#i think it's Very Real for imogen. to feel like she reached out so many times and the loyalty there was so fucking flimsy
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We want to destroy my mother.
(insp by @dadrielle)
#critical role#criticalroleedit#imogen temult#liliana temult#laura bailey#matthew mercer#gifs#*#*cr#cr3#cr spoilers#angst tag#cr meta#nova shh#scheduled#3h12m c3e88#18m c3e12#3h17m c3e42#3h42m c3e51#4h20m c3e51#1h35m c3e49#i think this gifset might be a little bit unfair to liliana from a third party perspective but#i think it's Very Real for imogen. to feel like she reached out so many times and the loyalty there was so fucking flimsy#barely there to begin with and then gone in an instant as everything turned to red mist#thinking about how laura on 4sd a while ago said imogen is so fucking sick of it she's sick of having that hope#her reality is that her mother no longer has any loyalty to her and the pain of thinking she does isn't worth it anymore#:((((#'help me.' 'this is for the best.' breaks my H E A R T :(((((((((#and matt's fucking Smile afterward. speaks a thousand words#thanks rj for the discord message that kicked this off!!!
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CRITICAL ROLE CAMPAIGN 3 EPISODE 85 SPOILERS
IM LITERALLY ABOUT TO LOSE MY MIND YALL
Where do I even ??? start ???
I haven't been posting c3 as the episodes dropped in...a while actually, like right before they went to the feywild. i have many thoughts and many feelings about so many things that have happened since then and I'll summarise them so I can get to THIS episode.
fearne and ashton - love their shard powers, they're literally royalty and terrifying, and i want them to make-out. i can't wait to see them go full primordial again in a real combat situation.
imogen - save her. literally save her. free her, even. i love everything about the call of ruidus when it comes to imogen on a narrative standpoint, but...God I get so worried that we're gonna lose her. I don't mean she's gonna betray the hells, but...ruidus could take her and then i would simply perish.
laudna - before i really get into wtf went down this episode with her and she who must not be named, i gotta say... im worried. very very worried. however, that fireball was objectively the best shit ever.
fcg - i can't even really remember anything stand out abt fcg except what Sam pulled last night so.
chetney - still the heart of the team, still my baby girl, still my favourite. love him to bits.
orym - i think laudna is going to beat his ass one of these days and im... even more concerned about that after this episode. his nana morri powers are cool as fuck tho... does that make him a warlock now? i know he isn't multi-classing but wouldn't that be cool
ANYWAY WE'RE ON THE FUCKING MOON AND WE GOT MOON LORE AND EVERYTHING WAS SHITTY THEN FUN THEN SHITTY THEN FUN AGAIN THEN REALLY FUCKING SAD THEN IT ALL WENT TO SHIT AGAIN.
the moment imogen reached out to ruidus and matt mentioned that she could sense where other ruidusborn were i fucking knew that otohan was high tailing it in their direction, and i thought they instinctively knew that too but they probably got so distracted.
we were travelling for hours and had a huge fight that almost got them captured (not to be confused with the OTHER two fights that almost got them captured) and I was begging and screaming and crying for them to get a long rest safely hidden away AND THEN THEY SPLIT THE PARTY WITH BARELY ANY SPELL SLOTS OR HIT POINTS AFTER BEING DRAINED FROM ANOTHER BATTLE WHAT IS WRONG WITH THEM
(Sidenote, the willmaster really opened up the door to the further increase in moral pondering in a certain number of hellians. i do think using the harness is disgusting and hypocritical, but i don't condemn them for it, it just...makes me wanna vomit thinking abt what ludinus did with it. not to mention the HUNGER parallels between laudna and ludinus...its just not good yall. also??? objectively funny that fcg seemed weirded out by the idea of killing the willmaster, not just with the harness but in general, considering how many people they've killed up to this point)
idk if its just the inherent terror that an evil old hot lady can inspire that makes otohan so much more terrifying to me than ludinus. like, objectively, ludinus is a worse threat and could wipe them out EASILY but jesus otohan is like the damn reaper to me. it's the trauma from the laudna, fearne, orym massacre mixed with the underlying little drop from their uthodurn romp that let us know that resurrection spells are NOT working and idk if that got fixed bc of time passing or distance from the leylines but i really did not want to test that shit out in real time
thank...god that sam riegel is a damn genius player, that banishment of fcg and fearne was the ONLY reason fcg survived. and thank GOD FOR KEYLETH BECAUSE WITHOUT THAT CLOUD SPELL BELLS HELLS WOULD BE VERY VERY VERY VERY VERY DEAD RN.
God, "otohan has us. run." is going to haunt me just as much, if not more than the almost tpk. it just...shot me straight back to bassuras and the plan to run that just...immediately fell apart.
god fcg truly could have died there. and fearne would be captured. i know the hells would be too stupid and too brave and too loyal to leave fearne with otohan in their cloud form but can you imagine a world where fcg was gone, fearne was captured and the hells had to switch from recon to rescue... itd be stressful but pretty fun.
thankfully it didn't come to that and some good came from the shit.
ruidus is so beautiful. i was worried they'd end being trapped under ruidus while they explored (not that I wasn't on board with the detours, I wish this wasn't a time sensitive mission), but matt's imagery of the fossilized elven structure and garden made me sad but also happy that we got to see it.
i cannot believe that the stupid plan to shove fearne up a water hole happened AGAIN and it ended up with us FINDING A BACK HOLE TO RUIDUS GOD I LOVE THESE CHUCKLEFUCKS WHEN IS THE NEXT EPISODE MATT YOU CANNOT DO THIS TO ME. WHERE EVEN ARE THEY??? IS IT EVEN EXANDRIA???? WHAT DO WE DO IF IT IS EXANDRIA??? WHERE DID THIS HOLE EVEN COME FROM???? DOES IT CLOSE AND REOPEN??? IS IT STAGNANT?????? IS IT FUCKING STABLE?!?!?!?!?!
God...we could go back to keyleth and the others and actually invade ruidus without encountering the ruby vanguard. (that's if they're alright because otohan did go out onto the battlefield and we don't know what fhe fuck she did when the illusion fell through)
GOD. IS IT THURSDAY YET??? WE HAVENT EVEN FOUND THE RESISTANCE????
#critical role#cr3#bells hells#critical role campaign 3#c3#critical role c3#critical role spoilers#imogen temult#ashton greymoore#cr laudna#laudna#orym of the air ashari#chetney pock o'pea#fcg critical role#cr spoilers#fearne calloway#c3 e85#cr3 ep85
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[initial reactions] Critical Role: Bells Hells episode 49
That was such a good episode, I know that the characters were stressed being on board the sky ship, eating up time as the Apogee Solstice creeps ever forward but it was such a great moment for the characters to unwind a bit and talk. I always love their planning stuff despite how many people gripe about it on the chat and reddit, I love their thought process and the way they try to mitigate the damage they do.
I already love Laudna but IMO she was in fine form this episode, finally cracking Ashton open and getting that long awaited talk out of the way. I can see why the dynamic of Keyleth and Percy work so well in C1 and I wish its something they can show more in the animated series.
*crossing fingers for season 3 of TLOVM!
It does feel like its a dynamic Taliesin and Marisha want to recreate in a different flavor with Ashton and Laudna, and they're doing so successfully. I love how Ashton and Laudna talk, and call each other's bullshit out but this episode especially, Laudna is showing off the wisdom she learned in 30 hard earned years she's lived.
Orym's also successfully reaching out to people with Dorian and I love how we're getting hints of things in EXU Prime that in their end, things are also very dicey. Opal getting dark???
I am so into that and Fearne's immediate concern is apparent. But also, Marisha knowing the details of the EXU Prime plot is so juicy!
The gang accomplished so much recruiting Ira, finally telling some more people in authority or approximate authority about how dire the situations are. Telling Pike, even though she can't do things, maybe? Possibly? Apparently, things on Tal'dorei are also very dicey, so Whitestone might have its own problems with the Ziggurat.
I'm going to heap more praise towards Laudna because of the interrogative sort of femme fatale honey pot play she did with Ira, getting Ira to talk more about it, tagged teamed with Fearne at the end.
Speaking of, Fearne is very much still ambivalent towards her parents, sure she's nice to them but as she told Nana Morri, her parents feel more like strangers than people related to her.
Also, Thank Goodness, the team's finally equipped but I need Dani to remind the cast that they still have residuum and the bracers of defense!
I feel like there's gonna be some Mad Max shenanigans that's going to happen on the Apogee Solstice, and its going to be heart pounding and epic and so great.
FCG also learned some things about himself, about how he is not alone and Devaxian also stressed how from this point on he is gifted with a chance to own his own future. A future of his own making. (A theme that will be repeated a lot!).
And then there's that moment when Imogen meets with Liliana again and, and, and I am VINDICATED!!! LILIANA IS A TRUE BELIEVER. She might even be Ludinus's real right hand and not Otohan which would be DELICIOUS.
I love that Liliana tried to get Imogen on her side and Imogen genuinely considered it because the vision she painted was tempting, for someone like Imogen who was tormented by her powers that's a siren call.
But of course, Fearne and Orym was around in the dream and they played it as silent observers instead of actively interacting with the dream space like how the others did it. It does feel like Fearne and Orym are still at heart, a unit. In a similar but different way to Laudna and Imogen. I love the talk they had about Imogen, about the possibility of Imogen turning because of her mother. Orym and Fearne will do what's necessary to stop things from happening and it's really fascinating how that will go.
Laura's face was interesting the whole time too.
And then, and then just when the group thinks its hopeless they get a possible help and distraction of the big army with Keyleth coming in, sounding exhausted and heart sick but still willing to help to put Ashari volunteers to help. I hope the group remembers to warn Keyleth about the antimagic that's going to happen.
I feel like Keyleth and the Air Ashari can act as distraction while the Bells Hells, as a strike team can go and take down the Malleus Key. Everyone in the cast looked happy at this development, except for Marisha who looked worried and had her Thinking Face on.
Near the end, Imogen talks to Orym and asked how he can go on after everyone he lost and they have a heartfelt talk. Orym tells Imogen that he believes in her but Imogen is not convinced but doesn't try to read his mind to know if this is true. Instead, at long last, after many episodes.
Imogen goes back to the room she shares with Laudna and finally talks to her. Whatever impetus it was: her fear, uncertainty, or the realization that she shares some similarities with her father and that's the reluctance to talk.
Laudna asks if Imogen is okay, and automatically, Imogen answers she is. Laudna gently tells Imogen she didn't need to lie to Laudna about 'being fine'. And so Imogen opens the conversation with admitting that she's been afraid of really talking to Laudna after she was resurrected, that she had something to tell Laudna.
Laudna asks Imogen what it is she wanted to say but Imogen hesitates and then says something about her fear and god I love how Laudna approached her talk with Imogen. I love that Laudna went about it with understanding because, of course, who more than Laudna hasn't thought what would have happened if life had been different.
Laudna had thirty years to think similar thoughts, to wish a different life than the one she had. She candidly told Ashton she made Patê so she won't lose her mind wandering alone.
But through everything Laudna lived through she is very cognizant too the reason she met Imogen and the other Bells Hells was because of who she is and became. And I think Marisha has her answer to Aabria's question from the 4 Sided Dive a long time ago -- there is a part of her that is a little grateful for Delilah or whatever patron that made her a Hollow One, that she has this powers now and ability to be spooky. Things she enjoys.
It's a little messed up and complicated.
I also love that while Laudna didn't hear Imogen's promise about how Laudna will always have a choice, Laudna unknowingly echoed back Imogen's words. Imogen has a choice. She will always have a choice and having the ability to choose is a power all its own. Its not something gods can take away.
Honestly, I love how Laudna is talking to Imogen from a place of understanding and I think more than anything, this helped Imogen solidify her grasp of why they're fighting. It's not just because its wrong and kill other people. All morally right reasons why they need to stop Ludinus and his group.
It's because every individual deserves a right to choose. And that love also means loving every part of a person, especially the weird parts of them.
Imogen might have lost her nerve to tell Laudna she loved her, loved her, romantic stylez and Laudna might slowly be waking into the part of herself that can access it. But its plain as day they love each other and I'm okay to wait on how long and slow this will cook, but also saying things like:
"I feel so comfortable and bonded with you. We transcend words in our relationship.
"You'll always have me."
"I'll always be there to support you whatever choice you make.
"You're my tether."
"That tether goes beyond this realm and this life."
C'MON. Those words are my ship Kryptonite! If I hadn't already shipped them, this would have definitely tip the scales! And I feel very well fed tonight!
God I love them. I love the Bells Hells.
#critical role spoilers#cr spoilers#critical role#critical role c3 spoilers#bells hells#imogen temult#laudna#fearne calloway#orym of the air ashari#ashton greymoore#chetney pock o’pea#ship: laudna x imogen#ship: imogen x laudna#ship: southern gothic#imodna#southern gothic#cr 3x49#long post
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I am sad b/c of Colorado some happy Shy and Midge, please???
(I also am sad about this. May their memories be a blessing, and may the injured have speedy recoveries)
Midge wanders into Shy's place on his birthday, and looks around at all of the familiar faces. Stars of stage and screen and the music industry litter the place, and she's not sure where to put herself.
Sure, she's gotten some fame from the Gordon Ford show, but she's not half as famous as most of the people here.
She figures she'll head to the bar, when someone taps her arm gently, and when she turns, there's Marcus: Shy's personal bodyguard.
Midge smiles. "Hi, Marcus! Enjoying the party?"
"Sure, Midge," he chuckles. "Shy's in the solarium, he wanted me to catch you when you got here."
"Great! Let me get my drink."
"Oh, he's got the good gin already," Marcus grins. "Follow me?"
Midge laughs a little and nods, taking his offered arm (which feels about three times the size of her own), and letting him lead her back through the house to the solarium; a beautiful roomed covered in flowers with a domed roof overhead.
"There's my girl," Shy beams, reaching to give her a kiss.
"Happy birthday, Sweetie," Midge chirps back, kissing his cheek. "What are you doing hiding back here?"
"Hiding," he tells her. "Jerome isn't coming tonight, and Monica is in Europe for the next little while, which means no date, which means lots of people taking more of an interest than I'd like."
"What is Monica doing in Europe?" Midge asks curiously.
"The male population of Italy, I assume," Shy responds with a sly smirk.
"I have heard something about hot blooded Italian men," Midge jokes, taking a seat and a drink Marcus pours. "thanks, Marcus."
"Speaking of dates, where is yours?" Shy asks. "Aren't you usually shadowed by a tall stoop-shouldered Jewish man with a big mouth?"
Midge takes a long drink. "Mr. Bruce is having second thoughts about our relationship."
Shy stares at her silently.
She shrugs. "He's used to being on his own. He says it might be too much of an adjustment to handle having an entire horde of people around all the time. Me, my parents, the ex and his parents, my brother, Imogene, Susie..."
"So what you're saying is that he is being a scared little boy," Shy comments judgmentally. "That is the worst excuse for backing out of a relationship I have ever heard, and believe me, I have told some whoppers in my time."
"I can't make him do what he doesn't want to do," Midge says quietly.
"He knows this is the real deal, and he's losing his shit," Shy tells her. "Marcus, get me the phone."
"Shy-"
Before Midge can really protest, there's a phone in Shy's hands. "He home tonight?"
"I think so. He didn't have a gig, so unless he's fallen off the wagon..."
Shy nods. "Phone number, please."
She sighs heavily and recites it, watching Shy dial.
"Lenny! It's Shy! Yes, thank you. I noticed that Midge is here at my party, and you are not." He pauses and rolls his eyes. "That's a joke, right? You're a very funny man, Lenny."
Midge drains her glass and quietly asks Marcus for another, which he obliges.
"Look, I don't know what your specific damage is, other than one too many dope hits, but this is ridiculous," Shy tells him, making Midge nearly choke on her first sip of her refreshed drink.
"Here is what I know," Shy goes on, turning away from Midge and Marcus. "What you have with Midge is real. And that is very difficult to find. It's even harder to keep. if your main goal in life is to be a miserable dumb-ass, then be my guest and end what will probably be the most fulfilling relationship of your life. But if you actually enjoy being happy, I suggest you clean yourself up, put on a nice tie and get down to here to escort your girlfriend to my party."
With that, he hangs up, and Midge stares at him with wide, shocked eyes.
"You're welcome," he sing-songs.
"I owe you a much better birthday gift than I got you," she tells him.
"You can take me out to lunch at Tavern on the Green tomorrow," he beams as he sips his drink.
"Where is Jerome, by the way?" she asks, still a little bewildered.
Shy sighs softly. "His grandmother got sick, so he's playing the dutiful nursemaid tonight. His sister's been on Nana-watch all week and her daughter broke her arm earlier tonight, so Jerome had to swoop in and be the hero."
Midge ponders that, smiling slowly.
"Oh, no," Shy chuckles. "I know that look. That is the look of a crazy woman with an idea."
Midge smiles wider and turns to Marcus. "Do you think the guests here can entertain themselves without Shy for an hour or so?"
Marcus shrugs. "Probably. No one ever really notices anything at these big parties. One time Paul Newman and Joanne Woodward made it in the downstairs bathroom. No one noticed a thing."
Midge whirls around to Shy. "Paul and Joanne fucked in your bathroom?!"
"Oh, please, those two will fuck anywhere," Shy snorts.
Midge shakes out her head. "Okay. Let's go box up some food and then you can head to Jerome's."
"Why?" Shy asks.
"To surprise him."
"It's my birthday."
"And would you rather be here with all of these vapid assholes who fuck in your bathroom, or spending a quiet evening with your boyfriend and some good food?" Midge asks pointedly.
Shy blinks. "Touche."
"Let's move."
"What about Lenny?"
Midge shrugs. "Either he shows up or he doesn't. You get your coat, and Marcus will pack up some food to take along, and I'll entertain the masses and make sure no one gets wind that you left, and when you get back, you can have a little birthday toast with your million guests."
Shy shakes his head. "I'm only doing this to avoid talking to Frank Sinatra, you know. That man hates me."
"That's because you're more talented than he is," Midge smirks. "Leave."
*****
Jerome Robins is not a celebrity. He's not even mildly famous. Just an English teacher, trying to guide Harlem's youth in productive directions through literature and language.
So as not to feel too let down by not being able to attend his boyfriend's star-studded birthday party, he's been telling himself all night that there's no way he would fit in there.
But in reality, he wishes he were sitting with Shy, drinking champagne, eating fancy food and people watching, instead of watching Sophie Lennon's dumb little game show on television while his Nana snoozes in bedroom.
Jerome frowns when there's a knock on the door, and when he opens it, his eyes nearly fall out of his head.
Shy is standing there with a sheepish grin, holding a box of food and a bottle of very old-looking champagne.
"Uh..."
"That party was awful without you," Shy tells him. "Midge shoved me out the back door with finger food and a bottle of champagne old enough to have fought in the Civil War."
Jerome laughs softly and lets him in, closing the door before kissing him softly. "Happy birthday."
"Yes, it is a very happy birthday," Shy agrees, smiling. "How's your grandmother?"
"Asleep."
"Good. Then we can celebrate in peace. I have about an hour before I need to head back."
Jerome smiles and kisses him again. "Good enough for me."
*****
Midge does a great job entertaining the guests and making sure everyone is full up on wine. She and Marcus make a great team, and no one suspects that Shy has left the building.
With the exception of one person.
"He's not here, is he?"
Midge glances back at Lenny, who has indeed cleaned himself up and put on a nice tie. "I don't know what you're talking about."
Lenny grins a little. "If he were here, he'd never let you have this kind of control over his party."
Midge grins a little and turns toward him. "Jerome had to stay home and take care of a sick relative. So I...maybe have encouraged Shy to...sneak out the solarium."
He chuckles softly and leans against the wall, watching Midge as she sips her drink. "So. I'm a dumb-ass."
"Mmm. Yes."
Lenny nods. "I'm sorry. I really am, I just- I'm not-" he shakes his head. "I think it hit me. How much I care about you. How much I...want this. With you. And it scared the hell out of me."
She considers that for a moment, before holding out her free hand and taking his, squeezing it. "It's okay to be scared. But you don't have to be scared by yourself."
He sighs softly and tugs her close, his forehead resting on her shoulder. "I don't want this to end."
"Then it won't," Midge tells him softly, her hand letting go of his to stroke the hair at the back of his head. "You just need to let me in."
He nods, but doesn't move and she kisses his temple before setting her drink down. "Come dance with me. Shy will be back soon, and he'll want everyone's attention."
Lenny nods, and pulls her closer, kissing her softly before leading her to the dance floor.
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This is a very silly ask (and feel free to ignore it completely), but do you think any of your OCs would be friends with characters from other franchises? (Fun fact, this was inspired by a piece of fanart that made me believe that Thancred and Leon Kennedy of Resident Evil fame would absolutely be friends. Or at least drinking buddies.)
Hrm, I don't often think in terms of crossovers and mashups anymore--which is funny, as one of my earliest online RP experiences was a multiverse setting where OCs from any and all settings--franchise, gaming, original, etc--could co-exist. Normal mortals teaming up with demigods from novel series and mega-damage users from RIFTS and an array of fantasy and sci-fi and horror characters in between.
I sometimes think about how my OCs in various settings would interact together; how my WoW OCs would get along, or not, with the FF14 crew, or the FF14 OCs with my D&D characters. I tend to lean into certain archetypes (bards and paladins/clerics/priests are favorites), so there'd be some overlap and things in common, and also some frustrations at similarities that grate and clash.
So I don't think too much about how they'd interact with canon figures from other settings, but any OCs I'd have in that realm instead.
Well, the adventuring parties of Actual Play shows like Critical Role (and its animated series spinoffs) is pretty easy; Vox Machina, the Mighty Nein, and Bells Hells are all as chaotic and as helpful as adventurers tend to be, for good or bad. So there'd be eye rolling and irritation, but also understanding and diving in alongside, forming friendships with the weirdos cuz well, adventurers are Like That. They're RP characters too though so might be cheating, or at least easier to figure out for me.
Vax has that sort of noble rogue energy that'd make Aeryn fond of him, while Vex would initially drive her up a wall until they reached an understanding. Scanlan's annoy the heck out of her until they got to sit down and talk for real and she saw under the vulgar exterior. Percy'd be tolerated as Insufferable Noble Trying Too Hard. She'd be patient with Grog and enjoy his overlarge childish glee at everything. And who doesn't love Pike? Literal angel with a chaotic bent herself, she adds a bit of calm when not engaging in sibling shenanigans with Grog. I think Aeryn'd relate most to Keyleth, funnily, and they'd get along decently. Tary, too, would get a lot of sympathy concerning expectations, and also nerding around with his crafts, and may make dealing with Percy a tad easier.
Of the Nein, Caduceus is a spot of calm, aroace energy. Not as right as he thinks he is about many things, but he means well and tries, and that counts for a lot. Aeryn'd have tea with him any day. She'd also be drawn to Beau's bravado and brashness and they'd get into trouble together. Same with Fjord and Caleb, really; there's a level of familiarity in how they approach things with 'let's poke it and see what happens' but also the care they have for others in general. Same with Yasha. Jester's a bright light ball of energy and oh gods her and C'oretta in the same space would be exhausting. Nott/Veth is a bit more complicated; probably depends on when in the campaign, is it before or after Veth's reunited with her family, as she undergoes a shift emotionally once she has her original self back as well as her husband and son. Molly would aggravate and charm Aeryn by turns; Kingsley she'd be sympathetic to and understand too well that living in another's shadow aspect. Essek is fine; he's a wizard to talk shop with, learn from, mess around with spellwork. Luc is a brat also in the shadow of his accomplished mom and adventuring family, and needs mentoring and guidance and a lot of patience oh gosh.
A lot of the Hells would honestly be irritating, especially Imogen's propensity to just use telepathy intrusively; girl needs a lesson in why you don't want to poke around uninvited or casually to get your answers, and a WoL's head is wilder than most. FCG needs mentoring and guidance like whoa. Fearne's also an agent of energetic chaos; fun in doses. Laudna's not so scary, very sweet and fun and sad and likely needs help she doesn't know how to ask for. Ashton's grating in his arrogance and rebelliousness for rebellion's sake (though that may shift given recent things...). Chetney's surface attitude would be annoying, but soon enough he'd be a safe and calming point, given his perceptions. Orym's also just calming and reasonable; maybe a little too much sometimes, and needs to be reminded to cut loose now and then, it's good for you (and your friends).
Dark rolls with it all; she's very easy to get along with. Iyna wouldn't be able to stand most of them. C'oretta would get along well with most everyone but lord her and Jester and/or Fearne in the same place...Terrifying!
That's one off the top of my head, after a long holiday weekend thinking about it off and on, anyway!
#final fantasy xiv#lyn prompts#characters#crossovers#aeryn prompts#dark prompts#punchy prompts#iyna prompts
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<!—— cr c3 dynamic dumping/>
OKAY SO i lovelovelove the different dynamics between the pcs so i’m gonna be dumping my thoughts here!
spoilers up to c3e5 ahead!!
dorian and laudna are so funny together!!! marisha and robbie sitting next to each other have the funniest side-by-side reactions and in-character interactions by far, especially in episode 2 with the roof-floating fiasco and episode 5 with dorian killing dugger and laudna reacting to his bewilderment
fcg being ashton’s immediate emergency contact was gold, and the fact that is WASN’T questioned by yash?? that whole interaction was hilarious actually. i hope taliesin continues to let ashton build a deeper trust and companionship with fcg, lord knows this dude needs some real friends
laudna and ashton have planted little seedlings of a very interesting dynamic! similar to fearne and ashton except less mischievous and more so a bit of a “freaks club”? i really enjoy their little side comments to each other and i’m looking forward to seeing how this relationship unfolds
i really like laudna’s check-ins with imogen. i think the rest of the group knows about her tendency to get overwhelmed, but so far laudna is the most doting and observant. obviously they’ve known each other longer and care deeply about each other, but it’s just a really lovely detail about their relationship to have laudna be so protective
bertrand and orym at the inn was a whole ordeal, truly. travis and liam improvised marvelously, and this scene will forever be one of my favorite bertrand interactions (granted, he didn’t have too many to begin with, but you know what i mean), man i’m gonna miss bertrand
FEARNE AND ASHTON NEED MORE DUO MOMENTS!!! STEAL THE EARRING BACK!! these two have a concerning amount of potential to be an unstoppable reckless duo if they so chose. the world isn’t ready for their headassery if they ever put their heads together to mess with some poor innocent people
dorian and imogen have very comforting vibes i think? they both seem to enjoy each other’s company a lot, and it seems like out of the 3 groups (dorian/orym/fearne, laudna/imogen, ashton/fcg), these two seem to be the ones that have reached out the most in terms of trust and willingness to form new friendships (other than fcg, but he seems to be interested in making new friends with most people). idk how to describe it but i love their interactions so far, and laura and robbie make for a great comedic duo!
speaking of the need for more interaction, i feel like fcg could really open up orym to the idea of self-care? there’s been several instances where orym has just volunteered himself to be the sacrificial lamb, and it’s clear he values everyone else’s lives a lot, but i think fcg’s funny little therapy service would do him some good with balancing priorities
BERTRAND AND FEARNE!! i’m going to choose to ignore the nickname. bertrand and anyone was such a delight to be honest, travis plays the disgruntled older gentleman very well. fearne’s comment about jazz at his funeral had me so sure that bert would have been cackling and trying to recompose himself to defend his opinions were he still alive!
i have yet to watch exu but fearne and orym are a very heartwarming duo, something like a mischievous younger sibling and their older, more responsible sibling? i don’t know their ages, my bad! this isn’t to say orym doesn’t make unpredictable choices too, because him grabbing that sending stone and running with it caught me completely off guard, but he’s very caring towards fearne and knows when to draw the line with her antics? in turn, she demonstrates a deep affinity for him (that line about not wanting to be separated from orym during the sending stone shenanigans was very sweet!!) and keeps him close as well
some other potentially cool pairings i noted but don’t have much to elaborate on were ashton and imogen, laudna and fcg, and fearne and laudna
oh! and of course i had to save the funniest dynamic for last, but i really do think it can be summed up in a single sentence:
“try not to look like you’re… hitting on me”
#☻.criticalrole#do i even need to elaborate on bertrand and imogen?#critical role campaign 3#cr c3 spoilers#critical role campaign 3 spoilers#critical role#bertrand bell#dorian storm#orym#laudna#imogen temult#fearne calloway#fresh cut grass#fcg#ashton greymoore
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What’s your overall opinion on how everyone played that last fight
Everyone else was pretty good in that fight, actually, and were just fucked over by terrible rolls:
Ashton raged and attacked and got Laudna out of a grapple and used their chaos burst to do extra damage; this is about what a barbarian can do and he did a great job.
Orym's choice of goading attacks was a really smart one; unfortunately the creature had a particularly nasty AOE effect. The feint was also good as was the second wind and action surge. Honestly I think a melee dex-based battlemaster suits Liam really well as a player.
Imogen's choice to use witch bolt, which only has to hit once and then she keeps it up, was very smart. Converting her sorcery points to a spell was also good; we still don't know her other metamagic feature, but twinned spell isn't useful here so this grants her a little more, well, flexible casting.
I feel Ashley, now that she is actually consistently at the table, is quietly becoming a mechanics person to watch because she actually was really smart in her choices and again, the dice just weren't with her. Little Mister doesn't perma-die so he's essentially 25 hit points of distraction and his flame seed would have been great had it hit. Scorching Ray is also a fantastic spell to use; it's one of the best low-level damaging spells in the game (witch bolt is another). I do think fiery teleportation would have been good; I understand her hesitation but the damage is all-or-nothing and it's only 1d6+proficiency, which at this level is 2; Orym, Ashton, and Dorian are likely to save against it with their dex scores plus Ashton has advantage and Dorian is proficient.
Dorian struggled to hit, in going with the theme, but he tried, and also healing himself wasn't a bad idea because, again, this party was on the precipice of a death spiral and that possibly saved him. His feat choice was really smart - bards don't get many attack spells and no real attack cantrips so this is incredibly helpful for when he wants to stay at range.
And finally Laudna, same situation: she COULD NOT hit with eldritch blast (to be fair Matt accidentally ruled her as at disadvantage when grappled but not restrained? unless that was an uneven enforcement of ranged spell attacks when in melee but I don't think so because he didn't apply it when she was was within the creature's reach but not grappled) but eldritch blast is typically a good strategy.
Like, I think this kind of illustrates how a fight can quickly go bad, even though most people are making good choices, due to poor rolls, which to soapbox briefly is another reason why I love being a support caster; this is where you can shine by keeping everyone up and casting bless or aid so that they stay alive and maybe have a better chance of hitting.
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“ you and me, we make a pretty good team. “ Imogen and Laudna. It can be romantic or not… I’ll leave that for you to decide. :)
500 words ish, first meetings, general cuteness. Overall nonromantic but first meetings are first meetings.
"Are you alright?" Laudna leaned over the pastel woman half-crumpled on the ground and breathing hard, careful to keep from reaching for her. Humans more than most folk did so hate it when she did that.
The pastel woman raised her purple-tendriled hand to her face and slowly made a fist, looking concerned but not surprised. New abilities, then. Always a learning curve. "I'm just fine, thanks to you." The woman squinted up at her. "What did you do to them, anyway?"
Lauda watched her get to her feet and begin dusting herself off with the brisk, rabbity movements of someone afraid and trying to hide it, but she said nothing about it. "I just made them reconsider giving you any trouble. It never takes much more than a suggestion from me."
The woman nodded shortly, and then she turned to look at Laudna and straightened her shoulders in a way meant to steady herself and held out a stiff hand. "My name's Imogen. Imogen Temult. I believe I owe you a favor for your help. Is there anything I can do for you?"
Laudna stared from her offered hand back to her face. Hand again. "The name's Laudna, dear. I don't mean to be rude, but are you partially blind, perchance?"
Imogen's hand faltered but stayed where it was. "Not at all. Why do you ask?"
"No reason at all." Laudna tilted her head and looked her over again, and then she extended her own hand and gripped Imogen's without preamble. She watched those violet eyes widen, felt the expected jump in the warm hand on hers, but Imogen recovered quickly and shook.
"I didn't know your kind stayed in places where the sun shone." She said it like fact, not insult. Your kind. Observational. "You're a dhampir, right?"
"There aren't many who know that word outside of where I come from, and fewer still that would look one in the eye. You're not a changeling, are you?"
Imogen let their hands drop and held her purple arm close to her chest. "No, just a human."
"I saw what you did before I appeared," said Laudna. "Not the sparkles, though they were nice. You looked like you had a few suggestions of your own before they got the better of you."
Imogen smiled weakly. "It's a recent development. I mostly try not to use it unless I have to."
"Shitty way to practice."
"Yes, well." Imogen didn't laugh so much as huff a little. "Most people tend to react...unfavorably, even when it's an accident. Anyway, Laudna, is there something I can do to make up for your help today?"
She started to say no, and then Laudna realized something odd. Her throat. It was always scratchy - side effect of it all - but it didn't usually feel like it. Talking. She'd spoken more words in the last two minutes than she had in maybe months. And now that she was thinking about it, she did have a request. "There certainly is," she said, and now there was some of the anxiety she expected from someone like her. Now she looked afraid.
Interesting.
"I'm at your service."
Very interesting.
"Take me to market," said Laudna. "In the daytime. Stay with me so people think I'm supposed to be there."
Imogen frowned. "You are supposed to be there. If you want."
"Oh you are adorable." Laudna leaned forward, hands clasped behind her. "There's a reason you don't see my kind in the daylight, dear, and it has very little to do with us. I've been chased out of the last four cities I've visited, and I so dearly desire a fresh baked cinnamon bun. It's been ages."
Imogen's shoulders didn't relax, but her head tilted more in curiosity than wariness. "You eat food? Like real food? I thought you'd be wanting something more...specialized."
"I eat all sorts of things," said Laudna. "And no two cinnamon buns are the same. But if you're offering...?" she smiled and knew it wasn't pretty.
But Imogen just swallowed a little bit and nodded, and now the tension melted from her by degrees. What had she been braced for? "You want a friend and a snack. If that's all, I think we can come to an arrangement."
Laudna had said nothing at all about a friend, suspected that was more Imogen's thought than hers. She didn't hate the sound of it though, not at all. "You and me make a pretty good team," she agreed. "So do we have a deal?"
Imogen nodded. "There's a city a couple days' walk East. That's where I'm headed. You can come with me if you like. There's bound to be a market. Maybe even cinnamon buns."
"Delightful," said Laudna. "Lead the way."
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A Wife’s Duty [1] h.s.
[Warning] this is inspired by the handmaid’s tale (i know thats f’d up but this is fiction deal with it), dubcon (borderline noncon), commander x wife, harry styles x named reader, sexy stuff
In which she is bound to harry for life and tasked with the honor of being the wife of a commander and bearing his children.
Like, reblog and let me know what you think!
She didn’t see her husband’s face until the day of their wedding and, even then, it wasn’t a special ceremony of love and devotion.
She was standing in a line of girls, twelve on either side of her, and they were all to be wed together. All of them were lucky. They were young, beautiful and fertile which meant they could be saved from the fate of becoming Handmaiden’s. However, they were still married off and expected to bear many children for their commander husbands.
Loyal and subservient. Quiet and modest. At least, that's the way they interpreted God’s scripture.
As her new husband lifted her veil, she felt as if she may vomit. She had heard stories, horrible stories, of commander’s abusing their wives. She even heard one girl was beaten to death after suffering from a miscarriage. The commander was reprimanded, of course, but the chance of her husband being a cruel man was frightening.
He wasn’t what she expected. Her lips pressed into a small, nervous smile as she looked him over. His green eyes were piercing, maybe due to the blinding lights of the large stadium they were in, and his lips soft looking and pink. He was young, much older than her, but younger than she expected.
She looked down quickly, feeling his gaze pierce into her. He dressed in a black, like the rest of the commanders, but it seemed he had a lot of awards and honors decorating his chest. It seemed he was accomplished, to say the least, but, as her eyes roamed a bit lower, she noticed the tattoos on his hands.
She had always been taught that marking your body in that way was sinful yet here he stood, small tattoos decorating his hands, and yet he was a high ranking commander.
The priest went on and it was only then that she realized she had tuned out the readings. “God created man in his image; in the divine image he created him; male and female he created them. God blessed them, saying: "Be fertile and multiply; fill the earth and subdue it. Have dominion over the fish of the sea, the birds of the air, and all the living things that move on the earth." She only looked up again when her husband reached out to slide a ring onto her finger. It was relatively simple but the diamond perched in the middle screamed wealthy.
She thought for a moment that she was lucky but that faded quickly.
His hands were rough and calloused and he coughed awkwardly when his hands lingered a little too long on hers.
“For commanders and wives ., who begin their married life together this day. May they experience the love of God, the support of family and friends, and the blessings of children. We pray to the Lord.”
“Amen,” All the couples said in unison and it was first she heard his first. It was deep and certain. Like he knew this was inevitable just like she had. Like he had no choice but accepting things made it easier than fighting. And then it was done and her life was in his hands. The extent of her freedom would start and end with him.
They interlaced their arms, clapping roared through the stadium, and then she was being escorted away. A lot of the girls waved to their families, tears of joy dripping from their eyes. Their lives finally had a purpose. Her real family was gone, she was ripped away from them because they were poor and couldn’t afford to fight the government.
He was her family. And she didn’t even know his name.
+
He sat across from her in the black car they rode in. His hands sat awkwardly in his lap, as if he normally didn’t like being chauffeured around, and wished he was in control of the car. She nervously played with the folds of her white dress as she waited for him to say something - anything.
She opened her mouth to speak but was interrupted by a ringing phone. He eyed her carefully as he reached into his black jacket to take the call. A phone? To have one he must be very important.
“Commander Styles,” He answered, his voice gruff, “I’ll be in Redwick-” he checked his watch, “in an hour. But I won’t be able to meet with you tonight.”
Tonight. She swallowed. He probably wanted to consummate their marriage. Of course, he did. That was the whole point of this and she’d be stupid to think otherwise.
“I can meet with you sometime tomorrow. I’m eager to discuss those plans as well. I wasn’t expecting so much disagreement on the issue. If you give Thomas a call, he can fit you into my schedule….Yes, of course . . . May the lord be with you. Goodnight,” He sighed deeply as he hung up and then caught me staring.
“Commander Styles?��� She asked timidly. At the sound of her voice, his lips seemed to push into a thin line of frustration. She worried for a moment that she had already broken a rule.
“Harry, my name is Harry, Ember.”
She stared, blinking, “Y-You know my name?”
“I dislike surprises,” He answered simply, only leaving it to my imagination to decide what exactly he meant by that. He leaned back, letting one of his hands rest behind the headrest of the other seat, as he stared out the window.
Redwick was a decently far from the capital, that much she knew, and part of her was worried. She had never left the capital before and was warned that there were large lands of waste between cities, where captured rebels were forced into labor camps. She got the courage to look out the window about thirty minutes into the drive and, although she saw no rebels, she saw wasteland. It was like a red desert where the grass no longer grew and the rusting building seemed to fall into the dust.
Something about it felt peaceful and she felt a bit sick for thinking that way. She looked back down at her lap for the rest of the drive.
When they finally entered the city of Redwick, she was itching to get out of the suffocating car. Harry seemed to suck up all of the air with his commanding presence. It was a suburban town, a contrast to the Capital, and each of the houses they passed had at least a hundred acres to their own. Harry’s home was no different, the road leading to his estate was a three minute drive on it’s own. It was a spectacular home but she was surprised how quaint it was. It was ivory and foliage crawled up all sides of it which she thought gave it an interesting character.
She stared as he opened the door for her and offered her a hand so she crawled out without tripping over her dress. His focus wasn’t on her long before he met the driver on the other side of the car, and she assumed he handed him his payment.
“Shall we?” He finally asked, holding a hand out for me to step forward.
She looked around one more time at the rolling grass hills, “There’s so much . . . space,” She commented, stepping towards the front door, “It’s beautiful here, Commander Styles.”
He opened the black door, “A family heirloom,” He said curtly.
A small gasp left her lips as she admired the giant chandelier that hung in the foyer, “It’s lovely, Harry.”
“You haven’t even seen the rest of the house, Ember,” He spoke, closing the door and wrapping his hands behind his back. He began showing her around, letting her ooh and awe at everything she thought was cool. She really hasn’t gotten out much, he thought, watching her hold an elephant figurine sitting on the fireplace.
“You grew up here?” She asked and he only nodded. He didn’t seem to want to discuss it further.
Okay, she thought, it didn’t seem like he was one for small talk.
Then another call interrupted them. He quickly told her to go into the kitchen so Imogene could make her some dinner.
+
After eating dinner, she didn’t think she’d see Commander Styles for the rest of the night. It was already approaching midnight, Imogene had shown her to a room and gave her clothes to sleep in. She was laying in bed, a white long sleeved nightgown covering her body, not able to sleep.
She listened to the sound of cicadas outside of her window and closed her eyes every few minutes, trying to find sleep.
Her door slowly opened and she perked up, sitting up on her elbows. Harry appeared, not meeting her eyes immediately, “Were you sleeping?” He asked in a quiet and cold voice. He leaned over to turn on the lamp light on the bedside table.
She shook her head immediately and he took a breath before asking, “Are you a virgin?”
“Of course,” she said, as if she was offended as the implication that she might not be, “Of course, Harry. I assure you that I-”
He interrupted before she could ramble, “Lay back down,” He ordered her and her heart stopped. She was trying to read the emotion in his eyes but couldn’t. Her heart pounded.
She did as he said, unsure of where to put her hands or where exactly to look. She kept her hands to her side and stared up at the ceiling. From the corner of her eyes, she could tell he was undressing.
Harry rounded the bed to the other side before climbing into the large bed. “You look like a corpse,” He commented. He moved to her side and she noticed he was now only wearing a pair of briefs. His tattoos were on display, a butterfly decorating his chest.
“I-I’m sorry,” She spoke, her bottom lip shaking, confronting her fear and finally looking him in the eyes. He snorted at that.
“Relax,” He told her, “You want to please your husband, don’t you?”
She nodded before he continued, “Then relax, Ember,” He leaned in to kiss her and she was frozen for a moment, his stubble scratching her skin. He moved from her lips to the side of her chin and down to her neck. That’s when a yelp escaped her mouth as he kissed the sensitive parts of her neck. She didn’t know that area was even touched during sex.
“God first and then me, do you understand?”
She nodded, whimpering, as the kisses traced her collarbones. His tattooed hand traced the length of her silk gown until it reached between her legs. She felt his fingers slip between the fabric of her panties. His finger touched the small bulb between her lips and a jolt went through her.
“Harry-” He shushed her. He stopped with his kisses and started to use his own legs to spread hers. She felt open, completely exposed. Her eyes were wide. It was nothing like what she had expected. He rubbed her there, in fast and then slow circles and she moaned into his mouth.
She kissed him back now, though she wasn’t sure what she was doing, she fell into his rhythm. As his lips left hers, he moved in between her legs, fully spreading her and she expected for the pain to begin but Harry’s lips traveled further. He lifted her gown, kissing between her breast and then her naval until he got much lower.
As his own mouth pressed against her sex, she yelped, pushing herself away from him until her back hit the headboard, “Harry, I don’t think-” He gave her a frustrated look, “You shouldn’t, I-I mean, we shouldn’t do that. That’s not the way-”
He rested on his knees, grabbing her waist and lifting her until her head fell roughly back where it was. “I will show you the way, little one. You don’t get to decide what I should and shouldn’t do, understand?”
She nodded eagerly, fear in her eyes, and she answered, “Y-Yes.”
“Yes, Commander,” He corrected and then she repeated the words back to him. He smirked, he liked when she called him Commander.
Ember gripped the sheets so tightly that she thought she might rip them. With only thirty seconds of his mouth on her sex, her first orgasm was ripping through her body. He hadn’t even planned to keep going but, knowing she was so sensitive, he couldn’t help but try to get another one out of her. And then another. “Please, Harry- Commander, please! I can’t-” She was begging, her body shaking, as she tried to escape him.
Perhaps he was being greedy. He relented after the third one, kissing up her body again and he didn’t give her much time to rest before he began to sheathe himself inside of her. She gripped his back, surely leaving scratch marks as he carefully entered her.
“Say you want my children, Ember.”
“I-I want your children, Commander.”
“Say you’re mine.”
She looked into his eyes, into the unknown, and knew things would never be the same again. She belonged to him now and only death could change that,
“I’m yours, Commander.”
And his head tilted back in ecstasy.
+
part two of A Wife’s Duty is posted! check out my #masterlist for more of my works
#dark fic#Harry Styles#harry style fic#one direction fanfiction#fanfiction#dark harry#handmaids tale au#au#series#harry styles x reader#harry styles x y/n#oc#harry styles x oc#harry styles one shot#harry smut#harry fanfic#one direction fanfic#one direction smut#one shot#dirty harry
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legacies
who: lots of different people!
what: surprise lol
where: ireland
when: 1930s!
COUNTY CORK, IRELAND. 1934.
After the faerie uprising in the faeire realm over one hundred and fifty years ago, all magical beings had escaped and left their lives behind in favour of safety in the human world. Whilst it wasn’t nearly as exciting and beautiful, the lands offered a haven for those who had wanted to escape the tyranny of the monarchist faes.
Vampires favoured the darkness and cold weathers of Europe, and with powers of stealth and hypnosis, their wealth grew over the years. Witches and warlocks favoured the wonders of both that and the Americas, whose magic allowed for stable incomes despite trickery. Mermaids and sirens took shelter in Southeast Asia, Polynesia and Australia, caring little for gold and found comfort in the untouched human waters. Where did that leave werewolves? To scramble for the remaining scraps.
Unlike their cousins, the wolves had no powers to conjure wealth into their own hands. They had no tools of witchcraft or mischief to fool humans, nothing but each other and their anger. They settled anywhere and everywhere, suddenly having to hide a part of themselves they had expressed so freely before. And that was the worst thing you could do to a werewolf; keep it locked up.
Their anger and pull to the moon meant wolves were forced to hide away from humans, from fear of harming innocents or exposing their community. They were no match for human weapons. But where did this leave them? Poor, unable to provide for each other and their families, in a world they couldn’t even interact with. How could you find income from people you weren’t allowed to see?
For many years, this pattern of secrecy would continue. It took decades for wolves to evolve from “feral” beings in tune with nature, to the community we see today in the 21st century; cautious, protective, tame. Whilst wolves became more controlled and were finally able to mix with humans peacefully, they lost their ability to connect with nature and still remained the poorest of supernatural creatures.
Despite this, one man remained determined to lead his pack to a successful future; Cahal Morrigan, a direct descendant of the original wolf settlers, and alpha to his small but strong town. Though his pack still remained separate from humans geography, the man posed as “mayor” of sorts, working with other local leaders to build his home up, alongside his wife Imogen and only daughter Brea. The light of his life, his little warrior. Unlike humans, werewolves did not view women as inferior, in fact, the concept confused them and they found it awfully strange. One day, Brea would become the next alpha, something she often talked of each day.
“How many days until the next big moon, dhaid?” Brea sat upon her father's shoulders as they walked through the everlasting greenery of the Irish wilderness. Perhaps one of the better places a werewolf could have chosen to settle in. The wolves had picked up the native language long ago.
“Seven.” Cahal smiled, stepping over a fallen tree. “A whole week.” He noticed his daughter whine a little.
“A week is seven days?” She was only four. “That is too long!” Her father only laughed, shaking his head slowly. Hundred of years ago, werewolf children seemed to develop their powers at a much younger age. The onset had doubled since they first moved to the human world.
“Come now, Brea... weeks go by awfully fast. You’re already four. Only yesterday your mother gave birth to you.” Giggling, the small girl patted his head and began to cast her eyes over the birds that snaked their way through the trees, her senses picking up on every smell. “You’re hungry. Let’s go eat, your uncle has hunted for us.”
However... the closer the pair moved to their tiny settlement, a strange smell began to fill the air; smoke, deep and strong, it all made Cahal come to a slow halt, a frown on his face. “What’s wrong?” Brea asked, noticing her father’s behaviour.
“Hush, Brea... I need to listen.” Closing his eyes, the man focused his hearing on home, imagining the pack and his house, his wife and the woodlands that surrounded it. Suddenly, he could see everything, a vision of sorts, but it very real and happening right now; they were being attacked. His eyes opened suddenly as he let out a small gasp, moving his daughter from his shoulders into his arms and beginning to run as fast as he could.
“What’s happening?” Brea pressed, her own face turning to a slight frown of fear as he saw her father’s expression, her own hearing picking up the sounds and smells in the distance: smoke and screams. But Cahal said nothing. He only rushed into the clearing to find the entire settlement ravaged by mysterious beings he had never seen. Their scents were strange and they moved with a mysterious aura... their bodies creating strange energies... Magic? But this wasn't witches magic. Eyes widening, Cahal looked to his left and noticed his wife rushing towards him.
“Cahal!” Imogen ran to his side, taking their daughter into her arms who had begun to cry at the sight -- wolves, both in animal and human form, fighting the unknown enemy as bodies fell to the floor, fire filled the air and danced with the sounds of yells and screams. It was bloodshed.
“Take Brea and hide.” He insisted, feeling his blood boil from both anger and panic. He ignored his wife’s pleas, shaking his head. “Go!” Focusing on his daughter, he pressed a kiss on her cheek and wiped a tear away. Despite the chaos, he could still find that gentle touch for her. Placing his hands around her face, he lifted it slowly so she could face him. Always wanting her to be strong, he only smiled and said, “Look after your mother, laoch beag.” Little warrior.
Turning back up, the man’s eyes turned a deep shade of red, and he made no haste in running into the chaos to defend his home, defend his people. He had always protected them. But... these people were too strong. Their magic was powerful, despite the strength and speed of the pack, they were no match. It was something a werewolf didn’t understand so they didn’t know how to fight it.
Cahal watched helplessly as each and every member of his community was picked off like a speck of dust by these villainous people. Men, women, children, they didn’t seem to care, for every one faerie he took down, they took down five of his people in a matter of seconds. It all felt so hopeless, seeing his own friends perish at the hands of their new foes. And all he could do was watch.
Stumbling exhausted through the wasteland of his former home, the man heard nothing... saw no one it was..... empty, barren, dwindling fires and dark skies. His body covered in cuts and bruises, Cahal searched for his wife and child through stinging eyes, courtesy of the smoke.
“Imogen!” He called, his voice hoarse and fingers trembling, “Brea!”
“Dhaid!”
Gasping, the father saw his wife and daughter in the distance... alive. The onset of panic deep in his stomach fizzled away as he felt relief in knowing his family was safe. And apparently... they were the only ones. Beginning to run to them, the werewolf came to a sudden halt when he noticed... dark magic trickling through the ground and growing until a man appeared before him. Someone he’d never seen in his life.
Perhaps... the leader of this group. He seemed stronger than the rest, slicked-back dark hair, tanned skin, eyes as black as coal. He was terrifying. He began asking questions, demanding to know whether Cahal was the alpha of the group, the alpha of a pack far more civilised than most he had encountered. Glanced between the stranger and his family, Cahal saw how scared his daughter was.
“I am.” He swallowed loudly, trying to keep the peace.
But the man only smirked, a dark, disturbing look on his face. Perfect. Cahal frowned, moving closer, “What... what do you...” He couldn’t say a thing. He had no time. Like a lost child, he watched the stranger wave his hand so carefully, seeing the dark magic grow and grow before it pierced the heart of his wife and daughter. So... easily. Letting out a cry, Cahal staggered forward with tears in his eyes but it was no use. The man, usually so strong, found himself so... numbed, as he watched the life drain from them both.
He heard the laughter from the man but he didn’t listen. He simply fell beside them both, wrapping his arms around each one as he let out loud sobs. Loud, aching, empty. The stranger stood in front of him merely stared, shaking his head, and then he... vanished.
TWO WEEKS LATER;
Two weeks had passed since the Cork massacre. Word had spread among the supernatural community in Ireland, reaching the ears of the local witch coven. The witches had been shaken by the news that Cahal, driven mad by the loss of his family, had been killed by Lark, or as they liked to refer to him as, the Dark One. Cahal's death had disastrous implications.
Inside the home of the coven, five women sat in a small candlelit room, an elderly woman sat opposite them. They said everything, she said nothing, simply staring as they bickered amongst themselves.
"Haven't you heard? He was banished. He cannot hurt us anymore."
"You think exile will stop that man? Have you not seen the things he's done? Without Cahal, we are all nothing!"
The woman continued to fight over the unknown situation. Some argued that his exile meant peace, at last, others dreaded his return in time.
"What did we even have to begin with? Cahal was protecting no one!"
"The prophecies never lie, one day Cahal would help Fe--"
"He will rise again one day." The elderly woman voice was hoarse. She had been quiet for what felt like decades, simply staring and listening, even in such grave times. She was blind, glazed and glassy eyes staring ahead. The few remaining coven members turned to the woman in hunger for answers. "He will rise again and cause grave violence for his own people. But he will not stop there, nor will he show mercy. He aims to have the whole universe in the palm of his hands." They called her The Oracle for one reason; she predicted the future.
The few witches stared amongst each other, their eyes filling with horror. Lark would one day return. The oracle never lied; her prophecies spoke only the truth.
"... Only one can stop him." She continued, her voice breathless and tired. "Born to the blood of this coven, he will stop the dark one."
"A witch?" Someone questioned, confused at how any witch could stop someone as powerful as the dark one.
"... A wolf. Bounded with the spirit of old, he will rise one day and save humanity from its darkest threat. No werewolf before stands as powerful as him. No werewolf to come will rival him. A being the dark one and his companions fear."
"... Fenrir?" The witches gasped.
"The legend is true!"
"But Cahal is dead!... He is dead. He will not return."
The witches argued amongst themselves, and the oracle only listened. They were all wrong, as always. "The Keeper may not physically live among us anymore, but his spirit remains in our world, and he waits for the chosen one's return. He will help Fenrir understand his purpose."
The women looked among each other. "How will Cahal find him? When?"
The Oracle remained silent for some time, staring ahead. She was thinking, seeing. "He will know."
One witch, who'd remained quieter than the rest, finally spoke up. "What if Lark discovers the legend is linked to us? He will surely destroy us all." The room grew tense with fear and uncertainty. Lark wouldn't hesitate to harm anyone in his way. "He's killed the Keeper, when he discovers the chosen one is our descendant, we will become just another victim."
"We must conceal our magic." The Oracle responded, making all the woman gasp.
"Surely you cannot be serious! Conceal our magic? Just... hide away, after everything we've built for ourselves? For our legacy?
"There will be no legacy if you do not." The elderly woman remained calm. "We must sacrifice our magic. Doing so protects us... it protects him."
"... How can a descendant of a witch be a werewolf? It makes no sense!"
"His path has already been written in the stars. But it will never be unless we do our part to protect him. Your great-grandson, Orla. He's the only one who can defeat such an evil."
1ST NOVEMBER, 1997.
Decades had passed since the meeting amongst the tiny coven in the rural hills of Ireland. As instructed, the witches had concealed their magic, forgotten their roots and left their lives behind. They had moved away and acted as strangers; Orla had moved to Surrey and married an Englishman, and said nothing of her heritage to no one. Not her son nor her only granddaughter, Grace. She had died happy, but in secret, praying that Grace's child would fulfil the prophecy spoken of him.
The Oracle herself had remained in Cork. Outliving everyone somehow, despite no magic herself. She had simply been waiting all these decades, waiting and listening. That night, the woman was stood upon the cliffs that looked out onto the stormy seas, the air cold, the sky dark. She had sensed a change coming.
Waiting, the woman felt the air change when a booming thunder echoed across the sky. Loud and chilling, it almost sounded like... a snarl. A wolf snarl. Though terrifying, the woman smiled softly, knowing the prophecy was in motion, somewhere in the world.
"Do what must be done, Henry."
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The Lady in Red | Closed
The bracelet Imogen had found by Annie’s grave all those years back still sat on her bedside table, draped over the edge of the framed photograph of her and all her friends a few months before Annie disappeared—died. She had to still tell herself to keep thinking of it as the night Annie died, was murdered, but it was hard to do that when it felt like she vanished that night and then was killed years later when her body was discovered. She’d still been so alive, so vivid and real, in Imogen’s memory so it was always difficult to connect those two as… the same. If that made sense, which it did to her so whatever. Now there were three people in that photo who she'd never see again. She reached over, looking up from the book she wasn’t able to concentrate on, and grabbed the bracelet from the table, turning it over in her hands. It was strange that someone would leave it lying there like they had. Imogen liked to see the best in everyone but she was pretty sure it could easily have been stolen. Right? Maybe. Or maybe it wouldn’t have been noticed. Who really visited Annie’s grave beside her and her friends, Annie’s family, and maybe a few others? She figured it was Chloe who put the bracelet there for some reason but she’d never really bothered to ask… maybe she should have left it where it was. She suddenly started to feel guilty as she thought about it, looked at the bracelet. If Chloe had put it there it would have been for a reason, it was a memorial. God. Yeah, she should have left it… she just didn’t have many things of Annie’s left. She’d just seen it and... hadn’t thought about taking it as she’d slipped it into her pocket after recognising it instantly. So long ago now she’d almost forgotten about that day altogether.
Her head was spinning a little too quickly for her to keep up. She kept seeing Sophie's body in the woods.. just lying there beside the river. Sophie used to be so full of life. She was the one Imogen always saw getting out of this town and making something big of herself. Not that she thought the others wouldn't be able to, it was just she'd always thought Sophie would be someone... now she’d never get the chance. Neither would Kelly. Imogen had always thought she’d be something of a fantastic investigative journalist. How many people really wanted them all dead? Imogen knew they had done terrible things when they’d been running with Annie... but was it worth all of this? Would it ever end? Something had changed in Imogen after seeing Sophie in the woods that night. Some part of her had closed off. She felt harsher. A bit numb, like she didn't really care, or that part of her could be capable of anything. Which she didn't understand because she was just Imogen. Naive, stupid little Immy. Immy who got scared all the time, who jumped at her own shadow, who hid in the house cowering from whatever -A was coming for her next.
Her thoughts turned back to the bracelet. Imogen wasn't sure about it but she needed a break anyway. Needed some air. Some time out of this house, away from packing. She sighed, slipping off the bed and sliding her feet into her boots. Brooklyn was at her mother’s. It was dark out, spooky looking almost but she put that down to the thoughts in her head. The ones of -A, of her friends, of Sasha, the Dollhouse, everything. It was hard not to think about them... and about the fact other people were being murdered. Innocent people. That it might all really be just because of her and her friends. Because of schoolgirl bullies... she hated that but she knew that’s what they had been. Maybe even worse. Even when they hadn’t participated in things... they’d stood by and let it happen.
By the time she got to the cemetery she was beginning to really think this was a bad idea. Imogen was still as easily spooked as she had been that first time she'd gone on an -A hunt in the woods with Kelly. Stop. Thinking. About. -A. It only freaked her out and it wasn't a feeling Imogen enjoyed having. She wanted to be nice and happy all the time, she wanted to be herself again, but it was getting a little harder to believe she’d ever find her way back. She peered through the darkness, certain there was a pair of eyes on her but she was being paranoid... or -A really was out and about. The thought caused a shiver to run down her spine and she unfolded her arms, dropping them loosely by her sides... in case she had to defend herself or something. Annie's bracelet was tucked safely away in her pocket. The darkness felt like it was crowding in on her by the time she got to Annie's grave. After finding out about Nina doing what she’d done to Annie’s headstone, Imogen had started coming back out here a little more often. She’d never stopped visiting her friends but it’s not like it was easy. She knew most people probably got cremated and their ashes scattered but not Annie... probably because it was better to keep her in one place instead of floating around everywhere, where people could keep an eye on her, even in death. Trouble is, she was still everywhere. Imogen could practically feel Annie standing next to her most of the time and every now and then she still had to stop herself from turning to the side to tell her something. She stood beside the grave, feeling a bit stupid and freaked out. All these dead people... not that she thought they were all going to dig themselves out of their graves and eat her or anything... at least not in the rational part of her mind.
She was standing there for a few minutes, the bracelet now in her hands, when she realised it was quiet... but the kind of quiet that was too quiet. That made you realise you weren't by yourself. Imogen turned around, trying to be sly as she glanced round, probably failing because let's face it, she wasn't very crafty. By the time she noticed the flash of red it was too late and she'd already been pushed out of the way. She was thrown to the side, crying out, and reached out for something to grab onto as she fell. The gravestone was the first thing she found, scraping her hands against the stone, and she almost sarcastically let out a thanks Annie, until she realised what had happened. Was that -A?! She was shaking as she looked around, thinking she saw movement in the distance but her eyes were playing tricks on her. There was nothing. "What?" She breathed, breathing shaky as she pulled her phone out of her pocket to call Eric or Ruby or her dad... anyone. She stopped dead when she saw the bright yellow sticky note now stuck to the gravestone. She cautiously moved towards it and read the note.
“I can find out who’s after you. If you want to take the bitch down it’ll cost you. I'll be in touch. - Red”
Imogen ripped the note off the stone and fled the cemetery, bracelet probably lying in the dirt at the foot of the grave but by this point she didn't care. She'd care later when she realised it was missing because deep down she'd wanted to keep it, to remember, but she had to get the hell away from there. She only started to process when she was safely shut away in her bedroom again. Not -A. Red? Who the hell was Red? She'd been wearing a red coat... no, it wasn't a coat. It had been more like a cloak. Like little red riding hood or something. Fairy tales. None of this felt like a fairy tale... could she not even enjoy her first few nights in her new home? Imogen curled up on her side of the bed and shivered the rest of the night away. She didn't know what was going on but she'd have to tell Ruby asap.
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“Your Mother Loved You, Evangeline.”
A/N: Alright people! Its definitely has been a hot minute, and I will be the first one to admit to that. Couple of things had been going on. My father recently pass away at the very end of march and I’ve dealing with severe depression and anxiety. My doctor, however, find meds that work for me and I have felt significantly better. I think I ready to dive back into my writing again. Lol, anyways this can be considered a one-shot but really it’s a small piece of the whole. This will be a Multi part story. though I don’t know how me parts yet.
SUMMARY: Eve confiding in her shadow-mate, Alec Lightwood, about her insecurities and doubts concerning her mother(Celine)’s true feelings towards her; Jocelyn and Imogen erase said doubts, and afterwards Eve finds that a new and more deep true love has begun to blossom for her biological mother.
Warning(s): Major Sadness in the beginning and middle, Possible trigger; so read at your own risk, Major fluff and love in the 3rd and final part of the story, Alec being a real cheeseball for his mate, Alec is his own warning.
BETTER MORE DETAILED SUMMARY WHEN I RELEASE OC’S BIO/DESCRIPTION!!! This Multi-Part story will be about The City of Bones Movie(2013) Alec lightwood/OC(Evangeline Josephine Herondale-Fray) and will later on in the story be known as Evangeline Josephine Herondale-Lightwood. Eve is one of the two Herondale Children who were both thought lost and worst but mostly likely dead. Raised from the time she was 2 to 18 years old by her Godmother, Jocelyn Fray, Eve Fray is a girl who knows her true identify as a Herondale but has been warned since she was little that revealing her identify could lead to her death and the death of everyone she loves. The only other person who has any inkling of who she truly is, is her Shadow-mate Alec Lightwood. With the new discovery of her shadow-mate; the stakes have risen to impossible heights, and she’ll do anything to save him from the dangerous path she’s been given no choice to run on. AU!The Mortal Instruments where every Shadowhunter is born with their shadow-mates name placed on their bodies.
DISCLAIMER: I ABSOLUTELY ADORE MALEC! I am in no way homophobic! I am actually apart of the LGBTQ myself! This is just one of the many stories from my imagination that I have decided to share with everyone, that also have a passion for reading and writing. Also, I mean come on! Both versions of Alec Lightwood are fucking hot! Don’t say you haven’t thought of him like that at least one time! anyways, ENJOY!
Word Count: 2670
Eve clung to Alec's shirt like a child while crying. Alec had moved them to their shared bedroom where he knew Eve would feel less vulnerable. Alec knew if there was one thing his mate hated most; it was the feeling of vulnerability. She continued to cry and cling to him as they laid on the king sized bed, and every wail released into the air by his inconsolable mate, was like pythons wrapping themselves around Alec's heart. Each one physically hurt him as Alec couldn't bare to see his mate in such distress. He tightened his muscular arms around her protectively as she calmed herself enough to speak.
"Why did she give me away to Jocelyn like that, I mean did she finally decide she didn't want me?" Eve hiccupped into Alec's, broad leather covered, chest. "Did she not love me enough or at all for that matter?"
Eve felt pained yet relieved as soon as she said it. Almost like a giant burden, bigger than she originally thought, was lifted off her chest. Alec buried his face in her golden mane while pulling her even closer, if that was possible at all. A sudden, familiar feminine, voice startled both the young adults.
"She loved you so much she had to let you go. No matter how much it pained her, and believe me it pained her, greatly." Jocelyn spoke, gently. "If it wasn't the circle member's blade that killed her first; then it was without a doubt her broken heart, from losing her beloved Evangeline, that killed her."
Eve began to sit up while wiping away her tears and Alec followed suit in sitting up while rubbing her back, comfortingly. She noticed, her grandmother, Imogen by Jocelyn's side, wearing a tender sympathic expression. Eve threw a sad confused look towards them both, "What do you mean, Joc?"
Jocelyn sighed, softly, while looking at the floor, "May we come in?", she spoke, as she looked back up. Alec and Eve both nodded their consent before both women entered the room, slowly, and Jocelyn took a seat on the left end of the bed while Imogen to the right. Imogen laid her hand on Eve's lower leg and stroked it comfortingly while Jocelyn proceeded to tell her what exactly happened.
"The night Valentine planned to attack Herondale Manor," She began, while Alec and Eve listened intently. "I accidentally overheard him talking to Blackthorn and Pangborn an hour or so beforehand about his plans and when exactly he planned to head towards Herondale Manor. He planned to raid the house for information, kill Celine, and kidnap you and your unborn brother." She stopped short, and made a small indistinctive noise while cocking her head to the side and slightly shaking it. As if she was uncomfortable with her thoughts.
Jocelyn looked slightly sick as she spoke the next sentence, "He planned to kill your mother and cut your baby brother from her womb, and said that you if were more trouble than you were worth than he would kill you and make do with only your brother use." Alec and Eve couldn't stop the loud gasps and looks of horror and shock that crossed their faces while Jocelyn nodded in agreement. Alec instinctively pulled Eve closer at the thought of any danger to his mate; past, present, or future. Everyone looked at Imogen as she made a inaudible strangled noise in the back of her throat and pushed her shoulders down and back. All while wearing a pained expression. Jocelyn looked more intently to Imogen, who still looked in pain, but never the less waved her hand for Jocelyn to continue.
Jocelyn turned back to Eve and looked her in the eyes. "Both of you, brace yourself, because the story will only because more horrifying and grievous." Both young adults nodded and Jocelyn continued, "Valentine had already sent a few circle members to Herondale manor to hold Celine and you captive until Valentine got there. I realized that if I left right then than I could beat Valentine to Herondale Manor and possibly save all three of you before more circle members arrived. So I rushed to the Manor and when I got there I saw that the members Valentine sent ahead were already there. all of them were dead, except two as the thought didn't occur to them that even if Celine was 8 months pregnant there might still be a fight." Eve smiled slightly at that before Jocelyn continued on; "One of them had accidentally stabbed her and she was losing blood fast. too fast. I don't know where the other two had run off too. Most likely afraid of the repercussions by Valentine for the mistake they made. I found her in your destroyed nursery laying on the floor right next to your crib." Both Eve and Jocelyn eyes were tearing up and Eve's hand tightened on Alec's without realizing. While Alec and Imogen could do nothing, looking between the two women before them, sadly.
Jocelyn cleared her throat; "I found her laying right next to your crib and you...you were crying. Screaming bloody murder, are better yet more bitter words to describe your cries. Crying and screaming so hard you had crocodile tears pouring down your cheeks and your face was a shade of bright red I'd never seen before. They say first love's heartbreak is the worst heartbreak. Those people don't know what they're talking about. Not for one second." Jocelyn lets out a short quiet sob as silent tears roll down everyone's faces. "Nothing breaks your heart like hearing a babe wail and scream for their dying mother, and if that sight wasn't enough to knock all the air out of my lungs. Then, the sight of her bloody hand reached through the bars of your crib to hold your tiny hand while singing your favorite lullaby, was enough to do so." Eve shut her eyes as tears rapidly slid down her face, and her body violently shook.
"Your mother was minutes or less away from dying and the only thing she cared about was making your pain and crying stop. Once I reached her side she looked up at me and begged me to take you and Clary, who I was still pregnant with at the time, and runaway to safety. So Valentine could never use either of you for his own personal ambitions. It was her dying wish that, as your godmother, I did everything in my power to keep you; alongside Clary, completely safe from Valentine." Jocelyn, who was still crying, looked Eve in the eyes.
"I pulled you from the crib and put you in your mother's arms one last time, and you stopped crying long enough for your mother to say her last words to you. Her last words were; ‘I love you and your brother more than anything in the world. You are the reason I haven't flung myself from one of the demon towers by now. Out of all the hard moments I've lived through in my life; the hardest moment would without a doubt be, the moment I realized I could do nothing to stop the fact that the angel has given me no say or choice in leaving you all alone in the world. My Evangeline, you and your brother are the only things I’ve ever done right in this world. I love you...Goodbye, my Evangeline.’ A few Moments later she died with you in her arms. I knew the exact moment she died because it was she same moment you began to scream again. I knew I had to stay quite a few steps ahead of Valentine, so I took you from Celine's arms and said my farewells. The farther I got away from your mother the harder and louder you began to wail, if that was even possible." Finally, Jocelyn voice broke on the last sentence. Eve turned into Alec and buried her face in his chest, balling her eyes out. The only thing muffling her harsh cries being his chest as he held her close and buried his face in her seemingly endless locks.
"Your mother loved you, Evangeline. You were enough for her. You were wanted, more than anything else in the world, by your Mother. It wasn't the circle, the academy, her friends, or your father that kept her going as long as she did. It was you and when your baby brother was conceived. It was you and him who kept her going. Nothing and no one else. Just you and him." Jocelyn smiled through her tears at Eve. "Never again doubt your mother's love, want, or need for you. That's one of the few things in your life you will never have to question under any circumstances.
She finally pulled away from Alec's chest and looked at Jocelyn and Imogen. Eve's cheeks, nose, and eyes were bright red, but somehow she still managed to appear angelic in beauty. "Thank you Jocelyn, and Thank you Grandmother. I know it doesn't look like it but I do feel better now that my previous doubts are now a thing of the past." Eve pulled away from Alec to hug both of them, spending a few moments longer in her grandmother's warm embrace. She pulled away and immediately moved back into Alec arms. Jocelyn and Imogen moved to leave the room, but before Imogen closed the door she turned3 to Eve and spoke; "OH, and if you want to hear some more stories about you and your mother or you and I that are more uplifting; come see me. I’ll always be happy to tell you a story.
"Grandmother, how many stories can you have? I was two and a half when I left." Eve laughed, and playfully rolled her eyes. Imogen looked at Eve in mild disbelief of her question, mouth ajar and her right poised and defined eyebrow arched.
"Your joking, aren't you? Little angel, you may have only been in this world two and a half, but believe me when I say you are your father's daughter. Combine that with the bull headed trait you got from your mother, and that's a recipe for some good stories about you and mischief managed escapades." Imogen nodded her head once, firmly, and Alec sniggered before replying to Imogen.
"I think I'll be coming to your office more often to hear some of those stories, Inquisitor."
Imogen smiled at him, "Please, your my little angel's shadow mate and will soon enough be married to her with my great grandchildren on the way, call me Imogen. I insist." Alec looked surprised and at a loss of words for a moment before he cleared his throat and gave a soft smile.
"You honor me. Thank you, Imogen." Imogen smiled in return and pivoted on the heels of her feet before closing the door and making her way down the hall.
Eve sat in a daze for a moment before getting off the bed and crossing the room to her vanity. She sat down in the vanity chair, and looked in the mirror with her eyes unfocused. Her mother truly did love and want her. Her mother’s last words would forever be burned into her mind. That one sentence, though. 'My Evangeline, you and your brother were the only things I ever did right in this world.' My Evangeline. My Evangeline. My Evangeline. That's what her mother called her. Her Evangeline. Eve could only imagine how sweet the words would sound and the way the words would fall from her mother's lips.
Her mother is probably the only person she would ever one hundred percent be okay with calling her by her full first name. It's not that she doesn't like her name. She actually finds it quite beautiful, but when she was little all the kids would tease her for having such a old fashioned, and uncommon for the area they lived in, name. Well, Eve would pick having the name Evangeline Josephine any day over being the 10th Tyler or Jake of her grade level. At least, Eve would know when the teacher was addressing her and not some half-wit on the other side of the room in the middle of picking their nose with a green crayon.
she used to hate when people would call her by her full first name. However, now the one thing she's desires most in the world at the moment is to hear her mother say those two words. My Evangeline. Her Evangeline. Eve still stuck in her daydream sighed, deeply. She soon enough came back to reality, and her line of vision focused once more. She focused on her reflection in the vanity mirror and took in her current state.
She gently touch the puffy area around her nose and golden eyes before running her hands through her ample amount of long loose curls, and dropping them on the vanity table that seemed to be overflowing with make up and hair care products. Eve heard movement behind her and looked up in the mirror to see Alec making his way over to her. He came right up behind her, and tenderly grabbed her shoulders. He massaged said shoulders while speaking;
"I seriously don't know how you so effortlessly do it, but you grow more beautiful, sexy, and strong everyday. My beautiful strong sexy mate." His full lips, lovingly kissed the crown of her head. Thank goodness her cheeks were already red that way she didn't have to show her blush. However, even if her blush didn't give her away the almost bashful look on her face and the slight duck of her head while casting her eyes to the side did the trick. She normally would flirt back with Alec but in her state with the puffy red eyes and nose and all the vulnerability she's felt for the pass few days, who wouldn't have a shy response to such a bold flirtatious comment.
Alec didn't have to flirt with her especially now that they completed the mate ceremony and placed the forever binding mating runes on each other, but it still felt good to know he enjoyed flirting with her because he found her beautiful and sexy. Nothing feels as good as knowing your true shadow-mate still finds you as beautiful and sexy as the first time he met you and is willing to put in the extra effort. Eve played off the shy moment by turning around in the chair, and kneeled in the seat while, ever so lightly, brushing her fingers up his strong arms to wrap her arms around his strong and broad shoulders. Alec wrapped his arms around her waist and pressed her body flush against his.
"Why, I didn't know I had such a cheeseball for a mate." Eve giggled. Alec smiled, sweetly and laughed,
"You thought that was cheesy? Well then, allow me to sweep you off your feet, future Mrs. Lightwood." Eve, playfully, 'oohhh' at challenge with interest. Alec picked her up and rested her legs around his waist.
"You are the most gorgeous." Eve gasped, "The most adorably cute." Eve gasped, again. " The most insanely intelligent." she gasped, loudly, once more. "the most Desirably sexy." she let out a pleased noise. "Strong independent woman any man with half a brain could ask for." Eve gasped the loudest out of all the ones she gave before replying, "oh, I love it when you talk dirty to me, baby!"
Alec threw his head back as he laughed before speaking; "Yeaaahhh." He drawls out, in a sexy voice, "And your all mine." he growled out possessively before 'attacking' her neck. Eve gave a content 'mmhmm' in agreement as he laid them both on the bed and proceed to snuggle one another.
The past few days for Eve may have been hard, but it was all worth in the end. Moments like these were what made it worth it. Moments with her Alec Lightwood.
#alec lightwood#TMI City of Bones#Alec lightwood x reader#alec lightwood x you#alec lightwood x oc#alec lightwood imagine#alec lightwood imagines#jace herondale#jace lightwood#jace wayland#izzy lightwood#isabelle lightwood#clary fray#clary x jace#clary morgenstern#clary fairchild#original character#shadowhunters#the mortal instruments#the infernal devices#the dark artifices#jocelyn fairchild#luke graymark#luke garroway#jocelyn fray#kevin zegers#jamie campbell bower#lily collins#herondale family#fairchild family
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A Choices Halloween - Choices Fic
Books: Features characters from many different books
Words: Around 3000
Genre: Comedy
Summary: Kenji Katsaros is hosting a Halloween party where other influential persons like Thomas Hunt, Kamilah Sayeed or Sloane Washington are attending. Unfortunately things do not turn out as the hero hoped to.
"Hello everyone! I hope you guys are ready for the best Halloween party of the world!" Said the man coated in bronze, generally known as Talos to the general public.
"Yeeaaah!" Yelled the crowd gathered on the dance floor.
"I would just like to thank all of you for coming to this event! It is all thanks to you that this party will be considered as such! After all, how can you make an awesome party without super awesome people! Am I right?" Said Talos.
"Yeah!" Echoed throughout the crowd.
"I won't hold you guys down any longer! However let's just have a souvenir selfie!" Said the superhero as he turned his back to the crowd and lifted up his phone so that it could capture him and part of the crowd.
"Everyone say Spooky Socks!" He said as he clicked the selfie.
"Now... Party hard everyone! Just try to not break anything!" Said Talos as he got off the stage.
'We are having an amazing party here! Totally not missing you two!' He typed in the picture before sending it to Eva.
A few seconds after the seen marker pop up but no reply, even after five minutes.
'At least reply if you've seen it!' Typed Kenji and after a few seconds Eva replied with a photo.
The photo's content was her in the corner of the frame and the main target being Alex, in a very revealing demon outfit. It also had the caption: 'Sorry can't speak to you right now. There is someone more worthy of my attention 😏'
This caused Kenji to nearly throw his phone away when a tap on his shoulder.
He turned his head around and saw cute girl in a regency era costume.
"I am Imogen Wescott and I would like to personally thank you for hosting this amazing party!" She said with a bright smile.
"Ugh thanks? But how did you get to the backstage? Weren't you on the dance floor with the others?" asked Talos.
"It is too early to head for the dance floor. Plus too many sweaty people out there currently, maybe later. Moreover I wanted to thank the host personally," said Imogen brightly.
"Thanks! And yeah, I should have probably looked for somewhere with a better dance floor?" Replied Talos.
"Also I'm wondering do you have any superhero buddies who works around Pine Springs or Westchester? Weird stuff have been happening in the region lately," she said.
"Not really, but we will see if we can come by someday," said Talos.
"Sweet. Now if you'll excuse me, I saw a butler with really cute snacks on it," said Imogen as she waved to the bronze clad superhero before chasing after the butler who were serving certain pair.
"Oh my god Zack! Look how appealing these snacks are!" Squealed Madison at the skull shaped mimi-muffins in her hand.
"They are so well done that I'm getting willies just by looking at them," frowned Zack before throwing the cake away while no one was looking.
"I know right. Thanks again for coming with me Zack! Nobody wanted to come with me to the party," said Madison.
"No problem. I'd be a fool to miss out an opportunity to have fun with someone like you! I wondered why you didn't take Becca instead with you," asked Zack who was dressed as a pirate.
"She has an important assignment for her courses later this week and preferred to prepare herself instead of coming with me. She is working really hard for it and I respect her choice. She even got Sarah to come around to help her. I also couldn't get anyone from the Sorority since they are having their own party," explained Madison as she munched down the skull.
"With Sarah around, I doubt she'd be able to focus much," smirked Zack.
"Maybe," smiled Madison.
"Oh my god look at that girl! She looks just like you, except maybe a few years older," said Zack as he pointed towards two woman who just entered the party.
One of them was wearing a green swamp monster outfit while the other blonde one was wearing a skin tight cat outfit.
"Oh wow, you are right! And look at their outfits! We have to go and introduce ourselves!" Beamed Madison.
"But they are across that massive crowd," said Zack shocked.
"It will all be worth it! Come on!" Said Madison as she dragged Zack by the hand towards the crowd.
The two women those two were talking about were none other that Sereena Patel and Brooke Williams.
"Yes! This party looks so fun! And all those wonderful costumes!" Squealed Brooke.
"Wonderful costume? Most of the outfits that I have seen would probably have the sexy adjective stuck onto them. Modern Halloween is just an excuse for the patriarchy to be able to look at women in revealing out-" said Sereena before she was lightly slapped by Brooke.
"Listen Sereena. This is a girl's night out. We are here to have fun and unwind ourselves. Especially you need to do so after stressing out so much these last few days. Plus if we went to Cole's party instead, I'm pretty sure a skimpy outfit would be obligatory..." said Brooke.
Sereena was angry that her best friend slapped her, but deep down she knew Brooke was right and that she'd rather be in any other party than Cole's.
"It is just that I'm losing my mind every time I'm seeing something sexualised. I mean do you know how many sexy nuns I have seen today! Wasn't The Nun a horror movie? Not a sexy romance one? And aren't nuns supposed to represent chasit-" argued Sereena before she was slapped yet again by Brooke.
"You. Me. Have Fun," said Brooke threateningly.
Sereena was going to blow up when suddenly a girl a Starfall outfit and a guy in a pirate outfit came.
"Wow your costumes are amazing!" Said Madison.
"Am I already drunk? Why do I see two Brookes?
"More important is that a Starfall costume? It looks so good! If Ben was here with us he would be so proud!" Said Brooke.
"Wait you know Ben Park! I'm such a fan of his artwork for Venus Corp?" Squealed Madison.
"Yes! He's part of our friend group! Oh, I'm Brooke by the way!" Replied Brooke.
"And I'm Madison! Come over! I think we'll have a good time together!" Said the other blonde as the two of them walked away, deep in conversation.
"I guess it is just the two of us now," said Zack amazed by how the blondes got along so quickly.
"And before you even try it, I'm not interested in you," said Sereena, annoyed that her partner left her alone with another guy.
"Why would I even try to flirt with you? I'm only interested in guys. Maybe if you looked like Talos it would be another case," said Zack.
"Oh sorry. It is just that I'm tired with men coming to me and flirting," apologized Sereena.
"I can feel you. Heteros and their hetero bullshit assuming everyone is straight like them," added Zack.
"I like you. My name is Sereena," smiled Sereena before reaching over for a handshake.
"And I'm Zack! Let's go have a drink! We have to talk more," said Zack as both of them started walking towards the bar.
As they walked towards there, Sereena noticed an odd trio consisting of two women and an old man in Santa outfits. They seemed really familiar but she'd rather focus on the man she just met.
"So guys, what do you think of this party?" Asked one of the women of the trio. She is known as Priya La Croix and is one of the most famous fashion designer currently.
"It is nice but the host baited me hard with his 'Bloodwine'. I expected real blood in it, not a blood red wine with hints of pomegranate in it," said the Baron as he took a sip of his drink.
"He is not really a vampire, so it is not really surprising that his appetizers do not really appeal to us that much. Still it is a rather decent party," said Kamilah.
"We should host our own party and get him to taste real Bloodwine. Can you imagine his face when he discovers that he actually drank real blood," said Priya.
"We should replace the human blood by rat blood instead. It would be even more fun," joked the Baron.
"We are not going to ruin such a fantastic drink by mixing it with cheap rat or chicken blood. Furthermore, we should very likely not talk about this out open in the public eye. We do not want to look suspicious," said Kamilah.
"No, I think we are good. If there is anyone suspicious out here, it is those two by the corner there. They look fishy with those electric blue lines on their face yet they are wearing a medieval outfit," said Priya.
The persons Priya was talking about were the Elara siblings, Pax and Eos who came back to the past.
"That was cool of you for inviting me on your trip to the past Pax. I'm glad you are trusting me more," smiled Eos.
"The only reason I brought you was because that would prevent you from telling Nova about my machine. Trust me, I'd rather take Holmes with me that your ugly ass," said Pax a little annoyed.
"For your information, I have a nice ass. Zekei can attest to it. Also are you sure this medieval outfits will help us blend in?" Asked the elder brother.
"I think they will do good. It is a Halloween party, so even if we came in our regular clothes is would be okay," replied Pax.
"How did you get hold of these anyway?" Asked Eos.
"Oh these outfits? I went back in the past as a test run and brought these as souvenirs," said Pax.
"Wait! You used it without consulting us? What if you got stuck back then? How the hell would have we been able to bring you back to our era??" Exclaimed a shocked Eos.
"Shut up! Someone is coming," said the younger sister as she noticed a woman approaching.
"Wow! Your costumes of Val Greeves and Will Jackson are so good! And I'm also a fan how you decided to give it a more sci-fi look with those blue bands. Oh sorry where are my manners. My name is Imogen Wescot," said the woman.
"I'm Eos and this is my sister Pax and we are hapoy that you like our costumes" said Eos.
"What are you doing in such a remote corner though! You guys should be strutting out your amazing costumes! You guys deserve more attention," said Imogen.
"Uh this what we are trying to avoi-" continued Eos before Pax secretly elbowed him in the gut.
"Oh I know your type! You want to be part of the fun but also don't want to be in the spotlight. How about you guys come with me on the dance floor? At this time it is not that crowded and people will barely notice you. So how about spending some time with me?" Asked Imogen.
"Why am I getting the feeling that we will have to pay 20 diamonds to be able to do that?" Said Eos but he was ignored.
"Sure! We'd love to!" Said Pax with a smile as she started following Imogen.
Eos quickly walked towards Pax and whispered in her ear, "Shouldn't we try and stay hidden? What if we cause a time paradox?"
"Its okay Eos. Time paradox only occurs in sci-fi movies. Plus Nathaniel Hoealot already debunked this stupid mytho. It does not exist. Let's just have fun," said Pax.
"Why do I feel something bad is going to happen later on though," sulked the elder brother.
Eos was not the only one a little worried. By the entrance, a certain highschooler was also anxious.
"Are you sure we are at the right party Micheal? I can't really see anyone we know here," said Maria Flores.
"I think they might just be friends of Payton's sister. I heard they once invaded Autumn's party," said Michael.
"Still, I'm not sure Payton would have been able to get us such a grand place for the party," argued Maria.
"If you are that worried, why don't you just call her?" Said Michael as he started walking towards a nearby snack table.
"Good idea. Aw come on! I forgot my phone! Let me use yours," said Maria after digging through her purse.
Michael took out his phone and then shrugged.
"Looks like we have the worst luck ever. My phone just died out. No battery," he said.
"Ugh. Is this karma for when I returned an application half an hour late," replied Maria.
"Listen.I'm sure it is her party, let's go deeper inside. The group will be there," continued Michael.
"I don't know... I think I'm just going to wait outside for a little bit," said Maria as turned around, nearly bumping into someone in a black ghost outfit.
"Oh my god, Micheal. I don't know what to do. They are kinda scary," whispered Maria into his friend's ear.
"Let me take care of this," whispered Michael back.
"Hey there! Sorry for the little incident," said Michael in a friendly tone to Redfield.
"Your costume is so good! It almost feels real!" He added as he went closer to the spirit and tried to grab what he believed was cloth, but his hand ended up going through the spirit's whole body.
"Wh-wh-what the hell???" Said a panicked Michael.
"It's not a p-p-person, it's a real ghost!" Yelled Maria as the ghost's face suddenly lit up in flames.
"Maria! Run!" Yelled Michael as they both started running away.
Redfield using his levitation power lifted the table and tried throwing it at them, fortunately missing the highschoolers. However this caused the a mass panic at the party. The noise from the screams caused Redfield to grow more angry and attacked the persons closest to him. He took Thomas Hunt before throwing him across the room. He then grabbed Sloane Washington and then threw her on the snacks table. His gaze then soon trailed onto Drake Walker.
"Me choke you, ugly man," said Redfield as he grabbed Drake by the neck.
"But...Riley said...I was...gorgeous" said Drake as he tried escaping the ghost's grip.
"She lied! You look... like a rotten potato!" said Redfield when Talos tried to kick him but ended up passing through the ghost.
"No one is getting choked in my presence. Even ugly people," said Talos as he jumped back to his feet.
"Go away!" screeched Redfield as he threw Drake like a slingshot on Kenji, knocking both of them unconscious.
"Should we not try and stop this ghost from killing those humans?" commented the Baron before sipping on his drink.
"Since it seems to be an immaterial being, I doubt we will be able to accomplish much," said Kamilah.
"The how about we ditch this party and crash another. I heard some high school students are hosting one nearby,"said Rpiya while checking her phone.
"Seriously? High school students? Didn't you say that you had standards Lacroix?" commented the Baron.
"That's where the fun is at. We will crash the party and show them how to really have fun! We'll even bring in some Bloodwine," suggested Priya.
"Hmmm Let's go!" said Kamilah and the group of friends started walking towards the exit while dodging the flying furniture.
"Oh my god, we need to do something?" said Pax.
"Eat that!" roared Eos as he fired his plasma gun at Redfield but that only succeeded at making the ghost more angry.
"When I said that we needed to do something, I was talking more about running away! Wait? where did Imogen go?" yelled Pax.
"No time to think about that! Let's go! That thing is now coming towards us!" yelled Eos as he activated the time travel device and they both disappeared back into the future before Redfield could get to them.
Imogen was actually hiding in the corner texting Tom.
"Hey Tom, big problem here. Ghost like monster. Immaterial black body," she typed and very soon after Tom replied.
'Redfiled? What is he doing there? Listen Imogen, find a safe place and remain hidden there and in absolutely no instances play any games with him!' typed Tom.
"Why can't I have any parties without any monsters," she mumbled to herself.
Confused by the sudden disappearance of his pray, the spirit looked around and found two persons who seemed to be still having fun. It was Sereena and Zack who were in one of the private isolated booths. Somehow these two were so deep in conversation that they did not notice the carnage outside.
Red field barged inside, scaring both occupants.
"What The H-" was Zack able to say before Redfield swatted him away.
"What the hell are you doing!" yelled Sereena, angry again.
Redfield was going to grab her when Sereena raised her voice again.
"Don't you dare touch me!" she said.
Redfield decided to roar at her but his attempts to make the lady scared were in vain.
"So this is how it is eh? I'm not scared of people who think they can scream their way," she said.
Redfield was going to grab her yet again but Sereena didn't let him.
"I said, no TOUCHING!" she said as she grabbed her drink and threw it on the ghost's face, somehow making it wet.
"I'm sick of your bullshit. Now I am going to talk and you are going to listen. I had finally found something redeemable in that party, something being Zack and you probably got his a ticket to the hospital. I was already angry that I was forced to come in this party where most persons are sexualised from head to toe. This is especially nerve wracking since a majority of those are women outfits but then now you come in and decide to make me even more angry? This is just wrong and rude!" she yelled as she now took Zack's drink and threw it on Redfield's face again.
"You know what you are? Just a petty little bitch. People like you try to showoff how much of an alpha they are. But deep down they know that they are just a puny little bitch inside. They try to act tough thinking this will hide their insecurity but oh boy they are transparent," said Sereena as she tried reaching out for her glass.
"God dammit, I'm out of drink thanks to you now. Why do I have to be sober right now, ugh? Anyway ghost dude, I want you to take your trashy little ass and get the fuck out of my way before I get really angry and let me tell you that me being angry is the worst thing that can happen to people understood. I don't care that you can fling people around because I know that deep inside you a just a little bitch who throws temper tantrums around to sound interesting however you end up being really rude and become an attention whore. What are you going to do now? Try to fling me around too? But I bet you have no balls to do so and you will just end up running outside to cry," added Sereena and as she said, Redfield ran towards the exit with a distorted cry.
"Wow, Sereena... you scared an actual ghost away," said Brooke who slowly crawled towards Sereena.
"What? It was a real ghost?" said Sereena shocked and Brooke replied with a slight nod.
'Anyway can we just go some place where we can get some alcohol? I don't think this party will be serving now," proposed Sereena.
"Let's go to Double Tap . My treat," said Brooke as the two walked away.
"With your sphere of prettiness we will likely get those for free, but I don't really mind," smiled Sereena.
------
3 Hours Later
"Don't Worry Imogen! I'm here and I brought some friends along!" said Tom with an ax raised behind him. Along with him were also the rest of his Westchester friends.
"Looks like Redfield is looking for more ass kicking," said Stacy.
However the group were shocked to find the villa free from any ghosts or people.
"Oh hey guys! Sorry, no after party this tie. Can't really party with broken limbs," said Kenji who just arrived from the noise, in his crutches.
"But what about Mr.Red? Where is he?" asked Lily.
"The ghost? It ran away crying like a child after a woman berated him. A really scary one," said Kenji.
"Oh--okay... Let's go then guys," said Lucas.
---
Finally managed to rewrite the whole thing after I forgot to save the draft the other time. BTW I hope you gus had fun reading this. :3333
Tagging: @choiceslife and the neutral squad @wlwkateomalley @teamtomsato @lovethemarshalltwins @nuttatulipa
Read my other fics here
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31 Days of quietYA: 2018 Books Your Mod Wish She Got To
I’m only human and there’s a lot of books I meant to pick up in 2018 and...didn’t. Here’s some that fit in well with this blog’s purpose.
Suitors & Sabotage by Cindy Anstey
Shy aspiring artist Imogene Chively has just had a successful Season in London, complete with a suitor of her father's approval. Imogene is ambivalent about the young gentleman until he comes to visit her at the Chively estate with his younger brother in tow. When her interest is piqued, however, it is for the wrong brother.
Charming Ben Steeple has a secret: despite being an architectural apprentice, he has no drawing aptitude. When Imogene offers to teach him, Ben is soon smitten by the young lady he considers his brother's intended.
But hiding their true feelings becomes the least of their problems when, after a series of "accidents," it becomes apparent that someone means Ben harm. And as their affection for each other grows—despite their efforts to remain just friends—so does the danger. .
We Are All That’s Left by Carrie Arcos
Zara and her mother, Nadja, have a strained relationship. Nadja just doesn't understand Zara's creative passion for, and self-expression through, photography. And Zara doesn't know how to reach beyond their differences and connect to a closed-off mother who refuses to speak about her past in Bosnia. But when a bomb explodes as they're shopping in their local farmers' market in Rhode Island, Zara is left with PTSD--and her mother is left in a coma. Without the opportunity to get to know her mother, Zara is left with questions--not just about her mother, but about faith, religion, history, and her own path forward.
As Zara tries to sort through her confusion, she meets Joseph, whose grandmother is also in the hospital, and whose exploration of religion and philosophy offer comfort and insight into Zara's own line of thinking.
The Deepest Roots by Miranda Asebedo
Cottonwood Hollow, Kansas, is a strange place. For the past century, every girl has been born with a special talent, like the ability to Fix any object, Heal any wound, or Find what is missing.
Best friends Rome, Lux, and Mercy all have similar talents, but to them, their abilities often feel like a curse. Rome may be able to Fix anything she touches, but that won’t help her mom pay rent or make it any easier to confide in Lux and Mercy about what’s going on at home. And Rome isn’t the only one. Lux has been hiding bigger, more dangerous secrets.
As Rome struggles to keep her friendships close, she discovers the truth about life in Cottonwood Hollow—that friends are stronger than curses, that trust is worth the risk, and sometimes, what you’ve been looking for has been under your feet the whole time.
The Bird and the Blade by Megan Bannen
As a slave in the Kipchak Khanate, Jinghua has lost everything: her home, her family, her freedom … until the kingdom is conquered by enemy forces and she finds herself an unlikely conspirator in the escape of Prince Khalaf and his irascible father across the vast Mongol Empire. On the run, with adversaries on all sides and an endless journey ahead, Jinghua hatches a scheme to use the Kipchaks’ exile to return home, a plan that becomes increasingly fraught as her feelings for Khalaf evolve into a hopeless love.
Jinghua’s already dicey prospects take a downward turn when Khalaf seeks to restore his kingdom by forging a marriage alliance with Turandokht, the daughter of the Great Khan. As beautiful as she is cunning, Turandokht requires all potential suitors to solve three impossible riddles to win her hand—and if they fail, they die.
Jinghua has kept her own counsel well, but with Khalaf’s kingdom—and his very life—on the line, she must reconcile the hard truth of her past with her love for a boy who has no idea what she’s capable of ... even if it means losing him to the girl who’d sooner take his life than his heart.
Little White Lies by Jennifer Lynn Barnes
Eighteen-year-old auto mechanic Sawyer Taft did not expect her estranged grandmother to show up at her apartment door and offer her a six-figure contract to participate in debutante season. And she definitely never imagined she would accept. But when she realizes that immersing herself in her grandmother's "society" might mean discovering the answer to the biggest mystery of her life-her father's identity-she signs on the dotted line and braces herself for a year of makeovers, big dresses, bigger egos, and a whole lot of bless your heart. The one thing she doesn't expect to find is friendship, but as she's drawn into a group of debutantes with scandalous, dangerous secrets of their own, Sawyer quickly discovers that her family isn't the only mainstay of high society with skeletons in their closet. There are people in her grandmother's glittering world who are not what they appear, and no one wants Sawyer poking her nose into the past. As she navigates the twisted relationships between her new friends and their powerful parents, Sawyer's search for the truth about her own origins is just the beginning.
Heart of Thorns by Bree Barton
In the ancient river kingdom, touch is a battlefield, bodies the instruments of war. Seventeen-year-old Mia Rose has pledged her life to hunting Gwyrach: women who can manipulate flesh, bones, breath, and blood.
Not women. Demons. The same demons who killed her mother without a single scratch.
But when Mia's father suddenly announces her marriage to the prince, she is forced to trade in her knives and trousers for a sumptuous silk gown. Only after the wedding goes disastrously wrong does she discover she has dark, forbidden magic—the very magic she has sworn to destroy.
Ten After Closing by Jessica Bayliss
10PM: Closing time at Cafe Flores. The door should be locked, but it isn't, Scott Bradley and Winsome Sommervil are about to become hostages.
TEN MINUTES BEFORE CLOSING: Scott's girlfriend breaks up with him over the phone while he's in the cafe's basement storeroom because he's late picking her up for the big end-of-the-year party. Now he can't go to the party, but he can't go home, either--not knowing if his dad will still be in a drunken rage. Meanwhile, Winny wanted one night to let loose, away from her mother's crushing expectations. Instead, she's stranded at the cafe after her best friend ditches her in a misguided attempt at matchmaking.
TEN MINUTES AFTER CLOSING: The first gunshot is fired. Someone's dead. And if Winny, Scott, and the rest of the hostages don't come up with a plan soon, they may not live to see morning.
A Girl Like That by Tanaz Bhathena
Sixteen-year-old Zarin Wadia is many things: a bright and vivacious student, an orphan, a risk taker. She’s also the kind of girl that parents warn their kids to stay away from: a troublemaker whose many romances are the subject of endless gossip at school. You don't want to get involved with a girl like that, they say. So how is it that eighteen-year-old Porus Dumasia has only ever had eyes for her? And how did Zarin and Porus end up dead in a car together, crashed on the side of a highway in Jeddah, Saudi Arabia? When the religious police arrive on the scene, everything everyone thought they knew about Zarin is questioned. And as her story is pieced together, told through multiple perspectives, it becomes clear that she was far more than just a girl like that.
An Assassin’s Guide to Love and Treason by Virginia Boecker
When Lady Katherine's father is killed for being an illegally practicing Catholic, she discovers treason wasn't the only secret he's been hiding: he was also involved in a murder plot against the reigning Queen Elizabeth I. With nothing left to lose, Katherine disguises herself as a boy and travels to London to fulfill her father's mission, and to take it one step further--kill the queen herself.
Katherine's opportunity comes in the form of William Shakespeare's newest play, which is to be performed in front of Her Majesty. But what she doesn't know is that the play is not just a play--it's a plot to root out insurrectionists and destroy the rebellion once and for all.
The mastermind behind this ruse is Toby Ellis, a young spy for the queen with secrets of his own. When Toby and Katherine are cast opposite each other as the play's leads, they find themselves inexplicably drawn to one another. But the closer they grow, the more precarious their positions become. And soon they learn that star-crossed love, mistaken identity, and betrayal are far more dangerous off the stage than on.
Ink, Iron, and Glass by Gwendolyn Clare
A certain pen, a certain book, and a certain person can craft entirely new worlds through a branch of science called scriptology. Elsa comes from one such world that was written into creation, where her mother―a noted scriptologist―constantly alters and expands their reality.
But when her home is attacked and her mother kidnapped, Elsa is forced to cross into the real world and use her own scriptology gifts to find her. In an alternative Victorian Italy, Elsa finds a secret society of young scientists with a gift for mechanics, alchemy, or scriptology―and meets Leo, a gorgeous mechanist with a smart mouth and tragic past. She recruits the help of these fellow geniuses just as an assassin arrives on their doorstep.
Tyler Johnson Was Here by Jay Coles
When Marvin Johnson's twin, Tyler, goes to a party, Marvin decides to tag along to keep an eye on his brother. But what starts as harmless fun turns into a shooting, followed by a police raid.
The next day, Tyler has gone missing, and it's up to Marvin to find him. But when Tyler is found dead, a video leaked online tells an even more chilling story: Tyler has been shot and killed by a police officer. Terrified as his mother unravels and mourning a brother who is now a hashtag, Marvin must learn what justice and freedom really mean.
The Game Can’t Love You Back by Karole Cozzo
Eve is used to being the odd woman out. As the only girl on her school's baseball team, she knows exactly how to put sweaty, macho baseball players in their place, and she's focused on one thing and one thing only—being the best pitcher she can be.
But when a freak accident forces her high school to be absorbed by the neighboring town, Eve has to contend with a new group of guys who aren't used to having a woman on their team. And the new team's star pitcher, Jamie, has no interest in being ousted from his throne. He can't afford to give up his starting slot to a new pitcher—even worse, to a girl.
As the competition between Jamie and Eve starts to heat up, so does their attraction to each other. Can they keep their heads in the game, or will they end up getting played?
Driving by Starlight by Anat Deracine
Sixteen-year-olds Leena and Mishie are best friends. They delight in small rebellions against the Saudi cultural police—secret Western clothing, forbidden music, flirtations. But Leena wants college, independence—she wants a different life. Though her story is specific to her world (a world where it's illegal for women to drive, where a ten-year-old boy is the natural choice as guardian of a fatherless woman), ultimately it's a story about friendship, family, and freedom that transcends cultural differences.
Fire and Heist by Sarah Beth Durst
In Sky Hawkins's family, leading your first heist is a major milestone--even more so than learning to talk, walk, or do long division. It's a chance to gain power and acceptance within your family, and within society. But stealing your first treasure can be complicated, especially when you're a wyvern--a human capable of turning into a dragon.
Embarking on a life of crime is never easy, and Sky discovers secrets about her mother, who recently went missing, the real reason her boyfriend broke up with her, and a valuable jewel that could restore her family's wealth and rank in their community.
With a handpicked crew by her side, Sky knows she has everything she needs to complete her first heist, and get her boyfriend and mother back in the process. But then she uncovers a dark truth about were-dragon society--a truth more valuable and dangerous than gold or jewels could ever be.
The Queen Underneath by Stacey Filak
The Above and the Under have a tenuous truce that is shattered after the death of both their respective rulers. Gemma, the new queen of Under, must throw history aside and team up with Tollan, the heir to the Above throne, in order to take down a power that seeks to rule them all.
Their group of rebels is comprised of an assassin, a sex worker, and a palace servant from Above, and we follow their unique perspectives as they are forced to question previously held beliefs. But even with war looming, romance still grows. Challenging gender roles and the expectation that every prince must have a princess, Tollan discovers love with Elam—a young man, a sex worker, and one of Gemma’s closest friends.
Hole in the Middle by Kendra Fortmeyer
Morgan Stone was born with a hole in her middle: perfectly smooth patch of nothing where a something should be. After seventeen years of fear and shame, doctors and nurses, "peculiar" not "perfect," she has had enough of hiding.
Feisty, feminist and downright different, Hole in the Middle is the story of what happens when a girl who is anything but normal confronts a world obsessed with body image and celebrity.
Game of Secrets by Kim Foster
Felicity Cole sells flowers in the streets of Victorian London to feed herself and her young brother. But she has a close-guarded secret--her brother is a Tainted, born with special abilities that society fears and a shadowy organization called the Hunstsman scours the country to eliminate. When Felicity becomes the target of one of these individuals, she discovers something horrible: she's Tainted, too.
Rescued by a mysterious gentleman on the eve of execution, she's whisked away to a school funded by Queen Victoria, established to train selected Tainted into assassins in service of the crown.
Struggling to harness her incredible strength, speed, and agility, and despised by her classmates, all she wants is to use her new position to find a cure so she can be normal and reunited with her brother.
But with the Golden Jubilee fast approaching and the discovery that there's a traitor in their midst, she has no choice but to embrace the one thing she's been fighting all along.
Brave Enough by Kati Gardner
Teenager Cason Martin is the youngest ballerina in the Atlanta Ballet Conservatory. She never really had a choice of whether she learned to dance or not. Her mother, the conservatory's artistic director, has made all the decisions in Cason's life. But that's about to change. Cason has been hiding an injury, and it's much worse than anyone imagines.
Davis Channing understands all too well what it's like to give up control of your life. He's survived cancer, but his drug addiction nearly killed him. Now he's been sober for seven months and enjoying his community service at the hospital. But just when he thinks he's got it together, Davis's ex-girlfriend, who is still battling her addiction, barrels back into his life.
Cason and Davis are not friends. But, as their worlds collide, they will start to depend on one another. Can they both be brave enough to beat the odds?
Chaotic Good by Whitney Gardner
Cameron's cosplay--dressing like a fictional character--is finally starting to earn her attention--attention she hopes to use to get into the CalTech costume department for college. But when she wins a major competition, she inadvertently sets off a firestorm of angry comments from male fans.
When Cameron's family moves the summer before her senior year, she hopes to complete her costume portfolio in peace and quiet away from the abuse. Unfortunately, the only comic shop in town--her main destination for character reference--is staffed by a dudebro owner who challenges every woman who comes into the shop.
At her twin brother's suggestion, Cameron borrows a set of his clothes and uses her costuming expertise to waltz into the shop as Boy Cameron, where she's shocked at how easily she's accepted into the nerd inner sanctum. Soon, Cameron finds herself drafted into a D&D campaign alongside the jerky shop-owner Brody, friendly (almost flirtatiously so) clerk Wyatt, handsome Lincoln, and her bro Cooper, dragged along for good measure.
But as her "secret identity" gets more and more entrenched, Cameron's portfolio falls by the wayside--and her feelings for Lincoln threaten to make a complicated situation even more precarious.
When We Caught Fire by Anna Godbersen
It’s 1871 and Emmeline Carter is poised to take Chicago’s high society by storm. Between her father’s sudden rise to wealth, and her recent engagement to Chicago’s most eligible bachelor, Emmeline has it all. But she can’t stop thinking about the life she left behind, including her childhood sweetheart, Anders Magnuson. Fiona Byrne, Emmeline’s childhood best friend, is delighted by her friend’s sudden rise to prominence, especially since it means Fiona is free to pursue Anders herself. But when Emmeline risks everything for one final fling with Anders, Fiona feels completely betrayed.
As the summer turns to fall, the city is at a tipping point: friendships are tested, hearts are broken, and the tiniest spark might set everything ablaze. Sweeping, soapy, and romantic, this is a story about an epic love triangle—one that will literally set the city ablaze, and change the lives of three childhood friends forever.
Love and Other Carnivorous Plants by Florence Gonsalves
Freshman year at Harvard was the most anticlimactic year of Danny's life. She's failing pre-med and drifting apart from her best friend. One by one, Danny is losing all the underpinnings of her identity. When she finds herself attracted to an older, edgy girl who she met in rehab for an eating disorder, she finally feels like she might be finding a new sense of self. But when tragedy strikes, her self-destructive tendencies come back to haunt her as she struggles to discover who that self really is.
When the Beat Drops by Anna Hecker
Seventeen-year-old Mira has always danced to her own beat. A music prodigy in a family of athletes, she'd rather play trumpet than party -- and with her audition to a prestigious jazz conservatory just around the corner (and her two best friends at music camp without her), she plans to spend the summer focused on jazz and nothing else.
She only goes to the warehouse party in a last-ditch effort to bond with her older sister. Instead, she falls in love with dance music, DJing... and Derek, a gorgeous promoter who thinks he can make her a star. Suddenly trumpet practice and old friendships are taking a backseat to the packed dance floors, sun-soaked music festivals, outsized personalities, and endless beats of the EDM scene.
But when a devastating tragedy plunges her golden summer into darkness, Mira discovers just how little she knows about her new boyfriend, her old friends, and even her own sister. Music is what brought them together... but will it also tear them apart?
Lizzie by Dawn Ius
Seventeen-year-old Lizzie Borden has never been kissed. Polite but painfully shy, Lizzie prefers to stay in the kitchen, where she can dream of becoming a chef and escape her reality. With tyrannical parents who force her to work at the family’s B&B and her blackout episodes—a medical condition that has plagued her since her first menstrual cycle—Lizzie longs for a life of freedom, the time and space to just figure out who she is and what she wants.
Enter the effervescent, unpredictable Bridget Sullivan. Bridget has joined the B&B’s staff as the new maid, and Lizzie is instantly drawn to her artistic style and free spirit—even her Star Wars obsession is kind of cute. The two of them forge bonds that quickly turn into something that’s maybe more than friendship.
But when her parents try to restrain Lizzie from living the life she wants, it sparks something in her that she can’t quite figure out. Her blackout episodes start getting worse, her instincts less and less reliable. Lizzie is angry, certainly, but she also feels like she’s going mad…
Empress of All Seasons by Emiko Jean
Each generation, a competition is held to find the next empress of Honoku. The rules are simple. Survive the palace’s enchanted seasonal rooms. Conquer Winter, Spring, Summer, and Fall. Marry the prince. All are eligible to compete—all except yōkai, supernatural monsters and spirits whom the human emperor is determined to enslave and destroy.
Mari has spent a lifetime training to become empress. Winning should be easy. And it would be, if she weren't hiding a dangerous secret. Mari is a yōkai with the ability to transform into a terrifying monster. If discovered, her life will be forfeit. As she struggles to keep her true identity hidden, Mari’s fate collides with that of Taro, the prince who has no desire to inherit the imperial throne, and Akira, a half-human, half-yōkai outcast.
Beyond a Darkened Shore by Jessica Leake
The ancient land of Éirinn is mired in war. Ciara, Princess of Mide, has never known a time when Éirinn’s kingdoms were not battling for power, or Northmen were not plundering their shores.
The people of Mide have thankfully always been safe because of Ciara’s unearthly ability to control her enemies’ minds and actions. But lately, a mysterious crow has been appearing to Ciara, whispering warnings of an even darker threat. Although her clansmen dismiss her visions as pagan nonsense, Ciara fears this coming evil will destroy not just Éirinn, but the entire world.
Then the crow leads Ciara to Leif, a young Northman leader. Leif should be Ciara’s enemy, but when Ciara discovers that he, too, shares her prophetic visions, she knows he’s something more. Leif is mounting an impressive army, and with Ciara’s strength in battle the two might have a chance to save their world.
With evil rising around them, they’ll do what it takes to defend the land they love…even if it means making the greatest sacrifice of all.
Out of Left Field by Kris Hui Lee
Marnie has never had a hard time fitting in with the guys. It would take a lot more than their goofy antics to keep her from joining them at the neighborhood sandlot to do what she loves best: play ball.
An added perk of hanging out at the sandlot? Spending time with Cody Kinski, their high school's star pitcher and Marnie's best friend. Sure, he can be stubborn and annoying. He also knows how to make her laugh and respects her skills on the field. And when he gets nailed in the arm by a bone-fracturing pitch, Marnie becomes the team's best chance at making it to the playoffs. Except no one told the guys they're supposed to be on her side.
With her own team against her, Marnie begins questioning her abilities. And when fate throws her a curveball, can she play without losing the game, Cody, and her belief in herself?
Isle of Blood and Stone by Makiia Lucier
Nineteen-year-old Elias is a royal explorer, a skilled mapmaker, and the new king of del Mar's oldest friend. Soon he will embark on the adventure of a lifetime, an expedition past the Strait of Cain and into uncharted waters. Nothing stands in his way...until a long-ago tragedy creeps back into the light, threatening all he holds dear.
The people of St. John del Mar have never recovered from the loss of their boy princes, kidnapped eighteen years ago, both presumed dead. But when two maps surface, each bearing the same hidden riddle, troubling questions arise. What really happened to the young heirs? And why do the maps appear to be drawn by Lord Antoni, Elias's father, who vanished on that same fateful day? With the king's beautiful cousin by his side—whether he wants her there or not—Elias will race to solve the riddle of the princes. He will have to use his wits and guard his back. Because some truths are better left buried...and an unknown enemy stalks his every turn.
A Spark of White Fire by Sangu Mandanna
In a universe of capricious gods, dark moons, and kingdoms built on the backs of spaceships, a cursed queen sends her infant daughter away, a jealous uncle steals the throne of Kali from his nephew, and an exiled prince vows to take his crown back.
Raised alone and far away from her home on Kali, Esmae longs to return to her family. When the King of Wychstar offers to gift the unbeatable, sentient warship Titania to a warrior that can win his competition, she sees her way home: she’ll enter the competition, reveal her true identity to the world, and help her famous brother win back the crown of Kali.
It’s a great plan. Until it falls apart.
Learning to Breathe by Janice Lynn Mather
Indira Ferguson has done her best to live by her Grammy’s rules—to study hard in school, be respectful, and to never let a boy take advantage of her. But it hasn’t always been easy, especially while living in her mother’s shadow.
When Indy is sent to live with distant relatives in Nassau, trouble follows her. Now she must hide an unwanted pregnancy from her aunt, who would rather throw Indy out onto the street than see the truth.
Completely broke with only a hand-me-down pregnancy book as a resource, Indy desperately looks for a safe space to call home. After stumbling upon a yoga retreat, she wonders if perhaps she’s found the place. But Indy is about to discover that home is much bigger than just four walls and a roof—it’s about the people she chooses to share it with.
Now a Major Motion Picture by Cori McCarthy
Unlike the rest of the world, Iris doesn't care about the famous high-fantasy Elementia books written by M. E. Thorne. So it's just a little annoying that M. E. Thorne is her grandmother—and that Iris has to deal with the trilogy's crazy fans.
When Iris gets dropped in Ireland for the movie adaptation, she sees her opportunity: if she can shut down production, the Elementia craze won't grow any bigger, and she can finally have a normal life. Not even the rascally-cute actor Eamon O'Brien can get in her way.
But the crew's passion is contagious, and as Iris begins to find herself in the very world she has avoided her whole life, she realizes that this movie might just be amazing…
Blanca & Roja by Anna-Marie McLemore
The del Cisne girls have never just been sisters; they’re also rivals, Blanca as obedient and graceful as Roja is vicious and manipulative. They know that, because of a generations-old spell, their family is bound to a bevy of swans deep in the woods. They know that, one day, the swans will pull them into a dangerous game that will leave one of them a girl, and trap the other in the body of a swan.
But when two local boys become drawn into the game, the swans’ spell intertwines with the strange and unpredictable magic lacing the woods, and all four of their fates depend on facing truths that could either save or destroy them.
The Unbinding of Mary Reade by Miriam McNamara
There’s no place for a girl in Mary’s world. Not in the home of her mum, desperately drunk and poor. Not in the household of her wealthy granny, where no girl can be named an heir. And certainly not in the arms of Nat, her childhood love who never knew her for who she was. As a sailor aboard a Caribbean merchant ship, Mary’s livelihood—and her safety—depends on her ability to disguise her gender.
At least, that’s what she thinks is true. But then pirates attack the ship, and in the midst of the gang of cutthroats, Mary spots something she never could have imagined: a girl pirate.
The sight of a girl standing unafraid upon the deck, gun and sword in hand, changes everything. In a split-second decision, Mary turns her gun on her own captain, earning herself the chance to join the account and become a pirate alongside Calico Jack and Anne Bonny.
For the first time, Mary has a shot at freedom. But imagining living as her true self is easier, it seems, than actually doing it. And when Mary finds herself falling for the captain’s mistress, she risks everything—her childhood love, her place among the crew, and even her life.
Beneath the Haunting Sea by Joanna Ruth Meyer
Sixteen-year-old Talia was born to a life of certainty and luxury, destined to become Empress of half the world. But when an ambitious rival seizes power, she and her mother are banished to a nowhere province on the far edge of the Northern Sea.
It is here, in the drafty halls of the Ruen-Dahr, that Talia discovers family secrets, a melancholy boy with a troubling vision of her future, and a relic that holds the power of an ancient Star. On these shores, the eerie melody of the sea is stronger than ever, revealing long-forgotten tales of the Goddess Rahn. The more dark truths that Talia unravels about the gods' history--and her own--the more the waves call to her, and it may be her destiny to answer.
A Thousand Beginnings and Endings edited by Ellen Oh and Elsie Chapman
Star-crossed lovers, meddling immortals, feigned identities, battles of wits, and dire warnings. These are the stuff of fairy tale, myth, and folklore that have drawn us in for centuries.
Fifteen bestselling and acclaimed authors reimagine the folklore and mythology of East and South Asia in short stories that are by turns enchanting, heartbreaking, romantic, and passionate.
Compiled by We Need Diverse Books’s Ellen Oh and Elsie Chapman, the authors included in this exquisite collection are: Renee Ahdieh, Sona Charaipotra, Preeti Chhibber, Roshani Chokshi, Aliette de Bodard, Melissa de la Cruz, Julie Kagawa, Rahul Kanakia, Lori M. Lee, E. C. Myers, Cindy Pon, Aisha Saeed, Shveta Thakrar, and Alyssa Wong.
Sweet Black Waves by Kristina Perez
Two proud kingdoms stand on opposite shores, with only a bloody history between them.
As best friend and lady-in-waiting to the princess, Branwen is guided by two principles: devotion to her homeland and hatred for the raiders who killed her parents. When she unknowingly saves the life of her enemy, he awakens her ancient healing magic and opens her heart. Branwen begins to dream of peace, but the princess she serves is not so easily convinced. Fighting for what's right, even as her powers grow beyond her control, will set Branwen against both her best friend and the only man she's ever loved.
Sometime After Midnight by L. Philips
In a dingy Los Angeles club late one night, Cameron and Nate meet and find they have much more in common than their love of an obscure indie band. But when Nate learns that Cameron is the heir to a record label, the very one that destroyed his father's life, he runs away as fast as he can. The only evidence of their brief but intense connection is a blurry photo Cameron snaps of Nate's Sharpie-decorated Chuck Taylors as he flees.
Considering that Cameron is a real life Prince Charming--he's handsome, famous, and rich--it's only fitting that he sets out to find the owner of the Sharpied shoes. Cameron's twin sister, a model and socialite, posts the picture of Nate's shoes on Instagram to her legions of fans with the caption, "Anyone know the gorgeous owner of these shoes? My hottie brother is looking for him." The internet just about breaks with the news of a modern fairy tale and the two become entwined in each other's lives in this sparkling story about the power of music, the demons that haunt us, and the flutterings of first real love.
Give the Dark My Love by Beth Revis
When seventeen-year-old Nedra Brysstain leaves her home in the rural, northern territories of Lunar Island to attend the prestigious Yugen Academy, she has only one goal in mind: learn the trade of medicinal alchemy. A scholarship student matriculating with the children of Lunar Island's wealthiest and most powerful families, Nedra doesn't quite fit in with the other kids at Yugen, who all look down on her.
All, except for Greggori "Grey" Astor. Grey is immediately taken by the brilliant and stubborn Nedra, who he notices is especially invested in her studies. And that's for a good reason: a deadly plague has been sweeping through the North, and it's making its way toward the cities. With her family's life--and the lives of all of Lunar Island's citizens--on the line, Nedra is determined to find a cure for the plague.
Grey and Nedra continue to grow closer, but as the sickness spreads and the body count rises, Nedra becomes desperate to find a cure. Soon, she finds herself diving into alchemy's most dangerous corners--and when she turns to the most forbidden practice of all, necromancy, even Grey might not be able to pull her from the darkness.
Always Forever Maybe by Anica Mrose Rissi
When Betts meets Aiden at the candy store where she works, their connection is like a sugar rush to the heart. Betts already knows the two of them are infinite. Inevitable. Destined to become an us.
Betts has only ever kept one secret from her best friend, Jo, but suddenly there’s a long list of things she won’t tell her, things Jo wouldn’t understand. Because Jo doesn’t see how good Aiden is for Betts. She finds him needy. Possessive. Controlling.
She’s wrong. With a love like this, nothing else matters.
Jack of Hearts (And Other Parts) by Lev A.C. Rosen
Meet Jack Rothman. He's seventeen and loves partying, makeup and boys - sometimes all at the same time. His sex life makes him the hot topic for the high school gossip machine. But who cares? Like Jack always says, 'it could be worse'.
He doesn't actually expect that to come true.
But after Jack starts writing an online sex advice column, the mysterious love letters he's been getting take a turn for the creepy. Jack's secret admirer knows everything: where he's hanging out, who he's sleeping with, who his mum is dating. They claim they love Jack, but not his unashamedly queer lifestyle. They need him to curb his sexuality, or they'll force him.
As the pressure mounts, Jack must unmask his stalker before their obsession becomes genuinely dangerous...
Where I Live by Brenda Rufener
LINDEN ROSE HAS RULES FOR SURVIVAL.
1. Prevent the in-class nap.
2. Never carry too many belongings.
3. Avoid looking the part.
Her rules guarantee no one discovers her secret–that she’s homeless and living in the halls of her small-town high school. Her best friends, Ham and Seung, have formed a makeshift family, and writing for her school’s blog prevents downtime. When you’re homeless, free time sucks. Despite everything Linden’s burdened with, she holds on to hope for a future and a maybe romance with Seung.
But when cool-girl Bea comes to school with a bloody lip, the damage hits too close to home. Linden begins looking at Bea’s life, and soon her investigation prompts people to pay attention. And attention is the last thing Linden needs.
To put a stop to the violence, Linden must tell the story. Even if it breaks her rules for survival and jeopardizes the secrets she’s worked so hard to keep.
Not the Girls You’re Looking For by Aminah Mae Safi
Lulu Saad doesn't need your advice, thank you very much. She's got her three best friends and nothing can stop her from conquering the known world. Sure, for half a minute she thought she’d nearly drowned a cute guy at a party, but he was totally faking it. And fine, yes, she caused a scene during Ramadan. It's all under control. Ish.
Except maybe this time she’s done a little more damage than she realizes. And if Lulu can't find her way out of this mess soon, she'll have to do more than repair friendships, family alliances, and wet clothing. She'll have to go looking for herself.
Amber and Dusk by Lyra Selene
Sylvie has always known she deserves more. Out in the permanent twilight of the Dusklands, her guardians called her power to create illusions a curse. But Sylvie knows it gives her a place in Coeur d'Or, the palais of the Amber Empress and her highborn legacies.
So Sylvie sets off toward the Amber City, a glittering jewel under a sun that never sets, to take what is hers.
But her hope for a better life is quickly dimmed. The empress invites her in only as part of a wicked wager among her powerful courtiers. Sylvie must assume a new name, Mirage, and begin to navigate secretive social circles and deadly games of intrigue in order to claim her spot. Soon it becomes apparent that nothing is as it appears and no one, including her cruel yet captivating sponsor, Sunder, will answer her questions. As Mirage strives to assume what should be her rightful place, she'll have to consider whether it is worth the price she must pay.
My So-Called Bollywood Life by Nisha Sharma
Winnie Mehta was never really convinced that Raj was her soulmate, but their love was written in the stars. Literally, a pandit predicted Winnie would find the love of her life before her 18th birthday, and Raj meets all of the qualifications. Which is why Winnie is shocked to return from her summer at film camp to find her boyfriend of three years hooking up with Jenny Dickens. Worse, Raj is crowned chair of the student film festival, a spot Winnie was counting on for her film school applications. As a self-proclaimed Bollywood expert, Winnie knows this is not how her perfect ending is scripted.
Then there’s Dev, a fellow film geek, and one of the few people Winnie can count on to help her reclaim control of her story. Dev is smart charming, and challenges Winnie to look beyond her horoscope to find someone she’d pick for herself. But does falling for Dev mean giving up on her prophecy, and her chance to live happily ever after? To get her Bollywood-like life on track, Winnie will need a little bit of help from fate, family, and of course, a Bollywood movie star.
Grim Lovelies by Megan Shepherd
Seventeen-year-old Anouk envies the human world, where people known as Pretties lavish themselves in fast cars, high fashion, and have the freedom to fall in love. But Anouk can never have those things, because she is not really human. Enchanted from animal to human girl and forbidden to venture beyond her familiar Parisian prison, Anouk is a Beastie: destined for a life surrounded by dust bunnies and cinders serving Mada Vittora, the evil witch who spelled her into existence. That is, until one day she finds her mistress murdered in a pool of blood—and Anouk is accused of the crime.
Now, the world she always dreamed of is rife with danger. Pursued through Paris by the underground magical society known as the Haute, Anouk and her fellow Beasties only have three days to find the real killer before the spell keeping them human fades away. If they fail, they will lose the only lives they’ve ever known…but if they succeed, they could be more powerful than anyone ever bargained for.
The Art of French Kissing by Brianna Shrum
Seventeen-year-old Carter Lane has wanted to be a chef since she was old enough to ignore her mom's warnings to stay away from the hot stove. And now she has the chance of a lifetime: a prestigious scholarship competition in Savannah, where students compete all summer in Chopped style challenges for a full-ride to one of the best culinary schools in the country. The only impossible challenge ingredient in her basket: Reid Yamada.
After Reid, her cute but unbearably cocky opponent, goes out of his way to screw her over on day one, Carter vows revenge, and soon they're involved in a full-fledged culinary war. Just as the tension between them reaches its boiling point, Carter and Reid are forced to work together if they want to win, and Carter begins to wonder if Reid's constant presence in her brain is about more than rivalry. And if maybe her desire to smack his mouth doesn't necessarily cancel out her desire to kiss it.
Hullmetal Girls by Emily Skrutskie
Aisha Un-Haad would do anything for her family. When her brother contracts a plague, she knows her janitor's salary isn't enough to fund his treatment. So she volunteers to become a Scela, a mechanically enhanced soldier sworn to protect and serve the governing body of the Fleet, the collective of starships they call home. If Aisha can survive the harrowing modifications and earn an elite place in the Scela ranks, she may be able to save her brother.
Key Tanaka awakens in a Scela body with only hazy memories of her life before. She knows she's from the privileged end of the Fleet, but she has no recollection of why she chose to give up a life of luxury to become a hulking cyborg soldier. If she can make it through the training, she might have a shot at recovering her missing past.
In a unit of new recruits vying for top placement, Aisha's and Key's paths collide, and the two must learn to work together--a tall order for girls from opposite ends of the Fleet. But a rebellion is stirring, pitting those who yearn for independence from the Fleet against a government struggling to maintain unity.
With violence brewing and dark secrets surfacing, Aisha and Key find themselves questioning their loyalties. They will have to put aside their differences, though, if they want to keep humanity from tearing itself apart.
Hearts Unbroken by Cynthia Leitch Smith
When Louise Wolfe’s first real boyfriend mocks and disrespects Native people in front of her, she breaks things off and dumps him over e-mail. It’s her senior year, anyway, and she’d rather spend her time with her family and friends and working on the school newspaper. The editors pair her up with Joey Kairouz, the ambitious new photojournalist, and in no time the paper’s staff find themselves with a major story to cover: the school musical director’s inclusive approach to casting The Wizard of Oz has been provoking backlash in their mostly white, middle-class Kansas town. From the newly formed Parents Against Revisionist Theater to anonymous threats, long-held prejudices are being laid bare and hostilities are spreading against teachers, parents, and students — especially the cast members at the center of the controversy, including Lou’s little brother, who’s playing the Tin Man. As tensions mount at school, so does a romance between Lou and Joey — but as she’s learned, “dating while Native” can be difficult. In trying to protect her own heart, will Lou break Joey’s?
Unstoppable Moses by Tyler James Smith
After accidentally burning down a bowling alley with his cousin and best friend, Charlie, Moses has one week as a camp counselor to prove to the authorities—and to himself—that he isn't a worthless jerk who belongs in jail, when Charlie doesn't get that chance.
What the Night Sings by Vesper Stamper
After losing her family and everything she knew in the Nazi concentration camps, Gerta is finally liberated, only to find herself completely alone. Without her Papa, her music, or even her true identity, she must move past the task of surviving and onto living her life. In the displaced persons camp where she is staying, Gerta meets Lev, a fellow teen survivor who she just might be falling for, despite her feelings for someone else. With a newfound Jewish identity she never knew she had, and a return to the life of music she thought she lost forever, Gerta must choose how to build a new future.
Odd One Out by Nic Stone
Courtney "Coop" Cooper
Dumped. Again. And normally I wouldn't mind. But right now, my best friend and source of solace, Jupiter Sanchez, is ignoring me to text some girl.
Rae Evelyn Chin
I assumed "new girl" would be synonymous with "pariah," but Jupiter and Courtney make me feel like I'm right where I belong. I also want to kiss him. And her. Which is . . . perplexing.
Jupiter Charity-Sanchez
The only thing worse than losing the girl you love to a boy is losing her to your boy. That means losing him, too. I have to make a move. . . .
One story.
Three sides.
No easy answers.
Love a la Mode by Stephanie Kate Strohm
Rosie Radeke firmly believes that happiness can be found at the bottom of a mixing bowl. But she never expected that she, a random nobody from East Liberty, Ohio, would be accepted to celebrity chef Denis Laurent's school in Paris, the most prestigious cooking program for teens in the entire world. Life in Paris, however, isn't all cream puffs and crepes. Faced with a challenging curriculum and a nightmare professor, Rosie begins to doubt her dishes.
Henry Yi grew up in his dad's restaurant in Chicago, and his lifelong love affair with food landed him a coveted spot in Chef Laurent's school. He quickly connects with Rosie, but academic pressure from home and his jealousy over Rosie's growing friendship with gorgeous bad-boy baker Bodie Tal makes Henry lash out and push his dream girl away.
Desperate to prove themselves, Rosie and Henry cook like never before while sparks fly between them. But as they reach their breaking points, they wonder whether they have what it takes to become real chefs.
A Touch of Gold by Annie Sullivan
King Midas once had the ability to turn all he touched into gold. But after his gift—or curse—almost killed his daughter, Midas relinquished The Touch forever. Ten years later, Princess Kora still bears the consequences of her father’s wish: her skin shines golden, rumors follow her everywhere she goes, and she harbors secret powers that are getting harder to hide.
Kora spends her days locked in the palace, concealed behind gloves and veils, trying to ignore the stares and gossip of courtiers. It isn’t until a charming young duke arrives that Kora realizes there may be someone out there who doesn’t fear her or her curse. But their courtship is disrupted when a thief steals precious items from the kingdom, leaving the treasury depleted and King Midas vulnerable. Thanks to her unique ability to sense gold, Kora is the only one who can track the thief down. As she sails off on her quest, Kora learns that not everything is what it seems—not thieves, not pirates, and not even curses. She quickly discovers that gold—and the power it brings—is more dangerous than she’d ever believed.
Midas learned his lesson at a price. What will Kora’s journey cost?
Nothing But Sky by Amy Trueblood
Grace Lafferty only feels alive when she's dangling 500 feet above ground. As a post-World War I wing walker, Grace is determined to get to the World Aviation Expo, proving her team’s worth against flashier competitors and earning a coveted Hollywood contract.
No one’s ever questioned Grace’s ambition until Henry Patton, a mechanic with plenty of scars from the battlefield, joins her barnstorming team. With each new death-defying trick, Henry pushes Grace to consider her reasons for being a daredevil. Annoyed with Henry’s constant interference, and her growing attraction to him, Grace continues to test the powers of the sky.
After one of her risky maneuvers saves a pilot’s life, a Hollywood studio offers Grace a chance to perform at the Expo. She jumps at the opportunity to secure her future. But when a stunt goes wrong, Grace must decide whether Henry, and her life, are worth risking for one final trick.
The Boneless Mercies by April Genevieve Tucholke
Frey, Ovie, Juniper, and Runa are the Boneless Mercies—girls hired to kill quickly, quietly, and mercifully. But Frey is weary of the death trade and, having been raised on the heroic sagas of her people, dreams of a bigger life.
When she hears of an unstoppable monster ravaging a nearby town, Frey decides this is the Mercies' one chance out. The fame and fortune of bringing down such a beast would ensure a new future for all the Mercies. In fact, her actions may change the story arc of women everywhere.
The Brightsiders by Jen Wilde
As a rock star drummer in the hit band The Brightsiders, Emmy King’s life should be perfect. But there’s nothing the paparazzi love more than watching a celebrity crash and burn. When a night of partying lands Emmy in hospital and her girlfriend in jail, she’s branded the latest tabloid train wreck.
Luckily, Emmy has her friends and bandmates, including the super-swoonworthy Alfie, to help her pick up the pieces of her life. She knows hooking up with a band member is exactly the kind of trouble she should be avoiding, and yet Emmy and Alfie Just. Keep. Kissing.
Will the inevitable fallout turn her into a clickbait scandal (again)? Or will she find the strength to stand on her own?
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Cornflake Girl
Let’s talk about Cornflake Girl, shall we? This was the song that started it all and inspired this blog and we're gonna get into WHY (kind of, don't expect anything too deep, this is gonna get goofy).
If you don't know this song, it's fuckin great.
Cornflake Girl - Tori Amos (1994)
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Tori Amos, a legend out of North Carolina (and somewhat honorary citizen of the UK), released the song "Cornflake Girl" in 1994. The song was released as a single, then later featured as the eighth track on her second studio album, Under the Pink.
Influenced in part by a recent exposure to reggae music, discussions of female genital mutilation, and Alice Walker's novel, Possessing the Secret of Joy, this song addresses the concept of the "cornflake girl," women who would hurt other women despite a close personal relationship, often to appease some patriarchal construct. This referred, in part, to the fact that the ratio of raisins to cornflakes in breakfast cereal is much lower, making "raisin girls" harder to find - "Thought it was a good solution/Hanging with the raisin girls."
(Fun bonus fact, she is not saying "rabbi," but "Rabbit," the name of her friend, a "fantastic, magical creature" who lives in the woods with their partner, Fox.)
"Cornflake Girl" reached #4 on the UK singles charts, paving the way for later hits off Under the Pink including "God," "Pretty Good Year," and "Past the Mission." A lovely video discussing more about these ideas can be found here. Amos released both an American and a UK version of the music videos, both which are definitely worth seeing if you haven't.
Now...let's talk about some covers.
Cornflake Girl - Florence and the Machine (2018)
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This is the cover I heard this radio on the morning. The intro came on and, not seeing what the song was, I was like '...uh...who stole the intro to Cornflake Girl?"
The answer to that question would be Florence Welch, who covered the song in September 2018 as an exclusive release for Spotify.
So let's get into the nitty gritty.
(All of these qualities are being measured in comparison to the original song, and are my opinions, so with that disclaimer out of the way, come with me and we'll be in a land of PURE IMAGINATION.)
Listenability: 4/5
It's a good cover. This version is much smoother and less choppy than the original...though whether that's a plus or a minus is completely up to the listener's discretion. As a fan of Tori's ability to really fuck you up mid-song (wait, this was just in a fucking 4/4 and now it's in 3/4?! Or maybe it's 2/3, I don't know shit about time keeping, I just know I'm distressed), I would say...not quite as good as the original. Sorry, Flo.
Originality: 2/5
Ahhhhhhh it's just pretty much a nice, safe homage to Tori. The instruments are all pretty evocative of the original song, Florence's vocals are absolutely beautiful, but she really does follow the same cadences as Amos does. Nice use of the occasional drum, though.
Integrity to Original: 4/5
I mean, it's hard to say anything else when this is almost a direct copy of the original. To my knowledge, Welch hasn't gone on the record saying anything about this particular cover, but as an artist who was almost certainly influenced by Amos (this is a total uninformed claim on my part, but like...fuck, they are both redheaded indie mythical wood deities in their own right, so they've probably consorted in the moonlight at least once), I would say she was probably well aware of the intention of this song. What I really appreciate about this version is the clarity of the lyrics - Amos is notoriously tricksy with her pronounciations - which allows this truly haunting song to be brought home even more.
Does this Cover Not Bum Me Out: 5/5
Not bummed out. Love Florence. Love Tori. They are both magical. This cover did make me want to make this blog to explicitly talk about covers that had more theoretical potential, so ironically, it got me more hyped.
Overall: 4/5
Good cover. Good Song. Could have done more with it, but only because we've come to expect so much more from you, Florence.
Cornflake Girl - Jawbox (1996)
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In 1996, Jawbox, an alternative rock band from Washington, D.C., released their cover of "Cornflake Girl" on their fourth and final self-titled album, Jawbox.
Originally, the band didn't take the song particularly seriously in their repertoire. In an 2015 article from AV club, frontman J. Robbins admitted that the cover had started as a goof, but became serious enough that the group made a music video of the cover (see above).
Listenability: 3.5/5
I actually like this cover a lot. It's got some of the 90s/2000s grunge rock, wall-of-sound element, while still being recognizable as the song we know and love. It's a jam (a slow-jam, but a jam nonetheless). I do feel as though it lose a bit of the fun instrumentality of the original in the cover, but overall, would definitely make the roadtrip mix.
Originality: 4/5
Jawbox does a lot of very cool things with this. It definitely leans more alt-rock than indie-pop, which I think gives those drops in the song a real kick. The stutter-step rhythm is a really good addition, and I think it makes a nice homage to Tori's style, which often plays around with rhythm in similar ways.
Integrity to Original: 3/5
I'm gonna play this card: I don't think it has quite the same impact coming from a dude. He does not know what it means to be a cornflake, nor a raisin girl. The music video mostly seems like a series of bizarre images that seem to - probably jokingly - take the "cornflake" imagery pretty literally, with someone being force-fed milk from a tube and someone's soft tummy being poked with a spoon (also, a dude with his mouth full of pennies, so who the fuck knows). Not all covers have to say the same thing the original was saying, or anything at all for that matter, but for this one, I'm gonna land right in the middle for ?????
Does this Cover Not Bum Me Out: 4/5
Nah, not really! Besides the fact men are involved (always a bummer) (jk) (or am I?), I enjoyed the change of pace.
Overall: 3.5/5
Solid cover. Loud. Wall of music. Still couldn't dance to it. Nice level of angst. Too many men involved.
Cornflake Girl - Imogen Heap (2010)
youtube
A one time, live performance! In 2010, Imogen Heap covered "Cornflake Girl" in Melbourne, Australia. The performance was an auction item for the charity Concern Worldwide; the winning bidder got a chance to meet Heap and receive "A Song Just for You." Heap offers her own unique interpretation of the song, which can be seen in the video aboce.
Listenability: 2/5
This is due MAINLY to the fact that this is a live performance. A more polished, recorded version would probably actually be pretty killer. Still probably not a 'have it on in the background, good for the party mix' kind of song, but definitely a get kinda stoned and listen to it on repeat a couple times song.
Originality: 5/5
Amazing range of sounds and instruments she's able to play with since she's performing electronically/has an array of instruments on stage. Fantastic use of double tracking and creating her own vocal loops on the spot. She really makes the song her own in this performance.
Integrity to Original: 3/5
I do really think this is in the spirit of the original, and she plays with an similar set of instruments that Amos herself uses while incorperating her own flair. The lyrics feel a little bit throwaway, which is kind of a shame, because honestly, Tori Amos is nothing if not an incredible lyricist. That being said, most electoric music (in my experience) is more about the instrumentation/sampling, so this makes some sense from Heap, I think.
Does this Cover Not Bum Me Out: 4/5
Yeah, it's cool. She takes some real risks with this cover, and I think for the most part, they pay off.
Overall: 4/5
You do you, Imogen. It's a cool cover. It's neat. I dig it. Do your dance. Do some fun looping things. Wear your hair like Bart from Dirk Gently's Holistic Detective Agency (jk, she wears her hair like you). Dig it.
Cornflake Girl - Noah Hawley & Jeff Russo (2018)
youtube
Legion, an FX series based on the Marvel character David Haller (aka Legion) (surprise surprise) first debuted in February 2017. The show revolves around David, who is diagnosed with schizophrenia at a young age, only to find out in his thirties that there may be much more to his mental illness than he'd previously thought.
This cover of "Cornflake Girl" was featured in the finale of Legion Season 2. I have not personally gotten this far in the show yet (it's good, but a little exhausting and hard to binge for me, so much withholding information), but I watched the clip and it makes no sense to me, so that's a start!
Listenability: 3/5
It pretty much sounds exactly like a Coldplay song, so depending on how you feel about Coldplay, this could go either way. I'm mid-road.
Originality: 2/5
I mean, eh. They make the chorus a minor key and put in some synths. It would play well over the trailer. I bet it will in the future.
Integrity to Original: 2/5
I feel like this is one of those many cases where people just take the lines This is not real/This is not really happening/You bet your life it is and they're like THAT COULD APPLY TO THIS FUCKED UP SITUATION and you know what you're right it does well done gold star for you.
Does this Cover Not Bum Me Out: 1/5
Definitely a bummer. Bumming hard listening to this on repeat.
Overall: 2/5
Is it BAD? No. You know what it is? Meh. Just meh.
#cornflake girl#tori amos#florence + the machine#florence welch#imogen heap#jawbox#under the pink#noah hawley#jeff russo#legion#ctc#review
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Sky One’s Sci-Fi Intergalactic Cast: ‘It’s This Group of Kick-Arse Non-Conformist Women’
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Sky One’s new sci-fi drama series, Intergalactic, features a cast as stellar as its out-of-this-world settings. On a visit to its impressive set at Manchester’s appropriately named Space Studios, we got to chat to some of the actors who are boldly going into the depths of a fascinating galaxy. For those of us whose biggest source of excitement this past year has been a trip to the shops, it’s a tempting proposition.
The show’s key characters are a ragtag bunch of prisoners aboard the transport ship Hemlock and their guards. They’re forging a new future after they make a break for freedom, with a futuristic Earth’s authoritarian government in hot pursuit. The lively, larky chemistry between the actors is evident from the minute they come bounding in, covered in alarmingly realistic fake blood after filming the violent aftermath of a parasite infestation. Lovely. Oliver Coopersmith, who plays pirate Echo, jokes that the counterfeit gore is “gross”. “It sticks to your hair, so if you pull it, it stings a bit! The things we have to go through, eh?”
Thomas Turgoose, who takes the role of hapless prison guard Drew, thinks that what distinguishes Intergalactic from its sci-fi peers is the characterisation. “They’re so believable and so real.” The key driver of the plot is the wrongful imprisonment of Ash Harper (Savannah Steyn), daughter of a powerful politician and the odd woman out in a crew of miscreants. Steyn takes up the story. “She’s a cop. She’s just graduated as a police officer, and then she’s arrested for a massive crime that she didn’t commit – a terrorist crime. She’s put on this spaceship with all these criminals, and her world is flipped on its head. Everything that she’s been brought up to believe is the right thing might not be true.” Her pursuit of fugitive Verona (Imogen Daines) marks the end of a promising career, but it’s the start of a personal awakening to the real meaning of justice.
Diany Samba-Bandza is Genevieve, a good-natured young woman who’s been trained as a “killing machine” by her gangster mother, Tula (Sharon Duncan-Brewster). She laughs as she describes Genevieve’s “weaponised hair” but grows more serious as she talks about the “toxic” bond between Genevieve and her mother, whose parenting’s been lacking in any maternal warmth. Tula’s certainly a powerful presence, as Duncan-Brewster notes, but she’s not going to get everything her own way. “At one moment, I might be in charge, and it seems like I’m running the ship, but then at another moment, someone else is in charge, so it’s constantly changing.”
Read more
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Sky One Sci-Fi Intergalactic: ‘It’s a Road Movie Through Space’
By Gem Wheeler
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New British TV Series for 2021: BBC, ITV, Channel 4, Sky Dramas and More
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Viewers who know Eleanor Tomlinson best from her role as Demelza in the BBC’s Poldark will enjoy seeing another side to the actress’s talents. Despite her abiding fondness for the hugely popular Sunday-night saga, she’s thrilled with the opportunity to act in a series she describes as “a breath of fresh air”. “I wanted to be very, very different in it. I didn’t want to be red-headed…I think we’ve seen that before!”, she tells us, tongue firmly in cheek. Petticoats and stays are out; prosthetics – scaled back, to her relief, after the original design became a bit too restrictive – are in. Tomlinson laughingly describes her character’s wild-child qualities. “She’s a bit mad! She’s a bit bonkers…”
She feels that alien Candy, a drug mule paying off a debt to Tula, is someone we’ll come to empathise with. “She’s a bit irritating, and she’s kind of misunderstood. But I quite like that. She’s not the goody-goody, she’s trying to better herself, so I think in the end, you do root for her.” Tomlinson’s recent forays into sci-fi, including the BBC’s 2019 adaptation of The War of the Worlds and HBO’s The Nevers, have allowed her to stretch herself creatively, and Intergalactic’s unique tone made for a refreshing change after heavier fare. “I think it’s kind of a dark comedy, weirdly, but it’s basically this group of kick-arse women who are not conformist. It’s just very current and modern, and it’s nice to see that on primetime television.”
Duncan-Brewster offers another explanation for why an escapist sci-fi show is so right for the current moment. “We are all still looking for some sort of answer, some sort of relief or magic wand that will make the world better, deep down. It offers hope in some way, I think, when you see a world that exists however many hundreds of years away from where we are now.” Utopia might be as far from their reach as it is ours, but they’re still trying to get there – and that, in itself, is a point of light in a dark galaxy.
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And if all else fails, as 2020 taught us, sometimes happiness lies in small pleasures. Turgoose’s recipe for an ideal society? “Nando’s,” he tells us, to a roar of laughter from his castmates. “Everyone should be entitled to Nando’s.”
Intergalactic airs on Sky One and all eight episodes will be available to stream on NOW from Friday the 30th of April.
The post Sky One’s Sci-Fi Intergalactic Cast: ‘It’s This Group of Kick-Arse Non-Conformist Women’ appeared first on Den of Geek.
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