#merin falls

[kats-chaotic-wonderland]

The tiny town of Merin Falls [Part 1]

(this is repost of my original reddit story so it's still structured for reddit. TW: mentions of blood, violence, gore, assault, and stalking. Nothing too graphic, but this is the set up for a horror story.)

Today had been a pretty slow day, so when I eventually found myself on Reddit, I whittled away my shift by reading through some of the posts in this particular sub. As I was on some post, about fifteen stories in, my coworker pointed out that some of the stuff we've seen would probably be interesting for some of you here. He suggested that I put a few of the more...bizarre? Creepy? I guess horrific? Stories about weird shit that happens in our small new England town.

So, as I'm sure you've heard before, I'll start by saying I live in a small town. It's settled in the northeast, a ways up from the Bridgewater triangle, and on the hill above a small bay. It's old, and has a history of witch trials and war battles. If you've ever seen a horror or Hallmark movie you've seen a town just like it. From calm summers to colorful falls, with old Victorian homes settled in old neighborhoods, complete with soccer moms and honor roll kids. This place is chock full of the American dream.

For context, we're small for this area. Like really small. One school, town square, a few neighborhoods, some mom and pop shops. We have a few docks down at the bay, but nothing bigger than a small motor boat. We do have one guy who lives on his boat, but it's a single room ship. Officially our population is about 1000-1500 on a good year. Unofficially, we stand about 2000 consistently. We'll talk about why at a different time, for now I just wanted to put it in your mind how small we're actually talking.

This place looks and operates like a normal New England town on the surface. Of course, I wouldn't be here if it actually did. There's a lot wrong with this tiny town of Merin Falls.

I spent a while today rolling around in my brain for what story really works for a start. See, we get a lot of weird, dangerous, unexplainable stuff out here. But starting off with true horror is a bit of a challenge. After six years, and for some other reasons, I’ve become a bit numb to some of what happens here. Not all, but some, and the ones that stick with me really aren’t something I want to dredge up just yet. But after some thought, I settled on one that I think will serve as a good look into what living here is like.

The day in question was a pretty typical day, maybe four or so years ago? I had gone into work, had a total of four customers. I remember because Iian still has a polaroid of each one tucked away and dated in his portfolio. This is one reason I started to hang around with him, his need to take way too many photos means I have easy access to memory triggers. But we’ll talk about that on a different day. For now all that matters is I had four customers. Holly Baker, came in the early hours right at open, she bought three binders, a sharpie, and a roll of yellow duct tape. I rang her up with no issue, my coworker Iian took her photo as she was checking out. She left and we were dead until around four o’clock. That was when Mrs. Miller came in with her rat dog and her spineless husband.

Mrs. Silvia Miller, is a rather irritating thorn in my side. From my first day working here she’s come in at least once a week in order to make snide comments about my appearance or moral choices, and make laughably bad attempts to return items she never purchased. She’s every retail worker's nightmare. (And no, unfortunately this is not the story about her being a horrible monster) Her antics have gotten so bad over the past six years that we have rules specifically for her. I’ll explain them in more detail in a later post, but she’s not allowed to shop when it’s just me on shift. We do not accept returns from her. Ever. And all of her receipts have a stamp that says “Non returnable. All sales are final.” These rules extend to her husband, a short stumpy man who looks like a frog next to his witch of a wife. As well as her kids, on the off chance they take the time to visit the old crone.

I remember this interaction clear as day, without the need for a trigger. Silvia had come in ranting and raising holy hell about some folders she had purchased from Arthur, on a day when I wasn't working. I listened to her diatribe as she gestured rapidly with her free hand, her faux pearl bracelet looking like it was going to snap off her knobby wrist. After five or so minutes I just stopped her, took her receipt, and pointed at the massive hot pink stamp that was glowing in the black light. With a look that I can only describe as, complete and utter entitled bitch bafflement, the look a Karen gets when the manager doesn't give them free stuff. She turned up her crooked hooked nose and snatched the receipt. Then she turned on her heels, a cheap pair from the thrift shop, of which she had painted the soles red with what I can only assume was cheap spray paint. Then with the fury of a western wind, headed for the door in a huff. Her shaking bug eyed rat and amphibious husband in tow. The former clutched in her cheaply manicured claws, and the latter being dragged by the scruff of his threadbare suit. The Millers are what you would call high class white trash.

The third customer was a guy I can't remember, but since Iian has a photo with the same date, I'm gonna assume he was there. From the photo, I can see he was an inch or so taller than me, gaunt face with some dark stubble, thin lanky limbs, and curly dark hair down to his shoulders. He was wearing some casual shorts and a tee shirt, and….round Ozzy Osbourne sunglasses indoors….for some reason. What strikes me as off on this one, is we have a lot of photos of him, but Iian doesn't remember ever taking them. And, for my weird memory issues, I can't bring up a single image of him in my mind if I'm not looking at a photo. It's like he just blinks from existence when we look away. There's a lot of photos of him actually….I wonder if he’s a regular? I’ll check the cameras for him at some point.

The last customer came in just before close. I call her Thelma, but I don’t actually know her name. She’s not local, but she is a regular. For whatever reason she drives out to this podunk to buy her music sheets from us. Thelma is always dressed in a similar outfit, just different colors and patterns. Always a top with 3/4 sleeves, a skirt that fits her closely but not tight that ends at the ankle in a ruffle. Sunglasses, sometimes she keeps them on. And her wiry gray hair is always up in some clip ponytail, updo thing. The top is always solid or stripes, and the skirt is always some kind of floral. Her shoes are either sandals, heels, flats, or sneakers. I wish I had more to say about her, but she never says much. Just comes in, wordlessly gets her blank sheets, checks out, pays cash, and bails. She did the same thing that day. Not a word more than needed, sunglasses on the whole time. Have I mentioned my store is lit up mostly by black lights? Yeah she makes no sense to me. But she doesn’t cause problems so I like her well enough. After Thelma left Iian and I cleaned up, locked up, and he headed home. We waved as I was taking my key from the door. We go in opposite directions, save for the off day when he walks my way with me so he can stay with Ryan for the night. That night was not one of those nights.

So there I was walking alone. It was a warm night and I was in a pretty good mood after everything that day. I’d made it a good six blocks when a car pulled up next to me. They rolled up real slow and kept pace with me. I didn’t give them any attention. Instead the hand on my opposite side was reaching for the knife I keep on my belt. I have a few on me at all times, I lived on the road for a while before I landed here. You figure out a lot about how to keep yourself safe in places like truck stops and roach motels. My knives won't save me from a bullet, learned that the hard way. But guns are rare in this area, instead kidnapping and other person on person crime is higher. But when they rolled their window down and I heard a whistle, my eyes just rolled.

Travis Heartly was the star of the football team back when he was in high school, now he was a community college drop out who could not understand the word no. Or fuck off. Or I will stab you and not feel bad in the slightest. He’d taken a liking to me just a few weeks after I had moved to Merin Falls. Unfortunately for him, I had sworn off guys. Not love, just guys. After getting abused three times in a row, I realized that me and guys romantically just don’t work. Travis didn’t get the memo apparently. He would come into my shop, near daily, and ask me out. Waste my time with his small town bragging. Act like a general Neanderthal. When Luther finally had enough and banned him from the store, he just started waiting outside for me to leave. Wait in my favorite coffee shop, bar, library, you name it he stalked it. His car was an old beat up sedan his mom gave him. He cleared out the back and put a bed in there. Needless to say that didn’t help his case when he busted into the shop excited to show me his new ride.

This car he was in however, was a rather nice Lexus. He was still beside me, calling out for my attention. I of course would not be giving him any. So he opted instead to move up the block and park right in the next street I needed to cross. Because of this move, the idiot gave me enough time to pull my larger blade from my boot. It's a good three inches longer than the belt knife, and an inch broader. See, my boots are clunky steel toed work boots. I don’t really need them, but old habits die hard, and hold big knives. I stopped a few yards away as he got out. We were close in age, though he had a good two years on me, but I had about six inches on him so I guess we're even. Still, after his flunk out, he’d taken up booze and dropped his work out. So his once toned body was slowly fading into the start of a beer belly and unkempt stubble.

He closed the door and leaned against the car,”Hey! How was work?”

“Leave me alone Travis.”

His expression dropped,”Come on, what did I do? Was it the roses? Look I just thought maybe-”

“Oi.” I cut him off, ”Shove it. I’m not interested. Now beat it.”

“Come on Am.” his voice was pitiful. He had his choice of girls when I moved here. He was pretty, young, fit, and locally famous. But when he clung to the freaky new girl, they all moved on after a year or so. A fair amount of his classmates were hooked up with someone new. Iian liked to gossip about his school a lot at work. In a small place like this most of the kids never really leave. But, his problems weren’t my issue.

“Move.” I ordered

He was looking at me like I’d just kicked a puppy.

“Fine.” I started to cross to the far side of the street. He panicked and ran toward me, closing the distance in a moment as he grabbed my upper arm. He'd learned not to try and grab my forearm. I always hold my knives down, with the bunt to my arm, blade out. In the event I need to block, or get grabbed from behind it's quicker to defend myself. Think Rambo or Hunter from the bad batch. Say whatever you want, but it's saved me more times than I want to admit.

“Wait!” he pleaded,”Please just one chance! I promise, I can-”

I ripped my arm away and rounded around with my free hand. The fist collided with his nose, I felt a crunch and heard a bone snap. Travis stumbled back and grabbed his now gushing nose. Tears welled and fell in rivulets as he looked at me in shock.

“I told you not to fucking touch me.” I spat and stepped back several feet. I kept my eyes locked on him and my guard up,”Try that shit again and I’ll do worse than break your nose. When a woman tells you no for two straight years, believe me she is not going to change her mind dumbass.”

He just looked at me, tears and blood running down his face. I’d always told him no. No maybes, no waffling. Always a direct no. And I’d put up with his stalking, but he’d never touched me before. This time he crossed a line he hadn’t realized was there. The look in his eyes was either rage, or passion. And I really didn’t want to know which. He’s the kind of guy who wants a woman to ruin his life. I guess he thought I would fit that bill.

He was right, but not in the way he wanted.

This standoff lasted for maybe a minute before headlights came slowly up behind us. Travis made the connection before I did. He saw the red and blues and bailed off into his Lexus. I watched him peel out from where he had been. I didn’t move until officer Lison parked and stepped out of his car. I lowered my knife and slid it into my boot as he walked over to me.

“Amber? Was that Travis I just saw?” he asked, he sipped on his coffee, getting a few drops caught in the edge of his salt and pepper mustache.

I turned and rubbed my hand, it was bruising from where I had punched him,”Yeah. He tried to grab me when I went to walk away this time.”

“Shit.” Lison chuffed with a bushy browed scowl,”What an ass.”

His reaction was so flippant, I just...I busted out laughing,”That’s all you got Boris?”

“What?” he asked confused,”He is. Plus he’s getting thrown in lock up tomorrow anyway.”

This made my laughter stop, it was my turn to be confused,”What did he do now?”

Another sip of his coffee,”Grand theft auto.” he shrugged,”Lexus was stolen from a lot east of town. That's why I stopped.”

“You’re kidding.” I asked slack jawed.

“Nope. I don’t think he even realized he was on camera.”

“So what? He just took it in hopes of a date night?”

“Looks like it if he was here for you. He’s a desperate man.” he shook his head,”Wanna lift home?”

I thought about it for a second,”Sure. Thanks Boris.”

We hopped in his cruiser, and made light conversation for a few blocks. Three blocks from my house though, a call came over the radio. Some mix of cop lingo and garbled static that I couldn't really understand. He did though, Boris looked concerned and stopped the car. He gave me a look I couldn’t really place,”Look, kiddo. I gotta respond on this one, but it’s back that way,” he gestured behind us,”It’s an all night type deal. Are you good for the last few blocks?”

I nodded,”Yeah, you go do what you gotta man. Thank you for the help, and the ride.”

“Any time Amber.” He nodded, his face looked a bit forlorn,”You should be safe from here, but be careful.”

“Always.” I smiled as I slid out of the cruiser, my boots hit the pavement and I walked behind the car to the sidewalk. Boris took off a moment later, back down the way we had come.

I should have asked how he knew Travis wasn’t around. I know now that's what he meant when he said I was safe. The look in his eyes should have clued me in, but I just figured it was part of whatever call he had gotten. I was right. Doesn’t make it easier for him though.

He’d get six calls of the same nature that night. And he wasn't the only one, a total of twenty eight similar calls came in one after another. None of them could be explained. He still blames himself for the two that survived, and the rest that didn't.

Boris Lison had lived in Merin Falls his entire fifty seven years of life. And he’d known Travis for all twenty one years of his. He’d been close with the football star's grand dad. But after his spiral, the officer just felt bad for the kid. That made it hard for poor Boris to pick him up off the pavement that night. The official story was that he crashed the Lexus into the retainer wall because of his erratic behavior. Some of the officers even insinuated that it was on purpose after my rejection and breaking his nose. That he had finally snapped and tried to end it all. Claiming mental illness was easier than trying to explain the gaping hole in his chest. Or how he had been dragged out of the car through the back windscreen. How he ended up a good half mile from the car. Or why he was frozen almost cryogenically with his heart yanked halfway out of his ribcage by the time Boris had found him. How he survived for the following week is beyond all of us. Not that he was any help in explaining anything. By the time I was ready to leave the hospital myself the following week, Travis tried to use his bed sheets and window for his own way out. I can’t say I blame him. I probably would have done the same after what happened. He spent the next two years in the Merin Falls psych ward. His time there was a horror show of its own.

What happened that night scarred a lot of people in this town. Unfortunately, myself included, both physically and mentally.

Boris had just gotten out of sight and I started making my way down the block. My body was still on high alert from my encounter with Travis. Every noise, flash of headlights, each passing car made me freeze. I'm not a skittish person. Anxious sure, but it's a quiet anxious. Not jumpy. Something in the air had me on edge. It felt like each step dragged me through a slurry of static and shaved ice.

My feet trudged onward. Alarm bells flagged in my brain, each thud of my heart sent a scream from the back of my mind. They all called me to turn and run. But….I didn't.

I should have.

The further I went the worse the feeling of unease got. Then, after a block, I saw something. A dark figure crossed the street ahead of me. I watched as it moved from my side to the other, then back again. Stopping in my tracks, my brow furrowed. It was like looking at something dipped in Vantaa black. My brain wanted to warp around it, like it was a void between two images that should be touching but weren't.

The way it moved, it wasn't….it wasn't right. Like a shadow blinking in and out of existing, but never moving all at the same time. I was frozen the moment my eyes caught it. My skin prickled as ice slinked in a slurry through my veins. I could feel the sludge crawling up the back of my neck as the thing turned to me. Whatever this was, I wasn't supposed to have seen it.

Thoughts raced in my mind, 'I've dealt with weird shadows before, if I tell it to leave it should right?'

'No wait, why isn't my mouth moving?'

'Hold on why can't I mo- wait is it getting closer!?'

A scream was lost in the void of my throat as I realized that the creature was moving in static flashes toward me, or was it? It was close, then it was miles away, a few yards, miles and miles, feet, then inches.

‘Shit!’

Freezing blood pounded in my ears as this...this thing...I couldn’t form a real thought as it neared me. What should have been it's face, instead just a chasm of inky blackness, was inches from mine. If it had eyes I couldn't see them. But I could feel them. It felt like a numbness trailing over me as it tried to understand what I was. Panic clutched my chest as the numb feeling hovered over my heart. The ice in my veins rushed to the center of where it was staring. A choked groan seeped from my throat as I felt the muscle in my chest freeze to a halt.

'How am I even still breathing?'

'Wait...am I?'

I couldn’t tell anymore.

It’s arm moved as it flashed back several feet again. Looking at this thing hurt. Like I was watching a game character glitch in and out as it tried to move. Just rapid, glitchy, morphing, shapes of shadow. It looked humanoid, but entirely not at the same time. Raising its arm I felt cold static touch the skin over my heart. My top was probably fucked, but I quickly didn’t care as I felt it slowly pushing it's claws into my flesh. I couldn’t scream. Gods I wanted to. I wanted to cry out in pain and terror. This creature was ripping my chest open. Claws in the shape of a perforated circle were digging, boring their way to my heart. Determined to remove the icy lump of muscle and sinew from where it was caged in bone.

Silent tears rolled down my cheeks, so hot they burned like flames as they fell. As they left blazing trails, it occurred to me as the heat faded, I couldn’t feel anything but the pain in my chest anymore. A sickening ‘*CRACK’* sent a new wave through my body. White spots floated and flitted around the edge of my eyes. Like sick fairies drawn to the scent of blood. This thing was taking it's time.

It enjoyed watching me suffer. Frozen in fear and pain.

The next thought that crossed my mind was so horribly clear,’I’m going to die here.’ I wish I could say I had some awakening and I snapped out of it. Or that in that moment my life flashed before my eyes and I saw the error of some choice in my life. But no. In that moment, alone with that thing, it’s claws reaching for my frozen heart, I just wished for one more moment. The image that did come to my mind just as the white began to take my sight wasn’t something deep, or wise, or heroic. It was a smile. A smile I knew would never look the same if I died. From that day on it would be tinged with sadness. Of not knowing what happened. Maybe she would think I just left. I prayed, for the first time in so many years, a silent thought,’Please, let her hate me. Don’t let her linger. Don’t let her search. Forget me and be happy.’ And that was it.

Everything went white.

I woke up two days later in a hospital bed. The nurse beside me was changing an IV bag. His eyes caught mine as they fluttered open, with a professional manner he told me I was in the hospital and to not move. After calling the doctor and running a few tests. Things like asking me for information, grip strength tests, stuff like that. They told me what happened. Just as I passed out, before I was gored by a shadow thing, Ryan had found me. He said I was just collapsed on the sidewalk cold, with a ring of stab wounds on my chest. He called 911 and they rushed me to the hospital. I had a few cracked ribs, and they said it was nearly impossible that all of the stabs had missed major arteries. But it wasn’t. That thing wanted me alive to the last second. Ryan found me two hours after I left the shop.

It had frozen me there for two hours.

I was in the hospital for recovery for a few days. Iian and Ryan checked in on me every day. Arthur and Luther came by a few times too. They even paid for my bills. I really love them so much. I don’t know where I’d be without them all. Once I was released, Iian stayed with me till he believed I wouldn’t keel over. Within two months I was healed up, a perfect ring of five exactly matching scars, centered right over my heart. As soon as the doc cleared me, which took a bit, she’s a thorough woman. I was in the tattoo parlor the next day getting a new piece to accent my new scars. That thing tried to kill me. But, I’m no coward. I was scared shitless, I’d only felt fear like that once before that day. Despite that, I lived. Somehow. So I’m owning it. Just like the one on my back. My shoulder. The bullet scar in my thigh. And the bands around my wrists.

Each scar is a memory. Each tattoo, a way to take back control in a small way. Every horror story leaves a scar of some kind. Mine were physical this time. Next time maybe we’ll look into the ones on my mind. But for now Iian is bugging me to check in, I didn't realize how long I've been typing. I’m Amber Haze, and I’ll be back soon with more from the tiny town of Merin Falls.

Master post

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Part 2

[merinate]

who thought that putting a loud ad right after an asmr video is a great idea

[sorchasolas]

Same person different font

[blueraineshadows]

Brothers Part Five

Garreth Weasley x F!MC x Oscar Weasley (OC)

A love rivalry between two Weasley brothers.

Oscar Weasley is an OC created by @eternalremorse and used with her permission

Master List of chapters

Chapter Five - Quidditch and Feels

The Great Hall was abuzz with energy and anticipation Saturday morning, the students chatting excitedly about the Quidditch game, the first in over a year. Taunts were called across between the Slytherin and Gryffindor tables, mostly in good humour, and even the other two houses were getting in on the fun.

MC entered the hall with Poppy, her tummy a little bundle of nervous excitement, as she adjusted the Gryffindor scarf that was draped around her neck that still carried the scent of Oscar's cologne. It was still hard to believe that she was now Oscar's girl. The memory of his kisses lingered long on her skin after he gave them, and she found that she was already eager for their next meeting as soon as they parted company. Today, she would get to see him in a proper Quidditch game, and she would be there to cheer him on as his girl.

"Are you going to sit in the Gryffindor stands?" Poppy asked.

MC nodded. "Garreth invited me to sit with him. You're welcome to join us if you like."

Sebastian appeared beside them dressed in his Quidditch kit, his face falling into a scowl when he saw her scarf. He picked up the end of it between thumb and forefinger, wrinkling his nose in disgust.

"Why are you wearing this disgraceful thing?" He asked. He shook his head in disapproval as he held up the end of his own scarf. "And here was me hoping you would wear mine, but it seems that my best friend has decided to abandon me in favour of a lion. How disappointing."

MC blushed, reaching to clasp his hand in hers. "Oh, don't be mad at me, not today," she said. "Of course I support you."

He pouted out his bottom lip and gave her big, sad eyes. MC giggled and pulled him forward for a hug, his arms immediately responding. "You still have your fan club to cheer for you," she reminded him. "Duellist and Quidditch player, you're hardly starved of attention."

He hummed, unconvinced, and then playfully pushed her back. "Urgh, don't hug me with that thing round your neck."

He dodged quickly, chuckling, as MC went to smack his arm. Then he swung his own scarf up and draped it around Poppy's neck, pulling it tight so that she lurched forward a step, and he did not let the scarf go. He leant down to her. "Perhaps Miss Sweeting would like to wear my scarf and cheer me on? What do you say, Poppy? Would you do me the honour of wearing my scarf?"

Poppy flushed bright pink, her mouth moving but no words coming out as she stared up at Sebastian. "I...I..."

MC quirked an eyebrow at the pair. Interesting. She grinned and nudged Poppy. "She would love to, wouldn't you, Poppy?"

"Erm, yes, alright," Poppy said shyly.

Sebastian's eyes brightened, and he wrapped the scarf more snugly around Poppy's neck. "There you go," he said. He even gave her a cheeky wink. "I shall look out for you and give you a wave during the match."

As Sebastian headed off towards the Slytherin table, a little pep in his step, MC grinned and looked at Poppy. "So, does this put Sebastian into your Top Five Boys, Pops?"

Poppy's blush darkened and she bit her lip, she gave MC a nervous look. "Would you be mad if he was?"

"Of course not! Why in Merin's name would I be mad?"

Poppy shrugged, her hands gently touching the green and silver scarf wrapped around her neck. "You two are so close..."

MC put her arm around Poppy. "Listen to me, of all the girls that Sebastian could kiss, I would rather he kissed you. He deserves to be happy after everything that he's been through, and the way his face lit up when you agreed to wear his scarf, that was just so lovely to see."

Poppy's face softened and she gazed across towards the Slytherin table. Then, she smirked. "He didn't exactly give me much choice."

MC chuckled. "Yes, well, that's just Sebastian doing Sebastian things."

A rousing cheer went up, and the girls turned to see the Gryffindor table greeting Isaac and Oscar as they arrived, decked out in their Quidditch gear and high-fiving their fellow housemates. MC watched as Oscar was surrounded, being patted on the back and laughing with his friends and admirers. Was this a glimpse of his future? He had received an offer to play for a Quidditch team once he had left Hogwarts after all.

She watched as girls offered up shy smiles to him. Even a few from other houses had drifted across to speak to the two popular Gryffindor boys, one of whom MC recognised. Trixie McNair. MC tensed as Trixie put her hand on Oscar's arm and looked up at him, her smile so self-assured and very beautiful.

"Are you going to go over and see Oscar before we eat?" Poppy asked.

MC watched as Oscar spoke to Trixie and observed the easy way they seemed to be with each other, the old rumours about them whispering in the back of her mind. Ominis had told her plenty of gossip about the beautiful Slytherin girl, and MC felt herself inwardly retreating, her own self-confidence wilting under the other girl's shadow. She had thought to greet Oscar and wish him good luck for the game, but now she did not want to stand in a line of girls waiting to shower him with attention, no matter if she had every right to.

MC shook her head and took Poppy's arm. "No, it's alright. He looks busy. Let's go and eat."

....*....

Clear skies and barely any breeze made for excellent flying conditions in the chilly October air. The viewing stands were filling up with students and staff as the players gathered at the centre of the pitch, ready for the start. Oscar shifted his grip on his broom as he stepped onto the pitch, bending to touch the grass with his fingers in his little pre-match ritual. There is no harm in asking for a blessing to not be knocked off his broom. As he straightened, he caught the eye of Trixie, who was loitering nearby with a friend. She smiled and blew him a kiss, which he chose to ignore. His eyes had been hoping to land on MC, but she hadn't come to see him this morning. His only glimpse of her had been when she had left the Great Hall with Poppy and Garreth. He bit back his disappointment.

He glanced to the side as Sebastian came up beside him. The Slytherin's face one of hard disapproval as he flicked his dark eyes across to Trixie. "I hope you're keeping it in your pants, Weasley," he muttered.

Oscar shifted and avoided looking back over towards Trixie. "That's long since over," he said. "You've got no worries there."

Sebastian glared at him. "Oh, I still worry," he said tightly. "MC is family to me, Weasley. You mess with her, you mess with me. Understood?"

Oscar sighed and rolled his eyes. First Garreth gave him a little warning, and now Sebastian. Surely, MC was more than capable of making her own mind up and taking care of herself. Merlin, the girl could bring down bloody trolls on her own.

"Fuck off, Sallow."

Sebastian grabbed the front of Oscar's Quidditch jersey and jerked him forward, his eyes glittered with something dangerous, a darkness hovering in the back of that gaze that made ice slide down Oscar's spine. There was something very slippery and cold about Sallow underneath all that charm and banter. Oscar was a fair duellist. He could hold his own and had done in Crossed Wands many times, but he knew Sallow was also good. Combined with that dark streak that flashed in his eyes, Oscar wasn't sure he wanted to come up against Sallow with intent.

"I meant what I said," Sebastian said coldly.

"And I meant what I said, too," Oscar said firmly.

"Alright lads, save it for the match," Imelda called. She slapped Sebastian on the shoulder. "Come on, it's almost time."

Sebastian gave Oscar one last stare through narrowed eyes before letting him go. "I'm watching you, Weasley."

As they all kicked up off the ground to fly around the pitch, waving to all the spectators before the start of the match, Oscar tried not to let Sebastian get under his skin. His eyes scanned the Hufflepuff stands in the hopes of catching a glimpse of MC, wanting to see her and that lovely smile of hers, hopefully with his scarf wrapped around her neck. There was no sign of her, and he frowned a little, moving along towards the Gryffindor stands where he received a rousing cheer of encouragement. He smiled and waved, slowing down to hover before them all, his team mates around him on their own brooms. This was what it was about, sharing the love for the game, and it made the anticipation thrum in his veins.

In the back of his mind, he knew he had to do something about Trixie and her flirting, but it wouldn't be easy. She was a difficult one to deal with at the best of times. Oscar had a past, and there was nothing he could do to change it. He didn't want to change it, but he also didn't want it to ruin his chances with MC. She had agreed to be his girl, and he wanted to keep it that way. The disappointment at her not being there to see him this morning was only magnified by Sebastian's chilling threat.

As his eyes scanned across the Gryffindor crowd, he spotted Garreth and there beside him sat MC. Biting back the jealousy of seeing her sitting there with his brother, Oscar moved his broom a little closer as they both waved up at him. MC was indeed wearing his scarf, and her smile was just for him as she waved. It made him feel a little better until he saw Poppy jump up beside her, waving a Slytherin scarf amongst a sea of red as Sebastian flew up beside him. The Slytherin Beater waved and blew two kisses towards the stands, calling out that they were for his two favourite girls. The smirk he gave Oscar was unbearably smug as he sped away to join his team.

Oscar gritted his teeth, his fingers flexing around his broom and bat as the urge to smash some Bludgers towards Slytherins made his blood pound thick and hot through his veins.

....*....

The cracking sound of the Bludger hitting Oscar's bat split the air through the cheers of the crowd. Garreth watched as the Bludger sailed towards a Slytherin Chaser speeding towards the goal, Quaffle under their arm. It got close, really close, but Sebastian swooped down, arm raised as he swung viciously to smack the Bludger back, a feral sounding growl bursting from his mouth as he did so.

The crowd gasped as the Bludger careened back across the pitch towards Oscar. MC winced beside Garreth, and her hands grabbed his arm, which he did not mind in the slightest. When he had heard that her and Oscar were now officially courting, his disappointment had been bitter, and he had expected her to withdraw from him. It seemed that wasn't the case, and it was a relief because he couldn't bear it if she drifted away from him.

"Oh no, he's done it again," she groaned. "What are they doing?"

They watched as Oscar adjusted his position on his broom, gripping with his legs as he used both arms to swing his bat this time. The ear splitting whack resounded as he sent the Bludger right back towards Sebastian. Garreth shook his head and rubbed his face with his hand. "Idiots," he muttered.

The match was fast paced and the players were being unforgiving, with a whole year out of matches, the need to get stuck in was evident and there were already sweaty faces, some even sporting bloody wounds for their efforts. But, there would be no giving up. There was a game to win, and being Gryffindor vs Slytherin, it was getting personal.

Sebastian had already hinted to Garreth that he was going to wind Oscar up, and at the time Garreth had chuckled, urging his new Slytherin friend on, still pissed at Oscar for making it official with MC. But now he was regretting firing up Sebastian because the boy was brutal. He had been deliberately sending Bludgers Oscar's way, his face fixed in a mask of determination, and Oscar was giving as good as he was getting.

Imelda and Isaac, the team captains, were already starting to lose their voices from screaming at the pair to pack it up and focus on the match. Slytherin were currently up 90 - 60, and Gryffindor needed to up their game.

"Why are they doing this?" MC grumbled. "Will they not get into trouble for it?"

"Unlikely, maybe with their captains for messing up the game," Garreth said. "There are not a load of rules to Quidditch. It only encourages players to break them, or so the experts claim anyway. But there are such things as gentleman's agreements, and it's not usual for the Beaters to play back and forward like this. It frees up the Chasers to score goals."

MC gave him a curious look. "For someone who didn't seem all that bothered about Quidditch, you seem to know a fair bit about it."

Garreth smiled, enjoying the fact that she hadn't yet let go of his arm. "I'm not that fussed about playing it, but I do love a good game. If you want to know more, I would be happy to tell you. I have a book you can borrow, Quidditch Through the Ages, you can brush up on your knowledge to impress your new boyfriend."

Her face fell a little, and she nodded. "Is that what all the other little groupies do? Do they use Quidditch facts to get in with the star players as well? I'm not sure that's my style."

Garreth noted the slight bitter tone to her words and frowned. He knew girls hung around the Quidditch boys. He had seen them hanging off his brother often enough. He attempted another smile, wanting to cheer her up. "Not to worry, you can impress me with your facts instead, although you don't need to do that to get in with me. I'm already won over."

Her eyes met his, widening with surprise. Garreth felt a pulse of panic and bit his tongue, colour flooding his cheeks. He cleared his throat and turned his attention back to the game. Him and his big mouth.

Gryffindor scored a goal, and the students around them erupted into an ear blasting amount of cheering, Garreth clapped, and so did MC, although she kept her arm linked through his and that made his chest warm. It seemed she did not mind his cheeky comment, and it made his smile return.

Imelda Reyes was not smiling, however, and she flew towards Sebastian, her face twisted with rage as she bawled him out. Garreth and MC cringed, and Poppy looked like she was about to burst into tears.

"Remind me never to get on the wrong side of Imelda," Poppy said. She grimaced. "Poor Sebastian!"

Garreth raised his eyebrows at Poppy's words and gave MC a curious look. She smirked before leaning in close to his ear. "I think she has taken a particular fancy to a certain snake," she whispered.

Garreth almost shivered at the feel of MC's lips so close to his ear, and he had to take a breath before meeting her amused eyes. This close, he could see every fleck of colour in her irises, and he marvelled at just how lovely they were. "And does this snake return these sentiments?"

"Have you not seen the scarf she is wearing? He put it there himself," she whispered back.

"What are you two whispering about?" Poppy asked, a crease on her brow.

"Nothing," MC said quickly. She moved back away from Garreth and shrugged. "Garreth was just explaining some Quidditch game play to me, that's all."

Poppy shrugged and turned back to the game, MC sharing a little glance with Garreth. He grinned. "If we win, I am so smuggling Sebastian into our party so Poppy can pet her snake after a few cheeky Butterbeers."

MC smothered her giggles, and he chuckled along with her, his heart squeezing as he wished that it could always be like this with her.

....*....

MC was on her feet, screaming and clapping as the announcement echoed across the pitch. "Gryffindor win!"

The Gryffindor Seeker was hovering in the centre of the pitch, face flushed and triumphant as they held up the shining Golden Snitch. The students around MC were stomping their feet and yelling in delight, the wooden seating stand shuddering under their boots. MC threw her arms around Garreth, and he laughed, lifting her clean off the wooden step in a hug of celebration, his arms squeezing her with surprising strength.

She looked down at his smiling face. "Let's get down to the pitch and find Leander and Oscar," she said excitedly.

Garreth nodded and put her carefully down onto her feet. "You go on and find Oscar," he said. "He will be wanting to see you, I'm sure. I will escort Poppy down."

MC squealed happily and began to push her way through the mad crowd and hurried down towards the pitch, hitting the grass at a run as she sped across towards the huddle of players. She was not the only one. Other students were beginning to invade the pitch, too, in their excitement. MC spotted Oscar celebrating with his teammates, a Gryffindor 7th year launching herself at him in a hug that nearly knocked him off his feet. MC slowed her steps, hesitating as she watched him give the girl a quick squeeze before releasing her. He was laughing, cheeks flushed, and so very handsome. MC wondered if she really fit in here with his group of Quidditch friends, her eyes darting around at the crowd gathering as she walked towards Oscar.

The Slytherin team looked dejected and angry as they began to walk off. Sebastian looked positively furious, and MC winced, giving him a wide berth as he stormed towards the edge of the pitch, launching his bat across the ground as he did so. Imelda was scowling after him, her face livid with their defeat. The Slytherin common room would not be a happy place this evening, but the Gryffindor one would most definitely be a riot of celebration.

MC slowed to a complete stop when she saw Trixie McNair and her friends loitering around the players, her sultry eyes on Oscar, her smile full of seduction as she waved at him. Oscar seemed to be looking Trixie's way, but then he spotted MC, and his face split into a huge smile. He ran, hurrying towards her, and MC felt her heart lift a little.

"There's my girl," he cried. He grabbed her under the arms, lifting her up high into the air and MC had to grab his shoulders, a yelp leaving her lips at the sudden lift, before he spun around in a circle making her robes flare outwards.

"Oscar, put me down," she giggled. "People are staring!"

MC almost gulped when she saw the look of poison on Trixie McNair's face. She looked away quickly, immediately uncomfortable at the Slytherin girl's glare, concentrating only on Oscar as he put her back down onto the grass. He laughed and cupped her face.

"I don't care," he said, shaking his head. "We won! We actually won, and you are finally here. I missed you this morning."

MC's tummy fluttered at his words. "I didn't want to intrude, you looked busy, and I didn't want to distract you before the game."

His thumbs brushed against her cheeks, and his eyes blazed as he looked down at her. "Rule number one, you may distract me whenever you like."

MC felt her cheeks flush, and then he kissed her, in front of the whole crowded Quidditch pitch, a long, slow kiss on the lips. Her heart was pounding the whole time. Concerns about what people might say, or a Professor coming along to scold them, swirled about at the back of her mind, but she couldn't deny the little thought that this would be the perfect slap in the face for girls like Trixie McNair.

Oscar was kissing her, Oscar had missed her, and it did wonders for her earlier self-doubt. She gripped the front of his jersey, breathing a little harder as he pulled back, smiling down at her.

"Come on," he said, taking her hand. "We've got a party to organise."

....*....

Gryffindor students knew how to throw a party. Streamers hung from every available point, bottomless punch bowls and a keg of Butterbeer were set up, a few students had brought instruments and were playing a lively tune.

With it being the first win of the new season, students from other houses had snuck in to celebrate with Gryffindor. There were a few Slytherins, but not many, most licking their wounds elsewhere. Oscar was soaking up the atmosphere, revelling in their win, riding quite high right now after already downing a few laced drinks. With his arm wrapped tight around MC, Oscar tapped his mug of Butterbeer against Isaac's, their grins wide as they nodded, lifting their drinks up in a toast.

"To Gryffindor!" Isaac yelled.

"To Gryffindor!" The room called back, followed by cheers and whistles.

Oscar took a long drink before looking down at MC. With a small laugh she reached up and wiped the froth from his lips with her thumb, the touch waking up the spark inside of him and he pulled her even closer, pressing a kiss to her forehead.

He saw her blush, her shy glances around the room to see who was watching, and he wished he could get her somewhere alone. Despite promising to go at her pace, he ached to touch her and kiss her in ways that would make her come apart in his hands. He was always horny after a match, and she was so soft pressed up against him that it was driving him crazy.

He felt eyes burning into the back of his head. He didn't need to turn and look to know who from, the tension between them getting thicker since the match. This was another reason to sneak off with MC, away from disapproving eyes.

"Sebastian really doesn't like me, does he?" He murmured into MC's ear. "Why is he even here? Clearly he didn't take enough of a beating in the match today."

MC gave him a pained look. "Please don't fight," she said.

Oscar frowned. "He started it."

The flasks of fire whiskey were being passed around, and Oscar poured a generous shot into his beer before holding the flask out to MC. She shook her head, and Oscar shrugged, taking an extra sip from the flask before passing it on to Isaac. They were celebrating after all.

"You two were obviously in some kind of battle on the pitch today," she said. "I wish you could at least try to get along."

"Yeah, well, he shouldn't be so bloody possessive of you. It's weird," Oscar grumbled.

MC frowned. "He has his reasons."

Oscar studied her. There were secrets between them two, big ones, he could tell. "What kind of reasons?"

Her mouth tightened and she shook her head. "It doesn't matter."

He narrowed his eyes, jealousy stirring in his gut as he wondered what really had gone on last year between her and Sebastian. She always insisted they were friends, and Sebastian implied she was like family to him. Whenever he tried to talk to MC about last year, she would close up, change the subject, and leave him with questions unanswered. It was frustrating.

He bent to kiss her, claiming her in a way he knew how. She was so soft, so tempting, and he craved more, parting her lips with his tongue and deepening the kiss. Her fingers clutched at his shirt as she returned the kiss, but then she jumped when a loud cheer sounded beside them from his team mates.

Oscar felt a hearty slap on his shoulder. "Fucking hell, Weasley. Get a room!"

Oscar chuckled and gave Isaac a playful shove as MC blushed, burying her face against his chest. He would love to get her alone in a room. He wouldn't lie. Her shyness was actually a turn-on. He wanted to make her blush, have her a whimpering mess underneath him. His hand slid from her waist to her hip, teasingly caressing towards her peachy backside. Drinking had made him bold.

He couldn't wait to get a hold of that arse and she was wearing those tight trousers that made it look so tempting. As his hand cupped the soft curve of a cheek, he felt her tense up a little, her shyness kicking in once again. He slid his hand back up towards her waist, realising he was pushing his luck a bit, but Merlin did she feel good.

"Shall we go somewhere more private?" He murmured in her ear. He couldn't resist one more gentle squeeze at her waist.

"But, this party is for you, we can't just disappear," she said.

He sighed, pushing down his rampant desire, and grabbed her hand. "Fine, but at least get a drink," he said. "Come on, it's not a party unless you've got a drink in your hand."

She looked at him anxiously. "I'm not sure."

He poured a Butterbeer from the keg and pushed it into her hand. "It's only Butterbeer, you'll be fine," he said. He winked. "Don't worry, I'll look after you."

As she smiled and took a sip of the beer, Garreth appeared beside them, a battered paper party crown sat lop sided on his fluffy hair, his face beaming with a wide grin. He held up a glass bottle and wiggled it, the amber liquid inside sloshing. "Fancy a little tipple, brother?"

Oscar eyed the bottle suspiciously. "Did you make that?"

Garreth nodded proudly. "I'm calling it Victory Tipple in honour of our win."

MC giggled and took the bottle, pulling the stopper to sniff it. She pulled a face. "Gods, what did you put in this?"

Garreth tapped the side of his nose. "I'm not in the habit of divulging my secrets," he said. He nodded towards the bottle. "Have a taste. It's not bad, and nobody has floated away or died yet, so we're all good."

Oscar bit back a groan and shook his head. "You mean people are actually drinking this?"

Garreth looked surprised. "Of course!" He grinned at MC, nudging her with his shoulder. "You will taste it, won't you, my dear. You liked my Fizzing Whizzbeer, after all."

MC eyed the bottle then shrugged and lifted it to her lips. Oscar gasped and grabbed her wrist to stop her.

"What are you doing? You hesitated over a Butterbeer but you're going to drink this? Are you mad?"

MC stared at him. "Don't you trust your brother?"

Oscar laughed. "No!"

Garreth pouted and folded his arms. "I take offence to that, brother," he said. "I say you should drink the whole bottle to prove your affection for me."

MC giggled and took a sip of the creation. She savoured the liquid before swallowing, smacking her lips before coughing and spluttering, her eyes watering a little. "Wow... that's got an after kick."

Oscar took the bottle from her, curious, and took a swig. He winced and shoved the bottle back to Garreth. "Fuck...no," he coughed. "You're trying to kill us I swear."

Garreth shook his head at them both and downed the whole bottle. "Such light weights."

....*....

The party was at its loudest, the alcohol and late hour bringing out the rowdiness in people, and MC pushed her way back through the throng coming back from the girl's bathroom. Poppy was clinging on to her hand, wobbling on her feet a bit after one too many drinks, and MC craned her neck looking for Sebastian, but there was no sign of him.

Loud cheering and clapping came from one corner of the common room, and as MC moved closer to investigate, she realised that some kind of drinking game was taking place. She stumbled to a stop, mouth dropping open at the sight of Sebastian kissing a girl from Ravenclaw in the middle of a circle, everyone cheering them on. MC began to back up, pushing Poppy around so that she wouldn't see.

"What's going on?" Poppy asked. She tried to peer around MC, but MC tried to tug her away.

"Some kind of game, it's nothing," MC said.

"Ooh, I like games," Poppy said. Her hand slipped free of MCs, and she made a grab for her, but Poppy was gone, ducking through the crowd to go and see.

MC winced as Poppy stopped, her shoulders slumping a little at the scene. Sebastian and the girl separated, both of them grinning and wiping their mouths as they returned to the circle. MC gently took Poppy's arm. "I'm sorry, Pops," she said.

Poppy shrugged. "It doesn't matter," she said. "He doesn't owe me anything after all. But it would have been nice to have a kiss, I suppose."

"Do you want to leave?" MC asked.

Poppy shook her head. "No, I'm good."

The next person leant in and spun their wand on the floor in the centre of the circle. It was Trixie McNair, her black hair like a sheet of silk as she bent down to spin her wand, her eyes glittering with expectation as it spun round and around before coming to stop in front of Garreth. MC's eyes widened, her heart twisting oddly as Trixie giggled and crooked her finger at Garreth's blushing face.

"Well, would you look at that?" Trixie said playfully. She giggled and reached out to grab Garreth's jumper as he stood. "Looks like I get to kiss another Weasley!"

Everyone laughed, and MC felt her stomach churn as she scanned the gathered crowd for Oscar. He was in the far corner with Isaac, who slapped Oscar on the back, laughing.

"Ha, we all know you did a lot more than snog the big brother, Trixie!" Isaac called. "You'd best go gentle on little brother now!"

MC stared as Oscar laughed with him. Clearly, the rumours were true, and MC felt her own self-consciousness twist through her. Trixie was a blatant flirt, and she had made no secret of her attempts to catch Oscar's eye all night. And now, she was getting her claws into Garreth.

Trixie was giggling and flicking her hair over her shoulder as she pulled Garreth closer, pressing her mouth to his in a kiss. Garreth kissed her back enthusiastically, his hands moving to hold her waist as she deepened the kiss, pressing herself shamelessly against him as the crowd cheered and wolf whistled loudly.

"Bloody hell," Poppy said. "She looks like she is going to devour him whole!"

MC took a shaky breath, hating every minute of this horrid game. She understood that it was just a bit of fun, but so far she had seen Poppy's hopes dashed about kissing Sebastian, and now Garreth was dancing tongues with a girl who clearly had a thing for Oscar. People could get hurt with this kind of thing. "This is stupid."

MC spun away from the game, unable to watch Trixie violate Garreth's mouth like that and him enjoy it, because clearly, he was. She pushed herself blindly through the crowd and found herself near the drinks table. Without really thinking, she grabbed a cup and poured some Butterbeer out of the keg and drank it back all in one go.

She didn't like Trixie. Trixie was everything that MC wasn't - confident, beautiful, assured of her place in the Wizarding World with a pure blood family behind her. The boys all wanted Trixie, and she always seemed to get what she wanted. Isaac had shouted out the rumour about Trixie and Oscar in front of everyone, and Oscar had laughed. It had to be true. It made MC question what Oscar saw in her because she was nothing like Trixie.

Another loud cheer erupted from the game, which meant someone else was kissing now. Despite herself, MC turned and caught a glimpse of two students she didn't know very well. She turned back and poured herself another drink.

"Hello, my darling."

MC looked up to see Garreth, cheeks flushed and eyes glazed, swaying slightly as he tried to pour himself a drink. MC put a hand to her mouth, hiding her amusement as he missed the tap for the keg twice. Pushing aside her worries about herself, she put her hand on his.

"Maybe this is a sign that you've had enough, Garreth," she said gently.

He looked at her with a lop sided grin. "Maybe you're right," he said, his words slurring softly. "I did drink another one of my Victory Tipples."

"Well, at least you're still standing I suppose," she chuckled. She took his arm. "Come on, let's find somewhere to sit."

They ended up at the bottom of a staircase, side by side. There was a couple sitting in the corner, kissing and so wrapped up in themselves they hadn't even noticed MC and Garreth sit down.

"Enjoy your snog with Trixie?" She asked, giving Garreth a sideways look.

Garreth grinned. "She was definitely keen."

MC wrinkled her nose. "Yes, she does seem to have a thing for Weasleys."

He chuckled and winked at her. "We are irresistible, as you well know. Oscar seems to have won you over."

"Your brother is very charming," she agreed. "Although, I'm not entirely sure what he sees in me. He could have any girl that he wanted."

Garreth nudged his shoulder against her. "Oscar chose you, though," he said. He sighed, head dipping. "And you said yes. He's lucky."

MC twirled her drink in her hand. "Maybe."

Garreth looked up, his green eyes focusing dreamily on her face, his smile soft.

"There's no maybe about it. If it were me, I would pick you over Trixie any day of the week," he slurred. He held his finger up to emphasise his point. "Facts."

MC shifted on the step and she avoided his gaze, waving off his words with a giggle of embarrassment. "Wow, you are definitely drunk," she said. "No more booze for you."

His lopsided smile returned as he leant towards her, his thumb brushing across her cheek. "You are the prettiest girl in Hogwarts. It is no surprise my brother wants you."

MC gasped, the touch of his thumb a surprise, especially with how it had instantly made warmth bloom across her cheeks. Feeling confused and flustered, she caught hold of his hand and moved it away from her face, placing it on his lap instead.

Drunk Garreth was a flirty Garreth, it seemed, and MC was rather caught off guard by it. She had been crushing over him last summer, but it had seemed to be no more than friendship between them, much like Sebastian. His obvious flirting was entirely new, and it made her cheeks hot.

"You flatter me," she said softly. "Although, I do believe it is the drink talking."

He shook his head, his green eyes darkening, and he opened his mouth to speak again, and MC panicked. What if he said something he would regret? What if he spoke out of turn and Oscar found out? She put her hand over his mouth, silencing him. "Don't..."

Her heart was pounding in her chest. She couldn't let him say anything more, scared of what might spill from his lips. He was drunk, make no mistake, but that dark, blazing look in his eyes right now was so eerily like the way Oscar looked at her that she felt her skin prickle with awareness and shock.

He spoke, his words muffled against the palm of her hand, the brush of his lips causing a tingling sensation and she yanked her hand back quickly.

"Sorry," he said, sheepishly. He pushed his hand through his hair and flashed a cheeky smile, swaying a bit and holding his fingers up in a pinching gesture. "I think I'm a teeny bit drunk."

MC huffed a laugh and nodded. "I would say so, yes. Come on, up you get. You should go and sleep it off."

As Garreth staggered across to the boy's dormitory stairs, MC watched him go, biting her lower lip as she pondered his words. Surely, it was the booze talking. Of course it was. They were friends, weren't they? And perhaps he wouldn't even remember any of this come tomorrow.

But she would remember, and the heat still hadn't left her flushed cheeks, her fingers gently touching where he had caressed her with his thumb.

....*....

Snuggled up under her blankets, her lips still a little swollen from Oscar's goodnight kiss, MC felt her insecurities rushing in now that she was in the quiet darkness. Was she enough for Oscar? Did she really fit into his life, and did he fit into hers?

Those worries were pressing up against the way Oscar made her feel, the quickening of her heartbeat, the tingles from his kisses. She blushed as she remembered the gentle caress of his hand over her bottom tonight. It was the first time anyone had touched her in such a way. It had left her breathless, excitement swirling with the ever-present nervous self-awareness of what her body was capable of.

Her gaze lifted over towards Poppy who was curled up under her own blankets. "Are you awake, Pops?" She whispered.

"Yeah, I'm awake, my head is buzzing," Poppy giggled.

"I told you not to drink Garreth's creation," MC sighed.

"Oh, where is that sense of adventure of yours?"

MC pondered that. Adventures usually led her into trouble, and she'd had enough of that to last her a while.

"Do you think Oscar and I are suited?"

Poppy shifted and looked over at her. "Are you having second thoughts?"

MC shrugged. "I'm not sure I am his type."

"Is this because of Trixie? Sebastian was moaning about her earlier, I think that's why him and Oscar aren't getting along."

MC frowned, her stomach twisting at the thought of Trixie McNair, especially when she couldn't get the image of her devouring Garreth out of her mind. The whole thing just made her uncomfortable.

"I guess I'm just too inexperienced. I have no clue what I'm doing," MC said with a sigh.

"Isn't that half the fun? We can explore what it is we actually like, what we want?" Poppy said. "Oscar likes you, MC, I can tell. And I think you like him too. Okay, so he has a past, but he can't change that. Just give him a chance. It's only natural to be nervous. I mean, I wanted to kiss Sebastian so much that it made me feel sick, but if he actually does it, I'm worried I will panic and run away from him."

MC bit her lip, fighting a grin. "You know he would chase after you if you did that, right? He can be very determined when he wants something."

Poppy put her fingers to her lips as she thought about that. "Hmm, that does sound rather thrilling and adventurous, doesn't it? Having a boy chase after you for a kiss."

MC chuckled and adjusted her pillows. "You read far too many romance novels, Poppy Sweeting."

"And you don't read enough," Poppy promptly said. "Just enjoy being with Oscar. He is handsome, charming, and I bet he could teach you a thing or two."

They both giggled as they settled back down for sleep, MC closing her eyes and holding her fingers against her lips, hoping for sweet dreams.

To be continued...

[shouldprobablybereading]

Finished the way of kings prime in full, overall it's actually really good. It's much darker than actual stormlight, and especially the last big section is just really tragic. I joke about the kholins dropping like flies and they really do, this is the version of the story where instead of being rescued by skar and drehy gavinor would have been killed in kholinar.

Overall I'd say real twok is better. But there are some things that I think this one did better. It definetly feels like a more cohesive book despite having so many characters in different directions. It really helps that the shallan equivalent has been jasnahs ward for years and lived with the kholins for years as they fought the prime equivalent of the war at the shattered plains. So most of the main important characters know each other some way or another. Compared to real twok which is basically 2-3 separate books in a trenchcoat pretending to be one story.

The political focus is also nice and having jasnah as a main character was delightful, tho he made some improvements in the later version. I really look forward to having her as a main pov in the back 5, should I ever get to read them. "Evil" elhokar was also surprisingly fun to read, really tragic and interesting.

The midsection is imo what really drags it down as you realize pretty quickly that the main sanderlanche event is going to be the battle between the invading forces from jah keved and dalenars forces. Which when you have both jasnah and merin in separate plotlines of trying to warn dalenar and elhokar about the invasion, makes it very annoying every time they take a detour. Jasnah and taln did not need that many chapters to walk across the country and fall in love. I've read the way of kings I already know kaladin is gonna run in with and army and save the day.

Also merin, who is supposedly "kaladin if he had diffrent life experiences". Is just so incredibly boring, I haven't posted about him because I have nothing to say. He and aredor, I was falling asleep during the chapters of them hanging out. Renarin was the saving part of that entire plotline.

The last 10 chapters where easily the best of the entire book, as hopeless and drawn out as that battle was it got so emotional. You know a situation is bad when both jasnah and dalenar have cried out of greif and hopelessness. Very entertaining.

[az-daniels-yeeter]

I’ve never really made a post like this.

First time for everything I guess.

So I’ve been thinking about how half trolls had to had existed prior to Jim becoming one which lead to ideas of where they came from, how the potion came to be, etc etc

So here are my ideas:

Where did the potion come from?

A wizard who saw a path to uniting trolls and humans through children. However the success rate of having children between trolls and humans was very low so the wizard made a way to create hybrids

How does it work?

The potion is made of parts of a transfiguration potion (hence the lightning in a bottle, changeling femur, etc). Other ingredients vary depending on if the target is human or troll.

For humans, piece of troll are put into the potion and vise versa for trolls.

Without pieces from the opposite species the species they’re merged with may be randomized.

The intent was to turn a mass of creatures into half-trolls which is why it is meant to be poured into a source of water, most often a pond or lake.

An additional ingredient that can be put into the elixir is a piece of the sunlight walking stone.

Half Troll Differences?

Half trolls take on traits from both humans and trolls with the base species having a bit more influence.

For example, a half troll with a human as the base would have more resistance to sunlight, a smaller frame, potential lack of markings, and more humanoid features. A troll base would have a bigger frame, markings, troll-like features, and only a mild resistance to sunlight, still susceptible to death from long exposure.

All half trolls bleed

They also are not entirely dependent on a heartstone like full trolls and are capable of natural regeneration like humans. With a heartstone, they heal faster.

The “new feats” Merlin spoke of was half trolls ability to absorb magic. The absorbed magic aids the half troll’s vigor

A half trolls body varies between soft clay and rock. Outer parts such as the back, shoulders, elbows, knees, and head are very hard versus parts like the stomach, palms, soles, and face being soft.

Where does Jim fall in all this?

Merlin learned about the potion prior to the battle of Killahead. He had intentions to use the potion on one of the Trollhunters following Deya but had his hands full with the Arcane Order.

Jim’s potion was missing a few ingredients simply cause Merlin forgot.

Jim’s troll species was randomized since Merin didn’t include a specific type of troll parts. Blinky also couldn’t identify what he was given his abundance of humanoid features

Magical Influence?

Jim bathing in the elixr with the amulet gave him a bit of Merlin’s magic (This does not make him a wizard, it just improves his natural vigor. This in turn weaked the amulet which is why it couldn’t protect Jim from the Onyx Shard).

When hit with the Onyx shard he also absorb its magic which also improved vigor and physical strength (He wasn’t really able to utilize it cause it prevented his natural regeneration and he hadn’t been close to a heartstone following the battle with the Green Knight).

The Onyx Shards have similar properties to Gunmar’s Decimar Blade, capable of both mind control and turning trolls into Gumm Gumms.

Jim didn’t turn full Gumm Gumm, but was merged with one which is shown in claws and markings. The bit of magic he absorbed from the amulet prevented him from becoming full Gumm Gumm (like how the helmet prevented Gunmar’s mind control).

To be drawn later, but my headcanon for the end of Wizards is Jim didn’t turn back human, instead he turned into a kind of mix between his half troll and beast forms. He still has a bit of magic left over from the Onyx Shard which allows him to turn into the Beast Form. By the end of RotT he uses up all the magic which leads to him being unable to transform into that form. It also changes his half troll form back but leaves markings (example here)

We really deserved more half troll and changeling lore

[minhosbitterriver]

for the wip game ^-^

❌📄

Thank you for participating, Merin! I have so many WIPs it’s not even funny so I thought this would be fun and also give me the excuse to go through them again. Doing this also reminded me of the fact that I only just started writing in second person after preferring third person my entire life a couple of months ago and I thought this was an interesting little fact to share about myself.

( ❌ ) What WIP do you find the most challenging? Why?

So I have a WIP that I started at the beginning of 2023 but have been struggling a lot with. You Burn Me ‘Till The End is a project I both love and hate. It’s with Lee Know and it’s basically about an extremely troubled author of children’s books. The reason why I think it’s so challenging is because it’s very heavy on parental abuse (past tense) and how it affected my OC in the present. As a victim of severe abuse myself, it can be very difficult to write about it at times, but it’s also a way for me to express myself and sort through my trauma so I think that’s why I don’t want to give up on it.

This was all inspired by the k-drama It’s Okay to Not Be Okay, which I highly recommend.

( 📄 ) What’s a WIP you never finished that you would like to go back and revisit?

One of the very firsts WIPs in the SKZ fandom I have is one that I hold very dear to my heart, a project I started but never finished in 2022 — a year-ish after I joined the fandom. It makes me so sad to think about sometimes because it was something that brought me a lot of comfort to daydream and write about, but I hope one day I can find the right ending for it.

‘Till Forever Falls Apart was inspired by Ashe and FINNEAS’ song with the same title. It was about a blind date between Han Jisung and a female OC, which was arranged by their families since they were desperate for their kids to have someone in their lives. They’re both idols, too, which I feel made it all very interesting especially since they had to keep their relationship a secret in the beginning. What I loved the most about it, however, was the actual dynamic between them because my OC suffered from fibromyalgia (a type of chronic pain condition) and we all know that Han suffers from very intense anxiety. Having these conditions would sometimes bring out the worst in themselves, but at the end of the day it was the patience and compassion that kept them together. Han would take care of OC when the physical pain became unbearable and she would return the favor in soothing him while having an attack or generally anxious.

If I were to get back to it and post it, though, I think the title would be changed to something related to Han’s Volcano song since I feel it would suit best.

Wanna join? Here’s the WIP Game!

[nerdynachodaze]

I got a headcannon. Merlin and Morganna secretly wed in like season 2, but at the end of the season 3 when Morganna left with that evil Blonde lady that was their unofficial "divorce" and Merin was left heartbroken but flashforward a year later in season 4 during Arthur and the knights quest to seal the veil, he (finally) seduces Merlin and their relationship starts out purely sexual but then they (obviously) fall in love.

Also, Morganna ain't completely over Merlin so her fury over her brother fucking her (kinda) ex-husband fuels her vendetta against him oooh

🤭 i love bisexual mess

[kats-chaotic-wonderland]

Hey I went ahead and put together the character blog for Merin Falls, I'll be direct posting as Amber from here on, but the links will be on all associated master posts and navigation.

Amber Haze

Follow that blog if you want the in character interaction part of Merin Falls. It's kinda a low energy arg/nosleep/creepypasta thing. I'll be adding art and other media for it as things progress.

Merin Falls Navigation Post

Horror Master Post

Master Post

[merinate]

do i look like a fucking taxi driver or smth🧍🏽🧍🏽🧍🏽

[cocktailsfairytales]

💚☠️ NEW RELEASE ☠️💚

Royce by M. Merin

Northern Grizzlies MC (Book 8)

💚☠️ Order Today ☠️💚

Available on Amazon & in #KindleUnlimited

Link: https://books2read.com/RoyceNGMC

🔥Blurb

Molly is new in Rowansville and trying to fulfill her dreams as she tries to find out more about her mother's past. She was told early on that 'the Northern Grizzlies own the town' - which she quickly learns when she crosses them.

Royce's troubles have long been of his own making, but when he falls, he falls hard. Hold on tight as Molly and Royce learn to make peace with their pasts and figure out what a perfect love would look like.

☠️ Check out the other books in the Northern Grizzlies MC Series ☠️

NGMC Series - https://books2read.com/rl/NorthernGrizzliesMC

. • ✰ 𝙎𝙏𝘼𝙔 𝘾𝙊𝙉𝙉𝙀𝘾𝙏𝙀𝘿 ✰ • .

✔️ M. Merin - https://bit.ly/3OC0kUX

✔️ Merin’s Website - https://www.mmerin.com/

#Royce #instalove #instagood #alphamale #alphabiker #steamyread #mcromance #romance #love #NorthernGrizzliesMC #oneclick #MMerin #amreading #readtoday #standalone #FreeOnKU #romanticsuspense #oneclick #instagood #bookworm #newrelease #booktok #bikerbooks #bookalert #amreading #bookstagram #bookish #bikerromance #newbookalert #KikiReaderPAServices @AuthorMMerin @kikireaderpaservices

[joyffree]

Royce (Northern Grizzlies MC) MC Romantic Suspense by M. Merin is Live

Molly is new in Rowansville and trying to fulfill her dreams as she tries to find out more about her mother's past. She was told early on that 'the Northern Grizzlies own the town' - which she quickly learns when she crosses them.

Royce's troubles have long been of his own making, but when he falls, he falls hard. Hold on tight as Molly and Royce learn to make peace with their pasts and figure out what a perfect love would look like.

[tansyuduri]

@shana-rosee sent the word Magic (So my rule is I have to go to the last section with it I did not share! But I'm breaking it so not TOO much of spoiler since I'm getting near a climax SOOOO (Also remember this is rough draft!)

“It's a good thing I drank it.” he thought giddily as his magic awareness tried to rip itself in five directions at once in time and space. He had to corral it with his own power so as not to go insane “I don’t think the others could handle this."

There! A griffen near a stream… oh! A woman in medieval clothing curing her neighbor. Magical creatures in some sort of pen, Then magical creatures in a basement or cave. His magical awareness jumped to his younger self trying to save a unicorn then to an ancient sorcer raising up some sort of monster. An elderly version of Bedi teaching a child magic…  Merlin was losing more and more control as the potion wore on. He had to do something. 

ENOUGH! He grabbed most of his magical awareness and muttered some words and tucking his awareness in a cocoon. Sheltering it from the visions that tried to assault the place of safety. 

Merlin huddled there assaulted as hours passed and slowly the visions began to fade. 

When he came to he was laying partly on the sofa of their suite and partly in someone's arms. Wrapped in blankets and panting. For a moment everything was blurry.. and then there were voices. He blinked and tried to clear his vision and his mind

“You’re our healer Elaine there has to be something…” Arthur’s voice “Its been hours”

“Hes done something with his magic to protect himself if I try anything it might mess that up!”

“Then we just have to wait here while he’s twitching like that, expirancing who knows what!?”

He heard an apologetic cooking squawk from the dragon and then its weight landing on him as it moved forward to breathe on him.

Merin's mind and vision cleared

“Remind me…” He croaked “Remind me never to do that again” His hand went up to stroke and reassure Euthymos now that he could see straight. He realized Arthur was holding him. Arthur looked down his face filled with relief and Elaine’s head moved into his vision.

“Please tell me you had no idea this would happen” Arthur’s voice was rough as he tried to control his tone. One hand stroked Merlins hair “And that there will be no more of this kind of thing for awhile. Because I swear Merlin if you knew this was coming and didn’t tell me…”

“I didn’t..!” Merlin insisted “Potion was wrong!”

“And that makes It better!? Honestly Merlin! Do an extra check.. Or or something!” Despite Arthur’s angry tone his hand kept running gently through the sorcerer's hair.

“Gonna close my eyes and pretend to fall asleep if you keep yelling at me” Merlin huffed.

“Oh well then” Arthur started  “you-” Elaine cut them off. “Enough! you both can argue after we know what happened!”

[sarahtheflutist]

JohanDeMeij.com | Music Profile

Symphony no. 1 The Lord of the Rings (Orchestral Version)

Composer: Johan de Meij

Johan de Meij’s first symphony “The Lord of the Rings” is based on the trilogy of that name by J.R.R. Tolkien. This book has fascinated many millions of readers since its publication in 1955. The symphony consists of five separate movements, each illustrating a personage or an important episode from the book.

The movements are:

I. GANDALF (The Wizard)

II. LOTHLORIEN (The Elvenwood)

III. GOLLUM (Sméagol)

IV. JOURNEY IN THE DARK

a. The Mines of Moria

b. The Bridge of Khazad-Dûm

V. HOBBITS

The symphony was written in the period between March 1984 and December 1987, and had its première in Brussels on 15th March 1988, performed by the “Groot Harmonieorkest van de Gidsen” under the baton of Norbert Nozy. In 1989, The Symphony The Lord of the Rings was awarded a first prize in the Sudler International Wind Band Composition Competition in Chicago, and a year later, the symphony was awarded a grant by the Dutch Composers Fund. In 2001, the orchestral version was premiered by the Rotterdam Philharmonic Orchestra and recorded by the London Symphony Orchestra.

Although it is not simple to summarize such an extensive and complex work, the main outline is als follows: the central theme is the Ring, made by primaeval forces that decide the safety or destruction of the World. For years it was the possesion of the creature Gollum, but when the Ring falls into the hands of the Hobbits the evil forces awake and the struggle for the Ring commences. There is but one solution to save the World from disaster: the Ring must be destroyed by the fire in which it was forged: Mount Doom in the heart of Mordor, the country of the evil Lord Sauron.

It is the Hobbit Frodo who is assigned to carry out this task, and to assist him a company, the Fellowship of the Ring, is formed under the leadership of Gandalf, the wizard, which includes the Hobbits Sam, Peregrin and Merin, the Dwarf Gimli, the Elf Legolas, Boromir and Aragorn, the later King. The Companions are secretly followed by Gollum, who does not shun any means, however perfidious, to recover his priceless Ring. However, the Companions soon fall apart, after many pernicious adventures and a surprising dénouement Frodo and Sam can at last return to their familiar home, The Shire.

Explanation of the five movements:

I. GANDALF (The Wizard)

The first movement is a musical portrait of the wizard Gandalf, one of the principal characters of the trilogy. His wise and noble personality is expressed by a stately motiff which is used in a different form in movements IV and V. The sudden opening of the Allegro vivace is indicative of the unpredictability of the grey wizard, followed by a wild ride on his beautiful horse “Shadowfax”.

II. LOTHLORIEN (The Elvenwood)

The second movement is an impression of Lothlórien, the elvenwood with its beautiful trees, plants, exotic birds, expressed through woodwind solo’s. The meeting of the Hobbit Frodo with the Lady Galadriel is embodied in a charming Allegretto; in the Mirror of Galadriel, a silver basin in the wood, Frodo glimpses three visions, the last of which, a large ominous Eye, greatly upsets him.

III. GOLLUM (Sméagol)

The third movement describes the monstrous creature Gollum, a slimy, shy being represented by the soprano saxophone. It mumbles and talks to itself, hisses and lisps, whines and snickers, is alternately pitiful and malicious, is continually fleeing and looking for his cherished treasure, the Ring.

IV. JOURNEY IN THE DARK

The fourth movement describes the laborious journey of the Fellowship of the Ring, headed by the wizard Gandalf, through the dark tunnels of the Mines of Moria. The slow walking cadenza and the fear are clearly audible in the monotonous rhythm of the low brass, piano and percussion. After a wild persuit by hostile creatures, the Orks, Gandalf is engaged in battle with a horrible monster, the Balrog, and crashes from the subterranean bridge of Khazad-Dûm in a fathomless abyss. To the melancholy tones of a Marcia funèbre, the bewildered Companions trudge on, looking for the only way out of the Mines, the East Gate of Moria.

V. HOBBITS

The fifth movement expresses the carefree and optimistic character of the Hobbits in a happy folk dance; the hymn that follows emanates the determination and noblesse of the hobbit folk. The symphony does not end on an exuberant note, but is concluded peacefully and resigned, in keeping with the symbolic mood of the last chapter “The Grey Havens” in which Frodo and Gandalf sail away in a white ship and disappear slowly beyond the horizon.

[inthepynck]

Elie Saab Wedding Dress Fall 2023

The wedding season is in full swing, and who better to show us some of the latest trends than fashion designer Elie Saab! In this video, we take a look at the wedding dress Elie Saab has in store for fall 2023.

[kingarthurdiesatcamlann]

Year 484.2: Ye Olde Saxon Meade Pong

Captured knights come together; the free ones fall apart.

Sir Angharad of Wylye

Sir John of Cholderton

Sir Angelo Alivero of Winterbourne Stoke

Sir Bucky Conklin of Burcombe

Sir Caradwen of Broughton

Sir Cerdic of Newton

In the camp of defeated Brits, spirits are low; Caradwen and Angharad make a new friend, attempt to join a daring (though insubordinate) rescue attempt, and are thwarted by Bucky Conklin. Meanwhile, in the Saxon camp, John brushes again and again with death while Cerdic and Angelo play dangerous party games. King Uther’s army rallies and ambushes the drunk Saxons to death; the squad scores a personal victory amidst the melee. Featuring loyalty, vengefulness, crushes, trophies, life debts, surprisingly minimal drunkenness, an astounding amount of good luck, and a Merlin ex machina.

Life Events:

Sir John nearly dies, but is saved via first aid applied by Sir Cerdic and Lady Lynelle’s chirurgery.

Sir Angharad bears a healthy baby boy; Sir John a sickly one.

Sir Cerdic’s wife Lady Elaine bears twins - a boy and a girl. Elaine herself dies in childbirth, and the boy follows soon after. The girl is healthy.

Sir Caradwen’s strange daughter Abhainn appears to be in good health. She learns the nature of the child’s sire.

Sir Primus’ son Primanus continues to be sickly; his illegitimate son Byron is now is good health.

Sir Moriad’s son Merin is in good health.

Sir Bucky Conklin is married to the heiress Lady Gwiona. Sir Caradwen holds on marriage another year.