#there's a general one but he also has personalized rituals for each of his family members

[spacedace]

It was the final hour. Doomsday at their door, with only hours left before the world was consumed entirely and every last living thing was devoured right along with it.

Summoning the High King of the Infinite Realms was the only option left, and even then felt more like choosing a firing squad rather than a noose at the end of the day. Pariah Dark might - might - accept the task of destroying the foe they faced, but tmit would come at a cost that was near equal to doing nothing at all. Provided the tyrannical ruler simply didn't let them all die, an entire planet dead was an entire planet to add to his endless armies.

They had to try. Stupid and suicidal as it was.

Zantanna and John worked in silence as they created the summoning circle, hands shaking and stomachs cramping as they worked under the apprehensive eyes of the rest of the League. They all understood that no matter what happened, they would all likely end up dead by the end of it. That the best case scenario meant that death was only the beginning of their problems.

Candles were lit. Insense burned. Blood spilled. Words spoken.

Nothing.

Nothing.

It failed, not so much as a flicker of magic. Which was impossible, they'd checked and confirmed a dozen times that they had the right ritual, that they were following the steps, they had done everything right way wasn't it working? What had they done wr-

"Ugh, gross is that blood?"

Elle Phantom, fifteen minuted late to the site of the ritual with both the boys Super, the most murderous Robin and a sugary abomination of an iced coffee from Starbucks, scrunched her nose in disgust as she looked at the summoning circle.

"This ritual is so out of date, where did you even find it? Wait is that Latin? Who tries to summon someone from the Ghost Zone in Latin?"

John had burned through every drop of alcohol and cigarette he owned hours ago while trying to find this bloody damn ritual and was very much not in the mood for the little hellspawn's color commentary on the process.

"I don't bloody well seeing you providing with any alternatives for summoning the Ghost King." He swore, turning away from the gremlin to tear through the ancient book he and Zantanna had discovered with the ritual inside.

There was a loud slurping noise as the undead hero sucked the last remnants of her drink through the straw. John's brow twitched, even Zantanna - who usually seemed endeared by the chaos goblin - looked at the end of her rope.

Then - "Oh, is that who you wanted to summon? Why didn't you say so?" She drifted over, handing her empty drink off to a disgruntled looking Batman, and began rummaging through the unused magival supplies left over from the - failed - summoning circle. "Here, give me like, five minutes."

John was fairly certain his head was about to explode.

"You know how to summon the Ghost King? You?"

Phantom rolled her eyes at him. "Duh, obviously."

"Obviously." Zantanna repeated, looking like she was half a moment away from having a breakdown. She didn't try to stop the ghostly girl, though, and to be fair neither was John. They were already fucked, might as well let the gremlin try her hand at it.

It took less than the five minutes Phantom had claimed she needed.

When she was done there was a significantly smaller circle on the ground. At the cardinal directions of the circle, written clockwise she'd drawn not any magical runes but instead what appeared to be the Roman Numerals for one, then two, then something akin to a sideways T with an additional mark rising upward from the long horizontal bar, then the letter L.

It had to have some kind of ancient magical significance John didn't know as Shazam made a noise like a dying goose and squeaked out the word Loss like it was a question. Phantom gave the Champion of Magic a sharp toothed grin before adding some words in a language John didn't know before she finally allowed gravity to pull her back to earth and plant her feet on the ground.

She wiped her hands together a bit dramatically, looking pleased with herself, but at that point John didn't care. He could feel the building magic, heavy and oppressive as she had begun her task. Unlike the circle he and Zantanna had attempted, this one was working.

He couldn't help thr nervous swallow he gave as Phantom then declared, with a strange amount of seriousness. "All that’s left are the words."

She took a deep breath, eyes closing for a moment, and the world went utterly silent around them. This, John could feel, this was the real deal. Fuck him sideways the hellspawn was actually doing it.

Phantom's eyes opened, glowing with that bright eerie green light of her power. Another deep breath and then -

"You are my dad! You're my dad!" He watched, any scraps of hope she'd instilled in him dying an undignified death as she gave a terrible little wiggle dance while she sang(?) Off key, "Boogie woogie woogie!"

Every last person on Earth was going to die and one of John's last moments was going to be spent watching the little undead shit do the Macarena. Well fuck him, he guessed.

Then there was the sound of the veil between the world's tearing in two and the fucking Ghost King was standing in Phantom's summoning circle screaming in a screeching falsetto:

"When will you learn? When will you learn that your actions have consequences!"

You know what actually at this point John would rather the apocalypse kill him.

[animentality]

And yes. These are all characters from my demon summoning assassin novel, 7 Deadly Habits of the Modern Demon Summoner.

Which is COMPLETELY FREE to download on the free Kindle app (available for iOS, Android, tablet, etc. on the app store) from February 22nd to February 26th!

eBook only, but if you download it for free now, and like it, then you can always buy the physical copy to have on your shelf :D

Link here.

Full description below. I'd appreciate a reblog/signal boost, because I don't want anyone to miss grabbing the book while it's most accessible. But also vote on which one you think is the worst, because I promise you, they are much, much, much worse in the actual novel.

Anyway. Thanks for listening. Sorry to bother. But not that sorry.

Transcription in case the photo does not load:

Twenty-three-year-old CEO Don Francisco wants one of the richest women in the world dead. Which one? Daphne Oakland: actress, model, heir to the Oakland financial empire, and unbeknownst to the general public, talented demon summoner. But since Francisco isn’t nearly as rich as the established Oakland family, he hires the only assassin he can afford: Sebastián Monterey, a down-on-his-luck, struggling demon summoner, the cheapest and lowest ranking one there is.

But Monterey is nothing like Cisco expected. He’s high-spirited, reckless, relentlessly cheerful …and worse, he’s a bit of a slut. The CEO is horrified to find out that Monterey has not just one, but seven angry exes in the killing business, who will stop at nothing to get in the way of an already impossible hit. Not only do they have personal reasons for wanting to see their former lover dead, they also have professional reasons: they are all currently employed by the Oakland family members!

To make matters worse, Monterey finds out the Oaklands are each protecting a demon ritual artifact for Daphne. When brought together, all 7 can be used to summon a demon more powerful than any currently contracted on earth. If he is to carry out this hit at all, he’ll have to interfere with the summon by stealing every artifact, and maybe even summon the demon before Daphne can.

But that's only if none of his exes kill him first!

And here's some lovely art of the MC, Rey, which I commissioned from the talented @marcissistv (Twitter).

[animusicnerd]

Briar Valley Lore Dump!

Notes: This is in honor of Diasomnia chapter coming out. Most of the information my lore is from is from twst, disney, or general faery lore. This is for my Lilia story that I'm currently planning and this is honestly just for shits and giggles. This will change when I actually post the story but for now, it is an intro guide to all the world building that I did before Diasomnia chapter came out. I don’t mind getting questions since it will help flesh out this world a little more so don’t hesitate to message me about this!(This is also long btw so click at your own risk.)

The Draconia family is the second family to rule Briar Valley. It was once ran by a different fae family but the Draconias staged a successful coup d'état and gained the throne.

The Valley has been in two wars against the neighboring human kingdom due to humans wanting to expand their land for resource purposes. Both times Briar Valley has won and although the kingdoms used to have a friendly relationship with each other that is no longer the case.

The first war was caused by human greed for land and resources while the second also included revenge for what the faeries had done to them.

Many humans have immigrated into Briar Valley due to discrimination from their fellow humans. The Fair Folk of the Valley tend to stay away from them but most look down on them, but it was better than being hunted and being burned at the stakes. Little human towns are spread throughout the kingdom's lands.

Malleus's grandmother stepped down from the throne a little before the Second Human-Fae War started and his father was crowned king. After ten short years, he passed away and his mother came back to rule as queen regent in Malleus's place, who is technically the current King of Briar Valley.

The kingdom is most active at night as most of its residents are known to be nocturnal. The Briar Markets are busiest around this time and buyers often have to be careful when bargaining. The Fair Folk do not lie but their words can have double meanings so you might end up losing your first born child or buying a cursed item. Gold coins are accepted as well.

The kingdom is surrounded by forests and mountains so they are very rich in natural resources. Magic is also used in everyday life.

Not all villages are under Briar Valley but all pay a tithe for protection purposes, especially after humans arrived and desecrated their lands.

Maleficient was the one to overthrow the first ruling family and made peace with the first humans who hailed from the Queendom of Roses. Her daughter, Malleus's grandmother, was the one who went to war with them for disrespect to the lands and its residents after King Stefan went mad for more power.

Briar Castle as located at the highest peak of Briar Valley. With mountains acting as a natural barrier, leaving and entering the castle is near impossible without the use of some sort of flight magic. The Northern and Southern gates are the main ways to leave the castle but there are also hidden tunnels that lead down to the base of the mountain for the royal family, nobility, and any other residents in the castle. Secret passageways are also in the castle but are known to very few people.

While the Draconias may rule Briar Valley, there are seven noble families in Briar Valley in total that includes the Vanrouges, the Aldens, the Amaris, the Rannulfs, the Lavinias, and the Altairs. Each family specializes in something and all have pledged their loyalty to the Draconias when they first started to rule.

Courting rituals in the Valley often start with giving away a precious or sentimental item to each other and exchanging letters. Times are varied but most couples seem to exchange letters until the twenty-fifth moon where they meet in person (often times, it's not the first time they meet each other) and discuss their futures. Once again, timing and how these rituals go vary because of different cultures among the fae but most seem to start with exchanging an item of some sort.

Faeries tend to age at a slower rate than humans but most are fully-grown by the time they are a hundred years old. Unlike humans, faeries get stronger with age and they are also immortal. However, they are not un-killable and iron is one of the only things that can truly hurt them. Humans have used iron weapons against their wars with them. Knowing their true names will also have them in your control but that is usually the case with weaker faeries. Big names like the Draconias or the other noble families would not be affected by that as their magical prowess goes far beyond than just their names.

Fairy circles also tend to act as a teleportation tool. Although most faeries don't use it themselves, many humans or other beings that have stepped into one have reported having been teleported to the nearest fairy in the area. It's more of an annoyance to faeries and non-faeries alike but some of the Fair Folk do use it as a trap to make deals that are often in favor of them alone.

Faeries love music! Most often know how to play at least two instruments on top of knowing how to sing. Humans must be careful as the allure of their songs are very strong and they could end up dancing until someone either pulls them out or they die.

It is also good to note that you should be careful of what food you are being given as most of their food can put you in a deep trance and make you their servants or it can just kill you.

Fairies also tend to dislike humans as most of them do not like magic and tend to think of it as unnatural when it is very much natural in Twisted Wonderland. If a human has magic, they often offer teaching them how to wield their powers in exchange for something which could be your child or just some fresh honey.

If you noticed that a lot of deals involve children, it is because it is very hard for faeries to have their own. It is not impossible but it could take hundreds of years to produce one child to continue a family line and siblings are usually a hundred years apart. However, they often dislike being with someone that is not a faery as some considerate it a disgrace to their bloodlines or their lovers could die of old age, sickness, etc, while they continue to live on. They do make deals not involving children though.

Faeries do not lie because they can't. Most of their words and actions are carefully thought out to avoid being tricked by others and it is always best to think before you speak to any of them. You also have to be respectful and offending them could have grave consequences for you and your entire bloodline.

[tondroom]

Applying criminological theories to Phantom of the Opera #1

I study criminology, and I have an exam in a week about criminological theories (=theories that attempt to explain deviant behavior/crime.) Each theory has a different perspective. So, I figured, why not apply a theory to Phantom. It's been on my mind.

For example, there's Classical Strain Theory (Merton, 1938). It was developed as a criticism of the 'American Dream.' Merton argued that not everyone can achieve the ideals of the American Dream (ex: a good house, good job, nice salary). I mean, if you're born into a poor family, of course it's much harder to get to a top university and become a lawyer. So, he argued, that the people who don't have the means to achieve society's goals, experience "strain". An individual responds to strain in different ways. They respond differently in different situations.

🎭 "Conformity"

An individual accepts the goal (example: American Dream) and try to achieve it with socially accepted means anyway. So, they try to 'work hard' and follow 'legitimate routes.'

🔪 "Innovation"

An individual accepts the goals, but they try to use different - absolutely not socially accepted - means. Innovation! You could get rich by working hard, but you could also steal things or extort people. And this is exactly what Erik does. Let's apply this element of strain theory to him. One of his society's goals is to, as a man, have a steady job and make money. Erik isn't able to achieve this goal due to his face. He's stigmatised and ridiculed for it. He doesn't have a face that's allowed in a workspace. Not to mention that his upbringing caused him to be socially unskilled, and he generally has some odd traits that make him unable to keep a job. That causes a lot of strain. The dude can't achieve his goals. Thus, to achieve society's goal anyway, he starts to manipulate and extort the managers of the opera house. In that way, he's achieved the goal of making money, just differently (and through criminal behavior). There are probably more examples of Erik's innovations, but I want to explain the other responses to strain too.

🥀 "Ritualism"

Ritualism is another response. This is when you accept society's goals, but you don't have the means to achieve them, and you basically give up on trying. An example is an exhausted person working a thankless job, never trying to move up the hierachy within their company. They have kinda accepted their fate, and accepted that they don't have the means to grow into a better position. This can also be applied to Erik, especially to the very moment he starts living inside the opera house. One could say his goals are to get a (1) nice-looking house and (2) become a 'normal,' functioning member of society. Clearly, Erik's tried to achieve these goals in his past; he's travelled around the world, and one could say he attempted to find a steady homebase everywhere he went. He's worked different jobs (circus-artist, architect, assassin), trying to become a functioning member of society the way society wants it. But again, there's an obstacle each time he tries to be 'normal': his face. Everyone rejects and abuses him. So, he gives up on becoming a functioning member of society, also deciding to accept he won't have a nice house, nor a nice job. He hides himself in the opera house and 'functions' from the background, from the shadows. His reality is an unfortunate reality for a lot of neurodivergent and disabled folks too.

🕳️ "Retreatism"

This is when someone also gives up, but they retreat from society altogether in a literal sense. Merton mentions severe drug-addicts and homeless folks as an example of this. These folks don't have the means to achieve society's goals, so they give up on them and retreat from society. They're technically 'there', but not a part of it; they don't 'function' at all anymore, according to Merton. And Erik's a fine example of this during the last scene of Phantom. He lets Christine go, giving up on trying to achieve society's goals of getting a nice family, a house, a wife... But it's no use. It's implied he withers away from sadness and dies. He gives up and retreats - unfortunately resulting in death.

✊ "Rebellion"

This is when you can't achieve society's goals, so you reject them and try to reform society. Merton mentions terrorists as an example of this. However, I could argue that activists or protestors are also an example of it - without correlating them to the extreme example of terrorists. Erik rebels a lot in the show, but I want to focus on the moment he drops the chandelier onto an audience, killing them. One of society's goals is to make money, like I mentioned before. Erik does this, by innovation; he extorts the managers for 20 000s francs each month. They pay him, up until they start to reject his extorting. Christine also rejects (and 'betrays') him, ruining their teacher-student dynamic. He can't be her teacher any longer and he probably won't get to marry her either. He can't achieve the aforementioned goals of being a functioning member of society, plus marrying someone, which is another goal. So, acting out, he drops the chandelier on a bunch people, killing them horribly. This shows he rejects society's goals and the means to achieve them.

Criticism

Of course Merton's theory is an old one, and he only applied it to the American Dream. It's also hard to test this theory, because how do you measure strain? It also doesn't explain specifically what makes some individuals resort to crime, and what makes others conform. Therefore it also doesn't account for the emotional state of an individual, and how much "strain" they can handle. I mean, Erik's clearly damaged emotionally, causing him to have moments where he acts completely irrationally. This is evident when he chokes Christine for a moment in the musical, but stops when he 'comes to his senses.' Is Erik's criminal behavior a result of strain, or a result of other factors, like mental illness, or even brain damage due to the abuse he endured?

But all in all, it's an interesting theory and it's fun to apply it to characters. And now, I have to go back to studying again. See ya (:.

[wikimb]

Devil Trigger 3.0 for Michael!

A 3rd attempt at designing his DT since 2021 when I made Michael (or rather revived and remade/fleshed out his character from a DMC fanfiction written in 2019...).

I could explain in length the ideas behind this DT, why such a theme, why so... tall. The ramble includes serious explanation of the origins of demonic powers he has as well. If you like to read about it then just check what's under the cut.

Below you have some drawings of his face and also his brother's (name's Gabriel) reaction to his DT form. Michael was more scared of Gabriel's reaction than he actually was and the relief he felt was quite overwhelming.

More in depth below. It includes links to the 2 older versions of his DT for fun comparison.

The theme of his DT is very birdy. The first time I designed his DT it was rather heavily inspired by pre-existing DT designs of our main characters. Nothing wrong with it but it didn't stand out and I also never really vibed with it. It didn't help that I had no experience with any kind of monster design to begin with. I still kinda don't but I can see I got slightly better seeing the 3rd version of his DT. You can check my 1st and 2nd attempts here.

Anyway there are a bit more specific reasons why it's so birdy-looking or angelic-looking (and not just because of his name). Michael was born a human in a family, which was never exposed to anything demon-related. They didn't know demons existed (to a degree... when it comes to his father but I think that'd deserve a separate post as his backstory is a bit wild and how it affected Michael in the end).

As a teenager he got lured into a cult and manipulated into abandoning his family eventually. He didn’t know how evil the cult was and didn't even realize they were a cult to begin with.

It was a cult worshipping Mundus with a leader being one his generals. Her name was Lilith and she was great at making Michael feel that she truly cared for him like a mother figure. She manipulated him into believing his family didn't care for him. Sadly, it was all a game and ever since he escaped the cult, he deals with a lot of guilt and regret. He is not sure if they're even still alive... and if they're dead... what if it's his fault?

The cult's purpose was to turn humans into demons, who would serve Mundus. To ensure that they were forced to undergo a ritual stripping them of all of their humanity, their human personality and replace all of that with Mundus overwhelming power. The power, which was great but taking away all of their free will they could have. These people were technically demons at this point. If the ritual failed then it was usually fatal. Thing is, the ritual was a stolen concept from the time when Lilith infiltrated Fortuna's Order of the Sword. In a way she influenced Agnus to come up with such a ritual, then she took the idea and modified it a bit.

Michael's case could be qualified as a failed ritual after, which he should have died but the amount of demonic power he received was not big enough to kill him (because human body would be able not to handle more) but instead keep him alive. And as a result it continued transforming/mutating him into a demon-hybrid like Dante or Vergil, but artificial.

Even if using demoning powers was causing various unpleasant side effects for him but with each use, it hurt less and less. He was reluctant to use his powers actively, fearing that they could make him loose his humanity. He still used the passive abilities such as sensing demon magic.

After certain events he unlocked his Devil Trigger. As a side note I do have 2 ideas for what these moments were but for now I am not sure which one is better.

Anyway, yes, Michael underwent a modified version of Ascension Ceremony! That's why he has such an angelic look, just like the guys from Fortuna. The demonic powers are originating from Mundus but failed to take away his free will, his personality, his humanity, his memories. In other words, he is the same like before - just juiced up with Mundus power (which he is afraid to use anyway). Certainly a result which a Demon Lord would actually hate to find out about as it has a potential to backfire. Not like he has to "worry" about three Sparda descendants already. But if you saw Mundus himself, he also looks rather angelic too. Or at least that "statue form" if that orange weird blob is meant to be really him.

Compared to DTs already seen, he is quite massive. I think it can be simply a feature of Mundus power, in which Devil Trigger state makes one much larger than in human form. Mundus is a titan-sized demon himself, while Sparda was shown to be rather human sized. Heh, maybe if Michael had Sin Devil Trigger form then he could be Mundus-sized.

Though, Michael has the ability to go Berserk (but it's not controlled by his will and it triggers under strong distress), which enhances his power in human form and in DT form. It manifests as blue fire instead of orange fire. Maybe Berserk DT can get this big maybe. Could wrestle demons like Goliath then xD

[mew-ya]

katakuri headcanons 🍩 - update (1/9)

- assessing his mother and brothers, where do his teeth come from? my thought is that his father is half fishman, as it's previously been stated that quarter fishmen do not have the ability to breathe underwater or really get much special strength--but I think an unusual mouth could be feasible. perhaps he's quarter pelican eel fishman?! that could explain why his brothers look (relatively) normal, it's just a recessive gene that falls out with the stronger human/whatever Big Mom genes are.

- his massive "house" granted to him by his mother is immaculate, spotless, spartan. this is because he doesn't live in it. he has a true living quarters hidden somewhere on komugi island that holds his some of his less grave secrets (such as his silly little hobbies and his preference of milk alternative). he's a private person so no one really goes there. only brulee knows about it, and maybe a few of his other closest siblings.

- he is 48, so he'd be pretty out of touch with the things his young siblings like. he's a humble guy so I think he'd take their "omg youre OLD" bullying in stride, and they'd love him for it. very popular with the kids AND their parents, future sight is the ultimate babysitter ability. he can stop a toddler with a safe alternative before they even think about climbing up a curtain.

- torn on wanting kids himself. he loves them, maybe he wanted them when he was younger. but his family has a lot already and he's a busy man. will he be able to care for them like he wants? how can he shield them from his mother and what she put him through? what if they are born with his face? will his child be able to live their own life without living in his shadow? it's complicated for him, and he thinks very deeply about it.

- it's pretty hard for him to keep secrets from brulee in general. they have a bit of an unhealthy relationship in that regard...they're both very protective of each other, which can make it difficult to get close to them. kata scares off anyone who looks at brulee the wrong way, shooting them a glare or worse if they dont catch the hint. brulee secretly watches anyone from her mirrors who appears to be paying too much attention to katakuri and confronts them if she suspects they're up to no good. she's a sweet woman deep down, but has learned to be a convincing witch.

- katakuri is a sucker for foods that have sweetness, and it's warped his taste buds a bit. whenever people try his occasional cooking, they're a bit taken back by the presence of sugar on everything. he watches for reactions patiently and most are too afraid to offend him, so they pretend it's good. he's a humble guy, so the typically universal praise doesn't go to his head. his brothers might have a stupid nickname for him like "sweetsteak" but he thinks they're joking.

- as for the types of foods he likes to eat besides donuts: I think he'd like bagels of the sweet variety, such as blueberry or cinnamon raisin. though not everything needs to be donut shaped. I think he'd enjoy pineapple on pizza a lot, monte cristo sandwiches, and fruity, tropical cocktails on the rare occasion he drinks. he'd also like curries that balance sweet and spicy well. doesnt really eat all that much meat but he does enjoy it baked into pastries. also see him as someone who puts an embarrassing amount of sugar cubes in his tea. like my dude. you want tea with those sugar cubes? he just keeps going. he literally does not care what you think of his food preference so no one really comments on it anymore.

- Mr power nap himself. he probably sleeps like shit cus he has to keep up appearances as Mr. Perfection, never lying on his back. but I like to think he gets a rare occasion to sleep a full night on his back and he makes a little ritual out of it. covering the windows, making sure no one can disturb or find him, pulls out his favorite book and reads it in its entirety before hes able to fall asleep the normal way...maybe putting brulee on guard duty. but don't ask me if he wears the matching jammies and hat set. I can't clown on him that hard today

- wears gloves cus he's a serial nail picker. originally thought he would be a nail biter but like...his teeth seem a bit extreme for that? i can't imagine him really putting his fingertips at risk like that, so I think he'd be the type to pick at his nails when nervous. the gloves help with that quite a bit, and have an added bonus of protecting his palms from his heavy work schedule. his hands are pretty soft.

- smells kinda like mochi residue, which is to say he smells like rice flour. he also smells like leather and steel, and perhaps a waft of vanilla or strawberry depending on the pastry crumbs he accidentally dropped in his scarf that day. it's a very floofy scarf and he doesn't really take it off so sometimes he gets a bit of food in it. has to wash it daily, probably has a bunch of backup scarves.

thanks for reading 🫡💓 and double thanks to all of the people who've rambled on and on with me and helped contribute to my headcanons about him, or have posted some of their own that I came across and agreed with! I love this character very very much so i always have a lot of fun thinking about little things like this.

- he has acquired a lot of stupid donut decor over the years, thanks to his closer siblings that know his love of donuts. his secret little house is absolutely littered in it. he doesnt really buy this stuff himself, his taste is a bit more punk rock. one year he did get a pretty cool donut-patterened Tiffany lamp that he has by his couch. but most of the time, an easy Christmas gift for kata: donut socks. Peros gets him a different color every year. he's not really that into it, but he appreciates the thought...

new below added 1-9 (about his height, about traveling)

- he is a very tall person, though not giant sized. thankfully, the one piece world is rather kind to folk big and small. it's not any trouble to find the correct size of most items, especially in tottoland. you'll find a variety of specialty stores catering to folks of small and large sizes, and some areas even have districts concentrated around small and big folk with appropriately portioned cuisines. clothes come in a wide variety of sizes even at the smallest of boutiques. although the clothes of many of the charlotte siblings have a certain flair that scream custom made, kata being no exception...

- his size becomes more difficult when he's traveling abroad, and tends to stick to the ships quarters as a place to rest when outside of his home. he's not one to rent out a place, as it is troubling to find accommodations that suit his many needs (including absolute privacy). he would probably rely on his own mochi abilities to generate shelter before ever agreeing to stay in a stranger's abode. he feels moderately comfortable in his personal ships quarters but his typical form of comfort is most often found on the deck, leaning against the mast with a watchful eye on the horizon.

- his duties as minister and commander, as well as his travels as a child with the Rocks Pirates, have brought him to many places. given that his mochi merienda shrine has wano-style architecture, it is not utterly out of left field to think that he has even visited a secluded place such as Wano in the past. while his job and family is rather isolating, he has still experienced a good number of unfamiliar cultures and cuisines. I think that he has traveled less in the latter half of his life but still holds onto some of those memories and would like to go back to the places he went when he was younger.

I'll probably continually update this with new HCs when I get bored 💕

naturally, please take these all with a grain of salt! it's fine to disagree, these are just how I personally see him.

[minecraftbookshelf]

ok so I know you’re writing and probably already thought of this but I’m case you didn’t: the differences in elven courting rituals and oceanic courting rituals, specifically when it comes to wedding gifts. if you have thought about this feel free to ignore but the way I see it

elves live a while,and probably know about the arranged marriages a decent amount of time before they happen, so in between wedding planning and normal life each half of the marriage is planning some extravagant amazing wedding gift like gardens of gold or giant tapestries and stuff like that

meanwhile ocean/swamp folk who don’t live as long probably have more personal gifts, even in arraigned marriages bc they’re still getting to know each other! but either way the gifts are more personal and specifically tailored to the other half

so keeping track we have Scott, panicking bc he has like zero time to plan a wedding and learn a language and make a wedding gift and so the necessary things for life in however little time he has, Jimmy, panicking bc he doesn’t know anything about scott, no one he knows knows anything about scott, and even when they finally meet scott isn’t exactly an open book! so Jimmy is trying to do the same things as scott (tjough his doesn’t need to be as extravagant) in addition to finding out who the hell he’s getting married to and also ruling a kingdom

AND (you thought I was done NO the adhdemons love this concept and filled the no-box fan void with fictional politics) you have Lizzie, Joel, Xornoth, and Iona, who also had to get gifts for each other

first I need you to know that I saw your url and had the immediate gut reaction of "oh same hat!" XD

Anywho

So courting traditions in general:

I don't have too much set in stone currently, lots of ideas and concepts though, because I'm half shaping the story around it and half shaping it around the story, because writing be like that (rip) but I do have a few things.

Rivendell is basically just Tolkein's elves partly isekai-ed into minecraft, lets be real. So I've yoinked the tradition from there of the bride-to-be's family gifting a jewel (usually of magical or historical or familial importance) to the groom-to-be as a sort of pre-dowry. Only because heteronormativity does not exist here it is usually a mutual exchange of gifts. Tapestries and other labor and skill intensive textile arts also play a role because of the importance of textiles in Rivendell culture (see the ask that I'm answering after this one for more details on that) And there is also just a general idea of "a demonstration of what you are bringing to the table" for the actual wedding exchange. Like the most intense and stressful art show where both your entire extended family and also your significant other/others's extended family will be judging it. (Exact form of art varies depending on the skills and interests of the elf in question; culinary, poetry, musical, metal working...the list goes on)

The Swamp has fewer actual universal traditions. Due to their recent (past few centuries) history they are basically two nations that mixed and mingled and also include a few different diasporas interspersed within them. Jimmy himself tends towards more Oceanic traditions, which include things like feats of bravery and provision. This will go both exactly as well as you think it will and genuinely very well. (Oceanic traditions tend towards dramatic and grand gestures and statements. Ability to protect and provide is a huge thing both in the Ocean and the Swamp.)

Also Jimmy absolutely panics and ends up asking a good dozen random citizens for advice.

You also have the added layer of this specific instance being an arranged marriage (which isn't especially unusual) between two empires (which is wildly unusual at their social level) That custom is, in fact, purely an Oceanic one. (Which is why Joel and Lizzie were the previous example)

Most/all of the other Empires don't tend to intermarry their royals because enough Empires don't use familial succession models that it renders it fairly unstable as an alliance technique. There's more context for the Oceanic take on it but that is a whole nother post/will be in the fics explicitly.

The point of all this is that both parties are kind of stressed and trying to figure out how to compromise/accommodate while not really having a fully applicable framework for this situation (on Rivendell's part.)

Rivendell barely has interacted with the other empires for generations let alone married them.

Xornoth and Iona actually had it fairly easy, outside figuring out how to navigate the religious minefield that is Xornoth's entire existence. It was a very matter of fact, business like courtship that Scott and Iona ran with all the stringent focus of a military operation (which it basically was) and not even Xornoth's tendency towards chaos could really do much in the face of that.

In the context of like, personal gifts Joel and Lizzie actually got off really easy because by the time they got married-married they'd technically been married for several years already.

[is-the-empires-clip-cute]

So, I’ve recently gotten this Jimmy. He’s been settling in very well with my other emperors, and my Lizzie instantly took to him. However, I noticed that my Scott was beginning to show signs of courtship, though it took me a bit to realize he wasn’t trying to be aggressive, as I’d never witnessed one before. It seemed to be going alright, but then my Lizzie started targeting my Scott, cornering and trying to intimidate him, but she instantly stops when my Jimmy is around. She hasn’t physically attacked him yet, but I’ve separated them, just in case. I was hoping I could let my emperors roam free and all interact with each other, but now I’m worried that I’ll have to keep my Scott or Lizzie locked in so they don’t hurt each other. Any idea why she started to get so territorial?

Hi there, thanks for the ask!

I understand your concern on all fronts - elven courtship is a stand out and highly unique ritual that definitely isn't for the faint of heart, and any responsible emperor owner would be concerned with territorial behaviour. However, I am pleased to reassure you than the behaviour of your Lizzie is not a result of any actual behavioural issues - in fact, your Lizzie being so well bonded to her Jimmy is a complete credit to your emperor husbandry. This behaviour is great indicator that you've successfully recreated the natural, mutually beneficial and familial relationships wild Lizzies are inclined to form with their closely related brother species, the Jimmy Solidarity.

But enough of my biology geeking - you came here seeking advice. I've already mentioned the behaviour of your Lizzie is entirely natural, but here's why - it is a completely normal reaction of a rescued or freshly mature Lizzie to witnessing the courtship behaviours of Jimmy and his mate towards each other. The fact is, your Lizzie has never seen elven courtship rituals either - to her, Scott is initiating his own kind of territorial dispute and general challenge to her bonded Jimmy, and as the larger and more powerful species, she will see it as her duty to muscle in and protect Jimmy. Indeed, keeping an eye on her "Little brother" is what she was born for, and while she's doing a very good job, it's understandably distressing for you and your Scott. You never mentioned how old your Lizzie was, or where exactly you got her from (Wild caught, rescue, domestic bred, etc) but both of these are contributing factors to the intensity of this behaviour - although almost all Lizzies will have protective instincts like this, only some will have this strong of a reaction. This is usually the case of rescued Lizzies who have not been bonded with a Jimmy before, or freshly matured Lizzies who are in the same situation. This does happen in the wild too - imagine the battering a Scott might get when there are multiple bonded Lizzies to one Solidarity.

However the most important thing to note about this behaviour is it is temporary - this will not affect the future of your emperor colony nor will it have any poor effect on your emperors if managed correctly. Keeping an eye on your emperors is vital - many have reported baby monitors and home security, such as a cheap camera above any popular communal areas are extremely effective for amateur behaviour monitoring. The main function of this is to ensure that no one is getting hurt or having prolonged fights while you're away, as these are signs the behaviour phase is not playing out as planned (though you can also find some hilarious clips) Provided nothing of the sort is found, you can be reassured that this stage will play out eventually and the house will return to normal. Whether this is because the Lizzie figures out nothing is wrong or because the Scott finally gets over the prolonged hostile stage of his courtship ritual and actually starts behaving romantically towards your Jimmy is entirely up to the individual temperaments of personalities of your group. Rest assured, it will end, and in the meantime, maybe your Scott getting what was coming to him after being such a big bully in courtship, heh.

Thanks again for the ask,

Mod Darwin :)

[ruki--mukami]

✝️ PRIEST RUKI MUKAMI HEADCANONS ✝️

“Such an irrational world we live in, revering the Gods for their saving grace. But they’re all wrong—all so horribly mistaken. Only humans are to blame for their own misfortune, only humans can wallow in their own evil and corruption. After all, if your so-called ‘God’ existed… Then why won’t he save you now? Ah, that’s right—God never existed anyway.”

🛐 As revealed in the games themselves, Ruki previously adhered to the religious practices of his original family as a human child, celebrating holidays such as as Christmas and even going as far as to pray before a special meal. Contrary to the translation of his current last name, “Godless” or “without/no god,” one would be remiss in assuming he always upheld atheist ideals.

🛐 Ironically enough, his priesthood only confirms the Vampire’s lack of faith. The not-so-divine envoy holds gatherings in a secluded chapel, sanctuary to those seeking to scrutinize the Bible through the lens of literary analysis akin to any other scholarly work. Aside from its religious context, Priest Ruki deems the Bible a text rich with narrative style and allegorical elements the likes of which few modern compositions can ever mirror.

🛐 Not only has he memorized every single verse, both in the Old and New Testaments, but also Ruki has committed every translation of the Bible to memory since they all differ drastically in their poetic value. Personally, his focus lies within the realms of the book of Genesis, particularly centered around the captivating tale of Adam and Eve—as well as the mesmerizing influence exerted upon them by the cunning serpent.

🛐 Despite how impartial he is to any deity in general, Priest Ruki somehow manages to captivate any congregation to whom he preaches, likening the story of Adam and Eve, the serpent’s deceit, and their exile from Eden to contemporary life that all individuals deeply relate to on some level or another. When he speaks of how the serpent tempted Eve to eat the forbidden fruit in particular, there is this subtle yet undeniable hint of nostalgia in his eyes, almost as if he has experienced the tribulation of the snake who was forced to crawl on its belly and eat dust for the remainder of its existence.

🛐 Much like the cunning serpent, Ruki was once viewed as a mere tool used by a higher yet external force to carry out his agenda. In hindsight, one could argue the serpent, too, was manipulated, similarly to the naïve and gullible Eve. Despite being known for its knowledge, wisdom, and ultimately the facilitation of profound change, it undoubtedly had its faults; a sentiment Ruki resonates with even in the role of a Priest.

🛐 After every sermon, Ruki might invite you to stay a while longer in the chapel to confess what plagues your mind to him, akin to the catalyst of growth that the serpent once was. In spiritual guidance, after all, there is growth to be discovered in oneself. By listening to and allaying your worries, the seemingly gentle Priest convinces you to confide in him.

🛐 However, not once does he advocate for God or a higher being. His guidance is sincere and considerate for each predicament, exuding unwavering dependability in each counsel and piece of advice provided to the churchgoer.

🛐 Given his natural charm and reliability, eventually the Priest convinces you to partake in a baptism, the ultimate ritual of “purification.” The supposed forgiveness of one’s sins, the washing away of every impurity.

🛐 Before submerging you in the water, however, Ruki gives almost too sinister of a smile unfitting of any priest, betraying any of his earlier guidance, and most importantly of all, belying his true nature.

🛐 It’s as though he is a little too excited to convert you into a full-fledged member of his church.

🛐 The aquatic embrace of the baptism begins weigh upon you longer than necessary, suffocating you as a calloused hand presses down on your chest, immobilizing you as Ruki discloses a confession of his own to you.

🛐 “Everything I have accomplished and obtained for myself… Those were no miraculous work of God. No, those were all earned through my own merit. No amount of preaching, believing, or even praying can improve your wretched existence. All the confessions…? All the sermons? Just a ploy to purify you as my Livestock, lesser still a human. Yes, struggle and resist all you’d like… It only excites me more.”

🛐 Abruptly, Ruki raises you from the water to reveal the full extent of his true self as a demon of the night rather than an envoy of the divine as his fangs find purchase in your moistened shoulder.

🛐 Cloying ichor cascades from the newly inflicted punctures marring your once unblemished flesh, much to Ruki’s satisfaction as he lodges himself deeper with a pleased grunt.

🛐 Atramentous, plumose wings that parallel the darkness of his tormented soul seemingly sprout from his back as he tears into the sweet adipose. Rather than a purification, it is exactly the opposite; Ruki taints you as his own, dragging you down to the depths of Hell in your agony rather than the ethereal heights of paradise.

🛐 One curious quality his bites and his sermons share in common is that it invites and beguiles you for more, just like the serpent of Eden, just like the forbidden fruit enticed Eve. And, likewise, your blood allures Ruki with each vehement descent of his sharp fangs.

🛐 With each punishment, with each draining of your life essence, Ruki reiterates that no higher deity can rescue you from this fate in the “church.” Every day, he sees to it that you care for the anything but sacred place of worship, and little do the regular churchgoers realize, there is someone amongst their ranks being sacrificed daily.

🛐 Behind a gentle and soothing smile lurks the pearlescent daggers that pierce into you every night, spilling said sacrifice, tempting you to such an extent that would make Eve’s betrayal look like a mere, second-guessed impulse.

“Repent for your sins, Livestock, for they will only accumulate.”

[from-the-coffee-shop-in-edoras]

What is winter and specifically Yule like in Edoras, precious?

Ooooh. Hmm. This is obviously a timely ask, but not one that I’ve thought deeply about til now so I hope this works…

I think Yule in Rohan would be split into two halves (celebrated over two days just like ‘1 Yule’ and ‘2 Yule’ in the Shire). The first day is more somber and commemorates the fact that Yule is the time of year when Rohan went through one of its biggest historical traumas–the winter of TA 2758-9 when they were buried in snow for five months and a famine right after Yule both killed off a chunk of the population and directly contributed to the death of Helm Hammerhand (and thus the end of the first line of kings). So the first day of Yule in Rohan is dedicated to rituals that mark the traumatic losses of the Long Winter specifically–an official mead drinking ceremony in their honor held at Meduseld, with recitations of the history by the court’s loremasters/storytellers– and then each family has its own smaller ceremony to honor their ancestors and particularly any loved ones to have died in the year since the prior Yule. In remembrance of the old Yule famine, there’s also a huge emphasis on food charity, with every able household making a formal offering of provisions to the communal emergency food stores that protect everyone in the event of shortages. And it has become a widely marked tradition in Rohan to use the start of Yule as an occasion to forgive hurts and settle personal disputes on the grounds that all such disputes are petty in comparison to the challenges of the past that are being commemorated.

All those more somber rituals having been completed, then I think the second day turns to celebration and, in that, I think their Yule looks familiar to many other midwinter celebrations…feasting, drinking, time with family, exchange of gifts. In Edoras, specifically, the royal household puts on a major community feast that is accompanied by a day of fun (lots of horse-based competitions like races and agility contests, performances by musicians, big bonfires once it gets dark, etc.). The second day of Yule is also considered a particularly auspicious day to get engaged, so there’s always an excited anticipatory air that morning as everyone waits to see who is going to pop the question. And there are always a LOT of babies born in Rohan nine months after Yule, to the extent that the group of babies born at that time each year are called “the Yule harvest.”

One Éomer-specific Yule note for you… Éomer is an excellent Yule gift giver because he’s one of those people who is always listening and taking note whenever his wife or loved ones express an interest in anything, and then he makes sure to get it as a present for them. A passing reference to a piece of jewelry that is admired? A generally expressed affection for a particular type of wine or sweet treat? Éomer has heard it, remembered it, and followed up aggressively with whoever can procure it for him so that it will be there, wrapped and beautiful, on the 2nd day of Yule.

Please share your own answer! As always, I’d love to hear it!! (And a tangentially related ask will be on its way to your inbox soon!)

[sighonaraa]

I am brain rotting so hard over the trent and colin dynamic rn, I love them so much, football kiddos au or canon, I adore them

ok so the THING IS.......... the Thing Is. i could talk about trent and colin forever. they are just. they are soooooooo!

it's the way trent was the first one to realize that colin is gay. it's the way he, a reporter of Many Years and known gossip fiend, kept that secret for colin without even Telling Colin That He Knew. and he could have! he very easily could have approached colin at any point during the season and been like, yo. i know what you are dot png. but he didn't! he chose to give colin the space to keep that secret, UNTIL he felt that colin was actively putting himself in "danger"/isolating himself to a concerning extent from the rest of the team. (i also think his Rainbow Mug TM was absolutely his subtle way of signaling to colin that he is a safe person, but colin is one of the himbos so we know how well that went). and then. and then!!! amsterdam!!!!! this was trent putting his foot down and being like. okay. you don't want people to know, that's fine. but i know, and you are not alone. You Are Not Alone. WAUUUUUUUUUGH.

ok this is getting Incredibly Long so i've put my football kiddos au-specific thoughts beneath the cut.

so........yeah. yeah!! for the football kiddos au, i ABSOLUTELY had to have trent and colin be a fabulous da and son duo. in my mind, colin was adopted when he was around 5, so the two of them have been in each others' lives for almost half of colin's life. and to me, trent is, like. Thee Ultimate Cool Dad. he's dorky as HELL but has just enough journalistic swagger that kids overlook his obscure literature references in favor of his Hella Fantastic Hair, etc. except colin. colin sees STRAIGHT through his da and he is Not Impressed. he has made it his life's mission to ensure that trent understands precisely how Uncool He Is. but if anyone else dares to tell colin that trent is weird, colin WILL bite their face off. there's a fierce protectiveness on both sides, and colin vets absolutely every single person who makes an attempt to date trent, and trent is fairly chill to let colin roam around and mess up and have fun and generally just Be A Kid. i also have a Lot of feelings abt how growing up with trent will lead to colin being a much more secure person, not only in regards to being gay but also just in generally aspect of his life, because colin is a Very Insecure Person! he doesn't have a lot of belief in himself, and he's not the best footballer, and.......and etc., etc. trent being colin's da will let colin grow up far more confident in Every Way, and i think colin being trent's son allows trent to in turn accept and discover his own sexuality much earlier, simply because. hey. i have this kiddo, and i want them to understand that it is okay to be who you are in this world. wait a minute. i should take my own advice. hmm.

and then there's the random mustachioed american next door and embarrassing flirting rituals and colin is banging his head into the wall because da. Da. Stop Being So Shameful. and then there's the dude with angry caterpillar eyebrows and his tiny five year old brother and trent is shoving colin down the hall because son. Son. There Is a Friend. Go. and they all meet and become a family and all is right in the world!!!!!!

[animentality]

You can't be an assassin and straight.

It's too homoerotic of a profession.

What do you mean, you're hunting other men?

You're bathing in their blood and hiding your identity from the world and you have bad relationships with your parents?

You're fighting other assassins who are holding their knives to your pretty throat and hurling chairs at your head and stabbing you in the thighs? You're bleeding and dying in each other's arms? Your dying breaths are commingling and your life force is dwindling, and all you can do is clutch each other tightly as you spiral into oblivion, but at least you're not alone, in the end?

This is the queer experience.

Diversity win, that man who tried to kill you is pansexual.

If you agree, check out my new novel series.

But if you don't, it's ok to be wrong.

Full description below, and it is free for download on the free kindle app from now until July 4th.

All hail homoerotic fights to the death.

Transcribed if the graphics don't load:

Twenty-three-year-old CEO Don Francisco wants one of the richest women in the world dead. Which one? Daphne Oakland: actress, model, heir to the Oakland financial empire, and unbeknownst to the general public, talented demon summoner. But since Francisco isn’t nearly as rich as the established Oakland family, he hires the only assassin he can afford: Sebastián Monterey, a down-on-his-luck, struggling demon summoner, the cheapest and lowest ranking one there is.

But Monterey is nothing like Cisco expected. He’s high-spirited, reckless, relentlessly cheerful …and worse, he’s a bit of a slut. The CEO is horrified to find out that Monterey has not just one, but seven angry exes in the killing business, who will stop at nothing to get in the way of an already impossible hit. Not only do they have personal reasons for wanting to see their former lover dead, they also have professional reasons: they are all currently employed by the Oakland family members!

To make matters worse, Monterey finds out the Oaklands are each protecting a demon ritual artifact for Daphne. When brought together, all 7 can be used to summon a demon more powerful than any currently contracted on earth. If he is to carry out this hit at all, he’ll have to interfere with the summon by stealing every artifact, and maybe even summon the demon before Daphne can.

But that's only if none of his exes kill him first!

[emonydeborah]

SNW and DISCO spoilers

so I watched the Una episodes of discovery with no other context. So it’s just the episode where they find the sphere and the last two episodes of season two.

they really go buckwild on this ship. Tilly is being eaten by fungus and no one tells anyone. Jett and the mushroom man get high and slap each other out of it. Also did Jett appear from the vents? Michael is having a family crisis. Saru asked his friend to help him commit ritual suicide and I think a part of his brain fell out. Also I didn’t know he spoke so many languages so that was cool.

they are so dramatic here. The shocked and horrified stares around at each other made the finale an hour long otherwise it would have been like 30 minutes. I expect this from Chris but good grief. The letters goodbye one bye one? Sarek and Amanda somehow showing up ahead of a whole fleet to tell Michael they love her? The sibling fight as the ship is being fired upon? (that one tracks actually) I like it for the big moments but are they always like this?? And is the “eyes up” thing a thing and why doesn’t Chris do it anymore?

I do like the found familyness I am sensing. The whole fam banding together to go with Michael was sweet. And their goodbye to Chris. This is the level of found family where I’d expect to find at least a few of those foster kid fanfics where they refuse to leave each other and the foster parents get six kids at once. I have not looked but I would be disappointed if there aren’t any.

Pike’s stepdad energy is so strong. The whole crew does what they want and loop him in when they feel like it. They are fine without him and have their own system and dynamics going on. He knows it, too, which is hilarious to watch from just knowing him from snw. He really just intervenes to keep his genius stepchildren from straying too far off the mission. They are running around like overexcited puppies (“the sphere is trying to communicate!!!!”) and he keeps them from gnawing on the walls. But he is a good stepdad in that he is ready to throw hands and use his ship as a shield so they can get away from section 31.

then as soon as he gets back to enterprise he brings all of the evil fbi apparently. Una is not surprised and has tricked out the whole ship and the shuttles for battle without prompt. She went Chris was out of my sight for too long we need to be ready to fight the galaxy.

and some more Una notes: Katrina Cornwell seemed tall and commanding until she stood next to Una and it was hilarious how small she was. Took me out of the dramatic bomb defusing moment but I still had fun. And Chris knew someone was going to die from that torpedo and got Una out as soon as he knew there were no other options. My pikeuna heart.

And Una choosing violence with the interrogation sent me. SNW fans know she has been hiding and afraid of scrutiny her whole life, and this is how she shows it. What a woman. She did not even tell them her name. Did we know she was Una at this point or was she Number One all the way until snw premiered?

“Follow the queen.” *Chris immediately looks at Una* I see you Chris.

it is obvious that they did not know how they were going to open snw with Chris being depressed and Una going missing but I liked their shock and happiness when Spock showed up beardless.

idk if I am intrigued enough to watch this whole show but I like Georgiou being their personal annoying gremlin. “Everybody hates you. Congratulations.” Also queen Po going if I die I die.

did not like Una going “in English please” to literally another navigator. We know she’s a genius let her be one y’all. If it were a science person going off a thousand words a minute I would allow it. But Una was talking to a pilot. Do better.

IN GENERAL, a good time. I was there for Una and she was not there much, but that was expected I guess. I was not prepared for how emotional discovery's crew would be. They are all in their feelings at all times. I liked them as a crew and maybe I will return one day.

[theslowesthnery]

i'm thinking too much of the fatal frame 2 AU with mohg and morgott

normally omen children are killed at birth, but since mohg and morgott were born twins, they were spared - if nothing else, perhaps they might prove useful. in actuality they are the ceremony master's children, but she would never admit it. no, she and her then-husband just very graciously and mercifully decided to take the monstrous twins under their care when no one else would (the husband even allows the children to call him father, can you believe that?). (perhaps omen children are thought to be tainted by the X?)

marika and her children are the main house/family, rennala and her children are a branch house/family. whether marika is still with godfrey while rennala is with radagon, or marika and radagon are now together, i'm not sure. regardless, rennala has no twins, so none of her children will ever have to do the ceremony. i do like the idea of marika already having malenia and miquella, and some people speculating that she's sacrificing the omen twins in the hope that she won't have to sacrifice her beloved twins. regardless, i do think godfrey is still in the picture.

twins, though considered sacred, are people no one in the village wants to associate with, and it goes doubly for the twins born as omens. mohg and morgott therefore only really have each other, and are highly dependant on each other.

the twins' attitudes regarding the ceremony: morgott wants to perform the ceremony, having bought into the idea that he and mohg are impure and worthless, believing that the ceremony is the only way for them to justify and make up for their births and cursed existence. despite everything he also loves the village and wants to protect it. having no love for the village or the people in it, mohg wants nothing more than to run away with morgott, but morgott does not want to go with him, so he resigns himself to going through the ceremony - at least that way he and morgott will be together.

but which one of them is considered the older twin by the village's traditions? which one of them will become a butterfly, and which one will become the remaining?

personally? like i've said before, i love the idea of mohg being the younger twin, but it's not about the literal physical age/birth order as much as it is about the relationship and dynamic between an older and younger sibling. as such, i'm leaning towards mohg being the younger twin even by the village's traditions. i also think he would be more likely to fail to perform the older twin's role in the ceremony, whereas morgott would probably be "indoctrinated" enough to see it as necessary (and even good and just). also, mohg with his little wing stumps (whether his wings just never grew or were cut off) would probably love to fly as a butterfly :)

morgott is a good child who spends a lot of his time studying, cleaning, helping with rituals and ceremonies, and generally helping out where he can and is allowed to. he spends less and less time with mohg, who is upset and jealous that his brother, his other half, has been "stolen" away from him.

mohg is a "bad" child who misbehaves and acts out regardless of how much he is punished. not allowed to help out with ceremonies (not that he'd want to), he's left to his own devices a lot. he doesn't have any other friends, all the other children of the village either avoiding him or bullying him (usually from a safe distance, because mohg WILL fight back, and he bites). he is very lonely and very sad, and misses his other half like you wouldn't believe it. he crawls under houses, climbs trees, skins his knees and loses his shoes a lot. (a darker, unspoken reasoning for the difference in how they are treated is that morgott, the child who will live, is given time and attention and is taught important things, while mohg, the child who will be sacrificed, is not - why waste time and effort on a child who's just going to die? mohg may or may not be aware of this reasoning.)

mio and mayu have a sixth sense (i can't remember if it's ever established whether sae and yae have one), so i played around with the idea of morgott and mohg having one too. it doesn't show up in very dramatic, showy ways, they just sometimes see or hear things that other people don't, which is just another thing that makes them strange and off-putting to other people, but serves to strengthen their bond. i thought about a scenario where mohg - alone, while morgott is studying - watches from a distance as a group of other children play with a ball, accidentally kicking it over to an overgrown, forested area they all have been forbidden from entering. mohg goes after the ball (to show off? or in the vain hopes that the children will ask him to play with them?) and eventually finds it. he turns to leave, when suddenly he hears it: the cry of a baby. he goes towards the sound, finding an old, abandoned well. suddenly the cry is joined by another, then another, then another, until it's a chorus of crying babies. terrified, mohg clamps his hands over his ears, when suddenly he is scooped up by godfrey who angrily admonishes him for disobeying and going where he knows perfectly well he's not allowed to. godfrey hauls him away, and the cries fade from his ears. (ps. the well is where all omen babies are disposed. mohg never finds that out, but he never goes near it ever again.)

…and to make the sad AU in sadder, what if mohg and morgott's ritual failed in the end? as in they go through the ceremony seemingly successfully, with mohg becoming a butterfly, but it doesn't appease the X. so morgott's left with the knowledge that he killed his brother for nothing.

[naehja]

M!IK Headcanons

I decided to share my headcanons about demons and relationship in iruma's universe.

1) Tails are very sensitive. While they use it for fight, it can also show emotion. Like for a couple, tails can wraps around each other or around the other's waist. Also a baby demon often wrap their tail around one of the arms of his parents when they are held. It's both a sign of affection and of separation anxiety. 

2) About the Wings. The back of wings can only be touched by friends or family. If a stranger touch it, it's very rude. The other side (that we see when we face the demon) are very sensitive (it can be erogenous zones) and can only be touched by a lover. It's the biggest gesture of trust in a relationship. A demon can have their lover literally melt in their arms if they touch the good spot.

3) Demons can purr, and it's not only the catlike ones. A lot of demons can.

4) I read it in a fic and liked it: if a demon rubs his horns against another demon's horns, it's like a kiss.

5) Hickeys are very serious. For a demon, it's a way to mark his territory. Demons are greedy and can be possessive. Some demons are proud to show that they are "taken", others are embarrassed because because they'll be seen as the bottom in their relationship. But the first case happens more often.

6) It's not only women who can have babies, some men can too. it depends on the magic, bloodline abilities and stuff like that.

7) courting rituals can be wild. Like chase your chosen one in a flying race to "capture" them. Fight them to show your strength (and possibly being beaten by them). Or fight your rival in love in front of your crush. Or if a demon win against his “crush”, he can ask them to marry them because the loser must obey to the winner. But generally, a demon want to win what they want rather that take it by force.(it’s very different for demons who are returned to origins)

8) At a point in history, kidnapping his chosen one, whatever he/she was ok or not, was a thing. Demons considered that if a demon can bring her/him at his/her home, then he deserves this person. Since Delkira, it has changed, now it's more a way to show the family that they are worthy of their son/daugther. Like if the parents aren't ok with this union, kidnapping his/her boyfriend/girlfriend and bring him/her at a house that you buy, without being stopped by her/his family, shows your strengh and your intelligence. But now the "kidnapped" one is generally ok with it. In the hope to show their parents that their beloved is determined and serious about his/her relationship. Sadly some real kidnappings still happen, but it's very rare now.

9) some demons can be very possessive and jealous in their wicked phase.

10) Succubus struggle to find a serious partners because of their abilities. Especially if their crush is jealous. Maybe that's why we never see Azz's father.

11) Relationship between students happens often in Babyls. Relation between teachers too, even if they have to keep that secret from the students except if they got married because then the students would know.

12) children are very important for demons. they are precious and are real treasures for their family.

13) the bloodline ability of a kid depend of chance. It can be like one of the parent, or of the other, or a new ability who come from old generations. It's like genetic for humans.

[chimcess]

Birdie Shoppe || pjm (I)

Pairing: Jimin x Reader Other tags: Werewolf!Jimin, Witch!Reader, Shifter!Reader, Shifter!Jimin, A/B/O Dynamics, Alpha!Jimin Genre: Supernatural!AU, Werewolf!AU, Angst, Mutual Pining, Fluff, Smut, Word Count: 11k+ Synopsis: Within the four realms of Lustra lay the Bangtan forest home to the Foxglove pack of the north and known as the “land of magic.” It is also home to the Birdie, a powerful witch from a cursed bloodline who is one of the sacred guardians of the forest. Y/N is the 123rd Birdie, a young girl who was given her position too early and asked by the goddess herself to fulfil a task none had ever done before, become the Grand Witch of the Foxglove pack. Now a woman, Y/N is revered as the most loved and powerful Birdie of all time, but hiding under the surface is a woman who has to battle between her duty and her heart. Warnings: Long-hair Jimin (yes, this is a warning), Cursing, Violence, Mentions of blood, Descriptions of blood, Descriptions of gore, Main Character Near Death, Main Character Badly Injured, Slow burn romance, Talks Mating Ritual, Talks of Heats and Heat Suppressants, Did I say long-hair Jimin? (think The Witcher), Penetration, Oral (f receiving), Marking, Knotting, Spiting, Cuddling, Big Dick Jimin, Face licking, nuzzling, Soft sex, Soft Jimin, Impregnation kink, Breeding kink A/N: Hi there! So this was originally meant to be a one-shot but it was beginning to get far too long, so I’m splitting it up into parts. I’m not sure just how many there will be but so far there’s at least another part coming. This is my first time writing a/b/o so please forgive any mistakes there might be. I tried to add in lore and foreshadowing but more will come later. There’s no smut in this part, but it will come, so the warnings above are for future chapters. I decided to put them upfront for anyone who’s interested in reading further. I really hope you like it and my inbox and asks are always open.

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Another howl echoed through the forest. Just a few more minutes. I felt the familiar itch at my ankle and quickly scratched at it before beginning to pace once more. I had to make it. They said they would wait for me. They had to. I was the only person who could bless the children of the moon. It was my sworn duty to Lilith. I nibbled on my nails and checked the windows again. Pulling back the curtains, I could see the sun was almost completely gone. I began pacing once more. The others would have to meet me at the clearing.

For the last thousand years, my family had given their allegiance to the moon goddess, Lilith. Though it had started as a peace treaty for them to live in the Bangtan forest, home to the wolf pack of the Foxgrove, it had slowly evolved to what it is now. Each generation had to pick a sacrifice, a child who would replace the old, and the next member would come along when the time was right. We were called Birdie’s, the forest witch of the grove who kept the pack healthy. I was the chosen one for my family and Lilith had bestowed upon me the highest honor one could imagine.

After the grand witch of Foxgrove passed the pack had been left with no one to initiate the change within their young. It was a ceremonial occasion where they partied and danced after a long, tiring incantation process where the boys would become men. The pack was lost, and Lilith came to me. Auntie had only been dead for six months. I was 13 when she appointed me, 3 years too soon, and I had blessed the wolves every year since. It was the only time I was allowed out of my cottage as a human.

Tonight, was the celebration of Kim Taehyung’s birthday and the marking of his change. It took 18 years for a wolf to present confidently. I had a strong feeling the Kim child would be the youngest alpha in the pack. Yoongi, the kitchen witch who lived in a lifted home on the pond, thought he was a beta. However, I had far more contact with the pack than he did or any other witch in the forest. I was the only outsider permitted on pack land. I continued to pace. I could not be late.

Finally, I felt it. The thin, indestructible chain that kept me inside during my day began to chime. A faint, iridescent glow began to encase the silver and I felt a wave of pleasure flow through me. It was a cool sensation, and my ankle was caressed by an invisible hand. The chain broke and I stepped out. It stayed open and would until I made my return at dawn. I snatched my lantern off the hook beside the door, put on my pack of magical items, slipped on my shoes, and whispered a spell to make my cottage stop doing magic. It was too draining to keep the house going while I was far away, and I would need all my mana to get through the night. It was why I had decided against a summoning spell and opted for Meteor Powder.

I heard the birds in the trees talk with one another. My friend Patto, a yellow-crowned night heron, was perched on the bird bath the pack had gifted me when I was appointed. I knew he would know if I blew him off and did not want to upset my friend. I would keep it brief and then use the powder to get to the pack quickly. I missed my wings. Patto sang a little song when he noticed me approaching.

“Human tonight?” He asked, jumping.

“It’s a man’s coming of age ceremony,” I clarified, wrapping my shawl around my head.

The winter air was crisp and nipped at my ears.

“I won’t keep you then, Y/N,” Patto took flight.

He quickly came closer, nuzzled into my cheek, and flew off into the night. He was on the hunt for prey no doubt. Patto was a spunky fellow and a wonderful hunting partner though we were often after different things. He was quite good at finding my favorite bugs.

Remembering time was of the essence, I pulled out my bag of Meteor Powder. It was a chalky, lavender-colored powder that was used for teleportation. While it was less effective than an incantation or door charm, it was my best option for pack duties. I had to draw a detailed picture of where I wanted to go, something I had been working on all day in preparation along with my magic bag, and then throw the powder onto the sheet. I took out the paper with the ritual site drawn on it and placed it on the ground, took five steps back, and threw a large handful of the powder on it. Instantly, the page was light up into a bright purple flame. I said, clearly and with conviction, the name of the place I wanted to go for good measure and hopped onto the flame.

When I opened my eyes, I was in the middle of the ritual cave. I thanked Lilith for allowing my magic to work and started to set up the cave for the ceremony. Men and women were very similar as far as what candles were needed as well as the items I needed to collect on my nightly adventures, but there were key differences. This also changed once their wolf began to speak to me. Most in the pack presented beta. For this rank, the process was straightforward except for the colors of paint I had to mark them with. If they presented omega, a traditionally feminine wolf would require the witch to finely grind pearls and mix them with the paints. Male omegas needed sage to burn while I painted them. I knew that when I helped the only male omega in the last 100 years, Jeon Jungkook. Then there were alphas.

In the Foxgrove pack, there were currently 3 alphas. Kim Namjoon was the voice of the people and kept their village prosperous. Jung Hoseok was the pack member I spoke with the most. He was a kind, gentle spirit who kept up with trading and pack affairs. Picking up all the pack’s goods was a part of that. And finally, there was Park Jimin. He was the alpha I had the least amount of contact with. I knew he oversaw war and treaties as well as pack runs, but other than that he was a mystery to me. He was the prettiest pack member and the only unmated alpha left. Hoseok had told me he was shocked he had not found his mate yet. As was I, Lilith was known to be the most loving towards her alphas and often gifted them a mate. The thought put a sour taste in my mouth

I had sworn in all three of the alphas and was honored to do so even if the supplies needed for them are much harder to find. Unlike the other two, alphas not only required special paint but incantation as well. The Birdie and the pack alphas were the most connected as our spirits were the closest to the moon goddess herself. The only woman who outranked me was the Luna, Cho Sol. During the ceremony, it would begin the same, but I would know very quickly if the wolf was an alpha as we would become spiritually connected as the ceremony continued. The spell changed dramatically as I needed to ensure that the connection was severed once the change was complete. I needed to ensure my safety as a wolf can get confused and mistake me for its mate. It would be catastrophic. The paint needed to be mixed with both my blood and the blood of the alpha for the shift to complete. Alphas and omegas always fully shifted during their ceremonies.

After finishing my alter, I pricked my finger with my bone knife and began to draw a circle. A wolf was made to stand in the middle before I sealed it off with salt and peonies. It was a trap and stopped them from escaping. The old grand witch used to chain them to the rocks, but I found that to be cruel. Once I was satisfied with the circle, I knew it was time for me to paint myself. As the pack’s grand witch, I was made to follow the same customs as they did. Women were to crop their hair short if they were not human and wore specific ceremonial fabrics and colors. Sol always left a fresh bralette and skirt, the same their warrior women wore, and I slipped them on easily.

Using magic, I chopped my hair into a short pixie cut. I could grow it back tomorrow and I never wanted to disrespect the elders. Then it was time for the paints. The women who could shift all wore similar face paints, however, each family had different colors and symbols that represented their house. Similarly, I adopted my version of the face painting. My colors were blue, red, and black representing the raven, but it changed with every Birdie. I painted my entire face navy blue before fading the black color down my forehead. After drawing the thick black mask around my eyes and a long white line down my neck, I began to fill in my chain with red.

I hummed while I did this, imitating my bird calls, and swaying my body. I needed to begin the relaxation processes and think like my bird. Getting in tune with my animal side helped the ceremony move along much quicker than it had in the past. I placed ruby red and orange jewels strategically across my face. I formed Aquila over my entire face. After putting on my ceremonial jewels, I started to cleanse the cave with herbs and spells I mumbled under my breath.

I heard people approaching the cave and quickly blew out the herbs I had been burning. I had to wait for Taehyung to be sealed in the circle before I could light the candles, so I let the cave stay shrouded in darkness. None of the wolves would mind and humans were forbidden from watching the coming-of-age ceremony. It was pack law. Luna Sol was the first person to enter the cage and I kneeled on my hands and knees where I sat. I could faintly smell wolf scents since I was connected to the forest in many ways, however, they were not strong since I was not in the pack. I just knew they were wolves. I always chose to stay bowed until asked to stand. It was better this way.

More and more wolves flooded the cave polluting the air with their scent. My prey instincts wanted me to run, my hands lightly shaking from the spikes of fear that rippled through me, but I stood my ground. For Lilith, I could do anything, and nothing scared me. Not even predators. Finally, it had gone silent. It was starting now.

“Bless this child, Birdie,” I recognized the voice as Elder An.

He was a great, big white wolf when he could still shift, but now he was a small, frail-looking man with a large beard and fluffy eyebrows.

I stood slowly, careful to not make eye contact with Taehyung. He was breathing heavily with anticipation. He was going to be an alpha. I could feel it. I made quick work of sealing off the circle before finally lifting my head and lighting all the candles with a simple lift of my hand. An orange glow illuminated everyone, and Taehyung was on his knees in the circle. At the coming-of-age ceremony, the men and women were to strip naked so painting the symbols would be easier. I did not pay attention to his genitals and instead focused on his eyes. I began the chant.

Being a forest witch was one thing but being the Birdie was another. I had never met my birth parents and was raised by my grandmother’s sister who never met her family either. The gift could skip a generation or two if the spirits did not see what they were after. All of us were born with the mark, a blue jewel in our forehead that would fall out once we were appointed. That would become the chain that tied us to the cottage and stripped us of our real name. Only the birds and animals were allowed to use it as it was seen as dishonorable to refer to us as anything but Birdie. We also chanted differently than other witches. We did not speak. We sang.

Taehyung’s wolf stirred, and I knew I would know soon. I was aware of the anxiety in the room. Everyone was hopeful that he would be the fourth alpha for the pack. It would place them at the top of the hierarchy in the area. A surplus of alphas or omegas meant status in the wolf world. Even I was hopeful for his present. Then it came all at once.

The husky, woodsy scent of an alpha hit me like a truck. Though I had done this three times already it never got easier. However, Jungkook had been the last wolf I guided through the change, and the sickeningly sweet omega pheromones he admitted made Taehyung’s feel like a gentle breeze. I could hear small celebrations happening around us. The real party would be when this was over. The incantation changed flawlessly.

I grabbed the bowl of white paint I had prepared and the bone knife. Silver was strictly forbidden to enter the village under any circumstance. I continued to sing and sliced the palm of my hand and dripped my blood into the bowl. I walked over to Taehyung and bravely snatched his hand. This was why I used the circle. I was able to get his hand out of the circle and when he went to attack me, he was unable to break the seal. I sliced his hand and placed the bowl under his wound. Taehyung howled in anger. He was in too high of a state to be in pain. His wolf snarled at me, and my bird chastised him while I began to bless the paint.

I got a new paint bush and made my way back to Taehyung. I used magic to force him on all fours. It did not break my concentration. I drew the pack’s symbol on his back, two large trapezoids that ran parallel to one another, and then created the Aquila constellation on the back of his neck. I felt my hands heating up and chanted for Lilith to bless the wolf through me before touching him. Taehyung screamed in pain while his wolf growled at me. I was branding him with the symbols forever. They became black instantaneously and the ceremony was coming to an end. I removed my hands and lifted my hands to blow out the yellow candles and lit up the blue ones. I walked back to the altar and kneeled before it. Raising my arms side to side, I chanted and felt my back begin to burn. My chanting did not waver even as the black wings ripped through my back, and I was in unimaginable pain. I could not stop singing.

Two large, metallic black wings sprouted around me as blood pooled around my calf. I reached, with shaking hands, and plucked a single black feather from them. Placing it on the alter, I cupped the feather with my hands and continued to chant. It began to lift itself from the alter and spin. I moved my hands and lifted my arms straight up. The feather followed and began to glow the same way my chain did. My head felt like I was splitting in half as a blue jewel grew from my forehead and fell. I did not allow it to hit the ground and lifted it onto the altar where it joined the feather. As I said the final words of the incantation the jewel disappeared. I felt my wings start to retreat into my back and the feather floated down. Then it was over and silent.

It only took seconds before the cave erupted in cheers. I felt a tired smile tug at my lips, and I leaned onto the rock in front of me. I was exhausted but I still had one more thing I had to do before I was permitted to leave. I used the rocks to support myself and stood up before grabbing the feather. It was tradition for the wolf to keep the feather of the sacrifice. It used to be a bird that was killed at the alter but I used my own body as the sacrifice. Slowly I walked towards the circle where Taehyung lay in his wolf form. He was massive and a rust color. He was proud of himself. He had made his pack proud. I forced myself to stand up straighter and walk over completely ignoring the aching in my back and the blood that spilled from my wounds

“Kim Taehyung,” I spoke, “The goddess has blessed you with this gift.”

I kneeled and used magic to blow the salt away. I placed the feather out in front of me and Taehyung hesitantly reached forward. To be given a gift from Lilith herself was a big deal. I had been given many gifts, something that I never took for granted, and I knew this would not be Taehyung’s final gift. He was true-hearted and courageous, two traits the goddess looked upon fondly. He finally took the feather in his teeth and I smiled at him. Waving my hand, I made quick work of changing him back into a human and clothed the young man with the robes Sol had laid out beside mine. The elders would award him his alpha sash. Taehyung smiled at me, and I marveled at the innocent, boxy grin he had.

“Thank you,” He was sincere.

“Thank Lilith do not thank me,” I replied, nodding at him, and going to stand up.

“Are you staying for the ceremony?” Taehyung stood up much quicker than I could presently.

I would be lucky if I could clean the cave and go home let alone celebrate with wolves.

I shook my head, “Sadly, my time is limited, and I must be going. Congratulations Alpha Taehyung.”

I finally stood up and bowed to the alpha before using magic to make quick work of the alter and tools. Wolves, like witches, were not embarrassed by nakedness so I did not feel uncomfortable undressing. The bloody clothes stuck to me uncomfortably and I was thankful to be out of the blood-stained outfit. Unlike wolves, I got cold very easily and usually never left my cottage in the winter except for ceremonies. I used the last of my mana to change myself quickly. After calling out to Luna Sol if it was alright that I packed my candles and getting the okay, I packed those as well. I was ready to go and prepared more Meteor Powder and another drawing. This time it was of my home.

The few wolves left in the cave were the other three alphas. I paid them no mind. It was best to stay out of wolf affairs when possible. Even as a close and trusted ally, I was still an outsider and not welcome without permission. I stayed updated through the forest. I could find out everything about everyone on my trips and I enjoyed staying informed. Morla, a tortoise who lives just outside of the village, was a great source of information. She knew just about everything. I looked away from the alphas and untied my bag of powder.

“Excuse me, Birdie?” I would know Hoseok from anywhere.

I stopped what I was doing and look back at the alphas. I had all their attention. I fought with myself not to steal glances at Jimin. He was so rarely seen that it felt wrong not to. However, I had self-control and would not disrespect Hoseok. You are always required to maintain eye contact with any alpha who addresses you directly. Hoseok was smiling at me.

“Alpha Hoseok, “I greeted, bowing, “Can I help you with something?”

“Both Namjoon and Jimin have lists of potions they require.” He clarified.

Now that he brought the other alphas up, I was to meet both of their gazes and bow. I started with Namjoon since he was far more inviting. He had a mono-lid, which usually made a wolf more intimidating, but he held a gentle warmth in his gaze that calmed me.

“Alpha Namjoon,” I bowed.

I rose again and finally looked at Jimin’s. His eyes had a feline quality to them and were sharp. I knew his eyes were a warm brown in the sun but within the darkness of the cave, they were pitch black. Despite the moon being the only thing illuminating the cave his skin glowed. He was the palest member of his village, and his silver wolf matched his hair which was waist-length and perfectly straight. He, like all the other warriors, kept their hair long to show their place in society. My heart danced at the sight of him and I forced my eyes away.

“Alpha Jimin.”

Hoseok clapped.

“So,” He began again, “Here are the lists. I’m picking up the usual.”

“Would you like extra heat suppressants again? As far as I am aware your mate is still in her homeland visiting family.” I briefly glanced at the lists.

“You are all seeing,” He joked. “Yes, I will need some again this month. I have already factored that into the number written down.”

I nodded and placed the papers into my sack.

“I will need at least four days to prepare everything. I will be useless tomorrow and possibly the day after.”

“Of course, Birdie.” He replied.

Namjoon hummed and chimed in.

“Our pack is forever indebted to you and your servitude. Please rest.”

“Thank you, alpha, I will rest easy now.”

After bowing again and saying my farewells, I went back to my drawing and again got my powder. I said that I wanted to go to my cottage for extra measure again and threw the powder. I hopped into the flames and ended up across the clearing from my cottage. Groaning, I threw the powder into my bag and said a small spell to get me to my front door. I glanced at the sky and realized still had two hours of freedom and decided to use it.

Going inside, I took off my shoes and put all my ceremonial gear on the small shelf by the book. I realized I left my lantern inside of the cave and quickly penned a letter to the pack to ask Hoseok to return it upon his next pick-up. I called out to Shiloh to send the letter off. She was a barn owl who lived in the tree next to my kitchen window and had become my familiar. She delivered in exchange for treats and if I told her where mice burrows were. Normally, a nice bowl of crickets sufficed. I quickly put the kettle on before going to change into something more comfortable and wash off. This was the only time I was able to change without magic and I savored the feeling every time.

As I tugged my shirt down, the kettle began to whistle, and I made my way back to the kitchen. I took it off the flame and fetched a cup from my cupboard. It was not often that I had this much time left after a ceremony. Taehyung’s wolf did not resist me at all aside from the uncomfortable parts. That was a normal reaction, however, all three of the alphas took until dusk was just on the horizon. Lilith had allowed me to finish the ceremony, but my wings never went back in, and I felt my skin ripping open from feathers pushing their way through. That was my blessing.

All shifters had been blessed by the goddess. While to many we were seen as slaves, I knew they were the gifts bestowed upon us. The wolves were cursed to change into the beasts of the forest, sworn to protect the land from all who dared enter it, and in return, Lilith kept their village plentiful, and their people blessed. This included extended life spans. Similarly, the role of the Birdie was a sacred gift. We were hand-picked by the Goddess herself, much like a pack’s Luna, and would be at her service for all our days. In return, she gave us the gift of flight and the ability to speak with animals. Lilith kept me well fed and feared as the most powerful witch in all the realms. The cottage would be here long after I was gone and the generations after me would still be here. I would be transformed into a bird and live forever as a spirit of the forest. This was my purpose.

I placed dandelions and a large tea bag into my cup before going outside to enjoy the air. I was never allowed outside during the day. The chain kept me from leaving my small home at all. When I was a child, I could remember frolicking in the clearing and playing with the rabbits in their burrows. Those were the years I was still Y/N and the forest was my home away from home. Auntie allowed me to play more than any other Birdie had before, but she knew my love for magic was strong. I remember her telling me that I was special and that my deep connection would serve me greatly in the future. Lilith would bless me for my love. She was right. I had done something no Birdie had done in the centuries we served the forest. I had been appointed as the pack’s grand witch and allowed freedom as a human. It kept me hopeful for my future student though I was unaware of how long it would take for them to arrive.

The forest came alive at night, and I submerged myself in all its glory. The sounds of crickets chirping relaxed me and I took a deep breath. It felt nice to get all the blood and paint off my body. I realized that Hoseok and the Luna had been the only members of the pack to see me without the ceremonial gear on. No one else ever came by and the inability to wonder the forest outside of my bird form made it nearly impossible for anyone else to see my true form. This was the life of the Birdie. A quiet one filled with solitude and being one of the forest guardians. A lonely honor only the best received. I took a large gulp of tea and sighed at the warmth it provided.

A rustle in the bushes pulled me out of my thoughts. It had come from my left and I saw two large white dots glowing in the darkness. I smiled and placed my cup down. It was a wolf, probably a younger pup who was curious about me. Many of the children were and Hoseok often spoke about the wonderous ways they described me in the town. I slowly stood up and reached my hand out.

The wolf hesitated before stepping into the light. It was hard to tell its coloring in the dark but I knew it was light-colored. In its mouth was my lantern. I gasped before making my way toward the large animal. This was an older wolf, it was far too large to be a child, but it was not possible to know who it was for sure. I did not see the wolves often enough to tell them apart; they all smelled the same after the change. Its fur glowed in the moonlight.

“Thank you,” I said, taking the lantern.

The wolf touched its nose to my hand. It meant that they understood and were most welcome for the good deed. I pat its nose gently and laughed when it nuzzled further into my touch. I recognized the patch of missing fur on its side and realized that this was not the first time we had seen one another. The wolf had been injured and I healed it. They had refused to shift.

“I’m surprised they allowed you to leave during such a joyous occasion.”

The wolf looked at the grass and I laughed in disbelief.

“You snuck away, didn’t you? Bad wolf. What would your alphas think?” I joked.

The wolf made a chirp-like sound and I realized it was laughing. Shocked, my jaw dropped, and I simply stared at the wolf. This made it laugh harder, flop onto the ground, and roll onto its back.

“Alpha Jimin would be very displeased with you, pup,” I mocked, bending down to rub at the fur on its chest.

The wolf hummed in satisfaction.

“That’s not very fair of me,” I mumbled, “I hardly know the man. He’s just intimidating is all.”

The wolf was staring at me, and I snapped out of my trance. Wanting to forget about my outburst, I let another large grin take over my face and began scratching the wolf’s chest. The wolf wiggled happily, and its large tongue flapped out of its mouth. When I scratched at its ribs, its leg began to kick.

“Aren’t you the cutest thing?” I laughed. “I hope you’re feeling better now. That’s a nasty scar.”

I heard Shiloh call out to me from the tree. The sun was going to be up soon. I sighed unhappily before looking at the wolf. They seemed upset that I had stopped giving them attention. I gently scratched behind their ear and smiled softly.

“I have to go inside now,” I said.

The wolf whimpered and quickly paced its head into my lap.

“It is a part of my duty, little wolf,” I stressed.

It finally moved. Wolves knew the importance of duty. Their entire village ran off the duty of the pack, its members, and their devotion to Lilith. I gave the wolf another pat before standing up and making my way back to my cottage. The wolf followed and we walked in silence as the door was only a few yards away. The wolf stood a good six inches above me when it stood on all fours. I picked up my teacup and used magic to open my door. I put the lantern on its hook and charmed my cup to go to the sink on its own. The little thing began to hop in the air.

“It’s time for you to go, friend,” I said, placing my hands on my hips.

The wolf came close and nuzzled its large head into my chest. I rubbed its neck and scratched behind his ear. An indescribable sadness overtook me at the thought of it leaving. I felt myself tearing up and laughed at my melodramatics. This wolf was not my friend, was a stranger, and only came here to bring me my lantern in return for me saving its life all those months ago. I should not allow myself to grow fond of it or cry about it leaving. I was not that lonely, I told myself.

“Go on now,” I pushed its head away lightly. “Before the pack realizes you’re gone. Alpha Jimin begins his rounds soon.”

The wolf nosed my hand once more before running off. As I closed the door, the chain on the floor began to move towards me. I walked towards it, and it wrapped itself around my ankle once more. The cooling sensation went through my body again. I quickly did my alter ritual before heading to my room to sleep. I knew I would not be available until tomorrow and gave Shiloh the go-ahead to set my sign to closed. Sleep came easy and filled with dreams of brown eyes and fur glowing under the stars.

My shop was filled with bottles, sacks, and labels. When Hoseok said that they needed more than normal he had never said it would be this much. I was unsure if I would be able to fit much more in the room let alone if he was going to be able to carry this back to the village alone. I quickly labeled all the male heat suppressants and move on to the female ones. Omegas had their supplies just as alphas did but that would not take long to complete. There were only 4 alphas and 7 omegas in Foxglove and the colors were striking for each respective wolf. It was the painstaking process of making enough suppressants for all 187 betas for the month that made orders time-consuming. Shiloh had flown to Yoongi’s house to gather extra supplies for me as I was running low.

Namjoon needed new medicines for the children and elderly. They had finally gone through their three-month supply I had sent off many moons ago and I was having to restock their entire inventory. I enjoyed mixing medicine since it was so easy. It was what Jimin had asked for that I needed to seek help for. I wrote to Hyun-Jin, a young witch who lived with his mother in the swamps to the south. They would have the toads I needed. With Shiloh being out I relied on another friend of mine, Delinah. She was a doe who used me for protection from mountain lions.

What made Jimin’s order so difficult to complete was the fact that many of the supplies necessary to make it were not in my domain. He was looking for a healing potion that wolves could take without needing to shift, portable heat suppressants, and a camouflaging potion. The only healing potion that would work without a witch being there was one of the most difficult and time-consuming recipes a witch could make, and I had all my resources searching every nook and cranny of Bangtan. The heat suppressants would have to be in tablet form, something else that would take a while for all 15 wolves in Jimin’s party, and the camouflage was something I had never made before. For the first time in years, I was having to reference Auntie’s Grimoire and adjust it accordingly for my purposes.

Shiloh sang and I rushed to her window to take the sack of supplies Yoongi had sent back. Yoongi wrote me a letter as well to explain why some things were missing. The sea witch coven had been taking a lot of his supplies for their month of ceremonial rituals. Shiloh would have to get the rest from someone else.

“Alright girl,” I started, running my hand through my hair.

“What now?” She deadpanned.

“You need to make a trip to Seokjin’s for the remaining supplies on the list.”

“The solar witch?”

“Yes, Shiloh.”

I began preparing another sack along with a new list. Yoongi had given me plenty, but Jimin’s order was still incomplete. Delinah was due back any minute with the toads and I could begin the fifteenth, and hopefully last, trial of the camouflage potion.

“Why must you send me there?” She whined, flapping her wings in agitation.

“Because he always has a surplus of herbs and flowers and I need them to make my order for the pack,” I replied, securing the pouch around her neck.

“He’s going to demand I sun-bathe with him or better yet, he’s going to insist his bees play with me and I’ll have to deal with the most insufferable creatures in the. Or maybe the mangey mutt this time? I swear, his animals are the only ones I know who are just as pig-headed as their owner.”

“Shiloh,” I scolded, putting the letter inside the bag. “Seokjin is one of the most brilliant witches in the world and is a master at shadow work. So yes, you will go to him and play with his bees if he asks. If not, you can forget about the mice I was going to give you.”

The owl did not respond before flying away. I went back to the kitchen and started up the flame to my cauldron again. Using magic, I charmed all the potions I had completed and packaged to sort themselves and get into their bags before beginning to brew the camouflaging potion. The toads would be the last to go in this time, so I was not worried. I knew Delinah was close as the forest around me let me know. After adding only half of the amount of worm wort as I had been, the deer let herself inside through the open door and placed the jar on my countertop.

“Stir this, please,” I asked.

The doe nodded, walked over, and began to stir the wooden spoon with her teeth. I quickly put on a pair of gardening gloves and braced myself for the task to come. While there were many substitutions, for this potion, I was required to use three whole toads. I had tried to get around it with other alternatives however it had ended up not working, wearing off in seconds, or I needed to physically use a spell to make their form come back. I was hopeful that using the correct ingredient would help stabilize the recipe.

I quickly placed the frogs to sleep with a short spell and took three out of the jar. They were all fat, angry-looking things but their coloring was perfect. Hyun-Jin followed my instructions perfectly. After making a small prayer to Lilith and thanking the forest for its sacrifice, I threw the three frogs into the potion. Delinah and I traded places and I saw the potion turn grass green. I began to chant and soon enough, as was intended, the potion turned clear like water. I cheered, jumping up and down in excitement, and threw my arms around the deer beside me. She nuzzled into my neck and gave me a good lick.

“Good job, Y/N,” She said.

“Thank you, Dee,” I went to my cupboard and got out a large sack filled with cabbage heads. “I’ll have apples next time.”

Delinah happily took the sack and made her way outside. I started to bottle the potion. I knew I had gotten it right this time since it had done everything it was supposed to do in the cauldron, unlike all my other trails. I did not want to put my familiar through another potion crisis again. Shiloh loathed testing potions for me. I went to the already packaged boxes of heat suppressants and curled the ribbons with my favorite bone knife. Like many forest witches, I collected both bones and knives. During my nights I foraged and brought back things I thought were useful. My favorite thing to do was make sure my packages looked neat and professional.

Auntie did not care so much for these things but when I began to decorate boxes and bring home skulls and bones, she never stopped me. It had gotten to a point where I would sit for hours and make packaging boxes and pretty bows and stickers. However, now that I oversaw it all, I only made cardboard packing boxes lined with thin tissues of varying colors and charmed the objects to do all the work for me. I normally matched the potions within and placed a card explaining what it was for and how to use them. Then, I would toss in a magical card that would take anyone to my shop immediately in case of emergency except for the hours I was unavailable, and then it would automatically send them to Yoongi’s instead. On the outside, a stamper would stamp the box with a large bird, a brush would paint the Aquila constellation along both sides of it, and a matching-colored ribbon would wrap itself around the entire thing. However, I knew I would opt out of the decorations for Jimin’s packages. They would need to be as discreet as possible as requested but I would still place the constellation on the sides.

As I continued to place the finishing touches on all the completed orders, I heard the bell above my door ring and large, booming footsteps right after. That would be Hoseok and he had someone else here if the second pair of footsteps was anything to go by. I quickly abandoned my ribbons and dusted off my apron before going to greet the alpha.

“Good afternoon, Alpha,” I greeted, not paying much attention to him in favor of charming the camouflage potion to begin packing.

“My apologies for the orders not being ready. The things Alpha Jimin was requesting are very time-consuming and challenging to make. However, once my familiar returns with some herbs I need then it’ll all be ready to go.”

I was a whirlwind in my cottage. One second, I was curling ribbons and in another, I was writing out cards for boxes. Hoseok was used to the informal way I addressed him while in my home and I was certain whomever he brought along with him was well informed of my rudeness. I was far too busy to care if some wolf believed I was not a good host.

“I apologize for the strain I have caused you,” A sweet, melodic voice spoke up.

My body froze for a moment, as did everything else in the room before it started up again. I quickly turned to the two men and bowed deeply. My heart was racing like a hummingbird’s wings.

“I am so, deeply sorry for disrespecting you, alpha,” My voice shook. “I had not realized it was you.”

Hoseok laughed and clapped his hands together. He always enjoyed seeing me get flustered and would have a field day talking to Namjoon about this later. It seemed like Jimin was the only pack alpha who paid me little to no mind. I forced myself to look up at the man.

He was dressed casually, more casually than I had ever seen, and his silver hair was tied back into a ponytail. His small frame still towered over me and that menacing aura that always seemed to surround him was intact. Even in the daylight, Park Jimin was untouchable. And yet, a familiar longing found its way into my heart, and I knew I needed to distract myself again.

“How much longer will your owl be, Birdie?” Hoseok asked, completely unbothered.

“Excuse me for a moment,” I mumbled before closing my eyes.

All Birdies have been blessed with gifts, the first of us was the spirit responsible for selecting what the ability would be, and the Goddess making sure our powers could grow and stretch with our talents. Auntie was unable to speak with other animals aside from other owls but was gifted with such skilled defensive magic she was considered the phoenix of the north. Normally, Birdies do not need to learn defensive magic but her affinity for it made it hard for her to stop the craft and we dueled often. That is how I learned I was unable to perform any high-ranking spells since it depleted too much of my energy. However, my gift was much more in line with what I needed.

Animal scrying is the ability to see any animal’s point of view. Of course, depending on the animal the senses that they use are vastly different and it can limit my ability to see. I relaxed my entire body and slowly felt myself floating off the ground. My body was at its most fragile right now, but I trusted both men to not harm me. The same could not be said for others. Slowly, the room began to fade, and I could hear birds chirping all around me. Opening my eyes, I could see the tops of the trees and in the far-off distance was my cottage. Shiloh could not smell but her sense of hearing was impeccable. I was certain she would be here in a few moments and left her little mind by closing my eyes once more.

When I opened them, I was back on my feet and inside the cottage. Both Hoseok and Jimin were staring at me as if I had grown a third head and I stifled a laugh. Oh, I loved when that happened. Scrying was a strange gift and not many were used to seeing it.

“Shiloh will only be two minutes,” I finally replied.

“That was freaky,” Hoseok commented, walking around, and touching every single box of herbs I owned.

The cottage had not always looked the way it was. Auntie had kept it neat and organized. She never had too much or too little and kept it cozy enough for the both of us to lay by the fire together in the winter. However, not that I was alone I found it impossible to keep the same structure. Where we used to lay was now a large table with herbs and flowers of all kinds, huge crystals, and jars upon jars of specimens that were needed for potions. Beside it was the bookshelf filled with Auntie’s spell books. The rest of the Birdie Grimoires were in the cellar as there were too many to keep in the main room. My little kitchen and potion mixing station were overrun by bottles, boxes, and decorations including more magical items. My bone collection sat in a display case beside the front door and my knives hung over the mantle of the fireplace.

“And that was rude,” Jimin scolded Hoseok.

I had to force myself to keep moving as though nothing had happened. However, the ruse did not stop my body from lighting on fire at the implication. Park Jimin defending me? I was unsure how much of that I could take.

“It’s alright,” I whispered, “I left my physical being so I’m sure it looked very odd. Though I can’t say I’ve seen it myself.”

“What happened anyway?” Hoseok got to the bookshelf of grimoires, grimaced, and then went back to digging through the boxes.

“Scrying,” Jimin answered before I could.

Shiloh returned then, angrily shouting about the “stupid dog” and his “even dumber owner.” I quickly went to tend to my familiar. She looked disheveled and scowled when she saw me. The center of her face, normally a perfect cream, was caked in dirt. I gasped and rushed towards her, scooping her up in my arms just the way she liked it, and put on the most pitiful voice I could.

“Oh, darling,” I wailed, “Whatever happened to you?”

And just like any other time this happened, Shiloh dramatically went limp in my arms and closed her eyes in mock fatigue. She was on fire with anger and wanted to rip out the eyes of whoever harmed her. For me, though, she was just trying to get extra mice.

“The witch, Jean-” She began.

“Jin,” I corrected, softly.

“Jin. Oh, that monster!” She placed her wing across her forehead. “He let his godforsaken, loudmouth, drooling like a bumbling idiot mutt out on me!”

“Max?” I gasped, placing a hand over my heart.

“Indeed,” She cried, “He told him to play with me while he got your things ready, and the dog decided to use me as a toy!”

“Oh, Shiloh, I am so very sorry,” I faked, bringing her closer to me.

“The horror! The shame!”

I took the pouch off her neck and placed it on the counter before carrying her into my bedroom. The owl continued her fake crying all the way there. I had to give it to her, she was an excellent actress. However, she was also an owl and my familiar so running off to the theatre was not an option she had.

“And then the bees, I was forced into a position to ask them for them. Me! Shiloh, the Birdie’s one and only familiar, asking those mongrels for help. Never send me back there again, Y/N I beg of you!”

I rolled my eyes and helped her squeeze her way into the small opening of her nesting box. While she usually slept in her large, cone-shaped nest outside, when she stayed awake during the day to help me, I allowed her to sleep in my room. I had built it as a child. I gathered the wood and my auntie helped with cutting, screwing, and dangerous things that a four-year-old could not do herself. It was a nice size, 4x4, and solid wood with a hole large enough for her to squeeze through in the upper right-hand corner. The inside was filled with dirt and sticks just as the owl liked as well as a stuffed animal, I had given her when we became connected. I heard the owl sigh and she rushed to the dark side of the nest.

Chuckling, I went back into the kitchen and called out to Delinah from the window. She was still eating the cabbage I had given her. The fawn looked at me.

“Whenever you’re finished would you mind asking Irene, she’s one of the sea witches, if she could spare a vole or two? Shiloh is being dramatic again.”

Delinah laughed. All animals do it but not many are easily detected. I had known the deer since she was a small fawn, so I knew the sounds from anywhere. Behind me, I heard Hoseok’s loud footsteps and remembered who I had in my house.

“Of course,” She responded.

“Great!”

I quickly spun back around and began to fix my hair. I had yet to grow it back, but the nervous tick was still in full force. Hoseok was still looking around completely unbothered while Jimin was rooted in the same spot he had been in since coming inside. I was worried had angered him with my antics. While Hoseok was both used to and fond of the shenanigans that went on in my home the other alpha was not. He was known to be quick-tempered and easily annoyed by any sort of nonsense, but his stoic expression gave nothing away. I twirled a strand around my finger.

“Sorry, again,” I awkwardly laughed. “My familiar is a bit of a drama queen.”

“How is Shiloh?” Hoseok wondered, finally breaking himself away from the hundreds of items around him.

I returned to the counter and started pulling out the items Jin had spared me. Just as I thought, there was what I had asked for and more within the back including a note.

Birdie, How splendid of you to drop by. Of course, I am aware that Shiloh had come in your absence, but I will be expecting you over tonight in return. I’ll brew your favorite tea. I’ll have the ingredients below but feel free to write any revisions you may find. I have packed everything you asked for: 2 sunflower stems 12 sunflower seeds 3 baby’s breath bundles A small comb of honey 10 sprigs of vervain I have also added some other goodies in return for all of the wonderful gardening tools you made me this year. I know you use a lot of mint and sage so expect plenty of it. I’ve also started to grow lavender to balance out the sea coven’s needs for Yoongi. Tea: 2-3 cups honeysuckle flowers (whole) 2 cups water Wild honey to taste Much love, Seokjin

I quickly put my cauldron on the flame and began to write back the witch. Unlike Yoongi, Jin was a great pen pal and wonder to have tea with. He, like myself, could speak with animals so we were able to talk while I was a bird. However, he was usually asleep when the sun went down as it was his prime energy source. Without the sun, Jin was just a man.

Jin, Thank you very much for the supplies. The mint is lovely and so glad to hear about the lavender. Remember full-sun and well-drained soil are best for it. If you need any other pointers Yoongi would be the better man to ask. Everything I know from him and my inability to go out in the sun does not bode well for my gardening career. Also, neutral to alkaline soil. I’m positive they will be lovely. You’re too kind to me. The tools were a gift for being such a wonderful person and a greater friend to me over the years. Pass my thanks on to Max. Shiloh came home with her dramatics again. Haven’t I told you to stop picking on her? The dog aspect already bothers her, and the bees, but cuddling is far from her preferred activity. Tea sounds lovely but I prefer the honeysuckle crushed. May Lilith bring you joy, Birdie

“As dramatic as always,” I finally responded, folding the paper, and stamping it with a wax seal. “Auferetur,” I commanded, and the paper incinerated into a fire and was gone.

“Sometimes I forget she’s not a person,” He joked, coming to the counter to watch me work.

The alpha enjoyed seeing the process of potion making even if he did not pay much attention to the details. I used to attempt to explain what I was doing until I realized he just thought the cauldron was cool. I used to be the same when as a child, but things change very quickly in this life.

“Well, she’s technically a spirit, but yes she is an owl,” I threw in the vervain sprigs.

Tablet heat suppressants were difficult to make due to timing. As soon as they were done, they were to be taken off the heat and placed into mold immediately. They solidified within 3 minutes and were ready to go in 10 once the moisture was gone.  Next was the baby’s breath.

“Is everything in your world a spirit?” Hoseok cocked an eyebrow.

“Hyung,” Jimin warned.

He did it again. Of course, I did not need Jimin to save me from the other alpha. They were both at my mercy while inside and it was impossible to imagine Hoseok ever attempting to harm me. He reminded me more of Max than any wolf and his heart-shaped smile and dimples only added to his puppy-like nature. Still, I was touched by the gesture. I was reminded of the poor way I had spoken of him last night and felt ashamed of myself. I did hardly know the silver-haired man.

“Just about,” I used my magic to make the molds appear on the counter and enchanted them to line up in a single file line all around the cottage.

“Isn’t it hard to do all of that at once?”

“Hoseok,” I slipped, forgetting my manners, “I’m the Birdie. Do you truly believe that little of me?”

“Well, no,” He laughed, “I’ve just never seen any other witch do it before.”

“Do you see other witches often?” I enjoyed the small talk.

He was wonderful at it. Jung Hoseok was a master charmer and one of the politest gentlemen in Lustra. His mate, a woman I did not know very well and only saw in passing, was a beta. It was a rarity for any alpha to mate with any other preset besides omega, however, they had grown up together and fell in love young. Their wolves had always gravitated toward one another, but the feelings were not known until after they had both gone through the change. I was proud to have been the one to bring them together and help them through the bonding process thereafter. She would have come to help Hoseok today, but I knew she was taking care of her ill mother back in her hometown Viridi Gramine. They both were kind and Hoseok was a joy to have around.

“Only the grumpy man who lives close to the pond.” I snorted.

“Yoongi the kitchen witch?” I confirmed, amused.

Min Yoongi was another close friend of mine. While not as personable as Seokjin or the sea witch coven, he was reliable and ready to help at the drop of a dime. Of course, he complained more than anyone else I knew and loathed uninvited guests, but I knew it was because he had not had proper time to make them a meal. He became reserved so he would not let on how much he enjoyed company since it was so rare on his edge of the forest. It made me happy to know that Hoseok’s visits were not limited to me and the kitchen witch would feed off his great energy.

“He’s a kitchen witch? Could’ve fooled me.”

“He’s unorthodox, that’s for sure,” The potion was finally complete, and I quickly began lifting portions and filling the molds. “However, he is not a very sought-after host so he can be clueless about manners or formalities. I’m afraid you’ll have to pardon him on my behalf.”

The molds would fly off and onto the counter once I filled them. The entire house smelled of vervain and I knew I would never hear the end of it. Shiloh was very particular, but I had grown used to her babbling. She hardly ever listened to any of my warnings until I reminded her that her reincarnation as a moral relied on her being a good familiar. And yet, she would always find a way to make my life harder. Still, I could not deny that the owl was my best friend. Or that I would be devastated if she did not get her to wish granted. I wanted more than anything for her to become the beautiful blonde she had always dreamed of. Even if she liked to fly in like a bat out of hell and moan about bees attempting to make friends with her.

“What makes him a kitchen witch?” It was Jimin who asked the question this time.

It was a common question for non-magical people. While I would never consider a pack member a mortal, I knew better than to lump them in with us. Guardians but all of their mysticism came from their shifting abilities, and since most wolves thought that they were untouchable, they never did learn about magic regarding others. Witches, however, were expected to know everything there was to know about it. At least, that was my job.

“Well, all witches have the same base knowledge, but we can also have specialties,” I explained.

“And his is cooking?” Jimin’s eyebrows knitted together.

I shook my head.

“Something like that. It’s how he goes about cooking. Yoongi keeps a small altar in his kitchen, cooks with special herbs, and even stirs his food in a particular way depending on the magic he is attempting to pull from it. He keeps a special cookbook that is completely different from his book of shadows. There’s a fine art to kitchen witchery.”

Jimin hummed in acknowledgment This was the longest we had ever spoken, and I found it much easier when I did not have to look at him. I could not remember when these feelings began but it had to have been years ago at this point. I could recall the warmth surrounding me during his presenting ceremony and how his wolf went frantic to get close to me. Of course, that was normal, and I paid it no mind, but I still allowed myself to wonder. My infatuation has only grown since then, a fact he had to be aware of, and I was grateful he never commented on it. Even the custos of Bangtan was a gentleman. Another wave of shame overcame me.

“What kind of witch are you?”

“I’m a Lunar witch,” I replied curtly, making sure to keep my eyes away from Jimin.

“Can you explain that one as well?”

Once all the molds were filled and, on the counter, I made a large gust of wind come inside to speed up the curing process. While I may be enjoying this, I knew they were busy men and I had already taken a large portion of their day. Hoseok, I knew would not care but Jimin had important duties to always attend to.

“Well,” I started, “Lunar witchcraft is just the opposite of solar. We get our power from the moon, prey to it, and perform all our rituals and ceremonies based on the phases. I’m strongest during the night which is why I’m able to help with the shifts the same way your grand witch had.”

“Are all Birdies moon witches?” It was Hoseok who asked.

While I was pleasantly surprised he had been listening, I did not let it show. He would most likely close his ears the second he grew bored.

“No, usually they’re forest or green witches. I’m the first lunar witch.”

“Why?” Jimin asked.

Just as I had thought, Hoseok was back to touching things and wondering out loud. I never minded. He was unusually quiet today and I guessed that Jimin had something to do with that. He always said the younger man was far too serious and concerned about unimportant things. However, now talking to him, I found that hard to believe. If he were so strict, he would have demanded I move quickly and would not be asking me pointless questions about the magic he would never have to worry about.

“After the previous Birdie’s death, things were strange for me for a time. I was not ready and began to prey tirelessly for Lilith to bring her back. Once I began to do moon ceremonies in her honor is when she approached me to become a grand witch and to be a true grand witch I had to convert to lunar witchery. It’s not that complicated.”

The suppressants were set and powdery. For good luck, I took one out of its mold and smashed it between my fingers. The tablet gave away quickly and turned to sand. I checked the color of my fingertips. If I was successful, the tips would be clean. If something had gone wrong, it would be stained purple as it would be impossible for it to dry properly. They were clean and I began to package the tablets.

The enchanted items made quick work of the boxing and I took my time to write the note card. Since these suppressants worked differently than the liquid version I needed to be highly detailed in my instructions. Unlike liquid suppressants that acted immediately and for long hours, the tablets had to be taken two days in advance every four hours. Once the heat was on, the blood should have enough of the medicine in it to be able to take them twice a day without any worries. Even if I had made them before the young wolves always found a way to mess the schedule up.

“Alpha Jimin,” I called out feeling uncomfortable.

“Yes?”

“I made plenty just in case,” I shuffled back and forth, “But Luna informed me that all alphas who are unmated get an omega of their choosing to spend their heat with.”

A lull happened and I felt my breath picking up. My blinking became far more rapid, and I knew I was sending out waves of anxiety. As a shifter, I had my scent though I was nose blind to it, and no one had ever commented on it besides my auntie. She had said it was like vanilla and lavender, but that was long ago. I could only imagine the signals I was sending out to the two men and when Hoseok froze up, I unintentionally sent out a huge gush of my scent.

Jimin’s eyes were almost black when I looked up at him and it sent terror through me. The prey within me trembled and it caused the shaking to overcome me as well. I shrank away from him, my fight or flight response on high alert, and I knew Shiloh would wake up soon if I did not calm down. I became smaller, closing in on myself, and pulling my head back. My hearing was sharper and the colors around me began to warp. Instead of seeing 3 colors, my vision changed, and the UV waves became visible to me. Jimin flinched and in my current state, I began to shake my neck and a loud, menacing hiss came out of my throat.

That snapped me out of my panic. I had never done that before, and it seemed to have frightened the two men. When I looked this time, Jimin’s eyes were normal. I collected myself before relaxing. The waves were gone, and my ears stopped ringing. Neither one of the werewolves made a move.

“I’m out of it today,” I finally said, breathless.

“Are you alright?” Hoseok asked, his face showing his concern.

I nodded and took another deep breath.

“Anxiety is not good for a prey animal,” I explained.

“I’m sorry I frightened you,” Jimin spoke, and I turned my attention to him.

I nodded and closed my eyes. In the other room, I heard Shiloh asking if I was alright. I quickly let her know that I was fine. I had not had a response that violent in a long time. His eyes… Fear shot through me once more, but I forced myself to calm down. This was Jimin, not the black wolf from my nightmares. Another deep breath.

“No, no,” I slurred my speech. I was so tired. “Your eyes...”

I faintly hear Delinah come inside but I felt like I was underwater. Everything became hazy and my knees buckled. I hit the ground, but I hardly felt the impact. My breath slowed and the voices in the room were far away. Shiloh’s voice began to fill the room, but no one could understand her. Briefly, I felt a warmth envelop my hand and I moved closer to it. I felt cold, so cold, and soon was unable to move. The warmth spread to my face, and I let out a breath at the contact. My eyes closed and even though the voice beside me asked me not to, I fell asleep.

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