#(ALSO MY GIRL JULIETTE FINALLY GETS TO TALK!!!!!!)

[ask-the-dolls-idv]

Hello

How’s the manor treating you ?

"Eh, stuff could be better. Altough Alice seems to be enjoying herself here I still know she feels guilty, as she should! What she did was nothing light."

"As for myself, the other hunters look fun! The violinist guy and the serpent lady look great, perhaps someday we can get to talk! Altough it seems i've already gotten myself some dirty looks, happens to the best of us!"

-ξξ｡uᴗu｡)

[slvt4lanadelrey]

Looking for the pretty firefighter | Tara Carpenter

Part One | Pretty Firefighter

Warnings: swearing, jealous Tara, mention of sex

Part one | The pretty firefighter

Part Three

Tara groaned, her head leaning into her open palm. She was sat in her lecture, English literature was extremely boring, especially when her mind was far too consumed with the memory of you.

It had been a few days since she met you, since she kissed you, since she was cursed with the plagueful memories of your laughter.

"Miss Carpenter, am I boring you?" The older man asked, slapping his hand onto her desk. The man was short, almost as short as Tara. He had thinning hair, the only remaining hair on his chin.

"Uh. No sir, I was just- just thinking about Romeo and Juliette." Tara lied through her teeth, smiling sweetly at the man. His face was scrunched in a scowl, his face softened at the confession.

"Oh. What's your views on the love story, dear?" He asked, returning back to the front of the class. Tara sighed, knowing full well she didn't have an option on the 'love' story.

"I just don't think it'd an actual love story. I mean, it's hard- maybe even impossible to fall in love with someone in only a few days, also Juliette was only a kid, isn't that legally and mortally wrong?" The class roared with their own opinions, debating whether Tara's views were right or wrong. The teacher was happy to engage with such a passionate topic, thanking Tara before she left.

Tara walked through the dining hall, Mindy's shoulder nudging into hers.

"You know that party we went to?" Mindy started, her face full of an unknown feeling. She clenched her fingers around her backpack strings, swaying on her feet.

"Well, that girl I hooked up with Anika. She's in my eco class, she gave me her number." Mindy's eyes flashed, practically jumping on her feet.

"Wait. That pretty firefighter is Anika's-" Tara didn't get the chance to finish, Mindy pushed her finger onto her lips.

"I already asked Anika, she said that the girl you hooked up with wants you to find her, something like that" Tara was left with a gap in her mouth, she stared wide eyes at Mindy.

"Seriously? I can't even remember her name!" Tara whined, sliding into the open chair next to Chad.

"Dont be sad, Tara. Her names Y/N." Chad chirped in, plopping the final spoon of yogurt into his mouth. Mindy giggled at how Tara's face lit up, exitment already laced within her features.

"Do you know her number too?" Tara asked with hope, she bit her bottom lip. Chad glanced at Mindy who shook her hair immediately.

"Sorry, Tara, Mindy has spoken." Chad was a little scared of Mindy so he was very much quick to stop talking the second Mindy asked.

"I cant believe you guys, I'm literally in love and you won't even give me her number." The whole group stopped, staring through the notes from their previous lesson. Tara blinked, then laughed awkwardly.

"I'm not in love with her. I just want to kiss her again." Tara mumbled through a breathless sigh, her eyes dropped to the floor.

"Fine.-" mindy slapped her hands together, standing infront of Tara. Mindy pressed her hands onto Tara's shoulders; shaking them slightly before leaning forward.

"Y/N has Art right now, In room 206." Mindy blinked.

Tara was already gone, her backpack tightly tugged over her shoulder, sprinting through the halls.

Her hand tugged open the door to the room Mindy told her you was currently in. To her great horror, the room was in full silence; nothing but the faint sound of paint brushing Into canvases.

"Hello?" The women asked, slamming her hand into her desk. The older ginger women with thick glasses stared at Tara with flaming eyes, glaring through her annoyance.

"Y/N needs to come with me right away, it's an emergency." You looked up at the sudden call out of your name, hair brushed into your face when your head whipped to the side. Tara was standing like a deer at headlights, eyes wide with agap mouth.

You chuckled, knowing Tara had just ran to you; literally.

"Oh, I'm so sorry Leah, I think I need to go." Your bag slugged over your shoulder, brushing through your classmates and leaving the room with a small click of the door.

"Hey, Tara." You smiled at her, acting like the two of you weren't strangers. Tara sighed, revelling at the sound of your sweet and soft voice.

"Your number." Tara all but begged, her hand holding out. She knew you wanted to know her too, so she wasn't about to waste her time beating around the bush.

"How romantic of you-" your snarky reply didn't go over Tara's head, she bit her lip before speaking again.

"Y/N. My heart has been gaping, seeping in pure agony each moment I have spent with the lack of your presence. I honesly think if I don't have the ability to get to know you better, to understand you on a more intimate level I don't think my heart will be able to take the pain, the torturous thoughts that riddle my mind whenever you are not near."

You sighed, writing down on your piece of paper. You wrote down your number, handing it to Tara with a tight smile.

"There, miss Romantic. My favourite flower's are dahlias, and I don't like chocolate." You kissed her cheek, giggling before taking off.

"Im taking you out tonight!" Tara shouted through the empty halls, smiling when your body stopped. You turned on your heel, staring at her with a daring smirk.

"I already have a date. Surprising how quick people act when they actually want to see you." Tara's mouth dropped, a snarl leaving her lips the second your body left her eyeshot.

She hit the near by wall, cursing the way you swayed your hips.

You knew damn well that Tara wanted to find you. The day after your hook-up, Tara had asked everyone in all her lessons if they knew you. Most of them didn't, the odd couple did but didn't say anything to the pleading brunette. You and Anika watched with amusement at how much trouble Tara brought, all in order to find you.

"Did you just punch a wall?" Mindy asked from behind Tara, watching with a worried face at how Tara was in such a sour mood suddenly.

"Fuck off."

[fuckyeahfightlock]

Scary movie today was a fantastic one I hear literally no one ever talk about. But, like, WHY NOT?! It. Is. So. Good.

Ma is the story of a middle-aged, mousey lady who lets the local small-town teens party in her basement. Naturally, this goes nowhere good for any of them.

Let me count the ways this movie gets it right. Deft writing by Scotty Landes (cohost of Bananas podcast, do yrself a favour, you'll loff and loff and loff) with enough going on that it's constantly engaging but also with zero wasted time; every scene matters. Casting against type: Octavia Spencer as Sue Ann/Ma, a middle-aged divorcee with just a light but obvious touch of Something Ain't Right About That Woman, Juliette Lewis as the hardworking single mom trying to keep her daughter on the straight and narrow. All the teens are good, naturalistic actors who look like actual teenagers (Diana Silvers as new girl Maggie is particularly good). The backstory for Sue Ann provides real empathy for her, while her eventual bad actions are so awful we get no sense of satisfaction from her revenge. Small town dynamics that feel real but not cliched. Good effects, truly horrific story twists, an epic-feeling crescendo.

Zooming into my Top Five All-Time. Potentially distressing blood and mild gore in the final act, child abuse/exploitation, bullying, and sexual assault. And murders, of course. Only the teen boy gets naked while the girls stay clothed and don't avert their gazes, which is refreshing. 10/10 do recommend. Tell a friend; this should be in more "Best Streaming Horror" lists.

[butterflyintochains]

A Tropical Depression

Interlagos, Brazil, 2016. Juliette Leclerc is seventeen, and her family are in Brazil to see Max in the F1 race. Though she tries to be happy and positive all the time, something breaks in Brazil.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

It's been raining buckets in Interlagos since the family landed yesterday, it's freezing cold, and you'd never even guess it was day time with how dark it is. For the majority of the Leclerc family, excitement bubbles in the air. For seventeen year old Juliette, all she wants is to go home to Monaco, she's sure she's coming down with something. Being the menace he is, Arthur pulled her out of bed to go for a circuit tour this morning. She loves her younger brother, but all she wanted to do today was rest off this sickly feeling. Oh well, at least Max is here, that's good at least. So, she puts her jacket on, and braves the cold and wet. Once they arrive, Daniel shoots her a concerned look, so she looks that bad, huh? Great. She huddles into her papa's side, enjoying his warmth. ''Are you okay, mon fleur?'' He asks her.

Juliette sniffles, her voice hoarse. ''Yeah, papa, I'l be fine.''

They're given a tour of the paddock, and go out to see the circuit. Juliette's stomach growls at her, she hasn't been hungry since they left home. Carlos slips her an energy bar. ''For you, hermanita.'' Juliette takes it in frigid hands. ''Thanks, Chili.'' She unwraps it, and slowly nibbles on it. She wishes Stefanie and Laura were here, she's always felt so isolated without them. Especially now that she's halfway across the world from them.

Once the tour is done, everyone heads inside to get out of the rain. As if by cue, the Piquet family make their entrance as if they own the place. They cast an arrogant glance over to the Leclerc family, as always, no one calls them on it. This is their home race, they're royalty. ''I wasn't aware teenage girls were allowed in here.'' Kelly offhandedly says.

There it is, someone else making Julia feel like she doesn't belong here with her brothers. Already sick and exhausted, she just curls into her papa's side, and stays silent. ''Kelly, my daughter is sick, leave her be.''

Nelson Jr says. ''Oh, fantastic. A child who is also a danger to the drivers.''

Juliette says, through the pain in her throat. ''I'll be in the car, papa.'' She gets up to leave, Kelly offhandedly says. ''Good, let the adults talk.'' A dizziness takes her, her knees buckle. A pair of kind arms catch her. ''Come on, let's go.'' Max says.

They get back to her hotel room, Max runs to grab some of his stuff. Great, she looks weak in front of the love of her life. Juliette dips into the bathroom to change into some warm clothes, and she gets into bed. Max also changes, and orders her some soup and tea from room service. ''How are you feeling, Julia?''

Juliette sniffles, she's never felt so horrible in her life. Sick in a foreign country, lonely, depressed, her heart aching to just tell Max everything. ''I've felt better.'' Her food arrives, she slowly eats the soup and sandwich, and sips on her tea. ''They had no right to talk to you like that, Julia. Just because we're in Brazil, doesn't mean they get to act like that.''

Juliette says, nursing the still warm cup in her icy hands. ''This is your world, Max, not mine. Maybe I don't belong here.'' Max furrows his brows, and sits next to her on the bed. ''You do, and I'll hear nobody say you don't.'' Her face warms up, fever or the other reason? She doesn't have the energy to figure it out. She puts the cup on the nightstand, too tired to keep holding it. Max's blue eyes scan her face. ''You should sleep, Julia. I'll take the couch.'' Her hazel eyes blown wide, Juliette tugs his sleeve. ''Stay with me, please. I just... don't want to be alone.''

Max nods, and says. ''Okay.'' He gets into bed with her, and they snuggle up together. Finally, she can rest. Enveloped in warmth from Max, listening to the rain outside, safe with someone who understands her. A loud lash of rain wakes her up midway through the night, Max whispers to her. ''It's alright, just the rain.'' She nods, and puts her head back down.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Raceday is on sunday, Max makes sure Juliette is warm and comfortable before he goes to clock in. This sickness hasn't budged since they all arrived, but she's going to be okay. Her brothers are at the race with their parents, invited by the Ferrari team. But, she's wearing one of Max's many Red Bull hoodies, if she could smell things right now, she'd be so happy. But, she can still feel, and it feels warm and safe, like him. She sits in bed, sketching some local animals, while the race gets underway. Kimi retires on lap nineteen. But, all Julia can focus on is Max. Spain was good, really good. But, this is something else entirely. He's nineteen, but driving like a world champion already. She briefly nods off, but comes around soon after. She orders some lunch, and eats while watching the rest of the race. Max expertly making his way back from a bungled pitstop strategy. What she wouldn't give to be in his garage right now, but, Max insisted on her resting up as much as possible. Max is up into third as the race draws to a close, he's right up with Rosberg and Hamilton. He takes third, and the checkered flag. After the ceremony, Juliette takes another short nap.

Max gets in as she's waking up, his third place trophy in his hand. Her family with him. ''Didn't wake you up, did we?'' Max asks, sitting by her legs. Juliette shakes her head, and takes another one of her tablets. ''No, I just woke up.''

Pascale fusses over her little girl, making sure her pillows are fluffy enough. ''How are you feeling, mon choux?''

Juliette clears her throat, and says. ''A bit better, now you're all here.'' She bitterly asks. ''Were the Piquet siblings saying anything else about me?''

Charles assures her, she's always been the sensitive one of the family, and no doubt Kelly's jibes have not exactly helped. ''No, everyone saw that on thursday, everyone was pissed.'' Max's jaw tightens, it's not often he gets truly angry. ''Good, a grown woman has no business talking to a teenager like that.''

Arthur clocks the hoodie, usually the family wear Ferrari red to races to support Charles and the academy, as well as keep Jules close. But, the midnight blue leaps out to him. ''Is that a Red Bull hoodie, Julia?'' Juliette and Max share a held gaze, she says. ''Max gave it to me, he wanted to make sure I was warm enough.'' Max says, coming back with her freshly filled water bottle. ''You can keep it, I've got loads. Maybe even sit in my garage in Abu Dhabi.''

Juliette coughs into her sleeve. ''I think I'll stay home, this travel has been draining me.''

Herve takes his daughter's hand, looking upset at himself. ''We've noticed, mon fleur, and we've been asking too much of you.'' They sit and talk about the race, Juliette resting her voice mostly, then, bed time. Max stays this night as well, holding her close. This is normal for friends to do, right? This doesn't mean anything, right? All Julia knows is that she's never felt so comfortable in her life.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Monday dawns, and everyone must clear out to gear up for Abu Dhabi. Juliette slowly wakes up, feeling a bit better. Max comes in with breakfast for them both. They eat, then get ready to go. Mercifully, the rain has stopped, and it is somewhat clearer. Max helps Juliette load her stuff into the car, she spots the Piquet siblings talking to someone at the hotel door, and decides to go over to confront them. ''Nelson, Kelly: I might be young, my papa might not be a world champion. But, my maman and papa taught me manners and respect, they taught me kindness. I hope your papa did too.'' She returns to Max and Charles. Her brother's jaw is on the floor, Max looks proud of her. ''Wow.'' Is all Max says.

Juliette sniffles, and smiles a bit, allowing herself this one moment of pride in herself. ''Merci, Max.'' She gets in the car to the airport. Once there, she hugs Max tight. ''Thank you for this weekend, Max, it meant a lot to me.''

Max smiles, and kisses her forehead. ''No need to thank me, you've been ill, and you're one of my best friends, who am I to let you suffer?''

Juliette says. ''See you soon I hope.'' She slings her bag onto her shoulder, ready for the flight to Nice with her maman while the boys go to the UAE. ''See you soon, Julia.''

She boards her flight, and gets to sleep instantly. She's finally going home for a decent period of time.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

A couple of days pass in Monaco. Juliette is finally over her sickness, and is back to school with her friends. She misses Max like a limb, but still has his hoodie. She finishes some homework, and goes for a brief walk along the sea front. She sits down on a bench, hands in the pockets of the Red Bull hoodie, the hood pulled up. She inhales the sea air, and gives a short prayer for Max's success in the last race of the year. Spain feels so long ago, but she fell in love with him all over again this past week. Hopefully one day she can get up the guts to actually tell him.

[teabookgremlin]

well pals here we are, the final eat her ear friday of yellowjackets season 2. this post is gonna be a little different than my usual recaps as i’ll focus on more just kinda discussing what i liked, what i didn’t like, what i think might happen next, instead of the more stream of conscious style deal i usually do and it’ll be organized as all teen timeline thoughts followed by all adult timeline thoughts. anyway i have loved yellowjackets blogging with you all this season and cannot wait to continue being insane about this show with all the cool people on this webbed site. spoilers below cut

teen timeline episode thoughts:

- i gotta say teen timeline was top tier this week. i loved every second of the wilderness time from the second it begun. 

-just everything about how javi was handled was great, seeing travis’s grief at the start, how shauna butchered javi, van and travis’s talk, travis taking a bite out of javi’s heart, it all just went hard. i wonder if the bite of the raw heart will become a part of the hunt ritual. like the person closest to the hunted or perhaps the person who killed them bites into the heart before cooking it bc i’d fuck with that

- fucking coach man. he really should’ve died this season. he is the only man on this show i truly like but they had to ruin that by just drawing out his life. seriously what was the point of all his paul stuff and his suicide attempt and his clear hopelessness if he wasn’t gonna die. i do think that the girls are gonna hunt him down in s3, like they’ll track him to the cave and kill and eat him then take the cave as their’s. fingers crossed. sorry coach my guy i liked you but you need to die eventually. also fucker burnt down the cabin. what the fuck dude i know you think the girls are monsters but like you’re gonna try to kill them all for it?

- NAT ANTLER QUEEN ok i fucking loved this. lottie no longer being able to hear the wilderness. her passing on the role she never even wanted. nat always having been it’s favorite. nat’s horror turning into joy/acceptance. all the ways the girls pledged their loyalty to her. loved loved loved it cannot wait to see where it goes from here. 

next up adult timeline episode thoughts:

- first of all too much of the men. like seriously walter swooping in and saving the day with his plan to frame kevyn for all the adam shit was just so meh. it would’ve been so much better if walter hadn’t been introduced and misty had been the one to pull that kinda shit. also pissed that creep cop lives to see another day get in losers we’re climbing through our computers to kill creep cop ourselves.

- i did really enjoy the recreating of the ritual scene, i thought it was very nicely done and shauna drawing the queen is not what i expected and i did like callie coming in to save her. also how during the ritual there were flashes to their teen selves i ate that shit up.

- ok now the main thing is obviously nat. her death was definitely frustrating. i think it could’ve worked had it happened later in the series or if it had been better set up just how it happened really fell flat. it does definitely seem like juliette wanted out so the writers had to change their plans. just nat’s story does not feel entirely complete and how it all works out from here really depends on how they play things going forward. i do think that there is a way for this to work plot wise i am just definitely concerned.

- so interested by our girl van. how she kinda lights up when lottie says that it worked. i think either van is cured or thinks she is and that that is gonna bring her back to her faith in the wilderness despite how she clearly wanted to leave it behind. so so so excited to see where her story goes especially alongside tai and lottie, there is just so much potential here and i hope they don’t fuck it up.

- finally it really felt like they were trying to hard to make a nice neat tidy ending for the adult timeline. like they wanted to wrap up as many plot points as possible which really doesn’t make sense given the amount of show that is supposedly planned. i’m definitely concerned that they’re gonna introduce some weird out of no where plot lines in the adult timeline to refill the empty space left by what was wrapped up here.

[multibestie004]

Prologue : lost...

warnings : SA, thoughts of su!c!de, 3d

wc : 910

a/n : im not glorifying any of the warning, if you don't feel comfortable with the themes dni and don't report please.

not proofread

______________________________________________________________

Tell me why im in the corner of my cousins room bawling my eyes out…

1 hour earlier

“You're going insane…you’re talking to the walls and you get mad at me when i tell you the truth…!” I shout at my grandma.

To give context its summer vacation and we’re visiting family in another country. I live with my grandma and we���re currently at my great aunt’s house and im arguing with her because she’s having another episode. I got tired of arguing with her because it never goes anywhere, so i run upstairs to the terrace. my little cousin came up to join me because she like being around me. its really sunny and it's getting too hot for her to be playing in the sun so we go sit in the shed on the terrace.

She finds her tricycle and bikes in and out of the shed. i was getting bored so i decided to call my friend that was back home in france. we don’t get to talk for long before my great uncle comes to check on me because of my argument.

“you know you were right…it's ok to get mad, it's a frustrating situation.” he comforts as he walks over to me.

He's a very short and old man, or maybe i'm just really tall. my little cousin continues to pop in and out of the shed talking to her grandpa in the process.

“how old are you again?” he breaks the silence.

“im 18…”

“have you had a boyfriend before?”

“no…never…its not something that's really interested me before…”

“that surprising…i see girls your age meeting boys online and dating around all the time…do you want me to find you a husband?”

“what? no…i have university to finish before thinking about getting married and also i’m way too young…”

“i can find you someone you would like though…and school isn’t important. you can drop out.”

I was too stunned to speak.

i know what's about to happen.

my cousin comes in asking for imaginary money then rolls back out. he puts his arm around me to pat my shoulder, but then he slides it lower, under my arm…i'm not wearing a bra, so he can feel the side of my boobs. I know that he feels it because he pats the side a couple times before I back away showing my discomfort. i didn’t say anything, as much as the situation was uncomfortable i didn’t want my little cousin to have a bad image of her grandpa she still so little to understand situations like this. when we hear her coming back in, he fully backs away and leaves the shed.

I take my phone out and start texting my friend about what just happened, meanwhile she leaves again, right as i'm about to press send he comes back into the shed and sits very close to me.

he places his hand on my thigh and starts talking to me about how his mother went senile before she die and that it was just something that needed to run its course and that with age its just something that happens. Silence.

“you know I care about you a lot?”

“yes…i know…” he puts his arm on top of my shoulders almost around my neck and brings my head close to his.

I panic and turn my head the wrong way and my face is stuck between his arm and face. without letting me go he used the same arm to push my face towards his but i tried pushing him off…he was oddly strong for an old man…even with my struggling he managed to plant multiple kisses to my lips, while at the same using his other hand to run over my breasts.

the tricycle is nearing again

he lets me go. he gets up and walks out.

i'm sitting there for a good 10 minutes before i realize what just happened.

when i finally get up to go back downstairs, i see that hes sitting on a chair in the sun moving around the peanuts he put to sunroast

“hey! juliette let's go back downstairs. it's too hot for you to stay up here.” i'm scared to leave her up here all by herself with him.

“coming!” she runs ahead of me and down the stairs.

I go into my older cousin’s room because she doesn’t live there anymore and i start bawling my eyes out. my thoughts start racing.

what just happened… would he have done worse if juliette wasn’t there… i feel sick… i want to throw up… why does this only happen to me… why me…why me…why me… can i just die… my mom doesnt want me… my grandma only fights with me… and no one is going to believe me about what just happened… im so lost i don’t even have a university to go back to in france my head hurts…

before i know it i'm asleep…

“y/n…y/n…Y/N!” my great aunt shakes me awake “come eat its dinner time”

“im ok, i'm not hungry”

“what do you mean you haven’t eaten in almost 2 days it's impossible your not hungry”

“dont worry im really not…i just have weird eating habits…but i do eat when i'm hungry…” i give her a weak smile

“ok…if you say so”he lets out a sigh and leaves the room

i lost track of how many days it's been since i last ate, it doesn't matter anyway…

[mydaroga]

I know it's been awhile, but I had to start reading Tune In over, because I got the expanded one. Some notes, partly for myself but I'm happy for anyone to weigh in if I'm not too disjointed!

The Prologue (the bits in the longer one anyway: see tag for previous edition)

They also shared the same goddesses, the fantasy figures who kept men awake at night in the late 1950s, like Anita Ekberg, Juliette Gréco and Brigitte Bardot.

Look I just want a record of what types of girls they jacked too, so thank you, Mark.

I'd heard about some of the following but not seen or maybe just not noticed the actual words, so here are some 'lost' or early Lennon-McCartney originals:

Too bad about sorrows, too bad about love, There’ll be no tomorrow, for all of your life.

Emo AF, boys.

They said our love was just fun / The day that our friendship begun. There’s no blue moon that I can see / There’s never been in history.

@inspiteallthedanger mentioned this to be once and it's not that I didn't believe her but seriously.

Another number seems to have been called Because I Know You Love Me So.

...

I’ve Been Thinking That You Love Me, If Tomorrow Ever Comes, That’s My Woman, and Won’t You Please Say Goodbye. A song called Years Roll Along (‘It might have been winter when you told me…’) was never completed.

Just noting for my obsessive fic historiography.

From the outset, John and Paul settled on Lennon-McCartney as a partnership. Neither planned to do anything with these songs (to send them off to singers, publishers or record companies) but they agreed – by actually discussing it, albeit briefly – that each could continue to operate independently, writing songs on his own and then bringing them to the other for approval and the joint Lennon-McCartney credit. ‘We decided on that very early on,’ says Paul. ‘It was just for simplicity really, and – so as to not get into the ego thing – we were very pure with it.’

Pretty sure I flagged this last time, but I'm sorry. This just doesn't get the attention it requires, though not, I think, for lack of our fascination. There are so many questions here. How did this conversation go? Why did they decide it applied to songs written alone? Did they simply never talk about revising it, and if so, why not? If they did, which surely they must have, why did it never change? It's BONKERS. And as always, Paul is so difficult to parse. When he says "so as not to get into the ego thing" is he speaking in present tense, like he's not going to discuss it? Or is he saying this decision had something to do with ego at the time? Sadly, it's an author interview so I can't see the whole context. Which probably wouldn't help, because it's Paul. Using words.

Paul, who knew no one else with a typewriter and counted no other poet among his friends, was heavily impressed. John was deep , and there were few higher compliments.

Oh Paul. Bless.

And so Lennon-McCartney stood shoulder to shoulder as equals, connected at every level, their considerable talents harmonised, their personalities meshed, their drive unchecked, their goal in focus. They were a union, stronger than the sum of their parts, and everything was possible.

I mean, I don't disagree. But this is the sort of thing I'm not enjoying about Lewisohn's style. He's clearly not unbiased or detached, and I find his "I'm writing!" voice so labored. I value this tome and everything he is trying to do but I'm going to continue to remind myself that he's just like everyone else and this is not the final word, end all be all Beatle book.

[heathersproship]

This is a test to see if my post will show up in the proship tag finally. AM I COOL ENOUGH CAN I SIT WITH YOU GUYS? Let me sit at your table at lunch, just once, no talking necessary 🥺

I have like 4 incest ships, all sisters*!

*only one pair isn’t canonically related but in my head they are!

Elsanna (which I don’t ship that much anymore but it was definitely the first) from Frozen. This started as a joke; when my friends and I went to see Frozen in theaters, I kept being like “ooooh they were girlfriends, they broke up! Awww look she wants to get back together!” and then it turned out wow I actually ship it... oops? Lmfao congrats, Aims, you played yourself.

A crossover ship between Veronica Sawyer of Heathers (played by Barrett Wilbert Weed) and Janis Sarkisian of Mean Girls (also played by Barrett Wilbert Weed). Their ship name is Janica. They’re twins and I love them so much. This was supposed to be a one-off, a small squint-and-you’ll-miss it moment of a much larger story, but being able to talk about this one particular aspect with a friend made it so much more and we both go so hard for the twincest holy shit. I know they’re not actually sisters but in my head they are.

Juliette/Elinor (Elinette? Julinor? Fairmontcest?) from First Kill. No one’s written about it yet. I’m waiting.

Also I spite-ship Celestia and Luna. Princest FTW.

EDIT: *hacker voice* I’M IN. I CAN POST PROSHIP MEMES NOW

[therubyreader]

My Review of These Violent Delights + Our Violent Ends

See a full list of my book reviews here

*Disclaimer: there will be spoilers later on in the review*

Hello, if you're new here then you don't know the idiotic thing I did which was reading Foul Lady Fortune (shameless review plug here) before both TVD and OVE (yes I'm still abbreviating them out of sheer laziness) but I finally got around to it a couple of weeks ago!

Ideally I would've liked to do these reviews separately and also within a couple of days of finishing the books but I read them while I was on vacation and didn't have access to a computer and I was not about to type this out on my phone for the sake of my poor fingers. Because it's been a couple of weeks since I finished reading them some of the smaller details of the books have blurred together in my brain and also see previous comment about being lazy (I still have two more book reviews to type out from when I was on vacation), I will be combining them.

On to the review!

First and foremost, shout out to these books for holding me over while I was stuck in an airport overnight because of a snow storm and there were no chairs so I had to try and sleep on the floor but I couldn't sleep so I just spent most of the night reading. Shout out part two for them keeping me entertained while I had spotty wifi when I finally reached my destination of my mom's home town in Mexico.

I will have to admit that I liked FLF (Foul Lady Fortune, I have decided to start abbreviating that one too) more than TVD and OVE which is a testament to how much Chloe Gong's writing improved in such a short amount of time. I'll be honest with you and say that I probably wouldn't have finished TVD if I had read it before FLF because there were many parts that were just slow and also minorly boring. I feel like Chloe Gong really perfected the art of writing a mystery when she got to FLF because during both TVD and OVE there were points where I honestly not interested in the mystery they were trying to solve but more in the characters.

Speaking of characters, I absolutely loved every single one of the characters, I honestly cannot pick a favorite because they were also so well written and wonderful. I know this might be a basic thing for me to say but if I had to pick a favorite it would probably be Juliette, I love the fact that she was not only girly but also deadly, being able to hide various weapons in her dresses as well as fight in them. I'm honestly quite tired of the trope in a lot of YA fiction where the main character is "not like other girls" and is more of a tom-boy that doesn't care about her looks and hates wearing dresses. Not that there is anything wrong with having those personality traits in real life but as far as YA fiction goes it is honestly over done and boring. I love the concept of a girl being able to be feminine but deadly, a femme fatal if you will. It's honestly a refreshing concept to have in YA books and I hope to see more of it in the future.

Also if you're a sucker for forbidden relationships, this is the series for you, it's very obviously a retelling of Romeo and Juliet but in 1920s China (I'll talk about the history aspect in a second) but it has layers beyond two feuding families. The Romeo and Juliette story is framed as the heirs of the two biggest gangs in Shanghai trying to protect the other from getting killed in a blood feud because of how much they love each other which inevitably causes them to hurt one another. All of this is going on alongside a monster that infects people with brain controlling lice that causes them to rip their own throats out (I know, bloody) while also talking about the political instability that was going on in China in the late 20s. As a history nerd I honestly would've liked there to be more explanation of the historical events because it was honestly a little confusing keeping up with what was going on since it was all new to me but I also understand it is a work of fiction and not a history book so I will not dock any metaphorical points for that. Like I said in my FLF review I really enjoyed being able to learn about a time period in history that isn't taught in schools in the US and I honestly want to look more into it.

There were also a lot of great one liners in the book, the one I remember off the top of my head is "I'm Russian not an alcoholic" which honestly caused me to chuckle. Also Marshall was extremely hilarious, I liked how he was not only a bad ass but had a great personality that I enjoyed from the moment he was introduced. But alongside the antics was also some really beautiful writing that was poetic at times. The way that Juliette and Roma thought about each other especially when they had to do things that would emotionally harm the other or caused them to betray their families was beautiful. Even though I personally have never been in love (because I'm a 22 year old loser but that's neither here nor there) I could honestly feel the emotions they were feeling and that is just a testament to Chloe Gong's skills as an author.

A completely unrelated side note: I didn't realize that Roman was such a popular name in eastern Europe. I genuinely thought Chloe Gong changed Romeo to Roman because it sounds less corny but no she just Russain-ized (Russified?) it to fit the character. It doesn't help that we don't learn Roma's full name until the second book, that played into me not realizing that it was an actual Russian name.

Overall I think I would recommend the book to anyone who is interested in forbidden love stories, historical fiction, and magical realism. Though the books are at times a little slow I do recommend them especially if you want to read FLF and don't want to be like me.

Spoilers For Both Books Below!

Going back to what I said earlier about how much I love the characters I do have to hand it to Chloe Gong for being able to write such likable characters. Though the main ensamble were all essentially murders I honestly could ignore that fact because I liked them so much. Of course I have to highlight Roma and Juliette specifically, their romance was my favorite part of the book and that's coming from me, someone who usually hates romance. I mean the way that they were so in love with each other that they were willing to hurt themselves and their families to keep the other safe. Honestly this might just be because I wasn't raised in a gang but I wouldn't kill my cousin over a man, like even if he's annoying and wrong (I have so many cousins like that, you would not believe) I wouldn't be able to kill him because that's family, you know, but again I was thankfully raised in a non-criminal family so I don't have to worry about that.

Going back to Roman and Juliette, I honestly can say with my whole chest that my favorite scene in the whole series was their wedding. Like it was technically not a legal wedding but they did everything they could to make it legit because it was done on a whim, everything down to them placing the yarn on each other's fingers according to their individual cultural customs was just so cute. Also the fact that Alisa was being nosy and heard their vows and took it upon herself to forge a marriage certificate for them was very sweet, so even they were married more or less legally and technically its legit. But just imagining the shocked expression on Dimitri's face when Juliette showed up to Roma, Alisa, and Marshall's execution and was like "I'm here to die with my husband", also I can bet Roma would've been so happy to hear the word husband he probably would've smiled just a tiny bit up there. I honestly reread the husband part multiple times because I was just so happy for this fictional couple.

Now I will say I haven't actually read Romeo and Juliet but because it is such a staple in society I kind of know more or less what the story entails so it was really cool seeing the references to the original play in the story despite knowing it's meant to be a retelling of the story. Things like character names, which are very obvious for some and a little less for others, and even at one point Juliette giving Roma the fake name Montague. I think the slight shifting of some of the plot elements was what made the story more unique and enjoyable than just a normal retelling. Like when Juliette fakes her own death by sending out a message that's supposed to be from her father that she stabbed herself with a dagger while actually being alive which is opposite of the Shakespeare story where she fakes her death with a potion then stabs herself to death. Also the part where Juliette kills her cousin Tyler to save Roma's life when in the play Juliet's cousin is killed by Romeo. The way that Chloe Gong has retold the story gives more agency to Juliette instead of having her be an object fought over by men, we see Juliette and Roma fighting for each other even against their own gangs and family.

Of course the ending where Roma and Juliette decide to sacrifice themselves for the greater good of Shanghai was honestly a much more interesting death scene than the Shakespeare one and really the ones of other remakes. I liked how both of them decided to die together not just because they loved each other so much they couldn't live without the other but also because they loved their city and wanted the blood feud to end and to save it from the monsters. Their death was both selfless and selfish and I think that was a great way to end the story.

That being said, since their bodies were never found there is a high possibility of them being alive, and I'm saying this right now without spoiling anything from FLF and Last Violent Call which its description has so many more spoilers. I only gave a spoiler warning for these two books and none of the other ones so I will leave this topic alone for now just in case someone hasn't read FLF. If you want to talk about Juliette and Roma being alive theories shoot me and ask because I would love to talk about it.

Other than that thanks for reading my insanely long review of these books if you got this far, this is me placing a gold star sticker on your forehead.

[gay-bookshelf]

ARC Book Review: Wish You Weren't Here by Erin Baldwin

Rating: 3 Stars

The summary: "Juliette doesn’t hate Priya Pendley.

At least, not in the way teen movies say she should hate the hot popular girl. They don’t do cat fights, love triangles, or betrayal. To survive their intertwined small town lives, they agree to a truce: complete group projects without fighting, don’t gossip to mutual friends, and stand on opposite sides of photos so it’s easy to crop each other out.

Priya seems to have everything during the school year—social media stardom, the handsome track captain boyfriend, and millions of adoring fans. And Juliette is at peace with that, because she has Fogridge Sleepaway Camp, the one place she never feels like “too much.”

But Juliette’s dreams of five Priya-free weeks in paradise are shattered when her rival shows up on move-in day... as her cabinmate, no less. Juliette is determined to enjoy her final summer at camp, even if it means (gag) tolerating Priya Pendley, but fate seems has other plans. If Juliette can’t find something to like about her situation—and about Priya—she risks hating the only home she’s ever had, right before she says goodbye to it forever."

So, you've seen the rating, you knew my winning streak had to end somewhere. I wanted to like this book, so so much. As a young kid whose own summer camp genuinely changed their life, I was excited. I also read That Summer Feeling, I am not immune to nostalgic summer camp romance stories!! And I love a good YA novel as well, so this was shaping up to be a home run. From the start though, this book set itself up to be the definition of fine. Good at points, confusing at others, and unfortunately left a sad taste in my mouth. However, lets talk about the good first, because there is good! One, Juliette's struggle with her feeling "too much" is incredibly relatable to how I felt at her age, and how, genuinely and truly, my own summer camp help me feel more secure in who I was and my own identity. And Priya was a character who I loved getting to see more and more of as she became a fleshed out character as Juliette learns more and more about her.

The negatives I feel like can be summarized by saying that it is a debut author (not saying that all debut novels have this problem, just that it is a common one!). I think the books biggest flaw all comes down to pacing, in figuring out where to let a story line breath, in letting itself expand and contract. Not saying the book should be longer! (As that is a problem right now in the YA world, books being too long while saying nothing), but rather that Baldwin has not yet figured out how to pace out a story in the time that she did have. And the good thing is? That this is a debut novel, and I believe that Baldwin has the talent to take the steps into becoming an even better writer. Because if she could give the time to dive more into the characters she has? This would have gone up in rating for sure. There are aspects that I didn't like, that are more subjective, such as it being fairly fanfic-y in tropes (a common theme right now, and not my brand of tea particularly), and overall not the fun read I wanted, even though it shows promise. I hope to see more of Baldwin's work however, if only to see how it evolves. Also this is the most inane complaint but I was being driven up a wall the entire time when they were talking about college applications. That??? Isn't how they work?? You don't apply before you've even gone on summer break your junior year??

[fyeahfandomtrash]

chaotic rambling about but for now leave me alone (ph-1)

i’ve been listening to ph-1′s newest album and it’s genuinely one of the most cohesive body of works i’ve listened to. there’s a story to it, but it’s not entirely too on the nose to the point where it takes away from the other elements at play that makes it so phenomenal. ph-1 is adopting a new style of singing/rapping in every song which is so exciting every time to go to the next track. for example, whenever i’m listening to Mr. Bad and then it goes into Juliette! I’m like, “wait, is this the same dude???” because he’s just that versatile.

I will say that I was drawn to Zombies’ pop elements so the album opener is still my favorite of the tracklist. But I love the diversity of production that the album is flexing (seriously, the people he chooses to work with are incredible at what they do). i can tell there was a ton of effort and love put into this record. i could spend hours talking about the entire tracklist in detail but i’m not gonna get into it for now~

My ranking (again VERY SUBJECTIVE, this is just my taste in music) is 1) Zombies 2) Yuppie Ting 3) Dead Girl 4) Mr. Bad 5) Juliette! 6) Tipsy 7) Shrink Told Me 8) TGIF 9) Break the Glass 10) Issues 11) Run Away 12) Final Bout 13) BVE; even as i say that though every track is somehow simultaneously very different yet thematically reflective of every other one. no track feels out of place for me but every track is a standout.

anyways i’m now a massive ph-1 fan!! he’s incredible at what he does and he needs to be appreciated more!! and massive props to such a beautiful album. i’ve watched some interviews where he talks about this album being a passion project for him and how the album reflects his taste and what he likes, so i’m glad that it’s getting such good reception because it’s what he deserves!! also as a fellow introvert i find his lyrics just way too relatable sometimes.

[vinalong]

Swinsian ked the shark

“Ain’t no way Rachel said Zach isn’t ready for marriage due to his age while her birthday is Maand his birthday is J#thebachelorette #bachelorette,” one person observed via Twitter. GitHub - coral/go-swinsian-state: Small go app to get the play state out of Swinsian (macOS music player) and serve as JSON. Naturally, Bachelor Nation had thoughts about Recchia’s age-related reservations - and shared them on social media. Small go app to get the play state out of Swinsian (macOS music player) and serve as JSON. The strange thing for me was when the cameras were away and it was just her and I talking, it felt like she wasn’t showing her true self.” “I think it’s f–ked, to be honest,” Shallcross said of Recchia. “The way we were together, that feeling took a 180. 1558, nkus, a kind of fish, ON hr shark Skt ank- problematic. “Things were immediately different when we were in the fantasy suite,” he told Palmer. Chorus Standing in line to see the show tonight And there's a light on, heavy glow By the way, I tried to say I'd be there waiting for Dani, the girl, is singing songs to me Beneath the marquee. pilot.rachel/InstagramĮlsewhere, Shallcross - part of Recchia’s final three, also including Aven Jones and Tino Franco - said that the Season 19 co-lead behaved inauthentically during their alone time in Mexico. “Rachel brought up her fear that maybe I’m not ready for a commitment of marriage at this early of an age,” Shallcross said of his fantasy suite date with Recchia. 'Baby Shark Dance' has become the first YouTube video ever to hit 10 billion views, and Disney looks PATHETIC by comparison. Urban explorer Juliette documented her eerie exploration of a derelict Spanish aquarium, where she encountered a rotting shark, dead squid and. I was completely gut-punched,” he admitted. A shark was seen swimming dangerously close to shore near a South Carolina beach, just a few months after another shark was spotted at the same beach. I thought I saw my future with this woman. “With proposals around the corner, that was the last thing I could’ve expected. (She was born on March 8, 1996, while he was born on July 31, 1996.) Shallcross eventually expressed his disappointment to host Jesse Palmer, explaining that he felt blindsided as his and Recchia’s age gap is so small. The Anaheim Hills, Calif., native went on to say that Recchia’s concerns over his age “came out of nowhere,” elaborating, “I think it’s f–ked, to be honest.

[ink-on-dead-trees-simp]

Young Love

In my opinion these two are underrated af. This is set directly after TVD and I haven't read OVE so sorry for any inaccuracies.

Marshall was gone and all rumors pointed to him being alive, only in Scarlett territory. So that was where Benedikt was now, creeping through the buildings that surrounded the mysterious Scarlett safe-house. Roma was still refusing to move after being betrayed yet again so he'd had to face this alone.

It still plagued him as to why he'd decided to follow. Deep down he knew the real reason but how could he say that aloud? He didn't even know if he could trust himself with that burden. But here in his thoughts it surfaced. He was deeply in love with Marshall. The way he smirked at him on a summers evening, the way he confided in him day after day because he couldn't talk to Roma, the way he looked at Ben's art with the love he wished would be turned to him.

A loud bang behind him drew him from those treacherous thoughts. He turned sharply on his heel and saw a young girl stood there, eyes wide, a red ribbon in her hair and a small dagger in her hand. She opened her mouth and then shut it again. When she finally spoke her voice sounded exactly like what he imagined innocence would sound.

'Are you a White Flower?' Benedikt soon realised what she was there for. Juliette had placed her because she knew no-one would kill a child. What she didn't count on was someone who didn't want to hurt anyone and so would have many ways to get out of this. As he crouched down to look the girl in her eyes, he also pulled out a small painting. He placed his hand over the girl’s and replaced the knife with the painting. Then he stood up and walked toward the house. She didn't stop him.

When he finally reached the door, all his doubts and insecurities surfaced. But when he placed his hand on the handle and realised he would finally see Marshall again, they vanished. The door creaked open.

I front of him was an empty hall and a clearly used staircase. So he walked up the stairs toward the distant sound of a piano playing.

As his feet brushed the worn carpet, Benedikt looked at the photos and paintings on the wall. He guessed this must have been decorated by Juliette as most of them were pictures of her and her family. But the higher he got, the more he noticed the pictures of her and Roma.

When he reached the top floor, he turned a corner and saw an open door at the end. The nauseous feeling had returned but he brushed it off and kept moving. The music grew in volume and he could now hear the tune. It was a tune Marshall had played almost everyday back home.

He stepped into the room and saw Marshall bent over the keys. He then moved toward the piano and began to play the higher part. Marshall looked up and stopped.

'Took you long enough!' He laughed as he stood and hugged him. Benedikt returned the hug and whispered,

'You were very difficult to find'. They pulled apart and Marshall looked directly into his eyes. There it was, that smirk. The one that made him feel nervous for no reason. All those forbidden emotions surfaced again and he felt as though he should finally say them. The nerves felt too much. And what if he didn't feel them too? Thankfully, he was saved when Marshall opened his mouth and said the words that changed Ben's life forever.

'I've been waiting for you. But it's given me time to think. Ben, I understand if you don't return my feeling but I think I'm in love with you. And before you say anything I just want you to know that-' He was cut off by a pair of soft lips landing on his. By the time they broke apart, it was hard to discern who was more shocked. Then a voice came from behind,

'I must have a word with Juliette about the state of her security if even Benedikt could slip in.' Roma stood in the doorway, leaning on the frame. 'Oh, don't let my presence interfere. I followed Ben here and saw the whole thing so it doesn't affect me.'

Later that night when Juliette returned, she found two more White Flowers than expected. Whilst she and Roma went to fight about it, Ben and Mars ate the food she had left and played even more music. It took a while for them to have company and by the time they were joined, it was clear everything was sorted.

[nagitolovebug]

How would(does?) Izuru react to the twins that Nagito and Hajime had together? Would be love them just the same? Also, could we hear more about Juliet, the ballerina and antagonist of the killing game?

(does! izuru and hajime share a body- they're not a system bc I don't think that's how DID works and as someone who's not a system i'm not gonna hc that as it's not my place...izuru is just kinda there (maybe more like sukuna/itadori, naruto/kurama type shit)..how he's perceived by the remnants/how he views his situation with hajime is touched on here https://archiveofourown.org/works/32147236 (though this isn't bebiverse just general izuru introspection but my thoughts on him and hajizuru and general stay more or less the same in this au lol))

izuru is present less often than hajime, for one because at first he makes the rest of the remnants very uncomfortable (he's hajime's 'remnant' self after all) and for another it's a lot for him. it's dull and he gets tired and annoyed very easily, he'd rather stay the whole day in the cabin with nagito and bebi but knows the likelihood of that happening is slim to none. he really only tolerates his family. so on one of izuru's hiatuses, nagito Finds Out.

nagito wakes up one day to his partner (he can finally say partner- it took nagito getting pregnant for hajime to propose- realizing he didn't want what they had with anyone else ever. nagito had no idea they were even dating. he was so confused.. "I..I dont understand..why are you doing this? is it because of the baby? I know you're traditional, hinata-kun, but there's really no need.." and hajime smiles and kisses him. "I love you. I'll tell you as many times as you need. until you believe it. I want to marry you. because I love you. he said yes.) staring at him, unblinking.

"izuru?"

his face barely changed but nagito could tell he was pleased. it always made izuru happy when nagito could tell the difference between him and hajime every time without fail.

nagito was still half awake, choosing to not question where his fiancé (hajime and izuru proposed to nagito separately..) had gone and instead snuggling closer to izuru. izuru doesn't stop his clearly analytical staring, but strokes nagito's hair and tucks him under his chin nonetheless.

"you look different. your skin has a dewy and delicate sheen and your weight has fluctuated slightly. you're more conscious of your stomach when positioning yourself. what happened. while I was gone."

nagito frowns. "hajime said you knew..."

"knew what? what did he do?"

nagito pouts at him, pulling his hair slightly. "be nice to him." he looks pensive for a moment.

"I...I'm pregnant."

izuru's eyes widen marginally. his hold on nagito tightens slightly.

"izuru?"

izuru only noses at nagito's neck in response, small pecks pressed to the skin. it was his favorite form of affection.

"i am displeased hajime has kept this from me for so long, yet cannot deny the.....joy i feel. knowing another little one has found their way into our lives." he kisses nagito's cheek.

"really? do you mean that? that you're happy? you're not mad?"

izuru frowns at him, nipping at his neck.

"i am overjoyed. you and bebi have introduced to me a life worth living, quelled my boredom by continually surprising me, shown me how to...love. i cherish you both more than anything, and will cherish our new child equally. you are mine, nagito, for life. as i am yours. there is nothing that could ever change that."

izuru really is very excited, being able to truly spend time with nagito now during his pregnancy without having to worry about survival, or food, or supplies, or enemies. he can dote on his partner as freely as he chooses. and the unpredictability of the entire process keeps him interested. he doesn't think of the twins as not his own (because they really aren't; hajime is the only one who struggles with that with bebi bc of his own identity struggles- identity struggles izuru lacks). his only issue with them comes far later, when they're grown, and find out about the NWP and despair.

as for juliette, she hasn't been developed terribly aside from her relationship with kiko. she's vindictive, and cold, and makes it clear she is uninterested in cooperating with anyone from the start of the killing game. she asserts many times that she is unafraid of killing anyone, and implies that she is planning to do so. that she'll do anything to get out. kiko, being kiko, antagonizes her repeatedly, goading, teasing, generally trying to provoke juliette and they have...a rivalry of sorts? kiko is entirely unafraid of her, despite the threats, whereas juliette hates her (says if she's gonna kill anyone, it'll be kiko. lol). they do end up in a confrontation where juliette almost kills kiko in front of everyone ("I'll slash your throat" "not like that you won't. you aren't even holding the knife right, princess. I'll show you." n kiko adjusts juliette's grip and forces the knife to her own throat. "well? what are you waiting for?" she yanks her hand from kikos. "you're insane." "you're a liar.")

what ends up happening is juliette does go through with a plan to kill kiko. she breaks into her room in the middle of the night with a knife. kiko wakes up to strawberry blonde ringlets in her face, a masked figure holding a knife to her throat. her hand is shaking.

"and here I thought we were finally friends-"

"shut up. don't make this harder than it needs to be."

"for all your talk, I didn't think you had it in you. is the golden girl really gonna dirty her hands with my blood? filthy and beneath you, right? whatever's waiting back home must really be worth it."

"stop! stop talking!"

"just.. do it already." and kiko grabs her hand again, pushing the knife into her skin. "i'm glad it was me. this way, you're not a monster. i hope it's worth it. you won't make it out. my brother...he's stronger than all of you. he'll win. but if it's me, at least, they can all move on. haru will only get angrier, and my death will help him get out of here. .....and for what it's worth. i'm glad it was you."

and juliette ends up stabbing the knife through the pillow right next to kiko's head and collapsing on her, sobbing. they're closer from there on out, but how close....

i'll try and think up lore for her if anyone's interested😅

[mrs-cavill-wife]

Forbidden Witch (3/?)

Pairing: Charles Brandon x Female Reader (Cassandra of Boudicca)

Warning: Fantasy. Language. Forbidden Love. Tell me if I miss something.

Author's Note: Yay, our sorceress is back! I'm so so so sorry for taking so long to back to this Fanfic. I've been sick, my mind got "blocked" and stuff but I'm back to it and sorry if this one is short. yes, I decided she'll have purple eyes. Hope you guys enjoy it, if you do, like, reblog and/or comment. I'm all ears to feedback.

Tag List: @lexyvaldez26 @thereisa8ella @natura1phenomenon @mrsavery @number1chonie @themanfromu @littlefreya @legendarywizarddetective @lovingbearherringhairdo @zealoushound @deangal-101 @everydaymultifandom @rmtndew @summersong69 @jgtfvhsg @tellingyouastory @sillyrabbit81 @nuggsmum @pussyverson @oh-for-fic-sake @foodieforthoughts @fanficlover91 @r-t-doll @its--fandom--darling @poledancingdinos @hlkwrites

Cassandra's POV

Soft knocks woke me up from my messy dreams. I blinked my eyes a few times getting used to the light. I sat up in bed and stretched my body looking around a little confused. Sometimes I have dreams so messed up that I forget where I really am, but within seconds, everything was fresh in my memory. Days ago, I saved a child, a boy, who was swimming in a river in the middle of the night. On the way back to his house, I found out that he is a prince, from the kingdom of Aluma, and since then, out of gratitude, I have been here, in a beautiful large and comfortable room, in the castle.

"Come in"

I got out of bed and Lady Juliette entered my room, just like every morning. I should have stayed only one day, two at the most, but the hospitality, the politeness, the ambient, the treatment of the King and Queen, the happiness of that little runaway, I couldn't refuse to stay any longer.

I smiled at Juliette, watching her open the curtains and the huge windows that looked out onto a beautiful balcony. Then she approached the bed and I stood up as she bowed slightly.

"Good morning, Lady Cassandra. did you sleep well?"

I tilted my face playfully looking at her with mock disapproval and she smiled shyly.

"Oh Juliette, I've told you that we don't need cordiality. How long have i been here? A few weeks, probably months, we're confidants, already friends and I have no title."

She's still shy and started to make my bed and I helped her with the pillows.

"I know, my la.. Cassandra.. It's the orders, I'm just a lady-in-waiting, a helper, I must respect whoever is above me."

I got closer to her after we make the bed and held one of her hands.

"I'm not above anyone else, we're equal inside and I consider you my friend and I want you to act as such, do we agree?"

When I arrived, I was a little unsure, but in front of so many good people, I had nothing to fear. And to make things better, Juliette and I got closer over time. I never had great friends, I guess I never really cared. Since from my childhood in Boudicca, to Aretuza and then to whatever path fate takes me, it's always been me and Atlas, but at the moment, I'm very happy to have someone, who really responds when I speak, at least with words, and not neighs. Juliette smiled happily and went to the bathroom to prepare my bath.

I went to the balcony, the view was just incredible, the birds sang, the sun shone and burned against my skin, on the horizon, I could see part of the Kingdom, the village, but in the distance, mountains. I took a deep breath, basking in the morning scent, eyes hooded, just concentrating on the sounds, until Juliette informed me that the bath was ready.

As soon as I walked in, she left so I could take off my nightgown. We're friends but I still don't feel good about exposing myself like that.

After a relaxing bath with warm water, rose petals and sparkling foam. I put on a robe and found a tray on my bed with my breakfast. It had fruit, bread and juice. Normally, the king and queen would like me to join them at the dinner table, but today was different.

"The kitchen is quite busy, the king is having an old friend today. He is very excited, asked them to prepare the best dishes."

A couple of days ago, I heard some buzz in the hallways. A friend of the king was coming to visit him and it seemed he was creating a commotion around the servants. Maybe it's my imagination, but the ladies looked as fervent as a pan of boiling oil. At a dinner, the king said he would love to introduce me to one of his great friends, I just nodded.

That same night, the queen visited me in my room with a woman. A middle-aged seamstress, a few strands of gray, the queen said she was one of her favorite seamstresses and the most sought after in the kingdom and among her royal friends. She asked the woman and me to talk, and agree on nice clothes for me. I had been wearing dresses loaned to the queen for a while and she knew I didn't feel very comfortable so she contacted her seamstress.

Since today is a big day for the king, I had several options above my bed, my hair was already done with a simple braid. Time passed and I couldn't make up my mind. Juliette was nervous about my lateness, soon the king's friend would be there. For some reason, I felt more indecisive than ever, I almost didn't recognize myself.

But after so much choosing, he manages to make a decision. I looked in the mirror, admiring my necklace and my dress.

"Not that bad"

I walked downstairs with Juliette behind me on our way to the throne room. Madeline played with her son's blond strands while King Alexander chatted with some guards. The castle was cheerful, everyone seemed to want to give the guest the best reception.

As soon as she was seen by little Eric, he smiled and ran to me. I bent down a little and we hugged. Eric and I have bonded, he's an amazing kid with a thirst for adventure.

"Oh dear, look at you"

The queen approached me, looking me up and down and smiling as if I were blood of her blood. Her cheerful voice caught the attention of her husband, who approached, he took my hand and twirled me around making me feel a little shy.

"Cassandra, with all due respect, you look beautiful today."

Madeline and Juliette both chuckled softly at my blush, which also made the queen elbow her husband lightly, scolding him playfully.

Noises echoed in the distance, some voices, horses and carriages

The big door opened, one of the servants reported that the duke had arrived. The king released him, taking his queen's hand on his arm and inviting me to meet his friend at the castle entrance. I walked behind the royal couple with the little prince beside me, chattering about something I didn't hear, my hands sweating with every step I took.

When we arrived at the entrance, I could see two carriages. One loaded with suitcases, so I assumed the guest was in the other. The door of the second carriage opened and a man was the first to exit and suddenly, it was like everything had frozen around me.

The birds stopped singing, the wind got warmer, the sun didn't burn my skin, which was now chilled, my feet felt numb and my heart didn't slosh with blood. A brief deja vu flooded my mind, the memory of my imagination, every detail I imagined came alive and was right in front of me.

Tall man, defined body, strong, noble, fair skin, blue eyes.. like the sky in a spring morning, dark short hair like the night, lips that held perfect white tooth.. I am dreaming or..?

"Charles"

The king shouted happy. The handsome man bowed to the king but quickly the two of them ignored the formalities and embraced.

"How long?"

Charles. It's a good name. And his voice.. only two words left his mouth but that sound, it was like i heard a fire, hot, warming my frozen heart... but with some air of danger, like an unexpected fire that leaves you anchored. He complimented the queen and her son then took back his attention to the king that respectfully, put his hand on my back, approaching me to your friend.

"Charles, I want you to meet someone."

Alexander talked and Charles approached, finally he noticing me and our eyes crossed.

"That's Cassandra of Boudicca, the sorceress."

Charles eyes got wided while showed his beautiful smile, he delicately held my hand and softy pecked my knuckles without taking his eyes from my face.

"My lady."

He said directly at me and I could feel the air leaving my lungs.

"I am Charles Brandon, Duke of Suffolk"

I bent slightly, still looking at the being that came from my dreams.

"Wow daddy, she has purple eyes"

My body woke up to reality with a sweet childish voice. I looked down and beside Charles, there was a little girl, blue and curious eyes just like her father..

Wait a minute? Father? Did she really say.. daddy?

"Yes darlin, but it's not polite to look at people like that and point."

A beautiful young woman exits the carriage and stands beside Charles and the little girl, bowing towards the King and Queen.

"I've never met a sorceress before. It's a pleasure to meet you, Cassandra, and I'm sorry for my little curious daughter behavior"

Daughter..? So she and Charles..?

"I am Phoebe, Duchess of Suffolk, Charles wife and MacKenzie's mother."

Yes, they are..

A few seconds ago, I found myself in some kind of.. dream? and now, it felt like the beginning of a nightmare. It's actually quite real, just like the shiny ring on her finger.

Charles Brandon POV

As soon as I arrived, I was greeted by the king and his wife, and their little son. I greeted them, I missed them, Aluma, the castle, the memories at each place.

After the greetings, Alexander wanted to introduce me to someone I hadn't noticed at first. A beautiful woman, with a gorgeous dress, braid hair, her aura was mysterious, especially with those bright lavender color eyes, her expression looked frozen. I was able to confirm that that wasn't just what was cold, as soon as I touched her delicate hand, I felt her fingers tremble, her palm was sweaty.

I cordially kissed her knuckles with my eyes still locked on her colorful eyes, I never saw something so pretty, so magical. Magic could be the right word to describe her, after all, she is a sorceress.

"This wonderful young lady saved our Eric."

Madeline said and my cheeks burned instantly. Charles laughed and ruffled the boy's hair.

"Still getting in trouble, Eric? You need to stop running away."

The king and I had a brief conversation, until Alexander invited us inside. We both decided to go riding, to remember the old days in battle. So I went up to mine and Phoebe's room to get ready as soon as the servants told us the bags were already there. We went upstairs and left Mackenzie and Eric running together.

Cassandra's POV

As soon as the King and Charles were getting ready to ride, I excused myself from the Queen and went to my room, without running, but walking as fast as I could.

I walked into my room and slammed the door, then leaning my back against it and laying my head back as my breathing was uneven.

How was someone I imagined, now, here? Face to face. There are many people with these features, but everything about it seemed so perfect, like when it turns a short story into a play, bringing people and events to life. He was a dream, but a dream I couldn't dream.

I jumped in fright feeling them knock on the door. I took a few deep breaths, trying not to look crazy, tried to look decent and slowly opened the door to find one of the servants.

"Yes?"

"My lady Cassandra. Your Majesty requests your presence in the stables. He would like you to join him and the duke to ride."

Oh great.. I don't think it would be polite to deny it so I nodded my head smiling a little uncomfortably.

"Tell him I'll be there in a few"

The servant bowed and left. I closed the door again and ran my hands through my face.

I'm not feeling myself anymore, feels like this man has awakened something in me, something difficult to control and I think I'll have to learn because I can't seem to get away from him and these confused sensations.