#mail time with wren

[tansypaws]

blue :3?

now this is much easier

plastic cough - great grandpa

all of something - remember sports

infinity on high - fall out boy

i look like shit - jeff rosenstock

[rebouks]

Previous // Next

[Brodie flicked through the mail, instantly recognising the scrawling handwriting of a certain redheaded little boy. Scaring a few birds in the process, he bellowed up the stairs: ALEEEEX!] Alex: [breathless] Is it for me?! Brodie: Nah, but I could do with some help carrying this super heavy envelope upstairs. Alex: Who do you think you are, Johnny Zest? Brodie: I’m better than that guy, c’mon…

… Hi Alex! Sorry it’s taken me so long to reply to you, I promise I didn’t forget! I guess I just didn’t really know what to say cos I’ve sorta not felt like myself recently. My mom says I disappear into my own world sometimes so I sorta did that again and found it hard to think of anything fun to say. I don’t think I’d mind if you wrote to me about the less fun parts of your life though n’ my dad says you shouldn’t really keep everything to yourself all the time cos it ends up hurting so I thought I’d write anyway n’ just force myself not to worry about being boring or whatever. Your letters and your life always sound so exciting compared to mine though so sometimes it’s hard not to!!

I got in a fight at school which sounds like it should be an exciting story, but it wasn’t really. There’s this kid called Levi in my class that always picks on me (don’t worry though, I don’t care about that) and I couldn’t be bothered listening to him anymore so I hit him a couple times, I thought he’d hit me back but he just freaked out so I sorta felt bad about it afterward. He still makes fun of me but he doesn’t get up in my face as much so that’s a plus. Who says violence doesn’t solve anything? Hahaha I’m kidding! It wasn’t nice of me but maybe he should know better than to push people around so much.

I’m looking forward to summer so I can wander off a bit more and maybe it won’t rain so much! My mom doesn’t really like it when I go too far but as long as I’m back before curfew she tries not to freak out about it which is nice of her cos she knows I like to explore n’ stuff. I shouldn’t complain about my family cos I love them n’ stuff but I like being on my own sometimes and it’d be nice to have a bit of peace now n’ then. I’ve got SUPER good hearing so it’s hard to find anywhere quiet in my house, especially cos there’s always something crazy going on. My aunt Alma is sorta similar to me so she’s been helping me block out the noise with this meditation sorta thing, I guess it’s hard to explain but it’s not as lame as it sounds, it’s kinda fun to see how long you can stay in your own brain without people interrupting you. That probably sounds really weird but maybe you sorta get what I mean?

I finally have a treehouse now too!! It reminds me of your watchtower in some ways, but I guess it’s no way cooler than that, even though I know you’re bored of it by now. I wish we could hang out in it together cos it’s super awesome! Mom n’ dad don’t really bother me when I’m up there n’ my brother n’ sisters can’t manage the ladder yet so it’s all mine! It’s right at the bottom of the garden and looks out over the whole Bay too! Mom said she might let me sleep in it once it gets a bit warmer! It’d be cool falling asleep to the sound of the waves.. I hope it doesn’t end up making me need to pee all night though haha!!

Wren’s been obsessed with watching me play on the computer recently and I keep tryna teach her how to play herself but her little fingers can’t really reach all the buttons on the keyboard too well and she gets stupid mad when she dies so she just makes me play instead. She’d kick me if I told anyone but she’s a bit scared of some of the monsters too lol!! Mom told me I shouldn’t let her watch those ones but they’re the only ones she WANTS to watch and she jumps all over me until I give in so idk what they expect me to do other than lock her in the pantry, but I got told off for that so I guess I shouldn’t do that again haha (Wren thought it was funny though so it’s all good!) It’s a shame you don’t have a computer in the tower otherwise we could play together! Jude n’ Jacob aren’t really into that sorta thing so I usually just play on my own. Do you have a computer back home??

Oh! I got another badge for my swimming lessons too! I’ve almost got em all now which is neat but I sorta wanna avoid getting the last ones cos anyone that gets them all or has good attendance n’ whatever get an award at the end of the school year. They save em all up to give out at some stupid last year disco thing they put on before summer for the last year kids n’ it’d be so cringe to get called out in front of everyone like that. Some people think it’s gonna be amazing like my friend Jude, but I’d rather not go at all. Mom n’ dad keep saying it’ll be fun n’ everyone else is excited about it too but how fun could something be if you’re technically at SCHOOL? Bleh! I know you said you hate it sometimes, but being homeschooled sounds awesome to me lol.

I keep tryna bug my parents to go camping again so we could maybe see each other but they won’t take me out of school for a holiday n’ dad’s too busy with some work project so I guess we’ll have to keep writing to each other instead! Maybe if I keep annoying them about it we can come back in the summer! I hope so anyway but I guess I don’t wanna piss em off TOO much just in case my plan backfires or something.

I still feel really bad about not writing sooner but my dad said better late than never so hopefully you’re not too upset with me! I’ll try my best to write faster next time so you don’t have to wait as long. I’m looking forward to hearing about everything you’ve been up to!! Love Robin c: ps. my dad’s friend finally helped me fix that old polaroid so I’ve sent you some random pictures I took to test it out! I’m still getting used to it but the next ones will be better, I swear!

… the treehouse! it even has cool lights on it!! the back of our house! it’s so big it’s hard to fit in a picture.. it sorta looks fancy but it’s not really n’ dad said it was cheap cos it was a shithole a rare Byrd! (grumpy too – dad tried to take his dummy off him lol) he’s not supposed to be on my bed… the Bay! Jude says I sound girly for saying it’s so pretty here but I don’t care I could take a million pictures of this place n’ never get bored (I’ll stop now though cos mom says these polaroid things aren’t cheap for this model.. oops lol!!)

[faraway-archive]

I Finally Saw You Again

Yan!Childhood friend x GN reader

Tw: typical yandere stuff, possession (kinda hinted at)

AN; I should really post their intro post before writing their ficts n' stuff & this has a lot of fluff and not really a lot of yandere-ish. Oopsie. Also put your age on your blog or I will block you <3

˚₊‧꒰ა❤︎໒꒱ ‧₊

It's been a long time since you've last seen your best friend. He has been with you through thick and thin but suddenly had to move away to his parents to find a better job. You hope he's been doing well and that one day you will find him again. You cherish the fond memories as a kid up till high school were his parents decided to go somewhere else. You always wish he had written back since you've seen so many letters but none ever got returned.

And here you are entering college with no traces of him anywhere on social media. You hope nothing has happened to him or his family since they also have gone radio silent on your parents as well. But at least the show must go on and you continue your academic studies.

While you were entering one of your classes, you didn't notice that your childhood best friend was also in your class. You were so absorbed in trying to find the best spot to sit you didn't see his way in the back of the class. Staring at you and fidgeting with his pencil wondering if he should go and talk to you. Biting his lip he decided not to talk to you. Yet. He just watches you from afar. And thus, class started and ended in a blur. He watches you scramble to get to your next class as he casually walks out.

You were here and he couldn't believe it. All this time you've stayed in your home town while he has been away.

After your last class ends, you quickly rush to the dining hall. Dreading the long wait line as everyone else seemed also ended class as well. While waiting you felt a tap on your shoulder and turned around. It was your childhood best friend, Wren. Jumping with joy you hug him and he wraps his arms around you. Once you both let go of your hugs, you realize it is time to enter the dining hall so you quickly grab a seat and wait for Wren to enter in. Soon after you had a lot of time catching up.

"So how have you been Wren? How's your siblings?"

"Things have been well, it was hard adjusting to a new school but I managed. Dove and Robin have been doing well. How have you been doing? Hope you've been doing well. It's nice to see you again," He gives a wink after that last remark.

Blushing from the sudden gesture you replied, "Well I've been doing good as well. I have to ask though, why didn't you respond to my letters?"

Wren taking a bite of his food, "Well, I thought they were being sent to you since I gave them to my parents. But I guess they didn't send it or something came up and it never got to you. Which sucks I will say. Since I thought they were being sent and you just never replied to me. Thought you were ignoring my letters." He softly chuckles at that idea. Either way, he thought, you were going to be his no matter what because he would find you. He would have traveled all over the world to find you because you were the only one who made his heart flutter. You are the reason that he gets out of bed every day because he knows that you are alive.

Taking a sip of your drink you replied, "Well that's strange, I wonder why your parents did that because I was for sure expecting you to ignore me and forget me since, you know, I didn't get any letters back no matter how hard I got them mailed to you. I thought I was going insane."

He hums in response as he continues to eat his food, you on the other hand kept looking at him. You never notice how cute he was or how muscular he has gotten. It's driving you insane with how much he has changed over the years. While staring he can't help but smirk at you looking at him.

"You like what you see darling?"

Taken aback by his words you covered your mouth and quickly stuttered out, "No, I was just admiring the painting behind you. Yeah!"

Softly chuckling at your attempt to hide your reaction, "Ah I see. If you say so."

Quickly finishing your meal you thank him for meeting up with him and rush to go back into your dorm. Embarrassed that he caught you in the act of looking at him. And while doing so he can't help but fall in love again. Smiling at the fact that you are now in his reach. Now that he can truly keep you with him forever he will never let you escape once again.

Ever since Wren saw you in his class, he couldn't stop thinking about you and wanting you. He stalks and follows your every movement. His love for you has re-sparked (not that it was gone in the first place) and he is determined to make sure you are his partner forever.

He couldn't help but stare at you, how beautiful and amazing you looked to him as a kid. You treated him so kindly as if he was a normal person. You were everything to him. He wants you oh so badly you have no idea how much he is wrapped around your pretty finger. Now that he doesn't have his parents on his ass controlling him, he can finally do whatever he wants. What a shame that his parents never gave him your letters but no matter, as long as you were within his sight he could never lose you.

[toasttt11]

carson wren

May 13, 2021

Wyatt was sitting in his room on his birthday when his phone started ringing and he answered the call being told Anna had started labor.

Wyatt eyes widened realizing his child could be born on his birthday.

Wyatt quickly jumped off the bed and grabbed the green backpack diaper bag he had packed with his mom and rushed down out of his room and into his car. He was home alone right now so he didn’t have anyone to tell at the moment and was just rushing to the hospital.

Wyatt drove the short drive to the hospital and quickly hopped out of his car grabbing the back and rushing into the hospital room. He rushed to the front desk and was given the room number and he rushed to the door.

Wyatt knocked on the door and a nurse opened the door and got a nod from Anna that he could come in.

“Just do not hold my hand.” Anna grumbled immediately to Wyatt. The nurses shared a relieved look seeing the father walking in because Anna had only been in labor a few minutes and was already saying disgusting things about the child.

Wyatt just nodded and set the bag onto the chair and walked next to the bed not touching Anna like she asked.

Wyatt watched with wide eyes at all the sounds and how difficult it sounded for Anna as she gave birth to his child. He had a respect that she was able to this but held no more respect for her than that.

Wyatt breath caught as he saw the baby in the nurses arms and the baby made a few little sounds, Wyatt was already in awe.

“You want to hold your daughter Dad?” The nurse asked kindly making Wyatt quickly nod as he blinked and he walked over and paused realizing she said daughter. He has a daughter.

Wyatt gasped softly as his daughter was placed in his arms, Wyatt looked down at his daughter and his whole heart just softened, his whole life changed in just moments and there was nothing more he loved in the world than this special girl in his arms.

She was perfect. He shared a birthday with his little girl, she was the best birthday present he could ever ask for.

“Would you like to cut the umbilical cord?” The other nurse offered. Wyatt blinked out of his daze and looked up from his daughter and nodded.

Wyatt didn’t let go of his daughter still holding her in one arm as he clipped her umbilical cord.

“We will need to clean her up and give her a check up to make sure everything is well.” The nurse told Wyatt.

Wyatt froze his arms tightening slightly not wanting to leave her.

“Don’t worry you can come with us.” The nurse kindly explaining seeing the new Dad’s worry.

“And don’t come back.” Anna grumbled from the bed, she never wanted to see it.

The nurses shared a look and started guiding Wyatt and the baby out of the room and one of them grabbed the bag Wyatt brought.

Wyatt walked into the new room and let out an uncomfortable breath as he had to set his daughter onto the small tables for baby so she could get cleaned up asks checked over.

One of the nurses did that while the other went to Wyatt, “Do you have the papers?” She asked kindly feeling bad she had to ask right than.

Wyatt nodded he washed his hands before grabbing the file out of the diaper bag and handed them to the nurse.

The nurse looked them over and nodded, “Okay so i’ll file these and in a few weeks you should get papers in the mail basically confirming your custody.” She explained, “Now you’ll be able to take her home later today and we will send you home with formula that’s good for newborns and if you have any questions or if anything feels wrong call or come back.”

Wyatt nodded slowly listening to everything she was saying.

“Okay do you have a name for her?” The nurse asked Wyatt.

Wyatt looked over at his daughter and smiled knowing exactly what her name will be, it felt right, “Carson Wren Johnston.” Wyatt said it for the first time and it was perfect.

The nurses smiled and wrote down the name on the birth certificate and Wyatt signed it.

Wyatt walked back over to his daughter when he finished the paperwork and smiled lovingly seeing his daughter.

“If you are comfortable you can take your shirt off and sit in the chair so she can have her first feed.” The nurse told Wyatt knowing it’s important for skin to skin contact with baby’s.

Wyatt easily nodded and took his jacket and shirt off and sat down on the chair as the nurse placed Carson into his arms.

“Hello Carson.” Wyatt mumbled lovingly as his finger softly brushed across her little cheeks.

Wyatt took the bottle from the nurse and softly offered it Carson which quickly took the bottle and started eating immediately, “Good job.” Wyatt softly cooed as he she had his full attention.

Wyatt isn’t sure he has ever seen anything more beautiful than his daughter.

When he found out about Anna’s pregnancy he never really had the time yet to think about what gender he wanted, he would be happy with either but holding his daughter, he couldn’t think of a better choice than what he has now.

The nurses left Wyatt and Carson and gave them some time alone and he just held her for so long just starring at her even when she finished her bottle and she yawned.

“I promise i’ll be the best dad to you and i’ll be whatever else you need. I love you.” Wyatt whispered pressing a kiss to her little forehead.

Wyatt didn’t know how long he stayed there just holding her as she slept and he looked at all of her little features just noticing how much she already looks like him.

Carson stirred slightly and her little eyes fluttered opened and for the first time she looked into someone’s eyes, Her Dad’s.

Wyatt gasped softly seeing her eyes being the exact shade as his eyes, “Hello.” Wyatt grinned down at her, “Happy birthday my love.” Wyatt cooed at his baby.

The nurses came in after a few hours and Wyatt didn’t even realize how long he had been there alone.

Wyatt let the nurses check over Carson once more as he put his shirt and jacket back on. Wyatt grabbed the outfit he picked out for Carson to wear home. He put the diaper bag on and walked over with the little outfit.

The nurses helped Wyatt put the little brown fuzzy us onesie on Carson, it was a little bear onesie and she looked adorable.

Wyatt finished everything and they were allowed to go home. He carried his daughter in his arms as he walked out of the hospital and brought his daughter outside for the first time, the sun was already going down.

Wyatt walked to his car and opened the back door, he had the car seat already all set up in the car for Carson. For the first time he put her in the car set and buckled her up, she barely stirred just continued to sleep.

Wyatt let out a nervous breath as he got in the drivers seat and glanced through the mirror at his baby.

Wyatt went extremely slow and went through the slowest streets as he drove her home.

Wyatt parked in the driveway and got out gently picking her up and grabbing the diaper bag.

Wyatt grimaced realizing he never told his family where he went, “Think it’s a good birthday surprise little bear?” Wyatt asked looking at Carson and she just cooed making him nod and let out a breath.

Quinn looked up as the door opened, “Hey your back-“ She paused seeing the tiny figure in her baby brother’s arm, “No way!” Quinn whispered shouted making their parents turn and looked shocked.

“Everyone meet Carson Wren.” Wyatt proudly introduced his daughter to his family.

[pinkpoweredpunk]

• pinned post •

heya, I’m Blake (they/them). ‘m an ace trainer from Galar, and- well- an ex-champion so if you recognize me that’s probably why. or maybe from the two disasters I helped stop-

anyways! I’ve done a bit of traveling these last few years, I’ve been to the isle of armor, crown tundra, and Kalos. but right now I’m back in my home region Unova for. college I Guess. I’m not super happy about it but whatever grr

this here’s my ace, Kappa. best Inteleon in the world <33

my current team bc update I ran away from the shitty college that didn’t let me have pokemon with me (don’t ask):

-King (F Serperior)

-Cordelia (F Simipour)

-Beau (M Swoobat)

-Phaedra (F Krookodile)

-Kilobyte (M Eelektrik)

-Lumi (F Lampent)

other 'mons:

-Kappa (M Inteleon)

-Go-Go (F Coalossal)

-Lancelot (M Sirfetch’d)

-Jeanne (F Corviknight)

-Charlie (M Boltund)

-Venom (M Toxtricity)

-Red (M Delphox)

-Basil (M Sylveon)

-Granite (M Tyrantrum)

-Ryu (M Lucario)

-Verde (M Venusaur)

-Stardust (M Meowstic)

-Blister (F Charizard)

-Tulip (F Venusaur)

-Snart (F UD Archen)

-Athena (F Urshifu)

-Tater (F Flapple)

-Potato (M Galarian Slowpoke)

-Audun (M Flygon)

-Zuzu (F Dragapult)

-Azi (F Dreepy)

-Shiverbolt (Arctozolt)

-Alto (M Grookey)

-Oran (M Munchlax)

-Fwoofy (Cosmog)

-Stormy (M Sobble)

-Dewdrop (M Sobble)

-Nessa Jr. (F Sobble)

-Bubble (M Sobble)

-Neptune (F Sobble)

-Flick (F Vivillon)

-Snooze (M Snorlax)

-Pecha (F Grookey X Fomantis hybrid)

-Galahad (M Skarmory)

-Spark (M Galvantula ✨)

uhhh what are some other things about me. well besides pokemon training I enjoy drawing, martial arts, and camping! might post my doodles here from time to time. if I get the chance to go camping I’ll probably post vlogs about that too.

that’s about all you need to know I guess! feel free to shoot me an ask or message whenever you want

update: apparently I have that dog in me. and by that I mean I’m a therian. midday lycanroc most likely

———

Tag Directory:

#blake post - ic posts made by Blake

#blake rb - ic reblogs from Blake

#doodle tag - for either ic art by Blake or ooc art by mod (usually the former)

#ooc post - mod post

#blake plays hollow knight - literally just me livebloggging my first playthrough of hollow knight but as Blake

#wolf tag - blake posting stuff about their theriotype (rockruff/lycanroc)

#non-canon post - what it says on the tin. mostly for sillyposting

🍃 post- posts made by King

boo post- posts made by their Yamask, Boo

———

CURRENT ARC: Facets of Truth Arc

Summary: After a slight mishap, Blake finds themself on a spur of the moment journey around the Unova region.

Truth and ideals collide. Balance is put to the test. What outcome will this new formula present?

Tag: #facets of truth arc

Warnings: N/A (for now)

Mini Arc: MMM: Get Baby’d Idiot

Previous Arcs: #MMM: Rival Swap!

———

//OOC

hiii Wren here! so this is basically a fresh restart of @pinkhairandpokemon. I decided it would be fun to start at the beginning of their Unova arc this time around. they’re 18 here, and just starting the main story of pokemon black!

I just got kinda… unmotivated to run their old blog anymore?? so I decided it was time for a refresh. SUPER excited to rp as this version of them

this Blake is probably going to be more�� standoffish? I guess? not all-out mean but they’re kind of bitchier in this arc of their story (tbf they deserve to be after the shit they went through-) so while they’ll typically be chill in normal interactions they might be like. be a bit more snarky. I’m always scared of being too mean when I rp so please let me know if I need to tone it down!! ;w;

they’ll also probably be a little more discreet about being a chosen. for now anyway :3c they’ll still talk a bit about it but they won’t go super in detail about their powers

mod is 21, and follows from @scrappyscales, but if you need to contact me OOC go to @xgoldenlatiasx

blog list

Magic Anons: On (within reason, and I might not reply to them immediately)

Pelipper Mail/Malice: On

Musharna Mail: On

Union Circle: On

Askbox: Open

(IC hate anons are ok)

I think that’s everything but if you need me to specify if anything else is on lmk.

their old blog will be kept up for archival purposes if anyone still wants to check it out!

[inawearyworld]

free if you truly wish to be: chapter iv

shit goes DOWN. as y'all have probably gathered. bc. yknow. the plot of the movie. but first there's a song yayyyyyyyyy

2023!wonka x oc, this chapter ~2.5k

god, i love musicals.

(edit: realized after posting that i was looking at the wrong page of the screenplay while writing this and therefore royally screwed up the song structure of a world of your own but it’s fiiiiiiine)

once again, thank you mat for that interview taking a typical one-dimensional dahl villain and letting him be a more complex character. also i should probably throw a content warning on this one for depiction of a slightly abusive relationship

but i promise everything's gonna be okay soon-happy new year everyone!!

part three fic masterlist part five

While going through a time of personal growth involving trying to unravel one’s identity from that of one’s rich and powerful husband, it often happens that there are advantages to said husband being wrapped in worry over a new business rival-and, therefore, spending far more time at the office.

Wren’s favorite advantage at the present moment was that she was the only one to watch the mail come in.

Deep purple stationery was the signal she looked for-and steadily received, then returned with her own emerald letters-every day. The notes included scrawled updates regarding the operation to allow the earnest young chocolatier his day in the sun, anecdotes about the group of launderers that supported it (who she’d snuck out to meet often enough that they now felt like a second family), tales of a mysterious orange man, and exchanges of advice, witticisms, and Shakespeare quotes.

The handwriting was inexperienced, and there were more than a fair share of spelling errors toward the start of their correspondence, but she didn’t care a whit.

We’ve got the shop, Willy had written one day. For now, the task is digging through its decrepit debris and designing its decoration. (The credit for those words goes to Noodle-she says hello.) There are so many possibilities, I barely know where to start.

Start with the “why”, Wren wrote back. That’s what I always do. If there’s a piece I’m struggling to sing and I lose motivation to practice, I go back to the reasons I love the piece, even all the way back to the reasons I love the arts in the first place. Maybe there’s something in there for your shop-what made you want to share your chocolate with the world? (And hello to you too, Noodle!)

My dear Wren, came the reply, you’ve just given me the best of ideas.

He told her then about his mother and the inspiration she provided. Wren would be lying if she’d said a tear hadn’t fallen onto that particular letter.

As for how to keep him safe from the Cartel, police, and every other corrupt authority, Wren did her part by becoming Florence again whenever necessary. She acted less suspicious around her husband, leading him to be less secretive-although the gain in information was miniscule, it was better than nothing.

Felix’s rages would range anywhere from tittering, jealous rants to scheming monologues during which his whole being seemed to take on a lower, darker, more calculating tone. She’d listen carefully to all of these, tactfully calling out anything that might get him to consider he was wrong, but that had little to no effect.

Plan B, then, she’d realized, is all I can do.

So, whenever Felix seemed particularly incensed or just on the verge of coming up with how to destroy his rival, Florence would swoop in with wine and dark lipstick and a low-cut dress. She’d endure being his caged pet songbird, his doll, his perfect plaything, only because she had the growing feeling that things were about to change.

If Willy’s shop becomes successful enough to be completely undeniable, maybe the Cartel will finally acknowledge him as an equal. Maybe I’ll finally be seen as an equal, too. Maybe things will finally be truly fine.

So, night after night, she’d sit on her husband’s lap, twirl his tie, and kiss his neck until he’d forgotten the name of Wonka.

The same could not be said for her.

~

Due to just how glamorized she always had to be while in public, it didn’t take much to come up with disguise enough to be able to visit the new shop on its opening day.

With a fluttering sense of hope, Wren approached the fourth building of the Galeries Gourmet, blending in seamlessly with the sea of soon-to-be-wonderstruck passers-by. She cast a few nervous glances to the window of the Fickelgruber office, at which the man stood in his usual stance. There was no chance, though, of his recognizing her trademark ginger flame amongst the crowd; it was safely tucked under a dark, low-brimmed hat.

This could have set her mind at ease, but the fact that he looked even more smug than usual as he surveyed the ground below him made her nervous.

Did they plan something?

She was distracted from this worry by a sudden flash of color at the long-empty shop’s door. Willy Wonka stepped through, looking more himself than she could have ever imagined. He addressed the crowd with a flourish, and she marveled at his ability to combine showmanship with authenticity.

He took a skeptical older man’s arm, leading him to the shop’s entrance, and began to sing.

All at once, the shop transformed before all of their eyes, flooding with color, and the music settled into a sparking pulse that thrilled Wren to the core.

Willy grinned, fully in his element, and the doorway went dark. Gloved hands presented chocolate wonders as their creator sang them into existence. When he lit a match, the store seemed to come alive, and Wren gasped.

If his letter was anything to go by, the sight he had created was an homage to his childhood on his mother’s boat, brought to life in a way nearly too beautiful to be true.

Willy and the other man danced up a bridge of sorts as his song continued, proudly offering his shop as a world for each of his customers to call their own. Overtaken and lifted by the enchanting environment, Wren squealed with the rest of the crowd and ran into the shop, ripping the hat from her head and allowing her auburn curls to tumble freely down.

She threw her head back and laughed aloud. Her lack of makeup, and plain blouse and skirt replacing the usual emerald-colored finery, gave her assurance that she wouldn’t be recognized here; this was the closest thing she’d experienced to liberation in a very long while, and she relished it, along with the sweetly simple soar of Willy’s voice across his song.

When she looked up at him again, he was sitting on the boat that floated on the circling chocolate river, and she noticed he’d already been staring with a sideways grin. As the bassline that came from nowhere launched into a rollicking chromatic vamp, he tipped his hat to her, and she gave an enamored wave.

The second verse passed, and suddenly he’d reached her, extending a hand which she took without a second thought. He helped her onto the boat, then pulled her alarmingly close, but before she could say a thing about it, a cloud of smoke appeared around them.

Wren blinked and realized that she and Willy were now at the base of the massive chocolate tree in the center of the shop.

“How did you-”

But he only smiled and started to dance his way up the tree.

“A world of your own,” he sang, then gestured an invitation straight towards her.

This’ll be easy enough, she thought, nearly bursting with joy.

“A place to escape to,” she continued, running farther up the tree to meet him in the middle. His expression filled with awe upon finally hearing her sing, and they began a whirling back-and-forth.

“A world of your own-”

“-where you can be free!”

“Wherever you go, wherever life takes you…”

“This is your home,” she sang to him, twirling herself into his arms and beaming with pride. He’s found it-he’s created it.

“A world of your own,” they finished. He looked at her for a moment, seeming struck, then kissed her hand and disappeared through the branches of the tree to continue with the song’s bridge. She let out a dazed and happy breath, taking a moment to let her gaze roam the shop from her perch in the chocolate tree.

She didn’t know what would happen next, but she’d be damned if she wouldn’t let herself enjoy this moment.

~

What did happen next was…as an understatement, not what any of them had hoped.

She wished she could say it was a complete surprise, and she wished she could have done more to stop it. The candy started having disastrous effects, the customers understandably balked, and it was clearly not Willy’s fault in the least. In a blur, the shop was in ruins, and Wren sat in shock with the little group who’d worked so hard to make it magical.

The candyman himself was devastated; not just by the massive setback, but by the absence of his mother’s spirit. Wren and Noodle sat by his side, but Abacus ushered them up. It broke Wren’s heart to think of leaving him like this-if the truest and most trusting dreamer on Earth can be broken down, where’s the hope for the rest of us?-but she somehow still felt she had to follow the group out.

She felt a hug around her waist and a held-back sob, and looked down to see Noodle clinging onto her. Wren immediately knelt to her level and hugged the girl close, finding it hard now to keep back her own tears.

“Terrible shame what-”

“Florence?”

Slowly, she opened her eyes, her breath dropping to the floor.

Slugworth had spoken first, a smooth and practiced opening to what would have turned into a gloat. The voice that had interrupted him was genuinely shaken and clearly belonging to her husband.

“I’m sorry,” she whispered to Noodle, who nodded. “You can go, you shouldn’t have to see this-”

“Florence,” his voice came again, at a loss. She took a breath, stood up, and faced him with tears in her voice.

“Hi, Felix.”

Silence.

Slugworth looked with growing puzzlement between the woman and the girl, and Felix could only stare at his wife with dawning realization.

“You’ve been working with him,” he said simply, every usual quirk of inflection having vanished.

For a moment, the wash crew surrounded her in an attempt at a shield, and she heaved a breath to keep back a sob-of fear, of gratefulness for these friends that had become family over the past weeks, of everything suddenly crashing down.

“I’ll be okay,” she said quietly to the wash crew and perhaps to myself. “You all should go. Like you were going to. I’m sorry.”

They didn’t move.

She looked at Piper, whose worried hand was on her arm. There was an unspoken vow of protection between the women in that moment, but Wren’s eyes pleaded, so Piper nodded sadly, took Noodle’s hand, and the group left.

Wren was almost afraid to look at Willy, but she did; the boy was staring at the old chocolate bar in his hands, looking as if he could barely process a thing.

The sympathy in her gaze must have been far too obvious, because she suddenly heard footsteps, felt a hard grip on her wrist, and gasped in pain as it was yanked up and backwards.

“Darling,” Felix hissed with a sinister edge, though his voice was breaking, “I don’t know how or why this betrayal-”

“Betrayal?” she finally cried out, breaking free from his grasp as Willy rushed between them. “You lot have just poisoned dozens of innocent people, all for a business rivalry, and I won’t-”

“If you want your family not to starve, you had better lower your voice,” he barked.

Every speck of air seemed to leave the room.

“...My family?”

“I may have been distracted enough for the past weeks to ignore the mail that came in and out of our house, but I had not always been that blind. I thought your compassion to be an incomprehensible gesture, but I let it slide. When I felt like it.”

…They haven’t gotten everything I’ve sent.

They haven’t-

“In fact,” he continued, “it served as what was almost a pleasant reminder of the truth. For your family, for your stupid dream, and for your sweetly dependent soul-you need me.”

“If you knew I was poor, why didn’t you say anything?”

“Because it’s the same way for me!”

This was the peak of what had been a building explosion, and this was the moment in which they both remembered there were other people in the room.

“What?” the four besides him breathed, almost in unison.

“Oh, you heard right,” Felix launched into speech, the characteristic gestures starting to work their way back into him. “I came from nearly nothing, just the same. But I did what I had to do to climb to the top. I cast them all away, left my old life behind completely, and I suppose it was a foolish hope to think my wife would do the same. But she-but you-you are nothing but a guileless, deceitful bleeding heart.”

“I…”

Tears blurred her vision.

“I am…genuinely sorry that you felt you had to hide your past, but that doesn’t excuse trying to make the rest of the world match your insecurity and fit your little chocolate mold. And if that makes me a bleeding heart…I’m proud of the title.”

For a moment, the man looked as if he would allow his wife’s words to affect him.

Then his face, normally so expressive, turned completely cold.

She’d lost him.

She’d never truly had him to lose.

But she looked at Willy, and she thought of the wash crew, and she realized she finally had a truer support system. And if she could try to start over, find some other way to earn money to send to her family without interception, and some other way to reach the dreams that felt so far away at the moment, she knew Felix would be wrong: she didn’t need him.

After a long silence, Slugworth cleared his throat.

“Get her out of here. We have business with Mr. Wonka.”

What?

Her and the younger man’s eyes widened, and they grabbed each other’s hands on instinct, but a small number of policemen came around the corner of the shop door at Slugworth’s order. They clamped hands on her shoulders and dragged her away from Willy as the Cartel stood silently and watched.

“Wait-wait, no, I-”

“Wren-”

She struggled, fought, kicked, but was forced into the backseat of a police car-

“Let me go, you corrupt bastards-”

“Wren-”

“Let me-”

“Just drop her somewhere in town,” Felix said coolly. “Somewhere that isn’t my home.”

“WREN!”

The car door was slammed, and the last thing she saw was the Cartel advancing on a dazed Willy, opening a suitcase of cash.

All she could do was scream, and the scream turned into a cry.

They did indeed drop her somewhere. She burst out of the car the second it had stopped, and the officers drove away without a word.

Sick with worry and trying to regain her breath, she looked around, almost fainting with relief when she saw the laundry building. Piper, having heard the commotion, stood outside, and they looked at each other for a moment before Wren fell sobbing into her arms.

This is not over.

[violetsandshrikes]

A carolina wren has taken up residence in the news slot of my family's mailbox. We aren't particularly bothered by it, but the wren gets startled and flies out every time someone gets the mail, which probably isn't great for it. Do you have any advice on how to get the wren to move?

Oh birds. They really do make some interesting choices.

Getting any nest moved is a nightmare + there can be legality factors depending on where you are. You usually have to set up a site very close by, and hope they move and don't abandon the nest completely. If you don't mind them in there, you could always put up a sign, cover the slot, but human presence will probably still stress them out.

Paging @todaysbird to see if they have suggestions (or if followers do!)

[ivanttakethis]

Wren’s Log - Entry 1.0

————————————————————

Wren was surprised Tov had taken everything so well.

The twin sibling reveal.

The pseudo-sibling reveal.

The “surprise-you’re-a-year-younger-than-you-thought” reveal.

Even Tov’s reaction to the shock ring was tamer than the call for security and restraining order Wren was expecting.

Granted, she was still recovering from a heart attack and heavily medicated. It could take a few days for her to fully process through all of what she, Elias, and Prem had shared.

Maybe Wren would get the restraining order in the mail, or maybe Tov would follow through on her threat to wring her by her neck.

Naz is gonna get a kick out of that.

As soon as she and the boys left Tov’s hospital room for the night, Elias took Wren aside as Prem led the way down the hall.

“I didn’t want to alarm Tov, but I found something on the stage.” He said in a low voice. When Tov was shocked, goes unsaid.

“Oh?” Wren couldn’t resist the chance to mess with him. “You’re speaking to me so soon. I was sure I’d get the silent treatment for being ‘out of my fucking mind’.” She said.

Elias leveled her with a withering look that fell flat on its face, “I’m still mad at you for that. It was a batshit insane idea and if I knew about it, I would’ve stopped you.”

“Which is why I didn’t tell you. Besides, it’s not like you had a better idea.”

“Not the point.” He said.

She took that as a concession, “Yeah, yeah. What did you find?”

“The bullet.”

Wren stumbled mid-stride.

A shot was actually fired?

The crack she’d heard over the broadcast, right before she sent the electric shock through the ring, had been pinging around in her head since Tov collapsed.

That must’ve been the shot.

The shooter just missed.

“What kind of bullet?” She asked.

“Not any kind that guards would have easy access to.” Elias said. “This bullet had a paralytic tranquilizing agent inside of it. Whoever planned to shoot Tov wasn’t trying to kill her, they just wanted it to look like they did.”

So someone else wants Tov alive? How interesting.

“Any thoughts on who could be behind this?”

He shook his head, “Not yet. But if I had to guess, it’s someone who can afford to pay off a guard.”

Or a guard themselves…

Wren kept this thought to herself.

They rounded a corner toward the elevators, passing by floor to ceiling glass windows looking out onto the bustling city street below.

Even deep into the night, the buildings were still brightly illuminated and cars clogged the roads.

“Could it be Tov’s guardian, Cassio?” She asked.

“You know them better than I do,” Elias said, shrugging. “What do you think?”

It wasn’t a secret that Cassio was extremely wealthy. Their fashion house Cassiopeia was a well-regarded luxury brand these days.

And Wren knew Cassio cared a lot about Tov, more than enough to orchestrate her “death” to keep her alive.

The amount of money to bribe a guard would’ve been pocket change to them.

But still, Wren wouldn’t say she knew them “better”. More exposure, maybe.

As the group came upon the elevators, Wren glanced through a glass door leading out to a balcony.

A tall, pale blue figure stood alone out at the railing.

Cassio.

Speak their name and they appear.

“I’m gonna go find out.” Wren said, nodding toward the door. “Don’t wait up on me.”

Elias followed her line of sight, “I see. Be careful.”

She smiled and clapped him on the shoulder, “I’m always careful.”

They both knew Wren was joking.

———

“Evening, Guardian Cassio.” Wren greeted as she approached the balcony railing.

Cassio tucked their phone back in their pocket and nodded to her, “Good evening, Wren.”

Curt, but polite.

Not many words.

I see where Tov gets it from.

“Tov woke up not too long ago.” She said.

“I know,” Cassio said. “I suppose I have you to thank for that.”

Wren frowned, “How so?”

“The heart attack was too well timed to be a natural occurrence.”

Ah, well.

There was no reason to deny it now.

It wasn’t like Wren was ashamed of what she did either.

The only person who had to live with the morality of her decisions was herself. She would sleep just fine.

“Guilty as charged.” She said with a shrug.

Cassio hummed, “I can’t really blame you. If Tov were my sister, I probably would’ve done the same thing.”

Only now did Wren realize she wasn’t wearing her mask or her contacts.

She chuckled to herself, “Also guilty.”

“When were you going to tell her?” They asked.

“I wanted to tell her when the Season 39 contestants came to Anakt Garden, after Round 12.” She said. “But then I saw her face… when that Flor girl died… I could tell she cared for her a lot. She didn’t need anything more to worry about on top of that.” Wren shook her head, “And every time after that was an even worse moment to bring it up.”

Round 17? Wrong.

Round 24? Wrong.

Round 26? Wrong.

Round 29? Wrong.

Wrong wrong wrong.

It was all wrong.

“I should thank you, truly.” They said, drawing Wren out of her thoughts. “You’ve given me the chance to make things right with Tov… eventually.”

She glanced over at them, eyebrows furrowed. Their gaze was still fixed on the cityscape ahead.

There was a somberness laced in their tone of voice.

“I don’t get it. Aren’t you going to see her soon?”

Cassio sighed, long and suffering, “How am I supposed to face her? After everything I’ve put her through? She lost so much and it’s all my fault.” They said. “If I hadn’t enrolled her in Anakt Garden, none of this would’ve happened.”

That’s true… but…

Wren turned to look out at the city too, thinking.

If she could go back in time and reject the Anakt Garden scholarship, would she do it?

Most of her classmates would probably say yes, but Wren hesitated.

Without Anakt, she never would’ve been placed in Ra’s care. She never would’ve met Cindy, or Toki, or even Inna. She never would’ve fallen for Naz either.

If Wren hadn’t gone to Anakt Garden, she wouldn’t have become Wren.

And she quite liked herself and her life, even if it wasn’t always pretty or easy.

Only Tov could answer if that was true for herself.

But if those stars in the sky named after her friends held as much meaning to Tov as she said they did, Wren already knew what her answer would be.

“Did Tov tell you that?” She asked.

Cassio blinked at her, “What? No, she hasn’t.”

“Then ask her.” Wren said. “She might surprise you.”

“I hope you’re right. I don’t want to fail her any more than I already have.” They said. “When Tov was younger I… wasn’t there when she needed me, and I regret it every day. I don’t know where to even start trying to make it up to her.”

“You can’t change the past. All you can do is be there for her now.”

“Is that enough?”

Wren could only shrug, “It has to be.”

We don’t have any other choice.

“You’re off to a good start.” She said instead.

Before Cassio could respond, the shrill ring of their phone cut through the low din of the night and startled them both.

Their lips briefly curled into a snarl as they read the caller ID.

“You’ll have to excuse me, I’m being summoned by Alien Stage producers for an ‘emergency meeting’.”

It’s definitely about Tov. She thought, nodding.

“Good luck. I’ll come back some time tomorrow to see Tov again.”

Cassio smiled, genuine, before turning to leave.

“Oh, by the way,” They started, stopping themselves short and looking back at her, “I wanted to ask how you did it. How did you trigger Tov’s heart attack?”

Wren held up her right hand — with the good luck charm now on her ring finger — and pointed to it, “Electric shock.”

They chuckled in surprise, looking mildly impressed. “That was better than my idea. I just made Tov’s dress out of bullet resistant fabric, requested they shoot her center mass, and hoped for the best.”

Oh.

Oh shit.

Wren forced herself to smile as she waved them off, waiting until they returned back inside the hospital before letting it drop.

Cassio didn’t bribe anyone to shoot Tov with that paralyzing bullet.

If they weren’t behind the bullet, then that meant someone else was involved.

An unknown third party.

But who were they?

And what did they want with her sister?

————————————————————

Huh… I wonder who else wants Tov alive? (I say, knowing full well who it is)

Anyways, I’m finally doing Season 40 stuff! Tov will still have her logs, but I’ll also be doing some for Wren too.

Next up is a log from Cassio’s point of view. That emergency meeting for Alien Stage should be interesting 👀

Naz belongs to @lookatmysillies.

Cindy belongs to @tsukacchako.

Toki belongs to @zerostyrant.

Inna belongs to @alien-til-i-stage.

Tagging: @starry-skiez @rockwgooglyeyes @chevalperd @apple8ees

[echo-goes-mmm]

Silas and Wren #8

Masterpost

Previous

Next

Warnings: dissociation, panic attack, implied past non-con, past conditioning

Note: Felix (Silas’s brother) uses they/them pronouns and masculine family terms

Silas paced up and down the room. 

“You think they’ll read the letter?” he asked out loud.

“They’re your brother,” said Wren, “I’m sure they will.”

Silas sighed. “I just don’t know why Felix didn’t tell me. It’s not like my parents are the type to arrange the marriage, so they had plenty of time.”

He sank into an armchair. “I mean, I don’t expect to be told everything. But still.” He ran a hand through his hair.

“Maybe I'm just making a mistake. I just know I’m going to worry about this for weeks like I always do.”

“What do you mean?”

“Mail is so slow,” He stared up at the ceiling. “If only I could just get an explanation just like that,” he snapped, “instantly, y’know?”

There was a thud, and the sound of heavy breathing.

“Wren?” he glanced over.

Wren was on his knees, forehead pressed into the wood, bent in a bow. He could hear him crying.

“Wren?” he knelt by his trembling body. “What’s wrong?” He reached for him, but Wren flinched and sobbed.

“I’m sorry, Master!” he cried, “Please, don’t!” Silas stared at him, at a loss.

“It’s me,” he said, “It’s just me, Wren. I- I’m not going to hurt you.” He put his hand over Wren’s. Wren shuddered, but didn’t move away. He wept, and Silas didn’t know what to do. 

“Could you sit up? Please?”

Wren pushed himself up from the floor. His arms shook and he was flushed with tears. His eyes were unfocused, and they shifted back and forth.

“Wren?”

He whimpered, shaking his head. “Please, don’t.” 

“What do you think I’m going to do?”

Wren looked back to the floor. “You’re going to punish me, Master. I’m sorry.”

“No, I’m not.”

“Y-you’re not?”

“No, I- Wren you didn’t do anything wrong!” He cupped Wren’s cheek, tilting his face upwards. “It’s me, Silas. I’m not going to hurt you, Wren.”

Wren’s eyes searched his face, and recognition sparked in his expression. He wrapped his arms around himself. “I don’t- I don’t understand. What- what’s happening?”

Silas hesitated before placing his hands on Wren’s shoulders. Wren tipped towards him, into his chest. 

“I don’t know,” said Silas, wrapping his arms around him. “We were just talking. Or, I was just talking. And then you were just… on the floor.”

“I’m sorry.”

“It’s not your fault. I must have freaked you out or something.” He gave him a little squeeze, and Wren sighed into him. 

“I dunno,” he said, after a moment. “There was this sound and I wasn’t Wren anymore. And I thought- I thought you were someone else.”

A sound. The snapping?

“Did one of your old Masters snap at you?” Wren pulled away, looking up at him.

“How did you know that?” he asked, hurt written all over his face. “I never told you about him.”

“I guessed. I snapped my fingers right before you… well, before. I’m sorry Wren.”

“It’s not your fault, Master.”

“Do- do you want to talk about it?” Silas wasn’t well practiced at being a friend, but Wren had listened plenty to his complaining.

“I’d rather not, Master.”

“Okay,” he said, “and… you don’t have to call me that. I know I… bought you but it’s really okay.”

Wren bit his lip. “You’re the best Master I’ve ever had. It’s different. Respectful.”

Silas had never really been respected before, but the novelty seemed so far away. Here he was, blabbering on about simple family drama, while Wren had to deal with so much worse.

They sat shoulder-to-shoulder on the floor in silence. Wren laid his head on Silas’s shoulder.

___________________

Silas was so good to him. Fantastic, really. It was past time Wren was good back. It wouldn’t even be bad like he thought that first week. Silas was too sweet and awkward to be brutal in bed. 

In another life, they could have been dating. Maybe they’d even end up husbands. Silas was compassionate, generous, empathetic, and handsome. Even when Wren wasn't ideal, he was understanding. He was so kind during the nightmare and the 'snapping incident'.

That, and everything else, was exactly what Wren would look for in a partner if he had the option.

Unfortunately a silly little crush didn’t make reality, and slaves didn’t marry, or get to love. Especially not their masters. But sex was a good replacement, right? He was pretty sure happy couples had nice sex. 

He’d be able to pretend Silas loved him back, at least for a little while.

___________________

It wasn’t going well. Ordinarily he didn’t have to seduce his way into his master’s bed. Sometimes sex happened as soon as they brought him home.

Wren tried really hard to do every romantic gesture he’d ever heard of to get Silas interested, that it was okay to have sex with him, but it wasn’t working. Silas just didn’t understand hints. 

He trimmed some roses (from the back of the bush, so it wouldn’t mess it up) and put them in a vase on Master’s coffee table. 

They had dinner together (or rather he ate and then Silas drank from him) under candlelight Wren had strategically lit. 

He gave Silas bites of his food and desserts. Apparently vampires could eat small amounts of human food (too much could upset their stomachs), and Silas enjoyed a variety of things .

Wren sat close to him during games, and even closer at reading lessons.

None of it worked. Sure, Silas blushed when Wren curled up on the couch next to him, but that was a far cry from seeing him blush from a good blowjob. 

Maybe Wren was just ugly. He couldn’t compare to vampire beauty. Master had a few fashion magazines, and the vampire models in them were prettier compared to humans, and especially compared to him. 

His hair was a nice color; he could do worse than sort-of red. But his eyes were plain brown. Not even a gorgeous dark, or especially golden. 

He’d always just been ‘good enough’. Never expensive, never cheap. Perfectly middle.

Wren had always been fine with that, before. It kept him safe. A high price tag came with high expectations, and a low price tag meant brothels. Objectively worse than serving one master at a time.

Silas deserved better and prettier. But Wren was still damn good at his job. He just needed to give Silas a bigger hint. Something that screamed 'please have sex with me', and hopefully everything would work out.

taglist: @just-a-whumping-racoon-with-wifi @secretwhumplair @freefallingup13 @mylovelyme @whumpzone @paintedpigeon1 @haro-whumps @whumpthisway @fanastyfinder @extemporary-whump @susiequaz12 @keepingwhumpwiththekardashians @the-cyrulik

[inourselveswetrust]

Alright straight to the point

TW Mc dies

Now Mc died how that’s up to you but Mc has never allowed the ROs close emotional to them and is very closed off but one day they died.

The ROs get a mail delivery and it’s Journals. Dozens of them. The Mc wrote every feeling they had in it. Including on how they feel about them. The last page says who they will tell the Ro how they feel.

You don’t have to do this i just thought about it as an ask. Was writing my own story and this came up for a character and I thought perfect ask. Maybe.

Anon's out here trying to collect my tears 💀

This was written at 3am so it's definitely terrible, but I hope you enjoy anyway! ❤️

The journal falls from August’s grip, landing on the floor like lead weight. August stares at the furthest wall of their living room with an absent gaze, they remain unmoving for perhaps minutes, maybe hours. They don’t know, they don’t care. 

Swallowed by a sudden, all-consuming rage, a roar escapes August as they stand to their feet and tip the coffee table. The sound of glass shattering and objects being thrown is all that can be heard in August’s home. Their home is torn apart when they finally collapse to the ground, exhausted and not even slightly relieved.

August is inconsolable. Nothing – not a single thing – would repair their shredded heart. They remain in their home for weeks, refusing visitors and withdrawing contact from everyone. They will never be the same again, rather a mere angry, bitter shell of who they used to be. 

A world without you is not one worth enjoying or exploring. The journals remain on August’s nightstand, an August reads through them every single night until sleep steals their consciousness. 

___

Tears gather in Blair’s eyes, burning and reminding them of their failure. The tears fall freely, Blair doesn’t try to withhold them. Every tear is homage, a token, to you – an acknowledgement to you. Withholding them would be a disgrace, a dishonour to you. 

A strangled gasp escapes Blair as their tears splatter on the pages of your journal, marring the ink. Blair quickly, but gently, drops the journal on the tabletop as if the journal has burnt their skin. Tiredly, they roughly rub the palms of their hands across their face wiping away their tears, spreading the wetness across their face. Guilt churns within them as they stare at the blemished page, bile threatening to escape their stomach. 

They spend days in their home reading every page. They allow themselves to feel everything – smiling at the happy entries, laughing at the entertaining entries and crying when the emotions become too much. 

They bury themselves into work, entering and exiting the office wearing a stoic mask each time. Gone are their smiles and polite conversations with each person they pass. 

The journals remain safely tucked in Blair’s bedside table’s drawer. They deny themselves reading the journals a second time for months, desperately avoiding the feelings they stir, but one day they’ll cave. They’ll take weeks off work afterwards.

___

Wren stacks the journals on their table, refusing to touch them for weeks. The books taunt them, temptation swirling in their thoughts, yet they know reading the entries means admitting you’re gone. It means accepting you’re gone, and they’ll never do that.

They do anything to avoid thinking about your death, opting to keep themselves occupied with meaningless errands and hobbies. Though, eventually, on a rainy day, when the walls feel as if they’re closing in on them and their boredom cannot grow any further, they’ll hesitantly begin scouring the journals. 

An uncharacteristic anger brews deep within them as they read your words. Why couldn’t you tell me this? Why did I have to find out this way? They would give anything to hear how you feel from your lips. They would give anything to hear your voice again. They read every entry without interruption, refusing to eat or sleep and willing themselves to memorize every detail – every word you use, the curve in your writing, the space between each letter. 

Your journals become their most treasured possession, secured in a box in their closet where no one can find them, where no other person can invade you and your feelings. They read every page again and again, until they have them engrained in their mind. 

___

Neve clutches the journals close to their chest, imagining it is you who they’re holding. Tears pour from their eyes; their body shakes with each sob that escapes them. They cry until sleep embraces them, offering relief from the pain weighing them.

It isn’t until hours later when they wake, still clutching the leather bound journal in a firm grip. The tears begin again, returning with vengeance as if they never stopped. Every muscle aches, sore from the sobs wracking Neve’s body, yet nothing hurts more than their heart.

It takes weeks before they can get past the first page without breaking down. Tears are endless as they scan each page, a hollow throb making itself at home in their chest. Neve has always felt the world is bleak, yet never have they felt this hopeless. 

Neve places your journals on their bookshelf, nestled alongside their favourite novels. There is no author they adore more than you. They cry every time they read your journals, a familiar agony growing within them each time.

[your-local-shapeshifter]

A postcard arrives in the mail, addressed to Indigo. The front is a scenic picture from an LA beach.

"Heya Indi! Hope ya doin' good, gettin' the leg all healed up 'n all.

LA is so sunny compared 't Gotham! I honestly couldn't believe it! And who knew ya could swim in actual clean water without gettin' sick after!

Give the dogs lost a kisses for me!

– Wren"

There's a piece of sea glass taped to the postcard, a deep blue-violet colour. Beside it is a little note. "Indigo for Indigo lol"

Indigo snickered at the postcard Ms O'Connors had brought up to her, rubbing Marlow's head as she sat down beside him. The dogs were still holding her blankets hostage.

She snorted at the little note by the seaglass. "That's so stupid." She was gonna put it on the fridge. Indigo was glad Wren was finally getting a break from all the shit that had happened recently, and hoped him and Tim were having a great time in LA. The postcard was pretty as well.

Her gut still said something was wrong. A little to the left, even. But she'd been out of the caves for so long that odds were, a tunnel down there had collapsed again or something. Things were finally calming down a bit. Everything was fine.

[risingsh0t]

1, 7, 12, and 20 for Wren? Dealer’s choice when it comes to friend!

thank you ruby! ❤️ now that we realized that ask game is for oc x oc lol... wren does actually have an applicable one! her half-brother, rakesh.

1. how did they meet?

wren and rakesh went many years without even knowing the other existed. they met during the events of project butterfly when he found out through his mother about her. initially it was just an e-mail exchange, but they meet in person for the first time when he randomly moves to washington and surprises her. which is weird, yes. this will come up again after i have season 2 to work with hdhdhdh

7. how often do they see each other? where do they usually meet?

initially -- never. after he's in washington too, more than she'd like. they usually meet at the restaurant fennel fields. wren doesn't feel familiar enough with him to be inviting him to her house yet, even if they are family.

12. do they have any affection for each other? how do they show it?

wren hardly has affection for anyone. she's still getting used to having and showing it with her current friends. rakesh definitely cares about her and has an easier time showing it (he's a hugger), but it doesn't mesh super well with her.

20. what is their best memory together?

they haven't had a ton of these atm, but they had a pretty good conversation at the local bar commiserating about their shit father lol. their childhoods were pretty different, but that's one thing they can agree on.

[blastedpasserby]

... ... ... ... Wren, she/her for now. 25.

My pokemon are:

Pawpaw the meganium

Sheik the crobat

Polar the magneton

Craft the sneasel

Neutron the alakazam

Drifter the gengar is currently in the hands of Professor Oak. Don't expect that to change any time soon.

// @oh-shinx 's take on a Silver blog. Mun is an adult.

//Pelipper Mail and Malice, as well as the musharna equivalents, are on.

[cjwelford-archive]

→ the green dragon apartment. closed for @sebvora

It wasn’t often that the roommates got mail that wasn’t some form of bills or fines or vaguely threatening warnings from businesses or government officials, so half the time CJ ignored it. In fact, he ignored it most of the time, completely entrusting Jeanie and Seb to open anything with his name on it and handle it appropriately (i.e. flush it down the toilet, or send it to Wren). However, there was an unusually large envelope amongst the usual pile of junk and bills that caught his interest immediately when he came in from his early shift at the pool, tugging at it from where it was buried near the bottom of the pile, uncaring that the other letters slipped right off and onto the hallway floor. 

Mr. S. Vora & Mr C. Welford

With their address, and a Nevada post stamp and return address. 

An unfamiliar feeling of panic began to set in his bones and just how official it all seemed. They got into some shenanigans in Vegas, sure, but this seemed, well, beyond the usual norm of even their most chaotic nights. What if they had done something bad? What if they were fugitives? And not the fun kind like that movie, but proper ones people got rewards for capturing? 

“Yo, Seb!” He called, trying to sound calm, all but breaking into a run in the direction of his bedroom, standing in the doorway with a frown. “Um…are we like..” He sighed, unable to think of a chill way to pose the question. “Is there a warrant out for our arrest? We got this, like,  mad official looking letter from Vegas, and…uh…we blacked out that night, right?” Truthfully, whilst CJ had been in trouble with the law, it had always been mild scrapes, not…well, big trouble. Not life changing trouble. “We didn’t do anything super fucked, right?” 

[sodapop-hospice]

One of my pet rats has a questionable lump on his face and I’m horrified!!!!!! He’s probably fine after having researched it but I’m scared teehee ❤️❤️❤️

Since I can’t do anything about it tonight I’m desperately trying not to think about that so it’s Wren Time once more!!!!! Yay!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

I’m still waiting for their remaining parts to arrive in the mail so I put a couple of my remaining gears to use and made some funky earrings for them. I realize they’re near impossible to see but fuck you I needed a distraction ❤️❤️❤️

Adding this horrifying WIP image from several weeks ago because it resonates with me a lot. I too would like to be detached from my mortal flesh at the moment.

[promethea-silk]

Black Light Guides You

The events of the past few weeks had left Cordelia with much to ponder. Between the opportunities extended by Vahalia and the interactions falling amongst the other Cress sister and her brother-in-law, Lady Gray had spent much time considering her next steps. It had been high time that Vahalia was to be given an invitation to the Gray estate once more, allowing the two women to discuss further at length the details regarding their soon-to-be intertwined business ventures as well as the looming interest amidst Valeria and Damien. 

Shadows decorated the walls and decor as flames from multiple candles danced within the darkened room. Warmth exuded in temperature and color from the hearty fire within the fireplace that was nestled in the center of the main wall of the large office. The first time Vahalia had visited her, they were in one of the expansive yet cozy sitting rooms but with the expectation that more business talk was to occur, she felt this would be more proper. Upon her arrival, Vahalia would be guided through the manor, much like she had been her first time, where Cordelia would be waiting for her with a teacup already in hand as she sipped from it and perused some paperwork upon the desk before her. 

It was Wren’s presence that first gave way to the silence in the room and the door opened, the jostle of mail with the soft din of heels at the floor that had indicated additional company. The Mistress of the House had already been foretold of Vahalia’s coming and promptly, she did. The woman was noted to be wearing quite the usual garments she normally did, a hint of satin greens peeking through the drape of lace at cuffs and skirts, “Pleasant evening, Cordelia.”

The greeting had caused a soft grunt from Wren which then caused the tall Viera woman to bear a look across to Cordelia a moment, then to the back of Vahalia’s head and with that bout of silent disapproval of the Ishgardian woman not properly presenting to Lady Gray, Wren excused herself entirely behind the closed door.

“Your presence is a sight for sore eyes. I can’t tell you how many hours I’ve been kept at the old Slater estate watching the construction and pouring over vapid conversations.” like a ghost, the woman with sable hair swayed towards the spot in which Cordelia sat, a large item in hand which looked neatly wrapped in purple cloth.

A soft and gentle chuckle came as she noticed Wren’s reaction to the otherwise rather personal greeting. Cordelia gave no notion that it bothered her in any sense. In fact, she mirrored the informal interaction, simply lifting her head just slightly before gesturing to the seat in front of the desk after having set her porcelain teacup down.  “Likewise, Vahalia, I am pleased you were able to tear yourself from such a busy schedule. Please, make yourself comfortable.” With ease, Cordelia pushed the delicate teapot and empty cup toward Vahalia, a range of teabags and assortments adorning the spinning plate to allow for easy access to all. “Please, do help yourself.” 

“With the partnership with Osric settled, there is less pushing for it weighing on me. Admittedly.” Vahalia mused with a low hum and she settled across from Cordelia. She couldn’t even bring herself to say the word ‘marriage’ still the notion was entirely emetic. The Cress woman sat across from her equal at the desk and placed the large parcel within reach of Cordelia but not in the way of anything she had been working on.

The Cress Matriarch went at her leisure filling the teacup with hot water, a teabag of lavender settled within and a simple slice of lemon slipped into the slope of the hot cup, “I brought you the tome I spoke of. Have you been fairing well since we last spoke?” Vahalia looked comfortable enough as she crossed her legs, angling in the chair and plucking up a spoon to begin dabbling and stirring the contents of her tea.

Noticing Vahalia’s choice in tea, Cordelia smiled at herself having been pleased at her recollection of times prior and taking note of the woman’s preference. She plucked up her own teacup yet again, relishing in the warmth in her hand before enjoying a gentle sip. “I imagine no longer having the anticipation of completing the act no longer looming is perhaps relieving.” With the tome slid in her direction, a brow lofted curiously and her cup returned to its saucer just out of the way. 

“Oh, me? I have been riddled with nuisances here and there but otherwise, I am well. We recently got a new shipment of some beautiful patterns I have been excited to get working with.” As she spoke, her hands reached for the wrapping of the book to undo it, eyes flicking over the outside and inspecting the details of it. “Ah yes…I do recall you mentioning this during your last visit. Curious…”

Honey-colored eyes followed Cordelia’s actions without any prompt of word and she simply saw to her tea, allowing the Lady of the house to browse at her leisure. A stint passed and after a gingered sip from her teacup, Vahalia smirked gently, “I’m sure you’ll find it to be quite stimulating. One of two books of its kind.” 

“I look forward to diving into it. Quite the treasure to come by, I am curious as to why you are entrusting to me.”

"Because you've expressed your interest and coupled with that, I like to give tokens of good faith."Adjusting to find comfort within the chair once more, the Cress woman’s eyes leveled across to Cordelia, “Your nuisance is none other than the same you spoke of when we last saw one another? A gentleman by the name of Damien if I am to assume?”

Fingers had flipped through a few pages gently, the sound of the old parchment crinkly with each turn was somewhat of music to Cordelia’s ears. The mention of her brother-in-law’s name brought a slight scowl to her features, however, “Unfortunately. He and Ambrose often argued over the split in business, it would seem as though I have taken my husband's place in more than one way.” A hand lifted, waving through the air dismissively. “Just part of the duty, I suppose.”

“How very vague of you.” Vahalia snerked openly, mildly amused but it mattered very little. She often left others to their own devices and affairs. Idly, the nail of her index finger tapped along the curve of her cup handle, “I’ve recently went about having Valeria keep her distance. I realize she and Damien have become fast friends but I’d rather not let her and her heedless nature and soft heart have her wrapped up in business that isn’t hers to wrestle with. In truth, I think she’s hungry for companionship and she’s been cooped up for so long that she thinks someone batting some lashes at her means they have some kind of interest at heart regarding her and they care to know her beyond the warmth between her thighs.”

There was a pause and Vahalia tipped her head, her eyes darting back across to Cordelia, “Not that I’ve pegged Damien himself the sort, that might be dishonoring him. But I know men well enough and if Ricard Blythe is anything to go off of, he already tried sleeping with Valeria to stoke my ire before their marriage was finalized. Men know no bounds.”

“Mm, I had heard through some incessant whining from Damien himself that you decided it best Valeria keep her distance. Truly, it is likely best, at least until I can garner better insight to the man’s plans.” A soft scratching sound came from the very top of Cordelia’s nail just barely grazing the book that was just gifted to her as her finger traced the details of it. Obviously, this caused no harm to the integrity of the book itself, it was simply an idle gesture. 

A brow peaked at the mention of Ricard followed by a thoughtful hum. “It would seem they do not, thus I am thankful for my change in marital status to widow…” Her hand finally came to rest palm down upon her desk somewhat closer to Vahalia’s direction. “Let’s not ruin the eve with blabbering about them then, hm? We have far more important matters to discuss regarding further plans. Tell me, how is it that you see Gray Industries aiding your cause?”

Listening to Cordelia talk, Vahalia merely listened with the side of her jaw nestled into the nook of her knuckles and her elbow resting leisurely at the armrest. She was pretty good at reading people, even with scant details and it was enough to cause the sable-haired woman to loose a gentle hum, “The cause of the Court? It isn’t so much to aid me so much as it is to aid those within the same sphere, directly or indirectly. It would benefit you just as it would me. You get your wares to further reaches which there in brings more money for you.”

Casually her hand motioned to herself, “And by paying me to see to your transport, then I am also making more money. They say to never mix business with pleasure but I’d rather do business with the devils I know as they are far better than the devils that I don’t.” Her head moved and she slipped her hand away from her face, “There is no point in beating around the bush. In short, gil and great influence for both of us. When reaching out to people to begin transporting goods, you were at the top of my list. I’ve recently come into some land in Valain and having some influence in the far east I think could benefit you greatly. Internationally.”

Cordelia nodded slowly, understanding the points Vahalia made and surely she agreed with them. “Ah, yes of course that all makes sense. As mentioned before, it seemed Ambrose had no interest or drive to seek out alternative lines of trade or procurement beyond Ishgard.” She clicked her teeth, tutting in an unamused fashion. “Surely he had his reasons but those reasons are no longer my concern, however that does leave me unfortunately and admittedly a little unaware of the best trade routes outside Ishgard and Thavnair.”Being a rather prideful woman, Cordelia never truly admitted any downfalls but she was aware that making the progress she sought after would require her to become a bit more humble in this sense. “That being said, I presume you suggest Valnain be the beginning of extending that reach then?” 

“Valnain is but a part of that. My ship, the Sirensong will be set to sail all across to the western cities and states using Black Water Bay as a hub between stops where trade shops are going to be located as well. Travelers from all over will be able to dock within the bay and access goods there as well as have them transported to them. Valnain will act as that very same hub in the eastern regions though Valnain is not under my rule as Black Water is, I only have pull there through my family name. That is more than enough I suspect for monumental things to happen, with some modicum of care, of course."Vahalia paused, her eyes steadily watching Cordelia as the pair spoke.

Vahalia opted to steal away a chaste sip from the side of her teacup before continuing, “I have people currently working on ship assets to assist in the protection of cargo. Weapons, if I am to be blunt. Magitek in design if I’m lucky. I can provide security on my vessels that most cannot. Sure, seafaring ships are slower than airships but they are far more cost-effective.”

A slow and steady motion of nodding came near absentmindedly as Cordelia listened and took in Vahalia’s words, filing away the details in the back of her mind. “Mm, I see. There would be a set schedule on the comings and goings I presume? If all is well, I would likely send a member of my household to oversee inventory and the books, of course. Mostly to make the transactions more… streamlined between the field and our ledgers and stocks.”  

“Of course, as you would wish. I hope you don’t mind if I happen to bookkeep on behalf of House Cress. I’ve been an accountant and ledger coordinator now for years even for the Ashen Wolves. Gives me more of an idea on what happens with sales.” Vahalia’s tongue smoothed out over her bottom lip and she reached absentmindedly to gently play with the handle of the spoon that rested within the saucer of her teacup, “I do have a request however.” Vahalia began, hand dropping away from the spoon and resting in her lap, “The request is simply, be exclusive to me in transportation and I will be exclusive to you in your wares. As long as we do business I will not transport other merchants' gems or textiles you could very well consider competition and you would not seek transportation from another company except through me for transportation services that I could consider competition. I would very much like for myself and you to be exclusive to one another in the aspect of business deals.”

Her hand lifted and indicated as she spoke, “I could easily toss in a list of names and buyers in the various regions within our reach for you to do business with as potential buyers of your products if that is of interest to you. More good faith, I believe they would call it.”

Cordelia raised a hand to gently rest upon her chest with a simple nod as she smiled. The expression was hardly a bright one but it suited her well enough. “Of course I do not mind, it makes complete sense for you to handle such this as you and your people are spearheading most of this. As far as exclusivity goes-” She bent her wrist just so that her hand facing upward extended just slightly in Vahalia’s direction. “- I believe this is something we can also accommodate. I see no reason as to why that would be an issue. This agreement between the two of us, especially, can lead to great things if it is handled correctly and if these are the stepping stones we must cross, then so be it. In truth…I feel this could simply be the beginning of what could be.”

“Indeed. Be it far from me to muddy the waters and I would like to see you flourish in your own way since you’ve come into your newfound freedom. Giving you all the strings to pull on your own. You tell me what you want transported, where and how much on which given day and we will make it happen. Deadlines are something we can factor in as well as needed. I only look to see my acquaintances also share in the wealth. Truth be told, I thoroughly enjoy seeing women rise above.”

“As we should. Rise above, that is. I look forward to sharing this journey and partaking in the success that comes from it.” By now, her cup was empty and she set it aside toward the rest of the set that had been assembled for their enjoyment. Cordelia took a moment to consider her next question, a soft drumming of her nails to the desk as she did so. “I’m curious…Perhaps you could tell me more about Ricard Blythe, seeing as you mentioned him earlier. I know little of the connection between the two of you, and of course your sister, but I can’t help but wonder.” 

Vahalia rose a brow looking across the desk to Cordelia. It was evident that something Cordelia had said or perhaps didn’t say that gave a pause to the Cress woman, “And what have you come to wonder about him, Lady Gray?”

“In short there is nothing kind I can say about the man. I tend to find his work to be quite sloppy at best and he thinks he is so much smarter than those around him or at the other end of a quick push off a balcony. He might have some charm laced in his words but the man is as needy, halfassed and self-serving as the next. No real job beyond pushing a pen, flipping folders or point his ‘men’ in places he needs them to go. I don’t think I’ve ever seen the man successfully conduct anything with precision.”

Vahalia leaned across the desk, hands coming to cross infront of her bust as palms had found the cold wood, “He doesn’t take no for an answer and not in an endearing way. The man is annoying, delusional and doesn’t know how to keep his nose to himself even if you ask him to keep his fingers out of your business. Sharp dresser but not exactly sharp in the sense he likes to think he is.” her attention was afforded fully to Cordelia, “I know that his network was compromised about a year or so ago. A monumental task in which he sought out my help for. His trail is messy and continues to be. He has no real assets and the man has a high debt with me he still needs to settle. He might like a stiff drink and a fancy cigar once in a while but he’s as low rung as they come with no real sense of direction, ambition or know-how.”

“I won’t even get started on the sideways shit he tried to pull with my sister just to feel some slice of power for thinking he might get back at me. In short I know plenty of Ricard Blythe, I know him right down to every scar and everything he is capable of – or rather how the incompetence overshadows the capability. I know him down to the very marrow of his being. How ‘curious’ he claims to be of the world around him and how ‘interesting’ he finds folks with no real substance to anything he prattles on about, he talks because he likes to hear himself talk.”

Lacquered nails softly drummed along the desktop a few times before Vahalia’s hands slipped away and to her lap, a lopsided smirk had found itself nestled into her cheek, “The sex wasn’t that impressive either. Might have been enough for me to stay but not even that was a saving grace. Alas, as you stipulated before, lets not ruin our evening by talking about them. There are far more important and interesting matters.”

Brows lifted slightly as Cordelia could hardly hold back a smirk after having been rather taken aback by the devastation Vahalia essentially just unleashed. Once she was finished, she raised her hands with her palms facing her company as if signaling a white flag on the conversation. “My my, I was not prepared to hit such a nerve.” Hands returned now to rest within her lap as she adjusted in her seat, her smirk settling into the faintest of smiles. “What other interesting matters might you suggest?”

“Not at all.” Vahalia reassured her, “You asked and I thought it would be quite an untimely lie if I were to omit my own experiences with the man. It’s no secret that there is no love between him and I, not even a fraction of amicable course considering the position he put my sister in, twice over, which was both a slight to her virtue and her health.”

Vahalia simply offered a slight shrug, she certainly had little to no interest in discussing Ricard but the interest merely lay with Cordelia itself. Brushing the notion aside she flicked a finger in Cordelia’s direction, “Do you have any long-term goals going forward?”

“That’s fair.” Cordelia gave in retort, a gentle rise and fall of her shoulders in a shrug. When the conversation was turned away from the matter of Ricard, she quickly adjusted and changed course with Vahalia. “Aside from ensuring my brother-in-law lives a life of hell? Despite the Gray name not being my origin, I have, in all ways, taken it as my own and I look to make it as such and grow it. Grow it beyond what this family has been able to accomplish and then some. It will take some time but, thanks to you, those steps are already being made in full stride.”

A soft click sounded out as Vahalia gently fussed with her nails, listening to Cordelia, “Why not hand over the Gray estate to him and make your mark with your maiden name? You are a widow now and all indicators point to how much you disliked your late husband, why hang on to anything of his, including his name?” she waved her hand slightly, “Money of course has no name, it fits into any pocket big enough to carry it. Take the business, take the gil – leave the rest to those who would work against you. Just a thought.” Vahalia smirked as her shoulder ilmed up towards her chin, “I’m of the belief that poor investments need to be cut loose.”

Cordelia chuckled quietly as she pressed her lips together in a soft hum. “The consideration has crossed my mind…” A brief pause came as she glanced off at nothing in particular before allowing her attention to fall back to her company. “Perhaps the rational or smarter option is blinded by pride and a bit of pettiness. I want people to know it was me who did what the men of the Gray family could not. Plus, I’ve made this place my own as well. I like it here.” 

Nodded firmly as she looked around the space, “I can understand full well that drive and what it means to women like us. Pride, stubbornness – whatever negative thing they might tack on to it. I like to think of it as ambition, having aspirations and simply being assertive.”

She smiled, genuinely, and her nails drummed at the armrest of her chair, “Well – if we have an accord Cordeila, I do believe I should leave you to your vices for the rest of the day as I imagine you – much like myself – are a busy woman. I can have a fresh manifest ledger sent to you, you can fill it out and we’ll get your cargo situated and I’ll have Edalene see to those deliveries.”

“I’m glad we agree.” Finally, the first showing of a true smile met Cordelia’s lips and reached the corners of her eyes. Her hands came to the desk to push from her seat, nodding lowly to Vahalia in regard. “I truly look forward to working further with you, Vahalia. And should anything of interest come from this -” She paused, a long-nailed fingertip tapped to the book given at the top of the evening. “- I will certainly let you know.” 

The witch-woman stood, “Likewise. I’m a stone’s throw and a missive away should you need me. I’ll swing by again soon to check in and come for tea, which is impeccable by the by.” her finger had lowered to tap at the side of the teacup, “Give your House my regards and I’ll be seeing you again in due course, be well Cordelia.” a firm decline to her chin came, a thankful nod in the Lady Gray’s direction that was sure to be conveyed even in the lingering silence as the Lady Cress made her way from the office, that very same trail of lavender lace and the scent of black plum and anise following in her wake.

[Collab with @vahalia-cress-ffxiv]

Mentions: @spirit-speaking @damien-gray-ffxiv @ricard-blythe-ffxiv