#my forest is covered in snow (which I love) but no mushrooms now

[lindagoesmushrooming]

[riddle-rosethorns]

Its Valencia~!!!

Tell me more about Jade and Ismund's love story 🥺

Hi again, Valencia!! Thank you for the ask! I would love the opportunity to ramble about my boys.

Ismund and Jade first met due to sharing their classes with each other. They're both sophomores in Class E, and their adjacent numbers (Ismund being No. 12 and Jade being No. 13) meant that they ended up sitting next to each other in the majority of their lectures.

Ismund wasn't really sure how to feel about Jade at first. He'd never encountered a merman in person before and, needless to say, he found Jade's sharp teeth and striking eyes to be somewhat menacing. However, his initial impression was quickly thrown aside when Jade proved to be very polite and courteous. He was also one of the few students to be neither intimidated or put-off by Ismund's cold demeanor, which piqued Ismund's interest rather quickly.

When the Club Fair eventually rolled around, Ismund knew Mountain Lovers Club was his ideal choice. His kingdom was practically surrounded by mountains and skiing was one of his favorite pastimes. It was only natural he'd be interested in exploring them further, given he didn't have much freedom to do so back home. It just so happened that Jade was the leader and sole member of the club, which led to the two of them spending a lot more time together outside of class.

Jade, of course, was happy to find someone else who appreciated the beauty of nature and the mountains almost as much as he did. Ismund seemed more than happy to indulge Jade's interest in the edible flora and fungi native to Sage's Island; he was eager to learn more, as well as offer bits of knowledge regarding the mountainous environment of his home.

The two begin taking hikes together almost every week and eventually, Jade brings Ismund to his favorite clearing: a lush, grassy area rife with native wildflowers and mushrooms. It's absolutely breathtaking and unlike anything Ismund could've found in the frozen forests of his home. When he glances over at Jade and sees the way the dappled sunlight plays across his smiling face, Ismund feels his heart tighten. As hard as he's tried not to get attached, Ismund is a hopeless romantic at heart, and so is quick to realize exactly what this feeling is: a crush.

Following this realization, Ismund begins trying to distance himself from Jade. He stops attending club activities and refuses to engage in conversation with Jade unless it is class-related. He's grown up believing that he is a danger to everyone around him and that the only way to protect the people he loves is to push them away, so it's only logical for him to do the same with Jade.

Later that school year (for reasons I won't get into in this post), Ismund overblots. Yuu and our typical band of heroes obviously must try to defeat him, but they're unable to figure out where he's gone, as he had previously fled Night Raven following an incident with his ice magic. Jade is the only one with a suspicion as to where he might be and, in exchange for the information, insists on accompanying the group. They find Ismund in the very same clearing where he realized his feelings for Jade, now covered in frost and snow, and are eventually able to subdue him.

Following his overblot recovery, Ismund finally decides to discuss his feelings with Jade. He's taken the time to realize that putting up walls to keep people out is exactly what caused him to reach such a fragile emotional state in the first place, and that fear is no reason to avoid forming close relationships with others. Apparently, a near-death experience is exactly the kick in the ass he needed to be honest with his own feelings.

Ismund, petrified of rejection after all the trouble he's put Jade through, steels himself and confesses to Jade the next time he comes to visit him in the infirmary. He fully expects for Jade to respond with disinterest or disgust; instead, Jade kisses Ismund's gloveless knuckles in a gesture of both trust and reciprocation. How could he not feel the same about someone so strong, beautiful, and willing to indulge his passions?

They've been dating ever since! This is basically their dynamic as a couple.

[spiderling-space]

Could you please write Hcs for an Mc who is the twst version of Elsa and what the dorm leaders think of her.

Uhhhh an Elsa request 🌚🌚 I’m quite excited about a request for Elsa!MC as I love hippie queen Elsa. Thanks for that! I’m a Helsa shipper and I’ve written fics (one of them hasn’t been updated since 14/02/2020 lol), headcanons, crack AU (there is twilight one sdfghj), incorrect quotes etc... One of the Helsa AUs I love is the genderbent AU. I saved a few of them in my OG blog, I can share all of genderbent frozen characters’ links here which can be imagined what if they were in Twisted Wonderland. Just gonna share this one because I got that as a gift for Valentine’s Day

I added Elsa!MC’s relationship with the dorm leaders in some headcanons. I was too excited for Elsa!MC that I focused on MC in this post.

MC/Yuu

It is not where MC imagined waking up, inside of a place more confined than her room. It is overwhelming and she has no idea how she ended up there. Certainly, it cannot be her mother and father as they wouldn’t do that without telling her... right? Maybe she didn’t realize her powers got out of control while her parents did so they put her more confined place.

All these thoughts are racing in her head, not even hearing the commotion coming outside where she is, only realizes it when a door is opened and she falls from a little high place. When she sees Grimm, she doesn’t believe her eyes first then she remembers the trolls then she sees his magic. It’s similar yet opposite magic of hers, fire magic. She is fascinated by it but she can’t be near another destructive power like hers and also Grimm wants to take her clothes which is something she certainly cannot do! Her gloves especially! 

MC starts running when she notices that she isn’t wearing her gloves, leaving an icy trail behind.

When she is found out, she is dragged down by some suspicious man. She tries to explain that she is too dangerous but he doesn’t listen. She doesn’t want to hurt him accidentally like she did with her sister.

Conceal, don’t feel, don’t let them know, be the good girl you always have to be; she repeats herself to not freeze the weird bird guy.

When she is pushed in front of the mirror, it says “This one’s soul does not fit Night Raven Collage” then the other magical creature that wanted her clothes wants to take her place. The creature spits fire everywhere and someone yells “Duck!”. 

MC is panicked, suddenly pulling her hands over her face to cover but the blow never hits as she froze the magical creature when she moved her hands.

“I’m sorry, sorry” MC repeats.

She accidentally freezes the ghosts when they are materialized but they phase through the ice.

She panics when fighting the first overblot monster, she would rather make herself an ice castle and live there even if the food and toilet would be problem but Dire sends her in that mission, saying that it will help her open up. Though she can swear that she heard him mutter “testing her abilities.”

After the first overblot fight, MC gains a new perspective of her powers, protecting instead of destroying.

MC asks if she can attend the classes online like she did in her world because she doesn’t want to be around people but her proposal is refused. Dire assures her that the teachers and the classes would help her to return home while learn about controlling her powers. She agrees, has to agree but she still prefers online learning. She hears that another person in the school wants it so she decides to meet him so they can maybe convince Dire for online classes. Idia agrees but neither were able to convince Dire.

MC gains confidence after learning about the magic, fighting overblots and gaining friends.

She doesn’t want to play Magift but she does for her friends. She freezes the ground of rival team in this case Savanaclaw and freezes them up to their hips but they need more as Savanaclaw has better physical abilities and more magic control.

She feels Riddle’s pain as she got subjected to a similar thing for a different reason.

MC also understands Malleus’ loneliness as she was also alone for another reason. Their nightly walk is precious to her and one of the things that helped her to open up.

When she feels confident enough, she signs up for the singing competition of NRC. She writes a song based on her life but adds victorian era royalty so it won’t be exact same as her story.

MC wears confined clothing and makes a small snow hill and a small scale snow storm on stage as a prop. She starts walking on the snow hill and starts singing. “Now they know...” She takes off her gloves. She makes a small ice bridge then an ice castle as she continues to sing then she changes her clothes with magic. “Cold never bothered me anyway,” She says, closing the castle door and leaving the stage.

She wins the competition much to Vil contempt. Now she got in his radar. On the other hand, Azul offers her a job, singing in Mostro Lounge which she accepts and forms a strange bond with Azul, Floyd and Jade.

MC says “Glaciers are rivers of ice” and gets a deadpan expression from Azul and Jade while Floyd laughs “Shrimpy isn’t making sense.” Meanwhile, Azul says “We have seen glaciers every year, they are not rivers of ice.” However, MC ignores them and adds “Water has memory so ice has memory too.” Azul just gives up at that point. He thinks she is using Jade’s mushrooms.

Before she gained self confidence and interacted people more, she wasn’t able to handle Kalim but the new her enjoys spending time with him. She teaches him snow games such as snow ball, ice skating, sliding on the ice...

Leona didn’t care for MC as long as she didn’t use her powers. Cold and he don’t get along. After she gained confidence, she started to play with ice and snow more and dropping the temperature of some places, much to his dread.

MC gets comfortable with herself one day and she feels the calling of the woods. So she follows that calling. 

MC starts living in the forest of NRC instead of Ramshackle despite leaving Grim all alone there, though there are ghosts. She found herself in the woods

Now Azul is certain that she consumes Jade’s strange mushrooms.

[there-is-some-madness-in-love]

“Did you know that Bobby Higgins is in love with Lizzie?” I asked.

“No, but it’ll do him little good if he is,” Jamie replied callously. Taking my hand on his arm as invitation, he took the eggs from me and set them on the ground, then pulled me in and kissed me again, more slowly, but no less thoroughly.

He let go with a deep sigh of content, and glanced at the new summer kitchen we had erected in his absence: a small framed structure consisting of coarse-woven canvas walls and a pine-branch roof, erected round a stone hearth and chimney—but with a large table inside. Enticing scents of rising dough, fresh-baked bread, oatcakes, and cinnamon rolls wafted through the air from it.

“Now, about that quarter of an hour, Sassenach... I believe I could manage wi’ a bit less, if necessary...”

“Well, I couldn’t,” I said firmly, though I did allow my hand to fondle him for a thoughtful instant. My face was burning from contact with his whiskers. “And when we do have time, you can tell me what on earth you’ve been doing to bring this on.”

“Dreaming,” he said.

“What?”

“I kept havin’ terrible lewd dreams about ye, all the night long,” he explained, twitching his breeks into better adjustment. “Every time I rolled over, I’d lie on my cock and wake up. It was awful.” I burst out laughing, and he affected to look injured, though I could see reluctant amusement behind it.

“Well, you can laugh, Sassenach,” he said. “Ye havena got one to trouble ye.”

“Yes, and a great relief it is, too,” I assured him. “Er... what sort of lewd dreams?” I could see a deep blue gleam of speculation at the back of his eyes as he looked at me. He extended one finger, and very delicately ran it down the side of my neck, the slope of my breast where it disappeared into my bodice, and over the thin cloth covering my nipple—which promptly popped up like a puffball mushroom in response to this attention.

“The sort that make me want to take ye straight into the forest, far enough that no one will hear when I lay ye on the ground, lift your skirts, and split ye like a ripe peach,” he said softly. “Aye?” I swallowed, audibly.

At this delicate moment, whoops of greeting came from the trailhead on the other side of the house.

“Duty calls,” I said, a trifle breathless.

Jamie drew a deep breath of his own, squared his shoulders, and nodded.

“Well, I havena died of unrequited lust yet; I suppose I shallna do it now.”

“Don’t suppose you will,” I said. “Besides, didn’t you tell me once that abstinence makes... er... things... grow firmer?”

He gave me a bleak look.

“If it gets any firmer, I’ll faint from a lack of blood to the heid. Dinna forget the eggs, Sassenach.”

Excerpt from A Breath of Snow and Ashes by Diana Gabaldon ©️ 2005

Book Scenes I Want to See in Season 6

[innervoiceartblog]

(via A Paradise Called Dziedzinka - Przekrój Magazine)

Simona Kossak, a zoologist, and the well-known photographer and author of many animal albums, Lech Wilczek

“Hidden in the heart of the forest, six kilometres from the town of Białowieża, is a nature reserve. It is now covered in fresh thick snow. They call this place Dziedzinka; sitting on a lovely clearing is a forest lodge with a barn next to a sprawling tree, along with roughly carved chair-like objects and a round table made of oak, at which one eats all meals during the warm season, accompanied by candlelight coming from an ancient candelabra. Running out from the inner hedge is Żabka (‘Froggy’), a sow playing the role of the domesticated ‘dangerous dog’. Lazily strolling out to welcome guests is Hepunia, a donkey seeking affection. A giant yet calm dog bolts out; it’s Troll, whose mum was a Boxer and whose dad was a German shepherd, and who is a creature of great beauty, intelligence and tenderness of heart. Before I even make it to the porch, Korasek the crow first pecks at my leg around my ankle and then proceeds to steal a pen from my pocket; fortunately, he is open to bribes and returns it in exchange for an egg. Greeting me in the door are my hosts, Simona Kossak, a zoologist, and the well-known photographer and author of many animal albums, Lech Wilczek....”

Simona Kossak:

Biologist, Professor of Forestry Science. A legendary defender of the flora and fauna in the Białowieża Forest and champion of a more in-depth awareness of nature. Daughter, granddaughter and great-granddaughter of the famous Kossak family. Resident at Dziedzinka, from where she would commute to her job at the Mammal Research Institute of the Polish Academy of Sciences and the Forest Research Institute in Białowieża, first on a Komar motorbike, then in a small Fiat. She was born in 1943 and died in 2007.

Lech Wilczek:

Photographer and naturalist. Author of books and picture albums about a tawny owl and a raccoon, a jackdaw and cats, mushrooms, Syrian hamsters, aquarium fish, a crow and badgers, the Białowieża Forest, of course, and many others. He was born in 1930 and has been a resident of Dziedzinka since 1971.

Translated from the Polish by Mark Ordon

[bleachbleachbleach]

Fic: Away, Away

This was written for Day 13 of @hitsuhina-week! If you prefer, you can also read this on AO3. Which is my preference, because Tumblr keeps eating my spacing whether I use Rich Text or HTML so it looks absurd on here. >.>

Aftermath / Going on a Trip Together Hinamori Momo + Hitsugaya Toushirou Pre-Series

--

This will be the last time. 

(Whisper it, so he won't hear.)

--

Every spring, Junrinan finds its way to the western mountains. (The souls of Rukongai wander.) There is no grand procession: They disperse across the vast range, often alone and sometimes in twos. They are always careful not to cause disruption, because while one soul in a forest full of spirits generally isn't worth the effort, seven is a meal.

They are three. 

Soon, they will be two. Hinamori can't stop whispering her new name, hi na mo ri. It's early to be out here, but the snows were mild this year and new growth is already peeking from beneath the thick, rich leaf rot. She feels an affinity with this year's tender saplings, a feeling that grows hotter with every whispered repetition of her name. Her grandmother had given it to her, showed her how to write it. She'd studied her name harder than she had the exam.

Hinamori has an acceptance letter. In April, she is leaving. 

Hinamori nearly walks straight into a nettle spirit--the hair-eating kind--draped across the game path plain as day.

"Do you wanna be bald?" Toushirou grouses as he yanks her back just in time. "I guess it fits. You're acting like a blind old man." 

Hinamori blinks, brushes imagined hair from her face. It's the fifth time she's tried to walk straight through a spirit in as many days. 

"Studying is bad for your eyes," says Toushirou. He doesn't care for moony Hinamori. Momo had paid a lot more attention to what was in front of her. But she's Hinamori now. At least, that's the only name she'll write, dragging her thin stick through the dirt outside the house. So that's what he calls her.

Toushirou squeezes through a bumble of pot-bellied mushroom spirits and Hinamori follows him, stepping carefully into his tracks.

"You'll need to keep reading even when I'm not around. It'll go if you don't practice," she says.

Toushirou makes a noncommittal sound.

"I'll send you letters full of kanji and quiz you on them when I visit." I'll learn how to write them pretty, she promises, just like Baachan does.

"Will you write me back?" she asks.

"Probably not."

This hurts her. But Toushirou plans to go the rest of his life without writing a single thing. It's not personal.

"Why would I need to tell you what happens in Junrinan?" he says. "You already know."

--

And if I forget?

--

Life in Junrinan doesn't change. That's what Toushirou was promised. The winters are quiet and slow, and in spring they go to the mountains. Summers are for farming, and autumns for harvest. Then winters are quiet and slow again.

Spring passes with bracken and angelica in hand. It is counted in the spirals of ferns as their number grows in the baskets. Some are dried; some are steeped. Mostly, they are sold. Many of the men in Junrinan spend springtime waking before dawn to sprint to the mountain, forage the lowlands, and return to the village for evening revelries, but Toushirou and Hinamori and their grandmother have always spent the whole of the season between the trees. The mountains prefer it when you stay. 

This will be true no matter how long Hinamori is gone.

April 12th through July 20th, then our first break, she says, scratching numbers in the dirt. But Junrinan doesn't have dates the way the Academy does. She draws the way the trees will change. The change happens in a long straight line, and beyond July 20th there is an emptiness rather than a repetition. How do you draw an unwritten future?

Hinamori writes her name again.

--

In the spring, everything is full: Toushirou enjoys the wet green of it, the late snows and vernal flooding. The water flows down from the mountains ice cold and the forests are loud and thick with spirits.

The spirits have no names that are written and no faces that have ever stayed the same, unremembered but immemorial. They are loud. Most of them respect the borders of his body. They brush against his legs with thick wet fur or scrape his cheek with leathery wings. They coil around his throat, treating him like a tree or rock. Some of them are trees and rocks. They are the mountains and forest, just like the wandering souls of Junrinan. They all belong here, more or less.

Toushirou can see most of them. When the blurry ones pass through you, it's feverishly unpleasant for the split-second it happens and then is nothing at all. The blurry ones, Toushirou figures, aren't actually in this forest. They are like shadows at sunset, cast long and far from their bodies. Their true bodies roam a different world entirely.

That's what Hinamori wants to do. 

Hinamori used to clamor for shinigami stories any time one of them passed through town. She'd been told one time that all travelers carried stories and now expected it.

The shinigami never expected her. Unless commerce was involved they didn't tend to acknowledge souls, or even look at them. So they always seemed surprised by Hinamori, like it hadn't occurred to them that they'd meet a real, full person out here. Which is fair enough, Toushirou grudgingly allows--there are plenty of souls in Junrinan so old and staid they cannot move, nor speak. (Don't touch them. It's unlucky.)

We don't talk about those.

The shinigami talk story: The story of black dye. The story of a tall bathhouse. The story of grilled meat on sticks. The story of the time they saw a noble. The story of a big fish. The story of a bigger fish. The story of the bullet train. The story of my sister, who isn't very interesting but is the only thing that comes to mind right now sorry. The story of 19th seats should be paid more. The story of the soul who wanted a story. 

Almost none of the stories are about death.

"Little girls shouldn't go into those mountains," one shinigami once said, which is as close as a story ever came to it. "Nasty stuff in there. They're called Hollows, you know. Real bad guys."

The shinigami patted the sword at his hip. He'd just told Hinamori a story about the third son of a lesser noble whom everyone loved and thought deserved better than the shadows of his elder brothers. And how preposterous is it, really, that he should have to prove himself when his brothers never did? Pushed out here into the boonies, seeking honor and fame. He really feels for the guy. Don't you? Don't you?

"You seem to know a lot about 'this guy,'" Toushirou offered.

"I'm a master storyteller," said the shinigami.

I've killed a Hollow before, you know, boasted the master storyteller. He'd led a unit of twelve men into those mountains out there, which were so quiet you could hear your own heart beating. When you can hear your terror--that's when you're on the cusp of valor. His eyes lit up. I was the one who cut the mask, he said.

Twelve is obviously far too many (seven is a meal), and those mountains have never been quiet. Toushirou didn't think he'd really been.

In the spring, though, there's a dark scar where once there'd been a copse of trees. Shattered branches and burned ground. His grandmother says it smells like Hollow. 

"They see things differently," his grandmother half-explains, of the shinigami and their Hollows and the silence of their mountains. Of course this would seem a different place to them.

"They're idiots," says Toushirou, though suddenly he's not sure. The scar is hair-raising, and his stomach roils. Maybe they really shouldn't be out in the woods.

"The shinigami know more than you," says Hinamori, taking his hand in hers. She grips it tightly, reassuring, or maybe annoyed. Both. She has a lot of school spirit for someone who hasn't even been yet.

But she doesn't let go of his hand, even after they've returned to the cover of the live trees, kitsune fire nestled in the brambles at their feet.

Toushirou makes the mistake of noticing a spirit that tends to linger just out of sight. It feeds on your instinct to look, and it grows higher and higher the more you crane your neck, so sure you'll be able to sneak a glimpse of it. By the time you realize the trick, you've always been had. It's very annoying.

--

This will be the last time.

(Scream it.)

--

"It's so dark out here," says Hinamori, in spite of the kitsune and all the rest. Lots of spirits glow. She is still holding his hand.

Toushirou thinks of the small lamp Hinamori had bought to study by, the wild shadows it cast on the interior walls and the way it had made all hours bright. He thinks of all the hours she hadn't slept. All because some shinigami had told her a story about a school. 

Anything would seem dark by comparison. He can't remember the last time she hadn't had her lamp on when he went to bed.

Hinamori is going to snap the bones in his hand. He yelps. Tears prick in his eyes. "What's wrong with you?"

She doesn't let go, and then she doesn't let go.

"It's so quiet," she says faintly. Her free hand wavers over her heart protectively.

It's so dark. It's so quiet. Quiet enough to hear your terror.

Except it's not. It's not dark.

It's not quiet.

The forest is full, air thick with chirrups and buzzing, screeching, hooting, chittering. Bodies clack and bones shudder. Reeds whistle and something large makes a whomping, resonating tone. Foxfire hisses as it makes sparks, throws phosphorous motes that dance high above. A heartbeat glow marches up the ridged spine of a lizard spirit. The forest is as it has always been.

Toushirou's eyes widen. 

"You can't hear them anymore."

To Hinamori, it is all darkness and silence. 

She sinks to the ground, burying her head in her knees as though to hide from the quiet. From the black. She drops his hand.

"Momo--"

She shakes her head. She opens her hands to the sky like she's waiting for a bird to land. For a split second, a small warm flame billows from her palms. 

Then the entire forest catches.

The thought had been innocent enough--to be her own light in the darkness, conquer her fear. But the forest only hears the conquering. It's the kitsune who don't take kindly to Hinamori's light. Their fire screeches up and outward and then all the spirits are in frenzy. A meal! scream some; and others, a threat! A danger to be expunged. A strange thing not of this forest, these mountains.

Outsider! the world around them hisses. Away.

away, away

Hinamori screams as the flames leap forward--the claws, the vines, the terrors and all in between. She throws herself in front of Toushirou. 

Toushirou can't find his voice at all. The wide whites of his eyes feel the propulsive gust of the forest coming down on them. On Hinamori. No! he can't shout, cold fear coiling over his frozen legs and pricking at his shoulder blades. Something serpentine rushes past him and he's on the ground. His head smacks hard against a writhing tree root and he tastes bile, feels nothing. 

Hears everything.

away

When he wakes, snow is falling, wet and sloppy. Kitsune are nibbling at the singed edges of a hanafuda. Hinamori is in her grandmother's arms. She's crying.

--

Before Hinamori started studying, with her bright lamp and her long nights and her feverish poetry scratched into the ground, before the hunger came, she'd woken one morning to a futon streaked with her blood. Her grandmother said that this was womanhood.

"The tea will stop the bleeding," she assured a tearful Hinamori as they scrubbed at her futon, pinking the waters. Toushirou beat at the stain with his feet, splashing everywhere.

"You don't have to touch it," Hinamori had said quietly, her eyes fixed on the water. "It's my mess."

"Baachan said I have to help," Toushirou objected. "Besides, am I supposed to just sit here and watch you bleed?"

--

Just one last time.

--

Hinamori isn't hurt, but she is in pain. The forest doesn't want her anymore. (She is leaving.)

"The forest sees them differently," his grandmother says, the other half of her earlier explanation. "Them," meaning shinigami. "Them," meaning Hinamori, now.

Shinigami see and are seen differently. They belong differently. Toushirou had only ever distinguished them by their black clothes, and sometimes their attitude. But his grandmother talks about reiryoku, about reiatsu, about the realms the shinigami travel through and the spirits they are blind to. The spirits that belong to different worlds than theirs, even when they're side by side. Some worlds are bound to one another, tied by fate and duty; others are repelled.

As Hinamori's reiatsu blossomed with her womanhood, slowly folding outward past her skin, beyond her body, her worlds were chosen for her. Like the bleeding, there's a tea to help this, too, but it's not the same. 

There is no going back.

"What're you looking at," Toushirou scowls at her. He's not sure what to do with her pain. There's nothing he can do for her pain. But she's looking at him differently, a little less like Hinamori and a little more like the rest of Junrinan does, and that scares him.

She asks him if he'd felt anything. Something cold.

She's asked him before. Every day since the incident, she's asked him.

His answer is always the same. No. Just fear.

He should be helping his grandmother. They're here in the forest for a reason, and that hasn't changed; they have foraging to do. But he doesn't want to leave Hinamori alone. 

"Don't be afraid of it, Shiro-chan," says Hinamori. Hinamori, who's now afraid of the dark.

Hinamori, who is leaving.

--

She doesn't have a choice. When her power comes into her she knows there is only one place she can go. It's a place she has always wanted to go. (She has always wanted to go places.) But now she has to.

She smiles. 

If she is going to go, she's going to fly. She will love, and yearn, and cry. She will give all of herself to the future before her, even when it means that precious things can be only memory. If there is something Hinamori leaves in him when she goes, it's flight. 

Someday, Toushirou will remember to remember that.

--

"Will you write me?" she asks.

--

--

(You will be written.)

--

She returns for the summer, then is gone again. Winter, then gone again. But she doesn't come home for the spring. They'll be going to the realm of the living. They will fight Hollows, just like the Gotei 13. She explains the meaning and stroke order of the characters, go tei,  though she doesn't explain what the Gotei 13 actually is. That part must already seem obvious to her. Shinigami stuff. That's all Toushirou will ever need to know. Seems pretentious.

When Junrinan returns to the mountains this year, Toushirou and his grandmother stay behind. "It's dangerous," she says. She squeezes his shoulders.

It's dangerous now. 

There is no going back.

Junrinan may not change, but life does, and by the second summer, Hinamori has mostly forgotten the shapes of the forest spirits. Toushirou is forgetting them, too. 

The difference is, Hinamori has found replacements. She talks about incantations and sword stances, friendships and histories. She has been to the realm of the living. It's only been a year, and already they have nothing in common but their memories, ever-receding. 

Sometimes she wakes up screaming. She doesn't say why.

--

Toushirou dreams of a chill ripping through him. He dreams of a place where there are no mountains as far as the eye can see.

--

He wakes to Hinamori.

[lilacheart30]

Suddenly have a thought about the returning spirits, so I wrote it out as a story:

Return Of the Homies

With the quest givers, it’s just another boring day of work.

In ark, you see a hoard of silhouettes storming in the entrance, leaving trails of footprints and dusts flying in the air behind them. You wonder, what could that be as it’s been a while since you’ve seen this many people coming in ark at the same time.

As the silhouettes move closer, your eyes glistened. Could that be? No, impossible! The familiar scent of herbs, the pungent smell of potions, the aromatic smell of spices and white mushrooms, and the smell of oil paint too! It must be!

“HEEEEYYYY! CAN YOU HEAR ME HOMIE?! ITS YOUR CRAB DUDE! REMEMBER MY CRAB DANCE?!

“Crab Walker! I can’t believe it!” said the quest giver

“WE’RE BACK BROTHER ENCHANTMENT!” Voices of two ladies rung in your ears from a closing distance

“HOW’S IT GOING KID!” An old, familiar voice too

“MISS ME? I BET YOU DID— ARGH DAMN IT STOP PECKING ME ALREADY YOU AVIANS” An annoying voice, but it definitely brought tears to your eyes

Finally, their faces became as clear as the day. Or maybe not, your overflowing tears blurred your vision after all.

“SURPRISE!!!”

Quite a surprise, but a welcoming one.

Two realms away, a lonely figure bathed in the sunlight as they watched the mantas fly freely together in the skies. The sounds of the waterfalls nearby reminds you of laughter somehow, which had not been heard for ages.

Little did you know, laughter would fill the islands in no time as a manta noticed the return of six travellers waving to them, as if implying the manta to carry them down to the lonely figure on the main island.

“I can’t wait to see mama again!”

“Don’t we all? Mama was so lonely here even when the two of us came to visit. Also, GEYSERS HERE I COME!”

“Man I miss chilling in the sun here, oh and those nasty little crabs were quite the delicacy too!”

“I wonder how’s my jellyfishes doing.”

“I hope my shell collections are still here, I can’t find it anywhere in my luggage! Must’ve forgotten about it before we left.”

“Tch, why do we even leave here in the first place! Even if I hate the sunlight, the mountains, the mantas, everything here, that doesn’t mean I want to go!” Said the hiking grouch angrily.

“Oh we all know you love everything here, you’re just too shy to admit it isn’t it?”

“Shut up sunbather!” Said the hiking grouch as his face blushed into a shade of red.

One realm away, in the dark and eerie caves filled with murals no one understood, a tall figure with mask that resembles a wolf, or a jackal stands by a pile of stacked rocks with symbols on every one of them.

“Sigh, if only those four are here with me, we could’ve tried out some funny stage plays together like how we used to.”

(Inspired by these discord messages)

“Seriously? We came all the way back here and that’s all you have to say for us Jackal-face?”

“What the— Water prophet!”

“Did someone polish the floors of my air trial properly? Oh and the geysers too! Can’t risk the air trapped cause the kids can’t fly high enough!”

“Don’t forget me as well! Your prophets are all back! I hope my earth trial is in good condition as well, after all...”

“We’re ready to put more kids through the trials! Oh and how’s my worms doing? Did you feed them well?”

Now let’s move another three realms back, in a village covered in snow with frozen lakes.

“I wonder how’s my baby doing? Is she having fun skating around the world? Brrr, it’s getting cold here too. I wonder when will I get a cape.”

“Here’s a cape for you, my friend!” Said a silvery voice, as a familiar, fluffy, blacks and red cape adorned with white spots wraps you up.

“Ohh! You startled me! Wait, aren’t you—”

“Incoming delivery!” A red figure skates out from the alleys of the villages, crashing into the arms of the lady.

“Postman!”

Nearby, you hear the melody of a stringed instrument approaching, accompanied with the smell of sake.

“Dancing performer!”

“It is I, indeed!”

“Oh my! Everyone is here! What about my sweet little girl?”

“Mama!” A sweet voice, accompanied with the warmth of two arms wraps you up from behind.

Back in a treehouse, a child sobbed in the torch lit basement.

“I mustn’t cry, I must be a brave guest giver right? Right? I—”

Out of nowhere, footsteps of many approached the treehouse

“Hey, wheres quest giver? I thought he’d be in the treehouse?” Said a girl with green ribbons in her hair.

“Maybe he went picking flowers to welcome us?” Said a girl with flowers in her hair innocently.

“Hmm, I don’t see his trumpet or even his shadow here. The hoops are safely stored away too. He must be away right now.”

“I searched the gardens, the plants have been watered but he isn’t there either.”

“Oh no! He must be lost on his way back here! There’s no way he’s away for so long that we missed him!”

“That jerk! Bet he’s partying with the grown-ups! Imagine all the good food he’s having with them!”

They’re back?

Scolding student: “Say, Why not we hold a surprise party for him while he’s away right now?”

Scaredy Cadet: “It’s not a bad idea, but we don’t know when he will be back!”

Chuckling Scout: “It doesn’t matter if we are fast enough! I’ve already put up all the hoops and readied the pool party!”

Daydream forester: “Ooo great job! But what about the snacks?”

Marching Adventurer: “That isn’t something to worry! We have some snacks stored back at our treehouse!”

Scolding student: “Perfect! Now all that’s left is preparations for our sleepover party! You two! Go grab our blankets back at your treehouse!”

Daydream Forester and Chuckling Scout: “Aye aye, Captain!”

“You, stay here and ready the hammocks with me!”

Scaredy Cadet: “Aye aye captain!”

As everyone went their ways, quest giver slowly creeped out of the basement, in an attempt to not spoil the surprise his friend planned for him. Luck for him, they were too busy to notice anything. He decided to hide in the trees, and observe his friends before they finished all their preparations.

Tried my best to write a story in my mind, hope you enjoyed it!

[my-socialdiary]

Cold yet Warm

*drum roll*

another Childe x Lumine fanfiction! i don’t know why but i LOVE this ship so much XD this time, i tried not to write angst even though i’m tempted to write more angst lmao 

my other fanfiction (you can find them on my AO3 account: LoxieAshtyn)

Behind His Mask

Deep Water

anyway, here it is!

Summary: Childe and Lumine decided to camp somewhere near Mondstadt because it’s getting dark and cold. 

It was freezing outside. It’s a snowy season here in the entire Teyvat. The snow is falling down, covering that once green grass with white blanket, giving the sense of dullness but still there’s a beauty in it. Especially when it’s dark and night, you can see a bunch of small lamp grass which emits enough light at night in the wild, when the windwheel aster is no longer blooming for a few months. It’s nice to see life and color in the middle of the monotonous time of the year. 

“It will be nice to have Amber or Klee to lit up this damn fire rather than me doing this,” The blonde-haired girl was mumbling annoyingly to the tree branch she gathered earlier. The air is frozen lace in her skin, slowly numbing her movement. “We will already be  frozen and die when finally this fire light.” She rolled her eyes while roughly rubbing tree branches against rocks with exasperation. 

“Paimon thinks you're doing it the wrong way, Lumine,” her travel companion in the form of a little fairy with a pair of translucent wings hovering near her. “Why don’t we asked Childe to help us? We can even switch tasks with him!” Paimon pointed at that deep blue eyes man who now is cutting fowl meat and mushroom so that they can have chicken-skewer feast. 

Childe, who is noticed that he’s being mentioned by Paimon, turns his head and looks at Lumine’s direction. “Need any help with that?” he said while pointing at the poor tree branches that have been broken several times with his chin and letting out small chuckles. “I pity those branches.” He puts his knife and walks toward Lumine and takes the branches from her hand. “Here, let me do it. We can switch.” She huffed and walked past him. 

Coldness is now wrapping their body even more. It’s even worse for Childe because he’s a hydro user. Lumine’s wondering if she’s almost feeling numb and her scarves didn’t do its job properly, how about Childe? She glances at him just to see that steam coming out from his mouth every time he breathes. But luckily, the fire is now lit up and he tries to make it even bigger by giving more branches. Heh. He seems fine. She shrugged and continued her task.  

“Wow! You are waaay more better than Lumine, Childe!” Paimon spins around in the air and claps her tiny hands. Lumine rolled her eyes. “Now we can eat! Paimon is already feeling hungry.” She said with trembling made up voices along with Lumine who is now walking to them with raw chicken-mushroom skewers ready to grilled. “Yay! Food!” 

Few moments later, they are all already fed, satisfied, and full. Even Paimon was already sleeping because she ate too many. Her tiny stomach can hold so many foods. Meanwhile, Childe is chilling outside his tent in front of the bonfire, enjoying the weather and warmness that tickles his body while his index finger is now poking the snow in the ground. 

“Are you not cold?” Ask Lumine. She has been finished putting Paimon to her own tent and found Childe sitting outside. She hands over a piece of a thick blanket to him.

Childe smiles and takes the blanket. “Not really, the bonfire I made is doing its job properly,” He teased her when emphasizing the words ‘I made’ and let out a small laugh. In response, Lumine nudged him with her elbow and narrowed her eyes. 

“Well, I admit you’re good at this, okay.” She said. 

“I know. Thank you.” 

The gentle breeze brushed off their skin, the fire crackling from the roaring blaze as dying branches and twigs gasped for their last breaths before totally consumed by its heat. None of them speaks. Their gaze is focused on the dancing fire, and seems to entertain them in the midst of Whisper Forest. If it’s not because of the quest they need to complete, they won’t be camping outside in this weather. 

Lumine watches the fire as her mind slowly wanders off to the time when he still has his twin brother, Aether, on her side. They’ve been together since forever and now, she gotta admit that sometimes she’s afraid because of his absence. She breathes a sigh. 

That catches Childe’s ear. “Why are you sighing? Is something bothering you?” He asks. 

“No,” she shook her head. “I’m just thinking about Aether and his whereabouts.” She forced a smile. 

“You miss him?”

“Of course, you silly.” She squints.

“I miss my siblings too,” He looks at Lumine. 

“I’d like to meet them someday,” She already heard so many things about Childe’s trio siblings. “Do you think they’ll like me?” She looks back at Childe just to see directly to his face and the deep dark blue eyes he has. What a beauty. This is not fair. How can he be so charming like this? Her cheeks started to blushed.

“Tonia is a little bit shy, but I’m sure Anthony and Teucer will like you,” He said. “They probably will enjoy Paimon’s companion too.” 

“Y-yeah,” She looks away. Her heart is beating fast. 

“What is Aether like? You rarely speak about him since we met,” He is now placing his face in his palm while that strong, muscular arm… no. Is supporting his upper body weight. He leaned forward to see Lumine’s face and didn’t take his eyes off from her. “Did you two have a super-similar personality, or…?”

Don’t look at me like that! She screamed inside. “U-uh, we resemble each other, I-I think.” 

“It must be fun to have twin siblings,” He一finally一turns his face and watches the fire again. Lumine breathes a sigh of relief. “To know and to be known deeply. No wonder that you missed him so much.” He smiles. 

“Yeah… it’s hard because I have been with him all my life. And now we’re parting ways, it’s…” she’s trying to find the right word. “Terrifying.”

Yes. It’s terrifying. The feeling of not knowing anything about the one who’s being the only support system you have is terrifying. She doesn't know where he is. She doesn't know what he is up to. She doesn't know if he’s in danger or not or if he needs her help. Importantly, she doesn’t know if he’s still alive or not after being taken by the Unknown God. Thinking about that makes her shiver in fear. No… Aether will be still alive, right? She tries to assure herself. 

Just at that moment, she feels Childe’s arm wrapping her shoulder, pulling her closer to his body. Giving her a sense of comfort and safety. It’s warm… and nice. She knows that nothing has happened between her and Childe yet. And she also knows that at this moment she’s been carried away by her emotions yet she didn’t care. And it makes her head leisurely lean to his chest, hearing his heartbeat. It’s calming, she must admit. He stroked her upper arm with his palm. 

“I’m sure he’s fine. You have to believe in him, you know?” He looked down, whispering those words. She can feel his breath tickling her ears, making her stomach flutter with those stupid butterflies. “The only thing you should do right now is keeping yourself safe. Don’t jump into a group of treasure hoarders by yourself.” 

“I’m not that weak, you know,” She murmured. His warmth makes her a little bit sleepy. He tightened his embrace and that made her smile while closing her eyes, enjoying every bit of him. “Do you enjoy making me stay like this?” She teased him, trying to sound like she’s annoyed. 

“Do I?” He asks her back with a chuckle. 

“Seems like you do, Childe.” 

“I guess so. Do you mind?” Childe felt that she was smiling in his arms. And that makes him smile too. “No need to answer that. I know.”

“You know?” She pulled herself and raised her eyebrow.

“Of course. You would kill to be at my arms like this.” 

She pretends to think. “Well, I guess you’re right.” She grinned. 

There’s a pause for a few minutes when finally Childe opened his mouth while pulling himself from her “I will stay with you, as long as you want me to stay,” he said it with determination. “As long as you have not yet found your brother, I will stay. With you.” 

Lumine looks at him. His eyes showed the kind of gentle concern and sincerity her brother used to have. Childe put his hand on Lumine’s cheek, his soft voice made her feel his words calming her more than the actual words. It felt as if she were wrapped in a blanket of his thoughtful words. “Thank you,” She whispered while her eyes glimmered with watery tears. It was a happy cry. “Thank you, Childe. I mean it.”

He smiled and nodded. “I just want you to know that I care about you. I truly do, Lumine.” 

She leans forward and gives him a kiss on his cheek. “I know.” After that she stood up and walked back to her tent. “You’d better go sleep now, Childe. Go to your tent.” 

“How about you go to my tent?” He stood up and held her wrist, preventing her from walking away. “You know, it’s cold, and I’m a hydro user. I could use some warmth.” 

Lumine smiles. “Just to remind you, I’m an anemo user, not a pyro user, Childe.” 

“Well, your specialty is spreading out the effects of other elements, so…” he walks to lessen the gap between them. “I’m sure you can spread out the warmth from the fire to me as well.” 

“I never try that.”

“Now you can try.” 

Heat rose from Lumine’s stomach to her chest and soon enough arrived in both of her cheeks. Childe’s lips were getting closer till his smell hypnotized her beyond reasons. The feel of his frame leaning on hers as his arms wrapped around her felt comforting. She’s not sure who is exactly giving the warmth. Their lips met, transferring the sense of comfort they never felt before. 

He pulled his lips and looked at Lumine. Her cheeks flushed with bright pink. “I will protect you no matter what, Lumine,” When he said her name, she shivered. His voice lingered over the words as it sounded pleasant to her. He pulled her over a hug and placed his head above Lumine’s head. “I never thought that this kiss would happen so soon.” He smiles and chuckles. 

“So you anticipate and really think that we will kiss?” She teased him. 

“Of course.” He said, with a slight confidence in his voice. 

“Why?” pulled herself from the Childe’s arms and looked straight to his eye. 

“Because I really want to cross the boundaries.”

“What?”

“By saying this,” He exhale and locked his eyes with her. “I love you.” 

“Childe…”

“Sometime in the future, I want to cross those boundaries, I want to do many things with you,” He said. “That’s why I need to make sure that you know I love you. So that you will be assured with every action or words I do.”

She smiles. “I love you.”

That cold weather isn’t that bad, after all. 

[blufox234isadumbname]

Day 252 since we've had Dreamon Hunters on the Dream SMP

Smoke Rising Like Lifted Hands - The Oh Hellos

In the curtain of snow, laid upon the white horizon was a structure. Roofed and wide, fenced in by dark oak. Because of the cover of unusually heavy snow, not much else could be seen from there. The fenceposts seemed more alive than the trees that surrounded it, made by hands very much more alive. Gentle hands grazed the top of it, dusting off flakes of gold dust. Though, some of the gold was in the wood itself, its cracks and seams gilded protectively. Tubbo didn't think much of it, while Fundy admired it for a little bit longer. The two hopped over the gate, uncaring for it hanging by rusted hinges; and seemingly, uncaring for the others behind them if it weren't for a cough.

"Oh, whoops. My bad." Tubbo turned back around to open a sliver of entry for the Dreamons.

Tommy nodded a thanks, so did Ranboo, and so did Yoghurt. The captive rogue hunters, however, didn't spare a joyous halnce. The beanie one just sneered and the purple guy just wanted sleep. The group headed closer to the structure, which with more steps revealed to be a cabin. Or rather, tow cabins, very similar to each other. They weren't grandiose, not likened to a wooden castle or fortress. Only their heights were impressive, which could only be thanked by the nature providing a hill. The cabins had spruce pillars outlining a white exterior, supported by stone brickwork as the shared foundation. The roof, mainly of spruce and dark oak, was blanketed in powdery snow. The only thing uncovered was a stone brick chimney, spewing out smoke that rose like lifted hands. The only light around was the fading dusk sun and the oil lanterns hanging from the roofs.

Fundy had to wonder where the time went, it almost felt like forever in the forest. They came in for one goal and the hours just flew. He became preoccupied with finding his friend, subsequently losing both his friends, being chased by a dreamon, then chased by hunters, and now arriving at a stranger's home. Of all things to happen in a day, these events were the strangest. He had to pity Tubbk and whatever he had to see, to which he had no clue about since the younger hadn't shared.

Tommy eagerly floated down to the snow, his feet barley making a dent in the snow. Immediately, he shot ahead of the cautiously slow hunters, mainly struggling with getting through the above-ankle deep white.

"You're going to LOVE Phil! He's so great!" The blonde dreamon was practically jumping up and down - or rather floating randomly - at the mention of this fellow, "He knows like a lot, like the wise man he is."

"I guess he sounds old." Tubbo chuckled, once getting closer to the excited spirit.

"Pft, oh yeah. Definitely old. Older than any of the Dreamons here, probably."

Tommy landed in front of the door, and slammed his knuckles against the door. Tubbo stared the footsteps that disturbed the snowy sheet on the stairs, Fundy saw them too. Before much more thoughts entered his mind, the door opened up. There stood a man, shorter than Tommy but less blonde. Hard to tell under his white and emerald striped bucket hat. Like his hat, he had a draped outfit - Fundy learned that people from the east called it a yukata - under a black cardigan over his shoudlers. His light blue eyes widened at the sight of familiar and then newer faces at the doorstep

"Tommy?" The green-clad man questioned, both with pleasant surprise and mild confusion.

"I know, I know, weird time to pop by for tea." The dreamon rattled off, "Really, tea is for any time and time is now. But I'm not here for tea, I'm here for like a book or something."

"Mate, what are you talking about. And who are they? More specifically those ones."

The man pointed to the tied up ones being dragged by Yoghurt and Ranboo.

"Oh yeah, you know those hunters loose in the forest, I managed to catch them!"

"Oh. Those guys. And you bring them to me because?"

"Well I wanted to keep an eye on them but I had to come here. Because of these two weirdos here- "

Tommy pointed to Fundy and Tubbo, both feigning offense.

" -needing some help to help a friend

They say they're hunters but they haven't bottled anyone."

"So you're just bringing every single human to me...for what reason?"

"Well I know you're old, so you can help those two with dreamon stuff. You know more than any other and none of the gods are back yet."

"I wish I could help, I do Tommy, but I'm already preoccupied with two other humans George of all people brought in. They're already asking a lot from me and-"

Fundy's eyes shot up.

"Wait! Did you say humans?"

He nodded, opening the door further for Fundy to take a closer look. Silently, the hunter thanked Prime upon the sight of whoever was seated at the table by the window. He didn't bother with the masked one or the one with a mushroom cap for a hat, he was focused on just one. The raven-haired hitched his breath upon the familiar sights too. Fundy, and soon Tubbo, shouted out his name out of purest joy, the anchoring wights from their chests releasing. Fundy thought it was strange that day, almost entirety of it was strange. In the coldest part of the forest, he felt the warmest there in that frosty cabin, in the tightest gripping hug ever so familiar. He wouldn't have it as anything else.

[a-solitary-marshmallow]

Please Don‘t See Me - Chapter 7

Ford was early to rise, intent on packing for a day of research in the forest. His journal and writing implements went into his backpack along with some mushrooms, in case he had to bribe any gnomes. Sample bags – for taking samples, obviously. Trail mix for Ford and jerky for Rebus. A pocket knife for cutting through any unwanted vegetation. A small case of tools in case any of his equipment needed recalibrating. The equipment itself; most notably, the old metal detector he had converted into a handheld mutation-scanner.

Well, technically it detected a currently-unknown element he’d found traces of in a mutated squirrel’s body, that he suspected was the cause of the mutation. Close enough.

Ford fiddled with the makeshift scanner, checking that it was in working order, before he aimed it at the freezer. After a brief hesitation the machine chirped.

“Yes!” Ford grinned excitedly. And then hesitated. “…perhaps there is a better place to keep specimens.”

Hmm.

Rebus shot him a look across the kitchen that seemed to say, ‘why yes, maybe you shouldn’t be keeping a mutated squirrel corpse in the same freezer you store food in’. Ford huffed.

“Well, for the moment it’s the only place I have where it can be properly preserved. Now come here, I want to test something.”

Rebus trotted forward and Ford lifted his scanner towards the wolf. The scanner remained unresponsive.

“…that’s odd.” Ford had been sure that the wolf’s eccentricities had been the result of the same mutation. If it wasn’t that…

It beeped. Ford studied his scanner curiously.

“The element’s presence is weaker in you than in the squirrel, but that could be due to the level of exposure, or perhaps the amount of time since the exposure. In any case, my hypothesis was correct! You must have come into contact with the source material somehow…” Rebus cocked his head inquisitively. “How should I know? That’s what today’s expedition is for. If it’s not the crystals I may try to retrace your steps before you came here.”

At the last moment Ford pulled on a thick coat to hide from the winter chill. It wasn’t yet snowing but the ground gleamed with frost. He shrugged on his backpack and, armed with his journal in hand, started the trek into the woods.

Rebus padded alongside him – Rebus went everywhere with him. Ford could hardly remember not having the massive, shaggy hound around. Who did he used to talk to while he worked? Himself?

…when he was younger, he used to talk to Stanley.

His brother rarely understood the content but he always listened intently while Ford rambled on about parabolas or string theory or whatever he was studying. Stanley had always seemed to know exactly what Ford needed. He gave his undivided attention even to subjects he found boring, just because Ford loved them. Their parents often thought Ford was annoying but Stan listened and it had been one of Ford’s favourite things to rush to him with whatever exciting new fact he’d learned so they could be excited together. When Ford had gotten self-conscious about stimming in public Stan would blow a raspberry, flap his hands and jump around until Ford couldn’t help but join in too, and he was having so much fun that didn’t much care anymore what others thought.

A bump against Ford’s side brought him back to the present and he stumbled, catching himself on the tree trunk Rebus had just stopped him from walking into face-first.

Ford gave his head a quick shake to clear it, irritated with himself. Why was he thinking about Stanley? He was in the process of making a scientific discovery! There were more important things to think about.

…if this truly was a previously-undiscovered element, would Ford get to name it?

The deeper they walked into the forest the more uneasy Ford’s travelling partner seemed to get. Rebus’s thick fur prickled and he pressed close to Ford’s side, casting wary glances at the forest around them. The anxiousness was infectious. Ford gripped his sensor tightly and rested one hand on the wolf’s back, taking comfort in the contact. Ford didn’t notice anything amiss, but canine senses were notoriously sharper than humans’. Perhaps the crystal formations grew in the territory of another predator; or, perhaps, the griffin flock from earlier had passed through this area. Whatever the reason Rebus remained on-edge through the majority of the hike.

Ford’s apprehension, however, was forgotten the moment the crystals came into view. He picked up his pace and hurried into their midst, chatting to Rebus as he did.

“Now, last time I was here I planned to measure the crystals’ growth, and I made a mark – ah, here! Hmm. They haven’t grown since I last checked, which was… four months ago. My, time does fly. I suppose I can disregard the theory that they have an accelerated growth rate. When we return to the house I must remember to investigate natural crystal formation. There’s still the possibility that their growth rate is slower than the norm!”

Rebus let out a curious-sounding rumble, wariness seemingly sidelined for the moment. It wasn’t a question, but Ford elaborated anyway.

“Ah, you see, investigating the conditions of their formation will allow me to deduce what other places they may exist in.” Ford glanced up at the sky, reassuring himself that the mildly overcast weather had not cleared up since he began this expedition. Fluctuating levels of sunlight would increase the chance of either Ford or Rebus getting caught in a stray size-altering beam.

Ford lifted his sensor and ran it carefully over the nearest crystal, which was a lovely blush colour. There was no reaction so he moved onto the next.

“Now, hopefully my scanner here will pick up traces of that mystery element. Considering it has been present in every creature I’ve known to be affected by the mutation, there is a high chance that it will be present in the source of the mutation.” Ford glanced over his shoulder at Rebus, who seemed torn between watching Ford curiously and glaring at the forest around them. “Hmm, perhaps your presence here might skew the results if you carry traces of it… then again, the element’s presence in you is quite weak, and… aha!”

The last part was a triumphant cry as his sensor beeped. The crystal it had landed on looked very much like its neighbours but for the tiny flecks of some sort of mineral deposit inside its translucent body, peppering the stream of sunlight focused through it with tiny shadows. The grass around this particular crystal grew thicker and more virulent than in the rest of the clearing. Perhaps…

Ford plucked the leaf from a nearby tree and experimentally dropped it into said beam of light. It plopped lightly to the ground and did not grow or shrink as expected. Instead, as he watched, the delicate veins began to swell and bulge.

Ford let out a rush of air. “The light. The minerals in the crystal must be distorting its natural size-altering properties! Don’t you see Rebus, this is most likely the source of the mutated creatures running around Gravity Falls.”

Rebus padded over leaned against Ford’s side, a steady presence. Ford whipped out his journal to start jotting down observations.

“But why only now… the crystal fragments in the grass suggest that one was damaged recently, perhaps a formation that prevented light reaching the deformed crystal. In the wake of its absence the deformed crystal has been exposed to light and thus will affect any creature that walks into its path!” He studied the swollen leaf. “Yes, that would explain the disproportionate physique of affected creatures; and I wonder if it influences their disposition as well, or if the ones I’ve come across were already predisposed to violence. Perhaps the latter, given that you seem to have been affected both physically and mentally and yet are non-aggressive towards humans.”

Rebus let out an offended huff.

“Don’t give me that look. The fact that you seem to have some understanding of what I’m saying to you at all suggests heightened intelligence that I suspect came from this very source.” Ford nodded to himself. “Yes, yes… I’ll definitely have to run some experiments on this. Perhaps I can isolate and identify the mystery mineral. It will be a good excuse to test my new Mass Spectrometer!”

Ford (very carefully) scraped off several samples of the crystal. Drilling into it to extract a fleck of mystery mineral took quite some time. He frowned to himself as he guided a pair of tweezers into the narrow hole, trying to extract one while causing minimal damage to the crystal. Fiddly work indeed. He was glad he’d packed a small hand drill and a facial mask, to avoid breathing in any of the dust.

Rebus let out a distressed whine from behind him.

“Yes, yes, I know. We’ll leave in a second, I just need to collect this sample.” Ford carefully lifted the glinting fleck and dropped it into a plastic bag, quickly folding it up and securing it into his pack to avoid any light shining onto it. He had enough oddities already, thank you very much. He wasn’t looking to be mutated on top of that.

Ford packed up his equipment and shrugged on his pack with a wide grin. Rebus shook himself and padded over to join him as Ford began the walk back. Ford’s mind raced as he walked. With these samples he should be able to run tests and deduce the exact nature of its effect on organic tissue. Hopefully he would be able to reverse-engineer its effects to cure affected creatures. Perhaps he should pull a tarp over the deformed crystal to prevent it from mutating anything else?

Ford was still deep in thought when they broke the thick tree cover and headed through a more sparse area of vegetation. Rebus growling was his first clue that they weren’t alone. His second clue was something growling back.

Ford froze as a low, aggressive huffing filled the air. He turned slowly, shoulders hunched, to catch a glimpse of a big body across the clearing. Big, covered in patchy, shaggy brown fur, disproportionate as it gathered up its huge mass to stomp and woof angrily at the growling wolf. The Rebus of bears, as it was. The hairs on the back of Ford’s neck prickled.

…ah. So that was the reason for Rebus’s wariness.

Ford took a slow step backwards and the bear stomped and whuffed, peeling back its lips to display yellowish teeth. Rebus’s rumbling growl got a little louder. Ford tried to think. Why would a wild bear attack them? Maybe there were cubs nearby, or simply they’d wandered too close into its territory and it felt threatened. Their best bet was to back away slowly, appear small as they edged out of its territory-

Rebus sprang forward.

“No!” Ford yelped but the wolf was already charging for the creature’s throat. The bear hunched its shoulders to protect its vulnerable neck and its teeth snapped shut just shy of Rebus’s leg. The wolf yelped and the bear swung one massive paw and sent him skidding.

Ford yelled, which, in hindsight, may have been a mistake, because the now-enraged bear charged towards him.

[ai-katsuu]

Hans and Briar Rose (1/1)

story is made thanks to @oceanspray5​ and @hanadoesstuffbadly​ <3 i wanted to write a bit about them, specifically after they break their curses. to read about what happened previously see their backstory

-------

“Are you ready?”

Hans looked at the beautiful princess beside him. The small holes of sun rays hitting her face as the wall of bushes blocks her last path. 

Briar Rose nodded firmly, “I’m ready.” 

Hans took her hand and gently squeezed it. They both stepped forward and made their way through the bushes, outside the forest. 

Briar held her hand up to cover her face as fresh sunshine shone. Once her eyes had adjusted to the light she took in the sight. Beautiful green mountains with snowy white tips, grass so much greener than the grey ones in her forest, flowers that never bloomed back there, and a gentle breeze that lifted her braid midair. Briar let out a small gasp, which Hans noticed right away.

“I understand it’s been awhile, and it might be a little scary but-“ 

“AHHH!” she lifted her arms and screamed out of joy. 

Adrenaline completely took over her body. She ran barefooted across the cool grass, she did cartwheels near the lake, just in pure bliss that she was finally free. 

“Briar please, your dress-! And the river, you might fall!” Hans said with a light red face, unsure where to look as his gaze went back and forth checking on her to make sure she didn’t fall doing her cartwheels. 

Briar tumbled on the grass, laughing and giggling to herself as she sat up. She tried her best to fix her hair but it was practically useless by then. 

Finally, Hans caught up to her. “Briar...please..” he said trying to catch his breath, “I’m very happy as well but-“ 

“Oh Hans!” she suddenly jumped up and embraced him, tackling him down on the grass. Surprised by the sudden action, Hans could only widen his eyes, flustered, unsure where to put his hands. 

“I can’t believe it really worked! Thank you so much, I don’t even know what I could do to thank you!” she smiled down at him. As much time they spent together in the woods, she still managed to make him downright melt at the sight of her smile. 

He laughed a bit, “You sort of just broke my curse so we’re kinda good.” 

Briar giggled and placed a quick kiss on his forehead before running back around the field. Hans sat himself up as he smiled at her, his hand touching his forehead. Briar continued to explore the outside world while Hans followed her as she sprinted through the fields. She picked several flowers, swung around fruit trees, and even almost jumped in the lake before Hans just barely managed to stop her.

When she had finally calmed down the pair had found a small shaded area where Hans could cook them a quick lunch. Lying down on her stomach, resting her head on her hands, Briar swung her legs up and down as she watched Hans cook, eagerly awaiting the food in the pot. (Which Hans became used to at this point but he found it adorable.)

“Here you are,” he handed her a bowl of mushroom soup. “To your first meal outside of the forest!” he exclaimed. 

Briar giggled and took a sip of the meal. “Mmm, oh Hans, amazing as always!” she closed her eyes and savored the taste of a warm meal. Hans merely smiled, the usual pride in his chest whenever she ate his cooking. 

It’s like what his father used to say, ‘The secret in becoming a good chef is to meet a woman that will make you want to give all the food you make to her.’ 

Content with the results, he leaned back on the tree as he took a bite of his own meal. “So Bry, where are you going now?” Hans asked her. 

She suddenly stopped eating and looked up as in thought, “I..I haven’t really thought about that.” she said in realization. 

“If you want!” Hans spoke soon after, “You can join the rest of the group back in the White Castle! That’s where they mostly hang out and they’d be happy to have you.”

She wiped her mouth with the back of her hand out of habit, “You think so?” 

Hans nodded, “I’d especially love to meet Gretel at least. Oh and they don’t even know my curse is broken, you should definitely be there for that.” he laughed. 

“Mm..yeah..” she looked sideways and took another bite of her food. 

Hans noticed her change in demeanor, “Are you okay?” he asked.

She nodded, “Yeah it’s just..I’m a little scared,” she admitted, “I’m sure they’re all lovely people but I don’t wanna make a fool of myself. I know you’ve told me all about them but I just wanna make a good first impression.” 

“Hey, hey,” Hans looked at her, “You have nothing to worry about, I of all people know you have a good heart. And although it takes a few years off my life to see it, you’re very spontaneous and active. You don’t have to worry about acting all royal there, being yourself is the best thing you could do.” he assured her.

Briar looked at him for a bit before breaking into a smile and stirring her soup, “Thanks, Hans.” They finished up their lunch and made their way back to King White’s castle. 

Hans looked at the large gates and thought for a bit. It would probably be too much to enter through the main gates, it would be better if they used the basement entrance, otherwise known as the triplets workshop. 

He opened the door, relieved that they had left it unlocked. “Wow, it’s really dark, can you see anything?” Briar moved around. 

“I don’t know, but be careful, the triplets have a lot of stuff here. Let me get the light switch.” he tried navigating his way through the room, careful not to bump or trip on anything. 

“Oh!” she lightly yelped as she stepped on something. 

“You okay?” Hans whipped his head around and rushed to her side.

“Yeah yeah,” she stood on one foot as her hand held her other. Hans steadied her balance. “I just stepped on something sharp, I should really get some shoes after thi-”

Flick

For the second time that day Briar’s eyes had to adjust to the changing light. Once her vision had cleared she saw several individuals sitting on chairs and couches on the far end of the room, all eyes staring at them. They seemed to have been in the middle of a snack meeting as there was food around the table. 

“Oh-uh” Hans stood up, suddenly unsure what to say.

“He brought the girl home, pay up.” Merlin nudged Arthur to which he groaned and gave him another bag of Dog Food. 

“Wait, you guys aren’t surprised? I’m human again!” he moved his hands up and down.

“You snuck out of the castle almost every day with a basket of food that was way too much for even you to eat. It was kind of obvious.” Jack traced the rim of his teacup with his pinky. 

“Yeah, you would always have this stupid smile on your face while cooking.” Goldie laughed. 

“W-what smile? I don’t smile!” he said stuttering and looking back and forth between them and Briar, clearly embarrassed.

“Don’t believe them, I wasn’t excited to see you. No I mean I was excited to see you but I never smiled while cooking, I mean who does that?”  he rambled on.

 “Urgh stop, you’re scaring her.” Gretel rolled her eyes and smiled. She was the first one to walk over and both took Briar’s hands with her own. 

“Hi, I’m-” 

“Gretel, right?” Briar shyly smiled, “Hans told me so much about his beloved sister.”  

Gretel looked taken aback and looked at her brother, “Beloved?” 

Hans frowned and averted gaze, “What..I don’t know what she’s talking about..” he mumbled. 

“Aww you do love me!” she beamed and ran towards her brother, head locking him like she used to do when they were kids. 

“Ow! Gret stop, I hate it when you do this!” 

“Oh don’t be such a weakling.” 

“I am not!” 

While the twins were busy wrestling on the far end of the room, Snow, Audrey, and Goldie got out of their seats and made their way towards the seemingly dainty girl. 

“You’re so pretty!”

“Oh, thank you, I-”

“What’s your name?” 

“Uhm..Briar Rose,” 

“No way I’ve heard about you so much! Where have you been this whole time?”

At Goldie's question, Hans poked his head up and pushed his sister off him (resulting in a small ‘ow’ from her) he quickly went to her side, putting his hands on her arms as he spoke to the girls, “You guys don’t have to ask. Bry is a lovely person, that’s all you need to know.” 

“Aww gross, you two have nicknames.” Peter Pan jokingly said while smirking.

“Hypocrite,” Kio mumbled before throwing a bag of Dog Food at his face.

“Snow White?” Hans called her, “do you think you girls could show Briar around the castle? Get to know her a bit.” 

Snow smiled, “Of course. C’mon Briar, there’s this really cool room we have I wanna show you!” she eagerly pulled her along. 

“Oh, alright,” she said, smiling a bit. Once the girls left the room Hans sat down with his friends, clearly exhausted.

“Alright, you did it!” Merlin threw him a bag of Dog Food, to which Hans gratefully accepted. 

“Looks like you’re the last one, sword boy.” Jack looked in Arthur’s direction. 

“Watch it, blondie.” 

“Are you really not going to tell us where she’s from though?” Noki asked. 

“It’s not really my story to tell,” he told them. 

“Well we’re very happy for you Hans!” Pino grinned and handed him a glass. “Looks like your cooking finally made its way to a woman's heart!”

Meanwhile Snow had brought the girls to the courtyard for some fresh air. “So what do you do for fun Briar?” Goldie asked. 

“Oh! Well…” she thought about making a good first impression by saying something elegant like her parents had taught her, but after what she’s been through with Hans she decided she no longer needed to do that. “I like to sword-fight!” she said. 

“No way really? Why don’t you show us? I’ll go against you!” Audrey beamed.

 She stretched her arm towards the fountain and the water came flowing to her hand, forming what looked like to be a thin sword. “I promise I won’t use any of my powers aside from this.” 

Briar, amazed by the magic, got excited and rapidly nodded her head. “Yeah, sure!”

Audrey had a lot of experience using her magic, her water made it easy to capture her enemies, and thus her battles ended quickly. But aside from her sword, she wasn’t supposed to use any magic, which unfortunately also meant that she didn’t have enough stamina to last her a full on sword fight. 

Panting as she held the fountain for support, she breathed out, “H-How..how are you not even sweating?” she looked at Briar. 

“C’mon, you can still last!” she shouted encouragingly. 

“Yeah no I really can’t…” she whispered tiredly. 

“What’s going on here?” the F7 and Peter walked in the courtyard.  

“You,” Audrey pointed her sword at Hans, then at Briar, “Your woman is crazy athletic, she’s not even tired.” Audrey breathed out. 

“Or you just have really bad stamina without your powers,” Peter flew and hovered above her. “you look like you're dying.” 

“Shut up, you're next.”

“I have to say,” Gretel walked up to her brother, “I’m a little surprised she broke your curse, she’s so...different from you.”

 Hans laughed as he gently pushed her. “Indeed she is.”

[talesofealdancynedom]

Seiph Blugimm, in fairy robes; The mage of the Stone Gate forest is not as famous as his twin brother, but is relevant enough to illustrate

Tale 19: Meriam Craweleoth: Mage Queen of The Grand West (chapter 8.1 - At The Time 8/10) part 4. Stories of Old

Maps

none

           Sinonia Doesn’t have cities; it has a constant, and evenly dispersed, rural landscape; And heavy traffic trade routs. The roads are wide, muddy, sided by lush ferns and bamboo, or tree groves. If your lucky, one can pass a farm, with fields strategically placed upon the strata of hills. There are many hills, of many heights in Sinonia; with many bridges. Like soft old mountains that never ended. The good thing about these features, is that it’s hard to get lost. There is always one person within distance, to gesticulate for directions; And they are used to it. The bad thing is that it feels like a perpetual hike, with no change in scenery. Meriam and her men had been away from home for weeks, and had only just accepted the fact they had traveled across the world, and their only hope was a magic forest, where they might find Sirulius’s identical twin brother. Of whom was the court mage, from what they gathered. Having searched the mountains for days, they stopped at what seemed to be an elaborate building, painted red and adorned with beads, and canvas sliding doors depicting nature. The ground around it was surrounded by perfectly circular cobbled of stone, and coloured glass. Tiered and hungry, Meriam decided such a gratuitous establishment might have a good host. The door slid open without her needing to ring the brass bells, with the provided mallet.

           The odd house was crowded with gold and red charms for luck. There was depictions of fey and livestock on everything; from statues, basins, table wear, and tapestries; to the canvas walls. The owner was a short very old lady, dressed in embroidered vibrant satins. She was the only one in the house, and given the number of luxurious objects in and around the property, possibly rich. From what Meriam could tell, the entire place was completely normal; not a drop of enchantment. Though it had a certain ambiance to it, that would make some people suspicious. Like it was too comfortable, and thus hiding something. The old lady instinctively brought powdered green tea, and said they could stay the night because her eight cats liked them. Meriam was allergic to cats, but her men seemed to like them. Meriam and her party were given congii, and warm water to bathe; they had never known such gratitude in theirs lives.

“Thank you graciously for your hospitality; Are you sure you do not want compensation? I am a mage and can easily alchemize you anything you wish, enchant your house with protections-” Meriam said

“No thank you.” The old lady smiled, filling her bowl. “I’ve had enough of mages and magic, Anglian girl. That’s why I live here in Sinonia. There aren’t many fey outside the gate. And the fey that are here, are mischievous or obvious. Best to leave them alone; guard your livers while you sleep, there be foxes in these woods. And stay away from the water, there be dragons behind the falls. Sleep every night like it is your last, and be weary of things that seem too good.”

“That sounds incredible! The fey I mean, not the fact you’re not fond of magic.” Meriam said.

“Yes dear. I prefer cats.”

“I can see that... That said, we are looking for a magic gate, so we may get home. I was told, by a mage at the coast, his brother guards the Stone Gate; you wouldn’t happen to know how to get there from here?”

“Oh, our witch Seiph Blugimm! He’s a good boy. Keeps the fey away, and brings me these adorable strays. Has two children who live down river, with his wife. She grows and makes the best tea, and visits often with Seiph’s artwork for my walls.” The old lady said frailly. “You can find him ten minutes down road, if you veer off the path to your right, when you see a goblin made of moonstone. Can’t miss it.” She smiled. Everyone gave thanks, and had a good sleep on soft floor mats, surrounded by purring fur. They had a good mourning meal, and the lady sent them off with a smile. She was genuinely happy to have had visitors.

“By the way dear; Your men may go dark in the shadow veil on your way home. Magic forest,s and gates to the kingdoms of fey, aren’t the place for common men.” She warned Meriam. Meriam was so eager to go home, she had forgotten that non-mages get scared by the colourless, windless, warmthless, quiet shadow veil.

            Being refreshed by the first good sleep they had in weeks, did not prepare Meriam or her men from the incredibly creepy goblin statue. It was larger than a normal goblin, and had a crinkled face and was showing its tusk like teeth, holding a shard of crystal. It was one of the most terrifying bad omens Meriam had ever seen.

“You don’t think it’s a warning, do you, your highness? From this Seiph mage, my queen?”

“No. It is the rough work from dwarves, by the look of it.” Meriam said, inspecting the statue. Then she headed off the path, and deeper into the forest. There was an unsettling identical statue, every ten meters, leading to a flattened mountain face that was painted red, and covered in non-human hand prints. Infront of it was a different statue: it was tall beautiful man made of smooth grey rock. Behind the statue, was a perfectly carved tunnel into the mountain. It was big enough to accommodate a single file line of people. Above it, freshly painted, was the title Forest of Lost Children in Anglian runes. Meriam shrugged, and entered, then summoned luck fire to lead the way.

           As they advanced though the tunnel, it widened; until they reached a waterfall that filled the passage. Yet, there was no cracks in the ceiling, nor the floor; that water was coming from, and going, nowhere. Meriam stared at it for a few minutes, and then reached into the center, and pulled it aside like a curtain, gesturing for her men to pass. The further in the cave they went, the more eerie and dark it became. Until they noticed glowing mushrooms, and giant flowers, which radiated neon colours. They began to hear roars, caws, groans and howls coming from the thick forest they entered. It was night, even though it was dawn. Meriam stopped at a fork in the round cobbled trail, that was now underfoot. There was a waist high flat rock, with brail like dots on it. Down one path, there was glowing water, flowing from the mountain, with a dwarf carved bridge. The other way lead into the woods up and the mountain. The third path lead into a thick thorn laden part of the forest.

“I don’t know where to go, and I fear letting Nihten look ahead. I fear charming, or talking to these fey. The trees are gossiping ill wills.” Meriam said, looking around cautiously. This began to unsettle her party. Suddenly, small lights began to glow; leading them down the inner forest path. Meriam grabbed the knight who was about to follow them.

“I don’t think those fairies are the kind that are fond of humans.” She warned.

“Lies.” A small boy’s voice came from the bridge. Everyone looked down the water path, to see a small boy in a cone hat, and mucking gear on a small raft. He was using a pole to go through the water. He appeared to be a swamp wildling. Faries that resemble boys, but hate coddling and wield elemental powers to match their habitat. Meriam and her knights had seen ice ones in Grand Snow, and Storm Wildlings in Isfisceard. They usually hung in clubs causing mischief, but this one was alone. And it knew how to speak to humans; Which meant it must have met one.

“Hello!” Meriam said, dashing toward the bridge. Her men, now spooked, quickly ran after Meriam, fearing she was the only thing between them and death.

“My name is Meriam Craweleoth, I am a mage of Anglia, and me and my friends are looking for Seiph and the Stone Gate. Can you help us?” Meriam chimed.

“Play with me. The river is made by a dragon who breaths liquid fire to light the forest. The mermaids are at the bottom, and they might eat your friends. You can follow me though! You can call me Boomer. I don’t remember my fame name. been too long.” Boomer said enthusiastically.

           Boomer played tag with them, leading the party of six to a stone platform that came out of the glowing swamp. There was also no fey in the swamp, so Meriam guessed Boomer had made it as a moat around the buildings, and he only let friends pass. Meriam and her knights climbed the large stairs out of the water, and up to the top. It looked like a royal palace, made entirely of stone smaller houses, around a town square. In the center of the square, was a well that resembled an inviting fire pit. The place looked abandoned, yet lived in. There was a stable full of odd horses, goats and pigs, and a man in slate and peins grey silk fairy robes, smoking on a porch. He looked like Sirulius, down to his blue eyes, but his hair remained black, and he wore formal Sinonian makeup in a duo chrome teal. He looked surprised to see them.

“Look Seiph! New friends! And one is a mage!” Boomer exclaimed, running over to hug his knee. Seiph put out his pipe, and got up from his kneeling desk to greet his guests. He summoned short pillowed stools around the fire pit, and bowed.

“Io’s enchantments, and children, keep most folk far from here. I made this village with the stone children, for my family; all of which trust and love magic. Yet, they dare not enter the Forest of Lost Children. What makes you so brave you bare it?”

“We need to pass into the shadow veil, with the Stone Gate. We live in the capital of Anglia, on the other side of the Raven Gate. We have traveled across the world, and are desperate to go home to our own families.” Meriam pleaded.

“Your guards wear fine clothes; they are paid well. I can only assume you are The Mage Queen. Are your men aware they would have to pass the terror of the shadow veil, to get home? As if this cursed daycare isn’t terrorizing enough?” Seiph said sternly.

“My Queen, you did not say the shadow veil would hurt us…” one of the knights said.

“It won’t. It will just be unsettling to the point of causing you to go dark from sensory confussion. I know how to treat your fever and bleeding, from the magic flow that results from your …discomfort as common folk. I can quickly prepare a potion of Rosa Sanguine, when we immerge. Though, if you’re lucky, your eyes and hair may be a more radiant hue.” Meriam said. “Do you not trust me? I would not put in danger, or make you do anything I didn’t think you could do.” She finished. Her guards were so tiered, and wanted to go home so badly, but now they were torn by terror. Seiph transmuted a pot, and made them some tea. It was the same good matcha their previous host said was from his wife. They all took a seat. The glow of the fire and tree children, was like lanterns in the dark of the forest; which echoed the whispers, and calls of fey.

“Let us share some tales and tea, while your common folk decide thier fates. Do you trust your queen and the power of the love for your families, and in your hearts? Or will you sacrum to fear of the ‘darker’ side of magic. Even if you choose to battle your greatest emotions, in the ether of all enchantment, I must add it is difficult to get to Stone Queen’s Gate.” Seiph said. They took their cups of tea in silence, and Seiph gave Boomer some warm milk and a lap to sleep on. Boomer was the only wilding in this forest, and he was also one of the few fey who were kind here. If it isn’t a stone child, Seiph warned, it is not worth trusting in the magic forest of the Stone Gate. This is the magic forest the beast king’s send the fey children that don’t play nice with the kingdoms of men.

           Meriam started by informing Seiph that his brother Sirlius, had fallen in love with Asada of the Monkey Gate; to fulfill her destiny and dreams. It proved Seiph was capable of smiling. Then the knights went on about the Emperor denying their request for peace, after saving the town from Sirulius’s storm; which they needed to appease the Sultan of Indonia. All of these things where done in order to gain safe global passage, and encircle Francia into surrender, or alliance. Just saying it, reminded them of the wars going on at boarders around the world. Battles that claimed their brothers, uncles and fathers, and of which they were lucky enough to never attend.

“I can put in a good word about an alliance. Though neutrality is the best result; Sinonia is aligned with Francia and Indonia, and is attempting to take the Eastlands of Vieticia. A quarter our land is desert, another quarter is alpine. We need lush landa as much as our allies. Not to mention, our Emperor is a greedy evil bastard; Our ore alone could buy Sinonia anything it wishes from merchants; Yet he hoards it. You should see the imperial palace. But still, the emperor may align with you if I want it. You see, He wants a court mage so bad, but dare not fetch me from this forest, or threaten my family. He fears me, yet desires me. He tries to butters me, while eating from my spoon. I could care less for his cause, but his favor amuses me. I don’t want more soldiers dying for a pointless battle; It’s frankly stupid. On behalf of Sinonia, I accept the peace of the West and North kingdoms. If traveling across the plains of fire, and into this forest, then through the shadow veil, does not convince this kingdom of your value, I do not know what will.” Seiph explained. The crackling warmth fire that burned before them, was a deep unnatural orange, that comforted deep into the bones. Meriam thought she should have warned Seiph, Sirulius, and Asada, of wizards; but realized they were untouchable due to their curses. No matter the comfort of the magic flames, she felt sad. She felt guilt for not warning her guards and friends of danger, in order to preserve their ignorant bliss. Being a Seer of magic, had taught her the value of not knowing. As her heart sank, Meriam heard all five of her beloved knights agree to her terms. They, as common folk, trusted that magic would not hurt them; and they would endure the shadow veil to hug the ones they loved.

NEXT--->

<---PREVIOUS

[ofcloudsandstars]

IMBOLC was so MAGICAL!! Oh my goodness!!

It's a bit of a long story and I don't want to leave out too many details but I am so glad it all turned out more than ok!! I did not have enough time to put everything together easily and I had to whip up a ritual last minute and I was staying at a coworker’s BOUGIE apartment that is BEAUTIFUL and Ideal for an Imbolc setting (the color scheme is like all white, gray and cream with TALL ceilings, Huge french windows, fluffy white carpets, fireplaces I could put white pillar candles in, long sheer white curtains, you get the point lol) but literally I had a witch gathering party at his place while he was away and I had to make it look like nothing. ever. happened.. the next morning.

I bought these string candle-lights which everyone was laughing at how in theme it was but I strung some across window sills and over the fireplace that I've stuffed white pillar candles in. I stuck tea lights everywhere and found some silvery tealights at a corner shop that were "spa scented" which sounds weird but!! They smelled fantastic and made the space feel calmer. I topped those with sage leaves. I used vanilla incense sticks and this other scent called 'Divine' (that stamford masala incense brand you might see at every spiritual shop) that really elevated the space and made it feel calm and angelic. The whole apartment felt very angelic, light, white and fluffy. On their large screen TV I made a visual playlist on youtube of timelapse videos of nature thawing into spring and frost melting or flowers sprouting from the ground. I played a lot of winter meditative tracts and purifying binural beats.

I pulled strings to get out of work early so I could run to my coworkers place, feed his cats, and get to cooking!! I made a spread of cheese, (mostly brie), coconut cheese, cheese infused crackers and poppyseed crackers, black sable grapes and blueberries that I sprinkled silver bonbons in.

I prepared 3 tonics as a welcome drink that my witch friends could choose from to what potion will aid them for the seeds they are sowing and the cycles to come. They were syrups that were agave based and infused with herbs overnight. There was one for clarity to know what steps to take to achieve goals and that was an infusion of sage, juniper berries and rosemary. There was one for inspiration and sudden muse or creativity to help complete projects and that one was an infusion of valerian root, chamomile, blue poppyseeds and caraway seeds. (Seeds were also symbolic in this one lol), then lastly there was one for inner fire and a wake-up call to get the drive going to get tasks done. That was a black breakfast tea leaf with a sprinkle of pepper in it. They were mixed with Gin (gin being a juniper infusion actually has an interesting history with being used as a cleanser and medicine though its obviously not used that way anymore) and tonic so they were all really herbal and refreshing (non-alcoholic drinks were just gin-free) and they all had a pretty light golden clear color. The clarity one was the most popular though I wish I drank some of the wake-up call one myself.

For food I made baked macaroni and cheese with mozzarella, sharp cheddar, brie, sweet sauteed white onions, black pepper and truffle oil. The plant-based option was stuffed cabbage rolls made with this BEAUTIFUL cabbage I had no idea existed (it caught my eye in the store) called sweetheart cabbage. It was snow-white colored and each large leaf was somewhat heart-shaped. I stuffed it with a sauteed combo of white sweet onions, white mushrooms, chopped parsnips, cauliflower rice and coconut cheese. Lastly I made a salad of chopped fennel and the smaller leaves of the sweet heart cabbage and raw parsnips.

The whole table's food had a white and beige theme lol. We all caught up about our lives and ate food and coo-ed over the cats. When everyone arrived we got to the ritual which I dressed his coffee table in different tea lights and bigger candles. Since I am WIZENED from many previous disasters with candles on tables and witch shenanigans, I put SEVERAL covers on his glass coffee table which consisted of 1- bamboo mats, 2- a white blanket as table cloth (mostly for aesthetic) 3- a coat of aluminum foil 4- 2 layers of cream table cloths. Just to ensure nothing could damage his table.

I am not the biggest fan of leading ritual cause it feels uncomfortable to me to 'lead' everyone's energy but its nice cause this is the third sabbat in a row I've hosted and I guess my friends get the gist now so they all kind of contribute their own parts to it which is.. WHAT I WANTED IN THE FIRST PLACE lol. I take initiative to host sabbats or gatherings or create a community so sometimes people think I am a leader cause I am initiating something but honestly I just want to hold space for others. Anyway the ritual started off with us cleansing baggage from our previous cycle so we can move into the next one purified. I had a juniper bundle I bought in glastonbury that I smoke cleansed everyone with.

Then we spoke about what Imbolc meant for us and how its also reflective on the cycle of life and death when the spirit enters the womb and how seeds of life and hope are stirring. I asked them each to take a tea light and visualize it as a goal or project they wanted to accomplish for this year and to dress it in herbs and oils. I had sage for clarity, rosemary for abundance, blue poppy seeds for growth and inspiration, tea tree oil for protection etc and they could carve in symbols to their candle or whatever. When they were working on that I read everyone's spirit's incarnation crosses from their human design since I knew everyone's birth time lol. The incarnation cross uses some astrology to take into consideration the position of the planets during your third trimester when it’s believed that the spirit enters the body in the womb. It’s to illuminate what your spirit’s intention in this incarnation seeks to fulfill. 

Before we lit the candle my best witch friend took us on this AMAZING guided mediation that was so creative and visual and wonderful. We grounded ourselves but she took us on this story-telling guided meditation journey of us being deep in the earth and smelling the damp soil but having our goal be this light or seed within us that grows and expands until it pushes us up and out through the soil into the wintery forest air. I really felt like some reborn forest faerie sprite after that like she should record meditation podcasts.

We then lit our candles and we used the flame to light the biggest pillar candle as our combined hope and it lit ABLAZED. One of my friends couldn't get her candle to light and we did divination for her to find out what was blocking her and did a road opening spell for her so that she could overcome the obstacles.

After we wanted to do some candle scrying so another friend who does these amazing sound healing ceremonies (I went to glastonbury with her) lead the candle scrying and Y'all.. it was INSANE Like none of us were READY for the fucking adventure.. Basically we thought we'd all be staring into a candle in a trance quietly but it literally felt like something took hold of her like a greater spirit used her as a vessel and it was incredible. She told us all to hold hands and we closed our eyes and did some breathing. We all had to pulse each others hands and visualize a white thread locking us together for protection and creating a circle. She then called on to our higher guides to protect us and create this link to our higher spirits to open a channel so that we may see and allow the fire to guide us. She then was speaking so fast but also with such precision on how the light is opening a door and whatever we will see will help us unlock our true potential and see how we are the light etc for what felt like 6 minutes nonstop and it was so hard to stay on cause I had the WORST PAIN come up in the center of my back where my heart was and I was feeling like it was the culmination of energy being blocked (I have been doing sound healing there to help my heart energy but its been a rough journey), and the fire just felt like it could not channel through me cause of that blockage, but though the knot still hurts even as I type this, I could not break the circle lol. My best friend to my right was staring so intently I knew she was off like astral projecting into this fire, and as I would catch glimpses of others around me everyone was just like.. ON a Journey. I felt like it was like that scene in Harry Potter when they took the port key like we were all locked in and spiraling through time and space and I just had to wait until it was done. I looked at my friend to my right and she was beaming with TEARS covering her face, and my other friends looked windswept for some reason?? We were all like goddamn.. Everyone had Some Shit they've seen in the fire. Even if some of us didn't see something we saw a lot of colors which I mostly saw since I was really focused on the pain in my back. My friend leading the scrying said that the back area I pointed out was a channel that was blocked and is connected to my throat energy so once I fix that it can be aligned/opened but its like.. healing is so hard guys haha.

Anyway we grounded ourselves after the ritual with dessert! :) There was cheesecake (of course) I decorated with white chocolate star sprinkles and the same silver bonbon sprinkles and pavlova that could be topped with blueberries. I also had a cookie spread of butter cookies, white chocolate chip sugar cookies and white chocolate twix bars. The rest were mostly vegan desserts which were lovely. I bought coconut rice pudding but my other friends got vanilla cupcakes with thick white vegan buttercream, there was vanilla soy icecream that was really creamy and light and my aries witch friend I went to Berlin with made home made vegan tiramisu which was fantastic! She also bought red wine.

We spent the rest of the evening chatting, playing with the cats and laughing about whatever, my Aries witch friend was upset I made the dresscode all-white but she was wearing her 'artist' shirt she does painting in so she didn't care that she got tiramisu ALL OVER IT lol. (which we pointed out that no one else had stains on their white outfits but I mean she's an Aries what do you expect), and when we were all getting drunk and sleepy I asked my best witch friend if she wanted to tell a story and Oh My God she fucking DELIVERED

Basically she took us on this adventure retelling the story of Baba Yaga cause it was a tale that does also have to do with crone passing power to a maiden and a cycle re-continuing. Plus it's a midwinter tale involving fire and illumination. Anyway I used to think about how sad it was that back in the day people didn't have movies and had to like tell stories and shit but she was so good at telling this story I was like damn I get it now why people just used to sit around and tell stories together cause this shit is lit.

Before everyone left I forced people to take home food (I mean I had to get rid of all evidence of anything happening in my coworkers house) and I made everyone white paper lanterns with goodies inside and I stuck an electric tealight in it so it glows. I put a bathbomb in there, white chocolate, mint crumbles, buttermints for the non-vegans and tiny spell-jars filled with salt flakes.

When I was finally alone and had to do cleanup it took me nearly three hours but I was also drunk at that point lol. I now have left-over mac and cheese for days but gladly my aries witch friend is vegan and took the cabbage rolls with her and everyone helped take everything else.The cleaner came in the morning and essentially all evidence of anything ever occurring in that apartment was cleansed away...

I hope everyone else had a fantastic Imbolc!! It was on such a perfect moon phase too since it's the first quarter moon!!

[nullvoid868]

Arafef: kisses in the snow

The chilly December wind blew through the alpine forest, as giant footsteps crunched through the snow. The 156 foot tall redblood smiled gently as she cradled her seadweller matesprite Feferi in her palm.

Feferi: Aradia im glubbing FR-EEZING!!!! Why did you want to go on a date in the middle of now)(ere 38T!

Aradia: don’t you think it's gorgeous out here? the ice covered trees, the snow in your hair?

Feferi: It’s absolutely beautiful glub, but my fins are turning into icicles!!!

Aradia: hmmm... do you think some kisses would warm you up 0u0 ?

Feferi: Yes, I t)(ink that would do just the trick! 38D

Aradia slowly moved her palm up to her face, careful not to jostle her tiny lover. With Aradia's palm flush with her lips, Feferi ran forward to embrace them, as Aradia's fingers cupped around her to protect her from falling. Feferi realized that Aradia's lips were unbelievably soft as she pressed her face and hands into them. It felt like falling into a warm, freshly made bed after a long day out in the cold, and laying your head on an incredibly plush pillow. Aradia puckered her lips around Feferi's head for an even more intense kiss. Feferi's cheeks were flushed with fuchsia as she buried her face deeper between aradia's lips. As Feferi was savoring her kiss from Aradia, Aradia accidentally ended up savoring Feferi. She carelessly allowed her tongue to pass between her lips, unintentionally giving Feferi's face a small lick.

Feferi: )(e)(e, look out Aradia, you got my face all covered in saliva! 38P

Under normal kissing circumstances, getting some small tongue kisses might be expected, but things are very different when that tongue is roughly the size of a bus. Still, Feferi seemed to take it in stride, and the way she chuckled and smiled made aradia suspect that she enjoyed it. Despite this Aradia was careful to not let her tongue slip again, despite the fact that she really wanted to. As much as she didnt want to admit it to herself, Fef tasted absolutely delicious. We all know the typical 4 flavors foods come in- salty, sour, sweet, and bitter. But Feferi was best described by a flavor often forgotten, umami- the flavor of mushrooms, tomatoes, and seafood. Umami detecting tastebuds cover a larger section of the tongue than all other flavors combined, making umami one of the most powerful flavors as a result. With Aradia introduced to Feferi's delicious umami flavor she couldn't help but crave another taste of her small matesprite. Her mouth flooded with saliva as her mind flooded with thoughts of getting another lick. However, Aradia feared indulging her cravings could frighten her girlfriend. She held herself back, though her cheeks still flushed as deep red as her feelings for Feferi. After Feferi enjoyed her giant kiss a bit longer she pulled back, sat down on Aradia's massive palm, and gave her a big smile. Aradia smiled back, and the two silently communicated their love for each other as they gazed into each other's eyes. The red blooded giantess began strolling through the snow once again, leaving footprints the size of a small house behind her. Aradia gently cupped Feferi to her chest in a loving embrace. ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ As Aradia strolled through the alpine landscape, she desperately tried to push the thought of how delectable Feferi was out of her head. Deep down, aradia was terrified of scaring her lover. Even though being god tier meant she could swallow Feferi and cough her up later without causing her any harm, Aradia knew she would never forgive herself if she frightened Feferi. When Aradia first met her other friends in person in SGRUB all those years ago, and they discovered the secret of her size, many of them became afraid of her, even if they tried not to show it. Aradia could recount by memory every night she stayed up crying after that, fearing that her friends thought that she was a monster. Until the fateful night on the meteor that feferi found her sobbing in her room. The sound of Aradia's cries had apparently traveled through the vents of the meteor and reached Feferi's ears. Feferi had consoled Aradia, showed her that she wasn't afraid of her, that she didn't think she was a monster! The friendship between Aradia and Feferi deepened over those three years on the meteor and blossomed into a matespriteship. When they finally arrived on Earth-c they promised each other they would spend the rest of their lives together, but Aradia often feared that she would make a careless mistake and Feferi would think she was a monster just like Aradia thought all the others did.

Aradia held Feferi a little closer to her chest as these thoughts passed through her head. ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ After roughly 30 minutes of walking through the winter landscape Feferi called out to Aradia.

Feferi: Aradia, i'm cold again!! 38I

Aradia: how? I've been holding you to my chest for the past half hour!

Feferi: Ok, i'll admit, it's warm. But I want WARMER, glub!

Aradia: would some more kisses interest you?

Feferi: T)(at sounds nice...

Feferi: But I think i )(ave a better idea, glub!

Aradia Awaited Feferi's idea but only received a plethora of eyebrow wiggles. She stared at fef for a few minutes confused until fef opened her mouth and pointed in. The eyebrow wiggles intensified.

Aradia: uh.. wha..i..um

Feferi: Oh come on, don't bother playing coy, i know you liked it when you got a taste of me earlier, and )(onestly who could blame you? 38P

Aradia's heart was pounding out of her chest, and yet she really didn't know why. Feferi had just told her that WANTED to indulge her craving, but Aradia still felt scared and embarrassed.

Feferi: Aradia, I know already. You've been jittery and blus)(ing constantly since you got that lick! Also, giving you a better taste would double as a nice way to keep warm and cozy!

Aradia: i...i.. alright

Aradia: you caught me, you taste delicious and i've been craving another taste since when I gave you kisses earlier.

Aradia: i... was just really afraid of scaring you.

Feferi: Aradia! you don't have to worry about stuff like that! Were both god tier and you know i am afraid of glubing NOT)(ing!!!

Aradia: i know, .. i just get so nervous.

Feferi: Aradia, i will always trust you, there is no reason to be nervous!!

Aradia:.. thank you, that.. that means a lot to me.

Aradia: alright, are you sure about this?

Feferi: YEA)(!!!!

Aradia brought her palm up to her lips once again, and opened wide. Feferi stood before her lovers gargantuan maw, as fearless as ever. Aradia slowly outstretched her tongue, giving Feferi a massive lick in the process. As saliva coated fef's face she laughed and gave Aradia a gleeful smile.

Truth be told, fef was enjoying this just as much as Aradia. Earlier that day when Aradia had licked her on accident Fef had realized how soft and warm Aradia's tongue was, and wondered what it would be like inside her mouth. She was absolutely loving this.

Aradia lowered her tongue onto her palm to allow Feferi to climb on. The tiny seadweller stepped onto her lovers outstretched tongue and laid down on it, sinking into the warm grey muscle. Feferi gently massaged Aradia's tongue as she rested her head onto it.

Aradia was in heaven.

She gently pulled her tongue back into her mouth, curling it up a bit to cradle feferi.

For Feferi, if getting those kisses earlier was like falling into bed, being pulled into Aradia's mouth was like climbing under the deliciously cozy sheets. The tongue was so plush and warm, saliva soaked her entire body, and Aradia's throat slowly pulsed as her warm breath swept through her mouth. With feferi entirely inside her mouth, Aradia closed her teeth together with a click, sealing Fef in the darkness of the expansive maw. But Feferi's seadweller eyes allowed her to see perfectly in the dark.

Aradia began to gently slosh Feferi around inside her mouth, savoring her delicious umami flavor. Occasionally Fef would give her tongue a massage and it was one of the best feelings in the world.

Inside the mouth Feferi was extremely relaxed despite being slohed around and tasted. It was like a full body massage, working out all the tension within her muscles. After a while the sloshing stopped and Aradia opened her mouth, a gust of cold winter air mingled with her warm, steamy breath.

Aradia: are you ready to be swallowed?

Feferi: Go a)(ead!

Aradia clicked her mouth closed once again, and Feferi shuffled around and dangled her legs into Aradia's throat, her head brushing against the uvula. Aradia's tongue rose up like a massive wave, pushing fef deeper into the throat. Aradia gulped a few times until fef slipped fully into her throat and the muscles of her escoughgas began to pull her down. The giantess traced the bulge Fef made on the way down with her finger.

Inside Aradia’s esophagus, the seadweller received an even more intense massage as she descended deeper into Aradia's body. After a while she arrived at the sphincter which opened to drop her into the stomach.

To Fef, Aradia's stomach was like a massive aquarium. Due to the conjunction of her unique biology and being godteir, Aradia's stomach contained only warm water. Feferi swam around playfully, jumping in and out of the water like a dolphin before getting tired and drifting off to sleep in the back float position.

With Feferi safe inside her stomach Aradia sat down on a nearby rock ledge and patted her stomach. She could feel Feferi playfully swimming around inside her. Aradia closed her eyes and fell asleep, satiated with the knowledge that Feferi would always love and trust her.

[brightbell]

A Letter to Sisters

My Dear Sisters,

I have just returned home from a visit to Outland, as the people here call it. It has taken me many years to gather the courage to go on this quest, and I honestly can not say if I am glad that I did, or if I regret it. 

It was, without a doubt, one of the hardest things I have done since we decided to leave Talador and join the Alliance in Azeroth. 

My heart is broken. I have seen things that would make the hardest Vindicator fall to their knees. I have seen what has become of our blessed Auchindoun, and I fear I will never recover from the sight. It is in ruins. A shell of its former glory, abandoned and left to the ravages of time, and demons. I explored the area extensively, and found nothing but sorrow.

Our planet itself has been blasted to pieces, most of it unrecognizable as the (mostly) beautiful place we know it as. Names of places have changed, and once-great cities have either been left to the devices of the forests, or they have been reduced to ashes. 

Talador is no more there. It is now a place called Terokkar Forest, and that is where the ruins of Auchindoun lay. Shattrath, by some miracle, still stands, but it seems to be shrouded in shadows, instead of being a beacon of Light and hope. I stayed there for a few days, preparing for our journey to Auchindoun, which is surrounded by a vast wasteland where nothing grows any longer. 

Ashran is completely gone. There is no sign of it anywhere, and nothing, except my maps of Draenor, to know it even existed. And Tanaan itself is veritable hell, now called Hellfire Peninsula. The very land is scorched and corrupted beyond recognition. Monstrous beasts and demons roam the hellscape, and it is there that the Dark Portal resides.   

I do not even begin to know how to describe Gorgrond, it has broken off from the rest of the planet and is now called Netherstorm. It is frightening, I mean, it always was, but now it is something so different that it shocks the senses. Arcane magics rule there, and there is a Draenei vessel known as Tempest Keep that sits just off the edge of the land. It, too, is corrupted, but with arcane magic instead of felfire. 

What was once Frostfire Ridge is now a vast desert canyon, with enormous spiked cliffs, aptly called Blade’s Edge Mountains. It is hot and arid, no sign of the pure, soft snow that used to cover the ground. I do not know what could have happened to make the land become so perverted, and to look like it does now. I did not linger long there.

Traveling south, we came into Zangarmarsh, what used to be the Zangar Sea. The sea is now mostly gone, and in its place is little islands dotting the area, huge mushrooms, and alien species living there. And Trolls. Damned Trolls have taken over some of the areas there. 

The Spires of Arak is completely gone, like Ashran, no evidence of the land’s existence at all. It’s like the land was just blasted away. And Shadowmoon Valley, how do I even describe what I saw there? Nightmare inducing might be the easiest way. There are no more lush forests. There are no more cities. The only thing that is there now is felfire, demons, beasts and the Black Temple that lays in ruins itself. It was hideous.

The only place that bears any resemblance to home is Nagrand, and even it is greatly changed. Oshu’gun is also abandoned, and settlements of orcs reside everywhere, along with ogres and other various unsavory things. 

All in all, it was not a fun adventure, not at all. The greatest loss, I believe, is Talador and Auchindoun. But it is all just so foreign, and so heartbreaking that it was like visiting a different planet, instead of what was once our home in this timeline. None of our family nor ancestors are still alive in this reality. 

My sweet Elodie, I humbly request that you do not attempt this journey, I fear it would be too much for you. Relv’ka, if you decide to go, please meet with me first, it is not a journey for the faint of hear. 

I am going to return to my small cabin in Redridge, should either of you like to visit. 

All my love,

Kala’Ryn

[chapter-61]

the dark forest

CARRY ON COUNTDOWN DAY 17: Witch/Psychic

AO3, AU

The evening before her marriage, she runs towards the forest. She didn’t tell anyone, they would’ve stopped her.

From a very young age, everyone in the village learns the stories of the dark forest. She’s heard it countless times: Never go into the dark forest. No one has ever returned.

But Agatha is desperate, and maybe, just maybe, she wouldn’t mind not being able to come back to the village.

Her dark red cloak flutters behind her as she sprints to the edge of the forest, jumping over rocks and tall grass. The sun is setting, the sky a beautiful orange colour, but she can’t stop running. It won’t be long until someone finds out she’s missing.

Finally, she reaches it. She stops, out of breath, to lean against a tree. The border to the dark forest is clear: the long, light grass stops right before the tree line, turning into a blue layer of leaves on the forest ground.

Agatha watches the line with fear in her heart. She doesn’t know what’s waiting for her in there, but nothing could be worse than spending an entire life married to someone you don’t love.

She takes one last deep breath, and steps over the border.

Immediately, all sounds from outside the forest disappear, leaving only the rustling of the tree leaves. She can’t see or hear any birds, or any other kind of animal. When she looks up, she sees the moon high up in the sky, casting a cold blue light over the place. It must be night already.  

Apart from evading her marriage, Agatha doesn’t really have a plan. She thought that maybe when she crossed the border, something would happen and it would all become clear. But nothing happened. So, she starts walking. Away from the edge, deep into the forest.

Some time later, she thinks hours have passed but the moon is still at the same point in the sky so she’s unsure, she notices a wooden structure in a slightly more open area. It almost looks like…. A throne?

Carefully, she walks towards it. When nothing jumps at her, no other noises apart from the trees and the twigs beneath her feet, curiosity takes over. She reaches out gingerly and puts her hand on what looks like an armrest. Still, nothing happens.

With one last look around, she lowers herself on the wooden throne, and is pleased to notice it feels more comfortable than it looks. Exhaustion takes over, and her eyes fall shut.

“Well, well, well.”

Agatha’s eyes fly open. There’s a man in front of her. Not entirely human, though. His skin looks pale, even more so in the moonlight, and fangs cover his lower lip. He has raven black hair that reaches his shoulders, and small horns growing out of his skull. The man (creature?) is wearing black robes and holds a basket with mushrooms. Apart from his appearance, he doesn’t seem much like one of those evil monsters that she’s been warned about so many times.

Agatha tries to get up, but something’s keeping her on the throne.

“No no, don’t stand up on my account,” the creature says. “I’m just passing by.”

“Who are you?” She dares.

“This part of the forest belongs to me. I don’t have to tell you anything. Goodbye.” The creature turns around and starts walking away.

She struggles to get off the throne, but she’s still stuck. “No, wait! Please, help me.”

The creature stops and turns around with a malicious smile. “You want my help?”

“Please,” she begs him.

His smile falls away and he rolls his eyes in annoyance. “It’s not fun if you’re practically crying. Stop that.”

Agatha looks at him in confusion but wipes away the tears on her face. The creature steps closer again, his features serious. “Now, what would you give me if I freed you?”

“I...” She hesitates. “I don’t know. I don’t really have anything to give.”

The creatures sighs. “Why are you in the forest? You don’t seem like the type to come in here to have a wish fulfilled, you look like a scared cat. No offense.”

Agatha exhales a small laugh. Maybe this creature isn’t so bad. “I had to run away from the village. I’m supposed to get married tomorrow to a man I don’t even know. That’s not what I want.”

“Oh.” The creature looks almost empathetic. “What’s your name?”

Never give your name to the monsters of the forest, her teacher’s voice reminds her. They can do unspeakable things to you.

This creature looks trustworthy, though.

“I’m Agatha.”

The creature chuckles. It’s a nice sound, and it makes him look less threatening. “Nice to meet you, Agatha. I’m Basilton. You’re lucky I’m the one that found you.”

He holds out his hand and she takes it without a thought. The creature, Basilton, pulls her up and suddenly she’s standing next to the throne. She looks down at it and then back up at Basilton. “Thank you.”

Basilton inclines his head, and starts walking away. Agatha’s uncertain if she’s allowed to follow him. She’d much rather stay with him than wander around the forest alone. Before she can say anything, however, Basilton looks back questioningly. “Are you coming?”

She smiles at him and skips forward.

“How long have you been in the forest?” Basilton asks after a while. They’re harvesting mushrooms.

“I’m… not sure. I entered around sundown, then walked for a long time and fell asleep on the throne.”

Basilton nods. “Time passes strangely here. You’ll get used to it.”

“You mean… I can stay?” She asks, hopefully.

Basilton looks up at her. “Of course. Unless you have other plans?”

She snorts. “No. I’m not going back. Besides, it’s not so bad here.”

“You wouldn’t be saying that if someone else had found you. The forest holds more than mushrooms and friendly vampires.”

“You’re a vampire?” She asks, perplexed.

Basilton rolls his eyes. He does that a lot. It’s charming. “What else would I be? Aren’t the fangs a dead giveaway?” Then he starts chuckling. “Ha. Dead.”

“If I’m being honest, the horns threw me off.”

“Yes,” Basilton sighs, suddenly serious again. “I grew those in the forest. They hurt like hell at first, but now I’m used to it.”

“Wait, I have two questions.”

Basilton stops plucking mushrooms and sits down. He doesn’t seem to mind that his robes are getting dirty. “Go ahead.”

“Now I have three questions.”

“Fine.”

“First of all,” she starts. “Why are you indulging me? You don’t have to take me along and answer my questions. You mentioned other monsters in the forest, why not leave me for them?”

“Easy,” Basilton says. “It’s lonely in here. I don’t socialise with the others in the forest, mainly because they’re not very good company, so I’m always on my own. You seem like a nice girl, and I don’t mind answering your questions if it means you’ll stay a bit longer.”

Agatha feels herself blush. She clears her throat. “Second question, if you’re a vampire, what do you eat? Or drink, I mean.”

“I don’t have to drink actual blood anymore,” Basilton says. “I’m thankful for the forest providing me with these magical mushrooms that satisfy my thirst.”

“You can make blood with magical mushrooms?”

“Yes.”

“So you’re also a witch, then?”

“I suppose,” Basilton replies. “I don’t have any powers, however. I wasn’t born here.”

“Which brings me to my next question: why are you here? If you weren’t born in the forest, where did you come from?”

“The moon.”

“Really?”

“No,” Basilton deadpans. “Of course not.”

“Oh,” she says, slightly disappointed. “So?”

“I was born in Watford.”

“Really?” She repeats. “Me too! That’s the village I come from!”

Basilton is suddenly quiet. He looks at her in a strange way, almost hopeful, but then shakes his head.

“Yes,” he continues. “Years ago, I was exiled. Someone found out I was a vampire, even though I wasn’t harming anyone, and the town decided I should be banished to the forest, to join the other monsters.”

“Oh no,” Agatha says quietly. She touches Basilton’s hand. “I’m sorry.”

Basilton looks down at his hand and slowly pulls it out of Agatha’s reach. “It’s fine. It’s been a long time.”

“How old were you?”

“Eighteen.”

“That’s my age! I can’t imagine being banished right now. Well, I actually banished myself, so I can. But still. How long has it been, then?”

“Hard to tell,” Basilton replies, looking at the moon.

“You don’t look that old,” she tells him.

“Sure.” Baz is quiet for a moment. Then he turns to Agatha. “Who’s the head of your village?”

“David Snow. He’s been head for almost twenty years now, after Natasha Pitch died in that fire.”

“Shit,” Basilton curses. Agatha frowns at him. “That bastard is still in power? It’s been seven years, then. I’m twenty-five,” he laughs incredulously. Basilton looks at her like he wants to ask her a question, but he doesn’t.

“Enough about me,” Basilton says after a while. “What’s your story? Who’s the poor sod you left at the altar? He wasn’t pretty enough for you?”

“No! He’s plenty pretty. I just don’t know him that well. And he’s a bit older.”

“Why didn’t you try to get to know him first, then?”

She shrugs. “I didn’t feel a spark between us. It was an arranged marriage, I didn’t choose it.”

“Arranged? Since when does Watford arranged marriages?”

“It’s David. He wanted his son to get married, so he chose the prettiest girl in the village, I suppose.”

Basilton looks at her with wide eyes. “His son?”

“Yes,” she nods, hesitantly. “Simon Snow.”

Basilton does something weird, then. He smiles, but his eyes are sad. He starts ripping leaves into pieces. “He’s still not married?”

Agatha shakes her head. “It’s really weird. He’s already twenty-five, your age, and still not married. There are plenty of girls that would love to be his wife, but he’s never accepted any proposal. I think his father is getting angry at him, that’s why he arranged our marriage. He needs to have a wife and a family for when he takes over as head of the town.”

“Has he...” Basilton is staring at the ground. “Has Simon ever mentioned someone else?”

She frowns at him. “I don’t think so? Wait...” She suddenly remembers a conversation they had one evening, when they had been fitting wedding clothes. Simon told her something and Agatha had no idea why he would say that to someone he barely knows. “Well, he did mention a friend of his that died a while ago. He’s still really sad about it. I think his name was...” She trails off.

Basilton looks up, and Agatha realises. “His name was Baz,” she says slowly. “Simon told me Baz was his best friend but that he died at eighteen. And this might sound crazy, but I think he was in love with him. He just had this look in his eyes when he was talking about him.”

Silence. Then, Basilton sighs sadly. He looks broken.

“You’re his Baz, aren’t you?”

Baz nods and Agatha can see tears welling up in his eyes. “He thinks I’m dead,” he whispers.

“Oh my god,” Agatha says suddenly. “You need to come back with me. To Watford. Then you can marry him in my place.”

Baz chuckles gloomily. “Life is not a fairy tale, Agatha.”

“Maybe it is!” She carries on. “Simon still loves you, I know it! What are you waiting for?”

“Simon might have loved me when we were young,” Baz says. “But look at me now. How could he still love me?”

“Basilton, you’re still beautiful. On the inside and on the outside. Simon didn’t mind you being a vampire, why would he mind what you look like now? Let’s go!” She starts tugging on his hands.

Baz stands up uncomfortably. “I don’t know, Agatha. David is the one who found out about me, he’s not going to accept this. I can’t just go back.”

“Then we’ll get rid of him! He’s been ruling for twenty years and almost everyone hates him, no one would mind! Do you love Simon?”

“I do,” Baz replies with a smile.

“Well then! True love conquers everything. Let’s go!”

And she tugs him towards the edge of the forest, towards a happier ending for them both and towards true love.