felttheburden

[felttheburden]

Lizzie's hand brushes against Hope's in reaching out, which has Hope looking down to notice how close the witch truly is to her. A lump forms in Hope's throat as butterflies knock against her ribcage, and Hope swears that if she made the wrong move, the moment would be exposed, and the way that Lizzie makes her feel will just leave. Hope allows her fingers to entertain with Lizzie's after a few seconds. The warmth of Lizzie's hand in her own brings peace.

The car wasn't far away from the family home. Hope is often parked on a parking deck in the area. There wasn't much need for a car around the French Quarter, although Hope needed one to get to and from school when she still went to the Salvatore School. ❝ You'll be here for a while, darlin'. I will ensure you know this place like a local by the time you leave. ❞ Only I don't want you to leave at all. Those words weren't ready to be spoken yet.

The easy part was weaving between the crowds of people to get to where she wanted to go. Hope didn't waste any time at all. It was a good five-minute walk to get to the car that unlocked when the keys were within range. Hope drops Lizzie's hand as she leads her to the passenger seat. She reaches for the handle and opens the door, motioning for Lizzie to enter.

The car was clean with a smell of soft pine and sage wafty from the air vents airfreshenar. The steering wheel cover was dark pink, matching her pillows perfectly from her bedroom. Hope had purposefully not used the car she usually would take to school that looked like it had just been driven off the lot after being purchased. No, this car was Hope's way of opening up to Lizzie and showing her a piece of herself that was left hidden. The truck Declan had taught Hope how to drive in was out in the bayou, where Hope plans to show Lizzie in the coming days. ❝ The passenger gets to pick the music. ❞ Although the station stereo was set to smooth, soulful jazz.

@felttheburden

Hope’s hand stops just above the doorknob.      ❝ Lizzie … ❞       the name falls off her lips sounding like a prayer at this point.  Hope turns on her heels to look at the other when they mention being unable to sleep.       ❝ I -  ❞       this is the moment where Hope could just walk away.  Could go lay in her bed until the night turns into early morning but she can’t.

❝ Have you ever been to a drive in diner at around midnight ? ❞It is an idea that pops into her head the longer that she stares at the blonde unable to find words to tell the other to just go to bed.  They had a long day of dealing with the quarter’s unrest and problems that always seem to pop up.  Lizzie had to be well rested as Hope doesn’t want to deal with the version of the blonde that has not had seven hours of sleep.      ❝ Grab your shoes. We are going on a drive. ❞       Hope doesn’t waste another second as she allows the door to open.  There was no need for fancy clothes or even for her to put on shoes that weren’t black black slippers.  Just her keys and a blonde that makes her heart go pitter patter. 

WITH HOW MUCH HER LIFE HAS BEEN SPENT STIFLED WITHIN THE BOUNDARIES OF MYSTIC FALLS, SHE CAN’T SAY THAT SHE HAS. Sure, they’d had their occassional spring break trip when they had the chance but there would always be some emergency or other dragging their dad back to the school. Their last attempt had been interrupted by the infamous fire, which the responsibility she now knows rests solely on Josie’s shoulders, and their mom’s been on ‘recruitment trips’ ever since.

“Not much of a normal night life in Mystic Falls.” As much as Lizzie postured and controlled, she was still the headmaster’s daughter. the ocassional party at the Old Mill might be acceptable but there was still a standard to uphold, an image to maintain in the eyes of her fellow students and the townies of Mystic Falls. (Not that it had ever done anything for her in the end - even fake dead, they couldn’t even be bothered to mourn her. She wonders what they’d think of her now?)

“Wait, seriously?” Still, she follows onwards, barely pausing to shove her feet into the closest pair of shoes, not letting herself agonise over their suitability to her current outfit, a small bit of magic reaching out and summoning her jacket in one hand, the other instinctively reaching out for the tribrid’s.

“You’ll have to show me round the city properly, some time.” Beyond the briefest of memories when she was little, Lizzie hasn’t had the pleasure of exploring the home of the one and only tribrid. She wants to walk the streets, see the sights, hear the music, to know the city that molded the girl before her. (From the brief glimpes she had on their way in, she wonders why Hope ever left.)

[felttheburden]

Asking questions means that Ellie would pay attention to the TV show. It also means there wouldn't be chatting during the watch, another plus in Hope's book. People yapping in the middle of anything ruins the experience, in Hope's opinion. ❝ Yeah, that's fine with me. Feel free to ask anything you want. ❞

Hope holds up a finger and says she'll meet Eleusine in the other's dorm. Fast-paced walking to her dorm. Hope grabbed her TV show hard drive off her desk, two water bottles from her fridge, and the snack bin on top of the fridge before heading to the meeting spot. It was there that Hope could swear that her own excitement could be felt by others, and she never wanted this happiness to leave her. It will, though, as it always does. Hope knocked on the door a few seconds after arriving at the door with a smile in place, and everything she had grabbed was placed inside the snack container.

"Oh, for sure! I would love to watch it together! It's been ages since I've had a good marathon. Also, I'm probably gonna have a lot of questions afterwards, though. I hope that's okay. Pun not intended this time."

She's so excited that she's almost bunny hopping in place, eager and ready to get started. It's not just the idea of gaining a new favorite show, it's also the idea of spending time with a friend. That? That she can do. That she likes.

[felttheburden]

SINUS INFECTION. It's not something that Hope is familiar with in terms of experiencing one. She had thought she had seen both Josie and Lizzie have one. She also saw Lizzie have pneumonia that was given to her by Alyssa Chang when they were building a float for witch week.

Hope wrinkles her nose. She could sympathize with Katherine as humanity didn't seem fun. But Hope had always wanted to be expected and knows that normal means getting a common cold. ❝ Do you want some soup, then? ❞ And a tissue, a wastepaper can, and maybe even some disinfectant spray. If Lizzie gets a cold then I will be hearing about it for the next fifteen years.

         "thankfully, i already beat my sinus infection." which ... had been harder than she remembered. maybe she was just not used to the new germs, bacteria and viruses. certainly, much had changed in the last five hundred years, and since she had not needed her immune system either... "being human is shit, that’s the reason for everything." not only that she had a lower tolerance, but because she could no longer tolerate many things like blood. || @felttheburden

[felttheburden]

Hope knows logically that her aunt is correct, but that doesn't mean it felt like the right thing to do in her brain. Years of being told that she was her father's daughter and skillfully placed manipulation by Alaric have taught her that her worth was to protect others. Hope straightens up after a few minutes to pull away from her aunt and instead looks her straight in the eyes. ❝ I'm stronger than anyone thinks. ❞ Parroted words that had been spoken years ago to her brother. ❝ I can protect you and everyone. And I will do so until I die. ❞

@felttheburden. rebekah can't help but chuckle at hope's words, ❝ pretty sure i'm the one who's supposed to be giving you that reminder. not the other way around. ❞ all rebekah wants in life is for hope to be safe and happy. she knows that isn't simple ... because she knows that hope is so much like her parents. hayley would give anything to protect those around her, and hope had inherited that unfortunate trait. ❝ you can't protect people if you're dead. ❞ she pointed out, hoping the bluntness would work, ❝ you're strong, but you're not invincible. ❞

[felttheburden]

If you had asked Hope when she was seven if a talking cat would be great, she'd have said it would be amazing. But ask her now about her current predicament, and she'd say this was the worst thing ever, which made Hope slightly uncomfortable. The sketchbook had flown out of her hand in the sharp moments that she had done prior of standing up.

The cat insists that she continue with her art piece, and for some reason, the girl who dances to the beat of her drum is gathering her pencil and sketchbook off the ground. Hope had to dust some dirt off the cream-colored page, which left some blotchy colorization from Mother Earth. ❝ Ok-okay. . . I'll draw. ❞ Taking orders from a cat, she doesn't know the name of is strange. It's also out of character for her to take orders from people. Hell, Hope barely takes suggestions.

Hope doesn't have the brain power to explain her thought process to a cat. She finds her way back to leaning against the tree with the sketchbook leaning against her knees and legs. ❝ Two things, strange talking cat, do you like ear scratches? And what do I call you? ❞ I need a name for when I explain this later. Not that anyone would believe her when she describes this later. Her lead pencil goes back to lightly outline the scene before her. The cat was not wrong; she could do crafts and talk simultaneously. What Hope can't do at the same time is type one thing and speak to someone else. She also can't type and not look at her computer screen.

silvery paws pad their way closer, head tilting as a golden gaze lands on @felttheburden's familiar appearance-- though, not familiar by actual meetings. no, the cat would recall meeting someone emanating this sort of energy. doesn't believe it's met anyone at all similar since alice. the right alice, of course.

"your legs seem fairly sturdy in place, tripping over them seems unlikely." the tricky deep baritone of the cat's voice another trick, least some might consider it such. "but do explain how one might consider speaking creatures to correlate in any form to their sanity. sounds counterintuitive to me."

tail continues to swish as the cat sits before the girl, nose twitching as its ear curls and flicks. the cat lays on its side, paws loafed under as it continues to watch, tongue flicking out to lick its nose. "don't let my presence interrupt your art." the cat states, nose turning upwards towards the sketchpad. "i'm sure you can talk and draw at the same time. it's in your eyes."

[felttheburden]

❛ i just wanted to make sure you’re okay. ❜

Eighteen years drawing breath on this earth, her father can't even pick up his phone. Hope has tried for years to no avail to get ahead of the man who abandoned her. She made it through the whole birthday cake and present routine without a peep from her about KLAUS MIKAELSON. Her aunt Rebekah and Uncle Kol were on a video call to watch her open gifts from them, but a spot was always missing in her heart. By the time things came to a close, Hope's whole demeanor had changed as she excused herself from the family to her bedroom.

MEOW ! Valkyrie calls out as Hope opens her bedroom door. She forgets to close it and rushes to sit on her bed. The intense swarm of emotions is unleashed, and like a dam that broke, the tears follow suit. Her face was red and puffy as her head fell into her hands. The large forest cat comes padding over and jumps onto the bed, giving an attempted comfort of rubbing up against Hope's arm, but Hope doesn't notice.

What did I do to make him hate me so much? The question is simple, and even she knows the answer. Hope's brain would take all the pain into her own instead of giving it to the rightful owner. Her father doesn't hate her but himself. And the logical part of herself knows that fact. He doesn't even try to reach out on my birthday. The sound of footsteps is drowned out by the sharp intakes of breath that Hope doesn't even realize that her mother came to her room until. . . 𝐈 𝐉𝐔𝐒𝐓 𝐖𝐀𝐍𝐓𝐄𝐃 𝐓𝐎 𝐌𝐀𝐊𝐄 𝐒𝐔𝐑𝐄 𝐘𝐎𝐔’𝐑𝐄 𝐎𝐊𝐀𝐘.

It's a soothing voice that has Hope's eyes snapping up to meet her mother's face. Her head shook no. If her mother had been ten minutes later, Hope would have been so calm and collected that the actress inside her would have taken over. The white gold bracelet on her right wrist feels warm as it works against the magic in her blood to keep the emotional outburst from being a physical one. ❝ Why doesn't he ever call? ❞

         𝐓𝐇𝐄 𝐀𝐒𝐊 𝐌𝐄𝐌𝐄 𝐓𝐀𝐆 & 𝐀𝐋𝐋 𝐀𝐍𝐒𝐖𝐄𝐑𝐄𝐃 𝐀𝐒𝐊

[felttheburden]

❛ i don’t think i’ve ever seen you smile. ❜ hope

It was the first time in months that Hope felt like herself, whatever that truly was. The midnight air was a cool 47℉ degrees, and while the streets were busy with people walking around the streets of the French Quarter, Hope paid little mind to it.

Multicolored lights hung from buildings around her as the tribrid walked around, her head turning slightly from side to side, trying to soak in all as if this was her last. There was no storage of music playing around Hope into the night. Hope had asked Jessie to come with her to a bar.

𝐈 𝐃𝐎𝐍’𝐓 𝐓𝐇𝐈𝐍𝐊 𝐈’𝐕𝐄 𝐄𝐕𝐄𝐑 𝐒𝐄𝐄𝐍 𝐘𝐎𝐔 𝐒𝐌𝐈𝐋𝐄. Hope didn't even realize when a smile eventually crept to her features. It wasn't until Jessie brought it up that Hope stopped her slow walk toward the bar to turn and face Jessie. Hope's auburn hair was on full display tonight with the frizziness from the humidity also making an appearance. But Hope didn't seem to mind as she was in full HOLIDAY MODE.

❝ I am not always the Grinch. ❞ The words come out jokingly as her smile grows more prominent. Hope remembers watching the live-action version with her mama as a child. A shift of weight from the balls of her feet comes next, a typical human thing to mimic even though the tiredness of weight being distributed to her feet was not it. ❝ I decided to take the night off and be less tense and awkward. ❞

         𝐓𝐇𝐄 𝐀𝐒𝐊 𝐌𝐄𝐌𝐄 𝐓𝐀𝐆 & 𝐀𝐋𝐋 𝐀𝐍𝐒𝐖𝐄𝐑𝐄𝐃 𝐀𝐒𝐊

[felttheburden]

❝ The older the generation, the more knowledge they can bring. ❞ Hope has to assume that the other party is only talking about like great-grandparents as their consideration of the "older generation," but that's only because there aren't many people up there in age with her family that is over 1,000 years of age. ❝ Do you live around here or are you just visiting? ❞ Way to change the topic.

❝ you're right, it's not wrong at all. ❞ he exclaimed with a curt nod of his head before he tilted his head. ❝ i was around a lot of others who were of the older generation, too. ❞ he added on, his shoulders rose and fell in a small shrug.

[felttheburden]

Issue a warning about the consequences of one's actions. Hope is confident that she could do that with ease. The problem for Hope was doing things that wouldn't be violent or destructive. I could always make threats. Others might assume that the threats are empty and would never come to fruition. Hope nods as a strand of auburn hair falls before her face and is pushed away.

❝ I must admit that what happened to Conner was fun. I might have to use that again. ❞ What does he like, and what would he miss? Hope would have to consider the matter before taking matters into her own hands if she could withstand the man's antics without becoming impulsive. ❝ I'm going to get some tea. Do you wish to join me? ❞ It's a swift conversation that changes to something else when Hope realizes she can use something to drink.

           elijah hummed at her first statement, followed by a light nod of his head. "well, for starters do not under any circumstances believe the saying 'teasing reveals affection'. that is simply an excuse for poor behavior and should not be accepted."

           "the best way is to ignore idiots around you, they are usually not worth being upset about." but is this really a piece of effective advice that could be implemented in the long run? it would at least be what was morally most sensible.

           "otherwise it’s time to issue a warning with the announcement of consequences." || @hcpemikaelscn // @felttheburden

[felttheburden]

The laugh that comes out is forced. Her mother knows how to at least make it funnier at the moment. Hope could only imagine her badass hybrid mother going to beat the ass of someone for hurting her kid. It wouldn't happen, though, and Hope was grateful for that. ❝ You'd have a hard time finding them to kick their ass. ❞

Everyone leaves her, and everyone disappoints her, but her mama and aunt Freya. It's pathetic that every single person walks out the door eventually. Hope's only regrets in this moment were 1. letting them in and 2. not being the first to leave.

❝ Could we get ice cream? ❞ Hope figures a sundae couldn't hurt things at this moment. It was the middle of the night, and most decent ice cream shops would be closed. But the kitchen downstairs wouldn't be. ❝ And a movie that isn't a romcom. Maybe something horror. ❞ Because there was nothing romantic about a killer hunting down people off a list. Right? Hope shrugs her shoulders as she lays there, waiting to see if her mother would be willing to get up and do an impromptu movie night.

It broke Hayley's heart when she had to prick Baby Hope's finger for a drop of blood to finish her transition and she screamed in pain. It broke her heart when she held Hope in her lap on the floor while she cried out for her dad as he zoomed away from her to save her. But, Hope asking Hayley to take her pain away and being helpless to do so, she'd never felt more heartbroken and helpless in her life. And that included Elijah leaving and erasing his memory and forgetting about her.

"I know you don't want to talk about it right now," she said. "So, do you wanna just tell me their names and I'll go beat them up?" She was joking. Sort of.

@felttheburden

[felttheburden]

[ 𝐏𝐀𝐈𝐍𝐓 ] ― sender paints a picture onto part of receiver’s body ( specify what & where ) {REVERSED} (for hope) / face painting ? or on her hand ?

It was a lazy Sunday morning with nothing to do but release all the creative energy that had been begging to be released throughout the week. When her godmother came over to spend the weekend with her, Hope had already finished her latest painting of Valkyrie on her cat tree. Somewhere along the lines of drawing the outline for her next painting, doing Ali's make-up, and the moment someone suggested face painting.

Hope was in her zone with the enormous face-painting palette on the table next to her, along with a glass of water and some paper towels. A thin brush had worked its way to create a beautiful effect on the blonde vampire. Hope had moved on from the face painting to the hand. As the brush glides against the flesh, the tip of her tongue peeks out between her lips.

❝ After this, I need a break for food. ❞ Hope had plans for custom pizzas with her beloved godmother. The idea would be to hang out until she passed out at five am and slept until maybe 8 am. Hope was already craving the warm cheese and acidic sauce.

         𝐓𝐇𝐄 𝐀𝐒𝐊 𝐌𝐄𝐌𝐄 𝐓𝐀𝐆 & 𝐀𝐋𝐋 𝐀𝐍𝐒𝐖𝐄𝐑𝐄𝐃 𝐀𝐒𝐊

[felttheburden]

HAPPY NEW YEARS. LET'S GET 2025 STARTED. I hope that this year brings everyone the love and things that are needed. That this year is filled with less stress and more growth for everyone in the direction that they want to go. I am so greatful for every single person that I talk with or have on my dash that I don't chat with. You guys are all amazing talented writers and I am so glad to get to share in on this.

In the coming year, I am to be more involved in talking to people. I want to get back into sending random memes, messages, and even comment on posts more. I have let that slip onto the backburner and I want to bring that back. This is your sign that if you wish to start up a conversation ( even a new one ) to please reach out to me. I will be working on it more on my end.

When you see this post, I will either be asleep or hanging out with family. I scheduled this post way back on Christmas morning to make sure that it posts.

[felttheburden]

"Happy Birthday Hope!" Torunn smiles as she hands her best friend a cupcake with a lit candle on it for her to blow out and a present containing a gold necklace from Asgard that has a sword charm on it.

Ever since the tragic day that was her mother's death, Hope has rarely enjoyed any holidays or birthdays. But this year was special as Hope was turning twenty-one years old. When Hope woke up in the morning and dressed, she knew a guest was downstairs, and the number of heartbeats had changed between Hope brushing her hair and her teeth. There are only a few people that Hope cares about who have keys and entrance clearance. Everyone in her extended family would get together later for dinner and presents.

Hope pulls her long auburn hair into a ponytail before braiding it into a single strand to keep it all together and make it easier to manage for the day. Hope heads downstairs once the end is secured with a thin, clear rubber band. On the way downstairs, Hope notes that the music she had put on last night still plays softly throughout the downstairs. Hope sees her long-term friend, Torunn, in the dining room with a cupcake and a gift. One was oddly shaped, and Hope couldn't wait to rip into it.

❝ I better get to cupcake first. I'm starvin'. ❞ A smile came to her lips as she bent her head to be at eye level with the cupcake. ❝ 1. . . 2. . . 3. . . ❞ Hope takes in a large breath of air and then blows it out slowly toward the flame that had been dancing in the morning light. Hope takes the cupcake from her friend. The smell of caramelized sugar, strawberry compote, sweet frosting, and chocolate.

Hope unwraps the paper from the bottom of the cupcake, revealing the moist chocolate sponge filled with a lovely strawberry compote. Pearly white teeth sink into the cupcake, getting vanilla frosting on the tip of her nose. A hum of approval is the only sound that can be heard as she chews and swallows the first bite. This is what I'm talking about for breakfast. If only I could do this every day. The idea of being an adult who could have sugar for her breakfast every morning was lost on her.

❝ This is the best breakfast. ❞ Hope says this about almost everything that she eats. Her protein intake was higher than that of a human, but that makes sense when one considers that Hope was an animal. ❝ Okay, I can't wait any longer. Please let me open the sword-shaped object. ❞ She loved anything sharp and could stab people. Hope sets the cupcake on the tabletop with the paper underneath it. Hope rushes over to get the gift and rips into it as carefully as she can so as not to get cut.

The Uru metal was dense but shined brightly in the light. It wasn't heavy to pick up. Hope admires the hilt down to the blade. ❝ This is beautiful. ❞

         𝐓𝐇𝐄 𝐀𝐒𝐊 𝐌𝐄𝐌𝐄 𝐓𝐀𝐆 & 𝐀𝐋𝐋 𝐀𝐍𝐒𝐖𝐄𝐑𝐄𝐃 𝐀𝐒𝐊

[felttheburden]

" you're getting blood on the carpet. "

A pool of thick crimson gathered on the carpet as Hope stood there with a person's heart in her hand. French manicured fingers wrapped around the organ before dropping it down onto the ground into the puddle of blood. The body of the helpless human lay next to her feet.

❝ It's just a little blood. ❞ Hope attempts to minimize the mess that she had made because, to her, this wasn't the worst it could get. Hope was not a messy serial killer who would leave a crime scene with body parts scattered across the floor. There was little blood loss when she'd drop a body as she savored the taste and the fullness inside of her belly. Today, things were different, though. Hope was more on edge and temperamental than usual.

❝ I'll clean it up. ❞ Hope tells him with a dismissive tone as if the other shouldn't even be worried or disguested with her actions. Although for someone like herself who has had family that has done worse than her this was child's play. Hydrogen Peroxcide removes blood stains while however it bleach the rug. Magic might help ease the stain or even just mask the bleaching by using an illusion spell. ❝ Or have someone else do it. Either way, it will be like brand new. ❞

         𝐓𝐇𝐄 𝐀𝐒𝐊 𝐌𝐄𝐌𝐄 𝐓𝐀𝐆 & 𝐀𝐋𝐋 𝐀𝐍𝐒𝐖𝐄𝐑𝐄𝐃 𝐀𝐒𝐊

[felttheburden]

Landon had every ounce of his mother in him. Malivore may have created him, but he didn't have any DNA of the man that was his father. The whole process of his biological mother having carried him makes him ill to think of alone. But now that he stands there staring at another creation of Malivore, Landon feels the pain rise up into his chest, which needs to be squashed down. This has to be the weirdest family reunion ever. The thin line of crimson runs forward and off the map. But Landon can't even tear his gaze from his family.

❝ I know that our father, ❞ the word father, comes out bitterly with so much hate behind the words.   ❝ It is a piece of work. ❞ It's clear that if Wren is forming the question the way they have, there is a huge chance that Wren knows that Malivore is a pile of mud. But Landon can't get the words out of his mouth to save his life because what if Wren didn't know that part? Landon takes a few deep breaths as his hand that had originally adjusted the strap of his bag drops to his side.

Landon eventually tears his eyes from Wren's face to their hands, clutching the frame so tightly that Landon wonders if it would crumble under Wren's touch. What if it breaks? Phoenixes don't have super strength. That's assuming that Wren was a phoenix. ❝ Sorry, I am trying to be vague in case you don't know about the rest of it. ❞ The supernatural rest of it.

THEY’D BEEN SCARED THIS DAY WOULD COME. No amount of running could help them escape the blood in their veins and the fate their father would throw them to if ever found. Hands clutch tight at the door frame, idly wondering if it's better or worse that their father's first choice has found them. (How can they trust it isn't him lurking beneath the skin?)

“Makes it easier if they know where I am.” Tired eyes take in the boy before them, searching for similarities inherited from the monster that sired them, resolutely ignoring the drip, drip, drip, of his blood curling off the map to reach them. (Not the best way to start a relationship when you're not sure whether the other even knows about the supernatural. He's lucky Ryan’s been teaching them. He's lucky ryan isn't here.)

“How much do you know?’

@felttheburden

[felttheburden]

Acting so good that even she believed her lies. A constant push/pull effect in her interpersonal relationships. She learned it from her father. Hope stood in the middle of the room with a heart that ached so much it felt like it was on fire. ❝ I thought you were happier without me. ❞ Hope always runs from getting hurt. The walls of her prison were of her own making for the most part. ❝ So maybe I was wrong. . . ❞

“Because that’s how you’re acting, Hope.” Steve responded with barely concealed anger, and hurt. He stared right back at her, expression almost blank as he tried not to show how affected he was. “Like you don’t care, like you never cared. About me. About any of it. So excuse me for assuming you must be happy, you haven’t exactly given me any reason to believe otherwise.”

@felttheburden

[felttheburden]

[ 𝐁𝐑𝐔𝐒𝐇 ] ― sender brushes receiver’s hair (to renesmee , (ali's twilight verse))

The blonde vampire stands behind her with a paddle hair brush. The bristles glide from scalp to end without a single snag. The mocha hair dye brought such warmth to the dhampir's faces that they were a little giddy. Renesmee was used to someone brushing their hair and styling it. When Renesmee felt like being "girly," she'd frequently allow a curling iron to touch her pin-straight hair and put up with the scent of hairspray to keep it in place. It wasn't very often that Renesmee let it go that far.

Renesmee knows this is a distraction while the family chatted downstairs in the basement of the Cullen home about the Volturi. Aro had always coveted Renesmee's gift, but there was a need to wait to get it. Renesmee was now of age to blend in with the human population easily. Her growth had slowed down to nothing just last month.

It had been a month since Renesmee had used her voice last. In times of stress, Renesmee will often revert to complete and utter silence. ❝ They're coming, aren't they? ❞ Her normally singsong and smooth voice comes out coarse before Renesmee clears their throat. Someone has to be truthful around here.

         𝐓𝐇𝐄 𝐀𝐒𝐊 𝐌𝐄𝐌𝐄 𝐓𝐀𝐆 & 𝐀𝐋𝐋 𝐀𝐍𝐒𝐖𝐄𝐑𝐄𝐃 𝐀𝐒𝐊