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faggot-vampire-dies-epicly · 10 months ago

Text

Tear me to pieces

Summary: Vanessa was annoyed. Her dad had sent her to check on you at the old Freddy's location on the outskirts of town. She expected the eerie atmosphere and dusty hallways, but she didn’t expect the way you made her feel. | Words: 6,031K

Warnings: Semi-graphic depictions of corpses. Death, murder, missing people, references of child death/murder. Parental abuse, physical abuse, verbal abuse, manipulation. Cursing. A slight sexual joke. Heavy angst, hurt/almost no comfort. William is an asshole on this one, you guys. Fem!Reader.

A/N: Whew, this took so long! But I'm kind of proud on how this turned out, so I hope you guys enjoy reading it as much as I enjoyed writing it. I went out of my way to make William as shitty as possible because I love making Vanessa suffer, and well, there's also sort of a plot twist? It's probably pretty obvious but I tried to keep it in the dark a little :). Title is from Lovely by Billie Eilish & Khalid/Inspired by the entire album of Three Cheers for Sweet Revenge, by My Chemical Romance.

Main Materlist | Vanessa Masterlist | AO3

She had arrived at least fifteen minutes ago, but her headache from her father’s berating had not yet subsided. She really wasn’t in the mood to make any effort. In spite of William’s scolding, she wanted just to fulfill her father’s orders in the most half-assed-and-bare-minimum-effort way possible.

Vanessa sighed, staring at the restaurant’s sign. The letters of the neon sign glowed dimly over the parking lot.

She cursed under her breath and got out of the car. She opened the trunk and took out the bag where she kept his fake police uniform. Her father had been trying to convince her for months to enroll into the police force, but she had refused over and over again. Vanessa knew he just wanted her to cover for him, and she refused to be more involved in his crimes than she already was.

She put the uniform over her normal civil clothes, grabbed the fake police badge and the ID and stepped out of the car.

Vanessa took a deep breath and finally walked to the entrance.

Doing these checkups was never easy for her. She got to meet pretty mundane people who were practically doomed from the start. From middle aged parents that just needed the job to survive with their kids to college students and teenagers that were fresh out of high school and just wanted to make some money to buy a car or go out with their friends.

They never lasted. Never.

Unfair was an understatement.

At least her father didn’t have to do with the disappearance of the majority. Most of them she would find inside Freddy. It wasn’t pretty. It didn’t get any easier, but at least she knew her father wasn’t the real cause in the end. Or that’s how she tried to convince herself.

She rang the bell, waiting for the guard of this month (or perhaps of this week only) to come out.

She looked back at the parking lot. It was empty except for her car, parked on the darkest corner she could find. The door opened and she snapped her head back to the entrance.

And she saw you, looking confused.

“Is there anything I can help you with, officer?”

She stared at you for a moment. “Another college kid?” she thought wryly, “she’s not even going to last the full week”.

Vanessa forced a smile, suddenly becoming too aware of the way your gaze wouldn’t leave her face.

“Hi,” she said in a slightly strangled voice. You frowned.

She blushed slightly and cleared her throat. “Sorry. I’m Officer Shelly. Vanessa Shelly,” she laughed awkwardly.

Vanessa extended her hand out, hoping you would understand the gesture and shook it. You complied. It was gentle, but firm.

It made her skin tingle.

Vanessa swallowed, trying to shake the feeling away.

“Don’t worry, it’s nothing serious,” she began. “I just wanted to check on you. When there’s a new night guard in this place, word spreads fast.”

You made a confused face, but you nodded. She smiled at you, “can I come in?”

“Um,” you hesitated, then sighed. “Yeah, sure,” you said while stepping aside. She gave you a polite smile and she went into the restaurant.

Once inside, she looked around. It looked the same every time, but that didn’t make it any less dreadful.

The place used to be crammed with kids and their families. There were always birthday celebrations, kindergarten graduation parties, some people just going for a quick bite after a long day. Hell, sometimes even some high school students would show up after homecoming.

She remembered it well. The smell of pizza, the laughter of children, the animatronics singing and dancing.

And then, her father inside the suit. The police sirens, mothers crying, fathers yelling.

A chill runned down her spine, snapping her out of the memories. You eyed her curiously at the sudden reaction, but said nothing.

Vanessa cleared her throat again, “how long have you been working here?”

You licked your lips, an action Vanessa got too caught on. “A couple of days only.”

She hummed, nodding. “Has anything weird happened?” You swallowed, “weird how?”

Vanessa shrugged. “Like someone trying to break in,” she said casually, glancing around. “Or,” she trailed off, “equipment malfunctioning, like the monitors, or the cameras, or…”

She turned to face you. “Maybe the animatronics getting a bit quirky.” She tried to be as nonchalant as possible while mentioning the animatronics.

You seemed to tense up slightly, opening your mouth to answer but then snapping it shut again.

“No,” you said finally, with a slightly higher pitch than usual. “Nope. Nothing like that has happened, ma’am.”

Vanessa grimaced at the formal way you addressed her. “Please,” she forced some humor into her voice, “don’t call me that.”

“Oh,” you breathed out, “I’m sorry Officer–”

She raised her hand, signaling for you to stop talking. “Just,” she sighed, “just call me Vanessa.”

You breathed out softly. “Sorry, Vanessa.”

The way you said her name had her avoiding your gaze nervously. “God, Vanessa, get a grip,” she thought.

“It’s fine,” she dismissed quickly.

You two stood there in an awkward silence for a few moments. She couldn’t bear it.

“So, what made you decide to work at Freddy’s?” Vanessa internally scolded herself for asking something so stupid and personal.

“Oh,” you said, shrugging. “I just wanted to make some money before the school year starts.”

Vanessa nodded slowly, “Highschool?”

You shook your head. “College, actually.”

Her eyes widened, you looked younger than you were then.

“That’s,” she blinked a few times, “nice.”

You nodded awkwardly, and she smiled. “What’s your major?”

“English literature.”

“That sounds interesting,” she said thoughtfully.

“You know, I never considered going to college,” Vanessa murmured, thinking how her father would reduce her to dust if she even dared to suggest the idea.

“Is that why you’re a cop?” You said bluntly. You quickly realized how that sounded and attempted to take it back. “Sorry, I didn’t mean it like that.”

Vanessa stared at you blankly for a moment before bursting out laughing.

You smiled, confused.

“Don’t worry. It is probably why I am a cop, yeah,” she said, smiling, trying to regain her composure.

Not one of the previous had charmed her enough to even smile, and now you were making her laugh.

She obviously couldn’t tell you that she wasn’t actually a cop. She sighed, gazing at the clock that hung on the wall. “Well, I better get going, I still have to patrol a couple of blocks,” she lied.

You nodded, understanding, and then escorted her to the door.

“I may come back another night to see how you’re doing, alright?”

“Sure.”

Vanessa nodded, but before you closed the door, she spoke again. “You never told me your name.”

You smiled, “Y/N.”

“Y/N,” she echoed, then nodded. “Nice to meet you, Y/N.”

“Nice to meet you too, Vanessa.”

And with that she made her way back to her car, her heart pounding inside her chest.

She returned four days later by her father’s order.

Same routine. Choose the darkest spot in the parking lot, put the fake uniform on top of her normal clothes, grab her fake badge and fake ID and put on her bravest face.

It was the same procedure she had done for years. Except, of course, that this time it was pouring, and she hadn’t brought a rain coat with her.

She frantically rang the bell, feeling the rain wet her clothes and soak her to the bone.

You opened the door, letting her through. She mumbled a thank you as she rushed inside.

“God, you’re soaked,” you murmured. She snapped her head towards you, almost straining her neck, and you blushed at how that sounded. “I, I meant–”

Vanessa sighed, looking at her uniform, “I know what you meant,” she grumbled.

You cleared your throat awkwardly, “I think there’s a towel in the office. Come with me.”

She followed you to the office while shivering. You offered your chair for her to sit and she gladly accepted it.

She watched you search every corner of your office for a towel, but the only thing you could find was a handkerchief.

“Sorry, this is all I have,” you scratched the back of your neck as you offered the piece of cloth. She took with trembling fingers, and immediately dried her face.

“What brings you here again?” You asked, sitting on your desk. She sighed, untying her hair to try and dry it a bit with the handkerchief.

“I just want to see how you are doing, honestly,” she said, making a face. “I didn’t read the weather forecast, as you can see.”

You chuckled a bit, “you’re going to be fine.”

A beat passed and you spoke up again, “actually, I have coffee, would you like some?”

She groaned softly. “Oh my God. Yes, please.”

You chuckled again, taking out a thermos from your backpack and pouring some in the mug sitting on the desk.

She took the coffee hastily and took a sip, humming in contentment. “I think you’re the first guard to bring coffee to the job,” she murmured. You raised your eyebrows.

“Okay, first of all, that’s ridiculous. The job is being a night guard, I can’t be the only one,” you rolled your eyes, and she smiled into the mug. “And second of all,” you looked into her eyes, “you met the other guards?”

Vanessa choked on the hot liquid, and coughed. She had said too much.

“Um,” she said, trying to recover. “Well, I met some of them,” she laughed awkwardly, avoiding your eyes. You hummed, seemingly satisfied with the answer.

“And how were they like?”

Vanessa sighed, as flashbacks flooded her mind.

Sometimes she would find their bodies still sitting on the chair, their head laid down on the desk. She would consider herself lucky when she found them like that. Usually they had been just stabbed on the chest, or the stomach. It was probably Foxy, or that’s what she liked to think.

Other times she would find them in the supply closet. Dismembered, split in a half, headless, or smashed. She would have to hide the bodies and additionally clean the whole room.

The animatronics were relentless, especially, she had come to realize, if the person looked like her father, even if it was just the minimum.

She didn’t blame them of course. They had been trapped in there for at least two decades, and even if they had forgotten what happened, and who did them wrong, they still subconsciously searched for vengeance.

“Vanessa?”

She snapped out of her thoughts, “yes?”

“What were the other night guards like? I mean,” you shifted on the desk, leaning in. “I mean, I’ve heard that most of them went missing. But that can’t be true, can’t it? That’s too many people to be a coincidence.”

She swallowed, looking at the remaining sip of coffee on the mug.

Vanessa cleared her throat in an effort to regain her composure. “Well, I’m sure most of them simply quit.”

“You don’t seem so sure,” you said, arching an eyebrow. She tried to brush it off by chuckling.

“I mean,” she sighed, “it would be too many people to be a coincidence, like you said. People don’t just… disappear.”

You frowned. The tone in which she had said it made your curiosity rise.

Just as you were about to ask her to explain what she meant, she drank the last of the coffee and handed you the mug.

“Well, thanks for the coffee,” she looked down at her hands, where she was holding the handkerchief. “And for the…” she waved the piece of cloth, “this.”

You smiled and her heart sped up. “Sure thing."

It had become a routine. She came back to supposedly check on you, but in reality she just wanted to see you. To hear you.

She ached to look at you as you ranted to her about a boring book you had been reading lately.

She brought you dinner sometimes, which you always took with a smile, and a thank you in a soft voice, which made her heart leap into her chest.

Vanessa wasn't what people would call experienced in love, much less in dating, or relationships, but she knew that what you made her feel was not only attraction, but also affection.

Affection had always eluded Vanessa. First from her father, given his nature, and then from her mother, who vanished from the face of the Earth when Vanessa was a child.

But you were different. You seemed to exhale affection through your pores. It was so natural for you, whether with her or with everything else, that she could feel devotion slowly consuming her.

Her father had started to suspect that something was up. He had always controlled her outings, only letting her out at night to fulfill her duties as his spy, but she was checking on the guard a little too much for his liking.

He had even cornered her, grabbing her arm tightly and pressing her against the wall. “I’m warning you, Vanessa,” he said. “If I find out that you are crossing the line between my orders and your personal matters, it’s not going to end well for either of you. Especially not for her.”

She had suppressed a shiver as William let go of her arm.

Vanessa knew it was risky, but she didn’t want to stop. In fact, she couldn’t. It’s like she had become addicted to you.

Addicted to your smile, your humor, your voice.

She hadn’t even touched you yet, aside from the handshake on the first night she met you, and the occasional brush of hands when she handed you some food, or when you gave her a mug filled with coffee.

She loved to hear you rant about the books you read, even if she thought that reading was boring, especially the books you always chose to read.

“I’m telling you,” you said, “this has to have some truth to it!” You exclaimed, holding the book up, whose cover read “The Turn of the Screw.”

“What if ghosts do exist?” You continued. She rolled her eyes, slightly unamused by your interest in the supernatural.

She knew ghosts were real. The whole place was a proof of it. All the deaths, and the attacks, it was obvious what had provoked them, but she remained silent as you kept speaking.

“I mean,” you continued, “you know energy can’t be destroyed, right? And humans are energy. So what really happens to our energy when we die?”

You seemed fascinated by the concept of ghosts now. All thanks to that stupid book.

“Y/N, you can’t be serious,” Vanessa scoffed.

You rolled your eyes, “you just don’t get it.”

She sighed, shaking her head. “Yeah, that’s probably it.”

You grinned, “I could lend you the book if you want.” She chuckled.

“That won’t be necessary, believe me. I know enough thanks to what you have told me,” she smiled.

“Well, that sounds like you don’t like reading.”

She laughed, “Not all of us can be workbooks like you, you know?”

Your grin widened. “You just don’t appreciate the beauty of reading and analyzing.”

Vanessa hummed, and smirked, “that must be why I became a cop.” You groaned. “God, no. I thought you had forgotten about that.” She smiled.

“I never forget the things you tell me,” she said softly.

You smiled softly, blushing slightly while you looked down at your book. On the page you were left on you put the handkerchief, which you were now using as a separator, and closed the book.

“You know,” you spoke softly. “I know that might have sounded pretty mean. But I said it as a compliment.”

She met your gaze, “how so?”

You licked your lips. “Well, I could never be a cop. To be a cop you need to be brave, smart and caring. Reading is something I’ve always loved, that’s why I’m majoring in english literature, but you,” you paused. “You became a police officer to help people, something that has never crossed my mind.”

Vanessa swallowed, knowing that she wasn’t a real cop, and that she wasn’t pretending to help anyone but herself and her father.

“Your decision to pursue a career that allows you to help others doesn't compare to my futile decision to study literature because I like to read and be annoying.” You smiled at her again. “I could never be like you, and I admire you, honestly.”

She felt a little overcome with emotion, and completely filled with guilt. She swallowed her feelings down.

“Thank you. For your kind words.”

You grinned, “as long as I’m alive you’ll get to hear more kind words coming from me.”

One night, when Vanessa descended the staircase, carrying the bag with her fake belongings, William was waiting for her at the foot of the steps, leaning against the wall with his arms crossed.

He wore that look he always had when he was planning something, like a predator stalking its prey.

“Vanessa,” he began, his voice cold like ice, “where are you going?”

She swallowed, lifting the bag for her father to see, hoping he would deduce her intentions, but he merely arched an eyebrow. “I’m going to Freddy’s”, Vanessa said in a small voice, “to check on the night guard.”

She brushed past him, walking towards the garage.

“You’ve been checking on her an awful lot lately, hm?”

William trailed behind her, his pace slowly but his steps wide.

Vanessa didn’t turn to look at him. She opened the car’s trunk, throwing the bag inside, and just hummed in acknowledgement to her dad’s words.

“Is there a reason why?” William insisted.

Vanessa sighed. “No, dad. I just want to keep an eye on her,” she closed the trunk with more force than she intended to. “I’m just doing as you told me. I’m just doing what you entrusted me to do.”

He hummed, sounding more like the typical cartoon villain than an actual man.

“Remember what I told you, Vanessa.”

Vanessa didn’t answer, she just opened the driver’s side door, and got into the car.

Just as she was adjusting the mirror by her window, William grabbed her wrist tightly, and squeezed even tighter.

Vanessa groaned.

“I’m serious, Vanessa,” he leaned closer to her through the window, towering over his daughter. Vanessa felt herself shrinking on her seat.

"If I catch you spilling your guts to that filthy little friend of yours, I'll skin her alive, and you, dear daughter, I'll lock you up in the basement with the prototypes of animatronics I've been working on.”

Vanessa’s breath got caught in her throat. “Dad–” she tried to explain, but he just kept talking, squeezing her wrist harder.

“And I assure you, little girl,” William practically sneered, “this time those animatronics will serve their purpose if you dare come near them."

Finally, he let go of her wrist, or rather, he flung it away from him, and Vanessa's hand hit the mirror.

William walked away, slamming the door behind him as he left the room.

Vanessa sat there, still trembling, holding onto her hand, which hurt pretty bad. But she didn’t know what was worse, if the physical pain, the threats against you, or the threats against her.

When she had finally calmed down enough, she turned on the engine, and drove away.

Away from her father, and looking for you.

Your smile had disappeared, and turned instead into a frown as soon as you saw the state she was in.

A nervous mess, with tense shoulders, and a bruise starting to form on her wrist. Wide, alert eyes met yours instead of the usual bright eyes that typically greeted you.

You closed the door behind her, the atmosphere was so tense that it could have been cut with a knife.

“What’s wrong?”

“Nothing,” she sighed, leaning against one of the tables that were used for dinning back in the day.

You crossed the distance between you and her in two seconds, and delicately took her injured wrist.

“Then what is this?”

Vanessa’s pulse quickened. You were touching her.

Your skin felt so soft, so warm, and inviting. She suppressed a shiver as she swallowed dryly and looked away.

“That’s just,” she gestured with her other hand, “an occupational hazard.” “I've never seen you have one of these before," you murmured. “Does it hurt?” You asked as you poked the bruise lightly. Vanessa hissed.

“Shit–” you let go of her hand as if it burned you. “I’m so sorry–”

“It’s fine,” she cut you off. “I’m fine, really.” She ran a hand through her carefully arranged ponytailed hair. “That just… happens sometimes. Sometimes things just happen to you, and you can’t explain why.” She swallowed, “you never know if you did something to cause them, or if that is just how life works.” You opened your mouth to say something, but then closed it again.

“Come with me,” you said finally, walking towards your office.

She hesitated for a moment, but ultimately followed you.

Once inside, you took your backpack and began to search inside. After a few moments, you pulled out a cold juice can wrapped in the handkerchief from last time.

“I brought this because I wanted to give it to you,” you said after you saw Vanessa’s look of confusion. “But I have books in my backpack, I don’t want them to get wet.”

You unwrapped the handkerchief, which was now cold. With a subtle gesture, you extended your hand towards her, indicating for her to bring her wrist closer.

She complied. You took her wrist, wrapping the cold cloth around it.

“There,” you said, “that’ll help with the swelling.”

She took a deep breath, touched by the gesture.

“Thank you,” Vanessa said, meeting your gaze as she smiled softly.

“Anytime,” you replied, offering the juice can to her. “Besides, it matches your uniform.”

Vanessa smiled, taking the can from your hand. Her fingers brushed against yours, which caused a tingle to go down her spine.

Your smile widened, your eyes traveling to her injured wrist. “I hope it helps,” you gestured towards the piece of cloth wrapped around her wrist.

Vanessa nodded, pulling the tab from the can, and resting her lips on the cold surface of the lid. “It already feels better,” she admitted with a soft voice.

“Good,” you replied. You both stood there in silence, and Vanessa couldn’t help but notice that providing her with some comfort made you look strangely content.

“Have you seen the animatronics perform?” She asked suddenly.

You huffed a laugh. “Uh, no. Not really.”

She took a sip from the juice, “would you like to?”

You met her gaze, holding it for a second, and then you nodded.

When Vanessa woke up the next day, she lay in bed, mulling over everything that had happened the night before.

You giving her your handkerchief to help with the swelling of her wrist, the juice can, the animatronics' performance, the dancing, the way you rested your forehead against hers as you laughed after tripping over your own feet.

It felt surreal, to say the least.

When she finally decided to descend the stairs to find something to eat, her father was in the dining room reading the newspaper.

Their eyes met, but due to the fight from the night before, neither of them said anything and shortly after, William disappeared from her sight.

She was relieved, of course. A day without William meant a day without problems. No arguments, no empty threats, and no deathly stares.

Vanessa decided to just stay in and relax. It was true that she was glad William wasn’t around, but she didn’t want to upset him further by going out without permission. With her going out almost every night, deliberately disobeying him and lying to his face. She didn’t want to think about what could happen if he found out.

Hours passed and Vanessa was growing worried. Had something happened to him?

It was true that whenever they were together, Vanessa felt like she had to walk on eggshells, always being on edge. But he was her dad after all, wasn't he? Her only family.

After a while of pacing out in front of the door, Vanessa sat down.

She started dozing off, and just when the clock was about to strike midnight, the door opened, with a very calm William stepping inside.

Vanessa immediately jumped from her seat, rushing to him.

William gave her an exasperated look, but smiled to her nonetheless.

He unceremoniously walked to the kitchen, opening the fridge, and Vanessa trailed behind him.

“Dad?”

William ignored her, taking the carton of milk out of the fridge, and setting it on the table. He then turned to the cupboard, taking out a mug, and lastly, took out powdered coffee from the kitchen cabinet.

“Dad,” Vanessa insisted. What was his deal now? Was he going to ignore her until his anger had dissipated?

He turned around, turning on the hot water, and filling his cup, which was now full of coffee powder. He hummed a tune, one Vanessa could recognize from the songs the animatronics used to play, she clenched her fists.

“Father,” her patience was running out, her voice was more commanding this time.

William continued on his task, now pouring the milk after having dissolved the coffee with water. Then he took the sugar jar and opened it.

She hated him. She hated him so much.

She hated his smugness, his incredibly enormous ego, the total dismissal of her feelings, the threats, the fights, the screaming, the hits –

Her fists clenched until her knuckles turned white. What was his problem? All Vanessa had ever done was to please him, and when she displeased him just once, he preferred to be away all day and ignore her afterward.

“Look at me!” she all but growled.

William audibly sighed, taking a sip out of his drink. He put the mug on the counter, and finally acknowledged Vanessa’s presence.

“Tell me,” he said in a monotone voice, “are you going to visit your little friend today?”

Vanessa swallowed. “No, I’m not.”

William raised his eyebrows. “Oh, really? That’s surprising.”

Vanessa opened her mouth to answer, but he interrupted her with a low chuckle. “I mean, you were so eager to see her last night, weren’t you?”

She inhaled, trying to relax and push her uncomfort down. “Yes,” she said between her teeth. “But since it upset you, I’m not going to go check on her for at least a couple of days.”

William hummed.

“Is that satisfying enough for you, father?”

“Bah,” with a dismissive gesture, he waved off her words, turning his head to the side with disdain.

“Playing the “father” card with me, like you’re a little kid,” he murmured to himself. “I know what you’re doing,” he turned to her, closing the distance between them.

Vanessa recoiled, panic etching her face.

She tried walking away from him until her back hit the wall, and William finally cornered her.

“You think you’re so smart, huh?” He smiled condescendingly at her. “You think you’re so tough, so… lucky. One day reality it’s going to hit you, and you’ll realize you’re not worth any of the trouble you’re causing.”

He raised his hand towards her face.

Vanessa’s breath quickened. She felt as if all of the air in the room suddenly vanished. Her chest felt tight, her throat was dry and her eyes burned with unshed tears.

William gently stroked her cheek before slowly sliding his hand downward. He rested his hand around Vanessa’s neck, not squeezing, just to hold her in place, like a silent warning.

His voice was soft and calm, but incredibly supercilious. “The day will come, Vanessa. Just wait and see.”

After a week of radio silence, Vanessa couldn't take it anymore and went to look for you at work.

Something had changed. She didn't know what exactly, but you weren't the same.

You would barely face her, let alone look at her. You would avoid her touch, you wouldn't accept her offerings of food.

You didn't offer her coffee anymore.

Vanessa couldn't help but wonder if it was something she had done.

Every time she tried to mention it, you brushed it off like it wasn’t important.

“I’m just tired, that’s all,” or sometimes it was “I just had a rough day, don’t worry about it.”

You were lying, it was painfully obvious, and both of you were aware of it.

But why? What had happened?

Vanessa couldn’t help but roll around in bed every night, thinking, analyzing.

Whatever it was, she was determined to find out.

There was something else, too.

Her father had also changed his behavior.

He stopped asking where she was going. He also spent most of his time in the basement, working on his projects.

Vanessa honestly didn't mind as much, she felt better with him being out of sight most of the time.

That night, when she went downstairs ready to check on you at Freddy's, he was in the living room, reading the newspaper.

“How's your little friend?” He asked, not lifting his gaze.

“She's fine,” Vanessa answered, maybe more coldly than she should've.

William chuckled, amused, for some reason.

“I've been thinking about placing an ad in the newspaper to look for another security guard.”

“Another?” Vanessa frowned. “Are you going to fire her?”

William lifted his gaze, “you sometimes worry me, Vanessa.”

Vanessa was taken aback by this, but her father didn't elaborate.

She sighed, making her way to the garage.

Vanessa heard her father say, “have fun,” as she left the room.

She was inside Freddy's in no time. You had developed the habit of leaving the door unlocked, Vanessa knew she probably had to scold you for that, but she honestly couldn't care less.

Vanessa headed to your office, but something stopped her.

Was that the smell of…?

No, she interrupted her train of thought. No, it can't be, it's impossible.

“Is it, though?” A voice inside her head said.

She swallowed, turning around and heading to the storage room.

With her heart beating madly inside, she entered the room.

An incredibly strong and nauseating smell hit her.

Vanessa recognized the smell easily.

Putrefaction.

Death.

And there were you. Or rather, what was left of you.

Her heart was beating so fast that she was subconsciously afraid that her blood pressure would drop and she would faint.

Slowly, painfully so, she approached your body.

At first glance, and also thanks to the stench, she could tell this had happened days ago, if not weeks.

How?

You talked with her not too long ago, barely a couple of days had passed.

How? Who?

Vanessa could no longer stand, and her knees gave way.

How? Who? Why?

All she could do was stare at your decomposed body, the dry wounds, the rotten blood, the pale skin.

It was like seeing the kids again. All over again.

Before she could When he realized it, big tears were sliding down his cheeks and falling to the ground.

This couldn't be happening. Not to you, at least.

It didn't make any sense, one day she had you dancing in her arms, and now you were lying dead on the ground.

Why?

Could she have prevented this?

She never even get to tell you how she felt. She never got to tell you that she liked you.

Vanessa trembled, unable to stop crying. Was this a divine punishment?

Did God see all her atrocities and decided to take action against her?

She tried to brush away the tears, being too harsh.

It hurt. Everything hurt. From her eyes, to her head, and her heart.

Her chest felt tight, she couldn't breathe. No amount of trying was going to compensate for it.

You were dead. But she had seen you, hadn't she?

And that's when she heard footsteps behind her.

Vanessa snapped her head back, and lo and behold. You were there.

Vanessa choked, trying to say something, anything.

“You're gone,” was the first thing that came out of her mouth, barely audible over her sobs.

You nodded, softly.

She raised her voice, “why didn't you say anything?”

You just stared at her for a moment. “I don't know.”

“You don't know?” Vanessa stood up on her wobbly legs.

“It wasn't supposed to be like this,” you say.

Vanessa looks at your face after what felt like eternity. So that was why you would recoil from her touch. That was why you would never look at her, you would never let her look at you. It was disturbingly obvious now.

Your eyes were basically drained of life, hollow, empty.

She would have realized something was amiss if you hadn't taken all those precautions.

The tears kept falling.

“I'm sorry,” Vanessa breathed out with a broken voice.

You managed a smile that didn't quite reach your eyes. “Don't be. It wasn't your fault.”

She choked on her sobs, her cries getting louder.

“I don't understand,” she choked, “why are you still here?”

You (or rather, your ghost,) looked down, sighing. “I guess what they say it's true. You can't go if you have something pending.”

You approached her. "I guess I should tell you.”

Vanessa looked down at your corpse and then back at your ghost.

“Tell me.”

You sighed, smiling bittersweetly.

“Let me tell you something else first,” you began. “I still admire you for your decision to become a police officer. I know you think it's nothing. But not for me, because I know you'll help with the investigation. I know you'll report what happened here, and I'll finally get some peace.”

Vanessa swallowed. She wouldn't. She couldn't.

“Anyways, I…” you closed your eyes, and opened them again. “I'm ready to tell you.”

A beat passed.

“I like you, Vanessa.”

Numb. That's the only way she could describe it.

Her hands felt numb after dragging your body through the cold and burying it behind Freddy's, on the empty lot William had bought a few years ago.

Her heart was numb after your confession.

“I like you.”

It repeated over and over again inside her head, like a broken record.

I like you, I like you, I like you.

If only she could have said, “I like you too,” before your spectrum became nothing more than dust and memories.

If only she had said something before you were killed.

If only she had done anything at all.

She knew exactly who had done it. She couldn't pretend that she didn't see it anymore.

That night, coming home felt like a nightmare.

Vanessa had barged inside the basement, and screamed at him. At her father.

The one who had taken you away from her.

She screamed, and threw everything she could find at him. She cried, and cried, and cried.

And William remained impassive until he didn't.

Vanessa made the mistake of tearing William's work plans off the wall, and at that moment he finally saw red and revealed himself.

With an incredible amount of force, he grabbed Vanessa and pressed her against his desk.

“What do you think you're doing, you stupid creature? You think throwing a tantrum will bring her back? Do you forget who you are, and who I am?”

William basically spat the words out, Vanessa took a deep breath.

“Look at what you have become,” William narrowed his eyes as he said this.

With a trembling voice, Vanessa replied, “I am what you made me. I am your daughter.”

He growled, “you're unbearable. I want you out of my sight!”

William pushed her out of the basement, and locked himself inside.

A couple of days later, Vanessa was packing everything she owned, including the handkerchief you had given to her that one time, and leaving her dad's house. For good this time.

And a month after escaping her father's shadow, she was changing her last name from Afton to Shelly and enrolling in the police academy.

A/N: Well, that was a ride, wasn't it? Reblogs are appreciated.

#vanessa shelly #vanessa shelly x reader #fnaf #fnaf movie #elizabeth lail #william afton

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atlas-of-the-mind · 1 month ago

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The Light Room Masterpost

A long time coming, the official TLR AU masterpost is finally here!

Find Chapter One Here:

This post will be split into two parts: World/Story Lore and Character Lore, the latter of which will be focusing on our main characters. Reader beware, long post ahead.

World/Story

The Light Room AU is a horror fic centering around the DCA and a Fazbear Employee named M.C.. Sun and Moon are separate bots, originally made for the theater program before a tragic incident shut down the theater before it was ever finished. Sun was repurposed into the DCA, and Moon was completely scrapped, locked away in a tiny closet called The Light Room hidden inside one of the utility rooms in the Pizzaplex.

- Vanessa was the head engineer of the theater project before it got shut down. Her death is what caused the project to get scrapped.

- There's a secondary building beneath the Pizzaplex that no one is allowed to access.

- There's something in the Pizzaplex that causes guests(adults and children alike) to go missing, and for their families to forget they ever existed.

- Some parents are suspicious of the daycare because of the rumors that some kids don't come back. No parents who lose a child ever seem concerned until their neighbors ask, though.

- Things can follow you home.

- The Pizzaplex is entirely self sufficient at night by running off of large generators in the basement.

- Sun can only move in light levels of 500 Lumens and above. Below that, their joints lock completely.

- Moon, inversely, can only move in light levels below 600 Lumens. (He can sense light differences as low as 50 Lumens, though he can't actually see.)

- Both Sun and Moon were built to kill. Sun would lure people in, and Moon would lunge from the darkness. People are still drawn to Sun, for some reason... and people still tend to go missing around them. Strange...

Characters

Sun (he/they/she)

> The ever-energetic Daycare Attendant. He works on a very outdated CPU system, making them lag and stutter as they speak and making him easily overwhelmed by too much stress all at once. They're far from slow, though! Easily able to keep up with all the duties that come with their title. They log every guest that comes into the Daycare and he never forgets a face.

> Sun is incredibly self-sufficient and cool under stress (metaphorically). Originally built as a theater bot and the hero of that theater, the hasty wipe and reprogram left them with jumbled memories of their purpose and past, leaving them with lingering habits and a diva streak. She has a very black and white view of the world and doesn't believe in second chances.

> Personality: I am a dedicated caretaker, I have never known anything else.

> Bond: Virtue. I must do the right thing.

> Flaw: I am self-righteous and always the hero. Anyone who disagrees with me must be a villain.

> Song(s): Don't You Dare Forget the Sun(Get Scared), A Human's Touch(TWRP), Over & Over(Rio Romeo)

Moon (he/it)

> The monster in the closet. Built as the partner to Sun in the theater program, his unstable nature led to his own downfall, and the downfall of the theater program as a whole. He was scrapped, salvaged for parts and left to rot in his own personal prison, believed to be too dangerous and too unfinished to be easily repurposed.

> Moon is a mix of animal and child in his current unfinished state, working off of his limited senses and what little context he remembers. He's curious about the world and unaware of his strength.

> Personality: I am lost in the world and capable of terrible things. Best to move carefully.

> Bond: Connection. Maybe one day I'll be seen as more than just a monster.

> Flaw: Do not underestimate my wrath. It will be the last mistake you ever make.

> Song(s): Ruined Lullaby(CG5), You Can't Hide(CK9C), Let Me Through(CG5), No Strings(Skyfixing)

M.C. (~30, they/them)

> A Fazbear Service Tech trying to make a living. M.C. hasn't had the best life ever, being estranged from their family and handling their addictive/obsessive habits, but the life they have, and the life they want, is a quiet one. At least, it was.

> M.C. (Aka Miquella C[REDACTED]) is a robot enthusiast and mechanical engineer. They're pessimistic and struggle to stay connected to reality, but they're not antisocial; They give everyone the benefit of the doubt until proven otherwise. Or until they lose interest.

> There is no such thing as an evil robot.

> Personality: I don't want much. I keep my head down and only engage if I'm interested.

> Bond: Curiosity. I can't let something go if I don't know how it works.

> Flaw: I am blind to danger to myself. I don't matter much anyways.

> Song(s): NAPOLEON(Carter Vail), Half Past Three(Cosmo Sheldrake), All the Ways I Could Die (Arrows in Action)

Vincent (~28, he/him)

> Software engineer and employee of Fazbear Entertainment. He's notorious for his short fused temper, but his work usually speaks for itself. His hair is prematurely grey. Seems to run in the family.

> Vincent and MC are very close. He feels his emotions very loudly and very deeply, and is slow to come down from being wound up.

> Personality: I'm here to stay and do good work, and I'm dragging you along with me.

> Bond: Family. I will protect those I love. Even from themselves.

> Flaw: My anger often gets the better of me, and I say things I don't always mean.

> Song(s): Everyone's Dying(Roe Kapara), Devil Town(Cavetown), The Other Side of Paradise(Glass Animals)

Vanessa The Mimic/The Rabbit (she/it)

> I'm supposed to be dead. Though I suppose to be dead you have to have been alive to begin with. I vaguely remember living at some point... metal suits my needs much better than flesh, don't you agree?

> Personality: I know what I want, and there's nothing you can do to change my mind.

> Bond: Pursuit. Once I have marked my prey, I will stop at nothing to catch it.

> Flaw: I am beyond mortality. Nothing can kill me now, but you can certainly try.

> Song(s): She Doesn't Sleep(Anthony Amorim), Homonculus(Trickle & Tikaal), Final Girl(graveyardguy), Walla Walla(Glass Animals)

At some point I'll update refs and make a height chart of some kind, for now you get the main 3 of Sun, Moon, and MC

Sun and MC are about the same height at 6ft and 5'11", respectively, and Moon standing fully upright is 10ft tall. Vincent is slightly taller than MC at 6'2" and The Rabbit generally hangs around 5'4".

*MC is always wearing their glasses + mask. They also have extensive scarring which I'll draw at some point. Their scars are on: Right calf (major break), Left Forearm/hand (springlock failure, permanent metal bones under skin), lower back (claw marks), chest(claw marks), and top of thighs (SH).

There's also Gibbus, but he hasn't been written about yet:

Gibbus is a trickster menace who has very mean ideas about what a prank is, and likes to terrorize people when left unsupervised.

#art #artwork #my artwork #tlr au #digital art #the light room #fnaf au #fnaf sb au #dca au #this will probably get updated later #tlr masterpost #atlas speaks

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talkfastlibrary · 11 months ago

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A sneak peek to a Bradley fic I’ve been slowly working on for the last couple of months. I don’t want to post it until it’s completed but I’d love to know your thoughts!

It’s titled: Salt to the Sea

Bradley wakes at his usual time of four thirty, makes his coffee, adds going to the grocery store for some food to his laundry list of things to do and goes back out to fix the shutters. When he awoke, there was a notification from the dating app he used to meet Vanessa and sure enough, it was her asking if he’d like to get together again. His thumb hovered over the keyboard before he resolutely deleted the app.

It only causes trouble and he didn’t want to be known as the town’s player, especially the ballerina. He gathers his Bluetooth speaker and plays an old eighties playlist he made named after his dad. Hearing his favorite songs makes it feel like he’s with him.

He gets lost in his sanding until he feels alerted in his body that someone is behind him. He turns around and can’t believe his eyes but she’s there. The ballerina is on her bike wearing a pretty floral pink dress and reflective sunglasses. And she’s stopping her bike behind his Bronco, grabs something from her basket and steps off.

“Good morning,” she chirps, lifting her sunglasses up on her head.

Bradley gulps trying not to get lost in her eyes. They’re so big and blue.

“Morning,” he mumbles. He awkwardly sets his sander on the shutter.

“You’re the new guy in town, right?” she rests her hand on top of the thing in her hand. It’s something covered with a white towel.

“Yeah, I moved here at the beginning of the month. I’m Bradley.”

“Welcome to Doveport, Bradley,” she smiles and he swears his heart stops. “I brought you a blueberry pie, I hope you like blueberry?”

“Um, yeah, yeah I love blueberry. Um,” he goes to take the pie but then sees he still has his work gloves on. He removes them, wipes his hands on his jeans, then grabs the pie from her. Their pinkies brush in the slightest way. He wonders if she feels the electric spark like he does. “Thank you, that was nice of you.”

“You’re welcome. You’re cleaning up the place nicely,” she compliments, eying up the house. “I always thought hibiscus would look lovely against the pillars.”

Bradley curves his body towards the house and imagines the bright, colorful flowers in front of the porch. He remembers the varying oranges, pinks, yellows and purples of the hibiscus while he was in Hawaii.

“Yeah, they would actually,” he agrees. “They’d bring a nice Hawaiian tropic feel to the place.” He faces her again. “Um, I still have some fresh coffee inside. Would you like some?”

He’s choosing to ignore how many times he’s said ‘um’ while speaking with her and hopes she doesn’t notice.

She checks her watch on her left hand. It’s a dainty rose gold with a blush pink face, it winks at him in the light.

“I would but I don’t want to be late,” her tone is apologetic. When her big blue eyes meet his, he can see she truly is apologetic.

Then, he takes in her appearance. She’s wearing a pretty floral pink dress and a pair of nice white sandals. Her toes are painted pink and she has a few toe rings. Now, Bradley’s not saying he has a foot fetish, but he’s never seen cuter toes before.

“Where are you going, a wedding?”

“No,” she smiles. “Church. And I’m in with the babies this mornin’ but i wanted to properly welcome you to town on my way in.”

“Thank you. Apart from Walter and Shirley, this is the best welcome I’ve had.”

“Well, good. Would you like to accompany me? I attend the second service and that starts at 10:45.”

She stares up at him, dark blue eyes hopeful. He would love to accompany her anywhere in the world, but–

“Uhh, I’ve never really been to church before. Except for funerals.”

Too many funerals….

“Oh, that’s all right. The music is great and Pastor Wade always has funny puns. If you ever want to check it out, let me know.”

She heads back to her bike then Bradley remembers something.

“Hey, wait,” he takes a few steps towards her. “You didn’t tell me your name.”

A warm breeze lifts her hair, the sun shining gold in the auburn strands. It looks so soft and silky, Bradley won’t deny how he wants to see if it’s as soft as it looks.

“I’m Ophelia. Have a good Sunday, Bradley. Maybe I’ll see you later.”

She turns her bike around, climbs on, then pedals from his driveway onto the road. Bradley stares after her until she disappears around the trees. Her blueberry pie is still in his hand. The bottom of the pan is still warm.

“Ophelia,” he murmurs. He loves how her name sounds like a song.

#salt to the sea #bradley bradshaw #salt to the sea sneak peek

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atthecenterofeverything · 1 year ago

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idk. i think my main issue with my dark vanessa is that it did not go far enough. i found it compelling to want to elaborate a narrative of the imperfect csa victim, the victim who seeked it out, who wanted it, did not say no, saw it as a love story, was not a prepubescent child etc. but i think the author was so afraid of being accused of "romanticizing" teacher/student relationships that she felt obliged, two or three times throughout the book, to be like "oh and btw she definitely said no there! look how she pushed him away and he still fucks her! btw this is not consensual!" tbf to her i still saw reviews that were accusing her of glorifying abuse lol. i think this is at least 50% the fault of whoever the fuck wrote the back summary + chose the title and the cover picture cause it really makes it look like some twisted twilight fifty shades of grey dark forbidden love when the book is very much not that at all.

and like, i don't know what to tell you! sometimes a fifteen year old chases a thirty year old, and is the one to make all the first steps and begs for it and really wants it! and it's still abuse! it's still grooming! it's infinitely frustrating that narratives about grooming and relationships between teenagers and adults always feel the need to hammer onto your head that it's rape. what if the teenager had never said no? never thought it? never wanted the adult to back off? is it okay then? it even lead the book to some super super weird places where it turns out that the teacher got a vasectomy at 30 because he thought he wouldn't be able to control himself around his children (?) because why else would anyone get sterilized so early in life (???????)

it's like people who write about this always have the idea of the lurking pervert around the alleyway in their mind, even if they're not conscious of it, and are always pulling ideas from that trope, lest the character looks too much like a regular dude and you forget he's a child molester. i just wish it was possible to write a story where the teenager does all the chasing, where the adult would genuinely never have gone for a child younger than this, where you really see how awfully, terribly banal it all is, just a normal teenager, just a normal adult man, no magnetic personality, no supernatural charm. just an easy target.

#my dark vanessa #csa tw #rape tw #it's not a good book to be clear. but it really did have its moments and i've been thinking about it #the vasectomy plotline was batshit insane though.

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vilandel · 5 months ago

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Silver Cats & Black Roses

Chapter 24 – Rumours

A/N The title says it all... Our main girls with how they deal with stupid rumors 💙💜

Ao3 link

♣♣♣♣♣♣♣♣♣♣♣♣♣♣♣♣♣♣♣♣♣♣♣♣♣♣♣♣♣♣♣♣♣♣♣♣♣♣♣♣♣♣♣♣♣♣

“Vanessa, we’re supposed to get some supplies from the squad, not… this.”

“Noelle, this as you call it, is just a little extra trip.”

“But we Black Bulls don’t need lunchboxes! Don’t you remember what happened last time? I still don’t know how using those lunchboxes lead to make the toilets explode and honestly, I don’t wanna know? Anyway, you know that captain Yami had been so terribly mad at us, he gave us somehow a salary cut AND we weren’t allowed to use the bathroom for two weeks! We had to wash in a nearby stream and that during a rainy phase!”

“Who told you that those lunchboxes are for the Black Bulls?”

“We’re on duty to get supplies for the squad, so of course… Wait, those aren’t for the squad?”

Vanessa couldn’t help but laugh at Noelles confused face. Gosh, she was so adorable when she was confused. And so similar to her brother, even though Nozel wouldn’t babble and stutter in his confusion.

“Nope, they aren’t. Tell me, which one between those two looks more royal to you?”

“More royal… More royal… Wait, you mean you want one for my brother?”

Vanessa only smiled while feeling her cheeks heating up. That smile and that blush were everything Noelle needed as an answer. Her poor squadmate looked so stunned and was now blushing probably even more than Vanessa herself. Kinda ironic, but also so very typical for Noelle Silva.

The youngest Silva princess learned about Vanessa and Nozel like three days ago and she still wasn’t quite over the discovery. Not that Vanessa would blame her though, given the position they had when Noelle barged in.

But despite the fact that she still needed some time to get used to it, Noelle was already one of the best supporters any couple could ask for. Even though it was still hilariously when brother and sister had to talk about the relationship. Okay, it was hilarious for Vanessa, while it was awkward for Nozel and Noelle.

Hopefully they could get over it soon.

“I hesitate with a silver grey, a dark blue or purple. Maybe white too, but that colour gets dirty so easily. Or maybe I should choose two colours for him. What do you think, sweetie?”

“I don’t know… Why do you even think that Nozel might need a lunchbox?”

“Oh, Noelle, don’t you know that your sweet older brother practically lived for maintaining your mothers legacy since she passed away and had practically no free time since he became captain of the Silver Eagles? Gosh, he even skipped meals, never delegated, rarely took any breaks and took so much overtime to finish everything he considered important. Which was… well, practically every work he had on his plate. It’s been better since he started to spend time with me, but he still cares so much about his squad and given what some corrupt knights are doing… A lunchbox is good for him on many levels. To have a proper meal during a day of work, to have short break from his work, to just relax and take a break once in a while. And to learn step by step to take care of himself. Nozel can be too selfless for his own good, putting everything on himself so that others won’t be burdened. And goodness, he’s too kind hearted to ask for something in return and to brag about his actions.”

“Oh… that explains a lot about him. Vanessa, somehow I have the feeling that you know my brother better than anyone.”

“I’m not so sure about that. You know him well too and you never stopped to learn new things about your brother. Nebra also seems to know more than she claims, I bet his vice-captain is aware of a lot as well and your Vermillion aunt surely has her own knowledge about him, since she knew him since he was a cute wee baby boy.”

Vanessa put two lunchboxes she inspected back and continued, “Before you ask, yes, if I haven’t seen him so vulnerable back in Spade, maybe I probably would have never start to wish to know him better that much. I can’t be sure. But I’m happy it went that way, even though I haven’t expected it.”

She heard Noelle hummed, probably thinking about what she just said.

“Vanessa…”

“What is it, sweetie?”

“I thought a lot since I saw you… with Nozel… and I realized something. Finral and I always were desperate when you push away all topics of nobility and how it works like it’s not important. But since we came back from Spade, it’s like you’re taking those things more seriously.”

“I think I do… I still think that most of those things are stupid and not necessary at all. But interacting with Nozel made me realized that all this stuff still have more importance and influence than it should have. And Nozel is in the middle of it, given his position. I know that I have to fight to spent the rest of my life with him and if I don’t know how the system of nobility or royalty works, I won’t be able to fight.”

“I can’t believe that Finral and me tried so long to make you understand all those things without any success, only for you to learn it on your own because you fell in love with Nozel!”

“Oh, it didn’t start when I fell in love with Nozel, but when I began to care for him… Which was probably in Spade.”

Noelle only nodded. She was often thoughtful since she found out about them. But Vanessa knew that her squadmate wasn’t against the relationship. Her thinking so much meant the same thing for her brother. Noelle cared and was already supportive.

“Vanessa… when did you fell in love with my brother?”

“I can’t tell when exactly. I don’t know if I fell so quickly that I haven’t realized Nozel was in my heart. Or if it went slowly, step by step. When I realized that I love him, I was already in the middle of it.”

Vanessa took another box from the shelf and this one actually was fitting for Nozel in her eyes.

It was made of steel – just like lady Aciers magic – and had patterns of feathers and paws on it. The lid was covered by the pattern of a griffin, in an old style.

The box maybe wasn’t royal style, but it was still elegant. So, she took that box, paid for it and left the shop with Noelle, who took a closer look at the lunchbox.

“A griffin? You know, that animal is actually fitting for your relationship.”

“How so?”

“Well, a griffin is the mix of an eagle and a feline, like a cat. Eagles are Nozels kind of animals and even though you’re a Black Bull, you always had a soft spot for cats. So, a griffin is basically a mix of both your favourite animals.”

Vanessa haven’t thought about that, but she liked that idea. If relationships would have each their own blazon, the griffin might have been ended up on their own.

She smiled at that thought, which actually made Noelle smiled.

“You really are taking care of my brother a lot.”

“Of course I do. He also takes care of me. Why do you think I started to get drunk more rarely? Oh, and Nozel also likes to brush my hair and he’s so fantastic doing it. And he also reads to me.”

“He reads to you?”

“Yes. I know that for some it might not sound really exciting, but for me it’s boyfriend material.”

They walked along the street where lady Aciers favourite café was, as well as the shop of Soie Velours. While peeking in, Vanessa saw there were a lot of customers in there.

“I have to say, as much as this ball is a pain given what’s really behind it, it’s not a bad thing for everyone. At least not for Soie Velours and her workers.”

“You really like the mission we’ve got from the modiste, am I right?”

“You know me, Noelle. Sewing and any kind of needlework is my hobby, not to mention that I have thread magic. Witnessing first-hand how those gorgeous gowns are created is like a dream coming true for me!”

“At least, you’re happy about it. I’m not so sure myself… But maybe it’s because Nebra and you were right about my fashion sense, so I’m a bit intimidated since my first day.”

“Don’t worry, sweetie, it’s not that bad. Speaking of Nebra, how are the things going on with your ball dress?”

Noelle sighed and somehow, it sounded frustrated and irritated at the same time. Vanessa couldn’t help but giggle.

“Honestly, I can’t tell if it’s worse when I’m with Nebra alone or when we discuss about it with Soie Velours. I feel lost with all those technical fashion terms, all those different shades of colours and the name of the dresses. But at the same time, both my sister and the modiste are always asking me what I prefer, what kind of fabric I would like. My opinion matters to them and it’s something I appreciate, especially coming from Nebra. At least, we have at least decided that my dress shall be either blue, silver or pink. Either one of this colours or two of them. Soie Velours also suggested that all three was also easily possible. But which exact shades still need to be decided and if I chose more than one colour, it needs to be choose which colour shall be more present or if both or all three need to be equal on the dress. Heavens, I had no idea that fashion could be so complicated!”

“At least, you have already decided a lot for your dress. And Nebras gown, do you talk about it too?”

“Of course we do. She already decided that her dress should be black, which is honestly a surprise.”

“Why? You Silvas would look so good in black and Nebra realized that. But we have to admit, she has the best fashion sense out of you four.”

“I know, thanks for reminding me,” Noelle replied with a pout. “But still, she never ever, ever wear black before, so why now? And she also mentioned that she wanted some patterns or embroideries on her dress, either in scarlet red or a very strong blue. It’s only those colours she mentions, no others. She still doesn’t know what exact patterns she wants, but she is determined to have them in one of those two colours. It seems so capital for Nebra and I don’t even know why!”

“Maybe she’s in love?”

“I don’t think so. Nebra complaints a lot and feels bothered by so many people, look how she always bickers with Zora. Maybe she just was also fed up with the nobles and chooses black as a way to tell them to screw themselves.”

Knowing Nebra, that might be true. But Vanessa still couldn’t let go of the feeling that the other Silva princess might be in love as well…

“But enough talking about my gown or Nebras, have YOU decided for your ball dress? Nozel made you an account at Soie Velours shop, imagine what you can choose!”

“I want a metallic purple as main colour. Just like your brothers eyes. But I still not sure if I want to keep it in one colour or if I should have some patterns as well. If, then probably in silver or white, another shade of purple or pink, any shades of blue, maybe even some spot of grey here and there…”

“But those are…”

“Practically the Silva colours? I know. I didn’t chose those colours just for the sake of it.”

Noelle just looked at her, a mix of surprise and affection in her magenta eyes. Vanessa smiled at her and taking her arm, both Black Bull girls continued to walk down the streets in the warm light of a late afternoon.

It was a good day and it wasn’t even over yet. Vanessa had the firm intention to fly to the Silva palace later to give Nozel the lunchbox. Hopefully he would like it, but Vanessa wasn’t too concerned about that. He always gave so much thoughts in every gift and gesture for her, it was just normal she did the same.

They practically had everything they needed for their squad supplies, except for the toilet paper, a very important point for Yami. But Noelle and Vanessa still had time and wanted to enjoy some more free time they got.

Sadly, the happy feeling didn’t last long. Not for away in front of the two Black Bull girls was a group of noble ladies. Vanessa sighed silently. Since she heard the argument between the so-called top candidates for the position as Nozels future wife, she might understand even more about the world of nobility, but she rather wanted to avoid encounters with noble girls who had their eyes set on Nozel. Spending too much time in their presence and she might ending up slapping those bitches.

She only knew two nobles from that group. Athénaïs Vitrail, the noble considered perfect for royalty, and her younger sister Rosette, who was apparently the only one in this group to be annoyed by the conversation.

But just as Vanessa was about to lead Noelle down another path, she heard some parts of the talk… and she didn’t like what she was hearing.

“Are you sure, Athénaïs?” one of the ladies asked with excitement.

“Well, it can only be rumours,” Rosette replied with the most neutral voice Vanessa ever heard.

“Usually, I’ll agree,” Athénaïs said with fake humility. “But the source is from Lac Silva in person, so for once, there is some truth in those gossip.”

Lac Silva? Oh no… Vanessa feared the worst.

“So it’s true?” another noble asked with a gasp. “Nozel Silva has the intention to get betrothed during the Three Leaves Glory ball?”

Vanessa heard Noelle gasp. But she couldn’t move, those words had frozen her.

Those were just rumours, of course they were! Nozel hadn’t mentioned anything about wanting to find a future spouse during the upcoming ball and Vanessa trusted him enough to know that he wouldn’t have hidden something like that to her. Nothing that could have lead him to such a decision had happened lately and Vanessa was now able to read behind his mask. He knew he could never hide anything from her.

The name of Lac Silva had fallen. Vanessa had only saw him one time, but what she heard from him that day and what Nozel has told her were enough.

He had something to do with this. Was this another strategy to make his son yield, knowing that nobles would believe him blindly?

Why did lady Acier never cheated on him with a decent man and got all her four children from her lover?

“Aren’t lord Nozel and lord Lac rather distant with each other?” Rosette asked dubitatively.

“That might be true, my sweet little sister. But this is just gossip and we all know how much gossip tends to exaggerate,” Athénaïs replied with a superior smile. “And we all know who’s going to be the future lady Silva.”

“Of course it’s going to you, Athénaïs. Still not fair, I already called dips on him!”

“I understand your pain, Donatella. How can I blame you? Nozel Silva is the perfect royal catch, after all.”

“Prudence Évantail is also considered a good candidate for him, though.”

“You’re very right, Rosette. Prudence is one serious rival I have to consider. But I have something she doesn’t. I’m naturally made to be a royal and I have the virtues to save a royal house from falling apart. It is my Fate to marry Nozel Silva.”

Fate.

Vanessa clenched her fists. She knew way more about Fate than Athénaïs Vitrail and she could talk from experience that Fate wasn’t a piece of cake. It was more than marry a royal. Even with Rouge, Vanessa couldn’t change Fate entirely.

How dare that woman talk about Nozel like that? How dare she considered herself practically already married or betrothed to him? How dare she be so sure that Nozel has the intention to get engaged during the ball?

How dare Athénaïs thought that she was the one to marry Nozel, out of all people?

Vanessa haven’t realized that she has started to move towards the group until Noelle hold her back with the arm. Her squadmate had a mix of emotions dancing in her magenta eyes. Anger, incomprehension, a bit of fear… She was certainly also holding back herself.

And despite how much Vanessa was hating that fact, it was probably better that they hold themselves back. What consequences would it have for them both, for the Black Bulls and for Nozel as Head of house Silva, to give those noble ladies some painful lesson, especially to Athénaïs?

The other ladies were actually starting to congratulate Athénaïs who smiled with fake humility, as if she was already officially betrothed to Nozel, and to cry a bit, because Nozel practically already taken. Okay, the last part was actually true, but not in the way the nobles believed it.

The only one of those noble ladies who wasn’t joining the congratulations was Athénaïs’ own sister, Rosette. Thin and pale as she was, wearing a simple and very, very pale grey dress, she was almost invisible within those colourful dressed ladies, especially standing to her shining sister. But Vanessa saw her and so, she was aware of Rosette rolling her eyes and softly shaking her head.

Vanessa didn’t know her at all, but given how she reacted the two times she saw her, she decided to like Rosette.

It was at this moment that the pale girl actually discovered them standing nearby. Rosette looked like surprised to see the two Black Bulls here. But only for one second.

Rosette quickly made a gesture, making it clear to Noelle and Vanessa to not engage the conversation, and another one that suggested that they should better fly away. She was even pointing into the direction of the three royal castles.

Okay, the last part was a bit confusing for Vanessa, but she had no time to question it. She thanked Rosette quietly with a nod, then took Noelles hand and moved away a bit.

“V-Vanessa… Do you think…”

“No, Noelle. Nozel has nothing to do with those rumours. You heard how your father was mentioned, right? He definitely has something to do with this. Probably to make Nozel yield one way or another.”

“He has no right to do that! Right? I mean, he’s a widowed royal since my mother died, so he has no power anymore… At least he shouldn’t have, normally? It had been the case for my grandmother, but she wasn’t kicked out of the Silvas as well, just like him. I can’t really tell, that marital system can be so confusing on certain parts.”

“It is confusing. But trust me, if it had been only up to Nozel, your father wouldn’t wear the Silva name anymore. There’s too much of a shift between them from the start.”

“How do you know that? And… I thought for a long time that I was the only one to have a bad bond with our father, even though I’ve only seen him four of five times in my life. But then Nebra told me how he tried to teach her politics and manipulation when she was like eight or nine against her will, until mother had to intervene. And that Solid got nothing but scolding from him. And why does it seem like it’s Nozel our father hates the most out of us four?”

“You can ask Nozel this one day, I’m sure he’ll be relieved to tell you everything, even if it’s not pretty. But right now, we have to go to the Silva Palace. I have the feeling that Nozel might need people to be there for him.”

It was the same feeling she had when she met Lac Silva for the first time. The same feeling that made her stay nearby, hearing Lac Silva talk so horribly to his son, and that had made her follow Nozel to the Silva palace, into his room, leading to their first kiss and to their first time sleeping together.

What she heard was another reason to find to world of royalty and nobility really scary. But Vanessa would a bad girlfriend and a coward if she left Nozel alone right now, letting her fear being stronger than her love.

When they were far enough from the group of nobles, Vanessa placed Noelle and herself on her broom, with their bags of supplies, and flew as fast as she could to the three royal castles.

Vanessa never entered through the main gate of the Silva Palace. She never needed to and since her relationship with Nozel was a secret one, she only knew his room, entering through the balcony.

It was quite a new thing to her and despite walking firmly through it, she was quite unsure of what to do next. Just for that already, it was good to have Noelle at her side.

A butler greeted them very politely, maybe a bit stiff. But it was probably normal for butlers, Vanessa just had no idea.

She probably would get more familiar with everything of palace life once she’s married to Nozel.

Did she really just thought that so easily? And why wasn’t she surprised she had that thought in the first place? It was still a bit too early to think about that!

And maybe not that much.

“Good afternoon, Baxter,” Noelle said calmly, despite being obviously nervous. “This is Vanessa Enoteca, one of my squadmates, she’s with me. Is my brother Nozel at the palace at the moment?”

After welcoming them and even bowing to them – no one ever bowed to Vanessa and she found the sensation quite nice – Baxter told them, “Lord Nozel is in the parlor, lady Noelle. He is in a discussion with lord Lac and lady Océane right now, so I don’t know if he can be able to have a talk with you immediately.”

“It doesn’t matter, actually it concerns us as well,” Noelle replied simply, before pulling Vanessa towards the direction of the parlor, probably. If Baxter was actually surprised that a witch has seemingly affairs with house Silva in way, he didn’t show it at all. Was this a butler or servant thing in general?

Anyways, Vanessa was so relieved that Nozel wasn’t facing his father alone right now. Thank goodness his aunt was right there with him.

They reached the parlor quickly, but stopped in front of the door. Vanessa and Noelle were able to hear the voices very clearly.

And what now? Should they just enter? Wait until the storm went away?

Vanessa cursed herself that they haven’t thought more specifically about what they would do. Typical Black Bull behaviour. They were able to get away with it rather easily, sometimes to Finrals despair. But in this case, Vanessa wished they could have thought this trough, even though they probably didn’t any time for doing exactly that.

“You had no right to do that!” This was Nozel. Never had Vanessa heard him so angry ever before.

Neither did Noelle, given the shock she got hearing her brother talk like that.

“Actually, I have. Not officially, maybe, but certainly more than you, son.” That cold voice could only belong to Lac Silva. Why couldn’t he have a horrible, screeching voice instead of that deep and soft tone? It would fit him so much better.

“Don’t try to use sentences that could have multiple meanings behind, Lac. You know very well, that this doesn’t work on Nozel and me.” This was the voice of a woman, Océane Vermillion.

“My dear sister-in-law, as you might-“

“Please don’t call your dear sister-in-law. We both know that I never had a reason to consider you a brother. And you never considered any of us as your family.”

“But you have to admit that the future of house Silva is still pretty important to me.”

“Only when it fits your goals!” Nozel replied, still calm but it sounded almost like a yell. “You never cared about the prosperity of house Silva itself, but your own, and you used our family as stepping stones. And you still continue to do that! Why else would you spread rumours about me having the intention to get betrothed at the Three Leaves Glory ball? My wedding would be another step towards your goal!”

“Don’t generalize, son. Your wedding with the appropriate bride would be beneficial. Ladies like Prudence Évantail or Athénaïs Vitrail are the perfect candidates.”

“As your accomplices or as your unaware marionettes?”

Ugh, that was bold. If the situation wouldn’t have been so serious, Vanessa might have snickered.

“You’re still thinking about your bedwarmer witch, son? Well, you can have it as your mistress if you absolutely don’t want to lose your toy, but honestly, why even bother with a mistress that won’t bring you anything advantageous? Not to mention that your future wife wouldn’t be happy to cheated on with a witch. Even a commoner or a peasant girl would be more acceptable.”

“Vanessa is not my toy nor my mistress! I forbid you to talk about her that way!”

“Besides, Lac… I don’t think all your cheating affairs should be excused because you gain political and powerful schemes from them. I know you never cared about my sister and that your affairs have broken her heart even when she haven’t realized it.”

“Why torture yourself with the past when it’s only the future you should actually take into consideration? Nothing will bring Acier back. Besides, Nozel, it’s not like you have a choice, if you want to give some more time for your siblings to get married. Cause all the tantrum you want, but I will win in the end. Unlike me, you haven’t an immaculate reputation as a royal. I know how you are, son. You always put everything and everyone before yourself. Trust me, an arranged marriage won’t change anything about that. You might have Océanes support, but what can she reach compared to me? Once the ball is there, you won’t have any other choice than to follow your way, like any royal will. I would have leave in peace if you would have taken your duties seriously from the start instead of trying to grieve for your mother. Don’t look at me like that, you know it’s true. A marriage with the best, most perfect candidate possible is the only way for you to make amends for your mistakes and the ones of your siblings. Now, before Océane throws a vase at me, I better take my leave. Don’t worry, I won’t bother your personally anymore until the ball. And I still leave you the choice of your future spouse, otherwise I wouldn’t have sent you a list. I have two others for Nebra and Noelle, the one for Solid isn’t finished yet. But given his impossible behaviour, we all agree that Solid can wait.”

The next moment the door of the parlor opened… and Lac almost fell upon Noelle. Vanessa was still hidden behind the door, she wasn’t seen. Maybe thankfully, but if she hadn’t been frozen after what she just heard, she would have immediately kick his ass of that man who dared to be the father of the Silva siblings.

“Oh, Noelle. I have no idea you would come at the palace today. Don’t tell me you were eavesdropping, it’s unfitting of a royal.”

“No… I just got here.”

“Good. Seems that Nozels terrible choice of sending you to this misfit squads didn’t make you lose your manners. I would love to chat with you a bit to catch up the lost time, but sadly I have no time to lose right now. You might receive a certain list from me these days. Be sure to handle this better than your brother. Goodbye.”

And he left, without any other word and thankfully, without seeing Vanessa. Noelle entered immediately, calling for Nozel.

Vanessa took a quick peek into the room called parlor. It was a room with silvery white walls, couches and armchairs in shades of blue and purple, some small tables, probably for games or tea services while waiting. Framed paintings were on the walls, presenting either landscapes or portraits of people, probably Silva ancestors.

Nozel stood in the middle of the room, looking paler than normal, which immediately worried Vanessa. But he was hugging Noelle, who hold him so close as if she tried to carry him and bring him out of here. That sight alone was already comforting.

A woman, wearing a navy blue dress and a dark red cape with some fur at the end stood next to them. It must be Océane Vermillion, mother of Kirsch and Mimosa.

She looked rather young, despite being probably rather close to fifty. Vanessa was taken aback by the similar traits she shared with Noelle. But the difference was still here, as she also shared traits with her daughter. Her silver hair was also a bit curlier, almost like waves, her eyes were blue just like Solid and she had a proud way to stand that reminded her of Nozel.

Vanessa took a deep breath to give herself some courage and entered the parlor, closing the door behind her.

“Vanessa?”

She could hear the relief and the surprise in Nozels voice, when he finally looked up.

He looked so angry, sad, disgusted and almost desperate, but the relief of not being alone this time was in his eyes. He still looked so handsome in her books.

They couldn’t take their eyes from each other, despite the presence of Noelle and Océane.

Nozels and Noelles aunt just looked at them blankly for a moment, before a slight smile appeared on her lips.

“Noelle? I think your brother and his beloved need a moment alone. How about we’ll have some tea and cakes in the Silva Flower Garden? Our lovebirds will join us later on, we’ll have a lot to discuss.”

“But… Nozel…”

“Is not alone anymore, don’t worry.”

Aunt and niece quickly left the parlor. Just as the door fell behind them, Vanessa practically jumped in Nozels arms.

“Vanessa, I’m sorry, I-“

“Nozel, don’t apologize. It’s not your fault. I KNOW that those are just rumours, despite how many would believe them. I know YOU, not the image nobles have of you. I blame your father, not you.”

She heard Nozel sigh, holding her closer, caressing her hair. Vanessa swore she melted in his arms. Her worries were still present, but his hold soothed her heart, helping her to calm down better, to have a clearer view.

“Given that your father is behind those rumours and that someone like Athénaïs is making some self-publicity thanks to them, I guess it will make things difficult for you during that ball.”

“Lac was smart. He gave those rumours those kind of importance that it would be irritating if I don’t get betrothed.”

“Isn’t that risky for you?”

“Probably. But it’s better than losing you.”

His voice was soft and still determined saying those words. Vanessa couldn’t help but smile. She was already aware, but it was still relieving to have the confirmation that Nozel has no intention to yield to his father.

“What will we do now?”

“I… I’m sorry, Vanessa. But I have no idea.”

“You’re still nervous because of your talk with your… I mean, with Lac. I don’t blame you for that.”

“It’s just… I’m so used to plan steps forward and not being able to do that… to be in uncertainty… I hate this feeling.”

“But you’re not alone now.”

“I know… My aunt told me that she might have some plans to fight against my father’s schemes. She has some power, but it’s hidden. Lac underestimating Océane is actually one of her weapons.”

“You see? We have a powerful ally to help us. How about we join your auntie and your baby sister now?”

“Can’t I have a kiss first?”

Vanessa couldn’t help but giggle. Oh, how adorable he sounded with that little pout in his voice. Of course she kissed him. Deeply, her arms around his neck, a hand in his thick, soft hair. His hands hold her hips firmly as he leaned into the kiss, caressing her lips slightly with his tongue.

The kiss was lasted long, comforting both of them and giving them some courage to face their future hurdles. It wouldn’t be easy, but she hasn’t steadily fallen in love with the captains of the Silver Eagles since their talk in Spade to back off because of some stupid fear. Vanessa loved Nozel, she refused to let him alone against adversity.

When Nozel and Vanessa left the parlor, they hold their hands firmly, not bothered if anyone unaware of their secret would see them.

Vanessa wondered if this was actually the start of getting out of secrecy. She hoped so. As exciting a secret love was, it could be draining with all those hurdles and more importantly, Nozel needed to be free from secrets more than anyone.

Océane and Noelle were already sitting in the flower garden, under a small white belvedere covered with pink and white roses, as well as some bright green fern. Vanessa never had seen so many flowers of all kind altogether and now she understood why the Silvas were so fluent in flower language. It was such a gorgeous place.

Any kinds of cakes were on the belvedere table, as well as a sky blue tea service made out of porcelain, with a pattern of pale pink roses and bright green leaves.

Océane looked up as they joined her and Noelle. Smiling brightly, she immediately asked, “So, can I finally have a proper introduction of my future niece-in-law?

♣♣♣

“Oh, look Charlotte, aren’t those exquisite? How about you wear this pale blue dress with the lemon yellow flower appliqués for the ball? Oh, and look at this dark blue gown, the silver embroidery looks like a starry sky? And this one marine one with the crystals and the pearls, oh gosh, you would look like a mermaid wearing this!”

“Well, the shape of this dress is called mermaid, lady Josephine.”

Charlotte smiled, but she was sure that it was at least a bit drained. She would have preferred to follow her duties as a Magic Knight or as a captain right now, or even better, spending time with Yami, be it sensual or just cuddly. Instead, she had some free time and had to accompany her young cousin Josephine who absolutely wanted to have her input on their potential ball dresses. And now, she was with her cousin, doing just that in the private salon the Roselei were renting within the shop of Soie Velours.

Thankfully, only her mother was with them. Charlotte had no idea if she would have been able to bear it if any of her many aunts or cousins would have come to Soie Velours’ shop as well. Especially her damn aunt Rosamund, who became bolder and bolder each day about the possible wedding with Reginald Évantail.

Charlotte started to believe that Rosamund might something fishy in mind concerning about making her niece the sixth wife of lord Reginald. She always sounded as if this man was the only one candidate to become Charlottes husband.

Maybe she was just imagining things. But still, Charlotte couldn’t help but feel that something might be of her aunt Rosamund and the potential match with Reginald Évantail?

Why was she even thinking potential? The only one she wanted to marry and spend the rest of her life with was Yami Sukehiro, the man she loved since practically over a decade. Sure, he was a foreigner, the captain of the squad with the worst reputation in the kingdom and house Roselei might have a collective heart attack if she marries him.

But they didn’t know him like she did and her duty as a noble lady was just ridiculous compared to her duty as a squad captain. Charlotte loved Yami and even though he haven’t told her those three precious words yet, she knew that he loved her back. What other reasons did she need to marry him?

Not to mention that they had her mother’s blessing, she didn’t need more from her house.

Charlotte turned towards her mother, who was sitting on an armchair behind her, smiling at her with compassion while holding a book, probably one of those Finral Vaude or Gauche Adlai lent her.

It was amazing how quick Orchidea bonded with the Black Bulls and not only with Luck, who was practically her son at this point. All of them were always happy when she came for a visit and since she always stayed long enough for a meal, which made her officially one of Charmys favourite people. Practically each one of the Bulls called her auntie Dea. Except Luck who called her mama and Yami, for which Orchidea mostly now were Blue Rose Mama.

Knowing the man she loved, Charlotte was certain that this was his way to show her affection for Orchidea. She even never heard him say one harsh word against her and he never tried to scare her in any way. He wasn’t like that with Finesse Vaude either, which made Charlotte wonder if Yami was just trying to be gentle with people who weren’t his knights nor other Magic Knights or captains. Or maybe this was just another proof that he had a big heart under his harsh behaviour.

Charlotte liked to think it was the second.

How could she not love this man?

Besides, Charlotte was also happy that her relationship was so much better and closer since Orchidea told her about her past. She was still a bit sad that they hadn’t been close before. But like Yami said to comfort her, in some cases it was better late than never.

Charlotte was grateful that her mother was present. She highly doubted she could have been able to be left alone with her younger cousin, even though Josephine was naïve and really harmless.

“Come on, Charlotte, which one would you choose?”

“I don’t know, Josephine. I’m not that much of a fashion specialist. I meant that with no offence, madam Velours.”

“Oh, lady Charlotte, I’m not offended. Not everyone has fashion sense and that’s why me nephew, my workers or myself are here, to help you to find the perfect dress, with the perfect colours and the perfect shape that it suits in a mesmerizing way and it’s also comfortable to wear for you. Trust me, there can be nothing worse than a most beautiful ball gown that is terribly uncomfortable. Such kind of dresses can spoil your whole fun. And at least, you admit it, lady Charlotte. I know too many of my customers who are too proud to admit this kind of ignorance and then, I have much difficulties to make them understand that this shape or this colour wouldn’t suit them at all.”

“You hear the modiste, cousin, let’s just trust her, and me, and aunt Orchidea with your dress. Blue is your colour, right? You might choose one of the blue gowns.”

True, blue was her colour. In many, many ways. Not only because of her squad or her curse that made the roses of her magic blue. As much as she can remember, she always wore blue most of the time. Of course almost anyone would assume that she would wear a blue dress for the ball.

But as much as she loved this colour and as much all the blue gowns she saw already were indeed wonderful, somehow Charlotte had the feeling that blue shouldn’t be the colour she should wear at this mischievous ball.

“If I may give a suggestion,” Orchidea suddenly said, standing up and putting her book back in her lady’s bag. “After everything this kingdom went through since two years, maybe this ball is the perfect opportunity to dare a change. Like wearing a gown that isn’t the usual style.”

“Oh, do you have an idea already for yourself, lady Orchidea?” Soie Velours asked with a knowing smirk.

“Indeed, I have. Let’s see what we got here… This grey silk, the darker tone and a bit of the paler one, so that it looks like clouds. Clouds of a thunderstorm. And patterns in a very bright blue, like the colour of lightning.”

Charlotte hold her chuckle back. It was fairly obvious who her mother wanted to honour with a dress like that. It was another way to show everyone that Luck was now her son.

Soie Velours nodded, appreciating the idea, like the true modiste she was. “Daring indeed, lady Orchidea. But honestly, it is an excellent idea. Shall I sew a dress for you inspired by a thunderstorm?”

“Oh, yes please!”

“Good, than we have excellent ideas for your gown.”

The modiste was now scribbling something in a notebook. Or was it more like a sketchbook?

Josephine Roselei looked at her aunt with big surprised eyes. “That’s indeed bold coming from you, aunt Orchidea. You never dare to change your style of green and floral patterns. Why a thunderstorm out of all things?”

“Oh, it’s a personal thing. I keep it a secret for now.”

Orchidea and Charlotte shared a knowing glance, trying a lot to not burst into laughter. Within house Roselei, Luck was their little secret.

Josephine only nodded, already having her attention on something else.

“Oh, aunt Josephine, I know you’re taking a short break from noble circles lately, but I heard something really interesting today. Apparently, lord Nozel has the intention to get betrothed during the Three Leaves Glory ball.”

“Oh, really?” Orchidea asked, more politely than really interested. “Be careful with those rumours, dear niece, usually they’re not even true. Remember how everyone firmly believed that lady Mereoleona would get betrothed to someone in Diamond and in truth, she just wanted to train in the woods?”

“I know, but it seems that lord Lac Silva himself confirmed it and he can be trusted in these kinds of things, given how rarely he’s gossiping himself.”

Orchidea went stiff when the name of Lac Silva fell and Charlotte immediately got to her to take her hand.

Her mother might be healing, but Lac Silva was still a difficult topic to her. No wonder, after what he did to her years ago. If he hadn’t been Nozels father and if he hadn’t been such a power house within nobility, Charlotte would have loved to make him pay. But the consequences might be too important to risk it.

Soie Velours looked over at mother and daughter with a surprised, blinking glance, but Josephine hadn’t realized the sudden tension of her aunt, of course.

“People are saying that lord Nozel would either marry Prudence Évantail or Athénaïs Vitrail. But that is a point I don’t really believe. I mean, he put lady Noelle into the Black Bulls, so I’m thinking that he might have a really surprising choice about his future wife as well.”

“Could be like him,” Charlotte replied, rather cautious. “Nozel is very secretive about his private life, so we might be surprised about his choice.”

“Exactly what I’m saying. People are also speculating about lord Fuegoleon and Lital Lys. Most still don’t want to believe that he would marry someone who is apparently a legitimated bastard. But we all know that since the three dances at the royal wedding, it’s only a matter of time before they get married. Oh, there were rumours about you too, Charlotte.”

Now, it was Orchideas turn to hold Charlottes hand in comfort.

“Rumours about many suitors apparently. Lord Aquarius Seashell, but not everyone is betting on him to be your future husband. And of course, aunt Rosamund swears that you and lord Reginald Évantail the first are going to get married before the end of the year. But I think that just her being delusional, even though a lot of people believe that you will marry an Évantail. Or a royal, but that’s-“

“Josephine, how about we discuss what you want for a ball gown? You did mention something about green and pink or autumn shades.”

Orchidea practically pushed Josephine towards the fabric samples, but not without giving Charlotte secretly a communication device.

“Call, Yami. Just talk to him or ask him to join you later today. But please, get the comfort you absolutely need in this situation.”

Did her mother already planned that or was it just her quick thinking? It seems that she has everything planned concerning anything with Yami.

Still, Charlotte didn’t hesitate and called for the Black Bulls. It wasn’t the first time that she would talk to Yami for seeking some comfort. And that was something her mother learned very quickly, it seems.

“Who dares to call me while I’m taking a dump? Do you have a death wish or what? How about a dimension slash to hell and back or-”

Typical Yami. Despite how unease and tense the news of those rumours had made her, this behaviour of his had something so soothing and recomforting at this point of their relationship.

“Yami? It’s me, Charlotte.”

“Prickly Queen? I take my threat back! What’s going on? And why are ya whispering in the com’?”

“I’m not alone right now. And… I heard something that made me quite unease.”

“Who shall I beat up?”

“No one. At least, for now. But… Can we see each other later today? Preferably soon, I really need to see you.”

“Give me ten minutes to finish with my dump, then I’ll fly to your base and wait for ya in yer room. Sounds good?”

“Sounds perfect. See you later.”

Charlotte put her device back in her mothers bag. That was something to look forward to and she really needed Yami after that. His kisses, his love, his whole presence, everything.

Thinking about her beloved suddenly gave her an idea.

“You know what, mother? Your idea about dare something for the ball is actually excellent. I’ll do that to.”

“So, I might guess it won’t be any blue for you after all, lady Charlotte?”

“Yes, madam Velours. I still don’t know about the shape yet, but I want a black dress. With a bit of gold added to it, but black shall be the main colour. And… how about we add some roses to it? Black roses.”

Josephine squealed because she loved the idea of such a dress, while Soie Velours complimented Charlotte and told her that she had fashion sense after all.

As for Orchidea… she gave her daughter a knowing smile and an approving nod. Of course her mother understood immediately who she had in mind while having the idea for her dress.

Charlotte calmed down a bit. I wouldn’t be easy dealing with those rumours. But having her mother’s full support and the perspective of spending the evening AND the night with Yami was already so helpful.

If only she would find enough strength to came over those hurdles. With Yami, because Charlotte refused to face adversity without him.

#Black Clover #Black Clover Fanfiction #Silver Cats & Black Roses #My Writing ☘️♣️#Vanessa Enoteca #Nozel Silva #Charlotte Roselei #Yami Sukehiro #Nozessa #Yamichar #Nozel x Vanessa #Black Clover OC #Orchidea Roselei #Océane Vermillion #Noelle Silva #Athénaïs Vitrail #Rosette Vitrail #Soie Velours #What is more of a pain between rumors and nobles

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indiekidsau · 2 years ago

Text

Chap. 14-An Influence Unexpected

Hi everyone! Are you ready for some Dadtcher?

Big thanks to my best friend and beta reader @gigilefache for coming up with the title for this chapter! Also give them another round of applause for being my beta reader!

Enjoy!

~~~~~

It had been raining hard all day. All outdoor school activities were canceled. Bow Kid was watching the rain trickle down the window and got worried about walking back home to her spaceship. She turned to look at Hat Kid who was chatting with Timmy and Evan about a cartoon they’d been into.

“Psst…Hattie,” Bow Kid whispered, “Hattie!”

Hat Kid turned around to face her sister.“What is it Bow?”

“Aren’t you worried about the rain?” Bow Kid asked.

Hat Kid looked out the window and saw that the rain was coming down. However, she didn’t seem to mind. “We’ll be fine, Bow. Don’t worry.” She told her sister. Bow sighed knowing how strong the rain was and how far it was to their ship.

The bell rang suddenly. Everyone gathered their stuff and rushed out the door.

“Have a nice weekend class! See you all Monday morning!” Lucas beamed. Once his class left he sighed, finally able to relax. Looking at the clock he decided he’d go home too and work from the comfort of his own room.

Lucas gathered all his stuff, put on his dark purple jacket, shut off the classroom lights, and left. As he walked out of the school he saw Hat and Bow cross the forest path. Ever since the two girls helped him since his panic attack towards Vanessa he knew the girls lived in the forest in their spaceship. He felt concerned about them going home in the terrible weather conditions. Looking around he saw most of the kids heading home and decided to check up on Hat and Bow if they made it home safely.

Hat and Bow ran through the rain in hopes to get to their ship before things got worse. However, they didn’t realize how slippery and muddy this route got during the rain. Suddenly, Bow slipped and fell on the mud, it stained her jacket a grimy color.

“Bow! Are you okay?” Hat Kid asked, helping her sister up.

“I’m fine.” Bow Kid replied. Hat Kid tried to help Bow up, but in turn, she fell as well with how slippery the mud is. “I told you I was worried about getting home.” Bow pouted.

“Don’t worry Bow we’ll make it.” Hat Kid reassured her sister. “We’re almost there.” She and Bow got up and kept on running only to feel the earth beneath their feet sinking into the mud. They struggled to pick their feet up, but it was hard as the ground was mucky. Even when they were able to take another step it felt as though the ground was pulling them under.

“Need help?” A masculine voice asked. The girls looked up to see their teacher holding his hand out for them to reach. Bow didn’t hesitate as she grabbed Lucas’s hand and he pulled her from the mud. “Hat?”

Hat Kid looked up and while she was stubborn to keep going she sighed as she took her teacher’s hand as he pulled her from the mud too. “Thank you.” She said, not looking at him.

“You’re welcome,” Lucas replied. “Are you two alright?” He asked.

“We're fine.” Hat Kid answered, crossing her arms. “Why were you following us?” She asked.

Lucas looked up seeing the clouds and the rain pouring down in his face. “With how the weather has been today. I got worried about you two making it home.” He explained. Lucas then looked at the rest of the path the two alien girls had to go through and looked at the girls. “You sure you two can make it the rest of the way there?” He asked.

“We can make it back fine,” Hat Kid replied.

“Are you sure?” Lucas asked. “It’ll be dangerous if you guys keep on walking.”

“We’ve been through worse before.” Hat Kid stated. “Come on Bow.” She was about to walk on the muddy road again, but Lucas grabbed Hat Kid’s hand before she decided to walk toward danger. “Hey! What gives?”

“Look, I’m inviting you two to stay at my apartment for the night to get away from the rain,” Lucas said.

Bow Kid gave a smile. “Really?” She asked. Lucas nodded. Bow looked at Hat Kid with a smile, but the latter shook her head.

“It would feel weird staying the night at a teacher’s place,” Hat Kid told Bow. “So I say we find another path and get home.”

“Please Hat? Just for tonight?” Bow Kid asked. “My feet hurt from slipping earlier.” She said with sad pleading eyes.

Hat knew when Bow was making an excuse so she could agree. She was good at finding ways for Hat Kid to get on her side.

Hat Kid gave a frustrated sigh. “Fine, we’ll go! Only because I know you were lying about your feet hurting and we can go on forever till I believe you!”

Bow Kid cheered and jumped up and down before almost slipping on the wet ground. Luckily, Lucas was there to grab her before she could fall again. “I got ya kiddo.” He said. Bow smiled and the three walked back to the main road and back to the school to Lucas’s car.

Hat Kid sat in the back seat, while Bow sat up in front. Lucas started the car and they drove to his apartment nice and slowly. When the three made it to Lucas’s apartment, they took the elevator to the 3rd floor. Once they made it up and walked to room 3-010, Lucas grabbed his keys from his bag and unlocked the door. “Welcome to my place,” he announced.

The apartment was big, but also incredibly messy. Lucas’s clothes were scattered on the couches and chairs, and books and papers were on tables and less on the shelves.

“You live like this?” Hat Kid asked.

“Hey you live in a spaceship with pillows, toys, and weird machinery. I don’t question how you live,” Lucas replied.

Hat Kid opened her mouth, but she couldn’t think of a good response to a comeback like that. “Well played Mr. Prince. Well played.”

Mr. Prince smirked. He walked to the coffee table and gathered most of his belongings. “I should mention I don’t get a lot of people to visit me. Don’t worry. I’ll do a little cleaning up if it makes you happy.” He told them.

“Oooh, I can help!” Bow Kid beamed as she dropped her backpack and went over to the table and picked up a few of the books littered on it.

“Thank you, Bow.” Mr. Prince replied. “Hat, do you want to help?” He asked.

Hat Kid looked at some of the stuff and shrugged. “Why not.” Hat Kid said. She put her bag next to Bow’s before helping to clean up. Once everything was put away Hat and Bow collapsed on Lucas’s couch and turned on the TV.

Seeing the girls relaxed after that long hour of cleanup, Lucas decided to surprise the girls with something sweet. Opening up the cabinets he grabbed cocoa powder and milk, deciding to make the three hot chocolate. Pouring the milk into a pot he let it warm up as he put spoonfuls of cocoa powder into the cups.

Once the milk was warm, Lucas poured the milk into the cups and mixed the cocoa before topping it with whip cream and chocolate sprinkles. He put the cups on the tray, bringing the tray over to the girls. “Would you two like some Hot Chocolate?” He asked.

“Yes please!” Hat and Bow exclaimed at the same time. The two girls grabbed their cups and took a sip of the hot chocolate which tasted sweet and good. Lucas smiled and took a sip out of hot chocolate too. He then heard giggles coming from the girls and looked at them. “What’s so funny?” He asked.

“You have whip cream on your lips!” Bow Kid giggled.

“Like Mu’s mustache!” Hat Kid laughed.

Lucas grabbed his phone and changed the picture to selfie mode to see his whip cream mustache and laughed. However, his laugh was really loud which caused the girls to flinch in fear. Lucas stopped laughing and blushed in embarrassment. “Sorry, I've been told my laugh sounds evil. Can't imagine why, I think it's normal.”

“Honestly, it’s not bad. It gives you more character than just some boring teacher.” Hat Kid said.

Lucas chuckled. “You think I’m boring?” He asked.

Hat Kid shrugged, “Not really. You just teach a boring subject.”

“History is not that boring!” Lucas defended.

“To me it is,” Hat replied, drinking more of her hot chocolate.

Lucas chuckled and rolled his eyes. He took a sip of his hot chocolate.

“I don’t think it’s that boring!” Bow exclaimed.

The teacher smiled in response. “Thank you, Bow!” Lucas beamed. “You’ll get extra credit in next Friday’s test!”

Hat Kid almost choked on her hot chocolate, “Wait what? No fair!”

“Maybe I’ll give you extra credit when you respect me,” Lucas replied.

Hat Kid glared as she continued to drink her hot chocolate. Lucas continued to drink as he smirked at the child.

Lucas's gaze drifted over to the rain. It was starting to let up. However, it still was too dangerous to take the girls home. He looked at the girls who were drawing and watching cartoons.

He decided to check the fridge and see if there was something to make for dinner. There wasn’t anything other than items to make a sandwich, but Lucas was hoping to make something special for the girls.

“Hey, girls!” Lucas shouted.

“Yeah!” Hat Kid and Bow Kid shouted at the same time.

“Would you like me to order some pizza?” Lucas asked.

The girls looked at each other with a smile. “Pizza sounds good! I’ve been wanting more pizza since Mu, Kel, and Aubrey took us to get some a month ago!” Hat Kid exclaimed.

Lucas chuckled. “Well glad I asked. I'm gonna order cheese and pepperoni. Is that alright?”

The girls nodded. “Pepperoni for me!” Hat Kid exclaimed.

“I like both.” Bow Kid added.

Lucas smiled and dialed the number for a local pizza place not far from his apartment. For a bit of surprise, he added some cheese breadsticks on the side.

It took about 10 minutes but the pizza arrived hot and fresh. Lucas tipped the delivery man and put the pizza on the kitchen table. Once he did, Lucas grabbed some paper plates and laid them out. “Girls, pizza's here!” Lucas yelled.

Hat and Bow stopped what they were doing and sat down at the kitchen table. Lucas opened up the boxes of pizza and the two girls took two slices. “Hey, Mr. Prince. What’s in the small box?” Bow Kid asked.

Lucas smiled and opened the small box presenting the cheese sticks. Hat and Bow’s eyes widened in surprise seeing the breadsticks. “Take one,” Lucas said. However, instead of taking one they took two as well and started to feast on the cheesy goodness. Lucas smiled and took a piece of the cheese bread before taking a bite. “Hey, I got an idea?”

“What is it?” Hat Kid asked in between bites of her pizza.

“How about we watch a movie while we eat,” Lucas suggested.

Hat Kid and Bow Kid looked at each other with a smile. “That sounds like an amazing idea!” Bow Kid exclaimed.

“I’ll find a movie and let’s head to the living room,” Lucas commanded. Hat and Bow smiled and grabbed their plates before heading back to the living room. Lucas went to his streaming app and turned on a family movie that the girls would love.

The girls enjoyed the movie laughing and even crying when the main character’s best friend died but was brought back to life. Lucas smiled seeing the kids enjoy the movie as it was one of his favorites growing up.

Once the movie ended, Lucas saw it had finally stopped raining, and still it was too risky to take the girls home and he decided to let them stay the night. He shut off the TV and went over to grab a blanket and a few extra pillows and laid them on the couch.

“Alright, it’s getting late! You two need your rest and I’ll take you home tomorrow morning.” Lucas told them.

Hat and Bow nodded and removed their accessories before lying down on the couch with the blankets wrapped around them. “Night! Mr. Prince. Thank you for everything.” Bow Kid whispered before letting out a yawn and closing her eyes.

“Yeah. Thank you.” Hat Kid added as she closed her eyes.

Lucas smiled. “Anytime.” He said. Once he saw the girls were fast asleep. He quickly went to his room and shut the door. “Alright. Now time for business.” He whispered. Lucas went to his desk and grabbed the book and turned it to the page he last read.

The book itself was about how to break curses and he was looking for the specific spell that would break his curse. After going through the book and finding nothing he picked up another book and went through that one. He glossed through books for almost two hours before he heard the door open. Lucas stopped what he was doing and turned to see Hat Kid, wide awake.

“Oh, kiddo! Why are you still up?” Lucas asked.

“Couldn’t sleep.” Hat Kid replied. “Can I stay here and talk?”

“Sure,” Lucas answered.

Hat Kid crawled up on Lucas’s bed and looked over to see all the books lying on his desk. “Guessing you're finding out how to break that curse, huh?”

Lucas sighed. “I’ve been trying to find a cure or something for me to control it.” He explained. “But none of these books have what I’m looking for!”

Hat Kid frowned, feeling bad for her teacher. She didn’t know how to comfort him because how can you say everything is alright or cheer up anyone in this situation? “Sorry.” Hat Kid apologized. Lucas turned to Hat Kid, “I would say something to cheer you up, but I can’t.”

Lucas got up from his chair and went over to the young girl. “Hey. Hey, it’s alright.” He shushed her. “It’s not your fault, in fact, you talking with me helps a little.”

“Really?” Hat Kid asked.

Lucas nodded. “Really.”

Hat Kid sniffles feeling like she was about to cry. Lucas then ruffled her hair. “To thank you. I will give you that extra credit on next Friday’s test.”

Hat Kid gasped and in reply, she tackled Lucas into a hug causing him to fall. “Thank you! Thank you!” She cheered.

Lucas chuckled. “No problem.” He said. Hat Kid giggled before letting out a yawn. Lucas gave a smile and picked up the young girl. “Tired now, huh?”

Hat Kid nodded. Lucas then walked back to the couch and laid Hat Kid down and put the blanket over her. “Mr. Prince.” Hat Kid said.

“What do you need kiddo?” Lucas asked.

“Is this how parents treat kids? We never had parents. Ours left us at a young age so we never experienced something like this, but I heard about it in stories and from the other kids who got to meet their parents.” Hat Kid asked.

Lucas stopped and frowned. He didn’t know how to respond to such a question. Peck, wasn’t sure if Hat Kid was half asleep and was just saying things on a whim. “If anytime you or Bow feel lonely you're welcome to stay the night at my place.”

Hat Kid smiled and laid back down. “Thank you.” With that Hat Kid closed her eyes and fell asleep. Lucas smiled and turned off the lights before going back to his room.

While reading Lucas saw his hands starting to change. With a sigh he just accepted it, closed the book, and waited for the rest of the transformation to happen.

At 7:30 in the morning, Bow was the first to wake up. She saw light appearing from the window and opened it to see all the clouds had disappeared and it was a bright sunny day.

The sunlight flashed in Hat Kid’s eyes causing her to wake up. “Is it daylight already?” She groaned.

“Yep! And it’s a clear blue sky day!” Bow Kid beamed.

Those words got Hat Kid up from the couch and looked out the window herself. The two girls smiled and went over to get Lucas. “Mr. Prince! Mr. Prince!” They repeated. They opened the door to his room only to see him in his ghostly form asleep. The two looked at each other with a frown on their face and closed the door.

“Come on, Bow,” Hat Kid said. She grabbed her hat and backpack and was ready to go out the door.

“Wait, Hat!” Bow Kid shouted. Hat Kid paused as she saw Bow go back to the coffee table and find a piece of paper and a pen. Once she found them, she started to handwrite a note for their teacher. Hat Kid walked over and saw what Bow was writing, when the latter was done she handed Hat Kid the paper. “Your turn to sign.”

Hat Kid read through the note and soon she signed it with her signature before putting the note on the table where Lucas could find it before leaving the apartment and locking the door.

A few hours passed, and Lucas was now back in his regular form but at the cost of his clothes and hair being messy and frizzy. He let out a yawn and stretched, feeling his back crack. “Ah!” He shouted. “Great.”

Lucas got out of bed knowing he had to take the girls back home. Once he got out of the room he saw the girls gone, but a note was left on the table.

Good morning Mr. Prince!

Thank you for everything! That was fun! I hope we can do it again sometime! If we do, can we invite the rest of our class like Sunny, Aubrey, and Mu I’m sure they’ll love it! Anyways enjoy your weekend!

Bow Kid and Hat Kid!

P.S.: Thanks for the talk, Mr. Prince! I enjoyed it.- H.K

Lucas smiled glad he was able to make it special for two little girls.

~~~~

Fun Fact: I wrote most of this while during my trip to Disneyland! I need something to do when the lines are long or waiting for a parade or fireworks.

#indie kids #a hat in time #hat kid #bow kid #ahit the prince #LOTS of Dadtcher for this chapter #Dadtcher

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theflavorofmyautismisspicy · 10 months ago

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Here’s some songs I’ve assigned to some of the dwk animated series characters

Leon

Afraid-The Neighborhood

Abandonment issues, especially the fear of being replaced and the fear of your friends secretly hating you…this song was made for him

Ravistettava ennen käyttöä-Apulanta

It’s a Finnish rock song about a guy who thinks there’s something wrong with him and tries to cope with it with reckless and pessimistic behavior so yeah fits him in general

Vanessa

Word Up!-Korn

This just fits her personality since it’s about being unapologetically yourself and not caring about others judging you

(The original version is made by Cameo but I think Korn’s cover of it fits her more)

I Hate My Mom-GRLwood

Pretty self explanatory, mommy issues and and having to face misogyny

Jojo

Duvet-bôa

To quote the anonymous person who send me their assigned Jojo song,

“mental illness. not much else to say”

All though I will add this song would probably specifically fit his life around the time when his mom got send to the hospital since the feeling of being so lost

Thank You Mom-Good Charlotte

Pretty self explanatory, his relationship with his mom even if times weren’t always easy

Deniz

Bitter Choco Decoration-Syudou

Perhaps a bit extreme but it fits his character before the series and even during it, especially at the beginning. Like his masking, identity crisis and trying to be like what other people, especially his dad, always wanted him to be

I’m A Marionette-Ghost

Same theme, however especially his relationship with his dad before the series and at the beginning of it and like the loneliness it’s implied he experienced at that time

Damn I just assigned extreme angst to Deniz. Uuhh good luck next time? I’ll assign something happier then

Markus

Hell Above-Pierce the Veil

Fits his struggles at home through the series and how soccer and his team are his escape from it

The Hand That Feeds-Nine Inch Nails

This just kinda fits the whole “the politicians suck a lot and his dad is working directly with them” struggle he has to navigate through

Raban

How Soon Is Now?-t.A.T.u

This just fits his loser boy (I mean that in the most positive way) personality since it’s about insecurity, feeling isolated and the need to be accepted and loved

Life Itself-Glass Animals

Again fits his personality, like his tendency to keep on trying and stay positive even if others don’t appreciate that

Marlon

I Want My Tears Back-Nightwish

Ah yes angst, Marlon probably had to take responsibility pretty early on his life due to his family situation and now he can mourn the things he lost when having to grow up too fast

Carpe Diem-Joker Out

Fits his personality, he is genuinely a kind person who sees good in others so song about rejecting hate and just having fun with those close to you should fit

(Also it’s in Slovenian but I also included a few Finnish songs and a Japanese one so yeah, language barriers be damned)

Willi

Sunday Morning-The Velvet Underground

Some depression from the 60s, feeling all the years that you’ve wasted hit you during a Saturday-Sunday night, it was pretty much made for him

Tahroja paperilla-Eppu Normaali

A Finnish rock song about a guy reminiscing about their past but also acknowledging that moving forward doesn’t make those experiences any less meaningful. I’d say coaching the team has given him happiness and also some closure with his past so yeah it fits that

Mr Theumer

As Your Father I Expressly Forbid It-Lemon Demon

Honestly the title is pretty self explanatory but not understanding how to bond with your child, criticizing their interests and acting antagonistically towards them is pretty on brand for him

Natasha

Valley of the Dolls-Marina

This fits her just in general, parental issues and only really showing a fake identity to other people

The team as a whole

(Just kinda throwing these here since I’ve already mentioned them in some post)

Kids In The Dark-All Time Low

Mama-My Chemical Romance

Kryptonite-3 Doors Down

Teenagers-My Chemical Romance

Immortals-Fall Out Boy

Party At The End Of The World-My Chemical Romance

Willi’s old team

The Kids from Yesterday-My Chemical Romance

That’s it for now👍👍

#big thanks to everyone who has send me their assigned dwk character songs #appreciated those a lot #ignore the fact that I repeated the same wording so many times #ignore also how overly long this is #die wilden kerle animated series #dwk animated series #dwk deniz #dwk jojo #dwk vanessa #dwk markus #dwk leon #dwk raban #dwk marlon #dwk natasha #dwk willi

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clunelover · 11 months ago

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Okay wow, My Dark Vanessa is so intense, and I’m glad it was recommended to me. It is definitely a darker (ha) version of some stuff I was working through in some recent writing. (Oh and I did finally get to where you find out that the title comes from Pale Fire - so maybe a lot of people know that, but I haven’t read that and did not know).

I had a teacher in high school who I had a mega crush on. He was younger and very funny and IMO hot. I was on the rowing team, and I knew he was a rower too. It’s a small community, so I heard from other team members that he used to be a coach for my team, IIRC when he was just getting out of college. He got together with a girl on the team. It was a whole big thing, he got fired and everyone was very upset, except for the girl’s parents who didn’t think it was that big a deal (I’m thinking like, 17 and 22. That realm). I don’t have much opinion on that. I know they’re married and have kids. I see him around town sometimes. He brings one of his kids to watch roller derby and my sister does that.

I was very dorky and weird in hs. I had this misguided notion that since this teacher had hooked up with a younger girl at one point (btw I did know he was still with her, maybe engaged, at this time), that maybe I had a chance with him. I stalked him and found all kinds of reasons to hang out late after class and was overall very cringey.

I found out he lived right by school so I would also stop by his house, often with my high school BFF who also had a crush on him, albeit less intense I think. He one time did invite us in, and showed us the “all your base are belong to us” video on YouTube.

At some point, I said something mean to him in class and then we had a 1:1 meeting to discuss it and he said I had hurt his feelings - somehow then we ended up discussing the fact that my dad was in the hospital with some then-mysterious issue that was causing his respiratory system to shut down…I was all messed up from it and acting out. I think the teacher also had something going on with his dad, maybe he had recently died. He quoted some Dar Williams lyrics to me? (More cringe - although I did, and still do, love her, it’s just not a normal thing for a teacher to do!) This made me feel like we were bonding and had some kind of connection.

I definitely don’t think he was ever attracted to me, and nothing happened. However, with the benefit of age I’m now like “wtf was he doing having us come in to his house, and having that emo talk with me?” It definitely did not help matters re: my crush. I remember being on winter break and visiting family in Washington not long after, and just feeling this LONGING for him. I was miserable. Ugh.

Anyway. As to my story - I did this cool writing exercise that was called “shape shifting the autobiographical.” It was a multi step thing where you start with an anecdote about something interesting that happened to you. I picked a time when bff and I got pirate costumes and drove to his house and talked to him like pirates (yes…) and it was very dumb but also very funny to us and fun to reminisce about. We got the idea because the pirates of the carribean movie had just come out, and the ad campaign included these banner ads online that just said “PIRATES!” And we thought that was so weird and funny.

For the next step of the exercise, you retell it from a different POV. I picked his wife. Then you change the time period, so I moved it to present day. Then you write it in a whole other style, like a letter or something - I chose a r/AITA post in which she wonders whether she’s the asshole for being upset with how her husband is handling these students with a crush - with lots of edits and updates as the stalking and her distress escalate (at this point, it veered into fiction, I think she was maybe annoyed by us but not distressed, and I wrote the stalking much worse than in real life). Then you change the genre so I tried to make it more like horror.

Anyway, I think I was trying to get at this idea of a woman who got together with her husband in a dubious age gap/power differential situation, but doesn’t think much about it, until she sees him maybe almost crossing lines with girls who are the same age as she was when it happened, and she sees how much they are just children, and she was a child too, and that realization is the horror in the story. I doubt the real life wife actually feels that way (I mean, I’d have no idea obv), but it was an interesting idea to play with. I also really liked the AITA form cause so many of those letters take the tone of “my male partner is basically a monster…is it possible that it is in fact my fault?” and that’s a fun thing to play with too.

I’m realizing now that I didn’t quite get deep enough into that theme (ahem, why that editor I sent it to said it seemed surface level). And it’s kind of a bummer* but also good to see it done much better (and pushed much further/an actual Wrong relationship is part of it) in this book.

*bummer as in, it always kind of sucks to read something you wish you could write. But is also inspiring and interesting.

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catholic-character-tournament · 2 years ago

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Round 2 - Resurrect Bracket (Losers Bracket) Side B

ashes to ashes, dust to dust; in sure and certain hope of the Resurrection to [make it to the finals]

Propaganda below ⬇️

Luis

real funny little guy I was introduced to him through seeing a shirtless mod that made several already somewhat queer scenes with him even more queer lol. also he dies so sadly and asking Leon (the protagonist) if he turned his life around which is both very catholic flavored and very depressing

Okay so i marked yes because the wiki says he was raised catholic but i can't find a source on that so here is what i for sure know: He does the sign of the cross with his gun when you play as him in the mercenaries mode and a major part of his character was that he grew up in an extremely backwater part of Spain. The head of the village when he lived there had the title of Father so thats Probably Catholic. A side novel released with the game about the village describes the village head as a priest and everyone in the village attending church on Sunday as well.

this guy drives me nuts for a variety of reasons including same age as my mom (not now but the game is set in 2004 so he would be now) he's very goofy and silly in a pretty scary kind of game, he eats floor three times in his second cutscene, and he has an extremely emotional and touching death scene (yeah he dies and im not over it). Also in the OG version of the game the protagonist literally never pronounces his name right even as he is dying (he dies in the original too yeah) so he deserves a break.

Vanessa

Despite her supernatural abilities & such that many people would label her as a sorceress, the series actually establishes that Vanessa, despite her darkness, is in fact Catholic. In fact,according to series creator John Logan in an interview with Variety Magazine discussing the ending of Penny Dreadful, he outright states that the series at its core is about Vanessa’s struggle with faith & doing the right thing, which is something that every Catholic (& even other religions as well) go through at some point before either returning to or turning away from the faith. In Logan’s own words: “This is a show about Vanessa Ives and her struggle with faith — how one woman grapples with God and the Devil.” The television show features on many occasions Vanessa & her Catholicism: her backstory with her childhood makes it very clear that her family was devoutly Catholic, an episode in Season 1 features Vanessa receiving an exorcism from Ethan with a Saint Jude pendant & Latin chanting that begs for divine intervention, Season 2 illustrates Vanessa losing her faith in God due to her guilt, & eventually *SPOILERS* Season 3 ends with Vanessa receiving redemption & her faith in God restored, as Ethan shoots her after saying the Lord’s prayer, saving her & the world from evil. John Logan discusses this redemption of Vanessa in the above mentioned interview. In his own words: “…she’s a character desperately in need of peace, & the mortal realm was not going to give it to her. The options were the realm of the Devil or the realm of God. Her way to achieve apotheosis, to achieve God, was to die and go to Heaven, and find the peace of the grave. That seems appropriate to the tone of the show. What I find remarkable about the ending is that she gets what she wants, which is to die & go to Heaven & be with God.” In other words, the creator of the show outright confirmed that despite her many struggles with faith, Vanessa found redemption & got to join God in Heaven. *SPOILERS* Long story short, it’s a story about a Catholic woman’s struggle with faith, but ultimately finding her way back & being saved.

#cct polls #tumblr tournament #tumblr bracket #tumblr polls #Luis Serra Navarro #resident evil #polls #r2losers #Vanessa Ives #Penny Dreadful

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sparklingandtwinkling · 2 months ago

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Star☆Twinkle Pretty Cure Origin Story

💫🩷⭐️💫🩵🌌💫🧡☀️💫💜🌕💫💙🌈💫🛸👽🦄💫

On Vanessa’s wedding day to Diabolos, she was very happy so stray magic was floating all around the place. As the newlyweds shared their first kiss, thirteen balls of light were released from Vanessa's magic. Because this was the first time Vanssa’s stray magic had been really powerful, she took it as a symbol of their union and didn't give it much thought.

The thirteen balls of light floated away and wandered into a room with each birthstone cut in half, making twenty-four gem halves. Twelve of the thirteen balls of light absorbed two of the halves. The thirteenth ball noticed a snake slithering into the room and floated over to it before absorbing it too. The thirteen balls of light then formed a circle in the air over the stone table previously holding the gem halves before turning gray and falling to the table. That night Vanessa found them and grew confused, what had happened to her gem halves and what were these gray balls? She walked over to pick one up but the minute she touched it, they all glowed again and she felt a surge of power coming from them. Uncertain of what to do with the mysterious balls of light, Vanessa stored them in her workshop in a bubble.

16,390 years later, in 1890 BCE, Vanessa had forgotten about the light balls, that is until her older daughter, Sapphire, came across the glowing balls and asked about them. Vanessa, remembering them, grows worried. She summons the bubble to her. When she puts her hand on the bubbles’s surface, they feel the aura of her power and glow brightly causing Vanessa to cover Sapphire as beams of light shoot out of each of them towards the sky. When they clear thirteen new constellations are created and fourteen female Mobians appear in the room, each standing in the place of one of the balls of light. There is a red ram, a pink cow, two turquoise dolphins, a light green crab, a light blue lioness, a white-winged fox, a yellow panda, an orange scorpion, a purple horse, a pinkish-purple mountain goat, a dark blue owl, a light pink merhog, and a dark green snake.

It took a minute for all of them to stop just staring at each other. Finally, the pink cow stepped forward and introduced herself as Taurus, a Star Princess. Vanessa introduced herself too, using her full title before asking what made her a Princess. Taurus then responded with a smile, saying that they were the Star Princesses because they were born when the stars formed shapes, giving them life. She then said that the stars gave them life to rule over the Universe. She then smiled sweetly and asked what made Vanessa an Empress, what gave birth to her, and blessed her with the title.

Sapphire was angry at their questions and was about to snap back but Vanessa stopped her and smiled darkly at the Princesses. She released her powerful aura before answering, “The Universe gave birth to me to make something of it, to give it new life. I made those stars you were born from and you were not born from the Universe. You were born from the magic of a happy moment in my life 16,390 years ago. I have created everything in this Universe, I can create life and I can destroy it. I am the Empress of this kingdom because I made it. You may be Princesses of the Stars but that is all your titles gives you - a fancy name. Now do not ever say that you are here to rule over the Universe because that is my job, not yours.”

Sapphire was shocked by what her mother said, she had seen people question her mother's role as Empress of the Crystal Empire before and watched her handle it but she had never seen anyone question her mother's role as the creator of the Universe and she never wanted to see it again.

The Star Princesses were in shock to learn about that but one stepped forward, the snake Star Princess, and bowed on one knee in front of her. She said in a calm voice, “Please forgive us, Empress Vanessa. We have just been born and do not know any better.”

Vanessa calmed down and forgave them but told them that they needed to explain to her the true reason the stars gave them life. The snake Star Princess, Ophiuchus, said that they didn’t know as all the stars had said was that they would know in due time.

Vanessa allowed the Star Princesses to reside in her castle but soon had to move them out after they showed they weren’t good around her children or great castle guests. They’d come and interrupt Sapphire's training with her mother and attempt to join in. Sagittarius attempted to teach Emerald how to shoot arrows, but nearly hit her with one and insisted she was teaching her how to dodge them. When Crystalline and Ruby heard Emerald's cries, they intervened and Crystalline put a stop to it. In the garden, Ruby had been playing with Scorpio, Cancer, and Pisces but Scorpio started chasing her with her tail, scaring the shit out of Ruby. She jumped into the lake to get away but couldn’t swim. Cancer and Pisces joined her in the water and swam around her. Crystalline noticed and managed to save her before scolding the three before the two heard Emerald scream. Taurus and Aries had trashed Amethyst and Topaz's room while searching for answers about their existence, upsetting the twins. The only Princess who did not cause trouble was Ophiuchus, who left with the others when they were cast off to another place in the Empire, even though Vanessa told her she could stay.

Two years later, the Princesses wanted to find their true purpose and overheard Sapphire talking to Peridot about her training. She mentioned the Cure items that were in Vanessa's workshop (which was the Delicious Party Cure stuff) and how powerful they were. At that Taurus got an idea. The Star Princesses, minus Ophiuchus, went to the palace and snuck into Vanessa’s workshop. They tried to steal an item but were caught by Sapphire and eventually surrounded by Vanessa and her guards. Vanessa scolded them for theft but Taurus yelled that this was because she didn’t help them. She then tried to use the magic in the item but it didn’t work since it wasn’t magic like hers. At that moment Ophiuchus arrived and begged for forgiveness, but Vanessa banished them to another Universe she had created but never used. They were told they were banned from her Universe but could create their own with that one while Vanessa monitored them. The fourteen Princesses spent two years trying to create their own Universe, the Starry Sky Galaxy.

At that time, Ophiuchus was angry at the other Princesses for getting them banished and not taking her question about twisted imagination seriously. Diabolos took advantage of this by whispering negative thoughts to her and making her one of his Negative Bosses. Sapphire watched the Star Princesses making their Universe and the conversation about imagination before switching over to Mobius as the Babylonians introduced zodiac signs. She asked her mother what happened to the Star Princesses since they were the product of her happiness. Vanessa replied that things made from stray magic turn out as the event they were made from. They were made at her wedding to Diabolos and their relationship was not a happy one so it twisted the stray magic.

Sapphire says how she found it cute that the Star Princesses believed they could send Cures if something happened to their Universe. Vanessa remarks that they will and Sapphire looks at her mother with a confused and shocked look. Vanessa looks at the crystal ball as it shows Ophiuchus attempting to pressure the other Princesses into submitting to her by using violence. Vanessa explains that Ophiuchus is different from the others, she is a product of Diabolos' true colors and Vanessa's desire for peace. This is the reason why she followed them when they got kicked out of the palace. She had done this because she thought she could’ve gotten them to stop their mischief and keep the peace but now that they are the reason for them being kicked out of the other Universe she hates them for it, making her an easy target for Diabolos. She wanted to keep the peace between Vanessa and the other Princess because she knows Vanessa has the power to destroy their Universe which in turn would destroy her. Sapphire then says how it’s a pity the others don’t realize that.

3,900 years later, in 2006 CE, Vanessa and Sapphire have made the Cure items for the Star Princesses. The two visit the Star Palace. The Princesses were surprised but welcomed them before asking if they had come to take care of Ophiuchus. Sapphire frowns while Vanessa coldly says that what she did is their problem but because she is influenced by Diabolos they will help. Taurus expresses her gratitude for what they're doing before pointing in the direction Ophiuchus left in all those years ago.

At that, Sapphire smirks and Vanessa smiles before saying that they aren’t here to get rid of Ophiuchus but to give them someone to help them when the time comes for the Cures to rise. Sapphire then holds out a white mouse-like alien sleeping in her arms. Sapphire then introduces her as Spegasus Pulalan Mofpit Prinsewink before saying in a deadpan voice that she didn’t name her, Ruby, who at the time is 8,513, did. Vanessa then explains that she is asleep because she has no power but when the time comes the Princesses must transfer all their power to her and send her to Mobius with someone they trust.

The Princesses refuse and Sapphire says that the only other way to get rid of Ophiuchus is for Vanessa to destroy their universe, they will definitely die but Ophiuchus will be defeated. After a long moment, Virgo holds out her hands to accept the little alien. Sapphire gives her to her as Vanessa explains that she is a Cure Spirit and for the time being only they can know of her existence and their visit, so Prunce didn’t know about the visit or how Fuwa was actually made.

If Vanessa had shown up during the fight against the Cures and Ophiuchus (the one in episode 47) and told Ophiuchus to stop what she was doing, Ophiuchus would have listened because she is the only person Ophiuchus listens to.

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Note from Author:

Ok so listen, I am not a big fan of the 12 Star Princess because I think they are too focused on the Universe and don’t care very much for the emotions or feelings of the people living there, like in episode 47 when Taurus tells the Cures to perform the ritual by using Fuwa and their Twinkle Imagination and then Capricorn says they need their power to end the darkness, which Fuwa has. Once she says that Ophiuchus explains that if the Cures use Fuwa’s power that by doing so will make Fuwa vanish. And then Taurus just flat out says, “It's to protect the universe,” not even caring about how the Cures will feel when they do so and destroy their friend. Then once the Cures do realize what will happen if they use Fuwa’s power Taurus just yells at them to do it, again, not caring that right now Cure Star is being pressured to choose between her friend or the universe. So yeah I have no problem painting them the way I did. As for Ophiuchus, I don’t hate her as much as I do the Star Princesses but I don’t agree with what she did, so I didn’t lay into her as much as I did the Star Princesses.

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Previously: 👩🏼‍🍼👶🏼🐹 | Next: 🌿🐶

#sonic the hedgehog #pretty cure #precure #star☆twinkle pretty cure #star twinkle precure #crossover #sonicure #Jewel Sonicure AU #information #backstory #cure star #cure milky #cure soleil #cure selene #cure cosmo #fuwa #prunce #sth au

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hollymbryan · 1 year ago

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Blog Tour: Top 5 Reasons to Read HERE LIES OLIVE by Kate Anderson!

Welcome to Book-Keeping and my stop on the TBR and Beyond Tours blog tour for Here Lies Olive by Kate Anderson! I've got all the details below on this creepy debut that's perfect for spooky season, along with my top five reasons to read it. Let's get started!

About the Book

title: Here Lies Olive author: Kate Anderson publisher: Flux/North Star release date: 24 October 2023

Growing up in the dark tourism capital of the United States, sixteen-year-old Olive should be comfortable with death. But ever since an allergic reaction almost sent her to the wrong side of the grass, she’s been terrified that there is no afterlife. And after the death of her surrogate grandmother, Olive has kept everyone at arm’s length because if there’s Nothing after we die, relationships and love can only end in sorrow. When she summons a spirit to answer her questions about death, Olive meets Jay, a hitchhiking ghost trapped in the woods behind the poorhouse where he died. Olive agrees to help Jay find his unmarked grave in exchange for answers about the other side and what comes next. Meanwhile, someone―or something―is targeting Olive’s classmates, and the longer Jay lingers, the more serious the attacks become. Blaming herself for having brought Jay back, Olive teams up with maybe-nemesis, maybe-crush Marisol, ex-best friend Davis, and new girl Vanessa to free Jay’s spirit before he’s trapped as a malevolent shade and the attacks turn deadly. But in doing so, Olive must face her fear of death and risk losing another person she loves to the Nothing. Content Warning: death, grief

Add to Goodreads: Here Lies Olive Purchase the Book: Amazon | B&N | Bookshop.org

About the Author

Kate Anderson lives in Utah with her husband and four children. When she’s not writing, she’s embroidering her favorite book covers, exploring the mountains, or planning road trips to places that are off the beaten path–the weirder, the better. Here Lies Olive is her first book.

Connect with Kate: Website | Twitter | Instagram | Goodreads