#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

[madi-sue005]

Welcome to the ramblings of a madwoman about the differences between Pointed Hat Coco and Brimmed Hat Coco. There are just a few things I’d like to cover before getting into the actual post.

1. What you’re about to read is my opinion. Feel free to disagree.

2. I’m not caught up with the digital releases. Reason being because ebooks don’t do it for me, so I have to stick to the print releases, putting me at Chapter 68. I’m counting down the days until volume 13’s release. (January 14. Yes, I do know that by heart.)

3. There will be a cut after this to prevent spoilers. You have been warned.

This is the title page of Chapter 28. Notice how Pointed Hat Coco has a spark in her eyes that Brimmed Coco does not.

The wonder, the hope, is gone from Brimmed Coco’s eyes. Brimmed Coco looks dead inside.

(Side note: this has nothing to do with my theories, but this is the picture that I noticed that Brimmed Coco has little Brimmed hats in her collar like the one on the cover of the picture book.)

Next up we have a screenshot from when Utowin and Olruggio are talking after he finishes giving his report to the Knights in volume 6. Again, Coco looks dead inside, but here she also looks much more menacing. Sinister, evil, even. Definitely not the sweet little Coco we have now.

This one is from when Qifrey saves Coco from the monsters that guard The Tower of Tomes while she’s hiding in the cliffs.

What I’d like to draw your attention to is the last panel. “I worry that when my hands fail to find hope—when they end up grasping at thin air that I just might begin reaching for things I shouldn’t.”

“When my hands fail to find hope…” she says. What I think she means is “if I can’t find a way to save my mother.” Remember, there’s no guarantee that any witch—Pointed Hat or Brimmed—can reverse the spell on Coco’s mother. Largely because much of the knowledge surrounding forbidden spells—even the helpful ones like curse reversals and healingcraft and the twinned bottle—was lost after the Pact was enacted.

For better and for worse, the forbidden spells are being lost to time. In some cases, such as transformation spells and war spells, that’s good. Why would you need to be able to transform someone? Just for shits and grins? Tell that to Euini.

However, in this case, the case of Coco’s mother, it means she could remain as stone for forever. Because no one would know how to undo the spell permanently. Counterclock can’t be used, because, uh… well… Dagda. Just Dagda. Being stuck in an endless loop of life and death, never able to advance. The trauma both Coco and her mother would go through on a daily basis if she chose to go that route… she would never go down that route. Not after she saw what happens to Dagda when his time is reversed.

It seems to me, that Coco equates reaching for the forbidden spells as giving into despair.

Yes, that is my finger in the far left of the image. I couldn’t crop it out without the image ending up looking weird, okay?

Anyway, I would like to point out a few things about this two-page spread. Look at the difference between the body language of Pointed Hat Coco and Brimmed Coco.

One’s much more joyful, hopeful, happily bounding along to the future. Thanks to her lack of a brim, we can see that Pointed Hat Coco is smiling. The other is much more subdued, resigned to her fate, almost, as she walks along. Brimmed Coco seems to be much more downcast than her other self.

Hope and despair. One of the tags of this post, and for good reason. This two-page spread is the essence of that.

“I felt that way because he told me there’s hope. ‘Cause if he’d said there are things magic can’t do that there isn’t any hope I would have no other choice but to wander on, led only by despair.”

Also notice how Coco leaves her pointy hat behind in the last panel, the one where she says she’d be led only by despair.

She views the path of the brims as one of despair, not hope. Of desperation for something she knows is impossible.

Brimmed Coco is Pointed Hat Coco’s antithesis in every way, it seems.

This is an official illustration that I yoinked from online, but you can see the differences in their body language here, too. Pointed Hat Coco is looked up at the viewer, curious. Brimmed Coco has her eyes closed, downtrodden.

Shifting gears a bit, what do you think Iguin means here when he says he wishes Coco could be a “true witch”? Keep in mind, that throughout history, folklore, and pop culture, witches tend to be evil.

Out of all the words she could have chosen for her magic users, why witch? Shirahama could have named her magic users anything, so why are they called witches?

Mage, magician, sorcerer, wizard, warlock, magus, magi, alchemist, sage. All such words describe someone who can use magic in one form or another. Out of all of them, why choose witch?

Even in Japanese, Shirahama’s native language and the language the story is originally written in, “witch” is not a word free from this negative connotation. It’s spelled like this: 「魔女」 and pronounced “majou”. The first character comes from the last syllable in the word for devil (akuma) 「悪魔」, while the second one is the character for woman 「女」.

Put another way: devil woman.

As I haven’t read the Japanese version, I don’t know if this is the word she uses, but it still seems like an odd word choice to me, y’know? Why witch?

Could the “true witch” Iguin is talking about be more in line with the evil witches seen in pop culture and folklore? All across the world, witches are seen as evil in many tales. Ones that immediately come to mind for me are Lechuza and Skinwalkers of Mexican and Native American folklore, respectively.

Notice how, when Coco’s saying “true witch” in the last panel, we can’t see her face clearly.

[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.

[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)

[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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[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

[twimbs]

Some Angst Headcanon-Fueled Writing

“Do you like it here, Philip?” Caleb asked, looking at the cloud filled sky in awe as a strange beast flew by. After receiving no response, he turned to look at his younger brother. Philip sat on the other end of the log, hunched over and muttering to himself as he drew in the dirt with a stick. “Philip? Philip!”

“Ah!” Philip yelled as he jumped, turning to face Caleb with a glare that disappeared a few moments later. “What?”

Caleb snickered at his nerd of a brother - always so deep in some sort of work. 

“Do you like it here?” He repeated.

“No.” Philip stated, turning back to his drawing. “It’s hot. Everything boils. It’s hideous and, above all, it’s weird. As horrendous as a night terror.”

“I think it has charm,” Caleb smirked at the horrified look Philip gave him. “Look around, Philip. Everything is new. There’s so much to see here. There’s so much to experience.”

“It’s disgusting.” Caleb laughed, assuming his brother was joking. Philip’s cheeks turned a shade of red at the laugh. “Don’t laugh! I’m serious. I want to go home.”

“What if we stayed?” Caleb asked. Philip turned to him, stunned as his brother stared at the sun as it reflected off of the distant ocean. “It really is beautiful. We could learn magic together.”

“Learn magic?” Philip hissed. “I can’t believe you. We’re witch hunters, Caleb. We don’t belong here.”

“...Maybe I’m not like you. Maybe we want different things.” Caleb mumbled.

“What different things are so important that you’d abandon your home?” Philip stood, gripping his drawing stick tightly.

“I think the magic here is wonderful. I think the people are wonderful. We could learn a lot - we could adventure together.” Caleb suggested.

“They’re witches. Monsters. They aren’t people.” Philip corrected.

Caleb thought for a moment before responding, knowing this conversation would most likely lead to a fight. “Mother was a witch.”

“Mother was insane!” Philip yelled. “A madwoman filled with mad ideas who spouted mad ramblings to us all!”

“But now we know she was right, Philip. This place exists. Magic exists. How mad was she, if there’s a chance she came from here?”

“For Christ’s sake, Caleb, the woman laughed as she burned to death. That is not the mind of someone who’s stable.” Philip stubbornly crossed his arms.

“Well, I think I’d go mad if no one believed me, if I were killed because of the place I came from.” Caleb half-joked, laughing softly.

“She deserved it. She was a vile woman, all the things she did.” Philip turned to glare at the sun as Caleb stood as well, fists clenched.

“Don’t say that about her. She had her quirks - but she wasn’t a monster.” Caleb growled.

“Grow up, Caleb. We belong home, in our town. We belong in a witch hunting squadron. We don’t live in some fantasy where we can frolic about and dream of magic. What would father think?” Philip asked, noting the way his brother’s lips curled at the mention of the man.

“Father,” Caleb began through gritted teeth. “Was far more deranged than mother ever was. Good Lord, Philip, don’t tell me you can’t see that.”

“He was driven. He was a righteous man-”

“Stop!” Caleb interrupted his brother. “Stop believing all of his lies! Everything he burned into us! He was goddamned out of his head!”

“He was more in his head than any of us-” Philip began, before Caleb stormed towards him. Caleb grabbed a fistful of his brother’s shirt - ignoring his protests as he yanked it up, pulling it out of his belt-line and exposing a dark scar on his brother’s stomach, in the shape of a cross.

“Is that what a sane man does to his child, Philip?” Caleb demanded. There was still anger in his voice, though his tone was softer. “Is that what a righteous man does? Is this what you think shows strength?!”

“...He did what he had to.” Philip mumbled, looking away from his brother as his shirt was released. 

“For goodness sake, Philip, in what world did he have to do this?” Caleb pressed.

“He helped me-”

“He branded you. I’m not the one who needs to grow up, Pip.” Caleb softly spoke. “You can’t even acknowledge when someone has hurt you. Don’t justify or defend his actions. He was just as deranged as mother.”

“Mother believed she was a witch. She was completely delusional. Harsh as he may have been, father was at least rational.” 

“Father believed he spoke for God,” Caleb said, deadpan, staring at Philip almost blankly, as if he couldn’t believe what he was hearing. “And he forced those delusions onto us.”

“So did mother!” Philip yelled. “All of her ramblings of spells and witches - good heavens the bitch was insufferable!”

“Do not refer to her that way!” Caleb snapped.

“Why not?” Philip asked, exasperated. “It’s true. She was vile.”

“Do not desecrate her memory with such filthy language-”

“And I am the one who cannot realize when one of our parents was deranged?” Philip retorted, scoffing. “You will speak to me about father when you can acknowledge our mother was off the rails.”

“Why does this conversation always have to be a fight?” Caleb asked, sighing loudly. 

“Why must you turn it into a fight, Caleb?” Philip retorted.

“Oh, because you’re the reasonable one in this situation…” Caleb muttered sarcastically.

“I’m not the one defending insanity!” Philip shouted.

“No, you’re the one that can’t see that you’re defending insanity. All of those books you read and you’re still dense as a rock, brother.” Philip’s face once again turned red at the insult.

“At least I can read!” He yelled.

“I can read! I just don’t waste my life doing it!” Caleb shouted back.

“You’re childish, deranged, as bad as mother!” 

“And you are so brainwashed by father that you’ve become just like him!” 

“You say that as if it’s a bad thing!” Philip scoffed. Caleb was breathing heavily now, tears pricking his eyes. “Father was righteous and good-willed, I’m proud to be compared to him!”

“Then why did I kill him?!” Caleb screamed. As soon as he realized what he said, he gasped, covering his mouth. Philip stared at him in horror. 

“Wh-What?” He forced out, his voice cracking.

“I… I’m sorry.” Caleb rushed out. “I’m sorry, I didn’t mean- I didn’t want to tell you like this-”

“Caleb,” Philip whispered. “What did you do?”

“He was out of his mind, Pip! He was always hurting you! I just wanted to protect you.” Caleb took a step towards his brother, who took several back. 

“He never hurt me, he was helping.” Philip swallowed, though his throat felt painfully dry.

“Good sake, Pip, this is why I killed him!” Caleb raised his voice, frustrated. “You’re still completely brainwashed! Even after years without him. I thought the only way to save you was to get rid of him!”

Philip continued to take steps back in disbelief as Caleb walked towards him.

“But it’s okay - because he’s gone now! And he can’t hurt us again-” Caleb tried to reason. 

“Why- why would you-” Philip mumbled to himself.

“Philip, stop!” Caleb cried, right as Philip stepped back - right off the cliff edge. 

He yelled, startled as he toppled backwards. Caleb grabbed his hand just before he fell, hauling him back onto solid ground. Philip collapsed, breathing heavily. After a few moments, he looked up at his brother with a look of confusion, betrayal and sadness.

“Why?” He asked. “How?”

“I… I bought poison from the doctor. I slipped it into his breakfast.” Caleb admitted.

“How long?” Philip asked. Caleb didn’t answer, looking away. “Caleb. How long?”

“He was dead in three days.” 

The two sat in silence as Philip processed the information. Emotions flooded his brain, flashing before his eyes as his breathing quickened. All of the confusion and sadness was suddenly replaced by red hot rage. With a loud cry, he tackled Caleb, who yelled in surprise.

Caleb easily shoved the smaller male off of him, but Philip jumped right back onto him, landing any blow he could to Caleb’s face and torso as Caleb grabbed at his wrists in an attempt to stop him. The punches barely stung - Philip was quite small, after all. The brothers often fought like this, and each time, Philip ended up worse off than Caleb, even though the younger of the two usually started the conflicts.

They rolled around in the dirt, Philip yelling various insults while Caleb yelled for him to get a hold of himself. Finally managing to grab his wrists, Caleb pulled Philip over him and kicked him in the ribs - sending him flying over Caleb and into some brush. 

As Philip took a minute to recover, a face suddenly filled his vision and he almost screamed.

“Hello,” a female said, looking over his frame. She had pointed ears, fiery red hair, and brilliant green eyes.

“Witch!” Philip hissed as he shot up, then immediately whined from pain in his head. A small bit of blood dripped down his forehead.

“Sora!” Caleb excitedly ran over as the witch - Sora -  giggled.

“Were you two fighting again?”

“Yes.”

“No!”

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

So I had some thoughts about the Wittebane parents and wrote this based on those headcanons. Their mother, Edith Wittebane, is descended from a witch - very very distant relative. She’s cunning and manipulative, and a true definition of what modern media presents witches as. Basically, a human witch. Their father, Samuel Wittebane, was a minister and preacher. He was incredibly devout to religion. So, when he finds out his wife is a witch, he doesn’t exactly handle it well.

I’m working on a thing about their backstory that explains all of this so stay tuned :>

[jessiebanethedragon]

White Sands Warm the Cold Sea (pt 21)

Summary: the reader, betrothed to a disgusting Coruscanti Lord flees her home world and lands herself in a plethora of trouble, a ship of clones, and one pirate captain whose cold exterior needs much more than the tropical seaside sun.

Chapter one

Chapter Two

Chapter Three

Chapter four

Chapter five

Chapter Six

Chapter Seven

Chapter Eight

Chapter Nine

Chapter ten

Chapter Eleven

Chapter Twelve

Chapter Thirteen

Chapter Fourteen

Chapter Fifteen

Chapter Sixteen

Chapter Seventeen

Warnings: Swearing, takes place in time periods where women have dowery's and suchlike. The readers' dad and betrothed are asses. there will be kissing in some chapters. oh and ANGST sorry

Chapter Twenty-one : The Well Thought Out, but Poorly Executed, Plan.

You bolt back to the Havoc Marauder, running as fast as you can until you cannot tell if you’re gasping for breath out of fear or exhaustion. You reach the docks and start pushing people aside like a madwoman. 

“Tech!” You all but screech, hoping, praying he can hear you over the sounds of the bustle. “Echo!” You call, before tripping on something in your haste and hitting the deck at the bottom of the gang plank. Hands help you up, and your eyes meet Tech’s which soften immensely when he sees your distress and connects the dots. 

“What happened?” He asks, trying to stop the frantic look in your eyes that keeps darting back and forth. 

“There, there was this man.” You get out before dissolving into hysteria. “He and, and Hunter they- they… oh maker.” Tech recognises the signs of a panic attack before you do. And pulls you close to him as he leads you up the plank and into the crew’s quarters for some privacy. 

“What’s going on?” Echo asks, limping in. 

“H-harrik,” you breathe out shakily. Watching Echo’s face drop. “I’m so so-sorry” You choke on the words. And begin pulling at the front tie corset you’re wearing frantically. You can’t breathe, it's so tight, why can't you breathe? 

“It’s alright, Aaray, it is alright.” Tech tries, 

“It is not alright!” You shout, before dissolving into tears again. “They’re going to han-” you can't finish the words. Sliding down the wall until you're sitting, knees to chest in order to feel some kind of stability. 

“Where, aaray?” Echo asks gently, “Where is Harrik taking them?” 

“Coruscant.” 

☠ ☠ ☠ ☠ ☠ ☠ ☠ ☠ ☠ ☠ ☠ ☠ ☠ ☠ ☠ ☠ ☠ ☠ ☠ ☠ ☠ ☠ ☠ ☠ ☠ ☠ ☠ ☠ ☠ ☠ ☠ ☠ ☠ ☠ ☠ ☠ ☠ ☠ ☠ ☠ ☠ ☠ ☠ ☠ ☠ ☠ ☠ ☠ 

Echo sits with you while Tech readies the ship. You do your best to relay what happened. How the three of them were surrounded, how Wrecker told you to run, and how they all sacrificed themselves for you. 

“He wants me returned,” you say, “it is that or they die.” Echo runs a hand down his face. “I’ll do it.” you say turning towards him on the floor. “I will marry him, I will.” It is almost like you're begging, trying to bargain with Echo even though he’s not Nython or Harrik. “If it means they’ll be safe…” 

Echo says your name very seriously and takes your hands. “You are not going to marry him. That is not what is going to happen. Do you hear me?” 

“But…” You start. 

“But nothing.” He cuts you off. You can tell he is thinking about something, but you are not sure what. 

“We need a plan, something, anything to get them back.” Tech interrupts your rambling as he enters the room. 

“Our best bet is to intercept their ship on the way to Coruscant.” He says. 

“That’s a terrible idea.” Echo tells him, unimpressed. “How do we know the route they will take, how do we know how many men are on board?”

“A lot less men than are waiting for their arrival at Cursocant!” Tech retorts. 

“Listen.” Echo argues, “I know going by the book isn't your speciality but-” 

“I maintain that we never had the help of Jedi generals on our missions.” Tech fires

“I maintain that I never had to de-empire my twin!” Echo sasses. 

“Crosshair is not my twin!” Tech defends. 

“Crosshair worked for the empire?” You ask shocked and upset. 

“Yes!” They both exclaim. Before looking at each other and continuing to argue, at some point Echo stands up,  

“There’s only so much we can do, they’re essentially P.O.W’s now.” Echo sighs. 

“What’s a P.O.W?” you ask again, anything to break up the argument. 

“Prisoner of war.” Tech responds, 

“But you’re not at war.” You wonder if the term still applies to clones held captive. Both men stop and look at you, then back at each other. 

“She’s right.” Echo says, “that means…”

“We’re not bound by traditional rules of combat.” Tech finishes. He tilts his head slightly at Echo, as if they’re communicating without words now. 

“A false surrender.” Tech says eyes dating over to you briefly. 

“Careful now,” Echo cautions, “that’s a very dangerous plan.” 

“A false Surrender, is that not illegal?” You ask. Watching Tech’s smile grow at your question. 

“It is a war crime, yes. But as you said, we are not at war.” 

“Tech.” Echo warns again, looking sheepishly at you. 

“Oh,” you realize why they’re staring at you now. “You want me to hand myself in.” 

“Not exactly.” Tech corrects, looking at Echo who throws his hands up in defeat and walks to rest in a hammock. “We will hand you over in return for Hunter, Wrecker, and Crosshair. Once we have them back the odds are decidedly more in our favor. It is, after all, easier to fight to save one person rather than three.” You stay silent for a moment. Thinking it all over, before coming to a conclusion. 

“I want Nython dead.” You tell them both, watching as they nod in agreement. “But I want to be the one to do it.” Echo’s head shoots up at that, shocked at your demand. “And I want them to know it was me.” There’s an emotion in your eyes neither man recognizes. 

“I agree that for you to live peacefully Nython must perish..” Tech starts, but he stops when your eyes meet his. 

You’ve thrown knives, fired blasters, and not once did the crew of the Havoc Marauder think you were malicious or dangerous. 

Until now. 

“I want him dead.” Your voice shakes, barely. “And I want it done by my hand. I want…” you stop to console the emotions building inside of you. “I want every Coruscanti lord to know what happens when they try to take a woman's life from her, when they push her to desperation, when they think that they can take and take and take, without any repercussions. I want him to fear me as I have feared him.”  Echo stands up again, looking at you from your spot on the floor. 

“And I want him to pay for what he did to you and your brothers.” You finish, watching Echo extend his hand to help you up. When you’re standing he looks at you with the kind of conviction only a soldier has. 

“Wait here.” Tech says, leaving quickly i search of something. 

“Was it too much?” You ask Echo softly. 

“Absolutely not.” He answers, as you both head to the door, allowing the fresh sea air to grace your features. Tech returns with a small dagger, a skull etched into the blade and obvious wear and tear that speaks to the history of the knife. 

“Take it, you can hide it among your clothes easily.” He tells you, watching as your hands hold it, and see it glimmer in the sunlight.  “Hunter stopped using it when the war ended. Something about too many memories. But, it means a great deal to him still, so it makes sense for you to carry it.” 

For good measure, Tech plonks a hat on your head, Because if you’re going to be a pirate, you might as well look the part.  

☠ ☠ ☠ ☠ ☠ ☠ ☠ ☠ ☠ ☠ ☠ ☠ ☠ ☠ ☠ ☠ ☠ ☠ ☠ ☠ ☠ ☠ ☠ ☠ ☠ ☠ ☠ ☠ ☠ ☠ ☠ ☠ ☠ ☠ ☠ ☠ ☠ ☠ ☠ ☠ ☠ ☠ ☠ ☠ ☠ ☠ ☠ ☠ 

Hunter, Crosshair and Wrecker are put into separate cells in the bottom of Harriks ship. And he wishes you were here. Even if it is just to use your escapist skills for the bars that hold them in. He knows they’ll reach Coruscant within the day, damn the Haydian way Currents, damn the bounty hunter, damn it all to hell. 

Harrik walks down the stairs with his two biggest guards, it is not a very effective intimidation tactic given that Wrecker towers over them easily. Ignoring this, he dags over a stool to sit in front of Hunter. 

“I am going to ask you a few questions.” Harrik says, watching Hunter raise an eyebrow expecting a threat of tourture should he not comply. “And if I think you’re co-operating, the charges for your comrades can be lessened.” Harrik gestures vaguely to Wrecker and Crosshair. “I know there’s no point in threatening you, but at least consider their livelihood.” Hunter remains silent. 

“Out of curiosity, how did you come across the girl?” He asks. 

He gets no answer. 

“Why not give her up on Alderaan?” 

Nothing but the sound of waves against the ship. 

“I am being quite generous here, Sergeant.” Harrik warns, “Do you not want them to live?” 

Hunter wants nothing more than to be out of his cuffs and fighting again. 

“I guess not then.” Harrik stands, kicking the stool away, and going back up the stairs to his crew. “I am sure Lord Nython will be able to get something out of you.” 

Hunter was right, they reach Coruscant within the day, and the amount of guards awaiting them is almost laughable. And yet, there is still no sign of Volim Nython. 

“What’s the plan, Hunter?” Crosshair whispers to him as they disembark the ship. When he doesn't get an answer, Crosshair opens his mouth for a snarky comment but nothing comes. 

“Take those two down to the brig,” Harrik calls, separating Hunter from his brothers. “Bring this one with me.” 

The main hall is where Hunter is bought, the massive chandelier is full of so many jewels it hurts to look at. Sitting at the head of the table is the monster himself. 

Volim Nython. 

Immediately Hunter overheats, like the fire is surrounding him again, like the Wookie is crying in his ear, like the barrage never stops. 

“Kneel.” Harrik hisses in his ear, before delivering a swift kick to the back of his knees. The man in question drains his goblet of wine before speaking. 

“How long do you wager, it will be before she is returned?” Nython asks, not making eye contact with the sergeant. 

“I’d say before nightfall tomorrow.” Harrik answers, “if Embo’s plan works.” Nython hums in thought. 

“Tell me, Clone, why would this woman trade her life for yours?” He asks, standing and crossing to him as he speaks. When Hunter does not provide an answer, Nython backhand slaps him across the face. With his face turned to the side, he sees the tattoo properly. An evil smile comes across his features as he quietly laughs.  Pulling a chair over to sit down on, Nython smirks. 

“I shall assume you left the poor youngling to fend for itself.” He infers. “You did, didn’t you?” he provokes. “Good riddance, but here I thought clones were supposed to have honor, though vermin rarely care for anything but themse-.” 

“That child is alive and well.” Hunter says slowly, looking Nython dead in the eye. 

“And what of my wife?” Nython questions, watching him look away again. “If I offered her life for that of yourself and your company? One person for three, that is not a hard equation.” Nython draws his sword, pressing it close to Hunter's neck, enough to draw a little blood. 

“Threatening a bound man is undermining is it not?” Hunter asks.

“Do you actually care for her?” Nython is giving into rage at the realization. “And you believe she cares for you? I thought clones were smarter than that.” 

“It must drive you to insanity. Knowing I have her affection when you never will.” Hunter says with the utmost pride. 

“Then Embo is correct, she will come back for you.” Nython counters. “Either she played you a fool, and you and your crew will die for her, or what you say is true, and she returns herself to me to save you.” 

“And yet, you will live knowing a Clone had her love first.” 

Hunter swears he feels the first punch before it lands. 

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Echo firmly, albeit awkwardly attaches the dagger within your pants against the small of your back, where it will be hidden by the bulk of your coat.

“Tell me the plan again.” He demands whilst doing so, a determined look in his eyes. A part of you thinks you can see Echo as he was, before the Techno Union. You wonder if his tough voice and demanding attitude was a result of his ARC status, you wonder how many times he went over these kinds of plans with his Domino Squad. 

“Tech and I approach the courtyard, through the main entranceway, while you scale the way to get to the walkway.” “The Ramparts.” He corrects. 

“The ramparts,” you confirm. “Your movement will incapacitate the wall guards and once we have visual confirmation of Wrecker, Crosshair and Hunter, we give them hell.” Echo chuckles while straightening your jacket.  

“You remind me of my twin sometimes Aaray.” He tells you with a soft smile.  

“The other ARC?” You ask, watching Echo nod. 

“He had quite the attitude as well, was a bit of a di'kut at times, but full of fight. Just like you.” You smile at him while he remembers, Echo is not really talking to you anymore, more so voicing a memory. “He’d think you’re amazing, be all over this, ready to go. Never backed down from a fight, even when he should have.” Echo stops to blink for a moment, before looking at you again, clad in a dark blue coat, the kind of smile that reverberated through anyone who saw it. Hopeful eyes that tried to tell you it was going to be okay, and it was as if he was looking through you, and into your heart that echoed Fives. 

“Sometimes, I am grateful, I would not have wanted him to see me like this, and I would not want him to know what came of the republic. But mostly I am grateful I am not stuck in this confined space with him.” Echo jokes making you laugh a little. 

“He would have sprinted to your aid Aaray, would have fought tooth and nail for you.” 

“I can see why he is your twin then.” You tell Echo. 

“Are you two just about ready?” Tech softly calls, “we are approaching Curosant.” 

It feels like the longest walk you’ve done, down the plank and into cursoscant, a hat akin to Hunter’s is shoved onto your head to conceal you for as long as possible. It is as if your memory is walking down the docks, looking for a ship to stowaway on, you could have gone back in time for all you know, a lost girl could brush past you at any second, and she wouldn't even recognize you. 

When you reach the guarded walls you stop, there is no escape when you go through the door. 

“Echo.” You call to him softly, scared. And when he looks at you he wishes for a multitude of things. He wishes they had backup, he wishes Nython would drop dead of his own accord, he wishes you’d been born in better times, he wishes the republic was still standing.

He wishes Fives was here because he would know what to tell you. 

“You will never be in danger again after today.” Echo promises. You nod trying to convince yourself of that fact. And Echo stalks around somewhere else to breach the walls. 

The courtyard gates are always open, but no one would cross them if they knew what was good for them. 

It makes walking into a death sentence all too easy. 

Harrik steps out first, looking all too pleased with himself. Before saying something to one of the guards who disappears within the building. 

All too quickly Nython steps outside, your blood switches from hot to cold and then hot again, as if it can’t make its mind up. His longsword is attached to his hip almost as close as Harrik is to him. 

“Take the hat off.” Harrik speaks up. 

“Where are my brothers?” Tech counters. 

“Take off the hat.”  Nython raises his voice, they're still a distance away. Most likely to avoid being attacked. With one last deep breath you remove Hunter’s hat that sits low on your head, steal away your emotion and meet his eyes with a cold glare. 

“Pay the Bounty Hunter.” He says simply to Harrik when he meets your eyes. Before addressing Tech rather than yourself. 

“Have her walk to me and we will bring your reward.” 

“Bring me brothers first.” Tech states. 

“You are not in a position to bargain, clearly you can see that. And I am a man of my word, I have no use for Clone captives, they will be returned once my betrothed is safe.” You look at Tech briefly. 

“We will not leave you.” He promises. 

And so you begin crossing the courtyard. 

“My love,” Volim Nython coo’s to you, once you’ve stepped over the invisible line separating where Tech stands, and where he resides. He places a kiss on your cheek and grasps your waist tightly. 

“Try to play nice and I might let your clones live.” He hisses in your ear. The hand on your waist is so tight it brings tears to the corner of your eyes. 

“We had a deal, Nython.” Tech declares, stepping back slightly when his personal guard stands to attention. 

“Calm, calm,” you cringe as he calls. Using his free hand to wave to someone, he turns both of you away from Tech. Walking you inside he lets you pass Crosshair and Wrecker as they’re led out into the courtyard. 

“Aaray…” Wrecker murmurs when he sees you, and even Crosshair’s face drains when he sees you in Nythons grasp. You're twisting now, trying to see what's going on. One thought resonating in your mind. 

Hunter. 

“Oh, I was hoping you would not have to witness this.” The eel holding you says, but you can tell from the smile on his face he is lying. 

The last two guards walking Crosshair and Wrecker forward are dragging a limp form with them. Hair hanging in his face, boots scraping the cobblestone pathway, barely conscious, Hunter. 

You struggle so quickly you’re almost free of Nythons grasp. But he’s quick to remedy that, wrapping his arm around your shoulders and pulling your back to his chest. His forearm inches higher threatening to tighten around your neck if you move again. 

“I am a generous man.” Nython seethes in your ear, “But I will not have my betrothed’s disappearance go unpunished.” 

“No!” You writhe in his grasp, and your voice is enough to cause Hunter’s head to whip up, eyes wide when his meet yours. 

“No…” He echos, pulling at the hands that are dragging him along, digging his feet into the stone, anything to get to you.  

“Echo!” You call to him, wherever he is. Nython leans in close to your ear to whisper: 

“Do you not see, this is the loyalty of clones. They have their own back, they do not care for you. My dear, you have been played.” his hand moves to grab your jaw, turning it so you can watch Wrecker and Crosshair be returned to Tech. And then to the block in the middle of the courtyard that was placed during your struggle. 

“Hunter!” You scream to him, desperate. 

“Hush my sweet.” Nython demands, “as I said, someone needs to pay for your disobedience.” 

“Spare him.” You beg, it is as if the world moves in slow motion. “Spare him and you can have me, I'll do anything for his life.” 

“And that is why he must die!” Nython rages, throwing you to the ground. “I have you. You belong to me, for the rest of your sorry days, and there is nothing your pathetic clone can do about it.” 

Nythons men are struggling to hold Hunter into place on the block, even with his hands behind his back, he is a dangerous man. 

Where is Echo? Your mind screams, where are Tech and Wrecker and Crosshair? You stand up and without thinking run towards the Sergeant. Nython catches you with ease, struggling against your pull. 

“Please.” You beg, “you won!” You turn to scream in his face, “he does not need to die, you won! You have everything you want!” You stop when Hunter screams in frustration, they have his legs out from under him, his head pinned onto the block and held in place by the latching mechanism. 

Your eyes search Nython’s for any hint of mercy. 

“I am begging you.” You whisper. He kicks you to the ground again, and from upside down you see Tech fighting off a guard trying to subdue him. 

“You really do care about him.” Volim comes to realization.  

“Yes,” you breathe. He sees red. 

“Wait!” He calls, holding up a hand, motioning for Harrik to change places with him. “I’ll kill him myself.”

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[anastacia-templeton]

as she listened to wylliam speak, the lady of ninestars couldn't help the gentle smile across her face. something that lord swann wasn't was harsh, brash, angry, and she found that their small conversation put her at ease that she didn't have to uphold such standards that had paved their way across her brain from her other relationships. sure, they weren't even together, just having a simple conversation but the feelings were there that she was grateful that lord swann was different than lord lefford. leander had a chokehold, metaphorically and physically, on anastacia but she felt it slipping away the more she heard the lord swann speak. a small laugh left her as wylliam gave her a fair warning that he wasn't into linguistics, which was fine; many women had to find things to occupy their time, she didn't expect that from him for him to be well versed.

their conversation was going smoother than she thought and a wave of relief washed over her that she could quell her petulance for at least one evening. the only chance someone had to get to know the true her besides running her mouth with nonsense like a madwoman. anastacia resisted to brush the curl of brown hair falling across his face away, instead beginning to play with her own fingers out of nerves. so much behind those dark orbs; mysteries, wonders, dreams, she felt like she could eventually drown into him and she wouldn't mind. anastacia steadied herself mentally to quiet her impulses.

"oh dear," she stated with a feigned gasp, a hand resting against her chest. blue orbs flickered towards his arm then back at lord swann, "thank goodness your arm is properly healed now, gods know what you'd do without it." she teased gently, a smirk across her face to show her playfulness. the conversation might be awkward to wylliam, but to anastacia, she was enjoying herself far more than she had thought.

the vale had it's own secrets hidden within them and anastacia found herself drawn to the darkness of the woods, silently wondering if it would just swallow her whole or have her suffer at it's own hands. the mention of mountain clans brought her cousin, axell royce, to mind and how he towered over her like a giant. how he murdered people at his own hands without a single blink. maybe that is what lord swann referred to. she hadn't toured that far into the stormlands to enjoy the beauty of it, but the way wylliam spoke of it, she could only imagine how gracious it must actually look. "i do find that conservation of woodland animals very important, without them, we are to waste away. maybe you can tell me more of your projects if we are to speak again." at the mention of some sort of object to crack open the beautifully jeweled stones, anastacia's eyes twinkled in wonder, already noticing that this was the lord swann's soft spot. for stones hidden deeply in the caves of rainwood. "the wyldes do have control of the rainwood, i do hope they let you explore when you wish."

catching his smile for the first time in their rambling conversation, anastacia's cheeks turned softly pink, looking down to not show how shy she had just felt in the presence of wylliam. all anastacia could hear was her mother's scoldings; how petulant she might be to be blushing in front of a lord that hadn't even taken an interest for her, how desperate she must be for a man's gaze. shaking off the feeling, anastacia gave wylliam a smile in response with a small nod, "you have yourself a deal, my lord. and you must show me the rainwood, i have not had the pleasure to go far into the stormlands but it's been on my mind to travel, so if i ever find myself there, i will write to you and hope that you will show me around."

anastacia-templeton​:

anastacia found the conversation between herself and lord swann endearing; certainly not what she was expecting from him, but it would continue to grow her interest in the gentleman next to her. she had a good ear for listening and that’s just what she did while he mused over his interests. nodding her head gracefully to show she was listening to their banter, anastacia was quite enthralled with the fact that the lord enjoyed to be outside; while she could do without being outside, maybe she could grow to enjoy the outdoors. she was quite skilled with horseback and it only sparked a question if he would ever want to go riding with her through the countryside.

he seemed like a simple man of simple interests; it worked out in her favor, it meant that she could get to know his hobbies and incorporate them into her own. anastacia wore herself with pride, she would be a trophy wife to anyone who would have her, and she made it a point to accomplish it.

“you enjoy the countryside, have you ever tried horseback? i will be honest, my lord, i do not partake in walks in the woods, but maybe if i had you by my side, i could manage.” she assured him with a soft smile, now watching his face. anastacia knew she was laying the heat on thick, but it was only endearing to see the lord struggle to find his words. “i do find rocks.. pretty. geodes are my favorite, actually. i have a collection of amethyst at home that i keep underneath my window so i can watch them shine in the morning.” although wylliam did not respond to her question if she found him captivating, the lady tried to not let it show that it annoyed her; who wouldn’t want to be in her presence?

“when i am not attending parties i quite enjoy playing the pianoforte, i enjoy reading in my home’s library,” anastacia had a thoughtful look in her eyes as she continued, “i enjoy baking, candle making, riding by horseback and flower arranging.” it all made her seem like a proper lady which she had no shame in, “i also have dabbled into learning different linguistics across westeros. there’s not much to do when you’re a lady, all of the fun stuff is left to the men.”

standing a little closer to the lord, anastacia said confidently as she watched the lords and ladies dance across the floor, “maybe sometime soon, you may come adorn my crystals i keep at home.”

➳

“you’ve got me there, lady anastacia. i don’t have the memory for languages. i mix up the words, you see. end up saying something entirely rude to someone’s face.” a slight laugh came from him at his confession. wylliam swann had always found himself thinking complicatedly about the manners of socialising, especially since there had been times where he had gotten quite the emotional reaction as a result of his presumed blunt tongue and rudeness, which he had never intended to come across that way at all. he had always found himself sitting within the great castle of stonehelm's hall, quieter than the other two of his siblings who seemed able to socialise with just about anyone. “consider that a fair warning.”

meanwhile he found himself wondering how they seemed to find ways to speak about almost anything and everything under the sun, entirely naturally, as though it were the waves coming in and out of the shore. 

meanwhile, he found himself awkwardly fumbling and tripping over his own words, coming up with random points that made no sense, or focusing entirely only on what he found interesting. it had taken him some years to understand and pick up social cues more clearly, to ensure he heard what the other was saying clearly.

"yes, my lady...i've ridden a horse before." he spoke, his tone almost trailing off as he looked upon her face: bright red hair, delicate features that looked up at him with as much attention as he reminded himself to give her.  it sounded as though he thought she were implying the obvious, and a slight wisp of his chocolate coloured hair came over dark brown orbs as he looked down upon her, clearing his throat slightly. he kept talking, so he did not sound as though he were being sarcastic. “as a boy, i found myself falling off quite a lot. there was one time my horse actually sent me flying into mud, and i broke my arm.” he raised his arm casually, as if to show it were more than fine now.

“should you ever find yourself visiting the stormlands, you'll realise a great majority of activities consist of the outdoors. people love both the rainwood and the kingswood greatly; there are even hermits and reclusives that live within them. nobles and smallfolk find great pride in such areas of natural beauty." he did not necessarily say she would be with him however, and that was not intentional, but rather a result of him speaking on matters he found interesting. "i understand why you are not fond of the outdoors, my lady. the vale is not the place for such activities...lest you find yourself...butchered by...mountain clans." 

he almost winced at his words as he continued, inwardly wondering why he were still speaking. “but you will not be butchered by anyone in our woods. if anything, i am being mindful of the amount of hunting done on woodlands by nobles for sport. there are people who rely on the population of stags for a living.” did she care about this? no. so why was he talking about it? seven knew.

and yet, at her mention of geodes, wylliam almost found himself wondering if he had heard right. never had someone spoken to him of rocks at a wedding, or an event such as this one: he almost choked himself ensuring he did not ramble on endlessly, much to her detriment. it would be rather embarrassing, would it not? “i have this hammer that cracks geodes open in one go...it’s weirdly satisfying, honestly. but i have a collection of geodes, that goes on for rows within my chambers in stonehelm. one took three months for me to extract the geode from the basalt...morgan and magnus thought i was going mad, but i was sure of it.” he spoke as though she would simply know who he was speaking about. “lord wylde and lord...wylde.”

“uh...sure, if i find myself in ninestars for some reason. you can see the three month geode, if you end up in stonehelm.” he smiled down at her, moving slightly so someone could walk by them. “deal?”