frostsinth

[frostsinth]

why KILL monster… when you can KISS monster…

[frostsinth]

[frostsinth]

[frostsinth]

me, sitting on a throne barechested but wearing ornately engraved plate armor on my arms and legs and cloaked in fine almost translucent silks with an enormous snake draped over my shoulders: i got lost in the fantasy of this dope outfit and forgot what kinda post i was gonna make

[frostsinth]

[frostsinth]

mutual pining simply never misses. the yearning. the stupidity. the desperation while also thinking themselves alone with it. the rattling relief at the revelation. the way it works in so many scenarios— friends to lovers? a banger every time. casual hook-ups/friends with benefits while they both want more? show-stopping, spectacular, incredible. enemies who are so deep in denial it just makes them madder at each other? utterly unmatched every single time. slow burn, fast burn, burning while already fucking. mutual pining really just is that girl like truly who does it like her

[frostsinth]

having an oc you love dearly but you created when you were very much 15 and going through it is rough because you realize you forgot to give him a personality besides being depressed

[frostsinth]

Who else has thousands of ideas but unfortunately your mortal form is constantly at 'low battery' energy levels?

[frostsinth]

"you attract what you fear"

AHHHHHH A RICH BENEFACTOR WHO WILL FUND ALL MY WEIRD CREATIVE ENDEAVOURS NOOOOOO STAY AWAYYYY

[frostsinth]

genuinely something so delightful about getting obsessed with your own characters. what do you MEAN I can turn my headcanons for my characters into Official Real Lore. that's so fucking cool are you serious

[frostsinth]

eleven year olds need book series filled to the brim with violence and crime. it's like enrichment for them

[frostsinth]

To build on this issue, my son was immune compromised when he was born, but also needed regular weekly services (to help him build muscles, reach milestones, etc). I had to tell his service provider if she saw any other sick children or became sick herself to let us know and CANCEL pivotal, critical services he could never make up. Because even though this was an agency that deals with severe disabilities and illness, they had nothing in place to sub sick employees. If his person was sick, that was it, we missed that week's service. Anyone who knows about child development knows how critical those first few years are for building a foundation for the rest of the child's life.

I literally had to prioritize my child's health/safety over services that could significantly increase his quality of life long term. Because the agency whose job it is to help severely sick or compromised children had no system to keep their employees home when sick or prevent the spread of illness between clients. And my specific provider was so shocked I would be willing to cancel services so often because she might get my son sick.

In his first six months, I'd be surprised if he had services more than once a month. He was supposed to be having them once a week. And even now, he's missing a new major service because the agency just doesn't have the staff to provide it.

We live in a disgusting reality where the people expected to care for those at highest risk and morbidity don't do everything they can to keep them safe. The person making these tags deserves three thousand promotions. This was a big issue before the pandemic too, covid just made the cracks in the system bigger and more obvious.

[frostsinth]

baby i’ve got half finished wips you couldn’t even imagine

[frostsinth]

This makes so much sense

[frostsinth]

boyfriend was just getting all gushy because I did something nice for him and he said "I love you so much, you are the most wonderful creature," and then in an abruptly solemn tone added "but make no mistake. you are a creature"

[frostsinth]

Dark Side - Pt. 5

MasterList | Part 1|2|3|4

Ironically I didn't have this part written yet, and literally wrote it between last night and tonight. Maybe it reads that way.

Anyways, enjoy the continued drama and slow burn with little easter eggs nestled away. Comments and reblogs to tell me what you think and fuel me! Hoping I can have this finished before the newest family member makes his appearance in 10weeks (or less).

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My brief time with Thaddeus had left me with more questions than answers. The most pressing one was what to do with myself once we parted ways.

The noble hadn’t been very clear on what exactly I was expected to do while he went off about his business. And the rooms he had given me were… small. To say the least.

The door beside the fireplace led to a little bathing room; a deep, claw footed copper tub and a pedestal of standing water that never seemed to dirty. But aside from that little mystery finally solved, the small sitting room and the bedroom alcove beyond did not leave much in the way of entertainment.

I thought to sleep the time away, considering my previous restless evening. Yet felt far too on edge and restless to sit still. The ever present creaks and groans of the old manor only solidified my nerves, leaving me pacing about the room whenever I wasn’t peering out the gloomy glass window.

I had barely managed an hour or two past Thaddeus’ departure before I could stand it no longer. And so out into the dusty halls of the manor I went. After all, I hadn’t strictly been forbidden from leaving the rooms. Nor was I a prisoner (supposedly). Why not satiate my curiosity, and perhaps make the creaky, dusty old mansion seem a bit less a thing of legend and more commonplace?

It was easy enough to navigate the halls. Most were wide and long, with portraits and trinkets aplenty to entertain me for a time. I imagined with the amount of dust on the carpets it would be easy to retrace my steps as they would be as evident as footprints in mud. But the rooms were all empty, with sheets covering the furniture and heavy curtains drawn. Some rooms looked to be for entertaining parties, others for more overnight guests. There were more bedrooms than I cared to count, and parlors and sitting rooms besides. Though each was decadent, they were also ancient, with meandering cracks in the paint and cobwebs in the corners. It half felt as though I would step into a room and see ghosts milling about, or perhaps a thin mirage of a memory of what these walls must once have known.

I was passing another dank hallway when something made me pause. Perhaps it was a heavier smell of dust. Perhaps it was the strange shift of the air as I passed it by… perhaps it was the mansion itself whispering of its secrets. But something made me turn down the short hallway I would have otherwise passed. There was a single door with a brass knob so dull with dust it could have been mistaken for stone. The door was not particularly lavish compared to the others I had seen; just an old, dark oak door with dust in its knots. The air seemed thicker here, with a hush surrounding me as if the mansion had finally fallen still at last. I couldn’t resist approaching the door, running my fingers across the knob hesitantly for a moment and watching the streams of dust motes tumble away from my touch. When I did finally wrap my hand about the doorknob and turn it, I had to push my shoulder into the old knotted wood of the door itself as well. There was a heavy crack and a resounding creak as it swung open.

I had thought the musty halls dark, the air heavy, but it was nothing compared to this room. Even the meager light from the hall I left barely pierced the doorway. There was an old candlestick on a little table beside the door, coated in the fine grey powder. I wiped the wick down before lighting it, but it still smelt of burning dust once it finally took. Even the candlelight seemed to struggle to pierce the darkness. But it allowed me enough of a path to stumble over to the window. Grabbing the thick curtain and coughing as I managed to drag it at least partly open. Pouring the late morning light through dirty glass and bathing the room in a soft, almost golden light that captured the spinning motes of dust disturbed by my movement.

It was a sitting room, like many of the others I had seen throughout my explorations thus far. But there was something… softer about it. Perhaps it was the lace blanket draped over the arm of the abandoned chair. Or the silk slippers left by the couch. Or the fact that it was all so completely coated in dust, it seemed silver.

It took me another few minutes of studying the room in the broken light to realize it was not a true sitting room but a foyer. Like the one before my bedroom, though much grander. With a decadently carved mantle piece and crystal candelabras. The place seemed frozen in time; there was a cup still sitting untouched at the table, whatever had once been in it long since evaporating and leaving the faintest of tints against the glass. The slippers looked poised to have a pair of feet step into them, the lace blanket to be drawn about some shoulders. A book sat tucked in the armchair, forgotten on the last chapter it had been opened to. The room had paintings on the walls as well, but too much age and time covered them for me to make out their subject.

There were a great many smaller frames as well, and I wandered to the nearest curiously. Running the edge of my shirt over it to reveal in the one cleared streak a tall, dark haired man standing at the shoulder of a seated woman in white lace and satins. The man looked a bit familiar, but I found my attention drawn to the woman, who had almost cherub features with copper brown curls and a tiny, gentle smile.

I carefully replaced the portrait where I had found it, daring to venture deeper into the room, then to the bedroom beyond. I saw a few journals on a small shelf by the huge, four poster bed, and some forgotten jewelry on the bed stand beside it. Looking about, I noticed there was a silver hand mirror just inside the door on the vanity, and I gingerly picked that up. Clearing the smudged glass carefully and studying my pale face trimmed in the misty light from the other room. In the reflection, I noticed a portrait hung on the opposite wall. Half covered by a sheet as all other things in the room had been neglected. Curious, I replaced the mirror, walking over to the sheet and lifting a hand to draw it off. Catching sight of a familiar piece of jewelry in the painted hand that trailed into view under the sheet.

“What do you think you are doing???”

I jumped nearly a foot, practically knocking over the nearest candelabra and releasing the sheet still in my hand. A plume of dust erupting into a cloud at our feet. Hector’s voice was a harsh, snarling hiss that seemed to fill the stunted air of the room. When I spun to look at him, his glare was sharper than daggers and made my breath catch in my throat.

“I was-”

“Get out. OUT!” He snapped, so loudly it cracked like thunder, waving one hand at me angrily. “NOW!”

I stumbled over my own feet multiple times as he manhandled me out the door. His final shove over the threshold into the hall was punctuated by the loud snap of the door slamming shut behind me. I had barely managed to catch my balance before Hector spun on me.

“Prying little wretch! How dare you come here! HERE! Of all places, you meddling pest, poking things you don’t understand!”

“I was just wandering the halls-”

“No! OUT! Get out! I won’t have you here!” He waved his hands at me again, ushering me further away. I glanced over his shoulder, my eyes narrowing suspiciously.

“Why?? Who’s room was that?” I pressed, my own irritation at his unjustified anger sparking.

Hector’s eyes didn’t actually change color like Thaddeus’, but for a moment I swore they were scarlet too. His rage was palpable at the question.

“I should have your hands, you filthy little thief!” He snarled. “How DARE you be so impertinent!”

“I didn’t do anything wrong!” I insisted, brazen still even in the face of his anger.

His eyes widened, then flashed again. His face fixed into a snarl and he even went so far as to raise his hand as if to strike me. I braced for the blow, even instinctively cowering back half a step.

The blow never landed. Another hand shot out, grabbing his wrist. Halting it’s trajectory. I jumped in surprise, curling my head back as Thaddeus reached over me to prevent the attack.

“Be still, Hector.” He ordered, his deep voice like the distant rumble of thunder.

The manservant seemed equally surprised for a moment, then his eyes narrowed at his master. He jerked his hand back, scowling deeply.

“My Lord, you forget yourself!” He hissed. “This girl is a nuisance! Beyond that, she is dangerous to you!” He rubbed at the wrist he had just freed as if a shackle had been wrapped there for years. “Be rid of her, I beg of you! Before it’s too late.”

My throat went a little dry at the implications. I felt Thaddeus shift slightly behind me. He was so close, I could feel the heat coming off his body. I glanced at him over my shoulder nervously, suddenly worried he might heed the older man’s warning. His stern, serious face was as still and unforgiving as a statue. He tucked his hand behind his back once more, but I noticed it balled into a tight fist as he did, flashing copper and white knuckled.

“Perhaps you are the one that forgets himself,” He said quietly, “Speaking to me thus.”

Hector’s face tightened, then shifted again. His scowl dug even deeper into his features.

“I am only trying to protect you, my Lord.” He replied, his tones frosted in ice, “Surely you have not forgotten what happened-”

“Enough.” Thaddeus interrupted him sharply. “The matter is not up for debate.” He even went so far as to gently take hold of my shoulder, side stepping around me to physically place himself between me and his manservant. “Cora stays.”

The older man’s eyes narrowed, and I saw them flick to me over his master’s shoulder. I noticed Thaddeus broad shoulders twitch slightly before he squared them. I couldn’t see his face, but glanced down at his hands, still balled into tight fists in the small of his back.

“… As you wish, my Lord.” Hector said finally in a tight hiss.

“Come.” I jumped again as the noble turned toward me, extending one arm to gesture down the hall. “I’ll take you back to your rooms.”

I chanced one final glace at his manservant as we made our exit. Finding daggers shooting at me that left a chill running down my spine at their sharpness. But despite the chill in my bones, I felt my thoughts lingering on the portrait in the bedroom with the onyx pendant. Wondering if maybe some ghosts truly did haunt these halls.

Thaddeus didn’t speak to me as he lead me back through the halls to the rooms in the western wing. I waited in the silence as long as I could, at least until Hector was well out of earshot.

“Who’s room was that?” I finally burst out, and thought I saw him twitch at the sound of my voice. His step hesitating ever so slightly.

“It is of no consequence.” He told me stiffly, leading the way down the long hall to my chambers.

I scoffed a little. “Seems like it was.” I almost reached out to grab his arm to stop his marching stride, but suddenly hesitated. Shaking my head instead. “I thought you said we should be honest with each other-”

I nearly staggered into him with the speed at which he spun on one heel and leered over me. His stoic features pulled into a tight if subtle scowl.

“And what were you doing there?” He asked, his voice painted with a quiet but snapping heat, “If we are to be honest with one another.”

I raised my hands as if to show them they were empty. “Nothing! I was just wandering the halls!” I glanced back over my shoulder as if I might still see the room there. “I didn’t know no one was allowed. I thought it was just another abandoned room in a creepy old mansion.”

Thaddeus slowly straightened, his lips tight but his shoulders returning to their normal squared standard. I watched him studying me for a moment, and held still beneath his gaze. Softening my features as much as I could to prove the earnestness of my words.

Finally, he let out a little breath. What must have passed for a reluctant sigh. Glancing off to the side as if lost in some distant memory.

“… They were my mother’s rooms.” He told me softly. Hesitating briefly before turning and leading the way back down the hall once more.

“Your mother?” I echoed, a little flabbergasted. “Why are they abandoned? Why does Hector care so much about me going there?”

Thaddeus didn’t answer for a long moment. Making a point not to look at me. Even drawing his hands out from the small of his back so that I could not see them anymore as we walked.

“Hector was very fond of her.” He admitted, his voice still quiet. “Her death rattled him to his core… I haven’t been to her rooms since she passed.” We had reached the door to my chambers, but he still refused to face me. “No one has.”

I didn’t need to see his face to feel his pain. I moved again to reach out to him, but was foiled as he opened the door and stepped to the side. Offering the chambers to me with an extended hand. I fiddled with my fingers instead.

“I’m sorry.” I said softly. “I didn’t mean to disturb her memory. I was just curious.”

He curled his fingers back into his palm. Slowly drawing his extended hand to his core. Seeming to chew over my words even as his face remained pointedly expressionless.

“I believe you.” He replied at last. “And thank you, Miss Cora.”

I offered a tiny smile, wondering if the tension between us was lifting once more. “’Miss’ again? I thought we had covered this.” He shifted a little, glancing at the floor. I took a little step forward as if to pass him back to my rooms, then paused. “You must miss her terribly.”

His eyes flicked up to me, and the sorrow that lined them had them bleeding scarlet tones into his dark irises.

“… I barely knew her.” He almost whispered. “She passed when I was a little more than an infant.”

“And your father?” I asked curiously, then wondered if perhaps I shouldn’t have.

He shook his head. “He died before I was born.”

“I’m sorry.”

He let out a slow breath through his nose. “It is probably for the best. I would have been a burden upon them.”

I couldn’t help taking up his hand in mine, and he jerked a little beneath my touch. “I don’t believe that.” I brought my other hand around to cup his hand in both as it shifted in color and size. “You can still miss terribly something you don’t remember…” I glanced off to the side, a bit forlorn in my own memories, “Or something you’ve never had.”

His fist uncurled in my palms, and I saw his other hand come around. He cupped his fingers beneath my chin as if to tilt it up, but never touched me. I still raised my face to his, seeing the copper tones swirl about his eyes and down his jaw.

“You are very wise, Mis-… Cora.”

I scoffed in good humor, my little smile returning. “You must be terribly inexperienced to think so.” I teased lightly.

He glanced down at our hands. “In some things, perhaps.” He hesitated, then carefully untangled himself from me, even going so far as to take a step back. “But not in all. Forgive my brashness.”

My hands felt cold for his absence, but I smiled anyway. “Nothing to forgive. If anything, I wish you more so.”

“You would not,” He said firmly, “If you better understood my restraint.”

“Well, either way, you are forgiven.” I relented, feeling my breath catch at the implications. I laughed it away. “Perhaps you might also forgive my boldness?” I saw him stiffen, which made my smile grow. “… In exploring the manor.” I clarified after I let him stew for a breath.

He nodded. “Yes, of course.” He glanced back down the hall we had come. “I have found a lead I wish to follow.” He explained, “But it may take a bit of time. Perhaps I might have some books prepared for you, to better entertain you in my absence.”

“If you’d like.” I agreed. “I’m not certain I’m the reading for hours type, but I promise to behave myself for you.”

Thaddeus cleared his throat. Even bowing a little, before remembering himself and straightening once more.

“I would stick to the west wing for now.” He suggested lightly. “At least until Hector has had time to regain some composure.”

“Or has time to poison my lunch.” I said dryly, and was rewarded with a quiet, humorous snort from the noble.

“I shall be certain to test all meals he brings you for a few days.” He assured me.

I shot him a coy smile. “If it means you’ll join me for them, I’ll take the offer.”

The noble blinked at me a bit stupidly, and I thought I saw his cheeks color. He cleared his throat again.

“I shall bid you farewell for now, Miss Cora.” He said, then a little nod. “Until we meet again.”

“Until then.” I agreed, half to his retreating back as he made his way back down the hall. Leaving me with swirling thoughts and a heart drumming against my ribs.

To be continued....

[frostsinth]

therapy is like. here have an epiphany about the most ordinary common sense thing you can imagine. you WILL cry about it btw.