#lulu reads dear ghosts

[libraryleopard]

Poetry

Explores loss, cancer, and death

Favorite poems: "My Unopened Life," "Lady Betty," "Apparition," "Dream Doughnuts," "Dear Ghosts,," "Old Spot," and "Sixteenth Anniversary"

[duckciferthecg]

Lulu I can't sweeps thymber wewy scary I watch coow ghost detectwive show that I fownds until stormb sebble down and I can fall asweep-🦕

Oh golly!

Well hopefully you got to sleep dear

Try drawing, reading, or writing before bed next time to try and calm your thoughts

[dawn-petrichor-world]

Hi you! Here are fics I read, like a lot and have to share. Hope you'll do the same. Enjoy 🥰

• Grimm: Medusa from by dear @marchtothefuckingsea

• SOA: Ride with me again from the wonderful @holylulusworld

• True Blood: Blood Rush from the same wonderful Lulu.

• The Boys: The Boys & Supes having a Telepathic S/O from @a-libra-writes.

• Violent Night: Santa Baby; Reason to fight, Ghost ; Puppy Love from @writeforfandoms .

[thefanficmonster]

All The Colors

Corpse Husband x Reader (Gender Neutral)

Warnings: Colorblindness, Swearing

Genre: Fluff, Romance, RPF (Real Person Fic)

Summary: The colors are not always seen but rather felt. Just like Y/N feels the colors through their best friend and boyfriend Corpse. That’s how they realize that what they can’t see is the most beautiful and genuine feeling in the world. The feeling of knowing something and someone so deeply.

Requested by my dear friend Lulu, who you might have known as greenieofshield. Unfortunately she’ll never get to read this fic and I’ll never forgive myself for not putting it out sooner but I’ll also never forgive the universe for being so cruel as to take her away so early. She was one of the best people I’ve ever met, always so full of optimism, always there to brighten up my day and make me smile. Always so strong and brave, never falling victim to the hate she received despite not being deserving of it. The world lost an angel the day she died and I as well as so many other people will forever miss her.

Love you and miss you with my whole soul and hear, Lulu. Hope they’re treating you right in heaven ❤

For what it’s worth, Y/N has never asked people to describe the colors to them. In their eyes that seemed like the equivalent of poorly patching up a wound: they could hear thousands upon thousands of descriptions of each color and still wouldn’t be able to imagine it. The descriptions would only make that worse to them. So to avoid feeling even more like they’re missing out they never asked.

However, that doesn’t mean they haven’t developed their own way to ‘visualize’ and imagine colors throughout the years. They’ve tried loads of different methods, few of which stuck around and not for long either. That is exactly why they frequently used to tell their friends: “You can’t paint me a rainbow with black and white and shades of grey and expect me not to feel like I’m missing out on something. Paint me the gloomy sky on a rainy day and only then we’ll be even cause you’re seeing the same greys I am.”

Little did they know how drastically their logic was about to change in the following years.

Speaking of said following years - they met Corpse who became one of their best friends in practically no time. And within just a few months of that friendship’s blossoming, a romance sparked. A romance their friends would jokingly refer to as ‘romance of a lifetime’. Maybe it was said jokingly but Lord knows they weren’t wrong in saying so because the two were completely head over heels for one another -s till are to this day - and never shied away from showing it.

Y/N and Corpse met through Rae who Y/N was staying with while on a little vacation to Los Angeles. To be even more specific here, the two met through a game of Among Us, the game responsible for many wonderful friendships since its release.

“Guys, guys, guys.“ Y/N said after sparking up a bickering session for falsely accusing ‘blue‘ of faking a task in Navigation during the final round for the day, “Here’s a little rule of thumb for whenever we play together again: don’t trust me if I accuse a color instead of a name.“ It’s safe to say that statement rose a few eyebrows in the Discord call, the confusion serving as amusement to them before they explained themself, “Oh, why that is? Hm, I don’t know, maybe cause I’m colorblind.”

Rae who was in on the scheme the whole time and was struggling to hold in her laughter finally snapped while the rest of the players were left processing the information that had been dropped on them.

“But you practically kicked our ass every single round?!“ Corpse said, amazement and confusion in his tone.

“Expect the unexpected from this schemer, take it from someone who’s known them for a decade now.“ Rae said, winking at her friend from across the room. Not failing to notice the blush on their cheeks while doing so though.

“Corpse, are you calling me a good liar?“ They poked a stick at him teasingly, desperately avoiding Rae’s gaze which widened the second she realized why her friend was so flustered by Corpse’s remark.

“Practically a con artist.“ He replied to them with a laugh, earning one from them in return.

And so they practically conned him into falling in love with them with their quick wit, sarcasm and cuteness. If someone is to ask Corpse if he expected to fall for Y/N, he’d probably say yes.

“They were like a magnet the moment they entered the lobby and started talking.“ He said once on a live stream in response to a question he received in the chat regarding Y/N, “It wasn’t hard at all, falling for them. What took me a while was realizing it. While I was referring to them as ‘best friend’ all my friends were rolling their eyes and going ‘Sure, bud.’ Just took me a bit to realize why.”

Luckily, it didn’t take him too long to grasp what his heart was actually screaming at him. Good thing they came to terms with it so soon too, otherwise they would’ve driven their friends insane.

Anyway, enough about what happened and what could’ve happened under one circumstance or another, what matters is the ‘here and now’ of their relationship. And trust me when I say it has never been better and it keeps getting better every day.

The beauty of what those two have is in the tiny every day things that they do for each other, the good morning texts even though the other person in probably just in the kitchen making breakfast while the other cannot find it in them to get out of bed; or it’s laced within the calls between them when neither of them are home or at least one of them is out and about, busy with a task they’ve probably been putting off for far too long. Don’t get me wrong though, the romantic gestures aren’t rare either. Random gifts are exchanged by them on regular intervals but one consistent and super romantic gesture that repeats a few times every year (of the two years they’ve been dating) is Corpse giving Y/N a bouquet of flowers.

A detail Y/N couldn’t help but take notice of was the fact that the bouquet was always made up of the same flowers with only small changes to the arrangement of them and maybe some tiny ones added too. Unfortunately, they aren’t artificial so they couldn’t have kept them thought they wish they could’ve. That being said, it goes without saying that those flowers mean the world to Y/N, the gesture actually - they know flowers are a common gift to give but anything they receive from Corpse is so special and makes them feel like the only person who’s ever received such a gift.

And so they got curious, they had to ask. They had to ask the question they never thought they’d actively ask considering their view of the topic. But they still did.

“Hey Corpse.“ Y/N spoke up out of the blue, breaking the silence that had fallen over them while they watched the movie they were only partially interested in given how exhausted they both were from devoting themselves to their respective tasks and responsibilities throughout the last few days.

Corpse hummed in response, the arm wrapped around their waist doing a little motion as if encouraging them to continue, his gaze immediately traveling down to his partner.

“What color are the flowers?“ They asked, gazing at the bouquet - a gift they had received from him for their birthday a few days prior - in the vase on the dining table.

They waited a few seconds but when they didn’t hear nor feel any sort of response from him they couldn’t help but look up at him. Upon doing so, they saw his small smile as his eyes too remained on the bouquet. “They’re black and white.“ He replied eventually, “Black roses and white daffodils.“ His gaze wandered away from the vase and down to meet theirs, “I don’t want you to think I’m seeing them in their ‘full beauty’ while you only see them in black and white. You are seeing them in their full beauty and not missing out on anything. They are absolutely beautiful black and white as they are.“

As a response to his answer, Y/N couldn’t suppress the growing smile on their face no matter how hard they tried. So they didn’t try at all, they let the smile lighten up their face before speaking up: “You’re a wonder, Corpse.” They said, pushing themself as upright as they could to be able to kiss his cheek. “However, you’re wrong.” They say when they pull away, smirking up at his confused expression, “My world was black and white until you came into it. You’re all the colors, Corpse. Your love’s red, joy’s yellow, sadness blue, chaos green. Love red. You’re all the colors and out of all the people that have tried to describe to me how they look, you have managed to do that just perfectly without even trying.”

Little did they know that’s exactly what he thinks of them - their world is black and white because all the colors live within them. Because they are all the colors.

And maybe they both are, seeing as how they came into each other’s lives exactly like the rainbow after the pouring rain.

@maat-the-prescriptive  @simonsbluee  @save-the-sky  @itsminniekat  @hacker-ghost  @bi-andready-tocry  @imtiredaffff  @jazzkaurtheglorious  @hereforbeebo  @fandomgirl17  @chrysanthykios  @maehemscorpyus  @loraleiix  @letsloveimagines  @annshit  @i-cant-choose-a-username-help  @enigmaticmaze  @divine-artemis  @waterlilypat  @idontknowwhatthisisfam  @evi-ka  @classyandfabulous00  @redperson58  @lilysdaydreams @solowheein  @mythicalamphitrite  @axen-gers  @luckygirl144  @nj01  @buddyemily   @the-albino-lioness  @stardream14  @gdhdkfnn  @nomadicgypsyy  @preciousskye  @fluffysuicideunicornsworld  @o-kaelin  @manacharlotte  @awkward-youtube-trash  @lolalee24  @bonky-beerns  @meme-lord-and-savior-sebastian  @strawbrinkofdeath  @teenloves  @tams0527  @browneyespinkhair  @starstruckllamapuppy  @daisychains012  @y0ulooked  @tinytacosuitcaseflap @supernatural-is-my-only-life  @jula-pauline  @melodykitty  @just-that-bi-girl  @crazybutconfidentaf  @lowellshade @alphakees  @bellero  @weallneednamjesus  @starryhanji  @boiled-onionrings  @husherstan  @fockingwhore  @melaningoddessthings  @prettypastelpetals  @haleypearce  @godwhyamiawkward  @y-napotat  @daisychainyoonmin  @little-miss-rebel3  @free-wheelin-bi-sexual  @redmoon261 @darkacademic2  @wiseflamingoqueen  @into-the-end  @namikhai-i  @nastiablr  @thelittleplantlover  @mirktuan  @dont-hyuck @jjk-bunny  @vintagegothlover  @easygoingtheatre  @itsrandombooklover  @miiaivi  @emmybaybee  @befourgolden  @jjk-is-my-shit  @eternalteaaars  @spacebadgerx  @princesslunalight  @acequinn14  @samm48  @misselsbells06 @simp-lykawa  @fo-love  @marishimomura-blog  @therealglenncoco  @cinnamonbun332  @killtherandomness  @sanshinexxxsan  @fee-btheweeb  @press-lay  @cathleenpotgieter16  @jazzydoesstuff  @moonlxghtbay  @forestrain2000  @hyunjinhugs  @blood-of-fandoms  @lovellylies  @ukiyolixx  @simpforhpcharacters  @chrisdylan17  @parkerjisung  @pedernille  @theodonyous  @wineandionysus  @malfoystilinskii05  @morbid-x  @coryisagee  @jessewa26  @scoobydooluver97 @mindintheskies365  @raeanneinwonderland  @indecisive-empanada  @gluttonypalace  @loriane2503  @btsiguess-kpop  @khaoticbunny  @lucidlycactus  @smiithys  @rottenroyalebooks  @kpopgirlbtssvt  @fangirl-tc27  @fr0z3n-1  @notmesimpingfortechno  @shotarosleftpinky  @kunoi-chan  @idk-whats-wrong-with-me  @yikeroonie  @goldenstarofthunderclan  @poetry-and-tea  @ama-do-writing-stuff  @wishbonewolf  @emeraldxhope  @t0xick1tty  @kusuinko  @speakyourselfloveyourself  @sophia902103  @lo-manburg  @classsykittykat  @dmgama  @depressedpuppythatneedscoffee  @btsiguess-kpop  @akaashi-baby  @gun-jong-simp  @geschichtenfee  @yerapotato-wp  @browneyedgirl365  @thysagclub  @sparklycloudnight  @helloatomicshadow  @queentorresstuff @vtte @val-gal  @lucy-bunny17  @aaliyahh0  @katluckybear  @boyleanti  @straybids  @franchesca-791  @cosmicstorm19  @averyisbackinthetrashcan  @aomi-nabi  @xlanawriter  @allensimpsforcorpse  @sunnyrae-cessh  @ladykxxx08  @meowiemari  @renupf  @booklover76  @sra-verissimo  @beatrhizn  @blueberrystigma  @beatrhizn

[rinharu-purple]

On Jealousy

I owe this analysis/answer to an anon ask which I've accidentally posted, though only with the introduction sentence and then couldn't retrieve.🙈

Dear anon, this analysis is dedicated to you.

I HOPE YOU SEE THIS!!! 🙏🏻💫🙏🏻

Thank you @sin-with-quiche for proofreading and @lunabai78 for the spiritual support 💕💕💕

---—-----—

We have quite a number of moments in our journey with Gavin... Some are funny, some are cute, some are...mmm over the edge

(。-ω-)ﾉ

If you ask me whether Gavin is a jealous man, I would give you two answers:

1) Pre and early relationship... Absolutely!

2) Established relationship... The fitting colloquial term is "territorial".

In order to look at Gavin's attitude towards other males and whether to categorize them as jealous behaviour or not, first we need to describe jealousy .

Jealousy generally refers to the thoughts or feelings of insecurity, fear, and concern over a relative lack of possessions or safety.

The word stems from the French jalousie, formed from jaloux (jealous), and further from Low Latin zelosus (full of zeal), in turn from the Greek word ζήλος (zēlos), sometimes "jealousy", but more often in a positive sense "emulation, ardour, zeal" (with a root connoting "to boil, ferment"; or "yeast").

As you can see, there are different set of emotions that might boil or ferment the reaction of jealousy in one's belly.

My personal take on this is that jealousy arises from two simple things 1) Lack of self-confidence 2) Lack of trust towards one's partner (in terms of romantic jealousy). You don't get jealous when you know you're one hell-of-a-mate and are with the right person. Which is why as we will see in a minute Gavin fits the bill at the beginning but afterwards his jealousy isn't actually jealousy at all!

So which sets of emotions lead to his jealous behaviour and in which conjuncture?

We know that Gavin is completely attuned to MC. This also applies for his reaction towards the presence of other guys around her. So the type of jealousy he displays is attuned to MCs type of reaction to the source of his jealousy. He observes MCs aura and attitude carefully and then reacts in an either desirous, protective, territorial or downright pouty manner.

If he sees the person is overstepping their boundaries like TNTs Tyson or the guys catcalling her during Romantic Date, he gets protective. If he sees someone from his inner cycle being only the slightest overfamiliar with MC as in his phone call with Eli, he gets territorial and draws boundaries. If he gets ditched by MC and walks on her having lunch with another guy all the while she's being touched by him and she's not showing any protest, he pouts in the corner and stabs MC with his words "Too much of anything can get boring after a while" (love this moment and how Joe delivers this line with a strong tonation on the word - boooring-)

If he sees the person is actually drawing MCs attention, well... This is where we can look more into. Because this is actually a stereotypical example of making one jealous. Seeing your love interest with another person in an over-friendly manner.

In Trio Date, he worries that MC might have a crush on Kiro and a close relationship with him. Which is understandably an alarming situation for him, because he isn't that close to her himself and Kiro is... well... Kiro. Pretty much everyone's into him 🌟. But Gavin doesn't show any aggression or envy towards Kiro. On the contrary, he praises him for his charm and even says that he can see what people mean by that as in confessing to being charmed by Kiro himself. I really praise how elegant Gavin acts in the face of this situation 👑 Needless to say, it's a Gavin date, meaning the canon couple in this scenario is Gavin x MC (On a side note pretty bold and disrespectful of PG to put another LI in the supporting male role in a date for another tbh) And also RIP Chandler, the poor guy didn't do anything wrong ^_^

At this point I need to let one thing out of my chest though. I can't say that I appreciate him telling MC when and where to wear revealing clothes <spoiler alert> only for him. Even though we don't actually see him seriously forbidding her to wear them I think it would be better to leave her be the judge of it. But considering the fact that she gets catcalled even at his presence I can kinda see why Gavin gets protective here. On a side note, his girlfriend isn't better on this matter either. MC covers Gavin's body at the beach during 2021 summer event in CN server so that other girls don't drool over him 🤣 These two have some homework to do in that department I tell you that 😅

In the more mature phases of their relationship, we no longer see Gavin feeling himself threatened by the presence of another male. AT ALL! All Gavin jealousy after this point is only because someone is overstepping their boundaries and making "his girl" uncomfortable.

Gavin might be the one acting jealous the most frequently among the LIs, but he never ever gets possessive over her, limits her freedom or makes unconfirmed self proclaims on behalf of her. Being possessive over someone objectifies them and the moment you objectify a person, you no longer need to be in a relationship with them tbh. Leaving your partner room to breathe and respecting their personal space is important and Gavin does this the best alongside with Kiro. We also never see Kiro getting possessive, limiting or doing anything of that nature with MC.

Further in their relationship Gavin still acts jealous, but in an extremely cute, pure and harmless way. Be it against prankster ghosts, animals she's met in the middle of the desert, a wild child, service dogs, birds and co. Basically anyone and anything that diverts her attention from him for more than a nanosecond can be perceived as a threat but an adult male 😂At his core, Gav-babe wants MC all for himself but his jealousy is actually only adorkable.

(´∀｀)♡

In the main story, however, there is a certain LI which becomes the magnet for Gavin's firsthand jealousy and even kinda provokes this. And this is actually what I am dying to write about in this post😈. It only happens at the beginning of the story, but I love it so much and therefore it must be in this post.

Gavin shows signs of jealousy towards one particular LI at various occasions and that is...

Gavin shows obvious signs of jealousy towards our genius scientist and that is completely understandable! Lucien is the one who makes his advances first and is the most straightforward one throughout the main story. Plus, he lives right next to MC and, let's be honest here, is the only one who toys with MC's poor hormones the most. Just to give one example:

Gavin and MC don't become quite a couple before CH12 and S1 Gavin has some issues with self-worth and confidence (towards MC). When he meets MC again after 6 years, he is perplexed and is fairly clueless as to how to approach her romantically. Lest Gavin making the wrong moves, he acts weirdly around MC which further confuses her. Gav-babe is really weird at the beginning of the story 😅

The first time we see Gavin getting jealous about Lucien is in CH2, when he and MC spend a prolonged period of time for the first time as they investigate the time warping incident. Our birdcop is hopelessly in love with MC so when he sees her become so red on the phone with another person, he gets worked up.

Fun trivia, Joe's reaction to this moment can be found here

The second instance is when MC spends two nights in a row with Lucien in CH5 and then falls asleep in her office.

It is crucial to remember at this point that up to CH5, MC seems to be most romantically involved with Lucien and spends most of her time with him. LuLu mercilessly teasing her and flirting with her doesn't help much in that sense either because he is actively making advances on her. Thus announcing his candidacy for "Mr. Love". So when Gavin catches MC spending nights following Lucien, having phone calls with him, living right next door to him, working closely with him and blushes because of him, it's fairly understandable that our birdcop gets fairly jealous because at that point in the story Lucien seems to have a better shot at love with her than he does.

Btw, MC flatlines on his question as to who is the resource of her flustering this time around and doesn't explain herself ;)

Interestingly though, in the third instance, where Gavin sees MC and Lucien, he isn't jealous at all! In the famous "Rude Awakening" moment, the vibes we get at first is as if Gavin walks in to MC and Lucien. But actually our protective boyfriend is there to save MCs life. What's more, he doesn't give credit to Lucien's provocations, such as when he calls Gavin "dangerous" or pulls MC behind him, stays extremely close to her and plays the "protective boyfriend" in front of him. On Gavin's defense, the one actually saves MCs life and protects her is Gavin here as he deflects the bullet shot at her.¯\_(ツ)_/¯

Furthermore, he asks Lucien to take MC home, albeit not before telling her that he will be contacting her later, signaling to Lucien that he shouldn't stick along for long. A highly subtle way of "marking his territory", much like a wolf would. God I love this scene both in the main story and in the anime.

It is necessary to mention at this point that the chapter following this scene revolves around Gavin and MC clearing all kinds of misunderstandings between them and MC trying to bind with him. Hence laying the first stones in the temple of their relationship. After that point we no longer see Gavin showing any kind of jealousy towards anyone. So mark CH7 people ;)

----—-----—-----—

You know what I would love to see? Gavin getting jealous over Shaw. I wonder whether he even knows that MC spends time with him 🤔 Too bad that PG has left the idea "brother conflict".

If you would like to read another perspective on this, Cheri has posted her analysis here

[livia-dovehallow]

papa’s little girl (Will & Lucie Herondale)

“Being a daddy’s girl is like having permanent armor for the rest of your life.” -Marinela Reka

Lucie Herondale hardly knew fear.

Since she could remember, Lucie was surrounded by people who loved and protected her. There was her mother, who always read her stories and returned Lucie’s toothy grins. There was her brother, Jamie. She didn’t always like when he told her no, or that she needed to be careful. But when she slipped on the snow outside her home while chasing a bird through the garden, it was Jamie who helped her up and gave her a hug.

Then there was her Uncle Gabriel. Uncle Gabriel always snuck Lucie a chocolate when her father wasn’t looking; and he never said no when she requested a piggy-back ride. It also helped that Cousin Anna was older and had begun to think that piggy-back rides were no longer cool.

And there was Aunt Cecily. Aunt Cecily was Lucie’s favorite relative. Together they would get into bits of trouble, mostly to make her papa turn white in the face and exclaim that he needed to sit down before they made him have gray hair. Aunt Cecily also never let Lucie forget that girls were just as important as boys, and that she could do anything she set her little heart to. “Don’t let anyone ever say you can’t do something,” her aunt had told her. “That is for you to decide.”

But most of all, above anyone else, Lucie had her papa. She’d heard her mother, once, shake her head and say that Lucie had her papa wrapped around her tiny finger. She did not know what that was supposed to mean: her papa was obviously much too big to fit around her little finger.

Among Lucie’s fondest memories with her father was the night she saw her first ghost.

It was late at night. Lucie should have been asleep, but she’d heard the doors of the Institute open and her father’s voice float through the halls. Lucie greatly enjoyed when he came home from patrols because it meant he would come in to check on her and tuck her blankets in.

But on this particular night, while eagerly awaiting her bedtime visit, she spotted a figure in her bedroom window. Lucie froze.

It was someone Lucie had never seen before. It was a man of a terribly sickly demeanor; his face was sunken and gray, as was the rest of his body. He gazed into her window, of which Lucie could not fathom how as her bedroom was on the third story of the London Institute.

She was frightened, so she did the first thing that came to mind. She screamed.

“PAPA!” She clutched at her blanket in her hands and stared, wide-eyed, at the figure out the window. It continued to stare, blankly, as if it did not see her at all.

Loud footsteps bounded down the hall, growing even louder as they got closer. “Papa,” she whimpered, knowing he would come for her. The door opened and her father hurried through the doorway. “Lulu,” he said, moving swiftly to her side. “What is it? What’s wrong?”

“There’s a man in the window!”

Will Herondale had never turned his body faster in his life. Sure enough, outside his daughter’s window, was the figure of a man.

He knew immediately the figure was a ghost. He’d lived long enough and seen ghosts long enough to recognize them quickly, but it did not change the fact that a ghostly man was gazing into his little girl’s bedroom.

Furious, Will stood and marched to the window. “Git!” he shouted. “Have you any decency? This is Institute property!”

Upon the commotion, the shimmering form of Jessamine Lovelace emerged. Her face was pinched in horror. “You heard him. Leave now! This Institute is under my protection.”

“Go away!” cried Lucie’s little voice behind them.

The figure finally moved. It glanced quickly between the occupants of the room before vanishing completely. Will turned to Jessamine, who had already begun moving through the Institute and its grounds.

Trusting Jessamine to ensure that the figure was truly gone, and that there were no others left, Will hurried back to Lucie. She looked at him with shining blue eyes, wide with fright and her lip quivering. He immediately pulled her into his arms. “You’re all right, Lulu,” he told her as he cradled her to him. “He won’t hurt you. I promise.”

“It was scary,” she cried, burying her face into his shoulder. In her little hands she clutched her blanket, a gift Cecily had given her when she was born.

Will kissed her head. “I know, cariad. I know.”

He rocked her until her body had stopped shaking and her sniffles had lessened. “Papa,” she whispered after a while. “What was that man?”

“A ghost, Lucie,” he answered. “Like your Auntie Jessie.”

“Auntie Jessie is a ghost?” Lucie gasped. She sat upright in his lap and looked at him in wonder.

Will couldn’t help but chuckle. “Yes, she is. What did you think she was?”

Lucie shrugged. “A fairy.”

A disgusted grunt came from behind Will. “Imagine that,” Jessamine said, back from her sweep of the grounds. “A faerie. The likes of them. I am not a faerie.”

“I’m sorry, Auntie Jessie,” said Lucie sweetly.

Will smiled and pinched Lucie’s cheek. “You’re not scared of Jessie, are you?”

“No!” Lucie was offended.

Again came Jessamine’s voice. “Perhaps not, if you behave.” Before Will could reply, exasperated, Jessamine disappeared.

“Papa,” Lucie said again. Her eyes were big as she looked up at him. Will knew Tessa had been right about Lucie having him wrapped around her finger. “Please don’t leave.”

She’s got him again. “I won’t,” he promised. He bundled her back into his arms and squeezed, pulling a giggle from her. “You can’t get rid of me, dear Lucie. Your papa is here to stay forever.”

As Will leaned back against the pillows, and Lucie lay her whole body on his chest, he pondered.

How could a ghost pass Jessamine’s border without suspicion? And why was it peeping through Lucie’s window?

Lucie’s soft breaths against his neck kept Will from losing his temper. She was so peaceful when she slept that simply cradling her in her slumber was enough to calm Will from any agitation. But still—something nagged at him even more than the events of the night. Something that didn’t quite add up the more and more he thought about it.

Why could Lucie see ghosts?

Read on AO3. Read Part 2 here!

@tsccreatorsnet 

[favefandomimagines]

I Never Planned On You 4

AN: chapter 4! i’m basically writing this for my own entertainment now since it’s ultimately flopping lol but maybe other people are enjoying this as much as i am

wc: 3092

taglist: @x-lulu​

Fred, George and Kendra arrived back at Hogwarts, making small talk with one another as the stairs moved towards the common room. They saw a large crowd of Gryffindor students in front of the Fat Lady’s portrait. As they got closer, Kendra noticed a few tares across the canvas and there was no sign of the Fat Lady. 

“I wonder what happened here.” She commented. Kendra would soon receive an explanation as Percy shoved his way through the crowd. 

Not forgetting to remind everyone that he was Head Boy. “No one is to enter this dormitory until it has been fully searched.” He instructed. 

“Why would it need to be searched?” Kendra asked aloud. Shortly after, Filch and Dumbledore made their way to the painting. 

The headmaster examined the tares before instructing Filch to round up the ghosts and search for the Fat Lady. “There’s no need for ghosts, professor.” Filch replied. With a shaky finger, he pointed to a distant painting and spotted the Fat Lady. 

Students rushed to the painting as fast as they could on a moving staircase. Kendra stopped in front of George as Dumbledore spoke calmly to the Fat Lady. 

“Dear lady, who did this to you?” He asked. “Eyes like the devil, he’s got,” She cried. “And a soul as dark as his name. It’s him, headmaster. The one they all talk about. He’s here, in the castle. Sirius Black!” She finished. 

The crowd began to whisper and gasp, a few eyes landing on Kendra as George placed his hands on her shoulders. They couldn’t possibly think that she had anything to do with it. But the rumor mill at Hogwarts is one of mythical proportions. Word will spread like wildfire that Kendra’s father was in the castle and that she may have had some involvement in it. 

She swallowed the lump in her throat, Dumbledore telling Filch to secure the castle. “The rest of you, to the Great Hall. Except for you, Ms. Black. Come with me.” The man said. 

Kendra frantically looked at George, as if he could potentially help her but they both knew he had no power in the situation. Percy grabbed her wrist gently and tugged her away from George and hoards of people around her. 

The girl was brought back to the headmaster’s office, Dumbledore excusing everyone else who was there. 

“Ms. Black, were you aware of your father being in the castle?” He asked. “No. I swear, professor. I had no idea.” She answered honestly. “He was undoubtedly here for you and Mr. Potter.” Dumbledore muttered. “Kendra, you will return to the Great Hall with the rest of your house. But, if your father makes contact, please let me know.” He told her. 

“What will you do?” Kendra asked. “Don’t worry about that now, dear.” Dumbledore said, dismissing her. Kendra nodded her head and did as she was told. As she was walking down the corridors, she could make out the shapes of the dementors that were on the grounds. She knew her father was innocent. She would never turn him in to suffer a fate at the hands of the dementors.

When she re-entered the Great Hall, eyes fell to her as she walked down the aisles of cots that were being set up. Fred and George spotted the girl and hastily made their way towards her. “What happened? What did he say?” Fred asked. “Are you alright?” George added. 

“I’m fine. He asked if I knew anything about the Fat Lady.” Kendra answered. “Well, obviously you don’t. You’re terrible at keeping secrets.” Fred commented. “I am not!” She protested. “Yes, Kendra, you are. But that’s not the point. Do you think your father is here for you?” George asked. “I don’t know. Would he even be able to recognize me?” Kendra replied. 

The sky soon grew dark and Professor Snape told them all that they would be sleeping in the Great Hall until the common room was searched thoroughly. Kendra couldn’t sleep though. Not when she was sleeping on a very thin cot on the stone floor of the Great Hall. That, and her rampant thoughts keeping her up. 

Everyone thinks Sirius is trying to kill Harry. But if Kendra knew anything for certain, it’s that her father would never harm Harry. At least that’s what she hoped. 

“I didn’t really expect him to linger.” Kendra heard Dumbledore say. “Remarkable feat, don’t you think? To enter Hogwarts Castle on one’s own completely undetected.” Snape added. “Quite  remarkable, yes.” Dumbledore replied. “Any theories on how he might have managed it?” Snape asked. 

“Many, each as unlikely as the next. Don’t insinuate Kendra, Severus, she was just a child when he went away. She has no knowledge of her father’s whereabouts.” Dumbledore answered. “My concern is not that of Ms. Black. You may recall, prior to the start of term, I did express concerns about your appointment of Professor Lupin.” Snape said. 

Remus? They were suspecting Remus of helping Sirius inside the castle? Kendra thought it was highly unlikely, surely he would have mentioned that to her to prevent her from why her teachers has such a sneaking suspicion of her. 

“Not a single professor inside this castle would help Sirius Black to enter it. No, I’m quite convinced the castle is safe. And I’m more than willing to send the students back to their houses.” Dumbledore interjected. “What about Potter? Should he be warned?” Snape questioned. 

It was now clear to Kendra that everyone seemed to think that her father was after Harry. She didn’t know what her father was planning but she knew he wouldn’t hurt anyone. Kendra didn’t want him to prove everyone right. 

__

The next morning, Dumbledore let the students back in their common rooms. Kendra had never been so relieved to sleep in her own dorm instead of the floor. But everyone was still whispering about her. Her own housemates, students from other houses, the teachers. She felt like she was under a microscope. 

As she was walking to the Defense Against the Dark Arts room, luck was not on her side as she bumped into Draco as she turned the corner. 

“Watch it, Malfoy.” She snapped at him. “Or what? Have your lunatic father come after me?” He sneered. “No, I’ll just send a letter to your father. Wonder how disappointed he’d be if he knew you were boasting about having Pansy Parkinson do all of your homework. What would he always say to you? ‘Don’t boast, Draco?’” Kendra replied. 

Draco clenched his jaw at the girl’s words before pushing past her harshly. Kendra rolled her eyes and continued on her journey to Remus’ classroom. She was very early because she needed to ask the professor if he knew about her father being on the grounds. 

She stepped inside the empty classroom as Remus was preparing his lesson for the day. “Ah, Kendra, you’re here early.” He commented upon her arrival. “I wanted to speak with you about something actually.” She said. 

“What would you like to talk about?” He asked. “Did you help my father into Hogwarts?” Kendra asked. Remus paused momentarily as he stood up from his desk. “I can assure you, Kendra, that I did not help your father. Surely I would tell you if I had.” Remus replied. “Professor Snape thinks you did. I overheard him and Professor Dumbledore talking about it.” She said. 

“Professor Snape has never been fond of me or your father. He’s holding grudges from our days in Hogwarts. He has always been a suspicious man.” Remus said. 

Kendra nodded her head as she fished out a letter she received from Andromeda. “I got a letter from Andromeda. Apparently, she’s thinking about pulling me out of school for my safety.” She said. “What? Why?” Remus questioned. “Because she thinks other students are going to hurt me. She’s very paranoid but Remus, you can’t let her do that. I can’t leave Hogwarts, all of my friends are here. George is-” She started before she stopped herself. 

“You don’t want to leave Mr. Weasley, is that it?” He asked. “Of course I don’t. I don’t want to leave any of them.” Kendra said. “Kendra, I see how you look at him in class. Especially when you saw your Boggart.” Remus said. 

During Remus’ lesson over Boggarts and the spell to get rid of them, it had been revealed that Kendra’s Boggart was the infamous Bellatrix Lestrange. Mainly due to the fact that Kendra had to watch Bellatrix kill her mother right in front of her. The woman was mad and that had been enough to solidify the fear Kendra held for her. 

George was the only one aside from Remus who seemed to have any idea who the woman was. Out of just sheer habit, the person she looked to for help was George. It seemed he was always the one saving her when she needed him. 

“Remus, please don’t let Andromeda take me out of school. I need to stay here.” Kendra begged. “I will do my best. But you know how she is.” Remus said. Students soon began to fill the classroom and Kendra took her seat, waiting for Angelina.

__

The next morning, Kendra was woken up by the sound of Angelina and Alicia chanting the Gryffindor quidditch cheer. “Can the two of you quiet down? Some of us want to sleep.” She groaned. “Kendra! It’s quidditch day! We have our match against Hufflepuff today!” Alicia yelled, tossing a pillow at the girl. 

“But it’s Saturday morning and I’m tired.” She complained. “You forget that a certain Weasley has declared you his good luck charm.” Angelina teased. Kendra sat up in bed and rolled her eyes as her roommates laughed. 

“You wouldn’t miss a quidditch game for anything. Even for the rain.” Alicia said. “Let’s be honest; the only reason Kendra even likes quidditch is because she likes seeing George in the uniform.” Katie Bell chimed in. 

“Why am I even friends with the three of you?” She questioned. “Because you’d be lost without us.” Angelina answered. 

The four girls left their dorm and headed to the Great Hall for breakfast. Though she couldn’t forget Angelina’s words. Had George really said she was his good luck charm? He had never said it to her. So that meant he talked about her to people. 

Was she reading too much into such a small statement? Maybe. But a part of her hoped it was true. 

They took their usual spots at the Gryffindor table, casually chatting about their assignments and the upcoming quidditch match. All three of Kendra’s friends were on the quidditch team so she picked up on a lot of the technical terms.

And thanks to the twins, she grew a fondness for professional quidditch. Of course she wasn’t a true born fan like the Weasley’s, she appreciated the sport.  

Fred and George walked in shortly after the girls had sat down and Fred heard his brother’s breath hitch before he stopped walking. He followed his eyeline and spotted Kendra sitting at the table. 

“This is truly getting ridiculous, George. Just tell her you like her.” Fred said. “It’s not that easy, Freddie. You are notoriously better at this stuff than I am. I can barely form two words around her when we talk about our feelings. I can’t have her turn me down and then lose her as a friend.” George replied. 

Fred cursed Kendra for making him swear to secrecy when she told him she liked George. It would’ve made things a lot easier if she hadn’t. 

“Everything will be fine. Now can we please go eat? I’m starving.” Fred complained. 

The two Beaters approached the table and George squeezed his way in between Kendra and Alicia. “This seat taken?” He asked the two girls. Kendra rolled her eyes playfully and nudged him gently. 

“Excited about the match?” She asked. “Oh, I’m ready. We are going to destroy Hufflepuff. Especially, when I have my good luck charm in the stands.” He said, a smirk adorning his lips. 

“Who’s this good luck charm?” She asked, though Kendra already knew the answer. “You of course.” George replied. Kendra smiled at him as giant butterflies kept flapping in her stomach. 

She hated how those small little comments made her feel. A person should not feel that way about their best friend. It was a recipe for disaster. 

Soon the girl was sitting with Hermione and Ron in the stands of the quidditch pitch. It was cold, rainy and Kendra was miserable. 

But supporting her friends was more important than the potential case of hypothermia she was contracting. The game was well underway and it was a rough one due to the weather. 

Making Kendra’s nerves skyrocket as she watched George and Fred fly around on their brooms. Alicia was already out of the game because her broom caught fire. Kendra didn’t want Fred or George to suffer the same fate. 

Everyone lost sight of Harry in the storm clouds as him and Cedric Diggory went after the snitch. But Cedric came back down, not in the best state, and Harry hadn’t come back down. “Where is he?” Kendra asked herself. She tried to keep her focus on the two redhead beaters and the rest of the team. 

Though her focus was soon back to the sky when Harry started to fall through the clouds. Kendra panicked over all of the screaming. Harry was her friend and if something didn’t stop his fall, he surely wouldn’t survive. 

Chalk it up to her natural born impulsivity, Kendra took out her wand and pointed it at Harry. 

“Kendra what are you doing?” Hermione questioned her. “Arresto momentum!” She shouted. Harry then started to slow down until he was ‘safely’ on the ground. 

Kendra knew it probably wasn’t wise to stop Harry on her own but she felt she had to. The stands cleared soon after Harry was taken off the pitch, and Kendra, Ron and Hermione made their way towards the castle to check up on Harry. 

“Kendra!” She heard George call. The dark haired girl turned around and saw the redhead jogging towards her. “That was incredible! How did you know to do that?” He asked. 

“I-I panicked and felt like I had to do something. Maybe it has to do with the impulsive behavior we both have in common.” She replied with a strained laugh. 

“And this is why I call you my good luck charm. Apparently you’re Harry’s too.” He said with a warm smile. The two walked back to the castle and met the other at Harry’s bedside. 

“Kendra, that was amazing! You saved his life!” Neville exclaimed. “It was nothing. How is he?” She asked, desperately needing the attention off of her. “He’s okay. Better than the alternative.” Hermione answered. 

“He looks a bit peaky, doesn’t he?” Ron commented. “Peaky? What’d you expect? He fell over 100 feet.” Fred said. “Yeah, come on, Ron. Let’s walk you off the Astronomy tower,” George started. 

“And see what you look like.” Fred finished. “Probably a right sight better than he normally does.” Harry groaned. Everyone smiled and let out simultaneous sighs of relief. “How are you feeling?” Hermione asked. “Oh brilliant.” He replied. “You gave us a right good scare there, mate.” Fred said. “What happened?” Harry questioned. 

The group of students exchanged looks before Ron answered. “Well, you fell off your broom. And Kendra had to use a spell to save you.” He said. “Really? I meant the match. Who won?” The boy asked. 

“No one blames you, Harry. The dementors aren't supposed to come inside the grounds. Dumbledore's furious. As soon as Kendra saved you, he sent them straight off.” Hermione said. 

“There's something else you should know too.When you fell, your broom sort of blew into the Whomping Willow, and...well...” Ron trailed off, presenting Harry’s broken broom to him. 

It was clear that Harry was upset about his broom, soon falling back to rest his head against his pillow. 

“Alright, give him some space. Let him rest.” Madam Pomfrey instructed the teens. The students gave Harry some goodbye’s and well-wishes before leaving the hospital. 

“That was quite a show.” George commented, swinging his arm over Kendra’s shoulder. “Ew, get off of me until you shower. You’re all sweaty.” She grimaced, pushing the boy away. “So then after he showers you want him on you?” Fred teased. “Shut up, Fred. That’s not what I meant.” Kendra rebutted. 

She rolled her eyes and walked ahead of the twins, the two still snickering about how easy they can get under Kendra’s skin. They all arrived back at the common room, the girls splitting off to rid themselves of boys covered in sweat after both participating in and cheering for quidditch. 

Kendra made plans with George to meet in the common room after he washed up so she could help him with his Defense Against the Dark Arts homework. He somehow thought that her being Lupin’s favorite student meant that she knew everything. 

She was sitting on her bed, staring at the letter from Andromeda, hoping to Merlin that Remus could talk her out of taking Kendra out of Hogwarts. She was so deep in thought she didn’t realize it was half past five and George was probably waiting for her. 

The dark haired girl gathered her books and her notes and headed down to the common room. She stopped short when she heard a few boys bring up her name. 

“Kendra had to have helped him get in the castle. Who else knows Sirius Black?” One said. “It makes sense. She’s probably helping him with his murder plot.” Another added. “What murder plot?” George’s voice questioned. 

It was the sound of George’s voice that hurt Kendra the most. He was there, listening to these people talk poorly of her and he’s doing nothing to stop it. “Is that what you all think?” Kendra questioned aloud. 

The boys cowered in their seats, George being the only one to stand up and face her. Kendra glared at the redhead before turning around and retreating towards her dorm. 

She only made it halfway up the steps when someone caught her wrist. “Kendra, please, wait.” George pleaded. “You let them say awful things about me. And all you had to say was ‘what murder plot?’ You’re supposed to be my best friend.” She snapped, tears stinging her eyes. 

“I am.” He started. “No, George. You’re not. You just let them talk. You didn’t even stop them.” She said in a more hushed tone, wriggling out of his grasp and going up the stairs.

 George just stood there, too dumbfounded to move. Kendra was right though. He should’ve shut them up. He didn’t know why he just sat there, maybe because he knew the truth and he knew none of it was true. 

But now he hurt the one person he swore he’d never hurt. And he had no idea how he was going to make right. George had to forget confessing his feelings to her and just focus on getting his best friend back. 

[imherongraystairstrash]

Herondales (fanfiction)

A/N: This is a fic about the good ol’ Herondale family. This is sort of like a continuation of the Anna and Christopher fic I made a while back (I’m thinking of doing a third one for Thomas), but you don’t have to read it to understand what scene in Chog I’m writing about. 

Will searched the fields for his children. He told himself that if he stopped walking, the meant he was giving up on his son and daughter. His eyes darted to and fro, but all he saw were ghosts. He didn’t look at the ghost’s faces. He wouldn’t let his mind wander into dark thoughts such as those. They were not dea—

He couldn’t bring himself to finish that thought.

Will shook his head and kept searching.

“We’ll find them.” Cecily said.

Will pressed his lips together and nodded curtly.

Cecily was worried enough about her own son, who was currently laying sick in the silent city, and it was endearing that despite all that, she was worried about Will. And yet, Will couldn’t bring himself to be thankful for that, not when just moments ago, Tessa and he were calling out their names, searching restlessly for James and Lucie, only to discover that neither of them were at the institute at all. That they hadn’t been seen in a long time.

Thomas had called them and said that he they said they would be at the Silent City. That didn’t reassure either of them, but a minuscule flicker of hope had caught ablaze, and they departed shortly after calling Cecily and Gabriel (they put Bridget to the task of calling the rest of the shadowhunter families in London), and putting on their gear.

But now, the wind was catching on the flame, threatening to put it out. Will shook his head again, clearing his thoughts.

They kept searching until Will found a light at the end of the tunnel.

“Papa!”

Will ran to the voice of his daughter. His vision tunneled and all that existed was Lucie, whom he was unsure if he’d ever see again. Lucie flung herself at him and he caught her into his arms holding her tight.

“I’m so glad you’re here.” she whispered.

It was like she was still a small child again, when all he had to worry about was her and James fighting.

“It’s okay, Lulu.” He kissed to top of her head. “It’s all going to be alright.”

She clung onto him.

“Are you angry at us?”

“Extremely. I might just ground you until you are fifty years old.”

Lucie giggled but didn’t pull away. Something about the way she spoke and clung on to him sent a wave of panic through him. He looked over her shoulder and saw Cordelia, Alastair and someone sitting against a tree that could only have been Jamie, from the way Tessa was caressing him.

“Where’s Matthew?”

“He’s distributing the antidote with Thomas.” She said softly.

Nobody had died. Perhaps Will had just imagined the tone Lucie’s carried. The same tone he’d heard so many times. The one people carried when someone dear to them had passed away recently.

James heard a thump as Tessa fell to her knees beside him.

“Oh, Jamie. My sweet Jamie.” Tessa sound exasperated. She pressed her warm hands against James’ cold face. It feels so nice to be loved, James thought. Tessa’s gray eyes looked like they were on the verge of tears.

“Don’t cry, mam.”

Tessa cried anyway. Tears rolled down her face. A face that never aged and never will. In a world where everything was changing, Tessa’s face remained a constant in his life.

“My poor little baby.” Tessa said, kissing James’ face.

She caressed him, her presence resembling that of a light. James was in his mother’s arms and nothing could hurt him. He closed his eyes and let Tessa rock him back and forth. He felt her kiss his forehead and fuss over his injuries, using some of her warlock magic to relieve his pain.  

He opened his eyes just in time to see Will drop down beside them. Lucie was being embraced by James’ aunt Cecily.

“Jamie bach,” Will said, his voice hoarse and eyes filled with terror, “Who did this to you?”

James closed his eyes, “Later.”

He didn’t want to tap into what he had witnessed. Not again.

Lucie kneed down beside them and Tessa hugged her tightly. Will put iratze runes on him and held him close.  

James let himself be loved by his family. When he closed his eyes, he didn’t see horrors anymore.

When they got to the institute (walking, since nobody had brought carriages), Will felt James shudder at the sight of the stairs.

“Do you think you can walk up them?”

“I don’t have a choice, do I?” James said as he leaned heavily against his father.

Will hated seeing his son suffer. He could see James trying to stay awake. Tessa had sent Matthew and Lucie to wash up as she got salve for Jamie. Will took one look at his son before he scooped him up in his arms, as though James were a small child.

“Papa—” James said.

“Shh, let me carry you, Jamie.”

James looked as though he was going to protest, but was too tired to open his mouth. His head lopped against his father’s chest as Will carried him up the steps. Even when there were no more steps to walk up, Will didn’t put him down. He carried him until they reached Jamie’s room. He was putting him down on his bed just as Tessa came in. She put down the salve and water she’d brought up with her and wrapped her arms around Will’s waist, putting her head on his shoulder.

“Our poor baby.”

“How did this happen, Tess?”

“I don’t know, Will.”

James woke up in his bed. Tessa was stroking his hair to wake him up, and spoke to gently, telling him they had to clean his wounds. It was still dark out, and James was half awake as his parents washed the dirt off of his skin. At one point, Tessa was rocking him in her arms, singing a lullaby, positioning him so that his back was exposed. His father must have been treating the wounds there. James wasn’t even aware that was a place where he was hurt. All he knew was that his mama was warm. Every time he slipped into unconsciousness, he relived those terrible moments. Yet, he could hear his mother’s sweet voice guiding him to safety. His father’s arms carrying him when he couldn’t carry himself. He never knew how lucky he was to be so loved. He wanted to cry when they left. He wanted them to stay with him the entire night. He tried to call out to them as they walked out, but he voice was gone.

He was alone for a while, until Matthew came. He laid down beside James and that reassuring feeling was back. He put his head on Matthew’s shoulder, and felt a wave of warmth go through him. One that only came when you were with your parabatai.

“Good night, Jamie.”

“Good night, Math.”

And both boys, equally exhausted, slept all through the night.

[just-patchy]

After taking the card out of a neatly closed envelope, familiar handwriting reads...

"To Florenetta,

I guarantee you know who this is! You all are people I hold very dear to my heart and I couldn't be happier. Then again, I'm sure you know how much I care since I love to dote on you all. Even you Mari!"

♡ Much love - Secret Skeleton ♡

Thanks for the ask! :3c (shdjhsjdjs i assume the earrings were for lulu and gian cause mari appeared twice www unless it’s maribelle, which i don’t think so since she’s not my oc)

———

“It’s very cute, I’ll be adding this to my collection, thank you,” Stefano said, a ghost of a smile on his face as he examined the doll in his hands. It was a standard cat plushie in black with red eyes, a little like himself really. He found the doll adorable, and he softly hugged it to his chest in a rare show of gentleness.

“That’s slander, I never stole any books, but thank you,” John hummed, pouting slightly (which surprisingly suited his handsome features) before taking a closer look at the books he had. While they were on his list of books to add to his library, he hadn’t had the time to go out and buy them with preparations for the next production ongoing, so he was quite grateful to get the books he wanted.

“I don’t mind getting piercings, but honestly I absolutely would not change them. My ears are sensitive~” Gian whined, though he did stare at the shiny earrings appreciatively. He did like shiny, sparkly things such as jewellery. “Thanks though~”

“If the candles are meant for my rituals, then I’m a little sorry to say that we have specific candles meant for those...” Marius murmured, inspecting the candle making set. “The puppet is quite cute though, and I think we can use the candles for productions or something else, thanks.”

“Thanks for the earrings!” Lulu chirped, putting them away before she lost them somewhere. With big, donkey ears like hers, she had plenty of room for piercings. It was just a matter of pain tolerance, honestly.

“As part blue whale, the cold doesn’t affect me much, but the coat’s comfy so I’m not complaining,” Mordred said, draping the coat over his shoulders so that he could still make use of it without being too hot.

[zoocross0vers]

A Zootopian Christmas Carol Part 4: The Future

A/N: Another part and then it’s just the ending! Again, really wish I had this done by Christmas, but I hope you’ve enjoyed it nonetheless :)

For my Latin/Mexican friends, I hope you had a great Dia de Reyes yesterday! :D

WARNING: This Chapter is a bit of a tear jerker. TwT

FF.net Link: https://www.fanfiction.net/s/13461657/4/A-Zootopian-Christmas-Carol

…

Chapter 4: The Future

Bogo's eyes widened in fear. What was going on? He looked toward the window and saw that it was dark out and the moon was full. “It's night time again. But-But how is this possible spirit?” He looked over his shoulder and saw that the large jovial cheetah was gone. “Spirit? Spirit!”

he called in a panic, “No, spirit please come back! You must tell me about Finn!”

He hyperventilated, realizing that he was all alone in the empty house. “No, no. This can't be. Spirit!” he called again as he rushed into the small kitchen in the next room. “Spirit! Wilde!” He ran back to the main room and called at the top of his lungs, “Tiny Finn! Someone! Anyone!”

The uneasy buffalo slowly backed up. “Please! What's happening?” he whimpered desperately, still walking backwards, until he bumped into something small. He let out a quiet gasp and he very slowly turned. He saw that behind him stood a small figure about the size of a child -- the size of a kit to be exact, wearing a hooded cloak of a dark purple shade.

Bogo stepped away from the figure in fear. The figure didn't move, nor did it say anything. “T-Tiny Finn?” The small figure silently shook his head in denial. “Th-Then, are you the Ghost of Christmas Future?”

The small figure nodded his head.

Bogo gulped in fear, “Spirit of the future, of all the spirits I was to encounter this night, your coming is the one I’ve feared the most. Please, tell me... what happened to Tiny Finn?”

A harsh gust of wind suddenly blew past them both. Bogo slowly opened his eyes when the wind calmed. He saw that there were lights back on in the Wilde household, and that by the window stood a forlorn Judith staring outside. “Judith Wilde?” Bogo asked.

At the dinner table, sat Bonnie, Stu, and Felicia. Felicia was helping her grandmother and grandfather crack open and peel the skin off some peanuts. James sat nearby his grandfather Jonathan, reading a book while also glancing over concernedly toward his mother from time to time. Jonathan meanwhile was teaching his grandson, Johnny-Stu, how to properly stitch up a tear in one of his pants.

A concerned Bonnie headed over to stand by her daughter. “Judith? Are you alright?”

Judith sighed, “It's getting late and...he hasn't come home yet. It feels like he's starting to walk slower and slower each day. I just don't want him to be drowning in his sorrows again like last time, huddling outside on that cold little patch because he feels so guilty about everything,” Judith's voice trembled at that last statement, as a tear threatened to stream down her face.

Bonnie placed a comforting paw on her daughter's shoulder. “Nicholas probably just didn't want him to be alone, dear. I know he's taken what happened very hard, but he knows that he has the rest of you to look after. I don't think he’d endanger his own health like that again.” Bonnie smiled.

Judith smiled back, but frowned again, “Still, that was a very frightening night. I thought he would never come home. And then...I would have already lost two.” Judith hugged her arms tightly, as her breath hitched and a tear streamed down her cheek.

“Two?” Bogo asked with worry, “What does she mean by that? Lost two what?” he desperately asked the spirit, who merely pointed back toward the scene before them. Bogo obeyed and returned his attention back to them.

Bonnie placed her arms around her daughter's, “Shh, shh,” the elder bunny gently shushed her with motherly care, “There, there dear. I know Nicholas is unlike your father in that your father wears his emotions on his sleeve. But even if Nicholas bottles up and hides his emotions, we all know that he feels guilty over something that wasn't his fault. He may not want to accept or believe that right now, but he will. Just give him time. He promised you that he’d never endanger himself like that again and knowing how much he loves you and the children, I’m more than certain he means it. Nicholas will be fine, you’ll see.” Bonnie gave her a reassuring smile.

Judith nodded with an accompanying sniffle. She wiped away at a lone tear and managed a meek smile,  “Thanks mother. I’m really glad you and father are here.”

“Of course dear,” Bonnie replied.

“I just feel bad for Jeremy and Lulu. I know this was their year to have you and father over for Christmas,” Judith said.

“Don’t worry about that. Your brother and sister understand why we felt we had to come here again this year. We promised them that we’d visit them on the 26th and 27th respectively, to make it up to them.”

Judith nodded understandingly. 

“Any sign of him yet?” Amelia asked, walking out of the kitchen. She approached the two does.

“No, not yet,” Judith replied.

Amelia stood beside them at the window. “I hope he comes home soon. I’m getting worried.”

“I know Mrs. Wilde, I am too,” Judith gazed back out -- the only movement she saw was that of other mammals walking around and of gentle snow falling. She sighed worriedly when she felt a tug at her dress’ skirt.

It was little Felicia standing by her leg, “Mama? When is Papa coming home?”  

Though Judith wasn’t certain herself, she simply replied, “Your father’s just running late again, Felicia. He’ll be home soon.”

“Is it because of Finn?” asked the small kit. 

“Yes,” she replied forlornly.

Before the kit could ask anymore questions, the front door opened. 

“Nicholas!” Judith exclaimed as she ran to him. “Where were you? Are you alright?”

“I’m fine, I’m fine,” he said with a reassuring smile, though it was evident from his pinkish-red eyes that he had been crying. “I’m sorry if I took so long. I just wanted to spend a little extra time with him so he wouldn’t be alone on Christmas. After that, I decided to go to church to listen to some of the hymns in his place. I know he always used to like listening to them on Christmas Day.”

Judith smiled gently up to him, caressing his cheek, “I know he did. Thank you for going in his place, sweetheart.”

Nicholas nodded, his eyes growing a little glassy. “I…” he cleared his throat to prevent his voice from breaking, “I-I...I think I’m going to...go sit over there by the fire.”

Judith and the others watched him walk over to the chimney, all of them keeping a close eye on him but not one of them saying a word. He appeared okay, but there was something off about his step that made him look so hollow and dead inside.

Nicholas stopped by the chimney when he reached an empty chair that was sitting to one side of it. Beside the chair, there rested a small wooden crutch without an owner, carefully preserved -- just as the spirit had foretold.

Bogo laid eyes on it and felt his heart sink, “No…” he whispered quietly.

Nicholas stared quietly at the small crutch for a moment, then very slowly reached toward it with trembling paws. He took it into his shaking paws and stared at it longer, bringing it up close to his chest. Not a second later, he couldn’t take it anymore. His breathing became extremely erratic and his breath gave a violent hitch as he collapsed down on his knees to the floor, clutching the tiny crutch tightly against his chest, just over his broken heart.

“Nicholas!” 

“Son!” 

Cried Judith and Jonathan respectively, as they and the rest of their family dropped what they were doing and mad dashed over to Nicholas’ side. “Nicholas,” said Judith as she reached him first. Nicholas, still holding the crutch in one paw, quickly threw his arms around his wife’s waist and buried his face against her stomach. 

“It’s my fault!” he wailed against her. His eyes streaming with tears. 

She instinctively wrapped her arms around him to comfort him, “No, no, don’t say that! It’s not your fault.”

“Yes it is…” he wailed again, tightening his arms around her, “I failed him. I couldn’t save him. I should have...I should have...I should have done everything to save him and I didn’t! I should have hustled! Pick-pocketed! Done something! But I didn’t!...I didn’t…” he sobbed against her. 

Bogo watched him somberly, “Wilde…” 

He had never seen his normally cheerful employee look like this -- so broken and so fragile.

Nicholas sobbed, still clutching on tightly to his wife. Judith, who had now started crying herself after seeing her husband like this, did her best to comfort him between an equally broken heart and tears. “You did what you could.”

Nicholas shook his head, wiping his tears against her dress, “It wasn’t enough…” he croaked, “I should have done more...I should’ve...It’s all my fault...It’s all my fault…!”

Judith’s breath hitched as she brought his face up to hers, “No it’s not! It’s not!” she sobbed, her forehead pressed against his. 

“It’s my fault…” Nicholas whimpered once more as they cried to one another’s faces. 

The rest of their family couldn’t hold back their tears any longer and all huddled close around the two, hugging them as tight as they could, sobbing along with them.

Bogo kept his glassy eyes on his distraught employee, who kept crying endlessly. The cape buffalo hyperventilated, taking a couple of steps back in denial, “No, no. This can’t be happening!” He gripped at his head and then turned to the small spirit, grabbing him by his miniature shoulders and shaking him, “Spirit! Please tell me this isn’t happening! Tell me this all a dream and nothing more! Tiny Finn is still alive somewhere! Isn’t he? Isn’t he?!”

A harsh wind blew, blowing the spirit away as nothing more than an empty cloak in the wind. The wind grew more violent, forcing Bogo to close his eyes. 

When the wind passed and the snow cleared, Bogo found himself in a cemetery. Before him, lay a small grave, where the tombstone read, ‘TINY’ FINN TIBERIUS WILDE (1838-1844)

“No!” Bogo wailed, falling to his knees. It was true, the boy was dead. That sweet innocent little kit who had so much mercy in his kind heart for Bogo -- despite how cruel the buffalo was to his father -- was dead. DEAD.

Bogo couldn’t believe it. How could such a horrible thing be true? Bogo legitimately found himself crying over the little kit’s grave. “How could I be so cruel to let this happen?” he asked himself as a tear streamed down his face.

Someone approached Bogo from behind. It was the small, cloaked spirit. Bogo sniffled and wiped away a tear, “Spirit, I didn’t want this to happen. Tell me these events can yet be changed.”

Bogo and the spirit’s attention was deviated toward some nearby laughter. A few graves away from them, a group of three brown weasels were shoveling dirt inside a rather large grave site. “Hahaha!” they guffawed, “I’ve never seen a funeral like this one!” said one weasel with a bowler hat and green overcoat.

“Aye, no mourners, no friends to bid him farewell,” concurred another weasel with a newsies cap that hid his eyes.

“You think that’s bad?” added a bug eyed weasel by the name of Duke Weaselton. “I swiped this off of him.” The bug eyed weasel held out a gold ring with the initials, ‘E.B.’ engraved on them.

Newsies cap weasel lifted the cap from his eyes as both he and the bowler weasel stared at the ring in awe. “Oy! Is that real gold you got there Duke?”

“Did you really swipe that off his dead carcass?” asked bowler weasel.

“You better believe it! I heard this guy was a real cheapskate in life, but it’s nice to know he’s become real generous in death! Hahaha!” laughed the bug eyed weasel. The other weasel’s joined in on the laughter.

“Oy fellas! How’s ‘bout we rest for a minute a’fore we fill it in, eh?” asked the bowler weasel. 

“In the meantime, how ‘bout you treat us to some drinks, Duke?” asked the newsies weasel.

“Drinks? With this baby I could buy the pub!” declared a smug Duke. 

“Why not?” said the bowler weasel. “We got time. It’s not like he’s goin’ nowheres. Hahahahaha!” the three weasels guffawed and left the open grave site. 

Bogo and the small hooded spirit stood there watching them go. A curious Bogo stepped closer to the deep hole and peeked inside, “Spirit? Who-Whose lonely grave is this?” 

“Who’s do ya think it is?” asked the small spirit with a deep masculine voice that was far too deep to match the small child like size of the spirit. 

Bogo gasped, shaken by the sudden booming voice and stepped back, his foot slipping against the edge of the hole! He fell in, but not before gripping onto a thick tree root about a quarter of the way in. The terrified buffalo held on for dear life as he looked back down the hole and saw that it somehow became much, much steeper than it was before -- possibly even hundreds of feet deep.

The small spirit, removed his hood and revealed that he was a dwarf fennec fox. He looked down at Bogo with little to no care.

“Spirit! Help me! Please! Help me out of this unmarked grav--!”

The small fennec fox waved an arm over the tombstone, causing the dark shadows that covered it to move away and reveal the name marked on it. Bogo saw that the name engraved on the tombstone was: EBENEEZER BOGO 

Bogo’s eyes widened and his jaw dropped in horror. He couldn’t believe what he was seeing, “What? No. No that can’t be! There must be some mistake!”

“You sure about that?” asked the spirit, “Seems pretty clear to me that this is your grave, Ebeneezer Bogo.” 

Just then, the echoing creak of an opening casket caught Bogo’s attention. He glanced down and saw that the wooden casket down below had indeed opened up all the way. Out from it, tall, bright, and fiery flames shot up at him, clawing at him, desperate to drag him down to his infernal punishment. 

“No!” Bogo screamed in horror. “Spirit! Please! Help me! I don’t want to die!”

“Seems a little too late for that, don’t ya think?” said the spirit, pointing a thumb toward Bogo’s headstone. 

“No!” Bogo shut his eyes, refusing to look at the name on the tombstone any further. “I don’t want that!”

“Well what do you want?” asked the spirit, pacing around the edge of the hole. “You can’t take your money down there with ya if that’s what you’re tryin’ to tell me.”

“I don’t want my money! I...I’m sorry!” Bogo cried with his eyes still closed. 

“What was that? Couldn’t hear you. Small ears y’know,” said the fennec fox sarcastically as he pointed to his large ears.

“I’m sorry! I’m sorry for all I’ve done! I don’t want these shadows to be what is destined! Please! Please tell me that these are only the shadows of what may be rather than what will be!” The root Bogo was clinging to came a bit loose, causing him to move a couple of inches down. He held on tightly for dear life and tucked his legs in to prevent the fire from hitting his feet. “I-I mean, if a mammal were to change his life, then his life’s journey could also change! Please spirit! Say it so!”

“Do you ask me that only b’cause you’re afraid for yourself? Did you forget how your selfish ways affected the Wilde’s?!” scolded the spirit.

The root Bogo held onto, loosened a little more. He gasped in horror as he almost lost his grip, “No! No of course not! I haven’t forgotten Tiny Finn or the rest of the Wildes! I don’t want this horrible future for sweet little Finn or his family!” The root gave in a little more, “Aah! Help me spirit!”

“Help? You want help now? After you denied it to so many animals!”

The root further loosened, “I-I know I did! I was wrong! I was wrong about everything! I never wanted this future for Tiny Finn!”

“You sure it’s not the one you wanted? The kid was poor and part rabbit. And I could’ve sworn you said somethin’ along the lines of…” the fennec fox placed his hood over his head and brought it back down, morphing his face from his own to Bogo’s. He spoke to Bogo in the buffalo’s own voice, “‘If they would rather die, then they best do it fast and decrease the surplus population. Most notably you pesky hares and rabbits who don't stop overpopulating society enough as it is!’”

“Aah!” Bogo yelped in horror as he released the root with one of his hooves. As a result, he now dangled with one arm. This forced him to take a good look at the ravenous flames awaiting him down below. The spirit lifted and lowered his hood again, morphing his face back to a fennec fox’s. 

“Please spirit!” Bogo cried, sincerely and desperately, “Please hear me! I am not the mammal I was! I will not be the mammal I would’ve been were it not for you and your fellow spirits! Why show me this if I’m past all hope! Take pity good spirit!! Assure me that I might change these shadows you’ve shown me by an altered life!!” The root gave way more and more, “I’ll change!!!” The spirit walked away as if unconvinced.

The root completely gave way and Bogo fell along with it, “I’LL CHAAAAAAAAAAAaaaaaaaange…………….!!!!!” he screamed as he fell down, down, down, into the fiery red smoke of the awaiting fire.

... 

A/N: *sniff* You don’t know how much it hurt to write that scene with the Wilde’s. TwT

Plus, I just realized that Nick’s family would be even further doomed in this future if Bogo died as he was the only one willing to give Nick a job. O.O

[musicalhqs]

⌞ʾ⁎ ⊰ lulu antariksa, cis female, she/her ⊱ i think i just saw EDEN 'EDIE' BYRNE walk across trafalgar square, singing to GHOST TOWNS ( RADICAL FACE ). you know, the TWENTY FOUR year old AUDIO ENGINEER? people claim that they are just like EURYDICE from HADESTOWN. it must be because they are RESOURCEFUL and CYNICAL as well… though i could be wrong. all i know for sure is that they live at PETERSBURG apartment. { bee, 20, est, she/her }⌝

⌞ʾ⁎ 𝕒𝕟𝕠𝕥𝕙𝕖𝕣 𝕕𝕒𝕪, 𝕒𝕟𝕠𝕥𝕙𝕖𝕣 𝕕𝕖𝕤𝕥𝕚𝕟𝕪┆congratulations BEE and welcome to musicalhqs ! we cannot wait to see what EDEN ‘EDIE’ BYRNE will bring to london. you have 48 HOURS to send in your account and read through our CHECKLIST. have fun, dear friend ! LULU ANTARISKA is now taken ! xoxo

[dyns33]

Hell Brothers (6/?)

Summary : Hellblazer crossover. Antichrists Michael, Duncan and Jim, aka the triplets of Hell, are not okay. Their dear sister, aka favorite toy, is missing. Strangly, their Father is not helping them with this matter. He prefers to make a deal with the one who is protecting her, John Constantine.

           "You went to see Cordelia Goode."

Billie Dean Howard was out to make one of her ridiculous shows, supposedly invited by one of the ghosts of the infamous Hotel Cortez, so during her absence John had agreed to stay at her home to watch the girl. The sun was long gone, after dinner Rachel had gone to her room to read on her bed, and he had thought that she had fallen asleep since ; that was why he had settled on the couch to enjoy his third glass of whiskey and a cigarette, in peace.

           "Go back to bed." he mumbled without looking at her.

           "I heard that you saw my father and that he agreed to free me against the Supreme. I searched on the Internet, Cordelia Goode is the Supreme of the witches."

           "You know a lot of things. But do you know that it's very rude to listen to other's conversations ?"

           "I... sorry."

At the sound of her voice, Constantine could have thought she was sorry and understood, but she came to sit next to him, before catching his cigarette. John thought she was going to smoke, but after a long look at it, she threw the cigarette into his glass.

           "It's bad for your health. My brothers often joke that you're going to die because of the stupidest pleasures, while other dead might open you the gates of heaven. It's still possible to be forgiven, you know that ?"

It was terribly funny to receive a lesson in morality, with the added bonus of an attempt to comfort his situation from a girl who knew, or at least should know, that she was seen by everyone as someone bad who was going to be punished for no reason. John did not know whether he should feel pathetic or angry against her, against himself, against God, Lulu, and the whole world who were not fair.

           "So... did you find a way to help me ?" she murmured, and he felt all her hope in the trembling of her voice.

           "Cordelia is doing research, but there is little hope."

           "I've done some research too. I know why she is important, why my father wants her to die. Without the Supreme, the balance can not be maintained and the Apocalypse will take place. However it is not specified that it must be Mrs. Goode. If the Internet is not wrong, I read that a new Supreme always appeared to take the place of the previous one... So, if we find the right witch, maybe Mrs. Goode will help me, no ?"

           "First of all, Cordelia is kind, but maybe not so kind as to sacrifice herself for a girl she does not know and who is the devil's daughter. And then there is nothing to predict when the next Supreme will appear. It could happen tomorrow as in years. First Cordelia's powers will diminish, then the young one will have to pass the seven Wonders, and in the end I imagine that she will want to use the remaining time to form the one who will succeed her."

           "What are the Seven Wonders ?" she asked, tilting her head to the side.

           "A test to determine if a witch is powerful enough to become the next Supreme. Except for the one in place, only the next one can succeed."

           "So all the witches need to pass this test and we'll find the right one quickly, that will leave Mrs. Goode enough time to train her and after that..."

It was almost adorable to see Rachel get excited, preparing all the details of her plan, when it was doomed to failure. Even if Cordelia agreed that they would pass it, which would never happen, no witch would want to try the seven wonders without having the certainty to get by without too much damage. Because already the test was dangerous in itself, there was especially a wonder scarier that the others : Descensum. For the other wonders, there was always a way to get the girls back if something happened, but if they could not escape from their personal hell, it would be impossible to bring them back. Rachel seemed to ignore this detail and her smile disappeared when Constantine explained what it was.

           "Stuck in Hell forever. You can imagine what that does, do not you ?"

           "But... I do not understand, why take such a risk ?"

           "Because it's the only way to designate the new Supreme."

           "It's insane. Even if they find the right one, they're not sure before, and so it's still possible that it's a mistake before she goes down."

           "And here's why your plan can not work. I'm sorry."

Rachel rose slowly, murmuring again and again, "They're crazy" while she was going back to her room. Even if he had finally achieved his goal, he had crushed any glimmer of hope in her, John did not feel any satisfaction.

_______________________

             Everything was calm at Miss Robichaux's Academy for Exceptional Young Ladies, the night was still young, Cordelia had donned her satin nightie and she was reading one of the last books she had found, which could possibly have helped Constantine's client, when Myrtle Snow came running.

           "Delia, quick, John Henry Moore is in the living room and I'm afrad he will lose all his blood on our beautiful 18th century carpet !"

           "What ? He's hurt ?"

           "Oh, my dear, he's almost dead."

Indeed poor John Henry was badly wounded in the stomack and neck, and it was a real miracle that he managed to get here in this state. After closing his wounds with the help of Mallory, a very talented new student who was good with healing spells, Cordelia and Myrtle carried him to an empty room so that he could lie far from the prying eyes of the girls. He clearly needed rest, but they needed to know what had happened. They had to know if there was a threat to the school.

           "The triplets..." he sighed. "The sons of Lucifer, they came to Hawthorne for information. Their sister disappeared. We knew nothing about it, absolutely nothing, but Augustus offered to help them. Now that I think about it, I imagine that he did this to save the boys, because it was obvious that they were not going to leave us alive. Behold and I did not agree, it was out of the question to help demons, so... Cordelia, they're all dead. I could not do anything for my students, I fled, I'm a coward... "

           "Hush. You're a good man, I know you wanted to do well, and you probably did everything to save them, but with your wounds you could not do anything else... Sleep now."

With a wave of her hand, she soothed him and he closed his eyes without being able to resist. Myrtle then followed her to her office, uttering insults at the triplets of hell, the worst creatures that existed after their father. And that was why Cordelia did not have time to laugh at her mentor's comments, because the situation was critical. These three boys were a plague, a definite danger for her girls, so even though she understood Moore's reaction to the idea of ​​helping them, she would not hesitate for a second to give them what they wanted, if that would made them return to their hole. She did not understand why they had so much trouble finding their sister, who had no power and who could not have gone very far... until she made the connection with a story she had heard a few days ago. The story of a girl chased by demons, sent directly by Satan.

           "John..." she mumbled. "You are an idiot..."

           "I agree, but what Constantine has to do with this ?" Myrtle asked.

           "It does not matter. Wehave to prepare more protections, in case they come here, and if that ever happened... I know where their sister is."

________________________

             Installed in the best suite of the Cortez, for free, with the promise of James Patrick March to make every effort to find their little princess, the triplets yet felt like caged lions. And when there were many in the same cage, who were getting tired and impatient, things could quickly escalate.

           "Why do we not find her ?" Jim moaned, squirming on his bed, grimacing. "It's been almost a month, Michael. A fucking month !"

           "And you are the one complaining ?" Duncan groaned. "You got her last. It's because of you that she left, so shut up. Go get some stuff to calm yourself down and let us think between adults."

           "Fuck you Dunc ! We agreed we did not say it was my fault ! Why would it not be yours, since you had her before me ? After all the disgusting things you did to her, she thought about a plan to run away and she waited to be alone to do it !"

           "Bullshit ! That's bullshit ! You're already high, are you ? You can really not stay longer than ten minutes without taking something ?!"

           "Speak for yourself. You just came back from the restroom and everyone knows what you were doing here, so..."

           "It's enough."

They could try to prove otherwise, they could get offended when someone reminded it to them, they could play the tough guys, but Jim and Duncan never forgot that their eldest was the strongest, the one who had to lead the armies of theirs father on the day of the Last Judgment, the one that must not be annoyed. They knew it, but the circumstances and the tension in the room prevented them from thinking before speaking.

           "Do you not agree, Mikey ?" Duncan spat. "Or do you feel responsible ? Do you know something ? Oh, I know, our sister did not disappear, you killed her. Or you hid her, to have her for yourself alone, because, in reality, you are a selfish little baby who needs to be cuddled and reassured, because he is afraid that his daddy does not love him enough to..."

Jim watched with horror as his big brother fell on his knees, touching his throat in desperation, trying to breathe by loosening Michael's invisible grip, who was not even watching him choking.

           "Please, Michael, let him go. He did not think so, it's the stress that speaks. We all want to find her and it's long, so long... You know how we have no patience, unlike you."

           "Do you think compliments will change anything ?"

           "No... But that's the truth. And for our father... we all think he does not love us, he did not even answer us when we asked him to find our sister."

It seemed to be enough to calm Michael, who let Duncan breathe again. Several times they had begged their father to find the fugitive, but they had got no answer, not even a 'no', as if he was ignoring them. Yet they had been good boys, they had done everything he asked, they were ready to perform the Apocalypse when the time came. Did their father reproach them for asking for a sister ? To not have been cruel enough with her ? Too nice ? It was not fair, she was theirs, they could do what they wanted with her... and they were also responsible for her.   "I guess he thinks we have to fend for ourselves when it comes to finding what belongs to us and that we have lost. This story does not concern him, that's all."

           "And... what will happen... when we try everything... and we still have found... nothing ?" Duncan asked, trying to catch his breath, opening the collar of his shirt.

           "There will only be one place and where we are not allowed to go."

           "I asked my followers to take a look." Jim said. "They have not seen a girl at Constantine's, and he's not often at home lately."

For a few moments, Michael considered the possibility of strangling his younger brother for hiding this information because he was too silly to realize that it was essential. John Constantine was a lone wolf, who only came out of his lair for important business, before returning to hiding there as soon as possible. The triplets were aware of all the coming and going of the demons right now, so there was nothing that could justify his being away so often.

           "And do you know where he's going ?" he asked in a slow voice, which made Jim understand that if he did not know the answer, he would suffer the same fate as Duncan.

           "At... a psychic who's doing television, Billie Dean Howard. He's sleeping there sometimes, so I guess he's fucking her."

           "Lucky guy." Duncan said with a bitter smile.

If there was one thing their father had told them about Constantine, it was that he was a shy little prude, too kind to have relations with others, for fear of involving them in the conflict that he led against them. So it was certainly not about love or sex with this Howard. And they were going to pay her a visit.

[notmuchfordancing]

21 questions

Got tagged by @ttreacherrous thank you Bia my dear 

Rules: answer 21 questions and tag 21 people who you want to know better

Nicknames: Lu or Lulu

Zodiac sign: libra

Height: 1,67m 

Hogwarts House: hufflepuff

Last Thing I Googled: stella mccartney (i just found out she’s paul mccartney daughter)

Fave Musicians: Taylor Swift, Alessia Cara, Beyonce, Harry Styles, Ed Sheeran, Lorde, Vance Joy, Julia Michaels

Song Stuck in my head: Cornelia Street

Following: 1572

Followers: 400

Do You Get Asks: never ever ever

Amount of sleep: 5 to 6 

What are you wearing: black denim, denim jacket and my combat boots

Dream Job: TS’ public relations (hire me @tree-paine)

Dream Trip: nyc, toronto and london 

Instruments: guitar

Languages: Portuguese, english and just a little bit of spanish

10 Favourite Songs: random cause i cant choose things

starlight - ts 

last kiss - ts 

growing pains - alessia cara 

from the dining table - harry styles

perfect places - lorde

tenerife sea - ed 

lover - ts

holy ground - ts 

two ghosts - harry 

liability - lorde

friends - ed 

Random Fact: i don’t like banana. hate them. 

My Aesthetic: pink lemonades, ice cream, long nights drawing or editing on photoshop, laughing with friends in a coffee shop, long readings in libraries or book shops, actually enjoying spending time alone

I tag (not 21 people but some of my favorites on here)

@comebackbehere @isntitdelicatte @itshaylor @soitgoes23 @reputation2017 @andoursong @deepbluepaintedgold @holdonstoyou

[comixconnection]

CHOOSE YOUR THREE FREE COMICS!

The following titles will be available at Comix Connection on May 4th (while supplies last!). Everybody gets to pick three! For every food donation* you bring in for the Central Pennsylvania Food Bank you may select an additional free comic book!

*food donations must be at least two months in date to allow for food bank processing time! expired or soon-to-expire items will not be accepted. please check your labels!

We know the line for the FCBD comics can get long (if you want to come in and shop first, you can skip the line and head straight inside!) so in an effort to both entertain you while you’re in that long line and to help it go a little faster by giving you a preview of the various titles so you can decide ahead of time what looks good, the Comix Connection Counter Monkeys have read and reviewed all of the available FCBD books! Take a peek!

CHOOSE YOUR FREE COMICS:

This preview of the Under the Moon: A Catwoman Tale graphic novel introduces us to a young, pre-Catwoman Selina Kyle and the difficult adolescence that led her to become everyone’s favorite feline fatale. Plus, get a sneak-peek at the upcoming Teen Titans: Raven graphic novel coming from DC Ink later this summer for $16.99. Want more? Pre-order Raven now or grab a copy of Under the Moon off the shelves today!

CONTENT NOTE: while this sample has been rated ALL AGES it does deal with some heavy subjects, including animal death, and the books themselves are intended for TEEN READERS.

Shiver your way into a galaxy far, far away in this spooky one-shot starring Han Solo and Chewbacca on a galactic treasure hunt during their pre-Rebellion scoundrel days! Want more? Discover the whole era-spanning adventure in the Tales from Vader’s Castle graphic novel, on the shelves now! [ALL AGES]

Marjorie is not excited to go visit her grandmother in the country for Mother’s Day, even though her best friend is coming along for the ride -- secretly of course, because Wendell is a ghost! This down-to-earth haunting pits Majorie against the pressures of growing-up and finding herself, but it’s Wendell who gets the star make-over in this issue! As in the graphic novel, this one-shot deals with the topics of grief and loss in a way that is both approachable and touching for all ages. Want more? Pick up the Sheets graphic novel where the two friends first met, on the shelves now! [ALL AGES]

This two-for-one issues gives you the first ever comic book venture for the beloved video game Minecraft, a teaser for the upcoming graphic novel. in the first story, a cheerful “Griefer” gets some grief of her own when real life consequences collide with her digital destruction. Plus, everyone’s favorite super-siblings decide to give mom and dad the gift of a “Date Night” that gives them more than they bargained for in a short story set after Incredibles 2. Want more? Pre-order the $9.99 Minecraft graphic novel now, or picks up the latest issue of Incredible: Secret Identities on the racks now! [ALL AGES]

A hilarious, lighthearted romp through the world of the Justice League as the world’s greatest heroes answer their fans’ most pressing questions -- such as Superman’s biggest mistakes and Hawkgirl’s dietary preferences. This two chapter preview of the upcoming graphic novel, Dear Justice League exposes the funny side of ordinary super life. Want more? Have us pre-order your copy of the $9.99 graphic novel out later this summer! [ALL AGES]

In this special preview of the upcoming graphic novel Ghost Hog, new ghost Truff the hog gets some lessons in how to haunt -- and the dangers when things go wrong! -- from her friends. Plus, catch a preview of Pilu of the Woods, a sweet graphic novel about family and woodlore as a lost little girl meets a lost little dryad and both have to fight their own dark sides to find their way home. Want more? Have us set aside the first Ghost Hog book for you at $12.99 when it comes in next week, or grab a copy of Pilu of the Woods off the shelves now! [ALL AGES]

It can be hard being a Villain Kid in Auradon and even harder when you’re coming from the Isle of the Lost. Dizzy Tremaine is worried about her first day of school so she seeks out some fortune telling from Celia Facilier, but can she trust what the cards tell her...or Celia? Sneak a peek at this preview of the upcoming Disney Descendants: Dizzy’s New Fortune graphic novel coming out later this month. Pre-order your copy now for $12.99 or grab a previous Descendants story off the shelf now! [ALL AGES]

Discover the beginning of Ash Katchum’s partnership with Pikachu in this preview of the Pokémon The Movie: I Choose You graphic novel -- and if you think it was all smooth sailing for these two famous pair, you’re in for a rough surprise...just like Pikachu! Then, follow Red as he captures his first Pokémon and begins his journey to being a great trainer in the preview of Pokémon Adventures Volume One. Want more? Order the full story of each volume today! [ALL AGES]

A long, long, long time ago -- 40,000 years in fact -- neanderthal siblings Lucy and Andy founded an Adventure Club with their human neighbors to explore their prehistoric world. When they go chasing a meteorite that fell from the sky, they might have found more than they bargained for! But don’t worry: every Lucy & Andy story comes with a back-up feature where modern scientists fill-in the details that Lucy and Andy haven’t figured out yet! Find out more in this one-shot adventure, and then check out their ongoing hi-jinks in the collection of Lucy & Andy Neanderthal graphic novels. Grab one off the shelf or order yourself a copy today! [ALL AGES]

The Lumberjanes are a sensation of adventurous scouts who best magical monsters through the power of friendship, and this issue spotlights two of their stories: first, get a preview of the first part of the upcoming Lumberjanes: Shape of Friendship original graphic novel when a visit to the boys’ camp gets a little knottier than expected and second, enjoy a short story of one time Ripley had to use her wits to save Jen from certain doom! Want more? Pre-order the Shape of Friendship OGN today, or pick up a previous volume of the intrepid scouts’ many adventures from the shelves today! [ALL AGES]

In this collection of short, spooky tales, Casper the Friendly Ghost struggles to stop his friends from pulling mean pranks on one another and goes out of his way (and out of orbit...sort of) to make new friends. Enjoy a haunting from the world’s kindest ghost while you alternate groans and giggles over the antics of his less-than-kindly friends and neighbors. Want more? Grab a Casper issue off the racks today! [ALL AGES]

This underwater one-shot introduces us to Alex the Parrotfish, who is eager to head to the big city of Coralton and find a job! Unfortunately for Alex, his quest runs into a few hiccoughs (some with big, pointy teeth!) that threaten to leave his plans high-and-dry, not least of which is that on the reef everybody has a very specific role in the ecosystem...which you can learn more about in the backup Guide to the Bahamas which identifies all the different fish Alex met along the way, and more! [ALL AGES]

Meet Gillbert, a small sea creature, and his underwater friends. Gillbert is the son of the king and queen of all the oceans, but today he just wants to sleep in! Too bad for Gillbert that today is Everything Day, when you can do Anything...except sleep, at least if you have friends like his! Read the first chapter of Gillbert’s newest adventure by Art Baltazar, creator of Tiny Titans and one of the greatest cartoonists of kids’ comics working today! Want more? Check out the first volume of Gillbert’s adventures, Gillbert the Little Merman vol 1, on shelves now, or grab some of Art Baltazar’s earlier work and see where all that AW, YEAH! got started! [ALL AGES]

One of the classics of comic book history, in this FCBD special Little Lulu is as bold, troublesome, and adventurous as ever! Despite being created in the 1930s, Lulu remains an empowering little girl: assertive, independent, and imbued with expert comedic timing, Lulu was a defining comic of post-war America today this protofeminist icon is ready to bring her gags and giggles to a new audience with a collection of reprints starting later this year. Get in on this not-so-lost treasure early. Want more? Sign-up for the upcoming first volume now, or begin with the John Stanley: Giving His Life to Little Lulu HC and learn about her seminal creator and the history he and Lulu influenced. [ALL AGES]

In this one-shot issue, the Thirteenth Doctor and her friends find themselves in an interstellar amusement park for some rest and recreation (and don’t forget the snacks!) until a rigged game of chance exposes a darker underside to all the shiny, happy fun. Can Yaz, Ryan, Graham, and the newest incarnation of the BBC’s famous Time Lord save the day? Find out here! Want more? Grab an issue of the new Thirteenth Doctor series off the rack, or explore the exploits of the previous twelve incarnations in some of our collected adventures off the shelf or by special order! [ALL AGES]

Written, drawn, and colored by legally blind (no, really!) New Zealander Richard Fairgray, Blastosaurus is the story of the titular mutant triceratops with fists of fury and a heart of gold and the two young kids who become his best friends. Overcoming his beastly nature, good ol' Blasto fights monsters, vampires, and mad scientists who use farts as a weapon. The result is a fun comic with a goofy sense of humor where anything is possible. Think Hellboy running through a MAD Magazine, with a little bit of the bizarreness of Creepy or Eerie thrown in. If you like dinosaurs, punching evil, and think flatulence is funny, this is the book for you (and your kids)! Want more? Grab a collection, or dig into the recent back issue bins for some single issues! [ALL AGES]

This treasury of British comics stacks-up a monstrous plethora of humorous hi-jinks, from sharks to soccer to super heroes and back again! In the grand tradition of classic comic strip funnies, this packed-to-the-brim collection of short tales is ready to tickle your funny bone from dawn to dusk to full moon! [ALL AGES]

Co-created by football star (or “soccer” for we uncultured Americans) Cristiano Ronaldo, this new secret super team stars a fictional version of the famed kicker turning his sports skills toward world-protecting. It’s bright, silly, and kids-centric, fleshed-out with sidekicks like the super-baseball bat-weilding Sita Shaolin and the hammerhead shark-headed hockey stick-swinging Kaiju King, but the key of the team is the power-borrowing sphere that Ronaldo has to deliver to the bad guys via his super soccer kicking skills! Think Teen Titans Go, but with football (soccer). Want more? Keep your eyes peeled for more Striker Force 7 comics in the near future! [ALL AGES]

Brought to you by the producers and animators of the hit TV show and features all your favorite characters; Bob, Linda, Tina, Gene & Louise, this issue reprints three impossible Bob’s Burgers stories: one featuring a carnival ride that does a lot more than just spin, one that involves a magic wish melting with regret, and one of Tina’s fanfiction extravaganzas! Want more? Order one of the earlier Bob’s Burgers collections and relive watching the show all over again! [ALL AGES]

The world of Marvel’s movies might have reached an end point for the moment, but things for the comic book Avengers are dicier than ever! Preview upcoming adventures for two series in this issue. First, Tony Stark finds himself facing eerily familiar faces in a time he never wanted to see, while Namor and the Squadron Supreme heat up the oceans and Captain America and Captain Marvel lead a team of heroes deep into Shi’ar space! Then, read the first chapter of the new Savage Avengers series staring such “classic” Avengers characters as Wolverine, Elektra, Punisher, Venom, Blade, and...Conan!? There’s no slowing these heroes down, True Believers! Want more? Grab the first issue of Savage Avengers off the shelves today, or dive into the ongoing Avengers title for adventures both near and far! [TEEN]

Read the full first issue of Hope, a brand-new ongoing superhero comic. The “Ultras” first showed up five years ago, changing the world with their powers. Some people love them, some people fear them, but for unassuming mom Julie Lavelle they were a carefully-guarded secret...until the car accident that changed everything. Where will the ultra named Hope go from here, and with so much loss will she be able to find her namesake within herself ever again? Find out here, than come back later this summer for Issue #2 where things, somehow, get worse! [TEEN]

Two of television’s most beloved series (one long-running and one far, far too short) return to comics! First, preview the new Firefly series set before the tragic events of the Serenity movie that reveals some ugly skeletons from Mal and Zoe’s wartime closets and strains the crew’s bonds like never before. Then, go back to Sunnydale where everything old is new again with a modern reboot of Buffy the Vampire Slayer. Buffy is back in high school again for the first time, surrounded by familiar faces...but how different will things be when she’s slaying in 2019 instead of 1997? Enjoy a modern twist with a classic taste (of blood!) and grab your stakes...and browncoats! Want more? Find the first issues of either series on the shelf today, or delve into the classic collections of the previous Dark Horse stories. [TEEN]

This two-for-one issue explores both the darker and lighter sides of the Spider-Man mythos! In the first story, prepare yourself for danger as Eddie Brock introduces us to the brutal beginning of Absolute Carnage, a Venom-event starting this August. Then enjoy the lighter side of super-heroics as Miles Morales and Peter Parker face-off over an epic conflict of their own...who really has the best pizza in NYC? Want more? Check out the latest issues of Friendly Neighborhood Spider-Man, Miles Morales Spider-Man, Venom, or Amazing Spider-Man on the shelves today -- or read-up on previous events in our extensive collection of various spider-rific comics! [TEEN]

What if experiencing a school shooting was so traumatic that it, and other natural and human-produced horrors of the 21st century, actually triggered superpowers to manifest in the survivors? That is the brainstorm behind Humanoid’s first ongoing comics initiative, H1. This FCBD “Ignition” preview gives us a story about these brand-new superheroes (and villains!) trying to find their place in the world...and they aren’t content to stand by and watch the status quo! Also take a behind-the-scenes peek into the creative process and characters of this blisteringly topical political premise: Spearheaded by comic book legend Mark Waid, Humanoids looks ready to break into the superhero market with a set of relevant and wholly original stories. Want more? Sign-up for the first issue next month’s debut of Ignited now. [TEEN]

It’s School Picture Day in Riverdale, and that of course means drama -- but there might be more at work today than Cheryl Blossom’s demands for more flattering lighting! When nasty notes turn up anonymously dropped in the yearbook suggestion box, will our small town friends be able to stick together and solve the case, or will someone do something that everyone will regret? The new Riverdale: Season Three comic series features adventures set between the episodes of the hit show, and as always in the town of Riverdale the moment you start digging for answers the more secrets you expose! Also enjoy some behind-the-scenes sneak peeks as well as an excerpt from the prequel novel Riverdale: The Day Before. Want more? Grab the latest issue of the new Riverdale series off the rack, or explore our variety of collected editions from the traditional Archie Digests to the modern re-vamp of the Archie and Sabrina series and, of course, the show-inspired Riverdale comic itself! [TEEN]

Canada's perennial titular superhero has seen sporadic publication since its creation in 1975, but has been appearing more consistently since 2015 as part of Chapterhouse Comics. This preview of the newest Captain Canuck series starts with a "top secret" dossier to catch you up on recent in-world history, as well as background on some of his allies and enemies. We also receive a small hint of the action to come as the Captain and his French Canadian partner, Kebec, fly into an underground lair for some robot-bashing action! [TEEN]

The beloved Robotech series continues with a revolutionary new revisioning! Jump on board for the next big event right here with this mind-blowing first chapter of Robotech: Event Horizon, beginning this summer with Issue #21!  Plus a Curtain Call backup featuring...Minmei!? Check it all out here, then grab a collected edition of the previous issues or sign-up for the start of Event Horizon this summer! [TEEN]

Time-displaced warrior-queen Malika struggles under the burden of the Dragon’s Doom in this preview of her newest adventure, Malika: Fire & Frost. An enchanted sleep sent Malika 500 years into the future but ancient curses do not give up their hold that easily...and neither do her adversaries! The quest for the Dragon Stones is a dangerous one, but what happens when someone new gets caught-up in the fight? Read the first chapter here, then check out the previous two volumes in her epic chronicles: Malika: Warrior Queen on shelves now! [TEEN]

What if one day, all the animals all over the world woke up and started talking? That is the story of Animosity, an epic adventure following human girl Jesse and dog Sandor across the resulting cataclysm. But Jesse and Sandor are not the only ones with a story to tell. In this one-shot, bio major Meredith and Neon, the beta fish who loves her, have to face the terror of life outside the tank. Want more? Grab the first volume of Animosity off the shelves today! [TEEN]

Mel has a secret: she thinks she’s dying. She’s also a clandestine superhero tasked with protecting all of mankind. A chance meeting in a cemetery between the bleeding woman and a kid hiding-out with her sketchbook changes everything...except the fact that being a superhero isn’t easy. Is Jessie up for the challenge? Find out in this FCBD reprint of the first issue of Punchline, the new super-powered super-star from Antarctic Press! Want more? Order the first volume of the sold-out series, Punchline: Blood Sisters, today! [TEEN]

In this adorably meta story, witness the epic throw-down between Sakura and Karin -- both in and out of the game! Can Sakura’s hard-earned skills perfected through after-hours practice at the arcade where she works compete with Karin’s meticulous, expensive training? Who will be the world champion of Super Chibi Puzzle Gem Fighter Ultra Turbo Arcade Edition? Fine out here! Want more? Raid the back issue bins for previous issues of Street Fighter, or grab a collected edition today! [TEEN]

This manga-style two-for-one issue features a story from the world of My Hero Academia and one from The Promised Neverland. In the first, enter a world where 80% of all people are born with “quirks” that give them super-powers! It’s an exciting, hyper-active world full of heroes and villains...but what about the 20% of people who aren’t born “super”? Jump straight into the action with a fight scene that’s more than meets the eye, and find out! Then in the second story, visit the orphanage where eleven-year-old Emma lives with her thirty-seven beloved siblings, enjoying an ordinary life of family, games, and companionship...along with the strange Daily Test, numbers tattooed on their necks, and a fence to keep them from ever going outside! Want more? There are multiple volumes of both manga available now, so grab one today! [TEEN]

Worlds collide in this special FCBD one-shot! When Tala and Eddie, estranged father-daughter duo on the run from good guys and bad guys alike, finally get their hands on an “escape hatch” to another world it seems like all their troubles are solved -- but the world where the Goon lives is never trouble free! When one pair contains a man trapped in the body of a pug and the other contains a newly-minted dogcatcher with a love of violence, is there any way things can end well? Plus, a back-up featuring Eric Powell’s appalachian horror comic, Hillbilly! Want more? Collections of all three series are available now, or grab the first issue of the new Goon today! [TEEN]

Red 5 Comics brings out a two-for-one sampler of high-concept post-apocalyptic stories. In The Dark Age, a mysterious mist destroys all the metal on Earth, immediately plunging society back into a medieval kingdom of wood, brick, and glass. In Afterburn, the world is scorched by a super-powerful solar flare and the story follows a group of thieves and mercenaries breaking into the most dangerous areas of the old world, attempting to recover lost artifacts for the remaining aristocracy. For readers looking for dark, mature stories of a dismal future, this comic is a perfect choice! [TEEN]

In this two-parter from Dark Horse, enjoy a one-shot set in the aftermath of Stranger Things where Nancy struggles to reconnect to her brother and find a way for both of them to return to normal life. Then preview the new series Black Hammer ‘45: Tales From the World of Black Hammer with a foray to the werewolf-riddled battlefields of World War II and a glimpse of the future of the ghostly Jack Sabbath. Want more? Pick up the first volume of Black Hammer, a series that takes the traditional tropes of the super hero world and twists them into new, marvelous, and weird new shapes, or grab the first volume of the Stranger Things tie-in comic exploring Will’s time in the Upside Down off the shelves. You can also sign up for the prequel series, Stranger Things: Six due out later this month! [TEEN]

In the sci-fi/horror world of Midnight Sky, things are always dark. But things are not always what they seem. In this unexpected dystopian tale, we enter a world where light reveals the people who have been replaced...but by what, and why? And how far will one mother go to protect her children when one of them is no longer human, and the other has a strange power that might save -- or doom -- them all? Plus, a preview of Long Live Pro Wrestling, when a fed-up announcer gets a little too honest for his boss and becomes a social media sensation, a short haunting by Gutt Ghost, and previews of several upcoming titles from Scout Comics! Want more? Sign-up for your favorites today! [TEEN]

Discover the strange, steampunk world of Lady Mechanika in this special issue which reprints her original 2010 debut one-shot as well as excerpts from two of her neweer adventures: The Clockwork Assassin and La Belle Dame Sans Merci. The mysterious mechanical woman stalks the streets in search of answers to her own origins -- but could she be a murderer herself? And how will she protect her friend Mr. Lewis from the dangers posed by an even more mysterious woman than herself? Gawk at the breadth of Lady Mechanika’s world, then grab a collection of her adventures off the shelves today! [TEEN]

In 1992, Todd McFarlane’s Spawn burst onto the comics scene. Today you can relive that moment with this reprint of that very first issue, complete with an exclusive new cover by Francesco Mattina. Enjoy a look back at the moment that started it all...or if you’ve never read Spawn before, now is the perfect time to jump on board before the movie! Want more? There are almost 300 issues of Spawn out there today, available in back issue singles and collections! Grab some today! [TEEN]

This two-part issue from Valiant Universe begins the newest saga in the life of nanite-infused ultimate soldier, Bloodshot, as well as setting the stage for the events of the Fallen World event due later this year which will pit the aforementioned Bloodshot against Rai, a haunted cyber-samurai. First witness Bloodshot at his most unstoppable as he seeks to save a doctor from those who would use her talents to make more beings like him; then explore the strain between truth and faith when “heaven” falls out of the sky in the opening salvo of Fallen World. Want more? Pick up a collection of Bloodshot or Rai or sign-up today for their new adventures in either the solo series or the Fallen World mini-series! [TEEN]

Return to the classics with this excerpt from Zagor: The Alien Saga. Originally created in 1961, the story of Zagor combines science fiction, horror, and westerns in one adventurous whole. Here, discover how the titular Zagor and his friend Chico first encountered beings from another world...and the darker, more familiar face beside them! Want more? Order a collection of this classic comic book today. [TEEN]

The main story of this one-shot features Dragonfly and Dragonflyman -- the same hero, but in two different worlds: one colorful and campy, the other gritty and dark! Juxtapose the biff, bam, pow! aesthetics of old school heroism with the grimdark hyper-violence of the nineties and today, and see how familiar faces can turn strange. But what will happen when cheerful Dragonflyman and grizzled Dragonfly change places in The Wrong Earth? Lay the groundwork of their worlds here, and then check out the back-up features introducing Captain Ginger, the feline captain of a ship full of interstellar cats, and a quick trip through the unfriendly world of Edgar Allen Poe’s A Snifter of Terror. Want more? All three series have collections available now! [TEEN]

When humanity left planet Earth behind, fleeing a dying world for a new start in the stars, they nuked it behind them in an attempt to wipe-out the vampires left behind. Unfortunately, in the shadow of that nuclear winter, those vampires evolved. Now with the bloodsucks on the brink of achieving space flight and coming after their wayward food source, humanity has one last chance to save itself: the Interceptor program. One surgically-modified, heavily-trained, even more heavily-armed warrior to wipe-out the vampire threat for good. But when she gets to Earth, she finds something she never expected... This kinetic, fast-paced, tongue-in-cheek comic sets up a battle for Earth the likes of which you’ve never seen! Want more? Pre-order the $17.99 graphic novel due out later this summer that reprints the original series, or jump straight to the sequel with the new four-issue Reactor mini-series, available now! [TEEN]

This year marks the 50th Anniversary of the first appearance of the Vampirella character in Vampirella #1, a Warren Publishing horror magazine and sister publication to the company's Creepy and Eerie magazines. As is befitting such an anniversary, Dynamite Comics is bringing out a new series with a new creative team to craft stories for the wry badgirl vampire. In this preview, we see our favorite scantily-clad bloodsucker endure assaults on social media, determined to discover her whereabouts and her secrets. The real treat in this FCBD exclusive is a bonus story, originally published in 1993, written and illustrated by comic book legends Kurt Busiek and Arthur Adams. Want more? Sign-up now for the new ongoing Vampirella series beginning later this summer! [TEEN+]

Jump in mid-action to the latest adventure of the Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles as they race through the city to save their friend and survive multiple ambushes! Then, discover the history of the saga back to the very beginning a long, long time ago in the back-up feature. Want more? Check out the reading order in the back of this issue for where to get started and then grab one of the TMNT’s collected editions off the shelf, or just keep going from here with Teenage Mutant Ninja Turltes #94, out later this month! [MATURE READERS!]

Jump feet first into the frenetic world of Deadly Class, ongoing comic and hit television show! What do kids going to assassin school do to blow off steam? Hit a concert, of course...but sometimes the work comes with them. Does making art actually change the world? What about revenge? And can you hold onto who you are when the world is trying to shape you into something else? If all that can be packed into just one issue, imagine how much goes on in the entire series...or stop imagining it, and pick up the first volume today! [MATURE READERS!]

In 2017, Emil Ferris published her first graphic novel, the unprecedented and brilliant My Favorite Thing Is Monsters, an exploration of everything from the trauma of a lonely childhood, the Holocaust, and totally awesome horror comics, all drawn with ballpoint pen and a perspective never seen before in comics. This only came about after Ferris experienced severe brain damage from a severe case of West Nile Virus and used drawing with a ballpoint pen as a form of physical therapy. This FCBD-exclusive provides an inside look into how My Favorite Thing Is Monsters emerged from that tragedy and includes Ferris's own guide to drawing monsters. Want more? Find the original graphic novel on our shelves today! [MATURE READERS!]

PLEASE REMEMBER THAT SUPPLIES ARE LIMITED AND ALL FCBD TITLES ARE FIRST-COME, FIRST-SERVED! WE SUGGEST YOU HAVE IDEAS IN MIND FOR BACK-UP BOOKS IN CASE YOUR FIRST CHOICE IS GONE!

Many of these books tie-in with comic series or graphic novels currently available in our stores, while others are previews for books that are soon to be released! If you enjoyed your free comics, or if you saw an interesting one in the list that you didn’t have the chance to grab that you’d like to read, ask one of your friendly neighborhood Comix Connection Counter Monkeys for help! We’ll be glad to give you more information -- or even order you some goodies!

[siverwrites]

Chocobox Letter 2019

AO3 - Siver

Thank you dear author and thank you for taking one of these up! Anything listed here is ideas and general prompts. Some mix of things or something else inspired from anything I talk about here is great. If you have another idea entirely, cool! I hope something here is fun for you.

I have several possible requests and while some are longer than others they are all equally welcome!

All requests are fic or art. Art: Interactions of some sort: emoting at each other, talking, sharing some activity, taking a walk, hugs are always welcome, whatever suits the pair/group!

Likes: fluff, hurt/comfort, comfort, missing scenes, friendships, long-term friendships, close relationships of any sort whether romantic or platonic, found family, sickfic, AUs, fandom crossovers or fusions, angst with a happy end, bonding, cuddling/hugs/holding, mutual care and support, emotional bonding, pre-canon, post-canon, reuniting

DNW: NSFW, non-con, dub-con, unrequested ships, angst without a happy ending, infidelity, gore

Dragon Quest XI

Sylvando & Hendrik

Sylvando & Serena

General Note: I haven't finished the post-game stuff yet, so unless otherwise noted please keep to the main game timeline; stuff post-final boss but before going back is good too! Thank you!

Missing scenes are always great. All those campfires are ripe for interactions. Other characters are welcome to make appearances if desired.

Sylvando & Hendrik: I'm interested in interactions between them in main-game time or just post with their shared backgrounds in mind. I love their contrast--Sylv's flamboyance and Hendrik's stoicism... until he gets flustered. More interaction during game is always welcome! Campfires, traveling shenanigans. Or maybe something in Puerto Valor while the party is there? Any other town is ripe for opportunity as well.

Could talk backgrounds, what Sylvando was doing after he left. Hendrik’s experiences in Heliodor. Or if you want to go on some kind of comfort route maybe something to do with Hendrik having been used by Mordegan against the Luminary or Jasper’s betrayal?

My one rule break on post-game: could also do something related to their Chivalry and Don Rodrigo sending them on that quest. Something during or after it.

Serena & Sylvando: Serena had a tough time after the tree fell, but who better to do some cheering up than the knight in smiling armour himself? Campfire spots are a great opportunity or something in one of the towns. We don’t see these two interact much, so anything would be great.

Ghost Trick

Cabanela/Jowd 

Alma/Cabanela/Jowd 

Jowd/Alma & Cabanela 

Cabanela & Jowd 

Cabanela & Pigeon Man 

Alma/Jowd 

Alma & Cabanela 

Sissel & Alma 

Jowd & Pigeon Man 

Jowd & Sissel 

Cabanela & Sissel

I love this game and these characters ever so much. I’ve also been having a great time with AUs, crossovers and fandom fusions. Anything from my Yuletide Letter is still game as well as anything listed here!

Cabanela/Jowd: No infidelity please. So, this could be a no-reset scenario, something during the game events--ch.9 and ch.15 stuff is always great. Or on a less angsty route, it is the ot3 or some kind of happy V. but Alma’s simply not involved if they’re at work, she’s at work, or a trip or she’s on a trip, etc, so the focus is on their end.  Fluff, bonding, banter, travel, domestic stuff, on-the-job antics either at the station or out on a case.

Alma/Cabanela/Jowd: Post-game. All the polyamory fluff! Domestic fluff, travel fluff, vacation fluff, road trip, picnics, beach trips, train trip? etc. Go for a date whatever a date might entail for these three. Hugs, snuggles, and love.

Jowd/Alma & Cabanela: The platonic route of the above on Cabanela’s front. As long as they’re close in some way I’m happy. Found family galore! This couple and their stray greyhound.

Cabanela & Jowd: The closest of friends and work partners/rivals. In-game moments--post Ch.9 never gets old. Ch.15 stuff never gets old. Post-game. Coping with memories on Jowd’s front and repeated events. Prior knowledge of cases thanks to previous timeline during the first five years and either that’s a big hint or Cabs already knows and there’s something else to be done there. Or casefic. Day to day life. Friendship anything.

Cabanela & Pigeon Man: I love these two’s friendship. And snark. And banter. And equivalent willingness to believe the weirder explanations for things. Their joint goal for saving Jowd. Anything during the year they worked together is great. Anything post-game is full of great potential. Meeting again. Figuring out how a friendship would work without Jowd in peril.

Alma/Jowd: Marriage fluff, domestic fluff, or pre-game how they got together, what did it look like for Jowd and someone interested in Jowd to get together? Their own brand of ‘courtship’. One sided flirting on Alma’s part? Nothing of the sort and they made their own ways? Wedding proposals? Who proposed to who and how?

Alma & Cabanela: All the close friendship. Early days, future days, banter, a day on the town shopping, out having a ball dancing? Some other activity entirely? Story sharing, hobby sharing that one of the two just can’t quite get? Anything fun goes!

Sissel & Alma: Cat bonding! I don’t have anything else to say really. Anything goes whether Alma knows the truth, finds out the truth, or doesn’t know yet. Cute fluff in all senses.

Jowd & Pigeon Man: Pre-game friendship when PM was still medical examiner. Post-game friendship. Pre-game Jowd leaving his coat with PM. Clearly they are important to each other but we don’t get to see much of anything with the two of them, so anything goes!

Jowd & Sissel: Post-game. The detective and his ghost cat and all the antics that might entail at work or at home. Their ability to communicate silently through the ghost world. Another anything goes.

Cabanela & Sissel: I just love what these two could get up to. Post-game working together either on actual job work, or some other thing--a surprise for someone in the family? Cabanela needing a helping paw with something (those ghost powers are useful!). Sissel needing height and a helping hand? (those ghost powers are limited, plus paws, plus lack of reading). Buddy times!

The Last Guardian

The Boy & Trico

Give me all the cat-dog-bird fluff/shenanigans/playfulness/warmth/coziness. Anything while they’re together. Barrel feeding, snuggle time, riding, flying. Sweet or silly (Trico has his moments for sure) or something else. I adore Trico. I adore the boy and Trico’s companionship.

Alternatively something in the future. The boy grown up reuniting with Trico. A flight with Trico. A temporary willing return to the nest. Meeting Trico babies!

Final Fantasy X

Auron & Braska & Jecht

Auron & Yuna

Auron & Kimahri Ronso

Auron & Lulu

Lulu & Yuna

First game only please

Missing scenes during game, scenes before, scenes post-game when returned to Besaid (Lulu and Yuna).

Auron & Braska & Jecht:  Always interested in past stuff with Braska, Auron and Jecht. How did friendships develop? What kind of trouble did this diverse trio get into? Or what were their thoughts on the summoner's sacrifice? What did Auron think before they got the truth? What did Jecht think as an outsider? What’s an event that happened during their pilgrimage of some importance or something minor that’s bound to happen while traveling? (always room for chocobo antics!)

Auron & Yuna: A quiet moment during the pilgrimage? This is Auron’s second pilgrimage--what might get talked about? Or what might Yuna ask about Braska or their pilgrimage? Does she have fears or insecurities of her own in relation to being Braska’s daughter? Just something with these two.

Auron & Kimahri Ronso: Kimahri and Auron friendship! Or Auron making the request for Kimahri to take Yuna to Besaid for him. Kimahri is more aware of Auron’s state. Good with anything for these two.

Auron & Lulu: This isn’t the first pilgrimage for either of them. I feel like they would have things to talk about in relation to their past pilgrimages, or things to talk about in relation to the shenanigans of this party. Tired Guardians.

Lulu & Yuna: Summoner and Guardian. Sister-like bonds. Moments during the game. Or events before the game as Yuna prepares for becoming the summoner? Or post-game with Lulu being there for Yuna? Or Yuna being there for Lulu over something pre, during main, or post? If post-game, nothing related to X-2 please, thank you!

Final Fantasy VI

Mog & Terra Branford

Terra Branford & Edgar Roni Figaro

Terra Branford & Celes Chere

Gogo & Cyan Garamonde

Scenes in game, during world of balance, world of ruin, or scenes after the game in a slowly recovering world?

Mog & Terra: A dancing moogle and a half Esper! Anything sweet/cute would be welcome for these two. A quiet moment to hang out? Or protecting each other? Mog dancing for Terra? Making something nice in the World of Ruin? Just ideas.

Terra & Edgar: I have a soft spot for some kind of friendship between these two. They both took on burdens of duty and while the whole world is more than a kingdom there’s still a point of connection there. Something at the castle? Or something while traveling? Terra being curious about the castle’s mechanics? Moving castle, who wouldn’t think that’s cool?

Terra & Celes: Former Empire people both of them, but one not by choice. The half esper and the magitek knight. Bonding, getting to know each other. Celes seeing the real Terra.

Gogo & Cyan: They’re both neat. Something involving the both of them is just a cool image. Gogo is neat, Gogo’s mimicry is neat. Cyan is cool though tragic. Something with Gogo’s mimicry perhaps, in combat. Not quite a lone samurai. Taking a quiet moment away from the party chaos? I only ask that Gogo’s identity is kept a mystery. (not picky about pronoun usage, I tend toward they/them)

The Legend of Heroes: Sora no Kiseki | Trails in the Sky

Estelle Bright & Anelace Elfead

Estelle Bright & Tita Russell

Olivier Reise Arnor & Cassius Bright

Olivier Reise Arnor & Mueller Vander

Olivier Reise Arnor/Mueller Vander

Anything in any of the three Sky games or something in between them. Missing scenes, scene extensions, travel along the roads, airship travel times, etc. Ample opportunity for anything in the Garden in 3rd.

Estelle & Anelace: Friends and friendly rivals. Some fun scene while they’re in Le Locle? Training? Sparring? Evening rest? Alternatively maybe they get a little time before Estelle sets off with Joshua post-SC? Or any moment during 3rd in the Garden.

Estelle & Tita: Sisters! Found family! Estelle caring for her while bemused by orbal talk. Any time during FC, SC, 3rd or anything in between is up for grabs. Cute fluff is great.

Olivier & Cassius: They worked together in secret in SC in preparation for Erebonia’s “help” (invasion). I’d be curious to see some kind of interaction between them during that. Mutual updates on the state of Erebonia after Cassius’s return and Olivier’s plans as they stood then maybe? Maybe a meeting before Olivier and Mueller go back to Erebonia? Just really interested in seeing something between these two.

Olivier & Mueller, Olivier/Mueller: Gen or romance slant. I’m good with either. I enjoy Mueller and Olivier's closeness and how they contrast each other. Olivier's more eccentric and flamboyant nature, but also his more serious side. And Mueller's regular exasperation with him, but also his care for him. Being there for each other. I’m fond of the little things like how Mueller always calls him Olivier even after his identity is revealed. Anything during Liberl travels, or in 3rd. I loved Olivier’s Star Door in 3rd, so something related to that would be cool too. Or their growing fondness for Liberl but knowing they have to get back to Erebonia. Or just some goofy town antics at some point before Olivier takes off without Mueller.

The Legend of Heroes: Sen no Kiseki | Trails of Cold Steel

DNWs: Spoilers for Sen 3 and 4, spoilers for Crossbell arc that aren't already spoiled by Sen 1 and 2

First two games are ripe for the picking, whether it’s stuff during field studies (where applicable), at Thors, in one of the towns, on the Courageous or in a town during CS2 etc.

Alfin Reise Arnor & Olivert Reise Arnor

Olivert Reise Arnor/Mueller Vander

Olivert Reise Arnor & Mueller Vander

Alisa Reinford & George Nome

Laura S. Arseid & Machias Regnitz

Towa Herschel & Sara Valestein

Towa Herschel & Emma Millstein

Towa Herschel & Rean Schwarzer

Alfin & Olivier: Alfin is truly Olivert’s half-sister. Something fun with them in Heimdallr before or during CS1. Reuniting on his return from Liberl? Music playing/singing. City strolling. Brother and sister times. Or a quiet talk by screen while she’s on the Courageous in CS2? They could probably both use each other’s company and reassurance.

Olivert & Mueller, Olivert/Mueller: Gen or romance slant. I’m good with either. I enjoy Mueller and Olivier's closeness and how they contrast each other. Olivier's more eccentric and flamboyant nature, but also his more serious side. And Mueller's regular exasperation with him, but also his care for him. Being there for each other. I’m fond of the little things like how Mueller always calls him Olivier even in Erebonia when Olivert’s identity is known and public. Heimdallr fun or trouble (Olivier...). Planning against Osborne. Look after a tired Olivert? Something during the civil war when they’re in the west?

Alisa & George: The techies of their respective groups! They have plenty to talk about with that alone, plus George being a former apprentice to Professor Schmidt while Alisa is a Reinford. Orbment talk, Valimar talk, orbal bike talk, Roer talk? Anything goes. Could be in the engineering building or maybe even over coffee in Trista. Let George into town sometimes!

Laura & Machias: They don’t get to interact much but with a rocky beginning and Laura being a noble and Machias’s views of nobles at first, they feel like an interesting pair for interactions. Laura’s no nonsense. Machias is easily flustered. Or something later when Machias has improved in his views. Something between them in a field study, at the academy, or a moment in CS2.

Towa & Sara: The ever helpful, maybe overly helpful sometimes student council president and... Sara. We know Towa helped with Class VII’s school packages and generally helped a lot with Class VII stuff. They’d see each other a lot but we don’t get to see them together much. Towa was also a former student of Sara’s as the prototype class vii, so they have a connection already from that as well.

Towa & Emma: The student council president and Class VII’s president. They’re another pair that would likely interact quite a bit, but we don’t get to see it. It’d be interesting to see something between them. (Celine is welcome too).

Towa & Rean: I’m fond of their friendship and their helping/looking out for each other. I enjoy their friendship. Anything could go whether it’s during the school year or the civil war. Fluffy or something more bittersweet with angst from the stuff they have to go through, particularly in Sen 2. Two souls who care for everyone else but aren’t so good at tending to their own needs. They can make up where the other is lacking. Head pats and lectures and shared coffee around.

Twin Peaks

Dale Cooper/Albert Rosenfield/Harry Truman

Albert Rosenfield/Harry Truman

Dale Cooper/Albert Rosenfield

Dale Cooper/Harry Truman

Tamara "Tammy" Preston & Albert Rosenfield

I'm not in deep with this fandom having only watched the original and return and unfamiliar with the supplemental stuff, however I enjoy these characters and relations. References to other stuff is fine too.

Dale/Albert/Harry, Albert/Harry, Dale/Albert, Dale/Harry: Listing these four groupings all together because my wants are basically the same for all three. Please give them some peace and warmth. Reconnecting? Already established? Something fluffy or something more serious. Albert snark required always. Hints of the surreal or supernatural are of course welcome here.

Tammy & Albert: I like their interactions. Experienced Blue Rose member and newer Blue Rose member. A conversation, a shared drink, in transit by car or flight. Searching, researching. Something with these two I’m not picky.

[wolfjawswriter]

What Old Friends Can Do - Lucy x Lockwood 4

“Gossip in the Town” - Lucy x Lockwood

Lockwood and Co. Series

Summary: Old friends may come as a solution.

Warning: This fic is made with the sole purposes of dealing and possibly kill Writer's Block and using an OC I've had in my mind for a while now, so it may be a little crappy and trashy. READ UNDER YOUR OWN CONSCIENCE.

————————— “Wow, I can’t believe Mr Denson left his store to Geoffrey!”

“I know! Had he just waited for his son to be old enough, his store wouldn’t be doing as bad as  it is right now”

Walking down the streets of Cheviot Hills with Ethan, he started telling me about the things that had been changing since I left. Apparently, most of my old friends were either married, gone from town, or dead, but that was a minority.

Seeing as most of our supplies had been used last night, Ethan thought we could go to Gladwell and Jenner; the only store in town that still sold ghost-fighting supplies. He and I were right now on our way to order the materials. George and Quill had stayed at Ethan’s home looking through more records to see if they could find more about the ghosts we encountered, while Lockwood had taken Holly with him back to London, said we were probably going to need more help during this haunting. He assured us they’d be back before we had to go back to the station tonight.

Things had been a little tense during breakfast, with all that happened last night, and I was grateful for some time away from the team. Before leaving, Lockwood had asked me to tell them what happened, but I still couldn’t talk about it.

“Daniel would have made a better manager by far- Wait, hold on, is that, Deborah Lance and Fergus Mallicoat? Holding hands?” I pointed to the other street where a couple was marshmallowy rubbing noses and holding each others hands.

“You mean, Deborah and Fergus Mallicoat holding hands” Ethan said, his voice slightly labored with the effort of the long walk.

“What?!”

“They got married about a year ago” He smiled “Quite a celebration, really; the party lasted about two nights at least”

“But they hate each other!” I exclaimed “Every time they were in a room together, they were always at each others throats”

“Wish it was still that way, you should see them now! Last time I was with them it was all ‘My wuzzy-fuzzy-fluffy-cuddly-honey-bear’ and ‘My dear hunny-bunny-pumpkin-princess’, it was almost disgusting!” Ethan said in a funny voice.

The streets were full of people I once knew, all of whom acknowledged me from afar. I was actually grateful they did; I didn’t feel particularly keen of greeting everybody that recognized me.

“That’s probably because you’re walking beside me” Ethan had said. I had initially insisted that he let me go on my own, I knew perfectly well where the store was, but he insisted in coming, said the exercise would do him good. He had brought a walking stick with him, though not one of those metal sticks you saw your grandpa walk with, but a fancy wooden one with iron on the tip and a beautifully carved iron wolf in the handle (his sister gave it to him as a joke after loosing his leg, but he kept it and used it with pride whenever he did) “People avoid getting too close to me whenever I’m outside, think I'm going to take any opportunity to make a fake accident and sue them or something”

“Why would you do that, your family already has so much more money than most people here”

“Well, people think what they want, Lulu”

We finally arrived to Gladwell and Jenner. It reminded me of Mullet’s; the racks with flares, salt bombs, rapiers and chains were all the same, but with an older, less cared-for appearance than the one in London. We gave the owner a list of what we would need and asked him to deliver it to Ethan’s house today before curfew.

“So…” He looked at me mischievously.

“So what?” I asked him.

“You and Lockwood, eh?” He asked. I choked on my own breath and my face flushed hotly like Greek Fire was lit on it until I was red. He wiggled his eyebrows at me, which was more funny than insinuating since it made the scars on his face move.

“Well, I- he- we-”

“Mmmm?” He lowered himself to my eye level, his eyes filled with a lively delight, so different from his normally dozing features.

“We- we may have…confessed…our feelings…for each other” I muttered sheepishly.

“What did you said, Lu, I couldn’t hear you, will you repeat that for me?” He mocked me as we started walking out the door of the store, now having paid for the supplies and made sure they would be taken care of.

“Hey!” I slapped his shoulder playfully “Don’t push your luck! But yeah…we did”

“Well, tell me all about it!” He exclaimed excitedly like a high school girl who’s best friend had just returned from a date with her crush “How was it? Did he took you out or did he just asked to talk privately with you? Was it romantic and beautiful or did you two just let it out? Did he kissed you or did you kissed him?”

“Well, we took a stroll on the park” I bit my lip self-consciously, remembering how it had all gone; how Lockwood gave me his family necklace and asked me to walk with him, how we held hands while we walked, how he stopped and pushed a strand of hair behind my ear as he told me how much I meant to him and that he would do anything to prevent me from leaving the company like I did before and then asked me to please never leave “We were quiet for a while, but then we talked about this, and that…then he told me how he felt”

“And?”

“Then I told him how I felt…”

“Oh, come on, Lu! You gotta tell me all the juicy details!” He blurted, to which my face heated again with a million flare’s intensity.

“What?! No, there’s no juicy details, what are you talking about-”

“Lucy? Is that you?” A girl came running to us from the other side of the street, looking out that no car was coming her way. Her long, golden hair waved behind her as she neared us, her flowery gown swishing behind her prettily. She smiled those dentist-advertisement smile (a female version of Lockwood’s smile) and waved until she was with us and gave me terrifically strong hug “Oh, Lucy its so good to see you again! And all well and good!”

“Its good to see you too, Bunny” Yeah, that’s her name. Bunny Kingsman, once a decent and hardworking agent like Ethan and me. Probably lost her job when Jacob’s agency closed, if not before for personal reasons, since I remember her still working there when I left.

She was that kind of girl that was good looking since childhood (like Holly) and would win a beauty competition just by participating. However, she had the bad luck of being born in a town like Cheviot Hills, where your beauty only matters for marital affairs. She had Bambi brown/golden eyes, heart-shaped lips and a small nose, the face of a princess. She was naturally skinny, her body softly curved on her hips, her chest and her behind, with graceful doe-like legs. An alive version of that fairy tale princess, the Sleeping Beauty, if you please.

“Look at you, Lucy, you’ve changed! I see you got your mom’s hips, I always knew you’d have them. And you cut your hair, didn’t you? Short definitely suits you more!” Her eyes sparkled like a flare exploding against a ghost as she cheerfully regarded me, commenting about this and that. I had once been really good friends with her, closer than I ever was with Ethan, but after I left town, we never stayed in touch, and when I came that winter when Lockwood hired Holly, I didn’t bother trying to look for her (or anyone else for that matter) “It has been so long, I’ve missed you so much!”

“I know, I’m sorry we haven’t talked, its just-”

“Oh, its okay, I’m sure you’ve been very busy. Working on London must be great, you never run out of work, do you?” She smiled angelically "How I miss working on hauntings! What I wouldn’t give to reopen the agency, even with old and no-fun Mr Jacobs, at least then we’d have something to do. Oh, hi Ethan” She turned to look at him and batted her long eyelashes playfully at him, then pushed her golden, wavy mane over her shoulder “I haven’t seen you around in a while”

“Ah, yes, well, not much to do outside” He stammered, looking over to the side of the road. I spied a blush that crept up his face, his eyes half coming back to gaze at her. Bunny giggled softly, once again fluttering her eyelashes at him.

“I see you let your stubble grow” She purred, a hand coming up to his chest “Last time I saw you, it definitely wasn’t there”

“Well, its been a few months, Bunny” Ethan noted.

“Think we can maybe, meet up soon…” Bunny prompted, her hand playfully twirling her golden locks “Maybe, get a cup of tea and talk…?”

“I’ll have to think about it” He said “But I’ll make sure to let you know”

“Alright then” She looked back at me and hugged me tightly once more “I’m glad to see you again, Lucy. Hopefully we’ll have time to catch up soon!”

“Yeah, me too” I said.

“Bye Ethan, see you around” She walked away to where she came from, remarking a little the sway of her hips as she walked.

“Well” I said, my voice becoming suggestive and playful.

“Well what?” He asked, now both of us having returned to walking.

“I didn’t knew you and Bunny were getting along better” I purred. Ethan blushed once again, lowering his head so that his uncombed mat of a hair somehow hid it.

“We’ve talked more with each other on some of the most recent events, I guess” He muttered timidly “And maybe we’ve met on occasions to talk and take a cup of tea, but I wouldn’t say we’re ‘getting along better’”

“Sure thing” I refuted “So she wasn’t batting her lashes at you, and she didn’t started playing with her hair while you talked, and she was not pointing out how she obviously likes your stubble, and she most definitely wasn’t inviting you out”

“What are you trying to imply, Lulu?” He asked, regarding me suspiciously with his only eye.

“She swung her hips! Didn’t you noticed?” I blurted, my hands moving about in the direction Bunny walked away “She was flirting with you!” Ethan scoffed.

“As if, we don’t do anything other than talking”

“Is she married? Does she have a boyfriend?”

“Not that I know of, and if she was married I would know”

“What makes you think you’d know?” I asked

“Because I’m invited to every event there is in this town” He divulged, his eye rolling exasperatingly “Every single one of them; every wedding, every funeral, every birthday”

“But you said people mostly avoid you”

“In the streets. But I’m the rich boy in town, they want to have me as a friend, they think I might do them favors. And what better way to get to the rich boy’s money than inviting him to all of our events so he feels important” He sighed “But we’re straying from topic, Bunny is not married, but she wasn’t flirting with me”

“And what reason would she have to not flirt with you?” I asked, my hands coming to my hips.

“First, I am a cripple” He said, wooden stick pointing to the metallic stump that came out his pant-leg “Second, I’m not allowed to work, and third, I’m still a cripple”

“Wow, you truly are blind” I scorned “Ethan, we both know you are more than just a cripple. Bunny would be very lucky to date you” Again he scoffed.

“You say this because you’re my friend, Lulu”

“And because I’m your friend I know so” I smiled at him, his drowsy smile returning to his features “Now, lets go back and make sure George and Quill haven’t set your house on fire, or drowned Makayla”

When we got back, Ethan’s house was still standing and intact. George and Quill were sitting at the kitchen’s table with many books, and a plate of Ethan’s home-made muffins, sitting on the it. Most of them were records of the cemetery from centuries back. George had his notebook beside him, his hand writing on it from time to time as he kept reading.

Makayla, still thankfully alive, was sitting on George’s lap, the book he was reading sitting on top of her, but she didn’t seem to mind.

“She seems to like him better than me” Ethan told me “Guess my legs are too skinny for her liking”

Our supplies arrived only an hour later; a box of magnesium flares and another of salt bombs, plus bags of fillings. Ethan and I got around to sorting them and preparing our bags for when we had to leave. There were, however, much more flares and bombs than the ones we needed, even for the extra and emergency equipment.

“Ethan, how much supplies did you actually bought?” I asked, my eyes on all the remaining flares in the box, which was about half of it.

“Oh, just the necessary amounts for a safe haunting” He mused. I must say, I hadn’t seen that many equipment left unused.

“But this is more than what we need” I protested.

“Lu, look at this house” He said pointing around us “Its huge, like the amount of money in my family’s bank account. And do you know how much I spend?” I remained silent “Less than the one that’s gained from the company in a week. I don’t need that much money, I can’t spend that much money on my own. Let me spend it on something that’s worth”

After finishing sorting our bags and making sure our chains were there too, Ethan went to the kitchen, taking his cat with him, and took out his baking items. Me? I decided to make good use of the time I had away from the team (George and Quill were still working with those documents) and from Lockwood and take a bath. Hopefully it would help me clear my thoughts.

The bathroom in my room (all rooms, even the guest one, had its own bathroom) was quite spacious for being a bathroom. It had a toilet and a tub with shower. The sink atop a long counter, probably once filled with products but was now empty. A full length mirror on the other side where it became a sizable wardrobe.

The water was nice and the soap felt good as I rubbed myself with it. It helped me relax, my thoughts finally taking clear form in my mind. The events from last night still weighed hard on my conscience. The ghost train, the howling, my memories, the ghost of my father. Suddenly I understood why Lockwood wasn’t keen to talk about his past; not because of embarrassment, I certainly wasn’t embarrassed of throwing a flare at a wolf’s face, but because it wasn’t easy. It just wasn’t easy.

How was I supposed to tell my friends that something that happened years ago, and that had never bothered me, had suddenly come back to haunt me? I couldn’t bring myself to say it. But I knew I’d have to, eventually, and probably soon. Still, I wanted to keep it with me for a little longer.

“We are back!” Barely an hour later a knock on the door told us Lockwood and Holly were back. Plus Lockwood felt the need to announce it as they entered “And with our backup!”

Behind them, the smell of sewer-water, mud and lavender drifted in, and with them walked, in all her unwashed, unsanitary and grimy glory, Flo Bones, relic-woman, queen of the Thames and Lockwood’s idea of a backup plan.

“Nice house you’ve got here, Locky” She said as she entered, her eyes drifting around under her muddy straw hat.

“Actually, Flo, this is Lucy’s friend’s house” Lockwood said “He is letting us stay here while we work on this case” Flo huffed from behind her puffa jacket. Her huff, however, died there when Ethan walked into the room.

“This is Ethan, my friend and our host” I said, noticing how Flo just blinked “Ethan, this is Flo Bones, hopefully you remember her from my letters”

“How to forget the relic-woman that helped you get the skull back, that letter was like five pages long!” He exclaimed.

“Is that a glass ball?” Was the first thing she said.

“Silver glass, yes”

“Can I have it?”

“No” I intervened “And you also can’t touch his scars, you’ll pass him a disease or some other bacteria” She only scoffed amusedly, but didn’t press on the matter.

“I’ll take you to your room so you can settle before leaving” With that, Flo followed Ethan out of the threshold and up the stairs.

“How did you managed to get her on the train?” I asked once they left.

“All we’re saying it, it was hard” Lockwood huffed.

“You got the supplies?” Holly asked.

“We’ve got enough equipment for at least five more cases” I boasted.

“What?” They blurted. I showed them our remaining boxes of flares and bombs and our packed rucksacks. Lockwood, Holly and I then went to see George and Quill with their stack of notes so they could explain what they found. Though, before they could get too far with their findings, Flo and Ethan came back down. Flo took my place at the table and I left the room to make my friend some company (I had already listened to the explanation an hour before, I didn’t need to hear George rambling about the interesting history of Cheviot Hills once again).

“You let her touch your glass ball, didn’t you?” I asked him.

“Mmm, yes”

“And she asked to touch your scars, didn’t she?”

“Maybe”

“And you let her touch them?”

“Maybe”

“As I said, diseases”

A while later, Lockwood called me back to the meeting so we could discuss our strategy, and soon, it was time for us to leave.

“Don’t worry, it’ll be ok” Ethan told me before I walked out “Just remember, beware the wolves”

“I will”