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squaric-acid · 11 months ago

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A Treat for the Eyes, Pt. 1

My contribution to the TCR Secret Santa 2023

I'm writing for @raythecomputerart, I hope you enjoy! I was going to write something short and sweet for the cozy tea party prompt but it got entangled with the high fashion prompt and this was the result.

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“Here’s your next assignment,” Natoru, assistant to the editor-in-chief of Cat Kingdom Magazine, said nasally, holding the manilla folder out to Muta.

Muta reached across the desk with a grumble.

“Probably another toothpaste ad,” he muttered under his breath.

Toto elbowed him hard in the ribs.

“It’s for Baron’s new collection. You’ll need to find a suitable model. Yuki’s called in sick again.”

Natoru hid it well but both Muta and Toto had known their boss’s simpering secretary long enough to detect the disdain in his voice for the magazine’s top model. Who also happened to be the fiancée of the editor’s son. Thankfully, neither Muta or Toto shared Natoru’s disdain for the model.

“Well, if it’s Baron’s work then it should be interesting,” Toto said cheerfully as Natoru sashayed out of the small office Toto and Muta shared.

Muta gave a long-suffering sigh as he flicked through the folder.

“Where are we going to find a suitable model in this short of time?”

~@~

“A modeling gig?” Haru gave Hiromi a quizzical look across the cafe table she was bussing.

“Not just any gig. Look!”

Hiromi shoved the flier in her skeptical friend’s face.

“It’s for Baron’s new spring collection!” Hiromi squealed.

Haru removed the flier from her face and gave it a glance.

“That’s nice,” Haru said blandly. “When did you hear about it?”

“Someone just put up a flier on the bulletin board. Some fatso from the photography department. Just as I was leaving.”

“That’s nice,” Haru said, turning back to her task.

“Oh, come on Haru! This is perfect for you! I know you’ve been angling for a change to work with Baron since you first laid eyes on his work.”

“Okay sure, but-“

“But nothing. Why not try? Yuki’s out sick and Louise is still in Kyoto.” A wheedling tone had snuck into Hiromi’s voice.

“Get serious, there’s no way he’d select me to be his model for his latest collection.”

~@~

Why does this always happen to me? Haru asked herself as she sat curled against the hallway wall outside of one of the many studio spaces in the Cat Kingdom Magazine’s creative department. A dozen or so models lingered around waiting to be assessed for their suitability and worthiness to model for Baron’s newest collection.

“Why did Hiromi have to call in sick? Now I’m here on my own!” Haru grumbled to herself.

In the week since Hiromi had shoved the flier in her face, Haru had learned little else about Baron’s newest collection. She and Hiromi had clamored for spots in the modeling audition, luckily Haru’s second job at the cafe was accommodating. Despite being models for Cat Kingdom Magazine, the competition for the best gigs was cutthroat and she and Hiromi were among the more junior models.

Haru surveyed the other models all awaiting their turn to impress the famed designer. Baron was somewhat of an eccentric recluse amongst the top players in the fashion world. He always chose his models with the utmost care. And he favored the infamous photographer and stylist duo, Muta and Toto, for his shoots with the magazine.

The models around her all knew what a shoot like this could mean for their careers. They were dolled up to the nines and for models that’s saying a lot. Every single one harbored secret dreams of becoming Baron’s muse.

Haru, for all her aspirations in the fashion industry, had hardly bothered. Hiromi had convinced her to wear virtually no makeup to accentuate her features, instead of hiding them.

Muta and Toto worked extraordinarily well together but were exceedingly picky. Hence their infamy amongst the models of Cat Kingdom Magazine. When not called upon to work with Baron they often were out on small jobs, like toothpaste ads. If they were working for Baron on this shoot it meant that the standards would be astronomically high.

Hiromi and Haru had both done a couple gigs each with Muta and Toto for small ads. Cat Kingdom had originally been a talent acquisition company. It still kept up those programs and lots of models hoping to join the fashion seems started in Cat Kingdom’s talent agency. Apparently that’s how the son of Cat Kingdom’s editor came to know Yuki, one of the magazine supermodels. Haru and Hiromi had both met Yuki before, despite her newfound fame she always had the kindness of a hopeful new model.

The next model was called in to audition and Haru was pulled from her thoughts. She wondered if either Toto or Muta would recognize her. She wasn’t sure she wanted them to.

One by one the models went in and then came out. Each one sporting the tight smile of one who had been let down politely but rather scathingly too.

Soon Haru was alone in the hall. She stood and smoothed the wrinkles of her long skirt. She’d worn her favorite lacy socks and a pair of sandals over them. In retrospect not the most fashionable choice for an aspiring model.

Haru hadn’t been terribly self-conscious before this moment but she was now. And as the previous model exited with a classless upturned nose Haru felt her stomach sink down to rest around her toes.

“He’s so uptight,” she heard the previous model hiss to her friends who were waiting for her at the end of the hall.

“No wonder Louise left him.”

Haru felt her mouth go inexplicably dry.

=====

I do hope you enjoyed this! Stay tuned for parts 2, 3, and 4!

#the cat returns #tcr secret santa #tcr secret santa 2023 #my writing #haru x baron #toto #renaldo moon #muta #fanfic

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raythecomputerart · 11 months ago

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It's TCR Secret Santa time!!! I got the lovely YarningChick this year and for whatever reason upon seeing the words Family Secret and Breaking a Curse my mind said Holes AU but in the sense of only the family curse part of it!

So enjoy one of the few things I've written all year plus a bonus screen edit and dress up doll I did to figure out the design! And I'll @catsafarithewriter as well as the runner of this event this year <3

It’s a spring evening, the whispers of winter’s cold still clawing to keep it’s hold on the world around. But that didn’t mean much to the young woman who was in the library searching through the various books she had grabbed off the shelf. Anything ranging from books on the occult to myths and legends. It was a common occurrence to see her in the library, searching for something though never giving exact details on what it was she was searching for. The most anyone could get out of her was that she was on the lookout for bringers of luck or curse breaking.

One could almost think it must’ve been an obsession of hers trying to find items to bring good luck given the array of items scattering her person. A crown of clovers, rabbit feet earring, keys, and coins. It seemed anything that would supposedly bring good luck she found a way to incorporate into her outfit. Though if you’d observe her it was clear she needed all the help she could get. It seemed anything that could go wrong would around her and she was always in the wrong place at the wrong time. If you asked her how one could be so unlucky she would laugh it off and make some dismissive comment usually about how clumsy she is.

Someone cleared their throat near her, trying to get the woman’s attention. She jumped slightly and looked up at the interruption. Before her stood a stunning beauty in all white, apart from a glittering pink gem around her neck. A wide hat blocking the view of her face.

“Uh-hello?”

“If you are seeking help in things strange and mysterious. I know where you can go.” Her voice was soft and wispy.

The young woman closed her book, she’d been to many places of mystics and those claiming to be able to break spells and curses with no luck so far, though the research she’d been doing hadn’t helped much either. Dead ends all around it seemed. So what did she have to lose?

“And where is this place Ms…?”

“My name is Yuki, and the place is a little difficult to find so you’ll need a guide. Look for the large white cat at the crossroads. He’ll be your guide.”

“The crossroads…” The young woman glances down at her pile of books, ready to start tidying up, “Who is it that I’m looking for when I get to this pla-hello?”

She looks around to no avail, Yuki having already vanished. She groans slightly. More non-answers. She starts putting the books on the return cart near her, carefully and one at a time, but as she puts the last one on the wheel snaps off and the cart topples over. She closes her eyes and takes a moment before picking the books up and setting them on the table. Stopping by the librarian’s desk to let them know what happened.

Hopefully this place could help her out. The large white cat at the crossroads. On her way she was careful to avoid cracks. The library wasn’t that far from her destination so she was able to get there without injury. Though finding the “large white cat” she needed to find was a different story. Looking at all the store signs around she saw nothing even close to a large white cat. Just as she was about to take a break and sit down she felt something groan underneath her, she jumped up with a squeal. Turning around to see what she sat on she saw a cat.

A large white cat. Huh.

“Are you supposed to be my guide?” She whispers quietly to the cat. She feels ridiculous, “A lady in white told me I’d find my guide to someone who can help me with my problem here.”

The cat stares blankly at her for an awkward few moments and her shoulders drop, “Guess I have the wrong pers-cat. The wrong cat. Guide. Sorry I sat on you”

She turns to learn when a gravelling voice interrupts her, “Stop, I’ll show you.”

The cat was talking to her. The cat just spoke to her. She thought she had imagined that kind of thing when she was younger but as she got older cats only meowed as everyone else said they did. Right. Okay.

“It is you.”

He doesn’t respond again, instead jumping off the chair and heading in a direction.

She’s quick to stumble after him, “Hey w-wait a minute!”

She chases after him ducking out of the way as random crashes from bikes happen around her. Groans as he starts climbing on balconies and rooftops, but still follows, grateful for when the roof tile falls after she moves past it rather than while she was still on it. She understands now why Yuki said she would need a guide, completely lost in where exactly she was. Eventually they come to an archway and the cat she’s been following stands up. He wanders over to grab a newspaper and sit on a chair as she looks around the little area around her. Emphasis on little as she looks around nearly as tall as the buildings themselves.

“What a weird place…” Perhaps this is where she’d find her answers. But there was no one here. Other than her and the cat, “Um…hello? Where do I find who can help me? Is it you? I really need some help.”

He continues to ignore her, focusing on the newspaper in his hands. Suddenly sunlight hits the windows of the small buildings around her reflecting onto the building in front of her. Right where the cat is sitting.

“Enough Baron, turn it off, no one is impressed by your cheesy light show okay.” The cat yells back.

The light fades and instead the lamp and lights in the house turn on, as the door opens revealing a…nother cat. Though this one looks like the statue that had just been in the window.

“Good evening, welcome to the Bureau.” His clothes are so nice and even his voice sounds so fancy.

The woman tries to step closer only to trip on a stone and fall over with a oof, she groans and continues on regardless, “You’re cool.”

“Thank you,” He offers a hand to help her sit straight rather than being on the ground, “In case you hadn’t noticed, you’re in a world quite different from your own. This is a refuge for creations. Whenever someone creates something with all of their heart then that creation is given a soul you see, like me. And Toto there.”

Behind her the stone bird statue in the center of the square comes to life as well, Toto she supposes.

“That’s-That’s” Cool? Weird? Too much information?

“That is Toto. A stone statue with a soul.” The statue cat continues.

“I see you have a visitor today Baron, how unusual.” Toto says.

“Indeed, she’s quite a fetching one too.” The statue cat-Baron?-says.

Fetching? “Did he say Baron?”

“I am Baron Humbert von Gikkingen. The artisan who created me gave me that title.”

“I’ll…just call you Baron.”

“So, let’s get down to business. You say you need help?”

“Yes. My family is…this is going to sound crazy, but we’re cursed.” She explains.

The guide cat laughs, “Of course you are. That explains all the destruction on our way over.”

“Oh hush Muta.” Toto scolds, flying over to wack him, “Being catty isn’t welcoming.”

“Hey cut that out I don’t intend to be welcoming, we don’t need to be involved in curse business you chicken!”

“Chicken? At least I can tell the difference between a chicken and crow you marshmallow!”

“If it’s going to cause trouble I can just leave-”

Baron steps in front of her before she can get closer to the squabbling bird and cat, “I’m afraid I didn’t catch your name.”

“Oh, it’s Haru Yoshioka.”

“Well Miss. Haru, please step inside the Bureau.”

She follows Baron inside the small house, shrinking herself down to fit inside. As she settles in he offers her tea.

“It’s my own personal blend so I can’t guarantee the taste.” Baron warns.

As she takes a taste though she sees the warning was unneeded, “Wow, that’s the best tea I’ve ever tasted!”

“Then you’re lucky!”

She laughs, “I’m quite certain that’s not the case.”

Muta and Toto make their way in, also settling in.

“Well, tell us what you know then.” Baron sips on his tea.

“The story seems to be inconsistent depending on who I ask, but the women in my family are all extremely unlucky. Like we always seem to be in the wrong place at the wrong time. The most consistent answer I can seem to get is that a couple generations ago my great-great grandmother upset some witch. How exactly she did it changes so often that I have no clue what could be right. But whatever she did, the witch cursed the family line. But there’s got to be some way to break it right? Curses are made to be broken, I think.”

Baron hums, “I would imagine you’re right, though I’m afraid curses and what’s in witches' minds are not within my realm of knowledge.”

Haru’s shoulder’s sag, “Right. Well thank you for your time and tea then.”

“Ah, but we can still provide some assistance. My sister and her wife are more familiar with things of an arcane nature. I suggest we go to see them and see what ideas they have.”

Well. What did she have to lose right?

“To your sister then.”

Pose base is not mine I merely used it as a dress up doll, I originally intended to draw something fresh from the ground up but my finals murdered me a little whoops

#tcr secret santa #the cat returns #rart #tcr secret santa 2023

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rolandfontana · 5 years ago

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The Deadly Mix Behind Mass Attacks: Guns and Grievance

Are the mass attacks that have spilled tragedy into workplaces, schools and other public places across the U.S. preventable?

The ongoing debate over whether stricter gun control measures, more attention to individuals with mental health issues, or stronger safety measures such as hardening public facilities and arming schoolteachers, remained unresolved this week following the release of the second annual report by the U.S. Secret Service on mass attacks in public spaces.

In its analysis of 27 mass attacks, defined as incidents causing harm to three or more individuals in a public space, between January and December, 2018, the Secret Service’s National Threat Assessment Center (NTAC) identified a wide range of factors that contributed to the tragedies—touching only briefly on the specific policy options that have characterized the debate so far about how to address them.

The only constant factor, according to the NTAC, was that nearly all the perpetrators displayed “warning signs” that were not only identifiable well in advance, but had raised concerns among friends, co-workers or family members.

“While not every act of violence will be prevented, [the NTAC] report indicates that targeted violence may be preventable if appropriate systems are in place to identify concerning behaviors, gather information to assess the risk of violence, and utilize community resources to mitigate the risk.”

The report also noted that firearms were deployed in 89 percent of the incidents, even as it cautiously avoided any recommendations concerning stricter gun control.

Of the 24 incidents where firearms were used, at least 10 of the shooters possessed their weapon illegally at the time of the incident, including eight who should not have had guns because they were under protective court orders or had previously violated federal or state laws, and two who were minors.

The profiles of the attackers in the 2018 tragedies were strikingly similar to 2017: most were male, most exhibited symptoms of mental illness, and most were acting out of some perceived grievance, either political or personal.

While the number of incidents remained relatively the same (27 in 2018, compared to 28 in 2017), the toll last year was significantly less.

Some 91 people lost their lives and 107 were injured in 2018 attacks, including high profile ones like the Oct. 27 massacre at the Tree of Life synagogue in Pittsburgh, Pa., which left 11 dead; the May 18 shooting at a high school in Santa Fe, Tx. (10 killed, 13 injured); the June 28 attack on a newsroom in Annapolis, Md. (five dead); and the Feb. 14 attack at Marjory Stoneman High School in Parkland, Fl., (17 dead, 17 wounded).

In 2017, 28 mass attacks resulted in 147 lives lost, and 700 injured. The Oct. 1 mass shooting at a Las Vegas, Nev., music festival (58 killed, 546 wounded) was largely responsible for the higher toll. But other headline incidents included the June 14 shooting at a Republican congressional baseball practice in Alexandria, Va. (five wounded); and the Aug 12 incident at a rally in Charlottesville, Va., where a supporter of white supremacy drove his car into a crowd, killing one woman and injuring 19 others.

In 63 percent of the incidents, the attacks lasted five minutes or less.

With some notable exceptions, ideology was less of a motivating factor than personal or domestic grievances. But the report also noted that 30 percent of the attackers “appeared to have subscribed to a belief system that has previously been associated with violence.”

Locations of mass shootings in the US, 2018. Map courtesy NTAC

Comparison of motives of perpetrators in 2017 and 2018 mass attacks. Table courtesy NTAC

The report listed multiple facets of such beliefs, ranging from white supremacy to anti-semitism, animal rights and the so-called “Incel” movement, shorthand for involuntary celibates, a subculture of heterosexual males who resent the fact that they are unable to establish relationships with females.

Other defining characteristics noted in the report included:

The average age of the attackers was 37, and men made up a whopping 93 percent of the group.

Almost a quarter had histories of illicit drug use of substance abuse.

Just under half had “histories of criminal charges beyond minor traffic violations.”

Two-thirds experienced mental health symptoms prior to their attacks, and two-fifths of had fixations, which included intense or obsessive focuses on people, on significant others, perceived injustices, delusions, sociopolitical ideologies, and even video games.

But perhaps most importantly, “all but four attackers…made some type of communication that did not constitute a direct threat, but should have elicited concern,” and in 41 percent of the cases, attackers “appeared to have pre-selected targets in mind.”

This fact led the researchers to conclude that in most cases, friends, families or co-workers would have seen signals of stress or heard outright threats that suggested they were likely to commit a violent act.

If You See Something, Say Something

Borrowing a notion from the “If you see something, say something” anti-terrorism campaign adopted in the New York City metropolitan transit system, the researchers said it was crucial to inform authorities or managers about behavior that might prove threatening—and for the authorities to take such warnings seriously.

For example, for at least a year before the February 14, 2018 attack at Marjory Stoneman Douglas High School, killing 14 students and three staff, and wounding an additional 17, the attacker, a former student, exhibited behavioral problems that were alarming to some of his fellow students.

He had make racist and anti-Semitic comments, and spoke openly about his guns. Someone who knew the shooter contacted local law enforcement to report that he had posted on Instagram a photo of himself holding a gun and a written threat that he would “shoot up the school.”

“A proactive approach to violence prevention” in schools or workplaces would help identify early signs of trouble and communicate concerns to people who could investigate further, the study said.

But similar recommendations in other studies have aroused skepticism, with critics noting that students are often reluctant to “snitch” on friends, and co-workers or family members reticent about communicating for fear they will not be taken seriously by law enforcement or other authorities.

To get around these barriers, researchers noted that some schools now have “reporting infrastructures,” in which students or others can use a smartphone app to submit anonymous tips to a call center with law enforcement.

The federal STOP School Violence Act, passed in 2018, provides funding to state and local governments to create reporting apps and anonymous tip lines.

The EAGLES Act

In one early response to the NTAC report, Sen. Chuck Grassley (R-Iowa) called for passage of a bill he introduced last year, aimed at developing an “enhanced” threat assessment infrastructure that would, among other things, offer training to “agencies with protective or public safety responsibilities and other public or private entities.”

The so-called EAGLES Act, named for the school mascot at Marjory Stoneman Douglas High School, would specifically target violence prevention in schools , and provide up to $10 million annually between 2020-2023 for developing better infrastructure and more research.

The bill specifically ruled out providing funds to train schoolteachers or anyone else in the use of a firearm.

The Secret Service threw its support behind increasing research and education, as well as training for local law enforcement.

“The faster all of us with a concern for public safety can educate ourselves and others as to the warning signs and the options that exist for taking action, the better we will be able to prevent and deter acts of targeted violence,” Secret Service chief Murray said at a press conference following release of the report.

Nevertheless, several of the concerns raised by mass attacks in America were barely touched on in the report, including the role of copycat behavior and the use of the Internet to spread and incite acts of violence.

And doubts about the effectiveness of many of the remedies advanced by “experts” continue to prevail.

At a conference this spring at George Mason University, marking the 20th anniversary of the Columbine High School shooting, experts from academia and law enforcement conceded that it was difficult to single out effective policy responses.

The White House has so far not issued any official response to the NTAC study.

Meanwhile, the attacks are continuing. A little over a month before the report was released, 12 people were shot and killed at a Virginia Beach, Va., municipal government complex by an employee who was said to be “disgruntled.”

Read the complete NTAC report here.

Additional Reading: Experts Advise Firms on Avoiding Mass Shootings

TCR news intern Brian Demo contributed to this summary.

The Deadly Mix Behind Mass Attacks: Guns and Grievance syndicated from https://immigrationattorneyto.wordpress.com/

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ikemengoessbrrrrr · 11 months ago

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Finally I post this let's just say part 2 from high school au from @squaric-acid and like always don't forget to tag @catsafarithewriter

Yea takes so long because it's been a while since I write anything and I'm not really a pro writer

BTW ENJOY!

|| There's a Ghost at School

“What do you mean, it was real?"

"Please, believe me!"

Haru and Hiromi were on their way to the cafeteria. This was supposed to be a normal school day and an ordinary journey for lunch, but Hiromi kept retelling the same story that had been rumored lately among students in their school. Of course, Haru was one of the people who didn’t believe the rumor—a ghost wandering in the school library? It was as ridiculous as it sounded.

"Geez, stop being too realistic and think about it for a second! The library ghost, that’s classic!" Hiromi said.

"You mean cliché?" Haru replied with a smile. Before Hiromi could add more, they both arrived in the cafeteria. Getting their lunch and sitting at one of the tables, they began to eat peacefully. Haru couldn’t help but listen to the murmurs of people around them, unsurprisingly about the ghost in the library. Some said they saw it in the corner, while others claimed to have made eye contact with it. Haru rolled her eyes, internally scolding herself for having been slightly interested in the rumor.

"Come on, Haru, do you really believe ghosts are real?" Haru whispered to herself.

"Well, I think it is real," said a voice behind her. She immediately swiveled her head and turned around to look up at the dark-haired man.

"Oh, Toto, it’s you!" Haru exclaimed.

Toto giggled and invited himself to sit at their table beside Haru. "I guess you both girls are also interested in this ghost situation," he added.

Haru shrugged, "Hiromi does," the person in question waved and grinned, then she leaned forward.

"You said you believe in ghosts, so you think it’s real?" Hiromi asked enthusiastically.

Toto hummed, "I’m not sure, I never checked it myself. But Baron said he accidentally captured the ghost with his camera."

It made both girls stand up.

"Really?!"

Hiromi got more excited, "So, you mean Baron saw the ghost!"

Haru herself, hating to start getting interested, but if this involves Baron, there’s something really going on, right?

"Is he sure about it?" Haru asked.

Toto shrugged, also standing up himself, "Why don’t you ask him?" His eyes then scanned around and stopped when he found something he looked for.

"As much as I’d like to accompany you girls, I need to stop a cow from emptying the entire cafeteria." He waved and began to walk away, "Hey, fatso! I asked you to get my lunch, not for you to have double!"

Haru and Hiromi waved back, now alone again. Hiromi gazed at Haru, grinning. Haru rolled her eyes tiredly but smiled nonetheless.

"Alright, let’s check on Baron and see what he got." She didn’t want to admit feeling excited about seeing Baron again; it had been a while. They were in different classes, so Haru rarely met him, which made her sad, but she kept it to herself.

"Besides, it’s just a simple crush anyway."

Both girls arrived in front of the photography club. Haru glanced at Hiromi who just shrugged, she sighed and knocked on the door. The door sliding revealed a man head taller than them both, with tawny hair and green eyes looking at them. The gentle gaze can make Haru melt, she tried to snap out of it.

Haru was too focused on not making a fool of herself, and didn’t notice Baron keeps staring at her until Hiromi cleared her throat to get their attention. Baron smiled at them both and finally started the conversation, “So, may I ask what brings the ladies here?”

Before Haru could reply, Hiromi beat her to it as she asked Baron, “Toto said, you captured a ghost in the library.”

“Accidentally.” Haru added.

Baron hummed in acknowledgement, “Toto isn’t wrong about that, however I myself am not sure about the authenticity of the photo I took.” Baron stepped back into the room, inviting the girls to come in, “Let’s talk about it over a cup of tea.”

As they settled in, Haru looked around the interior of the photography club, like the name, it was full of photographs, but at the same time the feel is not really your usual photography club. Haru remembered what Muta said about the club just to cover for Baron’s other hobby - a refuge to people who like to help. Haru smiled thinking about it, knowing how sweet Baron was for wanting to help others. Still, wondering why he didn’t join the students council instead. But then again, Baron did say he didn’t like how the student council worked in their school.

Baron placed cups of tea in front of them, which Haru and Hiromi gratefully accepted and sipped the content.

“I assume you also want to see the picture?” Baron asked as he sipped his own tea.

They both nodded and leaned to picture Baron put on the table. Haru’s eyes widened, Toto wasn't wrong, Baron indeed captured something unusual. In the picture it’s like a normal library but in the left corner there's a blurry white image. They couldn’t make out what the image is if that’s just a person, a thing, or really a ghost.

Hiromi grinning, “See! A ghost!” She pointed it and grinned at Haru, who rolled her eyes in exasperation.

“Yes Hiromi, a ghost.”

Baron chuckled, “It seems like there was an unusual individual in that picture. I can't say I'm entirely sure if that's really the ghost people have been talking about”

“Didn't you see something when you took this picture?” Haru asked.

“Regretfully, I was too stunned to immediately check after I took it. When I registered myself, the thing wasn't there anymore.”

“Ohh… freaky.” Hiromi chimed in.

There’s something that also Haru wondered about, “Why did you take a picture in the library?”

Baron coughed a bit, “Well, someone asked me to take the picture for reference.”

“It’s prohibited.”

“I know.”

“...”

Baron shrugged, and Haru sighed as she smiled, while Hiromi giggled.

“Anyway, Baron, do you get any more pictures?”

“No, that’s the only picture I have with the ‘ghost’ in it.”

Haru stared at the picture again,examining the details for anything unusual beyond the blurred white shadow.

“Want to investigate it?” She announced suddenly. Hiromi lit up,”Heck yeah! Let’s go!”

Baron once again stared at Haru, his gaze filled with pride and the same warm wonder, causing Haru yet again blushing at his gaze.

Baron tore away his gaze, stood up. “I think Haru has a good idea. Why don’t we check it out?”

And then off they go.

“You know, I started to regret my own suggestion.”

Haru didn’t know what to expect when decided to spy in the library for the ghost. Probably waiting indeed happened but she didn’t think they would need to wait behind books in the bookshelf.

“Why don’t we sit down like normal people?” Haru asked.

Baron, who was skimming a book, replied, “For your information, normal people also read while standing.”

Haru rolled her eyes, “Yeah, but they don’t stare at one spot among the books.”

“Shush guys! You both can scare the ghost!” Hiromi lifted her face from the upside-down book she held.

“Isn’t it the other way around?” Baron asked.

“You scared of ghosts?” Haru raised one of her eyebrows amusingly.

“Never sure, but as far as I know, no, I’m not scared.”

Hiromi looked over the spot they had been spying on, “Man, why hasn’t the ghost shown up yet?”

Haru sighed, leaning on the bookshelf, “I guess it indeed scared of us.”

“Damn it Baron you ruined it!” Hiromi added, with Haru giggling at the accusation.

“Excuse me?”

“Your face probably make it shy.”

Baron smirked, playing along, “Oh my, I must face the corner then.”

They all laughed together.

Haru take deep breath, “Nah Baron you’re fine it just-”

“What are you guys doing here?”

A voice interrupted her voice, making all of them screaming in surprise.

Their heads all snapped back to see the origin of the sound. Immediately sighed in relief when they found out it wasn’t a ghost. In front of them stood a young man with grey-blue hair and heterochromia eyes, looking at them confused.

“Wow, you guys look like you've seen a ghost.”

Haru sighed, “If only that had happened, but thank God it’s only you behind us, Lune.”

Hiromi giggled, “It would be worse if the ghost were behind us because it was mad at us from spying on it.”

“A real ghost?” Lune echoed.

“You probably know the rumor flying around the school,” Baron stated.

Lune thought for a while and hummed, “Ah, yeah, it has been around nowadays, a hot topic, especially one of the reasons for people reaching out to the student council.”

“They reached out to you because of a ghost?” Haru asked.

“They reached out to us for many things, but you can say that.” Lune smirked.

Somehow Baron felt Lune knew something, being curious himself, he started to ask, “Do you may have known about the ghost situation?”

Lune glanced at Baron, his subtle grin did not go unnoticed by others, “Oh yeah, the ghost hm, honestly Baron, I never thought you are the type of person who believes in ghosts.”

“He did capture it.” Hiromi pointed out.

“Oh really?”

Haru pointed at Baron, he shrugged and Haru showed Lune the picture. Lune stared at the picture he retrieved on his hand. The same library with blurred shadow.

“Fascinating.”

The others looked at each other and back at him. “You know something?”

Lune yet again grinning, “I guess you guys will find out.” With that he waved before leaving the trio once again.

“Well, what should we do now? Continue waiting?” Haru asked after the silence.

Like answering her question, the bell rang, signaling for the next class.

“Welp, that's our cue.” Hiromi said.

Baron nodded, “I think our investigation will halt for now.”

After the next class Haru walked in the hallways carrying a stack of papers to the teachers’ office. As her steps echoed through the hallways, Haru noticed a shadow on the corner. Curious, she followed it, her eyes widened seeing that shadow moved into the library. Haru gulped, she cautiously stepped in and looked around. The school day is almost over so the room is empty.

Setting the papers down on the table, she tiptoed further into the library and jumped slightly at a noise catching her ear. Turning toward the corner, she spotted the shadow and swiftly, she came out from the corner only to be met with a pair of shock blue eyes.

“Aaah!”

“Kyaa!”

Both screamed, Haru backing away while the other almost fell from the chair. After momentary chaos, now finally had calmed down. Haru sighed, she glanced at the person in front of her who was busy picking themself from the floor.

“Yuki?!” Haru’s eyes widened.

Yuki jumped but then she smiled. “Hi Haru.”

“Yuki, why are you here at this hour?”

Yuki smiled sheepishly, “I'm always here at this hour?”

“Why?”

“The library is quiet at this hour so I take my chance to read many books before going home.”

Haru nodded, and asked again, “Do usually someone find you?”

“I always run and hide,”Yuki admitted, “I;m still afraid to interact with people I don't know.”

Haru understood, Yuki was always a shy student, yet she is also the most pretty, diligent, and kind person Haru knew. Then suddenly, some details surfaced and clicked in her brain.

“You said you're always here at this hour?”

“Yes?”

Haru pondered for a moment, putting her hand on her chin, then she grinned, “I think I’ve just resolved a rumor.”

“Yuki is the ghost?!”

Hiromi, Toto, and Muta said in unison.

“Hmm… that surprisingly makes sense.” added Baron.

Yuki apologized to all of them for causing chaos, Lune just laughing, it turned out he already knew Yuki is the ‘ghost’. Yuki herself was unaware about the rumor, as she never believed them.

“And you didn't even announce it to fix the situation?” Haru folded her arms. Lune just grinned, “Sorry, I wanted to protect Yuki’s privacy, and seeing rumors like this make our school more lively, am I right?”

Muta rolled his eyes, “You mean unnecessary drama.”

Haru sighed and smiled at everyone, “Welp, I guess this investigation is a success!”

Lune nodded and glanced slightly at Yuki, casting a sweet smile on her, pink colored Yuki’s cheeks she also smiled back. Lune was about to leave to finish some jobs but he stopped.

“Oh yeah, Baron, meet me at the student council room.”

Baron raised an eyebrow. Lune glanced and smirked, “You broke school rules about not to take photos in the library. I suppose you're aware of that?”

Hearing that Baron stiffened and awkwardly looking away. Oh yeah, Haru also just remembered that, she felt guilty for dragging him for that photo. Lune waited, gesturing for Baron to follow. Baron sighed and followed the student council president.

Haru planned apologize to him later.

#phew now I will post the rest of the secret santa with peace #huehue #I'm bad at this ngl #tcr secret santa 2023 #the cat returns #tcr fic #tcr

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catsafarithewriter · 11 months ago

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TCR Secret Santa is officially open for posting your gifts!

Today is the day you can start posting what you've created for the secret santa! If you are posting it on tumblr, please tag it with #the cat returns and #tcr secret santa 2023 and also @ your giftee if they are on tumblr! (Feel free to tag me too!)

I shall be keeping an eye out for all the lovely work you have done!

#the cat returns #tcr secret santa 2023 #tcr secret santa #sorry i have been so quiet i got a new job and thats been taking up a lot of headspace!

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squaric-acid · 11 months ago

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A Treat for the Eyes, Pt. 2

Part 2 of my contribution to the TCR Secret Santa 2023

=====

When Haru walked into the studio space she was struck by how dark the backstage part of it was. Toto and Muta sat at a table with bottles of water and stacks of paper, no doubt the information of all the models who were auditioning.

Behind them, in a director chair, eyeing her with an unreadable but clearly calculating look, was Baron himself.

Haru was taken by surprise. He was a slim man, with short tawny hair curled stylishly on his head. He couldn’t be any more than thirty from Haru’s reckoning but his eyes held a look that made him seem both younger and much older all at once. He was clean-shaven and although his features were defined they weren’t chiseled to the likes of Tom Hiddleston, there was softness there too.

Haru’s mouth had parted but she took no notice.

Baron looked down at the black notebook resting on his knee. Now that his face was not captivating her entire being, Haru examined what he was wearing. She was a model after all and took a professional interest in clothes.

He wore a light gray pair of herringbone tweed trousers and a pearl colored button down shirt that was rolled roguishly up to his elbows. Curiously, his hands were covered in tailored white linen gloves. He was, all-in-all, as expected, exceedingly handsome.

She must have voiced part of this last observation aloud because Toto snickered a little bit.

“Haru?” Asked Muta’s gruff, no-nonsense voice.

“Oh, yes?” Haru shook herself. It did not seem as though Baron had heard her admission.

“If you would step into the light and pose,” the rotund photographer asked.

Haru set her bag down and squared her shoulders. It was not full studio lighting and Haru was grateful. It was just enough light to see what you were working with but not so much that clothes would start ironing themselves.

Haru posed. Nice and simple. Muta and Toto occasionally voiced directions.

“Walk towards us.” Said Muta.

Haru did as asked but as she did so she noticed Baron leaning over Muta’s shoulder and whispering something through the glare of the studio lights. She stumbled, earning concerned looks from all three men.

When she reached the front of the lighted studio space Baron was watching her with a keen eye and Toto and Muta were making notes.

Haru hesitated.

“Is that everything?”

“Er, not quite,” Toto said.

“Baron’s going to take your measurements while Muta and I arrange the details for the shoot.”

Haru felt her cheeks warm and by the time she’d processed that information Baron was already by her side. Toto and Muta had flown into a flurry of activity and discussion, of which Haru caught very little.

“Why?” Haru managed to ask. It wasn’t common knowledge that designer collections were not strictly tailor-made to fit the models who presented them. Baron really was a particular customer.

Baron smiled at her, his eyes were a vivid shade of emerald green with peridot and gold highlights. They looked magical and oddly feline.

“It wouldn’t do for you to model something if it doesn’t fit you properly.”

Haru’s cheeks erupted in blush and Baron circled her with his tape measure. Baron’s voice was articulate and well-spoken, he spoke with the air of an aristocrat but there was a slight accent to his voice. French, or German was more likely.

When he had finished, Toto held out a slip of paper. Baron took it and looked it over. He handed it to Haru. On it was an address.

“Come by my studio a week from today. You’ll be able to preview the collection and we’ll do the final fitting.”

“But,” Haru protested. “Why me, wouldn’t someone like Yuki be more appropriate for a shoot like this?”

Baron put a gloved hand to his chin and thought for a moment. Then he smiled and Haru’s heart jumped behind her ribs.

“I think you are more than suitable.” He tapped the piece of paper in Haru’s hand.

“Next week, until then I want you to do just one thing. Always believe in yourself. Do that and no matter where you are you will have nothing to fear.”

He ushered her towards the door and with a kind smile left her in the hall.

Haru could hardly believe her ears nor her luck.

~@~

Hiromi was over the moon at her friend’s news.

“I can’t believe you are going to be modeling Baron’s newest collection! I’m so happy for you!” Hiromi gushed over the phone. Haru smiled a little cautiously at her friend’s optimism. While she may be modeling Baron’s newest collection there was no guarantee that it would be a success or that it would do anything for her career. She still didn’t even know what his newest collection was. Muta had informed her later that day that Baron liked to keep everyone on their toes about his work, she would just have to wait until the final fitting to see.

Haru had elected to keep Baron’s parting words to her to herself. They seemed too precious to repeat outside her own head just yet.

~@~

The week passed remarkably quickly and at the same time slower than molasses. Everytime Haru thought about the fitting she became a bundle of nerves. Yet no one seemed to realize that Baron had selected her to be his model for his newest collection. For this Haru was glad, some of the more premier models were bullies.

She arrived on the innocuous doorstep of the building whose address was written on the piece of paper in her hand. It was a lovely old brick building in a fashionable district of London with touches of the art nouveau style. The ground floor was a tasteful looking coffee shop that smelled aromatic and strong. Haru made a mental reminder to visit this cafe sometime in the near future.

But she wasn’t here for coffee. Instead she pressed the doorbell beside a black door with a large glass window pane and stairway leading up behind it. A few moments later Baron descended the stairs and smiled at her through the window as he unlocked the door.

“Good morning, Miss Haru,” he greeted her.

“Good morning Baron,” Haru replied.

“Come now, we are to be working together, you must call me by my true name.”

Baron stood back and bowed, with remarkable flair for as little room as there was at the foot of the stairwell.

“I am Humbert von Gikkingen.”

He held out his hand and Haru took it.

“Pleased to meet you!” Haru giggled in delight.

Still holding her hand Baron began to climb the stairs, “come upstairs to my studio, we’re almost ready for you.”

The two went up the stairs hand-in-hand. At the top of the stairs there was another door that opened into a large studio space. More accurately the space was that of a craftsman or an artisan with small hints or being lived in. The space was open with an exposed brick wall in part of the room while other parts had what Haru suspected was Victorian reproduction wallpaper. There was a kitchenette along one wall and along the other wall were whiteboards, peg boards and cork boards filled with sketches, reference photographs, fabric samples, notes, and even a bundle of dried flowers.

On the floor there were work tables with gridlines and more than one sewing machine. There were studio lights and mannequins and racks filled with hangars with what Haru could only surmise were prototypes to some of Baron’s other designs, covered in white sheets.

Haru was agog. She barely even noticed that there were other people in the room. Muta was setting up a tripod in the back and Toto was leaning against the counter in the kitchenette with a cup in hand, sipping casually.

“It’s wonderful, Baron-Humbert,” Haru said reverently.

“I’m glad you like it.” Baron gave her another kind smile, disregarding her slip-up.

“She’s certainly more appreciative than some of your other models Baron,” Toto remarked from the kitchenette.

“Indeed,” said Baron.

“She’s going to be wonderful on set.” Came a voice that Haru didn’t recognize.

“This is Seiji Amasawa, my assistant.” Baron gestured to the man who had spoken. He looked younger than Haru, probably in his last year or two of university. He had a serious face and dark hair and was currently sewing a button onto a cream-colored blouse.

“And over there is Sophie Pendragon, my milliner and haberdasher.”

Sophie was a young woman with sparkling silver hair and thin, clever fingers. One of her fingers was encircled by a metallic band with a red gemstone.

“We’re looking forward to working with you,” said Sophie. “We’ll be ready in a few minutes.”

Haru nodded and slipped out of her coat which Baron took and hung somewhere behind her.

“You can sit over here.” Baron led her to a plush sofa near the kitchenette.

Would you like milk or lemon in your tea?”

“Milk, please.”

“Good choice.”

“This is my own blend or tea, it’s a little different each time so I can’t guarantee the flavor,” Baron said as he handed her a teacup and saucer.

Haru took a sip.

“This is the best tea I’ve ever tasted.”

“Then you’re lucky.” Was Baron’s reply.

~@~

Haru drank her tea and soon enough Baron, Seiji, and Sophie had everything ready. Muta and Toto were to be taking notes on lighting and set design and make-up choices. Baron would make note of any final alterations.

Haru had to admit this was the most interesting fitting she had ever done. There were no mirrors, so she had no idea how she looked. Despite being in and out of the garments she saw very little of them, hardly had any time to savor them. Some lace here, some delicate embroidery there, the weight of beading somewhere. Swishes of satin and silk, the soft heft of linen and cotton. Haru felt her heart patter a little faster with every button fastened.

Somehow everything fit very well. Baron clearly knew what he was doing when he had taken her measurements. Sophie had flitted about experimenting with trimmings and accessories. Seiji had been pinning what little needed further alteration before the shoot.

Haru found herself floating right along with proceedings. Although she answered whatever questions were tossed her way, she found herself too caught up in it all, her eyes were full of stars.

Before long the fitting was over and Haru was taking a taxi back to her apartment. It had started to rain and Baron had insisted she take one. Just as she was about to get in Baron handed her another slip of paper with the details for the photoshoot on it. The time and date and location.

It was scheduled for the following weekend, four days away.

Hiromi noticed her friend’s faraway look of awe the moment she returned to their shared apartment. And Hiromi was so relieved to see such an expression on her friend’s face that she let it go without teasing.

=====

Thank you so much for reading! Stay tuned for parts 3 and 4!

#the cat returns #tcr secret santa 2023 #tcr secret santa #my writing #haru x baron

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