#this is for victor and Renata just wanted to make him think victor was a long lost son or something bc djkbfjd funny

[dxsole]

🔪 LUKE...I AM NOT YOUR FATHER | @bruisedconscience

Honestly, when she first laid eyes on him, she knew she had to introduce him to Rico. Because nothing delighted her more than torturing her brother.

"You just sit tight. Once my brother's here, we can continue this discussion." The walkie-talkie on her hip is pressed to her lips. "Rico, you're needed in the high roller lounge, over." It's snapped back into her hip holder as she waves down a nearby cocktail waitress. "Please bring me a mimosa and our guest whatever he'd like."

By the time the drinks are brought to their corner of the lounge, a rather disgruntled Rico is making his way over, steps firm and hard with every step. He'd usually be in a better mood than Renata, but she's cutting into his time—

Dark eyes land on the man sitting across from her, Rico letting out a huff. A literal huff, from the nostrils like an annoyed bull being met with a buzzing fly.

"That's not fuckin' funny." That was not professional but by the way Renata lets out a pleased cackle, it's clearly common for the pair. "You pay him? Don't you fuckin'—" Rico sits by her side, giving her the slightest of shoves— they're terribly immature for their age.

[therealvinelle]

Do you think gifts are actually as rare as smeyer wants us to believe? Because it feels like there are a lot of gifted vampires running around (that are known to be gifted. There might be even more like Siobhan and Carlisle). Especially those with a traumatic past seem to have one (Victoria, Renata etc.). Granted, these numbers might have been artificially inflated by vampires looking for gifted humans to turn into gifted vampires (Jane and Alec come to mind) but it's like "Gifts are super rare. Meet my gifted family and all our gifted friends and would you believe you and your demon daughter are also insanely gifted. So rare"

You already estimated (or was it the Muffin?) the vampire population at a few hundred individuals and it feels like about 10% have a gift, making it not common but not unusual either like being left handed.

Also do you think gifts are hereditary or influenced by some sort of trauma/danger?

Sorry, it's a lot it's just something that botheres me in the world building.

The estimate asker is referring to.

Survivorship bias.

We have three genres of gifted vampires.

1. The ones who were turned because of their gift.

Maybe it wasn’t the direct reason, but without their gifts they wouldn’t have ended up in a position to be turned in the first place.

Examples: Alec, Alice, Bella, Benjamin(was turned by Amun for his gift), Demetri (same as Benjamin), James (vampire was impressed by his tracking skills and turned him), Jane, Laurent (his spidey senses told him to pursue the vampire), and Maggie (Maggie was dying, but her gift made her able to sense something was off about Siobhan and Liam. Siobhan quickly realized Maggie was gifted, and turned Maggie because of this).

2. The ones who wouldn’t have survived without their gift. 

These vampires made it past humanity for other reasons, but they would have died early on if it weren’t for their gifts.

Examples: Fred, Heidi, Jasper (would never have survived Maria’s army without it), Marcus (sorry, I’m a terrible person. It’s true, though.), Renata, Renesmée, and Victoria.

3. The ones whose coven wouldn’t survive without them.

These vampires keep their covens safe one way or another. Quite notably, with the exceptions of the Romanians and Peter and Charlotte, we don’t see any covens without gifts. Which implies that the covens without gifted members don’t make it. Judging by how we see James use Victoria as a weather vane in Midnight Sun, her gift was how he kept himself alive.

Examples: Alice, Bella (arguable, as there wouldn’t have been trouble in the first place if she didn’t have her gift), Kate (she won’t win against the Volturi, but she’ll win just about every other close combat fight. In a brutal world of vampires killing each other without repercussion, her gift explains how all three Denali sisters survived for over a thousand years), Siobhan (she can simply will away threats), Victoria, and Zafrina (is that Senna or a tree you’re attacking?)

-

Then there are those who implicitly belong in these categories. Aro, for instance, without his gift would likely have been just another face in the crowd, and never become the leader of the Volturi. It’s likely he wouldn’t have lived to such an advanced age either. Chelsea, Corin, and Charles have also had huge advantages over others. Didyme, though it feels ironic to list her on this post, would have been invaluable in deescalating would-be fights.

I do think gifts are rare in the Twilightverse, but the thing is that among humans, gifted ones are more likely to become vampires, and when one gifted and one non-gifted vampire get into a fight, the gifted vampire is the more likely victor.

In the long run, you end up with a disproportionate amount of gifted vampires running around.

[themonotonysyndrome]

Guilt Eater

Part 4 of the ‘Successors of the Future’ is here! And yes, I will do my absolute best to squeeze in as much Blazblue reference in this series until I can’t! (I mean, that’s how I got the plot bunny for this series anyway~)

We’re moving the spotlights today to Malleus and Ace and a special guest! I thought it’ll be an interesting shift of perspective and change. Don’t worry, we’ll get right back to the kids in the next oneshot. 

As always, big thank you to @tri3tri for letting us expand her Second Wive AU. Hope you guys enjoy this oneshot. 

-

Time tend to leave its mark differently on each species. 

For creatures who only grew stronger with time while their bodies remain near immortal, the passing of time means nothing to the Fair Folks. Time is likened to the ocean; ancient yet full of wonders. 

For Malleus, however, time has not been kind to him. Not since his dear heart and children vanishes. 

Ever since then, there is an unspoken rule among the residents of the Castle of Thorns: the Queen’s family wing is forbidden to everyone but the King.

Even Lilia nod his head to the rule; even he has been walking on eggshells around their King. 

And the years had transformed the Queen’s domain into a catacomb. The rumpled beds, the toys littered in Princess Sherrie’s bedroom, the Queen’s favourite book on her study table - everything is left untouched with layered of dust and cobwebs covering every inch of the surfaces. 

Every evening, the King would stalk the empty halls and bedrooms like a ghost; constantly yearning to feel the memories that embedded on the walls. Once he did his duties as the King and beget the male heir that the court had been pushing, Malleus has been living in regret ever since. 

He should have known that his beautiful wife would attempt to escape during the night of his second wedding. He should have tightened the security not on his concubine, but to the Queen and their Princesses. He should have assured Renata and Sherrie that only their mother holds his heart and that Bellatrix is just a means to an end. 

He should have told them that he loves them. 

Regret and guilt are terrible poisons. It festered under your skin and twist your heart painfully. They plague your mind with ‘what if’s’ and ‘should have’s’ and Malleus have been carrying them ever since that night. 

Tonight, he lost hours inside Renata’s bedroom, just staring at her favourite doll that he bought for her. He still remembers how her eyes lit up and how sweet her smile was when he presented the doll to her; how she was so happy that she clings on him and the doll that day. Deeply amused, he humoured her and carried her in her arms the whole day. Malleus even brought her to his court session, regardless how it broke propriety. 

His every waking moments now drift to MC and their daughters. Where are they? Why couldn’t he find them no matter how many soldiers he dispatched across Twisted Wonderland, no matter how far his magic blanket the lands? Are his daughters healthy, happy? What are they currently doing now? Are they safe? Have they forgotten about him - 

The mirror on the vanity table shattered. Malleus releases the doll in his grip and struggle to calm himself down; his body curl inwards and his breaths erratic. The thought of his wife and children far away and happy from him nearly drove him crazy if it weren’t for Lilia’s quick and careful words of consolation.

“They can’t hide forever, Malleus. Don’t ever give up, you hear me? And once we’ll find them, we’ll make sure her little escape routines are put to a stop. Permanently.”  

Lilia’s words are enough to ground him. For now. 

Malleus failed to assured his wife and daughters his love towards them, failed to show just how deep his convictions towards them are. The moment he finds any threads of their whereabouts, he’ll make sure to rectify that. 

And as the night made way for morning, Malleus forces himself to leave his daughter’s abandoned bedroom to prepare for another long, monotonous day. The only reason why he hasn’t delegate his duties to Lilia was because of his grandmother. His grandmother had come to visit on the eve of his second wedding and stayed when a frantic Silver announced MC and their children’s disappearance. If it weren’t for her, Malleus would’ve burned away his suit and transform into a dragon to search for them. While Lilia organise a search team with Silver and Sebek, his grandmother made sure he understood his duties as King once more. 

That was the first and last time he slept with Bellatrix before his thoughts and desire are consumed with the need to find his family. At that point, neither Lilia nor his grandmother could’ve stop him. 

The castle staffs and guards know to scattered when they see him step out of the Queen’s wing. The moment they heard the door creaked open, the room is empty. 

All but for one individual. 

“Good morning, Father!” 

Malleus stop his track. He tilts his head towards his heir, expressionless. Victor refused to be deterred by his Father’s gloomy aura yet he’s smart enough to carefully approach him. 

The king is stoic on the best days, frightening on his worst. 

“Will you be joining us for breakfast later? I heard from Grandfather Lilia that the kitchen staffs are planning to cook your favourites.” 

“I’ll be taking my meals in my office as usual.” Malleus reply and starts to walk away. 

Victor’s smile drop a little but he pressed on, jogging behind his father. In a rare burst of courage, the Prince grab Malleus’ hand. Surprisingly, Malleus stops walking. He stares at his hand before narrowing his eyes at Victor. 

“W-Would Father like a report of my recent academic progress? My tutors said that I’ve been doing well in my magic classes! O-Oh! I’ve also been diligently keeping up with my etiquette lessons.” Victor stutters out after he immediately let go of his Father’s hand. Feeling like he just committed a grave crime. 

“No need. Your tutors have been sending letters of your progress, daily.” 

“Oh... then would Father be willing to... to train me - ”

“I’m busy. Ask Lilia or any of your tutors.” And with that, Malleus refused to linger any longer, leaving Victor in the empty room. 

Crestfallen, Victor watch his Father go. Knowing that if he bothers him even more, it will just upset him and another storm would loom over the castle for the next few days. His expression immediately morph into a combination of anger and sadness as he stomps away before the staffs could return, not wanting them to see him vulnerable. 

As usual, Victor desperately hopes that one day his Father would finally acknowledge him as a son, not as his Prince. 

-

Time tend to leave its mark differently on each species.

For creatures with a set of years as flimsy as a lit candle’s flame, humans are creatures who bear the passing of time with a passionate vigor. Time is likened to fireworks; beautiful, bright but only for a short moment. 

For Ace, however, time is a constant remainder that he had failed his best friend. Being vulnerable in Night Raven College is a sure way to be taken advantage off and Ace is never known as anything but his brutal honestly, mischievous streaks and habits of getting himself (and others) into trouble. 

But when the headmaster announced that he couldn’t find MC anywhere the day after their senior’s graduation, was the moment that he, Deuce and Grim completely lose their composure. Deuce was too shocked to say anything while Ace couldn’t stop screaming alongside Grim. 

She couldn’t have just vanish! People don’t work like that! 

And even if she finally somehow found a way back to her world, she wouldn’t just leave without saying goodbye! 

Ace hated himself as that moment. If only he texted them the night before. Why didn’t he? They usually send stupid texts to one another! If only he kept a closer eye on them. If only she kept Grim close to her. 

For once, the headmaster drop all pretence. For once, his guilt laden answer and heavy sags of his shoulders are genuine. 

MC is gone and he has no idea how or why. But the three of them refused to gave up just like that. Ever since that day, they would do their best to figure out or research about MC’s fate. Jack and Epel, after finding out what happened, did their best to help out too. But days passed without any leads and with heavy hearts, they accepted that their friend is lost to them. 

That was not a good day. 

After Ace and Epel managed to pull Deuce and Jack away from one another (Deuce had completely lost it when the wolf boy reluctantly admit that maybe it was best to stop their research), strangely enough, it was Sebek who finally interjects. 

They need to accept that MC is gone. Even if they could never gain the closure that they desperately want, it’ll be no good to carry this sort of horrible guilt with them forever. With a long sigh, Sebek told them to find peace with it, even if it’s hard. 

Easier said than done. Even now that he’s already an adult and have a son, Ace still couldn’t help but wonder what happened to his friend. He hopes that wherever she is, MC is safe and happy. Anything other than that Ace couldn’t bear to think. 

Ace takes out his phone and checks the calendar app. The anniversary of MC’s disappearance is coming. Usually, Ace would cook MC’s favourite food in honour of her memory and over the years, he has gotten pretty good at it. Good enough that it also becomes his son’s favourite dish. 

Just as Ace was about to put down his phone and get ready to go out for lunch with his older brother, it suddenly rings.  

The name on his phone surprises him. His son rarely calls him ever since he got accepted to Night Raven College. Something about wanting some independence from his old man that Ace retaliates by ruffling his hair because of his boy’s cheekiness. 

Ace press the accept button with a grin, knowing that this is going to be good. “What’s up, kiddo? Finally admit that you miss your old man?” 

He expects a scoff, maybe a reluctant admittance, hell even his son’s rare bout of innocent honesty. What Ace didn’t expect however, is hearing his son’s frightened shriek.

“Dad! You knew a MC/S before right!? Please tell me you know what to do when she went batshit insane!” 

“Whoa, whoa, slow down! What are you talking about? I can barely hear you!” 

Ace impatiently wait while pressing the phone close to his ear as he hear his son rapidly talking to someone, shouting apologies and heavy breaths as if he’s currently running. 

“Oh Sweet Seven, ok, I think we managed to hide from her.” His son panted. “Yeah, so, I might have, uh accidentally threw my food tray all over this girl and she immediately went supernova. We barely managed to dodge her fireballs!” 

Suddenly, Ace felt his heart drop. “Girl? What girl? Night Raven College is an all-boys’ school.” He heard himself reply. Absentmindedly, his mind brought up the memories of his Entrance Ceremony, years ago. Of a girl that looked so lost in her robes as she stood in front of the Mirror of Darkness. 

“Renata MC/S. She’s the only girl that ended up a student here. I remembered that you had a friend with that surname so I thought she might be related.” 

At that moment, Ace choose to believe it. It’s way too coincidental for it not be. A girl that shares his lost best friend’s surname who also just happend to be the only girl to be accepted in Night Raven College? 

But what Ace doesn’t understand is his son’s comment about the girl throwing fireballs. MC doesn’t have magic. So what’s going on? 

“Hmm, I usually gave her some space before I apologised to her. And a little bribery never failed too.” Ace advised, recalling how MC reluctantly accepts the candy that he offered after he upsets her. 

“That’s not a bad idea, Dad! Will report back the result if I’m not scorched to death.” Ace’s son dryly answer. Some rustling noises and hush whispers can be heard through the phone before his kid ended the call. 

Ace is already calling Deuce’s number. He needs to know about this. 

-

I hope I managed to did Malleus and Ace justice in writing them! I’ll get better with writing the rest of the boys once their children are introduce. Because Renata needed friends/allies against Malleus after all~ 

Speaking of Victor, I was really nervous when I was writing him. Here, he’s not all haughty because deep down, all he want is some praises and love from a Father who only see him as something to appease his court. Not a son. Hope I managed to portray that properly! 

(Also, the name of Ace’s son and two others will be reveal in the next oneshot)

[balletroyale]

Asked and Answered

Which Russian dancers you think are the best actors out there? I love their technique but sometimes they look dead inside, no emotions at all

I’d say Evgenia Obraztsova is the best hands down. I think Batoeva and Shakirova are pretty good as well. Osipova outside of Russia has improved a lot as well recently, though not all would agree with that. 

would you consider kevin o'hare and aurelie dupont good artistic directors?

I think Kevin O’Hare has been really good for the Royal Ballet, much better than Monica Mason IMO, who made some strange promotion decisions. The Royal Ballet is thriving right now and they’ve really expanded their online presence under him, which I’ve really liked. 

It’s hard for me to judge Dupont as I don’t follow the casting/admin decisions of POB that closely. 

have you ever watched ida praetorius from the royal danish ballet? i don't think she's as technically strong as other principal dancers, but she's one of the best actors i've ever seen - her portrayal of giselle was absolutely amazing! 

I haven’t really focused on the acting because it’s very difficult to get past the poor technique. 

hi! wrt your latest text post, what casting decision did you have in mind? iirc, the last time you made a similar post, renata had been cast as a shade. what happened this time? i'm not attacking you, just curious as i don't follow the mariinsky that closely

Sorry this took so long to answer this! It was actually in regards to Eleonora Sevenard dancing one of the divertissements in Swan Lake. 

helloooo what are your thoughts about Hannah O' Neill and Sae Eun Park?

I enjoyed them both in the recent broadcast of La Bayadere, probably Sae Eun Park more than O’Neill. They’re both technically good. Haven’t seen a lot of acting from either of them yet though which makes judging them hard. 

Do most balletomanes (perhaps the older ones?) think it's perfectly okay to critique a dancer based on their body? Saw a video comparing Osipova, Zakharova, and Núñez as Nikiya and some comments say "she is too old" or "she needs to lose weight"...

It’s probably an age, gendered, and cultural difference. I can’t speak for everyone but I don’t comment on weight. 

I think commenting on age is different than commenting on weight. For example, it is usually inappropriate for a 40 year old to dance something like Juliet, or for an 18 year old to dance, say, Diamonds. But that’s about maturity rather than appearance. 

Victor Caxieta gives me bad vibes all around, I had to unfollow him on instagram because he just seems so annoying and kind of mean.

I haven’t noticed that myself, but to be fair if a post isn’t about ballet than I usually just scroll past. What do you think is mean? 

I'm so glad to find someone else who doesn't like Maria Khoreva's style. I find she looks so strained. I don't get the hype! I do like her workout videos on youtube, though. Also don't get the hype over Xander Parish. I think he always looks a bit anxious/apprehensive on stage. (But I do like his film photography!)

I haven’t tried her workout videos. I tried to do some of her ballet exercise videos but found it a bit complicated for an amateur at home. I agree about Parish. 

(unpopular?) ballet opinion nobody asked for: I think May Nagahisa could become great if she was a bit better at emoting/expressing. She's so light and energetic, I'm always blown away with how easy she makes dancing look. Almost too easy, like she's bored/just running through the motions. I want her to FEEL the music more because I think she has great potential.

Yes I totally agree. Technique-wise she is gorgeous. But she looks like a student performing at an exam rather than someone feeling emotions onstage. I think if she matures and listens and feels with dancing she could be really great. 

do you have thoughts on david yudes?

He’s never really stood out to me while watching him, which I think might signal his future at the company. There is SO MUCH upcoming male talent right now at the Royal that there’s no room NOT to stand out. 

[errthel]

Four, just Four

This is the fourth installment of my fanfiction that is twisted (hehe) from @tri3tri 's Second Wife AU, Tempest.

I have reached peak procrastination, and will continue ignoring my requirements until I have no choice than to do them, don't be like me, I have really bad habits.

To Florius, it was the first time in his immortal life that he was ever startles by a mere question. His golden eyes moved over to the freshman, he had a relaxed aura around him but his (e/c) eyes had lost it's glow making him look eerie.

"Hm... what do you want to know, surely you aren't interested in everything?" Florius' curiosity for the freshman had peaked even further and he was very much getting more interested in him

"Yeah you're right Florius-senpai, I wanna know who rule the Valley of Thorns." quick and calm

"It's a monarchy, like most kingdoms in Twisted Wonderland. The ruling family is the Draconia family and they're direct descendants of Maleficent."

"Maleficent?"

"One powerhouse of a magician she's one of the top five magicians in all of the lands."

"Is that so? Then did she use to rule over the Valley of Thorns?"

"Yeah, it's now passed down to her grandson, Malleus Draconia, he's also a part of the top five."

"Malleus..." Lucien felt an overwhelming amount of pressure when the name rolled off his lips

"Mhm, well right now the family has I think at least six members. Maleficent, Malleus, Malleus's parents, his concubine, Bellatrix and their son the heir, Victor..."

"A concubine? What about the queen?" Lucien said getting more interested in the royal family of the Valley of Thorns

"Well yeah, there is a queen, no one really knows anything about her though, not her name or what she looks like, nothing. Malleus seems keen on keeping the queen inside of the Valley of Thorns."

"Do they have any children?"

"Hm... now that I think about it, there are rumors that they have two daughters, one leading their military and the other leading magic studies. But it's weird, those two girls are older than the heir, they don't discriminate the gender of the heir in the Valley of Thorns, I wonder if anything happened."

"I see... then, thank you Florius-senpai, I will be going now..." Lucien said before walking back to his cottage

"I don't know why, but he seems a bit familiar... must be my memories getting mixed up, I am starting to get older after all..."

~

Lucien walked to his cottage in deep thought, he felt like he had spent an eternity to get there.

Malleus Draconia.

He remembers his grandmother wheezing that name after her nightmarish vision.

Is that person supposed to be his father? A sick psycho? One who just couldn't let go of an obviously hurting person? His behaviour is akin to that of a zoo keeper ignoring the sick animals.

Lucien couldn't take it, he wanted to do something, but being patient is a virtue, he should formulate a plan to get them out of that cage. He just regrets his stupidity when he forced himself to forget what his family looked like.

He sighs.

It seems he has to take things into his own hands.

~

The gloomy atmosphere of breakfast spoiled her appetite. Sitting beside her sister, who seemed like she was about to die of boredom. Infront of her was her father's concubine and infront of her sister was their half-brother, deeming them boring, the black haired lady looked over to one side of the long table and a monotonous scene greeted her eyes. Her father, in all his glory just staring off into the distance, he had barely touched his food and she was sure it was already ice cold.

"Renata, your mother didn't come down for breakfast."

Renata perked up when she heard her father mutter those words before she relaxed a bit and took a bite of her food.

After chewing for a painstakingly long time, she said "I don't know what is happening with mother, because it seems like someone is preventing me from meeting her." her response was as sharp as a whip as she glanced at the lime green haired guard beside her father

She heard the chair beside he screech indicating that her sister had had enough boredom and was ready to just leave.

"True, how can we know what mother does when some ridiculous person prevents us from even saying a hello. It's been like that for a few days, dear Father." hidden malice dripped from Sherry's mouth as she walked to the door of the dining room

Renate followed closely having enough of the sour soup that was served and shut the door with force.

"Waka-sama! Those two are getting out of hand, you should try to punish them." the lime green haired guard said in a small harsh whisper

"Now, now, Sebek, they are rather tame today. Also Victor, we are truly sorry for requesting for you to have breakfast here when you have just started out classes at Night Raven College. We'll prepare a mirror immediately." the deep polite words of the ancient being eased the people in the room

"Mhm."

"I am sorry, Lillia-sama!"

The ruby eyed Fae looked off into the open window. He sighs, he had a feeling that a great storm would pass over soon.

The two sisters walked synchronized, each carrying malice towards the king. They separated ways and left to their respective posts.

The lime green haired guard's gaze hardened, those two girls! They don't act like the princesses they were supposed to be. He knew that that woman was the worst person his lord could have children with, their children are uncooperative and rude.

The concubine bade her son good bye as he was escorted to a mirror leading to Night Raven College, she held a small smile in her youthful face, proud that her son was chosen to go to Night Raven College, just a bit angry that he was sorted into Pomefiore and not Diasomnia.

The heir clenched his teeth together, even when he was there, his father only talked to his daughters! What was the point of him being there?! Just an afterthought? No, he was done being an afterthought.

The king stayed silent before he sighed. It had been ten years since he got his wife and children back, they had tantrums even worse than this, but why does he have a sickening feeling like it's starting to get worse than this.

~

Lucien's lessons were surprisingly easy for him to comprehend, sure it had been only a week, but he was sure that he could survive. But one thing he wasn't so sure about was money. He wasn't able to find a place to convert his money to madols so he was basically broke. He wasn't so sure on how to gain money though.

Lucien walked around the campus after school to try to rack his brain for ways to get money.

Sell stuff? No, the school already has a school store.

Try to become a servant to one of these princes? No, he's very used to having his whole day to himself.

What could he do?

"Hey! Hey freshman!" realizing that the voice was referring to him, he quickly looked behind to see a short male with black hair and porcelain skin

"Ee- yes?" Lucien gave a lopsided smile making the other male's eyes sparkle

"Ohh! So it is true! You really are handsome! Why not join the Modeling Club?!" he said, extreme optimism exuding from his straightforward request

"Eh? Uh, I don't really think I'm cut out for that kind o-"

"You can earn money in this club."

"!"

"As I said, Lucien-chan, you can earn real money through this club, you need money don't you? Oh and also I'm Noel LeBlanche, a second year here." he gave Lucien a knowing smile making Lucien just look at him like he grew two heads

"LeBlanche-Senpai. You're right. I need money, so I guess I join the club?"

"Hm... LeBlanche-Senpai sounds weird, just call me Noel-Senpai or... Noel-chan?" he said using one of his long porcelain fingers to rub Luciens left pec through his uniform as he smirked a little

"Noel-Senpai!"

"Fine~ suit yourself. Well then, I'll bring you to the club room so you can start earning money as soon as possible!" he said grabbing Lucien's hand and just running off with him in tow

Lucien felt powerless in Noel's hand, he felt like paper just being aggressively carried by the wind, or in this case, Noel. He feels like he's going to barf.

~

The blond freshman entered his cottage with a tired face, he came back from club work and was exhausted.

He looked over with a smile to his friends desk to see that Lucien was missing and he screamed.

"Lucien! Where are yo?!-"

"Brier-sama, he's over there." the newly showered Linden said gesturing over to the first years bed

"Eh? But he always did his homework at his desk after classes."

"Well, he recently joined a club." Hawthorne said popping up out of nowhere, dispite that, it phased no one

"I can't really see a club exhausting someone that much..." Brier trailed off

"Yes, but we have to take account that Lucien has half the energy and motivation of a regular human, so club activities will definitely tire him out." Hawthorne said while Linden nodded

"Oh, is that so? Well we should prepare some tea to boost his energy! Let's go Hawthorne! Linden, you can watch over Lucien if you want!" the two louder cottagemates sprung to go to the central cottage to get some tea ready while Linden approached Lucius who layed pitifully exhausted on his belly

"I do wonder what club you joined." he said after crouching on the ground and rocking a bit

"The Modeling Club..." Lucien managed to wheeze out

"...You have my condolences..." Linden muttered unceremoniously while Lucien wheezed like a dying alpaca

Lucien's mind drifted off to what his life did for the last two hours.

~

"Ohh! You really are handsome!" a boy with lovely blond hair and glowy brown eyes said, he greeted Noel and Lucien when they came inside the expansive club room

The clicks of cameras, people practicing their walking, eating snacks together, taking selfies on their phones, gave the club room an energetic feel and was something Lucien didn't expect at all.

"Lucien, this is Asher. He's the vice president of the Modeling Club!" Noel gestured to the blond haired boy which Lucien greeted

"Nice to meet you Asher-senpai."

"Ohoho! The rumors were true after all! This one's a dandy! Alrighty, let's get you camera ready! Give him something like a suit!"

"Eh! Right now?!"

"Yes right now Lucien-chan. Today will be the start of your blossoming modeling career ;) ~"

~

"That's how I got to model outfit after outfit for two hours."  Lucien said whilst eating up the soup Brier and Hawthorne got for him

"Ohh! I heard about Noel-senpai, he's a really big influencer! No doubt will people start to flock you when he posts picture of you!" Brier said

"Mhm, Noel is pretty cool." Hawthorne said while whistling

"I only really joined for the money..." Lucien confessed

"Eh? Lucien, you are a person who calculates everything, but you accepted for money?"

"Well, I am broke, it's more for security than actually spending, but I feel like I made a big mistake."

"Mhm, thinking of Lucien-san's personality, you definitely won't catch a break." Hawthorne said monotonously

"What's with that monotone expression?!"

"Hmm, well, since Lucien-san is handsome, I wanna see what the pictures look like." Linden said with a small, knowing smile

"They'll be posted tomorrow from what Noel-senpai said."

"Mhm! I look forward to seeing them!"

So, um, I just realized that there was a limit for posts. This was just like 23 pages in Samsung Notes. Yeah, so I had to cut down the last part but okay man.

Alrighty, we finally get some tea about the Valley of Thorns and boy was I like lollollollollol when I wrote this down yesterday.

That's most of it I guess, so part one of chapter 4 or just chapter 4 and the rest will be part of chapter 5, yeah, I guess it has to be like that. Frick this is going so fast and it's still Lucien's first week of classes,gotta slow down a bit.

[marksburyscripts]

Episode 12-- The Last Good Days

Google Doc

Content Warnings: - Accidental misgendering -Parental death -Cancer -Implication of potential murder of a parent

[Several old videos. The first is from winter of 2014, in the Frankenstein house]

HENRY [Whispering]

He’s definitely in there?

ELLIOT [Whispering as well]

Yeah, he got home an hour ago.

[They throw the bedroom door open]

HENRY

Mothers and fuckers, bastards of all ages!

ELLIOT

Clerval and Lavenza present, 

HENRY

Ingleside University’s brand new problem!

VICTOR [Laughs] 

Who told you guys?

ELLIOT

Evelynn.

VICTOR

Ah.

HENRY

Figured you’d be celebrating. Living large, getting wasted.

VICTOR [Sarcastic, but with a smile]

Yeah, I’m a regular party animal. What am I thinking? [Beat.] Are you recording?

HENRY

I prefer the term “documenting”.

ELLIOT

No, but seriously. Congratulations, you deserve this. Ingleside’s gonna be perfect for you. 

HENRY

Just try not to have a complete breakdown being so far away from us.

VICTOR

No promises.

HENRY

I know it’ll be torture not to see this face every day.

VICTOR

However will I survive?

HENRY [Comically dramatic]

I trust that you’ll have the strength to endure. I can only hope that I’ll be able to say the same for us.

ELLIOT

It’ll be weird without you here.

VICTOR

I mean, I’ll text. For you, I might even call.

ELLIOT

Wow, willing to make a phonecall. We should date or something.

VICTOR

Maybe we should.

HENRY

Hey lovebirds? Remember me? I still exist.

ELLIOT [Laughs]

Who’re you again?

VICTOR

Seriously though, guys. I won’t be leaving until August. You’re stuck with me for a little longer.

EVELYNN [From down the hall, clearly joking]

Unfortunately.

VICTOR

Fight me, Evelynn!

EVELYNN

I will! I’ll kick your ass!

ELLIOT [Laughs]

She’s right, you know.

VICTOR

Yeah, I know.

HENRY

C’mon. We’re goin’ out.

VICTOR

Are we now?

ELLIOT

Yep! 

VICTOR

And do I get a say in this?

ELLIOT AND HENRY [In synch]

Nope!

VICTOR

...Y’know, I’m not sure if that was more horrifying or impressive.

HENRY

Whichever gets you off your ass and over to the diner on Blackwood Avenue.

--

[The next recording. Some months later. Evelynn’s bedroom, early evening]

VICTOR

...You really don’t own anything that’s not black, do you?

EVELYNN

It’s a choice. Hmm. Which earrings do you like better? 

VICTOR

They’re both good.

EVELYNN

You’re. Not. Helping.

VICTOR

Why are we doing this, anyway? You never ask me for fashion advice, and for good reason. 99% of my wardrobe is collared shirts and sweaters. Also, why the camera?

EVELYNN

So I can go back and watch it next time to get ideas. Tights or knee-high socks?

VICTOR

What’s up with you? You’re putting way too much thought into this, it’s not like it’s-- [Suddenly getting it] Oh!

EVELYNN

No.

VICTOR

Oh, I see what’s going on here.

EVELYNN

No you don’t, shut up.

VICTOR

This is a date, isn’t it?

EVELYNN

What, are you gonna play protective big sister now? Who cares?

VICTOR

Uh, I do, because that changes everything. Where’s that choker with the cameo Old Man Dan got you for your birthday last year?

EVELYNN

Right here. 

VICTOR

Now… these socks. They go just above the knee, right?

EVELYNN

Right. 

VICTOR

Good. Shoes I’d say the cargo boots, contrast the dress. Hair’s good. I suggest a lighter lipstick than normal so if you two kiss you won’t have to worry about it being super visible on him--

EVELYNN [Softly]

Her.

VICTOR

Hmm?

EVELYNN

Her! I…. She’s... a girl.

VICTOR

Well in that case, so you won’t have to worry about it being super visible on her. But honestly, if you have a darker one that doesn’t come off easily, knock yourself out.

EVELYNN

You took that very well.

VICTOR

Yeah, of course. I’m not a bigot or a hypocrite, so--

EVELYNN

Wait, what do you mean? I thought you don’t do girls.

VICTOR

Well, I don’t, I’m…. [Sighs] Well, since we’re coming out, you might as well know. Just… Just don’t tell mom and dad yet, got it?

EVELYNN

Lips are sealed.

VICTOR

I’m... turning this off first. 

--

[The next recording. A few weeks later. Outdoors, night]

ELLIOT

There! See it?

HENRY

Yeah, hate to break it to you, but I’m pretty sure that’s a plane, dude.

ELLIOT

But do you know that it’s a plane?

VICTOR

He’s got a point, you know. 

ELLIOT

We don’t know for sure what it is, so by definition, that makes it an unidentified flying object. 

HENRY

Shit dude, you’re right.

ELLIOT [He gives a small, sad laugh]

...I’m gonna miss this, you know.

VICTOR

Elliot….

ELLIOT

No. You’re going to Maine, Henry, you’ll probably be busy with your school stuff, too. We haven’t got much longer for nights like this.

VICTOR

Elliot, it may be different, but who says everything’s just gonna stop? It’s not like I won’t visit. Plus, I’m not sure you’d let us get out of these investigations even if we wanted to.

HENRY

And you’ll still be able to wake me up at all hours.

ELLIOT [He laughs again, this time more honestly] 

I’m holding you to that.

CAROLINE

And what are you three doing?

ELLIOT

Our... best?

CAROLINE

It’s two in the morning, I think it’s time to pack it in.

VICTOR [Sarcastic] 

But moooooooom.

CAROLINE [Laughs] 

Inside. Are you staying the night, Henry?

HENRY

Might as well. 

VICTOR

Gross.

HENRY

Excuse me, I am a delight.

VICTOR [Laughs]

We’ll be in in a bit.

[A pause as Caroline goes back inside]

HENRY

You tell her yet?

VICTOR

No.

ELLIOT

You know she’ll be fine with it.

VICTOR

It’s a big thing, you should have seen me freaking out about how I was gonna tell you guys.

ELLIOT

I get it. And if you ever want someone there to back you up, you know where to find us.

HENRY

Even though you haven’t told us your new name yet.

VICTOR

I wanna finalize it before I make any announcements. I’m bouncing between two right now. One’s gonna end up as the middle name, I’m just not sure which.

ELLIOT

Well I’m sure they’re both wonderful.

--

[The next recording. The Clerval house. Day. Henry and Elliot are making drumroll sounds on the table]

VICTOR [Laughing] 

Guys, stop.

HENRY

No way. This is a big moment!

ELLIOT

The true identity of the firstborn Frankenstein son.

HENRY

A mystery seventeen years in the making!

EVELYNN

Which for some reason has to be revealed at Henry’s house.

VICTOR

Look, I’m just not ready to drop the bomb on mom and dad yet. They’ve got enough going on. Once mom feels a little better, then we’ll worry about that.[There are a few seconds of silence. Everyone is thinking the same thing, but no one wants to say it] Right. Who’d like to do the honors?

ELLIOT

Boyfriend Privilege! 

[The sound of paper as he grabs it out of Victor’s hand]

HENRY

Dammit, always blocked by the Boyfriend Privilege.

ELLIOT [Clears his throat, speaking dramatically]

Ladies and gentlemen,

EVELYNN [Laughing] 

You guys are dorks.

ELLIOT

I hereby announce the true name of this man, dearest friend, partner, and brother--

HENRY

Dude, if you don’t spit it out, I’m gonna lose it.

ELLIOT

A secret so well-kept that no one dare to so much as whisper--

VICTOR

I am literally begging you to just get it over with.

ELLIOT

The name being…. [Dramatic pause] Victor Percival Frankenstein. 

[Beat.]

HENRY

...Percival?

VICTOR

What?

HENRY [Laughs]

That is the most pretentious thing I’ve ever heard, and I love it.

ELLIOT

It really does suit you.

VICTOR

Figured we’ve already got William Jonas and Evelynn Renata. Might as well keep up the tradition of old fashioned names.

EVELYNN

It’s fitting. I like it.

HENRY

That is one sexy name if I’ve ever heard one. Even if it is an old man name.

VICTOR [Laughing] 

You’re a jerk.

--

[The next recording. June 30, 2014. Outdoors. Day.]

HENRY

I just don’t see why you didn’t tell me.

VICTOR

You didn’t ask!

HENRY

$40 a person, and all you do is walk through a hundred exhibits about how the thing was built, then you stand outside in the wind, where it’s so crowded you can barely move.

VICTOR

Hey, you’re the one who said that you wanted to go to the top of the Empire State Building. I wasn’t going to crush your dream. 

HENRY

Man, are you recording me?

VICTOR

Yes! I wanna remember this look of absolute misery on your face.

HENRY

Oh, you want misery? Wanna hear how it got worse? We’re in Central Park, and I see this girl, right? Gorgeous, I mean it. Anne, she said her name was. And we get to talking, and I invite her to the Empire State Building, too. I have this whole plan. I’m gonna test the waters, see if she’s interested, and who knows? Nothing creepy obviously, but a guy can hope to score a date. So we get up there, and before I can say anything, she kisses me.

VICTOR

Shut up!

HENRY

Seriously! I think, well this is going perfectly! And you know what she says to me?

VICTOR

Tell me.

HENRY

She says, “I really want to see you again, Harry.” [Victor begins laughing harder than we’ve ever heard] I swear to God.

VICTOR

Hello, this is my best friend, Harry Clerval.

HENRY

I nearly died, Victor. 

VICTOR

I’m nearly dying right now, oh my God.

HENRY

That’s it! I’m never trying to pick someone up ever again! 

VICTOR

You don’t mean that.

HENRY

I do! If anything’s gonna happen, I’ll let it happen naturally. Not all of us can have our fuckin’ soulmate live right across the hall. Some of us have to work for it. 

EVELYNN

Victor?

VICTOR [His tone changing immediately. Something is wrong]

What? What is it?

EVELYNN

We need to go, it’s…. [A breath] It’s mom.

--

[Present day. The Frankenstein house. Night]

VICTOR

...There’s… nothing really noteworthy in any of these. If there were, I’m sure I would have picked up on it a long time ago. It’s not exactly the first time I’ve gone through them. There’s nothing to suggest that there was anything else going on behind the scenes. Not that I’d really know what to look for even if there were.

...I keep thinking about the woman. What she said. That hers was the last voice mom heard before she died. What does that mean, what if….

VICTOR (Cont.) 

...Cancer works quickly, especially if you catch it late. That’d be… very convenient for something trying to get rid of someone who was looking into things they shouldn't know about. And if mom got on the wrong side of this… thing that can kill with a glance….

VICTOR (Cont.)

...When she died, it… it didn’t feel right. I’d always seen my mother as invincible, like every little kid does. I was so convinced that she would be okay. Because she had to be. Mom could beat her cancer, because she could beat anything. I believed that, even at that age. Then she was gone. And it still didn’t sit right with me. I always felt like something about it was wrong. A-- And now, even with what little information I have… I think I might have been onto something.

NEXT EPISODE➝

[coffee-or-hot-cocoa]

he wasn’t the Victor after all

the angst potential is high, inspired by guilt eater of @themonotonysyndrome and second wife au of @tri3tri, lol imagine this ( i was inspired by who made me a princess), it actually nearly made my cold dead heart cry a bit. Be ready for tears ^_^

When he was born, the name Victor was chosen for him the first prince, heir to the kingdom of the valley of thorns. He thought of everything to please everyone, hoping with this he can gain father's favor and eventually love, he was wrong.

He grew arrogant and thought he was above his older half-sisters, and how could he not? with the support of both father and the court, he counted the days where he will be crowned king and hoping with that father would acknowledge him and be proud of him, he'll finally hear him say he loves both mother and him, not his first wife and the princesses.

Oh how the mighty have fallen.

Now Victor shivered from the heaviness in the atmosphere, tense and full of anger and it was aimed at mother and him, to think he and his mother were just having afternoon tea, lamenting the recent events to their lives from the first queen and the princess’ return, the discovery of a new prince and subsequently his mother’s divorce, as well as being revoked to the right of the throne, he and his mother being banished from the main wing to somewhere near the servant’s quarters.

All his hopes and dreams of his father loving him, destroyed. Because he was never the child he wanted even he knew that, but all he desired was a father's love. A near virtual stranger getting all the fatherly affection he coveted so dearly, the smiles, the gifts, all of his time and the hugs, he envied Lucien.

The moment he entered the castle, father completely forgotten he existed, choosing to lavish Lucien and his sisters, something he wished he has, father's affection. Then the whispers of the court started, how he wouldn't be the heir, being replaced, the hushed whispers of banishment and more.

He saw more than enough times in his life that his mother cries herself to sleep, on some nights he can even hear her sob to herself that even if his father, her beloved first love and husband doesn't love her and she'll always be in the shadow of another woman, his so-called true love. It would be enough if he loved Victor. " would you love me more if I was more like Lucien? would you love mother more if she was more like the first queen? would you even love me as I am myself? father why won't you love me? would you look at me with the same affectionate gave, the one full of love, just like you give to my half-siblings? what do I need to do? what would it take just for you to look my way and see I'm just as worthy as my half-siblings are? am I not your son as well?"

The jeers, humiliation, taunts and mocking of the court, being called a fake prince despite his protests, only his mother and a few of the servants stood by him. He felt bitter, why can't his father love them, so caught up in his lament he didn't notice when they were suddenly being manhandled and arrested by the guards, being accused of a crime they didn’t commit. As they were bound by the heavy chains, some of the servants just stared, others whispered and gossiped. Victor didn't hear much only catching the words of "....poisoned....poor queen......jealous.....tragedy".

After being dragged straight to throne room with an audience watching their every move, the king of the valley of thorns spoke to them with a sneer “ I stand before all of you today to deliver justice by these perpetrators. For the crime of poisoning and nearly killing the first queen and first prince Lucien. As such, the punishment would be execution, a week from today they will be killed." Victor's eyes widened, he hadn't imagined in all of his life this would happen to him.

" would you love me more if I was more like Lucien? would you love mother more if she was more like the first queen? would you even love me as I am myself? father why won't you love me? would you look at me with the same affectionate gave, the one full of love, just like you give to my half-siblings? what do I need to do? what would it take just for you to look my way and see I'm just as worthy as my half-siblings are? am I not your son as well?"

Victor knows he and his mother are innocent, no matter how loud his protests are, no matter how much he begged that both of them didn't do it, to stop when they were both beating him and his mother, no one listened.

He did this until his voice went raw, Victor then saw his mother at the adjacent cell, he saw how much she cried to herself, her pleading of giving Victor a fair trial, to spare her beloved son, on how she would rather be executed than see her child die. She doesn't get her wish. " would you love me more if I was more like Lucien? would you love mother more if she was more like the first queen? would you even love me as I am myself? father why won't you love me? would you look at me with the same affectionate gave, the one full of love, just like you give to my half-siblings? what do I need to do? what would it take just for you to look my way and see I'm just as worthy as my half-siblings are? am I not your son as well?"

As word spread, king Malleus decided to make their execution public, both as a warning and a celebration, as both the first queen and prince Lucien's recovery was announced to both him and the entire kingdoms. He saw that him and his mother along with their servants all bruised, bloodied and broken at the foot of the guillotine, he was shoved to position at the lunette of the guillotine.

Victor cried out to his father once he saw him, on how this was a mistake, on how they were innocent and that he should spare them. He asked one last thing" would you love me more if I was more like Lucien? would you love mother more if she was more like the first queen? would you even love me as I am myself? father why won't you love me? would you look at me with the same affectionate gave, the one full of love, just like you give to my half-siblings? what do I need to do? what would it take just for you to look my way and see I'm just as worthy as my half-siblings are? am I not your son as well?"

Malleus just gave him a bored, disinterested sort of look and that look turned to a cruel smirk, though his tone suggested he was vaguely amused by his question " I never thought of you as my son. You were just a means to an end, you and your insignificant whelp of a mother where never important to me, I never loved the two of you. But to have the audacity to think I ever had any semblance of affection for the two of you is laughable. I'm surprised you even lived this long." Victor looked at his father, for the first time he felt rage and hatred towards him, as he glared, for the first time he saw what his father truly was without rose tinted glasses, he wasn't a great, regal and just king, he was a heinous monster. All the pieces fell together on why the first queen tries to escape whenever she can with her children, his half-siblings and he now understood and sympathized on her fervent desperation to save her family.

Victor spewed curses at him and the rest of the court, he saw his half-sisters Renata and Sherrie, just stare at him unapologetically, as if his suffering was just a waste of their time, his rabid temperament only justified his father's decision to kill him in cold blood.

As he lay down his head, his eyes never straying away from his father-no king Malleus and the royal family, he can hear his mother's anguished voice, her enraged howls and demands of sparing him, and she taking his place. The last sight he can see and commit to memory as he can feel the blooming pain of the blade onto him was his mother crying for him. Her voice ringing in his ears as his decapitated head stared at the heavens above.

" would you love me more if I was more like Lucien? would you love mother more if she was more like the first queen? would you even love me as I am myself? father why won't you love me? would you look at me with the same affectionate gave, the one full of love, just like you give to my half-siblings? what do I need to do? what would it take just for you to look my way and see I'm just as worthy as my half-siblings are? am I not your son as well?"

lol that's all i can think of, hope you enjoy owo