#thread: alethea

[cara-mrrsn]

who: @aletheapierce when: may 27th, right after g's texts where: the commons

Cara's skirt swished around her ankles as she walked into the commons, chin high, looking utterly at ease. In spite of the circumstances that had brought her there - or maybe because of them. She glanced around, looking up the stairs as she moved past them, towards the back of the first floor...only to see a figure of someone moving up the stairs. Despite the instructions to stay on the first floor (this person wasn't listening to them, apparently), Cara disregarded the back of the entrance hall and instead stepped up onto the bottom step. "Um, 'scuse me?" she said as she took a few more steps up the staircase, only to realize....it was Alethea heading up ahead of her.

If only this was the first time she had been sent to the same place as an ex of sorts by G. Like...what the fuck was this anonymous bitches problem? "What are you doing?" Cara asked, her tone flat as she stomped up the rest of the stairs to the landing she had caught Alethea on.

[sassa-fiske]

who: @aletheapierce​ when: late in the evening, halloween where: haunted house party

Sassa didn’t know how long it had been since she had gotten to the party when her hand slid into the pocket of jacket, fingers brushing against a small piece of paper. She pulled it out, instantly distracted, well aware she hadn’t put it there herself. Eyes scanning it, wrinkles instantly appeared between her eyebrows, lips moving silently as she read it again, and again, trying to somehow make sense of it. Sassa was friends with very few people Greer had been friends with as well - in fact, the list was about one. Alethea. Shoving the paper back into her pocket, she immediately scoured the party for them, reaching out to grasp their elbow when she found them. “Hey,” Sassa said, the tone bright. She didn’t want to make Alethea suspicious of anything, after all, so she quickly dropped her hand from them, raising up her eyebrows. “Some party, hm? We’re gonna have to really out do this on our next one,” she started. “Haunted house was sorta...weird, though. Don’t you think?” 

[starsaligncd]

OPEN to anyone who wants to assume connections

      Alethea was aware that a man had died. A king had died, no less. And yes, she was aware that it was awful, especially considering the rumors she’d heard about how exactly he’d been killed. And yet she found it in incredibly inconvenient. As if her mother had needed another reason to follow her like a shadow and not allow any fun into her life. No, ever since they had returned from the Winter Solstice, her mother was keen on keeping Thea within her chambers as to keep her safe. Well, she was certain she would lose her mind if she stayed in that room, or any room with her mother in it, for another minute. And so she had decided to slip away -- an easy task for someone who had perfected the art of running away unseen over the years. She had bought one of her favorite pastries, and was leaning against a wall, her nose turned up to enjoy a few sun rays. When she noticed a pair of eyes on her, she glanced up, and an almost tortured smile appeared on her lips when she caught sight of a familiar face. “Before you say anything,” she started, pulling apart the pastry in her fingers, “I’ll share my food with you if you promise not to tell my mother you saw me here.”

[n8-shaw]

Nate glanced down, one hand briefly running over his torso where the drink had splashed, as if it even mattered if it had soaked through his shirt to his skin or not, as sweaty as it was in the warehouse. His lips pressed together as Alethea questioned why he was there, his eyes lifting to her face, looking at them under dark lashes. "Dunno," he said finally, a simple shrug of his shoulders accompanying the word, not about to just...offer up the texts he had received, the information that was implied in them. "This your thing?" he asked instead.

could alethea make it through a single event without sloshing their drink all over someone? just as she changed her mind about heading deeper into the crowd, she turned on her heel only to run smack-dab into nate, her drink spilling over his shirt. "fuck, nate. so sorry." she looked up at him with apologetic eyes. that was until he just took the shirt off completely. right, that was one way to deal with it. "i feel that." they nodded, wanting a similar thing. but it felt too risky to leave - was g watching? was g there? "why are you even here then?"

[gcldcnhour]

@heroexxs based here muse: alethea pierce

it was rare for alethea to find herself out, even more rare to be caught in the arms of a stranger. but maybe times were changing, maybe their luck was turning. the anxiety that usually overwhelmed their mind was softened, and for once they were feeling free. easy. calm. it was nice. maybe it was the alcohol, or the guy in front of her, but she was feeling brave. "i don't usually do this you know." she laughs, arms wrapped around his shoulders as she looks up at him. "but this might be the best night out." ever, but it felt a bit embarrassing to admit that far. and they just hoped he felt the same.

[ollieinoue]

The Hospital. Sometime during the day. [ @aletheapierce ]

"Knock knock!" Ollie said as he bounced up towards Alethea's bed, handing one of the get well teddy bears out to her, "nurse Ollie is here to make everything better! You need to be fed some jell-o I'm on it. You need a bed pan cleaned, I'm your man." He was teasing, of course. Trying to keep the mood light, as his eyes moved over Alethea, a small frown crossing his face. "Are you going to be okay? I don't really know…" A broken bone was easy. Burns were terrible, but … a little clearer how to handle that. He didn't know what smoke inhalation damage really meant. Ironically. "Can you speak? Do you want me to get a notebook or something…" He bit down on his lip, and rocked back and forth onto the balls of his feet, then back onto his heels as he looked around the room. "I hate hospitals…"

[samjimcnez]

Tate Theatre. March 13th, sometime in the afternoon [ @aletheapierce ]

Sam wasn't really an artist, but she saw a flier asking for volunteers to help paint backgrounds for some plays or something, so she thought it would be a fun idea! She was regulated to filling into the little stars along the beautifully painted night sky backdrop. It should be very easy, and a lot of fun. But she'd be stuck up on a ladder, and she thought those things were terrible death traps (anything that put her feet off the ground was). So, every once in a while she awkwardly shifted around making the whole ladder shake, which made her suddenly reach down and made the ladder shake more. It was one of these cycles when suddenly the yellow paint she was using finally topped over the side of the ladder splattering onto the ground narrowly missing a passing Alethea. "Oh no! Are you okay? I didn't get you did I?" Sam asked, whining a little bit.

[bigmandiego]

closed starter for @aletheapierce location: tri delt valentine's party time: during spin the bottle

The night had started out okay, but spin the bottle had not.

Luckily a spin for himself and Diego landed on someone much more pleasant than the first go around. Diego smiled brightly towards Alethea as the two of them got up out of the circle and headed over to where the pairings were spending their seven minutes. "You seem like you're having a good time at the party," he said, a little amused. Because that was a bit of an understatement. Alethea was clearly very much enjoying themselves, and probably more than a little high. Quite different than the Alethea he remembered following Greer around everywhere, but he wasn't complaining either. "I already feel like I need to catch up," he added, grabbing two drinks for them before closing the door behind them, handing Alethea one, and downing the one in his hand. "Cheers."

[gretagretagreta]

who: @aletheapierce where: spring fling when: early in the night

greta had been mid-conversation with a couple of ogden's other ballet dancers, the poised group resembling flighty faeries at the edge of the event. it was still early enough in the night that people hadn't started to get wild, choosing to sip their drinks and find their people before getting just comfortable enough to, perhaps, cause some havoc. it was something everyone could always count on, before and after the notorious g had made their way onto the scene. all there was left to do was wait. but waiting alone was never fun. luckily enough, a familiar head of dark hair happened to step right into greta's line of sight, striking up a conversation with one of the other members of the group. with almost slinky steps, she approached them from behind, until she was just off their shoulder. "well, the drinks are better than circa's latest." sure, she could've—perhaps should've—focused her attention elsewhere, but there was a sort of unspeakable, unusual closeness greta's unique relationship with alethea had created. a familiarity, at least, that outmatched the others. it was, in its way, oddly comfortable. like slipping on your favorite t-shirt, despite its well-worn holes.

[heathtalbot]

He took more insult to their aside comment than he should have, gaze cutting back to the other with a little more sharpness than before. Heath stared for a beat before muttering shortly, "M'fine." And yet, he still shifted the box again, adjusting his grip in clear discomfort. As if on cue, the elevator halted, a peaceful ding! cutting through the stale air between them before the doors began sliding open. Already erasing the entire conversation they'd just had from his mind, Heath moved forward first to exit the elevator. "Welcome to Ogden," he called back over his shoulder. She was a freshman, right? "Good luck."

end.

right, sam arrested. though alethea knew this had to be a set-up, there was no way she set a fire, no way she was g. and yet...that's what everyone was believing, even fellow students. they didn't know heath very well, but if they were honest they wouldn't trust his judgment very much to begin with. "you know that for sure?" she raised an eyebrow at him, arms crossed over her chest, leaned back against the cool metal wall of the elevator as it slowly ticked its way up. "i guess we'll...see about it." they added. "people have been wrong about g and everything so far it seems." so why trust them all now? "you look like you're struggling a bit there." she adds, unsure why, and then does nothing to help.

[halfgrown]

Home. It had been years since he had last set foot into town, or even referred to it as his home. His town, where he had grown up in. The same town he had escaped from years ago, in an attempt to get better. Make a name for himself, one that didn't follow him around with such negative connotations like it did here.

But he was here, just in time for the holidays. If it weren't for the passing of his sister a few months ago, he probably would have skipped it altogether. But Conner knew how important it was to his mother to have her boys around, to support her through the hard times.

She had requested a pie from the bakery downtown. It had been one of Charlie's favorites, so he understood why it was so important that he picked it up. It was his welcome back dinner, with all of his sister's favorites. Not that he minded, though. Whatever helped her through the grieving process.

Getting out of his Jeep, he tried to ignore the stares. Most people didn't say hello, just gave him a sad, pitiful look. He hated pity. But he supposed it was better than them coming up to him, saying how sorry they were. They weren't. They were simply saying so because they felt obligated to, in order to make themselves feel better about the whole situation.

And then he spotted them. A face he never thought he'd see again, right there, waiting patiently in line for some sort of assortment of sweets. "Alethea?" @gcldcnhour

[ollieinoue]

G's Rave. Midway through the night. [ @aletheapierce ]

Ollie bounded around the dance floor. A lot of people seemed to be put off by the Rave. He got it. He did. It was weird and unsettling. But Ollie's way of dealing with problems was not to stand around uncomfortably and stress about things. It was to get as doped up as possible, and have fun while he could. He practically smacked into Alethea on the edges of the floor, reaching out and taking their hands in his. "Come dance with me," he called over the music, pulling them along with him, before he really gave them a chance to respond. "I like your outfit! Have you ever been to a rave before? I've never seen you!" As if he went to every single rave ever.

[theink-stainedfolk]

Happy STS Zehra!! 💛✨

Do your OCs celebrate Thanksgiving? If so, what dish are they making and bringing? 👀💫

Thank you for your question♡♡♡

Yes, Shion and Raoul, from Eclipsed Hearts, would definitely celebrate Thanksgiving, albeit with their own unique twist on the holiday! They might attend a gathering with fellow vampires and humans, blending traditions to create a fun and memorable experience.

They'd bring Pumpkin Spice Blood Pudding (lol)

Shion and Raoul decide to make a pumpkin spice blood pudding, a creative dish that pays homage to traditional pumpkin pie while embracing their vampire nature. This sweet and spicy pudding is made with real pumpkin puree, cinnamon, nutmeg, and a dash of vanilla, blended with a rich, dark blood base (perhaps a mix of animal blood for flavor, keeping it ethical and within vampire norms).

---

Saville and Arce from Under the Knife

Saville is not the traditional family type, and Thanksgiving is mostly a nuisance for him. However, he acknowledges the day as an opportunity to indulge in some culinary creativity. Given his snarky personality and a penchant for the unexpected, he decides to bring an unconventional dish: pumpkin ravioli with sage brown butter sauce. He’ll make it from scratch, enjoying the process of crafting the delicate pasta and filling. While he might roll his eyes at the idea of "family time," he finds solace in the kitchen, where he can exert control and express his culinary skills.

Arce, on the other hand, has a more complex relationship with Thanksgiving. He values the connections with. To celebrate, he brings a smoked turkey breast that he prepared himself, having learned to appreciate the art of cooking as a means of bonding with others. He might also whip up mashed potatoes with garlic and chives, showcasing a softer side as he attempts to impress Saville and make the gathering a little less tense. He enjoys the opportunity to create something delicious for others, perhaps trying to atone for some of his darker past.

---

Aster, Piper and Alethea from Shades of Erudition

Asterion 'Aster' Carter

Dish: Herb-Crusted Roasted Turkey

He would source high-quality ingredients and pay close attention to the details, marinating the turkey with a blend of herbs and spices he meticulously selects. The presentation would be elegant, showcasing his culinary skills and adding a touch of sophistication to the Thanksgiving table.

Piper Redmond

Dish: Sweet Potato Casserole with Marshmallow Topping

He would be the one to add the marshmallow topping, using it as an opportunity to lighten the mood and make jokes about “the best part of Thanksgiving.” His dish would be a bit messy but filled with love and humor, reflecting his vibrant personality. Piper might even sneak in some unique spices or nuts to surprise everyone, showcasing his creativity and flair for fun in the kitchen.

Alethea Pierce

Dish: Cranberry Sauce with a Twist

Why: Alethea, with her sharp intellect and creativity, would prepare a homemade cranberry sauce that stands out from the usual recipe. She might infuse her sauce with orange zest, ginger, and a hint of cinnamon, giving it a unique flavor profile that surprises everyone at the table. This dish would reflect her personality—classic yet innovative, with a touch of warmth and sophistication.

---

Rosaire and Leslie from Crimson Threads

Rosaire, with his penchant for charm and sophistication, takes on the role of the host and prepares a luxurious roasted turkey, seasoned to perfection and garnished with fresh herbs. He believes that a perfectly cooked turkey is a staple of any Thanksgiving gathering, and he uses this occasion to show off his culinary skills.

Leisle, on the other hand, takes a more playful approach. He decides to make a dessert—pumpkin spice cupcakes with cream cheese frosting. He knows Rosaire loves to impress, and he wants to bring something fun and casual to balance out the elegance of the turkey. Leisle also throws in a few surprises, like adding unexpected spices and a hint of chocolate to the cupcakes, making them a delightful twist on the traditional dish.

---

I hope you enjoyed this. Yes it is not systematic, i tend to get confused with the aesthetics.

Thank you once again ♡♡♡

[gcldcnhour]

she would be lying if she said there wasn't love still left in her for matias. that he hadn't been everything to her and she spent years trying to get over him. all of it unsuccessful. their mother had been pissed that it hadn't worked out - their families merging would do great for her business. but then again there were 'plenty of fish in the sea'. but none of them were him.

"still, i'm sorry. you don't deserve that." they admit softly, leaning in to meet his gaze, empathetic smile playing on her lips. oh how easy it was to fall back into him, how he could pull her in with the look, with the guilt of his mother and their loss and how everything had ended up exactly the way they feared. "ok." she nods, not having the nerve to continually let him down, just because he had let her down didn't mean she had to do the same. "i can stop by for dinner."

Matias's father's passing was not something he was sad about, how horrible as it had sounded. It was hard to mourn a stranger. All he had ever cared about was that Matias never besmirched the family name and legacy. Which he had done and now as his heir was repairing. No one else to blame but himself. "It's okay." He said, not wanting her pity or for her to be sad about this.

Shrugging, he smiled "Isn't all of life?" She would knew all too well.

He could tell what she was doing, trying to let him down gently, but he wasn't going to let her. If they couldn't work back to being at least friends, what was the point? "Mom loves you Allie. With dad gone, she would love to have you over, I would too. Dinners are a bit," he thought about it for a second. "sour. We tend to just sit in silence knowing that there isn't much to say. But she loves you and still asks about you all the time. Just one dinner. Please. It would mean the world to her." And me, he wanted to say but couldn't.

[morrisxn02]

ogden college (un)official class playlist ! available NOW at a therapist near you !

PART ONE: the student body

lacy by olivia rodrigo・henrietta astor

"oh, i care, i care, i care. like ribbons that you wear. my stomach's all in knots. you've got the one thing that i want..."

hurricane by halsey・reina azarolla

“i’m a wanderer, i’m a one-night-stand. don’t belong to no city, don’t belong to no man. i’m the violence in the pouring rain. i’m a hurricane.”

american teenager by ethel cain・ida clarke

“grew up under yellow lights on the street, putting too much faith in the make believe.”

this link is dead by deftones・lincoln crawford 

"pay attention! watch me close! as i decide which way i move"

february 15h by hobo johnson・nova dodson

"she went to columbia and i went to jail. i just wanted another apple when she really wanted yale. and that is the problem where all of this lies. i'm emotionally unstable. i'm a crazy fucking guy!"

crocodile tears by suzanna son・sassa fiske

"crocodile sitting all alone, painting nails the shade of pink to match princess peach's cheek. maybe they'll think i'm beautiful. maybe i can trick them."

perfect day by hoku・charlie fletcher 

“people say, they say that it’s just a phase. they tell me to act my age. well, i am.” 

the boy who blocked his own shot by brand new・jesse hart 

“a crown of gold, a heart harder than stone and it hurts to hold on, but it’s missed when it’s gone”

happy by marina・carmen hearst

"couldn't relax, couldn't sit back and let the sunlight in my lap. i sang a hymn to bring me peace and then came a melody."

too much by carlie rae jepsen・ollie inoue

"i live for the fire, and the rain, and the drama too, boy. and it feels like you never say what you want, and it feels like i can't get through, babe."

nina cried power by hozier and mavis staples・ mika ishii

“power has been cried by those stronger than me straight into the face that tells you to rattle your chains if you love being free. ah lord, and i could cry power!”

people watching by conan gray・logan iyande

“i’m only looking just to live through you vicariously. i’ve never really been in love, not seriously.”

summer child by conan gray・samantha jimenez 

"and you laugh and you dance in the wind, and you sway, and you hug and you kiss, but there's darkness behind those eyes."

savage daughter by sarah hester ross・ nixie linghui

“i am my mother’s savage daughter. the one who runs barefoot, cursing sharp stones. i am my mother’s savage daughter. i will not cut my hair. i will not lower my voice.”

mirrorball by taylor swift・roxie marsh

“hush. when no one is around, my dear, you’ find me on my tallest tiptoes, spinning in my highest heels, love. shinning just for you.”

don’t tell my mom by renée rapp・courtney mills

“so don’t tell my mom i’m falling apart. she hurts when i hurt. my scars are her scars. she’ll talk to her friends, impress all of them. at least in her mind, her daughter is fine.”

donttrustme by 3oh!3・cara morrison

“she's an actress, but she ain't got no need. she's got money from her parents and a trust fund back east."

halloween by novo amor・edward morrison 

“more and more with every accolade, i get carried with away with being carried away.”

i did something bad by taylor swift・greer morrison

"they're burning all the witches even if you aren't one. so light me up. go ahead and light me up."

autoestima by cupido, lola indigo and alizzz・ milo navarro

“my mother and my father gave me an extremely nice face. people don’t usually like pretty people like me.”

forsaken by paris paloma・alethea pierce

"i think i've done something to upset the stars again. the moon won't return my calls, but i deserve it. i deserve it all.”

strange overtones by david byrne, performed by whitney・lennon reed

"how long have i been missing? it's getting colder tonight. snowfall's reminiscing... i watched it melt before my eyes."

frankenstein by rina saywama・magnolia rhodes

"put me together, thread a needle so i'm like other people without all of the evil. i'm trying to be normal, but the trauma is immortal and none of this is your fault."

baseball by hippo campus・monty richler

“there goes that moonboy looking jungly with all his leaves a-growing.”

king by florence and the machine・anya saetang

"my empty halls echo with grand self-mythology. i am no mother, i am no bride. i am king."

stick season by noah kahan・nathaniel shaw 

“now i'm stuck between my anger and the blame that i can't face and the memories are something even smoking weed does not replace." 

liability by lorde・natalia vega

"she's so hard to please, but she's a forest fire. i do my best to meet her demands, play at romance, we slow dance in the living room, but all a stranger would see is one girl, swaying alone, stroking her cheek."

satanist by boygenius・jacqui velazquez 

“will you be a nihilist with me? if nothing matters, man, that’s a relief…”

you're on your own, kid by taylor swift・parker walsh

"there were pages turned with the bridges burned, everything you lose is a step you take. so make the friendship bracelets, take the moment and taste it. you've got no reason to be afraid. you're on your own kid. yeah, you can face this..."

river by leon bridges・malik wright 

"as my sins flow down the jordan, oh, i wanna come near ya and give ya every part of me. but there's blood in my hands, and my lips aren't clean..."

tolerate it by taylor swift・mari zuko

“i made you my temple, my mural, my sky. now i’m begging for footnotes in the story of your life.”

[bookgeekgrrl]

My media this week (1-7 Oct 2023)

📚 STUFF I READ 📚

🙂 Under Alien Skies: A Sightseer's Guide to the Universe (Phil Plait, author & narrator) - The Bad Astronomer paints pictures of what the sky would look like standing on the surface of other planets, asteroids, etc.

😊 Initiation (Sex Wizards #1) (Alethea Faust) - erotic BDSM fantasy - actually a bit more plot & worldbuilding than I was expecting tbh, entertaining

😞 Miss Aldridge Regrets (Canary Club Mystery #1) (Louise Hare, author; Georgina Campbell, narrator) - This isn't a mystery the MC investigates, it's a mystery that happens TO her. She was tediously passive, seeming really rather naïve & foolish (esp given her age and life experience) and entirely in denial about pretty much everything that happens to her (since she's being actively framed for murder). However, the very short interval chapters from the killer's perspective did hook my interest and left me genuinely curious about the mystery. At about 44% I jumped to the end to see how the mystery resolved. I'm counting it as read since I did read over 50% of it.

😍 A Most Agreeable Murder (Julia Seales, author; Fiona Hampton, narrator) - comical pastiche/parody mashup of: Jane Austen (specifically), regency-set/gothic novels (in general) & Agatha Christie/country house mysteries - funny & entertaining, deftly done. Very Nightmare Abbey vibes in the absolute best way. I enjoyed all the caricature characters but 'overlooked tedious (but secretly a [redacted]) sister' Mary was my fave, absolute gothic queen

💖💖 +94K of shorter fic so shout out to these I really loved 💖💖

I'm dating the least inquisitive man in Ottawa (GlitterCity) - Rachel Reid's Game Changers: Troy Barrett/Harris Drover (but really mostly gen), 4K - cute, really nailed the character voices

Tinder Is the Night (rohkeutta) - MCU: stucky, 6K - hilarious, forever fave [reread]

Stay (fandomfluffandfuck) - MCU: stucky, 31K - silver fox/old guard Dom Steve subbing for newbie Dom Bucky - great character voices, hot af sex!

bitten hand guides best (frankoceansmoonriver) - The Witcher: Geraskier, 33K - lovely little fic with werewolf!Jaskier & witcher Geralt

📺 STUFF I WATCHED 📺

Make Some Noise - s2, e1

Dirty Laundry - s3, e2

Only Murders In The Building - s3, e10

Deadloch - s1, e1-8

Our Flag Means Death - s2, e1-3

D20: Burrow's End - "The Red Warren" (s20, e1)

D20: Adventuring Party - "Stoatal Recall" (s15, e1)

🎧 PODCASTS 🎧

Re: Dracula - October 1: Not My Own Master In The Matter

Welcome to Night Vale #235 - Book Club

What Next: TBD - Inside Crypto's House of Cards

Re: Dracula - October 2: Play for the Stake of Human Souls

⭐ The Atlas Obscura Podcast - Searching for Squids with Dr. Sarah McAnulty

Ed Zitron's 15 Minutes In Hell - Episode 9 - David Roth

Re: Dracula - October 3: The Holiest Love

Into It - Tech Bros Laid the Foundation, but Women Built Social Media

The Atlas Obscura Podcast - Enchanted Woods

Switched on Pop - In Defense of Crunk

Re: Dracula - October 4: It Is Like Death

Vibe Check - Freedom, Cut Me Loose!

The Atlas Obscura Podcast - Baobab Fare

⭐ Shedunnit - Agatha and Plum

Twenty Thousand Hertz+ - Wilhelm Scream Remix

⭐ Song Exploder - Alvvays "Archie, Marry Me"

Re: Dracula - October 5: Baptism of Blood

Today, Explained - Caste away

Re: Dracula - October 6: My Affairs of Earth

Dear Prudence - My Girlfriend Is Always Late! Help!

Endless Thread - Find A Grave: Social Media Icon

Into It - Are Bed Bugs and Katy Perry Out for Blood?

Today, Explained - Who shot ya, Tupac?

Switched on Pop - Metro Boomin Wants Some More

ICYMI - Stop Snitching on Main

⭐ One Year - 1955: The Hiroshima Maidens

🎶 MUSIC 🎶

Troubadours From the Tribe

Alternative Radio • 2000s

Foundations of Metal

Rob Zombie Radio • 2000s • Familiar

Metal Radio • 1980s

Manowar Radio

"Give It Away" [RHCP] Radio • Familiar

Stand And Deliver: The Very Best of Adam & The Ants {1999}