#story: mulberry

[thatlenguy]

LADY!!! SIT ON THAT CHAIR PROPERLY YOU'RE GONNA HURT YOURSELF!!

id in alt, reblogs appreciated!! :]

[ohkaypoh]

She's fine! (She's not fine!)

Eddie my darling this double alternation mod is not improving your mental health

[Eddie Mulberry design by me]

[alittlemelody716]

Another Forever After: Story Of An Extra pt. 1

Thank you to my beta reader, @Blondie4404!

Ever After High

The school for the children of fairy tales, where the next generation pledges to follow the footsteps of their parents. However, not everyone wishes to follow their predetermined stories, wishing instead to write their own. Such wishes split the children of the fairytales into two main groups: the royals and the rebels. Those wanting their destinies became Royals and those who wanted to write their own, Rebels.

Meet Marinette Dupain-Cheng, the daughter of Claire, the baker’s daughter in the tale Beauty and the Beast. Her destiny is to learn how to use her creativity with the help from Belle once the tale restarts. A small destiny, one that is only fulfilled after the main story has ended.

Next to her is Marc Anciel, the child of the Librarian in Beauty and the Beast. Due to this, they are incredibly intelligent and skilled in writing, depicting beautiful stories with their words. Despite not having a large role, they are still required to attend Ever After High.

Marinette and Marc are side characters, they do no more than speak a couple lines and are easily forgettable. It’s why in the conflict between Royals and Rebels, in the neutral party known as Roybels. It’s a fitting title, a faction that was created after the enrollment of Poppy O’Hair the previous year.

----

Marinette opened the door to her dorm room to see the room split in half. One side was painted white with pink polka dots and flowers, while the other side was crimson red with moon decals as well as fencing equipment on the walls.

“Marinette, nice to see you again” greeted Kagami.

Kagami Tsurugi is the daughter of Princess Kaguya.  Like the other Rebels, Kagami isn’t content with her story. She wants to fight and grow stronger, not remain as a princess who will return to the moon and never see her friends again.

“It’s great to see you again Kagami,” Marinette smiled, “It’s already Legacy Year, it’s a little nerve-wracking.”

“Agreed, I had always hoped this day would never come, but it seems it’s unavoidable.”

Giving Kagami a sad smile, Marinette grabbed the luggage she brought and placing them on the floor. Kagami had already finished setting up her side of the room, so she went to help Marinette set up her side of the room.

“We have rehearsals tomorrow after classes, do you think you’re ready?” Marinette asked while throwing pillows on her bed.

“Even if it’s only practice, I wouldn’t wish to go through it. My mother will be furious with me, but I want to pursue fencing. Being a quiet princess doesn’t suit me” Kagami laments.

“I suppose it doesn’t,” Marinette laughed, “who knows, maybe the book will make an exception and you’ll be the first ever sword-wielding Princess Kaguya”

“Wouldn’t that be nice” Kagami smiled.

The two continued to talk as they finished setting up their dorms before heading out for dinner in the castleteria.

“Marinette! Kagami! Over here!” A voice called.

It was Rose Lavillant, a garden fairy from Pixie Hollow. She’s at Ever After High to learn the best way to be a garden fairy and wants to help change the seasons when she grows up. Currently, Rose is using a spell to change her physical size to fit in with the other students.

Next to her was Luka and Juleka Couffaine, the children of a pirate from Captain Hook’s crew. Luka’s a senior and had already signed the Storybook of Legends. Juleka never really cared much about the Royal and Rebel debate, since Luka would take after their father, and she was free to choose her own destiny. The worst she could become was a lackey, which was better than Captain Hook or any other villain.

Kagami and Marinette made their way over at Rose’s call, joining the table and spotting Marc who they called over. Dinner was relatively peaceful, chatting about their summers and which classes they had, until they heard a voice from the next table over.

“It’s not fair! Because of her I may never get my happily ever after! I can’t believe she would do this, she’s just jealous I get to marry the prince and become queen in our tale!”

It was Lila Rossi, daughter of Snow White from Snow White and Rose Red. Almost the exact opposite of the original Snow White (who was shy and enjoyed being inside and doing housework or reading), Lila was bold and hated doing chores around the house. Even so, she truly believed in following destinies and tended to look down on the ones who didn’t share the same opinion.

Marc groaned and Kagami rolled her eyes.  Juleka let out an exasperated sigh while Marinette and Luka shared a tired look. Rose looked extremely concerned and quickly left the table to comfort Lila.

“I know Rose is just being nice, but do you think she might be too trusting?” Marc asked.

“It’s in her nature as a fairy to trust people. No pun intended,” Marinette replied, “Besides it’s not like there is anything wrong with wanting to follow your destiny. It’s just… Lila’s reasoning is a bit…”

The next Rose Red, Elisa, was a rebel. At the end of their story, Rose Red marries the brother of the Bear Prince and becomes a Duchess, which would tie her down and force them to have to follow the harsh rules of society. She wouldn’t be able to play outside and spend her days in the woods. Unlike the bigger named legacies, high society wouldn’t forgive a character from a smaller tale for preferring to be out in the woods instead of following their ideas of a perfect lady. She may be allowed to now as she has the status of a princess, but once her tale ends, that privilege would no longer be there.

Lila didn’t care. She always bragged about being the next Snow White, being a princess, and how she’s related to the other, more famous Snow White and Apple White through her father. No one really knew if it was true or not, they couldn't ask Apple White about such a thing. Her destiny is everything to her and she doesn’t care about her cousin, the future Rose Red.

“I find that it’s easier to ignore it. I’d rather not have to fight my friends on the topic of following destinies. It may be easy for us since our roles are so small, but for those like Kagami, it’s a big decision” Luka stated.

“Enough dwelling on that, it’s a new chapter. No need to think about this kind of thing on our first day” Juleka interrupted.

“True, hopefully nothing serious happens at the Legacy Day rehearsals tomorrow. I fear one mishap will cause half the student body to flip their crowns” Marinette sighed, resting her chin on her hand.

They all returned to their meals, dropping the conversation on destiny and the royal vs rebel conflict. Afterwards, Marinette returned to her dorm with Kagami with a bad feeling about the next day.

“Oh Hat-tastic! Another one! Hi new narrator! Have you met Brooke yet?”

Maddie! Wait, don’t break the fourth wall!

Next

Tag List:

@the-witches-you-couldnt-burn

@folk-ever-lore

@nightlychaotic

@shamrockace

[tombofblades]

some mulberry lore and au prompts

[tiny-breadcrumbs]

Mulberry Song, A Short Story With Many Feelings

Reading Mulberry Song is like sitting in a car with no seatbelt on when the driver pull a sudden brake. Like yeahhh An Zi Wu is a piece of garbage for using her like that! Booo why don't you die in the war?! Then bam...the feeling got complicated and you cry when he actually die. Whatever shit happening between these two, it is so bittersweet and drenched in guilt.

In this life, Sang Ge being able to gain this moment of hesitation from An Zi Wu in exchange... Is enough.

You see, painful. Just painful. I think she love him. Maybe not a fully full blown passion, but something gentler, she is proud of him and there is fondness in there. Pity, he realize his own too late.

I saw some review here and there that say Sang Ge should hate this husband of her. That the story glorifies a woman's sacrifice and loyalty towards a man who did her dirty. In my point of view, this is just a story about war, sacrifice and guilt. It is very humane in some way. Human heart never works in a black or white, it has more shade than just that. To said it glorify would belittle the sacrifice she makes based on her choice, even as a character.

For all the trainwreck that happened, An Zi Wu can be seen as a righterous man. The rebellion he raised was against a tyranical reign, and for the people he fight, not for his own shady ambition. The scene at the top of the fortress is the final nail in the coffin. You can see she is not that bitter, she understand what the cost of that war, she understand perfectly her life is the last thing that stood in his way. Sang Ge at most is quite detached, but her act of sacrifice, I don't think she have resentment in her heart. And the marquis, he may plan the act long ago, but perhaps it never occur to him that he will grow fond of this wife he set up as a sacrificial lamb. It is truly too late to show his fear for her at that fortress. The classic of you never know what you have until it's gone.

From then on, we watch him drowning in guilt. Maybe he saw her eyes at that time, maybe he saw the smile and the way she always willing to die for him to help him achieve his dream. This new emperor naming his reigning era in the combination of his tittle and her name. Give her a lavish burial excedeed one for an empress. Never take another wife nor concubine. He chase her shadow everywhere because it is too late when the last time he chase her as a person. What a foolish man.

"Sang Ge being your wife in this lifetime, towards me, be it real affection, be it insincere feelings, I am still your wife. Should there be a day, you leave. I will definitely wait for you."

His eyelids hangs low, sinking into silence for a long time. "Wait for me then"

Bet he didn't know this simple promise last longer than just one war. Last longer than just one life.

Serve him right actually. An Zi Wu should learn his lesson about cherishing someone at your side before they gone in the hardest way possible. Must be painful. Quite poetic when she is the one who promised to stay at his side even in death, in the end, he is also the one who can't let her go. She is the only person he want at his side. They both have sad fate. Both deserve a meme of life is suck.

"But where is the path to retreat? The war already started, striving forth, still contains a glimmer of hope, and should I give up, not even a glimmer of hope will be left." His voice if very tightly stretched, carrying hoarseness like sorrow, like pain. "Sang Ge, yet you were too stubborn to even give me the chance to save you."

Perhaps it was for a better that Sang Ge lingering around, following him everywhere, and witnessing his misery. To see what he actually think of her and how her death bring him so much guilt it consume him thoroughly. She finally can see how he murmurs her name in his sickbed. How he begged her to take him away.

When he realise she always waiting, all that left only for him to return to her. And precisely that he will gladly do. I believe he end his life that night.

Finally returning to her side.

[elliesmainhoe]

Ellie Williams Headcanons : RichOlderWoman!Ellie

I got this as an ask but Tumblr ate it 😱 so here you go anon.

Okay Okay. So, first things first, from day one Ellie was always adamant when saying that you were NEVER her sugar baby.

you were just her controversially young girlfriend who she liked to spoil and have perched on her lap during boring business meetings.

speaking of SPOLING-

she regularly takes you on trips to expensive high end malls which exclusively house designer brands and WILL buy you anything you look at as long as you hold her hand while you both walk around.

but CEO Ellie Williams is a busy woman, and doesn't always have a long enough interval between meetings to keep you company.

in those cases she simply kisses you cheek and forehead before handing you a small black card and saying "give me a show of everything you buy when I get home, hm?"

arthritis may be fast approaching but those hips do not slow

(jk she's only in her late thirties, and you know for a fact the extent of working out she does keeps her joints in check)

in fact she gives the best strap game. the experience and the variety of expensive toys and the regular gym routine = 🤩

always her arm candy

every once in a while after lovingly gazing at you for a little too long, looking at your soft supple thighs, pink lipstick coated lips and shiny hair cascading beautifully from your head. she feels insecure?

it's an odd feeling.

an unfamiliar feeling.

but Ellie is mature, it's one thing you admire about herand she knows that a problem won't be resolved unless she talks to you.

so she does, and as soon as the voices of concern fall from her lips, you soon put those thoughts to rest <333

she does the same to you!!

it was a normal day, you woke up to a cup of coffee on your bed side, a small pastry from your favorite bakery, a credit card and a note which read:

"Good Morning my love, I completely forgot about the early morning meeting I had today. I got you some pastries as an apology, I'm sorry we can't go shopping today like we planned, but here's my card and the driver can take you to the mall.

Love you pretty girl, Ellie x"

•••••••

it was a while later when Joel, your driver, pulled up outside the office building, you thanked him swiftly and walked quickly towards the automatic doors of 'Williams Enterprises Headquarters', expensive jimmy choo heels clicking against the concrete entrance. The security guard, Bob, nodded his head in greeting and you returned the gesture with a smile.

The receptionist was... different. the usual blonde haired girl was replaced by a middle aged woman with greying hair, deep set wrinkles imbedded in pale skin. "Hi what can I do for you today?" a high squeaky voice came from her mouth. a tone of voice you knew from years of retail work and customer service, you winced instinctively.

"Hi, I'm here to see Miss Williams." you reply, fingers tightening on the strap of the mulberry purse Ellie had gifted you for your 2nd anniversary a few months passed.

"hmmm. I don't see you on the schedule, do you have an appointment?" she smiled, the fakeness clear and tone of voice irritated.

"oh, uhm no. I'm her girlfriend" silence. the fake smile plastered on the woman's face falling, as she looked over behind her to a colleague who nodded in confirmation of the story you had given her.

"sorry if this is intrusive kid, but aren't you a little young." she spoke, and chewed a piece of him you hadn't noticed before rather obnoxiously. "I mean I can tell you're..." her eyes scanned your frame "reaping the benefits."

"I mean, god I can't blame you" she continued " if I had the looks and youth I once did I would happily suck off anyone for chanel. Now tell me doll, how much surgery has Mrs. Williams paid for you to have done, surely those tits aren't real?"

you quickly brushed past her, ignoring the intrusive questions and stepped into the elevator, pressing the floor Ellie's office resided on.

the site of you immediately brought a smile onto your girlfriend's previously pinched and visibly frustrated face. "Hi pretty girl,", she pushed out her chair from behind her desk, patting her thigh for you to sit on. "Hi Els." the frown you couldn't quite erase from your features furrowed your brows in a way Ellie couldn't ignore.

"What happened baby? you upset with me for leaving earlier?" she asked softly, adjusting you on her lap and kissing your temple. "nah it's not that- I just-" your hands instinctively began playing with Ellie's fingers, twisting the ring on her index finger slowly. "the new lady, in reception. she said something-" you sighed. "and I just can't shake it."

"do you think that, I'm a burden? that the fact I'm so young means I'm leeching off you? I don't want to do that Ells. I like dresses and bags and makeup and you give that to me because you can, but I just- if you ever don't want to buy me stuff, please tell me Ells, I don't want to take and take and take when you don't want me to."

a soft chuckle shook Ellie's chest "pretty girl, look at me. The reason I work is to spoil you, the reason I go to these bullshit meetings with these stuckup assholes is to give you and me a life where money is no object. I love you sweet girl" she kissed your plush lips, the tension seemingly draining out of your body at the touch.

"now, which receptionist said that?"

•••••••••

A/N: cute little hc and drabble to get me back into the swing of things.

[swordsmans]

woah!!! another!! here are some glamor shots of two gift copies completed and ready to be mailed >;3c theyre a bit wonky in some places because im still learning (and there was supposed to be a third copy in this set that died tragically to a structural failure) BUT overall im very happy with how these came out.

the left book is a special bind for @faggotzoro as thanks for writing fanfic of my story, with his fic bound in the back!!!! it has a blue dragon skin marble cover with a silver hand-foiled title, a black cloth/silver hand-foiled spine, black endbands, blue/blue endsheets, a silver katana bookmark made from black woven trim, and hand-sanded, black speckled edges!

the right book is a special bind for @fluffyartbl0g as thanks for their fanart!!! they also asked for feed your plants a little sunlight to be bound in the back... ALONG WITH AN AMAZING UPDATED VERSION OF THE COMIC THAT INSPIRED IT!!!! AAAAA!!!

this bind has a red/gold lokta cover with a rectangular square cut-out in the board and layered white/gold lokta + cardstock over the opening to create a 3-D effect! the endsheets are metallic gold mulberry paper and the bookmark is a white silk ribbon with a 24k gold clasp and a gold painted katana charm. the titles on both the cover and spine were hand-foiled and then painted with gel ink, and the edges were hand-sanded and then speckled with red. oh! and it has white endbands.

the third copy that i ultimately scrapped (literally during the case-in step!! it was almost done!! RIP to those materials...) had thin endsheets that led to a structural failure. to try and prevent that, these books have sewn-in flexible made endpapers to... i'd say 80% success?

overall, im learning a lot--my textblock edges have significantly improved and my cuts are much cleaner. board measurement, however, continues to be the biggest challenge--and i might try a thinner ink for edge-painting. i also think im going to experiment with other titling methods, because hand foiling takes about 2+ hours per title (so with two titles per book, each book takes 4-6 hours depending on how often i have to take breaks, the size of the title, and whether its on the fabric or paper).

i have some ideas for my next two gift copies (which are already sewn... ive been busy), so im hoping the process will go even smoother. in other news, ive started the typeset for ocean theology. taking my current pace into account, i'm hoping to open shop around january 25th.

[mermazing-art]

The real name of the Furious Five 

After the Kung Fu Panda 4 movie I started thinking about what Zhen's first conversations with the Furious Five would be like. I imagined her nervous about making a good impression but fitting quite well with her group dynamic given her mischievous attitude and enjoying their adventures with her, establishing a relationship of trust. Which led me to a thought "Would she, wanting to know them more, ask them what their real names are?"

This theory has been circulating in the fandom for years since it is said that their names actually refer to their fighting styles or their species (as well as Master Ox, Crocodile or Rhino) since those who retain their own name within this discipline are those who have a superior role such as Oogway, Shifu or Po and those who do not have a title such as Zhen or Tai Lung.

Well, I decided to look for a suitable name for each one, one that fit their physique or personality, that was easy to remember and that would distinguish one another, let's go!

Mantis: Xun Yu ( fast jade )

With Mantis I was clear that I didn't want to look for anything that had to do with his size but I did want to highlight his most powerful abilities such as his speed.  That's where his first name, Xun, comes from.  His middle name, Yu (Jade), is because of his green color although this can also mean ''insect'' depending on the kanji with which it is written.  My idea is that Mantis calls himself ''the green lightning'' referring to his real name.

Crane: Zimo ( refined ink )

At first I wanted his name to be related to the sky or the air due to his avian species or his techniques, but it made me think that one of the things that catches my attention about this character is his interest in Chinese calligraphy.  Therefore, I decided to name him Zimo (ink or writing) to reflect his beloved hobby in his name.

Monkey: Wong Sang ( yellow mulberry )

For Monkey, I researched his voice actor, the one and only Jackie Chan, born Chan Kong-Sang. I wanted to take it as a reference by changing the name Kong since it is the name of the Monkey's brother to Wong (yellow), relating it to the color of his fur. I wanted to make a reference to his comic side but I couldn't find a suitable name for the guidelines I had assigned to it.

Viper: Jia Ling ( beautiful tinkle )

As with Monkey, I researched on her voice actress, Lucy Liu, whose full name is Lucy Alexis Liu Yu Ling. I wanted to reflect her charming and sweet personality, so I took the name Ling (tinkerbell) as a reference of the hiss' snake she produces, as well as her happy attitude.  But her first name would be Jia to emphasize the beauty of this character.

Tigress: Xia ( sunrise )

For her, I thought I would delve deeper into her story and her development as a character in order to give her the appropriate name.  This is her story:

When Tigress lived in the orphanage, she received the name Xian ("who lives in seclusion") from the other children perpetuating their contempt and fear of her. When Shifu finally decided to adopt her, after He heard that name many times, almost always accompanied by the word "monster", he asked her what new name she would like. She simply accepted Tigress because she didn't believe she could deserve a name. Shifu pondered and decided to call him Xia. Tigress at first didn't like this idea because it sounded similar to the previous one, but Shifu explained his choice to her. Both names, although similar, did not have the same meaning because now she would no longer be in the darkness, secluded and alone, but rather she had the opportunity for a new life, a path marked by the light that emanated from her, a new sunrise.

So yes, Zhen would ask the furious five their names, giving the situation that Po would find out right then and there about this. Everyone except Tigress would answer this question since for her it is still a very personal matter related to her past and Shifu and she still doesn't feel comfortable sharing it with everyone. Could Tigress talk to a certain panda about this?

[thatlenguy]

happy lesbians week!! I have finally figured out how to draw a kiss.

(these are my ocs, id in alt, reblogs appreciated!)

[storiesbyrhi]

Witch!Reader x Bat/Vampire!Eddie Munson Series Masterlist The Grimoire The Timeline

Warnings: canon typical violence, horror genre typical violence/some infrequent gore, swearing, animal death, no beta, death in childbirth (mentioned, not described), abusive parents, suicide, spiders/bugs, grief/mourning; light smut; warnings updated each chapter.

Synopsis: No witch has stepped foot in Hawkins since 1845, but when Vecna opens the ground and poisons the town, a voice begins to call to you. Have you been brought back to this cursed place to heal the townspeople’s wounds, to save a hexed bat that always finds its way to you, or to redefine your history with a reunion 150 years in the making?

Chapter Summary: In coven we trust. 3390 words.

1986

Seven years of cheated death,

Felt deep pain but kept his breath.

These plants I crush and bend to will,

Impart my magic,

Let me heal to kill.

Remembering Henry Creel was bittersweet. There was the craft. There was Eddie, spitting out, “There is nothing you can offer that sees you survive me,” to a dying Vecna. There was victory. But there was Steve Harrington’s ghost. The broken bones and bodies of children. There was death, so much death, in Hawkins.

“A witch, all of the witches, could never have killed that monster,” you said. “He was undead. Beyond the science and magic of this world. He would have killed everyone in that town, then the country, then the world. He would have won.”

Gillian narrowed her eyes, her hands not moving off your shoulders. “And so, you theorised a vampire could kill him? And just so happened to find the right bat and unhexed it just in time?”

Retelling history differently made you like them, you decided. Gillian’s recount wasn’t how the timeline unraveled, and though it painted you in a much better light than the truth, the truth is all you had.

You pushed your aunt off you, took a shaky breath in, and retrieved your chair. Sitting back down, you put your palms flat on the wooden table top.

“I heard a voice call to me. The voice of fate,” you began.

As you spoke, you realised the truth punished them more than the lie would have. No, you weren’t a whip-smart witch more powerful than all the others. You were a lost little sheep, lied to by your family, used by fate, but given comfort in the one way the coven couldn’t comprehend.

You told them the story, entirely, truthfully.

“And now I am here. I don’t know what I want from it. From either of you. I really don’t. But you need to give Kelsey her memories back. And you have to reconcile the idea of a good vampire,” you finished, exhausted.

“She’s right,” Sally said to her sister. “About Kelsey,”

“I’m right about both,” you correct.

“I feel that the right decision was made that night,” Gillian started. “But it was come to in the wrong way. We should have spoken to The Witches Who Came Before. We should not have become a three-headed dictator… The secrecy ends now; we take it to the coven.”

You and your mother were stunned into silence. Involving the entire coven was destroying any notion of a peaceful resolution. You began to list the possible outcomes in your head. Someone being excommunicated. Eddie being hunted. A coven in ruins. But Gillian was right. There was no way forward but the truth.

“Kelsey comes first…” You stood. “I’ll go to her now. I need to see her. I’ll bring her up later.”

Without a word of goodbye or softness of smile, you left Sally and Gillian in their kitchen, your mulberry tea going cold in the fine bone china teacup.

On the walk back down to Kelsey’s cabin, your jaw was clenched so tightly it ached. You were willing yourself not to cry, but as soon as you snuck through the back door and into the cozy warmth of the cabin, you fell to the floor.

Eddie scurried out of the coat pocket and flapped his wings, begging to be returned to his normal state. You said the spell with your final piece of coherence. In a second, he was pulling you into his lap and holding you as you sobbed.

Kelsey heard all of this from the next room over, unsure of what she would find when she opened the door. She could tell you weren’t alone. The bat man. But she hadn’t worked out what exactly the bat man was. Whatever it was, he was good at soothing you.

Within minutes, he’d comforted you to a calm and Kelsey knocked on the door once before entering.

You and Eddie looked up at her.

“Oh,” was all she said at first. A couple beats of silence. Then, “This man is naked.”

You laughed, looked at Eddie. He seemed unconcerned. You were sitting in his lap, providing the most basic kind of coverage.

“His clothes are in my car,” you told Kels, wiping your tears away.

“That makes sense. I already brought your stuff in. I wondered what was going on there. Thought maybe you’d killed a hitchhiker for his boring clothes or something,” she replied, words yelled from the next room over, as she collected Eddie’s clothes from where she’d put them.

The clothes replaced you on Eddie’s lap, and you left to join Kelsey in the living room. You sat side by side on the sofa, holding hands. Resting your head on her shoulder you held back more tears.

Eddie emerged, taking a tentative seat on an armchair across from you.

“So… Where are your manners?” Kelsey asked you, nodding over to Eddie.

“I believe we have met before,” Eddie answered for you. “Fern,”

“Well fuck. It’s Kelsey now… I knew I was missing something…”

You sat up and looked at her. “It’s my fault. My mother… and Gillian and Penelope. They took our memories because of what I did. And I don’t know how to even begin to make that up to you,”

“What did you do?”

“Me,” Eddie quickly replied.

Kelsey laughed. Then abruptly stopped. She looked at his dark eyes and creamy skin and smooth movement. “Well fuck!”

Before she could scream or attack, you stood up, placing yourself between them. “He’s good! He’s not like the others! He’s-”

“Woah, calm down! Obviously… It’s not as though you’re stupid enough to resurrect a vampire for no reason. And the reason is obviously… at least, partly… that he’s not… not a monster.”

You pulled her into an aggressively tight hug, while Eddie tried to process the fact that there were now two witches who did not see him as a monster.

“I love you,” you told her.

“I love you too,”

“You gotta go get your memories back now. They’re waiting.”

You watched Kelsey go before turning back to Eddie. He was sitting casually, one leg crossed over the other at the ankle. Being free and clear with him felt so close.

“Come,” he ordered.

Immediately, you folded yourself onto his lap, letting him hold you again.

“They won’t ever admit it. They know, they fucking know what they did to me, but they won’t ever say sorry for it. They’re gonna live like that forever. Up there. Alone and all fucked up over it,”

“Let them,”

“How am I meant to live like this though? This is meant to be my home too. I’m as much a part of this coven as them. But I feel like I don’t belong here anymore,”

“I think Kelsey would disagree. And if she does, others will too. Perhaps the others learning the truth will be a good thing.”

Eddie had one armed around you, keeping you close, while he used his free hand to bring your fingertips to his mouth for small fairy-light kisses. You closed your eyes.

“I want to think about something else. Even for a minute.”

Eddie hummed, thinking of another topic. “After watching Hawkins develop, and seeing the cities, I had expected your coven to be enjoying an urbanite lifestyle… Microwaving potions and subway rat familiars…”

You smiled. “Yeah, well… I don’t know. We had spent all our lives so singularly focused on vampires, that when the war was over and we left Hawkins behind… I think we got a little lost. Everyone tried to carry on as normal but that didn’t last long… It felt like we all began to heal a little better when we came up here. Not all of us did though. Some of the coven live closer to New York. I guess we’re still trying to work out exactly what it means to be a witch without a cause in a modern world that doesn’t need us like it did.”

Eddie nodded, understanding the feeling of being a living anachronism. Still, he hadn’t provided an adequate distraction.

“I don’t think I am the only non-witch here,” he offered.

You sat up to look at him properly. “What do you mean?”

“I can hear the heartbeats. Dozens of witches. Countless birds and snakes. Chipmunks. The deer and cats and bears. The odd… What did you call them? Bigfeet?”

Laughing, you shook your head. “Bigfoot. Wait. Actually. I don’t know the plural of Bigfoot. Or the collective noun,”

“Well, there’s at least three around. But beneath all that, there’s something else. It’s faint. But it’s there. And I can smell something. I don’t think they’re the same creature.”

You considered this information. “There’s bound to be other magical beings here,”

“Yes. But they are close. Too close to not be within the walls of your coven,”

“Great. Just when I thought we had solved all our mysteries,”

“If one of your sisters is harbouring an outlaw monster or lost other-worldly entity, who are we to interrupt?” Eddie whispered conspiratorially.

“Maybe I should start a support group for witches who fall in love with non-witch non-human creatures.”

Eddie laughed. “You should. I think you’d find you have many allies.”

…

Kelsey quietly came through the back door of her cabin. She found Eddie in the same armchair she’d left him in, you asleep in his lap. She flopped onto the sofa and stared into the flames of her fireplace.

Eddie could tell she had been crying, her mascara messy and her nose red. She wore sadness the same way you did.

“I’m sorry,” he told her.

Kels shook her head. “This is on them,” she whispered back. “And they still think they did the right thing,”

“Perhaps they did by the coven.”

Kelsey frowned at looked at Eddie. “Witches have made a lot of hard decisions. We preserve as much life and good as we can. And… yeah, we have bargained with lives before… But it’s always been the last resort. We have always weighed up the value and consequences of all routes forward. We aren’t rash. Or a dictatorship. And we have never and will never have the luxury of small and singlemindedness…”

Eddie loved her. It was like meeting your twin, and though Kelsey seemed slightly more put together than you, a little less unhinged, he guessed her madness manifested differently.

“The betrayal isn’t what they did. It’s that they did it alone and with their self-appointed authority,” Eddie concluded.

Kels nodded, studying Eddie carefully. “Why do you think you’re like this?”

He looked away from her to you. He smiled sadly. “I don’t know. Making a vampire is less of a science more of a… crime against nature… But, from what I have seen, it is all meant to happen quickly. Someone tried to save me. It didn’t work. I died and I came back. But… not all of me died. And not all of me came back.”

Kelsey thought about it. “So, you’re a bit of a freak of nature,”

“I suppose, yes,”

“It sounds… lonely,”

“It was,” Eddie agreed.

“Until you met this little freak of nature,” she replied, pointing to you.

Eddie chuckled. “Yes. Fate was kind to me that day,”

“Ah, yes, our mutineer fate. She’s off the rails…”

They sat for a moment, in the quiet Catskills, watching the fireplace snap, crackle, and pop.

“There’s going to be a meeting tomorrow morning. I’ll wake you up then,” Kelsey announced, standing up and stretching, ready to go to bed.

“I’ll already be awake,”

“Oh. Right. You can’t sleep,”

“Not like this. That’s one of the bat spell perks,” Eddie told her.

“You don’t want to change then? I can set up a little bed for you guys,”

“No. I’ll hold her. Let her sleep.” The love felt like a presence in the room. It had in 1836 and it still did

…

“In 1836, Penelope, Sally, and I made a decision on behalf of the coven. Today, you are to learn of this decision, and the circumstances surrounding it,” Gillian announced to the coven, who had gathered at sunrise in the hall used for meetings and parties. The floorboards were speckled with glitter that could never be fully cleaned off. Not even with magic.

“That year, I… grew to know… a being that was unlike any other. He was a vampire-” No cliché gasps, just dozens of eyes set firm on you, waiting for the punchline. “And for reasons neither of us could explain, he wasn’t like the others. It was as if his soul was left intact. He wasn’t a mindless killing machine. He wasn’t a monster. He was an outcast in his colony. We became friends. Then became more. I didn’t tell anyone.”

There was whispering, but no raging chaos. Not yet.

“Sally and Gillian had found him. Taken him to Penelope. I couldn’t let it happen. Penelope hadn’t found a way to kill them yet. I knew what she was doing to them. But he wasn’t like them. And I couldn’t let it happen. I begged for his life. I begged them to let him go. To kill us both, if they were to kill him. Anything. Anything that kept me with him.”

It was your job to tell the story, but at your hesitation, your moment of being lost in the memory, your mother stepped in.

“If we could have killed him, we would have. Instead, we hexed him with a transformation spell. He was to spend all eternity as a beast, his memories gone. We knew if it was left at that, it was likely she would find him and restore him. For the safety of the coven, we took her memories. And Kelsey’s, as she was a witness to this night.”

Finding your voice again, you looked at the faces of your sisters. “Nothing has felt right since then. I’ve been… missing something. Directionless. Until I returned to the flatlands.”

The coven braced themselves, some already predicting how the story would end.

“Fate called me there and pushed me into place. I found him. The beast - a bat. I restored him to his true form. Together, we killed Henry Creel. But without him, I couldn’t have. None of us could have. It was only ever going to be at the hands of another undead creature. After that, we worked on our memories. We got them back. I remember everything.”

A silence fell over the hall, everyone deep in thought.

“We concede that we should have consulted the coven before taking such drastic action. We should have consulted The Witches Who Came Before. However, we did what was right for the coven as a whole. There is no such thing as a good vampire,” Gillian stated.

They all looked to you for a response. “There is. As there are dark witches. Creatures we haven’t met. And other dimensions we do not know about. I don’t know what I wanted, coming back here, and doing all of this. If I have to stand here and ask for it though… I guess, just assurance that if I leave, nobody will come after us. That he is left alone.”

From your coat pocket, Eddie shifted, a small reminder that he was with you.

“And for our part, we ask the coven to come to a decision. We will no longer act outside the bounds of the group,” Gillian added. 

Slowly, murmurs to the person next to them turned to conversations between smaller, then larger groups. The coven was in talks as the sun filtered through the stained-glass windows, rainbow shapes covering the walls.

Kelsey came to you, held your hand, and nodded. “Whatever happens, I'm on your side.”

After ten minutes or so, one of the older witches in the coven, Anna, watercolor artist by day and tree climber by night, asked across the hall, “May we have question time?”

The questions came hard and fast, in both directions. You had answers for the ones posed to you; you were willing to admit when you were wrong, naive, or put the coven in danger. Sally and Gillian couldn’t fully explain their actions, unwilling to move from their position and unwilling to state their ego got in the way of justice.

The final question was asked by Myra. Myra worked as an accountant. By choice. She liked numbers and was good at helping people budget. She was one of the most human of the witches in the coven.

She turned to you, sweet-faced and unassuming. “Do you want to stay here? Is there space within a coven for this discord?”

Before you could answer, Ev stepped forward. Ev had been working as an autopsy technician since spending the early 1740s in Italy, befriending childhood sweethearts Anna Morandi and Giovanni Manzolini. “I value loyalty and love above all else,” they said. Ev looked directly at you. “I will follow you wherever you go.”

Meg, who you were pretty sure was responsible for the North Americans learning about cinnamon rolls from the Swedish, stepped up next. “It’s simple… We’re meant to be a family. You can’t just make decisions for all of us, without all of us being involved,” she said to Sally and Gillian. “But you, this doesn’t mean I agree with being put in danger. I just don’t think having your memories toyed with was the right thing to do.”

You nodded, understanding. Meg baked fluffy cinnamon rolls bigger than your head; it was silly and selfish, but you felt immense joy at the prospect of having those in your life again.

Like Myra and Ev, Hailey had a mortal day job. She worked from the Catskills restoring and binding antique books. Sometimes, if you looked hard enough, you could see the characters that were awfully Hailey-shaped in some of the stories. She used to have a habit of inserting herself into the lives of prolific writers. Byron never stood a chance.

“Meg’s right. As a coven, we should be consulting everyone. It’s not a dictatorship, especially when there’s wrongdoing occurring. That isn’t a decision for just a select few; that is a decision for all the coven,” Hailey argued.

“And isn’t our loyalty to each other? Tradition is sacred, but in time those can change. It’s each other, all of us, that get us through. Loyalty to a friend before loyalty to an institution,” Ash said, adding to the growing chorus. Ash had always been good at making an argument. She was in the midst of trying to convince Meg to open a bakery with her. Those cinnamon rolls would look great next to my lemon lavender cupcakes.

Melissa had been standing to the side of the group. The thing about Mel was her gifts doubled as her curse. She could be in a room of people, in a crowd united with single focus, and still feel and be separate from everyone else. It’s why she was an inspired music journalist; she saw more than the band on stage, but the living creature of the venue. She saw the bigger picture of not just the songs but the fans and the cultural impacts. Mel was talented, but often alone on her laptop in the dead of night.

You watched her stand up straight from the wall she’d been leaning against. She looked at you and raised her hand. The coven hushed, surprised by her request for attention.

“No one deserves to have memories of love taken away…” The sentiment echoed what the others had been saying. Yet, from Mel, it seemed to hold a sad weight. “Sometimes memories are all we have.”

Every witch in the coven pictured then, those they had loved and lost. Or worse – those they hadn’t even had the chance to properly love at all.

You smiled at Mel, but she broke eye contact and went back to where she was before, ever the wallflower.

Maybe there hadn’t been a need for all your worrying and all your fear. Maybe your sisters were more ready for change than you had given them credit for. Just as you were trying to imagine what a coven different to this one could look like, the voice of dissent sounded.

End note: Thank you to the following witches for the inspiration: @vintagehellfire @courtingchaos @pastel-pillows @ghost-proofbaby @kookygranger @toomanyacorns - you will all continue to be a part of this story.

Fic Taglist:  @paranoidmunson  @idkidknemore @paprikaquinn @stardustworlds @loz-brooke @wyverntatty @vintagehellfire @dark-academia-slut @scarletwitchwhore @becks1002 @mrsdollardog @heyndrix @luceneraium @rosaline-black @devilinthepalemoonlite @goldencherriess @iamwhisperingstars @wiltedwonderland @blueywrites @breezybeesposts @jadehowlettthewolf @spikesvamp79 @foreveranexpatsposts @tortoiseshellspells @wingedpeachjudgegiant @stardustmunson @live-love-be-unique @fangirling-4-ever @reanimated-alice @b-irock @gh0stlybunnie @myown-worstenemy-2003 @woozzz @cyberxlust @hiscrimsonangel @buckysbarne @m00nlight101 @word-wytch @spicysix @briasnow-blog @goth-cowgirl-03

All Eddie Taglist: @solomons-finest-rum @ruinedbythehobbit @sweetpeapod @thorfemmes  @corrodedhawkins @grungegrrrl @lilzabob  @averagemisfit03 @ches-86 @ilovecupcakesandtea @onehotgreasymechanic @hazydespair @mel-the-fangirl @eddies-hid3out @siren-lungs @aheadfullofsteverogers @hiscrimsonangel @dashingdeb16

[mochalate]

Porco Galliard grows up in the Warrior programme; where they teach him how to run, how to fight, and how to kill. They also teach him military strategy, and the history of the Marleyan empire. They make sure he knows the geography of the country as well as he knows the back of his own hand.

And then, inexplicably, they also teach him a not insignificant amount of literature— an attempt to civilise the beastly Eldians they’re training, he figures.

What he learns from the very oldest of the stories they make him read, is that there are no happy endings for love that transgresses.

The girl with the shawl who dyed the once-white mulberry red with her blood, because she tried to run away with a boy that her parents forbade her to see. The beautiful noblewoman, cast into hell, because she found the love she didn’t have for her husband in his brother.

He even knows the stories from farther east, of the woman who drowned— no, who was murdered, by her mother-in-law— desperately trying to reach her real love by the light of the moon. Who swam knowing she was drowning, because her love made her want to try to beat the odds.

She didn't. No one ever did.

Why did he think he would be an exception?

Maybe every time he met you under the moonlight, every night he turned back to look at you, he doomed you a little more. Maybe that's why your fate is to be here in his arms, life bleeding out of you, and still with only his name, and your love for him, on your lips.

Porco knows the cursed blood of a cursed race runs through him. He knew how this story would end, he always did. But when he feels the feeble squeeze of your hand in his, he once again thinks of the girl who bled into the earth, the burning noblewoman, and the woman fighting against the waves.

He thinks of the moment they must have realised they couldn't change the ending.

He wonders if they didn't regret their love either, if they also thought that given a second chance, they would do it again.

This was supposed to be a much smaller teaser for my fic precipice; but my love for tragic ill-fated romance got the best of me. If you like the sound of forbidden romance, fighting to stay together against the odds, and defending the little private world you create with your love, then you should give it a try ❤️

[tombofblades]

SIGHHHHHHHHH....ALL I WANNA DO IS DRAW CARAMEL AND MULBERRY KISSING....

[isabellebissonrouthier]

PURPLE ASK GAME: WRITEBLR: WORLDBUILDING

VIOLET - What is the worst crime ever committed in this world's history?

LAVENDER - Which place smells worst?

LILAC - What is the most commom plant? Does it have a purpose?

ORCHID - Do the people believe in aliens? Are they real?

IRIS - Who are their strongest allies?

HEATHER - What is the most common first and last name?

ROYAL - Who rules/governs?

PLUM - What is the most common fruit?

GRAPE - What is the juiciest rumour?

JAM - What is the most common food eaten at breakfast?

MULBERRY - What is this world's purpose in the story?

RAISIN - How long will the current society last? How long has it already?

EGGLANT - Which character is most important to the world as a whole?

WINE - Who can drink alcohol?

BERRY - Make up a minor worldbuilding detail on the spot!

AMETHYST - What is the currency?

MAGENTA - What secrets does this world have, and who knows them?

PERIWINKLE - What colour is the flag?

INDIGO - How do they view sex?

PURPLE - Would you want to live there?

[sysakiddo]

here we are, fourth one already 😭 Max is really pushing my agenda with all of his geography knowledge in all the grill the grid videos and the freaking Time interview. all the love to @123pixieaod for her amazing feedback 💓

1, 2, 3

The terrace has a beautiful wooden floor and an enormous swimming pool, both something Daniel mentioned as pros when they were deciding on buying a villa in Èze. Ultimately, it all came down to the three mulberry trees growing on the right side of the garden. Max has never fully explained his obsession with the mulberries, but it was enough for him to buy the villa even without the other positives.

When Charles visited the estate for the first time, he and Max spent hours picking the mulberries and climbing up the trees like little kids. That confirmed Daniel's suspicion it had something to do with Max's childhood, even though it was one of the rare instances when Charles refused to dish out Max's secrets.

The housewarming gift from their friends, the enormous table made of teak, made the terrace look like a paradise. The first evening together, they sit around it with glasses of wine Daniel insisted on choosing. Max is reading and only half-listening to Charles and Alex's conversation at the other side of the table. Seb looks like he is about to fall asleep on the chair beside him.

"That's like you and the mysterious metro guy!" Charles laughs, interrupting everyone with a loud exclamation. He points his glass of pastis in Max's direction, who has no idea what brought them here.

Max, embarrassingly, feels blood rush to his cheeks. "Shut up," he grumbles. "Who invited you again?"

Max did. He sent him a text that only said, 'Eze 12-19 July'. Charles sent back a thumbs up and called Daniel a week later for details he knew Max wouldn't be willing to share.

Daniel looks up from his phone, dripping water everywhere with the movement. He got out of the pool merely minutes before, enjoying the coolness of the water after the long, hot day of travelling they had. Max's blush stuns him. "Metro guy?"

Charles gasps theatrically, smiling so wide his dimples are showing in their full force. "Noo," he drawls gleefully. He basks in any opportunity to make Max uncomfortable. "Max Verstappen, you did not tell your husband about the metro guy?"

Daniel sighs, putting his hand over his heart, getting into the play Charles sets up. "Baby, am I the other man?"

Giggles break out around the table, everybody watching them by now.

"There's nothing to tell you, Daniel. And you-" Max says sternly, pointing his finger at Charles, whose shoulders shake with giggles. "Shut the fuck up before I-"

"When we were interns in Stockholm-" Charles interrupts him, looking at Daniel meaningfully while he starts with the story.

"This is embarrassing, Charles." Max rolls his eyes, but Charles doesn't react. He feeds off Max's despair. When he breathes in to continue, Max takes the precautionary measure and quickly asks him, "Have you told Sebastian who you were with when you broke your hand?"

Charles' smile dims. Sebastian opens one eye and squints at them with poorly hidden curiosity. He asked Charles about the incident many times and never got anything but empty words and white lies. He should have figured out that Max would know what really happened.

"You are no fun, Max. The most annoyingly serious man ever. I don't know how you put up with him." he turns to Daniel with the last sentence, who is still looking at him expectantly.

"I want to hear the story!"

Max huffs, crossing his arms. "I am not that serious."

Charles clicks his tongue loudly, taking another sip of his anise liquor. "You're reading Kissinger on a vacation." Max yelps, offended. He closes the book and cringes at the loud thud. The noise feels incriminating.

"Well, sorry that I'm not creaming my pants over Édouard Louis," He says, scoffing at the book someone sat aside on the table.

"Sick burn, Max." Daniel deadpans. "You were reading The Hunger Games last week." Max, betrayed, frowns at him.

"And you liked Barbie better than Oppenheimer, so fuck off."

Alex looks up from his place on the lounger, basking in the sun. "We were supposed to like Oppenheimer?"

George wants to join the conversation, too. "Kissinger is one hundred years old, there is no way he wrote that book himself. AI is crazy these days."

"You should ask Max about his well-being, they are all buddy-buddy with each other. Right, Max? Having dinner with him every time you cross the ocean?" Alex is laughing, joining the fest of kicking Max while he's down.

Charles smirks, seeing another opening. "Maybe Daniel isn't the only old man Max is fucking."

Sebastian opens his eyes and frowns at the younger man. "Charles, that's enough. Don't be mean now." The look on Charles' face makes Max laugh gleefully.

"Yeah, Charles, don't be mean," he parrots. He never claimed he wasn't petty. Daniel kicks his leg under the table, shaking his head subtly.

Max deflates a little, returning to his book without saying anything else. Sebastian catches Daniel's look and mouths kids.

Daniel has to bring his wine glass to his lips so he doesn't start laughing. "When will the intern arrive?" he asks to change the subject.

"Who?"

"Max wants to adopt an intern."

Seb hums appreciatively. "It's about time you two get children."

"Her name is Anne, Daniel, and she's, of course, too old for me to adopt." Max says sternly. "She's going to come tomorrow morning. And Pierre is bringing an intern, too!"

Charles nods, clicking his tongue. "He's probably fucking her, though."

Daniel gags. "I thought he was dating the model? The one from Vogue?" Max and Charles shake their heads almost synchronically, always ready to gossip.

"What about you, Charles? Are you doing Vogue next?" Alex moves to an empty chair behind the table, cutting a piece of cheese someone laid out on it.

Charles, uncharacteristically, blushes. "No, that was a one-time thing."

In their group chat, his photo on the Time magazine cover worked as a meme by now. Max made fun of Charles for it ruthlessly, but Daniel knew he kept talking about how great it was that Mr Leclerc was finally getting the recognition he deserved to anyone who would listen to him.

Seb stands up and removes his shirt, padding off to the pool. Charles' eyes don't leave him once.

"On the other hand, I'd be willing to do Vogue if it meant getting out of that shithole." Naturally, Charles wanted everything Max had—a career of ages and a much older boyfriend. Alex smiles encouragingly, "Brussels is not that bad."

"Working in the Commission is a great opportunity, Charles," Max says, and Charles scoffs, rolling his eyes at him. He can’t stand their pity. "Seriously! I would if my husband wasn't solar- powered." he points at Daniel. "Two weeks in Belgian weather, and he withers away."

Everyone laughs, Max's words striking even more true now that Daniel is trying to soak up the sun shirtless on the chair next to them.

"Oh, Max," Charles slaps his hand down on the table, disappointed he forgot to mention this sooner. "I'm going to Amsterdam around the 28th. Care to join?"

Max's whole demeanour changes. "I can't, I'll be in Cairo, sorry."

Charles shrugs and tries to sneak away a piece of cheese Alex has cut for himself. Daniel kicks Max's leg, but the other man pointedly doesn't react.

"What's wrong with him?" he points his finger at Seb.

Everyone turns around, the distraction working perfectly. Sebastian is face down on a floatie, beer in his hand. He lazily kicks out once in a while, which just makes the scene even more grotesque.

"Seb? Are you planning on pulling a Kendall Roy over there?" Charles yells out, his eyebrows furrowed behind his designer sunglasses.

And because Sebastian is the only person left in the world who hasn’t watched Succession yet, his only reply is a mumbled, "Was?"

"He has been like this since he transferred to NATO," George says knowingly.

Charles slaps his hand down on the table. "See? Fucking Brussels."

|

Max gets out of the room at sunrise. He likes to run through the village while the other people start waking up. Daniel stirs when he comes out of the shower an hour later but doesn’t make any effort to actually wake up. He is fine with dozing off, naked, under the satin sheets.

"Daniel, me and Charles are going to the racetrack. Do you want to join us?"

Daniel knows they are even more insufferable while competing, but that's not the only reason why he shakes his head no. He can now distinguish the noise filtering inside from the street as Charles revving his Ferrari.

He feels the bed dip beside his hip, and with his eyes closed, he flinches a little when Max's fingers trail lightly over his nose, cheekbones, the soft skin under his eyes.

"Are you okay?" he asks, more quietly now.

"Yeah," he opens one eye. "I'm just not feeling great. I think it would be better if I slept a bit more."

"Are you feeling bad again? What do you need me to do?" Max looks frenzied now, worry setting in his features.

Max is not stupid, noticing things about Daniel only the person who loves you can notice. How he doesn't even try sleeping without taking ten milligrams of melatonin and still trashing for a decent hour before he manages to fall asleep, or how he keeps playing with the food on his plate without really eating anything, or how he hasn't returned his mom's calls in a solid month. So, of course, he can tell Daniel is getting bad again.

Daniel suddenly feels like a dick, all of the memories from when he couldn't even get out of bed under the heavy baggage on his shoulders come flying into his head.

Max's hand travels further down his face, eventually wrapping his fingers around Daniel's throat. A muscle memory. That way, he feels his Adam's apple bobbing when he asks, "Why did you not tell me you're going to Cairo?"

"Why would I? So you could come with me?" he asks sarcastically. Daniel huffs, slaps Max's hand away.

"Oh, yes, I think his excellency Verstappen would love to have a lovely lunch with his son's husband."

Max physically recoils on the bed like he's been slapped. Max wasn't fed love on a silver spoon during childhood like Daniel. That's why he learned to lick it off knives.

"I'm not having this conversation right now,"

Daniel speaks again before Max can stand up and walk away. "Your therapist said spending time with him is not good for you." At least that's what Max said when explaining why he did not invite Jos to their anniversary celebration.

"She doesn't know shit."

Daniel sits up, anger spiking his veins with thousands of blades. "Max, mate. Everyone and their mother has read the fucking Guardian interview, so maybe knowing him calling you a failure made it on the front page is enough!"

"Fuck you, Daniel. Seriously, fuck you." If he knew him less, Max would easily believe Daniel had never read the interview. This is the first time Daniel mentions it. "I wanted to tell him about Beijing, so thank you for your fucking support!"

This time, Daniel just watches Max leave.

next part

[otakusparkle]

Identity V Ashes Of Memories Part 2 Begin

Week 1

- After maintenance in November 2, Players can immediately follow Alice to the Kreiburg Race Course to continue the story

- After the maintenance, players will also received 10x Essences for season 29 Essence 1

- New season Essences

- New Character (Fool's Gold available in shop at November 9)

- New Map (Kreiburg Race Course)

- Exclusive mode

- Public Map

- New play mode (Horse race)

Week 2

Forest Of Sin - Rekindling Embers

1. The all-server cooperative battle mode "Darkwood Forest" has started, and players can cooperate in this play mode to fight against the hunter "Fool's Gold".

2. This mode is divided into four stages:

- Struggle

- Pain

- Madness

- Delusion.

The difficulty level gradually increases. As the difficulty level increases, unstable areas gradually increase on the Darkwood Forest map. And in the stage of delusion, it will continue to collapse, so try to avoid it wisely.

3. You can earn event coins by participating in this event.

>Note<

*If you clear the current stage, you can unlock the next stage; the stage of Delusion will be released at 10AM on November 10th, and players who have cleared the stage of madness can form a team and participate!

*In the [Struggle], [Pain], and [Crazy] stages, if 2 or more people escape, the game is considered cleared. On the other hand, to clear the [Delusion] stage, players needs to escape for 3 or more people.

*During this mode, Hunter "Fool's Gold" is AI and may use [Blink] or [Excitement] traits.

Team Rules

Players can recruit or form their own teams to take on ``Fool's Gold'' in the Forest of Sin. [Struggle] allows you to enter solo, and the system will match you with an AI companion. [Pain] [Insanity] [Delusion] requires participation in a team of 4 people, players can match up with random teammates or to form a team.

Banned Characters

In this mode, the use of Priestess and Thief is prohibited.

Bonuses

Collect coins from event and earn many bonuses

- Prospector S-Tier Costume

- Entomologist A-Tier Costume

- Fool's Gold A-Tier Accessories

- Icon and Frame

- Emote (Novelist, Journalist, Composer)

- Dishes (White Coffee, Stewed Eggs (Survivor), Fresh Mulberries (Hunter))

- Furniture

- Limited tag

[ill-say-anything-i-hafta]

I wrote a Jack & Crutchie story for @loiteringandlurking re: his post about Jack who is an amputee.

One-Handed

In the circulation yard, Crutchie watches the new kid with the knotted-up shirt sleeve, watches how he holds the top of his bag open with his stump and then shoves the papes in one-handed. Crutchie knows that dance; he's got two good arms himself, but one of 'em's always occupied. It ain't as easy as it looks.

Kid says his name is Jack. He's straight from a factory job -- by way of the charity hospital on Hudson Street -- and can't hawk a headline for shit, but he can tie a bootlace real tight, a hard-won skill he's clearly proud of. First, he does up the dangling lace on Crutchie's bad foot. Then he tackles the other side for good measure. Double knots on both scuffed boots. And Crutchie lets him. For once, he don't care who sees him getting help because it makes the guy so happy.

Crutchie lets Jack follow him around, too. Teaches him the ropes. Why not?

::::

August in the crowded dormitory bedroom, hot and airless. Most of the boys have stripped to their undershirts, including Jack, sprawled out on his bottom bunk. Crutchie glances quickly away from the place where his right forearm abruptly ends, the scar still red and angry, and looks down at the sketch slowly developing. A nighttime scene in a desolate place, a wolf howling next to twin pine trees, mountains in the background, a crescent moon riding overhead. Jack scratches his pencil along the wolf's back. His neck flushes with frustration. He still ain't used to drawing with his left hand.

"Looks real good," Crutchie says quietly.

Jack spits out the rubber eraser he's been holding in his teeth. It lands on his pillow and Crutchie waits for him to say something mean. But he only uses the eraser to rub at some of the smudges. "Not every day you gets to see talent like this up close, huh?"

::::

Someone sends word that Jack's old man is doing poorly, so he stops by with a carton of cigarettes he bought. The place is a tenement on Mulberry, prostitutes coming and going. Jack insists that Crutchie wait on the stoop to protect their pile of newly bought evening Worlds. He's back in less than ten minutes, looking slightly out of breath.

"If he lives so close, how come you don't stay with him?"

"Well, I used to," Jack says, though that don't answer the question at all.

"He hit ya?"

"Nah, never." Jack seems to realize he's walking too fast and slows his pace. "Sorry. I think maybe ... I think seein' me makes him feel bad. So I just don't go by there too much."

Crutchie knows exactly what Jack means, and it makes him mad. He stops in the middle of the street to call the headline to an old woman in a kerchief. Jack waits, lighting a cigarette one-handed, while Crutchie juggles his crutch to make change. "You's still a kid," he says. "Your pops should be helpin' you out. If he ain't gonna do that, the least he could do is be proud of how good you is doin'."

"He don't need to be proud. I's just livin my life," Jack says. "Not everybody's gonna understand." He slings his good arm around Crutchie's shoulders. "But I got you."

::::

Ladies like Crutchie. They always have. They want to help him; they buy his papes and sometimes they gives him food and things. But it's girls that like Jack Kelly -- girls their same age.

And Jack seems to like them back, too. He'll pick someone out special to pass the time with, take her to the music halls -- he can sell a hundred twenty papes on a good day and always burns through his money -- draw pictures for her, tell her all about the Wild West. When the boys at Duane Street tease him, Jack tells them to shut up: this is the one.

Somehow, none of them girls ever is. But when it ends, Jack don't seem too heartbroken. Nothing bothers Jack, nothing Crutchie has ever seen.

Maybe he is the wolf in the picture. Maybe he is the moon.

Seems awfully lonesome.

::::

When Jack talks about New Mexico, Crutchie can't help but worry. He's been working to support himself ever since he was eight, but he's only ever done the kind of jobs people think a cripple can do. Who says anybody would hire guys like them them for farm labor?

Jack hooks his right arm over the top rung of the fire escape ladder and reaches his hand down to take the crutch. He says, "We'll just hafta show 'em, pal. We can find a way to do most anything we wants to. Can't we?" And he pulls Crutchie up behind him.

They stand together on top of the world. No mountains, no majestic pines. Just them and the buildings that crowd all around them, the landscape of the city where he was born. Life ain't fair; he's always knowed that. But in this moment, Crutchie thinks what Jack says might be true.

Because he ain't never felt sorry for Jack, not for a minute. Why would he? Maybe there is folks out there who won't feel sorry for him neither, who will see him for all that he is.

FIN.