#return to your childhood favorite books everyone! it's great!

[wordybee]

Damn, I start reading Tamora Pierce books again for the first time in almost fifteen years and suddenly my smartphone-destroyed attention span is restored to what it was when I was twelve and devouring books daily.

[lqveharrington]

Golden Snitch | R.L.

summary: you convince remus to dress up together and everyone LOVES the costumes

pairing: remus lupin x fem!reader

includes: underage drinking, cursing, kissing, Sirius and reader behaving like siblings, overall fluff

a/n: poll is releasing tmr to vote for this or the draco one!

Although Remus wasn’t big on dressing up for Halloween, you absolutely adored it. Since your childhood, you always looked forward to the holiday and the tacky outfits from the spirit store down the street. Since Remus’ childhood, the holiday only reminded him that everyone found werewolves terrifying as death itself.

But you made sure to change all his horrid memories to good ones the second you met.

Over the years, you slowly coaxed Remus into dressing up and having fun on Halloween, especially when his best friends threw the Gryffindor party every year. When you began dating, the costumes you made him wear became couple costumes. Some of your favorites being Phantom of the Opera, Beauty and the Beast, and The Great Gatsby.

This year — your final year at Hogwarts — you wanted to wear something that would be talked about for years. You wanted something so spectacular that it would be remembered. Luckily, you had just the couples costume in mind.

“Remind me again, why do you need a quidditch uniform?” James threw a curious look to Remus who was currently reading Little Women, a book you made him read for entertainment purposes. “If you’re telling me you’re joining the quidditch team during your last year, I’ll go bloody mad.”

“I’m not.” Remus flicked the page and sipped on his tea beside him, glancing at James from the corner of his eye. “Just need to borrow one.”

Remus, James, and Sirius have gone through this dance about ten times. Each one ending in the talk of the latest play before James sobered up and asked about the uniform again. It was a never ending cycle of bickering.

Sirius threw a crumpled piece of plastic at Remus’ head as the painting opened up, earning a loud sigh from the boy himself. “Yeah, but why do you need to borrow one?”

“Don’t throw stuff at Remus, Black.” You huff and make your way over to the trio, flashing your loving boyfriend a smile as his hand made their way to your hip. “What did they do this time?”

“Why are you assuming we did something?”

“Yeah, we’re saints!” Sirius dropped down on the couch beside Remus, sending you an oh-so innocent smile.

You roll your eyes at him and flash him your favorite finger, “Says the devil himself.”

“Hey—!”

“They were asking why I needed a quidditch uniform.” Remus cut Sirius off before you two could argue for the nth time.

It was like you two were always fighting over him — which he had to admit — was funny to see unfold each time. Remus laced his other hand with yours and returned your attention back to him, thumb rubbing your pulse point.

“How’s your thing going?” He murmured when you sat beside him and rested your head on his shoulder, shifting his body to block Sirius from your sight.

You shrug, “Lily and I have been working on it. We’ll be done even before the holiday.”

“You two are so ominous, I don’t like it.” James shuddered, which earned a glare from you and an eye roll from Remus. “What? It’s obvious you two are planning something and not telling us.”

“Okay, well, I’m done with this conversation.” You sighed and pressed a quick kiss to Remus’ lips, looking like the love sick fool that you were. “I love you, and I’ll see you in a bit.”

You made quick steps up the girls’ dorm after Remus reciprocated the notion and left the three boys back to their dwelling.

“Why does she hate us and love you?” Sirius grumbled and popped a jelly bean into his mouth, grimacing at the flavor and spitting it out.

“Maybe because she’s dating him and not us?” James threw him an annoyed look.

Remus blocked out their bickering and went back to reading. He loved you and you loved him, and that’s all he needed to know. Besides, it was the boys who practically begged him to ask you out since first year. They knew he was smitten with you the second you both met on the train.

Eventually, James did lend Remus an unused quidditch uniform while you and Lily finished your costume for Halloween. The only thing left to do was perfect the actual look and win the couples contest.

“Hell, are you dressing up as one of our quidditch players for Halloween?” Sirius raised his brows in surprise as Remus shuffled out of the bathroom with said uniform on. “Which Gryffindor did you dress up as?”

“No one.” Remus replied in a bored manner and adjusted the leather gloves he had on. “I’m just a quidditch player.”

“Uh-huh. So you definitely didn’t dress as Prongs or I?”

“No.”

Sirius gave him an unimpressed look and shrugged on his vest for his Indiana Jones costume. “Whatever you say… Anyway, Prongs and the rest of them are already down there and I’m not waiting for you any longer if you’re going to gel your hair back.”

“Yeah, I’m going.” He grumbled and adjusted his uniform before following Sirius down the stairs and into the ongoing Halloween party.

The red lights flickered about as the music practically shook the entire room. Remus scanned the vicinity for you, struggling until Sirius almost dropped dead at the sight of you. It was the same reaction everyone had to seeing you dressed in… That.

“Holy fuck. Your girlfriend is wearing the shortest dress in existence.” Sirius gaped and earned a smack to the head from Remus.

Remus watched you dance and jump with Lily, eyes shining bright with joy when they met his. You beamed so bright and almost elbowed everyone in your way to make it to him. He caught you in his arms as you kissed him senseless, hands coming to rest on his cheeks.

“Hey, dovey.” He finally spoke when you both parted for air, thumbing your jaw softly. “You look absolutely stunning in gold.”

“Of course, I do, Rem! I’m a Gryffindor!” You laugh and eyes his outfit like he was a three course meal. “It’s interesting seeing you dressed in quidditch robes for the first time.”

“Yeah?” He continued to thumb your jaw in a doting manner. “Well if I did play, I plan on you being the snitch every game. I wouldn’t play otherwise.”

You tilt your head and meet his eyes with so much love. Now that you and Remus were standing together, your costumes made so much sense. It wasn’t just a quidditch player and a golden fairy, it was a seeker and the golden snitch. Sirius looked between the both of you before gasping and clapping his hands in realization, those around you looking over as well.

“Aren’t you two the cutest pair!” He gushed and pinched Remus’ cheek at the revelation.

Smacking Sirius’ hand away, you rested your chin on Remus’s shoulder to prevent him from doing such thing again. Remus laughed at you two and rubbed your back.

“You know, Marlene is looking for you, Siri.” You practically shout over the loud music.

“Is she?” He perked up at the mention of the girl he had been talking to recently. “Well then… I will catch up with you two later.”

You waited a little longer before laughing loudly at your own doing. Was Marlene really looking for him? No, but Sirius was always there whenever you wanted to be alone with Remus. Before you could stop laughing, Remus swatted your ass playfully in response to the poor prank.

“Hey—!” You pout jokingly, laughing again when Remus shook his head at you with an upturned smile.

As the night carried on, the crowd grew bigger, the music louder, and the drinks more alcoholic. It got to the point where you and Remus were too drunk to be the responsible ones in the group. Oddly enough, you both drank more than anyone else in the group.

However, you both won the couples costume contest and — for some reason no one could explain the next day — you decided to give a speech to the mass of Gryffindors in the common room about winning the contest. It wasn’t your proudest moment, but it was your last year.

Clambering on top of the wooden tables, you stumbled over your own legs as Remus tried to stabilize you. Lily, who was the responsible one for the night, rubbed her forehead in exasperation. She didn’t want to necessarily stop you. You were a whiny drunk, and it would be impossible to stop you from something you wanted to do.

“Wait wait — hiccup — I would like to thank the committee,” You hold your red cup close to your chest, your cheeks almost as bright as the cup. “Lily Evans — hiccup — the quidditch team, and my ever so loving boyfriend — hiccup — for making this all possible!” You throw your arms in the air, earning cheers from the crowd.

“What committee?” Sirius looked at Lily with a confused look, pointing between him and James. “Us?”

She shrugged and watched you jump down from the table, snickering when Remus nearly had a heart attack from your way of getting down. She made sure you both were okay before returning to James’ side, pointing you both out to him.

“You’re gonna be the — hiccup — death of me.” Remus tucked his head in between your neck and shoulder, nudging his nose on your exposed skin. “Don’t do that.”

“M’sorry.” You giggle and stumble slightly at the weight being put on you. “You baby.”

He kissed your cheek, “No.”

“Yeah.”

“No.” He dragged you over to the dormitory stairs. “Hi.”

You giggle and trace the scars on his face, “Hey.”

“You’re cute.” He melted into your hands and pecked your palm. “Really really cute.”

“You wanna know a secret, Rem?” You murmur and hiccup when he tugged you impossibly closer. “I promise it’s really cool.”

“What is it?” He pressed kisses everywhere he could, putting more attention to your lips.

“I love you.” You whisper against his lips and fully kiss him, the taste of firewhisky strong. “So much.”

He smiled into the kiss and parted briefly, thumbing your lip. “You want to know my secret, dovey?”

“What?” You look up and meet the hazel eyes you’ve come to love.

“I love you more.”

©lqveharrington - all rights reserved. do not copy, translate or share my work on other media platforms

[ireadyabooks]

Summer Full of Shivers ☀️☠️🩸

Summer scaries have arrived! This time of year is for spooky stories around the campfire and spine-tingling books that you maybe shouldn’t save for right before you go to bed. But hey, that’s part of the fun, right! We can never get enough horror in our lives and have some chilling reads for you to sink your teeth into in the summer heat! Check out some of our recent favorites below, and don’t forget to keep an extra light on at night! Or don’t . . . we leave that up to you . . .

The Getaway by Lamar Giles

Jay is living his best life at Karloff Country, one of the world's most famous resorts. He's got his family, his crew, and an incredible after-school job at the property's main theme park. Life isn't so great for the rest of the world, but when people come here to vacation, it's to get away from all that.

As things outside get worse, trouble starts seeping into Karloff. First, Jay's friend Connie and her family disappear in the middle of the night and no one will talk about it. Then the richest and most powerful families start arriving, only... they aren't leaving. Unknown to the employees, the resort has been selling shares in an end-of-the-world oasis. The best of the best at the end of days. And in order to deliver the top-notch customer service the wealthy clientele paid for, the employees will be at their total beck and call.

Whether they like it or not.

Yet Karloff Country didn't count on Jay and his crew -- and just how far they'll go to find out the truth and save themselves. But what's more dangerous: the monster you know in your home or the unknown nightmare outside the walls?

Start reading The Getaway now!

Shiver by Maggie Stiefvater

From the #1 New York Times bestselling author of The Raven Boys, the haunting and original supernatural romance returns in a new edition

For years, Grace has watched the wolves in the woods behind her house. One yellow-eyed wolf--her wolf--is a chilling presence she can't seem to live without. Meanwhile, Sam has lived two lives: In winter, the frozen woods, the protection of the pack, and the silent company of a fearless girl. In summer, a few precious months of being human . . . until the cold makes him shift back again.

Now, Grace meets a yellow-eyed boy whose familiarity takes her breath away. It's her wolf. It has to be. But as winter nears, Sam must fight to stay human--or risk losing himself, and Grace, forever.

Start reading Shiver now!

The Deep Dark by Molly Knox Ostertag

From Molly Knox Ostertag, writer-illustrator of the New York Times and ABA Indie bestselling The Witch Boy trilogy and The Girl from the Sea, comes a darkly beautiful story of identity, family, love, loss, and magic.

Everyone has secrets. Mags’s has teeth.

Magdalena Herrera is about to graduate high school, but she already feels like an adult with serious responsibilities: caring for her ailing grandmother; working a part-time job; clandestine makeouts with a girl who has a boyfriend. And then there’s her secret, which pulls her into the basement each night, drains her of energy, and leaves her bleeding. A secret that could hurt and even kill if it ever got out -- like it did once before.

So Mags keeps her head down, isolated in her small desert community. That is, until her childhood friend Nessa comes back to town, bringing vivid memories of the past, an intoxicating glimpse of the future, and a secret of her own. Mags won’t get attached, of course. She’s always been strong enough to survive without anyone’s help.

But when the darkness starts to close in on them both, Mags will have to drag her secret into the daylight, and choose between risking everything . . . or having nothing left to lose.

Start reading The Deep Dark now!

A Darker Mischief by Derek Milman

The Honeys meets The Secret History in a work of dark academia like no other -- a boarding school thriller about a queer teen from Mississippi who finds himself swept into a world of old money, privilege, and the secret society at the heart of it all.

When Cal Ware wins a scholarship to an elite New England boarding school, he's thrilled to leave his past behind. Back home in Mississippi, he was the poor, queer kid who never fit in. But at Essex Academy, he'll be able to reinvent himself. Or so he hopes . . .

But at Essex, Cal's classmates only see his cheap clothes and old iPhone. They mock his accent, and can't believe he's never left the country, or heard of The Hamptons. Cal, at his breaking point, is about to give up and return to Mississippi when he learns about a secret society on campus -- the key to becoming Essex royalty.

Cal knows he's not exactly secret society material, but to his surprise, he finds an unlikely champion in the handsome, charismatic, and slightly dangerous Luke Kim. As they get swept up in the mystery and glamour of the Rush process, Cal finds himself falling in love for the first time.

But as the initiation rituals grow riskier -- and increasingly nefarious -- Cal must decide how far he's willing to go, and how much of himself he's willing to sacrifice, to save everything and everyone he cherishes most. Because nothing at Essex -- not even Cal's first love -- is quite what it seems.

Start reading A Darker Mischief now!

The Other Ones by Fran Hart

A beautiful and unputdownable story about love, friendship, and the ghosts that grief can leave behind, The Other Ones is a heartfelt, contemporary romance with a haunting twist . . .

Salem Amani is a world-weary sixteen-year-old living with his mother and older sister in a haunted house. But all Sal really wants is to be ordinary, which is hard to do when you live in a house full of ghosts. And when a strange boy arrives on his doorstep asking more questions than he’s at all comfortable with, Sal’s efforts to be ordinary are put under even greater strain. Until Pax makes his offer: “I could help you with the hauntings . . . I’m good with ghosts.”

But despite his initial dislike of Pax, Sal can’t help but find himself unexpectedly drawn to the boy. And as the two grow closer, and Pax offers to help Sal scare away his ghosts for good, Sal finds himself sinking deeper into a lie concealing the truth about his family.

When the true nature of the “hauntings” is revealed, Sal must confront reality – or risk losing Pax for good.

Start reading The Other Ones now!

[pansy-picnics]

First off I need to just mention that your Uknighted dream art is top tier elite and i am in love. Like you have no idea.

Okay, now thats said, do you have any soft ot3 headcanons/scenes that you can imagine happening but can’t figure out how to write etc etc.? 💕

God is all of them an option bc the answer is all of them

I SWEAR I. HAVE SO MANY IDEAS AND THOUGHTS TAKING UP SPACE IN MY BRAIN (Both for ukd and for the entire family tbh) that i just CANNOT bring myself to draw or write or anything. If i had the time to be able to draw everything that popped in my head it would be OVER for yall i stg. And then theres my in progress fic i have up right now which i last updated in like (checks notes) January but i swear i’ve been THINKING about updating it again and that counts right

- Ummm. this is just something i find very funny but i absolutely love the idea that before they “Formally” announce their relationship, the public have just been spreading rumors left and right about the princess’s “affair”. cass and rapunzel somehow NEVER notice this but for a while it seems like eugene cant go ANYWHERE without someone either awkwardly being like “Soooo how are things going with the princess ^_^;;;” or just straight up asking “Hey is your wife cheating on you?” with no hesitation.

and eugene, being the attention whore he is obviously just Went with it and was like “Well yeah duh. Who do you think set them up”

EVERYONE GOES CRAZY.

before long literally EVERYONE has heard about it. rapunzel’s fucking Parents have heard about it. people in other KINGDOMS have heard about it. Meanwhile eugene’s having the time of his Life. He’s got disguises just to go in and listen in on the servants’ gossip. at this point he’s just started Making shit up and every day he’s spreading a proposition thats somehow even more absurd than the last. Most of them don’t even make sense. Like “Oh yeah no the reason rapunzel and cass are always sneaking off together isn’t because they’re having a steamy love affair it’s actually because they’ve been making blood sacrifices to the underworld to make sure zhan tiri never returns. Just girl things yk?”

“No see you’ve got it all wrong thats not cassandra at all. That’s shorty. He and rapunzel are having a book club together. It’s not going very well because shorty keeps eating all the books.” Or his personal favorite, “Wait you thought RAPUNZEL was the one having the affair?” gets them EVERY TIME.

Cass and rapunzel finally declare things officially only for everyone to become even MORE confused and they finally realize eugenes been fueling the fire for the past 3 months and he had just Assumed they were already aware of it

eugene: ….Wait you guys didnt know about that?

raps: i

raps: NO????

eugene:

eugene: um. Oops

cass: THE FUCK DO YOU MEAN “OOPS”?????

- this is kind of random but i PROMISE its going somewhere bear with me. In my head eugene is NOT the captain of the guard because a character becoming a cop is literally a fate worse than death. instead i like to imagine he does some kind of social work and is also an author…Eugene has a rlly strong connection to literature and is a great storyteller, hes got a flair for the dramatic and a strong imagination and seeing how much the flynn rider books meant to him in his childhood, i think he’d absolutely want to create something like that for other people 🥹

Anyways one of my favorite ideas w them is a modern au where rapunzel and eugene are both starving artists who are making a webcomic together…Eugene is still trying to publish his first novel and is writing for the comic in the meantime. theyre aspiring towards turning it into a graphic novel. Cass is literally just forcing everyone around her to read it. You’ve already read it? Read it again /J. She’s their number one hypeman but she’s trying to act sooo chill about it to keep up her Cool stone cold butch aesthetic. She’s like going to cons with them and hands out business cards and helps sell merch and she has a side account on twitter where she gets into heated arguments with anyone who hateposts about it.

Bonus points: it’s a fantasy comic about a lost princess, her knight girlfriend and her rogue boyfriend and is loosely a reference to the events of the canon show

- OH OH something that DEFINITELY fits this category has to be the girls taking eugene to the lagoon for the first time…….I think cass and rapunzel still spend a lot of dates there just the two of them, and no matter what it is very much Their Spot ™, but after things become official it just. Doesn’t really feel right to keep it exclusively between them anymore. i have a LOTTTT of thoughts on this…..rapunzel bouncing around and showing everything to him and cass just being dragged along for the ride…picnics together by the water while cass and raps are eagerly telling him all the stories of what he missed out on. it’s their quiet place i think they escape to whenever they don’t want to be bothered at the castle LOL. eugene officiates the cassunzel wedding there….. not to mention if/when they have kids 🥹 Augh. They make sooo many memories there i think🫶🫶🫶

- Not a specific scene so much as just a silly hc but rapunzel LOVES it when they “fight” over her. Usually it’s just a playful thing and rapunzel finds it so cute and endearing. They have the exact same banter every time and the same fake “duel” for her hand and raps will NEVER get tired of it

- oh and SPA DAYS. God cassandra’s self care routines by herself have always been SHIT. I love that girl but i think she absolutely reeks. Her hair looks like something died in it and whenever it gets too long she just grabs the nearest sharp object and cuts it off in one swoop. Eugene and rapunzel are UTTERLY horrified by this and they do not let that shit fly as soon as she’s living with them. They have little self care nights at least once a week, sometimes just with the three of them and sometimes the rest of the family gets into it too, it depends on the day. eugene helps do her hair for her and they pick out all sorts of fancy products for her skin and her curls and just absolutely SPOIL her. at first shes kinda whiny about it but once she realizes how much better she feels on a day to day basis she reluctantly apologizes for ever doubting them

[tiphprince]

hello 😞

um can you explain the reasons you like snape?

Hi!

Sure.

I can't in fact remember when I started liking Snape, it happened as I was growing up with the movies, though I do know that by the time Half-Blood Prince came out in 2009 he was already well established as my favorite character, as I had friends take photos of me near a cardboard cutout of him at the cinema (I was 13 at that time).

So, I can't pinpoint what is the one thing that made me like him. However, I know that I started really loving his character more deeply when I read the books right after seeing the HBP movie. I discovered just how different he was in the books, and how much better his character was.

To answer your question... I love everything about him, including his many flaws.

He's hilarious, he has some of the funniest lines in the series. His sarcasm made me laugh as a young teen, even and probably, specially because it was directed at teenagers of the same age I was.

He's mysterious, for 95% of the series we have no idea what he thinks, what he's doing and why he's doing it. We just know that something is going on, but we don't know what. It makes him intriguing and makes you want to know more.

He's brave, and selfless. He risks his life on a regular basis once Voldemort gets back, he agrees to mercy kill Dumbledore, effectively getting himself branded as the second most hated man in the country and even by people who at minimum respected him (colleagues he'd been working with for 15 years, people who saw him as a friend), and he expects nothing in return. He dies a gruesome and painful death, though thankfully not alone, knowing that everyone who'd ever liked him, that everyone in the whole world, despises his guts because he had to do what no one else could to save thousands of lives.

He's petty, and cruel. I won't teach anyone anything by saying that Snape is a bully as a teacher, and that he enjoys it. Yet, this is also one of the reasons I like him, because it creates an amazing juxtaposition with the previous point. He's a hero... and an asshole who makes children cry. He will do everything in his power and more to ensure that his students are alive and stay that way, but damn if he won't crush their spirit in the meantime as well.

He's skilled. He's a potions genius, who was rewritting recipes as a teen. He invented spells also as a teen, both being things that even Hermione never attempted to do. He thinks outside the box, and he's an excellent duelist, but he relies on his intelligence more than rough power and fighting prowess.

He's traumatised. Snape has one of the worst childhood/backstories of the books. He was abused as a child by his father, grew up watching him abuse his mother, he lived in such extreme poverty that the Weasleys would look like the royal family to him. Then he got to Hogwarts, and we can see how excited he is to finally go somewhere he won't be forced to hide who he is, to be somewhere he belongs... except he meets his future bullies on the train and reality catches up to him fast.

He's "relentlessly bullied" for the next 6 years ish, with no escape. And yes, teenage Snape was no saint, he was no angel, but no child deserves this kind of torment. Every single day we hear of teenagers killing themselves because of bullying. As an adult he shows obvious signs of trauma from what the Marauders did to him, and it's very sad to see.

I need to stop at one point because I don't think you were asking for a whole ass novel about Snape, but there's so so much more to say about him. I'll just link to @said-snape-softly's answer to a post recently that was asking roughly the same thing, where they explain why they love Snape and added a lot of great metas to help you or anyone else better understand his character.

[vodika-vibes]

The Prince's Wizard

Summary: You're a wizard apprentice who's been best friends with Prince Wolffe since childhood. While on doing chores outside the Palace walls, your day goes bad.

Pairing: Prince!Wolffe x Wizard!Reader

Word Count: 4371

Warnings: Violence, angst, but has a happy ending

A/N: So I had an idea and it got away from me.

Mando'a Used: riye - Favor, Benefit, good turn (used in this scenario as a Nickname implying the reader is responsible for any good luck).

An'ee - shortened form of An'edee - a Nickname for someone rough and fight-y. Like calling someone a nerd as a joke.

Divider by saradika

There are two types of people who end up in towers: Wizards and Princesses. Wizards get shoved up into towers to protect everyone else from their magic, and Princesses get shoved into towers to protect them from the world around them.

You are a wizard apprentice. It’s a great job, good pay, great benefits, plus you get all of the fancy robes that you want. The downside is that, as an apprentice, you don’t really get to do anything fun.

In fact, the majority of your duties involve dragging yourself down the million and a half staircases to the throne room, so the Queen can sniff at you and tell you that her magic mirror stopped working.

And you’re getting tired of it.

“Master,” you’re pouting and you know you’re pouting but you can’t bring yourself to care, “Master, when can I start doing important things?” You ask, as you sit on your Master’s footstool and look up at him pleadingly.

Your Master flips a page in the massive tome that he’s hiding behind. “When you get more experience, my very young apprentice.”

“Okay, but like, how am I supposed to get experience if you don’t let me have the option to get more experience?” You ask as you place your hands on top of the book and push it down so you’re looking in his eyes.

He smiles at you, “Patience, apprentice. Do not be in such a rush to grow up.”

Your jaw drops, “I’m 20!”

“Still a baby.” His smile broadens, “Now, go practice your protective sigils, perhaps out in the garden, it is a beautiful day.”

You pout at him even more, but your Master is long immune to your sad Tooka eyes. Instead he just flicks his fingers at you, and lifts you away from his book, and over to the door. Another flick of his fingers, and your cloak is draped over your shoulders, and your massive hat is placed on your head.

“You said it was a nice day!” You cry, indignant, as he dresses you as though it’s snowing outside. “And I hate this hat! No one wears pointed hats anymore!”

“Now you’re just complaining to complain, apprentice.” Your Master says with a sigh as he flicks his hand one more time, and your leather satchel drapes itself over your shoulder, and the bag itself gets filled with empty pouches and bottles, “Please gather some more herbs while you’re out, apprentice. We can always use more.”

A look of offense crosses your face, “Maste-” He waves his hand one more time, and the door opens, and you find yourself gently, and lovingly, set on the landing with the door to the study shut firmly behind you.

You spin on your heel, and reach for the handle of the door, only for the handle to vanish. A note appears on the door, ‘Do Not Return Until The Moon Is In The Sky. Hugs And Kisses. Master.’

You glare at the note, “Capitalizing every letter is just excessive, Master! And saying ‘hugs and kisses’ doesn’t make you exiling me for the day any better!” 

The only response you get is the sound of loud classical music from behind the door.

You scowl even harder at the door, and then reach up and tug your hat off of your head. A touch of magic, and a twist of will, and your hat changes into something a little more your style. And then you tug your cloak off, and lazily drape it over your satchel.

And then you start the long trek down the tower that you call home.

By the time you reach the bottom of the tower, you’re in a slightly better mood. Going and gathering herbs is not your favorite chore, but it’s better than playing magic tech support for her Majesty. 

You turn to the gardens as soon as you’re on solid ground, mentally mapping out the path you need to take to gather the most herbs in as quickly as possible. Which means going through the royal garden to get to the forest, and then leaving the well traveled path, to veer to the west, and then heading north to get to the lake-

You’re so distracted with mentally mapping out your route, that you don’t notice that you’ve been joined by someone until he lightly taps your shoulder, “Lost in thought, riye?”

You jump, protective magic forming on your fingers, until you recognize the nickname. There’s only one person who calls you riye. You allow the spell to fade, and you round on the taller man, your hands immediately going to your hips.

“You can’t do that! I could have blasted you!” You say sharply, glaring up into the mismatched eyes of Prince Wolffe, your best friend of over ten years now.

He smirks at you, “You would never, riye. You have better trigger discipline than that.”

He’s not wrong, and you kind of hate him for it, “Aren’t you supposed to be in training?” You ask instead, as you take in the armor and the blade hanging at his hip.

“I’m done for the day,” Wolffe’s smile becomes slightly smug, “General Koon got tired of me beating all of my brothers.”

“Hm…all of them?” You ask with an arched brow.

He scowls at you, “Cody got in one lucky hit, an’ee,” He grumbles, “I beat everyone else.”

“Which implies that Prince Cody beat you,” You tease lightly, as you step around him, not at all surprised when he falls into step with you.

Wolffe mutters something under his breath that you don’t know enough Mando’a to catch, and then he switches back to basic and shoots you a glare, “You do realize that my brother doesn’t know you exist right? So your crush on him is useless.” He snips.

“Okay, so first of all, I don’t have a crush on your brother.” You reply as you push open the gate to the garden, “And second of all, even if I did have a crush on him, that’s none of your business. And third of all, what are you, jealous?”

Wolffe follows you into the garden, “You’re my best friend,” He says, his voice filled with offense, “I have a right to know who you have your eye on!” He very pointedly doesn’t answer the question you shot at him.

“You really don’t.” You counter, “And it’s not like you ever talk about who you have a thing for.”

You glance at him long enough to see his ears start to turn slightly red, “Yeah, well…where are you going?” He asks, changing the subject abruptly. And you smile, your friend is about as subtle as a brick to the head.

“My master wants me to gather some herbs in the forest. So that’s where I’m going.”

He pauses, “Alone?”

“Well, yeah. I generally go into the forest alone.” You counter snarkily.

“No. You can’t.” Wolffe says with a frown, “Not now.”

You stop and turn to focus your gaze on him, he looks serious, “I have to. We need the herbs.”

“It’s not safe.”

“You know, I actually am able to protect myself, Wolffe. And I don’t apprec-”

“Seven bodies have been found in the forest in the last month,” Wolffe interrupts, “All young, all female. You cannot go into the forest alone. I won’t allow it.”

You didn’t know that. You, and your Master, do not often focus your attention towards mortal threats to the realm, trusting the Guards, and the royal family, to deal with them. “Well. That’s unfortunate, but I still need to go into the forest.” You answer calmly.

Wolffe releases a string of curses, “I’m trying to keep you safe, riye!”

“I’m aware of that.” You answer, calm in the face of Wolffe’s ire, aware that he’s not actually mad at you, “But I can’t not take care of my responsibilities.” You tilt your head slightly, “The way I see it, I can either go on my own, or you can come with me to keep me safe.”

He pauses and meets your gaze steadily, “You’re willing to accept a bodyguard?”

“Of course. I don’t have a death wish, Wolffe.” You say dryly.

Tension drains out of his shoulders, “That works. You get what you need, and I don’t have to worry about you getting murdered.”

You smile at him agreeably, and lead him through the garden, until you reach the very back corner. There’s a massive iron door, with no lock or handles. This door can only be opened with the touch of the Court Wizard, or his apprentice.

So, with a touch of magic, you activate the runes that confirm your identity, and then the runes that unlock the door, and it slides open with the ease of a much lighter door.

“I never get tired of seeing that,” Wolffe says quietly as he follows you out the door, and watches you seal it shut again.

“What? The door opening?” You ask teasingly.

“Watching you use magic,” Wolffe clarifies, “It’s just…” He trails off for a moment, his gaze locked on your face, “beautiful.”

You can feel your face grow warm, and you laugh nervously, “Well…thank you.” 

He flashes a small smile at you, and then he breaks his gaze and looks around. The forest is dim, even though it’s the middle of the day, but it’s still bright enough to see. “You normally collect herbs near the lake, right?”

“Yeah, that’s the end goal, but I’m not heading directly there,” You explain, “It’s the right time of year for snakes to shed skin, so I need to gather some of that too.”

Wolffe glances at you, “You don’t use snake skin in any potions, do you?”

You just shoot him an amused look, “That’s for me to know, my Prince.”

He makes a disgusted face, “That’s a yes, then.” He shakes his head, trying to shake off the disgust, “Lead the way, riye.”

It takes almost two hours to slowly make your way to the lake, and Wolffe is an excellent partner. Willing to hold the bags, and bottles, and you gather the ingredients you need.

He’s alert, but the longer you’re in the forest, the longer you spend without seeing anyone, or anything that might harm you, the more relaxed he becomes. 

On the contrary, the closer to the lake you get, the more anxious you become. It feels wrong. Wrong, wrong, wrong.

And as the pair of you come to stand on the edge of the lake, it takes everything in you to not grab Wolffe, teleport the both of you back to your Master’s Tower, and then cling to him sobbing.

“Wolffe,” Your voice sounds tight, even to your own ears, and his gaze snaps to you, and he’s immediately on high alert.

“What’s wrong, riye?” He moves closer to you, and alarm crosses his face when you reach out and wrap both of your shaking hands around his arm. He turns and presses his free hand against your shoulder blades, drawing you closer and trying to make you feel some comfort, “Come on, what’s wrong?”

“The bodies were found here, weren’t they?” You ask, your voice small.

“Yes, how-”

“They died here, and they died in pain, and it took them days to die.” You whisper, your grip on his arm tightening.

“Riye, how do you know that?”

“I can feel it. It feels…” You shudder and press yourself closer to him, as though you’re trying to press yourself into his armor, so it can protect both of you, “It’s wrong, Wolffe. It’s-”

“Okay. Okay, then we need to go.”

And then you stop. Stop shaking, stop moving, and even stop breathing. “Wolffe,” Your voice is quiet, barely a whisper, “We’re not alone.”

He swears and shoves you behind him, hard, his hands moving to his blade, “Where?”

You’re quiet for a moment. It’s too much, there’s too much malice. You can’t-

You curl your hands against your chest, and the last thing you remember is flinging out two spells. One, a protective barrier to wrap around yourself and Wolffe, and the second, a distress beacon to your Master.

You hear the sound of metal against metal, and Wolffe calling your name, and then the world goes dark.

**********

It’s much later when you wake.

Your satchel, cloak and hat are missing, as are your boots and stockings. You’re clad in the thin robes that mark you as an apprentice, and nothing else. Your legs are chained to the wall, and you have heavy, tight, manacles around your wrists.

A simple examination tells you that the manacles around your wrists are designed less to keep you prisoner, and more to prevent you from reaching out to your magic.

You look around the bare cell that you’ve been thrown in. There’s a stack of straw in the corner, and you can hear rats squeaking high above you. There are no windows, save for the small window in the wooden door. 

You’re completely alone, and you can’t help but hope that your spell gave Wolffe enough time to escape.

You hear heavy footfalls from the hallway, and the cell door opens silently. You look up at the man standing in the doorway, he’s tall and thin, and has the terrifying golden eyes of a person who’s fallen into the Dark.

“You’re awake.” He speaks in a low growl, as though your very presence enrages him to the point of being inarticulate. He crosses the small cell in two long strides, and he grabs your arm, roughly dragging you to your feet, pulling a pained noise from your lips.

He then kneels at your feet, unhooking the chain from the wall, and chaining your two bare feet together. And then he stands to his full height, towering over you, and he grabs your arm again, roughly dragging you out of the cell and down identical stone halls.

He brings you towards a magic lift, and you’re finally able to see more of his face than just his eyes. And you realize that you recognize him. 

Several years ago, the Prince Consort of Naboo vanished. A massive search party, spanning several nations, searched for him for months, but with no evidence of foul play, and no evidence as to where he was, the only assumption people could make was that he ran away from his wife and his people.

 Anakin Skywalker-Amidala is one of the most powerful wizards of his lineage. The knowledge that he left his life just to fall-

Well, it’s heartbreaking.

The lift finally comes to a stop and you’re dragged down a much more opulent hallway, and then into a massive room. At the side of the room, stripped of all his clothing save the thin trousers he wears under his armor, and covered in his own blood, is Wolffe. 

He lifts his head and his gaze meets yours, and for a moment a look of helpless fury crosses his face. 

The man who had once been Anakin Skywalker releases you, and you immediately stumble over to Wolffe, falling to your knees next to him. You gently cup his face, uncaring of the blood covering him, “Oh. Oh, Wolffe,” You whisper. 

He moves and presses his face against your neck. His breath is warm and slightly shaky, “Are you okay, riye?”

“Me? You’re so badly hurt-” There are tears in your eyes as you card your fingers gently through his hair, “If I wasn’t wearing these manacles I could heal you…”

“I’ve had worse injuries, believe it or not,” He tries to joke as he pulls back and looks you in the eye, but it falls flat as the tears in your eyes start to fall. “Please don’t cry, cyar’ika. I’ll be okay.” He whispers as he reaches up and brushes the tear off your cheek.

“I’m sorry, I should have listened to you-”

“It’s not your fault.” His gaze drifts to your bare feet and your chained legs, “Cyare, you need to run. As soon as you can.”

You stare at him in horror, “No. No, Wolffe, I can’t leave you-”

“He’s going to kill you. I can’t…don’t make me watch him kill you. Please, cyare.”

A broken sob escapes your lips, and you press your forehead against his, “But he’ll kill you.”

“That’s okay. That’s okay so long as you survive. Promise me, riye. Promise me you’ll run as soon as you’re able.” Wolffe hisses, his eyes sharp.

“I…I promise,” You sob out, and then you let out a cry as you’re ripped from Wolffe’s tight grip.

“The Master wants to see you,” Anakin says, his golden eyes flickering from the irate Wolffe and then over to you, and then back again. He jerks you further away from Wolffe, and drags you through a small door that you didn’t notice.

The door slams behind you, and you’re thrown to the ground before a man that you recognize, the former Court Wizard of Naboo, Sheev Palpatine. He smiles at you, and you get chills. “Never, in my wildest dreams, did I think that I would be able to get my hands on a young apprentice for my plans.” He says in a smooth voice that reminds you of oil or grease.

“My Master-”

“Doesn’t know where you are.” Palpatine interrupts with a cruel smile, “And by the time he realizes that you’re missing, it’ll be too late. You’ll be dead, and the Prince will be my personal bodyguard. Or perhaps I’ll give him to Vader as his personal punching bag.”

Anakin’s, or Vader’s, face twitches. And unless you’re mistaken, it’s a look of disgust on his face, but it quickly clears, “As you say, Master.” He says with a perfect bow.

“Hm. Leave the girl with me, Lord Vader. You’re dismissed.” Palpatine says as he turns to look out the massive window.

Vader bows deeply, and you start when you see vicious looking magic swirl around his fingers, and the manacles around your legs shatter, and then the manacles around your wrists fall to the floor.

You flicker wide, terrified, eyes up to the older man who you once called friend. He places a hand on your shoulder, his voice pitched low enough so that only you can hear him, “Fight well, little sister.”

And then he’s gone.

And you…you remain still for as long as it takes for you to take a breath, and then you move, offensive magic curling around your hands, and protective magic sliding across your skin like it’s always been there.

Your mind whirls with spells and incantations. With runes and sigils, and while you don’t have a ghost of a chance against Palpatine, you are able to push him into shattering the sealed door behind you.

As soon as you see a way out, you take it. You fling one last spell at the potions table, and while Palpatine is distracted with keeping his potions from exploding, you turn on your heel and run. You hop over the shattered door, deftly skipping over the everburning black flames that Palpatine used to destroy the door, and run down the hall to the large lounge that Wolffe was in.

You slide across the floor on your knees, and you immediately press your hands against his cheeks and press your forehead against his. 

Your magic slides across your body, and across to him as you offer him the same protection that you wrapped yourself in. And then you squeeze your eyes shut and you coil your magic tightly around the both of you, and you push.

You push, and push, and push, until the dark magic holding you and Wolffe here cracks, and then shatters, and you take the chance. The teleportation spell requires ten words, Palpatine is coming closer and closer, you have time enough for four.

You do the fastest math you’ve ever done in your life, and then speak the four words that, hopefully, will bring you and Wolffe to safety. The magic twists and burns around you, and you instinctively curl your magic tighter around Wolffe. He will suffer no ill effects from your spell, you won’t allow it.

Magic rips around you, and through you, and it hurts. It hurts more than anything you’ve ever felt before, but you keep going. You keep pushing. And you keep shielding.

And then you drop out of the teleportation spell. You land hard on the ground, and you hear Wolffe groan painfully from your side. You roll, painfully to your side, and wrap both your hands around one of Wolffe’s and you shove as much healing magic into him as you can.

And then you collapse.

*******

This time, when you wake up, it’s in a soft bed, and you’re covered in a shroud of golden healing magic. 

“Ah, awake at last,” You turn your head and it takes you a moment to recognize the man sitting next to your bed; Obi-Wan Kenobi, the official court wizard of Naboo. “You worried us, dear one. You overused your magic to a worrying degree.”

“Didn’t have a choice,” You reply, your voice hoarse, “Prince Wolffe-?”

“Alive, well, and unharmed.” Obi-Wan reassured, “You used the very last of your magic to heal all of his wounds. Which was very, very dangerous based on your wounds.”

You shake your head slowly, “What was my price, Master?” You ask, “I cut six words out of the teleportation spell, which price did I pay?”

Obi-Wan is quiet for a moment, and then he leans in and takes your hand, “You lost your left arm, dear one. I’m so sorry.”

You close your eyes, and release a shaky breath, “It’s…it’s okay. I knew that I was going to have to pay a price.”

“Queen Amidala has already ordered you fit for a prosthetic. You’re not going to be able to use magic for at least a month while you recover. That means taking a carriage back to Mandalore.”

You nod your understanding, and slowly sit up, “Does the Queen need to hear what happened?”

“Prince Wolffe gave her his report,” Obi-Wan pauses and ducks his head, “Though he couldn’t tell us what happened when you were alone with Palpatine. How did your manacles come off?”

“Palpatine’s apprentice removed them. He…” You hesitate, “Master Kenobi, the apprentice was Anakin, though he goes by Vader now.”

Obi-Wan bows his head, and is quiet for a long time, and when he looks up he has tears in his eyes, “Thank you, little one. That…that brings me great relief, that perhaps some part of Anakin remains inside Vader.”

“...he called me Little Sister.” You murmur.

Obi-Wan smiles and lightly places his hand on your shoulder, “He was always fond of you.” He takes a deep breath, “Now, you are well enough to leave the infirmary. My apprentice, Ahsoka, is out in the hall, she’ll help you get dressed.”

“Thank you Master.” He smiles at you and leaves the room. Just as you swing your legs over the side of the bed, Ahsoka walks over to help you.

She’s a cheerful girl, bright and bubbly, and she’s more than happy to chatter aimlessly about her studies and how much she loves Naboo. And she’s even more happy to escort you to the training grounds, where Wolffe has been spending his time, before she leaves you to your own devices.

You sit on one of the benches and just watch Wolffe for a moment. His armor and sword have been replaced with Nubian variants, both of which seem more sleek than the bulky armor that Mandalore prefers. 

He finishes his set, and turns to restart, only to falter when he sees you. He hesitates for a moment, his gaze lingering on your missing arm, and then he sheaths his sword and hopes over the fence that marks the edge of the training ground.

“You’re awake,” Wolffe says as you stand when he approaches.

“Yeah, a little bit ago. Master Kenobi said I was free to leave the infirmary, as I’m no longer in any danger.” Now that he’s standing closer to you, you can tell that his gaze is locked on the place where your arm used to lay.

“Are you okay, riye?” He asks his fists clenching and unclenching at his side.

“I will be. I expended a lot of energy to get us safe.” You take a step closer and reach up to lightly touch his cheek, “Are you?”

He sighs low in his throat and leans his head into your touch, “You even managed to heal the bruises I had from training.” Wolffe replies lightly, and then his hands come up and cup your face and he bumps his forehead against your own. “Don’t you ever do anything like that again.”

You shake your head, “I had to get you out, Wolffe. I had to. Even if it meant losing an arm.”

“I’m not worth that.”

“You are to me,” You reply, “I’d do it again in a heartbeat.”

He lets out a short laugh, “Please don’t. You don’t have that many more limbs to lose.”

You smile at him, and gently stroke his cheek with your thumb, “When we were…there,” You say quietly, “You called me cyare, Wolffe.”

For a moment, you worry that he’s going to deny it, but instead he just closes his eyes, and nods, “I did.”

“I wouldn’t mind if you stuck to calling me that,” You whisper to him.

His eyes snap open, and he scans your face, as though he’s looking for any sign that you might be joking. “Yeah?”

“Yeah.”

“Alright, cyare.” He lightly strokes your cheeks, “Does this mean that I can finally kiss you rather than just fantasizing about it?”

You blush, but you’re grinning at him, “I won’t complain if you want to kiss me.”

He hums thoughtfully, and then slowly tilts your head back to ghost his lips against yours. It was a soft, tender, and sweet kiss. The kiss of someone who thought he would never get the chance. And, well, if you moaned into the kiss, causing him to deepen it, it’s not like either of you had an audience anyway.

[lacunafiction]

I loved hearing about how the mc interacted with the others when they were a kid especially with a certain blonde rival (the play date and library incident were just perfection). Will there be more stories or flashbacks in second one?

Hi Anon!

I'm so glad you enjoy hearing about the MC's past childhood and early teen years in Fernweh! 🥰 The play date scenes were some of my favorites to write, but I think the library incident™ outshines even those, especially the hide and seek memory. (Kid R only wanting the MC to find them and outright ignoring everyone else! 😭) I do have some great news for you: flashbacks and past stories will return!

In fact, you'll learn that your Returning Visitor's 'stay' in Fernweh helps to make those memories rise back to the surface. We've seen hints that the trauma/distance/coping (?) has caused some past memories to be hazy or out of touch. Well, they come back with a vengeance next book. I can't say more due to spoilers; it's a special feature/mechanic that's present in the Book Two TFS Patreon 🌲 alpha content✨, but you all will be able to experience it eventually.

I'll tease and say it's also possible to unlock some road trip to Fernweh memories with B. Warrick, depending on your choices.

(Slight spoilers from Book Two below! ⚠)

"Do you think it squeaks…? Like, in theory." That was one of many questions B had while peering up at the rubber duckie that threatened to blot out the sun. They were excited about the novelty attraction, pointing out how the mile markers began to have soap bubbles on them well in advance of the required exit to arrive at the attraction. It was too adorable.

Your MC's past is something you will learn more about, possibly even shaping it at some points, since TFS's theme of coming home to a place that's not quite the same will be echoed throughout the series.

[millenianthemums]

New horror writing challenge idea. I have to write a short horror story about a completely random thing and make it scary somehow. Like, find a random noun generator or something and write about that thing being scary.

…okay, so i just did that and the word it gave me was “writer”. Which, I feel like that’s been done. But I wanted to come up with a horror concept for whatever it gave me, so okay. a scary writer.

so, what if there was a really famous writer. they’re very private and reclusive, but their work is super famous. their concepts are good enough, but they’re most praised for their deeply, intricately crafted characters. every character seems to have such a rich inner life. everybody loves this author’s books, including you. but one day you crack open their new bestseller and there’s a character in it who’s just. you.

like, it’s you. your mannerisms, your goals, your insecurities, your nervous tics. your memories. your childhood. it’s you.

nobody else points it out. you ask your friends and family how they’re liking the book, they all say it’s great, and they all love that character, but they don’t mention the similarities at all. you feel like you’re losing your mind because it’s so OBVIOUSLY you that this character’s based on. but how is that possible? you’re scared to bring it up because surely they’d have noticed?? why wouldn’t they say anything about it??? you even say at one point “i feel like this character’s kind of like me” and your mom tilts her head and says “yeah? how so?”

you don’t know what to say so you just drop it. honestly you’re starting to doubt it yourself. how well do you really remember your childhood? do you really do that one nervous tic that often? are you really particularly people-pleasing or charitable, like that character? you feel like you haven’t acted like that as much lately.

actually you can’t really remember how you’ve been acting. or how you normally act.

you show up to work and your coworkers look surprised to see you. your family keeps forgetting to return your calls. people on the street look right through you. you’re forgetting things about yourself, things that used to come so naturally. your favorite song. the color of your eyes.

then one night you remember something. you remember the person who came into the barber shop a couple years ago. they said they were an author, that they’d written a few books. you said that was awesome and they smiled. they were so friendly. they asked you so many questions. specific, personal questions. you didn’t notice back then. for some reason you were so happy to answer them. and you answered in such detail.

you’re tired. every day you’re more tired. every day you know less about yourself. you’re noticing more holes in your memory. didn’t you used to have more coworkers? more friends? didn’t you used to carpool to work with a full car of people? was there always that gap off to the side of the frame in that family portrait?

on the last day, you see them in the shadows. they’re watching from somewhere far away, smiling that gentle smile. why are you doing this, you try to ask them, even though you don’t have a voice anymore.

“Why are you so sad?” they ask in return. “You’re in the book. You’ll live forever in there. And everyone loves you, don’t you see? Everyone loves you so much.”

[deeplyridiculouslyinlove]

My favorite Moiraine Moments in The Great Hunt

TGH spoilers below the cut

1. "They are more than old enough to be off apron strings," Moiraine said dryly, "and you know very well why you could never do that, for one of them at least. Besides, it would mean leaving Egwene to go to Tar Valon alone. Or have you decided to go Tar Valon yourself? If your own use of The Power is not schooled, you will never be able to use it against me." Nynaeve spun to face the Aes Sedai, her jaw dropping. She could not help it. "I do not know what you are talking about." "Did you think I did not know, child? Well, as you wish it. I take it that you are are coming to Tar Valon? Yes, I thought so." Nynaeve wanted to hit her, to knock away the brief smile that flashed across the Aes Sedai's face. (Chapter 8)

You can HEAR Moiraine's smirk here and I am living for it.

2. To her surprise, Moiraine felt a flash of jealousy. She had never felt that before. Certainly not for any of the women who had thrown their hearts at [Lan's] feet, or those who had shared his bed. Indeed she had never thought of him as an object of jealousy. Had never thought so of any man. (Chapter 22)

She had never thought of any man as an object of jealousy I am throwing up!!

3. Her sisters in the White tower knew a few of her tricks, and suspected others, including some that did not exist, some that had shocked her when she learned of them. The things she did with the stone were simple and small, if occasionally useful, the kind a child would imagine. But if the wrong women had accompanied the Amyrlin, the crystal might put them off balance because of the tales. (Chapter 4)

I am truly obsessed with how much of a legend Moiraine is in the Tower. She spent basically no time in the Tower and STILL everyone talks about her?? Also the version of Moiraine whose main trick is spying on people is so New Spring, and New Spring Moiraine is my littlest babygirl.

4. The Amyrlin shivered as if she felt those winds icy on the back of her neck. Her hands went to the flattened cube of gold, blunt, capable fingers finding precise points in the complex designs.(Chapter 5)

Tell me more about Siuan's fingers, Moiraine 😏

5. Now that she had stirred life in the other woman, Moiraine returned to outward calm herself. Calm, but firm insistence too. "The pattern pays no heed to human plans, Siuan. With all our scheming, we forgot what we were dealing with." (Chapter 5)

I swear, Moiraine goading Siuan into an emotional response just to be deadly calm herself is one of the most Moiraine moments of this whole book.

6. As soon as the door closed, the Amyrlin stood and Moiraine felt a momentary tingle in her skin as the other woman channeled the One Power. For an instant, the Amrylin Seat seemed to her to be surrounded by a nimbus of bright light. "I don't know that any of the others have your old trick," the Amyrlin Seat said, lightly touching the blue stone on Moiraine's forehead with one finger, "but most of us have some small tricks remembered from childhood. In any event, no one can hear what we say now." Suddenly she threw her arms around Moiraine, a warm hug between old friends. Moiraine hugged back as warmly. (Chapter 4)

The fact that they STILL have the tingle!! Don't make me cry!

7. The Amyrlin nodded as if it was all of no consequence. Moiraine's eyebrows lifted in surprise before she caught herself and smoothed her features. (Chapter 4)

I just love all the times the narrative makes clear Moiraine and Siuan may not be as careful as they think.

8. Leane gave Moiraine a sharp look when she came out into the anteroom, then darted into the Amyrlin's chamber. Moiraine tried to put on a chastened face, as though she had endured one of the Amyrlin's infamous upbraidings--most women, however strong-willed, returned from those big-eyed and weak-kneed--but the expression was foreign to her. She looked more angry than anything else, which served much the same purpose. (Chapter 5)

This is also just so perfectly in character for New Spring Moiraine, my beloved.

9. Moiraine could not keep the sharpness out of her voice, and she heard Leane shift. One did not speak to the Amyrlin Seat in that tone. Not even a king on his throne did. "You should know, Daughter," the Amyrlin said dryly, "that Elaida harms no one except those she considers dangerous. Darkfriends, or those poor fool men who try to channel the One Power, or one who threatens Tar Valon. Everyone else who isn't Aes Sedai might as well be pieces on a Stones board as far as she is concerned. (Chapter 4)

Both another example of my favorite thing--Moiraine being the Aes Sedai version of out of pocket around Siuan--but also does this imply that Elaida considers Moiraine dangerous given the tenor of their interactions in New Spring??

10. "Most girls who want to become Aes Sedai, even most girls with the seed inside them like you, are afraid of it too. Even after they reach the Tower, even after they've learnt what to do and how, for months they need to be led, step-by-step by a sister or by one of the Accepted. But not you. From what Moiraine tells me, you leaped into it as soon as you knew you could, fumbling your way through the dark with never a thought of whether there was a bottomless pit under your next step. Oh there have been others like you. You are not unique. Moiraine was one herself. Once she knew what you had done, there was nothing for it but for her to begin teaching you. Did Moiraine never explain any of this to you?" (Chapter 12)

[metalandmagi]

Hello....If you don't mind me asking, who are your favorite romantic relationship's couples in books/ manga/manhwa/ anime/movies/tv series (can be canon or non-canon)? Why you love them? Sorry if you've answered this question before....

Hope you don't mind if the same person ask a different questions. Thank you so much @metalandmagi .....

Funny you should ask, because I was just listening to a podcast episode about favorite fandom ships, and I had actually started making my own list that I was going to post anyway! And I don’t mind you asking, since I don't really have people to talk to about this stuff. I like looking at your blog and seeing other people’s answers too!

Here's my top ten! These are going to be kind of repetitive because I’ve already talked about these fandoms so much, but these are my favorite CANON SHIPS, meaning they’re actually together or at least have kissed or something. I have a million non canon ships.

10. Jem, Will, and Tessa from The Infernal Devices- I wanted to keep myself to one ship per fandom, but I couldn’t help it, I just love this OT3 so much. I don’t care what anyone says, they are a poly relationship, not a love triangle (and I maintain that if Jem wasn’t already dying, he and Will would have realized they loved each other romantically, and their parabatai bond would have fucked them over eventually). They all have an equal amount of love and respect for each other, and they balance each other so well. And I appreciate that none of them are relegated to being “the overly jealous partner who ruins everything for the other two.” We get time with each of them and love them all equally.

9. Patroclus and Achilles from The Song of Achilles- Call me a basic bitch, but these two are unparalleled in terms of doomed romances. I love friends to lovers, and the story is so widely spanning that it gives their relationship such gravitas.

8. Yona and Hak from Akatsuki no Yona- Still haven’t finished the manga, but these two are god tier for fantasy romances. I love that they completely lose their minds over each other whenever they are not within arm’s reach, and they’re another great example of childhood friends to lovers. Hak’s “teasing” attitude in the beginning of the series wasn’t my favorite, but it’s funny to look back on it later, knowing that he’s so in love with Yona and would murder the first person to disrespect her. 

7. Shigure and Akito from Fruits Basket- Because why would I choose one of the normal, healthy relationships when I could go for one of the most fucked up romances in shoujo? These two…I don’t even know where to start. They’re the definition of toxic for most of the series, but by the end, you’re really rooting for them to be together with the Sohma family curse broken. Shigure is desperate for the curse to be broken so he can prove to Akito that he loves her without them being tied together by fate. Akito feels like she needs the curse because otherwise everyone will leave her forever. Akito sleeps with Kureno. Shigure sleeps with her mom. They’re “gaslight, gatekeep, girlboss” meets “mansplain, manipulate, man-whore.”

6. Sasaki and Miyano from Sasaki to Miyano- What can I say? They’re just so freaking cute! I think they represent the romance a lot of people in fandom want, because they bond over manga and slowly come to learn more about each other. Sasaki never pressures Miyano to return his feelings, and I appreciate the patience he has in waiting for Miyano to give him an honest answer to his confession.

5. Jesper and Wylan from Six of Crows- Another basic answer, but these two are so entertaining whenever they’re together. I love that Jesper starts out teasing Wylan relentlessly about looking like a pampered rich kid (despite the fact that Wylan also lives on the streets), but Wylan deadass saves the group time and time again, so Jesper comes to respect him more. This is how you do teasing in a relationship: they get under each other’s skin but aren’t complete dicks to each other. And I appreciate that the Shadow and Bone show changes their dynamic slightly while keeping the chaotic duo the same at their core. 

4. Percy Jackson and Annabeth Chase from the various Percy Jackson series- The pinnacle of middle grade/YA romance. Nobody else is doing it like these two. What works about their relationship is that we truly believe their friendship as 12 year olds before they start to have feelings for each other. So many times, authors shove two characters together because they feel like they need a romance, but Percy/Annabeth progress so naturally. They tease each other, but they know they’re both capable individuals at the end of the day (and their wildly different brands of intelligence work so well), and as long as they’re together, they can get through anything.

3. Hua Cheng and Xie Lian from Heaven Official's Blessing- I’ve shipped these two for much less time than these other ships, but they have smashed their way to my top 3 ships of all time. How do you compete with a god who’s fallen from grace and his eternally devoted follower who would burn the world down to see them smile? How do you compete with Hua Cheng, who has stayed by Xie Lian’s side for hundreds of years out of pure devotion, but not in a creepy or weird stalkery way? I think the biggest thing this ship has going for it is its sincerity. Hua Cheng doesn’t stay with Xie Lian because he’s hoping Xie Lian will fall for him eventually. He doesn’t believe he’s even worthy of Xie Lian’s love. But he stays anyway, because that’s what unconditional love is like. You stay when the one you love is at their lowest and you can’t do anything to help. You stay when they’re fighting the heavenly emperor and kick ass alongside them. You hold an umbrella over their head when it's raining blood and carry them across the ground when it's littered with corpses.

2. Magnus Bane and Alec Lightwood from The Mortal Instruments/Shadowhunters- These two have destroyed me over the years. I think the best thing about this ship is how they bring out the best in each other and have changed each other’s lives for the better. Magnus is so outgoing and free spirited, but with Alec, he wants to “settle down” (lol) and raise a family. Alec started as the personification of the frowny face emoji, stuck in the closet with a stick up his ass, but now he’s basically running the shadowhunter world. They’re the perfect example of “opposites attract” who have changed their world simply by being in love.

1. Damen and Laurent from Captive Prince- Speaking of couples who change their world simply by being in love…I don’t know if any other ship will top them for me. All the other enemies to lovers ships can get the fuck out. They’re nothing compared to Damen and Laurent. So many times, people will write “enemies to lovers” or “hate to love” relationships that are just two characters snipping at each other or bullying each other for no reason. Get that shit out of here. These two start with the purest, most honest loathing possible. They hurt each other in countless ways, but they come to learn each other slowly. They have every reason to be enemies, but they come through each layer of trauma with love for each other. They’re the kings (pun intended) of this trope.

Honorable mentions: Nick and Charlie from Heartstopper- They’re just so wholesome and sweet. The progression of their relationship from like to love is so realistic, and they’re basically the live action/book version of Sasaki and Miyano.

Ronan and Adam from The Raven Cycle- (haven’t read the last book in the Dreamer trilogy, but I hope nothing bad happens). Their differing brands of chaotic energy compliment each other perfectly, and as a reader, the slow realization that Ronan is in love with Adam was so eye opening and satisfying in a way few other series have been able to capture.

Just for fun, here are some of my “less canon” ships too.

* Inej and Kaz (they're practically canon, but they never explicitly say they're together or in love...but we all know they are)

*Kylo Ren and Rey (also practically canonical since they've at least kissed)

* America and England from Hetalia (if I really want to go back to my fandom shipping roots. I read nothing but fics for them for like 2 years in high school 😅)

*Izaya Orihara and Shizuo Heiwajima 

*Hinata and Kageyama

*Carole and Tuesday

*Link and Sidon

[dropout-if]

trying to know little things about them by observing - mc trying t0 unsubtIeIy take n0te 0f h0w umas habits and interests have changed in the years apart!

From this ask game!

Even after so many years, you still expect Uma’s family home to be just as their sister Anika liked it, but stepping inside you find an organized chaos instead. Canvases leaning against the walls, paintbrushes scattered on the table, books piled up on the shelves. The familiar scent of acrylic paint hangs in the air, mingling with the subtle aroma of Uma’s favorite jasmine tea.

You tilt your head inquisitively, your friend waves a dismissive hand, their attention still focused on their painting, “Ann moved out. It’s just evil twin, Myra and I now.”

Sitting on the couch, you feign interest in the book you brought while sneakily observing Uma. They move about the room with a graceful energy, their eyes anchored on the canvas in front of them. It’s a vibrant explosion of colors, a stark contrast to the muted, much darker tones they used to favor.

“What’s that you’re working on?” you ask, trying to sound casual as you peek over at them.

Uma glances up, a small smile playing on their lips, “Oh— just experimenting with some new techniques. Abstract stuff.”

Abstract? That’s a major departure from the meticulous realism they used to prefer. You make a mental note of it.

Your tranquility is thus broken as the evil twin—also known as Rohan—enters the bedroom he no longer shares with Uma.

“Hey, I thought you’d be here— it stinks,” he smiles playfully at Uma. Rohan’s eyes shift in your direction, “Oh, hey, [Name]. It’s been a while.”

Uma grins, seemingly unbothered by their brother’s teasing, “Yeah, [Name] decided to grace us with their presence.”

You return the greeting, but your attention drifts back to Uma as they and Rohan engage in a lively exchange. Uma seems more relaxed than you remember, their laughter lighter, their demeanor less guarded.

The room buzzes with a newfound energy as you, Uma, and Rohan chat. Despite the years apart, the camaraderie between you three feels surprisingly intact.

“So, [Name],” Rohan begins with an impish grin, “Uma’s barely told me all about your big adventures in the city. Any wild stories to share?”

Uma nudges Rohan playfully, “Give them a break, Rohan. Not everyone has to be a jackass like you.”

“Well,” you join in the teasing with a smirk, “I did once accidentally take the subway in the wrong direction...”

Rohan laughs heartily. The conversation flows effortlessly, a blend of catching up on old times and sharing stories of your new lives.

As you talk, you can’t help but admire how Rohan and Uma’s relationship has evolved. Rohan's free-spirited and outgoing nature complements Uma’s artistic sensitivity and calm demeanor. They seem to balance each other out perfectly— no wonder they get along, especially after being forced to sleep in the same bedroom for their entire childhood and teenage years.

Eventually, Rohan excuses himself to attend to some errands, leaving you alone with Uma for a moment. The room seems quieter, and Uma can finally turn back their attention to their painting.

After a few seconds of silence, Uma looks over their shoulder to look at you with a soft smile, “Thanks for being cool about all this, [Name]. It means a lot to me that you’re here.”

You return the smile, genuinely touched by Uma’s words. “Of course, Uma. It’s great to see you again.”

[jessebyron]

Thoughts on Murtagh by Christopher Paolini

Thoughts on Murtagh by Christopher Paolini

First read of the year! I will mostly keep this spoiler free, but do read on with caution if you are wanting to approach this story tabula rasa.

As you read my criticisms below please keep this in your mind: I never once put the book down for very long. I came in to this story already deeply invested in the characters, and I enjoyed seeing them again after all of these years. I had to force myself to wait until the new year rang in so I could have it as my first read of 2024.

Honestly, I never thought I'd visit Alagaësia again. With Inheritance wrapping up Eragon's main story back in 2011, I had more or less left the land and its peoples behind. Even after finding out about The Fork, The Witch, and The Worm (a few years after the fact), I just never quite got around to it. I had loved the series growing up. Without Eragon casually sitting on an endcap in the Covington, Louisiana Walmart, there is no telling how much longer it would have taken me to enjoy reading. Without JJP's gorgeous portrait of Sapphira, I don't know if I would have fallen in love with stories and imaginative worlds in quite the same way. Looking back on my life, a life that has almost exclusively revolved around stories and the various arts to make them, my mom agreeing to buy the book during our grocery trip (with the promise that I would read my AR book for school first) was one of the most critical moments in my life, echoing 20~ years into the future.

All of that to say, I approached this book with a little bit of history and baggage. In the summer of 2016, in a group job interview at Books-a-Million in Mobile, Alabama my pleasant memories were a little spoiled by the assistant manager pointing out the deep similarities in characters and story beats between The Inheritance Cycle and Star Wars. This feeling was then sharpened some with mixed (but ultimately favorable reaction to Paolini's foray in sci-fi, To Sleep in a Sea of Stars (2020, Tor/Macmillan Publishers).

I didn't know how I wanted to jump back in this world. Did I want to go back to the beginning? Maybe just gloss over a few key chapters or perhaps just revisiting Brisingr and Inheritance as a refresher? Following the advice of several Redditors (I know, I know, but what's a guy to do?) I decided to read the short story collection first. It reacquainted me with both the world and Paolini's writing style. A literary aperitif, if you will, as opposed to trying to digest the first four books again which would have worn me out, and, I think, ruined the experience of Murtagh for me.

Because: it wasn't all that great. It was good, make no mistake, but held up to the shining splendor of second grade nostalgia (something I could not avoid no matter how hard I tried), there were a few lackluster facets. It wasn't at all terrible, or bad in any way, but parts felt a little like an unpolished gem. Repetitive and long. I don't mind slow burns or even slower variations of a single theme, but this book could have been shorter by a few thousand words. The "will we or won't we stay" debate and the succeeding chapters of our heroes' torture and brain washing went on for quite a few hours of reading. And none of it could be skimmed through because there were occasional details of import to the plot or emotional arc. It's probably the more egregious violation of "show, don't tell" that Paolini has committed so far (at least in my distanced memory).

An that's part of the tragedy of returning to a favorite childhood world. In Murtagh, we have this great set up to explore a tale of personal trauma and the butterfly effects of the first four books' main character. We get to walk in the shoes (fly in the claws? wings?) of someone who had the worst ending. Hated or misunderstood or both by virtually everyone in the Empire and its enemies, Murtagh's poverty is a chance to see the original story in an outsider-looking-in context. We get see the shadows cast by the light of a heroic victor, the dark places under rocks and fallen logs that are uncomfortable to look at, while slowly building into what will be a fantasy tale with an eldritch horror bent. The climax of the tale gives us a beautiful inversion of the hero's tale with an almost literal descent into hell. It's enough fun that the reader can ignore the the derivative strain that runs through much of Paolini's work.

But. We are not quite pricked as sharply as we could be. What could be the full effect of the story is just out of reach beyond a glass wall of just a few too many descriptions and details.

As I said at the start, I still had a lot of fun. I wasn't looking for a life changing literary experience and was able to enjoy it as such. Will happily be buying the sequels other one off tales whenever they come out.

[marleequinnrp]

Meet Marlee

✦ BRITTANY O’GRADY, CIS FEMALE, SHE/HER ✦ MARLEE QUINN  the TWENTY-SEVEN year old has been in Hidehill for NINE YEARS and was a FRIEND to Lucas Johnson, the missing persons. Whispers on the streets are that the 911 OPERATOR who lives in HIDE SQUARE are said to be ADAPTABLE and NOSY but I guess we’ll find out for ourselves. { MANDY, 36, PST, SHE/HER. }

full name: marlee grace quinn gender and pronouns: cisfemale she/her age and dob: 27 , June 2 1996 residence: hide square time living in hidehill: 9 years occupation: 911 dispatcher faceclaim: Brittany O'Grady positive attributes: adaptable, outgoing, observant negative attributes: nosy, untrusting, indecisive

BACKGROUND

Marlee had what she would describe as a fairly average childhood. Little hurts, the kind anyone and everyone experienced as they aged, graced her life in small waves; getting teased on the playground, that first friendship breakup, the first time a crush didn't like her back. Aside from those staples of youth, however, her existence blossomed in a bed of constant support from her parents. Her favorite book series as a child was called Nate the Great, featuring a child detective solving sometimes silly but always intriguing mysteries in his neighborhood. It became clear that Marlee loved a good mystery more than almost anything else in the world, gravitating towards all the Nancy Drew, Hardy Boys, Scooby Doo content she could get her hands on as a child. Her parents allowed the obsessive curiosity, if only because they thought it might feed into an interest in law or policing. They were fairly disappointed when it became clear that Marlee was a shipwreck when it came to deciding what she wanted to do with her life. There was too much to see, to explore, to ask questions about...how did one just toss their whole self into a finite commitment to one career path for the rest of their life?

When Marlee was 17 her curiosity took her into the attic of their Pennsylvania home. She'd been looking for some of her maternal grandmother's old clothes for a vintage party some friends were throwing. After two hours of rooting through dust covered boxes, she didn't find what she was looking for, but her life was forever changed by what she did find. A box full of newspaper clippings, documentations, a pocket watch and a pair of glasses, pictures of a man who looked to be in his late 20's, early 30's. A mystery...in her own home...in her families belongings. Marlee was immediately consumed, grabbing a photo and bringing it downstairs to show her mother...her mother who became tight lipped and somber. "That's your father's Dad...grandpa George." The family did not speak of her paternal grandparents. She'd inquired once as a child and all she'd been told was that Grandpa George had passed away when her father was only a year old. The box she'd discovered filled in more details to the vague story. This man she'd never met because the most fascinating person in the world...a man who'd gone to a small town in Tennessee for a business trip looking to potentially expand his business...and who had never returned. First missing, then a body found, one of many. Her family...of all families...restlessly tied to a horrific serial homicide.

Her parents didn't understand her intrigue. In fact they were increasingly uncomfortable every time Marlee brought it up. Even more so when she said she wanted to put college on hold and do some traveling...first stop a small town in Nashville. At 18 years old, made of nothing but youthful curiosity and impulses not yet able to be filtered through a fully formed frontal cortex, Marlee found herself in Hidehill. It was fascinating, the town seeming to be making toddling unsteady steps towards reclaiming a normal rhythm, but the scars of its past were there to see if you were looking for them. Marlee had only meant to stay for maybe a month; curiosity killed the cat but satisfaction brought it back. Instead she found herself falling in love with area, the rural farms mixed with a hint of city grit, the story of a city experiencing tragedy and trudging on. Marlee's parents tried to talk her out of it for a good six months, but lost the battle as she signed a lease for a cute little studio apartment in Hide Square, got herself a job as a 911 dispatcher. That was the career meant for her; so many mysteries, so many flashing moments of intrigue she got to partake in with faceless voices on the other line. For the first time in her life she felt content to be still, to settle just a little, ready to poke her nose about any little mysteries that might come her way.

[mnstcrbnll]

"ONE LAST TIME, WELCOME BACK TO SECRETS FROM THE STARS!!

Eleven stellar contestants wanted to give it another shot and discover the secrets remaining... and while some did amazing, some others... not so much~!

Now, first of all, time to spoil who sent those last few secrets... and then we'll go ahead and see who got the golden star... and who ended up at rock bottom!

" i still like a guy who cheated on me and broke my heart and idk what to do about it. i know i shouldn't be. i think i need some advice." was STRELITZIA'S SECRET, and half of our contestants guessed correctly! Let's hope someone will give her some advice after all!

"killed a man by adding 4x the spice to a chili. he never recovered." was BRUTO'S SECRET, and while the majority guessed right, plenty thought it could've been Anzu's, Lyra's or Molayne's secret as well. Guess nobody is a good cook, here!

"I ACCIDENTALLY CAUSED THE GREAT SUNNYSHORE CITY BLACKOUT AND NOBODY KNOWS. I CRASHED MY BIKE AGAINST A BIG ELECTRIC PANNEL AND RAN AWAY." was WILLOW'S SECRET, and with my surprise a vast majority thought it belonged to Mable! And while I'm at it, I want to remind our stellar audience to go visit Eternara's Rickshaw & Daughter's for all your biking needs!

" I once broke a thunderstone earing my classmate lent to me by chewing on it." was LYRA'S SECRET, and people equally guessed her and Molayne! We'll have to gift them both some high quality earrings!

" I have had done something naughty in the break room or my place of work " was MOLAYNE'S SECRET, but the majority guessed Bruto! My oh my, sooo spicy~!

"I have horrible Phasmophobia, but ghosts seem to love me anyway." was RIKA'S SECRET! She got the majority of votes, but that seemed to throw off a lot of people too!

"I've been trying to get back into drawing fanart of my favorite childhood book series, PokeMorphs. I even had a PokeMorph-sona back then, who was a Stantler, and I'm trying to redraw her. Who knows, maybe I'll have her evolve into a Wydeer or something" was MABLE'S SECRET, and much to my surprise, while the majority guessed her, just as many people thought it was Rika's secret! Maybe you too should meet for some fanfiction ideas!

Now now now, the moment you've been waiting for! Last time, Riley ( @auraguardians ) was on top... but this test put everyone in a very rough spot, making someone even go under ZERO STARS! In fact, at the very last place, with MINUS THREE AND A HALF STARS, Volkner ( @low-charge )!! But fear not, someone did way worse: in fact, GRUSHA ( @crushed-ice ) he decided to go ahead and threaten your galactic host on camera and we decided to give a little malus ♥ This means that, at the end of the day, with MINUS FOUR, Grusha loses! ♥

But, now, to see who became our new STELLAR GOSSIPER... with NINE STARS after she guessed every single secret of round 2 correctly, and after she oh-so-boldly went ahead and sent her guess for the first one barely five minutes after the start of our show

WILLOW ( @soardived ) IS THE WINNER OF THIS ROUND OF SECRETS FROM THE STARS!!!

For that, she's allowed to recieve... ONE WISH! Nothing too big, of course, we don't give out Mythical Pokèmon and potions of eternal youth... but after spreading your dirty laundry, the least you could ask for in return is a first class ticket, right?"

cue canned laugh

"Congratulations to all partecipants, and I wish you all a STELLAR EVENING!"

[clarenecessities]

3, 9, 19 !

3. What’s your favorite fic that you’ve written?

Perfect, probably. I was really pleased with how it all came together, and I think I got some good emotional notes in there! And certainly some good puns >:3

9. Do you write every day? If you wrote today, share a sentence of what you’ve written!

I dooooo... but a lot of it is nonfiction. Notes, essays, so on. I'm what you'd call hashtag addicted to research. Thing I've been working on this week is a weird in-between, though. I've been summarizing the Classics timeline in case people want to know the gist of shit without reading five billion bios about characters that don't matter. Here:

(Alternative: He-Ro died here, and in his grief…) Eldor sank the Three Towers into the earth until the "great kings" returned, "and the past and future would need to intertwine", then took the Book and fucked off for five thousand years.

He-Ro either died before Castle Grayskull was built and partially caused the First Ultimate Battleground, or he died during the First Ultimate Battleground, after the dissolution of the Treaty of the Three Towers, which makes slightly more sense because how would he be able to send Evil-Lyn 5000 years in the future otherwise? But like when was the dang Castle built then?

19. Give us a small teaser from one of your WIPs.

Well, only one of them has anything resembling a teaser, though I've been trying to keep this one under wraps since it's taken me on like 15 different research tangents already... Ah, whatever. Teaser below the cut but don't expect the thing to be published any time soon, I'm highly distractable:

Cyra had known that she and her brother were capable of time travel for as long as she could remember. It was just part of the magical nonsense inherent to being She-Ra’s kids. What she hadn't known was how to actually replicate their infanthood misadventure, or that it was possible to do so by accident. Stranded in the past with no idea how to get home, Cyra tries to improve her mothers’ childhood without getting caught (or brainwashed) by Shadow Weaver, who’s far too interested in her potential.  Adam just wanted to horse around and irritate his sister. Now everyone’s freaking out, the contingency plan they worked out with Entrapta won’t turn on, and he’s getting a little bored. Jumping into the past after Cyra probably wasn’t the best plan, but he’s sure the members of the first Alliance can help!

[wrongpublishing]

BOOK REVIEW: TIM MCGREGOR'S WASPS IN THE ICE CREAM

by Elizabeth Broadbent, Staff Writer.

Since moving to A Real City (holla, RVA!), our local bookstore has a decent horror section: yes, we have the legendary Libbie Barnes & Noble. Our family hit it up Saturday, when I snagged Tim McGregor’s Wasps in the Ice Cream, one of the newest from Raw Dog Screaming Press. I havea long TBR stack of ARCs. There was guilt. BUT BOOKS!

On Sunday, my husband’s birthday, global warming gifted us with a day of daffodils and blooming Bradford pears. The fam hiked two miles—the farthest I’ve walked since receiving iron infusions for severe anemia. Anemia leaves you exhausted. I was proud. I was tired.

I promise, I’ll get to the book.

Afterward, I decided to soak in my heart-shaped enormo-tub, a trashy upper-middle-class indulgence I shouldn’t enjoy so much. This tub is surrounded by more than twenty candles, mostly tea lights in seashells, because I am a decadent bitch (I swear I’m not as basic as this sounds). I’d just finished one ARC, and I wanted a break from screens, so I snagged Wasps in the Ice Cream. This was supposed to be... shortish. Maybe half an hour, pre-nap.

Cue the 1980s. 

Mark’s outgrown his childhood besties: Kombat Kevin, perpetually stuck in his “let’s throw some fireworks at each other for fun” phase, and Eric, always a little slow on the uptake. On a summer-doldrum night, Mark notices the mysterious Farrow sisters in the grocery store. You know them: the creepy homeschooled girls shut up in a run-down gothic mansion. Once, their family owned most of town, and they lost everything but their snobbery. Their reclusiveness has fueled rampant rumors. They’re weird; they’re shunned; they shun everyone. Mark’s dumbass friends play a stupid prank on them, and despite his reluctance, he joins in—and feels horrible. 

As penance, he tries to befriend the middle sister, George. Her attitude at first—well, “standoffish” is polite. But slowly, they become friends, and...

My tea lights began to burn out. Usually, I scramble to light more. 

I noticed the candles only in retrospect.

I kept reading.

Time passed. I refreshed my hot water—once? Twice?—book in hand. Tea lights continued winking out. Eventually, I turned the last page; I was weeping; and my sunlit bathroom had turned to candlelight. Somewhere downstairs, someone was yelling about birthday cake. This sounds overdramatic. It’s true. 

When this book launched, I saw it everywhere, liked the cover, and thought, huh, maybe I ought to read that. Maybe you should have read this yesterday. The pacing’s taut. The characters are vivid. I ached not only for big plot points, but small ones, too: a visit to Gramma’s house left me crying. I believed in Mark. His struggle to fit in two worlds was real; all those little details of high school rang true. Those details made Wasps in the Ice Cream devastatingly authentic, but they pained me: a good pain, because they were genuine; a wincing pain, because I remembered them too well. 

I also remembered those small-town summer doldrums, that nothing-to-do, the desperation for anything to happen. I remember that yearning to leave. I could have slipped into their skins: into Mark’s desperate desire to fit in; into George’s painful isolation; even into Kevin’s appetite for destruction. Don’t you remember those stars stuck to your ceiling, the ones that never glowed? 

Maybe that’s why I loved this book so much: despite its touches of the supernatural, it’s a true story. In my favorite Steinbeck novel, Sweet Thursday (no one reads Steinbeck anymore), Doc says, “A thing isn't necessarily a lie even if it didn't necessarily happen.” I believe it. I believe it all.

Yes, the prose is great. Yes, the plotting is remarkable. Yes, it’s a great book.

But I believe it. A book you can believe in is a precious thing. Why, out of all of Stephen King’s novels, does Pet Semetary slam us hardest? Because it’s the truest (I’ll die on that hill).

We return to our mirrors. We examine our own sins and look for our redemption. We want a good story, yes—but in the end, we’re all Narcissus, and we seek our own reflections. Wasps in the Ice Cream holds up a mirror. Tim McGregor has handed us something special, and massive kudos to Raw Dog Screaming Press for pubbing this one. Pick it up. You won’t regret it.

& follow the author:

Twitter: @ TimMcGregor1