#princessology

[guizwonderlandking]

@everafterhigh Arts & Craft Class-ic 👑 Meeshell Mermaid, Madeline Hatter, Cedar Wood and C. A. Cupid #ClassOfClassics #Princessology #Classic #EverAfterHigh #MeeshellMermaid #MadelineHatter #CedarWood #CACupid #ArteAndCraft #MaddieHatter #Fashion #FashionDoll #CollectorDoll #Princess #Queen #HistoricallyAccurate #Royal #EverAfterHighFanart #EverAfterHighArt #EverAfterRoyal #byguiz https://www.instagram.com/p/CpV-iNpueSI/?igshid=NGJjMDIxMWI=

[champion-of-love]

Apple's last two years in Ever After High passed by in a blur.

A/N: i started writing a draft for this fic but then it kinda fizzled out and got a writer's block on it. not sure if i'll even continue it but thought eh why not i'll post what i've written so far here

Word count: 571 words:

Note: Do not steal or repost.

.

Apple's last two years in Ever After High passed by in a blur.

Their sophomore year (otherwise known as their Legacy Year) was filled with so many twists and turns, that her junior and senior years practically flew by like a sweet summer breeze.

Well, her class' sophomore year was pretty eventful.

Raven destroying the book meant that everyone in Ever After had the freedom to choose what they wanted to do in life.

A pretty massive event, to be understated.

And the freedom of destiny allowed her to actually choose which classes she was interested in (like Good Kingdom Management and Advance Elfonomics) rather than those that suited someone of her 'destiny' (Damsel-in-Distressing and Princessology). It felt like a hex lifted off her shoulders now that she could study what she was passionate about, and not what was expected of her.

Her mother had some, rather ill, words to say to her about her choices to drop those classes. At first, she couldn't even move an inch without looking at her mother for approval beforehand, but she braveheartedly took Raven's advice and let it enter one ear and out the other.

Raven had pretty great advice regarding mothers, actually.

Eventually, her mother let the subject matter drop. Though, she still sometimes harped about Apple's royal ranking dropping at times.

Never mind that Apple had worked herself to the bone to reach and retain her first place in her freshman and sophomore years and never let herself drop beyond the Fairest Top Ten in her junior and senior years.

Nevermind that Apple was excelling in all of her new classes, getting the top ranks and was getting praises from all her professors.

Never mind this was the first time that Apple hadn’t followed her mother’s wishes.

And it was due to these facts that her first reaction was surprise when her mother sent her a fairly lovely spellabratory gift basket.

It was her and her classmates’ final month at Ever After and she had just finished an hexhaustive yearbook club meeting the night before. She was out like a light when Raven shook her awake, saying there was a package waiting for her signature outside their door. Quickly snatching her glasses off their spot on her nightstand, which she wore so often now that it left marks on her nose, she stumbled to their door to sign the clipboard that the delivery goose held.

The weight on her eyelids felt like a thousand carriages but her eyes were suddenly wide open when they landed on the massive gift basket her mother, as it said on the tag on the basket, sent for her.

She had wondered out loud on why her mother would send such a thing when Raven replied that their last ever after report cards were emailed to their parents early that morning. Raven’s father, the Good King, had woken her up with a call earlier to congratulate her.

Apple’s grades had never dropped below an A, so she supposed this meant she was graduating. She approached the gift basket with a smile and laid her hands on it, happy that she knew this meant that her mother must still care about her. It was wrapped with the softest of ribbons and her eyes followed how it was beautifully draped all over the basket.

And on top of that basket was the shiniest red apple she had ever seen.

[keepingeahalive]

Why Rapple Wouldn’t Work as a Couple

First off, let’s get this out of the way: Raven and Apple are not related. Well…more like distantly related, but to the point where any relation is almost nil. Raven is not destined to marry Apple’s father because Apple’s dad and Raven’s dad (The Good King) are two separate characters. Raven is only destined to be jealous of Apple and poison her. That is all.

Okay, on with the real debate.

I'm probably gonna get a lot of hate for this, but I can't see Apple and Raven as a couple. While both of their arcs were about coming to accept each other, they weren't equal in their relationship. Raven made it clear to Apple many times that she felt disrespected, and Apple ignored that and pushed her own agenda on her. It may have come from a place of caring, but Apple didn't get Raven at all. I can see them working through their issues down the line, but their love story (if you can call it that) is better as platonic.

Bulldozing and Passive Aggression

From the first episode, we can see that Apple immediately took control for both of them. She went behind Raven's back to room with her and decorated Raven's side of the room without her permission, all because Raven is an important part of "her" story.

Not their story. "Her" story.

Her friendship with Raven in the first three chapters was surface-level at best. She assumes what Raven wants instead of actually getting to know her, like when she decides to take "Home Evil-nomics" to get back at Raven for taking Princessology. But Raven's favorite class isn't Home Evil-nomics. It's Muse-ic.

We can see Raven trying to be patient with Apple because Raven is a good person. She doesn't want a repeat of what happened between Snow White and the Evil Queen. In fact, we see her other friends hide their concerns from Apple because they don't want to upset her.

When Ashlynn finally comes out about her relationship with Hunter, she's immediately met with Apple's dismay. Apple tells her several times that she's making the wrong decision, and it gets to Ashlynn so much that she chooses her friendship with Apple over her relationship with Hunter because she doesn't want everyone to be upset. Although Ashlynn decides to do what makes her happy, Apple still tells her outright that she's making the wrong choice.

Briar starts to feel the weight of her destiny sink in and, instead of being met with compassion and understanding, Apple tells Briar "we all have our part to play." While Briar rightfully calls her out for how privileged she is, it takes her three chapters and two more specials to admit to Apple that she was too scared to tell anyone that she didn't want to follow her destiny.

They both go behind Raven's back to poison a birthday cake she made for Apple just so she would stop crying about it.

Apple is the next Queen of Ever After, and she wants to take an active role in serving her people. But she thinks she knows what's best for everyone. If they don't do what she says, then there's something wrong and she has to fix them. Everyone enabled this behavior, except for Raven. This domination is what causes her and Raven's tension at the start of the series.

2. Apple's Fears

Apple is a selfish character. But that selfishness is born of fear.

She believes going against her destiny means dying and being forgotten.

I believe she does care about her friends, in the same vein a God-fearing church-goer cares about the people in her community. She believes there is only one true way of staying safe: following your destiny. If you don't, something bad happens. And she has to remind you of that. She thinks she's helping people when she's really being insensitive and condescending. And this comes down the hardest on Raven.

Raven is the equivalent of someone who's become disillusioned with their faith. She's unhappy with the system she's been put in and she wants something better. That doesn't mean she's not afraid of what might happen if she does. She's terrified she might doom everyone at first. But taking a risk on Legacy Day and showing everyone they can live without following a predetermined path made her and others more hopeful that they could live better lives.

But Apple can't be convinced with one act of rebellion. She doubles down on her beliefs and blames Raven for ruining her Happily Ever After. She's so afraid of her future being uncertain that she would rather follow a status quo where someone she claims to care for is locked away for the rest of her life. You could argue that she doesn't understand that's what would happen, but she never bothered to understand Raven's perspective. Raven takes Apple's perspective in Thronecoming and considers the consequences of her actions. Raven cares about her friends too, so much that she's willing to put her happiness aside to keep them safe. Apple never once did that for her, or for any of her other friends.

This stems from Apple being promised the best destiny out of anyone. She'd go on to live a very prestigious life as Queen. But she's too naive to realize what that would mean for everyone else: Raven would be locked up for the rest of her life, Ashlynn would die to continue her legacy, and Briar would marry some random dude several decades younger than her and never see Apple or anyone she knew ever again. I understand that no one wants to lose the stability they've had their entire life. But she doesn't seem to understand how good she has it.

3. Apple and Raven's Growth

Way Too Wonderland and Dragon Games gave us a lot in terms of character development. Apple and Raven have gotten to know each other better at this point. Even though they have their differences, they do care about each other.

Say what you will about Way Too Wonderland, but I do believe Apple has come to know Raven and is genuinely shocked and heartbroken when Raven finally signed the Storybook of Legends. She's come to care about who Raven really is, she knows Raven would never want to hurt anyone, and she realizes that destinies can be dangerous. I understand her main reasoning was that anyone could easily take someone else's destiny if they had the chance. But seeing what signing the book did to Raven frightened her. Destroying the book with Raven cemented a level of trust and understanding that Raven was longing for.

Which is what makes Dragon Games so heartbreaking.

Apple is a privileged little princess who was promised the best destiny one could expect. I don't think anyone would be all that happy about letting that go. It goes back to what she fears the most. She doesn't know what to do without her destiny. And with her mother only feeding into these insecurities, it allows Apple's doubts to resurface and for someone to take advantage of that.

Apple could have prevented releasing the Evil Queen. But she was too deep in her own cowardice to think clearly. Desperation will make people do anything, especially if promised a happy ending for you and everyone you love (maybe subconsciously hoping Raven would be her True Love). That doesn't excuse her freeing a war criminal who happens to be her best friend's estranged mother, thereby breaking her trust all over again. Raven had just started seeing Apple as someone she could depend on. That's gone now, and Raven had a right to be angry with Apple's selfishness and cowardice.

"But Apple realized her mistake and Raven forgave her in the end!" That's true, but that doesn't mean things are okay between them. Apple is still Raven's friend, and it's in Raven's character to forgive her. But I don't see her forgetting this experience any time soon. That trust would have to be built up all over again and, if you ask me, this ruled out any chance of them getting together romantically. I think Raven would need some time away from Apple to figure things out. Apple could use that time to figure herself out too, especially after figuring out it was Darling who woke her.

If that trust was able to be built back up again, hopefully they would have grown as people and learned to be better friends. But you can't expect this level of trust to be regained for a partnership.

4. A One-Sided Romance

If Rapple were to be anything romantic, it would only come from Apple.

Apple was always obsessed with Raven. I do believe she wanted Raven to fulfill their destinies so they would both be safe, but was too selfish to consider how that would look from Raven's end. She never showed any interest in Daring and, while she enjoyed the admiration she got from other boys, never expressed interest in anyone else.

Except Raven.

So, yes. I do believe Apple was in love with Raven. But I can't see Raven returning those feelings. Apple always disregarded what she wanted, ignored her when she argued against her destiny, and continually tried to turn Raven into something she wasn't. Even after her much-needed character development in Way to Wonderland and Dragon Games, these two still don't have a good foundation of trust between them. If we had gotten more of the show, we might have seen some healing. And, in my opinion, that would include Apple learning to let go of Raven and focusing on her own growth as a person.

And maybe someone else...

In all seriousness, Apple and Raven have a complicated relationship that I don't see working romantically. I know they have the most development together, and it would be an interesting take on the enemies-to-lover trope. But with how often Apple betrayed Raven's trust and how grounded and self-aware Raven is, I can't see them getting together.

I can see Raven being Apple's first crush, but the closest these two can get is sisters.

Because, you know, Raven has a boyfriend. It's Dexter. Say what you want about him, but they have a healthier relationship than Raven and Apple could ever have, romantic or not.

[athena-xox]

Just pointing out that the Princessology girls are paired with guys from wooing 101 and duchess bullies ashlynn into trading to be with daring… maybe it was an assignment guys

[kae-eee]

all my thoughts about apple white i can remember rn because im so unnormal about her

she’s been best friends with dexter forever after, ashlynn and briar are just her main friend group because they’re the most popular fairytale princesses

shes a little envious of dexter who’s allowed to just wear his glasses without an issue

walks into walls and trips on the stairs regularly, she plays it off well

she had the biggest crush on ashlynn when they were like 13, it never fully went away

a little part of why she was so hurt during true hearts day

shes known the charmings her entire life and always took to the twins more than daring

her mother wasn’t happy about that

her favorite color isn’t red

apples make her throat feel fuzzy, what could that mean?

i also think she’s allergic to honey or dairy idk

hella people were scared to tell her who actually woke her up, she didn’t find out till a while later

and she very much faked now being head over heels for daring after she woke up until someone told her

she also thought he was just getting cold feet now that he was avoiding her

wearing her crown so much gives her migraines

and i think it’d be worse for her than other royals because hers is probably bigger

really really easily annoyed

dislikes blondie due to her lack of respect for boundaries, she’s only told raven and dexter this

coldest take but she’s autistic

snow won’t get her tested

queen of masking

does not stfu (yapple white!!)

talks fast as fuck too (yapple white!!!!)

had the biggest fuckin fit when one reflection broke up

i think her and darling were also quite good friends when they were little, but they had different interests and grew apart

im not exactly a dappling shipper, but apple romanticized the hell out of darling once she came to terms with who woke her

also it took her a really, really long time to come to terms with it

super easily annoyed (i cant remember if i already said this)

and her lowest grade is her diplomacy class because of it

shes still acing it though

i think she likes to make jewelry but doesn’t often because it roughs up her hands

like metal jewelry not bracelets made of beads, those wouldn’t mess up her hands

deadliest puppy dog eyes you’ll ever see

noise sensitive

refuses to think about her gender identity and expression because she has a nagging feeling she may bump into something that she’s not ready to unpack

i’d like to think she could hear during her enchanted sleep but then idk how she wouldn’t know daring didn’t wake her

very judgy, trying to unlearn it post way to wonderland

learned it in the first place from her mother

doesn’t text with emojis at all

horrible at replying to messages

hemophilia

broke a bone or two on the way down the well

and those spots ache when it rains

cat person

and she really fucks with orange cats

i wanna say she texts like a grandma

it’s ominous as hell

“hello briar…i’ve seemed i’ve fallen ill…may you inform me on our assignment for princessology… good day..”

the type to remind the teacher of the homework

enjoys to dissect things, but that’s not very princess like is it?

raven snores and apple debates on smothering her every other night

girly needs her beauty sleep

awhile after she’s found out darling woke her up and her destiny may not be as straight cut as she thought, her identity crisis hit her around eleven or twelve at night on a random ass thursday, and raven has to talk down a sobbing screaming apple and get her to go to bed because neither of them are unpacking all that comphet right at that very moment

another cold take but the biggest control freak ever

type of girl to hijack every group project, and come in with her own presentation the day it’s due

a sour over sweet person

but sweet over savory

her mother would’ve dyed her hair if she wasn’t scared that it would get messed up

because blonde hair is better than fried hair

that’s all i’ve got for now, maybe I’ll add to this eventually.

[charm-u-laterarchive]

*ੈ✩‧₊˚ ˗ˏˋ ꒰ 🍎🥧💭 ꒱ ˎˊ˗:*ੈ✩‧₊˚

A ton of Apple and Darling headcannons <33

Apple White:

☆Lesbian (She/Her)

Never really had a thing for Daring

Her first crush was probably Briar (the gal loves tall women)

☆CHUBBY APPLE IS REAL

☆Manages to be in almost every club (nobody knows how)

☆The only clubs she really likes are GSA and student crowncil

☆Reads Ao3 One Reflection fanfics

☆WRITES Ao3 One Reflection fanfics

They're VERY popular fanfics too

☆She has super cute glasses but never wears them :[ her mom made her self-conscious of them

☆Despite her mom's frequent criticism, she talks to her about almost everything

This kind of filters out as time goes on, and she becomes more accepting of changes to destiny- she still talks to her mom a lot but doesn't share so much

☆She's Ashlynn and Hunter's biggest fan now

She's very intent on supporting her friends, so whenever she hears anyone talking bad about them, she gives them a very stern (and unnecessary- Ashlynn has tried to tell her) lecture

☆Her fav date with Darling is study dates at the café

2 gals with things to do (who also want a little kiss every time they get an assignment done)

☆For a while, she had no idea who woke her up during Dragon Games

Nobody would tell her for the longest time-

Eventually she managed to get it out of Briar because she felt too bad not telling her BFFA

Darling Charming:

☆Lesbian + Transfem (She/Her, fine w/ using He/Him when shes in armor)

When she was little everyone was SUPER confused

She came out and after some debate her whole vibe was switched because she couldn't be a prince anymore

Thats why her story is "made up"

☆Shes got like. Archer body type + tall (the 2nd tallest girl in school)

☆Once her and Apple start dating she becomes a designated proof-reader of Apple's fanfiction

Not a One Reflection fan- but she tolerates it for her lovely girlfriend

☆Her parents were VERY unhappy upon discovering she was Apple's destined princess

Like "almost pulled her out of school" upset

She was taken away for about a month before her parents were convinced that it was acceptable (for the sake of following destiny, despite the slight disruption to tradition)

☆Her fav date with Apple is a tie between study dates (same reason as Apple) and little picnics

☆She collects old knight stuff

Pieces of armor, shields, swords, books, autographs, that kind of thing

Its a small collection since she isn't normally allowed to keep those things (it's unladylike)

☆Yknow how boys are like obsessed with her?? After publicly being out as a lesbian there's also girls now

Everyone loves her

A lot of boys backed off actually, but some still think they somehow have a chance??? (They do not, obviously)

☆After Dragon Games she finally got into Heroics classes!!!

Under the condition she would still take a few classes like Princessology (so she's still elegant, her mom still wants her to be at least a little ladylike-)

[stealeroflemons]

eah thingy but it's if they had their own musical numbers in an eah musical BECAUSE I SAID SO #24 (PART I?)

this is also because I'm a theater person and I'm having performance withdrawals, and I'm watching Rise of The Pink Ladies, and Glee again, the withdrawals are real

Raven's solo would be called "Not Evil" where it's just her walking into ever after high trying to tell people that she's not evil and she really doesn't want to be like her mother (think when she first walked into the school with Maddie and everyone ran away when they saw her)

There would be a number with all the princess' called "What Princess' Do" during princessology where they go over the core fundemetals of being a princess (but not real ones, like stuff about smiling and learning to balance crowns on your head and always looking pretty) and it would absolutely be choreographed like "we both reached for the gun" from Chicago where everyone is being puppeteered

Headmaster Grimm has this stoic number called "Legacy" where he explains the importance of signing the Storybook of Legends

The Wonderlandians would absolutely have their own number called "Out of Wonder" which explains the whole Wonderland curse with mini solos about how it effected their lives

There's also a "Tea-Time!" interlude between scenes with big set changes where it's Maddie and possibly other students setting up a small tea party

Apple gets a solo called "The Apple Doesn't Fall Far" where it's her talking to Raven or Briar or someone about how Apple strives to follow her mom's legacy (think how she acted before Thronecoming)

The hardcore villain kids get a number called "Wickedly Cool" and it's bsically them singing about how being wicked and evil is cool and not as bad as some people make it out to be

Apple and Daring get a duet called "Destined Together" about how perfect they are for each other and are, of course, destined to be together forever after

On that note, the "Destined Together (Reprise) features both Apple and Darling, and Daring and Rosabella having this heartfelt moment where they go back and forth realising that they were destined for someone else

Briar and Faybelle also get a duet called "Frenemies Forever" where Faybelle just goes on about how much she appreciates Briar as her frenemy, and Briar sings along saying she doesn't really get it but Faybelle just keeps going, REALLY dramatic, about all the great benefits of having a frenemy

[lovelyllamasblog]

Linda Vorm 🐉

Parent’s Story: The King Lindworm

Powerful Qualities: Intelligent, Resilient, Courageous

Roommate: Irene of Augen

Secret Heart’s Desire: I want people to look beyond what on the outside you know? What’s on the inside is important too.

My “Magic” Touch: I can see past people’s outward appearance and see them past all their layers.

Storybook Romance Status: There are many boys at EAH. I’ll find the one eventually.

“Oh Curses!” Moment: I tend to stare at people. It doesn’t mean anything dangerous, I’m just trying to figure them out you know? See beyond the surface.

Favorite Subject: Mythology. I love dragons, and learning about all different kinds in the world is great for my story.

Least Favorite Subject: Princessology. I’m not quite a princess, nor am I a Damsel in Distress. I’m not sure why I’m in that class.

Best Friends Forever After: Irene of Augen, Ivy Eden, and Alanna Dale

[royalrebelpropaganda]

ooh you should elaborate ooh

( @oklotea ) ( @dollmenace )

why ofc 🤭 with no further ado here are my transfem headcanons & explanations

duchess :

manifesto largely here , here , and here , but I don't ever clarify as to WHY I think she has trans girl energy, so I will elaborate now.

first of all, narrative role of swans in stories. especially in stories like the ugly duckling, where there's an "ugly" kid who is socially outcast, excluded, harassed, and ends up becoming something beautiful like they were always meant to be-- it works really well as a trans metaphor, and duchess is literally a swan <3

but that's not her story! and you'd be right to point that out. to me, there's something about the way she's constantly feeling left out of the other princess groups because she's not a "happily-ever-after princess," the way she's basically dismissed by the princessology teacher by her saying "are you sure you're a real princess?" -- and wanting so desperately to be one.

so she follows around ashlynn, so she yells at apple, so she tears raven to shreds. she is so jealous and I honestly really think that the jealousy translates really well to a sort of gender envy -- especially since she's constantly dismissed by the same girls. she's constantly portrayed as wanting to "steal" their stories, and really all she wants is a happily ever after, the same safety and comfort they get by being a princess. I think the metaphor kind of speaks for itself.

"Seems to me we need to win this thing so you can always be a girl." - Sparrow Hood to Duchess Swan, Next Top Villain

dexter :

manifesto here + also I ADORE @tiny-leafbug's transfem dex art

now I know a lot of people headcanon dex as transmasc, which honestly I can actually fully understand in the context of the show and diaries. the idea that he's constantly trying to perform this paragon of masculinity, and constantly falling short. I get it.

HOWEVER! the books is where I fell in love with dex, and in the books dex's vibe is different. he doesn't care about being a "prince charming," not really, and his relationship with his brother seems much more affectionate, with him responding to daring's ribbing in turn and not really caring about daring making fun of him. this lack of caring makes all that pressure put on his shoulders by his parents seem more like something he never wanted to live up to in the first place. on the boxes, he says -- well, I'm good at hero training. and in the books, raven notices the calluses on his hands, the skill he has in PE class. it's not that he's ever been bad at what his parents what him to do. it's that... he doesn't want to do it.

at some point he says "well ... everyone else has been able to recite their story since they learned to talk, while I'm facing this huge unknown." there's something about this lack of direction and destiny that sets him completely apart from students that need to be a certain thing. all dex ever had to do was be a prince, and still, he wants to rebel. still, he followed raven into the dark. because maybe he didn't want to be a prince at all.

raven said "check you out, totally rocking the prince-to-the-rescue gig," and dexter said "what? no, I mean... that's not really me." - Storybook of Legends

dexter, in the books, is constantly torn between the royals and the rebels, this loyalty he has to the first person that's ever seen him, and daring, who still wants him to be, yknow, him. he is expected, at all times, to perform as his brother, to be his brother. and he doesn't want that. he doesn't want that at all.

“And Prince Dexter Charming?” Kitty smiled hugely. Her smile lingered a moment after she disappeared. She reappeared beside Dexter, holding a broom, which she thrust into his hands. “He might become a wicked witch!”

Dexter looked at the broom, shrugged, and gave a small laugh, glancing over at Raven as if to check what she thought.”

- The Unfairest of Them All

cedar :

I don't have quite as much to say here; this isn't a headcanon I have 24/7, it's just fun to think about

she is constantly talking about how she "wants to be a real girl" and idk there is something trans about that. to me.

“I don’t know what to do,” said Cedar. “Am I supposed to sit with my friends same as always? Or pick a side based on what I want? I’m not a Royal, but then again I do want my destiny, when I’ll be changed from a puppet into a real girl, but then again, I do want others to be able to choose if they don’t like their destiny so… so I don’t know what to do now!” - The Unfairest of Them All

I hope this helped <33

[4rainynite]

EAH Dorm Rooms Headcanons pt 22

Teachers Addition

It wouldn't be high school without the teachers and to teach the students passed down legacies.

A good majority of the adults went to Ever After High School and some even became teachers to teach the future generation.

At the end of the day teachers need a place to sleep and we get to see who roomed with who during their high school years.

The teachers' living quarters are between the boys and girls dorm and is smaller than the students' dormitory.

Like the students each room is design to fit the persons personality.

Headmasters Milton and Giles Grimm

Brothers Milton and Giles created Ever After High to teach the future fairy tales their storybook legacies. Overtime Giles notice how some destinies weren't equal even if some were happy ever afters. Giles purposed a way to make everyone happy, but Milton didn't agree. Still traumatized of almost losing Giles when they were children made him deadset on following the pre-determined fates and because he fears he'll lose power. There was a huge fight and Milton cursed his brother to speak Riddlish and banish him to the Vault of Lost Tales.

Being co-headmasters and founders of Ever After High School, Milton and Giles have the biggest rooms in the living quarters.

Milton's room is similar to his office: full of portraits of himself, full of awards, clean, expensive furniture, posh, with a canopy bed, and blue.

Giles's room is similar to the Vault of Lost Tales: messy, papers everywhere, books piled high, mix-matched furniture, and red.

When Milton cursed Giles the police investigated and closed his room up. Milton avoided the room at all crime to not feel guilt for what he had done to his brother.

When, Giles is free from his curse (he didn't get cured in Thronecoming) and Milton is arrested for his crimes, everyone predicts that Giles will throw away Milton's things. But, he doesn't. Giles lets it be, even after his brother's betrayel he refuses to touch the room.

Baba Yaga

Baba Yaga teaches home-evilnomics and facility advisor and though she sides with Headmaster Grimm with destiny she's less strict and willing to show sympathy for those who want change.

Baba Yaga doesn't need a room due to her living in her cottage/office with chicken legs so it changes locations and we've seen it plenty of times in the show.

Her cottage has Slavic designs, candles, spell books, potions, and she has a steering wheel to control the hut.

I believe Baba Yaga's cottage/office is like the shotgun houses from my home state Louisiana. For those who don't know what a shotgun house is it's a narrow house (front to back) and each room is divided for better examples: 1 2 3. The first section is her office, second potion making section, third kitchen, fourth bathroom, and last bedroom.

Mr. Breaker Badwolf

Breaker Badwolf was a student at Ever After High School where he studied (met the love of his life Ruby Hood and had a daughter) and now teaches General Villainy.

Breaker's room resembles a wolf's cave like his niece Ramona's room with rock formations, dim lighting, and leather furniture.

He seems like a hunter to me, so he has a collection of traps and snares in his room.

He keeps a two-way-book to speak with his with, photos of Ruby & Cerise, and letters from her hidden away in his room.

The White Queen

After, evacuating Wonderland due to the Evil Queen's curse, she and her fellow Wonderlanders escaped to Ever After. She got a job at Ever After High School as the new Princessology teacher.

Like all the Wonderlanders her room is messy, but in a organized chaos sort of way.

Her room is styled like a chessboard with Wonderland decor.

Maid Martha Marion

Maid Marion is the teacher of damsel-in-distress class and mother of Sparrow Hood.

Her cartoon and book appearance are drastically different in the show she looks like the perfect damsel while in the book she was described as:

Madam Maid Marian set a black bag under the desk, then removed her cone hat. Her hair was chestnut and cut in a short bob. She was fresh-faced, with no makeup. A few freckles dotted her wide nose and high cheekbones. She wore the colors of the forest, with a moss-green tunic and brown leggings. A pair of green feather earrings completed the woodsy look. Her suede boots looked super comfortable.

Appearances aside Unlike other damsels-In-distress she teaches her students to save themselves.

Her room is a hodgepodge of luxurious queen/ forest decor.

She definitely has exercise equipment and hunting gear like bows and arrows in her room.

Coach Gingerbreadman

Coachh Gingerbreadman is the gym teacher who encourages his students to run faster to avoid crazed bakers.

His room is more of a gym than a bedroom with a treadmill, weights, a rowing machine, and etc.

His room is mostly candy & gingerbread decor with trophies decorating the walls.

Evil Step-Librarians

Evil Step-Librarians (Stephanie and Sissy) are the librarians of the school, one is the mother of Prudence and Charlotte, and Cinderella's stepsisters.

While other staff members have their own room, they share one while at Ever After High School.

Their room has a gaudy luxury feel to it. Like everything cost of money but it looks cheaply made and tacky. And everything is bejeweled.

Since they're librarians the room has multiply bookcases with trashy romance novels.

Prof. Jack B. Nimble

Prof. Jack B. Nimble is the of tall tales and seems to be a popular teacher among the students.

Prof. Jack has a huge candle collection ranging from size, colors, and scents. He has the cleanest smelling room in the teachers' sleeping area.

As you can see by his desk most of the furniture in his room is candle themed.

Because of this the sprinkler system goes off in his room a lot (similar to Faybelle).

He also has a huge bookcase where he keeps a collection tale tales and poems.

Prof. Pied Piper

Prof. Alto Pied Piper is the music teacher and the father of Melody Piper.

His room is similar to the music classroom with many instruments and music books.

He keeps his Imperial Gold Turntables in his room when not using them in his class.

He has a mini fridge stocked with snacks for his pet rats.

He owns a huge collection of flutes and vinyl discs.

Rumpelstiltskin

Rumpelstiltskin teaches chemistry and is one of the least popular teachers in the school due making students spin straw to gold for extra credit.

His room is probably one of the messiest rooms in the teachers' living quarters and screams goblin core.

He has a spinning wheel that he uses to spin his own gold.

Momma and Papa Bear

Ursula and Bernard are a married couple so obviously they share a room together.

Their room is cottage core with bear cave elements.

Like their story sleep in separate beds since Poppa likes his mattress firm and Momma likes her mattress soft.

Ursula teaches cooking class so she has a ton of cookbooks and Bernard teaches beast training and keeps many cages and pet supplies in their room.

Their son, Teddy, sometimes visits them when not in class.

Author's note: We were robbed that they never appeared in the show!

Hagatha

Hagatha is the school's lunch lady who is infamous for her porridge which she adds artificial lumps to.

Can't really say too much about her so maybe insects motifs on her dress she has food and bug decor in her room.

Mrs. Trollsworth

Mrs. Trollsworth is the secretery and Headmaster Grimm's assistant in his schemes.

Being a troll, her room is messy with a mix of grandma parlor room decor.

Mr. Green Thumb - Is the groundkeeper/gardener, due to his small size he most likely has the smallest room in the teachers' living quarters. It most likely full of gardening equipment and indoor plants.

Prof. Card - Prof. Card with the other Wonderlanders evacuated after the Evil Queen's curse, he is the current art teacher at Ever After High School. His room is full of art supplies and has a few weapons since he was a guard.

Prof. Knight - Prof. Knight teaches Hero Training and is one of the oldest teachers in the school who still remembers the art of knighthood. His room is decorated with suits of armor, swords, and horse decor.

Well, that's all the staff at Ever After High School!

[guizwonderlandking]

@everafterhigh Arts & Craft Class-ic 👑 Meeshell Mermaid, Madeline Hatter, Cedar Wood and C. A. Cupid #ClassOfClassics #Princessology #Classic #EverAfterHigh #MeeshellMermaid #MadelineHatter #CedarWood #CACupid #ArteAndCraft #MaddieHatter #Fashion #FashionDoll #CollectorDoll #Princess #Queen #HistoricallyAccurate #Royal #EverAfterHighFanart #EverAfterHighArt #EverAfterRoyal #byguiz https://www.instagram.com/p/CpV2cEDuffC/?igshid=NGJjMDIxMWI=

[whateverafterhigh]

I'm thinking about EAH putting on an "event", perhaps a charity ball type thing, where there are students from any class attending (because you don't not invite certain important people lest they choose to curse you and your baby) but it's still graded on the basis of performance counting towards extra credit in various subjects (dance, wooing, princessology, etc).

Only you don't choose your own partner.

It's a bit like the teachers pairing you up for a group project with other people in the class, but the metric they are using to decide who gets partnered with who is based on the Ballroom Dance portion of the evening. As your ideal Ballroom partner is meant to be the same or similar height to you (you're supposed to be able to see over their shoulder, though generally the person being spun should also be short enough to go under the arm).

Which is where ship pairings come in.

Obviously, as a Dexven shipper I'm thinking about Dexter and Raven being around the same height. Maybe they were paired up together originally and Dexter had to do some smooth talking to stay paired up with Raven because someone balked at the idea of placing Raven with a Prince Charming (especially when his extra credit class is Advanced Wooing), or maybe he was originally paired with Duchess but Duchess made a fuss of some sort about Dexter being a bad dancer in the practice dance they had and Raven gets defensive (jealous) and does a practice dance with Dexter to "prove" that Duchess is the problem (inadvertently earning extra credit points for one of her villain classes for stealing someone else's prince) and getting paired with Dexter instead(I think that one would need a meaner-than-canon Raven given she'd be roleplaying a villain part to even do that in the first place, as the Prince dances and professes his love to someone who is not the Swan Princess in Swan Lake. Poor Duchess).

Meanwhile, Apple is having a crisis of her own because she and Daring aren't height matched and that's just feeding into her preexisting insecurities about her looks as she believes it implies she's not good enough for her role if she doesn't match her Prince Charming. Like maybe the two of them did get paired together anyway for that reason and Apple is still a little short despite that and whatever heels she's already wearing.

Or maybe they didn't get a chance to try as Apple and Darling get paired together since EAH has more girls than boys. And Darling gets to play the part of Prince Charming comforting the upset princess, and slowly falling in love, while Apple is perhaps too caught up in "destiny" to realise that she might not be straight (or rather rejects the few glimpses she does have during the dance when she does let herself have some fun because she's too scared by the fact she doesn't know how taking that chance at happily-ever-after would turn out).

[dragoneyes618]

Flee The Arrow's Flight

Besides for her first day here, when she'd spent some time here as Headmaster Grimm gave her a welcome speech to Ever After High and explained how things worked here, Cupid had never been in his office before. She made intense efforts to be a good student; she studied hard for all her classes, even the ones she knew already or she found boring, even the subjects that were new to her. (Who knew Princessology was an actual thing?) She didn't get in trouble, and was proud that she had yet to receive a single detention. She followed all the rules and tried to help anyone who needed her and didn't make waves.

Up until she joined the Rebels, but nearly half the school had, so it wasn't like she was standing out for doing that. Even then, most of the Rebels didn't receive the long lectures that poor Raven did. The most they ever got was a frown or headshake of disapproval.

Even if the Rebels had received more serious consequences, how could she not have joined them? For true love to be restricted by the constraints of destiny went against everything she stood for! She could never have lived with herself if she'd tried to force other people into loving others they didn't actually love.

Yet now, that was exactly what was being asked of her.

"Sir," Cupid whispered. "I can't."

The headmaster raised an eyebrow. He was sitting behind his desk, Cupid sitting across from him in the chair all visitors sat in. She remembered sitting here on her first day, nervous and eager at the same time, excited at being the one chosen to come here to make a first impression, terrified that she would mess it up, not yet homesick. Looking out the window at this bright, sparkling world, so full of beauty and perfection. So full of love.

Well.

"Can't you?" the headmaster asked. "You have a duty here, Miss Cupid. You have a destiny. You are here for a reason."

It wasn't supposed to be this, Cupid wanted to say.

She wouldn't do it. She couldn't do it. It went against every fiber of her being, every inch of who - what - she was.

But he wouldn't listen. If he was already even asking this of her, he wouldn't listen to any reason she said. He had a goal, and he wanted her to help him meet it, no matter how abhorrent she found the idea.

It was love. How could she tamper with love?

"I can't," she repeated. "I can't - My arrows can only make people fall in love. They can't make people stop loving each other, they can't make them hate each other. I can't do that." Her father could, but there was no reason for her to mention that now.

His forehead creased. "Then," he said, "you can make them fall in love with other people, more suitable people. Is that not within your powers?"

Technically, yes.

"Then you will do so," the headmaster said firmly, taking her silence as assent. "As soon as possible. I will be keeping an eye on them, so I suggest that you find someone suitable for them both right away."

"Who?" Cupid whispered.

He waved a hand. "Oh, Miss Ella can fall in love with Prince Charming - Daring, that is. He isn't her prince, but he still is one, and she'll have had a few years to move past him by the time her ball is held. Most of the princesses are in love with him anyway; another one will scarcely be noticed. As for Mr. Huntsman, perhaps Miss Queen or Miss Hood. He does end up quite devoted to each of them in both of his stories."

Because it didn't matter if Ashlynn fell in love with a prince who wouldn't notice her anyway and would leave her heartbroken, did it? It didn't matter if Hunter fell in love with a girl who wouldn't like him back in the same way, in a story doomed to end in only heartbreak, did it? It didn't matter if Ashlynn and Hunter were changed, twisted, puppeted under the force of a false, scripted, forced love that only served the interests of the story, did it? 

Nothing else mattered at all, so long as Ashlynn and Hunter fell in love with anyone except each other, did it?

"When can you have this done?" Headmaster Grimm asked her. In a perfectly normal tone of voice, like he was asking her to help arrange one of the student celebrations or something.

"Not yet," Cupid blurted. "Not - not yet."

He looked at her.

"It would look - weird - if they both suddenly fell in love with other people at the same time," she managed quickly. "And I'm not very good at archery. I need to practice."

He nodded slowly. "Then you have two weeks. I expect the problem to be solved by then."

Right. Because Ashlynn and Hunter were nothing but a problem, were they?

"You may go now," he told her.

She fled.

-

Cupid ended up on the roof. It was the only private place she could find.

She wouldn't be alone in her room, because she shared it with Blondie, and Blondie was the biggest gossip in the school, as bad as Spectra. 

The library was generally quiet, but there were always a few students there, and she didn't want anyone asking her what was wrong. She couldn't keep a facade up right now.

The Wonderland Grove would be private. Cupid was one of the few students allowed the privilege of going there. Maddie had shown it to her a couple of months after she'd arrived, and the Wonderlandian students had allowed her to come and go as she wished on the basis that they knew what it was like to be homesick for a realm you couldn't get back to (Cupid was convinced that the Wonderlandians knew something about where she had come from, but they'd never pried), and she occasionally took them up on their offer.

But Lizzie would probably be there, and while the Hearts princess was a lot nicer than many people gave her credit for, her offering to behead whoever had upset Cupid wouldn't make things easier right now. Plus, Cupid wasn't upset now because she was homesick, and going to the Grove for a different reason felt wrong, somehow. The Wonderlandians had allowed her to go there for a reason, and if she went there for a different reason, even though she was allowed and they wouldn't mind at all...it felt almost dishonest, in a way.

So here she was on the roof. The roof was a frequent haunt of the flying students whenever any of them wanted to be alone - to study, to read, to take a break - but there weren't that many people with wings here, really just the fairies and Cupid, so she had the place to herself right now.

Cupid sat at the edge of the roof with her legs dangling and stared out our the panorama below her. It looked beautiful, just like it had on the first day she'd come here. The castle she sat on, the fashionably dressed little figures below her. Princesses in ball gowns, knights in shining armor. The picturesque little village a way away. The forest with its stately maples and majestic oaks and adorable rabbits and squirrels and birds, not a predator in sight. The lovely meadows. The mountains in the distance.

Everything looked so...so insignificant from up here. The people were about the size of little chess pieces. Like it was all a game. Move around some pieces for no reason other then to fit your whims. To play your game, to win the game. Arrange the board perfectly so it looked its best, all the pieces set up in exactly the right positions.

Like people were all a game. Like their lives were nothing more than pieces on a chess board.

Or parts of a story.

Cupid made a frustrated growling sound that wouldn't have earned her a second glance back at her old school and drew her fingers down over her face. Argh. She hated this.

She wouldn't do it. She didn't care what the consequences were. She would take a hundred detentions, she would get sent back home in disgrace, her father would be notified - actually, he probably wouldn't be, he'd definitely stand with her in this matter, he'd be proud of her - but she would rather all this happen than for her to break Ashlynn and Hunter up.

She would pretend she'd misunderstood Headmaster Grimm. She'd warn Ashlynn and Hunter. She'd break her own bow if that's what it took. But she was never going to do this.

Cupid stared up at the cloudless blue sky. This kind of thing would never have happened at her old school. Sure, some romance situations got messy - like when Draculaura and Clawd fell in love with each other despite the whole werewolf-vampire feud - but nobody had asked Cupid to break them up or to make them fall in love with other people. Especially not the principal of the school. Who was supposed to be responsible for his students welfare and to try to ensure their future success. Not to meddle in their lives to such an extent.

Headmistress Bloodgood back home would never do a thing like this.

Cupid angrily wiped her cheeks. She decided she was going to go to the Grove now anyway. She was homesick after all.

[sstwins]

Femslash Feb Day 3 - Cake - Darling/Apple

I LOVE THEM SOOOO MUCH

this was so fun to right and im really happy with how it turned out

Brief Summary: Darling had definitely missed putting some ingredient in, because their cake for Princessology class had turned out fairy flat.

Word Count: 600

I’m still accepting ships for femslash feb!!! Send me your fave fem pairs and I’ll write you a fic sometime this month!! (25 spots left)

Another day in Princessology class. Today, the students were in pairs of two and assigned to make cakes. Which seemed like it should have been easier than it was.

“Darling!” Apple coughed as she pulled the cake out of the oven, her head surrounded by smoke. “The cake is totally flat!”

“Oh dear!” Darling rushed over to check. “I thought I put everything in it.”

Apple set the cake down on the stove. Totally unusable. There was no way they were passing this assignment. She took in a deep breath and put on a confident smile. “Let’s go through the ingredients together, okay? I know we had the flour, because I did that. What about the sugar?”

“I’m sure I added that,” Darling mused.

“And the eggs?” Apple continued. 

Darling’s eyes got wide. “Let me look,” she said nervously, walking over to the fridge. Reaching her hand in, Darling pulled out three completely unused eggs. Her eyes darted around nervously. “It seems I… forgot those.”

Apple pressed the smile more firmly on her face. It wasn’t very princesslike to be visibly upset. “Well, we’re out of time to redo it. We’ll just have to try again next time.”

“I’m sorry.” Darling bent down and put the eggs away. “I’m just not very good at baking.”

Apple picked up the cake and shook it out in the trash can. “Didn’t you bake when you were little? With your mom? My mom always made the most beautiful desserts.” She trailed off, fantasizing about those wonderful apple pies.

Darling looked visibly nervous. “I’m afraid my attempts usually turn out like this. You know what they say though… everyone has different skills.”

Apple had moved over to the sink, scrubbing out the pan. “Well, in order to be a princess, you’ll have to just work on some of those skills. No one ever heard of a princess who can’t bake.” She laughed a little, before noticing that Darling was deadly quiet. Apple glanced over at her. “Oh, come on. It can’t be that bad.” She dried her hands on a towel and approached the other girl. “I’m sure there are lots of parts of being a princess you’re good at.”

Darling nodded. “Yes… definitely.” She sounded less than confident.

Apple ran through some of the class lessons in her mind. Definitely not baking. And Darling wasn’t very good at being a damsel in distress. She was very restless. And she wasn’t amazing at needlepoint… 

While she was thinking, Darling had started looking fairy freaked out. Time for some emergency comforting. Apple reached over and put a hand on Darling’s shoulder. “Well, I know one thing.” She smiled again. “You’re very pretty. That’s a good trait for a princess to have.”

Darling’s cheeks suddenly got very flushed. She looked down at Apple’s hand, then suddenly walked away to the sink, picking up the pan and the dish towel. She coughed a few times before speaking, and her voice seemed a bit high pitched. “Well, I can also clean up my own mess,” she laughed, with a very airy tone.

Something seemed off, but Apple didn’t really know what was going on. She walked over to the sink and began joining Darling in cleaning. “Well,” Apple continued, “cleaning is a good trait for a princess too. And there’s other things, like knowing how to ride a horse, and being able to…”

As she continued talking, Darling’s mind was far away, still thinking about what Apple had said just a few minutes ago. She’d called her pretty. And for some reason, that made Darling feel fairy flustered.

[calyxthenerd]

So, the revolution:

Raven doesn’t sign the storybook of legends, they find out it was fake, all the shenanigans that happen in the show

Darling wakes Apple up, they go back to the school. Darling is still a royal, but knows that she’s not meant to be a pretty princess who sits and waits for someone to save her. Apple is having an identity crisis and a sexuality crisis at the same time, she thought her whole life that she and Daring were meant to be, but she was woken up from a sleeping spell by his sister, and she knows how these curses work, so that can only mean one thing…

Meanwhile Headmaster Grimm, together with Baba Yaga and Rumplestiltskin, is arranging to have his brother transported elsewhere, and being extra ruthless with the school policies during the rebuilding, because he knows his control is slipping, but unfortunately, Professor Badwolf, Coach Gingerbread and Professor Piper, together with the Rebel Student Coalition, composed by characters such as Raven Queen, the Hood-Badwolf sisters and their strange cousin, Madeline Hatter and her gaggle of wonderlandian friends, the Beauty girls, that new pink transfer student, the short haired O’hair girl, and many more, ambushed them, setting Giles free, and the three just barely escaped, being so badly outnumbered

After that, Professor Badwolf, the one with the most authority and more leadership skills, assumed the post of principal, as the Hatters took care of reintegrating Giles into society, he started working on reviewing the guidelines, and quickly overruling many parts of it, the first being the illegality of Queer Relationships and Self-Expression, something that had caused his family a great deal of hurt

During the next few months, the RSC worked on reaching out to several counselors and therapists across the realms to help break through all the grooming the royals still held on to, specially the noble kids, it was a period filled with a lot of heart wrenching realizations, apologies and healing

Afterwards, they slowly started going back to normal, and the timetables looked a lot different, the science, language and mathemagic classe-ics were all mandatory for everyone, but subjects such as “princessology” “dragon riding” and “sword fighting” became electives, instead of mandatory based on arbitrary reasons, such as so-called “destinies” based on ancestrality

After their graduation, some of them started businesses, some of them started charities, some of them became gobletrotters, most of them have been arrested in at least 3 different occasions

And they lived out their lives, not happily ever after, but they had their chosen family, and that was enough

[amazinggraciegurl]

Expect the Unexpected (Chapter 36: Shame)

Tuesday April 18, 2017 (junior year of high school) 12:03 pm

“95% is not a bad grade, Rosabella!” Darling exclaims. “That’s an excellent grade!” The girls are walking down the hallway toward the castleteria. Rosabella is lamenting about getting a 95% on her Princessology test. Rosabella groans. “It’s not perfect though! I want to be perfect!” Darling frowns, placing her hand on her friend’s shoulder. “Nobody is perfect, but you’re pretty darn close.” Rosabella scoffs, but can’t suppress a small smile. She gives Darling a playful shrug. “I am not close to perfect! If anything, it’s you who is!” “Me?” Darling scoffs. “Yeah right. I can’t even talk to my own brother.” Darling can see the sympathetic expression that forms on Rosabella’s face out of the corner of her eye. This is a matter Rosabella is intimately aware of, as Darling has cried about it to the girl on several occasions. “Darling, that isn’t your fault,” she insists. “It’s nobody’s fault. It’s just one of those things. You didn’t go out and try to steal his fairytale or anything. It just happened to be you that was meant to inhabit the Prince…I mean, Princess Charming role.” As usual when this subject is brought up, Darling’s stomach writhes with anxiety. She quickly shakes her head. “I wasn’t meant to inhabit it. It’s a mistake. A mistake I need to make right…somehow.” “Then how did it happen if it wasn’t meant to be?” Rosabella counters. “That’s not how destiny works. What’s destined to happen is what happens.” A flash of irritation sparks in Darling’s chest. “Well, it was wrong this time, okay?!” Darling exclaims. Shame immediately replaces her previous frustration as she sees Rosabella’s eyes widen. Nobody else seems to have heard her outburst luckily, as no one turns to look at her. She’s often getting stared at these days, as every student knows what happened between her and Apple, but luckily she’s not being gawked at as of right now. She sighs softly. “I’m sorry. I shouldn’t have snapped. It’s not you. It’s just…” She sighs shakily before admitting the truth… “this is hard for me.” Rosabella’s sympathetic expression quickly returns. She reaches out, giving Darling’s shoulder a squeeze. “I know,” she murmurs. “It’ll be alright. You and Daring will work it out. I know you will.” Darling nods and gives her a small smile, though it doesn’t quite reach her eyes. “You’re right,” she says, voice soft. “It’ll be fine.”

XXX After getting their lunch, Darling and Rosabella sit across from Cerise and Cedar. As Darling picks up her fork, ready to dive in to her spaghetti, out of the corner of her eye she sees Daring walk into the room, side by side with Hunter and Sparrow. She quickly looks away, staring at her food. There’s no point of averting her gaze anyway though. He’s not going to look at her. He hasn’t spared her one glance since the fateful day she woke Apple up with True Love’s Kiss. As she begins to eat her spaghetti, she ignores the looks of sympathy from her friends and Dexter. There’s no use discussing the rift between her and Daring any further. Nothing is going to change…unless she does something, that is. She just doesn’t have the courage right now though. So much has happened and she’s reeling from the shock of all that has transpired. She knows she and Daring will have to make up at some point, but right now she just needs time to process everything. Time is all she needs…right?

XXX There’s somebody else’s gaze that she needs to avoid, and that is Apple’s. Apple still has no idea that Darling is the one who woke her up. Still, every time that Apple looks at her, gives her a smile or a wave, a cyclone of emotions erupts within Darling…fear, confusion, and most of all shame. What happened between them in the Enchanted Forest is completely wrong. Daring should’ve been the one to wake Apple up from her enchanted sleep, not her. Darling has betrayed both Apple and Daring. So all she does is smile or wave back for the sake of politeness before looking away and doing whatever she can to look busy.

In Princessology today though, Darling can’t help but note how distressed Apple looks. From the slight redness of her eyes to the dark bags under her eyelids to the tremble of her hands as she takes notes…something is clearly going on. Raven did mention that the girl has been having nightmares, waking up screaming and crying. The thought sends a sharp stab of pain through Darling’s heart. She knows the guilt Apple is feeling about letting the Evil Queen out of her mirror prison is intense. Yes, Apple isn’t entirely innocent when it comes to the matter, but she knows from what Raven has told her that the Evil Queen baited the girl, used her insecurities against her. Darling has never been especially close with Apple, but they are friends and she knows how seriously Apple takes her mistakes, so in no way is she going to hold the Evil Queen debacle against the girl. Still, Apple is clearly tormented by the mistake. There’s rarely a day where she doesn’t look pale and exhausted, and she even looks on the verge of tears some days. Darling wishes there was something she could do to help her, but as of now she can’t even look at the girl without nearly having a panic attack. She would just make things worse if she tried to help. So she just has to hope that Apple’s closer friends are doing whatever they can to help her.

XXX As has been their custom since the True Love’s Kiss debacle, Darling and Rosabella end the day with bowls of popcorn and a light-hearted movie. They watch “The Lorax” tonight and other than Rosabella’s five-minute speech mid-movie about environmental destruction and how everybody needs to play their role to stop it, to which Darling just nods along, it’s a relaxing evening. These movie nights help Darling forget for at least a couple hours about what a mess she’s made of things.

XXX Thursday April 27, 2017 8:08 am

Ten days later, Darling and Daring still haven’t made eye contact once. At breakfast, as usual, Daring walks right by her on his way to his table and she goes entirely ignored. As always, Darling does her best to push down the sting and just keep focusing on her friends’ conversations. She can’t help but glance at Apple as the girl walks by, and concern immediately rises in her chest as she takes in the girl’s state. Her face is even whiter than usual and her hands are shaking. Darling knows that the girl gets bad test anxiety and it’s the day of a big Kingdom Management hexam. Darling is quite nervous about it herself; butterflies have been swarming through her stomach all morning. But she’s in nowhere near as bad shape as Apple. The girl looks like she’s seen a ghost. Darling continues to eat her porridge and does her best to contribute to the conversations, but she can’t help glancing over at Apple every couple minutes. The girl is sitting at a table across the room with Briar, Blondie, and Ashlynn, and she’s looking worse by the minute. When she quickly stands up and rushes out of the room, Darling knows she has to go after her and make sure she’s okay. The other girls don’t seem to have noticed Apple’s distress. Darling excuses herself before speedily exiting the castleteria. She has a feeling she knows exactly where Apple is going.

As she enters the bathroom, the sound of retching immediately assaults her ears. The terrible noise makes her cringe, but she has to push her disgust down and help Apple. She hurries toward the stalls. The poor girl didn’t even have time to shut the stall door. She’s on her knees, hunched over the toilet, body heaving. All awkwardness and confusion surrounding the nature of their relationship forgotten, Darling rushes to her side. She crouches down behind her, quickly pulling back her hair. Then she places her hand on Apple's back and gently rubs, trying to provide all the comfort she can.

When Apple’s vomiting finally comes to a stop, Darling hands her a wad of toilet paper. “Thanks,” the girl croaks. Clearly she thinks Darling is Ashlynn or Briar. She’ll be in for a surprise when she turns around. Darling’s heart begins to pound in anticipation. Shoving down her anxiety and putting her focus back on supporting Apple, she takes off the ponytail holder from around her wrist and carefully ties the girl’s hair back. Apple flushes the toilet.

Then the girl turns around and the whole world stops. Apple’s eyes widen. Darling hears nothing but the thump of her heart in her ears, sees nothing but the mesmerizing ocean blue of Apple’s eyes, before the girl speaks and reality snaps back into focus. “Darling,” she chokes out, her voice hoarse. Darling, despite the intense fluttering in her stomach, the harsh pounding in her chest, forces herself to speak. “Hey,” she murmurs. “I saw you leave the castleteria in a rush, so I decided to follow you. Looks like you’re not feeling well. Are you alright?” As she observes the defeated look on Apple’s face, the weary slump of her shoulders, her nurturing instincts overpower the fear simmering in her chest. She gently places her hand on Apple’s shoulder. The touch alone sends a wave of panic coursing through Darling, but she forces her hand to stay, to continue providing solace. Apple clears her throat. “I’m okay. I’m not sick or anything. I’m just nervous about that Kingdom Management hexam.” Darling nods, surprised by the small reassuring smile that forms on her face. It’s as natural as breathing, this urge to put Apple at ease. “I’m nervous too,” she assures. Heat floods her body as Apple giggles. She can’t help but think of how adorable the sound is. She’s never thought of anything the girl (or any of her friends) does as adorable before. “Not so nervous that you’re throwing up,” Apple says. “At least you’ve got it together more than I have.” Darling opens her mouth, about to chide her for the self-deprecating comment, but she promptly closes it, deciding it best to keep things more laid back. Apple did just throw up after all. She doesn’t need a lecture right now. So Darling just shrugs and says, “I think you’ve got it pretty together, Apple.” Is Apple blushing? Darling schools her features into a neutral expression, resisting the sudden, confusing urge to grin. “By the way, thanks for helping me out,” Apple says. Her cheeks are still pink as she gives Darling a small smile. The fluttering in Darling’s stomach intensifies. The heat flowing through her body rises in temperature. Though the buzz of adrenaline coursing through Darling is growing higher and higher in velocity, she manages a nod and a smile. “No problem, Apple.”

XXX Saturday April 29, 2017 4:06 pm

“That has to be the best chai latte I’ve ever had!” Rosabella exclaims. Darling scoffs playfully. “You say that everytime, girl!” Rosabella sticks her tongue out at her. They’re walking down the hall toward their dorm. They just went out for their weekly coffee shop “date” and as usual Rosabella is raving about her drink. “I’ll say it as much as I’d like, Darling,” Rosabella says, hands on her hips. “Believe me, I know you will.” Rosabella scoffs in mock offense. “Rude!” Darling giggles and Rosabella quickly joins in. As they approach their dorm room door, Darling brings out the key and unlocks it. They’re not even through the doorway before Darling realizes people are here. She shrieks, panic racing through her. It’s only a second before she realizes it’s only Dexter and…Daring. They’re both sitting on her bed. Dexter has a soft, apologetic look on his face. Daring’s eyes are cast to the floor, his hands fidgeting in his lap. Her eyes widen. She freezes, too shocked to take another step. What in the world is Daring doing here?! She turns to Rosabella. “Did you know about this?” she whispers, though Daring and Dexter can undoubtedly still hear her. Rosabella shrugs, but the sheepish expression on her face gives her away. “Why didn’t you warn me?!” Darling hisses. Her mind is hazy with panic. She can feel her heart pounding in her ears. “I’m sorry,” Rosabella says, her voice soft. “We were having a good time and I didn’t want to put a damper on it.” She sighs gently. “Here, I’m going to go and give you guys some privacy. We can talk later, okay? I’m here for whatever you need.” “Thanks,” Darling whispers. Rosabella gives her shoulder a squeeze before exiting the room.

Darling doesn't know how long she stands there. It could be seconds. It could be minutes. She's snapped from her stupor by Dexter's soft, tentative voice. “Darling…why don't you come sit?” She clears her throat, but her voice is still hoarse when she speaks. “Okay.” Her legs tremble as she slowly makes her way over to the bed. When she sits on the opposite end of the bed than Daring, she's never been more aware of the distance, both physical and emotional, between them. Her stomach is tight, swarming with anxiety. Her muscles are so taut, she feels like she might snap. When Dexter speaks again, she stiffens even further. “Guys…” He takes a deep, shaky breath. “This has gone on too long now. I can't stand to see you two like this.” His voice breaks and Darling doesn't know if she's ever felt so terrible. She's hurt both of her brothers. She's a horrible sister. Her eyes sting, but she blinks back the tears. She can't play the victim. As she looks at the defeated expression on Daring's face, the slump of his shoulders, she's not sure anything she can say will make things better. But she has to try. He's her brother. So, with a deep, trembling breath, she addresses him. “Daring…I'm so sorry.” Her voice cracks. “I promise you I did not mean to take your destiny away. It just–it just happened. In the blink of an eye it was already done and I had no idea what to do. I still don't…” Her voice trails off. She can hear him shifting, but she doesn't look up, staring at her lap with blurry eyes.

When he speaks, voice hoarse and raw with pain, she flinches “I saw it, Darling! You kissed her! I saw it with my own eyes!” His voice grows more and more agitated with each word. She shakes her head frantically. “It–It wasn't supposed to be! I swear! It was supposed to be mouth to mouth!” Her heart is pounding wildly. Her body is growing hotter and hotter by the second . He scoffs. “Yeah right.” She can feel the tears slipping from her eyes and streaming down her cheeks. Their presence only adds to the shame boiling within her. When he speaks again, he sounds so utterly broken, she feels like a knife is twisting into her heart. She still is staring at the floor, too scared and ashamed to look at him. “My destiny…” He sniffs, his voice trembling…”is all I had. I'm not smart like you and Dexter. I'm not a good student. The only things I had going for me were my famous destiny and my looks. And even though I still have my looks, my destiny…the most important part…is gone.” He bursts into tears, and Darling's heart crumples in her chest. She finally looks up. Dexter who is sitting between them has his hand on Daring's shoulder, a mournful expression on his face. She squeezes her eyes shut, taking a deep, calming breath before doing what a good sister should do. She nods at Dexter and he gets the message, getting up from the bed and leaving the room. Darling scoots closer to Daring. His head is in his hands as he sobs. She tentatively places a trembling hand on his shoulder. “Daring,” she whispers, her voice shaking. “I'm so sorry.” She yelps as he suddenly turns and throws his arms around her. She reacts quickly, wrapping him in a tight embrace. “It's okay,” she whispers. “It’s going to be okay.” “I love you,” he chokes out. A wave of warmth rushes through her, a welcome distraction from the shame and fear whirling through her. “I love you too,” she whispers, her voice shaking. “I love you so much.”

XXX After her talk with Daring, Darling feels a million times lighter. Sure, the situation with Apple is still a looming threat that she'll eventually have to deal with the repercussions of, but she has her brother back and right now that's enough.

XXX Saturday March 3, 2018 (senior year of high school) 4:17 pm

“Ugh, Mom wants to talk to you? What for?” Darling is sitting on her bed, surrounded by textbooks. She’d been doing her homework. She could immediately hear the frustration in his voice. When he announced that their mother wants to have a talk with him, it became clear why. Her eyes widen, stomach tightening, as she thinks of something. “You don’t think she knows something, do you?” It’s been nine months since Daring became a part of the Beauty and the Beast fairytale and started dating Rosabella. As of far, they and the rest of the students have managed to keep it a secret from the rest of the fairytale world. They’ve also managed to keep an even more essential secret: that Darling and Apple are True Loves and are dating. A wave of panic rushes through Darling at the thought that maybe that’s what their mother wants to talk to Daring about, but she quickly reasons that that doesn’t make sense. If Marie Charming in all her homophobic glory had discovered that her daughter is a lesbian and took her son’s place as the Prince Charming of the Snow White fairytale, it would be her phone ringing, not Daring’s. “Probably not,” he replies, fear creeping into his voice. “I’m sure it’s not that,” she assures him. “It’s probably the C you got on the Kingdom Management hexam.” She winces, realizing that wasn’t the most considerate thing to mention. “Sorry to bring that up. I just wanted to reassure you.” Daring laughs softly. “I understand. It’s fine.” She smiles, relieved that she didn’t upset him. Daring sighs. “Well, I should probably prepare for the call. She said 4:30.” “Alright. Good luck!” Daring chuckles. “Thanks. I’ll need it.”

XXX 5:06 pm

Darling is so engrossed in a math problem that the sudden noise of her phone ringing makes her flinch. She’s trying to get all her homework done before she hangs out with Apple at six. She picks it up and rolls her eyes when she sees it's her mother. “What does she want?” she grumbles. Despite the repulsion she feels at even the thought of talking to her mother, she has to oblige. So she answers the phone and in her most cheerful voice says, “Once upon a hi, Mom!” “Darling!” her mother shrieks. Her voice is raw, filled to the brim with hysteria. Darling's eyes widen, her heart dropping to the pit of her stomach. She's never heard her mother this panicked before. What in the world is going on?! “Mom, what’s wrong?!” she exclaims. “Did something happen to Dad?!” “Something happened alright,” rage seeping into her voice, “but it’s got nothing to do with your father.” Relief floods Darling’s chest, but as her mother starts speaking again, it’s replaced by waves of panic. “It has to do with you being a filthy dyke!” She spits the last word out with such venom, Darling shivers.

Darling feels like her whole world is crashing down. The perfect lie that she, Apple, and Daring had constructed--that everything is normal and Daring is still destined to be Apple’s true love--has been decimated in the blink of an eye. Now she’s hated by her own mother. The waves of shock and panic coursing through her body are so powerful, she can barely get words out. But she has to know. “Who told you?” she croaks. Her mother scoffs. “It wasn’t hard to get it out of your brother. I knew something was going on with you guys! I can’t believe you, Darling! How did this happen anyways? I mean, everybody knows that princesses can’t be together! Destiny should know that!” The urge to argue back is powerful, but Darling frantically shoves it down. It’ll only make things so much worse if she does. She just needs to let her mother wear herself out. But the monologue she expects to burst forth doesn’t come. Instead, it’s just three words, bitter with hate, that her mother says: “You’re no daughter of mine.”

XXX 6:00 pm

Darling barely registers the knock at the door, but as Apple begins talking a few moments later, she starts to take notice. “Darling, are you in there?” Apple calls. “I’m here!” Darling is in no state to speak, much less get up to answer the door. All she can do is lie there and let out gut-wrenching sobs as sheer devastation rolls over her in crashing waves. “Darling, are you here?!” Darling doesn't answer. She can't. It's all too much. She feels like she's going to be sick. Nausea bursts through her as her stomach writhes like a snake. Her throat is tight, breath coming in sharp gasps. “Wait, baby, are you crying?!” Shit, Apple heard her! Darling turns, burying her face in her pillow; but her sobs are too intense to muffle. The fabric of the pillow only suppresses her breath more, so she turns onto her side again. “Oh my God, you are! Baby, please let me in! I'm really worried now!” Darling curls tighter and tighter into a ball. She couldn't answer her girlfriend even if she tried. “Crap,” Apple hisses. Her voice softens then. “Baby girl, please let me in. I just want to be there for you.” Darling shakes her head, despite the fact that Apple can't see her. She wants to tell her to leave her alone, but she can barely breathe, much less talk. Her throat is tightening more and more by the second.

“Okay, that's it! I'm coming in! You could be in danger for all I know!” The door opens and closes. The pure horror coursing through Darling is already so strong, Apple's unwanted presence barely has an effect on her spiraling state. Apple gasps. “Oh my God! Baby! Oh no!” She rushes to Darling's side, crouching down beside the bed. Darling clasps her hands over her face. She needs to be alone in her grief; it's too overwhelming to share with anybody else. There's no way Apple is going away though. “Baby, please look at me!” Apple insists, voice shaking with concern. “Oh my God you're shaking so bad.” She takes a deep, calming breath. “It's okay, baby girl. I'm here now. I'm right here.” Darling feels the sinking of the mattress as Apple slips into bed next to her. Warm arms wrap carefully around her. Soft lips gently press to her scalp. “Baby, are you hurt?” Apple's voice trembles. It takes the tiny bit of strength Darling has left to slowly shake her head. Apple breathes a sigh of relief. “Okay, baby,” she murmurs. “Okay. Everything is going to be alright. I'm right here with you.” The panic tearing at Darling's chest only continues to increase until her throat feels like it's closed up entirely. Ragged gasps are all she can emit. “Apple, I can't breathe!” She can barely get the words out through her heavy sobs. “Shhh, it's okay,” Apple soothes. “Baby, look at me.”

Apple, backing off from the embrace slightly, gently prizes Darling's hands off of her face. Darling squeezes her eyes shut. Apple rests her hand on her face, gently stroking her cheek. “Everything is going to be alright, sweet girl. Just follow my breathing. You can do this.” With her other hand she takes Darling’s hands in hers, squeezing tight. Darling slowly opens her eyes. Her vision is blurry from the tears and lack of oxygen, but she can make out the indistinct figure of her girlfriend. Apple takes deep, exaggerated breaths. “Just breathe, baby. Just breathe.” Darling squeezes her eyes shut, trying to follow along, but oxygen continues to evade her. “I can’t!” she sobs. “Yes you can,” Apple assures her. She moves her hand from Darling’s cheek to her hair, which she begins to stroke. Darling’s muscles relax slightly at the soothing sensation. “It’s okay, my love,” the girl whispers. “I’m right here.”

It’s a long and agonizing process, but Darling is finally able to regain her breath. Her sobs still won’t cease though. She buries her face in Apple’s chest, breathing in her cinnamon scent. Apple holds her tighter, planting soft kisses on the top of her head. Darling finally can’t keep it in anymore. The truth bursts out. “My mom hates me!” She can barely get the words out through her sobs. It’s a moment before Apple answers her. “No she doesn’t.” The girl’s voice is laced with confusion and sympathy. “She’d never hate you, Darling. She might get angry with you, but hate you? No.” “She does though! She found out, Apple!” Apple gasps softly, body tensing. “You mean she found out about…” Her voice trails off. Darling nods frantically against Apple’s chest. It feels like minutes before Apple responds, though it could've just been seconds. Darling has lost all sense of time to the storm of grief and fear within her. She can feel Apple trembling as she speaks. “It's going to be okay,” is all the girl can manage before her voice breaks. Apple pulls Darling even closer, stifling a sob by pressing her lips to Darling's head. Apple's distress is obvious, though it's clear that she's trying to keep it together for her girlfriend. Darling appreciates this more than words could ever express. As Darling breaks down full force again, Apple squeezes her tight, gently shushing her. They stay that way, wrapped in each other's arms, for the rest of the evening.

XXX After what feels like hours of crying and the unfortunate circumstance of vomiting into her trash can, Apple is helping Darling into her pajamas. Though her sobs have calmed, sniffles and hiccups still rack her frame. “I’m sorry I puked.” Darling sniffs. “And that you had to clean the trash can out.” Apple shakes her head, a soft, reassuring smile on her face. “That’s not your fault, sweetheart. You’re upset. And of course I don’t mind cleaning it up. You’re my girlfriend. It’s my job to take care of you. I love you, okay?” Darling’s eyes sting again, but this time with tears of gratitude. “Thank you.” She hiccups, wiping her eyes with her sleeve. “I love you too.” As Apple finishes buttoning up Darling’s flannel pajama shirt, she gently draws Darling forward into a kiss. Darling’s muscles finally begin to relax as the kiss warms every inch of her body. The softness of Apple’s lips on hers is a promise: no matter what happens, the girl will be there for her. Being true loves means that they’re meant to be together forever, and Darling can’t wait to live her life with Apple by her side. She knows everything will feel horrible again in a few minutes, but in this moment, she just savors being in the girl’s arms.

XXX Sunday March 4, 2018 10:26 am

Apple has never felt the sheer amount of rage she does as Daring’s dorm room door opens and she comes face to face with the boy. His eyes widen. “Apple?!” he exclaims. “What-What are you doing here?” Her fists are clenched at her sides, nails digging into her palms. Her body is vibrating with the fury coursing through every inch of her body. “I’m here to ask you why the hell you betrayed your sister!” she shouts. She didn’t even know she could yell that loud. Daring’s eyes dart side to side, making sure nobody else is in the hallway. It takes all the restraint she has to not slap that stupid shocked expression off his face. She scoffs. “You really care the most about people seeing your precious ass getting yelled at?! You care more about that than the fact that you sold out your own sister?!” His startled expression quickly morphs into one of anger. “Of course I care that I hurt her! I didn’t fucking mean to! My mom had to fucking go and manipulate me!” The thought that she knows exactly what that feels like crosses Apple’s mind, but she quickly shoves it away. She’s not interested in empathizing with Daring right now. She’s interested in setting him straight. “Her heart is broken, Daring!” she yells. “Absolutely shattered! She's done hardly anything but cry since it happened! She didn't even touch her dinner or breakfast!” Tears prick her eyes as she thinks about the state her girlfriend is in. She scoffs as she notices the tears filling Daring’s eyes. “Really?!” she exclaims. “You’re going to play the victim right now?! The real victim is your sister who’s currently unable to get out of fucking bed!” She very rarely curses, but this is an occasion where she’ll gladly break out every curse word in the book.

She flinches as Daring bursts into tears. “I’m so sorry!” he sobs, hands flying up to cover his face. “The last thing I wanted to do was hurt Darling!” He can barely get the words out. Apple scoffs again. “Well, maybe you should’ve thought of that before revealing her biggest secret!” “I know!” he wails. “I know! I’m so sorry!” Apple fights the part of her that wants to forgive him, to feel bad for how harsh she’s being. But the bigger part of her--the part that is heartbroken for her girlfriend--reigns supreme. “If you’re really sorry,” she hisses, “you’ll make it right!” Deciding that she’s made her point clear, she turns on her heel and leaves him to wallow in his well-deserved guilt.

She heads back to Darling’s dorm. When she enters and sees the girl sitting hunched over on her bed, staring with bloodshot eyes at the mattress, in addition to the crippling sadness that overcomes her, she wonders: would her girlfriend approve of her yelling at Daring? She doesn’t have to know, Apple reasons with herself. Not now at least. And he deserved it! He did! Pushing down any semblance of shame she feels, she approaches Darling’s bed. Rosabella is sitting next to her, hand on her shoulder. She gives Apple a small smile and wave before going back to her conversation with Darling. “Believe me, I let him have it. He’s going to need to remedy this situation before I talk to him again.” She scoffs angrily. “Thanks,” Darling croaks, sounding so defeated, Apple wants nothing more than to scoop the girl into her arms and protect her from anything that could ever cause her harm. So Rosabella went off on Daring too. Apple shouldn’t be ashamed then…right? Apple shakes her head, resolving to forget about it for now. Darling still needs her. So she takes a seat on her other side and takes her hand, giving it a gentle squeeze. Darling lightly squeezes back. She turns, giving Apple a weak smile. Apple softly smiles back before gently kissing her temple. All she can do right now is be there for her girlfriend, and she will do just that.

XXX Present Time (Thursday December 24, 2020) 1:03 pm

“So you’re bringing a dessert to the party too?” Daring asks. Darling is talking to Daring on the phone while she picks out her outfit for the Christmas party, which is going to be at Blondie’s and Cupid’s house. “Yeah, pumpkin pie!” Darling exclaims. “Apple’s baking it right now. Can’t wait to have your, er I mean, Rosabella’s apple pie!” Daring scoffs playfully. “What is that supposed to mean?!” “That Rosabella’s the cook in that household!” “That is so not true!” But Daring can barely get the words out before bursting into laughter, and Darling quickly follows suit. As their laughter peters out, a comfortable silence falls over them. A few moments later, Daring speaks, his voice suddenly soft. “I love you, Darling. And…I’m sorry…for what I’ve done in the past to hurt you.” “Awww, Daring…you’ve apologized so many times, but of course I’ll tell you again-I forgive you and love you so so much.” He sniffs. Tears of sympathy fill her eyes. He still blames himself every day for how he outed her. She wishes there was something magical she could say to convince him that it’s okay now, that all is forgiven, but there isn’t. All she can do is reassure him when his guilt invades his mind. “I love you so so much too.” The tears slip from her eyes as she hears the pure love in his voice. She’s beyond blessed to have two brothers that love her with all their hearts. And she loves them right back.