#she's too old for this but cassandra insists on putting her mama through it

[highlifeboat]

An Instant Bond

Alcina was skeptical the experiment would even work. But she couldn't have been more happy that it did. Or: The daughters wake up for the first time and Alcina instantly loves them.

Wholesome Content for once

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Alcina let out a hum as she strolled through the castle halls, the only noise besides her heels echoing off the walls was the harsh winds outside. It had been a particularly arduous day for the Lady of House Dimitrescu. The “family” meeting had run on longer than expected, all because Heisenberg insisted on starting an argument over body counts. Again. She swore that man would have been dead years ago if Mother Miranda didn’t insist on keeping him around. She hardly understood why, it wasn’t as if he was doing anything to benefit their cause besides making disgusting, mindless, animals in that dingy factory of his. None of her “siblings” did as much as she did for their little “family”, the others were hardly needed. Would it really make a difference to get rid of them?

Then again, who was she to judge Mother Miranda’s decisions? It mattered little either way. Alcina was sure she was the favourite of the four. Why else would she have been granted the castle? The vineyard? The everlasting life? The…

The girls.

She had nearly forgotten to check on them. It had been close to a week since Miranda had laid out the bodies on cold slabs for Alcina to observe and in that short amount of time they had been covered in swarms of flies and other bugs. It was a fascinating thing to witness, more so when they had started to change in colour, and while she was still a little skeptical if this process was going to work at all, it made for interesting research. The worst case scenario was that they would just be another batch of mindless zombies, only this time sensitive to the cold.

It came as a surprise when she entered the room they had been placed within the library and found not a writhing mass of insects, but three intact bodies. Almost as if they hadn’t been consumed by flies and roaches for the past six days. The only notion anything had changed was the hair colour. Rather than three brunettes, the eldest one’s hair had become a pale blonde and the youngest’s had turned almost auburn. Even the middle girl’s had taken a darker tone. As if they were completely different people. Alcina grabbed her note book.

“Six days since treatment;

The mass of insects have transformed into human bodies again.”

She looked back over to the girls, faces lit up by the setting sun, and briefly wondered how long it would take them to wake. If they would even wake at all. It would be a shame to have gone through all this trouble for nothing, but she had seen experiments fail before for the slightest reasons. Curious, she approached the table for a closer look at the three. For what seemed like corpses, they certainly looked peaceful.

The thought of if they would have pulses suddenly occurred to her, a rather arbitrary though, but she gently pressed two fingers to the middle girl’s neck anyway. There was... something, though it felt much more like bugs crawling beneath the flesh than an actual heartbeat.

Then, the girl’s eyes snapped open, and Alcina jerked back out of surprise. There was silence as the brunette blinked, squinting at the light, and Alcina was equally as surprised when the other two slowly followed suit. One by one they would blink a few times, then push themselves up into a sitting position before looking at themselves, then each other, then the room, and finally all eyes were set on Alcina. They didn’t seem to remember her, or where they were, or much of anything by the looks of it. Their expressions were filled with nothing but curiosity and confusion, almost like a newborn baby.

Alcina swallowed, the blonde brought her knees up to her chest, the brunette rubbed one of her eyes, and the redhead tilted her head to the side and was the first one to break the silence.

“M… Mama?” She asked innocently, and Alcina’s heart melted.

She was never given the chance to have children of her own before, but now….

“Yes, my little one.” She replied in a soft tone, gently brushing the hair from the redhead and brunette’s faces. They leaned into her touch, while the blonde still seemed to eye her like a cautious kitten from behind a mess of hair. “I am your mother. And I love you all very much.” The two younger girls practically purred as they nuzzled into her.

“Mama.” They both hummed as Alcina focused on the third.

She took a hand off the redhead, though it didn’t stop the girl from pushing her head into her side, and outstretched it to the eldest. “Don’t be shy, my dear.” She coaxed. “Come to mother.”

The blonde girl stared for a moment, then crawled closer, putting her hands around Alcina’s wrist before pressing her cheek against the leather of Alcina’s glove. She didn’t say anything, but gave a content smile at the touch and momentarily closed her eyes.

“My three beautiful daughters….” Alcina mused, more for herself than anything. They stared up at her, eyes wide and filled with curiosity. She’d only known them for only a handful of minutes, and already she had fallen in love with them.

They spent the rest of their first day alive following her around like puppies. She’d given them baths, laughing when the younger two protested the idea while the eldest watched on, wrapped in a towel, provided them each with a set of her old clothes she had grown far too big for, and fed them plates of human remains that they devoured like animals. Once things had settled and it was well into the night, the girls began to yawn, the two younger girls muttering “Sleepy” and “Tired” as they held Alcina’s dress. She had set up rooms for them in advance, but they insisted on staying with her. And how could she say no when they were looking up at her, eyes half closed, like sleepy little angels.

She wouldn't.

She couldn’t.

And that was how she ended up in bed with them snuggling into her, peacefully sleeping while she scribbled one last thing in her note book.

“The girls awoke, and looked at me like newborns. I sense a bond between us, like mother and daughters.

I have already decided their names: Bela, Daniela, and Cassandra.”

She set the book aside, and gave each girl a kiss on the head. They barely stirred, and for the second time Alcina thought of how peaceful they looked.

For as long as she had any say, she would never let anything happen to her beloved daughters.

[elfrootaddict]

HERALD OF ANDRASTE - Chapter 1/4

DESCRIPTION: El'lana’s entire world is turned upside down when she, a proud Dalish elf, is bestowed the title “Herald of Andraste”. SERIES: Halla & Wolf VOLUME: 3

It was only yesterday that Lana woke up to find herself on a large bed, in a warm cabin - instead of lying outside on the cold stone floor of the temple’s ruins.

Confused by her surroundings, Lana abruptly sits up and frightens an unexpected young elven woman who immediately drops her supply box as she falls to her knees, plants her hands on the floor and exclaims, “I beg your forgiveness and your blessing. I am but a humble servant.”

Lana’s heart leapt when she saw a fellow elf kneel before her, “Creators lethallan, what are you doing?”

The elf only bowed lower as her forehead almost touched the floor, “You are back in Haven, my lady. They say you saved us. The Breach stopped growing, just like the mark on your hand,” 

Lana looked down at her hand and noticed the magic subduedly illuminating underneath her skin. It felt suppressed and dormant.

“It’s all anyone has talked about for the last three days.”

“Three days?!” shrieked Lana as she looked up from her hand.

To Lana, it felt as if she had merely fainted for a brief moment. However, instead of a minute or two, it had been days. And instead of waking up at the temple, she was back in Haven, in a cabin, and with an elf claiming to be her humble servant. 

To say Lana was wholly confused would have been the understatement of her lifetime.

Lana stared out the window of the cabin, watching the snow slowly trickle down as she tried to make sense of her rapidly evolving situation. While deep into her thoughts, the elven woman rose to her feet and nervously headed for the door, “...she said, ‘At once’.” and left the cabin in a great hurry.

Desperate for answers, Lana decided to get dressed and find Cassandra. Once changed out of the night dress, someone had put her in, and back into her old, filthy human clothes, Lana opened the door of the cabin and found herself standing in front of a horde of humans. One by one, everyone stopped what they were doing and stared with mouths agape.

As she slowly walked through the crowd of gawkers, she heard many whispering, “The Herald of Andraste! That’s her! That’s the Herald!”

Lana felt she needed to do a few double-takes to make sure she had heard them correctly, and to her astonishment it seemed there was no denying what she had heard. 

The Herald of Andraste? Mythal, ar halani lasa ghilan. I fear I may need it now more than ever before.

After awkwardly walking her way through the crowd and into the Chantry, Lana eventually reached the closed internal door within and immediately overheard people shouting on the other side. One voice she recognized to be Cassandra, and the other belonging to the senior Chantry gentlemen on the bridge days before. 

“Have you gone completely mad?” cried the Chancellor. “She should be taken to Val Royeaux immediately and be tried by whomever becomes Divine!”

“I do not believe she is guilty.” Cassandra insisted.

“The elf failed, Seeker. The Breach is still in the sky! For you all know, she intended it this way.”

“I do not believe that.” 

“That is not for you to decide,” demanded the Chancellor. “Your duty is to serve the Chantry.”

“My duty is to serve the principles on which the Chantry was founded, Chancellor. As is yours.”

Deciding that was as good of a time as any, Lana opened the door to find Cassandra, the Chancellor and Liliana standing around a large, wooden table. If they were going to be talking about her, she might as well be part of it. She was not going to allow these humans decide her fate. That’s what Lhoris would have done. 

“Chain her!” cried the Chancellor to the two Templars situated on either side of the door. “I want her prepared for travel to the capital, for trial.”

“Disregard that,” Cassandra ordered. “And leave us.”

And, so they did.

Lana stood awkwardly as Cassandra and Lilliana fought with the Chancellor over who had authority to do what. It was a dual, where their weapons of choice were their words. Each sentence cutting their opponent down precisely where they knew it would cause the most pain.

Suddenly and unexpectedly, a loud bang filled the room and Lana noticed Cassandra pointing to a thick, ancient book on the wooden table between them.

“You know what this is, Chancellor. A writ from the Divine, granting us the authority to act,” Cassandra paused as she looked about the room. “As of this moment, I declare the Inquisition reborn,” and walked towards the Chancellor threateningly. “We will close the Breach, we will find those responsible, and we will restore order. With or without your approval.”

Cassandra, having clearly won their verbal-duel, left the Chancellor with no other option but for him to leave the room defeated. Although she had been victorious, Cassandra did not look happy about it. 

Liliana turned to Lana and explained, “This is the Divine’s directive: rebuild the Inquisition of old. Find those who will stand against the chaos,” and then sighed with a heavy heart. “We aren’t ready. We have no leader, no numbers, and now... no Chantry support.”

As a Dalish elf, Lana's knowledge was understandably focused on elvhen culture, history, and magic. Up until recently, she never had any reason to know about human history. However, considering the situation, this had needed to be rectified. 

Lana was pleasantly surprised to find that, despite her numerous questions, Cassandra and Liliana seemed more than happy to divulge their understanding of the ancient writ and answer all of Lana’s immediate questions as best they could.  

“The Chantry will take time to find a new Divine, and then it will wait for her direction.” advised Liliana.

“But we cannot wait,” insisted Cassandra. “So many grand clerics died at the Conclave,” looking fiercely towards Lana. “No, we are on our own. Perhaps forever.” and then Cassandra turned her glare from Lana’s eyes to the dormant magical mark on her hand.

With her hand extended, like equals, Cassandra regarded Lana as she asked a heavy question with ease, “Help us fix this Mistress Lavellan, before it’s too late.”

The moment had demanded an immediate response, and with no time given to mull-over the decision or to find some way to escape this madness, Lana looked down at the Seeker’s hand and took a deep breath as she stepped forward, and shook Cassandra’s hand in agreement. 

Cassandra and Liliana then excused themselves so that they could inform the others, which meant leaving Lana alone in the room.

Immediately, Lana regretted her decision.

What. The. Fuck. Have. You. Done?!

When Cassandra asked her to help seal the Breach days before, Lana naively assumed her responsibility would end then and there. 

But now, Lana had agreed to become apart of this human ‘Inquisition’. 

You fool! Why are you like this? You should be heading back home so the Keeper can find a way to remove this damn magic from your hand! Not keep helping these shems!

Lana then looked down at her hand as her heart thrashed around inside her chest, and fear roared in her eyes.

As each moment passed with Lana staring into her palm, she slowly realised the full weight of her responsibility and the true reality of the situation. Her responsibility and role in this mess was far too great to ignore, no matter how hard she willed it away. No matter how nauseous her decision made her feel. No matter how harshly she scolded herself for the decision she made just now. 

This Breach threatens not just these shems, but the whole of Thedas… which includes everyone back home. The Keeper. Tamara. Lhoris. Everyone. 

And with this mark…

This mark is the only thing that is able to seal these tears in the Veil. So what choice do I really have? If I run, what does that say about me? Could I honestly leave knowing I’m the only one capable of sealing these tears? What would the Keeper say? 

Lana closed her eyes, took a deep breath to calm her nerves, and walked out the room closing the door behind her. 

She would tell me to stay. She would tell me to take this as an opportunity to mend the bridge between the shems and the elvhen. Show the shems that the Dalish are capable of helping others beyond our kin. 

As Lana slowly walked through the Chantry, she began admiring the peacefulness within. The Chantry sisters praying quietly in front of the dimly lit candles, the hushed ambiance, and the small trickle of sunlight creeping through the windows above its great doors. 

She would tell me that I can do this. That I have the fire of mamae and the caution of papae. That if I’ve made it this far, then I can do what comes next. Helping these shems is the right thing to do.

Once Lana exited the Chantry, she found herself once again in front of a crowd of on-lookers. However, this time Cassandra, Liliana, Josephine Montilyet and Commander Cullen immediately turned and gestured for her to join them in formation as they officially announced the rebirth of the Inquisition. 

Okay, Keeper. Then that is what I’ll do. For you and for the People. I will help fix this mess. For I am a proud, Dalish, elf. Arlathvhen, Mythal ar lasa ghilan.

Elvish to English Translation: 

“Mythal, ar halani lasa ghilan” = Mythal, help me and guide me

“Arlathvhen, Mythal ar lasa ghilan” = For the love of the People, Mythal guide me.

Chapter 1 | Chapter 2 | Chapter 3 | Chapter 4

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Halla & Wolf Series

[gaamagirl565]

Matters of the heart S2 EP 4

Matters of the heart

Season 2 Episode 4

Helping hand With special thanks to 1A-lchemist for the Romanian lullaby {OPENING CREDITS} {Open to old Corona in the morning; a faint melody can be heard on the wind; pan over to Varian’s bedroom window where Zapada sits on the bed with Varian’s head resting on her stomach; begin Romanian lullaby “Cantec de leagan“} {Zapada} Dormi cu mama copilaș

Dragul mamei îngeraș

Că mama te-o legăna

Și mereu îți va cânta

Na, na

Puișorul mamei mic

De te-ai face un voinic

Frumusel și măricel

Mândru ca un stejărel

Na, na

Puiul mamei puișor

Dormi cu mama, dormi ușor

Îngerii te vor veghea

Și în somn te-or dezmierda

Na, na {End song with Zapada running her fingers through Varian’s long bang}} Varian:...I said it before and i’ll say it again...this kid is so lucky to have you as a mom. Zapada: what do you think? Boy or girl? Varian: mmmm...I’m thinking girl. {Isaiah walks in} Isaiah: no way! It’s totally a boy! Zapada: ah I see...and how may you tell? Isaiah:...I uh..I just know...brothers share a special bond. Right now he’s just waiting to make his entrance! Zapada: *burp* All:..... Isaiah: see? Zapada: Oh no… {she runs out of the room and towards the bathroom with Varian following} Varian: Zapada? *has the door slammed in his face*....you alright? {wretching sounds come from the door} Varian: ummm...you’re doing great….I love you...want me to make you some sort of antiemetic? Zapada: Varian...I do love you but...taci din gură! {the toilet flushes and she comes stumbling out} Varian: Easy, catch your breath. Zapada:...how am I to survive 6 more months of this? Varian: You have me… Zapada: but..I don’t know how to knit baby clothes...and the nursery..and..and. {Zapada starts to fall over and Varian catches her} Varian: Zapada!...you’re stressing yourself out… Zapada: I’m just...I’m...just leave it... I’m not the first woman to have a baby and I won’t be the last….I’m going to go lie down. Isaiah: Is Zapada okay? Varian: I...I don’t know buddy.. Isaiah: I’m...going out...I’ll be back later... Varian: Oh...okay...be careful...hmm, not the first and not the last… *varian gets an idea* {Pan to Varian in front of the throne} Rapunzel: You want me to what now? Varian: help Zapada. She’s new to this whole thing. She tends to keep to herself and not tell people when somethings bothering her. Eugene: and you want Rapunzel to help her out? Varian: yes. Look you have 5 children so you’re experienced, to say the least. Rapunzel she’s scared and stressed. Please… Eugene: Sunshine it’s your call. Rapunzel:....well...Okay! uh... Where is she? Varian: umm... Eugene: how far along is she? Varian: uhh...3 months? Eugene: Probably sticking her head in a latrine… Rapunzel: Eugene! {Cut to the Cut HQ where Cassandra is training} Larkspur: Focus my vessel… Cassandra: I-I’m trying...why are you doing this to me… Larkspur: now don’t start that again...you were one with the moonstone at a time and therefore are the perfect vessel for the power you possess… so...again. Cassandra: NO! I won’t! I’ll..never stop fighting you! Larkspur: *sigh*...you know what happens when you say that… {Cassandra grunts as her eyes flicker in colour; she screams as the magic overtakes her and she collapses with a growl} Larkspur: even if you managed to defeat all of us...your magic abilities are still unstable...you’d be cursed with it for life… Noremoth: Larkspur! Larkspur: oh...hello Norie. Guards...the Vessel is tired. Take her to her room. {Guards help Cassandra up but she shakes them off} Cassandra: Larkspur…you might have me trapped and you might take my conscience, But trust me even with a powerful being at your side no one is just going to bend to your will... especially Corona. Larkspur: that's what I'm hoping... now go on go take your nap… {Cassandra is lead away; Noremoth looks on with a concerned face} Larkspur: come on, Norie... let's get this over with. Noremoth: Yes...of course... {cut to Zapada staring at a cup of tea with Ruddiger} Zapada: so Ruddiger….the question haunts me...will this help me? Or make me empty my digestion? Ruddiger: *chitters and shrugs* Zapada: one way to find out… {She goes to sip but Rapunzel kicks open the door to the house making her drop the cup} Zapada: AH!...my tea… Rapunzel: oops… Zapada: Y-your majesty? What are you-!? Rapunzel: Varian told me you’re having some issues with all this um...newness. Zapada: Well yes but I- Rapunzel: Well fear no more! I’m here to help! Zapada: what? Rapunzel: So today I’m going to help you with the most difficult part! Zapada: and that is? {Cut to them in the doorway of the unfinished nursery} Rapunzel: Painting the nursery! Zapada: Painting? Rapunzel: Trust me painting something can be really good for your mental health!  and what better way to paint than painting your baby’s room! Zapada: well I suppose you are correct... might as well get a head start on it at least. Rapunzel:  great so what did you want as a base coat? Zapada: base coat? I am confused… Rapunzel:  well don't you want to put some pretty little designs on it you have to have a base coat if you want to do that! Zapada: but we don't even know if the baby is a boy or a girl so what sort of designs are we supposed to do? Rapunzel:  that is a fair point... tell you what I'll work on the base coat if you do the borders. Zapada:...well...Alright. Rapunzel: that's the spirit!  I'll get you set up on the ladder! {show time passing with Zapada doing the borders of the room in gold paint and Rapunzel painting the walls a light periwinkle} Rapunzel: It's really coming together isn't it? Zapada: yes it is!... but your majesty I do appreciate the help but why- {Rapunzel bumps into the ladder as shes painting} Zapada: AH! Rapunzel: OH MY-SORRY! {Rapunzel tries to steady the ladder but the ladder starts cracking} Rapunzel: uh oh. Zapada: R-Rapunzel! Rapunzel: Why does everything in Varian’s house seem to break so easily!? Zapada: RAPUNZEL! Rapunzel: Zapada you have to jump! Zapada: ARE YOU MAD!? I'm up at least 14 feet! Rapunzel:  I'll catch you I promise! {The ladder cracks} Zapada: AH! YOUR MAJESTY! {Isaiah walks in just as Zapada falls on Rapunzel} Isaiah: uhhhh...Is this a bad time? {Zapada gets up} Zapada: Yes Isaiah... it is very bad time!  I have no idea what is going on, her majesty for some reason shows up at my door sing she has the answer to my problems, I don't even know what my problems are but apparently everybody else does, she is insisting that we paint the nursery,  my husband is seemingly nowhere to be found,  and I am nothing but confused right now!  so yes this is very bad time! {everyone looks on in shock} Rapunzel: Zapada... are you okay? Zapada:... forgive me Your Majesty... but I need some space at the moment. {Zapada pinches the bridge of her nose and walks out; cut to Zapada out on the back stoop and Varian walks up with a cup of tea} Varian: I made you some tea… Rapunzel told me how you spelled yours... yeah this could have gone better. Zapada:  I have several questions. Varian: that I am more than likely prepared to answer… Zapada: *inhale*... why? Varian: okay now I'm not prepared to answer...why what? Zapada:  why all of this?  what was all of this? I know for a fact that you were behind it because you were going all day! Varian:  it's just... I've been worried about you. Zapada: worried? Varian:  you've been kind of not yourself lately... I know that's to be expected with this but you seem more scared than usual, sometimes cranky, and you seem to stress yourself out.  I just thought maybe if I could have someone who's experienced with this sort of thing help you out in some way maybe you'd feel better. I'm sorry it was dumb. Zapada: oh, Iubirea mea… {she kisses him} Zapada: I appreciate that you're trying to help me.  and I'm sorry if I've been a bit out of sorts lately I must admit I am a bit frightened because this is all so new but it's nothing I can't handle.  next time just ask me if I need help.  if there's anything I ever need I'll let you know. Varian:  and I'll be there whenever you need me… {Rapunzel walks up with Isaiah; both covered in paint} Rapunzel:  hello... I know you're probably busy but… Zapada:  no your majesty we're fine… Varian:  Isaiah... why are you covered in paint? Isaiah: well- Varian:  please tell me you didn't touch anything that you weren't supposed to with that. Isaiah: like what? Varian: Like the walls and the banisters... and the tables... EVERYTHING REALLY! Isaiah: unfortunately too late for that one… Varian: UUGHHH NO!!!   Rapunzel: ...Isaiah and I have a present for the mother-to-be. {Cut to them opening the room to the nursery} Zapada: GASP! Isaiah:  do you like it? { the room has a painting of the kingdom of Corona on it surrounding the walls} Rapunzel: Oh and Isaiah did that part. { on the wall above where the crib would be is a heart  with a portrait of Varian, Zapada,  and Isaiah in it cuddling a small infant} Zapada: *tearing up* it’s beautiful… Isaiah:  Dad? are you okay? Varian: yeah just something in my eye… Isaiah:  Dad we only need one blubbering mess in the room thank you Zapada: *laughs* Varian: oh okay is that how this is going to be!? { Varian picks Isaiah up,  throws him over his shoulder, and Twirls him around the room} Isaiah:  put me down! PUT ME DOWN! {Rapunzel smiles and giggles} Zapada:  your majesty I want to apologize for my behavior earlier. I shouldn't have snapped at you and Isaiah Rapunzel:  no it's perfectly fine no need to apologize.  trust me I get it. Being in your condition can be quite the experience. Zapada:  you have the kingdom to run and you agreed to help me anyway. it was out of the kindness of your heart and I want to thank you for it. Rapunzel: I want to thank you though. Zapada:  me? whatever for? {Rapunzel looks over at Varian and Isaiah rough housing} Rapunzel:  for giving them a family again. Zapada: ... I was more than happy to do it. Rapunzel: you know I'd love it if we could hang out more often? we don't have to paint if you don't want to… Zapada: that sounds lovely your maje- Rapunzel… {Isaiah pins Varian} Isaiah:  I'm the king of the castle! Varian: Augh! Okay! Easy on the back! Rapunzel: they're good boys aren't they? Zapada: yeah... they really are. {pan off to the forest where Noremoth is watching the family from afar sadly} {END CREDITS}

[luciatsukiko]

Ace Book Club - Chameleon Moon (1/26)

Hi everyone! It's time for #AceBookClub again, but before we start, let's all wish a happy birthday to the lovely @frompawntoqueen !

Now, as always, here's where we left off:

Liam gets increasingly upset - he feels guilty about what MT did to Hans, but he doesn't want to do what Hans is asking of him

Hans vanished, but Liam couldn’t stop shaking. He fell to his knees, grasping at the bed, at the still hand on the white linen. “Damn you, Hans— come back! Come back! Help me!” Hot, bitter tears flowed down his gaunt cheeks and pooled on the immaculate sheets. “I’m sorry…” Nobody came.

We're with Evelyn, who is visiting her mom, Cassandra. Are you familiar with the Cassandra from Greek mythology?

Cassandra (the Greek one) was able to predict the future, but cursed to not have anyone believe her predictions. She foresaw the fall of Troy, but nobody believed her. You might want to keep that in mind...

Back to Chameleon Moon! Evelyn feels bad about leaving Cassandra behind when she left Turret House, but her mom tells her “You did what it took to survive. Sometimes that means running. Escaping”

We learn that Cassandra gets visions. She's wearing a black veil to help limit those, but she can't stop them completely.Since they have limited time before Cassandra will have another vision, Ev gives her a short summary of what's been going on. She asks about Liam, and Cassandra tells her “Be very careful.”

“He’s walking on very fragile ground. Everyone is in Parole, but the trouble is, that boy doesn’t even know it.”

“Liam doesn’t know himself. It’s hard to be on anyone’s side when nobody’s on his. Not even his father.”

“His father. Turret. The Major [...] What’s he doing, Mama?”

“All the wrong things.”

I feel like this is both true and incredibly vague.

“Some evil sweeps like a tidal wave. Systems of it, building on itself until it’s unstoppable”

“Some stays quiet and small in a little room, where no one sees. There’s no fire, no thousands in pain”

Cassandra tells Ev, “You’re here fight against the wildfire. I’m here to fight the evil in the little rooms.”

Ev doesn't want her mother to put herself in danger, but Cassandra insists that she knows best. Then - a vision:

“Haven't seen the moon in a while, but it never goes away. Just changes its face... [...] And it's [...] a chameleon moon”

“The world moves in cycles. We go from one phase to the next and everything’s different. The moon changes phases. Chameleons change everything too. The city on the Styx has seen a lot of change, but this is a big one. This one, oh, this puts the fire to shame.”

“What… what do you see?”

“Chameleon moon means change, and it’s coming closer. Storms and plague, dragons and ghosts, everything falling down into the fire, falling down, down…”

[…]

“This isn’t just a possibility, Evvie, it’s the real thing, the one real thing I know for sure. And I have to warn everyone else, they have to listen to me, nobody listens to me!” Cassandra grabbed at her daughter’s wrist and clamped on like a steel vise. “There’s a storm, and there’s poison, and everyone is going to fall—”

The vision ends, and we leave Cassandra and Evelyn to go see what Finn is up to

“You really think there’s something down in the fire?” Finn took his eyes completely off the road to shoot Zilch a curious look.

“I mean, nothing could survive in there. Hans has to be making it up.”

So Hans is saying there's something alive in the fire?

“I don’t like this. He’s messing with you, but in a bad, scary way— okay, from what you’ve told me this guy messes with everyone, but this could actually kill you, which basically nobody else in Parole can do. I dunno, just sounds like a guy I’d want to get away from real fast.”

Oh come on, Finn, ghosts have feelings, too!

Radio Angel is reporting that "[her] good friend Cairus Maddox" is missing. Wonder what happened there.

Finn seems to be in pain suddenly. It's his stitches, he says.

“I— ow! Man, I thought they took my appendix out, but I swear it feels like they put something in! It hurts…”

The moment passes. Radio Angel is still on: “He’s 19 years old, white and skinny with blonde eyes and blue hair— oh no, sorry, I’m nervous”

Considering that Radio Angel seems to be a source of calm for many people, Cai must really be a personal friend of hers. Any idea who she might be?

Finn and Zilch get out of the car. They're at Ev, Rose, and Danae's house, but something is strange... The house is still the way Ev & co left it - it hasn't been raided for machinery or medicine. That's unusual.

Toto-Dandy is still in the entryway. Finn hopes Danae can fix him.

“Life comes back…” their whisper was soft as a breeze through an empty sanctuary. “Easier than anyone knows. But not always the same.”

Now Finn did look up at them with an expression that few people ever saw, but Zilch did more than most. Deep empathy, assurance and understanding. He opened his mouth to reply— but didn’t get out a single word.

Nobody looking at Zilch’s otherworldly, towering form ever expected them to move quickly. But before Finn could blink, they’d flown across the room and flung him to the floor, throwing themself on top of him and covering him with their torn black layers and heavy hood like a camouflage cloak. A surveillance helicopter’s thrum suddenly grew much louder, like it hovered right above them.

The helicopter leaves, and Zilch decides to search the area for SkEye agents while Finn gets the things Danae asked for. As he's loading it all into his car, two SkEye agents find him and are about to arrest him, when suddenly...

“Take your hands off him.”

It's Zilch, come to save the day!

Then their thin arms reached up and slowly lowered their hood. Now the pale light shone on a cold, hard stare, stripes and angles of stitches, and bared, broken teeth.

“Zero.” One of the SkEye men actually spoke out loud […]

“Zilch!” Finn was simply overjoyed. He also hadn’t heard the other word at all. He couldn’t see anything but their intensity and determination; nothing stopped Zilch once they started to walk like that, and now they were walking right to him. “I knew you’d come back! Five minutes!” He laughed, face lit up with relief, almost excitement— then one of the enforcers slammed a savage fist into his ribs, knocking the wind along with all resistance.

Immediately, Zilch froze mid-step, jerking as if they’d been the one punched. For one long moment they hung perfectly still in the air as if paralyzed, eyes nearly popping from their sockets. Then, as Finn watched, horrified, they clutched desperately at their own chest, doubled over in stunned agony— and went down hard.

Zilch is having trouble getting up, and the SkEye agents take Finn away in a helicopter. WHAT IS HAPPENING.

“I’m sorry…”

Zilch collapsed to the ground— and their heart, wherever it was, sank.

This is where we stop for now. What do you think just happened?

Do you have any theories? And what about Cassandra’s prophecy?

I'd love to hear from you!