#wren’s log

[ivanttakethis]

Wren’s Log - Entry 1.0

————————————————————

Wren was surprised Tov had taken everything so well.

The twin sibling reveal.

The pseudo-sibling reveal.

The “surprise-you’re-a-year-younger-than-you-thought” reveal.

Even Tov’s reaction to the shock ring was tamer than the call for security and restraining order Wren was expecting.

Granted, she was still recovering from a heart attack and heavily medicated. It could take a few days for her to fully process through all of what she, Elias, and Prem had shared.

Maybe Wren would get the restraining order in the mail, or maybe Tov would follow through on her threat to wring her by her neck.

Naz is gonna get a kick out of that.

As soon as she and the boys left Tov’s hospital room for the night, Elias took Wren aside as Prem led the way down the hall.

“I didn’t want to alarm Tov, but I found something on the stage.” He said in a low voice. When Tov was shocked, goes unsaid.

“Oh?” Wren couldn’t resist the chance to mess with him. “You’re speaking to me so soon. I was sure I’d get the silent treatment for being ‘out of my fucking mind’.” She said.

Elias leveled her with a withering look that fell flat on its face, “I’m still mad at you for that. It was a batshit insane idea and if I knew about it, I would’ve stopped you.”

“Which is why I didn’t tell you. Besides, it’s not like you had a better idea.”

“Not the point.” He said.

She took that as a concession, “Yeah, yeah. What did you find?”

“The bullet.”

Wren stumbled mid-stride.

A shot was actually fired?

The crack she’d heard over the broadcast, right before she sent the electric shock through the ring, had been pinging around in her head since Tov collapsed.

That must’ve been the shot.

The shooter just missed.

“What kind of bullet?” She asked.

“Not any kind that guards would have easy access to.” Elias said. “This bullet had a paralytic tranquilizing agent inside of it. Whoever planned to shoot Tov wasn’t trying to kill her, they just wanted it to look like they did.”

So someone else wants Tov alive? How interesting.

“Any thoughts on who could be behind this?”

He shook his head, “Not yet. But if I had to guess, it’s someone who can afford to pay off a guard.”

Or a guard themselves…

Wren kept this thought to herself.

They rounded a corner toward the elevators, passing by floor to ceiling glass windows looking out onto the bustling city street below.

Even deep into the night, the buildings were still brightly illuminated and cars clogged the roads.

“Could it be Tov’s guardian, Cassio?” She asked.

“You know them better than I do,” Elias said, shrugging. “What do you think?”

It wasn’t a secret that Cassio was extremely wealthy. Their fashion house Cassiopeia was a well-regarded luxury brand these days.

And Wren knew Cassio cared a lot about Tov, more than enough to orchestrate her “death” to keep her alive.

The amount of money to bribe a guard would’ve been pocket change to them.

But still, Wren wouldn’t say she knew them “better”. More exposure, maybe.

As the group came upon the elevators, Wren glanced through a glass door leading out to a balcony.

A tall, pale blue figure stood alone out at the railing.

Cassio.

Speak their name and they appear.

“I’m gonna go find out.” Wren said, nodding toward the door. “Don’t wait up on me.”

Elias followed her line of sight, “I see. Be careful.”

She smiled and clapped him on the shoulder, “I’m always careful.”

They both knew Wren was joking.

———

“Evening, Guardian Cassio.” Wren greeted as she approached the balcony railing.

Cassio tucked their phone back in their pocket and nodded to her, “Good evening, Wren.”

Curt, but polite.

Not many words.

I see where Tov gets it from.

“Tov woke up not too long ago.” She said.

“I know,” Cassio said. “I suppose I have you to thank for that.”

Wren frowned, “How so?”

“The heart attack was too well timed to be a natural occurrence.”

Ah, well.

There was no reason to deny it now.

It wasn’t like Wren was ashamed of what she did either.

The only person who had to live with the morality of her decisions was herself. She would sleep just fine.

“Guilty as charged.” She said with a shrug.

Cassio hummed, “I can’t really blame you. If Tov were my sister, I probably would’ve done the same thing.”

Only now did Wren realize she wasn’t wearing her mask or her contacts.

She chuckled to herself, “Also guilty.”

“When were you going to tell her?” They asked.

“I wanted to tell her when the Season 39 contestants came to Anakt Garden, after Round 12.” She said. “But then I saw her face… when that Flor girl died… I could tell she cared for her a lot. She didn’t need anything more to worry about on top of that.” Wren shook her head, “And every time after that was an even worse moment to bring it up.”

Round 17? Wrong.

Round 24? Wrong.

Round 26? Wrong.

Round 29? Wrong.

Wrong wrong wrong.

It was all wrong.

“I should thank you, truly.” They said, drawing Wren out of her thoughts. “You’ve given me the chance to make things right with Tov… eventually.”

She glanced over at them, eyebrows furrowed. Their gaze was still fixed on the cityscape ahead.

There was a somberness laced in their tone of voice.

“I don’t get it. Aren’t you going to see her soon?”

Cassio sighed, long and suffering, “How am I supposed to face her? After everything I’ve put her through? She lost so much and it’s all my fault.” They said. “If I hadn’t enrolled her in Anakt Garden, none of this would’ve happened.”

That’s true… but…

Wren turned to look out at the city too, thinking.

If she could go back in time and reject the Anakt Garden scholarship, would she do it?

Most of her classmates would probably say yes, but Wren hesitated.

Without Anakt, she never would’ve been placed in Ra’s care. She never would’ve met Cindy, or Toki, or even Inna. She never would’ve fallen for Naz either.

If Wren hadn’t gone to Anakt Garden, she wouldn’t have become Wren.

And she quite liked herself and her life, even if it wasn’t always pretty or easy.

Only Tov could answer if that was true for herself.

But if those stars in the sky named after her friends held as much meaning to Tov as she said they did, Wren already knew what her answer would be.

“Did Tov tell you that?” She asked.

Cassio blinked at her, “What? No, she hasn’t.”

“Then ask her.” Wren said. “She might surprise you.”

“I hope you’re right. I don’t want to fail her any more than I already have.” They said. “When Tov was younger I… wasn’t there when she needed me, and I regret it every day. I don’t know where to even start trying to make it up to her.”

“You can’t change the past. All you can do is be there for her now.”

“Is that enough?”

Wren could only shrug, “It has to be.”

We don’t have any other choice.

“You’re off to a good start.” She said instead.

Before Cassio could respond, the shrill ring of their phone cut through the low din of the night and startled them both.

Their lips briefly curled into a snarl as they read the caller ID.

“You’ll have to excuse me, I’m being summoned by Alien Stage producers for an ‘emergency meeting’.”

It’s definitely about Tov. She thought, nodding.

“Good luck. I’ll come back some time tomorrow to see Tov again.”

Cassio smiled, genuine, before turning to leave.

“Oh, by the way,” They started, stopping themselves short and looking back at her, “I wanted to ask how you did it. How did you trigger Tov’s heart attack?”

Wren held up her right hand — with the good luck charm now on her ring finger — and pointed to it, “Electric shock.”

They chuckled in surprise, looking mildly impressed. “That was better than my idea. I just made Tov’s dress out of bullet resistant fabric, requested they shoot her center mass, and hoped for the best.”

Oh.

Oh shit.

Wren forced herself to smile as she waved them off, waiting until they returned back inside the hospital before letting it drop.

Cassio didn’t bribe anyone to shoot Tov with that paralyzing bullet.

If they weren’t behind the bullet, then that meant someone else was involved.

An unknown third party.

But who were they?

And what did they want with her sister?

————————————————————

Huh… I wonder who else wants Tov alive? (I say, knowing full well who it is)

Anyways, I’m finally doing Season 40 stuff! Tov will still have her logs, but I’ll also be doing some for Wren too.

Next up is a log from Cassio’s point of view. That emergency meeting for Alien Stage should be interesting 👀

Naz belongs to @lookatmysillies.

Cindy belongs to @tsukacchako.

Toki belongs to @zerostyrant.

Inna belongs to @alien-til-i-stage.

Tagging: @starry-skiez @rockwgooglyeyes @chevalperd @apple8ees

[rebouks]

Previous // Next

[clattering – distant voices] [Oscar groaned, clutching his pounding head; he didn’t want to face reality just yet, but there was no way he’d get back to sleep now] Oscar: Morning, gremlins. [Oscar was met with the usual cheery good mornings from Byrd and Ava, followed by a yawn from Wren and a pensive, yet curious look from Robin that made his already uncomfortable gut twist with guilt and shame] Courtney: C’mon, school time. Robin: But-… Courtney: No buts. Byrd: Why’s the car in the hedge..?

[heartorbit]

artfight attack.. 2! for ~salmeander ⚰️

[doodlingwren]

☝🤓 What if 🤨🤔! I was back 😨🤯 after some months 😞😤😲... ahahah jokes 🧐🤣😂... unless 😳👉👈

[flustersluts]

help the two hottest people on my dash (wren + you) are talking to each other and I don't know how to act

jokes on YOU @bedazzlecunt and i are besties and sometimes we even e fuck. wow is this how it feels to be charli announcing the lord collab. jokes on you this has all been mass engineered to make u even more horny

[verdantlights]

TW for brief mention of SA, abuse, and panic attacks.

Bumblebees are out - Jack Stauber

♧ Clove ♧

Green is Clove

Blue is Aster - @apriciticreveries

Orange is Wren - @ivanttakethis

Purple is Cindy - @tsukacchako

Macbeth - @alien-til-i-stage

Sebastian - @sotogalmo

Clove's most recent owner, Ignis. Abandoned him at ANAKT at 15 years old. He was visually beaten and bruised, cuts and gashes visible through tattered clothing. He looked lifeless. The administrators who handled him were... a bit concerned, but couldn't do anything to help him yet. The only thing Ignis said before handing all ownership over to ANAKT was, "Keep her hair long and keep her piercings in. Don't let her take them out."

And so began Clove's recovery at ANAKT. The admins were thankfully kind towards Clove, and helped him recover as well as put him in physical therapy for wrongly-healed fractured ankles.

Clove was silent for a while, the light in his eyes was dark. Everyone was referring to him as a girl and he couldn't say anything about it. His voice wouldn't come out, he was too scared.

But little by little, he regained hope. He ended up in speech therapy too, which helped a lot. Soon enough he was giving rough bits and pieces about Ignis' treatment towards Clove as well as Clove's preferred identity. They acclimated decently, able to edit a few things on his chart for future admins to see. As for Ignis' treatment, they weren't surprised to hear the things he had done. A lot of human pet owners treating their pets like sex toys, punching bags, and/or slaves is nothing new.

From what they've gathered, Clove endured all three. He was forced to be a young girl and to do everything Ignis asked of him. It was torture. He had to endure it for roughly 2 years.

They learned how Clove's eye became defective. He had a nasty beating and was left with a gash through his right eye leaving it black, bruised, and swollen. It got infected and wasn't treated. He had a parasite eat its way through his eye and by the time he was finally taken to a doctor, he was already blind in his right eye. Thankfully it was removed before any further damage was done.

...

...Making friends at ANAKT was a nice change, too. He found a lot of people he liked and some he... didn't quite like. He can be found in a patch of grass weaving flower crowns for anyone who wants one, his shaking hands turning stems in and out, over and under. He repeats the motion until his hands start to cramp.

Sometimes he'll accidentally break a stem... somewhere in his mind he hears the snap of his ankles and the scream he let out after, but he's not there anymore. He picks another flower.

He found someone who's presence is very calming, someone named Aster. He finds it quite ironic that their name is also that of a flower. He likes to braid flowers into their hair and likes to sing and dance with them. They can't see very well, but Clove doesn't care. He likes to help them during the day, if they feel like Clove is crowding them, they never say anything. In fact, Aster seems to enjoy the help Clove provides.

♧

"I hope I can see you one day. Maybe when I get you out of Alien Stage."

"Alien Stage? What's that?"

"...You... oh no..."

"Aster...? What's Alien Stage...?"

They stay silent for a while, contemplating their next words carefully. Unfortunately,, there's not a good way to put it.

"Do you know what our singing practice is for? It's for Alien Stage. Once it's your time to participate... you'll be sent off to compete. If you lose a round by unpopular vote... they kill you on stage. It's all for the entertainment of the aliens. I'm not here to participate, only to train. But you... I need to get my owner to adopt you, so you can be free."

Clove's head was swimming. He felt dizzy. He was going to die? He would go up on stage and sing his heart out to an audience of aliens, only to be voted against and killed?

His breathing became quicker and heavier. His hands were shaking again. He felt lightheaded and everything was too bright. His vision was blurred,,, no those were tears. He quickly stood from the bench he was sitting on, forgetting his ankles were still faulty. Tripping backwards, he lands on his back, punching the air out of his lungs. He curls in on himself, deaf to Aster calling his name frantically.

HewasgoingtodiehewasgoingtodiehewasgoingtodiehewasgoingtodiehewasgoingtodieHEWASGOINGTOFUCKINGDIE.

♧

When he wakes, hes lying on his back, facing the too bright sky of ANAKT garden. His head was pounding, but he could see familiar face above him. He made out Aster, Cindy, and Wren circling him, he also swore he saw Macbeth and Seb in the back watching worridly.

"You okay, Clove?"

"Yeah, you seemed to hit the ground pretty hard, does anything hurt... too bad?"

Clove groans, sitting up slowly. He tries to hold his head up with his hands, but notices that one of them is being held by Aster. He feels his face heat up a little bit, but deflates when he remembers why he's on the ground in the first place.

"Alien Stage..."

Everyones face twists in disdainful knowing.

"Is that what got you to freak out? I thought you knew?"

"He didn't. I guess... he was never told."

"Is... Is there anything we can do to help you, Clove?"

"I just wanna sleep. My head hurts. Sorry for scaring all of you."

He stands on wobbly feet, Wren immediately standing to stablize him. He mumbles a 'thank you' as Wren helps him get back to his room.

He doesn't sleep very well, needless to say.

♧

[hakusins]

i have a script that i need to have by tomorrow and here i am at 4 am in the fuckin mornin, listening to too sweet by hozier and thinking of nasty wrenpc fucking.

[zenlesszonezero]

You feelin' fired up now? Make way for the undefeated Champion! —Welcome to New Eridu!— PS5™/iOS/Android/PC | Version 1.3 "Virtual Revenge" of Zenless Zone Zero, HoYoverse's urban fantasy ARPG, is out now

[essektheylyss]

It is actually so funny to get back online to learn that someone's been block evading, discover on desktop that I have 7 asks that have since been erased from my inbox because the person's account was nuked for it, and find out it's because a mutual is not changing their mind about a ship that I have literally never mentioned publicly because it's that boring to me. Like, bruh, sorry, get better taste, idk what else to tell you

[sailingshellsgames]

More silliness, per request 😋

Here are the other "captain's logs" plus Rin's from last week, so they're all in one place. Roasting my own characters and the MC feels a lot like roasting myself 😂 I love it.

Wren romancers: Captain's log, stardate 45944.1. I'm starting to think the archivist'd make a good agent. They know so much about the Fey without ever having stepped foot into the wilds. Until we threw Den protocol out the window and brought them here, that is. Would it be unprofessional to ask them on a date if we survive this? Asking for a friend.

Keo romancers: Captain's log, stardate 45944.1. We made it to the wilds, and I even got a private a moment to decompress with Keo last night. They touched my arm - I think that counts as getting to like, third base with them? Maybe? Hey Viara, if you read this in your intelligence briefings, let me know what you think.

Rin romancers: Captain's log, stardate 45944.1. In a surprising turn of events, the person we met at the warehouse and then careened headfirst into the wilds with hasn't slit our throats in our sleep, like they threatened to the day we met. Also, they're... kind of hot? Gods, I hope I remember to take this out of my official report before I give it to Adaan.

[loveofthesin]

LOGS: Bottle Cap

TEXT VERSION

[ivanttakethis]

End of Round 24 - Tov’s Log

Cirrus (61) vs. Himei (38) -> Cirrus Win

Follow up to Round 24 - Himei’s POV by @lookatmysillies.

————————————————————

Tov knew she was in a hospital before she even opened her eyes.

The strong smell of antiseptic.

The pinch of an IV needle in her arm.

The steady tone of the heart monitor beeping faster than normal, even with her barely conscious.

A thick fog filled Tov’s mind and muddled her thoughts.

She could feel someone’s presence at her side, a warm arm pressed against her leg.

Slowly, she forced her eyes open, squinting at the bright, white lights that greeted her.

Through her hazy vision, she could make out the familiar furnishings of a standard hospital room.

But when she looked down, it wasn’t Cassio resting at her bedside.

It was—

“Wren?”

Tov’s voice was weak and rough from lack of use; her throat dry from whatever sedative anchored her limbs to the bed.

But Wren still stirred at the rasp of her name, grey eyes fluttering open as she lifted her head from her folded arms.

“Oh, you’re awake. How are you feeling?” She asked around a yawn hidden behind her pink mask.

A flurry of questions crowded to the front of Tov’s mouth, writhing and desperate to be answered. She forced them back with a thick swallow and asked the first thing that came to mind.

“What are you doing here?” Her tone came out accusatory, but Wren didn’t seem to notice or care.

“I was leaving the hospital when some medics brought you in from the contestant dorms.” She said.

Tov frowned, “Brought me in? For what?”

“Well, uh,” Wren averted her eyes for a moment, before looking back at her.

The nervousness in her expression was clear, even with the mask covering half of her face. “Your heartbeat spiked too high and you passed out. A guard found you unconscious in your room.” She said. “The doctor said you suffered a minor cardiac event.”

The bottom of Tov’s stomach gave way.

“A heart attack?” She asked faintly.

“Something like that, yeah.” Wren’s voice sounded far away. “Cassio went to speak with them a few minutes ago.”

Tov closed her eyes and leaned back, letting the bed support her. As the fog in her head lifted, static rushed to take its place.

A heart attack?

I’m only 24. Aren’t I still too young for one of those?

Even with my condition, I’m still healthy. Well, as healthy as I can be…

“You’ve been under a lot of stress since the season started. It could’ve put more strain on your heart.” Wren said.

Tov didn’t respond.

She didn’t know what else to say.

Her head was still a mess.

Wren’s next question lanced right through her skull, “Do you remember what happened last night?”

Round 24.

A song that sounded too much like a goodbye.

Dark eyes gazing heavenward.

The echo of a single gunshot.

61 - 38

Tov could barely breathe.

“Himei’s gone…” She said, her voice broken into as many pieces as her heart.

Her eyes stung fiercely as she tried to hold back a sob.

The heavy weight of grief pressed down on her chest, threatening to cave in her rib cage and splinter the bones.

Tov’s whole body began to shake.

“Himei’s gone, and so is Tallis…” The tears came quicker, blurring her vision and shaking her already fragile voice, “And Azure and Moran and Stasya and Flor—” And Minori and Lark and Noora…

And on and on it went.

“They’re all gone and I can’t— I can’t—”

I can’t get them back.

I can never get any of them back.

And it’s so lonely without them here that it kills me.

She tried to dry her cheeks, but it was all in vain. The sobbing just got worse.

Somewhere inside of her, a dam had broken irreparably.

It was like reliving each and every death all at once.

All of the stars she’d named were gathered in her hands, burning through skin and muscle and nerve.

She couldn’t hold Himei’s too.

A hand reached out to rub her shoulder in comfort.

Wren…

Tov didn’t want to look at her.

She was afraid of the pity she’d find reflected back.

“I’m sorry about Himei, Tov.” Wren said quietly, “I know she meant a lot to you.”

A humorless laugh caught in her throat.

If that wasn’t an understatement.

Tov loved Himei.

She was in love with her.

She kissed her.

And now she was gone.

Dead.

It was just like Tallis all over again.

She’d kissed him too.

She told him she loved him too.

And he died on the same stage Himei did.

Tov had cursed them both.

She’d cursed everyone she believed in, really. Her blind faith had left a trail of bodies in its wake.

She was a black widow.

A harbinger of death.

Not a star, but a black hole, unraveling everything that got too close.

How am I supposed to keep going?

How do I stop this from hurting so much?

How am I supposed to look at the stars without apologizing for everything I’ve done?

Tov’s bones ached.

Deep in the marrow, the stardust she shared with Himei had been hollowed out.

Why do I feel like I’m dying?

“Tov…” Wren murmured.

“Stop. Please.” Tov sighed, resting her hand in her hands.

Wren’s hand dropped from her shoulder.

Silence filled the room, pressing into every nook and cranny.

Tov thought Wren was going to get up and leave.

She didn’t.

Instead, she leaned forward to rest her head on her folded arms again and waited.

Tov could feel her stare burning a hole in the side of her face, but she said nothing more.

Once the tear tracks began to dry and the sobs slowed to sniffles, Tov spoke again.

“I don’t want to do this anymore.” She croaked.

Any fight left in her had drained away a long time ago.

All she wanted was for this nightmare to be over.

“So what, you’re just going to give up then?” Wren asked.

There was an edge in her voice that raised Tov’s hackles immediately.

It was pointed, almost mocking.

Her eyes snapped up to Wren’s with a start. The warmth that had been there when they first met was gone. A sharp, steely glint had taken its place.

The air around them seemed to chill.

“I beg your pardon?”

Wren’s eyes narrowed ever so slightly, “I asked if you were giving up.”

“…I don’t know.”

“That’s not an answer.”

“I said I don’t know!” Tov snapped.

“Would Himei have wanted you to give up?” Wren asked.

Something hot like rage flared to life under Tov’s nerve endings.

“Fuck you.”

“It’s a simple question.” Wren shrugged, far too even and composed for Tov’s liking. “And it’s one Alien Stage will force you to answer.”

She grit her teeth, “Leave Himei out of this.”

“But she’s at the heart of it, isn’t she?” Wren asked.

Tov huffed and looked away, unable to argue.

Wren took her lack of response as confirmation. “This competition is win or die, Tov. Do you want to die?”

“No.” That much she knew for sure.

“Then win.”

Tov rolled her eyes, “You make it sound so simple.”

“It won’t be hard for you.” Wren’s voice softened back into what Tov had grown used to hearing.

“You could win this whole thing if you wanted to.” She said. “But you have to want it.”

Tov looked back at Wren, “How?”

“Think of all the people you’ve lost. Who is going to remember them if you die?” Wren asked. “Not the audience. Not production. For most, not even their owners.”

Tov knew she was right.

To the aliens, humans were disposable. Interchangeable. Easily forgotten and quickly replaced.

History would only remember whoever won the season.

The rest were nothing more than a pound of flesh for sacrifice.

Wren looked Tov in the eye then; her gaze strong and steady. “Do it for them. Do it for all of the stars you named in their honor.” She said. “As long as you’re alive, you carry their memories with you and they live on too.”

A lump welled up in Tov’s throat. Her eyes burned anew, but she was all out of tears. “But I… I don’t know if I can be “the Star” anymore.”

“Then become something brighter.” She could tell Wren was smiling by the change in her voice.

“The Sun is a star too.”

————————————————————

This was by far the hardest log for me to write. Himei was Tov’s first friend ever.

Without her, Tov probably wouldn’t have opened up to and formed relationships with everyone else she came to care for.

Now Himei is gone and Tov has yet another person to grieve. It’s even harder this time because Himei is the reason why Tov started naming constellations in the first place.

She’s definitely at her lowest point right now. Hopefully Wren’s… unconventional methods helped a bit.

It did give me a chance to callback to the graduation message Tov wrote Azure ( @azureitri ) (aka the original curse victim).

Anyways, sorry this is so late! I wanted to take my time writing because Himei is so vital to understanding Tov. I really loved her as a character too 🥲

Rest in peace, Himei. Or go fight Daiki ( @daiki1k ) in hell, idk.

Congratulations @lookatmysillies, you have broken both my heart and Tov’s heart yet again.

[wren-writes-things]

New theory, I have angered some god of technology causing all computers to not work for me.

[doodlingwren]

Currently, I'm busy with UNI assignments and finals!

Updates will be a bit slow from now on (┬┬﹏┬┬)

[buddy-arc]

// LITTLE NIGHTMARES III!!!!!!!

[b-blushes]

garden log #2

10 minutes of pulling out grass! perhaps there is hope after all! :')

[venacoeurva]

Work continues to be dead so I’m sure I’ll be on ESO quite a lot this week if it keeps it up lmao! If you see ominoussnakeplants on the NA server that’s me