#inside the heart of stormy oaks' gravekeeping stormlight

[st-riley-the-brave]

Lanternburn

She had seen many a heaven, many a hell, many a dream and nightmare come to pass but he... he was different.

It wasn't like before.

She swore she would never see the day that she would find herself wishing on stars; she refused to believe there was someone for her. She would even call it a blantant lie-- but that all changed when she traveled to the future, and far away.

And unbeknownst to her, that day he saved her life was the day he began to change her life. And it was only a matter of time until she found herself at love's mercy and at last... she had to give in.

It took a pillow fight to get here.

But to her his love is like the stars that spark through gaps in leaves and echoes of songs long forgotten. And to him her love is like the quiet storm that could last for hours and the brightest of sunglow in spring. And...

and even in the darkest of hours, their time-crossed love is like lanternglow.

[st-riley-the-brave]

[ tag dump? / tag dump! (1 of??) ]

...and stay tuned and mind the mess. Or not!

[st-riley-the-brave]

👻+💀 3: Reality

Riley lied down in an empty, secluded area of the Cemetery, near where her parents and uncle were buried. Not too far off, her cats Nicholas and Penelope were playing with their new sibling–Gabriel, a cocker spaniel puppy that was a surprise present for the Gravekeeper. Icarus and the other owls kept watch at the gate, assisted by Constable Wright. Stormy Oaks itself was quiet tonight. And she had time to think.

Taking a deep breath, she took in the smell of roses in bloom. Near the family stones was the rose bush that Riley planted years ago, and tended to with the help of Lady Catherine. But now, for the moment, the smell reminded her of Egon, and the week she had…

Elysium… can I make a confession? This past week I visited Egon and… well, needless to say, I was in for a lovely surprise. Two if you count earlier this afternoon when I made a quick visit pre-Watch tonight.

For one, this afternoon’s surprise is running adorably rampant with the cats. His name is Gabriel, and he’s an adorable puppy. He’ll be a lovely help around the graveyard. Already the cats are entertained and Icarus–bless that bird, he won’t go near him yet!

And two… well… I’ve come to terms with how I feel about Egon, Elysium. And it took a pillow fight and a kiss to show for it.

Riley sighed, smiling to herself. “Father, Mother, Uncle Eli” she whispered, “I cannae believe it but, it’s happ'ned. And it’s surprising. I…” But she ended up giggling because, perhaps, those three spirits may already have figured it out, and are probably smiling at her in joy.

But with that realisation, came the reality that… she now had, in a sense, another person to protect. Sure, she was the fighter for the underdog and orphaned before a Gravekeeper–but to find herself willing to protect a man with her own life? She never thought she would live to see the day. But it changed the day she met him, and it was only a matter of time… weeks, moments spent outside her own time, adventures, injuries, new memories, a first kiss… It was only a matter of time before she faced the reality that would take some time to get used to. One that she could get used to, very quickly.

The stars seemed to invade the dark expanse of sky and she sighed again, wishing Egon was with her to see this. She hadn’t felt like this before him. And now…

Elysium… I’m in love with Egon.