#which isn't like a specific interest of mine but he'd be reading about it to see if what humans understood of their children

[love-takes-work]

coworker apparently thinks Garnet is Harley Quinn

A very old funny interaction with clueless coworker (whose name is blacked out in the blue rectangles), in screencaps from my social media when it happened.

And just for context, this dude just could not talk his way out of a wet paper bag. I'm sure it's partially just awkwardness (which I have never minded at all), but a lot of it was this really gross disrespectful PROMPTING that he would do in all of his interactions with me. He'd say something with no context, something we'd never spoken about, and expect me to "catch on." (Examples: "So! Any news?" "About what?" "Well weren't we waiting for an ANSWER on that?" "On what?" [scoffing, snuffling, shaking his head exaggeratedly, sighing and walking away]. Or he'd drop a paper on my desk. I'd ask him what it was. He'd wordlessly POINT at it. I'd ask him again what it is. He'd pick it up, sighing aggressively, rattle it around, and say "YOU left this in the COPIER!!" I had not left it in the copier and it was not mine. He would then holler about how is HE supposed to know that and stomp away, and then someone else would come looking for their papers in the copier and they'd be confused why I had them.) He did NOT do this with my boss or most of the other people we worked with. Just me. I guess because I'm the office blonde and usually the only woman in the room.

Anyway, he was in the top 10 of annoying people I've worked with and here is an irritating story.

And then another one a long-ass time later:

Transcript:

Pic 1:

There's no way he's a real person. C'mon, life, quit foolin' around here.

[Redacted] came up to my desk and said he wanted to ask me a question, and then hesitantly hemmed and hawed his way through false starts that sounded like "I was wondering . . . um last night . . . I was thinking . . . there was this thing. . . . So, do you know Amy . . . Quinn?"

I do not know Amy Quinn.

He seemed surprised.

Then he begins explaining that she's in some movie and he thought I liked her.

Sorry, no.

Pic 2:

But then he elaborates. "Amy" is one of the characters in a movie he's just seen and he thought I was a fan of the character and wanted me to know that he liked the movie. And further elaboration made it clear that he . . . was actually talking about Harley Quinn.

(I haven't seen any movies with her in them, but yeah, I know who she is.)

I asked why he thought I had a connection with her and he was like "isn't that her on your cup?"

****Fuuuuuuuuuuck I am so offended****

[Image of Harley Quinn next to coffee mug featuring Garnet of Steven Universe. They do not at all resemble one another, but both wear bodysuits featuring a red leg and a black leg.]

Pic 3:

You gotta be kidding me!!

[redacted] just came over and told me he saw something that he'd been meaning to tell me regarding my cartoon stuff. He fumbled verbally repeating himself and then concluded he didn't remember what it was and would come back.

Then he came back with "I remembered!!" and explained to me that he gets comic book-related events bulletins in his email and a comic store I live nowhere near is having a signing with a comic book writer I've never heard of. He was baffled that I didn't recognize the name because he thought I was "into comics." When I told him I have very niche interests in comics, he elaborated that it was something he thought I was specifically into. Several trips round and round the blunder wheel yielded the information that it was a writer for Harley Quinn comics.

This shit again.

He thinks I like Harley Quinn even though I have never read or watched a single thing about this character. He believes Garnet is Harley Quinn and I can't get him to stop misunderstanding.

[lightningant]

I saw your thing with Snape being aro/ace and I wanna hear more about that. Specifically the reasoning behind it and then with the dynamic of him and lily :3

My reasoning is that I am aro/ace and he's my little princess.

Okay, seriously. He's derided a lot for being an incel, but what he felt was most important about his history with her is that she was the most valuable person in the world; that she was the new life he was running to, that he'd get a good job with Voldemort so he could establish magic supremacy so people like Lily and himself could cast off their muggle upbringing and flourish. He wanted to share his new life with her.

If we look at the memories, what Snape selects to describe what their relationship:

His fumbled attempt to connect with Lily over his magic, hungry for her attention

Him mentoring her with what his mother taught him (again he is hungry for Lily's attention) and his inability to understand her love for Petunia [muggles].

The splinter of Petunia and Lily's relationship, and the grounds of the Snape-James rivalry and what about James grated on Lily

Lily sorted to a different house, completely breaking down their dynamic

The beginning of Lily and Snape's splinter; that he has become obsessed with the Marauders specifically because James is in love with her, and she is frustrated Snape isn't interested in what his own friends fo. Snape prioritizes Lily not being taken away over what she has to say. See above; he doesn't understand the worth of muggles, just fantasizes about muggleborn and halfbloods like them getting to shuck their heritage and go on to greater things. Very Fuck You Got Mine philosophy.

Snape repeating his worst memory on purpose. It is humiliating but core to what happened; he is the one in the wrong, he reacted poorly, he is the cause of their parting.

And a memory of him grovelling to hammer it home. She catches him out on his Fuck You Got Mine attitude; that muggleborn who love their muggle families and indulge their muggle culture are just mudbloods, but he refuses to believe that about her, because Lily's so smart and talented and superior and destined to outgrow them. 😬

So the purpose of these memories is pretty clear, that she had been very consistent while Snape kept trying to introduce her to his fantasy of a better life that she (rightly!) didn't think very highly of. When he loses her, he goes back to live at Spinner's End, wallowing in the world he was trying to escape, because escape was no longer possible. The wizarding world no longer had anything to offer, because uplifting her was so core to how he understood it. He just didn't understand her.

I think Snape's paternalistic treatment of Lily and obsessive attitude towards James would result in more signs of desire; in fact, he is at his most ravenous for her when he is like, ten years old. After that, the one who reacts with attraction is Lily, because she's flustered by Snape being byronic and hormonal at her.

This is all to say I just think there's solid basis to read Snape's love for her as platonic, and that not undermining what he is trying to convey by selecting these memories. I'm not crazy.

Narrative-wise, as in, "what does Snape's love for Lily being platonic add to the character": I do think that this is often a cop-out to make him a more appetizing character and rescue him from incel allegations, which is kind of a bummer because... I mean, he's obsessed with James Potter's sexual fascination with Lily and is paternalistic towards her.

I think it would upset him he's not attracted to Lily.

I think he would be pretty conscious that he is a boy and he is fascinated and enraptured with a girl, and how ~obviously compatible they are~ (🙄), and that should mean they start a romance and become more intimate, but...that desire does not exist. He doesn't want to date Lily, he just wants to... [vague gesture] have her. There is no way to process his adoration of Lily; the only way to make her exclusive to himself is not something he actually wants, but that means she can't be exclusive to him, and so James Potter is free to take her in ways he can't.

I'm even willing to assume Lily was waiting for Snape to express sexual interest in her, because every word out of his mouth since the day they met has been worshiping her and talking mad shit about her suitors. And I can definitely see a lot of her dejection and hatred of him as that like, oh, so its okay to consort with mudbloods, but you could never touch one.

Which he can't really refute; what exactly is the end state of being so deeply devoted to someone platonically? Not dating, nor marriage, nor "like a sister to me" (which is just a way of saying you aren't going to date, and anyway isn't true because he's never seen her in a familial way), an eternally open, hanging question of a relationship without a knot to tie the ends together, dooming them to eventually unravel. He wants her to love him as much as she loves her future husband. That's not how things are meant to work.

And he's afraid of it, but resigned to it, and ends up just letting it unravel. He doesn't bother to understand or listen to Lily, or express what's radicalizing him (when she told him off for being friends with Mulciber, it seemed to be the first time it's ever come up), or share his vulnerabilities, because he's always viewed her as an opportunity to show how worldly and wise he is.

And as an adult, selecting those memories for Harry...He's keenly aware of that, and regrets how poorly he treated her, and yet for all the clarity he's gained... that frayed, open strand of their relationship is still drifting and unresolved.

Which is, of course, nothing like how Aberforth or Aurelius experiences aromanticism in herringverse. See what I mean about these specific headcanons being an ecosystem. They're all chewing on each other to power their own hangups. Beautiful.

[note: this can all also apply to a gay reading, but part of the terrifyingly ephemeral nature of this dynamic is that there is no new direction to head in. There is no new catharsis that explains this more-than-friendship. There is only the fact of his love, which he nonetheless bore for a lifetime.]

A bonus theory on Snape's unabashed haterism; he is not really interested in Harry because he's not interested in Lily's bloodline; she was always a future, and now that future doesn't exist, so James Potter gets to pass down his superb genes and superb pureblood privileges and superb legacy, while unremarkable inconsequential muggleborn Lily Evans dies as the wife of a pureblood bully and a scar on her son's brow.

[timetravell]

Twas the first day of school, here is a little recap:

We mainly went over all the new procedures. Theres one about phones and if they have to take it up 4 times in a row you have to pay a fine of 15 dollars. And the dress code regressed?? No teacher is enforcing it though. We still have the same tardy policy (10 tardies = ISS).

If this phone policy doesn't 'work' then we just- wont be allowed to bring our phones at all Which is a HUGE safety concern.

below is a recap of all my class periods <3

1st period: Colorguard

Nothing much happened here, again a lot of today was just a repeat of all procedures. There were a few band specific things, such as attendance, rehearsals, UDB, and stuff pertaining to the band hall itself. There is now a form so if need be, your istrument can be turned into the shop to get fixed!

We also cleaned out the guard locker room/area. All of the costumes from last year got put in one of the lower lockers. We somehow found stuff from seniors who left YEARS ago. And 3 year old water....in a jug still.. yikes.

2nd: Forensics!!!

Im actually so happy I got to be in this class. Im looking forward to a lot of things in it. Especially the labs and that one lecture about blood splatters. Our teacher is actually absent this first week, but thats because he's also the volleyball coach. (Our volleyball team is in Hawaii for nationals I believe)

We had three assignments. One of them was designing a locker (mine is super cute, it has a Marina poster), the second was a Syllabus scavenger hunt which isn't due until tomorrow but I wanted to get a jump on it so I finished it at home. The third was homework, which was just a student survey.

3rd: ELA

It was just, again, more policy updates and a little get to know you card. This class, thank god, wont be all on computer. We'll have some paper assignments. We haven't gotten our reading yet (which upsets me a teeny bit, but I'm sure we'll learn about it later in the week)

4th: AP World History

I'm actually so exited for this class its not even funny. I was genuinley upset when we didnt get our unit 0 packets and when I found out we werent getting our textbooks until Friday.

We did learn that the AP teachers are no longer allowed to split that 70% weighted major assignments to 40/30. Which absolutely sucks, and on top of that our first unit is stuff our state says we NEED to know to get said World History credit. Which means we wont even be tested on it come spring. Our district hates us.

I actually have a good teacher for this AP class, last year I had a very (idk how else to put it) 'White privlidged' teacher. AND AND I narrowly missed being stuck in a class with someone I despise. Made me so happy!

I also learned that 'The History of the Entire World I guess' is pretty accurate! So I can use that as a study resource for like- a short summary.

5th: Astronomy

SO SO SO excited for this class. And there is no math! None! (If they added math it would have to become an AP class). My teacher is so funny unironicly. He's very monotone and you would think he'd be a bore, but he's actually really funny in my opinion.

We actually will talk about why Astrology isnt real which I think will be really fun. I dont nessicarily believe astrology is real, I like the idea of it. But going indepts on why it isnt is going to be really interesting!

We also will get to learn how galaxies and solar systems form, which will be really helpfull for making my story, Abyss. Theres also gonna be night labs!! (if we go we get a free 100 on a test grade) And maybe some Day Labs if the school can get their hands on a solar telescope.

6th: Geometry

It's geometry. There wasnt really anything of note here. Just the fact that i somehow have a class full of kids who dont care abt the Highschool grades. (I have confirmed this, it isnt speculation) It's gonna be a loud period..

7th: Band (they split it up weird)

Again nothing of note. EXCEPT NOW I HAVE TO LEARN THE SHOW?? ON MY FLUTE?? WHAT??

Im in guard, i dont do 'band' until concert season. I cant work on my solo during this period OR my homework. Pissed me of factually because the original plan was as followed:

Used as a study hall

Practice choreography

Practice flute

But nope! They hate me! /j

8th: Musical Theatre!

So many new people! Its gonna be so much fun! I have a lot of friends in that class so im really excited!

I already know the song im gonna do for our first solo, just gotta get permission cuz its technicly not from a musical (Wont say im in love from hercules)

Anyways thats it!! Tmmr will most likely have some more stuff so follow if you want to see!

[bcbdrums]

Given the fact that we were talking about our perceptions of certain kinds of ships in regards to Stein and how they suit or do not suit his character, how do you feel about smut/the relationship dynamics within Stein x character smut fics?

All righty then...! Here comes a very long rambling of my headcanons about Stein, his two primary relationships, and his relationship with those deeper intimacies. This takes some turns before it gets to the main point but well, I love talking about this man. Extremely long post under the cut.

Also - there are two blogs I tag at the very end of this post - you two feel free to ignore all my ramblings, just know I praise you both at the end and I still re-read your Soul Eater stories VERY regularly.

I'm truthfully still trying to reorganize my thoughts on this specific topic because 1) I have listened to many a headcanon from others on the subject and I always try to give validity to their thoughts even when they differ from mine, and 2) I've also read tons of smut fic with Stein out of sheer desperation for...well, Stein fic. (Come on Stein fandom where you at? Write me some gen fic too, lol)

I have not read too many fics of him with Marie cuz those always contain manga spoilers so I'm skipping those for now until I finish reading (exactly halfway through!). So what I've read is mostly Stein/Spirit smuts and just a couple with Marie, and I want to say….almost zero?? I think zero of those fics (and boy I've read plenty) have "hit the spot" in terms of what I would want for a Stein smut. They're good stories, in some cases great stories, well-written and thoughtfully conceived, but they're not fitting my headcanons and interpretations of who I see onscreen (and who I see in the manga so far).

All that said now… Some of my own relevant headcanons for him, and then I'll get more into fic of others.

I go back and forth toying with the idea that Stein experimented with intimacy just a little as a teen. He's not immune to puberty and hormones; he's human whether he likes it or not, which isn't to say mind over matter doesn't work for him. (Clearly it does, in staving off madness among other things.) But he's a scientist. He's curious. And I can see him justifying an experiment or two in his teen years. But they would in fact be just that, experiments. It's still a big maybe. I can't say for certain he would, it's the sort of thing like…if all the dots line up just right, he'd attempt it. If not, he wouldn't. And it would only be with those two people: Marie and/or Spirit. He doesn't trust anyone else enough. (Yes, I'm on board with the popular fanon that Marie was one of his other weapon partners after Spirit.)

Another teen headcanon... I can also easily see a sort of angsty distraction possibility for him. When he loses Spirit to Kami, I can see him getting into a "romantic" relationship with Marie as sheer distraction, and even misguided retaliation. Spirit "cheated" on him with another meister and abandoned him, so why shouldn't he do the same with another weapon? Which sucks for Marie but well she's not healthy about relationships any more than Stein or Spirit are. But this is just another sort of maybe-thought; another situation where all the dots would have to line up just right for him to go for it. But I can see it, no question, just like the prior thought.

As for Stein as an adult, at the point we see him in the show… While I think relationally he and Spirit have the most interesting dynamic to explore, the one he shows more openness toward is Marie. It's clear that he cares for her. And he doesn't fully understand that either. Now I don't think he wants to get into bed with her, or marry her, or anything traditional to a romance. But I also don't think Marie is going anywhere. Thinking post-anime now…. Unless he gives her a sign that there is nothing between them, I think she's staying put. But sadly for her, I think there is something between them... Sadly because, Stein doesn't know what it is, and it's not "love" the way that Marie wants it. It's just something he's unfamiliar with. Meanwhile she's devoted to him, poor woman.

Now, end of the anime… Let's talk about this…. Marie helps him back to sanity with her healing wavelength. But…then he's just "okay"? No he isn't. Look at that man. His dark circles are darker, his eyes are more haunted. That man has been living off madness and cigarettes for weeks. When is the last time he ate anything? Showered? Legitimately got any sleep?? How he's even standing up let alone fighting Medusa is beyond me, and then he performs freaking major surgery and then waltzes into the death room afterward like he's fine. Because...that's who Stein is.

Stein will fight until he is incapable of fighting anymore, to serve those he loves. Yes I said loves. And it is agonizing how much he strives to show his love for others, and it's something he doesn't even realize he has within him. He thinks he can't understand love? It's because he feels it so deeply and passionately it's beyond definition. Part of this however I'm also certain is motivated from his deep desire for purpose as an adult. The manga shows that aspect of his character even more-so than the anime (in what I've read so far). That man is desperate for purpose and to belong somewhere, with someone. He can't escape his human nature even if he doesn't understand it, can't define it, and even though it drives him crazy all on its own…

So bringing this back to Marie… End of the anime. I don't think Marie is leaving. She's gonna stay, help nurse Stein back to health and sanity despite his pretending he's fine (or perhaps even sheer ignorance of his condition), and Stein…is gonna be confused the whole dang time about his feelings for Marie. He knows he feels something but he has no idea what it is or how to process it. But "love" in the romantic sense he doesn't possibly consider, because well...his conceptions of that sort of thing aren't based in anything healthy (see: Spirit's relationships).

So yeah… She's not leaving. He won't reject her attentions because he does care about her, just not in a way he understands and also not in the way she wants. And as she starts to realize that he has some kind of feeling for her, I think she'd turn up the romance and she'd make a move on him. OR…she'd play the extremely...long...patient game, and wait for him to make a move on her, when it's within his comfort zone. And let me be clear… This man still does not know what love is in this traditional sense, does not understand love. He knows what physical attraction and hormones are and darn him he can't shake those either, but as an adult he wouldn't act impulsively on them nor would he confuse them with love. Stein is the ultimate master of mind over matter. If he were to sleep with her, it would be a choice; a decision he makes consciously and deliberately. I see this within the realms of possibility. But if he chooses it himself, if he's the one who makes that decision simply out of his wanting to…it would be a long, long time that that woman is waiting for him. But I do think it possible. The question is simply, how long will she wait. And she's also the type to try to stir things up (see: her behavior toward Joe in the manga). So who knows when they may end up in bed together... These dots are more complicated to align than those of his teenage years. And if Marie made the move first...I think he'd accept it. Because, see again, his wanting to belong with someone, and he knows he feels something different with Marie.

As for Spirit, well... Stein sees that Spirit likes women. And Stein sees that Spirit can't commit. I think Stein "loves" Spirit more than he loves Marie. First love, young love... Spirit is the relationship of his life, even though that's yet another thing he cannot possibly understand. I think that while part of him, the mad obsessive part, and the curious part, does want to be close to Spirit in the intimate way…it's not out of a healthy desire or even typical motivations. It would come from a desire to possess, from his deeply human but inexplicable yearning to be closer to the one he loves even though it's not the right type of love for that type of intimacy. Not really sure Spirit would be all-in if Stein were to make the move... I think Spirit would take persuading. It's another circumstance where all the dots have to line up just right, and in this case probably more while caught up in madness than in sanity. Because as previously mentioned… In his right mind, Stein knows that Spirit likes women and more importantly that Spirit cannot commit. And he's ironically smart enough to know not to attempt a traditional human romance with someone who cannot commit. I don't think Stein would himself attempt intimacy with Spirit in his right mind at all, unless something happened to make him utterly desperate not to lose the man... Another instance of, all those dots have to connect.

But ugh, the angst. Spirit abandoned him after five years... Stein is not going to willingly subject himself to possible heartbreak again. Plus, he does not think Spirit has forgiven him for the "experiments." I think he thinks Spirit only hangs around him now as an adult as his handler, despite desperately wanting his friendship again. But I think he figures it's a lost cause so he just takes what is offered and never pursues more.

Okay but before I digress further into my endless thoughts about Stein's and Spirit's relationship (I'll do another post for that maybe), back to the point of your question.

I am really not one for labels, partially because I don't understand them but also because I think the spectrum is just so deep and too much defies definition. But if I were to label him, I guess I'd go with...gray ace with demi leanings…?

The man is driven only by curiosity, about anything and everything. But the level of intimacy we're talking about is more than he ever wants to trust anyone with. It's always gotta be on his terms, and more often than not…his terms would be unhealthy.

So let's talk about what shows up in fanfic, since that was what the original question was about. And once again, I like to lend validity to everyone's interpretation. Just because it isn't mine doesn't mean it's wrong or shouldn't exist. But you did ask about MY thoughts, so that's what I'm sharing here.

Once again, I've barely touched Stein/Marie fic because I'm avoiding manga spoilers. In the one or two I've seen, he comes across as not connecting emotionally in the typical way, but knowing that there is indeed something different about being with her. He knows she cares about him, and he cares in return. But it doesn't come across as anything intimate on his side of it. This isn't a characterization I particularly like, because Stein as an adult... As I said, I think he'd choose that intimacy if and when he wants it. In the stories, it comes across more as him just doing her a favor, just going along. It doesn't sit right. But like I said, that's only two stories. For other Stein/Marie, I reserve opinion for later.

Stein/Spirit... Okay. I've noticed a great many commonalities in the fics I've read. And this isn't a taste or preference thing; like I said I have devoured almost every smut fic just in desperation for any fanfic of them. Would prefer more gen fic less smut personally, but anyway.

Most fics have Stein in the dominant role, Spirit in the submissive role. I understand that interpretation but it's not how I see them. I see them as equals if they were to get into that type of intimacy. There is often a lot of bloodplay, frequently madness on Stein's part, major instances of non-con, pet play, BDSM, sometimes light cannibalism... It all suggests an impersonal and unhealthy relationship most of the time, which again...is not at all how I see them if they were to become a couple. Could such things come about? Unhealthily, possibly. But darn me and my desire for happy endings.

These two men are so broken, that if they were to become a healthy couple...I feel like it would be slow, cautious...extremely hesitant. There is extreme distrust on both sides, and also misconceptions about how the other feels. Which...I will save that analysis for later. Focusing back on smut fic.

I have seen only a few that touch on the give and take in a trusting relationship (all by the same author) that come closest to what I feel is accurate to the characters onscreen as I see them, but still the emphasis is too much on lust. It still isn't hitting the spot for me due to a lack of that relational development... Make no mistake, the stories are great, but I personally am hoping for something much deeper.

In my view, Stein just does not seek out physical intimacy in that way. I don't think he can fully escape the innate human need for touch, but in terms of a drive to get into bed with anyone... I think the occasional human desire for it crops up, and he easily ignores it/packs it away because it's not useful to him. It doesn't bother him. He doesn't think about it.

So this is where that...gray-ace, demi vibe comes into play for my view of him. Talking about Stein here as an adult and in control of himself, not consumed by madness... This is I supposed a bit of a summation of my thoughts.

If he did get into a relationship with anyone (and again I think his only choices are Spirit and Marie), it would not be based on the physical at all. I also don't think he would rush into any relationship. It would be a long process before he trusted the person enough to consider them a romantic partner. And really, we could get away from the word romance entirely... Life-partner is a better word, in Stein's case. If the person wanted physical intimacies, I think he would be responsive to that. The other person would be in the lead, but in no way dominating. It would have to be an equal trust thing or else Stein would nope out hard. Stein would gradually learn what it is he likes physically, and how to give his partner what they want. He can come to enjoy it because this is his life-partner, the one he belongs with, the one who needs him and is part of his purpose. But again...the physical is not something that drives him at all. Not in how I see him portrayed onscreen or in the manga.

So, overall, in my point of view nearly all smut fics miss the mark. Now...the stories I've seen where I think the physical intimacy is nailed don't even get to smut. Those are the stories by @asymmetryestablished (AO3 NothingSoDivine) and their characterizations of Stein and Spirit defy description in any words I have. The other author who nails it is @wispforever (same on AO3) and the closest to physical intimacy they get is dancing, but my gosh still the characterizations are utter perfection. I will be re-reading y'all's Stein/Spirit stories forever.

I hope I did in fact answer your question, but overall, I was delighted to just spill out so many of my thoughts about Stein even if in summary form. Yes this was a summary... Okay. I'm done. Thanks.

[wishing-stones]

I’ve written myself into a corner for an idea I’ve had for a while, but never seen nor managed to fully attempt. I seen stories of mage!readers, but never any of well, the mages. The ones that sealed away monsters, the seven. And I had the idea to add Baggs, but I’ve generally hit a brick wall because??? I’m not sure how’d he respond? I mean, typically someone as intriguing as a mage would catch his radar, but we’re talking the literal reason in most multiverses including his own, why monsters are trapped underground? Do you have any helpful suggestions or insights?

Weeeellll, this is difficult to answer completely because he's not mine, he just lives rent-free in my head and struts around like he owns the place, but I'll give it a shot here.

To start, this assumes that the mages from the war are still alive, which insinuates a couple things:

Either they're incredibly long-lived, or the war wasn't all that long ago. I default on the former, but it's your worldbuilding and it's up for you to decide

If the above isn't true, there's time travel or dimensional warping or something similar involved,

I have a couple of headcanons and scenarios I've thought about re: Baggs Meets a Mage (who isn't Ren/not in the R&R verse)

Mages don't look any different than humans most of the time (unless they follow my 'monster x human hybrid' rule, which means they sometimes have monstrous traits) so they can fly under the radar with monsters unless

They have the aforementioned monstrous traits (again, in line with my headcanons and continuity/multiverse theory for the UTMV)

Use magic in front of a monster

Outwardly look like a mage via clothing and/or weapon choices

Are in an encounter where they can be CHECKed

Baggs might treat a mage as he treats any other human. Cautious, observing their movements, trying to get a good, concise read of them to determine whether or not he has to do something about them, and proceeding from there. He can't Judge anymore so he has to leave it up to intuition, because he sure as shit isn't initiating an encounter, and startling a potentially dangerous human is a bad idea re: his magic. He doesn't usually open with it unless he's sure he'll be successful, or at the very least, it won't be as much of a fight to get them under.

If/when he figures out they're a mage, that's when he becomes a bigger problem for them. He hasn't had the chance to study a mage before. Are their souls stronger than standard human souls? How does mage magic hold up to monster magic? Similarities, differences, limitations, all of the things he knows about monster magic he will want to learn about mage magic. He'd definitely be interested in keeping them somewhere he could observe them, so chances are, they'd be down in the lower lab in some room or cell.

He isn't cruel, first and foremost, so he'd approach them and the situation as if they were a guest and kind of... subtly nudge them into compliance with his charisma rather than resorting to his magic-- it might color his data. He'd make bargains and deals, reward good behavior, and be about as much of an open book as he can be for information exchanges.

But he'll never tell about his ace-in-the-hole hypnosis magic. that's insurance.

A compliant and agreeable mage will find him pleasant company. If he deems them not a threat, accommodations and privileges get better and more relaxed. If he feels like he can trust them, he loosens the reins a little and lets them have a bit more freedom.

A combative and potentially dangerous mage will find him holding them at arm's length and treating them with cold, clinical professionalism. If he feels like he's in danger, he'll absolutely subdue them, and if his magic doesn't work as anticipated, he has sedatives. He doesn't play games with his safety, so if it's in question, they're going to be treated as a threat and he handles them as such.

Specifically, with a mage who was in the war;

He'd be very interested in firsthand accounts of what happened. How was the barrier put up? What kind of magic is it, how was it cast? Why would mages turn on monsters when they, too, can cast magic? Were they truly jealous, or was there something more behind the conflict? Half of his lines of questioning will be less about their magic and more about their history. He's heard a few firsthand accounts from the few remaining veterans of the war, but hearing it from a human mage is different. It gives him the other side of the story rather than the one-sided version from monster history.

Perhaps somewhat surprisingly, he wouldn't treat a mage who helped erect the barrier with any animosity if it wasn't directed at him first. He thinks having them stuck down here is its own poetic justice. Trapped in the very cage they helped create-- the irony does not escape him.

More than that, he has someone who knows how that magic works and might well be motivated to help remove said magic. He will play up this fact hard, leaving little tidbits in conversation about how long it's been, how they've all been struggling to escape and, oh... if only there was someone who could help. He's been trying so very hard, you know. He's oh so tired.

To sum up in a sort of tl;dr: He's reactive to how he's treated, and good behavior goes a long way with him. Hostility will be met with hostility in return, and he will subdue a threat by whatever means necessary, medical or magical. He's not cruel, so he won't resort to dubious means of gathering or extracting information, and his magic is his carefully guarded trump card. Words and charisma are just as good at getting information as prising it by force via hypnosis. He'll manipulate a mage into doing what he wants, doubly so if they helped make the barrier. Building a positive relationship with him via trust makes him much more pleasant to be around and he might even, eventually, step out of the realm of professionalism and into intrapersonal. A negative relationship gets a mage treated as a prisoner or subject, and he's cautious and cold in the extreme. But never cruel. This is not a man who does or even would resort to torture for anything. The very worst he'd do is gaslight. He is still a monster in a canon-adjacent-AU. His soul is made of love, compassion, and hope, as all monsters are. It is not and cannot be in his nature to cause undue suffering, and in the end, his highest motivators are to ensure the safety and eventual release of the underground, and to keep his brother happy. Almost everything he does is driven by those two things.

Got way long-winded lmfao but this is something I've thought a fair bit about, so you're lucky anon! (Most especially because I have a mage character who has a kind of interesting dynamic with him in the bits and pieces of drabbles and brainrot I've done with them.)

I hope this bit of character analysis helps you get out of your corner!

[yakuzacanons]

Hallo! First of all, thank you about headcanons, even though I found this blog just a few days ago, I already read mostly everything and they are wonderful!

And secondly: what do you think about the characters' love language? I get some ideas, but it's very interesting what you can write about it.

Thank you in advance, and have a nice day!

This is so sweet and YES love languages are very good. I'm just gonna be operating off the big 5 basic love languages: words of affirmation, gift giving, acts of service, quality time, and physical touch. I know there are probably other specific offshoots of these but I'm keeping it simple. Thanks for your patience and have a good one!

ALSO I am done with Yakuza 6 and am on Yakuza 7 so 6 related asks are officially ok. Ichiban coming soon, promise.

Kazuma Kiryu: Words of Affirmation

Kiryu isn't always the best conversationalist but he's a really good emotional support person. Great at hearing people out and even better at comforting or motivating them. In his most romantic of moments, he can be quite expressive, even if a little blunt.

Majima Goro: Quality Time

You'd think by the amount of weird and cutesy nicknames he gives everyone, especially his significant other and Kiryu, that he'd be a word of affirmation kind of guy but Majima actually just wants to spend the most amount of time possible with his boo. Spends the night as often as possible. Plus, spending quality time means he's got time to do all the other love languages and more.

Akiyama Shun: Gift Giving

Bless his silly stupid head but Akiyama is sorta no thoughts head empty. Less of a smooth talker and more just really lucky at saying the right thing. Great at planning gifts though, especially experiences like vacations, concerts, or festivals.

Saejima Taiga: Acts of Service

Out of all the boys, Saejima is the most traditionally manly man. Holding the door open, walking on the part of the sidewalk closest to the street, paying for the bill when on a nice date, etc. It's a total contrast to the brutish vibe people tend to get off of him but in reality Saejima is just REALLY nice and he figures there's no better way to say it than just showing it.

Tanimura Masayoshi: Gift Giving

In an ideal world, Tanimura would actually be a quality time type of guy but work gets in the way too much for that to be realistic. He compensates by getting you lots of gifts. Nothing too lavish but lots of small things, like your favorite snack while he was at the store because he thought of you or surprising you with a new CD by your favorite singer. For fancier gifts, they usually have lots of cultural significance than monetary value.

Ryuji Goda: Physical Touch

Even though Ryuji can afford to spoil you rotten with gifts, which he will do anyways, his love language is actually physical touch. The gifts are a nice gesture but its the physical intimacy that carries way more meaning to him personally. He won't go full PDA on you but he'll still hold your hand in public or have his arm around your shoulder. He always finds some way to gain physical closeness to you, even if it's not the most upfront or obnoxiously romantic way.

Nishikiyama Akira: Quality Time

He pretends his love language is gift giving because he wants to impress you but in reality he just wants some one-on-one time, just you and no one else. That becomes rather apparent once he realizes he doesn't have to try hard to seem cool in front of you. Secretly just a cozy little guy.

Mine Yoshitaka: Gift Giving

Total gift giver and not ashamed of it. Has a gift for everything. He's also pretty gentlemanly to acts of service sometimes end up going hand in hand with his gifts. In the bedroom though he's a words of affirmation type of guy. Probably the only one of the guys who distinctly changes his love language when having sex versus just spending time with his romantic partner.

Dojima Daigo: Words of Affirmation

Don't be mistaken, Daigo values quality time a lot but is often not available consistently to actually be with you due to how hectic his work is. Behind his somewhat quiet and hesitant demeanor is actually a man who just wants to sing you the praises you deserve and he will do his best to say so whenever he can.

Shinada Tatsuo: Physical Touch

Cuddle buddy supreme. Would smother you with hugs and kisses if he could. Loves laying his head on your shoulder or just snuggling up to you. In colder weather, he'll totally find excuses to be even closer to you, like holding your hand and putting both of your hands in his coat pocket before saying something dumb like "Now we can hold hands AND be warm!"

[veebeeward]

Beach Side

Tags/Warnings:

NBMer!MC x Human!Cove

Fluff

Word count:

1,096

Authors note:

A friend of mine requested a swapped version of the merman Cove fic and so I shall deliver!! I hope it meets peoples expectations and it's a good read! Constructive feedback is appreciated, Enjoy <3

Summary:

MC has known nothing but the ocean, sand and sky their whole life. Their favourite place to go was one beach in particular. The sea was beautiful, warm and the sun always shined so brightly during the summer and it had the best view of the stars. The best of all? Barely anyone was around! So they had the beach all to themselves! Or at least, they thought they did.

MC was enjoying the soft light of the moon as they admired the stars from the ocean's embrace. The view was beautiful, especially from the beach side. This one beach was their favourite. They could enjoy the feeling of the sand against their skin without worrying about anyone finding them there! Like their own private beach. It was a part of "Sunset Bird", a small town. They found this out about a week ago when they found a bucket with the logo on it. They knew learning to read would come in handy.

Just then, there was a sudden sound of moving grains of sand, like someone was stomping on it aggressively. MC immediately shot up at the new sound and dove back into the water. 

Once they thought it was okay to come back up, they peeked out of the water and saw.. a boy? He seemed upset. Angry and sad at the same time. They kept watching to see what he was doing, curious.

The boy kicked some sand before sitting down, hugging his knees to his chest. He looked interesting. His hair was a soft sea green and his sad, reddened eyes were a gleaming blue. Another thing that stood out was his pink cast. He'd been hurt. He looked to be about their age too.

The boy looked down at the sand, drawing something, probably nothing specifically, just moving his finger in circles to leave a dent in the sand. 

MC moved a little closer, trying to get a better look at him since he wasn't looking their way. Just then their eyes met. He seemed scared and jumped to his feet, taking a step back as he stared down at them. He was like a deer in headlights, as their mom would say.

Slowly, MC came up a little out of the water, giving up on the whole sneaky thing since they'd been caught. They offered a small smile as the silence was drowned out literally by the ocean's waves. The boy seemed to calm down a little, his eyes shining with a sort of sparkle they'd see when a kid got their presents for their birthday. This was a good sign! Hopefully.

He walked a little closer to where the water met the sand and knelt down, the tide brushing against his knees, he didn't seem to care. He waved a hand, a determined look on his glowing face. MC brightened up at that and shifted closer, waving a hand back. The kid lit up even more.

"Are you a mermaid? Is this your beach?" He asked, lowering his uninjured hand on the sand which was quickly swallowed by the water. He didn't want to get his other, injured hand wet. 

MC nodded, happy to answer his questions. "Mhm, but the beach isn't mine, you can't own a beach" they said with a small snicker, finding the idea silly. Little did they know. "What are you? A person?" They asked a question of their own, tilting their head as they did. 

"I'm human," he said with a nod. He still seemed to be getting over the initial shock of meeting an actual mermaid. "You're not an actor right?" "An actor?" 

"Some people act like mermaids. I've seen it. They pretend to trick kids, but I know they're fake." He frowned. He wasn't a fan of mermaid actors, that was clear. 

"I don't think I am?" They felt the diamond scales that traced their cheeks with a questioning expression. "I feel pretty real!" He laughed at that, clearly finding the situation funny, but relieved at the same time. 

"Can I..?" He held out his wrapped hand, making his intentions clear. MC nodded and leaned in closer so he could touch their cheek. His hand twitched back at the feeling off it at first, making them flinch a little before he slowly reached out again and properly felt it. His eyes sparkling with awe once again. "Woahhh.." 

He pulled his hand back a few seconds later, now convinced. "What's your name?" "I'm MC" they hummed sweetly. "What's your name?" 

"Cove.." the boy muttered quietly, like he was expecting them to say something. "Cove? Really? That's a nice name" he seemed surprised at that but didn't expand on his thought process at that moment. "Thanks."

Their eyes wandered to his cast and pointed it at. "What's wrong with your arm? Why is it pink?" "Oh.. I got into an accident. I had to get a cast" he responded, looking down at his cast as he lifted it up slightly. They reached out to run a hand over it, the fabric felt weird, but the colour was nice. "Cool"

"You think it's cool?" He said, confused. "Yeah, I think it is" "Oh, cool" he smiled, clearly happy about that. 

He looked so much more different then when he first showed up on the beach, they weren't going to point that out though, at least not yet. They wanted to wait, the right moment to ask about it would come up eventually.

"Cove!!" A voice rang out from afar, startling both of them. It sounded like a man, he sounded worried. Cove spun his head in the direction of the voice, which was coming closer. "My dad.." he said sadly. "Oh, you should go to him then" they said, unaware of the situation. "I don't want to, I want to stay here.." he seemed to root himself deeper into the sand when he said that. "How come? Do you not like him?" "I just don't want to go" he seemed upset all over again, what was wrong? "What if I never see you again? I want to stay here!" He exclaimed. "Cove?! Where are you!" The voice shouted again, much closer this time.

"I know what it's like but you should go back, he's your dad" they were concerned, Cove looked conflicted. "I'll come back tomorrow and we can talk again!" They smiled, clearly having no intention of not meeting again. "You promise?" He whispered, a slight amount of doubt in his tone. "I promise" they pulled their hand up and held out a pinky. Cove leaned forward and wrapped his own pinky around theirs. "Friends?" "Best friends" they said with a sense of certainty, so sure of what they were saying. 

"I should go now, and you should too, your dad is worried about you" they backed up a bit more into the water, Cove hesitated but nodded. With that, they ducked their head back under the water. 

They'd hang out tomorrow.

[tellthemeerkatsitsfine]

Here's an amusing thing. A friend of mine and I have procured a copy of the 2002 Fringe Cuts from BBC Radio 4 (full disclosure: my friend did the vast majority of the work in tracking it down, though I did contribute by spending about half an hour reading through old Radio Times listing until I found its exact date). We (he) procured it because Daniel Kitson's Comedy CV page claimed he was featured on BBC Fringe Cuts in 2001 and 2002. We already had 2001, which does, in fact contain Daniel Kitson. Decided to find 2002.

Having listened to the entire 43 minutes of BBC Fringe Cuts 2002, I can confirm that Daniel Kitson does not appear in it. Which is pretty funny, because it means he lied on his Comedy CV. Or more accurately, I assume, his agent lied on his Comedy CV, as there's no way he wrote that thing himself. I assume that page was written by the agent that he fired several years later, over a dispute because she told him that if you want a career in public performance, you will occasionally have to let people find out that you exist. Anyway, somebody lied on Daniel Kitson's Comedy CV, because it says: "He can also be heard on Radio 4, in shows such as Fringe Cuts (Edinburgh 2001,2002) and Loose Ends." I've heard the 2003 Loose Ends show and the 2001 Fringe Cuts, and he's definitely there. But not 2002.

Lying on your public CV, to make it sound like you've appeared on public radio more times than you really have, is an amusingly un-Kitson-like thing to do. However, that's not the amusing thing that I referenced at the start of this post. When I said "Here's an amusing thing", I meant the earliest recording I've ever heard of Flight of the Conchords:

This is from their Edinburgh Fringe debut in 2002, the big year that all the Chocolate Milk Gang members (well, mostly David O'Doherty, but some others too) talk about as initially bringing the CMG together, in awe at FOTC's brilliance. I assume I've probably heard a lot of the material from that show, as most of it would have been repurposed into their later work, but this Fringe Cuts clip is the only recording I've ever heard of them performing at that actual Fringe Festival.

I note that Marcus Brigstoke, who was compering (badly, God that guy's annoying), introduced them as Flight of Conchords. I assume that was Brigstoke's mistake and not because they only added "the" later on. I'm pretty sure.

Anyway, I'm sure that song is exactly the best thing they've ever done (it definitely isn't), but it's a pretty interesting historical artifact, I think. The Fringe Cuts show also featured Sarah Kendall doing a very early and very rough version of some material that I've heard cleaned up in ABC recordings years later, and Adam Hills, in what I believe was his Go You Big Red Fire Engine era, telling the same couple of stories that he'd continue to tell for 15 years. Those were the most interesting bits for me. The show also featured Miles Jupp being somewhat insufferable (and I quite like Miles Jupp, but I think he toned down the posh persona in later years and that was for the better - rather like Chris Addison that way), and some other people who were varying degrees of annoying. But it's definitely interesting as a piece of early 00s Edinburgh comedy history, which is my exact niche of interest.

Anyway, most of the radio show would not be of interest to anyone who doesn't happen to share my specific historic niche, but I thought some people might get a kick out of the early FOTC recording, so there it is.

[beardedjoel]

hiii julie

first of allllll, congratulations on 5k followers!!! if you ask me, you deserve them all and so so much more! you've seen me obsessing about smother enough to know it changed my soul and how much I love it and am thankful for your talent and generosity to share it with us ♡

and for my ask, is one I always had a bit of curiosity but also was kinda of afraid to ask...? i dont know why tho, but I would love a directors commentary on the hysteria chapter of smother. specifically the part where, well... Joel gets home and finds blossom and that psycho, and when he decided to show his guest how they have fun and all and made a point to let him think that blossom was really his daughter. I say that he "made a point" of it because of how he made the guy spell it out "you are fucking your daughter" and that left at that until it was done, even adding his own dubious commentaries about the nature of the relationship as he went. I know that it was his exact goal to confuse Bryan (i think that was his name?) and cause shock and all but I've been always curious about that moment since I've read it because to me it was the most complex and controversial thing Joel had done. I mean, he's done a lot of crazy things but this part just stood out to me cause of how much he seemed into the idea of his audience thinking he was really fucking his own daughter, how he seemed to enjoy it. and I just would like your comment on it, or any insight in Joel's state of mind at that moment, what he thought he was doing, how his mind processed and rationalized it all, anything really you might want to share about it!

finally, thank you so much for doing this ♡♡

oooh, this is a really interesting question! 💭

on the surface, i imagined that joel just wanted to emotionally torture this guy as much as he could squeeze out before killing him, and he saw the perfect opportunity the second bryant claimed blossom was his daughter. as we know smother joel isn't the most emotionally stable guy so he latched onto that pretty quickly, and i sort of pictured him in a rage and fear induced daze where he couldn't really see past his own actions. like caveman brain going: this man tried to take what is mine, i must show him what is mine and then layer in him wanting to basically freak bryant out by letting him believe the lie. i mean fucking her in front of him is already bad enough without him thinking it's his daughter, but i imagine that joel was very excited about this.

i think that joel processing all of that was part of some of the aftermath in the following chapter. i don't think he regrets it, but i also do feel he maybe thinks he shouldn't have put blossom through the extra stress of having to also be fucked in front of that man. but he'd never say that, unfortunately.

and honestly!! i just thought it was kind of hot in a sick and twisted way, which was how the idea wormed its way into my brain in the first place. i wanted to show some more depths of joel's sort of depravity, because i think he'd be kind of an audience guy in the right circumstances like this, and add in something quite taboo, which he very much has an affinity for, and it was kind of the perfect combo for him.

[jurakan]

can I have a fun fact in youtube deep dive format?

I, uh... don't know how to do that, friendo, because this is a Wendy's a blog not a video hosting site, but! I will try to give you something interesting. Today You Learned about the tygers of colonial Carolina!

[Alright, full disclosure: this is half a conspiracy theory of mine. I went down this rabbit hole after reading Wild New World by Dan Flores.]

In 1709, John Lawson published a book titled 'A New Voyage to Carolina' which is a detailed description of the people, flora, and fauna he found while exploring the Carolinas (I think mostly South Carolina? They weren't divided then, I think).

One thing he notes that I found interesting?

Tygers.

???

[whatcha talking about Johnny, we ain't got tygers here]

Listen to this from page 31:

As we were on our Road this Morning, our Indian shot at a Tyger, that cross'd the Way, he being a great Distance from us. I believe he did him no Harm, because he sat on his Breech afterwards, and look'd upon us.

Uh, okay... um... then on 119 we get this, when he's describing the different animals you can find in the area:

Tygers are never met withal in the Settlement; but are more to the Westward, and are not numerous on this Side the Chain of Mountains. I once saw one, that was larger than a Panther, and seem'd to be a very bold Creature. The Indians that hunt in those Quarters, say, they are seldom met withal. It seems to differ from the Tyger of Asia and Africa.

Alright, what makes this odd (other than that we don't have wild tigers in the Carolinas, if you don't count tailgating Clemson fans) is that the automatic guess you'd make is that he's talking about mountain lions/pumas. They don't live here now, but they did back before colonization. Except he specifically lists what we'd think of as mountain lions as 'panthers', and makes it clear that this animal, this 'tyger' isn't that.

So what are our possibilities here?

ONE: He saw an actual tiger.

...very unlikely. You'd think we'd know about this sort of thing, wouldn't you? If there were tigers in the Americas? Nah, let's dismiss this.

TWO: He made it up.

Well, look, Lawson did actually found towns in the Carolinas, so he has a vested interest in making people go there to live. If he tells you they've got cool animals to see/hunt, like tigers, well, that would definitely attract some colonists, wouldn't it? And they'd expand westward, as he points out that they're supposedly more common on the other side of the mountains (the Appalachians, presumably), and he'd get credit for that.

THREE: He's talking about a different big cat.

He does also mention the 'tygers' of Africa, except Africa doesn't have tigers, either. Either he's confused about that, or for him, 'tyger' just means 'big, colorful wild cat'. I remember that in telling Anansi stories, one author has his characters claim that 'Tyger' back in the day just meant 'big cat', and he uses 'Tiger' as the name of 'Osebo' (which I've seen other authors depict as a leopard). And while North America doesn't have tigers, it does have another really big, roaring cat...

Yes, the US does indeed have jaguars in the Southwest, though they are very rare there, as opposed to further south (and this Border Wall business is not helping conservation efforts). Historically, before they were hunted out by settlers, they did live in Texas and as far north as Colorado, and as far east as Louisiana. Heck, until the 60's it was still legal to shoot them in Arizona. Was it possible that Lawson's 'tyger' was a jaguar? He does say his indigenous correspondents told him that they were usually found west of the mountains, and rarely that far east--and the jaguar's historical range was west of the Appalachian, though pretty far from the Carolinas. And I admit that I have trouble imagining a jaguar wandering the wilds of the Carolinas (though that would be dope).

I don't know. I have no way of knowing. But Dan Flores is pretty insistent that jaguars used to be all over the place, and so he seems to subscribe to the theory that Lawson's 'tyger' was a jaguar that wandered into the Carolinas.

Hm.

A strange zoological mystery, to be sure.

In case you were wondering what happened to John Lawson, by the by, he was captured by the native Tuscarora in 1711 while exploring and tortured to death, shortly before the beginning of the Tuscarora War.

So now you know. I hope this was the 'deep dive' you were looking for.

[dwindlinghaze]

can i please get a 🩰 and 🪞 

male preference, marauders era, im 18, im in stem and im a libra, im really into romance novels but i also like sci fi and fantasy. I love rock(more specifically like 80s rock) a lot. I love wearing baggy shirts and cargo pants paired with high top vans, but my style is all over the place. My favorite movies are mostly action and comedy, I have been described as scary and intimidating by people who don’t know me but my friends say im nice and funny. I plan to do something in the law or psychology fields. 

hello ! tysm for participating in my 500 celebration

☾⋆｡𖦹 °✩

🩰 : i ship you with james potter

╰┈➤ aries and libra are two compatible signs ! fire and air !!

╰┈➤ james would definitely get you random sci fi books after seeing their cool covers without reading the summary at the back. even if the story wasn't too interesting, you'd read the first few pages just to show appreciation of him being considerate.

"you told me you've read all your stacks so how about we go to the library together and borrow some more?" he offered. "that'd be perfect," you answered. in the library, he'd hand you hardcover novel solely because of how appealing its design was. he isn't someone that likes to read unless it's for school work. "james did you even read the summary?," you hit his shoulder in a joking manner. "i guess i do judge books by their covers," he sheepishly admitted after reading the back.

╰┈➤ singing and vibing with him to an 80s rock song is your daily routine. he likes listening to vinyl records instead of the radio because it felt more like in the 80s.

╰┈➤ baggy shirts are something that james would steal from you. the guy usually gives the girl his shirts but fuck gender roles ;)

"you're wearing my shirt?" you accused blatantly, pointing at him. "this is size is literally my size, i thought it was mine," shrugged the boy like he didn't do it on purpose. truth be told, you loved it when he wears your clothes (if he ask for permission first obviously)

╰┈➤ i feel like james loves action movies too so you both take turns in choosing which movie to watch together for the night.

╰┈➤ james can vouch about how funny of a person you are without trying too hard, laughters just come naturally when you're around. his friends that didn't know you quietly well (yet) definitely think otherwise. sirius view you as someone that's better off left alone because you intimidated him for a reason he does not know, but once they got to know you, they'd agree with james a million times.

[dark-ethereal-visions]

Book Excerpt: Testament

From the time I was a teenager, I was fascinated with the history of witchcraft in England and its emergence in the early colonies of the future United States. Like many people, my interest in this topic began with learning about the Salem Witch Trials in the early 1690s. Around the same time, I took an interest in learning about the practice of witchcraft itself. I taught myself about traditional witchcraft, Gardnerian wicca, and Italian hereditary witchcraft. I was especially fascinated with the lore of Aradia, known to Italians as the Queen of the Witches. I read books from such well-known authors as Raymond Buckland, Raven Silverwolf, Raven Grimassi, Charles Leland, and many others.

Eventually, I began to wonder if other British colonies in North America suffered a similar witchcraft hysteria. I found that New York, previously known as New Amsterdam, also had a brief witch problem. Similar to Salem, this witch hysteria was motivated by politics and land grabs. There’s very little information regarding the specific details of New York witchcraft cases. I used what details I could find to help me write this book as close to reality as possible. For the rest, I used my imagination.

In this excerpt, Singent Straubb shares the experience of his first day on the job as an apprentice magistrate. In my opinion, this is the most important section of the entire book since it shares Singent’s first impressions of his employer, Magistrate Jacob de Heart, and his fellow co-workers, Blackburn and Sterling.

Journal of Singent Straubb

3d day of August, 1665

     It is late in the evening, very late to judge by the fact that mine is the only illuminated window on the street, and I have only just returned home. I would very much like to retire and put this day to an end, but I must record the events of the day now whilst the details are still fresh in my mind. Where ever shall I begin? I suppose it's best to relate the day in its entirety and, once that has all been recorded, I shall better be able to express my feelings, those emotions swimming around in my head that would keep me from unconsciousness even if I were to retire right at this very moment. Speaking of sleep, I slumbered very little last night and I suppose that's just the way of it for anyone about to realize their dream with the next sunrise; I was awake and out of bed long before my father. Hoping to make an exceptionally good first impression, I bathed thoroughly with a sponge and some lye before dressing in my best Sunday suit. I remember thinking to myself as I prepared for the day that my first week's pay must be spent on new clothes and better toiletries. An officer of the courts should certainly be far more presentable than the average citizen. He should be a physical manifestation of the highest principles of law, or so I'd imagined in my dreamy mind.

     By the time father was up and preparing for his own day, I was ready and anxious to head out the door to begin my very first day of apprenticeship. It was all he could do to get me to sit down at the breakfast table for a mere five minutes, but I did concede, not wishing to disrespect him so soon after he'd agreed to allow me to pursue this dream of mine. As soon as he placed the fresh milk, steaming eggs, and toasted bread in front of me, my empty belly reminded me that I'd neglected one of the most important morning duties in my excitement. As I ate the prepared meal with enthusiasm, he spoke softly, kindly to me.

     “Son, you are about to go out into the world to make your mark as a man and nothing could fill me with more pride.”

     I glanced up at him briefly before I gulped down half of the glass of milk. He must have read my thoughts in my expression because he continued:

     “Perhaps this isn't the profession I would have chosen for you, but I am proud of you, nonetheless.”

     “Thank you, father.”

     His benevolent smile, which has very rarely made an appearance in our household since mother's passing, graced his moustache-shrouded lips. “I have every confidence that you will become the fine hard-working and upstanding gentleman that your mother and I have dreamt you would be.”

     “I will strive to never disappoint you or to tarnish mother's memory.”

     He smiled once more. As that smile faded, he produced his pocket watch and presented it for me to view as he said in mock alarm, “Now go! You mustn't be late on your very first day!”

     I was the first to arrive at the courthouse, yet it wasn't long before I was greeted by those same men that had detained my father this past Sunday. They looked mismatched in their fine suits here as I had a better opportunity to see them than I had had outside of the church. The more outspoken of the men introduced himself as Mr. Blackburn. He was easily a foot shorter than his associate, Mr. Sterling, and bigger, bulkier than both Mr. Sterling and myself put together. He wasn't fat though. Far from it. He was solid muscle from head to toe and so fit, in fact, that when he walked, no part of him jiggled with the flabby flesh of obesity. He was bald, which I think added to the menacing, overbearing appearance of the man.

     His pale eyes, more the color of a stormy sky than that of a clear ocean, pierced through me in such a way that an icy shiver ran up my spine. His bulbous nose was crooked with crude knots spread along the ridge; it had clearly been broken more than once throughout his life. Also worth noting is the condition of his overgrown hands, which I'd had ample opportunity to observe during our handshake. His hands were harsh. I don't think there is a gentle bone in the man's entire body and, if not for his brutish demeanor, I am certain most would think him little more than a clumsy oaf. The skin was rough as one might expect of a man that had spent a lifetime engaged in hard labor. The knuckles on each hand were red as though the skin had been battered with repeated abuse and they were as scarred as they were discolored. Tiny yet noticeable nicks, scrapes, and abrasions marred his fists in such a way that he could only have obtained such scars from a lifetime spent in a boxing ring or in street brawls.

     In some ways, Mr. Sterling was as different from Mr. Blackburn as night from day, yet he seemed just as menacing and as brutal in his own way. He was more than six feet tall, standing, as I've already mentioned, a foot taller than Blackburn. It was nearly impossible to estimate his true height because his lanky body was slouched and, when he was viewed from either side, it seemed that his prominent spine was permanently curved. I remember noticing this, disturbed by just how visible that column of bony ridges appeared beneath a thin layer of skin and clothing. I thought to myself that such a condition was sure to cause problems as he aged into his later years. Lacking the muscle mass of Blackburn, he was as slim as he was tall. His sleek, black hair was trimmed short and I found his emerald eyes to be most misleading as they lent to the impression of a warm, gentle heart even though they were set in that unwavering stoical face. His nose had clearly never been broken, judging by the manner in which the perfectly straight bridge sloped downward. It seemed as though that sloped nose overhung past his thin lips, though I'm sure that was just an illusion created by the dwarfed angle at which I looked up at him. Multiple scars mapped his face from forehead to chin and the depth and length of each marking suggested that they had been left there by sharp blades of knives or swords. The wounds had obviously healed without the benefit of proper medical treatment as the skin had folded over itself and had left more pronounced scars than what should have been formed. Another clue that Sterling was no stranger to knives came when he reached forward to shake my hand. Chance, in the guise of a temperate breeze, blew his jacket open as he extended his right arm in camaraderie, revealing a sheathed bowie knife secured to his leather belt. It was only then, when he'd observed the recognition of the weapon in my own eyes, that those unwaveringly stern lips formed a smile.

     These were not nice men and, to be perfectly honest, keeping their company stirred within me feelings of uneasiness, disquietude. I was only too happy to agree when they, at length, suggested escorting me to the magistrate's office.

     I felt, as we entered the courthouse, that I was finally going to meet a true legal professional and, better still, I was going to take my rightful place at his side. One can imagine, then, the dismay I felt upon walking  into Magistrate de Heart's office and finding him in a state of disarray...to be very polite about it. The office, as one might expect of a newly erected and recently occupied government building, was sparsely decorated with only a single portrait of His Majesty, Charles II, adorning the cream colored walls. In the center of the room sat a massive desk, hand-carved  of oak and heavily varnished. Behind that desk, the magistrate sat in a plush, leather chair, which looked more like a throne than a chair suited to a government employee. Papers were scattered across his desk to his left and to his right, but, directly in front of him, there sat a silver serving tray with a half-eaten pig sprawled across its breadth.

     As we entered the office following a brief knock, the man behind the desk was passionately devouring one of the sow's legs, his full lips dribbling with grease and slobbering over the meat just as he might slobber over a lover's lips. The sounds of him suckling at his feast, pulling the grease down his greedy gullet, and the noise of his moist lips smacking together as he chewed echoed throughout the chamber. In between bites, he waved an arm toward one of the three vacant seats facing him and motioned for me to join him. As I drew closer, I could see the sweat beading upon his brow; his hairline was so far receded that he may as well have been bald. Although he wore a makeshift paper bib, his black robe was stained with pig grease where the bib could not protect him. Blackburn and Sterling had remained stationed at the door as though they had been assigned to guard the magistrate. Jacob de Heart picked up and dropped the serving tray, urging the men forward with a chubby, grease-soaked hand.

     “Get this slop out of here!”

    Sterling removed the tray as Blackburn used a fresh rag to help the magistrate clean himself.

    “Forgive me, but I had not had the chance to breakfast this morning, thanks in no small measure to my bothersome wife.”

     “I understand, Magistrate.”

     “You are my new apprentice. Are you not?”

     “Yes, sir,” I replied with the utmost zeal. “Singent Straubb, with two B's.”

      “Well, Singent Straubb with two B's, how much do you know of this court and your position herein?”

     “My father, upon informing me of the position, had very little information for me. I do know, through my own researches, that the Court of Assizes is here established only recently and that its purpose is as ecclesiastical as it is legal.”

     “Come again?”

     “Oh...Well, sir, it's my understanding that this court's function is to investigate and try instances of witchcraft and heresy. Is that not so?”

     Magistrate de Heart nodded. “It is. As well, English law, under which we must operate, demands that the accused be tried by two magistrates. The truth of the matter, Straubb, is that His Majesty couldn't be bothered with the day to day workings of these colonies. He is aware, as are we all, that, for the most part, a great many of the colonists are tax evaders, criminals...undesirables. He does, however, expect English law to be strictly enforced.”

     Magistrate de Heart glanced up at Blackburn and Sterling ever so briefly as he'd uttered those last two words. I took the exchange to mean there had been disciplinary problems with the men in recent history.

     “It is this contradiction that has led His Majesty to insist upon these trials without having provided for the necessary regulations. As it is becoming more troublesome to find established magistrates willing to come to these abhorrent colonies, I have taken it upon myself to retain an apprentice magistrate. That is you, boy.”

     “I understand. I am most eager to begin.”

     "What know you of English law?”

     “Everything!”

     “Everything?” The magistrate's robust laughter was so deafening in the small chamber that it was nearly impossible to hear Blackburn and Sterling chuckling from behind.

     “What I mean to say, sir, is that I have been studying the law since I was a small boy. I am familiar with most principles and procedures.”

     “And the witchcraft laws? Are you equally familiar with them?”

     “No, sir. I must confess that I am not.”

     “I would be very much surprised if you were as there are none.”

     “Sir?”

     “Don't misunderstand me, boy. There are regulations for the establishment of this tribunal, but much of what we do will be governed by the actions of the Dutch in their recent trials.”

     “I see.”

     “And do you still feel up to this task?”

     “I do, sir.”

     “Time will tell, boy.” The magistrate arose from his chair with no small measure of struggle and the chair itself creaked and groaned with relief upon being unburdened of his massive weight. Drawing the handkerchief from his pocket, he wiped the remaining pig grease from his lips and jowls. “We have a guest awaiting our attention.”

     “A guest, Magistrate?”

     I arose as well, turning in time to see this 50-something year old minister of justice glance at his fellows, both of whom had maintained their positions at the door. The magistrate's grin at these two men left me with an uneasy feeling for what reason I could not fathom. Though I momentarily felt foolish for being so suspicious of my employer, the ensuing chuckles of Blackburn and Sterling once again set the hairs upon my neck prickling afresh. I tried reminding myself that I knew nothing of these men -for good or for ill- and that they all were, as a matter of fact, officers of a most high court. Yet, I still could not shake the wariness I felt in their presence. I told myself that it would be quite foolhardy to act or even to speak upon these suspicions, but, as I am generally a good judge of character, I had determined to observe these men with a cautious eye until my suspicions were either confirmed or disproved. My thoughts were interrupted when the magistrate spoke to me upon leading our party from the office.

     “Our guest, Straubb, is a neger slave by the name of Tiekka, accused of heresy and of the practice of voodoo.”

     “May I know the details of this case?”

     “Here.” He handed me a stack of neatly arranged papers, each page filled with the writings of a female hand to be judged by the bubbly beatific cursive known to be most common amongst women. “The statement of Tiekka's employer and only friend in all of this great colony.”

To buy your copy of Testament today, follow these links:

Paperback

Kindle

Nook

[latefrequencies]

tfw you realize a character you’re writing about would, under the circumstances in which you have them, absolutely develop a niche interest that you share

[sumire-bride]

SUMIRE AND SHUU (DEMO) ROUTE, Shiro's story part 1.

[Btw! This storyline takes place in the future in the bad ending, meaning it's all angst and all that other fun stuff, this doesn't include interactions with Sumire or Shuu (unless flashbacks) but mainly just shows how Shiro's life is in this particular ending and how he has his ending in the bad ending which will include 6 or 8 parts! Will try my best to post these weekly Please enjoy :) ]

Monologue

——I was told that the girl that was demonstrated in that big painting on wall of my home loved stories.

Fairy tails, true stories, but specifically love stories true or not.

She was so infatuated by the idea of love while denying it for she had her "happiness" who was her father.

He told me she loved ones with depressing endings.. But with a twist. sad sad sad stories love stories.

I wonder if.. That's why I'm here.

I felt her running.. I felt her panic.. I felt her pain.. I heard her read that story.. What story was it..?

I can smell her next door. I can smell her in the garden. the halls..

she won't leave me alone.. Her image haunts me..

She's everywhere no matter where I go——

𖧷ɤ———ɤ𖧷

SCENE STARTS IN SHIRO'S AND HINOTE'S ROOM

*BEEP BEEP BEEP*

HINOTE- Ahh... Shiro-kun.. Can you turn that off please.. I can't move..

SHIRO- Zzz..

HINOTE- Shiro-kun..? Ugh..

*RUSTLE RUSTLE*

*Hinote turns off the alarm*

HINOTE- You sure are the heavy sleeper.. Who even set this alarm..? Didn't the two us fall asleep right as we got here..?

(..I doubt Shiro-kun would set the alarm, I don't think he'd bother. It's as if he sleeps in a sound proof room.)

(I should just let him sleep, maybe I'll search around the place—)

REIJI- Ahem.. You boys are still asleep..? I set for a reason you know.

HINOTE- EEKK..!!

SHIRO- Zzz.. Zz..

REIJI- Hm.. There isn't a need a scream, it's only me.

HINOTE- Uwah.. (This is Shiro-kuns uncle right..? How long has he been standing there..?! When did he even enter the room..!?)

Uhm.. Excuse me sir.. But what are you doing in here..?

REIJI- You two didn't think you'd be living here without any school did you..? Honestly you younger boys these days,

They recently opened up a middle schooler part for the younger years in our school, it's become so much more disrupted..

So it's only natural I put you boys in there isn't it..?

HINOTE- Ah..! School..! That's awsome. But.. It's so late, doesn't school happen in the morning..?

REIJI- For you humans yes, but for us vampire's we do night school, If you have a problem with it then don't make it mine.

HINOTE- I-I don't have a problem with it at all..! I don't get out much anyways,

(It's not like this'll kill me.. Plus Shiro-kun will be there! This is gonna be a blast)

REIJI- Good to know, I'll be expecting you in the car in 5 minuets then.

...

I know your out there, Ayato..

*CREEEAAAKK*

AYATO- Tch..! Damn it,

REIJI- What are you even doing out there..? You don't find interest in these type of things now get to that car

AYATO- Don't tell me what to do..! Ore-sama will do whatever he wants..!

More importantly, that ones still sleeping,

Pfft.. Isn't that ever familiar.

REIJI- Ah.. That's right, I completely forgot about his presence for a sec.. Though that smell he holds it's a surprise I forgot he was there.

You. Wake him up

HINOTE- Huh..? Oh..! Shiro-kun..!

Ah.. I can try.

AYATO- Whadda mean 'you'll try' just wake em up, it's not hard.

Watch and learn.

Oi..! Hiro..!

HINOTE- His name is actually Shiro..

And just what a moment..! Shiro isn't exactly a morning person..! In fact he doesn't like being woken up at all..—

AYATO- Shaad up..

Oi..! Get up..!

*Ayato shakes Shiro*

SHIRO- ..Nnn...

*he swats Ayato's hand away*

AYATO- Did he just..

Oi what makes you think you can hit ore-sama hah..!?

HINOTE- L-let's calm down for a sec I can wake him—

AYATO- I might just go grab some water and pour it on ya..!

Get up..!!

SHIRO- Tch.. Pain in the ass...

..Nnn...

AYATO- Who are you calling a pain in the ass..?!

*Ayato shakes him more*

SHIRO- Guh..

Don't touch me...!!

HINOTE- Gahh..!

*PUNCH*

*scene changes inside car*

AYATO- Tch..

HINOTE- Mm..

REIJI- ...

SHIRO- Zz.. Pwah.. Nn..

LAITO- Pfftt.. Fufu.. Hahaha..! Oh no poor Ayato, your face looks like a little cookie.. A raisin cookie to be more exact.

KANATO- Isn't that funny teddy..? Ayato getting beat up but a little boy..

AYATO- All of you be quiet..! I didn't get beat up.

You damn brat, punching and ruining the great ore-sama's face..

HINOTE- We-well I did tell you to leave it up to me..

Shiro isn't a morning person, the last time someone tried to wake him up from a nap in the church and his cold hard glare was enough to scare anyone away, when they didn't leave he.. well.. The other priest didn't have hair for months because he caused a.. tiny fire.

SHIRO- [He seems to be struggling to stay awake]

SUBARU- Hmph.. Pathetic.

AYATO- who’re you calling pathetic..?! Shut your trap..!

Hmph.. what’s up with all of you teasing me so dang much..? Assholes..

HINOTE- aha.. ha.. ah…

Shiro-kun, come on stay awake.

SHIRO- Zzz.. Tch..

Quit bugging me… god.. annoying as ever..

HINOTE- It’s not annoying if I don’t want anymore trouble for you.

As your bodyguard it’s my job.

SHIRO- Bodyguard… you sure think highly of yourself…

You can’t protect me here… you’ll only die.. I’m not in the mindset to see blood…

(he can’t even protect himself let alone me)

Pwah… I’m so tired…

HINOTE- Ah..! Shiro-kun..! Come on stay awake.

REIJI- it seems as though we’re here.

AYATO- Damn.. already..?

*the car door opens, they step outside*

*scene switches to entrance*

HINOTE- Uwah.. uwahh..!! Shiro-kun Shiro-kun..! Look look..! Look how big this school is..!

SHIRO- It’s just a school.. this looks no different then what I go to everyday, it’s just slightly bigger..

Cool your jets Rapunzel.

REIJI- Ah..

*FLASHBACK*

SUMIRE- ..Shuu-sama Shuu-sama…! Look look…! I found a pedal from this flower…! Look how pretty it is…!

SHUU- Flower pedal..? That’s all it is nothing more then one leaf, your so weird.

Cool your jets Rapunzel.

SUMIRE- ..But… I do not own any jets Shuu-sama…

*FLASHBACK ENDS*

REIJI- …

SHIRO- …

(..that guy seems like he has it out for me or something… If he had a problem with his brothers it better not have to be to fix them.. I deal with her crazy family already..)

(All of this is so annoying..)

REIJI- The middle school floor is beneath the high schoolers, I'm sure you'll find your way to the classroom you both are in easy.

Don't be any trouble, unless you both desire a punishment I wouldn't recommend it. I'm talking to you.. Shiro. Those parents of yours enjoyed getting into lots of it.

SHIRO- Ah.. (Yup.. My parents problems my problems, the sequel.. Ahh..)

LAITO- Bye bye dear nephew~ Don't make any trouble kay I know how you younger boys are fufu.

AYATO- I'm gonna getch you back for hitting me in the face..!

KANATO- Teddy.. Class is boring.. Let's find a nice spot to sit in okay..? Teddy.

SUBARU- Hmph..

*They walk off*

HINOTE- Uh.. Your family seems.. nice.. A little noisy but they seem fun.

Have they always been like this..?

SHIRO- I wouldn't know. This is the first time I'm meeting them..

HINOTE- You've never them..? I see, do you not know many of your family..?

SHIRO- My moms side, but I know absolutely nothing about my dads.

I don't like these people. Their weird..

HINOTE- Shouldn't you like all your family..? Because, family is family right..?

SHIRO- I hate all my family members, all are so annoying and a pain in the ass. I don't have to like anybody if I don't want to.. "Family is family" is such a ass saying, mine is completely nuts.

And what would you know about it..? Aren't you a orphan..? You don't know what it's like to have family good or bad so shut your mouth on what I should like.

Let's go..

HINOTE- Oh.. Yeah.. Let's go..

*Scene is in outside classroom*

HINOTE- ...

SHIRO- ...

(maybe I went a bit too far back there.. I was saying what was true, I always do that so why do I feel this weird feeling..?)

(Ah man.. I hate it here..) Pwah.. (..I'm tired. Night school is gonna be a pain in the ass)

HINOTE- Is this the door..? The class I mean.

SHIRO- I would think so. Go on, open the door. I can't be bothered to.

HINOTE- This is kinda exciting.. I've never been inside a real classroom like this before.

*FWOOSSHHH*

HINOTE- Eh..

STUDENT- ..?..

SHIRO- ...

HINOTE- Shiro-kun.. I can't do it... I wanna go back too many people are in here..--

SHIRO- Come on body guard let's go..

HINOTE- Ahaa...!!

TEACHER- Ah.. New students I see, hmm.. that's quite unusual to have a human student.. Oh dear..

What's your names might I ask..?

HINOTE- A-ah.. Hinote Haruto..!

TEACHER- I see, what a strong name mr. Haruto. I do have you on my list starting from yesterday.

And what about this one..?

SHIRO- ...

TEACHER- Ahem.. Your last name.

HINOTE- Ah.. S-sorry he isn't a massive talker, his name is Shiro Kanashi.

TEACHER- Hmm.. Kanashi.. I don't have a Shiro Kanashi on my paper, I do however have a Shiro Sakamaki on here though, Maybe a mix up perhaps..?

But I can't help but feel honoured to have a Sakamaki family member in my classroom..!

SHIRO- Uh.. (Sakamaki..? What the hell..? I don't ever use that last name nor do is it even written down on a paper..)

TEACHER- There's seats over in the back you two can sit in, actually I don't care where your sitting. Honestly what a mistake putting middle schoolers with high schoolers.. Barely anyone shows up. The younger ones that is. Haah.. Middle schoolers...

Over there.

*Shiro and Hinote begin to walk to their desks all while being stared at by a few other students*

FEMALE STUDENT 1- Uwahh.. Hey their kinda cute..

FEMALE STUDENT 2- Ehh.. No way... the blonde one though, not even cute, he's hello pretty do you think he'd go on a date with me..?

That browned haired one is eh.. I don't like his moles... There gross..

FEMALE STUDENT 1- I think think there sexy..~

HINOTE- Eh...

SHIRO- ... (I hate women...)

MALE STUDENT 1- Greaat... Another set of pretty boys for the girls to fond over.. How annoying...

MALE STUDENT 2- Is he even naturally blonde..? Looks like he's got roots or something.. And I bet those moles on that other guys face are drawn on

HINOTE- There not--

*SNATCH*

HINOTE- Mnpff...!!

SHIRO- Shut.up. Don't be a pain and start shit please...

*TIMESKIP*

*DING--DONG--DING--DONG*

HINOTE- Phew... So this is what actual school is like... Uwahh... It's so tiring.. Is this the reason you are such a grouch when you come to the church after you're done school..?

SHIRO- No. It's cuz I have some little Malagasy with moles following me around everywhere.

Or should say mole rat..

HINOTE- Mole rat..?! Malagasy..!? What is it with you and creating nicknames for me..!?

Should I start calling you sleeping beauty..?

SHIRO- Call me that I'll slit your throat.

HINOTE- Ekk... Okay... A little violent don't you think...

Ah.. Hey Shiro-kun, since it's our break, can we walk around for a bit..--

FEMALE STUDENT 1- So your names Shiro huh..? Wow what a nice name..!

SHIRO- Tch...

FEMALE STUDENT 1- He's playing hard to get how cute..! Hey hey do you have cell phone, a phone number perhaps..? Or maybe you like social media, a guy like you, you're probably a model..!

FEMALE STUDENT 2- Hey come on, don't hog him, you'll give me your number to right..? Here let me give you mine.

FEMALE STUDENT 1- Buzz off..! You said you liked the other one..!

FEMALE STUDENT 2- I said I liked his moles, I don't think he's any good other than that.

HINOTE- Ah..

SHIRO- ... (I ask for one peaceful moment in my life. One peaceful god damn moment..)

FEMALE STUDENT 3- I would like your number to..! Are you doing anything after school..? I would totally love to hang out with you.

FEMALE STUDENT 4- Oooh.. Look at his eyes, there like jades..! Such a beautiful green shade..!

*The girls seem to be shadowing over Shiro's desk, making it hard for Hinote to say a thing to Shiro*

HINOTE- Oh.. (That's understandable I suppose.. I guess if I were a girl I'd probably wanna talk to him to...)

(I can talk to him all I want later)

*TIMESKIP*

*SCENE IS IN HALLWAY*

FEMALE STUDENT 1- What's your favourite food..? I can buy you something from the vending machine. Or a drink..?

SHIRO- I don't like vending machine stuff.

HINOTE- Shiro-kun, I bought some drinks..! There your favourite--

FEMALE STUDENT 2- Then lets go to the cafe, they've got lots of good stuff..!

*SCENE CHANGES TO CLASSROOM*

HINOTE- Shiro-kun, you having trouble..? You haven't touched any of these questions here I'll help you with it.

SHIRO- Whatever--

FEMALE STUDENT 3- I'm really in math..! Here I'll help you.

*SCENE CHANGES TO BALCONY*

HINOTE- I was totally wrong.. I didn't get to talk to Shiro-kun at all..

(Well.. to be honest, it's not like he wants to talk to me often anyways..)

*FLASHBACK*

*Flashback is set in a garden*

YOUNGER HINOTE- Ah..! Shiro-kun..! Have you come to look at the roses to..!? We can look at them together..!

YOUNGER SHIRO- I'm going back inside..

YOUNGER HINOTE- Uwahh..!

*FLASHBACK ENDS*

HINOTE- Gaah.. Thinking back on our childhood I realize how annoying I must of been..

Stupid Hinote..!

KANATO- Please quiet down you're upsetting teddy..

HINOTE- Ekk..!

AYATO- The hysteric has a point, why're ya always screaming and screeching like some little girl..?

HINOTE- Pardon..?!

LAITO- Come now, there's nothing wrong with a boy being so jumpy.

If anything It's quite laughable seeing this frail boy jump at the slightest things. It feels like I haven't had a good laugh since...

Fufu, Ran-chan died. Ahh, did she ever give me stomach holding laughs with the idiotic crap she'd spud, it truly sent me into a fit of laughter.

HINOTE- Ran..chan...? (Ran-chan..? Dead..? I'm way too confused right now... And just how do these people keep popping out from..!)

Who is this Ran-chan you speak off..?

LAITO- Hmm..? Oh isn't that laughable as well, has he not told you yet..? Here I was thinking you two were really close.

HINOTE- Told me.. what..?

AYATO- Maan.. Just thinking about that day gives me some real headache, I have a fucking scar on my arm from all the scratching she did.

KANATO- Hey teddy.. Don't you remember her face..? It was funny right..? I have it imprinted in my mind.. You to right..?

HINOTE- ..?... (Could they perhaps be talking about the stuff Shiro-kun told me..? About his parents..?)

LAITO- Ufu, I'll tell you a little gist of the past kay..?~

Ran-chan is the nickname I have for Shiro's mother, to me she was so cute and innocent like a little orchid flower,

She got crushed like one to, Shiro's father was our kind older brother who challenged Reiji to dule for some odd reason, then he died and lost right in front of her eyes, right as he learned she was pregnant with as you know as Shiro,

Poor Ran-chan. She gave birth on her own in her bedroom, then gave birth and mean old Reiji came in annnd..

HINOTE- What did.. Mr. Reiji do..? I mean.. I know his parents passed on and all already.. He never really gave me the full story..

LAITO- So curious, I'll tell you more I suppose.

He took Shiro right out of her hands and then.. Killed her.

HINOTE- ..!!... K-killed her..? Even though she just gave birth..?! And not only that..! But killed the father of her child right in front of her eyes

LAITO- Sniff sniff.. Such a sad ending, I find kinda funny though

HINOTE- Funny..?! How on earth is that funny to you..?! Isn't Shiro your nephew, you shouldn't find your nephews parents death funny..!

AYATO- Woah.. Hit a nerve there, I don't really feel too much empathy towards the kid. I mean it's kinda sad but what's the point in feeling sorry..?

KANATO- I in general don't feel a thing for him, I hate children.. Noisy bratty and little greedy idiots.

HINOTE- Ah.. You all nothing for him..? Even though he has to deal with so much.. He thinks he's a monster..!

AYATO- Is that our problem..? Hey if you're gonna start whining and shit go whine to your boyfriend.

HINOTE- Hmph..! I think I will..! All of you are heartless..! Heartless people..!

*Hinote runs off*

*SLAM*

AYATO- ...

Is anyone gonna talk about the fact he didn't say anything about the boyfriend part..?

*SCENE IS IN OUTSIDE SCHOOL ENTRANCE*

HINOTE- Ahh.. I couldn't find him anywhere... You'd think I would based on all those girls humping his leg like some group of tiny loud dogs..

Hmph.. (still though.. Hearing the actual story gives me chills.. and the fact that his uncles just so heartless..!)

*Loud chattering can be heard*

HINOTE- Hmm..? (what's that..)

Uwah..! Sh-shiro-kun..!

SHIRO- ... (I have never had such a urge to hit a women before.. much less a group of women..)

(get them off of me..!!)

FEMALE STUDENT 1- Are you sure you don't want to hangout later..? I'm 100% free.

SHIRO- I don't.. Now get out of my sight.. please.

FEMALE STUDENT 2- Hmm.. So mean.. Haah.. Fine fine, I'll go to karaoke by myself then.

FEMALE STUDENT 1- Byee~

*The girls leave*

SHIRO- ..Haah.. Haah...

HINOTE- Uh.. Shiro-kun..? Are you okay..-

SHIRO- Shut up.. For one minute.. You talk too much..

HINOTE- Too.. much..? I see... I'll be.. quiet. I'm sorry..

...

*SCENE CHANGES TO HALLWAY*

SHIRO- ... (So annoying.. Women are by far the worst.. The girls here are even more god awful.)

Haah.. (my parents cursed me with my appearance.. and their family problems.. how annoying is all of this.. I just wanna go to my room an lay down and sleep.. sleep for the rest of my life...)

Hm..? Uh..

(This room.. It's the one next to me Hinote's. I don't know why.. But this smell to this room is.. So oddly familiar yet I can't put my thumb on it.. It's so.. the smell burns my noise... Just who and what happened in this room..? And why do I feel attachment to it..?)

(It's the same with the room next to it.. That one isn't half as bad but.. It's as if I knew the people who had these rooms..)

(Should I open this door..?)

--OPEN DOOR (if this where a game regardless he would open the door)

--DON'T OPEN THE DOOR

*Shiro opens the door*

*CREEEEEKK*

SHIRO- ..!!... (This smell..!)

*SCENE CHANGES TO INSIDE BEDROOM*

SHIRO- ... (This room is so.. clean yet this.. strong smell is.. Argh.. What a pain in the ass..)

???- I figured you'd go into this room at some point, although I didn't expect so soon.

SHIRO- ..!... Ah.. (It's that guy..)

Hey.. What's this room..? There's this smell about it.. I can't put my tongue on it though.. You're the elder here answer my questions.

REIJI- Hmph.. How expected of that dead-beats child to be the type to want the answers right away instead of finding out himself.

SHIRO- Dead-beat..? Listen, I just want answers.. The whole place is weird and filled with a group of weirdo's along with it.

REIJI- I suppose I'll enlighten you. Just a bit.

Although I do have a question, just what does this smell you speak about make you think of..? A person, a thing..? You've never lived here so..

SHIRO- That's not what I'm asking.. (man this guy is annoying.. I hate people like him)

I don't know.. Just.. I feel like I've known someone who had this room before. I don't.. It's just weird.. A part of me feels like I've been in this room before..

REIJI- Really now, hoh you are right about two things. I truly wonder who was it you knew.. I just can't remember, haha. Come now don't pull that face. It's truly disgusting. Your face just screams that deadbeat.

SHIRO- Just get to the point. I'm not talking to you to mess around.

REIJI- Haah.. Children are handfuls.. "I want I want"..

The very room your standing in right now.. Is the room which your own mother slept in, cried and many other of her hobbies in here, including dying in here while giving birth to you

SHIRO- ..!!...

REIJI- Pfft.. what's with the face, I do have to say it's quite a funny one. I wonder what type of face you'd pull if I told you the room that's also next to yours is your fathers.

*Shiro looks away.*

REIJI- Gn.. Hahaha.. Happy now..? You got what you asked for so why do you seem so upset..? Do you wanna more..?

Your begged me, oh how she begged me to let her hold you for just a minute longer, I remember how she fell to the floor. the last words she said to me was

"Shiro" what a sad weak and pathetic women she was--

*Shiro runs out*

REIJI- ...

My my, I think I'm gonna have plenty fun with this. I wonder what he'd be saying right now..

*SCENE CHANGES TO SHIRO'S AND HINOTE'S ROOM*

SLAM

SHIRO- Haah.. Haah.. Haah..

(So that's what that smell was.. That strong and awful smell.. Does the world just hate me..? Did he do this on purpose..? Why.. Why..?!)

HINOTE- Shiro-kun..? Are you okay..?

SHIRO- Ah..

Yeah.. Mind your own business..

HINOTE- Are you sure..? You came in here pretty loudly.

SHIRO- I'm.. I'm fine.. You're going to bed right..? Then do that..

HINOTE- ...

I heard.. What you and your uncle said in the room.. That those two room we're between, are your parents.. I learned.. The whole story today.. Hey..

*Hinote holds Shiro's shoulder*

HINOTE- I want to let you know.. I'm gonna make nothing happens to you, I'll make sure of it, even if I have to face some scary vampires, if it means you can be happy and your safe, then I'll do it.

I.. Don't want to see you in pain like this..

SHIRO- ...

My mom.. Her name meant "violet"... I was told she was as pretty as one.. In my home, my uncle put a massive photo of her.. I felt so sick looking at it.. So sick I had to take a few minuets just to walk into that entrance...

My mother was.. A truly beautiful women..

My dad.. I have no idea what he looks like besides he has blonde hair and his name...

HINOTE- What.. was your parents name..?

SHIRO- It was.. Sumire.. And Shuu...

HINOTE- I see.. Your parents have nice names.. Hey, let's not dwell on this right now, I'm sure you've had a long day. Get some rest.

*Hinote holds Shiro's hand leading him to his bed. Shiro places his head on Hinote's lap*

SHIRO- Hey.. Hinote...

HINOTE- Mhm.. What is it..?

SHIRO- I'm.. Sorry about the things I said today...

HINOTE- Uh.. Haha.. It's alright... There's no reason to say sorry. Just sleep okay..?

SHIRO- Mhm... (Yeah.. Sleep... Maybe I won't wake tomorrow.. Live in a endless dream..)

(I want to never wake up again)

--TO BE CONTINUED--

SHIRO'S STORY AFTER STORY -- SHIRO'S STORY 2

[imagines-by-a-typical-fangirl]

Unexpected Places (Pt. 04 of 11)

Pairing: Ivar the Boneless X Reader/Bjorn X Reader

Word count: 3 K

Summary: As a princess, you've lived in a golden cage all your life, always a piece on someone else's game. But everything changed when the Norsemen came crushing down on Wessex, like waves in a violent storm. Their king spared your life and decided to take you with him to his kingdom, in what felt more like a rescue than a kidnapping. There, you were not only confronted with a completely different culture and lifestyle, but also with two of his sons. The oldest one has his eyes set on you, but it's the youngest one, Ivar, who gets who claimed your attention since the first sight. And he seems to have an unnamed interest in you. Of course you hoped whatever that was would pass, but when unexpected feelings start to flow a different way, things begin to change.

<- Previous part (03)

Next part (05) ->

{Vikings Masterlist}

×

Fit For a Princess

You're listening to the chattering between Aslaug and Helga, looking at pieces of jewelry at the market place. You say something every now and then, but you can't shake away Ivar's stare. On the last days, two weeks or so, he's right there, sitting across from you on every meal, eyes burning through you. Hvitserk said he's studying you, still expecting you to snap, to decide you had enough of all this and want to go back home. To Wessex, where your older brother now rules. And Ragnar already said he'd take you back if you wanted, so there's that.

But leaving Kattegat hasn't even crossed your mind, not before and not now. How could you trade all you have here, and slide back into the invisible chains you had on? It wouldn't be just stupid, it would be the death of you. You're finally understanding who you are, the things you like, the kind of people you like. In England, you had to play a specific role, because everything was political. Here, you're just who you are. And you do what you want to do. This is true freedom.

“I really like this one,” Helga says, as your eyes wander through the many rings, earrings, and necklaces. “I'd like those two as well.” She continues as you pace around, further away from both women, turning the corner and then walking to another store. The pieces they have here are all made of metal, delicately bent into beautiful shapes. You caress a bracelet with the tip of your fingers, wondering if it'd look good on you.

“Don't waste your time with these cheap things.” The voice, that you now recognize immediately, makes you turn around. Ivar comes from among the people, only stopping when he's standing next to you.

But despite his attention being on the jewelry, your eyes are on him. “You're tall.” It comes out suddenly, because he never stood beside you like this, so you couldn't have noticed.

“Well, you're tiny.” Ivar glances at you, playing with one of the rings. “Anyway, you shouldn't be looking at these things. They won't suit you very well.”

Giving the old man an apologetic look, you randomly pick a bracelet. You don't get why Ivar is being rude, but, judging by what Hvitserk had told you, his brother isn't one to hold back. He says what he thinks, it doesn't matter how mean it may sound to others. You're still trying to figure out if this level of brutal honesty is good or bad. “I really like this one.” Searching on the small bag attached to your dress, you take four coins, way more than what the bracelet is worth, handing it over to the man and putting the bracelet on. The silver color is beautiful, and the drawings carved on it remind you of the pattern you saw on one of the boats that brought you here.

Ivar rolls his eyes exaggeratedly, sighing. “You are such a kind princess.” Dropping the ring, he starts walking side by side with you when you set in motion through the market. You weren't expecting that.

“King Ecbert was king of Wessex. This isn't Wessex.”

“(Y/N)! Wait for us.” Aslaug calls and you stop, giving her a look and a nod before turning to face Ivar, who towers over you.

“Therefore, I'm not a princess anymore.” Shrugging your shoulders, you give him a small smile.

“That's a shame, isn't it?” He lowers his voice, leaning closer.

“Not really.” Shrugging your shoulders, you give a little step back, putting a strand of hair behind your ears before giving him a little wave, walking back to where both women are.

After they're done shopping, as you walk back home, the clouds push themselves apart just enough for the sunlight to appear. That makes you stop, taking in the warmth on your skin, but it soon disappears.

“Hey, (Y/N),” Hvitserk calls, coming from the beach with his father, Ubbe and Bjorn, who's walking behind them. “We're going to meet some traders. Wanna come?”

“Why not?” You mumble, elbowing Hvitserk when he's close enough.

“Go put on some pants then. We're riding there.”

“Oh.” It's so absurd it's stupid, how you can't seem to do the simple things people know by heart here. “I'm not very good at riding.” Whispering, you tell him, not wanting anyone else to listen.

“I'll help you out.” He nods, tilting his head to where Bjorn is. “Without cracking your head open in the process.”

Smiling you nod before heading inside to change out of the dress. You're just about to head out when Aslaug tells you to grab a cloak in case it rains later, so you have to make another trip to your room. But soon enough you meet Hvitserk and the others again, reading the horses.

“Which one is mine?”

“Over here.” Hviserk guides to a beautiful white horse. “Give me your leg.” He says, and for a moment you furrow your eyebrows, but soon enough you understand what he means. Raising your leg, Hvitserk grabs your calf and you push yourself up, successfully mounting on the horse with his help. It feels funny to be this tall. You have ridden before, but most of the time you used a carriage. There was no need for a princess to ride on the back of a horse at Wessex. It's wild though, and you've grown to love wild things. “Keep your feet like this on the stirrups at all times. Don't put of your feet all the way in or it might get stuck if you fall. If you touch her with your ankles, she'll move forward. Pull the halters and she'll stop. The same thing goes to pull her left or right, but since we'll ride together she'll just follow the other horses.”

“Got it.”

“Your ass might hurt at the end of the day, so be prepared.” He warns before jumping to the back of his horse. “If it'll help you feel more steady, you can hold on the saddle, but trust me, you'll get the hang of it once you lose the fear of falling.”

“Have you ever fallen from a horse before?” As you speak, the small group starts moving, and your mare does the same, keeping their pace, slow at first until everyone starts galloping, and all air leaves your lungs. You hold tightly to the saddle, scared at first, but you remember what Hvitserk just told you. If you let the fear of falling win, you'll never learn to ride properly, and you'll never enjoy it. Slowly, you let go of the saddle, holding only on the halters, making sure it's loose so she'll feel free to run.

And the sensation is amazing. The wind makes your hair whip your face over and over, and you lightly shake your head to get rid of it. Glancing at Hvitserk, you mirror his position, a smile creeping over your lips. The landscape, green, blue, and gray, passes by in a blur, and you try to take it all in. It's beautiful, breathtaking. Almost literally, because when you finally stop, you're struggling to catch your breath.

“You ok?”

“Yeah.” You answer, and Hvitserk nods before moving to stand next to his father and brother. You see a small troop approaching, riding up the hill.

“You're quite good at this,” Bjorn says, guiding his horse away from his siblings and near you. “A few more lessons you'll be riding like a true Viking.”

“I really like it. Its... Thrilling.” You're finally calming down, and your thighs ache a little bit.

“Wanna see the traders coming?” Turning his horse around, he gestures at a cliff, not too many miles away. “We could go up there, it'll give us a nice view.”

“Isn't it a little high?”

“The horses are used to it. C'mon.” Without waiting for your answer, he starts galloping away.

Glancing at Hvitserk, you hold the halter tightly to keep the mare from moving. “You think I should?”

“Sure, it has a nice view. But if you feel like the trail there is too much you come back here, alright? The horses are used to it but you're not.”

“Alright.” Touching the mare with your ankles, you loose the halter and she immediately moves, following Bjorn's horse. It doesn't take much until you're deep inside the woods, the horses now trotting. Bjorn keeps silent, giving you a few glances since you're slightly behind him.

“That way.” He says, and you just let your ride follow his. The smooth ground soon starts changing, with more rocks, and becomes unravel. When you see a steep slope, with apparently nothing to hold on to, you pull the halters, making the mare stop.

“I think it's too craggy.” You speak up, getting Bjorn's attention. “I don't want to fall on my first try.”

“She's used to this kind of inclination. You'll be fine.”

Considering it and also what Hvitserk said, you decide to leave the cliff viewing for another day, when you feel more secure on the horse. “I think I'll pass, Bjorn. Maybe another cliff where I can go on foot.”

“Don't be a pussy. It's not that craggy.” Then, he kicks his horse hard and it sets in motion. It doesn't surprise you, but when the mare moves as well, following him, you're startled, and in the sudden change, you let the halter fall.

Holding on the sell, you can only watch as Bjorn's horse easily climbs the slope, at a fast pace, and yours do the same. But when it suddenly turns left, around a huge rock, you lose your balance, and since there's nothing to hold on to, both your feet escape the stirrups, and you're pulled to the ground hard. Losing your breath, a sting on your ankle makes you yelp as you roll down the slope, only stopping once the ground is flat again. Rolling on your back, you take deep breaths, trying not to move the left leg since the pain is spreading through your foot and calf. “Damn it!” You exclaim, removing the hair from your face.

“(Y/N)!” It takes only a few seconds until you see Bjorn kneeling by your side. “Are you alright?”

“I just fell from a horse and rolled down a hill!” You speak fast, the pain on your back making itself aware. “Of course I'm not fine!”

“Let me take you–” He says as he starts to pull you up.

“No.” You cut him off, slapping his hands away. Bjorn has done enough for today. If he wasn't trying to be a freaking show-off, this wouldn't have happened. “Go get–”

“(Y/N)?” You hear his voice and breathes out relief. “I heard a yell.”

“Over here. Lying on the ground.” Annoyed, you cover your eyes with both hands. “Can you please see if my ankle is broken?”

“What happened?” He asks in a low voice, and you uncover your eyes to see him jumping to the ground, kneeling next to your stretched out leg.

“Bjorn made his horse bolt up the slope and mine followed.” You explain, giving him a hard glance, groaning when Hvitserk lifts your leg to remove your boot. “Easy there!”

“Sorry.” He mumbles. “But calm down, it's not broken, just sprained.”

“Shit.” Taking a deep breath, you sit up taking off the other boot as well and throwing it at Bjorn. “You can't keep yourself from getting me hurt, can you?”

“Me? Everything you had to do was hold on. The horse–”

“I'm not a Viking!” Bursting out, you look up at him. “I'm not some shieldmaiden, I'm still trying to fit in here and learn things. You can't expect me to follow your pace.”

“I just–”

“Bjorn, you should get back. Help father with the traders, I'll take her back to Kattegat.” Hvitserk interrupts him, and Bjorn leaves after a grunt, saying something you couldn't understand.

“And he thinks he has the right to be pissed!” Lying back down, you groan. “I think this is a sign to stay away from him. Every time he's in the situation, I get hurt.”

“Alright, c'mon.” Hvitserk pulls your arm until you're seated again. “You need to put some ice on this ankle, let's go.” Hvitserk takes your mare first, tying her up with his horse before mounting and pulling you up to ride with him.

Despite the slow pace he keeps, your back still hurts. Resting your head on his back, you sigh. “Why are you so quiet?” You ask after a while.

“I'm thinking about the right words to tell this to mother. She won't be happy.” He answers, a hand resting on his thigh as the other holds the halter. “She's not very fond of Bjorn already.”

“It was partially my fault too, I think. I let the halter slip and had nothing to hold on to.”

“You're know Bjorn likes you, right?” Hvitserk suddenly says, and you pinch your eyebrows together. This thought hasn't crossed your mind. “That's probably why he did that. That's how he... Gets a woman's attention.”

“Would you do the kindness of telling him it's not working?” Muttering, you rest both your arms on his back folding them as if his shoulders were a table. “Actually, I've been meaning to tell you... I met Ivar at the market place today.”

“...And?” He asks after a few seconds of silence.

“Nothing, just... It was nothing, really.” It's hard to understand exactly what you want to tell Hvitserk. You just can't seem to put your feelings or thoughts together. “I was looking at these things and he said they wouldn't suit me.” Stretching out your arm, you show him the bracelet. “I bought this there.”

“That's nice. But cheap.” Rolling your eyes, you remember Ivar said pretty much the same thing.

“He also said I'm kind. But that was probably in a mocking tone, so...” You get into Kattegat, and Hvitserk greets some people. “I don't know.”

“I believe it's safe to assume Ivar doesn't hate you.” Hvitserk slows down the horse when a group of kids run by. “If he did, he wouldn't put himself on your way like that... Or look at you the way he does.”

“And how does he look at me?” The words come out slowly because you're not sure if you want to know.

“The only thing I can say for sure is that he never looked at a woman like that.” You finally get to Ragnar's house, and Hvitserk asks a man to help you down. Once you're safe on the ground, he jumps off, telling the man to take the horses. “And I mean it in a good way.”

He puts a hand around your waist, helping as you jump on the right foot until the table in the main hall. “Do you think he–”

“What happened this time?” Aslaug asks, her voice already giving out that she's not happy.

“Twisted ankle. She fell from the horse.”

“Take her to her room, Hvitserk.” The Queen mutters, saying something to the girls who were following her. “And carry her this time if that isn't too much to ask.”

“Alright.” He replies, picking you up with a hand on the small of your back and another under your legs, quickly finding the way to your chambers.

Giggling, you give him a look “I love when your mother–”

“Careful with the teasing this time. I might just drop you to the floor and I don't care if your a princess who fell off a horse.” The fake angry tone makes you laugh again.

“My bad, Prince Hvitserk.” You snap back, rolling your eyes.

Aslaug has her maids help you bathe first, cleaning the dirt that is attached to your face and hair before lying you on the bed again and applying a piece of fabric with cold water on your ankle, keeping it elevated with some pillows. She isn't happy to know the whole story, despite you assuring her it's alright now. You could've died, she said, breaking your neck. But it's useless to worry about what could've happened. The best thing to do now is to focus on the ankle, which she said will be better in a few days, and let the whole incident go.

Later that night, you give little jumps to the main hall to eat something. It's just Ubbe and Bjorn, seated on a table at the corner. Nodding at them, not wanting to chat with Bjorn at the moment, you sit at the edge of the table in the middle, your back turned at both men, taking the jar and pouring yourself something to drink.

“How's your ankle?” Ubbe asks, and you look over your shoulder.

“It's fine. I'll be able to walk normally in a few days. But my back still hurts.” Completely ignoring Bjorn's existence, you turn away from them again.

Drumming your fingers on the table, you wait for the Queen's maids to bring your meal. When you feel someone moving behind your back, you assume it's them, and place your cup further away to open some space. But instead of the bowl with rabbit stew, a necklace is put down before you. And it's absolutely beautiful, with three blue stones surrounded by a golden metal, delicately molded around it. It's different from anything you've ever seen in Wessex. Taking it in your hands, you see Ivar dropping to the seat next to you, and you turn to look at him.

“What is it?” You ask, unable to hide the smile that comes to your lips.

“A necklace.” He simply says, and you roll your eyes at his tone. What a way to ruin the mood.

“Yeah, I noticed.” The smile slowly drops as your eyes go back to the piece, fingertips caressing one of the stones.

“This was made for a princess. Not those cheap things.” He gestures at your bracelet, and you giggle.

“Well, this is absolutely beautiful.” Glancing at him, you find he was already staring. “Is it for me?” You inquire in a lower voice, not wanting to make any assumptions that might embarrass you.

Ivar nods, lightly pushing your shoulder. “Turn around. Let me put it on.”

Doing as he says, you turn your back at him. Ivar takes the necklace and places it around your neck, and you hold your hair up so he can close it on the back. Once he's done, you let the hair fall before turning to face him, folding your left leg and carefully laying the wounded ankle on the bench between you and Ivar. “How does it look?”

You wait for an answer, but it doesn't come. Ivar's eyes were fixed on the necklace, but slowly, they come to meet yours. Tilting your head to the side a little, you feel heat spreading through your cheeks.

Shaking your head lightly and looking down, you take a deep breath. “Have you heard that I fell from a horse this afternoon?” You're glad you got your brain to function, changing the subject. “Twisted my ankle.”

Ivar's stare falls to your bare feet on the bench, the skirt of your dress pulled up to your knee. “Mother told me it was someone else's doing.” As he speaks, Ivar gives an angry stare at where his two brothers are, and it's obvious who he's looking at. “But I think you'll survive.” You feel his fingers caressing your skin, from your knee and down through your calf, so softly you wonder if he's really touching you.

“I will.” You assure him, biting back a smile.

“Ivar,” Ragnar calls, and it does take a while until you both look at where he's standing, near the thrones. “Your mother wants to speak with you.”

“What now?” He asks, annoyed.

“I don't know. Go ask her.” And he disappears.

“Guess I'll have to go.” He glances at you, grabbing the clutch.

But before he can push himself up, you grab his arm. Perhaps you shouldn't do it. Perhaps this whole thing is just some kind of joke he's pulling on you, but still, the necklace is beautiful and he was... Kind. So you lean closer to him, placing a soft kiss on his cheek. “Thank you for the gift. It's very beautiful.”

Ivar is frozen, even after you let go of his arm. He stands there, blue eyes locked on yours. Slowly, painfully slow, a smile comes to his lips. And it feels different. True, genuine. “You're welcome, princess.” He whispers before pushing himself up to his feet and walking away.

You're still a little dazed when the rabbit stew comes, and you can do nothing but play with the spoon. But heavy footsteps get your attention, and when you look at your side, you catch a glimpse of a very angry Bjorn disappearing inside.

He saw everything. And it takes you by surprise to notice that, the moment you laid eyes on Ivar, you immediately forgot Bjorn and Ubbe were here. Everything just... Faded away, and there was nothing else, just you and him. And this is not the first time it happens.

×

@multific @revolution-starter @crackhead1-800 @youbloodymadgenius @clown-boyyy @kitten0394 @castielsangelx-blog @goldlion07 @midnightmystic @readsalot73 @xvxcarolinexvx @momowhoo @fangfoxy @msrawog @walkingonshunshine @alytavzla @anotherfan07

[shadowturtlesstuff]

Enchanted

finally finished this!!! im so happy with it, and will be writing it in thomas’s pov as soon as possible and perhaps part 2? 

Sleep evades me. My mind keeps returning to last night, specifically to a certain person I had met last night. I pull the covers higher, burying my head as I finally gave into my wandering mind.

~

I stand alone, needing a break from my aunt Amelia. The music was beautiful, a soft sound that filled the entire room. The party itself was decorated in a magical way, the columns in the building encompassed in vines, the tables with floral centrepieces. It was a mixture of whimsy and magic, yet no one seemed happy to be here. Everyone I spoke to was forcing smiles, men faked laughter as they believed this was not a party but a way to make business deals and enforce their own reputation. It was absurd how no one was just admiring the effort people put into making this perfect. It was the same every month, I'd walk to the edge of the room and watch. To calm my nerves, to explore the different flower pieces, the musicians and the flickering candles from the chandelier. The gowns women wore only once to try and show their wealth, whilst I tended to wear the same, as it fit the magical atmosphere this room desperately tried to make people see, yet they were too blind by their greed, the need to prove themselves to everyone to just simply stand back and enjoy themselves.

My cousin Liza seemed to be in conversation with Dacina, the host of the party, someone I had spoken to a few times, each being more enjoyable. Her calming demeanour and charm always lifted my spirits. Her family organizes this ball once a month, her father hates it but makes a lot of business so it is always left to her to plan and design it. With the help of Illeana and lots of their servants they always make this place ethereal. Her brother, Thomas Cresswell, only ever shows up for a few hours then leaves, only being able to handle the faking niceties for so long. Dacina told me of his tolerance, or lack thereof, to society. She speaks highly of her brother, as I once did, yet I have never met Mr.Cresswell. 

The varnished wooden floor slowly gathers marks as couples danced. How I longed to be one of those dancers, being swivelled by someone I loved. They would look at me as if I was the most magical thing in the room, with a soft smile and adoration in every word he whispers to me. I would be his equal as we spun around, the world fading into nothing as we held each other. Alas, those dreams are not likely for someone cruel enough to carve the dead. 

I snap out of my fantasy as a group of older men walk towards the buffet near me. They talk loud enough so everyone can hear, shockingly talking about work. I roll my eyes at them and look away back to the dance floor. The lights above cast shadows, making the scene feel like my imagination as I sit by a fireplace to read a romance novel. If this was a novel, there would be my love interest here, watching and finding the courage to say something. There are families at the table, children clinging to mothers as the men sit and discuss whatever. My father, uncle and aunt sit together in a seemingly civil conversation. I look for Liza again, deciding I should probably stop brooding in the corner but as I look for her my attention keeps going back to the men at the buffet. Not by choice, but by their obnoxious decision to shout their conversation. 

“A woman led the strike, ridiculous, she had to go,” I heard an oldish man say, followed by murmurs of agreement, “these strikes are out of hand, demanding we pay more, absurd notions.” The man is none other than Mr. Birling, a notoriously cold hearted man, much like dacianas father apparently, both of whom value money rather than people. Even their own families. The group of men who looked the same as him, slightly wrinkled face, greyish hair, miserable faces with hints of conniving schemes being plotted against each other. Friends until one of them was earning more money and was more successful, then they were enemies again. 

The men were in a heated discussion about their business and from what I can dissect from their ramblings is that they fully believe themselves to be hard working men, a rarity these days, and they must do what is necessary for their companies. Meaning, budget cuts, strikes from workers, firing people, and any horrible decision in the name of money.  I refrain from rolling my eyes, or going over to berate them. 

“Mr. Birling would not know what a hard day's work is.” someone says quietly behind me. His voice is smooth, confident, and whilst I agree due to what I have learnt about the birling family and the conversation I had just overheard, I still wouldn't say it aloud with him being this close. Not that he pays any attention to anyone but ‘hard working men’. 

I turn my head slightly, the man behind me is tall, a smirk playing at his lips. His suit is finely tailored in a dark grey, with a peach tie. He takes a step forwards and stands at my side, staring out into the crowd, a glass of half drunk champagne in his hand. I return my gaze to the crowd. “Whatever makes you think that, surely you heard him talk about how much he works,” I try to suppress my own smirk and I also sneak a glance at the strange man. He merely takes a sip of his champagne. 

“Right of course, his words, I shall listen more closely next time.”

“As you should. You wouldn't want to misinterpret someone's work ethic and make a fool of yourself in front of a stranger.” 

“You consider me a fool now?” he turns to me now, hands pressed against his chest in fake offence. His brown eyes meet mine as I face him. His sharp cheekbones feel familiar, but I can't place where from. 

“Yes. how could you consider someone such as Mr Birling, a man with such talent and tolerance of others, a man who clearly built his company and was not handed it by his father, how could you with a straight face imply he doesn’t know hard work.”  we stare at each other for a few seconds, then burst out laughing. He has such a pure laugh, we seem to be the only sound in the room. People around us stop and stare, upset two people are having fun at a party. The stranger leans against one of the columns, disrupting the vines slightly. Yet he doesn't seem to care, as he slowly starts to regain his composure from our outburst. 

Mr. Birling is one of the men looking at us with full disdain. He perceives us as two kids who do not understand life, he specifically tells his accountant that there is something wrong with us if the rumours are to be believed. Children of science. Outrageous. Especially a girl. A girl, not a woman. I ignore his pathetic whining, intent on not letting him ruin my night and return my focus to the stranger. Who, I realise, is someone who enjoys science. His face is more solemn now, having also overheard Mr.Birling. He quickly recovers and plasters a smirk on his face, a spark shines in his eye and I can already tell this won't be good.

“I want to meet this ‘girl’ who led the strike, perhaps she could use some help. I mean, all they ask is fair pay,”

“But fair pay is absurd. Completely and utterly absurd. Why should the wealthy share their wealth to those who ensure it.” he finishes for me. The men that run this world will end up being the reason it fails. We share a look, full of understanding and he lets out a sigh. Now we're talking about work and politics at a party. 

“Aside from those charming men, how are you enjoying the party?” He gestures to the men around us and I snort. Charming was one word for them. Being with him and trading remarks felt like passing notes to each other, telling secrets during class even though we are meant to be listening to the teacher. I can't help but think I know him, and by the look in his own face he knows me. Perhaps we met but didn't have time for a full conversation like we are now. 

“Mostly entertaining, the place is spectacular as always, the people are..” I searched for a word to describe the people, as well as my family. I love them dearly but they can be insufferable. “An interesting mix. My family is dramatic, so I escaped to the edge to peace and quiet, which apparently isn't possible. "I give him a pointed look but he takes no notice. 

“My family is also dramatic, and I came for peace myself but found myself captivated by you, specifically how you watched the crowd, listening, and how you curled your fists in an attempt not to go and publicly humiliate the poor man. Which, by the way, I think you should've. Would've made the whole thing worth it.” He takes a sip of his champagne and I nearly roll my eyes at him. Of course he'd want that. From what I can tell he isn't someone who enjoys society and has no problem saying it. I also think about the families in attendance and which of those are dramatic. The only person I can think of is Darci's brother, whom I've not met but heard about his nature over wine with her. 

“If I was merely standing here minding my business would you still have found me captivating enough to talk to me? Or is my appeal in my anger?”

He downs the rest of the drink and straightens himself taking a step towards me. I cross my arms, impatient but he gives me a soft smile. “I've been trying to get the courage to talk to you for months, I always see you here at the edge, always. My eyes find you instantly in any crowd. Transfixed, captivating. It was an added bonus to me when I saw the fierce nature in your eyes up close, I knew I was right to want to befriend you.” 

Silence falls as we both take in his words. I feel bad, not being able to figure out who he is. His honesty is admirable and makes me smile, as well as blush. I can feel heat rise to my cheeks. Just as I begin to rectify the situation by asking for his name, a man comes behind 

me, he’s around 40 probably, and looks at me horrendously in an attempt at a smile. I recognised him from earlier, he's one of the men that spoke with Mr Birling and that alone makes me instantly want to recoil. 

“Can I help you sir?” I asked and I can hear my own clipped words, yet somehow he does not. The smile widens and he looks me up and down. Then he offers his hand to me and I realise he wants to dance. With a woman half his age, that he has never met. 

“Miss Wadsworth, dance with me?” more of a common than a question. Since I am already highly aware he doesn’t like when females have opinions or say no, I refrain from rolling my eyes and just walking off from him. Instead I take a step back, so I'm by my new friend’s side and smile widely. 

“I'm afraid I already promised the darling Wadsworth a dance, we are just finishing our drinks first.” As if to prove my point he drinks the last of his drink, mostly to hide his smirk. Something else the man doesn't seem to notice. His face drops, but his pride makes him believe he can stand there, waiting for me to run to him. There is an awkward silence until I feel hands reach down and take mine, they are warm and make me jump slightly at the contact. Not in a bad way, not in the way I would have if it had been the man in front of me with his gaze like fire as he looks at our joined hands as though he has a right to be mad about it. I feel my own fire burn as he stares, so I tug his hand away from the man. I need to just escape into the dreamlike nature of the dancefloor, as well as thank my saviour and learn his name.

He leads me to the dance floor, nearer the edge and his hands slip down to my waist as I find his shoulders. His touch is hesitant but reassuring. Somehow he looks calm and terrified, as though he never expected to dance with me but never wants to stop. I can't help but feel the same as we begin to move. My skirt swirls around us and we say nothing for a while as we both calm ourselves and let the music envelope us. In a way, this is as close to my daydreaming as I might ever get. Being here on the dance floor with someone who isn't twice my age and the definition of misogyny. We dance as equals, neither of us truly leading but letting each other float around each other. We're sure of our movements and demand nothing from each other. It is a weird calmness that settles. We are strangers as far as i know, and yet we dance as though we have known each other our entire lives. 

“You are a delight, miss Wadsworth.” he breaks the silence, somehow louder than the music for me, yet it's quiet. Almost like he didn't mean to say it aloud. 

“How do you know me?” my voice matches and i feel bad asking, but i need to know. My tone is not accusing, and his face only burrows in confusion for a second before he smirks at me. A smirk I'm seeming to become familiar with.

“My sister Dacina speaks highly of you.” my eyes must expand as he laughs softly. That's why I recognized him. He has the same structure as Dacina, sharp cheekbone and soft skin. Perfect complexion. 

“So you are the infamous Thomas cresswell?” this time I smirk and his eyes widen. 

“Infamous? What on earth have you heard of me?”

“Your sister has lots of opinions on you.”

“Of course she does. Whatever she has said is most likely not true.” He blurts out and I laugh at his relationship with his sister and him wanting to impress me. “Unless she told you I am utterly irresistible, charming, quick witted and incredibly smart.” winking at me he sends me into a surprising spin and my hands land on his chest. We've sped up slightly, yet our heartbeats are both faster than necessary and I can see a hint of a blush creeping up on his cheeks. 

“She did mention you have an overly large ego. She'll be happy to know I agree with her.” I feel his hands tighten at my waist slightly and I watch his curls fall down in his face as he shakes his head. I'm delighted by this turn of events. Daci is wonderful, and if this is the Thomas that I get to see, not his reputation, then I shall try and keep this in my life for as long as possible. His spark in his eyes shows how he may think the same. Also, if daci, liza and ileana are with Thomas, then i might have the most fun I've ever had in my life.

His voice slides through my thoughts, but also reinforces them. “I am sure she failed to mention how big of an ego she has. Honestly, Darci is worse than I. Have you met Illeana? She will surely agree with me on this.” 

“I'm sure she would, I've also heard you are a scientist, what do you study?”

“The dead. Much like you and your uncle.” There is so much certainty in his voice, no resentment or the usual tone I hear so I gift him an earnest smile. 

The song ends, and we stand, hands still on each other for a second longer than we should. Just as I go to remove my hands from his chest I feel him pinch my sides lightly. Then his warm hands slip from my waist and I wish more than anything to dance again. 

We go to return back to the column near the buffet, where we first spoke, and as I take a step I feel him move so he's pressed at my back, his hands finding mine. Even though we are gloved, even though no one can see our hands due to how close we are, and how many people are moving about, my heart pounds at his bold nature. I adore it, so I squeeze him and keep my head facing forward as I lead him off the dance floor. We settle back, Thomas letting go of my hand to pick up two glasses of champagne and hands me one. We both take a long sip, perhaps settling our brains or making it worse. Well see. 

“You look,” he pauses, as if trying to find the right words, brows furrowed slightly as if he was reading a dictionary, “enchanting.” he finally finishes, gifting me a rare smile it seems. No longer does he smirk at me, but shows me a genuine look that I want to have painted as it is the best thing I have witnessed. Heat rises to my cheeks as I look down at my dress. Someone at least understood what I was going for, with a pale peach colour, sparkling bodice that runs along the length of the skirt. The long sleeves adorned with tiny gemstones, golden to match the accented colours of the hall. In response to Thomas I look back up at him with my own genuine smile, perhaps some of the only true smiles to be shared this evening. His suit fits him perfectly, showing off his defined features, his tie a pale peach as well. I assume Dacina helps him, as her dresses always astound me with the details. There are tiny, miniscule gems on his tie, that snake down and remind me of vines.

“You look,” I act the way he did, scanning my brain for something that fits, handsome or charming doesn't do justice but I'm sure whatever I use will only boost his ego and be used against me, so I settle with: “bedazzling.” 

“Bedazzling?”

“Thomas, I study the dead, I have to look closer than one should at things, so of course I noticed your tie. Henceforth: bedazzling.” The air shifts back to our teasing tone and he smirks once again.

“You are the only one to notice, except Daci of course, nothing gets past her. Am I correct in assuming you like the tie?” Despite his teasing I feel a hint of worry as if I wouldn’t like his tie. 

“I adore the tie cresswell, everyone here should be weaning ties with tiny jewels.”

His face falls as he scans the crowd, eyes narrowing slightly as he takes in the groups of men. “I cannot tell if you are being serious with me or not, but I agree nonetheless. The men here are awfully drab, boring, plain. It's insulting to us really. Daci puts so much time into making this beautiful and these people do not see it.” He is shaking his head. I agree, I have heard how much work goes in and despite my effort to help she insists that I do nothing but enjoy the party. I have a sneaking suspicion though that Liza helps. The flower centrepieces are her favourite, and whilst that might be a coincidence I know how stubborn and convincing she can be. 

“I do. I love her parties. I always find myself standing here, watching and noticing all the changes from the month prior. Like, last month she went for more of a red theme, with red roses as the centrepieces, little red accented chairs and carpets. Whereas this month is more of a forestry vine, hence the vines around the column.” I point as though they are a secret thing you need to search for even though they are obvious. Yet he turns anyway and runs his finger down the length of it with his adorable face set at a soft smile. Thomas might have been there when she got the idea, or placed them or he might have placed them himself and is now remembering it. 

My gaze finds Thomas and he looks at me, baffled, and I feel the blush creeping back up. It is not the same confused look that I get when I tell people my love of science, but one of intrigue. As if he could listen to me talk forever and not get bored. It's as if he has never thought anyone would notice such things about his family's party. “Enchanting.” is all he whispers to me. Then he clears his throat, an ever so soft shake of his head as though once again the words were meant for him and not us both. 

I stare out at the crowd again. I'm sure my family will want to know where I've disappeared to, I normally do not leave them this long. Liza I'm sure will want to know why I danced with Thomas. Yet the thought of leaving him makes my legs leaden and my heart sink and anchor me right next to him. Im completely wonderstruck, and feel ill have a permanent blush, especially when i look at his stupidly handsome face, his quick smirk and small smiles that feel special. It is odd, I've only heard stories, spoken to him briefly and danced, yet I have enjoyed his company immensely and hope this never ends. I want more dances and to steal more smiles to keep forever. I want to make fun of people together, and dance. 

I go to steal a glimpse of him, expecting to find him staring at the crowd like I was but his eyes are on me. “I have to leave,” his abrupt words anchor me in an entirely different way, “I mean,  I want to stay and I'm sure you want my amazing presence always now Wadsworth but I have to wake early. New job. So, my darling, I shall see you tomorrow.” Thomas hesitates for half a second and begins to walk away. I watch him go and say goodnight to his sister and then leave. His words fill my head. It’s reassuring to know he enjoys my company as much as I do.

~

I bolt upright in my bed, the lights, music and memories falling away as I focus on the last words he said to me.

I'll see you tomorrow. 

What does tomorrow mean? Does it mean he has a job where he thinks I visit? Will he be making an effort to befriend me? Does he know my family? I am so confused. How had I not caught these words sooner? Perhaps he wants to tell me he had a terrible time, that he doesn't like my presence. I'm on my feet without realising, pacing back and forth, the cold air hugging me close. I wish he was in front of me now. I wish he would whisper the words enchanting again. I wish I knew what was happening in a few hours that warranted him saying those four words. I run my hands over my face, untie my hair and let my curls fall over my shoulder, brushing away the colder ever so slightly. I'm ridiculous. Four tiny words sent me spiralling. I climb back into bed, my hair fanning out around me and the blanket returning warmth back into my system. Immediately my mind returns to Thomas, his face forever in my mind. Even if tomorrow could be the last time I see him, there is a chance that it is just the start. 

Enchanting…

Those words fill me with confidence that yes, Thomas might become someone special to me. That perhaps our dance sparked something and now all I wish is that I can tell him how enchanting he is.

@fangirling-again @kittycat2187 @goatahoan @city-of-fae @purplecreatorhorsewagon @boredbookwormgirl @goddess-of-writing-wars @loveyatopluto @lovecakeandmore @yikesitsmaddie @bookscressworth @androgynousdeputylawyershoe @fandomtakeover @throneoftsc @the-hoofflepooff