath with one of the clues for the Triwizard Tournament and I still get the chills when I recall it”. 

“He was stupidly handsome”, murmured Draco looking away, suddenly aware of the cause of Cedric’s death. “And stupidly brave. Like you”. He looked back at Harry just in time to notice he was flustered. He told himself it was because they’d been talking about Cedric. 

“I have to go soon. I have owls to send”, stammered Harry standing up to take his cloak and leave. Draco stood to see him out.

By the door they stopped and looked at each other, not knowing exactly what to do. In the end Draco offered his hand and said:

“Thank you. For telling me all that. And acknowledging that I’ve changed. And volunteering to be my counselor. I know nobody else beside Agnes was willing to come here and not beating me up”. 

Harry ignored Draco’s hand, his earnest look of gladness invading all of Draco’s range of sight. He pressed his lips together and dove for a hug. It was a tight, deliberate embrace, oozing sincerity and the true, deep affection that only likeness invokes. Draco wrapped his arms loosely around Harry, completely dazed by such gesture.

“Thanks to you”, whispered Harry on Draco’s ear. “For trying, getting there, and leveling me all the way up to here”. He stepped away and out the door, and a muted snap confirmed that he was gone until next Friday.

Draco stood there, the chills running through his spine. 

[thelifeofkaiblog]

Tomorrow will be a game changer.

•*•*• 16th December 2019 •*•*•

My dad’s mum “Agnes” (85ish) has been emotionally abusive for 50+ years. She had 3 kids: A, B and C. My dad is B and the other two are his sisters (one 2 years older, one 2 years younger). A was her favourite, then C, then Dad. She was deliberately intimidating, very strict, Never happy with him and told him he’d always be useless. A could almost never do anything wrong in her eyes and C got a level of it somewhere between my dad and A.

All 3 had 2 children each. A had “Abbie” (26) and “Aaron” (23). B had me (24) and my brother (21). C had “Carly” (26) and “Celia” (21). Abbie, Aaron and Carly are all joint favourites of Agnes. Then Celia and my brother are next. I’m not even on the board. I don’t know why, but she has always been nasty to me whenever we visited.

She also spoke down to me about my mum and almost tried to make my dad leave her, saying she “trapped” him by getting pregnant with me when they had only known each other for a few months. Even though she had never said she was proud of my dad or even liked him, she still didn’t think my mum was good enough - I think she meant not good enough to be linked to her, rather than not good enough for her son that she didn’t treat very well. I’d say that’s partly why she doesn’t like me, but she has been fine with my brother.

Growing up, we saw her once or twice a year. My dad’s dad “Benny” was nice enough, but her being horrible to me and cold to my mum put us off going. When I was about 12, my Mum stopped going to see them completely, aside from the rare family gathering with A, C and their families. None of my cousins liked me. Aaron and Celia were close, as were Abbie and Carly, but my brother and I were outsiders - though Celia and Aaron were nicer to him than Carly and Abbie were to me. They became bitchy as teenagers and have stayed that way ever since - even my parents find them unpleasant. Celia was lovely, until she hit 15 and started becoming like the other two. Aaron seems to be the only one fairly happy to talk to us when we’re there, though he doesn’t really talk to me.

A is one of those people who puts on a nice exterior, but is quite snobby and looks down on you - like a subtler version of Agnes. C is a bit blunt with her thoughts and feelings, but she’s a pretty nice person. She seems to have a genuine interest in me on the rare occasion we see her, which is refreshing.

Aside from 31st May this year, I hadn’t seen any of them since Benny’s funeral in September 2017. Since I was 13 or 14, my parents gave me a choice whether or not to visit Agnes and Benny because of how Agnes treated me - though my dad was in denial, but my mum wasn’t. She said it’s not fair to force me to go through that every time, even if it was just once or twice a year. Agnes would send birthday and Christmas cards to me, like she would to the others, but she always treated me badly in person and I wasn’t allowed to say anything because it would come back to bite my dad.

On 31st May, I decided to give her a chance, as she was a widow and I was hoping she may have softened a bit with age. I should have known better. She ignored me for the first couple of hours, only talking to my dad and brother - but that was expected and I called my nan (Mum’s mum) to vent and I explained that I’d mentally prepared a speech, just in case she went off on me. My nan told me to try to get through it and stay “invisible”, which was already my plan, so it’s what I did. My nan knows Agnes hasn’t been nice to me, but she didn’t realise how nasty she was - it was mostly denial because my nan tries to ignore the bad in people.

Agnes, my dad, my brother and I went to a pub for lunch. Pub portions are often big. When my brother ate all of his, she said nothing. When my dad left some, she said nothing. When I left a little, she had a dig at me. If I’d have eaten it all, she’d have had a dig at me. I just tried to ignore her. I told my dad in private and he asked if I was sure she’d said something. For once, my brother backed me up and said she did. My dad told me we wouldn’t stay with her much longer, so to try to ignore her.

We got back to her house and she finally started talking to me. She asked about my job. My dad hadn’t given her the heads up that I had to leave my job when my health deteriorated. I sat there like a deer in headlights, not knowing what to say. I looked at my dad, hoping he’d take over, but he didn’t. I explained why I’d had to leave - more frequent chronic pain flare ups and one started up at work (incredibly painful and embarrassing) that lasted on and off for seven days. My doctor wrote me off as indefinitely too ill to work because I was in pain most days, with no pattern, so no reliability for work.

She scoffed and essentially tore into me about how she believes my health problems are all because I’m 7 stone overweight. She didn’t even have to shout it, she was just pushing it on to me. I was gobsmacked and had no idea what say. I looked to my dad and brother, who were both on their phones. I was desperate for one of them to intervene and tell her to shut up. They did nothing. I was being hounded by her about my weight, as though I hadn’t just told her my doctor has signed me off for genuine illnesses and conditions that I’d had for a long time.

I couldn’t hold it in any more. I was holding back tears and I politely, but firmly told her that she had absolutely no idea what she was talking about, she was not a doctor and I was tired of her always picking on me. She denied it, but I told her I’d had enough because she’d been doing it my whole life and I wasn’t going to take it any more. I stood up, turned to my dad and asked him why he was letting her do this to me. I asked him for the car keys and said I’d wait in the car until he was ready to leave. She tried to stop me, but I shrugged her off and told her to leave me alone, then I locked myself in the car.

My dad spoke to her in the house and came out to tell me she was bothered that she’d upset me, but he understood. I told him I felt betrayed that he hadn’t said anything to stand up for me. I cried the 2 hour drive home and, when I got home, my mum was really disappointed that my dad hadn’t intervened. It’s been 7 months and Agnes still hasn’t apologised or called to check on me. My dad has seen her a few times since, so she’s had chances, but she’s convinced she’s right. She’s done more damage than she could ever imagine and doesn’t care. I’m expendable.

A few days ago, she sent Christmas money, as usual. I told my dad I don’t feel comfortable accepting it because of everything she’s done. He understood, but said he wouldn’t said it back because it would be rude. I decided to write her a letter explaining why I didn’t want to accept it and that I’d be happy to explain about my health if she promises to be open-minded. I showed it to my parents to get their approval before sending it. The ball will be in her court once it arrives tomorrow. She either apologised and genuinely makes up for it, or I cut her out of my life. I feel more free, now that I’ve sent it. She doesn’t deserve another chance, but I’m giving her one for my dad’s sake. I just hope Agnes or his older sister don’t give him crap about it. I don’t think his younger sister would because she knows what their mum is like, even if she didn’t get it like I have.

This is my letter....

“Dear _______,

I find this letter hard to write because I’m worried it won’t be given a fair chance, but I have something important to say. I truly appreciate the money you have generously sent me for Christmas, but I am reluctant to accept it.

All I have ever wanted from you is acceptance and understanding. I don’t want the last time we speak to be negative, but I also can’t subject myself to any more insensitive judgement. The illnesses and disabilities I have, along with the constant battle for decent medical care, are difficult enough to deal with, without added negativity from anyone else - especially if they don’t know what I’ve been through and haven’t shown an interest in finding out.

I have always wanted to feel unconditionally loved and supported by you, but the nitpicking whenever I visited has made me feel less than compared to (names redacted - my cousins and brother). Its pushed me away.

I know you may not recognise that you have done this, but my parents have two and keeping the peace meant not saying anything about it for years. You also probably didn’t mean any harm, but it has damaged our relationship and how I feel about myself.

I am very grateful for your gift, but I don’t feel comfortable accepting it. Dad has said he can’t return it, but understands why I’m hesitant to receive it.

If you ever wish to try to understand me and my challenges, I am more than happy to try to explain it, but I’d need you to be open to learning about me without judgement or dismissal. It is much more complex than you believe and I hope you can Sunday accept and acknowledge that because I don’t want this to be the end of our relationship, but I won’t let people hurt me anymore.

I hope you have a wonderful Christmas and a great New Year. Please take care.

Best Wishes,

(My name redacted).

[stained-carmine]

June 21st, the summer solstice, and the date of Ivalinne Rozka’cer’s wedding. The day she is to marry Cyril of Falorre, a duke of Arden, and soon to be its first king.

With the day finally upon her, Ivalinne gazed solemnly into the large mirror that stood before her, taking in her own reflection. Adorned in lace and silk, embellished with beads and crystal, the young duchess looked dazzling in her wedding dress. Most would likely be jealous of how beautiful she looked in her gown, not to mention the decadence she was clad in. She raised a hand to gently caress the red jewel at her neck, one recovered from the central mountain of the Atalian mountain range, Sekostra. With the vastly shifting weather and unstable conditions in and around the mountain range, getting to Sekostra was no easy task. Between landslides and raging storms, the area was somewhere you would not want to venture on foot. Between erratic weather and unpredictable wildlife, making it to Sekostra proper was a highly difficult and extremely dangerous undertaking. Her parents likely paid a hefty sum to acquire this beautiful gem. It really is a shame such a lovely piece would be wasted on a wedding she never wanted.

Stepping away from the reminder that this was indeed her reality and not some nightmare she could wake from, Ivalinne sauntered over to the large windows that allowed sunlight to flood the room. Placing a hand upon the glass, she peered out at the landscape. From here, one could see the mountains of Raiynes and Catelaide clearly. Turning her head to the left, she could faintly see the duchy of Aciernha far into the distance, and to the right, she could just barely make out the city of Arden. The city that was to be her new home from today onward.

The ceremony was to be held on neutral ground, at a spire that stood between the two states. A tall tower of intricate design and mysterious origin. Built by an ancient civilization for an unknown purpose. One would think it to be some sort of watch tower considering its height, but that didn’t account for the elaborate architecture. Scholars and historians surmised that it was used as a place of worship, where grand rituals were held to honor long forgotten gods. Nowadays, the spire stood silently amidst a grassy plain, the intentions of its creators lost to time.

With a soft sigh, the young duchess turned away from the window and returned to the mirror. As she stood before her own reflection, the door opened and her mother pranced into the room, with her handmaid shuffling in behind her.

“Ivalinne, you look magnificent!” The duchess praised as she placed her hands on her daughter’s shoulders. “Truly befitting a queen!” She said with a smile. Noticing the young noble’s forlorn visage, the woman gave her daughter a careful embrace, so as to not disrupt the girl’s dress. “Do not look so sad, my dear. This is a joyous occasion! You shall become royalty! Is that not wonderful?”

Lowering her head slightly and averting her eyes from the mirror, the young duchess answered her mother softly. “You know this is not what I wished for...”

Upon hearing her daughter’s pessimism, the duchess frowned. “That is enough of that, you have been given a great honor and an even greater opportunity. You will be Queen of Arden, the first of a dynasty. You have the power to make your family proud, as you, a daughter of the Rozka’cer, becomes the mother of a new royal lineage.”

Ivalinne’s heart sank at the mention of such a thing. She struggled to hold back her disgust at the mere thought of ever having to bear that man’s children. All she could do to stop herself from shouting out her objections for all to hear, was to focus on the words Eliyah had given her three days earlier. Repeating them over and over in her mind, like a mantra—like a good luck charm to ward against the evils of the future. Ivalinne clenched her fists, trembling faintly as she pushed down the urge to scream in protest.

Madalynn, taking her daughter’s hair in her hands, began to do up Ivalinne’s long raven locks, styling them into a tight bun before motioning to her servant to bring her some pins to hold the girl’s hair in place. “...There, perfect. Agnes, bring me the veil.”

“Yes Milady.” The handmaid said with a nod of her head, walking over the to mannequin that the accessory sat upon and carefully lifting it up, before bringing it to her master.

Taking the veil from her servant, the duchess dismissed her, receiving a respectful bow before Agnes made her way to the room’s entrance in order to intercept anyone that tried to venture in. Turning her attention back to her daughter, Madalynn gently placed the veil upon the girl’s head, anchoring it in the bun with the hidden comb that was attached to the fabric. Adjusting it, the duchess smoothed out the wrinkles and spread it behind her. Dangling beads glistened as they spun and swung about with every inch of movement. The embellished end of the garment was laid over the girl’s hair, settling atop her head with its ornate edges hanging above her brow.

Pleased with her work, the duchess gave her daughter a warm smile. “Look,” Her mother said as she urged her child to gaze into the mirror. “You are exquisite. If only you would smile, your beauty would be unrivaled.”

Ivalinne slowly turned her eyes to her reflection. Cloaked in brilliant white from head to toe, she looked so pristine, so pure. So much so that it brought her pain to know that her innocence would soon after be shattered by that vile man. Lifting her head further, her gaze would be met with crimson orbs. Seeing the sadness that shone back at her—the sorrow that filled her own eyes and the apprehension that covered her own face—caused tears to well up in her eyes as she fought against the urge to cry.

Her mother, seeing the tears spring forth, quickly retrieved a handkerchief to dry her daughter’s eyes. “Do not cry, Ivalinne, you will ruin your makeup that way.”

It was then that Agnes’s voice could be heard from the other side of the room.

“Please, you must not enter Lord Falorre...!” She exclaimed in a hushed tone, trying her best to not cause a disturbance as she attempted to hold the door shut.

Cyril, with his superior strength, managed to force his way into the room with ease. Strutting into the room proudly, the man fixed his gaze on the duchess and her daughter. Making his way over to them, he gave a wide smile. “I could not contain my excitement any longer, so I have come to see my bride to ensure she has no reservations regarding our matrimony!”

Madalynn shot the stocky man a cold glare as he approached. “Do you not know that it is an ill omen for the groom to lay his eyes upon his bride before the ceremony? You would do best not to curse this union before it has even been made, Duke Falorre, lest you bring misfortune down upon us all.”

“That is nothing more than foolish superstition. There is no such thing as curses!” He said with a derisive chuckle, not slowing his pace as he strode past the woman, who scowled at his impudence.

“I care not what you bring down upon yourself. I merely ask that you do not drag our family into the muck with you.” Stepping out of his way, the woman gave the man a wide berth, as if she had no desire to be anywhere near him.

Not paying her mother any further heed, the Ardenian Duke focused gleeful eyes upon the young duchess. “My darling bride! How are you faring? Surely you are overcome with happiness on this joyous day, yes?” He said, placing his large hands upon her delicate shoulders.

The girl’s body tensed up at his touch as she felt her stomach churn. “I...” Eliyah’s words would surface in her mind, causing her to hesitate with her answer. I must try to rise above this. For Eliyah’s sake, I must! Pushing her true feelings down as she swallowed the lump that had formed in her throat, she answered him. “...I am fine. You need not worry about me.” Despite her best efforts to sound reassuring, her tone was flat and dry. She could feel her mother’s scathing eyes boring into her back, causing her to bit her lip lightly. A dull pain ached within her. She didn’t want this. Pretending to go along with it only served to make her feel worse. Everything felt wrong.

“That’s wonderful to hear, my sweet queen to be~” The large man gently took a strand of her hair in his fingers, leaning in to take in her scent, as he did when they first met. “I am indeed fortunate, to have a bride such as you. Your beauty cannot be summed up by mere words alone. When I first saw you, it took my breath away, truly...” As he spoke, his other hand began to move along her, slowly sliding down her arm.

Ivalinne shuddered at the man’s touch. It was nauseating, letting this man do as he pleased, she hated it. She glanced back at her mother, in hopes that she would perhaps step in as she did at the banquet, and demand the duke remove his hands from her and back off.

Instead what she would be met with was a callous visage that only stood and watched as the man had his way with her. A sharp pain struck at the girl’s heart as she watched her mother do nothing to stop this repulsive man from placing his hands upon her. Anger and sadness intermingled within her, as she was betrayed by her own blood. Traded off to this man like a commodity, goods to be sold for profit, like an object rather than a human being. The ever tempting urge to lash out, to fight back against this injustice only grew stronger with each passing second.

“I cannot wait for us to start our lives together. It shall be glorious! You, my Queen, at my side as I reign, the very first King of Arden! It will be marvelous, my dear Ivalinne.” As he spoke, his wandering hand would pass over her hips, before finding its way down to the girl’s thigh, caressing it gently.

Unable to contain it any longer, the floodgates which held back her emotions flung open, her feelings rushing over her like the surge of a storm. Tearing herself from Cyril’s grasp, she swiftly spun around, glaring daggers at her enemy. This man who sought to make her nothing more than a trophy for him to parade around. This man who cared not for her, but only for her status, and the power he would amass by marrying a daughter of the Rozka’cer. This man who would force her and Eliyah apart. This man...!

Cyril gave his bride an astonished look, taken aback by her sudden movement. “Ivalinne...? What is the matter, my darlin—”

“Do not call me that!” She shouted, anger rising within her as she trembled with rage, barely able to stop herself from instinctively slapping the duke across the face for daring to touch her in such an inappropriate manner.

“Ivalinne! Watch your tongue! Is that any way to speak to your future husband?!” The Duchess rebuked sternly as she gave her daughter a disapproving glare.

“I shall not watch my tongue! I cannot bear to abide by this farce any longer!” The young duchess shouted defiantly as she stood her ground, not letting her mother’s wrath scare her into submission as it had so many times in the past. I am sorry Eliyah, but I cannot allow this marriage to happen! This is not what I want! A life like this will not make me happy!

Cyril of Falorre, who had been standing there, gazing at the girl in shock at her abrupt shift in behavior, reached a hand out to her as he spoke. “That is enough, Ivalinne, cease this foolishness at once. It is quite unbecoming of my bride to act in such an undignified mann—” But when his hand came close to the girl, she slapped it away.

“No! I am not yours! Do not speak of me as if I am your possession, as if you have ownership over me!” She screamed her rejections as loud as she could, so that none could deny the feelings she had kept bottled up in her heart out of fear of admonition.

“Ivalinne! What are you thinking?! Do you intend to disgrace our family’s good name?!” Her mother shouted back as she stomped over to her daughter—heels clacking loudly against the marble floor—and took hold of her wrist.

As soon as the duchess grabbed hold of her, Ivalinne screamed out, using all the strength she had to wrench herself free of her mother’s iron grasp. “NO! I shall not be a slave to your whims any longer! You care not for my happiness! Only for what benefits you most! Do not pretend that your actions are just! That you are doing what needs to be done for the betterment of all! You wish to sacrifice me to this vulgar beast to keep hold of your status and nothing more! It is not for the continued existence of the Rozka’cer, but a desperate attempt to hold onto the power that you have grown accustomed to—that you refuse to let go of!”

Upon hearing his bride call him a beast, the duke’s demeanor suddenly changed. Donning a scowl, Cyril glared down at the young duchess with indignation. “How dare you, you accursed little wench...!” The large man hissed as he rose his hand to strike her.

“Lord Falorre!” Agnes shouted as she rushed to the duke, grabbing hold of his arm, as she struggled to keep his retribution at bay.

The man gnashed his teeth as he redirected his anger towards the handmaid who tried to stop him. “Release me at once, you filthy commoner!” Shaking himself free, the duke struck the servant hard, knocking her to the floor with a shriek of pain. “Do not lay your foul hands upon me ever again, woman.”

“Agnes!” Madalynn shouted as she rushed to her attendant with concern. Seeing that the handmaid would be all right, she turned scathing eyes towards the Ardenian duke. “Falorre, contain yourself! There is no need to resort to such violence! Ivalinne! Apologize at once!”

“I refuse!” The young duchess shouted back defiantly, trembling slightly as frenzied tears formed in the corners of her eyes. Despite the fear she felt when the burly man had raised his hand to her, she wasn’t about to let herself surrender, not after she tried so hard to fight against this fate. “I shall not degrade myself by marrying this...this vile demon!”

Cyril’s eyes widened with outrage at her words. “You ungrateful little bitch! You will do as I say! You will become my wife and I shall become king of Arden! I have not worked this hard just for an impudent little brat like you to ruin it all!” He shouted as he forsook his friendly facade entirely and laid his true intentions bare.

Ivalinne stood her ground, not giving an inch, even as the infuriated man stomped closer, raising his hand high above his head, readying to strike her with all he had. Throwing her right arm to the side, she screamed with all her might.

“I absolutely refuse to marry such a repulsive man! I hate you! I DESPISE you! You are disgusting! DESPICABLE! And I will NEVER let you defile me with those tainted hands of yours!” Eyes wide and body trembling with rage, she shouted as loud as she possibly could, not holding her feelings back any longer. She would not abide, she would not obey. She would fight. With all she had, she would fight against the cruelty of an uncaring fate, and she would never, ever, allow herself to give up. “I REFUSE TO MARRY YOU!!!”

Just as the duke’s hand was about to connect with the girl’s cheek, a loud, thunderous roar was heard as the building began to shake violently.

Cyril came to a halt as he gazed about in bewilderment. “What is this...?! An earthquake?!” He gasped as he staggered back. “I thought this tower was reinforced against such disasters!”

“What is...!” Ivalinne glanced around in a panic as she took a few steps backwards. Frozen in place by fear and confusion, the girl’s heart raced, eyes wide and mouth agape, as she looked around desperately for an answer as to what was happening.

As the shaking grew ever stronger in intensity, the spire began to crumble. Without warning, the marble floor between Ivalinne Rozka’cer and Cyril of Falorre cracked apart, splitting in two and dividing.

As the pieces began to separate from one another, Madalynn screamed out, looking to her daughter with terror in her eyes. “Ivalinne!”

Before the girl had the chance to react, to move or even think, the marble floor beneath her began to collapse.

“Ah! Mother!” She called out, reaching out her hand. By the time she realized what was going on, that she was in danger and that she needed to run to safety, it was already too late. The ground slipping out from under her, the last thing the young duchess saw was her mother—screaming and reaching for her child desperately as tears streamed down her horrified visage—before her vision went dark.

[ventingblacklist]

4x6  The Thrushes

“If you love me...if you ever loved me, just give her to me. Please.” 

A dude named René Le Bron has made a business out of loaning money to super rich big wigs who have their assets frozen by the government. For a hefty fee, plus interest, and the assets, once they’re unfrozen. 

Kirk has had his assets frozen. So Red goes after the man who is loaning Kirk money. A team takes Le Bron and all the 600 million he was about to give to some of his clients. And a plane. 

Red takes his case to the task force. He and Liz have a suspicion that there is a tap in the post office, so they stage a little snit for Kirk’s benefit. 

Red: When the sanctions are lifted, Le Bron makes a hefty profit by pocketing the frozen assets he insisted his borrowers put up as collateral...Truth be told, I’m disappointed I didn’t think of it.

Liz: Why bother when you can have us arrest him and then take his place?

Red: Good point.

Red says he’s captured Le Bron and can make him cooperate to give them Kirk if the government guarantees him immunity. It’s something Cooper will have to ask Panabaker for. 

Liz joins Cooper in his office and Cooper brings up the snit.

Cooper: I can’t pretend to know the stress you’re under. But from where I sit, he’s doing everything in his power to find Agnes.

Liz: And kill Kirk.

Cooper: You have a problem with that?

Liz: Alexander Kirk is my father. ... I’ll do my job, but I am done cozying up to that snake. 

Liz is doing this for the benefit of the tap, but later tells Ressler that she meant it. But the part about only putting up with Reddington until Agnes is back is probably an act, since, in the end, she’s clearly still putting up with Reddington. 

Cooper talks to Panabaker over the phone and asks for immunity for Le Bron. The Thrushes guy is listening in. He alerts Odette. 

See, this is what I don’t get. Cuz the tap is like, on the phones. The communication. It doesn’t seem to be just, around. To pick up arguments had in offices. It’s not like, a bug on a desk. If it was, Kirk’s tech guy could have called Odette before this. And yet Odette will also know about the ‘seeds of doubt’ sown in Masha.

The snit happened off the phone. But maybe Cooper also mentioned to Panabaker that Liz was feeling grumpy and they just didn’t show us that part? idk. They could be using computer microphones or something, but again, you’d think tech guy would have alerted Odette before the phone call. But whatever.

Odette was already aware that Le Bron had been taken, but this confirms it was Reddington who did it. 

“I just received confirmation from the Farm. Reddington was behind the Le Bron abduction. If the FBI manages to turn him, they can track and seize all of your remaining assets. Shall I deal with it? I’ve already acquired the details of his transport.”

Kirk says yes. So basically she’s going to have Le Bron killed to ensure Kirk’s money remains untouched. I assume the details of the transport were also left lying around in the tech world because Red wants Kirk to know. He wants to flush out the Thrushes. 

Odette: It appears the seeds of doubt you sowed in Masha have taken root. Kirk: It’s time to reach out. Take adequate precautions. Odette: Adequate precautions? She’s a key consultant for the FBI.

Kirk: Yes. And she’s my daughter.

Odette is protective of Kirk. She doesn’t want him dead or in prison. She thinks his obsession with his FBI consultant of a daughter is making him take unnecessary risks. 

Odette gives the order and has someone kill Le Bron as he’s being transported. Cooper calls up Red to tell him. Red gives nothing away on the phone. But now he knows for sure that there’s a tap on their system. 

He tells Dembe to send out the ‘invitations.’ 

See, I would have missed it entirely. I’m not sure if I’ve ever looked at the inside lid of a pizza box. 

The team responds and is scanned and ushered into a tap-proof environment. 

Samar is peak disinterested.

Red: Welcome to the past. This space is impregnable to every frequency of wireless transmission, including microwaves. Every piece of equipment you see is analog. Our sole concession to the digital revolution is a Ms. Pac-Man machine in the break room.

Cooper: But why?

Red: Because I like Ms. Pac-Man.

Red informs them that Le Bron was a way to confirm there was a mole in the post office. 

Red: We set the bait. He took it. Cooper: A human sacrifice. Red: I prefer the term “tethered goat.” 

Red briefs them on the Thrushes. Cooper wants to shut it down right now, but Red wants to use this to feed Kirk disinformation. But the post office is tied to the NSA, CIA, etc... Leaving the system vulnerable is something Cooper will have to get Panabaker’s approval on. 

Cooper puts a lot on the line in the name of getting Kirk. He’s super pissed off when Red just lets him go. I’m sure Cooper took a lot of off-camera reaming from his superiors for that one. 

The Hunter interrogates Kaplan. Says whoever shot her might come back.

She claims she shot herself. So the Hunter goes and looks for a gun. Finds none. Then he checks his trail cameras and finds a picture of the gang. 

Red has Chester install cameras around the warehouse nursery. 

Liz is snippy about it. She’s upset at Red for not telling her her father’s been out there alive all this time.

Red: Any word from Kirk? Liz: You mean my father? Red: Honestly, Elizabeth, it astounds me that you could be hornswoggled by something as simple to fabricate as a DNA profile.

Yes, but let’s never give her the context of that dna report that would clear it up for her. That would just be crazy.

The dna report plus the memories at the Summer Palace has her convinced.

Liz gets a call from a shoe repair shop claiming to have found her lost phone. They go there and she picks up a burner that has one number saved in it. She calls it and Odette hands it to Kirk.

Kirk: Masha. Liz: Tell me about Agnes. Kirk: She’s healthy. She’s happy. Can’t wait to see her mother.

Liz: You could make that happen.

Kirk: I want to. But as long as you refuse to shield her from Reddington, I can’t.

Liz: I got your SVR file. Your DNA profile was in it. I know you’re my father. 

Kirk seems confused as to why the dna report would be in the SVR file. Him being ignorant of his wife’s activities. 

This appears to be the first Red is hearing about where she got the profile too. 

lol

So maybe I was too hard on him before? Maybe he thought Kirk fabricated one? idk. In any case he knows where it came from now. So he could tell her now. Remove that ‘Kirk is my father’ conflict of interest. Ya know, or not. Whatever. 

Kirk: Then you know Reddington lied to you from the beginning. Liz: Yes. Kirk: There’s no reason why we shouldn’t be together.

Kirk suggests that they meet. He’ll work out some way to meet her without Reddington knowing and will be in contact later. 

She says, ‘goodbye, Father’ in Russian. He responds with a Russian ‘goodbye.’

He’s all happy now. 

Red: You were very convincing. Liz: That’s because I meant every word.

Odette: I don’t trust her.

Odette is right. lol

Samar talks to someone who investigated one of the Thrushes’ other hacks. While looking at the pictures of the scientists that were killed, Samar recognizes Aram’s girlfriend. 

So in the midst of an arc about a man deceived by his wife, a wife who also targeted a Naval Intelligence officer, we have Aram targeted by Janet. Aka, ‘Elise.’

Samar tells Ressler and Cooper. She wants to tell Aram, but Ressler thinks Aram will give away that he knows. It doesn’t matter anyway because Aram figured it out on his own. 

Aram: Someone had to dupe an FBI employee with level 4 clearance... Samar: And it was you.

Aram is going to use his dinner date to run a tap on Elise’s computer the way she did on his. 

Aram: No, no. What, am I gonna shoot my girlfriend?

Samar: She’s not your girlfriend. She’s a hostile operative, and you are a trained federal agent. 

"If anything goes wrong, the safety word is “banana.”...Use it, and in come the Marines. But they better get there before I do because I will mess that bitch up.”

Aram: Really? Samar: Oh, yeah. Really.

Red and Cooper wait back at the analog safe house. Red confides a bit in Cooper.

“When I turned myself in, I never imagined things could’ve turned out this… badly....I knew it’d be hard, but I… never expected that it would get… harder with every day....I knew it would complicate things. I’d be forced to take security measures… Things she’d hate.”

I think the complication is Liz being exposed on the news as Masha. But Red says Kirk was never on the blacklist. He wouldn’t have bothered Kirk if he hadn’t come for Liz. Cooper is obviously in the dark as to why. Cooper buys that Kirk is Liz’s father.

“Now all I see is the resentment in her eyes. I’m suffocating her, Harold.” 

At the end of the season it will be Cooper who takes the initiative to see whether or not Red is Liz’s father. 

Meanwhile, Liz is deciding whether to call Kirk and set him up. She doesn’t want to lose access to him. She doesn’t want him thrown in a hole where she’ll never be able to get the information she wants out of him.

But Kirk won’t hand over Agnes unless Liz agrees to shield her from Reddington. And as pissed off as Liz is at Red about the whole thing, whether or not she allows Reddington to be in her life or Agnes’ life is her decision, not Kirk’s. As she’ll tell him later. 

So she sets up her father to be arrested. She’s not going to surrender to ‘conditions’ to get her daughter back. 

Kirk: You’ve decided. Liz: You abducted me once. What assurances do I have you won’t do it again? Kirk: Things have changed. The DNA test. Liz: I want this to be real.

She does want it to be real. And she wants his care to be real, not just a cell donation thing. But he has Anges. And she currently believes Red on the cell thing. 

Kirk: I’ll contact you with instructions.

Kirk trusts her now because he thinks she trusts him. So ‘abducting’ is no longer necessary. 

He will try to kill Reddington though. He thinks she’s anti-Reddington now anyway, but even without that. It’s for the best. Just to be sure. In Kirk’s mind. Make sure he won’t bother any of them anymore.

Aram bumbles his way through it, but he gets the thing uploaded onto Elise’s computer. Elise is onto him, but he covers by claiming he’s in love with someone else. 

Odette calls to make extra sure that the Thrushes have not been compromised. She doesn’t want Kirk walking into a trap. 

"Your client is about to expose himself on the basis of your intel. If you’re wrong and he is harmed in any way, I will personally see to it that you and The Thrushes are exterminated."

Odette is like, my boyfriend’s life is on the line, you better be freaking sure.

Elise says she’ll run another check and call Odette back in ten minutes. She then sees Aram’s tap. 

Fight ensues.

“Quack, quack, bitch.”

Aram’s got muscles.

Samar has Elise call and make that final verification of ‘all clear’ to Odette at gunpoint. 

Liz is concerned that Elise might have coded her words in some way that would alert Odette. Red suspects she’s really worried about Kirk. 

Red: I don’t believe Elizabeth’s concern is about her security or her daughter’s.

Liz: That is my only concern.’

“Clearly your only concern is that it might actually bother me that I’m about to entrap my biological father, that because of me, he’s gonna go to prison for the rest of his life.”

Kirk committed actual crimes that will be more the reason he’ll go to prison for the rest of his life, but Liz is turning him in. So. 

"If I go through with this, you will be my only link to my past. I lost Sam. I lost my mother. And I’ll lose Kirk.”

“And whatever you want to call him, he was married to my mother. He raised me as a child. And he’s willing to do what you are not… Tell me about who I am.”

Tom shows up with a scribbled down message from the phone. The meeting is set. 

So the FBI will be at this meeting place to deal with Kirk’s men. Meanwhile, Red and Liz will arrange to have Kirk go to a different meeting place. Because Red wants to deal with Kirk himself. He puts it down as a condition of his continuing his work with the task force. 

Liz calls Kirk to arrange that alternate location. 

Liz: The FBI knows about your mole. They’ve got her in custody....They know about our meeting…I’m telling you, it’s a trap.

Kirk: ...Doesn’t matter. I have an alternate location.

Odette is like, ‘wtf are you doing?!’ Kirk waves her off. He’s fully convinced Masha is on his side now. 

Shoulda listened to his weird girlfriend.

I remember kind of wanting Liz to be doing this for real. 

Liz meets Kirk on the roof while we’re led to believe Red is headed for the tunnels, when he’s also on his way to the roof. 

She steps out and asks where Agnes is. Kirk says he’ll bring her out once Reddington has been ‘dealt with.’

Liz: What are you talking about? Kirk: Smile, solnishko. In less than 5 minutes, he will be dead...

Liz: That wasn’t our agreement.

Kirk: No. But you know as well as I do, it needs to be done.

Liz: I picked you… over him. I lied to everyone for you. Now you want to kill him? You can’t do that.

Kirk: I’m doing this for us.

Liz: I know you’re sick. I know that Agnes and I are nothing more than possible donors for you.

Kirk: Oh, come now. You know if that were true, all of this would have been resolved long ago with your abduction. True… it’s a consideration. But the only circumstances under which I’ll accept your help… is if it’s given freely.

"We had a deal.”

"Patience, dove.”

He waves Romina over. But before he can hand Agnes to Liz, Red bursts through the door and Kirk runs. 

I.. have a hard time analyzing this ledge scene cuz I just find it kinda stupid. I’m sorry, I’ve tried not to, and I just... I can’t even like... nope.

I think it’s supposed to showcase just how desperate Kirk has become. To show Red. But I never get a real sense he’s actually gonna do it? 

Also, Kirk has clearly kinda lost it on this whole thing, but still. Protect the kid by killing her? I mean, even in your most desperate straits, would that be the conclusion you’d come to? Maybe. I doubt it. 

If Red having her is the issue, Red could just back away and say, ‘okay okay, i’ll leave her alone. look, walking away. just get off the freaking ledge.’ 

Also, Kirk could totally have just killed Red right there. So all around I’m just like... this dumb. 

Liz embodies fear.

“This is madness, Constantin. Because you cannot have that child, you’re gonna take her forever from her mother? It’s madness.”

It’s actually not about him not having the child, it’s about you not having the child. But whatevs.

This has to sound incredibly odd to Constantin, who thinks Reddington did exactly that. Well, kinda. He thinks Reddington took a kid that wasn’t even his just ‘cuz he was mad at Kat for breaking off the affair. That’s probably what he was told about it. Kat’s deception feeds this whole thing.

It’s unclear what Constantin knew between the kidnapping and the suicide. Perhaps he believed Kat was so devastated she killed herself, idk. So Reddington took his child and killed his wife, basically. In Kirk’s mind. 

Kirk shoots at Red and wings him.

Liz asks him in Russian not to do this.

“There is no other way, solnishko. This man, that took your mother away from us, took you from me, he will not have my granddaughter.”

“And I hate him as much as you do for it. But if you love me, if you ever loved me...”

“Just give her to me. Please. Otets. Please, father.”

When she finally gets Agnes, she exhales in sharp relief.

Red’s eyes are on Kirk.

Liz has her pink burrito. 

We cut from this to Aram and Samar watching Janet get interrogated. 

Aram: I was an idiot. Samar: No. You were human. You wanted something, and she was trained to exploit that. Aram: Trained, or born?

Samar says she’s no longer transferring. Little montage of the two of them eating the leftovers of Aram’s perfect date with Tom and Liz looking at Agnes, Kirk being put in the box, and the Hunter feeding Kaplan. 

Red shows up to see the baby. 

"I just wanted to thank you for trusting me, trusting the plan. I understand what a.... a leap of faith it must have been.”

"Not really. Considering what was at stake.”

Red asks if he can come in. He sees Agnes. 

“She’s a beautiful girl.”

When I first watched this, I got serious ‘Liz and Tom are gonna jump him now’ vibes. Cuz Kirk was only one of the two criminal bosses in their lives. You’d think, one down, one to go. But then Liz is just like, ‘yeah, we’re not going to live under your guard anymore.’ They’ve clearly discussed this beforehand.

Red knows. He knows she’s felt suffocated. He’ll be eager not to make her feel that way again. 

He bids them good night and leaves. 

The door slams on Kirk’s box. 

Told ya. You should always listen to your weird girlfriend.

[starlessskies94]

The Nurse (Negan/BlakeAU) Part 15

MASTERLIST

The flashes of bright lights. The roaring sirens in the distance. Paramedics rushing passed as they rolled patients through the door. Blake ushered herself around them and the other rushing medics in the busy hallway. Her steps quick and precise as she risked being late…again. 

Travel mug in hand filled with the coffee she hoped would help fuel her through her long shift. Checking the watch strapped to her wrist she was cutting it pretty fine. Racing to catch the closing elevator door, she hopped inside while taking the odd sip from her coffee. The bell dinged calling attention to her desired floor; her pace instantly picking up again to head to the reception desk.

“Evening Agnes…”

“You’re late dear…again.”

The blonde huffed at the old woman peering at her over the glasses perched on her bony nose. She took the pen from her hair signing in for her shift and grabbing her lanyard and slipping it over her head.

“I know, I’m sorry…Doctor Phillips in tonight?”

“He’s starting at nine but said for you to start the rounds on your own, I take it that won’t be a problem?”

Blake resisted the urge to roll her eyes, of course Greg was starting late again tonight, it seemed ever since the doctor had been granted tenure; he’d been picking and choosing the hours he wanted to work, focusing more on his paperwork and leaving all the footwork to her. Not that she minded all that much, she loved the interaction with the patients and she had a good rapport with them. She’d been a Nurse for coming up ten years now and the opinion to eventually qualifying to a Doctor was rapidly losing it’s appeal. Being a Nurse was enough for her and gave her that pride and confidence she needed to help the sick and injured.

The blonde pulled up her pony tail tightly before stepping onto the ward to start her shift. It always started slow, checking vitals and making sure her regulars were comfortable. Taking blood samples and checking blood pressures of the older residents of the ward.

Then moving on to her higher duties of administering medicine to those that needed it.

Which was what brought her to her usual stop at room 322. As visiting hours came to a close she gently pushed her way towards the room at the end of the corridor. The familiar stranger in the leather jacket quickly passing by, she’d pass him every night at precisely 7.30pm, after he’d finished with his visit no doubt heading home after normally spending the full day at the hospital. But after the eight months that the nameless man had been coming in and out of her ward, she’d never once seen his face. Always just catching him at the last minute, the last glance his leather clad back and heavy retreating work boots.

She pushed the wondering thoughts away as she straightened her blue scrubs before stepping into the private room. The loud steady beeps of the heart monitor filling the silence of the room, the view of the descending sun disappearing behind the city’s landscape through the blinded windows.

Setting a bag on the rear table, she turned back to the patient’s bed; grabbing her charts that hung by her feet. Flipping through the pages and flashing the woman a warm smile.

“How are you feeling today Lucille?”

The pale woman beamed a smile back at her as she sat up slightly in her bed.

“I’m alright…seems like today’s been a good day.”

Blake smiled again as she moved around the bed, her slender hands reaching out for the fresh bouquet of flowers on the bedside table. Her eyes skimming over the card that lay by the vase.

Keeping fighting baby, N x

“More lilies I see! That husband of yours sure is a keeper isn’t he?”

“I think he sends them out of guilt to be honest…He’s not able to be here as much as he’d like. And I feel terrible he has to work so much just to pay my medical bills.”

Blake’s heart bled for Lucille, after being diagnosed with cancer not too long ago, she’d been struggling with the various different treatments. Sometimes completely wiping her out and leaving her exhausted while other days, restless to the point she couldn’t get a wink of sleep. Over the last couple of months the Nurse taken to spending night her shifts with Lucille. Talking about everything and nothing, swapping stories and playing games. And although she’d never said it aloud, Lucille was grateful for the company.

The blonde watched her smile at the blossoming lilies, the woman’s face warming with a happiness so pure she seemed to glow.

“I do love those damn flowers though…you know they’re my favorite and he sends them every day. You’ll think I live in a florists by the time the man’s finished. In fact it wouldn't surprise me if he had brought the whole store.”

The two women laughed, Blake taking her usual seat by her patient’s bedside. Quickly composing herself as she reached for the pile of trashy magazines and gently placed them on Lucille’s lap.

“I got the magazines you asked for. Just don’t tell Doctor Phillips, he’s still on my ass for sneaking you that piece of chocolate cake.”

“Oh he’ll hear nothing from me honey…that cake was heaven on a plate. And before you say anything I know these magazines are total trash, but it sure beats the crap they give you to read in here.”

She hummed in amusement, taking a glance at the top page she was flipping through.

“Well I do know much you love drooling over that actor guy…what was his name? Jack? Or Dean Morgan something?”

“I can’t help it there’s just something about him…I can’t put my finger on it. Maybe he just reminds me of someone.”

Lucille shrugged as she dismissed her thought and continued reading. Watching her Blake couldn’t help but admire her strength, to be through all she had been through and still keep that optimism and grace all through her ordeal. She just hoped she would one day come out of the other side of it. If anyone deserved a second chance…it was Lucille.

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

Blake sat numb as her memories replayed over and over like a broken record. Never giving her a moment’s peace. How could she be so stupid to not realize before. She felt so guilty, so ashamed. She felt like she was betraying her; stealing her husband. Lucille didn’t deserve that.

“Peaches…Peaches you still with me?”

She jumped at Negan as he shook her arm. Recoiling away from his touch, he sat staring at her with narrowed eyes. She’d been silent since they’d left the store, since she’d realized what she’d done. Her hands never ceasing their shaking; her eyes sore from the tears she’d forbidden to fall. If she was going to cry for anything, the tears would be for Lucille not herself. The hours had blurred by and the blonde had paid no attention to anything; only now to find herself sat by a campfire beside Negan. A prepared untouched meal sat in front of her. Her green pooling eyes turned to find the man looking at her intently.

“Peaches…you okay?”

Her parched dry lips parted, voice quiet and soft like a feathers touch.

“Negan…who was Lucille? You said her name before…who was she?”

His brown eyes widened at her question, completely taken off guard. They’d talked about everything in the time he’d been locked away. But not her. Never her, he couldn’t understand why she was bringing this up now. But the love he had for this woman was all he had now, all he wanted. And if he truly wanted to be with her, then he had to be himself…his whole self and nothing less.

“Lucille…was my wife, before all of this. And she got sick and... uh…”

“She died, didn’t she?”

“Yeah.”

Blake’s heart broke…she’d always wondered what happened to Lucille after the outbreak, a small part of her hoping that she’d somehow managed to find a way out. Though the logical side of her knowing the truth deep down that, that would’ve been unlikely given the severity of her condition. But it still hurt knowing that this unforgiving world had taken yet another innocent and sweet soul. It wasn’t fair.

“She loved those lilies you brought you know, looked forward to them every day. I always thought it was so sweet of you to do that for her.”

Negan froze, his whole body tensing as he inched closer towards her; taking her hands in his. His large paws engulfing her slender ones as he squeezed them tightly.

“Blake…how the hell do you know that?”

Blake...He called her Blake...Not Peaches...Not Doll...or Sweetheart...Blake.

She let her tears run free, her lips trembling as she spoke. This was it, it was time to tell the truth. Her heart aching at the pain, the guilt that weighted her down. Pulling her through the depths of despair her sinners had landed her in. She hung her head in shame, not having the courage to look Negan in the eye.

“Because…I was Lucille’s nurse.”

 I hope people are still enjoying this story...because I still have a little bit more planned before we reach the end. Thank you a thousand times over to the lovely @neganandblake for your continued support.

[originalhybridloverfics]

Good to You CH15

If you like to be tagged just message me the name of the fic to let me know.

Notes:

Okay, so I'm nervous about this chapter. Once you read it, I think you'll know why. If you don't like the direction all I'm going to ask is that you don't be rude about it.

[Fair Warning] If you're a huge Hayley fan or you not a fan of baby plots you probably don't want to read further.

There's a lot of Harvest flashbacks in this chapter. Feel free to skim over it if you don't want to bother reading that. The flashbacks or in italics. I tried to make sure it wasn't that confusing.

I had planned to get this out sooner but I was in a foul mood earlier. I apologize for any mistakes or errors in advance.

Last but not least, Merry Christmas and Happy Holidays everyone!!

Elijah observed Davina calculatingly. He knew Rebekah and Klaus were trying to ensure his freedom but he saw this as an opportunity if he could sway Davina to their side they would gain the upper hand on Klaus and ensure the safety of Klaus’s child. However, if he couldn’t he would have to do whatever he had to to make sure his family came out on top including doing whatever was necessary.

His gray skin from not feeding a stark contrast against the suit he wore.

“You're the one they call honorable,” Davina stated knowingly.

Elijah smiled in response. “Yes, that's what they call me. And yet, I followed my brother here to New Orleans to engage in a war. So, I ask you; does that sound honorable to you?”

“You don't look well,” Davina commented, taking in his gray skin and disheveled appearance.

“Well, only this morning I had a mystical dagger embedded in my chest, so I'd say I'm holding myself together quite well.” He paused momentarily choosing his words carefully. “Davina, I believe that you and I have the power to end a war between witches and vampires before it truly begins. I, by keeping my brother in line; you, by behaving like your true self—not some tool for Marcel or the witches.”

“And why should I trust you?” Davina questioned with narrowed eyes.

“Well, for one thing, in spite of a ravenous hunger, I have not tried to take your blood.”

“Why not? I'm the only one here.” She pointed out.

“Even in my present condition, I would not feed from a child.” Elijah declared.

Davina picked up a hat pin pricking her finger with it. A drop of blood clung to the end of the needle and she walked forward placing the drop on Elijah's lip, testing his control. Testing him.

After a moment, Elijah's skin returned to its normal slightly complexion.

Davina looking pleased that he hadn’t attacked her with the taste of that one single drop of blood.

                                     ~*~ ~*~ ~*~

Klaus paced back in forth in the back kitchen of Rousseau's, blood splattered on his neck, dripping down the corner of his mouth and splatters on his hands.

When Sophie came in carrying bags of produce, she dropped everything to the floor at the sight of Klaus covered in blood.

“Oh my God. What did you do?!”

“No, it’s not what I did.” He strode forward, wrapping his hand tightly around her, yanking her forward, glowering down at her. “It’s what didyou do? You and the witches? I warned you if anyone was too threatened Caroline’s life there would be a price to pay in blood.”

Sophie swallowed. “Who did you kill?”

“Two witches from your precious coven. You’ll find the first one's body on your doorstep and the second one on Agnes’s. In pieces, I might add.” He nodded his head at the table and to her horror, there was a set of bloody eyeballs on the table along with a ripped out tongue."

Sophie gagged, bile rising. “Oh, God, I’m gonna be sick.” She said revolted.

“Be quick about it then.” He said before speeding away and she suddenly found herself in front of the Victorian mansion the Mikaelsons were currently occupying. She jerked forward with the change, the bile she felt churning in her stomach coming up as she retched into a rose bush next to the large Mikaelson Mansion.

When she was done, she barely had time to wipe her mouth before Klaus was dragging her inside and pushing her into a chair, pausing as he looked out the window and caught sight of Rebekah and Caroline outside. He shot her a look of warning. “Wait here!” He ordered before disappearing out the door expecting her to obey his command.  

He was gone only two minutes when Hayley came bounding into the room closing the door a look of anger plastered on her face.

“Hayley, what the hell is going on?” Sophie asked her in alarm.

“What is going on is that Agnes set me up to be picked off by a group of witches!”

“What?” Sophie shook her head. “She wouldn’t. That would jeopardize everything.” Everything she and Jane-Anne did, everything they have done would have been for nothing.

“I didn’t sign up for this. You promise to help me with my family, my pack if I helped you and your sister. And I have done everything you asked of me but I did not sign up to be slaughter out in the swamps!” Hayley's voice started to rise due to the anger she felt at almost dying. “I fucking became an incubator for children that aren’t even mine! And for what? Just so I could be killed because suddenly Agnes decides she doesn’t want Klaus’s children being born!”

“Would you lower your voice!” Sophia snapped, looking out the window that overlooked the green field outside and she could see Klaus approaching Rebecca and Caroline who looked like they were in the middle of sparring. “If Klaus hears you I’m dead and you will be too as soon as those babies are born. He can’t ever know the truth. He’s already killed two of the witches of my coven for what happened.”

“I know he can’t ever know the truth. I don’t need to be told that.” Hayley lowered her voice. “If Klaus ever found out that we stole Caroline’s children from her, their children, before either of them ever knew about them death would be the least of our worries.” Hayley was sure of it. She was sure Klaus would make them suffer long before their death ever came.

“And that is why he can never find out,” Sophie stressed, turning away from the window to look back at Hayley. “Everything from the moment we met would have been for nothing. Do you have any idea what I had to do to ensure that those babies came into existence after you told me about Klaus Mikaelson's one weakness.” Sophie shook her head. “I needed more than one bargaining chip, more than one baby vamp. I had to plan and manipulate everything to go exactly accordingly to plan, down to every little detail and it wasn't easy. It was near impossible."

“They're not just bargaining chips.” Hayley found herself saying. “They're more than that. They're innocent.”

A look of surprise and knowing came over Sophie. “You’ve come to care for them like their actually yours, haven’t you?”

Hayley looked away from her not wanting to admit it. Did it matter if she did or not? She was basically a womb snatcher or something.

“It’s okay if you do, Hayley.” Said Sophie in a moment of empathy for the wolf. “It’s natural to feel love for children you're nurturing with your body.”

“But their not mine,” Hayley said, conflicted.

“Not biologically.” Said Sophie. “But you’re the one carrying them, you’ll be the one to give birth to them. In that way, they’ll be yours.”

Hayley looked down her hand instinctively rubbing her stomach. “I can’t imagine giving birth to them and having them being taken from me.”

Sophie placed her hand on Hayley’s shoulder. “If no one finds out the truth they won’t have to be.”

Hayley nodded. She just had to make sure Klaus never found out the truth about the pregnancy and when all was said and done, when Sophie kept her end of the deal she would leave and she would have her own pack and her own family in the children growing inside of her whether they were her’s or not.

                                      ~*~ ~*~ ~*~

Klaus stood back watching as Rebekah tried to correct Caroline’s leg stance and her arms.

“Don’t tense up,” Rebekah instructed. “You’re body will react quicker and better if you relax.”

“Kind of hard to relax if you’re being attacked,” Caroline responded, rolling her arms and trying to force her body to relax as Rebekah had instructed.

“Not if you’re confident you’re going to win.” Rebekah retorted.

“That depends on if that is confidence or arrogance?”

Rebekah grinned. “In my case? Confidence.”

“I’m sure.” Caroline found herself returning Rebekah’s grin with one of her own.

“Alright. So there are a few things you want to keep in mind when fighting old vampires. One; whatever you do if their really, really old, I’m talking centuries, do not give them the chance to knock your head clean off your shoulders.”

Caroline’s face scrunched up at the image. “Decapitation? Yeah, definitely wouldn’t want to lose my head.” She mumbled.

Klaus found himself letting out a chuckle at her mumbled words, he tried to cover it up but he had already drawn the attention of Rebekah and Caroline.  

“Nik, been maiming again?” Rebekah asked sarcastically indicating the blood on him. “Or are you just going for a new look?”

“Couldn’t let the witches think they were going to get away with what happened without consequences.” He responded unrepentantly.

Caroline frowned. She couldn’t say she was surprised by this. But still, it didn’t mean she liked it. “Do I even want to know who you killed?”

“Probably not.” He responded easily. “Getting an early start on training I see.”

“Well, we were until you showed up.” Said Rebekah.

“Well, you’re gonna have to postpone it.” He stated. “Sophie’s here and she has some explaining to do. Figured you both would like to hear what she has to say.”

“How considerate of you, Nik.” Retorted Rebekah. “I guess there’s a first time for everything," she walked forward brushing past him.

Klaus looked at Caroline. “Will you be joining us?”

Caroline nodded, walking forward and falling into step beside him. “Do you actually trust anything Sophie says?” She didn’t, maybe that was her being petty about Sophie forcing her into this situation but there was just something desperate in the witches actions. At least they were to Caroline.

“If I don’t trust my own family, I’m definitely not going to trust her.” Klaus held the front door open for her.

Caroline paused in the doorway, searching his eyes. “But you trust me.”  

“Well, you’re you,” Klaus told her with an ease that if she had still been human would have her heart pounding in her chest. As it was, a feeling of warmth filled her chest.

She bit her lip with a faint smile, walking into the house. “So where is Sophie?”

Klaus placed a hand on her lower back as they walked further into the home. “In my study.”

When they arrived at the study she saw only Sophie and Hayley. “Is this something Hayley should be here for?” She wondered. She thought Hayley should still be resting after what she went through in the bayou at least for the sake of the twins well being.  

“No. She should be resting after her ordeal that the witches put her through.” Rebekah stated

Hayley rolled her eyes. "I'm fine."

Sophie shifted around cautiously, her eyes on Klaus. “Look, I had nothing-“

“We had a deal!” Klaus cut her off angrily. “You protect my unborn children, Caroline remains unharmed, I dismantle Marcel's army. And whilst I've been busy fulfilling my part of the bargain, you allowed Hayley to be attacked and almost killed by a gaggle of lunatic witches.” His eyes flashed black and amber momentarily. “If she died my children would have died. Caroline would have died!”

Caroline felt a shiver course through her with the anger in which he spoke of the possibility of her death. Like it was not an option for him.

“I had nothing to do with it, I swear.” She defended herself, feeling a real flash of fear at his hybrids eyes that had shown briefly. “Hayley and I are linked, remember? She dies, I die.”

“Then who were they?” Rebekah questioned, eyes narrowed.

“They are a faction of extremists. Sabine stupidly told them about some vision she had about the twins.”

“What kind of vision?” asked Klaus, stepping back to stand beside Caroline, reaching to the desk and opening the drawl, removing a white cloth, wiping the blood from his hands and mouth that he had gotten on him earlier when he killed and mutilated the two witches.

“She has them all the time,” Sophie informed them. “They are totally open to interpretation. I'm guessing she's wrong on this one.”

“Well, how, may I ask, was this particular vision interpreted?” Klaus insisted on his line of questioning.

“Pretty much that your children would bring death to all witches,” Sophie told him.

“Figures as much that your children would follow in your footsteps.” Caroline cast a look at Klaus, while the words could be interpreted as harsh, it was said without any malice and she even had a small smile.

Klaus returned her smile with a full one.  “Ah, well. I grow fonder of the twins by the second.”

“Sophie, look, I promised Elijah that I would protect the Mikaelson miracle twins whilst he tries to win your witch Davina's loyalty,” Rebekah informed her. “Why don't you tell me just how extreme this faction is?”

“Elijah's talking to Davina?” Sophie asked surprised by this information.

“Yeah. As we speak, I imagine.”

“I'm guessing she'll have plenty to say about that crowd.” Murmured Sophie.

“Do tell.” Said Klaus.

“I… wasn’t always an advocate for the witches,” Sophie admitted.

Klaus moved around the room, grabbing a chair and pulling it forward. “Why don’t you have a seat, Love.” He grasped Caroline's hand pulling her forward.

Caroline looked at him in surprise at the gesture.

“Sounds like we’re in for a story you shouldn’t be spending it standing.” He insisted.

Hayley quirked a brow at them. She was already sitting but she doubted even if she wasn't that Klaus would've shown her the same consideration he showed Caroline.

“Thanks.” Caroline took the seat, appreciating his kind gesture.

“I don’t see you offering me a seat.” Rebekah cut in, sending Klaus a dry look.

“By all means, if you like to sit down take a seat, sister.” He responded, hands on the back of the chair Caroline sat in.

Sophie paused as she watched Klaus with Caroline, how he kept close to her when in the same room, the way his eyes constantly flickered to her, taking everything in about her.

She kept the frown from her face, seeing the way he was with her and his earlier threat she prayed that he never found out the truth about the pregnancy.

                                  ~*~ ~*~ ~*~

8 Months ago

Sophie danced to the music behind the bar of Rousseau’s as the crowd cheered loudly.

“Woo, drink up everybody!” Sophie shouted to the cheering crowd. “This is how they party in Rio!” she poured the liquor down her throat straight from the bottle.

                       ~*~ ~*~ ~*~

“My sister was devoted, like our parents, and our upbringing was very strict, which drove me nuts. The minute I turned 21, I left the Quarter to travel... and play.” Sophie said.

Caroline raised a brow, she would not have taken Sophie for a party girl. Not with what she knew of her so far.

                            ~*~ ~*~ ~*~

Sophie poured alcohol into another girl's mouth before kissing her after the girl swallowed the drink down.

                          ~*~ ~*~ ~*~

“But, I wanted to be a chef, so I came back to Rousseau's.” Sophie continued with her story.

                             ~*~ ~*~ ~*~

“Oh, Jane-Anne!” Sophie greeted when her sister walked into Rousseau’s to find her.  

Jane-Anne smiled, hugging her sister. “Welcome home, Soph. Can we go someplace to talk?”

“Just tell me.”

“The elders called a vote. We’re moving forward with the Harvest.” Jane-Anne informed her.

Sophie looked at her sister, stunned. “What?”

                            ~*~ ~*~ ~*~

“What the bloody hell is a Harvest?” Rebekah demanded, having never heard of it before.

“It's a ritual our coven does every three centuries so that the bond to our magic is restored. We appease our ancestors, they keep our ancestral power flowing.” Sophie explained.

“And why haven't I heard of this?” Klaus wondered, it sounded like something he would have heard of before.

“Because a Harvest always seemed like a myth. A story passed on through generations like Noah's ark, or the Buddha walking on water.” Said Sophie. “The kind some people take literally, and some people don't.”

“So was there any truth behind it?” Caroline wondered. “And what exactly does the ritual entail.”

“Nothing pleasant,” Sophie admitted, unable to keep from grimacing.

                          ~*~ ~*~ ~*~

Several young witches kneeled in the grass just outside a farmhouse. An older witch held a knife in her hand as she drew a small cut in the first girl’s hand, she had long dark curly hair. “To be reborn, we must sacrifice,” Bastiana stated like a vow. A chant.

“To be reborn, we must sacrifice.” The young girl repeated.

Bastiana moved down the line to the second girl. “To be reborn, we must have faith.” Bastiana cut into her hand much like she did the first girl.

“To be reborn, we must have faith.” The second girl repeated.

“Do you have faith in the Harvest?” asked Bastiana as she cut into the third girl’s hand.  

“Not for a second!” Sophie declared as she approached the older witch quickly from behind the girls.

“Sophie!” The first girl said in surprise.

“What are you doing?” Sophie's eyes were set on the older witch anger in her dark eyes.

“Saving the community you renounced.” Bastiana looked at her with contempt.

“You're all ridiculous.” Sophie looked at the first girl who had spoken her name. “Monique, seriously?”

Monique frowned and with a look of reluctance admitted. “My mom told me I had to.”

“Yeah. Well, your mom and I are gonna have words.” She responded angrily storming off toward the house.

At the end of the line was Davina watching as Sophie stormed away.

                                ~*~ ~*~ ~*~

“They had the girls of our community preparing for months. Four would be chosen for the Harvest. They said that it was an honor, that they were special. I thought it was a myth.” Said Sophie.

“Was it?” asked Rebekah.

A look of guilt flickered across Sophie's face, her frown deepening but before she could answer, Klaus's cell phone ringing sounded through the room.

He glanced at the screen and Marcel’s name flashed across it. He swiped his thumb over it before placing it against his ear. “Marcel. Bit early in the day for you, isn't it?”

“I know, I make this look easy, but I still have an empire to run.”

Caroline looked over her shoulder at Klaus, curiosity written across her face at hearing Marcel’s voice for the first time even if it was filtering through a phone call. Admittedly she was rather curious about the man that was a lot like a son to Klaus, she wondered what he was like having been raised up by the Original family.

“Rather you than me. All that responsibility seems like such a bore.” Klaus spoke into the phone easily.

“Well, this might spice things up,” Marcel responded. “ I just heard about a bunch of dead witches out in the bayou. The kinda damage a werewolf might do, only there was no full moon. Plus two more were found in the witch Quarter mutilated. I have an informant out there in the Bayou I need to meet and I would love for you to go with me.”

“Dead witches in the bayou. Sounds like less of a problem, and more like a cause for celebration.” Klaus said in response to Marcel. "As for the dead witches in the Witch Quarter." he turned his gaze on Sophie. "Seems to me someone was sending a message."

Sophie glared hatefully at him and it gave him a sense of triumph, he smirked smugly at her.  

“Well, something killed them. And may still be out there. And with your blood the only cure for a werewolf bite, I would love for you to accompany me.” Marcel insisted.

“Oh, why not? Haven't been to the bayou in ages. I'm on my way.”

“Peace out, brother,” Marcel responded before hanging up.

“You can't go out there now.” Sophie protested as Klaus pocketed his phone. “I need to gather the witches' remains and consecrate them. If I don't get to them before sundown, we'll lose the link to their magic.” she glared at him. "That goes for the witches you killed as well."

“Those witches tried to kill Hayley. I'd prefer for Marcel's informant not to find anything that would lead him back to us, to Caroline, to Hayley, or to... you know,” He pointed at Hayley’s stomach. “that.”

Caroline snorted earning a glare from Hayley.

“You are all class.” Hayley snarked.

Klaus pointed at Sophie. “Stay put.” He ordered. “And save the rest of your story 'til I return.” He turned and looked down at Caroline placing a hand on her arm. “A word before I go, Sweetheart.”

Caroline's brow furrowed unsure of what he had to talk to her about but stood, curious about what it could be. She followed him out the room and outside onto the porch.

Klaus turned to face her. "I know you're dead set on not hiding away as you put it and I'm not going to try and tell you what to do. Just don't be reckless. I hate to have to kill everyone in this bloody city because something happened to you."

Caroline rolled her eyes. "I'm not reckless."

Klaus raised a brow at her. "Since you've been in New Orleans you have been."

"No, I haven't," she replied indignantly. "Things are just crazy here."

Klaus would have argued with her more about it but Marcel was expecting him. "Just be careful, will you."

Caroline felt her instinct to argue with him fade at the genuine sound of his voice which held concern. "Yeah, I will." she watched him carefully, eyes flickering across his face. "I thought you would insist I stay put like you have been ever since this all started."

"Oh, I want to," Klaus said with a shake of his head. "Believe me, I want to. But your you're own person and you have the right to make your own decisions and I'm gonna do my best to respect them." he smiled wryly. "I don't know how well that will go. You're just gonna have to be patient with me."

Caroline laughed. "I'm sorry." she laughed. "It's just really ironic you asking for patience when I'm pretty sure you don't know how to be."

Klaus' eyes lit with amusement but he loved hearing her laugh and the way her eyes lit up. "Yeah, yeah. Just be careful."

"I will," she told him. "And thank you for understanding I make my own decisions. I hate when people tell me what to do."

"I know." he leaned forward, brushing a kiss across her cheek, close to her mouth. "I'll see you later." he walked down the porch steps.

"Why do you do that?" Klaus turned back to her on the bottom step, his brow furrowing questioningly. "I mean, the kissing my cheek thing."

Klaus smirked. "I love pressing my lips against your skin."

Caroline opened and closed her mouth, her cheeks heating up as she watched him turn and leave. She blew out a breath as she remembered vaguely what it had been like to have his lips against her skin that one night when she threw caution to the wind and slept with him. It seemed so long ago but she could still remember the way he had kissed her, the way his mouth felt against her skin, the way his tongue tangled with her own.

A heated flush traveled through her. "Damn him."

                            ~*~ ~*~ ~*~

Marcel swept into St. Anne's church.

"Look who's back." Father Kieran, stopped sweeping the church floor. "Here to visit your prisoner in the attic?"

"Lay off," Marcel responded, he didn't need Father Kieran judging him. "She's not a prisoner. And I'm moving her tonight. Too many people know where she is."

"I have been hearing about what you've been up to since I've been out of town. Using that girl to keep the witches from doing magic?" His eyes appraised Marcel accusingly.

"All respect, Father K. If you're going defend the witches' rights, we got nothin' to talk about," Marcel stated, continuing on his way up to the attic.

                                      ~*~ ~*~ ~*~

Elijah walked around the attic of the church that was serving as a room for Davina, who was drawing, he picked up Tim's damaged violin, holding it in his hand.  "Do you play?"

Davina looked over at him, her gaze falling. "That's... not mine."

Elijah took a seat in a chair and started tinkering with the violin for a moment but when he heard approaching footsteps outside the room he hid away in the room just as Marcel entered.  

"Good news, Little D. I'm moving you out this pile of dust." he announced.

"Are you serious?" Davina's eyes lit up with hope. "When?"

"Tonight." He said, missing the way she faltered. "I just need to lock in the arrangements. How's our Original?" he gestured to Elijah's coffin and took a step toward it.

"Uh, don't disturb the body!" She quickly stepped in front of the coffin. She didn't want Marcel to know Elijah was up or that she was talking to him. "I have a spell in progress." she lied.

"Bet you do. Pack up, 'kay? Only what you wanna take. I'll buy ya anything else you need." He told her moving back toward the door.

"Okay," she answered just before he left.

Once Marcel was gone Elijah emerged from behind a corner. "You didn't reveal that I was awake."

"We're not done talking yet," Davina stated, it was the only reason she hadn't said anything to Marcel.

Elijah picked up the violin again, retaking his seat. "You and Marcel seem very close."

"Marcel's my family." Davina declared with a certainty, a feeling she felt in her bones. No one could tell her otherwise.  

"And yet Marcel is someone who delights in harming the witches. Those people, I would think, you would consider family. This doesn't trouble you?" Elijah inquired, trying to figure the young witch out if she was as loyal to Marcel as she seemed to believe herself to be.

"No. They deserve it."

Elijah could hear the defiance in her tone. "Why would you say that?"

"'Cause they're liars." Davina accused. "All of them."

                                  ~*~ ~*~ ~*~

Bastiana touched each of the four girls kneeling in the grass on their foreheads indicating that they had been chosen. Monique, Davina, and two other girls had been chosen for something that was considered a great honor among the witch community.

                             ~*~ ~*~ ~*~

"They made me and my friends do this Harvest ritual. They said our participation would bring our family strength, health... that we'd forever be celebrated as saviors of the community." Davina shook her head, anger written all over her features. "But all they really wanted was more power. So, I left before they could get it. Now, they're running out of time, because after the Harvest, comes the Reaping. And if they don't complete the Harvest, there won't be a Reaping. Soon, all the witches in the Quarter will start to lose their power. Eventually, they will cease to be witches altogether."

"So what does it take to complete this ritual?" Elijah inquired.

"I have to die." Davina answered, shocking Elijah.

                                 ~*~ ~*~ ~*~

Sophie was in Lafayette cemetery, packing a little bottle into her backpack, preparing to go out to the Bayou, she heard someone entering the mausoleum behind her only to see Hayley enter.

"Hey. What the hell?"

"You're going out there anyway, aren't you?" Hayley questioned but didn't wait for an answer. "I wanna go with you."

"No, thanks. Already got assaulted by Klaus this morning and two of my coven is now dead. Don't need a repeat." she responded, plus she didn't want everything she and her sister sacrificed to be for nothing.  

"What if whatever is responsible for all those dead witches is still out there? We've already established that it likes me and hates witches, so you'll be safer with me." Hayley bargained.

"Sorry if it's not happening. I won't risk losing everything we've tried to accomplish up until now."

Sophie had every intention to push past her but Hayley blocked the exit, forcing her to stop.

"Listen. We're in this together. The whole reason I came to this stupid town in the first place was to learn more about my family. You and your sister promised if I help you, you'll help me. I've been keeping to my part," She motioned to her stomach pointedly. "Now it's time you do too. Your sister's the one that told me Marcel ran the werewolves out of the Quarter, into the bayou. And, last night, I'm pretty sure that some guardian-angel-wolf saved my life. So, I'm coming with you."

"Could you two be more idiotic?" Rebekah walked in.

"Clearly." Caroline appeared. "Their planning to go out to the Bayou aren't they?

Hayley and Sophie both froze. Hayley hoped they hadn't overheard too much but when she saw no signs of real anger she figured her and Sophie's secret was still safe, they shared a brief moment, sighing in relief.  

"Two can play the follow-game, you know!" Rebekah told them, looking at them like they were two of the stupidest people she ever met. "You heard Klaus, he and Marcel are headed right where you're going."

"So distract them," Hayley told her.  "Because unless you wanna see lock a hormonal, pregnant werewolf in a tomb, I'm coming with you." she told Sophie before turning back to Rebekah. "And wouldn't Elijah be mad if he hears that the babies and I died of asphyxiation?"

"Yeah, I'm nowhere near ready to die so that won't be happening." Caroline said with a pointed look. "Which is why I am here in the first place. If you're doing something stupid and reckless, I'm coming to make sure you don't get killed." Caroline wasn't about to let Hayley and Sophie get her killed because Hayley went and got herself killed. And she cared about what happened to the babies.

Hayley shot her a glare. " I know to keep myself from being killed."

"I won't be taking any chances." said Caroline, crossing her arms over her chest challengingly.  

Rebekah looked between Hayley and Caroline annoyed though she could see where Caroline was coming from, if her life was linked to a pregnancy she wouldn't have let Hayley out of her sight.  

Sophie rolled her eyes and sighed again, resigning to having Hayley, Caroline, and Rebekah come along with her. She and Hayley would have to be careful with what they say, couldn't have Caroline or Rebekah find out their true connection.

                                     ~*~ ~*~ ~*~

Klaus stood just outside of the bar in the Bayou his phone pressed to his ear. "What's the matter, Rebekah? You cross that I'm out with your ex?"

" What is all that dreadful hillbilly ruckus in the background?" Rebekah demanded, hearing the god-awful country music in the background.

"According to the dreadful signage, it's Big Auggie's Bayou Bar."

"Well, order up a few rounds of moonshine and steer clear of the dead witches for a few. The witch is on a burial mission, your baby mama is on a spirit quest, and Caroline is insistent on her not getting herself killed and in turn her killed." Who would have thought she and Caroline would agree on something. "and I'm keeping Elijah's promise to keep her safe, so stall, please? "

"Caroline's out in the Bay-" the sound of Rebekah hanging up on him, had his jaw clenching in annoyance and anger. He was choosing to trust that Caroline could handle herself. He pocketed his phone, entering the bar.

"Everything okay?" asked Marcel taking notice of Klaus's sour mood.  

"Oh, just the usual. Temperamental sister." He dismissed, taking a seat at the bar next to Marcel. "So, where's your informant?"

"Tomas?" Asked Marcel. "He's out sniffin' around. Grab a drink, and then we'll chase him down."

"Well, I suppose it will give us a chance to talk things over, like why you haven't returned Elijah. Maybe your young witch has grown partial to his company. She must get so bored."

"You never stop, do you?" asked Marcel.  

"You never answer, do you?" Klaus shot back at him.  

"Why're you so curious about Davina?" Marcel questioned with suspicion.

"If I had a 16-year-old, all-powerful witch at my beck and call, you would wonder about her, too. " Klaus responded with ease.

"You're never gonna get her." Marcel said confidently, a spark in his eye.  

"Okay, okay. I'll ask the harmless questions, then." Klaus conceded. "How did you meet her?"

Marcel laughed. "That might surprise you." he saw no real harm in answering this question. "This was eight months ago, before I banned the witches from using magic. Relations between vampires and witches weren't what you'd you call friendly, by any means, but let's just say we were a little less... divided. In fact, some of us were getting along just fine."

                                           ~*~ ~*~ ~*~

The water cascaded down her body as she slanted her mouth against Marcel's, their skin slick and wet from the running shower beating down on them. After, Marcel laid back in his bed, while Sophie dried herself off beside him, venting to him about her coven. "Ugh, it's so screwed up, I'm dealing with whacked-out, militant witches."

Marcel smiled. "Hey, you witches all got a little crazy in you."

Sophie continued. "And my sister has really gone off the deep-end this time."

"Jane-Anne's got martyr written all over her, that's for sure."

"They've got every 16-year-old girl in our coven dying to be one of the four chosen for this crazy-ass ritual." Sophie complained.  

"Anything I can do to help?" asked Marcel.  

"No, you've caused enough trouble with them." Sophie responded though she did appreciate the offer.  

"What, little old me?" He asked with an air of innocence and confidence.  

Sophie giggled. "You're a dick. You always stir it up with the witches. Which is why this," She leaned over, touching her mouth to his, "stays between us." she slanted her mouth over his kissing him deeply.

                                            ~*~ ~*~ ~*~

"You and Sophie?" Kaus smirked. "You hypocrite. You torture those witches, and yet there you were, getting positively Romeo and Juliet with Sophie Deveraux."

"Oh, hey hey hey, it wasn't like that." Marcel denied with a grin. "It was a... mutually satisfying hook-up."

"So, if Sophie didn't turn to you, her secret vampire lover, in her hour of need, what did she do?" asked Klaus.

"She did what any good girl do. She went to her priest."

                                 ~*~ ~*~ ~*~

Sophie, Father Kieran, Jane-Anne, Bastiana, and Agnes were gathered inside St. Anne's Church.

"You've never cared about witch business, Sophie. And now, you have the gall to reveal our private dealings to an outsider." said Bastiana glaring at the dark haired woman.  

"You have to find another way." Insisted Father Kieran.  

"You think we do this lightly?" Bastiana demanded. "The vampire presence in the Quarter is growing stronger, we need more power to fight them off. Harsh times call for harsh measures."

"This is a little more than harsh, Bastiana." Sophie responded, how could Bastiana not see how wrong this was.  

"You don't understand, because you don't believe. You've never believed." Jane-Anne told Sophie. "But I believe enough to put everything on the line for this. And being chosen for the offering – it's an honor."

"It's a myth, Jane-Anne." Sophie wanted to make her sister see reason but she didn't know how to.  

"What you are planning to do is not only wrong; in my city, it's illegal." Father Kieran declared, it wasn't something he could knowingly allow.  

"In your city full of vampires?" Jane-Anne countered.  

"The vampires and the human faction have an arrangement, just like we have with you all." Father Kieran responded. "Protect the locals, protect our homes, we look the other way. What you are planning goes too far."

"We are simply taking what we need." Argued Bastiana. "Our connection to our ancestors weakens over time. You sow, and you reap; that's the way the Harvest works."

"I am the only ally the witches have in this town!" Father Kieran reminded heatedly. "Do you really wanna face Marcel without me? Because that is what you'll be dealing with if you go through with the Harvest."

A young man overhears them arguing and approached them. "Everything okay in here, Uncle Kieran?" He questioned in concern.  

"We're just finishing, Sean. Right?" Father Kieran glared at the witches. "I believe I've made myself clear."

"We'll take this matter to the elders." Agnes responded turning to Sean and grasping his hand in hers. "Continue your studies, Sean. Your uncle is an excellent role model." she smiled something beguiling. Sean nodded and as she turned to leave, she muttered a hex under her breath, hexing the young man. Father Kieran would regret putting his nose in their business. Something that had absolutely nothing to do with the Father.

                                    ~*~ ~*~ ~*~

"The witches were furious with Kieran." said Marcel. "Sophie tells me that the witches put a hex on his nephew Sean, made it seem like he was slowly losing his mind in order to distract Kieran, while they kept planning for the Harvest."

"So they attacked Kieran's nephew." Klaus realized.  

"Yeah. Kid wasn't the same after that, ended up going postal, killing all his fellow seminary students, all of them, and then himself."

"I might have read about that. The boy... killed a twin, or he was a twin or something." he said knowing the boy was Cami's twin.  

"Ah, no no no, they said he had a twin sister." Marcel said,

confirming his suspicions.

Marcel sipped at his liquor, while Klaus downed all of his in one gulp.

                                     ~*~ ~*~ ~*~

Elijah still tinkered around with the broken violin as Davina had started packing her suitcase.

"So, enlighten me. What did you mean when you said you had to die?" Inquired Elijah.

"That's what the Harvest was." Davina informed him. "They said they'd put us four girls in a state of, like, peaceful limbo as part of the offering. And then later, at the Reaping, we'd awaken and be reborn. I never got as far as the limbo part, which means the Harvest isn't complete. That's why the witches are so freaked out. The Reaping is just around the corner, and if they don't finish it before then, it's over. All I have to do is wait it out."

"And then what?" asked Elijah.  

"They're punished, and I'm free." She stated, she hoped and dreamed of that day when this stupid nightmare she'd been living would finally be over.  

"From Marcel?" Elijah questioned.  

Davina shook her head. "Of magic." she corrected. "All our power will drain away. I'll be normal." she smiled slightly at the thought.  

"Is that what you want?" asked Elijah rather surprised she would want something so mundane. "To be normal?"

"I just don't wanna be what I am. I can't control it sometimes. Magic. I..." Davina's eyes grew wet, a feeling of guilt in her chest. "hurt people. Even when I don't mean to."

"Why don't you tell me about your friends." Elijah suggested encouragingly. "You must miss them."

"There's Tim. He doesn't know about any of this witch stuff. He's normal. My best friend, Monique. She was a part of the Harvest too." She replied before adding. "She's lucky. No one ever fought for me, but someone fought for her. The only one who ever spoke out against the Harvest was Monique's aunt."

"And who is that?" Elijah wondered.  

Davina sighed.  "Sophie Deveraux."

Elijah looked at her in shock at the name and everything he was learning about the Harvest and everyone involved.

                                       ~*~ ~*~ ~*~

Sophie, Rebekah, Caroline, and Hayley walked through the Bayou to look for the dead witches.

"So, this Harvest thingy—tell me more." Rebekah told Sophie.

"Klaus said to wait." Sophie insisted.

"Yeah, you seemed to listen to everything he says." Caroline drawled out sarcastically. "Or we not out in the swamps?"

"Exactly," Rebekah waved a hand at Caroline. "here we are, amongst the crawly, buzzy creatures."

"We're here." Hayley announced suddenly.  

Caroline looked around and it was definitely the place where the witches were killed. Their bodies or what was left of them littered the ground in bloody ripped apart pieces, heads torn from the bodies.

Sophie's stomach churned in disgust, feeling sick to her stomach at the sight, she knelt down digging around in her bag for the ingredients she needed to consecrate her fallen witches.

Hayley's eyes widened as she caught sight of a huge pawprint in the mud. "Whoa." And not far from the pawprint there were three bloody scratches marking the bark of a tree.

Sophie's brow furrowed. "Is that a wolf track?"

Caroline's head whipped around when she heard a crunching noise like sticks being stepped on. Her eyes zeroed in on an approaching male as Rebekah called out. "Who's there?"

"Rebekah."

Rebekah followed Caroline's line of sight.

"What the hell? An Original?" The vampire questioned.

Caroline felt her chest tightened they couldn't let anyone know they were out in the bayou. She ran at him but he booked it.

"Caroline, no!" Rebekah cursed, under her breath. "Fuck.  

Caroline could hear Rebekah calling after her but she ignored her and pushed faster to catch up to the guy and by some miracle she did, stepping in his path.

"Get out of my way" he growled.

"Can't do that." she tensed when he advanced on her and it was like her body acted on instinct alone. When his hand reached out to grabbed her she grabbed his wrist before he could touch her, twisting it behind his back, she shifted behind him bringing her knee up before bringing it back down on the back of his leg, she heard the bones breaking as he collapsed to his knee with a cry of pain, acting quickly she gripped his head and gave it a violent twist, snapping his neck, she pushed him away, his body crumpling to the floor.

"I gotta say you're a quick learner."

Caroline looked to her left and saw Rebekah standing there. "I just reacted to my instincts." She let her instincts take over and it felt good. Fuck, did it feel good to be in control again. "Is this going to be a problem? Should we call Klaus?" She didn't wait for Rebekah to answer already nodding to her own question. "I'm gonna call, Klaus."

                                             ~*~ ~*~ ~*~

Klaus glanced down at his phone ringing, Caroline's name flashing. "I have to take this." he didn't bother waiting for Marcel's response as he walked outside. "Caroline, is everything alright?"

" Depends on your definition? " She responded.

"Are you okay? You're not hurt, are you?"

" No, I'm fine but I might have taken down one of Marcel's guys out in the bayou ." She hedged cautiously. " Well, Rebekah thinks he might be Marcel's informant."  

Klaus rolled his eyes heavenward. "And where was Rebekah during this encounter?"

"He caught me by surprise ." Rebekah huffed and realized Caroline must have handed her the phone.

"Let me understand this: against all logic, you, Caroline and Hayley went to the bayou, where you ran into a man you think may be Marcel's informant, and Caroline took him down?"

"She was quite efficient but now we have a problem, what do we do with him now that he saw us?"  

"I'll handle it, but I'll need a distraction," he told her. And he wanted to see that Caroline was unharmed with his own eyes.  

"I'm on my way." Rebekah hung up.

Klaus frowned, he would have rather talk to Caroline before she hung up. He pocketed his phone before going back inside.

"Your sister again?" asked Marcel as Klaus retook his seat at the bar.  

"She craves attention. So come along, you were just getting to the juicy bits."

"I can't joke around about this." said Marcel on a more serious note. "I've done a lot in my day, but I do have a rule about kids."

                                    ~*~ ~*~ ~*~

"No one but Sophie ever questioned the Harvest." said Davina. "Not even my own mother. So neither did I. We thought it was such an honor, we had such faith." Her face twistedth bitterness. "We were so stupid."

"So how did it begin?" asked Elijah.

"We were led out like princesses. My mother was so proud."

                                   ~*~ ~*~ ~*~

Night had fallen, and the four girls were led out into the Lafayette Cemetery by the elders to start the Harvest. There were birdbaths with liquid that was lit on fire burning around them, creating a bright orange glow.  

Bastiana started speaking. "Our magic fades as our ties to our ancestors weaken over time. We beseech them, accept this offering as a sign of our faith."

The girls knelt in a row in the middle of the crowd of people, of witches gathered.

                                       ~*~ ~*~ ~*~

"Bastiana, one of the Elders, called upon the four elements to bind our past and future magic together. Earth, to connect us to our ancestors. Water, to heal the community. Wind, to carry us to our ancestors and back. Fire, to purify." Davina went on to continue telling Elijah her story. "After all our preparation, we knew exactly what to expect. For weeks they told us that the magic in the knife they used to cut our palms would put us to sleep, and that later at the Reaping, we would all be resurrected. They said we'd awaken, and all be together and more powerful than ever. And it was just like we rehearsed it. All that was left was a little cut on our palms for the blood sacrifice."

                                       ~*~ ~*~ ~*~

The first girl in the row stood up to begin the Harvest but it was interrupted immediately after when Sophie ran into the cemetery.  "No! Stop! Bastiana, stop! You have to stop, Bastiana, please don't do this!"

A male witch wrapped his arms around Sophie restraining her, covering her mouth with his hand so she couldn't intervene further or scream creating a larger scene.

                                 ~*~ ~*~ ~*~

"Even after Sophie tried to stop it, we didn't suspect anything." Davina stated.

                                   ~*~ ~*~ ~*~

"To be born, you must sacrifice. Do you have faith?" Bastina asked the girl.

The girl nodded in response and held out her hand for the blood sacrifice. But instead of taking her hand Bastiana slit the girl's throat, the young witch falling to the ground. The other three girls started to scream in terror, but they were restrained so that they couldn't run away. Davina's mother stared straight ahead at her daughter screams, unflinchingly.

                                              ~*~ ~*~ ~*~

"Everyone involved in the ritual knew that this would happen." Elijah realized.  

"Except the four of us. They weren't putting us to sleep, they were slaughtering us!" Davina said with pure betrayal.

                                                      ~*~ ~*~ ~*~

The next young witch was pushed forward and Bastiana slashed her throat despite her protests and her fear.

"No, no!" Davina screamed.

"Monique Deveraux." Bastina said.

"NO, NO, NOOO!" Davina screamed as a man forced Monique forward.  

                                           ~*~ ~*~ ~*~

"I begged for someone to help. My own mother turned away from me." She recalled how much it hurt that her own mother didn't lift a single finger to help her. "Sophie screamed and screamed for her sister, anyone, to do something."

                                        ~*~ ~*~ ~*~

" What is wrong with you!?" Sophie screamed at them all in horror.  

A worried look flickered across Jane-Anne but still, she did nothing. Said nothing.  

                                     ~*~ ~*~ ~*~

"But no one did." Said Davina, not a single member of their coven.

"And yet you survived." Elijah said pointedly. "Therefore, someone or something intervened."

Davina nodded. "Yes. Someone finally did."  

                                          ~*~ ~*~ ~*~

"Monique, run away! Run away!" Sophie shouted right before a shrill whistle cut through the horror and a group of vampires descended, killing the witches, led by one man. "Marcel."

                                  ~*~ ~*~ ~*~

"You're the one who stopped it." Klaus stated, appraising Marcel closely.  

"Kieran knew every detail from Sophie. After his nephew's massacre in the church, he was so torn up. He left town just before the Harvest. But on his way out, he came to me, and he asked me to stop the Harvest. He knew I didn't want the witches getting any more power. And I do have a rule about people abusing kids, so, I did what he asked." Marcel shook his head ruefully. "But I was too late."

                                   ~*~ ~*~ ~*~

The vampires attacked the Elders. One of them ripping into Bastianna's throat, draining her dry before letting her dead boy fall to the ground, the magic knife she used to slit the girl's throats clattering to the ground. Agnes acted quickly picking up the fallen knife, grabbing Monique, slashing her throat clean open.

Davina screamed, hysterical and trying to break free of the arms around her as hard as she could. "No, Monique! Nooo! Let go of me! Stop it! Stop it! Let go of me! Stop it!"

Marcel watched as she screamed and rage and fought back, thrashing, headbutting the guy holding her in the face. Marcel sprung into action, killing the man quickly and taking Davina protectively into his arms. "I got you." He murmured, doing his best to assure her that she was safe. That he would protect her.

                                          ~*~ ~*~ ~*~

"There was something about seeing Davina fight." Marcel said, sloshing his drink around in his glass. "She didn't just go along to the slaughter, you know?"

Klaus smiled slightly thinking of a younger version of the man sitting next to him. "I do... Marcellus."

A somber look came over Marcel. "I felt like she and I... we were kindred spirits. "

Klaus could understand where Marcel was coming from. He had felt the same when he met him.

                                     ~*~ ~*~ ~*~

Marcel held Davina protectively to him while Sophie knelt on the ground, holding Monique's body in her lap. Grief-stricken, Sophie looked up at Marcel and Davina. Davina extended her hand out toward Monique. A light inside Monique leaked out from her body and into Davina's outstretched hand, Sophie and Marcel stare at her in utter amazement.

                                      ~*~ ~*~ ~*~

"Every girl who died released her power on to the next. When I was the last one, I suddenly had all of it, all the power that was supposed to be released back into the earth to appease our ancestors." Davina explained.

"So... the Harvest was actually working?" Elijah inquired.  

"Something was working." She couldn't be sure it was the harvest and she did not want to find out. "And I knew that I was supposed to be killed so the Harvest could be completed and we would all be resurrected. But, they lied to us about how they were killing us. How do I know they weren't lying to us about coming back?" She paused, falling silent for just a moment before admitting. "But mostly, I just didn't want to die. So, I let him save me. Marcel saved my life."

                                            ~*~ ~*~ ~*~

Marcel watched the look of surprise flicker across Sophie's face and vamp-sped himself and Davina out of there before the witches could take her back and complete the sacrifice by killing her.

                                           ~*~ ~*~ ~*~

Elijah felt a strong wave of disgusted by how Davina, someone who was still a child in the larger scheme of things was treated, he felt an equally strong wave of sympathy for her it was no wonder the girl latched onto Marcel and trusted him to keep her safe.

                                              ~*~ ~*~ ~*~

“You were quite the knight in shining armor, though Davina must realize you owe her as much as she owes you. You never could have banned the witches from using magic without her.” Klaus stated.  

“She's not exactly besties with them.” Marcel responded. “I'm protecting her. A lot of them would like to get their hands on her and kill her to finish the Harvest. If they don't, the other girls stay dead, and they lose their power.”

“And if they do, you lose yours.” Klaus said knowingly.  

“And Davina loses her life.” Marcel stated.  

“Isn't this like old times?” Rebekah said in greeting announcing her arrival. “Just how drunk are you two?”

“Skating on the razor's edge.” Klaus responding intentionally slurring his words as if he was actually drunk. “I'm gonna use the loo. Back in a tick.”

“I haven't seen him this lushy since the '20s.” Said Rebekah, once he got up from his seat, disappearing from sight.  

“So you came to take him home?” asked Marcel.

“Why else would I be here?” She responded.  

“I don't know. Maybe to make sure I didn't get too drunk and spill secrets better left unspilled about you and me. I know better.” He told her.  

“I hope so because you don't wanna end up on the wrong side of me.” she threatened.  

“Oh, Rebekah Mikaelson.” he said, locking his gaze on hers. “You do not wanna be on the wrong side of me.”

The two stare at each other intently, gazes lock, a quiet tension falling over them.

                                                 ~*~ ~*~ ~*~

Klaus walked outside glancing around before taking off heading for tha Bayou. It didn’t take long for him to hear Sophie complaining. “Marcel is going to notice his guy missing. You shouldn’t have done that.”

“No, I should have just let him go back to Marcel with what he saw.” Caroline retorted. “That would have been a much better option. Wouldn’t it? All you care about is consecrating your dead witches.”

“If I don’t their power could be lost forever.” Sophie insisted.

“And won’t that be tragic you could no longer control peoples lives to suit your own agenda.” Caroline sniped.

“Could you two stop arguing for five minutes.” Hayley snapped annoyed with their bickering. “You’re going to lead someone straight to us.”

“Too late for that.” Klaus stated, watching as Caroline whirled around her annoyed expression quickly fading.

“Klaus.” She said and there was an edge of relief in her voice that he enjoyed.

He moved toward and glanced at the body she stood over. “I take this is, Marcel’s informant, Tomas?”

Caroline nodded. “I just acted when I saw him and I have no idea what we’re supposed to do with him now.”

Klaus settled his hand on her shoulder. “No, you did good. You weren’t hurt were you?” He asked his eyes looking her over carefully.

“No, it was over really fast,” Caroline said, a little surprised that she had taken care of him so quickly.

“Don’t sound surprise, Love.” He grinned at her. “I think you’ll find you’re more than exceptional when you set your mind to something.”

“Are you going to flirt with Caroline until he wakes up or can we get to the issue at hand.” Sophie waved a hand at the currently dead vampire.

Klaus shot her a glare. “Mind your tongue.” before ignoring her completely turning back to Caroline. “I’ll take care of this.” he told Caroline. “Do try not to get in any more trouble, will you?"

“No promises there.” Caroline knew how much trouble and her seemed to go hand in hand these days. “What are you going to do to him. You can’t kill him, you’ll tip Marcel off.”

“Let me worry about that,” Klaus stated, scooping up the body, throwing it over his shoulder. “I’ll see you back at the house, Love.”

Caroline watched as he sped away.

“It’s like we weren’t even here.” Sophie grumbled. It was like he had Caroline blinders or something. If she was near that was all he cared about.

“It’s not surprising.” Hayley glanced around the forest. “Now that that’s taken care of we should hurry this long before more of Marcel’s men show up.”

Caroline had to agree. Maybe next time she wouldn’t be so lucky in taking the enemy down so quickly but man did it feel good.

                                            ~*~ ~*~ ~*~

Klaus glanced around at his surroundings outside the bar, making sure no one was around before stuffing Thomas’s body into the back of his car, carelessly, shutting the door. That was one problem taken care of.

                                      ~*~ ~*~ ~*~

Elijah proudly presented Tim's violin to Davina. “You may return this now to its rightful owner. It's restored.”

Davina accepted the instrument, staring at it with a sad expression.  “I don't even know if I'll see him again.”

The room started to shake as if there was an earthquake. Elijah and Davina looked around worriedly, the window shutters burst open as the shaking abruptly stopped.

Elijah looked at the young witch in worry realizing she couldn’t control the power that she had. “Davina, this power that you contain, drawn from your fallen friends—it's too much for you. You need control which requires study and practice.” This was a way for him to gain her trust and possibly an ally in her.  “Now, my mother was a very powerful witch. She left behind her grimoires, a legacy of books filled with spells. These books contain all of the tools that you might need to control your magic. If you free me from here, I can share them with you. However, if you leave now with Marcel, we'll never see each other again, and I cannot find you, and I can't help you.”

Davina glared at him. “The witches manipulated me. You know how that ended.”

“This is not manipulation. This is one thing in exchange for another. I'm offering you a deal.” Elijah responded, hoping she would consider her options.

                                             ~*~ ~*~ ~*~

Klaus entered the bar again only to find Marcel was gone just as Rebekah was returning from the restroom.

“That was fast work, Rebekah.” He praised almost tauntingly.

“Where's Marcel? In there, touching up his lipstick?”

Rebekah shot him a disgusted look. “Credit me with some taste, it's filthy in there. Where'd he go?”

Klaus’s eyes narrowed. “He didn't tell you he was leaving?”

“No.” she frowned. “Do you think he realized we were stalling him?”

“No.” but then it occurred to Klaus. “Unless... he was stalling us.”

~*~ ~*~ ~*~

Marcel bursts into Davina's room. He wasn’t sure how much time he had until Klaus realized he had been stalling him. He was completely unaware of Elijah hiding in his own coffin. “Okay, now's our shot. You ready to blow this joint?”

Davina smiled. “Can't wait.”

Marcel grabbed  Davina's suitcase.  “We'll leave Elijah behind as a parting gift. Might buy me a little forgiveness for pulling one over on his siblings. Let's go.”

The two leave the attic with Davina giving her room a final parting glance before she followed Marcel.

Elijah waited till they were out of earshot before pulling himself out of his coffin.

Downstairs, Marcel walked ahead of Davina but she stopped suddenly in the middle of the church's main room, and he turned to look back at her, concerned.  “What's wrong? What's happening?"

The church started shaking, ��I don’t know. Something’s wrong.” her body tensed up as she started spasming.

Marcel ran up to her, to help her in any way he could.

“Marcel. There's something dangerous out there.” she warned. “Take me back!” she demanded before losing consciousness.  

Marcel caught her before she could collapse to the ground. “Damn it.”  He picked her up carrying her back to her room.

Elijah, smiled waiting in the doorway, he hid before Marcel reached the room.

Marcel placed her on to her bed, tucking her in, and looking at her with a tender look for just a moment before taking his leave.  

Once he was gone, Davina opened her eyes and lifted her head, dropping the act.  

                                               ~*~ ~*~ ~*~

Marcel and Davina entered the attic room for the first time. “No one's gonna look for you here. It's only for a little while, 'til I get you out of town and someplace safe.” he reassured her. “For now I can get you whatever you want. What do you like to do? “

“Draw.” she whispered, nervous.  

“An artist, huh? That's cool, okay. I can buy out Vincent's for you tomorrow. Maybe get you some curtains, or–”

“Marcel?” She interrupted. “You know what I really want?” she paused for just a beat. “I wanna make them pay.” and Marcel nodded in response.  

                                                      ~*~ ~*~ ~*~

Davina sat up in the bed when she was sure Marcel was gone. “Elijah?” she called out.  

Elijah emerged from where he had hidden himself. “I'm pleased you stayed.”

“You'll keep your promise about your mother's spell book?” Davina questioned.  

“I will.” Elijah said. “You know, difficulties aside, I value my family above everything. I am sorry that yours failed you.”

“Your brother Klaus handed you to Marcel in a box, yet you still don't give up on him?” Davina questioned, having trouble understanding how that was possible.  

“Well, I've given up on giving up.” said Elijah. “It's an affliction. I will fight for my family until my last breath.”

“And I'll fight the witches until mine.” Davina declared. She wanted them to pay for everything they have done.

                                                  ~*~ ~*~ ~*~

“Now what? You just gonna leave her up there for anybody to find?” Father Kieran questioned as Marcel was leaving the chuch..

“I'm not in the mood, Kieran.” Marcel responded annoyed.  

“You were supposed to get her out of New Orleans after the Harvest.” Father Kieran reminded him. “We failed those other three girls, we didn't fail her. That is why I came to you for help. That was the plan.”

“Plans change.” Marcel told him.  

“Especially after you found out how powerful she was.” said Father Kieran with judgment.  

“Let's get something straight.” Marcel tired of the Father’s judgment. “For eight months since you left, I've been running this town just fine. I don't need you coming back and gettin' in my business. I will do what I want, where I want. Got it?”

“You wanna be the boss? You wanna call the shots?” Father Kieran shot back defensively. “Fine. But I call the shots with the humans. And you don't wanna make an enemy of me. So, I would suggest one thing—stay away from my niece.”

“Fine. Who the hell's your niece?” Marcel asked.  

“Cami.” Father Kieran answered causing Marcel to stop in his tracks, processing what Kieran just revealed to him before huffing in frustration and leaving.

                                                   ~*~ ~*~ ~*~

Night had fallen, Hayley, Caroline, and Sophie were returning to Sophie's truck

“Those people, all this, because of a vision about these babies, you don't think it’s true?” Hayley wondered.

Caroline frowned at Hayley. “These Babies? That’s how you address your children?”

Hayley shifted, uncomfortably, glancing quickly at Sophie before looking back at Caroline. “I meant my babies.”

“Look, I love Sabine, but she's the witch equivalent of a drama queen.” Sophie cut in quickly, hoping to distract Caroline. “I've learned to take little stock in whatever she says or sees. Just kinda wish she'd kept her mouth shut.”

“The Harvest ritual. You said you didn't believe in it. Were you right?” asked Hayley.  

“No. I saw it with my own eyes.” Sophie answered. “It was working. It was real.”

“So, how can you be so sure Sabine's vision isn't?” Asked Hayley.

Sophie didn’t have an answered because the truth was if it was true those babies would have to be killed.

“It doesn’t matter if it’s true are not,” said Caroline strongly. “Your children are going to be a target simply because Klaus is their father. You shouldn’t be worrying about something that might not come to pass and focus on keeping them safe.”

“And you would be so willing to protect them?” asked Sophie. She wondered how Caroline could speak so fiercely about children that she didn’t even know were actually her’s.

“Yes.” Caroline said without hesitation. Beyond the fact that Klaus fathered the twins Hayley carried they were two innocent babies who didn’t ask for any of this for that fact alone she would protect them.

Hayley’s hand drifted to her stomach self-consciously, feeling protective of the babies inside of her even as guilt filled her.

                                                   ~*~ ~*~ ~*~

Marcel walked into the courtyard of the Abattoir not surprised to find Klaus waiting for him.

Klaus stood on the top of a cement barrier. “Taking me on a field trip to distract me. Pathetic. And obvious—I taught you better than that.”

“You taught me to protect what's mine.” Marcel countered. “You will not take Davina from me—end of story.”

“An immutable law of nature, Marcel, is the strong always take from the weak.”

“Oh, if you were so strong, you wouldn't have run away from New Orleans like a little bitch, all those years ago.” Marcel responded with ire.  

Klaus jaw clenched at the insult, jumping down from where he was standing, his fist slamming into Marcel. “You've been playing king with a bunch of children for too long. Don't mistake me for one of your nightwalker lackeys, Marcel. I can take Davina anytime I like.”

Marcel lunged for Klaus in retaliation but was knocked back down, hitting the ground, he looked up and Elijah stood there.

“Do forgive me, Marcel. If anyone is to teach my brother a lesson... it's me.”

Klaus stared at his brother in shock, his jaw clenching. He had spent so much time trying to get Elijah back yet here he stood in front of him and if he was honest with himself he wasn’t all too pleased to see him.

                                                       ~*~ ~*~ ~*~

“You did good out there today, Caroline.” Rebekah told Caroline grabbing three glasses, they had returned to the Mikaelson mansion. “I didn’t expect you to take down Marcel’s informant so easily.”  

Caroline smiled at the compliment as Rebekah poured several drinks as she started speaking to Hayley. “I don't care if we have to get you a leash, that was your last trip to the bayou.” Rebekah said to Hayley as she poured three glasses. “What is it with you and those wolves, anyway?”

“I feel like we're connected somehow. I don't know. Maybe it's just some pipe dream that I have of finding any real family out there.” She hoped she wasn’t deluding herself that she could find any semblance of her real family out there. She didn’t want everything she had done to be for nothing. “But sometimes, when I feel like it's me against the world, it keeps me going.”

Rebekah gave Hayley a sympathetic look and handed her a drink.

“She can’t have that!” Caroline protested as Hayley side-eyed Rebekah.

A look passed over Rebekah as she remembered that because of Hayley being pregnant that she should not be drinking. “Oh, right.” Rebekah shrugged and gulp down the glass she poured for Hayley in one go. “Well, if you ask me, family is a pain in the behind.” She held a glass out to Cariline as Hayley rolled her eye.

Caroline accepted the drink. “Thanks.”  

“And as for being in it alone, how dare you? I don't ruin a perfectly fabulous pair of boots traipsing through the bayou for just anyone.” Rebekah told Hayley sending her a pointed look.

Hayley smiled and Rebekah downed her second drink. The conversation between the girls was interrupted when Klaus came walking through the front door.

“Klaus.” Caroline smiled. “Finally, I-” she trailed off as Elijah walked in behind him with a huge smile and she tensed instinctively, remembering how he had invaded her mind.

“Elijah!” Rebekah broke out into a smile, running to Elijah and hugging him tightly. “You’re safe.”

Caroline not really wanting to stick around for Elijah’s reunion, downed her glass before reaching for the bottle, walking past Elijah and Rebekah, offering Klaus a faint smile as she passed him, heading outside.

Klaus brow furrowed as he watched her head outside. He wasn’t the least bit surprised that Rebekah was thrilled Elijah was back but he was surprised by Caroline’s reaction. Caroline had not gotten the chance to get to know Elijah yet but still, she seemed less than pleased about his return.

Klaus threw one more look at his siblings, watching as his brother went in obvious search of Hayley. Klaus turned, walking back outside. He didn’t see Caroline right away, which had him tensing. He scanned the grounds and caught sight of her walking to the apple tree and taking a seat on the ground with her back against it.

He tilted his head watching her a moment as she took a drink from the bottle of bourbon she had grabbed, he frowned wondering what was wrong.

~*~ ~*~ ~*~

Caroline sat back against the tree, her hands peeling at the label of the bottle she held.

She was happy for Klaus and Rebekah. That they had gotten their brother back but that didn’t mean she had to like it. It was conflicting to be happy for them but also not liking it. When Elijah was around she felt like she had to have her guard up every second, not wanting him to mess with her head again.

She looked up at approaching footsteps to see Klaus. “What are you doing out here?” he asked.

“Wanted some fresh air.” she said in answer.

Klaus didn’t think she needed to come all the way out here for fresh air. He took the last few steps forward taking a seat beside her against the tree, his arm brushing against hers. “What’s wrong?”

Caroline turned her head to look at him and found his intense blue gaze on her expectantly. She looked away, avoiding, his eyes. “Nothing.” she dismissed.

“I don’t believe that.” Klaus shook his head, he turned his body toward hers, reaching to cup her cheek and direct her eyes back to him. “Tell me what’s wrong? What’s bothering you?”

Caroline stared back at his searching his gaze and felt compelled to tell him the truth. Not because he was trying to compel her because he wasn’t and she knew he wouldn’t. But because of the concern in his gaze, left her with the feeling of being pulled toward him in the best way. “Your brother? Elijah. I don’t like being around him. I don’t trust him not to try and mess with my head like before.”

“You mean when the witches had you and he searched through your memories?” Klaus frowned. “It really bothers you, doesn’t it? Having someone mess with your head?” He recalled how she reacted when she learned he was compelling Cami, a woman, she didn’t even know. Her dislike for the way he controlled his hybirds. How determined she was to not let Silas into her head again.

“No one likes having their head mess with.” She avoided looking into his eyes by looking over his shoulder.

Klaus felt anger boiling at the surface, a quiet rage feeling his chest but it wasn’t for him or his family or his plans. No, this anger had far more importance. There was only one reason why Caroline could possibly feel so passionately about this. Someone had messed with her head and since vampires couldn’t compel other vampires it had to have happened when she was still human. “Who?” his voice was low with anger, taking on a darker tone than he usually used with her.

“What?” Caroline brow furrowed in confusion.

“Who messed with your head when you were still human?” He demanded, his hand gripped her arm. “Who compelled you?!”

Caroline glanced down at his hand, his grip tight before dragging her eyes back to his. Klaus realizing he might be hurting her lessen his grip and brushed his hand down her arm until he could grasp her smaller hands in between his larger one. “Tell me?”

Caroline was sure if she told him the truth he would kill Damon and she couldn’t allow that. Not because he didn’t deserve it because there was a part of her that would always believe he deserved whatever he got for what he did to her. But because of how much Stefan loved his brother and she wouldn’t wish that loss on her best friend regardless of her anti-Damon feelings.

“Caroline..” His thumb brushed against her wrist, making goosebumps rise on her flesh. “Tell me.”

Still, she hesitated even though he was looking at her so imploring sounding completely earnest and genuine.

“Please, Caroline.” his other hand reached out to cup her cheek. “I need to know.” He had to know so he could make the person pay in the worst way imaginable.

Caroline opened and closed her mouth, her hand reaching up to grip the one he had on her cheek, seeing the concern, the need to know who hurt her, Caroline felt herself giving in. “You can’t kill him.”

“Kill who?” he just needed a name and they would pay for their mistreatment of her.

“You have to promise me you won’t kill him.” If she was going to tell him she had to know she wasn’t signing Damon’s death warrant.

Klaus clenched his jaw, reluctant to make a promise he was certain he would break.

“Promise me.” Caroline insisted, her hand tightening around his.

Klaus breathed deeply, his chest rising and falling with the movement. “I promise.”

Caroline watched him for any sign that he was lying before nodding more to herself than him. “Damon.” she admitted slowly. “It was Damon.”

Klaus' eyes thinned, jaw clenching, he had to keep his hands from, tensing not wanting to hurt her as he slowly removed his hand from hers, not certain his anger wouldn’t get the better of him in a moment of impulsiveness. “What he did he do? What manner did he compel you?”

Caroline frowned as she looked away, her eyes closing as she forced the memories of those few weeks with Damon to the back of her mind as they started to surface.

“Caroline.” Klaus’s hand squeezed around her own, bringing her eyes back to him slowly.

“When I met Damon I was still human. Honestly, I was an insecure mess. I felt like everything I did back then was in competition with Elena. So when Damon showed up showing an interest in me it felt like a win.” She murmured quietly. “But it wasn’t. That first night I slept with him on my own but he fed on me and when I woke up I was terrified, I remember what he had done.”

Klaus felt rage coursing through him that Damon would dare feed on Caroline, prey on her insecurities. But he forced himself not to react physically, feeling there was more to the story and we wanted to know all of it. He didn’t want Caroline shutting down on him now that he convinced her to tell him something so personal. “What happened after?”

“I fought him but he attacked me again and later he compelled to be okay with the fact that he was a vampire. He fed on me, treated me like a human blood bag.” She shook her head in disgust. “He had me run stupid errands for him, he was cruel, I was nothing but a puppet that he could feed on anytime he wanted.” Her fist clenched, muscles tightening, her stomach turned like acid. “It went on for a few weeks” she muttered in utter disgust.

“Damon controlled you, he took your choices away.” The words were said through clenched teeth, his voice lethal.

Caroline nodded slowly. "Yes, he took my choices away. My actions were not always my own."

The thought of anyone taking Caroline's choices away from her, controlling her actions, feeding on her like she was nothing but a walking blood bad angered him. He wanted to tear Damon apart.

Klaus reached up, cupping her face, his other one wrapping around her hand. “You deserved so much better than what Damon Salvatore did to you. No one should have treated you like that.” he paused, his hand tightening around her hand as he felt it tremble in his grip. “Does your mom know?”

“No.” Caroline gave her head a shake. “I never told her.”

“What about Stefan? Elena? Do they know what he was doing to you?”

Caroline admitted in a whisper. “They knew what was going on.”

“And they did nothing!” Klaus responded heatedly unable to keep his opinion to himself. “Because of your friends, Elena, you had to pretend like nothing was wrong!”

“These friends of yours that you’re so determined to stay loyal to they don’t deserve you none of them. You’re worth so much more, Caroline,” he cupped her face with both his hands. “You deserve people in your life who will always put you first. You deserve someone who would show you even a fraction of the loyalty you have shown your worthless friends.”

Caroline bit her lip to keep it from trembling. “And that someone’s supposed to be you?” she asked her voice somber.

“I’ll be whoever you want me to be.” Klaus told her. “But more importantly I will never let anyone treat you the way you’ve been treated, I will never let anyone hurt you.”

His words hit her in the chest, causing the pain she felt to lessen. She knew he meant every word and she felt a gratitude that what she’d been through hadn’t just been swept under the rug because it was convenient. She couldn’t stop her self as she reached out, gripping fistfuls of his shirt and tugging him forward, wrapping her arms around his waist.

Klaus’s hands fell away stunned by her embrace but seconds later he wrapped one around her and stroked a hand through her hair as she buried her face in the crook of her shoulder. “I promise, you’ll never have your choices taken from you again.”

And when the time came and he saw Damon again he would make him pay, he wouldn’t kill him.

He would make him suffer in ways he never imagined. His eyes blackened taking on the look of his hybrid eyes, hugging her more tightly to his body as he continued stroke a hand through her blonde strands.

Caroline's arms tightened around, feeling a wave of comfort as his hand's stroke through her hair, his strong arms around her making her feel like there was not a single thing on this earth that could hurt her in this moment.

It could have been seconds or minutes or longer but footsteps sounded before they were being interrupted. “Niklaus, come inside, I have information to share.”

Caroline pulled away at the sound of Elijah’s voice and tried to compose herself, putting more distance between her and Klaus.

“Not now, Elijah.” Klaus snapped, annoyed with the intrusion.

“This is important Niklaus.” Elijah insisted, looking between the two.

Klaus snapped his gaze around to his brother. “I said not now, Elijah!”

“No, it’s fine.” Caroline stood up, brushing grass from her pants. “It could be important.”

Klaus stood, taking her hand in his and catching her eye. “ You’re importan t, Caroline.”

Caroline shot him a warm smile, appreciating his words. “So is this.” She looked at Elijah her warm smile fading. “We’re coming.”

Elijah observed the two, his eyes zeroing on his brother’s grasp on Caroline’s hand with a thoughtful look before he nodded, walking back toward the house.

“Thank you.” Caroline told Klaus, taking a step closer to him when Elijah was gone and brushed a lingering kiss to his cheek, her free hand, gripping his shoulder.

Klaus nodded in surprise, squeezing her hand, his eyes taking her in, feeling more connected to her than he had before.

Caroline gently removed her hand from his and nodded to the house with a small smile. “We should join the others.”

Klaus nodded reluctantly, grabbing up the last bit of the bottle finishing it off and tossing it aside, before placing a hand on her lower back as they the walk back to the house. A comfortable silence between them.

                                                ~*~ ~*~ ~*~

The Mikaelson siblings, Hayley and Caroline sat around the study in various places, Elijah stood behind the desk in the room, explaining everything that he had managed to learn from Davina. “Everything that brought us here to New Orleans was a lie.”

A trickle of fear traveled down Hayley’s spine. They couldn’t know the truth about her and Sophie, could they? The truth about the babies she carried?

“This story that Sophie Deveraux fabricated, this struggle for control of the French Quarter, this war between vampires and witches, wasn't over territory at all, this was over Davina.”

Relief hit her like a wave but she did her best not to outwardly show it. She was just glad that they hadn’t found out the truth of her envolvement with Sophie or how she had stolen something, two something’s that were never meant to be hers but was a price she was willing to pay if it meant she got her family back. Her pack.  

“So all of this for one girl?” Caroline asked, trying to understand. It was a lot to go through all to get to one girl.

“She isn’t just any one girl.” Elijah responded.

                                            ~*~ ~*~ ~*~

“I swear, I had no idea that the Harvest could possibly be real!” Sophie argued, to her sister in the back room of Rousseau’s. Her face was filled with guilt and grief, eyes wet with tears.  

“But the one thing that you were sure of is that I was wrong and that I would risk Monique's life on a maybe. And now my daughter is dead.” Jane-Anne cried, face grief-stricken.  

“Please tell me how to fix this.” Sophie pleaded desperately.  

“Now that Marcel has Davina, how we are even supposed to find her? If we don't finish the Harvest, Monique and those two other girls are dead for real.” Jane-Anne responded, sounding defeated, lost.

Sophie stepped toward her sister, grabbing her hands.  “Look at me. You and I are gonna find a way to get Monique back.” She said firmly, face set in determination. “It'll be our little secret. We'll do it together. I'll seal off the cemetery from the vampires, find Davina, stop Marcel and finish the ritual once and for all. Even if I have to slit Davina's throat myself.”

Jane-Anne nodded, holding tightly to her sister’s hand as she gave her something to hope for. A chance to get her daughter back. No matter the cost.  

                                            ~*~ ~*~ ~*~

“Eight months ago, Sophie Deveraux and her sister Jane-Anne lost everything. Now, four months after that, a young pregnant girl wanders into their restaurant. Suddenly, all hope is renewed. Jane-Anne actually sacrificed her life so that her sister could use Hayley to find Davina. If Sophie Deveraux is successful in capturing Davina, she can return Jane-Anne's daughter back to life.” Said Elijah with weight, looking at each of them. “We thought we'd come here to wage a war for power. This is about family. In order to return her niece to life, Sophie Deveraux will fight to the death. That makes her more dangerous than anyone.”

                                                     ~*~ ~*~ ~*~

Sophie kneeled in front of Jane-Anne's grave at Lafayette Cemetery in the pouring rain, crying. She was not going to let her sister’s death be in vain. She would get her niece, Sophie back at any cost. And she didn’t care who she had to sacrifice to do it.

                                                 ~*~ ~*~ ~*~

Hayley slipped out of the room with the excuse that she was tired but the truth was she needed a moment, breathing deeply, she pushed down the fear that they would find out the truth. She knew if Klaus ever did find out she would be as good as dead. No amount of pleading, begging or negotiating would save her.

She prayed to a god she didn’t even believe in that if Klaus ever did find out the truth she would be long gone.  

Notes:

The Klaus and Caroline scene discussing her experience with compelling was not what I wrote at first. I changed it cause I didn't want to offend anyone but I will be posting the original scene I had planned separately if you want to check it out. It may be triggering so if you're easily triggered you shouldn't read it or if you're a big Damon fan.

Thanks for reading and the continued support for this story. It keeps me motivated.

[caricatlc]

BASICS –

full name: alice marisol romero

nicknames: none

birthdate: 4 august 2025

birthplace: plattsburgh, new york

ethnicity: columbian, cuban, and caucasian

nationality: american, english 

languages: english, spanish

accent: slight bronx accent

APPEARANCE –

hair color & style: dark brown, usually kept waist-length and wavy, with green tips after breaking up with nigel

eye color: dark brown

height: five feet five inches

build: thicc. muscular but also hyper-feminine

skin tone: olive skin that rarely burns and tans well

personal style: 

grunge lite. alice prefers to be comfortable above all else, so soft fabrics and denim are her go-tos. when she dates nigel she adopts a more instagram ho aesthetic to match his, but her heart isn’t really into bodycon dresses if she cant accessorize them with doc martens and a flannel. 

distinguishing marks: expressive face

tattoos: ‘esforzada’ on back of neck ( x ), ivy on left wrist ( x )

piercings: two piercings in both lobes, helix piercing in left ear, daith and industrial in right ear, belly button

FAMILY –

parents: noah romero and lia villace

parental relationships:

while seth is more gregarious, alice is a quiet reflection of noah. as a result, their relationship deals largely in companionable silence. he’s not one to gossip with but always good help for moral quandaries. he’s also more likely to catch alice in the middle of doing something wrong,  but mostly just offers gentle advice and hopes for the best. alice really hates to disappoint her father.

lia is a fun parent. alice almost always has fun with her mother, even if the interaction ends on a sour note. she can run a lot of day-to-day thoughts past her mother-- lia is kept mostly in the loop about the goings on in her daughter’s life. however, some compulsion leads alice to remain silent about her love life as it seems like it would be much easier to let her mother believe that everything is going fine.

siblings: rex, seth, and michael romero

sibling relationships:

when rex came into their lives, alice understood the difference between her twin and an actually older brother immediately. she enjoys spending time with rex, and ever since she was young she was always content to tag along with her ‘fun’ brother.

what can alice say about seth? they know each other better than anyone else, and speak almost exclusively in snark. but opposites don’t always attract, and their very big, drastically different personalities clash and erupt frequently. when times are good, though, they’re each other’s biggest hype-man as they snap another selfie.

michael is a strange one, but alice will always hold a tenderness for her little brother. she’s helped house dozens of wild animals and filmed a vine or two in her time. while she’s not keen on him bringing insects into the house it’d certainly be difficult for her to turn him down for anything.

birth order: only girl, younger twin, middle child

status in family:

alice likes to think that she’s practically invisible in her family. she’s not as rebellious as rex, or as obnoxious as seth, or as rambunctious as michael. but alice is a quiet ride-along for almost everyone in her family-- she really holds good relationships with everyone in the house. for the most part, it really seems like her parents and brother just want the best for her.

distant relations: bash romero, second cousin

pets:

wells and bilbo, the dogs, are always happy to see her, but she’s also conditioned them to remain quiet if they want a treat from her nightly comings and goings. felix, the cat, is a good companion on a gloomy day, with alice finding comfort in his rumbling, sleepy purr.

FRIENDS –

close friends:

alice has known ellie albright since birth. or even before that since ellie’s parents attended the same birthing classes as alice’s. the albrights returned to italy for a few years shortly after ellie’s birth but the two girls were paired up again before they could even tie their shoes. they’ve been best friends ever since. ellie brightens alice up to draw out a softer side than alice rarely presents alone. alice makes ellie more assertive, unafraid to stand up for her friend if she thinks ellie needs help.

it took rumi thatcher a bit longer to enter the picture, but she’s not going anywhere. rumi’s dead-pan sense of humor endeared her to alice immediately after she moved into town in the forth grade. ever the calm logician, rumi finds great amusement in tempering alice’s hot temper. they share a mutual love of nature that often leads them to dreamy afternoons surrounded by beautiful woods.

technically considered a cousin through brotherly love, dallas hong is probably the only boy that alice can completely get along with. he’s certainly the easiest to get along with out of her brother’s crew, with his laidback guy’s guy charm. while she’s annoyed at how tall he’s gotten as they age, she knows that his easygoing personality won’t ever change on her.

tensions:

adam hudson has been seth’s best friend for years, but his and alice’s interactions have always been tentative. he has a way of confronting her with the truth when she’s least likely to accept it. their relationship is hard to define, atleast on alice’s part.

alice and dapne newcomb used to be friends, much to the chagrin of ellie and rumi. the brash blonde wasn’t  always a good influence, and they tended to clash over their many differences in opinion. it wasn’t until alice supposedly ‘stole’ nigel chadwick-wembley from daphne that their relationship fractured completely. daphne is the root cause for much of the suffering alice experienced in high school, so she’s not at all keen to rekindle the friendship.

if there’s one person that alice could do without ever seeing again, it’s nigel chadwick-wembley. he was her first real boyfriend, but the supposed fairytale beginning led to nothing but trouble, even if alice did her best to keep anyone from finding out about the more controlling aspects of his personality. they were on-again off-again for so long, but alice finally broke it off for good and never looked back.

there’s nothing wrong with ruby robbins-- in fact, she’s perfect. alice has always felt like she was competing with the other girl, even if that’s hardly true. they share similar interests but ruby’s easygoing demeanor makes everything seem so effortless in a way that alice can’t help but envy. she does consider ruby a friend, though, and would do anything for her if she asked.

crushes:

so much of the tension in alice’s relationship with adam hudson stems entirely from their mutual attraction. when they were much younger she was aware of it but content to ignore it, but as they’ve grown older things have changed. alice finds herself at odds with his ill-suited girlfriend and with him over it. ever since she kissed him on christmas, the muddled emotions there have only gotten worse.

the first boy that ever had alice truly starstruck was leo robbins. the definition of a cool, older boy, leo’s appeal quickly passed but she remained impressed by his sense of style and teenage rebellion. in fact, alice was quick to take up his mantle selling weed to a few of their acquaintances when leo decided to move on from the business. 

as a friend:

alice is a friend like batman-- she’ll come if you send out the signal. anytime anywhere, alice will be by your side if you’d let her. she’s fiercely protective of them and will want to help them achieve their goals no matter how trivial. she can be too blunt at times, which tends to rub people the wrong way if it’s not quite what they want or expect to hear. but she’ll have your back until the end, without saying ‘i told you so’ to anyone but seth.

PERSONALITY –

positive traits: enterprising, candid, empathetic 

neutral traits: self-sufficient, meticulous, noncommittal

negative traits: volatile, withdrawn, self-involved

astrology sign: leo sun / gemini moon, the confidence man ( x )

mbti: istp-t, the virtuoso

theme songs: i’m not okay (i promise) by my chemical romance / agnes by glass animals

aesthetic:

dyeing your hair in the bathroom, guitar calluses, jumping off the porch roof, lilac bushes, the solitary silence of 4 am, soil between your fingers and toes

LIFESTYLE –

partying habits:

a stoner to the max, alice deals quite literally in weed, inheriting a small client base from leo robbins. when she first started dating nigel, alice found she didn’t mind the party scene. there’s always fun to be had, and she can handle her alcohol. she’s also not necessarily opposed to experimenting at parties-- if there’s a good time to be had, alice will try a sporadic drug or two without feeling particularly inclined to do these things later on her own.  

smoking habits:

directly inherited from her father, alice took up smoking as an act of teenage rebellion and favors menthol cigarettes. she finds it calming to smoke late at night when no one is around, or whenever she is overwhelmed by the situation at hand. finds it to be a handy tool to escape social situations if things aren’t going well.

eating habits:

growing up in a four-child household has definitely made alice a bit food aggressive. she eats when the opportunity presents itself but doesn’t pig out very often. snacks usually seem like a good idea, and alice is content to bring healthy options when she can. late-night meals are a staple in her diet. salty-sweet combinations are her usual favorite.

excercise habits:

alice has been practicing aikido and tae kwon do since she was young, and as a result has adopted a fair amount of exercise and weight training into her daily routine. mostly she just works to maintain equilibrium and not lose any muscle mass or physical ability, but if she’s feeling particularly stressed or upset she’ll throw herself into her workouts.

work ethic:

it’s alice’s belief that she can work hard and play hard, so long as she meets the deadlines set out for her. she’s got decent time management skills and works best with a loose schedule where she can make the decisions about what to do, when. when it comes to school work, alice is content to maintain her good grades in order to fly under the radar with her parents. 

sleeping habits:

when alice feels tired she can fall asleep anywhere, but her penchant for the peace of nighttime usually finds her awake well into the early mornings. she is a deep sleeper, but an agreeable one. sharing a bed with her is not a bad experience as she’ll typically move wherever she is prodded without much fuss. she usually prefers to sleep with a loose comforter and top sheet and will cocoon inside. waking up outside of her typical routine can be a challenge, but once alice wakes up she is awake for good.

ideal living space:

alice’s bedroom at home is well-lit and cozy, with an abundance of houseplants in any available spot of sunlight. her walls are filled with things she likes looking at: posters of her favorite bands, watercolor prints she and ellie made, and endless photos of herself and her friends. she usually takes time once a week to clean up, as she has a tendency to drop clothes or books wherever they lay as she moves onto something else.

quirks:

despite being a fan of all things spooky, jump scares always get her good. she’s usually the middle person in the haunted house group, and subsequently is always getting picked on. she will let you borrow anything she owns, but it’s of utmost importance that you ask first.

INTERESTS –

hobbies:

alice has been playing guitar and practicing martial arts since she was very small. her love for plants wasn’t fostered until later in life, but she prides herself on rehabilitating various wilted houseplants she happens upon. she loves a good smoke session and will make a whole event out of some rolling papers and a gram of fresh weed. she’s usually a pretty willing participant in any photoshoots that ellie cooks up.

best school subject:

science has always been a passion of alice’s. she’s a stem student through and through, excelling in maths and sciences from a very young age. through high school she took college level chemistry and biology courses.

worst school subject:

history always presented its challenges, but as alice grew older and her inability to learn much hands on coupled with the fact that most schooling was a little on the white supremacist side of the situation, alice tended to skip these classes as much as possible or spend as long as she could backtalking a teacher just trying to stick to curriculum. 

opinion of education:

alice doesn’t mind school itself-- college classes are perfectly designed to give alice all the free space she needed in a high school curriculum. but her not-so-stellar experience with the allegedly popular social scene made her more than ready to finally be free of high school.

career aspirations / achievements:

a perfect overlap of her loves of science and nature, alice dreams of becoming a bioengineer. she’s well on her way to it, quickly showing aptitude for higher-level stem courses from an early age.

favorite things:

her guitar, family breakfasts, american beauty, ellie & rumi, pop punk music, hand-rolled joints, ghost adventures,  her freshly-made bed, chocolate covered pretzels, restarting the bell jar,  when plants grow new leaves, her led zeppelin shirt ( x ), god of high school

boredom cure:

driving then walking, or just walking, as far as you can in silence, discovering a beautiful spot to watch the sun set, or rise, depending on when the urge strikes.