#the ramblings of a madwoman i tell you

[leslieseveride]

if there's more than one officer down then that means one of them has to be hurt worse than the other, and if lucy is acting as a t.o. for the day she has a responsibility to protect her boot (not to mention she's just a genuinely selfless person), so the officers that are down have to be lucy and celina, and because lucy feels like she's in charge of celina (and more importantly because their friends) she is going to shield celina from taking whatever dangerous blow is headed their way, and either tim witnesses the whole thing unfold or he's in close proximity to the scene and is first to find them. i have this all figured out.

[thatoneluckybee]

I'm being RESTRAINED

[archvillain-fandom]

no actually i’m making walter lundergaard a tragic character. what if in his universe kyle was his best friend. what if they grew up together. what if they played soccer together and teased each other over crushes and slept over at each other’s houses. what if they were lab partners working on breaking interdimensional travel. what if walter fucked up a calculation and in an instant everything he’s ever known and loved is gone forever. what if he’s pushed into a new universe with a kyle that looks exactly like the one he lost, but that hates his guts for something he hasn’t even done yet. what if he spent years trying to recreate his old universe, to get back his parents and his friends and it just was never enough and it was all his fault. wouldn’t that be fucked up? wouldn’t you go insane too?

[gay-dorito-dust]

Part two of this fucking thing

‘Say no.’ The last words that Rio uttered echoed within your mind, only getting louder when you opened the door, only to be greeted by Agatha and some random teenager that she must’ve forced along with her.

‘Hello dearie!’ Agatha said cheerily but deep down you knew it was forced as everything within you was telling you to trust the beautiful woman from the night before, to trust her and that you’ll be safe from whatever that may lie ahead of you from here on out. You took offence to needing to be protected but whatever that woman wanted you to say no to was more dangerous than you could ever hope to imagine.

‘Say no!’ Rio’s voice echos louder this time, almost as though she was standing next to you as a weirdly demented guardian angel.

‘Hello Agatha, who’s this.’ You gestured to the tall teen next to her but she waved her hand before he could open his mouth to speak, instead resting her hand on your shoulder, welcoming herself and her estranged companion into your house and home without invitation.

‘No one of importance, yet at least.’ She tells you with a chuckle and you couldn’t help but look back at the kid who was staring at you starstruck, looking away only when he noticed that you were looking back at him. Did you know him from anywhere? No, you didn’t. You couldn’t remember much after Wanda’s hex nor even beyond that, but all you knew was that you babysitter her twins on serval occasions and that was all you were made to do, nothing more nothing less.

Yet if Rio was saying about you in her outburst was true, there maybe more to yourself then you originally thought, and seeing her so distraught that you thought of yourself as just a regular nobody only made you even more curious as to who it was that you were to her, but the problem was that you didn’t have any known ways of reaching her.

‘I got broken into last night.’ You blurted.

‘I’m sorry to hear that dearie-‘ Agatha began but you continued. ‘She said somethings that I thought were the ramblings of a madwoman,’ you looked straight at Agatha, who knew exactly who you were talking about and took her hand of your shoulder as though you burnt her and looked about the room as though Rio was going to appear once more. ‘She told me to say no.’ You finished.

‘Who?’ Teen asked. He couldn’t read your thoughts, they were…empty…quiet just like they were in the hex. It was a peace he’d never known but there was something’s that didn’t add up with your character.

You shrug. ‘A woman with dark hair, wielding a dagger and she had magic. I must’ve touched a nerve when I told her that I was nothing special.’

Agatha and teen looked at each other before looking at you. They knew something you didn’t but you didn’t have to wait long to get the answers you wanted. ‘Strange. I was attacked by the same woman.’ Agatha began. ‘She told me to leave you out of this, out of my plans and my…influence.’ She tells you as she shows you the injury near her collar bone. ‘Still overprotective of her little flower it seems.’ She adds under her breath.

‘What are you talking about, stop speaking in riddles about me and talk straight!’ You exclaimed.

‘If you want straight answers, ask a straight person,’ Agatha replied but you didn’t look amused and once again the smile on her lips dropped as she groaned. ‘I don’t have time for your amnesia story line! Will you join me on the witches road and regain your memories or not.’ She finally says what she’s been meaning to say the entire time.

Agatha knew Rio would be pissed if she saw you on the road, might even kill her in that case but she needed you on this road, you’ve been powerless and pathetic for far too long when she knows who you truly are! She wanted that version of you back and knows that deep down you are equally as desperate to get everything that was taken from you back, by force or whatever means necessary.

‘What do you say?’ Teen then asks, curious to your response himself as from what he could gather, you were quite the important figure in both Agatha and Rio’s lives once upon a time; especially so if they’re this desperate to get you to wake up.

SAY NO!

‘Yes. I’ll join.’

[rejectedbytheempty]

could you write a story about enemies hero and villain that have to learn to care for each other while stranded somewhere? and the hero gets hurt and doesn’t want to tell the villain cause he doesn’t wanna seem weak in front of him, but the villain figures it out because the hero is in pain?

HELL YEAH that’s what i’m talkin about babey. so anyways, i wrote it, hopefully it isn’t too much like the ramblings of a madwoman. but i saw that you requested other things and i def will be getting to them (or at least probably)

TRAPPED

pt 2

tw: blood

“I guess this is what happens when you work with a villain,” Hero lamented, slumped against the gray brick of the cell wall.

Villain whipped their head to look at Hero, anger flaring in their eyes, “You were the one who screwed everything up, I wanted to do this alone, but no, you couldn’t leave well enough alone.” Villain had heard through the grapevine that Supervillain was planning on building some kind of super weapon that they planned to use to subdue the city and take despotic rule over it. As much as Villain could care less about the city, they did care about Supervillain having their go at dictatorship, they were known for being horribly cruel and Villain didn’t want to be at the other end of the smoking gun, so to speak. So Villain planned to break into Supervillain’s facility and hopefully destroy their plans, or at least get a good notion of how far away they should move to avoid the fallout. It was too bad that Hero had decided to interfere with their plans, for some reason that insufferable goody two shoes always stuck their nose in things that didn’t concern them. Hero tagged along, and because the two of them have never worked too well with each other (i.e. at all), they were captured by a bunch of Supervillain’s goons and stuffed in this dingy cell.

“If you went alone, then you would be in this cell by yourself, so maybe you should be grateful that you have company,” Hero said with a small smile on their face.

Villain sighed, “First of all, not true. Second, I could name a dozen other people I would rather have as company.” Hero laughed, but for a moment, the side of their lip twinged up in a wince. It was quick enough that anyone else wouldn’t have caught it, but Villain narrowed their eyes in suspicion.

Hero’s amused face quickly melted into confusion, “What? What’s wrong?”

Villain rose up from where they were sitting and strode forward towards Hero, “I should be the one asking you that, isn’t that right, Hero?”

Hero swallowed nervously and shifted in their seat uncomfortably, “I have no idea what you’re talking about.”

Villain was quick to snatch Hero’s arm, which had been sitting in a seemingly relaxed position over their stomach. There was a large gash in Hero’s side, with dark, bloody stains spreading to either side of the split fabric of their uniform. Hero tried in vain to pull their arm back from Villain’s grip, but only succeeded in pulling their injury taut, to which they hissed in pain.

“When did this happen?”

With a grimace, Hero explained, “In the fight, when we were discovered, one of the guards managed to get me with their knife. I didn’t really notice how bad it was until we were walking to the cell and I looked down..”

“Why didn’t you tell me?” Villain demanded.

Hero shook their head and laughed softly, more in a bitter way than in humor, “I.. I don’t know. I just didn’t want to seem weak, I suppose.”

Villain’s expression softened slightly and they released the hold they had on Hero’s arm, and Hero was quick to draw their arm back to their body.

“Christ, Hero, that was dumb. I’m not- well, I’m not that much of a villain.”

Hero avoided Villain’s pitying gaze, setting their jaw before saying, “It’s bad enough that I dragged you down with me, I didn’t want to be more of a burden.”

Villain reached out, gently grabbing Hero’s jaw and guiding them to look face-to-face with Villain, “You are not, and never will be a burden.” Hero opened their mouth to say something but was interrupted by a loud clapping noise that echoed through the cell.

Villain and Hero looked up to see Supervillain standing there, clapping slowly. “Touching stuff, really,” they said with a bone-chilling grin on their face. The moment that Supervillain had made themself known, Villain had stepped away from Hero, hardening their gaze once again. Hero breathed heavily, trying to subdue the obvious fear that was overtaking them.

“You know, I had only planned to catch one but what luck that Hero showed up! And all it took was the rumor that I was building some kind of superweapon, as if I would ever do that, takes out the personal aspect to this job that I so love,” Supervillain said, maintaining a superficially cheery tone.

Villain stumbled back at this, heart sinking to the bottom of their chest, “It was fake?”

Supervillain’s booming laugh bounced off the stone walls, “Thought you would have been smart enough to figure it out by now, but I expect too much, I suppose.”

Villain glanced over at Hero who was staring dissociatively at the ground, chest heaving as they breathed heavily through their nose.

“Oh! Looks like your little friend there is about to pass out. Poor thing, probably scared out of their mind. But, maybe it’s the blood loss that’s finally getting to their head.”

Villain saw red, they slammed against the cell bars, “Let them go. Right. Now. They had nothing to do with this, I’m the one you want.”

Supervillain’s grin didn’t even fall for a moment, “No, I don’t think I will. This is just too much fun, it’s even better than I thought. Sadly, I do have to get back to my scheming, maybe I will actually build a superweapon this time. I’ll be back soon though, so don’t you worry,” Supervillain said, booping Villain’s nose, to which Villain backed away in anger and surprise.

“Toodaloo, Hero!” Supervillain said playfully, waving goodbye before heading towards the door, leaving Villain and Hero back to complete silence.

A/N: okey, lmk what you guys thought and if i should do a part 2 or whateva

[3motionally3xhausted]

More Ouran redesigns!

Below the cut, listen to me ramble about the art choices I made in the redesigns, please. (Honey, Yasuchika, Kasanoda, Renge)

+A little sketch of Haruhi & Tamaki 😊

I redid Honey's because I was so unhappy with the first version, but I like this one a LOT more. He kinds of looks like an idol, but I'm not mad at it lol

The main thing I don't like about the canon design of Honey is that he looks like a literal child (wow new idea alert) and somehow in my first redesign I didn't get rid of that problem?? And I just didn't like the way that one turned out art-wise.

So! This time, I made his face a lot less round and decided to give him shorter hair in a more natural/ash blonde color. Instead of going full l*lita, I was aiming more for "soft boy" & I spent a good minute just coloring his eyes so they look pretty magical (or a bit creepy, I can't tell lol) but I wanted him to have long pretty lashes. Also, I added a little scar on the bridge of his nose to hint at his hidden violent side

(That shirt is entirely improvised lmao)

Anyway, Yasuchika!

I always felt kind of bad for him (for that one episode that he appeared lol), so I wanted to lean into the fact that he's kinda bitter Honey left the Judo club but still admires him a lot.

I had to remember what he looked like first, but I actually really like his design in the manga so its practically the same lol. The hair is slightly different though. And, it's subtle, but his hair is bleached here as a tiny nod that he wants to be more like his brother, though he didn't go full blonde. And since their hair and eyes are different, I now headcanon that they have different moms, because I can and it tugs at my heartstrings for some reason.

Now, Kasadona's and Renge's were done kind of a while ago, so the art is marginally worse imo, but anyway

Onto Kasanoda!

Another character that I always loved and felt sad about! This time he has two episodes, I think.

Since it's important to his character, I had to keep him looking scary, but that doesn't mean I couldn't make him look sad too! I love aiming for subtle expressions lol, I remember this one was really fun.

I can't tell you why I made his hair wavy/curly, I just wanted that, but those little shaved bits at the corners of his hairline were very intentional; it's meant to kind of mimic devil horns just to solidify that he's seen as kind of evil and whatever. And his eyes! I think that blizzard nickname/reputation (i can't remember) is really unique, so it exaggerates his cold glare.

(Trying to avoid saying 'kind of' so much, jeez)

Last up, Renge!

She also kind of looks like an idol, mostly 'cause of the pose and little sparkle, though. And oddly enough, I really didn't like her when I was originally watching the show (thought she was annoying lol) but I kind of adore her now because..

This girl is a nerd, she's silly, she's a cosplayer, a complete madwoman, and girl boss! (Character-wise, I only really take issue with the 'fuj*shi' 'y*oi stan' part, so that's cut for my version) But I really wanted to show that more fun, adventurous part of her, so she has pink dye on the underside, with her hair pulled into this big red bow.

I don't have many thoughts on her past what I already said, she just deserves to be cute and have fun. But I do think she should be in on the secret that Haruhi's a girl, and they should be good friends, the show is just lacking in girl friendships. (Excluding the Zuka club, they're full on lesbians and the show portrayed them so weirdly imo.)

(***I only censored some words cuz I don't want anything to end up in my feed lol)

[rockkandii]

Playlist

Hana: Wait- you like, WHO?!

Y/n: DONT! Hana, please, for the love of everything please don't lose it. Like I said, it's just a crush! Nothing crazy!

Hana: Oh come on, when do I ever 'lose it'

Y/n: Really..?

Hana: Uh, noted. But anyways, PLEASE tell me I heard you right!!

Y/n: Yeah, you did.. but, like I said it's just-

Hana: Yeah yeah, just a crush sure. But, I mean come on! You liking anyone is a miracle of its own but LUCIO?!

Y/n: GAH- can you not Shout his name please?!

Hana: Oop- ha, sorry. But seriously! You've got a crush on our designated music man?

Y/n: Well.. I mean yeah, we've been getting out on a lot of missions together lately and sometimes I'm a bit nervous before hand so he's been letting me listen to music on the way there to help calm me down and then.. well we got to talking and such and he's really interesting and ya know he's always been cute and- GAH im rambling! *Hiding their face while Hana is grinning like a madwoman*

Hana: So what I'm hearing is, you've gotten to know him and he's gotten to know you and nowwww we just need to find out if he feels the same?

Y/n: Oh lord, no Hana, please.. I couldnt. I don't need to know anything, for all I know he's just been very nice this whole time and it's one sided and I don't want it to be awkward..

Hana: Oh don't worry! You, don't need to do anything but stay here. Detective Hana is on the case, I'm a master of stealth and information gathering. He'll tell me everything without even knowing it.

**Later that night**

In the common room, Hana finally found Lucio who was scrolling through his phone while listening to music.

Hana: Hey Lucio! *Plops down next to him, scaring him out of his thoughts*

Lucio: Woah- oh! Hey Hana! What's up?

Hana: Oh nothing much, just been wandering around bored. How bout you?

Lucio: Oh ya know, just- listening to music, the usual. *Hana goes to look over his shoulder, but he leans the phone away a bit*

S-so uh, was there- did you- uh, didja need something?

Hana: Yes actually. *Stares at him squinting*

Lucio: Okay..? And that is?

Hana: Do you like y/n? *Lucio chokes on nothing trying to suck on a breath at hanas forwardness*

Lucio: Do i- huh?? Where'd you get that from? Why do you ask?

Hana: You're so nervous, so I take that as a yes? *Smirking at her totally "stealthy" accomplishment*

Lucio: *Sighs, setting his phone down and nodding* yeah, you got me. I've actually been trying to tell them for like, a week now but every time I try I get all jumbled up and can't get it out right. So, all day I've been putting together a playlist of songs that actually fit their vibe but also spell out what I'm tryin to say.

Hana: That's actually so cute, omg.. they'll be so happy, you totally gotta finish it and send it to them! *Hopping on the couch in happiness*

Lucio: Whoa wait, back it up, they'd actually be happy? Wait a minute, did they say something about me?

Hana: *Sweating in nervousness* uh- no? Oh wow look at the time! I've gotta go walk my mech, see ya later! *Bolts out of the room, leaving a blinking Lucio behind.

Lucio: Man, what?

**The next day, Hana returns from a last minute overnight mission.

Y/n: HANA

Hana: What- huh? What'd I do?! *Notices it's y/n running towards her* oh crap.

Y/n: HANA YOUR STEALTH SUCKS BUT I LOVE YOU

Hana: *Completely confused now as she's getting shaken back and forth* what even, huh??

Y/n: Lucio, he came to my room last night sometime after you and the others left for the mission and he sent me a playlist.. it was so sweet and had so many good songs but then all the titles clicked and he likes me back.. and after we talked about all that he also mentioned your not so subtle way of asking about his feelings.

Hana: *Nervous laughter* haha, yeaaaa.. well I mean it all worked out, yea?..

Y/n: Yes, yes it did. Now, you go get your rest. I'll be with Lucio in the library if you need me.

[sulphuricgrin]

TESfest 2024

Day 6:  MIRROR  //  abandoned

Miraak often considers Mora’s new champion a madwoman

Characters: Lilliandra (Altmer OC), Miraak

Warnings: mild, brief body horror

Word count: 778

(I’m late! Trying to catch up ;__; Forgive me, first time writing Miraak before I even write him in my fanfic. These are never beta-read btw. On to writing day 7 as I have time in the cafe.)

@tes-summer-fest 

_________

Annoyingly - and as always - he realises she’s back in Apocrypha by her incessant music. 

He finds her in her study, sitting on a stool that’s too short for her long legs. Shoes already stripped off and bare feet tapping to a tune. The room’s furniture had been moved around and a large mirror brought in. He wasn’t surprised to find her in front of it, her back completely to him, absorbed in her narcissism. Oddly though, she had a short table by her side, with a stack of differently coloured, small panes of glass. 

While she’s occupied, he visits her desk, where he sees what was strewn on it has since changed. There was a shorter stack of books; one he recognises as Telenger’s ‘Words and Power.’ Loose papers are scattered around, written in a mix of advanced mathematics and in several languages, all in Lilliandra’s penmanship. Underneath all that scattered research is a rolled out, portable leather enchantment station. She was working on something, that much was obvious. Accompanying the research was more small panes of colourful glass and a tiny pot of white paint with a brush in it. He also finds a shallow wooden bowl filled with, by now familiar, jewellery - rings, earrings, and necklaces. Realising she must be bare of her precious jewels and metals, he looks up. 

She’s already looking at him through the mirror, eyes black and covered in too many pupils, with a face void of emotion and mouth sewn shut despite her voice ringing in his ears. In a blink, the singing stops and her face returns to normal, with familiar golden eyes staring at him in mild curiosity. Holding aloft to her eye is one of the odd pieces of glass. 

He bristles at her illusion, but silently watches as she carelessly drops the glass on the table near her and turns in her seat to face him. “Has any of my research interest you?” With her facing him, and not through a mirror, he confirms she’s unadorned by any of her enchanted jewellery. A rare sight to behold. 

“What could I gleam from the ramblings of a mad woman?” He sneers at her, seething from being an unwilling participant in her illusions. “All you were doing was singing the same few words over and over again nonsensically as you stared at yourself in the mirror,” he mocks her as he sits himself in her desk chair, as if it was his own. Truthfully, from what he could see in her writings, there was something substantial. However it was too early to tell exactly where she was going with it, nor did he want to inflate that pretty little ego of hers. 

Lilliandra’s unmoved by his jabs, face neutral as she takes him in. “Repeating a sequence of words acts like an incantation, only strengthening the spell. Keeping the words simple and repeating makes it easier to focus it more on the spell’s complexity instead,” she explains clinically. Picking up another sheet of glass, he notices numbers painted on them. “You called my use of imprinting stones a narcissistic waste of magic. So I’ve come up with a way to potentially view my own illusions during my performances. Currently I’m trying to get the enchantment correct, that’s what I was testing before you interrupted me.” Despite the words, there’s little anger to her voice. If anything, she was simply amused. 

He pinches the bridge of his nose, unsure whether she was simply stupid or just plain mad. “What illusionist would want to be affected by their own spells? Have you any sense, or wish to lose it to a fury spell?” He’s baffled by her logic.

“For what reason would I use a fury spell in a singing performance? It’s just visual effects and some auditory. I simply want to see what everyone else is seeing, hearing, to judge how to better it.” She scoffs, before continuing, “What a idiotic idea. Imagine somehow charming one’s self. Ha!” She turns back in her seat, towards the mirror, with a dull purple glass pane in hand. 

With her back to him again, he gathers some of the loose paper on her desk and begins to give it a thorough read. He mutters low, but loud enough for her to hear, “I have no idea why I even considered attempting to understand someone as unreasonable as you.” 

She hums in response, almost debating how to respond. “Who knows, perhaps some of my research will help you break your chains one day, Miraak.” She looks at him once more through the mirror, a ghost of a smile on her lips, almost mocking him. 

[nerdysleepybunny]

Nobody requested this but I decided to write a little thing I came up with!

🩷☁️N E R D Y S L E E P Y B U N N Y☁️🩷

Fandom(s): The Promised Neverland

Character(s): Ray (ft Emma)

Reader: Gender neutral (they/you)

TW: N/A

Style: Short story

Summary: Ray confesses to you, but you’ve never heard of romance before.

🩷☁️N E R D Y S L E E P Y B U N N Y☁️🩷

The 11 year old child opened the doors of the library, where Ray had asked to meet them. Emma was the one that convinced the raven haired boy to do this, and she was of course peeking behind a bookshelf, holding back her fangirling giggles. The child smiled as they approached Ray, immediately noticing how off he seemed. Avoiding eye contact, cheeks pink, fumbling with his hands, they could tell whatever this was about was serious.

“What’s wrong, Ray?”

“N-Nothing, (Y/N)…”

“You never stutter. Go ahead, let it out. I’m all ears.” The (h/c) smiled, allowing the boy to take a deep breath and finally speak what’s on his mind.

“I love you…” Ray muttered. The other gave the boy a strange look.

“I love you too?” You laughed a bit, not knowing why he felt the need to say that, or why it had made him so nervous.

“No, I mean, more than a friend.”

“Like… best friends? We’re already besties, silly!”

“No!” The boy sighed, taking his head in his hands. Emma rushed to the scene, shaking you like a madwoman.

“He means romantically you idiot!!” You stared at the two children confused for a moment, before you finally got an idea from a book you and Ray read a while ago.

“Oh! Like, a mom and dad? Like we kiss and get married and have kids?” Ray’s face was suddenly red, and Emma squealed at the suggestion.

“That’s a great idea!!”

“Emma-!” The boy sighed before finally looking you in the eyes.

“It’s more than that, but yes..”

“Like what?” You asked, eyes wide with curiosity and interest.

“I can show you, if you accept…”

Emma looked at you expectantly, making you think for a moment before smiling and nodding.

“I’d like to marry Ray and have kids with him!” You beamed at the boy. Heat was practically radiating off his face, and he huffed before smiling.

“I’m glad, idiot.” Emma squealed and jumped around before pushing you into the raven haired male, rambling something about the two of you making out and that Norman needs to help plan the wedding. She was talking a mile a minute, so it was nearly impossible to make out her words. You laughed before looking up at Ray.

“So, in that book we read, the characters kissed when they were close like this… so, do we do that?” The boy could practically melt at your innocence and lack of knowledge for romance, but he found it absolutely adorable. He pecked your lips, and laughed at your face. He couldn’t wait to teach you everything.

🩷☁️N E R D Y S L E E P Y B U N N Y☁️🩷

This was super random but oh well, hope you all enjoy!! Love you! <33

[serenit-teas]

This post includes minor spoilers regarding the final boss for Lies of P, please scroll over if you’d rather not take the chance <:)

It’s late and I can just tell that my thought process and writing won’t be coherent but I finally reached the nameless puppet and I felt compelled to share my silly little Lies of P thought of the night💙

So you know how before the game released there was that rumor going around that P was 6’3, but once the game came out and the models could really be analyzed it was revealed that he was much shorter than what people thought he was going to be?? Well idk if it’s just me or the way the angles or camera are working in the fight but the nameless puppet seems to be MUCH taller than P. This could simply be a throwaway design choice by Geppetto, a genuine estimate of Carlos height at this age after so many years, so he’d be at a better advantage when fighting/defending himself, so on and so forth, it could be for a number of reasons, but considering that the nameless puppet is more or less meant to be Carlo reborn adds some interesting thought to it all!

And as a fun little side note, think about the specter as well! If I do remember correctly he’s also taller than P, and while there isn’t confirmation of the identity of the specter the two main theories are that it’s either Carlos spirit or a P from the future! Maybe Carlo really is as tall as the nameless puppet, or maybe after reaching peak humanity and just like with his voice and hair, P continues to grow and become his own person! (Or maybe P just begs Venigni and Eugenie to make adjustments to his body and make him taller idk or care, but the concept is fun!)

It’s just a fun lil random thought that’s been pinging around ever since I made my way to the nameless puppet, and I couldn’t help but want to write a post about it! ^^ <- <-(I am a madwoman rambling I see a sliver of evidence that supports tall 6’3 P and I go lunging for it😳 ofc there is nothing wrong with loving short P he is a sweetie pie no matter what I am just!!! Deranged and ready to gnaw on canon like it’s a jaw breaker)

[wouldyoustilllovemeifiwasawyrm]

Skyfaller caught my eye. Can you tell us more about that one?

So imagine for a moment:

It's 2022. You've just spent all day at grad school. You're exhausted, burnt-out, and severely depressed. You pick up the newest Pokemon game just for a taste of that mind-numbing nostalgia. You start playing it, barely getting into the plot, when he shows up on the scene. A 6'3" long-haired mystery character with a captivating smirk and an undeniable (yet so far unproved) air of villain about him. Suddenly you look up and the sun has gone down. You're sitting in complete darkness in your living room, only the light of this game shining on your raccoon-dark eyes. Hours have gone by without your notice. You need to go to bed but just one more quest, one more catch, one more mystery, one more drop of that life-saving dopamine before you submit to sleep and another day of trying to remember why you even wanted to go to school in the first place.

That's what it was like playing Pokemon Legends: Arceus.

Akari placed her hand on the image of a noble, almost expecting the stone to melt away into light, as the caves had in the lakes. Yet all she felt was the rough, cool surface of the relief. “Well, there goes my first idea.” Volo huffed, crossing his arms in thought. He scanned over the ruins around them. “Aunt Cogita told us to come to the Shrouded Ruins, did she not?” He didn’t wait for Akari to confirm before he started pacing. She’d often seen him work himself into an academic tizzy, speculating and pacing and tapping his chin. “Go to the lakes. We’ve done that. Collect the blessings of the spirits. We’ve done that too. Go to the Shrouded Ruins and collect the Red Chain.” He stopped, his arms spread wide. “Well, we’re here! Where’s our chain?” Akari wondered that too. She pressed her lips together, thinking back on their conversation with Cogita back at the Ancient Retreat. Akari couldn’t articulate why, but that felt like a lifetime ago. Ever since they left Uxie’s cave, something had been different. She couldn’t put her finger on what, exactly, but the shift was unmistakable. Colors were more vibrant. Noises were louder and clearer. Like someone removed a filter from her perception. She fought to recall Cogita’s muffled words. “Bear their gifts.” Akari whispered. “That’s what she’d said, I believe. Not just go. Bear their gifts to the shrouded ruins.” Akari dug into her pack, retrieving the slightly squashed feathers of the three lake guardians. They glinted like polished silver under the blood-red sky. “Alright, Mr. Esoteric. If you were going to bear gifts to an unknown, supernatural force in the hopes of receiving a boon, how would you do it?”

If you want more ramblings of a madwoman, I have a blog just for this over at @volodidnothingwrong

[blu-ish]

Back at it again with the Pat-pats! >:)

Okay so- this is more of a short question than my previous post. For starters, thank you to everyone who liked or rebloged my previous ramble! You guys are so sweet. MAN does Ruin have me in a chokehold XD (RUIN is RUINING my LIFE /jk)

So after going further back and revisiting some things I'd forgotten about some smol details in either Ruin or SB. (I am forever on the hunt for more clues of my bunny boy!) I decided to finally finish mark's Ruin gameplay! (I had watched and waited for Dawko to play Ruin the whole night when it first came out like a madwoman XD)

But I noticed something a bit s t r a n g e to say the least, again, about the Pat-Pats. (If you asked me a year ago if i'd be frantically theorizing over small wet floor signs, I'd tell you that sounds very much like me XD)

......

Why don't they want to look at you when you DONT have the mask on?

I noticed this happening often. At first I thought it was just a little glitch or something? (Glitches in MY FNAF game? Nooo xD) I mean idk if its super common in ALL the pats in the Plex, but it just struck me as odd how they would only look at you with the vanny mask before you could shut them down.

Not sure why I have this hunch, going back to my pervious post about Bonnie.. but I think this is something do to with HELPI..

We find his plush behind Bonnie Bowl where the bois body is, again, surrounded by Pat-Pats..

And we KNOW for a FACT the animatronics were getting a bit "quirky" during SB, aside from Freddy in safety mode. And if the Network is connected by HELPI, who helped pervious techs at the Plex and who we learned was helping the Mimic... via maybe the Mimic hacking his system.. like a virus...? Hmmmm..

How much do we really KNOW about Helpi...?

Other than being the ultimate gaslighter... (⊙_⊙;)

[ginger-grimm]

you asked me the even numbers so I ask for the odd-numbered questions for Carmen and Vanessa please!

Thank you so much for sending them in!!

What’s the lie your character says most often?

This works for both of them the same, actually! Both Carmen and Vanessa lie pretty much every day about being "normal", aka not having any powers for both or, in Vanessa's case, being straight.

How often do they show their genuine emotions to others versus just the audience knowing?

Carmen shows her emotions quite often. She has learned to subdue them around her "parents", but around others, she doesn't care to let them out. In fact, she can't keep them in most of the time. It’s part of what makes her powers go haywire.

Vanessa on the other hand, is really good at hiding her emotions. She’s grown up learning how to surpress them and keep it to herself. Though when she is around someone she really cherices she is actually able to say the things she usually keeps bottled-up.

Can they cry on command? If so, what do they think about to make it happen?

Carmen cannot, she is just generally emotional so while she cannot cry on command, there is a big chance she’ll have something to cry about if she really needs to.

Vanessa can absolutely! It’s a skill she had to perfect over the years, living with a father who is incredibly emotionally manipulative himself. She only has one moment to think about to make her crying actually seem genuine and it is the death of her mother.

What would you (mun) yell in the middle of a crowd to find them? What would their best friend and/or romantic partner yell?

For Carmen, it would be Jonathan yelling something along the lines of “Wow, look at those pretty marigolds!” and Carmen would plow through a whole group of people like a madwoman.

And for Vanessa it would be Nancy yelling “Ooo, spray paint on sale? 50% off?!” and Vanessa would come running.

Do they give tough love or gentle love most often? Which do they prefer to receive?

Carmen is giving gentle love and wanting desperately to receive it all the way.

Vanessa gives tough love but really wants to receive gentle love.

If someone was impersonating them, what would friends / family ask or do to tell the difference?

Oooo okay, so for Carmen I think her loved ones would bring up her getting shot and when the imposter gets flustered because only a select group of people no of this, they’d get caught in the lie.

For Vanessa it would be something along the lines of bringing up a “boyfriend”. Again, only a select few people know about the lesbianism at hand so if the imposter starts rambling about a non-existent boyfriend they’re done for.

When do they fake a smile? How often?

When asked “How are you doing?” or “Everything okay?” or something along those lines by people she holds close. She doesn’t have a problem with showing emotions, but when everyone around her is miserable enough, she doesn’t want to make it worse.

For Vanessa it’s whenever she wants something. She’s learned how to be manipulative from her father, and though she tries not to be like him, it sometimes works in her favor when she needs it most.

What’s the most obvious difference between their behavior at home, at work, at school, with friends, and when they’re alone?

For Carmen at first it is being really chaste and quiet and then being a lot more artistic and creative at home, and even kind of scheming sometimes when she’s secretly playing video games or watching movies she wasn’t supposed to. Later on it’s her being nice and quiet around others, but when she’s around Jonathan or Murray, for example, she’s actually really witty and can read them like books.

Vanessa is really polite and sort of business-woman-like with adults, but a lot more outspoken and snappy around friends. Think of her like a politicians daughter around adults and then someone more free-spirited, angrier, with a sharper tongue around everyone else.

What do they notice first in the mirror versus what most people first notice looking at them?

Carmen first notices the scar on her stomach, she doesn’t know that she got it the day she was born and it puzzles her daily. Others may notice her smile, it is a genuine, warm kind of smile.

Vanessa first notices when her lipstick is not perfectly applied. She will fix it immediatly. Others first notice the air of authority she has about her. Like, it’s more than she should have in her seventeen-year-old body.

What would they do if stuck in a room with the person they’ve been avoiding?

Talk about the weather, the going-ons in town, their favourite food, their last trip. Literally anything to avoid whatever topic she’s avoiding.

Vanessa would try to break down the door or smash a window to escape, when that doesn’t work she’d sulk in one corner until the tension got to much and she’d confront the issue.

What common etiquette do they disagree with? Do they still follow it?

The whole “respect your elders” thing. Her parents never treated her with respect, so why should she do so? Except, she still does it, because the consequences if she doesn’t scare her too much.

The “don’t talk about taboo subjects” thing. People are so in their bubble and she doesn’t understand why they’d ignore all the bad shit going on around them. So she does challenge people on that notion, but mainly with her art pieces.

What do they feel guilty for that the other person(s) doesn’t / don’t even remember?

Due to all the high stress she was feeling after escaping from the lab, she tore into Jonathan when he was already stressed himself due to Will going missing. Jonathan truly doesn’t even remember it because so much shit happened after that, but it still hurts Carmen’s heart. She always buys him the newest records and new camera lenses to fight her guilt.

Vanessa honestly rarely feels guilty about anything, the only thing she truly feels guilty for is what she is forced to do to Carmen in season two, but Carmen has long forgotten about it.

What subject / topic do they know a lot about that’s completely useless to the direct plot?

For Carmen it’s gardening. Video game knowledge and her being able to do work with nimble fingers usually helps when fighting monsters from another world, knowledge about plants and flowers barely does.

Painting and spraypainting. These two things usually only help Vanessa when expressing herself and her vigilatism, not so much when fighting monsters.

What’s the worst gift they ever received? How did they respond?

Murray got Carmen a set of new makeup for her birthday one year. He really did try to get her something he thought she’d like, and she appreciated the thought, but makeup is so not her thing. Still, she responded with a thank you and then just let it sit in her room until she gave it to Vanessa instead of letting it go to waste.

Vanessa received these sparkly dress shoes for her birthday one year she absolutely hated. Because they came from her dad, she responded with a smile and a thank you...and then donated them soon after.

How do they respond when someone doesn’t believe them?

Carmen tries way too hard to make them believe her. If it’s a really bad case, then it’s like Mia Goth’s one scene as Pearl where she screams at her suitor.

Vanessa’s very calm and collected. You don’t believe her when she tells you something? Well, if it was something personal and she was genuinely trying to bond with you, then it’s your loss. If it was something that potentially could have saved your life, too fucking bad. Now you’re dead or gravely injured.

When do they feel the most guilt? How do they respond to it?

For Carmen she feels guilty about way too many small things she shouldn’t be concerning herself with. When she does she has to reclude herself from other people and kind of realign herself.

Vanessa only ever feels guilty when she hurts the people she loves. Or little kids. They are her weakness. She usually responds by a very poor attempt at an apology before being nudged real hard by Nancy and actually apologizing. For kids, she’ll usually bribe them with candy or small toys.

How do they greet someone they dislike / hate?

For Carmen it’s with a really forced smile and a hesitant handshake. She doesn’t know if the other person could be helpful to the group so she doesn’t try to anger anyone.

Vanessa: *glares so hard she might actually burn a hole through your head*

What is the smallest, morally questionable choice they’ve made?

Carmen stole a book from the library and prayed for forgiveness for three days straight.

Vanessa considers lying to kids about Santa Claus incredibly morally questionable. When she was younger she’d tell other kids the truth until her mother made her stop.

What’s a secret they haven’t told serious romantic partners and don’t plan to tell?

Carmen will never go into detail about all the things her parents did to her in the basement when they found out she had powers. It’s too painful for her to relieve and she doesn’t feel that Jonathan needs to know.

Vanessa will most likely never tell Nancy about where she comes from. The shame of who her father is is too big.

Would they rather be invited to an event to feel included or be excluded from an event if they were not genuinely wanted there?

Carmen doesn’t like to be pitied, if you don’t want her at your party, then don’t feel like you have to invite her. Your loss.

Same thing with Vanessa. She doesn’t want to go to your party anyway.

What phrases, pronunciations, or mannerisms did they pick up from someone / somewhere else?

Jonathan teaches Carmen how to pronounce certain words that she never really understood in english. She also picks up a more American accent from Murray while living with him.

Vanessa taught herself an American accent to fit in with the kids she’s supposed to monitor. Though she will occasionally slip back into her british accent and Nancy will notice it almost immediately.

What do they commonly misinterpret because of their own upbringing / environment / biases? How do they respond when realizing the misunderstanding?

Carmen always gets flustered when people genuinely try to offer her help. When her parents offered her “help”, it was usually ingenuine and only got her hurt. When people like Jonathan and Murray try to offer it, she often rebuffs it until she realizes they really, truly mean it. Then she accepts it.

Vanessa often views genuine acts of kindness as some kind of trick or deception. She’s standoffish until she warms up enough to know you meant it. Then she accepts that kindness, and even reciprocates it.

What’s something unimportant / frivolous that they hate passionately?

Tight clothing is usually really uncomfortable for her. It makes her feel trapped and she usually has to get it off as soon as possible.

Disrespecting art pieces or tagging over murals that pay tribute to important things. Whenever Vanessa sees this, it sparks this hatred in her which does not dissipate for the rest of the day.

Who have they forgotten about that remembers them very well?

After Carmen leaves Calvert, she pretty much erases her whole past and forgets most of the people in her neighbourhood. There’s a younger boy who never forgets her or playing video games with her.

Vanessa has an aunt, that fades from her memory because the last time she met her she was very young. Her aunt never forgot her though.

Would they eat something they find gross to be polite?

Carmen would. Vanessa would only do it to get on someone’s good side if she needs them for something.

What’s a phrase they say a lot?

“It’s fine.” - Carmen

“You look gorgeous.” - Vanessa

Who would / do they believe without question?

Carmen trusts Jonathan with her life.

Strangely, Vanessa would believe Dustin about anything he tells her.

What’s something they’re expected to enjoy based on their hobbies / profession that they actually dislike / hate?

The process of actually planting her plants actually always annoys Carmen. She much more enjoys the repetitive process of watering and then picking the vegetables/fruits, it really calms her.

For Vanessa it’s getting paint on her clothes and shoes, even the old ratty ones. She hates having to do entire loads of laundry with just clothes full of paint.

What’s a simple daily activity / motion that they mess up often?

There’s a 90% chance that Carmen will never catch the damn bus on time. No matter how hard she tries.

Vanessa can never get her signature hairstyle right on the first try and irks the shit out of her.

[vvatchword]

Let me apologize ahead of time for the uncontrollable ADHD that is making me ramble like a madwoman. I'm trying to communicate and some of the dumbest things imaginable are coming out of my mouth. I will repeat the same sentence twice in a row or start rapid-fire non-sequiturs. Sometimes I start just listing adjacent words. Does it make sense? oh, no.

I am not going to tell you why this is happening. You can guess

[reemerarius]

So, I saw all the hubbub about that one actress starring in the live-action Snow White. And, long story short ages ago I wrote this. It's not the best, and I'd like to revisit it someday, but here's The Snow White Dethphonticth

I'll leave you with an excerpt, please note I started touching it up so this version and what's in the ebook might be different:

It is in due time the two wed and Snow White is nowhere to be seen. She refused to come to the wedding. It was expected, but the king apologizes to his new queen nonetheless. It would not be for a few days until Sylvia cross paths with Snow White. It would be an uneasy moment.

Snow White is taller and skinnier than Sylvia. The contrast between Snow White's pale, sickly-looking skin and void black hair was unnatural. She stands up straight at the end of the hall in a beautiful gown and no shoes, her toes poking out from under the hem of her dress. As slim as she is, her presence saturates the space. Sylvia can not get herself to move, she is not even sure if the girl was looking at her, Snow White's bangs cover her eyes. She turns from Sylvia and goes on her way. Sylvia has not realized the door she is at has opened. When she turns, there stands the king inviting her in.

“What has caused such an ill look about you, My Queen?” the king brings her to sit.

“I saw her. At the end of the hallway. Snow White, was it? I don't know how, but I'm certain it was her. She... Is she always...”

“Calm down. I apologize. She's grown fond of her games. She's just been acting out ever since her mother's death,” the king takes her hands in his.

“Yes, of course. Any child would grieve such a loss. I'll do what I can to help ease the pain.”

“Thank you. That's part of the reason I brought you in here. I want you to help Snow White to heal, to grow, to learn. No teacher wants to work with her because of her outburst. The staff will barely go near her. She doesn't want anything to do with me. She runs and hides when I go looking for her, so I've never seen this behavior myself. But everyone is complaining, so there must be something wrong. I know it's a lot to put on you all at once. But I need this, she needs this.”

“It's fine, My King. It's the queen's duty to watch over a child's schooling as is. You aren't asking too much of me at all. But, if I may ask you a question, My King?”

“Yes, by all means.”

“Who came up with her name?”

“There was an... incident in her youth,” the king tells Sylvia the story.

“No wonder she's acting out, whatever happened in those woods must have scarred her and then to lose her mother on top of that. Poor babe,” Sylvia squeezes the king's hand, hoping to leave some reassurance imprinted into them.

The next week bumbles in as clouds of dust and torn down cobwebs. The old queen's quarters are finally being cleaned out after all these years. Amidst the moving of furniture, the old queen's journal is found and brought to the king.

He pulls it out that dusk and reads into the night. Unsure of what to make of his late queen's notes, he places the notebook away. The king is not sure if the last few entries were just the ramblings of a madwoman or a warning something awful, he decides to go with the option he can wrap his logic around. He knows he needs to start being a father to Snow White again. Everything should have been fine.

The sun breaks on the horizon and he roams the castle for his daughter. He follows sightings of her, somehow she must know he is looking for her and is actively avoiding him like usual. The king hunts for her through lunch. He refuses to quit and he believes his effort rewarded. He has followed her to the last room of a slightly empty hallway. She can no longer avoid him. The king walks in on her crouching in a food pantry. The king can feel their eyes connect through Snow White's bangs.

“We really should get those cut soon. It's unbecoming of a princess to hide her face,” the king pauses as Snow White stands up, she has his height. “Listen, you know you can't keep going on like this. Everything you've been up to will be coming to an end. You will not be bringing any more chaos into my castle. Your behavior will be punished from here on out. Am I understood?”

Snow White tilts her head in thought.

It is a few days until the castle is silent. The king's hysterics had echoed through the stone walls, shaking Sylvia to the bone. There was nothing the doctors could do before he was too far gone. The king was buried in the family cemetery far back behind the castle.

[brummiereader]

Wow what a chapter Lee 😯!! I swear I didn't blink the whole entire time!

The first part honestly had me on edge. Luca was being...loving to her. I was expecting him to flip at any moment 😬. He's volatile behaviour really keeps me questioning what's genuine and what's not. "The turmoil behind her eyes" and this is where you can clearly see the hold he has on her. He beats her belittles her but she still questions her decision, it's honestly heartbreaking.

God, I can't imagine living like this. I know she's giving him up him and trying to urge him to attack that same day, but the way she has to word everything so carefully is so frightening. I literally had a ball of nerves in my stomach through this part, I was so nervous Luca wouldn't go along with the plan. You really set the scene perfectly here Lee ���️!

Thank god for Enzo, but after reading the whole chapter I fear what will now happen to him. "No one strikes a Sabini without bearing a scar of their own.” loved this line, it really installs in the reader how much power the Sabinis have. Luca is and idiot for everything he has done to Aurora, the daughter of the leader of one of the most powerful families. I hope he gets more than a scar 😡.

Although I was happy to see the smirk wiped off Lucas face when he realised he had been betrayed, I knew what it ultimately meant...he had just learnt it was his own wife that lied to him. You have no idea how much I'm starting to hate this man 😤.

Come on Granny and Gramps, move!! < that's what I was shouting at my phone when Aurora was having to wait behind them. Arghh, it's the worse thing ever when you're waiting behind someone and they won't stop talking to the employee, and the most annoying part is, I reckon the employee indulges in their rambling just to piss everyone off waiting 😬 ( sorry for the rant. Phew, I feel better 😂) .

I knew he was going to be there. “Mi hai spezzato il cuore…now I’m gonna break you, sweetheart.” ...I feel sick. These words are so chilling. Your whole description of this scene was absolutely perfect. The image he was portraying to everyone else was so frightening because we the readers and Aurora know the dark ideas lurking behind his eyes at what he really wants to do. I can't believe his men willingly go along with it all, I guess they're only following orders but it honestly disgusts me 😒.

Lovely Rose is so protective with her ❤️. I was honestly surprised to see Tommy not completely refuse Alfie's request to have him look after her instead. I reckon Tommy has some guilt there, because Rose was right she saved his life, now it's time for him to the same. “You do realize my wife will have your balls if you don’t do right by this woman,” hell yes she will 😂! As always, I absolutely love the way you write Alfie, it is SPOT on!

“I don’t know. She’s up there smashing up the room, speaking in bloody tongues,” this line had me giggling so much! Only Arthur could say this 😂🤭! Any other language than English doesn't exist in Arthur's brain! "Fucking madwoman!” says the madman 🤦‍♀️.

I am so excited to see how Tommy and Aurora will interact with each other in a different setting. I reckon this will be where the love triangle starts. I.can.not.wait 😍!! I know it's kinda cliché to say, but it's going to be interesting to see how a reserved Englishman will deal with a fiery Italian beauty. Something tells me she won't go easy on him 😉. Amazing chapter Lee, superb writing ❤️!

My Sun, My Moon and All My Stars-Part 2

Luca Changretta x OC (Aurora Changretta) x Tommy Shelby

Summary: Aurora and Tommy put their plan into motion. When things go wrong in Artillery Square, she’s the one who must deal with Luca.

Author’s Note: Rose Solomons is an OC belonging to @raincoffeeandfandoms.

Warnings: language, drinking, ethnic slurs, mention of death, fighting, injury, blood, mention of domestic abuse

☀️🌙✨MASTERLIST

Part 1

The last of the letters sat addressed and ready to mail home in the morning, It was important to Aurora that she tell the families about their brave sons and husbands who had given their lives for her family. She pledged continued income and protection on behalf of the Sabini family for their sacrifice, but the promise felt as weightless as the cheap hotel stationary she held in her hand. Rubbing an ink stain from her finger, she hadn’t noticed Luca enter, furrowing his brow at her.

“You’re still awake?” he asked, leaning against the doorframe.

“I couldn’t sleep until I finished my condolence letters,” she said, motioning toward the neat stack at the corner of the desk. 

“Come to bed,” he said, extending a hand for her and she rose to meet him without resistance. “You’re a good woman, Aurora,” he commented, urging her to lean into him.

“Is that what we should tell their children?” she asked into the darkness of the hallway, limbs feeling heavy with exhaustion.

“The Shelbys will answer for this, hmm? They did this,” he stressed, rubbing his palm along her upper back. She winced slightly from her healing injuries, murmuring about the nightly regimen she needed to complete and he guided her into the bedroom.

Aurora sat at the edge of the bed, dark hair cascading over one shoulder as Luca’s long fingers massaged a soothing balm into her bruised shoulder. The moonlight reflected against her glossy locks, drawing Luca forward to kiss the top of her head. Breathing in the hint of spice in her perfume, he mused, “You remember the first Christmas we were married? All the promises we made?”

Aurora nodded as she glanced down at the bauble on her right hand, a gift from their first holiday together as a married couple. The large princess cut emerald nestled amongst smaller brilliant diamonds, one for every child they hoped to be blessed with in the future. “My sun, my moon and all my stars,” she whispered. It was true they’d made plans for a dynasty of their own in the early days, but this was no longer the dream as all her hopes had turned to fear, joy drowning in sorrow and every kiss from Luca sinking her deeper into death.

Luca rested his cheek against her momentarily as he continued, “This vendetta has made me realize how short life is. When we get back home a new life begins for us. Things are gonna be different.”

Aurora’s breath caught in her chest as she listened to his words, eyes slipping closed at the memory of Tommy Shelby’s icy stare as she agreed to the unthinkable.

“When all this is done, I think it’s time to talk about having a family,” he said, caressing her arm. “We have to find a way to move on after Angel and Papa,” he said, a sadness tinging his voice that made her whole body ache even more as guilt permeated her soul.

After a few moments of silence, she looked up to find her husband staring at her in the mirror and she could hardly meet his gaze.

“Did you hear what I said, Aurora?” he asked, pulling her into him. 

“Mmm-hm,” she acknowledged numbly.

Satisfied he had her attention, Luca continued, brushing her hair with his fingers absently as he spoke. “You can stop working for your father and let go of all the worry. Have my children and let me spoil you for the rest of your life, vita mia,” he promised with a squeeze. “God, you’ll make the most beautiful mother,” he praised, kissing the side of her face. When she remained still, Luca pulled away to look at her, finding a tear in the corner of her eye. “You alright?” he asked tenderly.

Aurora’s hand came to rest at his cheek as her mind whirred, unable to answer him until she finally heard herself say, “Luca, I’m so tired. Can we go to sleep?”

“Of course,” he replied with another peck to her shoulder, moving backward on the bed and tossing the covers aside. She slipped beneath the duvet, silk night gown sliding against the smooth cotton and sighed at the relief of the cool material against her face. She watched intently as Luca turned out the light, hoping he hadn’t noticed the turmoil behind her eyes.

————————————-

Two days later, Aurora entered the dining room to find Luca with his head in his hands. 

“What’s wrong?” she asked, taking a seat beside him at the table.

Luca tossed a telegram before her and she grasped it between her fingers, eyes flying across the page. She tried to hide the small intake of breath as she realized it came from Camden Town, realizing the plan was in motion.

“The jew says he can lead me to Shelby,” Luca said, leaning back in his chair as he drummed his fingers on the tabletop. 

“That’s good, isn’t it?” Aurora asked encouragingly, reaching for his hand.

Luca pulled back with a shake of his head. “Something isn’t right. I can feel it,” he said stroking his cheek thoughtfully.

“Wh-why do you say that? I thought you had a productive meeting at the distillery. You promised him distribution for his rum in New York in exchange for Tommy Shelby’s whereabouts,” she said, reiterating the terms of the agreement. 

Luca stood and crossed to the window looking down to the street. “I don’t trust him, baby,” he eventually replied.

“I admit he’s a bit eccentric, but Darby said we can trust him. Papa said,” Aurora stressed, attempting not to raise her voice and show her hand. 

“It’s not just him. It’s that wife of his. She’s got opinions on everything, always in his ear,” he said with a disapproving sneer. Luca spun around to look at Aurora as he asked intently, “What was it she said to you that day when you were alone? You never told me.”

Aurora’s eyes dropped to the patterned tablecloth, tracing it slowly as she thought of a believable lie. The clock in the corner ticked away the seconds forcefully, urging her on until she landed on the telegram once more. Placing a manicured finger over a few words she pronounced, “Look, the Solomons mention Artillery Square.”

“And?” Luca asked with clenched jaw.

“Tommy Shelby hides his youngest brother there. Goes to visit him one day a week to give him his orders in person and check on him,” she said confidently.

Luca was listening intently now, studying his wife with suspicion. “And how do you know this, principessa?” he asked. 

“You asked what Rose said. She told me they’ve had a girl from the bakery who was sweet on him. She tried to warn her off and couldn’t. She said she followed her there a few times,” Aurora continued as naturally as possible. 

“And why wouldn’t you have told me this before?” Luca asked with raised eyebrow, pacing back to the breakfast table with a dangerous look in his eye.

Aurora went to him, stroking a hand down his shirt front to calm him. “I had to be sure,” she said, faltering slightly in her delivery before dipping her head under his chin. When Luca accepted her, lacing an arm around her waist, her body relaxed against his. However, she quickly noticed the tension did not leave his grip as he tightened his hold on her.

“Sure of what, amore?” he whispered in a low growl, fingers pressing against her flesh painfully. One hand slipped away to find her chin, pulling her eyes up to meet his in a challenging stare.

Aurora eyes darted momentarily as she forced the lump back down her throat with the note of panic desperate to escape. “I couldn’t risk her giving us false information. Putting you in danger,” she purred.

Luca’s head tilted slightly as his brow softened, “So how do you know she’s not lying?” he implored, wanting to believe.

At that moment, Enzo entered the room and Aurora turned to him with a desperate look in her eye. With her back to her husband she silently pleaded through her gaze as she spoke. “Enzo followed him there,” she said, heart thundering in her chest as she waited for her father’s man to give confirmation.

“Have you been watching Artillery Square?” Luca asked the young man before him.

Aurora gave an almost imperceptible nod of her head toward Enzo and his eyes went wide for a moment, glancing between husband and wife. He knew what needed to be done though fear coursed through his veins. “Yes, boss,” he quickly replied.

“And Tommy Shelby’s brother lives there? You’re certain of it?” he asked.

“Yes, I’m sure,” Enzo confirmed, feeling a trickle of sweat run down his back.

Luca sighed heavily, running his tongue along the inside of his cheek as he thought.

“You see, Luca, we can trust the intelligence,” Aurora spoke up. Seeing his resolve was weakening at the thought of a victory over the Shelbys, Aurora delivered one last impassioned speech. “Let’s end this so we can go home. You take him today, Luca. You must,” she urged her husband, stroking his cheek gently.

She could see from the glint in his eye that he was ready, having waited too long for vengeance for his family. “Today,” he repeated with a firm nod, assured in his decision. 

———————————————

Tommy waited patiently from a second story balcony late into the afternoon with a machine gun covered by a thick swath of muslin. Residents had been evacuated from the buildings in Artillery Square, though he suspected some still remained as noises could be heard occasionally with the rustle of the breeze. If it were rats or curious tenants, he couldn’t quite be sure. It was of no concern now though, the only thought on his mind was waiting for Luca and his men.

Tommy closed his eyes, taking in one last deep breath and exhaling into the heavens. This would be the end to it all, the black hand and the blood in the kitchen had been nothing compared to this moment when he would finally be victorious. And if he wasn't, that would be the end of everything extra and he could be at peace with Grace. “In the bleak midwinter…” he began before the roar of a car engine could be heard in the distance.

Readying himself for battle, Tommy withdrew the cloth from his weapon and hid beyond the shadows, listening to the distant footsteps of at least four men, recalling all the places he’d stored guns and ammunition around the compound. He steadied his breathing as he’d done years ago in the war, taking in the stream of oxygen as he might the opium or whisky afterward to stop the shakes. He took one last look at his pocket watch, the soldier's minute had begun.

—————————————-

Aurora watched the last of the vehicles Darby provided pull away from the curb and she felt a rush of adrenaline course through her whole body. She packed quickly knowing time was not a luxury today and gathered the tickets Rose had left for her under an assumed name. Everything was falling into place almost too well when she felt a hand on her shoulder as she waited for a taxi. 

She startled at the touch, dropping her case to the pavement as she glanced over her shoulder nervously. This was the moment she was found out. She was certain of it and she nearly fainted as she glimpsed the fedora in her peripheral vision. 

In a blessed moment of relief, the voice that issued forth was not that of her husband, but a warm, soothing tone of her bodyguard. Shoulders slumping forward in instant relief she managed, “Enzo! It’s only you.”

“Yes, Mr. Changretta said I should stay behind and watch over you,” he explained, a note of apology in his voice.

“I won't be needing you today. Go back to the hotel,” Aurora instructed.

Enzo looked confused as Aurora straightened her dress and picked her case up from where it had fallen at her feet. He dipped quickly to pick it up for her, but she grabbed the handle first with a shake of her head. Her hazel eyes turned dark with warning, the same look she’d given him that morning in the dining room and he understood she was fleeing. 

“I’m sorry, I can’t stay,” she said as a taxi pulled up to the curb. 

“No, it’s I who must apologize, Mrs. Changretta,” he replied as he opened the door for her. "Potrai mai perdonarmi?"

She paused as her hand fell upon the door. “Why do you say that?” she asked, eyes snapping up to meet his.

Enzo looked away as he fixed his eyes on something across the road answering honestly, “I never protected you from him. It was my one job and I failed you,” he confessed.

Aurora’s swallowed harshly as she was confronted by the truth no one had dared speak into existence in her presence. She placed a gloved hand over his and gave a gentle squeeze as she tried to fortify him with a look of reassurance. “You've done enough. Be satisfied with that and don't worry. I'm my father's daughter. No one strikes a Sabini without bearing a scar of their own.” Then she ducked inside the cab without looking back.

——————————-

“Dear Lord, vengeance is yours. My father, look upon me. Vengeance is yours too.” Luca whispered before making the sign of the cross and kissing the St. Christopher medal that hung from his neck. As Matteo drove a bread truck deep into Shelby territory, he searched for signs of life in the smoggy streets. However, the neighborhood appeared cold and desolate, gray clouds hanging like a burial shroud over the decaying buildings.

Luca leaned forward to give his final instructions to his men. “He may try to surrender, but remember, I’ll fire the final shot,” he warned them, flexing his gloved hands until the leather cracked breaking the tension in the air. They nodded in silent understanding, exchanging glances as they all recognized the blood lust in Luca’s eyes. He wouldn’t be contained a moment longer.

As soon as the car stopped, Luca jumped from the back, surveying the empty car left by the alley. By all accounts this was Shelby’s car and he smirked with pleasure knowing his enemy was nearby. 

In the distance Tommy watched through the iron bars of the balcony railing as Luca marched through the courtyard, a lion prowling unfamiliar territory with his nose high in the air. He had an unsettling sense of superiority Tommy found nauseating, a reminder of the cavalry who rode past him without a single glance. That was the secret to his plan, however. Hiding in plain sight where Luca would never think to look. Taking one last view through the sights, Tommy’s finger curled over the trigger in anticipation of just the right moment.

No sooner had Luca begun thinking of his plans to ambush Tommy, gunfire reigned down from above. The sharp echoes around him bit at his nerves and the wind opened his coat, exposing him to the elements in a sudden reversal of fortune he hadn’t been expecting. His men poured from the back doors of the bread truck, machine guns in hand, but two were struck down instantly by his side, blood pooling at his feet. “Fuck!” he shouted, returning fire to the balcony above, grimacing as he held his gun against his shoulder tightly and fired several rounds in quick succession.

As the specter of a man in a flat cap disappeared beyond undulating waves of hanging bed sheets, Luca motioned the others forward. “Come on!” he said with a wave of his arm, unwilling to give up the chance now that it had begun. His earlier certainty had been robbed, however, and he now stood motionless despite his command, flattening himself against a wall as he collected his thoughts. His face twisted with rage as he hissed, “I was lied to.”

———————————

Aurora fidgeted with the buttons on her gloves anxiously, willing the couple in front of her to move more quickly. She'd already waited at the docks for hours for her boat and the churning in her stomach was worsening with every passing second. Her nerves were not helped by the elderly pair before her having a lengthy discussion about securing their dog on board, along with endless questions about their voyage. She attempted to take long, slow breaths through her nose, but nothing seemed to calm her.

Finally it seemed she would be next and she readied her papers in hand with a warm smile. As she stretched her hand out to offer them, a clerk approached her. “Ma’am, a word please,” he said in a stern voice.

With a dry throat, Aurora attempted to swallow and hesitantly turned to face him. “Yes, can I help you?” She was certain it was a mistake. Women traveling alone were often questioned and she was confident she could talk her way out of it.

“I need you to follow me, please,” he said with a wave of his hand. "There's been a problem with your paperwork, ma'am." 

"Surely you'll find everything in order if you take a look," she demurred, offering her papers. They shook in her hand as she pleaded, "Please, I’ll miss the boat and my family is waiting in America."

“Now, ma’am, or I'll be forced to call a policeman,” he commanded.

Seeing no other option, Aurora complied, gathering the small case at her side. The row of waiting travelers parted for her, pointing and staring at the elegant woman being led away. Although she kept her head held high, her legs nearly collapsed when she made it to the end of the dock to see Luca towering above her. He smiled at her with a predatory glimmer in his dark brown eyes. “Amore, I was so worried when you weren’t at the hotel,” he greeted her with open arms, pulling her into him like a long lost lover. 

Aurora’s heart raced, beating wildly against her chest. She knew each and every one of his moods. This was his best impression of a loving husband, an act he would discard later in favor of the cruelest forms of punishment. The soft, even tone of his voice terrified her more than the beatings that followed. 

She tried not to react as he pushed the scarf from her head and stroked her hair, fingers tracing along the column of her neck. A prickle of goosebumps developed beneath the wake of his touch as he whispered in her ear, “We could have had everything.” His nose nudged the shell of her ear tenderly as he did when they made love, but his next words came out even more breathlessly as he struggled to temper his emotions. “Mi hai spezzato il cuore…now I’m gonna break you, sweetheart.” Then he placed a rough kiss to her temple, hand clutching at the back of her neck possessively as though he might crush her skull and she whimpered involuntarily.

As he attempted to drag her from view of the remaining passengers waiting to board, Aurora began to feel nauseous. If she went with him, she wouldn’t return home. He had warned her once. Spotting the waiting car at the curb, she began to kick against his hold.

She wrenched herself from him in a moment of panic, his hand clutching at her necklace. It stopped her for a brief moment, a small choking sound emitting from her throat as it held her to him. Then the clasp gave way and she stumbled, watching a shimmering row of pearls fall to the walkway. Her hand flew to her throat as she saw Luca’s eyes widen in shock at the shower of jewels bounce along the ground at their feet.

Seeing her moment to flee, Aurora ran in the opposite direction as quickly as her legs would carry her. The shouted curses began as the sound of Aurora’s heels beat against the pavement, sounding a war drum in Luca’s ears as the blood pumped through his veins provoking him to chase after her. 

She cut a path back through the crowd, weaving between bodies to disguise herself. The murmurs from the crowd intensified as she ducked low to avoid the men in dark coats and her position was given away when a woman screamed out in surprise. “Over there!” Luca called to Matteo who rushed to find her, pushing a man out of his way as he reached for the handle of his pistol.

In an instant Aurora’s brown curls had disppeared once more and the men stopped to watch and listen. They hadn’t seen her remove her shoes and scamper down a ramp, concealing herself beneath a set of stairs. Although soon one of the men discovered the passageway and motioned for Luca. “Here, boss!” he called out. 

The men stalked through the shadowed area slowly, weapons drawn now that they were out of sight of any bystanders. Aurora closed her eyes tightly as she heard the sound of a gun cock, chest heaving and silently praying they wouldn’t discover her position. When she heard their footsteps move on, she took one last gulp of air and ran toward freedom, but the sound of a single shot echoing along the corridor immobilized her with a shock of lightning through her entire body. She dropped to the ground as the sound of police whistles rang out and her vision blurred.

———————————- 

**The Changretta Calls-3 happens here **

Margate, One week later…

As the heavy front door swung open, Tommy’s voice rumbled lowly, “Is she still alive?” Expression unreadable below his flat cap, only his tightly clasped hands and rigid posture gave away his anxiety.

“And good morning to you, Tom,” Alfie said, stepping aside to allow his business associate inside. “Would like some tea, I think Edna’s got some brewing.” Observing Tommy’s pacing, he stroked his beard, adding, “bit of something stronger?”

Removing his cap swiftly, Tommy’s bloodshot eyes came into view and he stepped closer to Alfie as he hissed, “I need answers, Alfie. Right fucking now.”

“Yeah, suppose you do, mate. Come on, then,” he said, shuffling toward the back of the house to find Rose.

As they came into view of the sitting room, Rose’s head shot up. “Mr. Shelby, there are a few things we need to discuss,” she said with arms crossed against her chest. “First, I’d like to know why you left Mrs. Changretta to die when we agreed it was her husband you wanted.”

“Now wait a minute,” Tommy interjected. “I’ve already told your husband, I had nothing to do with that.”

“Of course you’d deny it,” she huffed. “She delivered him to you on a silver platter and it still wasn’t enough for your ego,” she let out a bitter laugh as she marched toward him. Pointing a finger at Tommy accusingly she continued, “If that bullet had been three inches to the left, she’d be dead. She risked her life to save yours, you arrogant prick!” Her words were pitched with emotion, a bit high for her usual register as the emotional distress from watching Aurora suffer spilled forth all at once. 

“It was only Luca and his men in Artillery Square,” Tommy said with conviction.

“Then how did she end up in hospital?” Rose asked.

As the waves crashed outside the open balcony door, Aurora’s words echoed in Tommy’s ear, “I just want out.” She’d been desperate that afternoon in the basement room, clawing her way out of the pit Luca had dug for them. Tommy recognized it in her, the will to live despite being buried. Then all the pieces clicked into place. His throat felt dry and the room far too warm suddenly. Alfie had been right about one thing, the unexpected guilt that arose. He hadn’t meant for any of this to happen when he arranged the meeting in Artillery Square. It was his battle to fight, not Aurora Changretta’s.

The harsh cry of a lone seagull dipping low in the sky brought Tommy back to himself as he choked out, “I proposed an alliance in good faith and I haven’t broken it. The only other person in this country who wants her dead is her own husband. Have you asked her about him?”

The tightness in his jaw and the strained look in his eye told Rose Tommy was concerned for Aurora. Perhaps he even cared what happened to her after this, but he was definitely telling the truth about the events of the past days. Even if she wanted to hold a grudge, she had no choice but to work with him because a war was still raging outside her doorstep.

“She lost a great deal of blood and fell unconsciousness before I could speak with her further,” Rose admitted. “I just know she needed protection and asked to come here.”

“Well let’s settle this, shall we? I’d like to know where the fuck Luca is for a start, wouldn’t you?” Tommy asked with raised eyebrows.

“I told you, she needs rest,” Rose cautioned, still feeling protective over her guest.

“We don’t have time, Rose,” Tommy countered. Rose opened her mouth to argue, fury ready to fly from her until he added more gently, “I can’t protect her or any of us if I don’t have information.”

She couldn’t deny his logic and closed her mouth. Pursing her lips for a moment before beginning, “I’ll check on her, but I don’t want that woman upset. If you speak, you’ll watch your bloody tone with her. She’s been through enough, do you understand?” Rose gave him a stern look and without waiting for a reply, she whisked away to Aurora’s room to see if she might be able to speak.

Alfie let out a low whistle. “Ready for that drink now?” he asked.

“Yeah,” Tommy agreed with a quick nod, watching Alfie push himself up from his chair with a low grunt.

Alfie lumbered to the bar cart in the corner, pouring two fingers of Irish whisky and passed it to his friend with a grumble. As he stood considering the bright morning sun over the water, he reached for the chain around his neck and produced a pair of half moon shaped glasses. Their size was unremarkable in comparison to their owner who held them in his enormous hand with great awe and wonder.

“The man who made this pair of spectacles for me is a fucking magician, Tommy. You wouldn’t believe it,” he said with a satisfied nod. “A fucking magician!” his voice boomed. “Ain’t they lovely though?” he asked, pulling the chain out from his body and offering them toward Tommy for inspection.

Tommy took a swig of his drink, tilting his chin to the ceiling as he allowed the burn of the alcohol to reach his brain. It was too early for Alfie’s theatrics, especially with the weight on his mind. He licked his lips and nodded thoughtfully. “They’re quite nice, Alfie.”

“They tell me things as well. All that’s about to happen," he gestured with an open palm. "I’ve seen into the future with these,” he said in a hushed voice full of reverence. 

“Is that right? Perhaps I need a pair then,” Tommy dead panned, reaching into his coat pocket for a badly needed cigarette.

“Ah, but you already know, dontcha?” Alfie hummed, pacing toward the balcony once more. “It was you who said they was coming for us all one day. That was you, weren’t it?” he asked,  glancing over his shoulder as Tommy lit his smoke, looking more interested than before.

Nodding to himself, Alfie clutched the spectacles in his large fingers and turned his back to Tommy saying, “Hmm, didn’t need a pair of these after all, did ya?” Tugging at the hem of his shirt to polish a spot, he held them to the light for inspection as he continued, “The way I see it, the wops know she’s a traitor.” Alfie stopped, one ringed hand resting over his mouth, stroking his beard momentarily, before he dared speak the rest. “Worse they’ll know by now my Rosie’s one cause they’ve been seen together.”

“What would you have me do, Alfie?” Tommy asked, taking a long drag as he awaited an answer.

“I can’t keep the Changretta woman here another day, mate,” Alfie proclaimed, a veiled request rolled into his statement.

“Rose won’t agree to it,” Tommy warned.

“She might not like it, but she knows what’s best for everyone, don’t she?” Alfie countered.

“Aurora can’t possibly travel,” Tommy argued, pointing his cigarette at Alfie for emphasis.

“She got here,” Alfie reasoned, tucking the glasses back into his shirt front. "She can make it to yours," he said decisively.

Tommy bit the inside of his cheek before slamming his glass on the nearest table, accepting his inevitable defeat in this argument. “I’ll need blankets and a medical kit, plus two cars to accompany us on the drive.”

Alfie nodded thoughtfully to accept the proposal, but his pacing continued as though some other issue still plagued his mind. “You do realize my wife will have your balls if you don’t do right by this woman,” Alfie proclaimed, chewing his bottom lip with worry. 

Tommy looked down the hall where Rose had disappeared as he nodded, “Yes, I do.”

—————————————

Rose helped Tommy bundle Aurora into warm blankets, carrying her down to the car as gingerly as possible. Aurora was still quite delirious from the pain medicine, making a proper goodbye difficult, but she managed to thank Rose, giving her hand a weak squeeze. Rose wiped a tear away as she placed a basket on the bench seat by Tommy. “Be sure she eats the bread I sent,” she instructed. It was the only bit of care she could give now that they would be separated.

“And Tommy…this time you must succeed. This man has to be killed,” Rose implored with fierce determination.

“There's no other option,” Tommy replied before driving off. 

It was close to midnight before they reached Arrow House, rows of men welcoming them back to what had become a heavily guarded fortress. Frances swept from the house the moment the car arrived with questions about room preparations which Tommy answered in short, half sentences, too tired to address properly. He was thinking of the calls still to be made that evening to a doctor, his brothers and Pol. There would be a lot of explaining to do and he could only hope they would trust him. 

As he carried Aurora to her room, the full moon broke through the parting clouds and Tommy looked down at her sleeping form, wondering when he’d gone soft. Hadn’t she been the same woman who tried to have him killed mere weeks ago? Now she rested against his chest, the weight of her in his arms a promise to be fulfilled. He couldn't say if it was Rose's influence or the bandages that lay in the same place against her chest as the red stain upon Grace's dress the night of her murder, but something was driving him to protect her.

————————-

The next day…

“Thanks be to Mary and Joseph," Johnny Dogs exhaled at the sight of Tommy entering the foyer of Arrow House. With Arthur in tow, they followed at Tommy's heels until they'd reached the office. With a heavy sigh, Johnny closed the office door behind him. “You didn't say she was gonna wake up, Tom! We had to barricade the fucking door,” he huffed, shoving his hands into his pockets angrily.

“What’s happened?” Tommy asked, quickly removing his jacket and placing it on the closest chair. 

“I don’t know. She’s up there smashing up the room, speaking in bloody tongues,” Arthur said in disgust, pouring himself a whisky as he shook his head, ears still ringing.

“It’s Italian, Arthur,” Tommy retorted. “And I didn’t tell you to fucking lock her in. She’s not a prisoner, she’s a guest in my home. This is a delicate business which must be conducted accordingly, you understand?” he scolded.

“Yeah, well you’d think she’d act a little more grateful for what you did for her, eh?” he said, tossing back his drink as another loud crash came from the upstairs bedroom. “See what I mean?” he gestured above his head. “Fucking madwoman!”

“Alright, you get Polly for the family meeting later and I’ll deal with this,” Tommy replied with a sigh. Rubbing a hand over his face, he climbed the grand staircase. Despite the lack of sleep and the obvious displeasure of his guest, it was time to discuss strategy.

Potrai mai perdonarmi?=Can you ever forgive me?

Mi hai spezzato il cuore=You broke my heart

---------------

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