#many people assume that princess bought her way in

[simplysedusa]

Every time I listen to "What Is This Feeling?" from Wicked, I can't help but picture either Blossom/Princess or Buttercup/Princess.

[leiflitter]

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Hello from Blighty thoughts about Saltburn

As a continuation from my reply to @armands-eyefuckery because BRAIN

Aight gang let's have a lil sit down because there is a big ol angle to the film that I think is getting missed by a lot of folks who aren't from the UK because it's a very uh...

British Thing.

IT IS VERY IMPORTANT THAT OLIVER IS FROM THE NORTH.

Cut because Length.

Now look. I am not going to go into Thatcher and Her Crimes, but it's worth a google. I do bring it up in You're Almost Home because...

Lots of people are saying Oliver is upper middle class, and honestly? That doesn't track for me. At all. Yes, his parents have a detached house in a nice suburb and they went on holidays, but there's a lot of Very British Context to them that I really want to point out. Also remember, it's 2006/2007. That is also important.

First of all- Oliver's parents probably never went to University.

Really listen to them. How gullible they are- they believe that Oliver can study at Oxford, and be on the rowing team, and be in plays, and be top scholar. He's always been so clever. If Oliver was anything near upper middle class, his parents would be educated professionals. Oliver probably has dockworkers not even three generations back- his dad has management vibes, but he probably worked his way up in the 70s when all you needed was a good attitude and not to be an obvious murderer.

Secondly- let's talk about the house.

As someone from Down South who has also lived Up North, Oliver's Parent's house would not have been as expensive as people think. Let's assume they bought it in the 1980s- we ALL know that house prices are through the roof NOW, but even today there is a huge gap between house prices in the south and the north. 200k down South might get you a one bedroom flat, if you're lucky. 200k in Prescot can get you a 4-bed, semi-detached HOUSE. Check rightmove.

It is also important that the house is relatively new-looking, because over here Upper Middle Class people aren't really into new build houses- if Oliver was upper middle class, he'd be living in something Victorian or Edwardian. Probably somewhere with a good link to London, especially in 2007. It also means that Oliver's parents may not have even bought it outright- my parents got on the housing ladder via a shared ownership scheme. Oliver's parents aren't rich.

Now, the holidays. Mykonos. Another fun Brit thing is the package holiday. Here's a pretty interesting article about them;

Two adults and three kids could absolutely have gone to Mykonos every year in the late 80s/90s for far less than you'd expect, especially if they paid in installments each month.

I also mentioned about Ollie being from Merseyside specifically, but again. CONTEXT. Although Oliver isn't Liverpudlian (it's important, he's from NEAR Liverpool but not Liverpool itself) the North of England as a whole has routinely been fucked over by those in power. The government AND the royals and the very wealthy. It's still ongoing today- again, another fun source.

Remember when Mr Eats-Crunchies-Sideways called him a Bootlicker? That's fucking IMPORTANT. To many folks he IS a bootlicker. He is highly unlikely to have been raised to grovel at the feet of those with hereditary titles and wealth, and honestly he doesn't. I've written before about how Oliver Denies Felix Things and how that dynamic is important. Oliver likely hasn't been raised with any real deference to The Rich (except Princess Diana).

It also effects Oliver's response to Felix, because goddamn it THATCHER again- it is HIGHLY likely that Oliver has lived through a lot of homophobia. Internalised a lot of it. Felix's parents do not give a shit, but that was not the norm. Again, tried to hit on it in YAH, because times have changed since the 90s/2000s and people change with them, but no fuckin wonder Oliver never responded to Felix chirpsing him like a maniac. He's fucking REPRESSED when he's in Oxford, pals. It also makes sense with that weird Tumblr Dom shit he pulls; he's still fuckin weird about it, he's just being In Charge so he doesn't need to be vulnerable in any way. He is only vulnerable for Felix, and even then he can't SHOW felix that, that would be gay.

Leiflitter over'n'out

[danicamaximoff]

Pretend To Be Nice | Chapter One

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Chapter One: Bowling Alleys and Balding Men

Summary: A few months after forming their band "The Pussycats", Hazel and her friends PJ and Josie get noticed by a record label, and are quickly skyrocketed into fame. It's a dream come true for them, and all three of their lives are flipped upside down. Their quick arrival on the scene quickly draws the attention of many other artists and bands, including a popular girl band called "Nymphology". Unfortunately for Hazel, a mix-up and unintentional awful encounter ends up creating tension between the two groups right before they all leave for Nymphology's upcoming tour. Now forced to frequently interact with someone who she was convinced couldn't stand her, Hazel is desperately trying to fix things with the band's lead guitarist. However it doesn't help that Y/N is actively avoiding Hazel as much as possible, and the fact that Hazel found her insanely hot definitely didn't make things any easier.

Warnings: angst, rockstar au, eventual smut, slowburn, swearing, occasional alcohol mentions/use

Word Count: 2450

Hazel had always joked about starting a band one day and blowing up and getting super famous. When she was little, and her parents were still together, she used to dress up like Freddy Mercury and perform one-woman concerts of her favorite queen songs for her parents. Sure, third grade Hazel was definitely way off pitch, but after the third night in a row of being forced to sit through her completely butchering the high notes in Bohemian Rhapsody, Hazel’s parents quickly enrolled her in voice lessons. 

For Halloween during the fourth grade she went as Paul Simmons from Kiss. Most of the girls came as fairies or princesses, even a few witches, but not Hazel. She showed up to class with a shit eating grin on her face, waving at people as she passed by as they stared, smiling to herself about how cool people must think she looks. However, apparently people were less impressed than she thought, as during lunch a few of the girls from her class came up to her, giggling to themselves as they approached. 

One of them had asked why she looked so weird, and Hazel, assuming they wanted to know more about the band Kiss, began rambling about the band and her costume, eager to talk about her current obsession. They invited her to play with them during lunch, and even let her reenact songs and clips she had seen of the band from concert videos on YouTube, which she was more than happy to perform, as she had thought she was making friends, and they were genuinely interested in the band. 

However, later that day while waiting to get picked up, she learned that wasn’t the case, as she overheard the girls from lunch laughing with each other as they all made fun of Hazel, unaware she had been listening. Needless to say, Hazel didn’t go trick or treating that year.

In an attempt to make her feel better, a few days later her parents offered to sign her up for guitar lessons, which she quickly agreed to, convinced this was finally the start of her path to becoming a rockstar. She figured it would be easy, and once she became a master at guitar everyone would obviously want to be her friend. After all, who didn’t want to be friends with a super rich and famous rock star? Unfortunately, apparently it is much harder to learn the guitar than it seemed, and was much harder than the songs she would play on Guitar Hero afterschool, so she quit guitar lessons. 

She decided she would put her efforts into something easier, and also way cooler, and that year for Christmas her dad bought her a drum set, and she started learning how to play the drums. Turns out it’s way more fun to learn to play an instrument when your tiny elementary-schooler fingers aren’t in almost constant pain, and you get to hit stuff with sticks and make a lot of noise.

As the years went by she got better and better at the drums, meanwhile, her parents' marriage got worse and worse. Turns out aggressively whacking your drumsticks while you drown out your thoughts by playing the drums is a very good way to deal with all the negative emotions surrounding your parents’ divorce. 

In high school she met PJ and Josie, and for the first time in years, she felt like she actually had friends. Sure, maybe Josie and PJ hung out a lot more than the three of them did, and PJ always sort of changed topics whenever Hazel brought up cool facts she found out space and NASA, and maybe she’d groan everytime Hazel mentioned Orcas, especially during the period where Orcas were frequently attacking and sinking yachts, but Hazel didn’t mind. That’s just what friends do. 

She had brought up starting a band a few times, as she knew Josie could play the guitar, (How she handled the near constant feeling of sore fingertips and the sound of your nails scratching the metal strings the wrong way was beyond Hazel, but that’s besides the point) but every time she mentioned it would be cool or fun, Josie just said she’d be too scared, and PJ said it was lame.

So imagine Hazel’s surprise when PJ comes bursting into Hazel’s dorm one day during their sophomore year of college saying they all needed to start a band. Hazel was immediately onboard, though very confused as PJ had always said it was lame when Hazel brought it up, and initially Josie was against it, as she had stage fright, but PJ wouldn’t shut up about it, swearing up and down that if they started a band chicks would be lining up just to make eye contact with them, eventually wearing Josie down and getting her to say yes.

Hazel, of course, was the drummer, Josie played the guitar, and PJ, well, for a while PJ couldn’t decide what to do besides sing, and was totally against Hazel’s idea of playing the cowbell, claiming it was “dumb” and that “no girl looks at someone playing the cowbell and gets turned on.” Josie eventually got PJ to play the tambourine though, since PJ had awful stage presence, so she needed at least something to do while singing to distract from the fact that she had no clue how to perform on a stage. Hazel had tried giving her tips a few times, but PJ never accepted the help.

This led them to their current situation, as Hazel had pulled a few strings and got her classmate who worked at a local bowling alley to convince the manager to let Hazel and her friends play gigs once or twice a week there. PJ was convinced they were going to blow up and become super famous, but they had been playing at the bowling alley for a few months now, and the only thing that seemed to be “blowing up” was the bathroom during the occasional kids birthday parties that were thrown there. Maybe they’d have at least somewhat of a following if their band had a name of some kind, (PJ swore the right name would find them when the time was right, but that had yet to happen), or if the manager let them play during special event nights, when there were actually teenagers and young adults here, but alas, they were stuck with no name, no label, and playing on a cramped stage in a shitty bowling alley while middle-aged men met for their bowling team practice and complained about their wives.

“Hey guys, not to be like a buzzkill, but I don’t think the bowling alley is the best place to do gigs.” Hazel says as she stuffs her drum sticks into her bag.

“Yeah, I think Hazel’s right. I don’t think middle-aged men who are slowly balding at their weekly bowling team meetups are a great audience.” Josie says as she zips up the bag to her guitar case.

“What are you talking about? They love us! I literally saw Steve nodding his head to one of our songs earlier!” PJ says defensively as she scoffs and gestures to where the bowling team was sitting earlier.

“He wasn’t bobbing his head, he was drunk! He almost ate shit every time it was his turn to bowl!” Josie says as she rolls her eyes.

“Wait, seriously? How does that even work?” Hazel asks as she gives Josie a confused look from where she was sitting behind the drums.

“No, not seriously, Hazel! It’s a figure of speech!” PJ says as she rolls her eyes in annoyment.

“But you said-” Hazel says as she looks over at Josie with confusion.

“I meant he kept tripping and almost falling down. You know, like when someone falls on their face or something, people say they ate shit?” Josie says as she sighs as she cuts Hazel off and explains what she meant.

“Oooh. Yeah that makes more sense, you should’ve just said that.” Hazel says as she tilts her head back a bit in realization.

“Oh my god.” PJ says with an annoyed expression on her face. “Would you guys just trust me! We are going to get noticed! I swear! Maybe not… today… or super soon… But it will happen! There’s no way it won’t! And when we do, we’re going to get super rich, and super famous, and there’s going to be girls lining the block to see us, and everyone is going to wish they were us! I’m serious!” She says as she waves her arms around dramatically as she talks.

“PJ, that’s not going to happen! Stop lying to yourself! We are playing shitty gigs on shitty days of the week at a shitty bowling alley! We’re not going to get noticed! All this is doing is tanking my English grade because I’m practicing for these stupid gigs instead of writing my essays! It’s one thing if I was getting a C because people actually enjoyed and listened to our music, but the only people who are listening to us right now are a bunch of men who are going through midlife crises and give us weird looks! If I have to listen to them talk about Jimmy Buffet one more time I am going to lose my mind, PJ!” Josie says as she hoists the guitar case over her shoulder, clearly stressed out and looking a bit frazzled at the moment.

“Okay, I don’t think-” PJ starts to say, before Josie cuts her off.

“PJ, please! I can’t keep playing at bowling alleys!” Josie cries out dramatically.

“If you guys want I can reach out to my mom or something and see if-” Hazel starts to say, trying to suggest a way they might be able to play at places other than the bowling alley.

“No!” Both PJ and Josie snap at Hazel before turning back and continuing to argue with each other, causing her to wilt back in her seat a bit at the outburst.

“Okay, you know what? Fine! You win Josie! We’ll stop playing here, and we’ll figure out a name, or just stop the band all together and we’ll all die sad, miserable, lonely deaths!” PJ says as she snaps back at Josie. As they continue to argue, Hazel’s phone buzzes in her pocket, and she pulls it out to see a text from one of her classmates.

—

Emma (Calculus)

Hey! Random question, but you’re in a band, right?

—

That’s ironic. Hazel thinks to herself as she reads her classmates text and glances at PJ and Josie, who were still arguing, and looks back at her phone as she responds.

—

Hazel

Yeah! We just finished a gig! :)

—

Emma (Calculus)

Oh cool!

Are you guys free this Friday?

My brother’s throwing a party but the band he was going to have play canceled, would you guys be interested in playing? 

You don't have to be good lol, everyone will probably be super drunk anyways, he just likes live bands.

—

Hazel’s eyes go wide as she reads the text messages, blinking a few times in disbelief before looking up at PJ and Josie, who were still bickering with one another. “Guys, guys!” Hazel calls out as she tries to get their attention. “Guys, would you shut up and listen to me?” Hazel yells as she rolls her eyes, finally getting their attention.

“What do you want now, Hazel?” PJ asks as she looks at Hazel with an annoyed expression.

“I found us a gig! It’s this friday! This girl in my calculus class said her brother is throwing a party, and asked if we wanted to play!” Hazel says with an excited grin as she holds up her phone, despite the fact that PJ and Josie definitely couldn’t read it from where they were standing.

“Seriously? Holy shit! You said yes right?” PJ asks, both a shocked and excited expression on her face.

“No, because I wanted to make sure we were all free before-” Hazel starts to say before PJ cuts her off.

“Obviously we’re free! It’s a fucking party! See Josie? What’d I fucking tell you! I told you we’d get noticed!” PJ says as she hits Josie in the arm excitedly.

“We didn’t get noticed, PJ, Hazel just has friends.” Josie says as she gives PJ a look.

“So? That’s still technically getting noticed! We’re being asked to play at a party! I mean you just said you didn’t want to keep playing here, well here’s our chance! We have to do this! Just think of how many people are going to be at the party! I mean there’s gotta be at least a few girls who think we’re hot!” PJ says defensively as she rolls her eyes.

“Wait, are you only doing this to get with girls?” Hazel asks as she gives PJ a confused look. “I thought you actually wanted to be in a band and get famous and stuff.” She says as she frowns a bit.

“Yeah, I do! Because when you’re rich and famous everybody loves you and wants to be with you, and everyone who doesn’t is jealous of you and wants to be you!” PJ says with exasperation.

“Well I don’t think everyone-” Hazel starts to say, before PJ cuts her off.

“Okay, this is besides the point! We have three days before we play at the party, we need to figure out what we’re performing and find super hot outfits!” PJ says as she rolls her eyes and lets out an annoyed groan.

“Oh my god, there’s going to be so many people.” Josie says nervously as she looks away, eyes wide with fear.

“Yeah, so many people who are going to love us! This is our big break! After this we are going to become a party staple, and everyone is going to want us to play at their parties, and then from there, it’s only a matter of time before we get a record deal and become a global hit and the whole world knows our name!” PJ says excitedly as she waves her hands while she talks.

“If we’re going to play at parties and be super big and famous, don’t we kind of need a name?” Hazel says as she thinks, a confused look on her face as she looks back and forth between PJ and Josie, who both seem to remember they had yet to figure out a band name.

“We’ll do that tomorrow! We’ll all meet up and figure out a name for the band! It’ll be easy!” PJ says as she shrugs and looks at Josie and Hazel.

I hope you guys like the first chapter lol. I'm trying to update as frequently as I can but I do have work and college so bare with me lol. also lmk if you want me to make a tag list!! dividers from @saradika and @animatedglittergraphics-n-more graphic made by me lol

[moomeecore]

so nobody asked but ive been working on fixing up the hair of the ponies in my mlp collection and as a result have been inspired to look for more, and somewhere along the way i arrived upon the opinion that hasbro did NOT fully utilize their market w the ponies they made - specifically with brushables! bc like, the 6" brushables are The g4 toy, right? The default, the basic. so you'd assume they'd make one for all the characters that are particularly popular, right? no. they didn't pay enough attention or something, and so here is my list of ponies that SHOULD have had 6" brushables and i personally think they missed a huge opportunity by not doing that (esp since they made so many toy-exclusive ponies ugh.) yes i told you nobody asked . anyway

carrot top: this is a big one, bc she might not have been the most popular background pony, but she was one people latched onto early bc of her unique design, and people would have absolutley bought toys for her. theres litterally a fanmade song JUST about carrot top. also, perhaps more importantly, her color scheme is cute and she's perfect for a toy, especially if they went the extra mile and gave her extra curly hair (which they probably wouldnt tbh). all the carrot top fan made brushables look super cool - her design translates well

roseluck: again, she was one of the earliest background ponies that fans started to get attached to. theres also the subset of dr. whooves fans who think of roseluck as the equialent of rose from doctor who, and that's a whole group of people who have extra intrest in the character

minuette: she has a unique design that would stand out, is another early established background pony - and in later seasons she even got a proper episode role! as an 11 year old child i started using colgate toothpaste because people made jokes about how minuette was the color of colgate toothpaste. if she had that much grip on my mind as a child im sure she did for plenty of others.

amythest star: again, she got a proper episode role eventually, so why is there no brushable for her? especially since she has such a cute purple color pallete. it would probably translate great into a toy

moondancer: cannot beleive they didn't take this oppurtunity honestly. she has such a good color scheme for a toy, first of all. but also the version of her in fim has a cute little sweater and glasses they could sell as accessories. and theyd have extra interest from collectors and nostalgic individuals because she was also in g1. people would be posting pics of their g1 and g4 moondancers together. thats the world we'd live in. it would be 0.00001% better.

cloudkicker and flitter: first off, they could have sold them as a pair that go together, and it would have been so cute. second off, they have such distinct designs its wild that they weren't singled out as brushable potentials. also the toys they did make of them weren't even good so they owe us.

lotus blossom: she has a cute name and color scheme and is a notable background pony and she even has pink! but! ok i lied she does have a brushable but ONLY a ponymania one. and yes some of the ponymania designs were good, but MOST of them were ass, include lotus blossom's. and like, the thing with weird decals on ponies is you can wipe them off or paint over them. but for ponymania lotus blossom, she's got decals around her eyes. so it would be such a pain in the ass. they should just have a normal one noone should have to deal with that . it's even on both eyes!! as featured below

fleur de lis: hasbro loved making fake toy-only alicorns, and they're obsessed with making the ponies pink. so why tf didnt they make a toy for the white and pink unicorn with a princess body type. thats like a show-compliant way for them to do their favorite things. shes girly shes pretty shes tall shes pink. why does she not have a brushable. they could have litterally just re-used a cadence mold!

sugar belle: so ik a lot of ppl dropped off the show within the span of seasons 4-6 (i did too for a while), but know that sugar belle ends up becoming a very much reoccuring character. she marries big mac. shes part of the apple family now. and no, she dosen't have a goddamn brushable doll. applejack voice what in the hay

surprise: idk if they are allowed to call her that but the white and yellow wonderbolt is called "suprise" by fans because of the obvious resemblance to g1 surprise (who hasbro i think lost the rights to??? somehow????) making a toy of her could be a sneaky way to pander to g1 fans, which would go over SUPER well with multi-gen collectors and also be good nostolgia bait. the only issue is they'd prooobably give her a wonderbolts outfit painted on like they did with spitfire and A. painted on outfits on mlp dolls almost universally look like shit B. g1 suprise was not a wonderbolt, bc those didnt exist yet. so if the wonderbolts attire was non-removable it would break the immersion of a g1 tie-in. they could just, you know, not paint on her outfit or not give her one but i think that might be too big of an ask for hasbro since they loooove painting ugly designs on mlp brushables

sunshine smiles and moonlight raven: so obviously, these two would be sold as a pair. they arent very popular but i think their designs are so universally good that both collectors and children would like them.

florina tart: again she's not super popular but i think her design would translate well. also they gave her her own blind bag mold, so i assume if she was considered marketable enough for that, then they could have done well with brushables of her. also her general aesthetic opens the door for cute accessories.

[marciabrady]

The Signs as The Physicality of Different Disney Princesses

ARIES: Meg's depth of coloring. Your skin and hair, like hers, might seem almost flat or of one hue, but upon second glance it obviously contains infinite multitudes. You're fascinating to watch, as with the turn of your head, hair that seemed cool brown could reveal various hints of wine red; there are countless ridges around the iris of your eyes, your veins might appear blue one day and green the next, and the undertones of your skin can seemingly vary depending on the lighting and time of year. TAURUS: Mulan's affinity for appearing comfortable and well-rested. Whether you're dressed up to the nines or in sweats, your loved ones always feel at home just by looking at you. The definition of the friend you don't need a social battery for, you can emerge as the main character in any situation, even if you're the most dressed down in the room. GEMINI: Pocahontas's majestic presence, even if in humble clothing. You will literally never have a wardrobe that wears you. People often ask you where you bought that jacket or even how you get your perfume to last, but the secret is that you were just born with that special touch. CANCER: Esmeralda's almost corporeal blend of seductive vulnerability. Your scrappy edge comes across in your "come hither" look, though you also can seemingly hold your own against overzealous admirers. But there's something so genuine and gentle about you that isn't revealed to those with the most money or power- but, rather, those who take the time to get to know you and your heart, sometimes by offering an unexpected act of kindness. LEO: Aurora's trademark hair of sunshine gold. Your Leo Mane is, without a doubt, one of the most distinct descriptors of your physical appearance to the point where, like Aurora, it seems like an element unto itself. Just as Maleficent enlists her raven to survey the countryside for a maid with "hair of sunshine gold," most of your family and friends can identify you from a mile away by your lovely tresses. You likely often get asked if you color your hair or if you follow a specific regimen. Your hair is, without a doubt, your crown. VIRGO: Snow White's tidy nature. Perfectly groomed at all times, you present an impeccable appearance and never skip laundry day. You make the most of anything you're wearing. Most of the times when people buy clothing from catalogs or from how it looks on a mannequin, they assume they can pull it off as well as you- the way it was meant to be worn. LIBRA: Moana's natural beauty. While you can get glammed up with the best of them, you come alive with hair freshly soaked in ocean water, skin that's been deepened and kissed by the sun after long days outside, and a lack of makeup. Your best look is when you're closest to the earth. SCORPIO: Cinderella's inky, sooty lashes. Scorpios, without a doubt, have the most beautiful, mysterious eyes which seemingly reveal the hidden universes they guard from us. Your lashes' fringy frame pulls us in to your depthless hues even deeper. SAGITTARIUS: Jane's deer-like beauty. Like the Tarzan character, you might have a longer or more angular face, but there's an innate softness that belies your natural friendliness. CAPRICORN: Jasmine's dramatically striking appearance. No matter what room you walk into, your beauty takes as many people aback as the words that come from your mouth. AQUARIUS: Ariel's pert chin. There's a delicacy to you that suggests the wide appeal of a "next door" type of beauty, but there's also a defined quality to your features- a fascinating combination of soft and strong. PISCES: Tiana's style and wardrobe. You have an outfit for every occasion and the endless combinations you can curate with your different clothing pieces make for infinite style options.

[georgiapeach30513]

The Flowers of Waverley Road, Part 1

Summary:  Magnus Romano is a fierce leader of the biggest Mafia family in Boston.  And deep outside of the negotiating and the city he has remained to keep his daughters hidden.  But continues to use them as a bargaining agent.  Each daughter has their own journey and story.  Each daughter has their own tests and heartbreak.  And each daughter is fiercely loyal to each other.  His pretty little flowers.  His major point of bribery.  But they’re not as delicate as Magnus thinks that they are, or as stupid.

Pairings:  August Walker X Orchid, Nick Fowler X Lotus, Jax Teller X Dahlia, Jack Bass X Violet, Ari Levinson X Lavender

Rating:  explicit

Warnings:  explicit language, explicit sexual content, oral sex (female receiving), fingering, masturbating (F), arranged marriages, misogyny, age gap, power imbalance, implied abuse, 18+ ONLY

Word Count:  8k

Universe Masterlist

*dividers created by @firefly-graphics​

“Mr. Levinson?” Ari looks up from his magazine he had just been staring at, annoyed at all the clearance that was necessary for this job.  It was a house completely out in the middle of nowhere.  A house so far off the beaten path, one would assume they were in an endless loop of trees.  “Miss Romano will now see you.  Should you be hired, make sure you wear different shoes.”

Ari glances at his old worn boots; a bit dusty, stained in paint, and sure a bit dirty.  He didn’t ask to come to this ridiculously white office.  Why was everything so white?  Not even a fingerprint in sight.  Possibly the rumors of burned off fingerprints was factual.

His heavy footfalls carry him into Miss Romano’s office, and she looks up from her computer glaring at him.  “I didn’t ask to come here, sweetheart,” Ari smirks, planting himself on a white coach, and she grimaces at him.  Even she is decked out in white.  Head to toe.  White business dress that clings to every inch of her curves.  Some things never changed.  She hadn’t aged a day.

“Mr. Levinson, we take people going to Waverley Road very seriously,” her long manicured fingers tap on the desk, and she slides her chair back.  Walking in front of the desk to lean against the edge.  His eyes roam up and down every inch of her, “And we take people abusing the ability to get onto the property very seriously.  You understand what you are signing on for?  People not directly involved in my family’s business rarely ever make it this far.”

“Family business, huh?  Is that what they’re calling the mafia these days?”

“I’m not quite sure I follow, Mr. Levinson,” Ari nods his head, even though he is aware that she knows exactly what he’s referring to.  “A background check was done on you.  A lot of petty crime.  You will not be permitted inside of the house.”

“Why?  Do you have a princess locked up in that tower?” The woman stands unmoving.  They did.  They had some princess locked in there all alone in the middle of nowhere, “Just how many flowers of Waverley Road are there?  I lost count.”

“Mr. Levinson.”

“Rumors of the Romano flowers are all throughout the city.  None as beautiful as you, Miss Lotus Romano.  Unwed because she’s unfit, and can’t be used as a bargaining tool.  Magnus knows her worth, and wants to keep his pretty little daughter happy.  Which one finally was sold to the highest bid of Jack Bass?  Which one gets to be bought by Bart Bass?  The Romanos are in the Basses pocket, and everyone knows it.  Can’t forget your little delinquent of a sister.  Has she ever been found?”

“Are you finished, Mr. Levinson.  Insulting my family is not a great way to get a job.  I am the one allowing you into our family mansion.  I am the one that will either give you this job, or take it away from you.  Do not question my authority in my family,” Ari’s eyes slowly blink close as he tilts his head to her.  Leaning back and getting more relaxed in his chair.

“The last interview I had there was only three files on your secretary’s desk.  You don’t have too many people vying for a chance to work for your family.  I believe I’m all that you’ve got.  You don’t have a choice.  My work is good and clean.  And I come with great references.  Where is Nicky?  Getting his cock sucked by some bimbo?”

“Now that is enough,” she slaps her hand on the desk, turning her back to Ari.  He could speak all he wanted to about her family, but bring up Nick, and she shuts down, and shows emotion.  She calmly picks up her phone, ringing her secretary, “Cici, have Nick escort Mr. Levinson to Waverley Road.  If he’s to have anyone working with them, they have to be cleared with me, and he’s only allowed one person.”

“Uh, Frank Adler?” Ari clears his throat, because a request for some help had already been sent in.  If it hadn’t made it to Lotus, there was no telling when Frank would be approved.

“His file is being processed.  That may take a couple of weeks.”

“A couple of weeks?  How the fuck am I going to get any work done?”

“Figure it out,” Lotus gently lays her phone back on the receiver.  Walking around to her chair, and ignoring Ari, “You may go.  Nick will make sure you make it to Waverley Road in one piece.  And if Mr. Adler should be cleared, he will join you.  There is a small house in front of the mansion, you can stay there, Frank as well, should he be approved.  Make sure that you have your bags packed.  You’re going to be stuck on Waverley Road until all the repairs are finished.  Should you need something, Nick can be of assistance.  Should you want to leave, don’t.  We own you now, Mr. Levinson.”

Bitch.  Ari stands, and walks back out to the foyer, waiting on his former roommate.  Lotus really was the cold bitch that everyone claimed that she was.  Heart of stone, and no fucks given, but she had a weakness.  This is what Ari wanted and needed.  And he had completed this part.  Now onto the mansion.

Nick looks at himself in the mirror, straightening out his hair when he looks at his phone, “Hey, sweetheart.”

“I asked you not to call me that while in this building.  Mr. Levinson was approved.  You need to take him to Daddy’s summer mansion.”

“Isn’t your baby sister there?” Nick did not foresee the luck of having the most awkward and needy of the sisters at the mansion.  A girl that would open up to anyone that was giving her attention.

“And that’s where she will stay, until Daddy decides what he’s going to do with her.  There are a few that she has caught the eye of.  Don’t know if they are profitable though.”

“You know casually talking about your sisters being in an arranged marriage is a little concerning.  Should I be alarmed?” His eyebrow cocks up as he shuts down his office.

“I’ve got the files, Nicky.  No one has ever asked for my hand in marriage, and Daddy has never offered.  I supposed I’m going to remain an old spinster that is too smart for this whole operation.”

“Would you take marrying someone you’re in business with?  Like, I don’t know, the man that has no one above him in this family, but your father?” He would continue to ask any chance he got, until she said yes.

“You forget, this is only business.  Don’t confuse casual sex with anything more than a fix.  Take Mr. Levinson to Waverley Road.”

“Make sure you’re waiting at my house, in one of the pretty little lace numbers I got you.  I’ll take your Mr. Levinson to the mansion, and explain the ground rules.  I’ll see you when I return,” he doesn’t wait for a response.  He never does.  And she is always waiting for him.  Every time.  Giving him so much, and so little all at the same time.  It was infuriating that the one thing he wanted, she was still keeping guarded.  Her heart.

He struts out into the waiting room, snapping a finger towards Ari, “Follow me.  You sure know how to piss people off, you know that?”

“Well, what’s the fun in knowing I got the job if I can’t play around a bit?  So Lotus Romano?”

“What?” Nick stops to turn around and look at the man.  Ari is a beast.  Taller than most men he had ever seen, and wide.  His skills we’re definitely better suited in other avenues besides a carpenter.  

“Who is at this mansion?” Ari gives his old friend a wink.  Nick was not someone he wanted to piss off.  He needed Nick, and clearly he and Lotus did not want to joke about their ‘relationship’.

“It’s best if you leave that one alone,” Nick responds, spinning on his heels and continues to the parking garage.

“Why is that?” Dig a bit more.  It was what Ari is good at.  Get more information, and if she was as pretty as her sisters, how bad could it be?

“She’s barely legal.”

“Ahh, but she is legal.  Is she promised to someone?  Chuck Bass maybe?  Would he finally sell one of his daughters to a more age appropriate man?  How is Jack’s new bride?” Nick grunts out his own frustrations.  Magnus was living in the dark ages.  “He had all those girls for more than having children, huh?”

“I don’t want to talk about them.  They have very little say in what he’s doing.  Lavender will fall in line like her sisters before her.”

“Worked out well for Dahlia,” Ari surmises, settling himself in Nick’s car.  “How is she?”

“Teller keeps her busy.  She got what she wanted.  Away from the Basses, and away from her father.”

“And why do you suppose that is?” Nick keeps his eyes on the road.  As long as Ari didn’t bring up Lotus, he was okay.  No one ever got away with speaking about her.  “So, Jack’s bride complied, and the Basses still funded Magnus’ dying empire.  He’s nothing without the Basses.  He basically became a tool for them.  They’ll continue to use him to get what they want, and when they’re done, well, you know what will become of Magnus and his daughters.”

“And what exactly are you going to do about it?” Nick turns to glare at Ari.  A man that talked a big game about something he was not technically a part of.  It was complicated.

“Nothing.  I’m just a carpenter.  Being forced to live out in the middle of nowhere, I can't leave my base until the repairs are done.  Out there all alone with nothing to keep me busy but a barely legal flower.”

“Going inside of the house is unwise.  You are to stay outside,” another warning of staying outside, and not entering the house.

“Why?  Is there something wrong with Rapunzel?”

“She is to be kept chaste,” Ari snorts.  They were never really chaste.  None of them.  People talk.  Little girls locked up in towers always had their vices.  Their way with men and women to get what they wanted.  More so of what they needed.  “Bart isn’t interested.  However, there are others that are looking at Lavender.  The flowers of Waverley Road are now a legend.”

“What about Lotus,” Nick warps the car over to the side of the road, and wraps his hand over Ari’s throat.  “Easy.  We’re on the same side.”

“You do not deserve to speak her name,” Nick spits out at him.  That was his first strike.

“What happens when she’s sold to the highest bidder?  Dahlia was smart, she got out while she could.  Leaving her sister to be claimed and promised to Jack.  Lotus isn’t promised to anyone.  Do you think that will last?  Do you think her father won’t sell her?”

“She’s valuable on her own.  Magnus needs her, and her brains.”

“And her sisters are nothing but the flesh in between their legs?  I see.  Things worked out well for Orchid,” the oldest of the sisters.  The one who stood tall and proud.  Walked side by side with her husband.  A man that would kiss the ground she walked on, if she asked.

“You don’t know what you’re talking about,” Nick huffs, putting the car back into gear.  Turning onto the famed road, and the long journey to the mansion.  No one ever knew or understood the Romano family.  Even Nick, despite Lotus randomly dropping tidbits.

“Do I not?  I’m risking my life being here.”

“No one asked you to,” Nick whispers.  It was a lie.  One that they were both aware of.  Ari was asked.  And it was worth the risk, should he be successful.  

Trees are so heavy down this road a lesser man would feel as if he was losing his mind.  There was nowhere to go but forward, or back from which you came.  No one dared to come out this far, and judging by the security stations on the way in, they would never make it to the point that they currently are.  Guarded by more than the maddening forest.

It was boring.  No wonder he was being asked to live on the property.  “How much land does Magnus own?”

“All of it,” Nick answers with finality.  Ari had pissed him off.  Nick was easy to talk to, until you made him get into his head about Lotus.  “You are not to go into the mansion.”

“So I’ve heard.”

“There’s your quarters,” Nick points at a small cabin, not at all grand.  “It’s big enough to sleep at least four people.  You will be given a car that you can commute from here to the mansion.  You are not to step foot inside.  Lavender can be a bit persuasive, you are not to listen to her under any circumstance.  However, should her life be in danger, you risk yours to save her.  That is how it goes.  You wanted to be surrounded by the flowers.  You are.  And this…”

A gigantic mansion comes into view.  An otherworldly and old look to it with ivy growing up the sides.  It looks haunted.  Should anyone happen to unluckily stumble upon it, it would terrify them.  And right by the pool was a gorgeous and completely nude young woman sunbathing.

“My god,” Nick, irritated puts his car into park.  “She was told you were coming today.  Cover your eyes,” Ari would not.  Perfect tits on that one.  She was hot, and she knew it.  Fresh Brazilian wax.  She wanted to be seen.  “Lavender!  Put some fucking clothes on.”

Her mouth turns up into a smirk, but she doesn’t move, “If I am to live out here all alone, I’m going to take advantage of the privacy.”

“And I told you,” she stands up, and Ari gets a full body look at her, turning back around to awkwardly bend over to gather her hat.  Awkward because she wanted Ari to see her puffy, velvety, and scrumptious cunt.  “Lavender!”

“Aw, Nicky, don’t look as I walk away,” Nick turns away from her, and grabbing both tits, she jiggles them just for Ari to see.  Ari would not be staying away from her.  She wanted to show him her body, and he was going to look.  “I’m going inside to fuck myself.”

“I hate you.  How am I ever going to tell your sister about this?”

“Just don’t tell her I put a strap on my giant teddy,” Ari likes her.  He was sure she was more talk than anything.  But she needed it.  Bad.  “Daddy has me out here all by myself, I should be able to have some fucking fun!”

“Go fuck your teddy bear then!” Lavender flips his back off before finally walking into the house.  She wasn’t entirely lying, and wasn’t entirely telling the truth.  Fixing the roof she was told.  She was aware of the area where the roof leaked.  And she had a plan.  If she was going to be out here bored while all her sisters got to have a man touch them, she was going to have some fun.  With the carpenters.

“Ignore her.”

“How can I?  My god, she either needs someone to lay her over their lap and spank her ass, or she needs a real good fucking,” he tilts his head, trying to continue to look at her.  Still she was shaking her tits at him.  Pinching her nipples, before walking away.

“She’s a liar.  All she wants is attention, and you’re giving it to her,” Nick slaps Ari in the back of his head.  Ari and her could potentially be a problem, or the best thing they didn’t plan on, “Your boxes will be coming here by tonight.  This is the key to your car.  There is the garage.  I’ll have Lotus message you the key codes for everything.  And stay out of the fucking house.”

“Yeah, yeah,” Ari groans, getting out of the car.  “This my supplies?” He asks, pointing over to a mountain of lumber and boxes upon boxes of things.

“Yes.  Have fun, Ari.  Don’t say I didn’t warn you.  Also, Magnus and the other girls will be here tonight for dinner.  Make sure you’re at home.”

“So you’re saying if I want to fuck the princess I better do it before tonight?” He bites at his lip, looking back into the house, hoping to see those perfect tits.

“I’m saying don’t be looking at tits, and have nothing done before they get here,” jumping into his car, Nick drives back into the city, and back to Lotus’ office.  Speaking of fucking, she owed him dessert.  She could continue her work, while he feasted on the sweetest thing he had ever tasted.

Ari looks up at the mansion, wondering where Lavender had gone.  He just wanted to have some fun, and enjoy something nice to look at.  Instead he starts opening up a few of the containers.  Sweat pours down his brows as he unloads everything.  Minor repairs, and it would get done faster with a crew.  But Magnus didn’t want a crew here.

Hearing one of the sweetest little moans, he looks towards a window.  There she was.  Still needing to be seen.  Playing with her tits, and grinding on the arm of a couch.  Ari completely knows why Magnus didn’t want a crew.  She is looking straight at him begging, “Ari!” She whines, placing her hands in front of her to grind even faster.

Her tits look even more amazing as she works herself over the furniture.  “Ari, the door is unlocked.”

“Well, hell,” it was an invitation, and who was he to say no.  Walking into the mansion, and breaking the one main rule he has, he follows her desperate sounds.  Tiptoeing into a sitting room,  and there she was.  One of the most amazing women he had ever met.  What a welcome gift he was getting.  “What cha doing?”

“Imagining I was riding you?” She was needy.  Moving over this arm of the couch like her life depended on it.  “You like my titties?”

“Oh I love them.  You making a mess on the couch?”

“Uh huh.  You can lick it up if you want.  You can play with my tits, too.”

“Oh, I think I want you to lick it up,” her eyes go wide as she stares up at him.  Black seas of lust in her eyes, glossy and still so innocent.  He steps closer, reaching out to pinch both of her nipples.  “You never been talked to like that?  If you want to be a desperate little slut, I can treat you like one.”

He rolls her nipples in between his fingers, and she arches her back, bringing herself closer to him.  Moving her hands behind her, Ari sees her pretty puffy lips spread over the leather.  A trail of slick gathering on the arm.  She was a pretty little thing.  “I’m going to suck your tits, okay?”

“Uh huh, please!” He wanted his fingers in her.  His mouth closes around one nipple, and her body loses self control.  Screaming out his name, until he pulls off her with a pop.  Looking at her wide eyed at her outburst.  Her juices drip down onto the couch and floor.

“Did you just squirt from me barely sucking on your nipple?”

“What?” Ari’s hand swipes up her honey, showing her just how soaked his fingers are.  “I uh…”

“Show me your pussy.  I’ll taste that, too.  If you think sucking on your nipples feels amazing.  Sucking on you right here,” his finger touches her clit, and she shivers, mewling out his name, while her body searches for more pressure from him.  “Show me.”

Lavender scoots down onto the couch, legs already spreading wide, and Ari gulps.   She was an easy target, “Tell me, sweetheart,” Ari begins as he gets down to his knees, smiling down at her bare and leaking cunt, “Who visits out here?” His hand lays flat over her mound, and she squeals.  “Uh uh, who visits out here?”

“No — no one.”

“I don’t feel like you’re being truthful.  Big house, sweet little slut like you, all alone with just me.  What would happen if I fucked you right here?”

“No!” She shakes her head no rapidly, and when he tries to remove his hand she slaps her own over his.  “You can play with me.  No sex.”

“We did just meet, hmm?” leaning a bit closer, his hand slides up to spread apart her lips, giving just the most sweet kiss over her bundle of nerves.  “Who comes out here?  Your father?” Peering up at her, his tongue flicks over her little bean, and Lavender struggles to talk.

“Sometimes.  I don’t want to talk about him right now.”

“Who else?” She gives him a little pout, trying to pull him closer to her heat.  Needing nothing more than to have him kitten lick her again.  “No, you tell me who else comes here, and I’ll suck on this clit, until you’re coming in my mouth.  Maybe put a finger in that sweet puss.”

“Bus-bus-business associates.  The Basses, and…some man I don’t know.  Please, Ari, I want you to put a finger in me.”

“Only one for now.  Maybe you can figure out who else is coming here for me, and I’ll give you even more fingers.  I don’t want anyone to walk in on me feasting on your cunt.  Just be a good girl for me, and I’ll make sure to ruin you, okay?”

She nods her head, and Ari dives right in.  Wrapping his lips around her overly sensitive clit, and swiping a finger up and down her slit.  Letting her get good and squirmy until he sinks one finger in.  Her walls immediately start pulsing around him.  She was a responsive little thing.  A perk of the job he supposed.  Get information and get to fuck her.  It wasn’t a bad trade off.

Pumping his finger in and out of her, and her hips start to move with him.  Her hands squeeze on her tits.  Magnus was a fucking idiot.  Leaving this pretty young thing that was begging to be fucked all alone.  And she had a mouth on her.  Willing to say anything as long as she was touched and got off.  

She was ridiculously tight.  Clearly she was pretty inexperienced.  Which made her a danger to herself.  Or maybe she was the perfect daughter to sell to pay for his next business venture.  He was an idiot.  She wouldn’t be inexperienced when Ari finished with her.

“Ar-Ar-Ari!” His arm was dripping in her cream and slick.  Lines of arousal puddles into his hand, and the loudest squelching sounds he had ever heard echo in the empty house.  She is just about gone.  Dumb and pliable.  Just for Ari.  “Ari!” She screams, gushing into his mouth.  “Ari!” Her voice starts to go soft as she pushes him away, “Stop.  Stop, I’m throbbing.”

“Yeah,” he leans back, wiping her honey off his beard.  Keeping her lips spread, “Look at that little clit.  It’s all swollen.  You can see your heartbeat in it.  Did you have fun, Rapunzel?”

“Uh-huh,” she is mesmerized looking down at her little hole.  He had made her feel things that she had never felt before.  They both watch as he drags his finger out of her quivering hole, and he gives it a long stare.  Projecting spit onto her spread cunt before rubbing it in.  Giving her sensitive nub a flick, she trembles.  “Can we do it again?”

“Remember what I said, princess,” Ari slips his soaked up fingers past her lips, and like a good girl, she sucks her juices and his spit off him.  “And I’ll look at and taste that cunt whenever you want me to.  But I hear your family is coming over tonight.  You better clean up your mess.  You’d hate daddy to see what a mess you made.  Maybe next time I’ll let you fuck my fingers.  Just have them there while you and those pretty tits bounce.  Run along.  Don’t wear clothes the next time I see you.”

She sits up, and hungrily kisses on Ari’s mouth.  Tasting her arousal and moaning before she sits back, making her tits jiggle for him before going to get some things to clean up the mess.  She was trouble.  But what a fun trouble she was going to be.

“Daddy!” The oldest of the Walker children runs up to his father.  Jumping into his father’s arms, and August throws him up in the air.  “Daddy, we’re going to the castle when you get dressed.”

“I know, buddy.  You want to pack you and sissy some toys?  I think mama said we’re staying the night.  It’s such a long drive back out to the city,” he sets his son down, and Tripp runs off to gather some toys, while August heads into the bedroom, seeing his beautiful wife zipping up their suitcase.

“You’re late,” she answers shortly.  Standing up, only to smooth her dress down, refusing to look her husband in the eyes.  “Carys is asleep, and going to be in a foul mood at dinner all because you are late.”

“Orchid, honey, I’m not here to argue.  I’m here to change, so we can leave.”

“This has put us thirty minutes behind.  And,” her words get lost in her mouth as August steps up to her and starts kissing on her neck.  “Don’t try to butter me up.  Carys is going to be in an ill mood because…mmm — because we’ll have to wake her up from her nap,” his kisses always are the best.  Scattering kisses all down her chest, before the softest peck is placed on her lips.

“Carys is going to get to spend the night with her aunt Lavender.  Tripp as well.  And mommy and daddy get to have fun all night long, and not worry about anything,” dipping his hand under her dress he grabs a handful of her breast.  “And mommy is going to let daddy ravish her.”

“Auggie…” she starts to pant out, leaning more into him.  Eyes glazing over as she slips into a submissive state.

August clears his throat, and steps away quickly, leaving her to huff out in irritation, “Honey, we’re already late.”

“You’re insufferable.  The reason you’re late?” August silently walks into their closet, beginning to change into something a bit more casual.  Not saying anything, “I see.  The family business.”

“Did you know that your father hired a carpenter, finally.  He went out to the property today.  I hear your sister gave him quite the greeting.”

Orchid steps to the edge of their closet watching her sexy husband change, and all with a blank face, “Daddy’s stupid.  You know how Lavender is.  And why shouldn’t she be?  Babied by all of us, and mostly Daddy.  He’s kept her away from everything, and…” Orchid takes a deep calming breath, looking down at her wedding ring, and August catches the gesture.  “She has no idea.”

“Did an arranged marriage turn out so bad for you?”

“You are only a few years older than me.  Dahlia ran away.  Lotus is praying Daddy never takes her away from Nick, and Violet…don’t make me think about that.  He’s old.  He’s too old for her.  She’s twenty-five.”

“And he’s forty-five.”

Orchid chuckles, turning to go back to their bedroom before placing a family photo in his hands, “Are you going to make our daughter marry someone that is twenty years older than her?  Keep her hidden away from men so she’s a virgin when she’s married.  This is medieval shit, August.”

“Jack paid handsomely.  And your sister was no virgin,” Orchid rolls her eyes, starting to walk away, but August grabs onto her wrist, “And no.  I would never make Carys marry anyone.  I’m not the head of a goddamn mafia family.  You know…you know why he does this.”

“We didn’t ask for this, August.  We’re just pawns in this fucking game, and we have no say.  If…I got lucky.  Lotus is trying to play by Daddy’s rule, and all she wants is Nick.  One sister runs away so she’s not sold to Jack, so he buys the next one.  And what of Lavender?  She’s twenty, and…”

“Bart isn’t interested.  Chuck on the other hand,” August shrugs, buttoning up his shirt, “Plus, from my understanding another is interested.  She could be married in a few years.  She’ll finally get what she desires above all else; a man’s admiration.  I wouldn’t worry too much about it.”

“Oh?” She cocks up her eyebrow, getting distracted from whimpering cries on the monitor, and August starts to leave the closet.  Heading straight towards their daughter’s room.  “No, you do not ignore me, August Walker.  Why should I not have to worry about Lavender being sold?”

“You make it sound so gross.  It’s business.  You and your sister agreed to it.  It’s not like Lavender can’t get out, just like Dahlia did.”

“Answer me,” she stomps her foot outside of Carys’ bedroom.  Brows furrow as she stares up at her husband.  “Do not open her door, until you answer me.”

“Our daughter is crying.”

“August?”

“Remember when I told you the less you know the better off you are?  You don’t know how to lie, so it’s best if you know nothing.  Go get Tripp, and let’s head out to the mansion.  I’ll make sure she’s changed, okay?” It wasn’t the answer she wanted, but somehow August always managed to keep her and the babies safe.  

“Fine,” she answers, turning to fetch their son.  Letting August deal with their toddler.

“Hey, baby.”

“Daddy, I cy,” she stumbles out of her bed, reaching her arms up high for him.

“I know, baby.  We’re going to go to the castle tonight.”

“Ooh!  Pity dess.”

“Yep, mommy picked out a beautiful dress for you.  Let’s change you, and take you to the potty, it’s a long drive, okay?  You gonna sleep with Lav Lav tonight?” She gives him a nod, and wiggles out of his arm to go to the bathroom, while August sighs.  Things were falling into place, but the only thing that mattered to him were the three people in this apartment.  He would pull out immediately to keep them safe.  And everyone knew exactly where he stood.

Dahlia takes a long drag of the joint before handing it up to Jax who finishes the roach.  Turning to look back at his wife who was staring up at the giant mansion, “We don’t have to go in.”

“Yeah, we do,” she leans up against his back, rubbing her hand over his thigh, “I need to make sure they’re okay.  I was supposed to marry Jack.”

Jax hisses through his teeth, laying his hand over her own, “But you didn’t.”

“She did though.  She’s a child.”

“And we’re doing what we have to, including her, to make sure the same fate doesn’t fall to Lavender.  She’s convinced herself that Jack and Violet are in love,” her hand flips around, and she weaves her fingers in his.  Almost ten years of marriage, and Jax was still her best friend.  “She lives in a fantasy world to protect herself.  It’s easier to believe that her sister is just a princess that was rescued from this tower.  Lavender is emotionally stunted.  She’s created this reality to save herself.”

“Stop trying to make sense.  I hate it here.  I hate everything about this place.”

“Yeah, but don’t we get to have fun now.  You’re the badass black sheep of the family.  Tattoos, piercings, and married to an outlaw.  How does it feel to break the system?” Jax was the only thing that saved her.  He was worth the risk of running away, and eloping the day she turned eighteen.  Her father was unable to keep his promise to Jack.  That time.

“I hate him,” Jax, turns back on the bike to look at her again.  “Your father and Jack.  If given the chance, I want to kill them.”

“You can’t talk like that.  Especially not here.”

“I can.  I want them both dead.  Violet shouldn’t have to be a shell at the age of twenty-five.  She’s going through the motions to be a carbon copy of Orchid.  This deal was sick.  Your father is a piece of shit.  Magnus Romano will meet his demise.  I just want to pull the trigger,” Jax could almost taste his blood already.  He would pay for what he made his daughters do.  

“There’s a timing for everything, babe.  Come on.  Let’s get our quarterly dinner over with.  I’m good and high.  Now I need a drink,” Dahlia’s eyes narrow as a man walks out the front of the house with a shit eating grin.  “Mother fucker,” she grouses, slapping Jax’s leg.  “Ari?”

“Well, look at what the cat drug in,” Jax holds out his hand for a shake, but Ari declines.  “What gives?”

“I haven’t washed my hands since I’ve been here.  It’s a bit nasty and rude.  What…what are you two doing here?  Didn’t think the jackass Magnus let the likes of you two step foot into his place anymore.”

“Quarterly visits.  What were you doing in the house, Ari?” Dahlia slings a leg over the bike, and walks right up to him.  “No men allowed.”

“I was invited in.”

“You better leave that one alone.  She’s desperate.  Ow,” Jax holds onto his chest where Dahlia smacked him.  “What?  Come on, that girl is.  She is so needy living out here all alone.  She gets fucking bored.”

“No.  Men.  Allowed, Ari.  Keep your grimy little…ew, haven’t washed your hands you disgusting asshole.  Get…get out of here!”

“You coming by my little humble cottage to stay?  Maybe we can smoke a little?  Chat?” Ari laughs, wiping his beard again, only to get hit by Dahlia.  “She’s like a little chihuahua, Teller.  I’m only joking,” he pushes her away with one hand when she tries to smack him again.  “She’s like a big chihuahua.”

“It’s not safe to talk here,” Jax reminds Ari.  “Especially not high.”

“Well, I’m stuck here for the foreseeable future.  I’m only allowed to have one person on my crew.  But she has been very easy and forthcoming.  Easy, tiger.  My god, you know how I am,” Dahlia had heard all about Ari’s sexual prowess, and he was working it on her sister now.

“You keep your hands to yourself, Levinson.”

“She’s a big girl.  Let her have some fun.  Teller, loosen her up a bit.  Maybe she needs another good fuck on the bike.”

“Shut up, man.  We’ll see you after dinner.  We don’t stay here,” Jax nods his head at Ari as he walks towards the garage for his on property car.  “Babe, don’t take what that man says to heart.”

“He touched my baby sister.”

“And she needs to be touched.  Everybody wins here.  Keep your head on right.  Go on in.  I’ll be in your old room, you visit with Lav.  Sounds like she needs some tough love talk from you.  Let her have fun, but maybe remind her sex doesn’t equal love.  Not in this world.”

——

“No,” Jack answers, putting on his watch as he stares at his wife.  “I don’t like that dress.  Put on the black one.  And we’re not staying at your father’s house.  It smells musty there.  Nor do I want to be around the likes of Teller,” he looks at himself in the mirror, straightening out his hair before leaning back down to snort up another line of cocaine.

“No bra.  I like when you get cold, and your nipples point out,” Violet slowly closes her eyes as she reaches for the black dress that Jack had laid out of her.  Looking at her arm to see the tiniest healed mark.  Lotus helped keep it a secret.  He hadn’t discovered the implant.  She didn’t want children with him.

“And put on the Tom Ford perfume.  Last time you wore that Dior one, and it gave me a headache.  Never wear that again.  I left the jewelry I wanted you to wear out as well.  I heard Chuck was asking about your sister.  How much do you think she’ll cost?”

“I don’t know, dear,” Violet says walking out of the closet.  She is the perfect trophy wife.  She stands there, looks pretty, listens to everything she says, and lets him fuck her like an animal.

“I asked you not to call me that.”

“Yes, sir,” she responds, her voice devoid of any emotions.  “We should probably leave,” he pulls down the top to her black dress, exposing her completely.  “Jack.”

“I just wanted to look at you.  They’re perky, and pretty.  Mmm, if I could I’d make you take my cock in front of your family, so they could see how much I own you.  Let’s go,” he says, slapping her ass before pulling her dress back up.  “You know, I think I actually liked the navy one better.  This jewelry will still work with it.  Go ahead, change, but let me watch.”

“Yes, sir,” obedient, but sad.  Emotionless and going through the motions.  This isn’t at all how she saw married life.  Everyday used as a sex doll, and humiliated even when it was the two of them.  But Jack had paid a pretty price for her body, so now she is to be the trophy on his arm.  The one he got to show off in front of all his friends.  And she is but a vessel.

Magnus takes a puff of his cigar as he walks through the door.  Hearing a dramatic cough from his oldest daughter, “Daddy, my kids aren’t used to smoking.”

“My house.”

“My kids.  Either you put it out, or we leave,” no one ever goes against Magus’ words.  No one argues.  No one tells him what he will do.  Until Orchid had children.  He wanted her to marry August, she did.  August had taught her a lot of things.  Having a backbone was one of the many.

“Thank you,” she says when her dad lays down his cigar.  It was a disgusting habit.  “Tripp’s birthday is in a few weeks.  My baby is going to be four, can you believe it?”

“I’m sure August is ecstatic for having a boy to carry on his name.  Some of us were not so lucky.  Even though we tried.  Tried lots of times.  August, my boy,” Magnus leaves her side to shake August’s hand.  Ignoring Carys completely, even though she is in his arms.

Flashbacks of the many times her father had ignored her flow through her head.  Carys reaches a hand up to August’s mouth, and he kisses over it.  Looking down at her quickly before continuing on with the conversation.  August would never ignore her.  And August was not Magnus.  She reminds herself by picking up their son, needing to touch his chubby cheeks.  

“Daddy, we should eat,” Violet says out loud, grimacing when her hand is squeezed by her husband.  Her eyes look down at the floor, ashamed for speaking up.

“Where is my princess?”

“Oh for fuck’s sake,” Dahlia rolls her eyes, walking into the dining hall.  “She’ll make her grand entrance when we sit down.  She needs to be seen, and admired.  Let’s go,” she takes her seat with Jax, as far away from her father as possible, while the rest of the group follow.  

Magnus takes his seat at the head of the table, eyes looking towards the door when his youngest daughter bounces in, “Hey Daddy,” she gives him a kiss before reaching to grab her niece, “Hey, my darling angel.  You want to sit with me and Tripp?” Carys nods her head, loving any moment she gets to spend with her aunt.  

“Daddy, can I get clearance to go to a museum tomorrow?”

“No, I’ll have Tyler bring you some more art supplies here.  Just give him a list of what you need.”

“But Daddy…”

“I said no,” his hand slaps on the table, and Lavender looks down at Carys, trying to fake a grin, but is embarrassed all the same.  “I’m glad we’re all here.  It was high time we spent some time together.  Especially you, Dahlia,” it was best not to engage in his words.  Nothing good ever came from it.  She bites her tongue, her fingers digging into her husband’s thigh.  

“Eat,” he announces again, watching his family start to place food on their plate.  Missing how Jack is the one to make the plate for Violet.  While all her sisters are making their own plate, she waits for her new husband to put what he deems is the right amount for her to eat.  

“Daddy?”

“Not now, princess,” Magnus glares at his youngest daughter, who gives him a quick pout.  “What?”

“When do I get to be married?  Or date?  Or leave the mansion?  Or have a boyfriend?” Violet turns to look at her sister with her mouth agape.  Lavender had no clue how this worked.  She also thought this was a fairytale.

“I just want the big beautiful wedding, and someone to come home to me every night.”

“Princess, you’re too young.  Live a little,” she gives him a pout; her signature move with him, and it’s Orchid that clears her throat.

“There’s more to love than just a wedding, Lav.  I don’t like this talk at the dinner table.  This always ends in an argument, and if that happens my kids and I going to the bedroom.  They are hungry.  And they will eat.  And that is the end of this conversation,” Orchid gives her youngest sister the sweetest smile she can muster.  “Marriage is a commitment.”

“Everyone else is married though!” Lotus rolls her eyes, starting to tap her fingers on the table.  “Don’t act like you and…”

“Enough!” She shouts at her sister.  “Eat your food, and listen to what Orchid says.  If you behave, I’ll make sure you are brought canvases, and just remember, I have eyes everywhere.  How was your day laying in the sun in your new bikini?”

“It was fine,” Lavender lies.  Nick told on her.  It wasn’t her fault.  She was bored out of her mind and Ari was sexy, and paid attention to her.  And he made her feel so good.  Eventually he would have sex with her, and then she could marry him.  They would see.  They would all see.

“It’s always a joy coming here,” Dahlia smarts, kicking her leg over to Lavender.  “I’ll come by and see you this summer.  Wouldn’t want you to stay all alone,” Magnus lets out a groan.  The idea of Dahlia infiltrating his sweet Lavender’s mind was not something he wanted.  But he wanted a nice meal even more.

Dinner becomes mostly quiet until Magnus scoots his chair back abruptly, “I have to leave.  Lav, I’ll have some art supplies sent to you abruptly.  Stay out of trouble.  I’ll be back in a month.”

“A month?” Lavender complains when he walks out the door.  “While I am here by myself forever and for all eternity.”

“A dramatic little brat that…” Jack’s hand moves to Violet’s leg, and she stops immediately.

“We should be leaving, too.”

“It’s late,” Orchid stands to walk towards her son.  Picking him up from his chair, and kissing over his head.  “Violet has her own living space here.  You can leave in the morning.”

“We’re good tonight.  Violet sleeps better in her own bed.  I also have an early morning, and I don’t feel like commuting, everyone have a wonderful day.  Violet, to the car.”

“Yes, sir,” while she heads towards the door, without hugs from her sister, Jack bows his head towards the Romanos, following behind her.  

“I don’t like that prick,” Jax grunts.  “What happened to her personality?”

“She’s in love, and married,” Lavender tries to argue.

“You are a child.  That is not love.  That is control.”

“Yep, that’s my cue.  August, get Carys, we’re going to bed,” Orchid heads on up to her room, with August and both kids, while Lavender glares at Jax.

“I’m sorry to burst your fantasy bubble, but that’s not happiness.  That’s not a fairytale.  If you don’t see that, then you never knew your sister.  He was supposed to marry Dahlia.  What did she do?  She ran away and married me.  Everyone else will coddle you, but not me.  The reality is, if you’re on this path, you’re next to be married.”

“Good.”

“Good?” Jax snorts, standing up.  There was no talking to her.  “Remind me of how good that is when you don’t get to decide who you have sex with.  When you’re told who you will marry and who you will have children with.  Tell me it’s good when you’re laying on your back, getting pumped full of cum from saggy wrinkly balls.  That is your future.”

“Jax, that’s enough,” Lotus’ pinches the bridge of her nose.  While she agrees that Lavender needed a reality check, she was in the perfect position to get everyone what they wanted.

“No!  She needs to understand that this isn’t some fucking game.  Well, it is this big chess game.  You just need to realize what the queen is.  Live in your fantasy world in this big castle in the middle of nowhere.  But don’t expect the rest of us to.  Orchid and August were a one in a million thing.  Lotus isn’t allowed to get married because she’s too valuable to the family.  Because what you saw tonight, that’s your future.  A woman with no voice and no agency.  I’m going to bed.  Dahlia?  You staying or leaving with me, babe?”

“Leaving.  Lavender, open your eyes, sweetheart.  Jax would never lie to you.  Neither would I.  Ask Lotus.  We’re pawns.  We’re not queens.  Goodnight, baby girl.”

Lavender sighs as she leans back in her chair.  Arms crossing over her chest as she looks at Lotus, “You going to tell me how stupid I am?”

“Stupid for letting a stranger see you naked.  Stupid for letting the stranger in the house.  Know what game you want to play before you decide to jump in and hope for the best outcome.  Sissy, you’re playing a game that you don’t understand.”

“I shouldn’t trust, Ari?” Lotus sees just how young her sister is.  Even for a twenty year old.  She had no life experience.  Was kept locked away from any normalcy, and was stunted because of it.  “I liked him.”

“Just be careful with who you invite in.”

“You’re not telling me I shouldn’t trust him though.”

“Now you’re getting it.  Go to bed.  I won’t see you tomorrow, because I’ll have to leave early to get into work,” she walks over to her sister, giving her sister a kiss on her head.  Turning to walk to her bedroom.  She had given Lavender enough for this evening.  Give her something to ponder while she lays awake at night, and hopefully get her head out of the clouds.

“Lo?” Lotus turns back to look at her baby sister, wishing that life could be a bit different.  “Do you love Nick?”

“You shouldn’t mix business with pleasure.”

“That’s not what I asked.  So do you?” a blind person could see that she and Nick were too close for business partners.  But Lotus would deny it until the bitter end.  “Do you love him?”

“Yes.”

“And you won’t marry him?” Lotus shakes her head no, “Violet isn’t the only one that listens to Daddy.”

“Go to sleep, princess.  Learn to have your voice that isn’t controlled by a man.  Goodnight.”

“Goodnight.”

Next

Masterlist

Taglist: @tis-thedamn-season​ @marveloustaylortot​ @pono-pura-vida​ @sstan-hoe​ @missusbarnes-rogers​ @peaches1958​ @seitmai​ @smile1318​ @andydrysdalerogers​ @cjand10​ @midnightramyeoncravings​ @cherrysweets​ @summersong69 @slut4henrycavilll @cavillxxo​ @astheskycries​ @wallacewillow0773638​ @princesssterek​ @patzammit​ @sweater-bee​  

[officialkatekane]

The Elysium: Opening Night

Kate ran a hand over her suit, smoothing out any wrinkles she might have gotten on it. It was a dark, almost blood-red suit that matched her lipstick and complimented her hair, she had bought it specifically for the occasion.

She breathed out slowly, somehow going on dangerous missions and fighting crime whilst wearing overglorified fursuits was less stressful to her.

The café had started buzzing with activity already, smells of baked goods and sweet drinks wafted through the air, making an inviting atmosphere. Some teens, and a couple adults, were huddled around the big TV watching Heartstopper of all things, she laughed as one of the girls cheered at the screen.

The second floor was a a buzz of laughter and chattering, some hung around in corners pouring over books, while others made plans for table top games and other fun activities. Her heart warmed when she saw a few teens pocket the help pamphlets and looked through the self help books for young queers, her plan so far was successful.The main floors were doing well and she was happy with it.

The bar filled with music and hushed voices, neon lights sparkling overhead. The crowd would increase later at night, but for now, it was doing just fine.

Many admired the decor of the building, some stopping to look at the beautiful flowers and twirling vines that decorated both the inside and outside of the building. She mentally thanked Ivy ( @thistledthorns ) for her help and hoped to see her.

The poster for the opening show with 'The Zatanna Zatara' ( @prestidigitation-princess ) drew several guests, all of whom looked excited. She hoped Z would stay after the show to enjoy the night.

Kate made her way back to the entrance, smiling broadly at the guests and stopping to talk to some, all the while keeping an eye out for family and friends- and if her eyes scanned a little harder for a certain tall, brunette woman ( @cest-la-vie-de-diana ) well no one would know.

Ooc: IT IS TIME! WOOHOO IM EXCITED AF

This is a scheduled post and will post automatically at midnight (for me i assume) on 5Nov so feel free to begin the rps then, but I probably will take some time to reply to them on accout of being fast asleep lol

If you have absolutely no idea what to say but want to interact with this just send a 'X greeted Kate at the entrance' and we'll improv from there and see where we end up! But if you have any plots in mind go ahead!! I look forward to interacting with Everyone!

Also yes all of you irrespective of universe etc are invited, even if your character is a villan- tis totally fine- just don't blow people up or do something that harms characters- but if you wanna create a little chaos- go for it! (Ask for permission from everyone involved before brewing trouble though okay?)

Remember to use #the Elysium so I can keep track of posts and please please interact seriously I'm so excited <3

No idea what else to say but I will update this if I do see anything to add!

[aspiringroleplays]

@atimelesslullaby

It had been almost two months since the princess had come out of the castle. And it had stretched on an embarrassingly long time for Sora.

The more he heard about her, the more fascinated he was with her. Not only was she kind and beautiful, she was apparently powerful and smart as well. (He still didn't understand what it meant for her to have "the power of the Goddess" at her disposal, but Sora assumed she was like a holy priestess or something.)

In his hand he had a basket- one he had bought himself- and in it a stock of lavender. He figured the ones she had picked before were long withered by now, and he thought having some fresh ones would make her happy.

'Jeez, Sora, what the heck are you doing?! Why do you care whether or not she's happy?'

He knew he wouldn't actually get to see her- after all he was a commoner and there was no way they just casually let people into the palace- but he at least wanted her to have a little spritz of the outside in the castle walls.

Actually, he just wanted her to think of him.

He approached the guard at the gate, holding up the basket in front of him.

"I have a gift for the princess."

What he expected was some servant to come to the gates and take the basket from him to give to the princess. So imagine his surprise when the guard merely glanced at the flowers, then opened the gate and ushered him inside.

Oh. Huh. Maybe it was easier for the servants to take things at the entrance.

He followed the dirt path, feeling very self conscious and slightly out of place as he approached the towering western-style palace. It looked brand new, practically shining in the sunlight despite the gray stone color. He couldn't help murmur in awe under his breath as he got closer to the structure.

"Whoa...."

He made it to the entrance of the inner gate, where a small bridge over the water way led to the large doors of the castle.

"I-I have a gift for the princess," he stammered again, forcing himself to focus on one of the two guards by the entrance.

The guard pointed to the entrance. "Go right from the entryway, down the hall to your left, past the third doors and go left. The throne room will be the large rounded doors and the head butler will announce you."

Sora blinked in shock up at him. "O-oh, um, ok.... th-thank you." In his confusion, he bowed automatically, old Japanese habits cropping up as he felt smaller in this whole situation.

Were they really just letting anyone in? Sora looked around slowly, reaching back in his memory for the guard's directions as he tried to make sense of the building. This couldn't possibly be safe, right? Why wasn't security doing anything?

Of course, what Sora didn't know was that for the last year or so the princess had had many suitors. Many, many, many suitors. So many messengers and servants had been pouring in from neighboring countries that the castle staff just didn't care anymore. Some of them just wanted her to pick one so the onslaught would cease.

So when Sora said "gift for the princess". they didn't realize he meant a personal gift, they thought he meant a courtship gift.

They weren't even judging the flowers- they knew their princess and knew she would love them. They just figured the mysterious prince had done his homework.

But as Sora took a look at the regality, and fine things and elegant craftsmanship of everything within the palace walls, his gift felt more and more pathetic. It felt dirty and poor, and paled so much in comparison with his memory of Zelda. He should have saved up and bought her a pretty necklace or something, anything that actually suited a princess.

But just as he was considering turning back and forgetting his ever happened, he spotted a tall, portly man in a uniform, and now he felt like it was too late to turn back now.

"I... I have a gift for the princess," he mumbled, feeling shame.

"Name?"

"S-Sora Arias," he answered bashfully.

"Country?"

Sora, not understanding what he was asking, tilted his head as he blinked up at him. "...Hyrule?"

The man raised a brow. "The country you're representing."

"Oh, Japan."

And then Sora wanted to kick himself. Shoot, Japan didn't exist in this world! He hadn't meant to say it by name!

But the servant just did not care at this point and simply continued on. "And your prince?"

Sora blinked again, not entirely sure what that had to do with anything. "Prince Naruhito."

The servant promptly opened the right side of the double doors. He stood to the side, holding it with his weight.

"Presenting Sora Arias, servant of Prince Naruhito of Japan." He cried in a loud voice.

For a moment, Sora just stood there, blinking at the throne room as it was revealed to him, and coming to terms with what the man had just said. Then it came crashing around him and he gaped in shock.

'Wait, they thought I was a servant?!'

Ho boy, was this gonna be awkward to explain.

"W-wait, I'm not a servant!" He protested to the announcer under his breath. "I-I just wanted to bring her a gift!"

"Servant, messenger, same thing." The man argued with a sigh. "Just hurry and present it to her."

He flinched back, the whole situation and the hierarchy here making him compliant as he shuffled in, both hands on the handle of the basket. At least Zelda would know who he was, but he was still confused as to how he had come to assume that.

[patheticbatman]

June 2019 Story

I accidentally deleted the original post, so this was my recreation. i originally wrote this when I was 16, and posted it when I was 18.

Once upon a time, a rich man's wife became sick, and when she felt that her end was drawing near, she called her only daughter to her bedside and said, "Dear Ashley, remain clever and good, and I will look down on you from heaven and be near you." With this she closed her eyes and died. 

The girl went out to her mother's grave every day and wept, and she remained clever and good. When winter came the snow spread a white cloth over the grave, and when the spring sun had removed it again, the man took himself another wife. 

This wife brought two daughters into the house with her. They were beautiful, with fair faces, but evil and dark hearts. Times soon grew very bad for poor Ashley. "Why should that stupid goose sit in the parlor with us?" they said. "If she wants to eat bread, then she will have to earn it. Out with this kitchen maid!" They took her beautiful clothes away from her, dressed her in an old gray smock, and gave her wooden shoes. "Just look at the proud princess! How decked out she is!" they shouted and laughed as they led her into the kitchen. There Ashley had to do hard work from morning until evening, get up before daybreak, carry water, make the fires, cook, and wash. Besides this, the stepsisters did everything imaginable to hurt her. They made fun of her, and scattered peas and lentils into the ashes for her, so that she had to sit and pick them out again. In the evening when she had worked herself weary, there was no bed for her. Instead she had to sleep by the hearth in the ashes. And because she always looked dusty and dirty, they took away her name and called her Cinderella. 

The girl never really let her awful circumstances get her down, however. She always was very friendly and kept up her education by spending her free time in the manor’s library. 

The father, who was rarely home, didn’t know this had happened to his daughter. He assumed she still had her rooms and that Cinderella was just some odd but cute nickname. The stepsisters and their mother threatened Cinderella into acting like nothing was different when the father was home, hiring a temporary maid in her place. 

One day it happened that the father was going to the fair, and he asked his two stepdaughters what he should bring back for them. 

"Beautiful dresses," said the one. 

"Pearls and jewels," said the other. 

"And you, Cinderella," he said, "what do you want?" 

"Father, break off for me the first twig that brushes against your hat on your way home." So he bought beautiful dresses, pearls, and jewels for his two stepdaughters. On his way home, as he was riding through a green thicket, a hazel twig brushed against him and knocked off his hat. Then he broke off the twig and took it with him. Arriving home, he gave his stepdaughters the things that they had asked for, and he gave Cinderella the twig from the hazel bush. 

Cinderella thanked him, went to her mother's grave, and planted a seed from the branch on it, and she wept so much that her tears fell upon it and watered it. It grew and became a beautiful tree, to her great surprise. 

Cinderella went to this tree three times every day, and beneath it she wept and prayed. Two turtle doves came to the tree every time, and whenever she expressed a physical wish, the birds would throw down to her what she had wished for. The girl had wished many times that her stepfamily would be kinder to her, but as that was not a thing, the birds were unable to help. 

Now it happened that the king proclaimed a festival that was to last three days. All the young people in the land were invited, so that his son Henry and all those eligible could select a spouse for themselves. When the two stepsisters heard that they too had been invited, they were in high spirits. 

They called Cinderella, saying, "Comb our hair for us. Brush our shoes and fasten our buckles. We are going to the festival at the king's castle." 

Cinderella obeyed, but wept, because she too would have liked to go to the dance with them. She begged her stepmother to allow her to go. 

"You, Cinderella?" she said. "You, all covered with dust and dirt, and you want to go to the festival? You have neither clothes nor shoes, and yet you want to dance!?" However, because Cinderella kept asking, the stepmother finally said, "I have scattered a bowl of lentils into the ashes for you. If you can pick them out again in two hours, then you may go with us." 

The girl went through the back door into the garden, and called out, "You pigeons, you turtledoves, and all you birds beneath the sky, come and help me to gather: The good ones go into the pot, 

The bad ones go into your crop." 

Some turtledoves came in through the kitchen window, and then the doves, and finally all the birds beneath the sky came whirring and swarming in, and lit around the ashes. The pigeons nodded their heads and began to pick, pick, pick, pick. And the others also began to pick, pick, pick, pick. They gathered all the good grains into the bowl. Hardly one hour had passed before they were finished, and they all flew out again. 

The girl took the bowl to her stepmother, and was happy, thinking that now she would be allowed to go to the festival with them. 

said, "No, Cinderella, you have no fine clothes, and you don't know how to dance. Everyone would only laugh at you." Cinderella began to cry, and then the stepmother said, "You may go if you are able to pick two bowls of lentils out of the ashes for me in one hour," thinking to herself, "She will never be able to do that." 

The girl went through the back door into the garden, and called out, "You pigeons, you turtledoves, and all you birds beneath the sky, come and help me to gather: 

The good ones go into the pot, 

The bad ones go into your crop." 

Again, some pigeons came in through the kitchen window, and then the doves, and finally all the birds beneath the sky came whirring and swarming in, and lit around the ashes. The pigeons nodded their heads and began to pick, pick, pick, pick. And the others also began to pick, pick, pick, pick. They gathered all the good grains into the bowls. Before a half hour had passed they were finished, and they all flew out again. 

The girl took the bowls to her stepmother, and was happy, thinking that now she would be allowed to go to the festival with them. 

But the stepmother said, "It's no use. You are not coming with us, for you have no clothes, and you don't know how to dance. We would be ashamed of you." With this she turned her back on Cinderella, and hurried away with her two proud daughters. 

Cinderella shrugged. Now that no one else was at home, Cinderella went to her mother's grave beneath the hazel tree, and cried out: 

Shake and quiver, little tree, 

Throw the sun down to me. 

The birds knew what she meant, and then the two turtledoves threw a gold dress as bright as the sun to her, and slippers of satin. She quickly put on the dress and went to the festival, the birds flying her there. 

Her stepsisters and her stepmother did not recognize her. They thought she must be a foreign princess, for she looked so beautiful in the golden dress. They never once thought it was Cinderella, for they thought that she was sitting at home in the dirt, looking for lentils. 

No one approached her, those near her silent and blatantly watching, for they were afraid to talk to such a beautiful woman. But Prince Henry, who had been blinded as a child, had no such qualms. Alone, he eventually drifted over to her, most people uneasy with dancing with someone who cannot see their efforts to impress and settling for romancing a duchess or count. He knew that a current of quiet in an ocean of noise would lead him to someone … interesting. 

Cinderella, noticing him, said, “I know what it’s like to be invisible.” 

Impressed, he asked her to dance, and Cinderella said yes. They never switched partners, occasionally stepping on each other’s toes but otherwise having a riveting conversation on everything, from cabbages to kings. 

They danced until evening, and then she wanted to go home. But Henry said, "I will go along and escort you," for he wanted to find out what her real name was, being given only the name, ‘Cinderella’. However, she eluded him by running into the palace pigeon coop and then locking it behind her. 

Henry, unsure of how to get through the lock on the pigeon coop, went away to look for a key to open it. By the time he found a key, she was long gone. Cinderella’s pigeon friends had flown her out of the coop and back home, gripping her by her dress. There she had taken off her beautiful golden clothes and laid them on the grave, and the bird had taken them away again. Then, dressed in her gray smock, she had returned to her cinder-covered slab in the kitchen. 

When the stepfamily got home, Cinderella was lying in the ashes, dressed in her dirty clothes. A dim little oil-lamp was burning in the fireplace. 

The next day when the festival began anew, and her stepmother and her stepsisters had gone again, Cinderella went to the hazel tree and said: 

Shake and quiver, little tree, 

Throw the moon down to me. 

The birds knew what she meant, and then the two turtledoves threw down an even more magnificent dress than on the preceding day. It made her look like she was made of moonlight, the silver shimmering gently with white sparkles. Her grey slippers were made of the finest silk. When Cinderella appeared at the festival in this dress, everyone was astonished at her beauty, and again were too scared to ask her out. Henry had waited in their corner until she came, then immediately took her by the hand, and danced only with her. Again, they had an extremely pleasant time, their discussions completely distracting them from their bruised toes. 

When evening came she wanted to leave, and Henry followed her, wanting to know where she went. But she ran away from him and into the garden behind the palace. A magnificently tall but dead tree stood there. She somehow climbed as nimbly as a squirrel into the branches, and Henry did not know where she had gone. 

He eventually managed to scale the tree, but no one was in it after he discovered the only one making noise was him, and that Cinderella had gone. 

When they came to the kitchen, Cinderella was lying there in the ashes as usual, for she had called for her pigeon friends again and had flown from the other side of the tree. She then had taken the beautiful moonlit dress back to the bird in the hazel tree, and had put on her gray smock. 

On the third day, when her stepmother and stepsisters had gone away, Cinderella went again to her mother's grave and said to the tree: 

Shake and quiver, little tree, Throw the sky down to me. 

This time the birds threw down to her an azure dress that was more splendid and magnificent than any she had yet had, and the slippers were of pure clouded glass. She looked as though she wore a sunny sky, with her glass shoes making it as though she walked on clouds. When she arrived at the festival in the dress, everyone was so astonished that they did not know what to say. 

Henry, once she had reached their corner, immediately questioned Cinderella as to where she had gone. She explained that she wished to keep her identity secret for a little while, but if he managed to give her a month and then went to go find her she’d be fine. “I just need time to fix some affairs of mine.” she finished. She didn’t tell him that the affairs were mostly going to be cooking and cleaning. He amiably agreed after he extracted a promise of one clue, and once again they thoroughly enjoyed themselves, aching feet and all. When evening came Cinderella wanted to leave, and Henry bid her goodbye.

She handed him one of her shoes, and then ran home, her other shoe in her hand. Henry rejoiced, knowing only his mysterious dance partner to be able to fit it perfectly. The next month, he began to traverse the kingdom, and decreed, "No one shall be my wife except for the one whose foot fits this glass shoe." He was a pretty confident guy. 

The two stepsisters were happy to hear this, for they had pretty feet. When the prince and his entourage arrived, he handed the sisters the shoe. With her mother standing by, the older one, Drizella, took the shoe into her bedroom (because she claimed she didn’t want to show her ankles in public) to try it on. She could not get her big toe into it, for the shoe was too small for her. Then her mother gave her a knife and said, "Cut off your toe. When you are queen you will no longer have to go on foot." 

Drizella cut off her toe, forced her foot into the shoe, swallowed the pain, and went out to the prince. She did not speak, and all he said was, “I’ll send some servants to grab your things tomorrow, my dear.” He took her on his horse as his bride and rode away with her. However, they had to ride past the grave, and there, on the hazel tree, sat two turtle doves, crying out: 

Rook di goo, rook di goo! 

There's blood in the shoe. 

The shoe is too tight, 

This bride is not right! 

Then he grabbed her foot and felt how the sticky heat of blood was running from it. He turned his horse around and took the false bride home again, saying that she was not the right one, and that the other sister, Zidrella, should try on the shoe. She went into her bedroom, and got her toes into the shoe all right, but her heel was too large. 

Then her mother gave her a knife, and said, "Cut a piece off your heel. When you are queen you will no longer have to go on foot." 

Zidrella cut a piece off her heel, forced her foot into the shoe, swallowed the pain, and went out to the prince. She did not speak, and all he said was, “I’ll send some servants to grab your things tomorrow, my dear.” He took her on his horse as his bride and rode away with her. When they passed the hazel tree, two turtledoves still were sitting in it, and they cried out: 

Rook di goo, rook di goo! 

There's blood in the shoe. 

The shoe is too tight, 

This bride is not right! 

He grabbed the foot and felt the blood smear across his hands as it was running out of her shoe. Then he turned his horse around and took the false bride home again. "This is not the right one, either," he said. "Do you have another daughter?" "No," said the stepmother, and without thinking she added. "There is only that disgusting little snot Cinderella from my husband’s first wife, but she cannot possibly be the bride." Henry, recognizing the name, told her to send Cinderella to him, but the stepmother answered, "Oh, no, she is much too dirty." 

But the prince insisted on it, and they had to call Cinderella. She first washed her hands and face clean, and then went and bowed down before Henry, who gave her the shoe. She sat down on a stool, pulled her foot out of her clogs, and put it into the slipper, and it fitted her perfectly. “Here, feel it, dear Henry, it fits.” 

He knew the voice, but felt the shoe to be sure. It was dry, and the foot fit perfectly. And so he leapt for joy, for he recognized the wonderful girl who had danced with him. He cried out, "She is the true owner of the shoe!" and embraced her. 

The stepmother and the two stepsisters were horrified and turned pale with anger. The prince, however, took Cinderella onto his horse and rode away with her. As they passed by the hazel tree, the two turtle doves cried out: 

IMAGE

Rook di goo, rook di goo! 

No blood's in the shoe. 

The shoe's not too tight, 

This bride is right! 

After they had cried this out, they both flew down and lit on Cinderella's shoulders, one on the right, the other on the left, and remained sitting there for the rest of the journey. As soon as they arrived at the castle, Henry got down on one knee, grasped her hand, and said, “Ashley,” (for she had told him her name on the ride back) “You are the one for me. I can’t imagine having anyone else as a wife. Please, marry me?” 

Ashley laughed, not unkindly, asking, “Is that the best you can come up with? You haven’t even a ring! You had a whole month!” At Henry’s sheepish expression, she continued, “I’m not going to say yes yet. We’ve barely know each other. Try courting me first.” 

And so they did, for a couple years. Henry never once wavered in his conviction that they were meant to be together (he was a total romantic), and eventually Ashley said yes. When the wedding was to be held, the father and the stepfamily came, wanting to gain favor with Ashley and to share her good fortune. When the bridal couple walked into the church, Drizella walked on their right side and Zidrella on their left side, and the pigeons ruptured one ear drum from each of them. Afterwards, as they came out of the church, the Drizella was on the left side, and the Zidrella on the right side, and then the pigeons ruptured the other ear drum from each of them. Then they both treated the father and stepmother to the same punishment, flying away once they were done. The father and stepfamily could no even cry out, for they knew if they ruined royal wedding the guards had orders to throw them into the dungeon. And thus, for their wickedness and stupidity, they were punished with deafness as long as they lived. 

Ashley and Henry learned to properly dance, and then went on to their happy endings. 

The End

Cinderella Explanation 

So again, this story was old-fashioned and a little silly. And I’ll admit, I did change a lot of the details. But in the end, it is still a lot like the Grimm version, with beautiful prose and the whole ‘Three festivals instead of one party until midnight deal’. A lot of the other parts just didn’t make sense to me. So, they were changed. 

For example, not once is Cinderella actually named. All of a sudden, she is nicknamed Cinderella!!! So I gave her a similar-sounding name, though they don’t mean the same thing. Ashley means ‘Lives in the ash tree grove’, not ‘Beautiful ashes/cinders’ like Cinderella. Perrault, a sort of French version of the Grimm brothers, popularised the name Cinderella. She was originally named Ashputtel, which means chamberpot-cleaner in German. 

I had Prince Henry not hold her hand when kissing her knuckles because he didn’t want to appear possessive, a fact that Cinderella can probably appreciate considering that her stepmother is so possessive she can’t even let a little girl who isn’t hers live happily in ‘her’ house. However, when proposing, he holds her hands to show how serious he feels. Also, I just didn’t want to draw more hands. 

Now for more serious notes; As basically Queen of the household, the stepmother could have thrown Cinderella out, unless her father was there. But since the father still came around, they all had to keep up the pretense of a normal family when he came back home. 

You may wonder why Cinderella didn’t just try to tell her father what happened. But as she was raised like this since she was a little girl, and her father was never there to really build a relationship with her, Cinderella probably didn’t even think of her father helping her. She couldn’t even trust him to stick around, why should she trust him with this? In the original story, it was even worse. He actually did stay at home a lot and didn’t mind that his daughter was used as a slave. It just boggles my mind that no one questioned that part of the story for centuries. 

Why didn’t she just run away? Simple. She had no money, and probably would’ve starved. Back when this was first written, all the way up to today, you needed references (compliments from former bosses or non-family members) to get a job. By the time she was old enough to survive on her own (because while you could run away as a little kid, it was extremely dangerous to live by yourself at that age) the prospective bosses would have wondered why Cinderella hadn’t had a job before, as she wouldn’t have been able to use her stepfamily’s credentials. And if she hadn’t had a job before, by the time she was a teenager, the prospective bosses would’ve thought she was some sort of lazy girl who lied at interviews, and would never hire her. So, as it was hard to receive charity, she wouldn’t have survived without a job for very long, and would’ve had to go back to her house. 

The sad thing was, she couldn’t even take what was rightfully hers (like jewelry or a horse) without being accused of stealing by her stepmother and getting arrested. And if someone saw a young girl like her, with a ton of money (she COULD have wished for some from the hazel tree) and no family, they probably would have thought she was a criminal of some sort and imprisoned her. Besides, as she kept on (foolishly) hoping the stepfamily would suddenly become nicer to her, she wouldn’t have thought of running away like that. 

The hazel-twig present from her father; this is also never explained. I think it’s probably because Cinderella actually wanted something that her stepsisters wouldn’t take from her; I doubt she ever expected it to turn into a magic tree. 

The physical-wish-tree-thing; it’s never explained, in the Grimm story, why the mother’s tree would suddenly start helping her after years of Cinderella’s suffering. So I just made it so that Cinderella always had the ability to magically get things, like educational books and food. The fairy godmother only replaced the tree when Perrault wrote his version of the story down. 

Unlike in the Disney version, instead of having her little friends help her make a dress, Cinderella has her little friends help her clean up a bunch of lentils (they’re similar to rice). I guess Disney needed more run-time for their movie and a better thing to sing about. 

Cinderella sings that little ditty to summon her animal friends because she likes to sing. ‘Nuff said. 

Sun, moon and sky dresses: In the original version, Cinderella gets a different dress for every night, each one more beautiful than the last. They usually do moon, sun, and then something else, but as I wanted to do the iconic blue dress (which was apparently originally silver!) so the third dress became the sky. 

Prince Henry, I changed a bit. Of course, in the original he doesn’t have a name, so I gave him the Disney name. I also made him blind because I think it’s very silly he couldn’t recognize Cinderella’s face, and not once is the ball/party/festival ever called a masquerade. So, I needed a reason why no one else bothered to come and ask to dance with him. Also, I wanted to make him less shallow than being just attracted to Cinderella’s looks; he enjoys talking to her. 

The pigeon coop; its from the original story, it worked for me. So did the tree. Not even going to question it. 

Cinderella gives the dresses back to the tree because she has no place to hide them. She didn’t need proof. 

I decided to make Cinderella ask Prince Henry to wait because I figured she needed some alone time to figure out her feelings for the guy. 

The dismemberment of the stepsister’s feet with the bird’s having to TELL the prince, who could originally see perfectly fine, that the shoe is leaking blood, is from the original story. But unlike the original story, I decided the stepfamily would lose their hearing instead of their sight, as they never listened anyway. Also, originally, the father was NOT included in the punishment, but as he wasn’t a good dad anyway, I decided he should be punished as well. 

Henry and Cinderella don’t get married right away because you shouldn’t do that. To be honest, they barely knew each other! Besides, it’s fun to date and both deserved to have fun. [Funny side story: I found out your parents were getting engaged when I was about six. Before then, I didn’t know that your mom was even dating anybody. When I heard they had been dating for longer than three months, I was astonished. Back then, three months was a REALLY long time and I thought they were silly for waiting so long. But I was wrong. Time stretches out when you’re older.] 

I decided to make everyone (everyone being two people, because I literally just realized I only drew Cinderella and Henry for this [Wow I’m silly]) have 1950’s style clothing to give homage to the original Disney version. 

If you enjoyed this story, read Ella Enchanted. It has a movie (it’s alright) and a sequel called Fairest, about Snow White. 

Sorry about this one being so long!!! 

Link to original

[peoplesgraves]

Hihi. Can I request yandere headcanons for Flora and Stella?

Yandere Stella Headcanons

•Stella treats you as more of an object then a person. Not that she purposely treat you badly but she won’t really take your opinion into account because she just assumes that she knows best and that her way is the best way.

•Stella loves to give gifts. Of course she loves receiving gifts and shopping for herself but she loves shopping for you even more. She loves seeing her darling wearing some super expensive, totally impractical outfit she bought or enjoying a spa day by her side.

•The princess isn’t purposely mean to you but she can be a real jerk. Stella has a temper and once she sees red it’s hard for her to control herself. She doesn’t mean to use your insecurities against you but you just upset her so much. She promises to make it up to you!

•Stella loves the thought of taking you to solaria and showing you off the as many people as possible. She can’t wait to be at a party and have her beloved hanging on her arm while the people eat their hearts out.

•The beloved fairy is highly delusional. If anyone tries to get her to see your ‘flaws’ or convince her that you don’t love her Stella simply tunes it out. You’re perfect, she’s perfect and you guys being together is perfect.

•Stella is in stereotypical puppy love. Her notebooks and every school paper is filled with doodles of you and your name in hearts. She’s replaced her last name with yours so many times that she’s starting to forget her actual name.

•She keeps you far away from Alfea. Dangerous awful stuff always seems to be happening there and Stella wants you nowhere near it. Just stay in the cushy, Magix apartment and Stella promises she’ll handle everything. You can trust her.

A/n:I haven’t seen winx in a while so apologies if this is too ooc. Also I’ll do Flora in a seperate post<3

[emyluwinter]

I still can't calm down with the traditions and wrote this passage while I could. I won't edit it…

A conversation between Malleus, Lilia and Yuu about traditions over a cup of tea in the living room of Diasomnia.

-Traditions in spinning threads were in the old days one of the sacred occupations in the Thorn Valley.Spinners were treated with deep respect and reverence. Because it was very time-consuming and painstaking work, which not everyone agreed to. It took more than one week for training and obtaining from fiber or wool to hide one skein of threads. The quality of the fabric that was received after the work of one of the spinners was of such excellent quality that she was invited to work for the royal family.

-Wow. She must have been a dedicated craftswoman. By the way..you once mentioned that at one time the spinning of threads was prohibited..I read that there is a legend associated with the fact that all the spinning wheels in the Thorn Valley were burned. But what really happened? - looking with interest at those present, Yuu slowly took a small sip of tea from her cup.

Gracefully and unhurriedly putting the cup on the saucer, Malleus began to tell stories about it.

-In one of the years, many spinners got sick, at first they thought it was poor-quality processing of wool for yarn. Or the increased demand for threads that in the previous year could even be imported to several other regions. Because of this, there was a lot of work that the spinners could not cope with the volumes.

-Due to the fact that not all types of faeries get along, spinning and threads are different, as well as methods. Therefore, the exchange of information and experience was very rare. For the southern residents of the valley, there was an interest in the fact that a stronger and weather-resistant fabric could be useful to them. For the Northern, the lightness of the material is invented by the Southern residents so as not to overheat in hot weather. - Lilia adds, remembering something and stealthily stealing cookies from Yuu's observation

-But isn't Thorn Valley famous for its abilities in magic, or rather its application in a broader aspect than anywhere else?

-That's right, also according to legends, one of our spinners was the one who decided to weave the magic itself into the threads.

-Magic?…Wait a minute… someone was able to introduce a magic formula into the threads when spinning?!

-The exact name, unfortunately, has not been preserved in history. But this legend goes closer to the time of the gods who once lived. Our threads were one of the most important materials and resources for Thorn Valley, unfortunately we were not aware of what we assumed could happen by a stupid mistake of people.

Swallowing nervously, Yuu lowers her head a little guiltily, as if feeling guilty for those to whom she has nothing to do.

-In the castle, one of the spinners, being a fairy of the night, wanted to teach the young human princess to spin threads so that her experience and skills would be preserved in the next generations and in preparation for the upcoming wedding. There was also a tradition that girls should weave a whole chest of various fabrics by their coming of age, so that they could provide everything made as a dowry during marriage. - After taking another sip of tea, Malleus looked with interest at the box of cookies that Yuu had bought for tonight.

-Back in very ancient times, the Royal Family ordered that everyone had the same size chest and regulated what could be included in the standard dowry set, so that there would be no differences between those who could not afford something more for their daughters. And those who lived more comfortably. If someone wanted to add items above what was in the chest, it was not forbidden.

-And it so happened that both the spinner and the princess herself became seriously ill after spinning the threads. No one could find the cause of their illness…The answer turned out to be that the spinning wheel itself was made incorrectly. Someone used low-quality material to make it. Which led to a big illness among the spinners. These new spinning wheels were made by people as……prerequisites for a peace treaty. They wanted to get fabrics in exchange for new, more comfortable spinning wheels.

-I imagine their horror when it turned out that all the spinning wheels were spoiled… - Yuu notices that Malleus chose cookies with chocolate filling and apparently he liked it.

-As it turned out, the metal parts in the spinning wheel were mixed with something poisonous. Mettal itself was once dangerous for us because of some impurities in it. But now we can safely use all the benefits of technology that people have come up with.~

-As impurities of mercury or radioactive mettals?

-Something like that, child.

-This year has been difficult for Thorn Valley. From all regions, the heads turned to the royal family asking for help with these dangerous spinning wheels. And it was decided to burn them all to a single one.

-There was an order that every family from every corner of the valley had to withdraw all the spinning wheels and burn them in the main squares. Carefully making sure that the fire does not spread to the neighboring buildings and does not cause a fire. The royal family was horrified that the whole spinning wheel story almost ruined their child.But everything worked out..

-Unfortunately, in the following years there was a shortage with the production of fabrics and products. But a few years later, the production of spinning wheels was resumed with careful supervision from the royal family itself, both from the fae and from humans.

-It reminds me of all the stories I've heard before about how arsenic was used for a beautiful green color, because of which the "green disease" began…Can I find out more about the patterns? Tsunotaro you said that each has its own purpose or function.

-Ufufu…you are so interested in our traditions, what a curious child. Well, depending on the family, there is a family pattern.Which can be designated as protection from dark spells, for example. For babies, a special fabric is spun so that their magical immunity can adapt more stably if the child is a magician. And protection from curses from envious people and others.

-After one case when one fairy was not invited to the christening of one child, she cursed the baby as revenge. And to prevent this from happening again, a special pattern was made.

-Um….isn't it too cruel?

-You see, for faeries to be invited to the christening of children is one of the important events, and if they remain uninvited, it can mean a literal declaration of war for faeries.

-Everything was so bad because of one invitation?!

-Well, it was also mentioned in the story that the father of the family sneaked into the garden of that very fairy, stole some very precious and rare seedlings, and then burned the garden so that no one could use these plants anymore.

Exhaling heavily, Yuu awkwardly rubs his forehead with his fingers, feeling a headache. How stupid some greedy people can be.

-I am amazed at his stupidity….so if he had invited them to the christening, everything would have gone peacefully?

-Maybe they would have found a peaceful solution, who knows, child. For those times, every wrong step was equal to a challenge

-Wait….the pattern is enclosed in yarn..it turns out a kind of magic formula?

-Yes. For example, in the royal family, the rosehip branches mean longevity and youth, good health, beauty and love. This pattern is also associated with reliable protection and grace, like a magic shield or barrier. Also, rosehip branches are made for a talisman in front of the house and tied to the cradle of newborns. It is believed that needles and thorns drive away all evil.

-That is…folklore is closely intertwined with the magic formula? oh, how confusing everything is…

Yuu felt that it was very interesting for them to listen further, but their brains were starting to boil from so much information.

-It seems our little friend is getting a little tired of our stories, Malleus.

-Ufufu…we overdid it Lilia. Is everything okay, Yuu?

-Yes, everything is fine…Wait….. that is….A flying Carpet is essentially a magical artifact and in fact its threads are interwoven with a complex high-level magic formula??And the patterns are essentially something like sigils?

-See? It's not that hard to guess.

-I never thought that all this is such a complex magic formed through many years of history…

-Speaking of history. You should have heard what a scandal there was when one of the fire fairy masters decided to give her friend a winter northern fairy a red set of underwear!What a story that was!! - Lilia laughed merrily remembering this funny incident.

-What's wrong with red color? - Puzzled, asking Yuu looks at Malleus with interest, thinking that he will give her an answer.

-Winter northern faeries prefer to wear white things or light shades of a light during the day…red is too harsh a color for them.

-a….oh…..well, this fire fairy was definitely with a great temperament for deciding on such a thing.

-You haven't heard how the father of that very northern almost tried to kill her with an icicle! - Lilia continued with a laugh.

-And I see you have a lot of fun…

[crxwnedbarbie]

𝐁𝐀𝐑𝐁𝐀𝐑𝐀 𝐎𝐁𝐒𝐄𝐑𝐕𝐄𝐃 his reaction upon calling him 'brother', her cheeks blushed a little despite feeling weird to say those words aloud. He is the type of person that she is comfortable to be around. It was hard for her to grasp the idea, that someone she was making friends with, was now turning into her family. The Hungarian princess always thinks the Romanov is rather intimidating. Part of her was still scared of Dmitri, but she wouldn't let him know, yet. The blonde did not know her betrothed well, she only talked to him ONCE and it was in a distressful situation for everyone, and ever since she hasn't seen him. All the information she knew about his brother was what people were telling her about him. Barbara is not exactly the type of woman who is bought to any rumor. She would rather meet the person personally to take her conclusion, but not only for the first meeting… Perhaps three times meetings for her to take any conclusion. Either way, Barbara was seeing someone before this arrangement, who broke her heart because this day would come ( the day she would be engaged ), whether it would be Dmitri or any other royal. Also, the marriage itself already scares her. After all, she managed to dodge many alliances in the past. Although, the conversation with the Tsarina still lingers on her head, that gave her a certain comfort, but it doesn't mean she feels less scared. However, she was glad nobody wanted to push a wedding quickly. ❛ Yeah, I suppose getting to know each other a little sounds good for us. ❜ She refers to not being rushed to marry. ❛ He's polite. ❜ Barbara had a slight impression, that his brother didn't like her, but she assumed, maybe it must be the situation both of them are. ❛ I only talked to your brother once, which was the day in the woods… I haven't seen him ever since… What else Dmitri likes? ❜ The Hungarian blonde has no idea how to approach her betrothed.

❛welcome, indeed.❜ the words have his smile grow just a bit, though being called 'brother' by her certainly did please him. though their reasons for insomnia were entirely different, it's still a bit of comfort to know he's not the only one wandering about while the rest of the palace slept. ❛brother? I like the sound of that.❜ the grand duke is glad that she's comfortable enough to even jest as such with him, perhaps their prior knowledge of one another would offer her some comfort now that she's marrying his younger brother. when the topic shifts to dmitri, his gaze is studying the blonde, catching the several emotions flickering across her gaze, he didn't recognize all of them, but the main ones of concern and worry. he knows words alone would not bring her the ease she's looking for, but he'd certainly do this best where he could to help her get used to the idea of marrying his brother, marrying into a family she hardly knew of. adrian is no stranger to how the russians, particularly the romanov men are perceived, though most would collectively agree, aleksandr took the trophy of being the most intimidating and unapproachable. the grand duke himself was sure if their image has improved in the eyes of the public, even marginally, it was because of amara. he shook his head, looking to her, ❛debatable, though it's customary that my brother approach you.❜ he's silent once more as she continues, his gaze holding sympathy as she expresses her fears to him. he reaches out and places a hand over her shoulder as a gesture of comfort, ❛fear makes us do all sorts of things, and I don't blame you. perhaps my brothers and I don't make it easy to settle the fears of those becoming a member of our family. though I can't imagine what is like for you and the rest of the women marrying so far from home, I can tell you that often times in our minds it seems the worst. i'm certain no one will push for a quick wedding, not if you both are wishing to wait. get to know one another and perhaps that might ease your fears.❜ a pause, ❛but he's pleasant towards you?❜

[stackthedeck]

Who's your favorite Spider Person aside from Peter and Miles?

anon you are cruel for making me answer this question /j oh god this got long, going to put this under a read more. Basically, I have no favorite, just the right circumstances and there's always a good time for any spider person and the fact that there are so many is a gift because anyone can be behind the mask and it's such a kind approach to legacy characters. Like everyone is spider-man! That's not what's under the read more, it's just me gushing about some spider people.

I mean I've talked at length about my love for Ben Reily but I don't think he's anywhere near my favorite spider person. Like the implications of his character and his dynamic with Peter and Kaine have so much potential but the writing simply isn't there

Spider-Noir is definitely up there. Like I don't think he's my favorite but I also don't have anything negative to say about him. I love mysteries and that 20s-30s feel and I adore noir detectives. Like he just scratches every itch in my brain. The narration is so engaging with this voice that is so unique from other comics and the art is gorgeous!! The story is relatively self-contained, with no big changes other than spider verse events. Like it's a comic that's a complete story with an end! It's fantastic. Like nothing bad to say, but after I finished reading the story I didn't want more and honestly that's a good thing. But like he doesn't stand out super distinctly in my mind but like I'm always going to recommend the story to people.

There's also Spider Gwen who I absolutely adore. Like again, gorgeous art!! She's a direct response to the fridging of Gwen Stacy in 616 and the story creates such an interesting conversation around fridging and death, especially with how she responds to her Peter's death. She's also just such a cool character, her design is fantastic, she's just the right amount of different from 616 Gwen, she gets venom and the design goes so hard, she's in a fucking band!! The universe makes such interesting changes that do such a good job of challenging 616. Like making Frank Castle a cop and Matt Murdock the kingpin!! Like oh my gosh, like that totally spins my perception of the 616 characters. Like Matt's not that good and Frank is not that ideologically different from the government. Like ugh this story is doing so much and it works! But also I don't think I'm allowed to say she's my favorite because I'm only like a tenth of the way through her story. I bought the omnibus and then got super busy and I'm not even close to finishing it. But my beloved mutual @evilwickedme tells me all the best things about Gwen and earth 65 so I'm going to get to it eventually and I'm sure she'll be my favorite once I finish her story. But also unlike Noir, I don't think she's going to have a definite end to her story. Like Gwen-verse was an event that just happened like are they going to keep doing more things like that? Is she going to get another solo series soon? Idk. I assume her omnibus has a satisfying ending.

Legally I have to say that Web-Weaver and Sun Spider are my favorite because oh my god canonically queer spider people!! I love everything about Web-Weaver so far like ugh that spread that laid out his whole origin story, FUCKING BEAUTIFUL! I love that he feels like every other spider person like he's so similar to Peter it's crazy, but like everything clicks and he doesn't have weird comic book baggage because he's new and oh my goodness he has a Silk without the sex pheromones!! Sun Spider is great, I love the concept but the writing was flat, like I feel like there was more telling of her character than showing but like that could be fixed by giving her more page time. Like Marvel please these characters are so cool, I want more. Web-Weaver is my favorite of the spider people introduced in this spider verse event just because the concept and the actual on-page writing came together so perfectly. (but also Disney princess spider person!! Did y'all see Spintress!?! Ugh I love her, I want her to have an illustrated children's book series)

And that's not even getting into the 616 spider people. Like I adore Cindy Moon she's so cool and powerful and pathetic at the same time. Like she's better than Peter in every way, but also she lived in a bunker for years and is just riddled with social anxiety like she can take on any super villain with her eyes closed but can't tell the barista that they messed up her order. But like...the sex pheromones thing. She's definitely a needlessly sexualized character. But also I love all her interactions with Black Cat and I feel like Cindy could be confirmed bi in the future. And like Jessica Drew!! Adore her and her son and her relationship with Carol Danvers. She's so different from Peter and the other spiders, she's got this maturity to her that I love and Julia Carpenter does too, I love her as Madame Web and her little Carmon San Diego moment she's having right now

basically, I love all my children equally

[candlewaxandp0lar0ids]

if I can never give you peace — zero || Jungkook

Pairing: Jungkook x Reader

Summary: It starts like quite a few stories do, in your world. Girl meets boy, who happens to be a hybrid, girl buys him at an auction where hybrids are sold, boy falls in love with her, girl gets bored of him. Then it’s not so typical anymore, when the boy ends up forced into illegal fighting rings, until he makes a wrong move and the girl’s father decides he needs to be killed.

Where does that leave you? Well, you’re the one who handled Jungkook’s fight and generally organized his life, and, when the girl’s father, your boss and mafia leader, tells you he wants him ‘put down’, you’re the one who has to get it done. Except, instead, you let him escape, and everything turns out fine.

Until he comes back.

Also available on Ao3.

Word count (chapter): 5.8k

Genre: Mafia AU, Hybrid AU, enemies to lovers, heavy on angst, slow burn, eventual smut

Warnings & Tags (chapter): Descriptions of Violence, Tension, Dehumanization and general poor treatment of hybrids

A/N: So I have two modes and those are tooth-rotting fluff and angst feast. This is... not fluff. I hope you’ll enjoy this first installment and introduction to the series, and I will see you soon for the next one!

Next

Your eyes follow Jungkook’s every step as he walks through the crowd and enters the cage that serves as a ring. He doesn’t have to look at you to know you’re watching. You’re always watching. You’re standing in your usual corner, from where you make sure everything goes smoothly. Two tall, muscular men stand on either side of you. They look like they’re your bodyguards, but really, they’re here to handle him if he tries to do something. To everyone in the room but the two of you, this looks like every other fight night since the very first time he came to the Circle.

You’re too far for him to smell you, especially over the crowd of excited, sweaty men, but if he did, he’s sure he would pick up on the bitter scent of anxiety, would hear your heart beating a little too fast. He’d say you’re lucky the guards aren’t hybrids, but he knows that’s not the case. You never count on luck. Everybody knows that. That’s what makes you so good at your job. That’s what might just save his life.

He glances at you, finds your eyes glued on him, and gives you a smirk, which reveals his abnormally pointy teeth for a rabbit hybrid. It’s been over a year since they’ve been sharpened for him, to make him look more threatening. You’re used to them, but he still sees you swallow. For the first time he wonders, vaguely, if you had any say in that. You’re the one he meets with nowadays, but you’re not his owner, after all.

Your eyes leave him to look at his opponent. The man’s taller and has broad shoulders, he seems to have some training based on his on-guard position, and he’s older than him. You couldn’t find many informations on him, but based on his attributes, he’s probably some kind of dog hybrid.

You both know he doesn’t stand a chance.

“On my left,” the announcer roars, “some fresh meat! I give you… Jin!”

There are enthusiastic shouts, and the man shoots nervous glances around him at the crowd all around him. It’s clear that he isn’t used to that type of setting, and you feel an unexpected wave a guilt in your chest. He’s going to get destroyed tonight, you’re sure of it. You’re the one who suggested that Jungkook should fight a newbie, for the show. You don’t regret your decision, but you don’t feel good about it either.

“And on my right! The man who needs no introduction, who has won thirty! Two! Fights in a row, I give you… Jungkook!”

The crowd goes hysterical, and the hybrid facing him winces again. If he thought he had chance before that, it’s clear that he doesn’t anymore. You wonder if he’d heard about Jungkook, if his owners had prepared him well enough, if whoever owned him was betting against him. You wonder if he’d just been told he would be fighting a rabbit hybrid and assumed he would be fine.

Jungkook’s long ears are flat against his head, carefully tucked under a headband, and without those, he doesn’t look like a rabbit hybrid, too tall and broad-shouldered. Then again, he had never really been your typical rabbit hybrid.

Truth was, you had been relieved when you had been assigned to working for the daughter of Mr. Xanders. Your whole life, you had known you would end up here. Your dad had worked for the Family since before your birth, and though it was clear your mom disapproved, she had never held any illusion that you would escape it. If anything, you were the sacrifice, a way of making sure your siblings wouldn’t be forced to work for the most powerful crime family in town. That was, if you did good enough.

Getting assigned to the girl who was nicknamed “the Princess” was both a blessing and a curse. It meant you got to stay away from most of the illegal stuff, as the girl was notoriously sheltered from all of that by her father. However, it also meant that you had to basically babysit the spoiled seventeen years old, despite her being only a few years younger than you. You had dressed as professionally and sternly as you could, adorning yourself in a dark woman’s suit, but she hadn’t seemed impressed.

That was how you found yourself here, at an auction for rare hybrids. You thought the whole thing was grim — oh, how naive you had to be back then, to think this was bad — but you had obeyed orders without batting an eye. You had to do this right, and this was a pretty easy job, after all.

You gritted your teeth silently as various hybrids were brought on stage, exhibited and bought, one by one. The status of hybrids was a complicated subject in the country, always had been, but you had grown up in a poor area, where a lot of hybrids lived freely, and the idea of owning what you knew to be a person made you sick to your stomach. At least the Princess hadn’t said a word the whole time you’d been there, and you had hopes that you would leave without — God — buying someone.

Naive. So damn naive.

“I want this one,” the girl had announced decidedly, pointing at the stage with a movement of her chin.

Shit.

You looked at the stage. There, the auctioneer was highly praising the hybrid who had last been brought on stage. A surprisingly tall and muscular rabbit hybrid, with fluffy black hair and long ears falling on either side of his head. He was shaking slightly, sending terrified looks around him, and your heart tightened in your chest.

Naive and soft.

“Are you sure?” you asked, and the girl rolled her eyes.

“Do your job. Get him for me.”

Numbers flashed in your mind, the exact amount of money you were allowed to spend clear as day. It made you feel a little better, for a second. This was what you were good with; numbers, facts, informations. If you thought of the hybrid as just that — a number,  an element to compose with — you should be able to do what you were supposed to do. Do your damn job, and ensure your little brother never ever had to work here, because they wouldn’t be as kind to him.

You took a deep breath, and, after a few people had already considerably raised the price, you made your bid.

Jungkook walks to the center of the ring, arms raised high. He’s good at giving a show, good at most things, actually. He looks good here, confident, knowing exactly what he’s worth, and he’s nothing like what he was that first day. There is absolutely no fear on his face as he fists the air and people shout for him. Instead, he seems to be positively thriving on the attention he’s getting.

He’s a favorite here, because he always gives people what they came for. He makes the fight last, makes it theatrical, with twists and impressive moves. It’s been a while since he’s struggled in a fight, really struggled, which has made it easier. You recognize you’ve played your part in that. You have your word to say when picking his opponents, and you don’t want him to— well, to die, or to be too badly injured.

You know it’s not much. You know no matter what you tell yourself, that’s not protecting him. You know you should have acted a lot earlier.

But you didn’t.

They gave you Jungkook as soon as the payment was confirmed, which didn’t take long. People were fidgeting in the room, careful not to stare too long at the Princess. They knew who she was, of course. The bodyguards and your ghostly presence, one step behind her, did not do anything to soothe their nerves. No one actually knew you back then. You hadn’t earned your reputation of efficiency, no one had called you a cold-hearted bitch yet, though that would pretty much become your identifier, but you were still somewhat unnerving, with your stillness and your all black attire.

Which was why you never tried to add color to it.

The Princess seemed to be in her element, not bothered by the silence and people’s obvious fear of her, even for a second. Instead, she was watching her acquisition. The hybrid — Jungkook, you remembered, because you’d heard his name after winning the auction — was staring at the floor, stealing glances at her every once in a while, before quickly looking away again. He was clearly shy, and terrified, and it looked like the Princess liked that.

When they handed the leash to her, she was quick to clip it on his collar, and you held back your disgust. Your mind went to Mark, a kind golden retriever hybrid you had grown up with, and the idea of him being collared like that almost made you retch.

But, of course, none of that could be seen on your face. You had been told that you had the perfect poker face, unreadable at all times. In moments like this, it was a true blessing.

“Hello, Jungkook, I’m Anna, and I’m your new owner. I’m going to take good care of you.”

Then Jungkook looked up at her, briefly, and an adorable smile curved his lips.

You knew then that this could only end in pain and heartbreak.

Once Jungkook is done, he turns to face Jin. The other hybrid looks like he wants to run away, but even if he tried it, he’d be pushed right back in. So he does the smart thing, and prepares himself for the fight, lifting his hands to protect himself. Jungkook does the same thing. There is a brief moment of silence, everyone bracing themselves for what is to come. Despite his earlier display, Jungkook is deathly calm now, every muscle in his body ready for action.

The second the bell rings, Jungkook is moving, so fast he’s almost blurry, and you have to avert your eyes when his fist connects with the other hybrid’s chest.

This all feels like it could have been avoided.

A relationship quickly developed between the shy bunny and the Princess. You didn’t say anything about it; that wasn’t what you were here for. A baby-sitter, sure, but not a chaperone. Anyway, it seemed like Mr. Xanders wasn’t too worried about that, and his daughter was free to do whatever she wanted as long as she didn’t get pregnant. You supposed a hybrid was the perfect choice for that, with how rare it was for them to have children with a human. It could happen, of course, but it was highly unlikely without medical assistance.

Still, you weren’t sure you liked the relationship all that much. It just felt like Anna had so much power over him. He was a couple of years older than her, since selling hybrids under eighteen was technically illegal, but it was clear from the very beginning that he had been sheltered and didn’t have much experience in— well, in any areas. A sickening feeling told you that had probably been done on purpose by the people who had raised him. You were well aware of what rabbit hybrids were usually bought for.

You watched, silently, as they got close, as Anna’s hands started to easily find Jungkook’s, as Jungkook started to rest his head on her shoulder, to scent her, as he fell in love with her. Today, maybe you would have been annoyed at the sight, annoyed by his innocence, but back then, it only made you sad.

You were also there to see Anna grow bored of him. It didn’t even take her that long, no more than a couple of months.

When she insisted on going to another hybrid auction, and asked you to bid on someone else, you knew that it was over.

“Get him to fight,” Mr. Xanders told you dismissively at a meeting you had with him. “I want the money he cost me back.”

“He’s a rabbit hybrid,” you had said, frowning. “He’s not exactly the fighting type.”

“I didn’t tell you to make him win,” he scoffed. “I don’t care if you have to bet against him. Get my money back. After that, I don’t care what you do with him.”

You didn’t realize then that that was a ‘promotion’, and that this meant you would start working in illegal settings. All you knew was the painful weight in your chest at the idea of sending Jungkook to his death. You had kept away from him, not trying to create any bonds with him, but he smiled politely and kindly when he saw you.

God, he was in love with Anna. You were sure he had noticed her losing interest in him, but you also believed he held out hope. This could— This would probably be crushing for him.

So you took the matter into your own hands. You didn’t just sign him up for an upcoming fight, but you also found him a trainer, the best you could.

“Does Anna want me to learn how to fight?” he had asked you, big brown eyes looking at you, when you had told him about the training. “So I can be her bodyguard?”

“My orders don’t come from Anna,” you’d answered, trying to stay as distant as possible.

“But will she— Do you think she’ll like me again, if I learn to fight?”

No. You thought Anna had gotten everything she wanted from him.

“I don’t know,” you had answered. You couldn’t. You couldn’t do it.

The first fight had been brutal. Devastating, in fact. Jungkook had been training, and you’d been told he was good at what he was doing, but, as a newbie, he’d been sent against an expert fighter — “for the show”, you’d heard, the exact same thing you would use as well, years later —, and you were later told he was lucky he’d made it out alive.

You stayed next to him in the hospital room. As a hybrid, he healed quickly, but he still looked terrible, body marred with black and blue, lip busted, and black eyes. When he woke up, he looked around the room, every movement he made clearly painful, and you knew, at his expression, that there was only one thing he thought about in that moment.

Anna wasn’t there.

You would never forget the look he gave you then. The way he set his jaw, the way something hardened in his eyes.

“Get out,” he had said, and you were pretty sure he had meant for it to sound aggressive, but he wasn’t good at it yet, so it was more pleading.

You had gotten up, made a move to— to pat his shoulder, to do something, but you had refrained and your hand had fallen down to your side.

“I’m sorry,” you had said, and you had left him alone in there, with his broken hopes and heart.

That night was the first and last time you considered leaving your job.

But there was no quitting, where you worked.

In the ring, of course, Jungkook is good. He leaves an opening for the guy to place a few punches, ones that can’t hurt him too much. The crowd is delirious, bets are being placed. There’s a rumor that Jungkook was injured at the last fight so tonight could be the night where he loses his title, couldn’t it? The first round is coming to an end, and he doesn’t seem to have done much so, surely, he’s not going to be able to end that guy by the third, like he usually does — and if he does, hey, at least they’ll have had one hell of a show.

The three rounds thing is something you asked him to do after an organizer told you people needed that to feel they had gotten their money’s worth. You had told Jungkook, and he’d growled an answer, but he had never won in less than that since. For all his obvious hatred of you, the organization, and everything that surrounded him, he didn’t actively oppose you most of the time. He had tried to run away, twice, but when those attempts had failed, he had seemed to realize that it was just easier to go with the flow.

When the second round starts, though, he goes wild. His bare feet are light on the floor,  his fists quick and precise. He doesn’t leave anything to luck either. Every punch lands exactly where he wants it to, when he wants it to. He dodges his opponent’s attacks easily, and he sees in his eyes the moment when the man realizes that he’s not winning this. He sees confidence turn into surprise, then into fear, and it only makes him want blood.

His right hook hits the man in the jaw with all the power he can put into it, and this time you don’t wince. You’ve gotten used to the violence now — it always takes you a while — and you’re mostly impressed at how good Jungkook is.

But that’s exactly why you’re in this situation, isn’t it?

“We should put him down,” Mr. Xanders said, with the exact same dismissive tone he had used years ago to tell you to make Jungkook fight, and you looked at him in disbelief. Surely, surely, he didn’t mean—

“I really disapprove of that solution, dad,” Anna said, shaking her head, and you realized he did.

You had been surprised by Anna’s presence, when you had walked into the office. You hadn’t worked for her in a long time, having graduated to far worse things. You had served your purpose, you supposed, made yourself practically indispensable when it came to the organizing of the Family’s business, as you knew the workings of the Family in and out, both legal and… less legal aspects. No one had ever said anything about your siblings joining.

“He attacked someone,” her father simply shrugged.

“If I may, Mr. X, it was after a fight and the man was being really aggressive after he lost the money he’d bet against—”

“I don’t care,” he said, waving his hand like you were just an annoying fly. “He attacked a human. We can’t have our hybrids doing that, otherwise it will just be chaos. You’re smart enough to know that.”

You swallowed. Something inside you was screaming. You had long shut down any form of moral compass, but it seemed like Jungkook always awoke the last remnants of it. You were pretty sure he despised you now, and you didn’t blame him for it. But, just like what you’d thought when Anna had bought him, you couldn’t shake the feeling that this just wasn’t right.

“I understand, sir.”

“That’s a horrible thing you’re doing, dad,” Anna insisted. “I thought you’d try to at least reason with him, (Y/N).”

That wasn’t your job. You knew when your opinion was asked on those things, and now was not one of those times. You also knew that you hated that she called you by your first name, like the two of you were friends, and you didn’t say anything about that either.

“I’m sorry, honey,” Mr. Xanders said warmly, like he had just refused to buy her an expensive toy, and not condemned a man to death. “I’ll make it up to you, okay?”

Anna sighed and rolled her eyes, and you assumed she’d probably stay mad at him for a while. But not too long.

Your heart was beating so loud in your chest you barely heard Mr. Xanders dismissing you, and you were relieved to be left alone when you walked out. There was only one thing you wanted to be thinking about now.

How were you going to save Jungkook’s life?

Jin hits the floor and doesn’t get up. It’s not an actual knock-out, because he’s still moving around, but Jungkook doubts he’ll even try to get back on his feet. The guy seems to be smart, he probably realizes that that would be suicide. Another minute with him on the ring? Nah. That would be a really, really stupid thing to do. Jungkook’s knuckles are bleeding — he doesn’t think they’ve been intact once in the four years he’s been fighting — and he’s pretty much unstoppable, right now.

He lets the referee grab his arm and lift it in the air as the crowd screams. They’re particularly loud tonight, because he won in two rounds. It’s not really a surprise when they force the entrance of the cage, flooding it, and Jungkook looks for you, almost instinctively. When he finds you, your eyes are on your phone. You look like you couldn’t care less about what’s happening around you, and he knows you do genuinely dislike the fights. You’ve never made it a secret. You’ve never taken care of the other hybrids owned by the family who participate, either. He doesn’t know if he’s your burden, or if you’re the one who chooses to still do that. Before, he wouldn’t have doubted it. Now… He’s not so sure.

Your eyes flicker up to his for a second, and you nod, imperceptibly. Your heart is probably beating as loud as his right now, though for different reasons.

Jungkook examines you, takes in how out of place you are in that environment, immaculately dressed, small glasses on your nose, hair pulled back, and lets himself be amused by it, one last time.

And then he’s gone.

You only visited Jungkook when there was about to be a fight, and it was clear he really didn’t like it when you showed up. You always seemed to be interrupting him, whether it was a training session or a work-out. You didn’t think you’d ever seen him do something other than those two things. You didn’t know if he had anything else.

You brought some food from a restaurant he liked, as you usually did, and got some things for the guards who would be around. That wasn’t as usual, but you had done it before, so hopefully it wouldn’t make anyone suspicious and it would allow you to have some privacy with Jungkook.

He sat down opposite from you, immediately diving into the food you’d brought, and you watched silently. His shoulders were tense, never completely down but, though he would hate to admit it, he was more relaxed around you than around anyone else. It said a lot about his life, about how desperate he was for any form of companionship, that the way you told him about his opponents almost made him feel like you cared about him. It said a lot that your presence comforted him, and it was pretty pathetic, if you asked him.

“So, who am I fighting?” he asked while eating. He never bothered with his manners when he was around you.

“A newbie,” you said. “Some fighting training from what I’ve gathered, but he shouldn’t be an issue.”

He growled. The sound was unnatural for a rabbit hybrid, but he had mastered it over the years. It was a good way of intimidating people.

“Really? I thought I told you I wanted a challenge.”

You didn’t reply immediately, and that made him look up at you. When he did, you were chewing on the inside of your cheek, hesitant. That was completely out of character. Then, you made up your mind, and your expression turned back to the unreadable one he was so familiar with.

“Keep eating, and don’t raise your voice” you ordered.

He lifted an eyebrow. Normally, he would have done something like folding his arms and waited for more, in a defiant attitude, but this was you. You would never do something like that just to assert your power over him. He hated your guts, but that was one thing he could say about you.

“Mr. X is going to have you killed because you attacked that man at your last fight.”

There. Direct, to the point, not a useless word — though you couldn’t bring yourself to use the words “put you down”. Jungkook froze for a half a second, than resumed his eating, albeit slower than before.

“It was all good as long as long as I brought him money, but he doesn’t want any trouble for it, huh?”

His voice was bitter and low, barely more than a rumble. You were confident no one was paying attention to you, since the guards ate in another part of the house and no one cared about what you were saying. They could see you through the picture window, but they couldn’t read lips. Still, you lowered your voice as well.

“Win your next fight in two rounds,” you said, instead of answering him.

He shot you a dirty glance.

“Do you really think that’s what I—”

“That should get the crowd to lose their mind,” you continued. You had gone through all the possibilities in your mind, over and over again. This was the one that was the safest for you and your family, while giving Jungkook a reasonable chance of survival. “When that happens, you’ll use the hysteria to leave through your opponent’s entrance.”

This got his attention, and he stopped trying to interrupt you, finally focusing on your words.

“I can probably get you somewhere between five and ten minutes before everyone finds out you’re missing.”

He scoffed.

“That’s very generous of you.”

“I also won’t look too hard for you,” you added, because you would obviously be in charge of that as well. “So as long as you don’t do a terrible job hiding, we probably won’t find you. Stay away from hotels, and don’t get noticed.”

Jungkook stayed silent for a while. He didn’t look at you, jaw set, and you were pretty sure he was weighing the pros and cons of your plan.

“I don’t know if there’ll be another chance,” you told him truthfully. “They want you gone after the fight.”

The silence went on a little longer, before Jungkook spoke again.

“Anna’s said yes to that?”

You didn’t miss the way his voice faltered on her name. You didn’t think he had spoken to her in years, but he still had a soft spot for her, and being reminded of it always made you sad. You had accepted, a long time ago, that life wasn’t fair, but that was particularly true when it came to him. None of what had happened to him was fair. The shy boy with the wide eyes you’d helped buy at the auction deserved better. You didn’t, probably deserved every single bad thing that had happened to you, but for him, you wished you had done something — anything — differently. So you wouldn’t be faced with a jaded, cynical version of that boy right now.

“She opposed it, but her father is still going through with it.”

“So she didn’t oppose it much.”

You didn’t answer that. It was true, and you both knew it.

You glanced at your watch. Your time here was almost over, and you had a lot of responsibilities.

“Will you do it?”

Jungkook glanced at you, eyes wary.

“How do I know you’re telling me the truth? You could just do that so you could have me killed and say I tried to escape.”

You shook your head, almost amused by the possibility.

“I would gain nothing from doing that, and if I wanted you dead, I wouldn’t go about it that way. Will you do it?”

This time, he nodded. He didn’t trust you, but he thought you were telling the truth on this.  So following your plan would be just as well.

“Good. I’ll see you for the fight.”

This would have been a good moment to wish him good luck, probably, but you didn’t do luck, so you didn’t say anything. You gave him a quick nod, gathered your things, and then you were out.

You didn’t think to say goodbye.

“We’ll get him when the crowd’s dispersed,” one of the bodyguards says, and you hum noncommittally in response, eyes on your phone.

Moron.

If these two were the ones you usually work with, they would know that your usual protocol is to go get Jungkook as soon as the referee’s lifted his hand up. That way, you can get him out as quickly as possible and you don’t have to worry about him getting mobbed. But you’ve changed your team the day Mr. Xanders asked you to ‘put Jungkook down’, so they have no idea. It’s been a week since then, which shouldn’t make it too suspicious. Hopefully.

When the crowd does move enough to see what’s going on in the cage — three minutes — one of the two men says, voice worried, “Hey, can you see him?”

Your head snaps up and your eyes scan the room. You’re relieved to see that Jungkook’s nowhere in sight.

“Where is he?” you ask urgently, and the men seem to shrink under your glare, exchanging worried glances. You roll your eyes and sigh. This may be your plan, but they’re still acting incompetent. Which is good for you, sure, but the perfectionist in you is annoyed.

“You two should pray he’s in the changing room,” you spit out as you march towards it. It takes some struggle, because the crowd isn’t exactly calming down, but it’s not too long.

Of course, Jungkook isn’t in the changing room. It was a bad idea to go look there anyway — usually you would probably have already informed everyone that he had disappeared — but these two don’t seem to realize that.

“Go search the fighting room,” you order, “make sure you haven’t missed anything. Then check the surroundings. I’ll stay there. Let me know if you find something.”

They practically run out, and you allow yourself to sit down. This isn’t even dangerous yet. If Jungkook’s done that part correctly, he should already be too far for them to find him. As far as you’re concerned, you’ve bought him — you check your watch — seven minutes. But even if you don’t doubt him, you still feel terror at the idea they could catch him. You don’t know what would happen then. You don’t want to think about it.

The seconds tick by. It’s been almost exactly ten minutes when your phone rings.

“Hello, Miss—”

“Do you have him?” you bark.

There’s a silence.

“I want an answer!” you snap.

“No. I’m sorry. We’ve lost him.”

You hang up immediately and start to dial another number to let people know Jungkook’s missing.

But, before you actually call, you let out a brief sigh of relief.

This just might work.

You get home late the following night. When you do, you’re absolutely exhausted. You’ve had a terrible day, unable to sleep a wink, and you got thoroughly chewed out over Jungkook going missing. You think Mr. X was suspicious of you, because you basically don’t fuck up, ever, but then Anna started to wax poetics about how “Jungkook was a soul who wanted to live”, and you don’t think he bought it, but it at least got his mind off of you.

You doubt he’d get you killed over that, it just isn’t worth it and you’re pretty valuable, but it would be much better if he didn’t think about it too much.

You’ve organized the searches, pretty sloppily in your own opinion. Of course, it’s possible that they could find him, but if Jungkoook does his part, everything should be okay.

You remove your shoes with a groan when you walk in. You usually never regret wearing heels, thankful for the centimeters they help you gain, but tonight you definitely do. Keeping them on for two days was not how they had been intended to be used.

Once they’re off your feet, you painfully walk to your kitchen. All you want to do is to make yourself a cup of tea before going to bed, but you stop yourself before grabbing your kettle.

Something feels— off. You’re probably the only person who could notice it, because you’re  so obsessive with everything that’s in your home, but you just can’t miss it. It’s not much, just some items that aren’t where they should be, or that were moved a little to the side.

Your breath catches in your throat, and you hesitantly grab a knife from your kitchen drawer. You don’t think that would do anything, if someone was in your apartment right now, because you can’t fight and, considering the people you work for, you’re pretty sure if someone wanted to kill you they would, but it makes you feel better.

You make your way through the living-room slowly, heart hammering in your chest. You check the bathroom, first. No one’s in there, but it’s clear that whoever was there used it as well. He didn’t put your toothpaste back where it belonged.

That only leaves your room. You walk in, carefully, to find it empty. Your bed’s done, though not exactly how you do it, and that confuses you. At least until your eyes find the necklace that’s on your bedside table.

It’s the identifying tag Jungkook wore around his neck for fights. You reach out for it, in disbelief, and that only confirms what you thought.

A laugh bubbles in your throat, and you just can’t hold it in. It escapes your lips, breaking the silence that always reigns in your apartment.

Here. He was here, in the eye of the storm, while everyone was looking for him. You have no idea where he is now, but this makes you feel like he’ll be fine. Clearly, he is a smart man and he has resources.

You fall to the ground, lean against your bed, holding the tag in your hand. You give yourself a second. That’s more than you usually get. It’s a second to close your eyes and feel grateful and happy about what happened, a second to think that perhaps not everything is dark and terrible in the world.

A second, because Jungkook made it out.

And then, you open your eyes, and you come back to your reality, which is that you’ll be working for the family tomorrow, and the day after that, and probably for the rest of your life. There’s no out for you. No hope.

But at least Jungkook should be fine. You’ll never know about it, because if he is, then you’ll never hear about him again.

If you ever do, it will only mean bad news.

Next

Thank you for reading! I hope you’ve enjoyed this first chapter and feel free to let me know if you would like to be tagged for future ones!

[marciabrady]

Idk if it's a generation thing with zoomers being clueless about what the Disney fandom was like before they got into it but I've seen so many people deny that anyone was ever presenting faux feminist critiques of the princesses, esp Walt's girls. But I don't even understand why they deny it, it's become a huge phenomenon you still see today and it takes only 5 seconds to use Google and find thousands of articles, memes, videos, comments, etc calling the girls weak and sexist. I feel it stems from these fans just not caring about the particular princesses who tend to be hated on and don't notice the unfair hate because their focus has always been on the popular, safe princesses (ie Mulan or Moana or whoever). If any of that makes sense lol. Just wondering your thoughts!

There's a very apt characterization of what occurred and it definitely comes down to a few things. The first being that a lot of these people didn't really have a strength of sentiment, one way or the other, for the original girls and just kind of assumed and inherited a lot of the misogynistic undercurrents in those contemporary, popular social criticisms that were parading around as feminism. I think a lot of those people pretended to have that passionate, spirited outlook on why Walt's girls were reductive somehow, while never really having had that opinion themselves. Most of those people didn't really spend much time consuming or thinking about their films, but did so because they felt it aligned themselves with being progressive or having a good social image.

There are some people that genuinely did seem to have seen those movies at least once and continued to carry that outlook, but it never really seems to be rooted in anything we see in the films themselves. Those people tend to just view every woman that was prominent prior to the 1960s with the same reductive paint-stroke and feel they were all victims of being socialized in a different time (which is so stupid lol if it weren't for the women that lived in that era, we never would have gotten the social movements we have today, nor the progress we have in each of them; but many people have told me "all woman born before the 1950s are inherently sexist because they're victims of what the system was like" which...). Then, there are people who- again- have seen these movies, but tend to condemn Walt's girls and pin them as a symbol of everything that was anti-feminist of that time, as opposed to actually judging them for the contents of their character. I'll never forget a book I bought at a used store called "Where the Girls Are," because it talked about female representation in the media and harked back to one of my favorite film titles. I was shocked when I read the book and it talked about how Cinderella in such shallow, mean-spirited terms. It brought up so many questions...the author writes that Cinderella had to be attractive, but wasn't allowed to be vain or spend a good deal of her film primping in front of mirrors- and I uploaded a good deal of screencaps to the contrary, but then it ran through my mind...if the author had been aware of that side of Cinderella, she probably would've condemned that too and called her materialistic or looks-obsessed. So it isn't really about what Cinderella herself did or was, but ultimately the author must've just held her up as an unfair expectation of what she, as a woman, was meant to live up to and made Cinderella a figure of all of her childhood frustration. That tends to be the case with a lot of boomers that grew up with Cinderella, and even kids today that write sympathetic backstories for blatantly abusive characters, like Anastasia; they emphasizing with her, despite all of her privilege and the atrocities she's committed, because she would be conventionally unattractive in our world and they project onto her what she must feel and what her lived experience would be, while discounting Cinderella- because she's conventionally attractive in our world- as being shallow or having privilege. It really is a fascinating study of how people view the world, which can be surmised through their view of the characters and how they react to them.

Which, and I have to make this note, but I'll truly never understand how Cinderella, the story about a female orphan who suffered abuse her entire life and continues to build a community and resources for herself so that she can escape and transcend her circumstances, has been painted through history to be a story about women being meek and staying in their place and being complacent and perpetuating so many patriarchal ideals about marrying rich and feminine beauty??? Especially when that wasn't Cinderella's goal, but the goal of the stepsisters who are always putting themselves in competition with Cinderella and are actively wanting to marry money and take a much greater delight in material riches.

[brotherslayer]

I was going through the manhwa and it hit me that unlike Athy and Jennette's dresses, we never see anyone dissecting the meaning behind Claude or Anastacius's costume, even though they have much underlying symbolism to offer with all their varying colours and motifs. And these are the two most rich characters in terms of backstory and human relationships. Ur detailed dissection on Jennette's costumes are so good that I'm scarily tempted to tempt u to do this one. Will u do this one analysis🥺???

I don't know anything about the medals or the flowers on Claude's clothings since I'm don’t know flower language... But I can give my thoughts on some of his clothings.

Claude wears three types of clothings throughout the manhwa: 1. royal military uniforms 2. togas 3. victorian children clothings of the upper/middle class (play suits + sailor suits).

What is striking is that all three types of clothings he wore can be associated with freedom and oppression equally (1. military 2. ancient romans 3. royal navy).

Let's start with the first outfit he wore as a child: The sailor suit.

In 1846, the four-year-old Albert Edward, Prince of Wales was given a scaled-down version of an enlisted man’s sailor suit. It was almost certainly a carefully chosen decision calculated to make the public associate the monarchy which had declined in popularity with the most popular institution in Britain -The Royal Navy.

What do we know about the royal navy? Besides it’s role in British colonialism and the suppression of many Asian and African peoples, it helped to defeat a series of opponents for the most part countries goverened by authoritarian or dictatorial rulers (Philip II, Louis XIV, Napoleon, Kaiser Wilhelm II), in other words: tyrants.

Sailor suits which are associated with childishness and innocence stand in juxtaposition to it’s militaristic origin . It’s a reminder how young Claude was still pure and innocent, yet without being fully aware of it he was thrown into a battle for succession at such a young age, and expected to survive or die trying.

We could also dvelve into color theory a little bit: Brown is mostly associated with humility, plainness and poverty. It could be a reminder of his commoner origin. Perhaps it tells us that his mother didn’t have much money back then and Claude had to get dressed in clothes that didn’t gave away easily how often they got mended or got dirty, because his mother could only afford a few sets of clothing. This is only a speculation: perhaps the money meant for Claude was mostly used for the treatment of his mother’s sickness. (I can’t see the Emperor paying the treatment of a chronically ill lover. Unless he actually loved her).

We could also assume that Claude intentionally picked out plain brown clothing that would allow him to blend well with the environment. The flashback in chapter 73 shows us little Claude hiding behind the bushes from the palace guards. Considering his state of increased alertness, he seemed to be used to sense danger approaching and find ways to hide quickly and efficiently.

Ah before I forget too much brown can also create feelings of sadness, isolation and loneliness...alright, you get what I mean, I stop here. 

Now to Anastacius. While Claude’s attire is more lowkey about it’s violent origin: Anastacius’ is more upfront. He’s already aware of the situation he is in. He knows his little brother is more talented than him and feels threatened enough to consider the words of Caracks who tried to lure him away. Anastacius wears something resembling a mix of military uniform and a victorian play suit in blue and red.

Blue was also considered the most prestigious colour, and was granted to “royal” regiments.

I think Anastacius and Claude’s outfits were meant to show that they were at a crossroad in life. When Ana was still friendly with Claude he started out wearing play outfits and then as his relationship with Anastacius deteriorated, gradually started to wear normal suits and uniforms until he was wearing his ceremonial military uniform at the day he killed Ana.

The Obelia brother’s wearing a military uniform signifies that they are at war with someone. They are ready to spill blood. You can see it in The Lovely Princess, where when Athy meets Claude for the first time, instead of a toga he is wearing a military uniform and continues to do so almost until his death. We know that Diana was the one who introduced him to Siodonna’s fashion. With the memories of her gone, so was the peaceful presence in his life and he became a misanthrope. The memory spell had taken full affect and he was incapable to love or care for Athy in any way. Athy became his biggest torment, his enemy. Similarly our! Claude is only wearing a military uniform at official occations like Athy’s debutante ball, where he had to face the nobles which he resented so much. And even now, in the latest chapters he bothered to change his clothes with magic from a toga into a uniform when he reunited with his elder brother.

Whenever Anastacius and Claude are wearing a military uniform they are meeting someone hated (LP verse Claude met Athy, birthday baquet! Claude met the nobles (Roger), and now in chapter 109 he met his brother who had tried to kill him), they either want to demonstrate strenght (the uniform at Athy’s birthday baquet was more show) or they are ready to attack (the uniform in the recent chapters was more practical to move in).

However they are also stress on the fact that they belong to the royal family and are ought to be respected.

Ana wore almost constantly military uniforms, because he felt the need to show that he was the heir. Not only by birthright, but also in appearance. Only when he went undercover he switched his wardrobe to suits (still, in purple in the color of royality) and puffy shirts. You can see it when Anastacius entered the palace with Jennette. When Ana is fighting against Claude he is either wearing a royal blue (past) or a combination of red and black (present).

“ Black and red. In western culture, these are the two most sinister colors, as red typically conveys the meaning of blood or anger, and black is that of darkness or death. Being a very visually striking combination, they can also convey a sense of power. Together, they additionally give the impression of burning coal or wood, i.e. "fire and destruction".”

(TV Tropes: Red and Black and Evil All Over)

In his previous life he bought fire and destruction upon Obelia...like in Athy’s nightmare remember? So it’s is kind of a bad omen as well.

Anastacius uniform in black and red forms a strong contrast to Claude’s uniform, which is dyed in colors of purple and pure white. “The color purple is often associated with royalty, nobility, luxury, power, and ambition. Purple also represents meanings of wealth, extravagance, creativity, wisdom, dignity, grandeur, devotion, peace, pride, mystery, independence, and magic.”

My point is that Ana’s appearance reflect his state of mind. Being all the time at war with his brother. The paranoia to get overthrown.  The fear not to be enought. He insisted on wearing the ceremonial royal uniform, the crown and the coat, in royal colors, because he felt inferior towards Claude and it made him feel safer. If he thought his own skills as heir were lacking he sought to compensate with the way he presented himself in public (his inferiority complex might have contributed to his lavish livestyle and tendency to waste money). 

The only exception where Ana is not wearing a uniform is a scene during the time of Ana and Claude’s falling out. But he still emphasizes that he belongs to the Imperial family in another way: The brooch on his vest, has the same blue shade as the color of his eyes, which are a trademark sign that only the Imperial family possesses. In chapter 109, Claude and Athy chose to wear a similary colored brooch to show that they are the “true” heirs.