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duckybeth99 · 7 years ago

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Magical Assistance (Past!Fic)

hey bois who’s ready for rewrites of past canon here we go. obvs by the ending this is only part one and my friends,,, things will not go down The Way You Think

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Magic was a wild, almost untamable thing. So those who had such skill, of both wielding power and the ability to control it, were regarded highly. And such was something she was trying to achieve.

Having power wasn’t the problem for Beth. Control was.

Untrained telekinesis. Untamed cyrokinesis. With a single hint of her emotions blowing out of proportion, her powers would burst forth just as equal. Beth was gifted with powers, but cursed with the lack of knowledge. So John was constantly trying for her. Teaching, training. When her ice went too far, he could melt it. When she needed a sort of time-out, as rudimentary as it sounded, he would make the whole house warmer to make it harder for her powers. For the movement of objects, he relied on his knowledge of the art of magic to push items back. But he was only one man. He struggled to balance his daughter, his son, his work, put food on the table, keep the roof over their heads.

So he looked for help.

He warned his children constantly how dangerous the UpSideDown was, how people and monsters, benevolent and vile roamed on the same streets. Johnny countered with noting Riverview was the same. John gave his son a look at his comment.

Having been husband to a descendent of the great Amemori witch bloodline, he had quite a bit of resources at his disposal. But even with such help on his side, it was nearly impossible to find someone who knew anything about the rare, spectacular magic that was the power over ice and snow. And after much time, he finally found someone who could help.

A witch held of highest prestige, a woman with great intelligence, asked for her skill and intellect often in the world that was the UpSideDown. Upon being contacted that there was someone asking for her help, John and Virginica met, agreed to terms of help for the young ghostly girl. John made sure she was a woman to trust. She seemed familiar with the Amemori legends and was eager to lend her services.

But even so, on the first day of her lessons, John insisted on coming along to see her off at the very least. He hopes to watch the first lesson, but the likeliness wasn’t high. Yet to his own surprise, Virginica allowed the first visit.

In a Realm full of witches, warlocks, and the sort, stood a lavished home, which couldn’t have been bigger than the farm house, but was far more appealing in its exterior. Isolated from the other witch homes, though most were spread a good distance away to keep peace and avoid conflicts, the home glistened like diamonds in the light. Crystallized, the whole home was created of ice, and around the area was a blanket of snow on the ground. In the same radius, clouds laid over the nearby sky and allowed soft winds and gentle snowflakes. John bundled up further into his coat, though Beth floated freely and unbothered. Johnny pushed up the collar of his jacket and shivered within it. As the family stepped to the front door, knocked and waited, Johnny tucked his neck further into his jacket.

“It’s freezing,” he grumbled. “Is there any chance it’s warmer inside?”

“I doubt it,” John shook his head. “I told you to bundle up more, Junior.”

“I didn’t think we were confronting the snow on Mount Everest.”

The front doors slowly opened with no person pushing them. John looked cautious for a moment before permitting his children to step further inside. Beth stood in the middle, the boys on either side of her, not unlike bodyguards of some sort. The family walked further inside the main hall of the home, spying stairs in front of them. The ground and steps, all the furniture and fixtures were created of ice and snow. Boots clicked on the icy stairs, and there stood the witch.

A heavy, curved woman with pale skin, and hair so blonde it was almost white, curled and frozen to permanent tips on her head. Dressed as a fine witch, she was beautiful, but one thing stood out: her arms and hands. From the very tips of her fingers were a pale blue that faded into deeper light blues, before fading back into her skin. None of the family had ever seen someone with such icy hands.

“Welcome!” Virginica’s voice rang as she descended the steps. A white arctic fox followed her, curling close to her feet and swishing its tail. John knew of those creatures, of the familiars that many involved in the life of witchcraft had. “Mr. Bosteau, you’re looking well from our last meeting. And this must be your son and daughter, Johnny and Beth?”

“Yes,” John smiled proudly and nodded. “My daughter is the one you’ll be teaching, but my son and I wanted to escort and watch her, just this first time. We’ve had such an awful bout of negativity that I wanted to be one-hundred-percent sure she’d be alright.”

“Of course,” Virginica smiled kindly. “You know, I have a son of my own. I know such worry. He’s also skilled in the arts of magic and ice. I’m sure he’ll have no trouble helping me when needed, if at all.” The sound of steps neared the stairs. Virginica looked over her shoulder with a smile. “Speak of the Devil. Bosteaus, this is my son. Aquilo Aster.”

A handsome young man descended the steps just as his mother had. Hair spiked up towards the front instead of the sides like his mother, his hair was a pale brown, skin equally pale and cold to his mother’s. But he had the same bright blue eyes like her. He wore a dark, long coat that covered a pale blue vest and dress shirt under it, dark pants, and boots. His face was still for a moment—stoic and cold. But then, a slow smile formed on his face.

“Welcome,” his voice was smooth. Been felt her glow turn brighter. “I’ve yet to see another ice magic user. Is it you?” His eyes landed on Beth. Her glow turned slightly pinker. She gave a shy nod. Aquilo smiled and moved closer, holding out his hand. Beth gently placed hers in it, and neither of them shivered at the touch. He kissed the back of her hand. “It’s a pleasure to meet you, Beth.”

John cleared his throat, “Well now! We’ve got introductions out of the way. I’m very eager to see how these lessons will go.” Virginica gave a simple, slow nod.

“Of course,” she said. “Then let’s begin. Aquilo, you will be my second demonstrator.” She summoned chairs made of ice behind the father and brother, bowing her head at them. “You two may sit and watch.” Johnny crossed his arms and looked at his father for a moment, before John’s eyes insisted his son sit. He did so, albeit slow and with cautious eyes and tense hands. The witch grinned and clapped her hands.

“Now. Let’s begin.”

———

Days and weeks and months of training, and the boys saw progress in the young girl. She would be gone for most of the day while Johnny delivered pizzas around town and John lectured at the campus. Johnny would drive down into the UpSideDown after work to pick up Beth from the Aster house, they’d go home to John just finishing cooking dinner, and Beth would talk all about what she learned and showed her developing control. Johnny would clean up, John would try and continue teaching Beth in terms of normal, human schooling. Some nights Johnny would insist taking over so his worn out father could rest or take personal time on his art. This was the way most days worked. Most of the time.

Except one night, when Johnny had to stay later at work. He texted his dad and sister, annoyance clear in his choice of language. John was stuck with grading at the campus, and neither trusted Beth to venture on her own back home. But that’s when he offered to take her home. Young Aquilo.

“Take her straight home,” Virginica said. “Don’t make her poor family worry too much.”

“Yes, Mother,” Aquilo rolled his eyes. Beth gave a small smile and waved goodbye to her instructor. Aquilo held out his hand to Beth as he led her away from the perpetually snow-covered land around his home. Beth watches the flakes float down. With a gentle wave of her hand, she was able to guide them with ease. Aquilo smiled.

“Beautiful, isn’t it?” he asked. Beth nodded.

“It’s... it’s magical,” she said. She felt her glow turn brighter and she stammered with a nervous smile, “I-I mean, obviously it’s magical, but I mean—you know?” Aquilo offered a small chuckle.

“I get it,” he replied. “I’m sorry that I don’t have a bike like your brother to take you home on. We’ll just have to go the long way.”

“I already let them know,” Beth shyly brushed a curl behind her ear. “They worry so much over me. If it’s warranted or not, I guess I can’t say, but it is a fact of them.”

“Believe me, I know overprotective parents,” Aquilo placed his hands in his pockets. “I love her, but I’m all she’s got. She’d be worried sick if anything ever happened to me. I’m her pride and joy. Her best creation.” The two walked in silence for a while longer. “You know, you really are something special, Beth. Your powers... so raw and incredible. I’m impressed.”

“Thank you,” Beth felt herself smile wider and blush more. “I’m... I don’t think I’m anything special. And I’ve never really felt like I belong anywhere. But being here with you and your mom, a-and learning what I can do... I feel like I could be anything. I feel like I belong.”

“You should,” Aquilo stopped walking, smiling kindly. “Because you do.”

“I haven’t felt like I have in so long. Even with Johnny and Dad. I-I know I’m different than them because—mm. It’s... hard.”

“I understand. I haven’t had the best time with people before. But you make all that different to me. I know you’ve been thanking us for lessons, but I should be thanking you, too, Beth.”

They stood still for a moment, Beth shyly holding a hand against her chest. As Aquilo breathed, she saw his breath and realized it was snowing over them. She blinked and looked up at the small cloud over their heads.

“Am I—?”

“It’s us both.” Beth’s eyes looked into Aquilo’s deep blue ones. “It’s an emotional power, remember?”

“So... what is this?”

“What do you think? Tell me about it.”

“It’s... soft snow,” Beth looked back up at the small cloud. “Only over us. No big storm clouds or powerful wind. It’s... soft. Gentle.” Aquilo took a step closer. He gave a smile down at Beth. If the young ghost had a heart, it would have jumped from her chest.

“What emotion is that close to?” he whispered.

“Calm. Peace.” She looked down shyly, almost afraid to admit. Her hands shook. “Love?”

“Yeah.”

Beth slowly closed her eyes, and felt Aquilo’s lips against hers. She felt a shiver, but not caused by cold. Aquilo gently parted from her. He held out his hand to her once more.

“We should get you back home,” he said with a twinkle in his eyes. “Your father and brother could be home any minute.” Beth stared at his hand. “Beth?”

“Did we really just—?”

“I’m sorry if you weren’t ready, I just thought that—“

“No!” Beth’a glow turned bright. “No, I-I liked it. I’ve just... never had anybody like me back that way before.” Aquilo shrugged.

“You should have,” he said. “You deserve it.” Beth, for the first time that night, gave a calmer smile to Aquilo. She gently took his hand.

“Thank you,” she said. “For that and... taking me home.” Their fingers intertwined. Neither shivered or showed discomfort at the cold each other released.

“It’s what boyfriends do.”

————

There were mixed feelings with the developing relationship, for Johnny and his father at least. John wanted to encourage Beth to find love, and Aquilo seemed respectable. He was a gentleman, more mature than other sixteen-year-olds. But his overprotectiveness still pinged and tapped his shoulder. Johnny wanted the same, the same happiness for Beth. But Aquilo seemed too charming. Too good with words. Hell, he quoted Shakespeare when they invited him to dinner to express his feelings for Beth. He compared himself to Romeo and Beth his Juliet.

While not big on theater since high school, he remembered reading the play and his ex-boyfriend talking about it amongst many other plays and musicals. He was familiar with the blind love and stupidity that lead to downfall. One thing was for certain, he didn’t want that for Beth. His little sister had been hurt too much already. Not again.

As John slowly calmed and began to enjoy the intellectual conversations with Aquilo, his punctuality with Beth and always following orders, his managing to sweep Beth off her feet every date they had... he was finding fewer and fewer real, tangible reasons to disapprove. As he worked in his study one night while Johnny scowled in the living room waiting for Beth to come back home, he spotted them in the window, coming back towards the house.

Johnny waited to hear the door open. Minutes passed. He paused his video game and started to head towards the front of house. The young man pressed his ear to the front door, hearing them talk on the porch, sitting together.

“You’re... wonderful,” Beth sighed, resting her head against Aquilo’s shoulder. “I’ve never felt this way for anybody before.”

“Neither have I,” Aquilo chuckled. Johnny wanted to gag. He heard them kiss. The old wood creaked with Aquilo standing up, holding his hands with Beth as he helped her stand. He kissed her knuckles. “Parting is such sweet sorrow,” he brushed a curl from Beth’s hair, “that I shall say goodnight til it be morrow.”

“Goodnight,” Beth smiled back at Aquilo. She started to turn towards the door, Johnny backing up quickly to try and not be caught.

“Wait, I almost forgot!” Aquilo chuckled. “Here. A gift.”

He held out a small box to Beth. She timidly took it, opening it up. Inside was a velvet cloth, that when pulled back revealed a shimmering heart. Beth gasped at it.

“It’s amazing,” she breathed. “Thank you so much.” Johnny peeked through the peephole and watched, before sneaking back behind the door. Barely missing it, Beth entered the house.

“Dad, Johnny!” she called, “I’m home!” Johnny let out an almost silent breath and shimmied away from the wall. As Beth went inside the kitchen, looking for her family, Johnny pretended he just came down the stairs.

“Uh, hey—“ he quickly slid into place, startling Beth. “How was it?”

“Were you there the—never mind. It was wonderful,” Beth sighed dreamily. “He’s incredible. But I’m beat. Um, mind not blocking the stairs so I can go to bed?”

“Sure, sure,” Johnny mumbled, stepping aside. He watched his sister go upstairs, and he felt unease crawl up inside of him. He crossed his arms, shook his head, and grabbed another soda. With this feeling sitting in him, he wasn’t going to get sleep anytime soon. He’s rather just veg out and wait for it to pass.

———

“What is it with them being so nice?”

“Junior, not every one is cruel. You’re too shaken from our bad run-ins.”

“And you aren’t?”

“Watch your tone, Johnny,” John looked at his son, hard and with firmness in his voice. Johnny scoffed and pressed his chin in his hand. “Now when it comes to anxiety, you know it doesn’t get worse than me. But as I’ve watched, the Asters are very good people. They’ve given me no reason to distrust them. Bethany tells us everything she learns, all they do with her... Virginica is a kind mother, a successful mentor, Aquilo has equal intellect and not to mention charm and being a gentleman.”

“But doesn’t it all feel too perfect?” Johnny asked. John sighed. He set down the music box he was crafting, turned his stool and placed a hand on his son’s shoulder.

“I know you’re worried about her, son,” he began. “But Bethany is not twelve anymore. She doesn’t need you to fight bullies who are... gone now, she doesn’t need you to protect her from Merhib. Perhaps we’ve grown too used to being on guard and fearful. Perhaps my paranoia has brought that on to you, too. But I promise you, she’s alright. The monsters after her are gone and over. Maybe we’re not used to peace in our lives, but we finally have it. Adjustment might take time to that, after all this... trauma and fuss.”

“Yeah,” Johnny grumbled. “Maybe.” He stood up from his own stool, grabbed his jacket off the garage wall and shoved his fists into his pockets.

“Where are you going?” John blinked. Johnny grabbed his helmet off the wall.

“To talk to somebody who’ll listen and get what I’m saying.”

#beth writing #ask bloge #welcome to riverview #ghosty blogging #ghosty beth #johnny bosteau #aquilo aster #virginica aster

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bosteau-and-bosteau-blog · 7 years ago

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An unusual place for an unusual man, John supposed. He’d seen weird but this was something else entirely. Out on a trip for research, and listening to a few tips he’d gotten from people along the way who’d seen all manner of unusual creature—from minotaurs to rainbow-vomiting gnomes—the name Gravity Falls kept jumping up the closer he got. With that much activity centered in one common location, he couldn’t resist looking into it.

So, of course, a building by the name of ‘Mystery Shack’ in the weirdest town he’d ever heard of was definitely on the list to be visited.

Approaching the man, at first he thinks it’s a costume. A tourist shop, he shoud have guessed, but a grown man with such an odd appearance was weirdly unfitting. But as he’s greeted, John realizes it is not, in fact, a costume. He’s seen a kitsune before, but not a man bearing similar traits. This was decidedly a first for him.

The man addresses him and he realizes he’s been staring at the tails for a solid ten seconds. Manners, John.

“Ah, my apologies, Johnathan Bosteau,” he says with a stammer, taking the man’s hand for a firm shake. “Pleasure to meet your acquaintance.” He avoids looking at the man’s physical attributes and decides to observe the cabin and the surrounding woods. “I’ve heard a few tall tales about this town and took interest in finding out for myself if they were true or not. I’m a scientist by trade, you see, this sort of thing is right up my alley.”

@bosteau-and-bosteau liked for a starter!

The Mystery Shack of Gravity Falls, Oregon was…bigger, than the pamphlets said it was. It looked more like a lodge and less like a tourist trap, although the “museum” and “gift shop” entrances clearly proclaimed what sort of place the log building technically was.

The fact that there was a gray-haired man with six red-gold, gray tipped tails and matching ears on top of his head said that there was more to the place than it just being a money sucker.

The man’s ears flicked as the stranger approached, and he shifted his position on the beaten couch on the porch to give the man his full attention. There was a cautiousness in his brown, slit-pupil eyes that said he wasn’t sure what to make of this new fellow.

“I haven’t seen you around here before,” Sixer said carefully. “What brings you to Gravity Falls?”

#thread #sixfingersixtails #john #ic #(( thanks! ))

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duckybeth99 · 7 years ago

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((107 Moirin to Alex!!))

“Regardless of what they think, I know you’re an amazing person.”She holds his shoulder as she says this, and the gold glow in Alex’s eyes triggered by his emotions falters. He presses his hands against his eyes, rubbing them to make sure all of the gold vanishes. Alex looks back at her and blinks his eyes, now back to their silver color.“I just—“ he sighs and sits on the steps of Moirin’s porch, pinching the bridge of his nose. “I just can’t keep doing this. It feels like everyone is against me, aside from you, the kids, your mom, Thomas, my family... but everyone else hates me.”“Neva doesn’t hate you,” Moirin offers, “neither does Alice. And I have a feeling that Makoto and Adam are far more open to you than you know. You’ve just known John and Johnny for longer and are used to that being their household.”“Yeah,” Alex sighs, “but... but all of them, they barely know me. Johnny’s known me my whole life with my sister! He didn’t hate me then. And, and it’s not just them who hate me, what about Mabuz? And Virginica, and Aquilo, and Discord, and Merhib! Beth’s own biological dad killed me!!”“Yes, but John didn’t,” Moirin points out. Alex still looks frustrated. “Alex... John doesn’t want anything bad for you. He’s just... stubborn. And so is Johnny. And Mabuz. They’re holding you to ridiculous standards that none of them, including Mabuz, can uphold themselves. All those other people hate more than just you, too, Alex. Believe me.” He goes quiet and thinks on what she says. He sighs again and rests against the handrail of the porch steps.“You know,” Alex murmurs, “when I died, I kept asking ‘why me?’. I kind of haven’t stopped since with the Bosteaus and Discord.”

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duckybeth99 · 7 years ago

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oh ya another thing I was talking to @genjis-girlfriend abt this trip among my other giant au post is that we were trying to figure out harry potter houses cuz let’s be real: I Don’t Care About The Plot I’m just here for a cute magic boarding school w weird teachers and sorted houses, so here’s what I have figured out. beware, my understanding of houses have shifted from Basic to Slightly Less Basic so uhhhh some of these May Surprise You

Beth: gryffindor, half muggle blood, Alex: hufflepuff, muggle born, Mabuz: professor, muggle born, gryffondor, Merhib: also a professor, Beth’s bio dad (haven’t figured out yet how/why she ends up w the Bosteaus in this au), ravenclaw, Alice: half muggle born, hufflepuff, Esther: ravenclaw Zachary: a professor also but obvs Much older than Merhib, ppl constantly confuse them when saying “professor collins” tho lol, went to school w John and the other adults, a slytherin, Virginica: professor, slytherin, Aquilo: slytherin

I could go into this more but this is the very basics lmao

#welcome to riverview #ask bloge #hp au

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duckybeth99 · 7 years ago

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Familiarity (Past!Fic)

sup bishes I’m not off the backstory fic train also I figured out I can maybe post this via browser on my iPad cuz everything looks like desktop on it so!!!!! Cross ur fingers

———

He met her a couple times. Just a young girl from further in the town, went to the local high school, the same as he was expecting his child to go to later.

He met her at the gallery held every school year. Everything the students felt had been their best work was on display, not only from the fine art program. A few music students auditioned to play music, culinary students made treats and snacks to serve during the event. Film students showed off movies they made. The most exciting part would be when local professionals would come, see the work, talk to the creators, offer tips. People would get their names known. Some from colleges would visit.

That’s how they met.

Neva took a deep breath, playing with a curl at the side of her face. Merhib stepped closer beside her and squeezed her free hand. She almost jumped at the sudden touch.

“Easy,” he smiled down at her. “It’s gonna be fine.”

“Nobody’s come up to say anything to me,” Neva looked around anxiously. “I think I picked stuff too weird.”

“You’re an abstract kind of artist,” Merhib shrugged. “It can freak people out. They’re more into those fancy-pants classical stuff.” When Neva didn’t perk up, Merhib looked at her more comforting, wrapping an arm around her shoulder. He pressed a kiss to her temple with a smile.

“Just give everyone a minute,” he calmed her. Neva took another breath.

“I have to go get ready for my song,” she murmured. “I think people will say something after that. Can you watch over my stuff?”

“Sure,” Merhib pressed a kiss to his new girlfriend’s soft lips. She gave a smile up to him, much more relaxed. As she headed off to the side of the room where the performers were to play, Merhib leaned up against the wall, scratching the back of his hair as he watched the people come and go. He adjusted his jacket and waited for her to start, crossing his arms.

As he watched the people come and go, he reflected on actually acting his age for once. He died at seventeen. Permanently stuck on the border of being an adult and being too young. Yet, he was the king of a Realm, held it all in the palm of his hand, expected to be a ruler. Mabuz commented every once in a while how immature he could be, how his choices weren’t always the best and tried to steer him the right way.

But for once, he was his age again, and the only downside was having to act normal.

Merhib looked to another oat of the gallery, seeing a man wander and admiring the artwork. Some photography, some sculptures, ceramics and such, but primarily fine art. Paintings, dry media. Some students seemed excited when he talked to them.

He was an older man, with ginger hair and flecks of grey in it. A mustache rested under his nose, hair with curls. It gave him a weird sense of deja vu at seeing both his hair, and his face in general. He looked too familiar. Brown eyes instead of blue ones like the ghost he saw. Alive, unlike the ghost he met years ago when he was alive.

His heart jumped for a moment and his hand curled tighter against his arm.

No. Couldn’t be.

Neva starting to sing and play on her guitar pulled him from his thoughts. He listened to her sing with a smile, playing a rock song acoustically to prevent the school administration from yelling at her again. She performed just as well either way—almost everyone seemed distracted from what they were don’t to just watch her.

Merhib couldn’t help but feel his dark eyes glance sideways as the other man clapped politely when the song ended. He seemed pleased himself as well. Merhib turned his gaze back to Neva and clapped, giving a whistle to her. Neva laughed as soon as she heard it, stepping aside to let the next person play.

Merhib glanced over his shoulder one more time as Neva set her guitar down and made her way over, and he noticed the other man briefly staring back at him, too.

Could he have really—

“Hey!”

Merhib turned back to Neva and grinned, pulling her close, pale hands on her back and pressing her against him. She stood on the tips of her feet and kissed him excitedly.

“Were you spacing out or something?” Neva smirked, wrapping her arms on his shoulders, one of her hands sliding through the back of his ginger, curled hair. He shook his head.

“Nah,” he pressed his forehead to Neva. She snickered.

“You’re a bad liar,” Neva teased. Merhib slid his hands to Neva’s hips and smirked back with a quiet chuckle. “Just like always.”

“Stop,” he teased. Neva laughed again and moved to give him another kiss.

A clearing of someone’s throat stopped the two. On instinct, Merhib quickly pulled himself off of his girlfriend. Neva brushed a curl behind her ear and shuffled on her feet, eyes down despite the soft smile on her face.

“Sorry,” said Neva quickly. It was the man Merhib had been watching. The moment his girlfriend lifted her eyes, she became excited once again. “Professor Bosteau! Oh, I’m so sorry, hello!”

“Hello to you too, li’l lady,” he smiled back. Merhib felt one of his hands curl and uncurl. He shoved his fist into his pocket, other hand holding Neva’s. “Sorry for interrupting. I was just wondering if this was your artwork here.” A worn finger gestured to the paintings and sketches behind her. Neva nodded excitedly.

“Y-yes, these are mine,” she felt her cheeks flush as she stepped aside to show her artwork, pulling Merhib with her. “All stuff I’ve done this year.”

“What grade and age are you, my dear?” Professor Bosteau bent closer to the paintings to examine them, squinting past a small pair of glasses over his eyes.

Neva’s smile was at risk of falling off her face. “I-I’m sixteen,” she looked up at her boyfriend with hope in her brown sparkling eyes. “Just turned sixteen, actually. I’m a junior.”

“Your work holds a lot of expression,” the Professor nodded. “Pretty hard to see in artists your age. They’re having too much or a hard time in technique to express it. You need a little more technicality in your brushstrokes and blending,” and he moved his fingers in the air, close to the paintings, and Neva hung on his every word, “but I’m sure with practice in the next art class up, you’ll be in a fantastic place. Have you considered attending Riverview Community College?”

“Yes, actually,” Neva twirled a lock of her hair excitedly, “I-I actually really like the campus and I’m keeping my fingers crossed I get you as my art professor, sir.”

“Aw, shucks,” Professor Bosteau chuckled. “You hold me with too high an honor. But thank you. I’m flattered either way. I’ve got to visit some of the other artists, but—“ and he took both of Neva’s hands in his and shook them, “—I do hope I see you again, and I wish you luck. What was your name?”

“Neva Arazel,” the young girl beamed. Professor Bosteau nodded. As he made his way, Neva danced in her spot. Merhib stared at John in disbelief.

“Merhib, did you hear?” she asked excitedly, wrapping her arms around his shoulders and kissing him eagerly. “He liked my stuff!”

“Yeah,” Merhib pushed out the best smile he could. Neva looked at him unsure.

“You okay?” Her words brought him back for a moment. Merhib blinked and gave a smile, more sincere and full.

“Yeah,” he said. “I just wanna get some air.” Neva gave him a kind smile and linked his fingers with hers.

“We can head out,” she said. “Thank you so much for being here with me.” Merhib smiles and kissed her forehead.

“Anything for you.”

——

At sixteen years old, he made the way to the old wailing house.

Legends told of a ghost living there, a soul who was lost and punished to face total damnation, roaming the earth and to never escape into a peaceful afterlife. They said he was a man tortured by his past, by atrocities he committed in the past. Young people went there often on dares, see who was brave, see who was too afraid. People who previously didn’t believe in ghost were terrified by the reality they saw.

But he wasn’t here on a dare. He was here based on his grandfather’s notes and the information he gathered on the legend.

Merhib couldn’t ask his driver to take him without his father finding out. So, instead he hailed for a taxi to take him as far as he could, then walked the rest of the way though the infamous woods of Riverview. He followed the river the town was named after to find his way into the woods, keeping his flashlight and both his and Zachary’s notebooks close to himself.

He was going to face it. The demon that resided there. No, the ghost. He would speak with him. Make contact. It would be an incredible advancement.

Merhib walked up to the creaking steps of the porch and held tight to his journals. Tucking his flashlight under his other arm, he gently opened the door.

The smell of death flooded his nose.

Merhib held back a gag, grabbed his flashlight and switched it on. He slowly wandered from the front hallway to the living room, both frightened and fascinated. His grandfather said people he worked with years ago lived there. Both went missing, at different times. With his grandfather now passed, his research was all he had left to go off of for his guidance.

Merhib felt the whole house sway for a moment, but not like an earthquake. For a moment, he thought the wind was beating against the old place. But the namesake of the home...

Merhib took only another step further before the ghost revealed itself.

“Intruder,” the house seemed to whisper, as though thousands of voices were intertwined with the wood and walls, the floorboards and every creek. Slowly, a faint blue glow made itself known. Merhib stared wide-eyed at it. The ghost. He was real.

“You shouldn’t be here,” the ghost whispered. “No one should be here. Not in this damned place.”

“I-I’m sorry for intruding,” Merhib spoke up, and he realized his pale, long and thin hands were shaking. “I-I came here to—“

“Stare at the monster, didn’t you,” the ghost interrupted. “Came on a dare. I know how you youths are.”

“That’s not it at all!” Merhib gave a weak, nervous smile and soft laugh. “I-I came because... because I want to know who you are.” The ghost seemed confused. He slowly floated down from above the young man and faced him. Merhib could see just how tired, how worn the spirit was.

“No one should know who I am,” the ghost sighed. “I am... I am a pathetic excuse of a man, I’m a monster.”

“I don’t think of you like that at all.”

“You hardly know me, young man.”

Merhib held out his hand, startling the ghost. He gave another small smile, “My name is Merhib.”

“People... call me Ghost now,” Ghost said, but didn’t touch Merhib’s hand. He slowly set his hand back down. “What... what do you have there?”

“Oh, uh,” Merhib blinked and looked at the books in his hands. “Research. From my grandfather. It’s how I began to learn that people like you are out there.”

“Monsters?”

“I wouldn’t put it that way, Mr. Ghost.” He fumbled with all the objects in his hands momentarily, “Uh, a-and I have my own notebook, too. I wanted to get to know you. Learn about you. You’re incredible.”

The words didn’t sit right with Ghost, “You should not say those sorts of things, Merhib. It can lead you on a dark path.”

“H... how so?”

“You could make the same mistakes as me.”

“What... mistakes did you make?”

Ghost hesitated, and the whole house seemed to creek. He sighed, and confessed, “For the sake of my warning to you... I’ll tell you. I once worked at a laboratory. We... we researched people like me. Ghosts. Witches. Psychics, mermaids, all sorts of creatures. We studied them until they were in pain. Until they were dead. I... I hurt these creatures, a-and some were children—“ The house started to violently vibrate again. Merhib dropped his books and light, feeling the ground shake. As the ghost cried and wailed, Merhib found it harder and harder to stay on his feet. The boards creaked and broke; the ghost cried and cried, no words coming from his mouth anymore. Drowned out by his regret. Merhib looked around for something to hold on to. As he tried to move, he slipped on his light and books and fell to the floor.

Merhib saw something from higher above shake. The roof was caving in. He tucked his arms over his head as one of the windows vibrated and shattered near him. Unveiling himself, he looked up as the roof was ready to fall.

“Stop!!”

He instinctively held his arm up, up at the caving roof, as the wood already began to fall, and it stopped. Eyes shut tight, Merhib was still prepared to get hurt. The house still shook for a moment, until Ghost noticed what the young man was doing. He watched the parts suspended in air for a brief moment before it all fell back down. Merhib rolled out of the way, but nothing else fell. The house stopped shaking.

“How did you—?”

“I’m sorry,” Merhib got up and dusted off his vest, “I-I didn’t mean to bring up something that was going to destroy the house.” Ghost went quiet and looked sheepish.

“I shouldn’t... have reacted in such a way,” he murmured. “But don’t you see? It’s dangerous here, it’s dangerous to talk about what’s happened.”

“I... see,” Merhib slowly nodded. He picked his flashlight back up and looked around for his notebooks. Ghost floated towards one. He recognized the handwriting, and his wounds oozed from the back of his head, the house turned cold. Merhib went to grab the other notebook, when he saw Ghost staring down at it.

“Um—“ Merhib reached for the notebook, but Ghost’s cold gaze stopped him. “My—m-my book—?”

“This is not yours,” Ghost whispered. “This was his.”

“His?”

“Zachary Collins.” The dead man’s words held venom as he spat out the name in disgust. Merhib slowly picked up his notebook.

“H-he was my grandfather,” he said. “He died a while back. Left all this stuff for me.” The house vibrated again, but it was a different kind. Not of wailing. Not of mourning. Of hate. Of rage.

“That—that monster—!!”

“Huh?!”

Merhib ducked his head again and avoided more rotted, broken wood falling. Ghost seemed to turn monstrous, violent. His glow was intense, matching the rage and pain in his eyes. Merhib stared at him in fear.

“He—he did this to me—“ Ghost gripped his head. “He convinced me to work there! Told me what I was doing was right, he threatened me, Adam, he was cruel, he encouraged us—he told us to kill them, they were just children—!!”

Merhib managed to reach a table and duck under it. Everything was falling, everything was shaking, and it felt like it followed him wherever he turned. The rage was directed at him.

“I-I’m not him!” Merhib shouted about the noise, the sheer calamity, but the ghost’s rage continued. He pointed out, out the front door.

“Leave!!” Ghost’s voice turned monstrous. “Leave and never come back!!” Merhib grabbed his light and books and ran out of the house as fast as he could. He feared that if he didn’t, the entire place would collapse onto him. He tumbled into the dirt and stared at the place in shock.

Merhib slowly stood up and turned back to follow the river, back to town. He wiped away the blood from his tumble and the dirt the best he could before he hailed for another taxi. Climbing in once one finally showed up, he told the driver to go back to Shoreline Manor, and the entire drive, Merhib continued to flip through the pages and think about the ghost.

His grandfather’s ramblings were true. All he wrote about were true. Despite everything, he was still a brilliant scientist, a man who wouldn’t let anyone stand in the way of his progress. That wasn’t inherently bad. But if what Ghost has said were true...

He would get answers. He wouldn’t do it how Zachary did, though. Ghost gave him plenty warning against it. But the answers would come to him. All would know.

#beth writing #ghosty blogging #neva arazel #merhib the demon

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duckybeth99 · 7 years ago

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A Town of Change and Progress (Western AU)

hey uh I fuckin hate how tumblr breaks my formatting on fics it takes me an extra few minutes to edit this shit and a lot of my old fics at least on mobile r broken now thx tungle dot com. anyway welcome to western au reboot choo choo choooooooo

——

Some would think the town was founded years and years ago. But in reality, it was actually only a short time ago.

It started when the posh Jackson Morrison came into town and founded a little place called Riverview Ravine, in the wild and free expanding landscapes further out from the loud and congested cities. He founded and financed it from his line of banks and businesses; he chose people to lead the town’s development and he would be sent information on his new little town frequently. He was too busy with his businesses to move there, but he did want the bragging rights of being a town founder and use it as a sign of his power that even his other business associates didn’t have yet.

So, he picked a few simple people to start businesses, care for basic needs in the town. He employed a mayor, a doctor, a school teacher, a barber, a dress shop owner, people to run a farm for the local area, people to run a local train station, people to run a jail and one of his banks, so on and so forth. Carefully chosen was each person to be sent to settle this new little town.

Of course, he knew more people would move in over time. He expected this place to thrive. And in just a few years, it began to.

———

“It’s only a minor headache,” John chuckled and looked back to Moirin. “Flynn’s gonna be just fine. Keep him well hydrated, let him rest for a while. Probably was just working too much lately.”

“I don’t know what I would do without you, John,” Moirin smiled at her friend gladly. Flynn kept rubbing and almost pawing at his forehead. Moirin gave a sympathetic look to her eldest boy. “Well, I’m sure we have enough staff to handle missing one waiter.”

“But I wanted to see the show!” Flynn frowned. Moirin tsked at him.

“No buts, young man,” she said. “The minute we get home, you’re heading straight to bed.”

John smiled kindly at his friends when he heard something downstairs. He looked back to Moirin, “‘Scuse me. You know your way out, right? I’m sure that’s Junior downstairs.”

The doctor headed down from his upstairs medical room down to the back porch. There, he saw Johnny, sweaty and dirty, splashing his face with water from the faucet.

“No need to make such a racket,” John teased. “You know how your father likes to sleep in.”

“Yeah? Well, some of us have to get up early for work if we like it or not,” Johnny rolled his eyes. He snatched up a broom from the side and hit it against the ceiling, “Here that, Dad?! Wake up! I bet Alice has had the shop open for hours already before you!”

Muffled from upstairs, the two men heard the other man shout back down, “I need my beauty sleep! Stuff it!!”

“Well, now you’ve got him started,” Makoto packed her school books. “I hope you’re happy, boys.”

“Would it kill him to be useful?”

“No, but it could kill him to wake up before a certain hour. I’m convinced that’s why he sleeps so much.” Makoto offered a teasing smile to her son before crossing to John and kissing his cheek.

“Go and educate the youth,” he smiled.

“You make it sound so noble,” Makoto rolled her eyes, but her smile persisted. “Has Beth left already? I didn’t even catch her this morning.”

“She insisted on walking by herself to school,” Johnny finally had his face completely washed. “Pops and I said no, so she walked with the other kids. They’re all waiting for you, I’m sure, Ma.” Makoto made her way over to her son and kissed his cheek.

“I’ll be off,” she waved to her family, and John heard the thundering of Adam from down the stairs.

“Damn it, Johnny, let me get a good night’s sleep for once,” he scoffed as he adjusted his coat. John laughed.

“Now, now, don’t fight,” he smiled, placing his hands on both their shoulders. “Junior, go ahead and get your rest. I promise I won’t disturb you. Adam, eat up some breakfast before you go to the shop.”

“Only if it’s edible,” Adam raised his head high and strode to the kitchen. Johnny dusted off his hands on his work clothes.

“Well I brought in fresh—“

“Stop wiping your hands on your clothes!” Adam scolded over his shoulder.

Johnny scoffed under his breath, “Neat freak.”

As much as his family clashed, Johnathan Bosteau, Sr. loved his odd family.

———

As Alice tried to hop up and down to dust the top of one of the tall cabinets, Adam rolled his eyes, gently shooed her away, and took the feather duster and cleaned with ease.

“You’re too short for any good housework here,” he waved his hand. Alice scratched the back of her head with a timid shrug.

“But I do everything else alright!” she smiled. Adam crossed to the front door and flipped the open sign to closed. “I’m your best employee!”

“Yes, it’s a very big achievement,” Adam smirked over his shoulder. “Very hard with you being my only employee. Go on upstairs and get some rest. We have a lot of fancy shipments to tailor tomorrow. Some grand party coming up in a town not too far.” Alice nodded eagerly and headed to the upstairs apartment of the the shop.

Adam kept that place from before he married John and Makoto, when he lived alone and secluded. True, it was easy to care for himself in such a situation, but he had to admit it was rather lonely. He was glad to have the family he did now.

He started to rent it out to the McEllen family when they first came into town, after he was married. To a Molly and Melissa McEllen. Soon, Molly herself moved out to live with the old bakery, Jeremiah Schwartz, her new husband. Though, Adam had to admit, the addition of Alice seemed to pop up quickly after their union. Too quickly. Before they even met.

He didn’t care. It was their business. So he let Melissa rent the apartment, cut the price to minuscule when she started to help him in his shop. When Schwartz died, Molly handed off the bakery to another man, some timid man who barely ever came out of the damn place. She went back to the apartment, worked for Adam again, and he saw the little baby become a teenager who worked for him now, with her mother and grandmother now passed.

As Adam locked up his supplies and front door, he thought he heard something. Keen as he was in his senses, he brushed it off casually as some kind of animal skirting about.

But still, as he was about to leave through the backdoor, he wasn’t too sure.

So he sat in the dark and waited.

———

Alex waited until the entire town was asleep. The train station and jail were the only places with lanterns still on outside the home. But it didn’t look like anyway was awake. The saloon was shut, houses dead quiet.

The young man adjusted his hat and kept his eyes peeled as he slowly, quietly guided his horse towards the back of one of the shops. In his time in this line of work, he knew people rarely locked up the back doors.

“Sh,” Alex pressed a finger to his lips as he climbed off his horse. He pet his snout and gestured for him to lie below the window. The horse bowed its neck the best it could. Alex smirked at the effort and gave his friend an apple.

He slipped to the backdoor and slowly twisted the knob. Unlocked. Perfect.

Slipping through the shadows, weapon resting against him, Alex snuck inside the shop. Some food was available. He opened up his satchel and tossed in the few fruits. Snuck up to one of the shelves and pulled out clothes, as much as he could shove in. This was enough.

As Alex turned to leave without any conflict, his grey eyes glanced at it.

He spotted a gorgeous sculpture, elegantly crafted. It had to be worth a lot.

He glanced at the backdoor. This would be enough for the orphans and himself, what he already grabbed. But this could get him everything else he needed, too.

The young boy slunk towards it, carefully picking up the sculpture.

A lamp clicked on behind him.

“I knew I heard something,” Adam sat, legs crossed and head held high, shadows crossing his face. “Put it back. Everything you took.”

Alex looked at the sculpture in his hands.

He bolted to the backdoor.

Surprisingly quickly, Adam stood and grabbed Alex by his satchel, pulling him back. The old bag tore. Slipping over everything that spilled, Alex lost hold of the sculpture.

It shattered right in front of the door.

With a surprising strength, Adam pulled Alex back towards him with a furious look in his eyes.

“You little—“

“Adam, what’s going—“ Alice rushed down the stairs, then shrieked at seeing Alex. “Thief!! Thief!!”

“Alice, go get help!” Adam barked. She shuffled anxiously on the tips of her toes before she ran out of the shop.

“Let go of me!” Alex tried to tug himself away. Adam scoffed.

“Oh, no you don’t,” he growled. “Thieves like you have to pay.”

“Let go!” Alex stomped on Adam’s foot, then fought out of his hold. The thief ran to his broken satchel, picked it up, and grabbed all the food and clothes he could carry.

Packing everything quickly onto his horse’s pouches, he held tight to his hat and the reigns of his horse. The horse whinnied loudly, standing high briefly before the two charged out of the town. Alerted by the sound of the horse and Alice getting help, most of the townsfolk rushed out of their homes to see the commotion.

Alex tugged the reins, twisting his horse away from the people who tried to stop him. He hasn’t been caught yet, and he wasn’t going to get caught now, in this place, by these people. Almost close to escaping the town, Alex grinned and patted his horse to go faster.

He was stopped by another man on a horse, one much larger and older than him. His badge was what made Alex sweat as opposed to the size difference. In his panic, the young thief froze, allowing more of the townspeople to circle him. Several women and men held up their own ideas of weapons, ranging from a frying pan, a cane, and an actual shotgun.

Alex swallowed.

———

“Now there’s no need to argue about him,” Drefan burst inside the saloon, hands resting on his belt and holster. Early that morning, the adults of the town gathered to discuss about the thief who strode into town late the prior night. “He’s in the jail. He’ll rot in there.”

“We’ve never had to use that jail since this town opened!” Vincent fussed. Smaller than the rest of the adults, he had to emphasize himself often. “Now we actually... have to care for it! Have upkeep!”

“Is that something for us to be genuinely concerned about?” Drefan sat down amongst all the others. “What an odd trifle.”

“I have a right to be concerned—“

“Don’t start another fight,” Mabuz rubber his forehead in an annoyed manner. “Please.”

“What if he breaks out?” Valerie swung her feet anxiously.

Violet gasped, “And comes after the girls in the show?!” The twins held hands and threatened to cry.

“I didn’t even think of that!” Alice panicked.

“He had the look of a killer! He’ll get us in our sleep when he has the chance!”

“Now you’re being ridiculous—“

“—Everyone, please—!!”

As the table turned into chaos, Adam kept his arms and legs crossed, leaning back with a cool glare.

“Is no one remembering—“ he spoke firmly, loudly, above all the other panic, “—that he’s the one who robbed me and also broke an original sculpture famed at more money than any one here can comprehend?”

“Now a vase is a real trifle,” Vincent grumbled. Elliot chuckled beside him.

“Laugh it up,” Adam raised his head high.

Drefan rolled his eyes, “We’ve returned all your stolen goods, Adam.”

“Damaged goods,” Adam growled. “And you know what? I’ve had enough of this going around and around! I’m shutting this down now.” The man stood from his seat, looking down at everyone else. “You’re so concerned about caring for a jail and him being an inconvenience and criminal, then why don’t we fix that?”

“And how, Adam,” Virginica steepled her hands, resting her chin on the backs with a callous and judgement gaze, “do you expect to do that?”

“Simple,” Adam crossed his arms, standing tall over everyone else. “I’m going to make him work for me. He’ll work on a debt that he’s accumulated from the damaged goods and sculpture. I’ll keep an eye on him, every good deed and work day will take off money from his debt; every bad deed adds more money to his debt.”

John looked with wide eyes at his husband. “You can’t be serious.”

“I had the worst crime done to me,” Adam placed his hands on his hips, “so I’ll dish out the punishment as I see fit.” As Drefan stood to protest, Adam moved to him and stood toe to toe. “What’s he going to learn in jail? Nothing. He’s going to die as rotten as he acted last night. Or, as a town that likes to call itself a place for change and progress, we decide to apply that change and progress to him?” Adam shrugged. Drefan looked to the mayors.

Vincent anxiously drummed his fingers on the table. Mabuz rubbed his chin in thought.

He glanced his teal eyes up at Adam.

“I’ll allow it,” he slowly nodded his head.

“What?!” the rest of the town members practically shrieked in unison. Mabuz nodded his head again.

“Adam is right,” he said. “As much as saying that leaves a bad taste in my mouth. We can’t claim to be a town founded on change and progress and not offer the same chances to him.”

“He’s a criminal!” John spoke up. Mabuz glanced his eyes at him.

“Yes, and so were several people at this table once before,” he said. Almost everyone glanced off or fidgeted, heads down or looking away from each other. “We offer the same thing to all these other people here in this room, in this town. We’ll do the same. It’s what’s right. Adam will be in charge of all of this. Punishment as he sees fit, reformation as he sees fit... but we will check up on it. And if anything goes wrong, we will either give him to someone else, or put him back in jail.”

Adam grinned proudly. Drefan’s face flushed with an anger he forced himself not to express. Mabuz cleared his throat, stood up and adjusted his bolo tie.

“Meeting adjourned,” he said. As everyone slowly and anxiously stood back up to leave, Mabuz picked up his cane with Vincent trailing after him and babbling on concerns everyone clearly had but wouldn’t voice. Adam watched everyone leave, people avoiding looking at him. Makoto stepped up to him and locked her arm with his.

“You lie perfectly on the line of being a genius and being a complete idiot,” she teased. Adam shrugged with a proud grin.

“And yet, everyone will see that this will be my greatest achievement yet,” he said, pressing a kiss to Makoto’s cheek. John stepped up beside his lovers and sighed.

“Adam, you sometimes frustrate and confuse me to no end,” the old doctor murmured. Adam chuckled.

“I like to think it’s part of my charm, dear.”

#Beth writing #welcome to Riverview #ask bloge #Riverview ravine #western au

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bosteau-and-bosteau-blog · 7 years ago

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26, 43, 79 fooor John?

026. What do they consider ugly in others personality-wise?

John is nooot a big fan of people that don’t listen. Which is kind of ironic, since he.. doesn’t listen. People that are incredibly loud, people that interrupt, people that think they’re above others. All big ol’ no-nos. That being said, he won’t always say something to these people. He can tolerate it, but only for so long.

043. What will they stand up for?

Oh geez, uh–well, his family, but that’s kind of a universal thing for the whole Bosteau family. He’ll stand up for his work mainly, as that’s one of the only things that ever gets challenged, for him.

079. How easy is it for them to read the emotions of others?

Decent? He can read if someone’s feeling threatened enough to go on the offense–due to, like, survival needs–but he can’t always tell how people react to what he says. He does a lot of assuming that people are cool with what he’s saying/doing if only because they aren’t currently trying to kill him because of it, heheh.

#ask #about #anonymous #ooc #ask meme #Anonymous

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bosteau-and-bosteau-blog · 7 years ago

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ok so for all the children: 14, 57, 78, 81

014. Detail one secret shame your character feels.

JOHN: He shouldn’t have taken the job.

JOHNNY: I don’t know so much that it’s a shame so much as it is disappointment in himself and the world he lives in–that he can’t save everyone. No matter what he does, there will be casualties. People will die that never deserved death, and people that deserved it will live. He can save some, but he can never save all.

MAKOTO: She wasn’t around to raise Johnny. She knows none of it was really her fault. It wasn’t anyone’s. But she still feels guilty she couldn’t be his mother until he was already an adult.

ADAM: He can’t ever be certain if the deal he made oh so long ago really did protect anyone, but he’s beginning to think it didn’t.

057. Has your character ever killed anyone?

Of the Bosteau family, only John and Adam have blood on their hands.

078. How emotionally stable is your character?

Everyone is pretty good, I think? Due to recent events the most unstable is probably John, but he’s doing alright. Of course, that will probably.. change drastically, knowing Bill.

081. Is your character religious?

Makoto is a witch, Adam is a vampire, and Johnny and John are in cahoots with them. I don’t think any church supports this.

#ask #duckybeth99 #ask meme #about #ooc #ducky-beth99

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bosteau-and-bosteau-blog · 7 years ago

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Why redacted? What are you hiding, Bosteau?

John seems startled at the accusation, and he runs his hand through his greeting hair.

”Hiding?” he says with a stammer, “I’m not hiding anything, it’s just none of your business, that’s all.”

#John #ic #ask #anonymous

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duckybeth99 · 7 years ago

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((“Why look at you! Aren’t you just as pretty as a magnolia in May?“ How about Mainverse Makoto and Moirin? Like she's helping Makoto get ready for her first date with Ghost since she returned???))

“I’ve missed this,” Makoto giggled as Moirin put a flower hair clip through her raven locks. “I’ve missed him. And you.”“This date is all John has been talking about,” Moirin looked through a box of other accessories for her friend. “Day and night, Johnny and Beth try and talk to him about anything else, and it somehow all comes back to this date with you and Adam.” Moirin paused, holding up a necklace to Makoto for consideration, “Speaking of which, is he getting ready?”“Adam is always ready for these sorts of things,” Makoto rolled her eye with a smile. “A very glamorous kind of person. Uh, how about a different necklace?”“Well,” Moirin set the piece of jewelry back to look for another, “he’s a very charming person. I can see how John got together with him. But I think it’s kind of funny how Adam chose John.”“He thinks he’s adorable,” Makoto smiled, playing with the tips of a brush beside her. “I do, too. I’m so happy that they’re back together.”“And what about the two of you, Mrs. Bosteau?” Moirin teased. Makoto laughed.“Of course I’m happy!” she beamed. “But I’m happy for Jonathan the most. After all he’s been through... he deserves a little joy.”“Hey,” Moirin smiled, placing a necklace around Makoto’s neck, “you deserve it, too.”

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duckybeth99 · 7 years ago

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“Nobody wants to be alone… Except maybe you!“ johnny and his dad arguing?

“Johnathan Bosteau, Jr., you know why we live the way we do.”“Yeah, well—“ and his son’s face goes red, all against his freckles and cheeks, “well maybe I don’t want to live like that! Hiding who I am? My powers? I don’t want to live like this! I don’t want to be alone and isolated for the rest of my life!”“What about all your friends from school?” John begins, “Your friends from work? You’re not isolated—““But I can never bring anybody here to hang out, because you’re so paranoid about everything and our powers, and the magic, and the experiments—!” Johnny slams an electrified fist at the wall, shaking the worn house and making a dark mark. With a huff, “Just one. I want one person we don’t have to hide anything from. One person who could really get to know us as we actually are.”There’s a knock at the door. As John walks to the door, he sees through the peephole a strange sight.A young girl, alone, shivering in the rain.

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duckybeth99 · 7 years ago

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When We’re Together

GIANT MONSTER FIC HAPPY HOLIDAYS

—

“You know, this whole ‘trying-to-outdo-last-year’s-Christmas-present’ might be more effort than it’s worth.”

“This is what she really wants,” Ghost huffed, wrapping his scarf around his neck. Johnny crossed his arms and pouted. “Junior, we just have to invite one family. One.”

“But what about—?” Johnny stopped himself then smirked. “Oh, okay. I can roll with that.”

“How did you find out about this again?” Ghost rucked his face further into his scarf as him and his son climbed into his car. Johnny turned up the radio while Ghost started the car up.

“Esther told me,” he relaxed in his seat. “She’s ‘Her Highness’s’ confident. Beth tells her everything.”

“Well then, I’m even more thankful for that girl,” Ghost chuckled. Johnny smiled and pushed one of the air vents to his face, the heat feeling great on his already freezing face.

“Yeah, me too.”

The two drove into town, Johnny looking up at all the lights and wreaths hanging on street lamps and decorating the streets. Ghost kept his eyes on the road, careful of the snow on the roads. The Bosteaus manage to make it to the Wilsons household.

More Christmas lights hang up around the house, twinkling against the snow on the roof. Ghost rubbed his hands together and breathed into his gloves as Johnny rang the doorbell, noting the wreath adorned with small decorative candy canes, bows, and tiny lights. Mr. Andrew Wilson answered the door, a book in hand. As soon as he saw who was at the door and noticed the snow picking up outside, he spoke.

“Get in from the cold!” Andrew laughed as he stepped aside for Ghost and Johnny to come in, “It’s freezing out there.”

“We’re used to the cold,” Johnny rubbed his boots on the welcome mat. “My sister, remember?”

“In fact,” Ghost slid his scarf off with a kind smile, “she’s why we’re here.”

“Oh?” Andrew led the men inside the Wilson household. He was about to tend to the fireplace when Ghost smiled and waved his hands over it. The warmth that was going out returned to its full brilliance. Andrew chuckled at it.

“Never going to get used to all of your powers,” he said. “And if this involves Alex, he isn’t home right now. He’s out getting extra groceries for Alma. She’s really going big with the sweets this year.”

“Yeah, I can smell it,” Johnny grinned, looking towards the kitchen. “Home made candy canes? You guys are nuts.” Johnny snatched one from a bowl full. Ghost frowned at him for a split second, before shaking his head.

“It’s not about him directly,” Ghost began, “it’s about the whole Wilson family. See, Bethany wants everyone together for Christmas. Everyone.” Andrew scratched at the side of his face then offered a grin.

“Well, with how long those two have been together, it’s about time we all shared a Christmas together,” he smiled. “So, this at the farmhouse or the castle?”

“Castle,” Johnny sucked on his candy cane and smirked at the sharp point he made, “‘cuz the princess is also celebrating with the whole kingdom.”

“We’re going to a castle?” Stella ran up to her father’s leg. The father smiled and scooped up his young daughter.

“Beth’s, kiddo,” he tapped his daughter’s nose. Ghost smiled at the exchange.

“We’ll get more details soon,” he patted Andrew’s arm. “Sound good?”

“Perfect,” he smiled back. “Everyone will be thrilled.” He have a teasing smile to Johnny, “Marina will be excited to see you and Esther again. It’s rare she sees people from school anymore.”

“I’m sure she will be,” Johnny twirled a second candy cane on his finger, “I mean, who doesn’t like seeing me?”

“We ought to get going,” Ghost shook Andrew’s hand, “I’m also supposed to pick up some gifts for my wife right now.”

“I won’t keep you,” Andrew chuckled, “and good luck. Tell Makoto and Adam Alma and I said hello.”

“Of course,” Ghost nodded. Johnny watched his father start to walk away.

He snuck one or two, or four more candy canes into his pocket and followed after his father.

—

“And it’s just them?” Esther inquired, her arm linked with Johnny’s as they walked through the palace gardens, now covered with Beth’s snow. Since she came to power, and many of her citizens missed it from life, she brought back snow during the season.

She lived very closely to the concept of Hell freezing over.

“Well, yeah,” Johnny shrugged, “there’s nobody else. I mean, my mom, Adam, your dad, you, Alice, you’re all gonna be there anyway. Moirin took on inviting her mom and my grandpa.” Esther frowned and slid her arm out of Johnny’s, crossing her arms.

“You know that you’re forgetting someone.”

“No I’m not,” Johnny stuck his head up confidently. “Beth asked for her family.”

“Beth asked for ‘everyone to be together and not fighting’. And I told you that exactly.” Johnny sunk further into his jacket, shoulders hunched with a pout. Esther huffed, rubbing her gloved hands together for warmth, “You know you have to invite Ms. Ara—“

“No, we don’t!” Johnny kicked up a pile of snow, “Oh, come on! What’s she done for Beth? At least the Wilsons are nice, and we all go back anyway.”

“You know Ms. Arazel means the world to Beth,” Esther scolded Johnny. Johnny groaned.

“Can you not call her ‘Ms. Arazel’, please?”

“I am to refer to anyone in the royal family by their formal names when they are not present, Sir Jonathan.”

Johnny crossed his arms with a glare at a pile of snow. Esther sighed and floated over to him, rubbing his arm gently, “Remember that this is for her. You know it would mean everything to her.”

“She’s a princess!” Johnny threw his arms up exasperatedly, “She can have anything in the world, and that’s what she wants?!” Esther offered only a little shrug and nod. Johnny threw his head in his hands and groaned.

“Fine!” Johnny huffed, “Fine, fine, fine, fine! But only if Pops agrees, too. If he doesn’t see the point in it, then there isn’t one, and I won’t do it.”

—

“There’s no way I’m inviting Neva and her parents to Beth’s Christmas party.”

“It’s grandparents, actually,” Alice piped up, setting the teapot back down on the tray. Adam rolled his eyes.

“Come on, John, she’s a sweet girl!” he began. “She’s making an effort.”

“She abandoned her daughter—“

“She was sixteen, dear,” Adam crossed his legs and took a small sip of tea, one eye shut and the other giving an odd look to Ghost. “You don’t expect her to raise a child when she herself was one.”

“It took her until Beth was fourteen to come back to her life!” Ghost felt his face flare up, “And then, she ditched her again!”

“Because you chased her off!” Moirin huffed, “She would have stayed!” Ghost began to grumble to himself.

“John,” Makoto sighed and held her husband’s hand, “I know you have your reasons to dislike her, and I’m not at all going to make the argument that she’s perfect. But one party with her won’t kill you.”

“We say that now,” Ghost grumbled, crossing his arms. “You know the story of the frog and the scorpion?”

“Oh, I do!” Alice eagerly waved her hand, before blushing at realizing her outburst. “Sorry. Um, but I don’t think she’s a scorpion.”

“You’re an example of the frog,” Ghost mumbled, “and so is Beth. I just want to protect my family.”

“See?” Johnny pushed open the doors of the parlor room, his girlfriend following him, “He doesn’t see the point either!”

“Alright!” Moirin stood, hands on her hips with a frown, “You two are acting ridiculous. How selfish can the two of you be to put your feelings over Beth’s?”

“But—!”

“You know she’ll be bothered the whole night if Neva isn’t there,” Moirin crossed her arms, a firm stance and look to the Bosteau boys. They both looked down with glares and pouts. “And if you’re truly worried, you both are more than capable of pulling Beth out of any situation, and so are the rest of us.”

“Remember what you told me, Johnny?” Esther floated up beside Moirin, “That one thing… ah, ‘go big, or go home’?” Johnny looked over at his father. Ghost sighed and shook his head.

“Fine,” he mumbled, “We’ll invite the Arazels.”

“Be careful in that Realm,” Makoto said. “It can get crowded and chaotic fast.”

“Have you even met them before?” Adam sipped his tea, “You’d be searching for a pair of skeletons for hours.” Ghost thought for a moment, then smiled.

“Well,” he stood, a sudden, unnerving perkiness to his voice and gait, “that’s where Neva will come in. She’ll help if she wants to come to the party.” He looked over his shoulder, “Junior, we should get going.” Johnny trailed after his father. Makoto sighed, taking a drink from her tea and rubbing her forehead.

“Those two always have to make things harder for themselves,” she commented. Adam laughed.

“That’s just their nature, dear. We can’t change that. Not yet at least. The science hasn’t come back on it.”

—

Neva followed Ghost and Johnny through one of the Realm doorways in awe. All three were bundled up still, as Beth’s magic spread through the UpSideDown. Where she had been given permission to, she brought her snow and ice to Realms that couldn’t create it on its own for the joy of the people living there.

This Realm, the Land of the Remembered, was one such land.

Neva watched all the calaveras get ready to celebrate Christmas. Red banners written with gold read, “¡Feliz Ñavidad!” and musicians parades around singing holiday songs. Neva found herself pausing in her walk with the boys to hum along.

Ghost and Johnny have to tug her back to follow.

“You can’t wander on your own like that,” Ghost mumbled. “You’ll get lost and you don’t have a badge to prove yourself.”

“Huh?” Neva blinked. Johnny held up his finger, as the group approached the Department of Family Reunions. The security looked at the three living beings oddly. Ghost and Johnny reached into their pockets and held out small badges.

“And her?” one guard squinted. Ghost sighed and nodded.

“She’s with us,” he said. “Mother of the princess.”

“Alright, go on in,” the guard pushed the doors open for the trio, “but we have our eyes on you. For emphasis, one of the calaveras knocked on the back of his head, letting an eye pop out. Neva tensed and held back a small barf.

“Are people normally this strict on Realm travel?” Neva whispered to Ghost. He nodded.

“It hasn’t been until recently that Realm travel has become more frequent,” he began. “Unless you were from the Central Hub of the UpSideDown, where many miscellaneous creatures live, people rarely traversed to other lands.”

“Everyone pretty much stayed in their own lane,” Johnny shrugged as Ghost checked them in at the front, “and nobody felt a need to break that. Beth pushing for Realms to unite and not be separated started change, and so did Pops’ and Ma’s development in Realm travel.”

“As much progress as we make, there are still some Realms that have restrictions because of culture,” Ghost noted. “Like this place. The creatures—“

“Inhabitants,” Johnny corrected with a frown.

“Inhabitants,” Ghost nodded and continued, “are not allowed to enter at least the UpSide, unless it’s that Day of the Dead celebration. But rules regarding other Realm travel hasn’t been discussed yet.”

“Wait,” Neva blinked and frowned with a mix of confusion and frustration, “so you don’t even know if we can get my grandparents for the holidays?!”

“It’s the effort that counts,” Johnny grumbled, pulling out one of the candy canes he snuck from the Wilson house and sucking on it.

“So why am I here anyway?” Neva crossed her arms with a frown. Ghost’s lips twitched into a frustrated smile.

“I thought you wanted to help in making Beth happy.”

“I do!”

“Then why don’t you just shut your—“

“Is there a, ah… ‘Boy-stay-yo’ here?”

Neva, Johnny, and Ghost stopped in their bickering and looked over to one of the workers at the department. She gave a wave to the family and gestured for them to follow.

“Pardon me,” Ghost began as she led them inside her office, “but it’s actually pronounced Bosteau.” Ghost emphasized his old French accent on his last name.

“Ah, sì, sì, sì,” the woman waved her hand with little care. “Lo siento, we don’t get many people with… different sorts of last names here.”

“Different—?” Ghost blinked, glancing at Johnny. He wasn’t used to hearing that, not since he was younger and first came to America, around all the English sounding names.

“Anyway!” the calavera laughed, “I’m here to offer my assistance. You’re here under the service of Princess Bethany, crowned ruler of Hell?”

“Yes,” Ghost nodded, clearing his throat and showing his badge. Johnny followed. “Jonathan Bosteau, Head Royal Scientist and adoptive father of the princess.”

“Assistant Royal Scientist,” Johnny said, “and Head Knight to the princess. And her adoptive brother.”

“And you?” the calavera looked with anticipation to Neva. She tensed and gave a shy smile.

“Birth mother,” she murmured. “It’s my grandparents—her great grandparents—that we’re looking for.”

“Mhm, I see,” the colorful skeleton woman practically bounced to behind her desk, rifling through papers. “Well, we have a long line of Arazels here, a very linear one. They very much kept with their Dìa de Los Muertos traditions, you know. And it looks like there was a trend of only one child. How convenient!” Neva gave a little shrug and sheepish smile to the boys as the skeleton flipped through files. “You are the granddaughter of the latest departed in the family tree?”

“Yes,” Neva nodded, before a brief pause. She added quickly, “U-unless my mama is here, but as far as I know, she’s still alive. She’s… only fifty-three by now.”

“The latest Arazels we have departed are…” the skeleton squinted at her papers before smiling, “ah, Señora and Señor Rosa and Julian Arazel. That’s them?”

“Yes!” Neva beamed excitedly, ready to almost start jumping in joy, “Where are they?”

“Well, here’s copies of their papers,” the woman smiled and handed the paperwork to Neva, “but, we know this place is big and hard to navigate if you aren’t from here, so we can call in a guide if you wish.”

“Please and thank you,” Ghost nodded.

“Uno momento!” the skeleton sing-songed, picking up another manila colored folder and walking out of the office for a phone. Neva looked at the papers in her hands.

“I haven’t seen them in years,” she murmured. “They died a few years ago. After… after I left Beth.”

“Which time?” Johnny mumbled. Neva gave a pained laugh.

“A few years ago,” she repeated. “When I came back home, I found out they had passed away. It… it was a double whammy. I totally lost whatever relationship I had with Beth, at least I thought I did at the time, and I lost the last family I had. Everything fell apart.“ Neva looked further down the page, blinking in surprise.

“What’s up?” Johnny noticed Neva.

“My mother,” she murmured. “I… never knew anything about her. Her name, it’s here at least. Rosalina Arazel.”

“You… never knew anything about your family?” Ghost raised a brow. Neva slowly shook her head.

“I just know she was twenty when she had me,” she said, “and I think my father’s name was Gabriel. But that’s all I know.”

Ghost felt uncomfortable at the eerie parallel to Beth, when she became desperate to learn about her family. Which led to Neva coming into her life, and Merhib using the truth to manipulate Beth more. Before the three could talk further, the woman came back with another skeleton trailing after her, a scrawnier, male one.

“We found a guide to help you!” the woman smiled. “This is Mateo. He will help you locate your ancestors.”

“Thank you for the assistance,” Ghost nodded. Mateo gestured for the three to follow him out of the office. Neva handed the papers to him.

“Can you help us find them?” Ghost asked him. The skeleton looked at him confused. Neva blinked and handed the papers to the man.

“Gracias,” he said. “Ah… um, lo siento, pero no hablo inglés.” Ghost frowned.

“What?” he looked confused at the calavera. Neva stepped forward.

“He said he doesn’t speak English,” she noted. “Uh… you don’t speak Spanish? After all the other languages you know?”

“No,” Ghost scoffed, “I was too busy learning English, Japanese, Latin, and Greek after starting as only a French speaker.”

“And you don’t know anything either?” Neva blinked at Johnny.

With a stone face, he spoke clearly and shrugged, “私は日本語を学んだ.” Neva tilted her head and sighed.

“Lucky us we get one who can’t speak English,” Ghost mumbled. Neva smiled weakly.

“Well, guess I got more use than just identifying my grandparents,” she said. “This won’t be so bad. C’mon.”

As the four walked through the snowy land, Neva found herself constantly glancing back to the papers she gave to Mateo and thinking about her parents. Rosa and Julian told her very little. They said it was for her protection.

“Pops,” Johnny nudged his arm to his father. He jutted his head to Neva. Ghost looked confused at his son. “You think it’s kinda weird how… she found herself in a same situation as Beth?”

“It’s coincidence,” Ghost grumbled, “and speaks volumes about Beth’s whole biological family. It wasn’t just the Collins who were monsters. Sounds like Beth’s grandparents were, too.”

Mateo lead them through the bright and colorful land, until they reached a small corner of the land. Small homes stretched along the snowy path.

“Esto es los barrio,” Mateo pointed down the path. “Aquí es donde viven.”

“This place is so small,” Neva murmured.

“Kinda crummy, too,” Johnny mumbled. Ghost hushed him. Mateo looked up at Neva and said something more to her.

“He says that… people’s lives are affected by how many people and how well they’re remembered,” Neva explained. “My family is… pretty much just me, so I’m all they have.” She slowly looked down, sadly as though she was trying to hold it back, “I never realized that I was that alone.” Ghost fell quiet. When he was about to retort, reminding her of Beth’s same loneliness caused by her, Mateo pointed to a house at the end of the block. Neva seemed shocked by it.

“It… it’s just like home,” she whispered. Mateo nodded. He walked to the front door and gestured for Neva to knock. She stood, almost frozen.

“I… I haven’t seen them in years,” was all that came out. Ghost found himself walking up beside her and holding her shoulder. Neva flinched at him holding her, and looked worried when he reached for her wrist.

But his grip was gentle as he held it, balled her hand up and held it to the door, then released her. Neva took a deep breath and knocked.

—

Beth looked out on one of the palace balconies at her kingdom. She saw the beautiful decorations all around the village, her icy magic blanketing the land. Everyone enjoyed it. Beth giggled quietly, watching the joy all shared that Christmas Eve.

“Your Highness?” Esther knocked on the doorway, drawing Beth away from looking out, “People have begun to arrive for the celebration.”

“Great,” Beth beamed. “I’m almost done getting ready. Oh, and hey, don’t worry about waiting on me tonight, okay? It’s Christmas Eve! I want the whole family to enjoy. You’re part of that. Spend time with your boyfriend and father.”

“Thank you, my lady,” Esther curtsied politely, smiling softly. She exited the princess’s chambers, shutting the bedroom door behind her.

She smiled as she rushed down the stairs, holding Johnny’s hand excitedly, “She has no clue!”

“That’s the idea,” Johnny smiled. “Thanks for checking up on her.”

“We only have a little bit of time before she comes down,” Esther tapped her bottom lip. “And citizens are starting to gather in the front courtyard. They can’t wait for the celebration!”

As the two began their walk through the palace, laughing and talking. They passed by the grand Christmas tree in the foyer of the palace, with ornaments and lights all adorned through it. Presents for the whole family were wrapped precisely under it, along with presents for the servants who lived at the palace.

Mabuz looked at the gigantic tree, straightening his outfit. Esther had insisted he get dressed up with everyone else this holiday season, and he was never one to say no to her. It wasn’t much of a change, but he put the effort to find a blue robe and undershirt below his normal armor to look more festive.

He heard people entering the foyer, and looked over his shoulder to see Moirin and all her children enter, Marion, Thomas, and Marlin following shortly after. Mabuz glared at the stench that radiated faintly off of Thomas. It wasn’t bad as before—Mabuz had a feeling he was trying to be more presentable as he was part of a royal celebration.

He appreciated the effort, but found himself still annoyed by the few muddy steps that trailed after him. The advisor snapped his fingers for a servant to quickly clean it up off the polished floors. Nevertheless, he still bowed and offered polite greetings to them all.

“This tree is huge!” Flynn grinned up at it, “How’d they get it in here?”

“Magic,” Emmett and Emily chorused.

“Yeah,” Ariel nodded, looking up at all the ornaments, “probably magic.” Moirin giggled softly at the happiness her children expressed, looking at all the different decorations and talking all about them.

“Now don’t be rude,” Moirin smiled at her children, “say hello to your grandparents!” The children beamed at seeing Marion, all running up to give her hugs. They chattered to her and Thomas about all they saw in the palace, Marlin joining in and pointing out the different ornaments he saw on the tree.

“Hell is frozen over,” a voice said. Mabuz looked over at the front doors as he adjusted a wreath on the wall, seeing Alex and his family enter. His older sister, Marina, continued her thought, “I guess the saying is totally invalid now.”

“This place is huge,” Stella gasped, looking all around the giant palace. She looked over at the other children, who smiled at her. She looked up to her mother and father for permission. The parents nodded and let go of Stella, who ran up to the magic godsiblings she heard Beth tell Alex and their family about before.

“Thank you for the invitations,” Alma smiled and gave a small curtesy to Mabuz.

“Well, you’re the first to give thanks for that,” Mabuz nodded, “but you are most welcome. The princess wanted the whole palace to be open to her family, and she counts you in that. However, I would recommend you also thank Mr. Bosteau for bringing the invitation to you. I don’t typically travel to deliver such news myself as I’m very needed here.”

“Understandable,” Andrew nodded. “Thank you, either way.” Mabuz have a simple bow. Alex gave a small smile to Mabuz. He only offered a subtle glare back that his family wouldn’t notice.

“Do you know where Beth’s father is, by chance?” Alma asked. Mabuz twisted his curled beard in thought with a frown.

“I saw Johnny here already,” he mused, “but not Jonathan yet. Nor have I seen his partners, Ms. Arazel, or her grandparents.”

“That’s odd,” Marina murmured. “I thought the celebration was starting soon.”

“It is,” Mabuz rolls his eyes, “and Her Majesty isn’t even ready yet.”

Alice passed by the groups, wand in hand as she touched up some decorations with her light blue bubbly magic. She fixed crooked garlands, tilted candles, empty treat bowls, and wonky ornaments on the tree. She grinned proudly at her work, sporting a Hanukkah sweater styled as the traditional ugly Christmas sweater made by herself. She made Johnny one with a baseballs and a bat on it and saw him wearing it when he passed by with Esther.

She tapped her wand to her cheek as she wondered where the other person she made a holiday outfit was.

“Merry Christmas and Happy Holidays, to one and all!!”

Everyone looked to the doors that burst open, and in steps Adam with a flourish of a robe styled as Santa’s outfit. Alice giggled at seeing her friend wear the outfit she made for him.

“We were wondering when you would show up,” Moirin smiled as Ghost and Makoto followed after Adam, much more simple and humble as the entered and greeted their friends and family.

“We were a little hung up trying to, ah… take care of Beth’s present,” Ghost shrugged. Makoto looked over as Adam bowed to the young children, who laughed at his Santa get-up. When he finally let the attention on him die down for a split moment, he gave a quick, sincere hug to Alice. Adam then made his way back to Ghost and Makoto

“So, may we ask what this grand present of yours is?” Mabuz raised a brow, stepping up to the group.

“Ah, ah, ah!” Adam wagged his finger with a smirk before Ghost could answer, “Nobody gets to know about presents so early! Santa says so.”

“You’re hardly a formal authority for Christmas,” Mabuz scoffed, but he didn’t press further. He left to assist one of the servants having trouble with fixing one of the treat tables.

“She isn’t here yet?” Makoto whispered to Ghost. He huffed and shook his head.

“Looks like she’s not,” he grumbled. “The one time I ask her for something that she said she wanted to do—“

“Give her a break,” Adam waved his hand dismissively, “She’ll be here! Have a little faith.”

“Every time I do, she ends up ruining it.”

Beth finally made her descent down the staircase, in a new beautiful ice dress she made for herself. Her princess tiara rested in her dark curls, and her pale hands gracefully waved over the rails of the grand staircase. Her icy magic placed a delicate frost against it and the rug on the dark steps. The servants bowed to the princess, which, as usual, made her shy, but her family’s smiles comfort and calmed her.

“Thank you for joining me in celebrating the holidays,” Beth began. The outer layer of her dress has a longer back, trailing after her as she made her way down the last few steps. “It means so much to me. I—“

The doors to the front of the palace suddenly opened, stunning Beth and rendering her to lose her train of thought. Inside rushed Neva, in the similar icy dress made by Beth, of a teal color with sheer long sleeves. Her hair was pinned in a slightly messy but still formal bun. The woman lifted part of her skirt as she ran inside.

“I-I’m sorry I’m late!” Neva apologized, standing with the others of Beth’s family. While she earned a roll of Ghost’s eyes and a huff from him, Beth only smiled.

“It’s okay,” Beth said. “I’m just happy you made it.”

“It’s not just me,” Neva smiled back. Beth blinked and tilted her head. Makoto gave a look to Ghost and Johnny. Adam smirked at Mabuz and nudged his head to the doors. Everyone’s gaze followed.

The doors opened again, much slower and more gentle. Beth’s confuses look soon turned to surprise and joy.

Two colorful calaveras slowly entered the palace, looking in awe at all the people and the lavished place. Beth couldn’t contain her bright beam.

“Beth,” Neva began softly, “these are your great grandparents. The people who raised me. Your family.”

“How—this is wonderful!” Beth covered her mouth. Her joy was all across her face.

“This is your daughter?” Rosa slowly smiled. “Oh… Neva, she’s lovely.”

“The holidays with my family,” Beth murmured, “it’s all I wanted! And—and we’re going to celebrate with the whole kingdom, all of us!” The servants and patchwork family cheered excitedly. Beth turned to Neva, “Thank you.” The woman beamed, ready to share a moment with her daughter. She stopped and looked to Ghost and Johnny.

“If wasn’t just me,” Neva smiled. She turned her daughter around to face her father and brother.

“You… you found them for me?” Beth murmured. Ghost nodded.

“Not only that, but they invited us,” Alma stepped up.

“And us,” Thomas smiled, squeezing Marlin’s shoulder and Marion’s hand. The princess looked in awe at the family she had around her.

“I never thought,” Beth began, holding her hands close to where her heart would be, eyes closed peacefully, “that I would ever have a family like this. So big, so full of love… even if we’re all different and fight sometimes. I mean, every family does. But all of us, together right now… it means the world to me.” Beth opened her eyes and lowered her hands. She then rushed to Ghost’s arms, holding him tightly. He hugged her back with that loving smile of his. Johnny joined in the hug.

Ghost looked at Neva and her grandparents, who stood to the side and watched the exchange. The old man glanced his eyes down to his daughter, then back to Neva.

He held a hand out to the woman. She looked at him with surprise. His worn hand remained. Neva smiled and made her way over, joining in the hug. Rosa and Julian joined, then did Makoto and Adam when Johnny nudged his head over.

The family finally released, and Beth smiled to two guards at the front doors, “Open the doors and the gates to the courtyard. Everyone’s waited long enough!”

The guards obeyed, Beth grinning and gesturing for her family to follow her. She lead them out to the courtyard, and she grinned and waved to all of her subjects.

“Happy Holidays,” Beth called, “to one and all!” Everyone applauded and cheered. Neva and Ghost smiled down at their daughter, her between them. Beth smirked and gestured for them to wait, holding up a finger. She waited for the cheers to die down, then stepped further forward.

Raising a corner of her skirt, Beth stomped one of her feet. In one straight flash of magic, a long trail of her icy magic shot against the ground. Finding the center, it shot up into a tall straight beam. Beth spread her arms and hands, allowing the beam transform into a tree made of ice. Branches sprung forth, now standing as a tall ice tree for all to see. People cheered once more. Beth smiled back at her family. Alex shyly stepped forward and cleared his throat.

“May I add something?” He asked. Beth nodded happily. Alex summoned his light magic to his hands, and shot a single spark into the tree. It reflected through the grand ice sculpture, changing colors and glowing brightly.

“It’s beautiful,” Beth kissed Alex’s cheek, holding his hand. She then blinked and gasped, “I almost forgot! A star for the top!”

“Can I try something?” Johnny smirked. Beth gestured for her brother to step forward.

The proud knight flashed a grin to his audience, and summoning the energy of his electricity to his hand. With a proud and joyful shout, he shot the spark to the tree. It rushed up the icy branches with Johnny’s guidance, bouncing and sparking up to the top. With a final flick of his fingers, the sparks culminated to create a sparkling, bright star. Everyone cheered again.

Beth smiled at her whole family once again and held out her hands to her parents. Everyone joined hands and felt the joy of the season. The love of the whole family.

Beth looked up to Ghost and Neva one more time, a sincere smile on her face, “This has been the best Christmas of my life. Thank you. Thank you so much.” Ghost squeezed Beth’s hand and gave another glance to Neva. He pressed a kiss to Beth’s head.

“Anything for you. Merry Christmas.”

#Beth writing #ghosty beth #ghosty blogging #Alejandro wilson #McGillicuddy sunshine #esther #Alice #skeleton uncle #Johnny bosteau #Makoto bosteau #Adam fontaine #Thomas favroe

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