Chapter 1 - Tumblr Posts - Page 3

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So im making a comic

https://www.newgrounds.com/art/view/burby2007/smug-chapter-1-p2

https://www.newgrounds.com/art/view/burby2007/smug-chapter-1-p3-end

Yeah its on newgrounds cuz of nudity like ima steal post the pages on hear but they'll be censored due to the godliness on here (nothing fucked up rn but well get there some day)

InuYasha Revived!

Mentally dead ; chapter one

word count: 1.3k

note: Just a little fiction book I started writing.

characters: Lukas(oc), Aiden(oc), Mey(oc)

tw: first time writer

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Another morning in the small city of Kuressaare and Lukas has just stepped out of his bus. He begins his fast-paced anxiety-filled walk towards the park, to spend some time before his workday starts. Going to work has always filled him with anxiety and today was no different. He feels a vibration from his pocket and smiles softly to himself, knowing who that message is from.

The phone screen shines brightly with the name Mey right in the middle. Mey is his girlfriend. His beautiful, breathtaking, adorable girlfriend. No one could make him as happy as his girlfriend. He taps on the notification, still smiling, and begins to type a reply. But being an idiot, he forgot to look up from his phone and ended up bumping into someone head-first.

He stumbled backwards and looked up at the person “Oh my god! I’m sorry, I wasn’t looking. Are you okay?” cheeks turning red from embarrassment as he fixes his hat.

The man looks down at him and smiles gently “No, no! it’s okay! I wasn’t looking either”, he looks at Lukas and notices his impatient pacing “Where are you in such a hurry to this early in the morning?”.

The shorter boy seems to be a bit nervous as he looks around the park, it would almost seem he is looking for something or someone. “Oh? Uh I’m just having a nice walk around the park. Enjoying the morning” he lets out a nervous chuckle and sits down on a nearby bench, the other man still standing in the same place and watches him take a seat. “Well then,” he says happily and takes a seat next to Lukas “may I join you?”. He looks up at the man he just met with a slightly surprised expression, but it falls to soft smile. “Sure.”

They sit next to each other in comfortable silence, enjoying the early morning singing of birds. Dew is still dripping off grass blades and a soft wind blows through the treetops.

After a few minutes of silence, the man next to Lukas jolts up and turns towards him “Ah! I forgot to introduce myself!” he reaches out his hand to him expecting a handshake “My name is Aiden. Nice to meet you!”. Lukas stares at Aiden, trying to process the newly learnt information. He’s not sure if he should share his name with a stranger he met on the street, but Aiden seems nice. So, he smiles at him and shakes his hand,

“Nice to meet you Aiden. My name is Lukas.”

 They let go of each other’s hands and Aiden looks at his wristwatch “It’s 8:06 now. I suppose you don’t need to be anywhere?” He leans back against the bench and lets his head fall back, taking in a deep breath and obviously enjoying his time with a stranger.

Lukas looks back at him and chuckles softly “Actually,” he stands up in front of Aiden “since the store is open now, I will go grab a bite for breakfast” pointing with his thumb towards the general direction of a convenience store, he takes a step away from him and puts his hands back in his pockets. Aiden on the other hand stares at him with his mouth gently open, suddenly stands up “I’m coming too!” and starts walking to where Lukas had pointed.

The two boys start walking towards the store while chatting along the way. The resident bridge cat greeted them on their way, asking for a few pats, and some crows cawed from the treetops.

 -

 “Could you choose faster?”

Aiden asked the boy, who was looking at the cold treats behind a glass door, annoyed, he didn’t have the patience to wait for him. “Ugh! Give me a second! I’m almost done.” Lukas replied still choosing his breakfast.

Aiden stared at him in silence for a few more seconds before turning on his heel and walking towards the drinks section “You keep choosing, I’ll go grab a drink.” The other boy waves his hand at him, acknowledging his leave.

 Choosing a breakfast snack has never been this difficult.

Finally, he pulls on the handle of the glass door and reaches in to grab one of the sweet snacks. Breakfast in hand, he makes his way over to the drink aisle, to get a drink or perhaps to look for a familiar stranger. He peeks behind the corner of the shelves to see – no one. Aiden is not there. But he said he would be here. Still, he walks into the aisle and bends down to look at the juice boxes. It is again, time for a choice.

Suddenly he feels a hand on his back, he jolts up in shock and looks at the person to see who would dare invade his personal space in such a manner. To his delight, he is greeted by Aiden’s smiling face. “Did I scare you?” Aiden asks, already knowing he did give him a scare. Lukas looks back at the juice boxes and puffs his cheeks in anger, trying to ignore the overly happy man next to him “No you didn’t. Now help me choose – should I take the cherry or apple juice?” Aiden’s smile fades a bit as he rolls his eyes and grabs a box of apple juice from the shelf.

“Wait what?”

The shorter male runs after the slightly taller one and slows down to walk next to him “I see you made a choice” he smirks up at him and reaches out his hand waiting for his juice box. Aiden puts the juice box in his hand but doesn’t let go yet “I had to! Since you were incapable of doing that.” Lukas snatches the box from his hand and hovers it under the red light of a self-checkout, waiting to hear a beep “Oi! I was just asking for your opinion.” He beeps his other items as well and begins the payment.

 Aiden is already waiting outside and sipping on his own juice box. Lukas shoves the juice box in his pocket and starts unwrapping his breakfast while stepping out of the store and looking over to Aiden “What now?” he bites into his food and waits for a reply “I was about to ask you that. I can do whatever you want to do.” Lukas looks at the time on his phone, falls in thought for a second and looks back at him.

“Well, I should be heading to work soon.”

“Oh,”

Aiden stares down at his own food with a disappointed expression and suddenly bites down “I guess I can’t come with you then?” he spoke with his mouth full. Lukas  laughs at the man in front of him “No, you can’t come with me. But this is a small town, we might see each other again.” He says and takes a bite of his own food.

“Yeah!” finally he swallows the food in his mouth “I will find you again, I promise!” Lukas walks to a nearby trashcan and throws away the wrapper “Well then,” he shoves his hands in his pockets and walks back to Aiden “I will be on my way.” Aiden reaches out his hand for a handshake “Have fun at work! Try not to get fired.” They shake hands once again “I won’t” Lukas chuckles at the other man’s comment. After a few seconds of silence, they smile at each other and part ways, Lukas is going to work, and Aiden is going to – who knows where.

 -

 He pushes down on the door handle of a rather heavy door and steps inside. Dragging his feet up the stairs, the anxiety hits him like a tsunami – he starts patting his pockets and fixing his hair while also trying not to make any excess noise in the quiet hallway. The office door is already open, as on any other day. He stops right before the door and takes a deep breath.

 Just another average day at work.

 But the anxiety in his mind won’t leave him alone. Finally, he steps into the office and begins to take off his jacket. “Good morning.”

________________________________

╰┈➤ Don’t Fall in Love

CH1 - The Sanctuary

‿‿‿‿‿‿‿‿‿‿‿‿‿

ˏˋ°•\*⁀➷ Summary: A bright young girl witnesses her lover being killed by her very own brother. Nothing out of the ordinary for a family with too many connections with the wrong people. Now she locks herself away in her room refusing to talk to anyone in the family. Or she walks out to visit the corner store owned by the same old man to buy the only things she’ll eat nowadays when one day she has a fateful encounter with the old man’s grandson.

ꕥ Pairing - jungkook x fem.reader

ꕥ Genre - allegedly unrequited love, sloowww burn, lowkey enemies to lovers?,

ꕥ Warnings! - death mentioned, dark thoughts, scars (implications of self-harm), self-hating, homegirl has some interesting eating habits, cemetery visit?

ꕥ Word Count - 1.5k

‿‿‿‿‿‿‿‿‿‿‿‿‿‿‿‿

Your eyes fluttered open at the feeling of the sun blazing on your eyes. You rubbed your now slightly opened eyes as your eyebrows knitted at the fact that your curtains were opened. As you get up from the bed to close the curtains that kept the hot sun away a voice called softly, 

“Leave 'em open it’s always so gloomy in here,” the voice said as you slowly turned your head to the door. He leaned against the door frame one leg over the other arms crossed with a slight smile. With not the slightest of a reaction you turned back to shut the curtains when he continued to speak. 

“Especially if you want to keep these plants alive, they’re his aren't they?” he questioned, his voice softening at the mention of him. Your figure turned rather sharply as you watched him touching one of your peace lilies. 

“What would matter if they were his, he’s dead now isn’t he?” you questioned back calmly even though you wanted nothing more than to be angry but you didn’t have the energy to do so. The boy struggled to look for words to reply with but ultimately nothing came out. He simply stared back as the new found silence filled the room uncomfortably until the sound of footsteps were getting closer and closer to the room. 

“Yoongi.” the voice to which the footsteps belonged to called peering into the room as you turned back to close the curtains. 

“There’s a meeting we should be heading to soon don’t wanna keep this deal waiting now do we?” The boy chuckled as Yoongi only nodded looking back watching the way you gripped the curtains even though they were already closed. 

*:･ﾟ✧*:･ﾟ

Silence. You're used to it now somehow, so much so that when it’s interrupted it messes with something inside you. Your peace, your comfort in this world you’ve been forced to live in a world without him. The chatter and laughter that filled the floor below your sanctuary made you blood boil. How those men were able to talk about such horrid things so casually not caring who they hurt as long as the deal was made. The disgust and regret that engulfed you was enough to make you want to disappear completely knowing this was the life you were born into. 

As you hopped into the tub your thoughts began to wander, taking over again as you let your head dip into the lukewarm water letting it engulf every part of your body. You felt safe, the peace and quiet that rang was all you could ask for. Gasping loudly as you let yourself up from the water you sat there again questioning everything as you do now more than you probably should. 

Shivering as you step out of the bath, drying off your body when you let the towel drop looking back at the person in the mirror. Judgment was what was painted on your face as you analyzed everything possible. From the large eyebags that were now your most prominent feature because of how much they contrasted your round face. To the marks that trailed across your thighs and forearms grimacing at the thought of having to apply ointment to the fresher marks. 

Yet blaming the voice inside your head for creating these marks in the first place. 

Finally dressed in a dull grey sweater that drowned most of your figure and a pair of dark joggers that did just the same, an idea lingered in your mind that part of you was saying you might end up regretting. Letting that part of you fall into the back of your head you made your way to the door, stopping questioning the silence that also seemed to even lead outside your room to the downstairs as well. Making your way down the stairs and to the front door a voice comes from behind you that you barely let falter your steps, 

“Where are we off to Mrs. Y/N?” a guard asks, increasing his pace trying to meet you at the door. As he holds the door open you walk out replying with a sly, 

“Places I don’t think my father pays you enough to worry so much about.” 

Leaving the man to fall into silence bowing while quickly repeating a, “Yes ma’am sorry ma’am” while all you could was lightly smirk at how apologetic the man seemed. 

*:･ﾟ✧*:･ﾟ

As you strolled down the cool city streets you came across so many different people you wondered if something was going on in the city. To be fair you hadn’t been out of the sanctuary for so long that such normal everyday things became foreign. Seeing school girls giggling and gossiping about all the school drama as you passed a popular boba place made you shake your head mostly because of the way they talked so loudly about personal things. However, watching the way couples posed for cute photos or fed each other smiling brightly made your stomach twist and all you could do was roll your eyes  signaling your new found sour mood as you walked down the streets faster. Until you finally reached the corner store you walked a good 20 minutes to get to. 

Looking exactly the same you sighed slowly pushing the door open as the nostalgic, “Hello, welcome!” rang out of the fluffy bear. Looking around for the old man that was nowhere to be found a sigh of relief escaping your mouth as you weren’t quite in the mood for taking anyways.  Disappearing into one of the isles you looked around, eyebrows knitting at how everything seemed to be moved around. 

Finally stumbling across what you had been looking for it just had to be on the highest shelf of the aisle. Groaning softly you reach one arm to grab onto one of the lower shelves to steady yourself as you reach for the bag missing it by a hair each time. Looking down to fix your posture to reach again you’re interrupted by a questioning voice. 

“Can I help you get the bag?”  

Looking up you found a raven haired boy scratching the back of his head looking back down at you. 

Watching the boy who stared down at you with lazy eyes you analyzed him from the frame of him you could see. The contrasts in his face and physique irked you as you had never seen anyone look like so. How his big  brown eyes showed the utmost expression but were a dark pool you could also get lost in. Or how his bangs hung below his eyebrows that you probably would struggle to see his eyes with him standing straight. 

“Itt’s uh no problem I can just take each one and you can tell which one you’d like.” the boy continued after being lost in the uncomfortable silence as you still hadn’t replied. 

Slightly moving to the side you watched as he grabbed the different flavors with no effort before presenting them in front of you. Your eyebrow arches slightly as you watch the way the boy smiled lightly before opening his mouth once again, Thinking how pathetic it was to let this boy explain things you didn’t want to stop to listen to but you did let him go on. 

“I always loved the green apple. I think it has the perfect contrast between sweet and sour. Ah but the mango was always-” Not wanting to hear the boy go on about his love for each flavor you grab a product rushing past him over to the counter. Almost as if it was just your luck the same boy was the one working the counter.

“Will this be all?” he questioned as he scanned the small packages while you looked behind him seeing if you could find a glimpse of the old man. Your gaze had the raven haired boy knitting his eyebrows looking behind himself as well as he questioned if there was something you’d want from the shelves behind him to which you simply drop your gaze. The boy finished bagging your products as he handed you your receipt. 

“Jungkook- ah what did I tell you about taking ice cream from the freezers.” a familiar voice called out to the raven haired boy as you were on your way out of the corner store. Walking slowly out you heard the boy named Jungkook reply to the old man, 

“Halabeoji I always put money back into the register and aren’t you supposed to be at the counter anyways!” he yelled back, chuckling slightly. 

Puzzled then when you first entered the familiar store you now walked along the quiet cemetery until you stumbled across the stone with the name “Cho Minho” sighing softly as you took a seat next to him. Reaching into the bag you picked out the tiny package letting it rest next to him while you took out a treat of your own. 

“I went outside today,” you started looking off into the distance, “ It was pretty boring without you but at least I did you know?” 

Opening the green apple flavored package, you continued telling him about your day as the sun fell somewhere into the night sky. 

・❥・

Chapter 2

by tolkien.house on Instagram, I think

Our Love May Never Die

Hope you like it and if you mind don’t reblog due to copyright

325 b.c - Egypt,Mount Elba

The loud screams of the queen brought uneasiness to the king and their children. The oldest son Cairo paced the hall outside his (step) mother room. Well the second son Avery twirl his necklace the eye of horus between his fingers with eyes shut trying to block out the screams of his sweet mother.

" What are they doing in there? It shouldn't be taking this long." says Cairo stopping and looking at the golden door to his parents room.

"Be patient my son it took almost 13 hours for your mother to give birth to you and your brother" says Magnus staring at his son.

"Really?"

" Yes now come sit down all this pacing is making me dizzy" Cairo laugh and made his way to sit on his father side.Cairo looked to his little brother on the floor next to him still meditating.

After 12 minutes of screaming the boys were meet with silence.The door bust open and out came the healers and swnw. Magnus and the boys got up and made there way to the swnw.

" Congratulations my king it's a girl" swnw says smiling moving aside to let the king and princes in the room.Magnus lead the way to his and his wife bed were Queen Aisha is sitting up against bunch of pillows holding a baby.

Magnus sat on the other side of the bed leaning toward to his wife to get a better look at his daughter well the boys sat on the middle to the edge of the bed leaning forward to get a good look at their new sister.

"She's beautiful isn't she my renmen" she says smiling at her baby.

" What would we call her?" Avery ask looking at the new baby sister.

" Marcella"

"Jamila"

Aisha and Magnus said at the same time. Aisha turned her head to glared at Magnus. Well he stared at his baby with a small smile.

" Magnus we agreed on Marcella!"

" No we agreed on naming the baby Horus if it was a boy. Not the other way around."

" But Marcella is a cute name it means young warrior" Aisha said look at her sleeping baby fondly.

" So is Jamila its a very cute name and it means beauty all the man in Egypt would want her hand in marriage" says Magnus watching is daughter sleep in her mother's arms playing with her little feet

.Aisha and her sons glanced back at the baby after hearing a small yawn leave her.

" I changed my mind...." Aisha looked up at her husband with a big smile.

" No man can have my beautiful daughter" Magnus look back up to his wife with a grin.

Aisha face turned sour after hearing what her husband had said.

" Get that grin off your face before I turn you into a toad" Cairo and Avery chuckled at there strange parents bickering.Magnus grin grow into a smile after she said that.

" Why don't we just ask the boys which name we should choice it is there sister after all" Aisha says looking at both of her sons with her eyebrows raised.

" Fine boys which name do you like better Jamila a beautiful egyptian name for a princess or Marcella" Magnus says monotone when he said Marcella.

The boys put there hand under there chin to make them look like there thinking.

" Or or just throwing it out there why not name her Marcella I mean don't you want your sister to be a warrior princess when she's older" Aisha says looking at her boys with a tight smile.

Cairo and Avery look at there parents then each other and moved off the bed to the far corner to the left whispering to each other.

Magnus and Aisha looked at the boys well they talked.Making there way back to the bed they boys looked at their parent with a serious face.

" We have made our decision"

" Before you say anything I can I say one think"Both boys look at there mother and nodded there head.

She took a deep breath and said " .....You can eat dessert before and after dinner" Both boys smiled with glee and said in unison.

"Marcella"

"Marcella"

" hey hey wait a minute that's cheating you can't do that that's not fair" Magnus says looking flabbergasted and pointing a accusing finger at his wife well she high five her babies.

" Sorry bèbè but life isn't fair" she says kissing him on the lips and moving to but the baby in her cot.

" I can't believe this" shaking his head and smiling he pulled both his boys to his chest and got up.

"Say goodnight to your mama and sister boys"

" Night mama night Marcella"

"Night mama night Ella"

" Goodnight my babies" she went over to her husband and gave both boys kisses.

Magnus walked out of the room toward the boys chambers.

Aisha moved around the room slowly towards the balcony over looking their kingdom. She watch the sunset her hand reach up toward her amulet that Magnus gave her.

Magnus wrapped his arm around Aisha waist and rest is face in her neck smelling her scent.

" You should get going the moon would be here soon"

" Give me a minute...... or two" he said smiling into her neck.

" uh uh...." Aisha turned around in her husband arms to face him.

" Last time you needed a minute she ( pointing at Marcella cot) was born" she says grinning at him.

He chuckled and glanced back at baby and sigh." I really wanted to name her Jamila" he whispered Aisha looked at her husband and sigh feeling bad for bribing her sons to choosing Marcella name.

" How about this in my culture we have surnames and we give some of our children middle name so why not call her Marcella Jamila and we can use my surname Jean-Pierre how that sound bèbè"

" hmmm Marcella Jamila Jean-Pierre I like it " smiling he gave his wife peck on the lips before they both made there way back inside.

" Don't forget your clothes again my husband I don't need you walking around the palace naked.....again" she says sitting on the bed glaring at her husband.

" One time that happened one time " he says laughing and collecting his things for the hunt.

“yeah once which had all the maids and maidens looking at you as if you were last drop of water" she flopped on her back starring at there ceiling with a pout.

" oh there there my enchantress you know only got eyes for you" he climbs on top of her and give her a few pecks on her face.

" okay okay I get I'm the apple of your eye" she says pushing his face away laughing.

" and don't forget it " he got off her and went over to cot to look at her one last time

.Aisha got off the bed and pulled her mate away from there baby cot toward the door. She asked one the servant to watch the baby well she escort the king to throne room where everyone was waiting.

Before they entered she stop and turn to him." be safe my love"

" I'm always am"

he kissed her and they continue toward the throne room.When Magnus finishing telling his pack about the new addition to the family everyone cheered.

After congratulation were in order Magnus and his pack start making there way out of the palace.

Aisha and the rest of the wives watched from the entrance as there husbands,brothers,sons, and uncles made there way toward the woods to hunt.

When there couldn't see there family anymore the women went home and Aisha made her way back to her room and release the servant of her duties.

She brought the cot with her to the water to bath after the long day she had. When she came back after an good hour of washing.

Making her way toward her bed with her baby in her arms she lightly lay her down on a pillow next to her.

She blew all the candle out and just lay in the somewhat dark room only having the moon coming through the balcony.

Arm secure around her baby she slowly starts to draft off to sleep not before hearing the sounds howling in the distance.

She smiles.

“ mon compagnon”

2024 goal

Hey guys I’ll be posting a page a day of this series, there’s still a bunch of pages that have already been released on my Instagram though! So feel free to check them out! (Insta in my bio)

i think i have a new found obsession...yandere!bts!!!

Only You (1)

Word Count: 8,215 // Angst, Fluff

Photographer!Jungkook X Noona!Reader

Summary: Jeon Jungkook, your wedding photographer, helps you escape on your big day upon learning about a secret your groom-to-be kept hidden. You soon fall for this young, passionate photographer. However, you underestimated just how much he was willing to reciprocate that love. Maybe, you think, he’s loving you just a little too much.  

“Noona, please don’t leave. I’m cold.”

Your attempts to slide off the queen-sized bed were futile as a strong arm wrapped around your waist, tugging you back towards the warm body it belonged to. Jungkook groaned into the crook of your neck, letting his lips rest on your warm skin.

“Kookie, I have to go to work.” You whisper, tugging at his arm.

Keep reading

|Older|

Genre: Fluff/Slow burn

TW:Cursing/Suggestive/Bl00d

Au:Non-idol/Vampire/Strangers to lovers

Additional info: Reader is Female and a human while Minho is a Vampire. Reader is visiting family during the holidays and encounters Minho throughout her stay an oddly amount of times. Stray Kids are a clan of Vampires. Mentions of Hyunlix.

Next: ->>

╚»★«╝

Ch.1

“I’m leaving now, I’ll be there in a few hours. Yes Umma, I packed enough warm clothes.” You were currently on the phone with your mother as she frantically told you what to pack and asking when you were arriving.

After moving across country to attend University in Seoul, leaving your family up in the mountains, it has become very important for you to take things like holiday break off and spend time with your parents and little sister.

“I’ll call you when I get into town, but I have to go or else I’ll be there even later.” You reminded her, quickly saying your goodbyes so you could load up your car and drive the most grueling 5 hour drive of your life. It was worth it though, anything is worth it when you get to see your family.

You were on the road in no time, taking quick stops to get gas or buy a few snacks but after 5 hours you finally made it to the familiar cabin you grew up in.

You got inside quickly, escaping the cold and entering the warm house as you saw your little sister and dad on the couch. "Appa! Soomin!" You said, getting their attention with your voice.

Soomin, your little sister who was only 14, jumped up and ran over to hug you. Since you guys had such a big age gape there wasn't that much sibling rivalry between you two and the relationship is super sweet.

You also didn’t have to worry about clothes, makeup and skincare products suddenly disappearing since by the time you moved out the house, she was only 6.

And now you're 26, fresh out of medical school/ college and currently looking for a job. That being said, that isn't the only thing your mom has pestered you about. The topic of love has come up many times and each time you've replied that between studying and self-love your life is too hectic to add someone else to the mix.

Thankfully she's on the more understanding side and had dropped the conversation after a few failed attempts of asking about how your love life was going.

“Umma is making some tea right now.” Soomin explained while picking up one of your smaller bags. “The room is still the same.”

After you moved out of the house the room that used to be yours was the guest room but after Soomin got older and wanted a bigger room they switched them. So technically the guest room is Soomin’s old room and not yours.

“Thank you.” You said quickly as you followed Soomin upstairs despite knowing full well where the room was.

It was nicely decorated, on the more minimalistic side but that was fine with you. Soomin left quickly so you could get yourself situated and that’s what you did for the next 20 minutes.

You took out your clothes, curler and/or straightener, hair products, makeup, and many more stuff. You filled the dresser with your clothes and that’s when you heard your mom from downstairs.

“Soomin! Y/n!” She called out, yelling for them to come to the kitchen since the tea was ready.

You quickly made your way downstairs, Soomin and your mom already there as your dad stayed in the living room. He wasn’t a big fan of tea. “So, How have you been lately?” Your mom asked after sliding over a cup of tea towards you.

You shrugged your shoulders, picking the cup up for a sip. “Nothing interesting lately, I sent in some job applications but haven’t gotten any words back yet.”

Your mom understood that well, knowing it took time to find a job fresh out of university. “It’s good you’re atleast trying.” She said before standing up. “I know you just got here but, do you have anything in mind for what you’d want for dinner?” She asked as you smiled and shook your head.

“It’s ok Umma, really.” You tried to convince her but, as if you were straight out of a cartoon, your stomach growled and your mom looked at you with an ‘really?’ Look and signature hand on her hip.

“You know what, Jjigae sounds good!” You said, remembering the warm and hearty Korean stew that your mother was always good at making. “Ohh! That’s sounds good!” Your sister said immediately, looking up at your guys mom. “Appa wouldn’t mind having that either, you know he doesn’t care as long as there are soft boiled eggs too.” She added which made your mom nod in agreement.

“Great! I’ll start making that.” She smiled and turned around to grab all the ingredients out of the fridge. She brought out the meat, they recently gotte pork belly so that’s what they were going to use. Along with veggies before she paused. “Oh no…” she dragged out, grabbing a mostly gone tube of soybean paste.

“Aish, I’ll head to the store to grab some more.” She sighed but you’d topped her. “It’s ok Umma, the store isn’t far away, I’ll go get it and you can cut up the vegetables and meat so it’s ready to go when I come back.”

“Are you sure?” She asked ever though she was already grabbing her apron and tying it around her. “Yes, I’m sure.” You reassured her and she smiled more. “Ok! Thank you!”

You nodded and quickly went to the door to slip on your shoes, grabbing your coat again and keys before going to your car.

The store wasn’t busy, thankfully, but it was rearranged differently than you remembered and you were having a hard time find the soybean paste. “They had it with the broth last time…” you muttered to yourself as your eyes scanned the shelf’s of canned chicken and beef broth.

“They moved it to the fridge section.” A voice said, scaring you since you hadn’t heard footsteps behind you.

You turned around to find a young man, dark brown almost black hair, equally as dark eyes and blank stare face. His cheekbones were high and he had a deep cupids bow with a plush upper and bottom lip. ‘How can someone be so… perfect..?’ You thought to yourself in awe.

He, after seeing your wide eyes, quickly flashed a smile. “Sorry, I heard you talking to yourself and thought I could help.” He explained, making you sigh a bit in relief.

“It’s ok, your hearing is amazing by the way!” You noted, a bit shocked he was able to hear your quiet muttering. “Been told that before.” He grinned, one laced with mischief and smugness. “You’re looking for soybean paste right? I only know because it used to be here.”

You nodded with a small smile of your own. “Yeah, you said fridge section? Is it by the butter?” You questioned and he nodded his head. You knew if you stayed any longer you would inevitably blush if you’re not already.“Thank you.” You said before walking off to get the small tube quickly.

“Can you go to the library with your sister? She usually goes alone but since you’re here I would feel better if she was with an adult.” Your mom asked while tying her hair up.

She approached you as you were sitting on the couch and you smiled up at her. “Sure! To double check, they didn’t move that too did they?”

You asked in a joking yet serious tone. After the grocery store, you had wanted to go to the strip mall, only to find it’s location moved and demolished. It also just so happened that the local ice skating rink also moved spots!

You were beginning to think the town was just going to get up and leave too.

“Yes, same place it’s always been”. Your mom chuckled and you stood up while stretching. “Ok, I’ll go drive her now.” You said as she took your spot on the couch next to your dad.

“Drive safe then!” She smiled and waved as you and your sister got into your car. “Since when did you go to the library?” You asked as soon as you guys buckled in. “I don’t.” Your sister smirked.

“Wanna know where I actually go?”

“Soomin, where do you even get the money from?” You asked, parking right in the town center where there were lots of shops open for business. It looked straight out of a hallmark movie.

“I do people’s work for cash, the longer I know them the less they pay me. Which means they recommend me to their friends and I always get new clients! I’m currently doing all of my 4th period classmates work.” She smiled smugly and you chuckled.

“Hustling for money at the ripe age of 14, maybe you are my sister.” You joked, messing up her hair with your hand before getting out of the car. “I won’t rat you out to mom but that doesn’t mean you get to drag me around today. If we spend more than 2 hours here Mom will get suspicious.”

Soomin nodded in agreement, closing the car door before jogging up to you with a big smile. “That’s fine! You haven’t been here in forever, let me show you around!”

It was close to the time you guys were about to leave when you entered an actual book shop. “I know I said I don’t like books, but I need one to read for English so I can write a report on it.” Soomin explained, leaving your side immediately to go to the fantasy shelves.

You went to your own way, roaming the fiction side a bit. You were in the dark romance section before bumping into someone. “I am so sorry!” You apologized quickly, turning around to see a blonde slightly shorter male there.

Damn, had there always been this many gorgeous people?

“It’s all good, I didn’t see you either.” He said, his voice way deeper and richer than you expected. You couldn’t help but blush and turn to look away. “Sorry if this seems nosy, but are you new?” He asked before you could fully turn away.

“Not really, I grew up here but moved a few years ago for school. I’m visiting family this week.” You explained and he nodded. “Ahh, understood. My family and I moved here a few years ago so that must be why I didn’t recognize you.”

You nodded also and couldn’t help but glance down at the book he had in his hand. “Vampire story?” You guessed, seeing the fangs on the cover as they hovered above a rose in a glass case. He smiled instantly and nodded.

“Yeah! I don’t do much reading but my boyfriend has been pestering me a bit, says that gaming for too long hurts my eyesight.” He rolled his eyes as he explained and you laughed softly at the sass. “He’s not wrong, blue light actually makes it harder for you to sleep also. Doctors recommend that people don’t use any electronics 2 hours before bed if they want to fall right asleep. Otherwise you’ll just be staying awake for the whole night.”

He blinked a bit, processing your information with surprise. “Wow, you sounded like a doctor yourself!” He chuckled which made you blush in embarrassment.

“Sorry, I study medicine so I tend to info dump whenever the topic of health comes up.” You explained which only made him laugh more.

“I get it, my boyfriend is that same when it comes to art. Like painting and drawing.” He reassured you. You were about to say something else when his head snapped to look at his right.

“Hey hyung!” He smiled brightly as a guy came around the corner where you two stood. “Ready to go home, Felix?” The guy asked and that’s when you recognized him. His familiar monotone but lively voice triggering a blush to dust across your face.

It was the guy from the store, he was now in black jeans, gray V-neck tshirt and a black & white plaid jacket. He had regular white sneakers and black ball cap that made his dark drown hair almost cover his eyes.

“Awh, already?” Felix pouted before sighing and nodding his head. “Bye, hope to see you around.” He grinned before walking up to the guys side. “I’m ready Minho-Hyung.”

They left quickly, not giving you a chance to say bye before the bell above the door rang and they began walking on the brick sidewalk.

It was a strange swirling feeling in your stomach at the sight of the man who you now know as Minho. It made you stare off in space for a bit as your mind raced with him. Was him and Felix related? It would make sense, they were both stunning human beings. Almost too stunning to be human.

The town was small, but was it small enough to run into someone twice in tow days back to back? Maybe, it had been awhile since you had been here. “Uhm, earth to Smile McGee.” The voice of Soomin said, pulling you out of your trance.

You blinked a few times, the brain fog clearing and you smacked her shoulder. “I told you to stop using that dumb nickname.” You hissed, remembering the times you used to have braces and when you had a few friends over they teased you with that nickname.

She was only 4 at the time but seemed to remember it like it was yesterday.

She mumbled an “ouch” and gave you a small glare. “Anyways, I’m ready to go.” She said, holding up a hefty sized book. “Maybe you are a nerd.” You mumbled, eyeing the huge book before shrugging and buying the book for her.

“Who was that by the way?” Soomin asked once you guys exited the bookstore. “Who?” You rebutted and she rolled her eyes. “That guy you were talking to, the blonde haired one.”

“Ohh.” You said, nodding before shrugging your shoulders. “His name is Felix apparently, I don’t know him personally though.” You explained and it was her turn to nod her head.

“And that other guy?” You felt the same swirling feeling in the pit of your stomach as she referred to the other guy. “Minho, I actually ran into him yesterday at the store. I only just now learned his name.”

Soomin hummed in thought before looking up at you with a smirk. “He’d make a good boyfriend~.” She said, bumping her hip with yours as you shook your head in disagreement.

“No way, I just got Umma to stop pestering me about dating; you can’t start.” You lightly scolded her as she just ignored you. “He was handsome though, you can’t deny that. Both of them were.”

You grumbled slightly, looking off to the side so you wouldn’t have to verbally agree with her. She knew she was right, the proof was the guy’s themselves.

Felix had a softer and more happy vibe with him, a golden brown eye color and blonde hair cut in the style of a mullet. He had many silver rings adorning his fingers and piercings on his ears.

He was dressed in a black turtle neck, dark blue jeans and a mocha brown fluffy jacket. His style was different from Minho, along with his appearance.

While Felix had freckles and slightly bigger eyes, Minho had not one mark on his clear and slightly tan skin. He had two silver mini hoops on one ear while three mini silver hoops on the other ear.

His outfit was a bit more casual compared to Felix’s but his stunning and sharp face made up for that.

“Whatever.” You grumbled back at your sister, sighing a bit as you both made it back to your car.

Safe to say, you stayed up a bit longer than usual with thoughts of a certain dark eyed boy.

╚»★«╝

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Charlie struggles with her magic in the aftermath of the battle and her relationship.

Alastor finds himself thoroughly amused.

His Blue Serge

Chapter 1:

She didn’t know what she was doing. All she had was a hope and a dream.

A dream for her, a dream for her people, a dream… with no substantial backing.

Charlie MorningStar, Princess of Hell. Daughter of the Morningstar himself and child of the First Sinner. When she tried to talk to her mother about her ideas, wanting to save the souls that fell, the woman looked down at her kindly, appreciating that she’d want to save the souls that followed her to the blaze as a result of her mistakes. But amongst all the emotion was pity.

How could a damned soul reach heaven? The forever lost paradise. Yet her mother let her dream, said nary a word against the silly dreams that Charlie would rant about as she moved her toys along the carpet, explaining how everyone would eventually get along.

Then there was her father. Sat away in his own dark corner of Hell. When she did happen across him, sneaking into his workshop when her mother wasn’t looking, she saw his dreams. Of gilded skies and how they could be filled with ethereal entities beyond that of Angels and Man. The Fallen Angel did not speak much of his kingdom's people. Hellborne or Sinner-Spawns. His eyes ached for a way to reach beyond the skies he was confined to.

When he fell, he was not simply banished from heaven's pearly gates. He was trapped in the realm, to the rings that would bend to his will, yet never beyond. Damned to never see his stars again, damned to never venture further than he once dared.

When he spoke of heaven, there was the ache of longing.

The Princess wanted a way to redeem others, so they could go to heaven. Be it for the sinner-spawn, or her father. It was harder to distinguish as they grew older, and grew apart.

She inherited that ache. The want for something more. For better.

When her parents first gifted her the mansion in Pentagram City, it was intended for her to be able to grow on her own. “Spread her wings,” her father said. They wouldn’t force her to move out, but when she decided she was ready to build her kingdom and rule her people- because they were never her father's people- they would support her in building her own palace.

They offered her royal staff, cooks, maids, and servants to wait on her hand and foot.

Many were hand-selected because of their renowned abilities that had become known on Earth.

Upon hearing this, she wept.

Her parents would support her in her pursuit to rule her kingdom. But how could she be able to face the sinners knowing there was nothing she could truly do to protect them? From each other, from the punishment of their realm, from extermination. What kind of a queen would that make her?

When she did move out, it was with two servants and a hellborne animal that resembled a cat. It was actually a catalyst for magic, a familiar of sorts. She would help Charlie use her own magic, and control the lofty powers that she held and hardly used. She didn’t want the power if it couldn’t help her Kingdom.

Her hesitation brought about the ridicule of her people, but her mother nodded along to her rants and woes, telling her it was all to be done in her own time. She wasn’t planning on ending her performances any time soon.

And then the Queen disappeared. It was a new century, and the queen who once traveled the realms, singing for her people, had not said hello to the new dawn at the break of the decade.

Charlie sought out her father after the citizens began to notice the lack of their queen's voice, but was dismissed. It was almost as if he was unaware of anything going on outside of his own world. Which Charlie argued should be much larger than what it currently was. The angel seemed to withdraw even more after that, the presence of his queen gone, taking whatever supports were holding him up.

On the bright side, due to him being so secluded, the realms didn’t really notice the withdrawal from the king. They held him in as high of a regard as they ever did, and with fear of his legend.

Then that left Charlie. Charlie MorningStar. Heir to the Kingdom of Hell. Daughter of the feared MorningStar and the absent Queen who was the voice for the fallen. The coward who held love in her heart and refused to claim her power.

The idiot who declared that she would save her people with no plan. Only a dream.

The princess knew what a joke everyone thought she was. She didn’t exactly remember when it had gone public, but her dreams of redemption had sinners in the streets laughing in her face, Imps sneering from across the way- Her ‘forgotten people.’ It’s not as though she was neglecting her duties as princess, but even she had to admit how it came across to the Hellborne, trying to remove the human souls to “Save them from their fates here in the Pit.” But in her defense, this was Hell! A place made to punish. The Hellborne suffered, but not nearly as much as those who were damned here as punishment. Her people needed relief.

Especially during extermination.

The streets of Pentagram City were mostly quiet on the days leading up to the extermination. Many forgot territorial pacts to team up and try and hunker down until the carnage passed. Many bought spells to put on their doors, others resorted to good old-fashioned wood and nails, and some simply took what they could carry and left. As if that would spare them. The worst of it was those who had decided their fate. Their Hells had proven more than their souls could handle, and they waited out on the streets, for what some called “The Angels Mercy.”

It broke the Princess's heart. The ache in her chest she felt for those who lay in the streets days before the extermination would fall upon them. Some would beat, yell and even kill to try and get those sinners away from their homes and stores, not wanting the angels to be led directly to them. But sinners would sit and take it, and those who were offed respawned somewhere, where they’d stay until either they were killed again or the Angels found them.

A few years ago, Charlie found herself begging at the feet of a younger sinner. Beaten beyond recognition, but ultimately left to his chosen fate in this spot he had chosen. She stayed there next to him, holding onto him while begging for his permission to carry him off to safety. She didn’t move until an angelic spear pierced his skull, splattering blood in a neat stream across her neck and chin.

She was totally passed over, as she would be every extermination, just as the Hellborne would be. Despite there being no danger to her well-being, she began waiting inside during the exterminations. She offered her home to any who would wish to seek shelter with her but was again laughed off. The Sinners would rather face the consequences of being on the streets during extermination than be caught hiding behind the cowardly, powerless princess.

But as soon as the last Angel would disappear into the sky, she would run off with a first aid kit, offering help and medicine to any who might have survived the attack. It was rare that a soul be left alive after encountering an Angel, but there were the odd cases, and then those who were taken advantage of by those they tried to hide with, being beaten then thrown to the wolves yet somehow being spared.

That was how the Princess met Vaggie. Wearing clothes that didn’t fit her, bloody as if pulled off the corpse of another sinner, collapsed in pain against a mound of trash in an alley not far from the mansion.

The Princess was used to helping people then being pushed aside, sometimes robbed for any painkiller she had on her, ridiculed for her kind heart. There was the occasional reluctant thanks, someone who, without her help, would undoubtedly have perished to whatever wounds had been afflicted by the Angels.

They knew they wouldn’t respawn if they had.

Vaggie was the first to allow her to help, who had smiled when she thanked her, who limped back to her home to a makeshift hospital area set up in the foyer. She was the only sinner who ever wept into Princess Charlotte’s arms as she assured her the Angels were gone, she was safe now.

Oh if she had known the irony.

If she had known the truth about the one-eyed girl who stayed by her side for three years, helped her try and develop a plan to convince her people that redemption wasn’t a bad idea, to try and find a way to convince heaven itself.

It pained her to visit the place her father had been cast out of, the reason for so much of his woes. She hated that she loved it. She found herself smiling after the very beings responsible for so much pain and anguish. It had helped a little when it had been revealed that they didn’t know about the exterminations, only a select few and the exterminators themselves.

The exterminators. One accompanied Adam, just as one had accompanied her.

Of course, this was something that would have been obvious to her if she had simply truly looked at the other, even just once. Her people were right. She was an idiot and a coward. And it had cost her. After they returned to the mansion turned hotel, she refused to look at the Angel that followed, refused to hear her story out, and locked herself away in her room.

Her girlfriend had lied to her. She had said she was a prostitute in life, hence why she was in hell. She should have known. No sinner was so open about their life, especially right off the bat. Not to the poor excuse of a Royal she was. And then she led her on about her dream, let her make a fool of herself to the Angels. She could have been completely honest about who she was, and the sweet naive princess would have believed her, would have held her all the more dear for it.

Now she was back to the beginning, holding nothing more than her dreams. Her plans were down the drain, and she’d have to figure out how to protect not just her people, but her dream itself from the angel's wrath. Even her own safety was on the line, something she never really had to worry about before.

Sweet Razzle held up a tissue box for her as she wept, silently as she could. As soon as she had closed the door to her room she was able to hear the echo of her wail before she could choke it down. She would not let the others hear it again. The ache of her horns pushed to be free, but she let her sorrow wash over it like soothing water as she kept her anger underneath the surface.

“Oh Charlie, you look an absolute mess!” the radio-filtered voice sang. She crunched her eyes up into a glare and tried to push her tears back before she hid her face.

“Go away, Alastor.”, she groaned. The red-clad demon perched himself on her bed, right up against her leg, forcing her to bring it closer to herself to avoid contact.

“Now, now, is that any way to act after picking a fight with all of Heaven and dooming everyone you love?” He leaned closer to her, and she could feel his smile through the sheets of her bedspread.

Everyone you love. Would that include Vaggie? There was a reason the girl was in Hell. She had fallen. Could she truly be mad at her for hiding that? Like a cop in prison would hide their service on the force. But this was different.

“I have enough on my mind without hearing your sadistic idea of a joke,” she sat up to cover her ears and roll over,”asshole!”

Where she would usually see the hard but loving smile of the one who lied to her, she now saw the wide smile, and almost manic eyes of the Radio Demon. “Whose joking?” he drew as Charlie threw herself back from the others face. As she landed on the floor, he nonchalantly continued, “You have a captive audience downstairs waiting to hear what kind of inspiring performance you have planned next.”

Charlie climbed up so her chin and arm were resting on her bed. She spotted the deer-esque demon slightly sitting up on his side, resting his head on his arm as if it was the most casual thing in the world for him to be imposing in a Royal’s space. She really was a joke.

She cried her woes to him, her frustrations with her partner, and how hopeless she felt against the invincible angels. Even without embracing her true powers, she could feel the energy in the room shift as he turned away from her and sang.

“ I know something youuuu don’t know. ”

She knew, even before he would offer to make a deal, that she was trapped. Whether or not she left this room with her soul, or whatever she had to pass for one, intact. But she truly considered herself. What she had, and what she no longer had left to lose. Thankfully, he didn’t ask for her soul, just a favor.

“What’s a favor between friends?”

She wouldn’t have to hurt anyone, and she would have a chance to save her dream. Her home. She knew her answer, and let the pressure on her skull release as her horns sprouted, not unlike the antlers that sat upon Alastors crown.

She knew her answer when she took the glowing hand in hers.

Now one may think that the energy that exploded from their joined hands was a result of a deal taking place. That wouldn’t be entirely incorrect either. But it was not just the sinners' arcane magic sealing the deal. At that moment, Princess Charlie, Daughter of the Morningstar and Heir to the throne now that the queen was MIA, embraced more than the sinner's hands. She allowed herself to reach down into herself, burning in her heart as she reached for the powers that lie deep beneath the surface of her essence. The small cat-like creature ran towards them from under the bed, and as soon as she crossed the threshold of where their magic met, beneath their clasped hands, the green energy became pink as it cracked the glass dome that loomed above the princess's home, leaving evidence of the deal being made as the energy spread.

Alastor, surprised, held her hand tighter, antlers shooting up more as his limbs became just a tad too long to be comfortable.

The small creature ran out the other side of them and into the safety under Charlie's desk, and thus the deal was made. By the time their hands separated, Vaggie had broken down the door to her room. She knew the answers she was looking for now, and what to do if they wanted a chance. They had danced into her mind's eye, moving oddly like a running deer across her vision. She didn’t regard the gray pallor angel in her doorway. Walking past her, her horns now resting at an uncomfortably short length as she- for the first time it felt like- strode into the hall and down the stairs with the grace and regality befitting of her station.

She would save her people, no matter the costs to herself.

The battle was long. The battle was cruel. The battle was over.

Many souls were lost, including Sir Pentious. The first real patron of the hotel after Angel. Razzle was struck down, leaving Dazzle confused and hovering at Charlie's heel, feeling the loss of his other half.

Charlie had mostly ignored Vaggie until the battle, only talking to her when others were in the room. The rest of the hotel seemed to take the fact that she was an angel in stride. When she returned from Carmilla's with wings it was celebrated. Charlie didn’t even think to ask whether or not her wings were intact after finding out her girlfriend was an angel.

She had talked to Rosie when in cannibal town. The kind cannibal asked her questions, to soothe the princess. “Do you love this girl? Have you ever doubted that she loves you?”

Not until that fateful day in heaven. Since then, she had been nothing but unsure. When she told the overlord that, she bit her lip, mentioning how the hotel was all about redemption. Charlie agreed that she wanted redemption to be available to everybody, but could she personally forgive her? “Perhaps this girl is trying to redeem herself, too.”

That had really helped. Gave her a clear mindset so that she could influence the colony of sinners to help her (with the help of Alastor).

Charlie, Princess of hell, had a dream of redemption. After the angels retreated, only two staying behind in the carnage to help rebuild, she felt that her dream was possible. With the help of her friends, she rebuilt the mansion, better than before. She had raised the ground from beneath her with the help of her father's magic, and once Alastor returned they completed the renovations.

The hotel was back, bigger, and better than ever.

And she and Vaggie had separate rooms.

No words crossed between the former lovers, but there was an understanding. That trust had been broken, and space was needed. Vaggie didn’t know if this was permanent or not, but she was allowed to stay, to continue to help with Charlie's dream. While she was desperate to talk to Charlie about their current situation, she was never given an opportunity. She was very concerned about the Deal made with the Radio Demon. It may not be her place to step in anymore- if it ever was, but even if it was just a favor, would Charlie come out of it in one piece?

Soooo say I have a Charlaster fic in a Google doc that I casually work on at random intervals. Usually at three am. Would people read it?

It's about 12k words so far.

Concept: Charlie's powers are a little haywire, and while dealing with that and her break up, Alastor proves to be a good friend.

[Valerie's Story] Chapter 1: Omie (1/6)

“Valerie, you are on sweeping duty today.”

“But I’m always on sweeping duty!”

“This is history that we are preserving,” The old lady smiles, “Careless hands…”

“Doom the world.” I begrudgingly take the broom. I’m ten years old, not an idiot. My older siblings are already at work maintaining foliage and restoring art. Well, two of them. Even with Maurin missing I’m still stuck with the broom.

For as long as I can remember, Bernadette has dragged us to Omie’s temple on the sea cliff once per month to help her keep it from falling into ruin. To be honest, it’s already pretty ruined.

It’s a small building, especially when compared to other temples in the region, about the size of a sloop. There’s no door; I don’t think there ever was. Faded murals run along the inside but you can’t see the entire picture because parts of the walls are missing. The arch roof caved in before I was even born and when you walk through to Omie’s statue on the other side, there’s a specific path you have to take to avoid cutting your foot or falling through the floor. The back is open so ocean spray keeps the back side of the statue permanently damp. Plants grow through every crack and hole, wrapping around pillars and obscuring the details in the white stone.

We’re the only ones who ever come up here if you don't count the teromynies, rabbits, or many, many insects. They’re going to be worse this summer because winter was so short. Omie’s worshippers mostly attend the Megachurch in the capital. No one cares about a shrine in an outskirt village that even the locals have forgotten. Bernadette is an exception. She probably lives here. She talks about Omie like she created humanity.

I kick up dust near Omie’s feet. She’s twice as tall as our mom and looks a lot like her. Mom has long, curly hair so blonde it’s almost white kept out of her face by a bandana. Omie has the same style but a much more elegant headband. She wears an off-the-shoulder dress with a collar low enough that her hands clasped over her heart touch her bare chest. Her downturned head makes it seem like she’s looking at you but her eyes are always closed. Bernadette says that Omie’s watching over us.

I hope she’s watching over Maurin. It’s too quiet here without him. Usually he’d be cleaning the grime off the statue but since he’s gone Bernadette’s doing it. The only other person she lets touch Omie is him.

When I’ve swept every part of the temple Bernadette hands me six red candles to place at Omie’s feet. I’m not allowed to light them, though. Bernadette sets her cane against the wall and hobbles through the temple with a thurible, muttering to herself. She’s not praying. That old lady might treat Omie like Francesca treats the young watchman stationed by the docks but she’s not a Believer. The candles light on their own when she’s done. Witch magic is uncanny.

I scan the mural on the right wall. It shows various images of Omie interacting with humanity. Healing the injured, officiating weddings and blessing babies, singing and dancing in a large group. We do the same dance during Omie’s Festival accompanied by a song that she apparently wrote. Kell hangs up the red banner with Omie’s symbol, a human heart made of fire, that fell off the middle pillar.

The left mural is more about how Omie fits into the Six Immortals. It depicts things that they did together like establishing the United Regions, Demon's Lock, and taming dragons. Modern temples are built to hold service but this one, like most older temples, was built to foster a personal connection with its deity. There are no pews and no altar, just stories up to interpretation.

Francesca peeks through one of the holes in the wall, “I finished trimming the bushes.”

“Good. Kell, Valerie, help Francesca pick the hearthblooms.” Bernadette gathers her things.

I can't look at the flowers without feeling nauseous. They remind me too much of him. “If the wreaths are so important why don’t the other villagers grow hearthblooms themselves?” I cross my arms. “Why are we the ones who always have to do it? For once it’s actually warm enough to go swimming in early spring and we’re stuck making wreaths!”

“C’mon, Valerie, don’t be like that. We all want to go swimming but these flowers aren’t going to crown themselves.” Kell offers a smile.

“Well said, Kell. We have responsibilities that we must uphold. Supplying the festival with hearthbloom wreaths is one of them.”

“Guts! Why are you so obsessed with Omie? You’re not even religious! You-“

“Valerie, that is enough. I have my reasons. You would not understand.”

“Because you never explain anything to us! It’s always ‘Time to visit the temple,’ ‘Be careful around the statue,’ ‘Omie watches over you!’ We know nothing about you aside from the fact you’re friends with our mom. You just show up every once in a while to gush about your celebrity crush then disappear again. I witness enough of parasocial relationships when Francesca rambles about that stupid watchman!”

“Hey, I love him!”

“He doesn’t even know who you are!”

“It’s true love!”

“That’s dumb!”

“I’m going to marry him one day!”

“You’re an idiot! All of you suck! I want Maurin back!”

Silence. “And there it is.” Bernadette mumbles. “Why don’t the two of you head home? We can visit Graciela later.”

Francesca and Kell take one last glance over their shoulders before descending the hill. Fran’s face scrunches in anger. She tosses her hair and leaves with her nose in the air. Kell’s eyes dart between me and the witch worriedly but he still follows.

I can’t stop shaking. I bite the inside of my cheek to keep myself from crying but tears have already blurred my vision. Bernadette is a colorful blob as she cups my cheek with her hand. I swat her away when her thumb sweeps across my skin. There is an energy burning inside me and I’m not sure if I can keep it in there.

“Maybe nothing I say will ease your pain but just know that it is okay to feel this way. Your grief is valid in whatever form it takes.”

A sound catches in my throat and I feel that ember surge. “GUTS!” I whip around and punch the tree behind me, regretting my decision immediately as I buckle, cradling my fist as the sobs break through my throat.

Bernadette gently takes my hand in hers, “It is broken. Let us get you to Oakley.”

When Mom sees my sorry state through the window of the healing room, she rushes to the door. “Goodness! What happened?”

“I can heal it myself.” I grumble.

“This is too severe for you, darling. Now, tell me, what did you do?”

“I hit a tree.” I take a seat at the dining table with my lip out.

Mom sighs. “Fran said that you’ve been having some big feelings, is that right?” She definitely didn’t say it that nicely. I nod. “You miss Maurin, don’t you?”

I feel the tears return but the ember is finished. “Yeah.” I choke.

“The Crown is doing everything they can to bring the missing children home. We’re all sad, we’re all scared,” Mom’s glistening eyes meet mine, “But we have to have faith. Your brother… is okay. He’s smart and he’s strong. We’ll all be reunited soon.” She lets go of my hand, now all better. “I have to get back to my other patients. Please, go with Bernadette and finish the wreaths.” Mom goes back to the sitting-room-turned-workshop, leaving us to return to the temple.

----------

Hello! Winvyre here. I thank you for your faith and patience even when I have nothing to show for my progress so to express my gratitude I will be posting the entirety of this draft's [Valerie's Story] chapter one on my page today in segments scheduled to upload on the hour. Stay tuned and please feel free to ask questions!

Part 1 Part 2 Part 3 Part 4 Part 5 Part 6

[Valerie's Story] Chapter 1: Omie (2/6)

Graciela lets us in her shop, currently closed for festival preparations, and we set the baskets of hearthblooms on the table by the till. She smiles at us like usual but it doesn't read the same. Her eyes are tired, her long box braids definitely haven't been washed recently, and it seems she didn't bother with a corset. She always wears a corset. “You look rough.”

“Valerie!” Bernadette slaps the back of my head.

“Sorry. How are you?”

Graciela sighs deeply. “I just haven’t been sleeping well.”

“I could bring you a mild sedative if you would like?” Bernadette offers.

“That’d be great, thank you.”

Bernadette leaves for our house. She’s the one who makes the potions Mom sells like pain relief or stomach settlers. Fran and Kell begin weaving the flowers together while Graciela helps me. I just can’t get my fingers to twist the next stem without the one I did before falling apart. Each failure fans the ember. I don’t want to do this anymore. “So is everything okay? I’ve never seen you so… disheveled.”

Graciela’s quiet for a moment and her hands stop moving. “Do you ever hear voices? People whispering right in your ear, even when there aren’t any people nearby?” she whispers.

What? “Are you hallucinating?”

“I think so. I-It’s funny because my mother used to say she heard people talking in silent rooms… she’d get pretty mad about it, too. Sometimes my brother and I would be playing quietly on the rug and she’d start yelling at the wall to shut up and leave her alone.” There’s a hint of morbid amusement in her tone. It drops quickly. “She was a good mother; attentive, kind, fun… she was just suffering, especially after Dad died. She never hurt us… No, she’d hurt herself. I’d notice the scars on her wrists when she’d roll up her sleeves to do the dishes.”

“That doesn’t sound good.”

“And I’m just remembering all of this now and it’s really scaring me. Am I going crazy? Am I going to be pushed to extremes just to relieve it?”

“You’re not crazy. What kinds of things do the voices tell you?”

“A lot of ‘let us out’s but sometimes they throw in an ‘open it.’”

I have realized that I am not equipped to have this conversation.

“I’ve been thinking… maybe it's the stress of caring for my brother? I'm sixteen, I should be in school studying and getting my heart broken by some sweetheart but instead I sell flower arrangements so we can both eat. Running helps but it only stops the buzzing for so long. I guess the voices themselves are really more annoying than anything else. I have trouble concentrating more and more these days. Some days I just want to sink to the bottom of the river or become a constellation. Yeah, becoming a constellation sounds nice.” A few seconds pass before Graciela suddenly turns away and starts fidgeting with her skirt, “I'm sorry! I shouldn't have blabbered on like that.”

“It's okay! Mom says it's good to talk about the things that bother us.”

Graciela brings the wreath she was working on too close to her face, “Let's just get back to work.”

-----

Part 1 Part 2 Part 3 Part 4 Part 5 Part 6

[Valerie's Story] Chapter 1: Omie (3/6)

It's the first day of spring: Omie's Festival day. Normally around this time there's still snow deep enough for the watchmen to need to clear the streets since we live in the Northern part of the Forest Region but this year the most we ever got was a few inches that melted a couple days later. And that was in the heart of winter. It’s odd.

Everyone’s festival outfits have furs and thick fabrics so they’re all wearing nice summer clothes instead which means a lot less red is present. It’s nice to see the rainbow in the square from my bedroom window even though the festival day feeling sorta relies on all the red. At least the pennant banners with Omie’s symbol and the hearthbloom wreaths hung all over the village are red.

This dress is my favorite. It’s lavender (my favorite color), off the shoulder like Omie’s though not as deep of a neckline, with long flowy sleeves and small butterfly embroidery all around the cuffs and bottom hem. The skirt hangs just past my knees so I can still run around in it and there is noticeable stitch work in a few places because it gets torn when I’m playing in the woods and Mom has to fix it. The biggest one came from getting caught on a branch when I fell from a tree. That’s why she gave me my vest. It’s brown and laces up in the front and it’s long enough to protect most of the skirt. The belt has a large silver buckle the same shade as my eyes which is why I picked it.

I guess the whole point of the festival is moot now because the winter was so unusual. We’re supposed to be thanking Omie for protecting us through the winter and keeping our houses warm. Oh well. The Believers will find some other reason to celebrate. I’m here for the games and the food!

Before any of the fun stuff happens we have to wait for the special service to be over. Today most people will congregate in the Megachurch in the capital, some of our neighbors will too, but Archfell is pretty isolated so our main temple will be at capacity. It’s got some nice stained glass windows but other than that it’s what Maurin would call “art deficient.” He’d also say “It’s like they think having three thousand candles makes up for how barren the walls are.” He would know, too. He counted. I wish he were here.

The temple isn’t the only place with candles today. Every booth has at least a few candles waiting to be lit. The exceptions are the candle-selling booths for obvious reasons and the booths run by the most devout of Omie’s Believers; they have a lot. They're usually the same booths anyway. According to the religion, the candles represent our hope and faith as a guiding light through dark times. There's a story about Omie arriving in a plagued, famished village and lighting all the candles with her holy energy. That story is the reason why Holywood, also named after the story, is the capital of the Forest Region and why the Megachurch is located there.

Francesca and I loiter outside the temple, listening in. The priest’s voice is muffled but I can still make out most of the words. “Benevolent Omie, uplift the lowest and alleviate their suffering.” Fran’s waiting for the watchman from the docks to exit so she can pretend to run into him. Mom says she's at that age where some kids start thinking about romance and to indulge her a little bit. That's why I'm here. She's too scared to talk to him alone. He's only two years older than her which is how much older she is from Kell. It shouldn't be that hard. Is that what I’m going to be like in three years?

“Gentle Omie,” the priest says, “care for us, show your love to the loveless, put our hearts and our minds at ease so that we may celebrate today.” Francesca's pacing. It's almost the end. “Let us recite ‘Our Lady.’”

The church goers chorus:

“Our Lady, Our Lady

Dressed in all red

The color of Hearth

The sufferers bled

Our Lady, Our Lady

She came from the sky

To help the unfortunate

And mend why they cry

Our Lady, Our Lady

Champion of Home

She takes care of us

We are never alone

Our Lady, Our Lady

We kneel and revere

We dance and we sing

Because you are here.”

I’ve never witnessed any other religious services but the Hearth Immortal’s worship has gotta be one of the most boring. How it became the most widespread is a mystery to me.

The temple doors open. Fran jumps and adjusts the pastel blue hair bow tying off her dark braid. She did it herself and is very proud of it. People pour out, ready to start the festivities. The first teens I see are Fran’s classmates she sometimes hangs out with. They look her up and down with an amused sort of disgust then snicker amongst themselves. She blushes and hides her face. What was that about?

The watchman is one of the last people to leave. “I can’t do it!” Fran whines.

“Just do it already! He’s leaving!”

“No! He’ll hate me! He probably already does!”

“Have you ever spoken to him?”

“Not directly…”

“Then why would he hate you? I’d understand if he’d actually met you-”

“Hey!” Fran’s nose scrunches up and her eyebrows furrow. I watch the watchman finish his conversation with an older couple before he starts walking again. This is stupid.

“Hey, watchman.”

“Yes?”

“Are you single?”

Fran rushes to my side, “I’m so sorry about her, she’s just goofing around.” she smiles nervously, dragging me back to our hiding spot.

“Any particular reason you wanted to know?” the watchman asks good-naturedly.

“My sister likes you.” I say without hesitation. Fran lets go of my arm to cover her face again as she sprints away. “Uh oh.” I think I messed up. “Disregard that. I have to go now.”

I find Francesca crying behind the temple. “Why would you do that?!”

“I was trying to help.”

“You didn’t help me, you just embarrassed me! The other girls are never going to let me hear the end of it. My life is over!”

“Fran-”

“Go away, Valerie!”

I back up, bumping into Mom. “What’s wrong?”

“I told Fran’s crush that she liked him and now she won’t talk to me.” I point to Fran curled in on herself on the ground.

“She just needs some time to calm down. You overstepped her boundaries and upset her. She didn’t ask you to confess for her so it wasn’t your information to tell. I’ll stay with her, you can apologize later.”

Oh. “Okay.”

Mom sits down next to Fran and I go to meet Kell at our rendezvous point: the spinning top stand.

----------

Channeling Ebony in that outfit description lol Half way through... buckle up!

Part 1 Part 2 Part 3 Part 4 Part 5 Part 6

[Valerie's Story] Chapter 1: Omie (4/6)

Alrighty, lads, come the end of this portion we're going to enter the horror territory. Personally, I don't think it's too bad but if you're sensitive to that kind of thing, especially body horror, consider yourself warned.

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“Did you get it?” I ask.

“Yep! One of this year’s Omie’s Festival exclusive spinning top right here!” Kell opens his palm to show me. It’s got layers of different wood types all stained red so the color shows up in several different shades. It’s shaped like an acorn without a cupule. “Another one for Maurin’s collection!”

“How many does he have?”

“Like fifty or something.”

“Don’t lose it. You know how much he hates it when we play with them.”

We browse some of the other stalls. Fun shaped and scented candles and soaps, quilted blankets and aprons, flower arrangements, knitted winter accessories, toys, and all manner of other locally crafted goods line the road. It’s beautiful. But what we’re really looking for is Marlowe’s Marvels.

Every year Marlowe hides their cart somewhere new. It’s become a game to find it first. Marlowe brings items from all over the world. The type of stuff an isolated village in the Forest Region would never see. Clay wares from the Desert Region, special rocks from Mountain Region mines, a clock from a skilled smith in the Snow Region. And the most important thing: foreign candy. Spicy and fruity and so many other flavors that we can't get here. Like chocolate! I didn’t know you could make chocolate so many different ways!

I wince at a glint that hits me directly in the eye. Upon further inspection, I can see the bars of a bird cage in the alleyway between the flower shop and the tavern. It’s them! It’s Marlowe! I nudge Kell, tipping my head to indicate the direction of the cart. We have to be secretive or the other kids will get to it first. Then we wouldn’t get the prize.

We beeline for the alleyway being careful not to walk too fast and arouse suspicion. It’s so close! Just a few more steps and… we made it! But we’re not the first ones. Giles is accepting the reward chocolate from Marlowe, his father standing beside him. “No fair! He had an adult’s help!”

“Giles is four, Valerie.”

“I don’t care.” I grumble. The dragon in the birdcage squawks. “Hello, Trochilus.” Trochilus is what Marlowe calls a feathered drake. Its wings are like a sparrow's and too big for its body. Instead of spines down its back it has large feathers and other than its claws, forearm, and beak it's fluffy instead of scaly. They say it comes from the Mountain Region. A lot of dragons come from the Mountain Region. I want to visit it someday so I can see dragons bigger than the loftus lander we found in our attic last year.

“Good today and tomorrow, children.” Marlowe bows with a flourish. “Have you come to enjoy this year’s exotic selection?”

“What kind of chocolate do you have?” I ask at the same time that Kell says “Give me the spiciest thing you have.” which is funny because Kell has absolutely no spice tolerance.

“The Desert Region boasts its new spiciest creation: the Sandworm.” Marlowe reaches into a basket and pulls out a fat, gummy, worm-shaped candy. You can see the specks of spice through the translucent body. Kell trades it for a coin. “And for the chocolate-lover, a bitter brick from the Swamp Region? Or a creamy, melty ball from the Plains Region?”

“Both.” And they're wrapped and in my pocket.

We say goodbye to Marlowe and hurry over to where the gameball tournament will be held. There's a kid division and an adult division. Kell and I wait with the other kids. Our games will be first. We'll be randomly sorted into four teams. Two teams will face each other and then the other two will. The winners will play each other then the adult teams do the same. The only prize is bragging rights but it’s still fun!

We enter our names into the box. There are thirty six kids so we'll be in teams of nine. More wanted to play but the organizers had to cut it off lest there be too many players on the field to keep track of. It must be the warm weather. Years past struggle to get even six kids per team. The adults usually cap out.

I find Fran and Mom on the edge of the field with the rest of the spectators and hand Mom my vest and candy. Fran still won't look at me. Kell gives his Sandworm and spinning top, too. Mom sets them on the blanket and rises to her feet. “Teams will be announced soon. Let's go.” she smiles.

“You’re playing too?”

“Why not? It’ll be fun.”

First, names are pulled for team Acorn. Then Bark, Sap, which is mine, and last is Samara, which is Kell’s. The adults are teams Oak (Mom’s), Birch, Maple, and Elm.

By some other draw it’s decided that Bark and Samara will play first. Kell's team makes him play defense because apparently all teenagers are out for blood. It's almost sad watching him watch the ball, get excited that it's coming toward him, then a teammate swooping in to kick it away as he stands there with an incredibly betrayed look on his face. The one time he goes after the ball, an opposing player trips him and he nearly face plants in the grass; his hands stop his fall just in time. I want to kick them in the shins.

Graciela's on team Bark and she's dominating everyone else. I always knew she was freakishly strong but this is a whole other level of athletics. Naturally, she wins the match up. And no, I don't mean her team. I mean her. It's not even close. Really makes me question why she doesn’t participate in sports more often.

“I just prefer to do other things in my free time.” Graciela answers. She's not even sweating. What kind of magic is this? “Knitting is fun.”

Kell comes over to me, pouting with his hands tucked under his arms. Next it's Acorn versus Sap. My game. Based on what I saw from Kell's experience, I don't have high hopes. “Good luck.” he says in a jaded tone. I take pity on him and grab his scraped up hands, pouring my energy into him like an almost empty pitcher into a cup. Every time I perform this action, the next one is stronger. One day I'll be a waterfall but for now giving even this much of my pond to someone else makes me noticeably tired.

“You're gonna regret that on the field.” Kell warns.

“After watching you? I don’t think it matters.”

It doesn't. Not a lot, anyway. The Sap teenagers argue about who has to play goalie before assigning it to me. I only stop the ball twice (Mom's cheers are the loudest out of everyone's when that happens), the rest of the game it's on the far side of the field. Guess we're finalists now. They won't make it past Graciela and I think they know it. Someone even whispers “Why do they allow her to play in the kid's division? She should be with the adults.” To which someone else responds “Are you saying you can't handle it?” and the conversation ends.

In the finals, the other Sap team kid who was able to get to the team lots box before it was overrun gives up and picks at the dandelions by our goal, causing them to grow to the size of her shoe. We chat about her Scape magic for approximately thirty seconds (she just manifested and her parents’ panic takes the form of way too much reading material from the temple. Her family isn't very magically inclined.) before we're scored on. My team chides me initially but quickly realize there's not much I can do unless I don't mind taking a leather ball to the face. Is Graciela aiming for my head on purpose?

Bark wins. Obviously.

“Good effort!” Mom pats my head.

“Not really.”

“I'm sure you'll improve by next year.” She hands me my vest. I don't mention that Kell is eleven and he did even less than me.

While I'd love to be a good daughter and pay attention to Mom's game against team Elm, I find myself gravitating towards the village elders playing Nine Men's Morris, Chess, and Fox & Geese at the tables set up on the street near the field. It's hard to wrap my head around. Especially at the speed some of them are going. They make commentary on the game as they play. Old people have some kind of magic on their own.

“What do you reckon I should do? An old man asks me, referring to his Nine Men's Morris board. “Better be good, I'm betting money on this.”

My family plays this game all the time. Bernadette's undefeated. I study the board. “Move the marker on the far right to the top right corner and take his at… there.”

The man does so. “Good eye, lass.”

Mom taps me on the shoulder. “Go with Fran and Kell to get some lunch. I have to heal a broken leg.”

Francesca keeps her eyes on the ground as she asks “What do you want to eat?”

Kell has a few ideas. “Sea skewers! Roast corn on the cob! Beef gyros! Cheese curds! Poffertjes!”

“Custard tarts! Potato pie! Lokum!” I join in.

“You can't eat all of that at once!” Fran holds the coin pouch out of Kell's reach. “Pick one. You can choose something else for dinner.”

I settle on sea skewers and Kell chooses a beef gyro with every sauce. Sea skewers come in threes with fish cubes, shrimp, and crab meat. It’s so good! This is the only time of year we can get shellfish.  Fran doesn't have anything. “Are you gonna eat?”

“I'm not hungry.”

“Mom says-”

“Oh, piss off! You don't know anything!” She storms off.

“Should we go after her?” Kell licks his fingers.

“Probably not.” We find a place near the square to finish eating while we wait for the dances to start. People will assemble after the gameball tournament ends. The live band is already setting up. It’d be cool to learn how to play the flute.

Kell leaves to discard his trash and Mom comes back with Francesca and a glass of rosé, shooting me a look that says “leave her be.”

A voice hisses on the back of my neck, “The hoary will get you and rip off your ears,”

I yelp in surprise. “Kell, stop!”

“Bellona will surface to swallow your tears,”

“Kell, that’s scary!”

“Nobody’s seen her for one thousand years,

“But she lives in the veil and feasts on your fears!”

I hate that song. “Mo~m! Kell’s acting creepy!”

“Kell, stop antagonizing your sister.” she scolds, wiping my face with her thumb.

People gather at the edges of the square slowly. Music sounds out. Quietly at first, rising more as the crowd grows. Everyone's waiting for the song to hit its peak. When it does, people burst into the empty space, forming three distinct circles. We start by skipping, the outer and innermost circles rotating clockwise and the middle going counter. As the melody arrives at its chorus we join hands, bouncing inwards until the people in the center can't move then spreading out until we lose our grips. From there, everyone dances however they'd like until the bridge repeats at which point we do the circle thing again.

Sometimes people switch which circle they're in because the individual dance section migrated them. I go from the inner circle with Kell to the middle without him then back to the inner and finally find him again on the outside.

A figure scurrying through the trees catches my eye. It’s short and emits a dull white glow from a strange growth covering it. It disappears before I can focus on it. “Psst, Kell!”

“What?”

“I saw something weird behind the bakery. I think it went to the river.” We duck out of the circle and race to the woods. The figure stands in front of the water like a marionette without any strings. It's smaller than I thought, humanoid, and a white fungus of some kind seems to be taking over its body in real time, weighing the right side of its head down. Its skin is more grey than tan which reminds me of when the miller's youngest daughter drowned and her body was swept away by the current so when they recovered her she'd been dead for several days.

“Uh, Valerie, that's Giles.”

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Part 1 Part 2 Part 3 Part 4 Part 5 Part 6

[Valerie's Story] Chapter 1: Omie (5/6)

“What happened to him? He was fine earlier.” Something is very wrong. A part of me wants to run and tell the watchmen but another part of me feels drawn in. The way its energy flows and tangles makes me want to touch it. To dig into it, to feel it in my hands, to pick it apart and play with it until I understand what it is.

“Giles, are you okay?” Kell inches closer. The boy doesn't give any indication that he heard him. Kell's about to tap him on the shoulder but I yank him back. Don’t. My head is swimming with conflicting signals. Every time I try to speak my throat closes up. I'm sweating. I can't breathe. I'm trapped by the pressure of this new energy. It’s thrilling. Kell seems to understand. “Let's go back.” I don’t want to. You can’t handle it, but I can. This is magic and this magic is mine.

My hand reaches for the heart of the spell; my fingers break up the energy like a rock splits the river. The way this magic is structured is the opposite of Mom's. This one pushes out of the target like a hurricane whereas hers pulls in like sand falling through an hourglass. What would happen if I tried to reverse it?

I focus on the currents and will them to turn back on their source. A shockwave throws me back into Kell and we tumble several feet on the ground. Owwww…

“What was that?” Kell asks.

“I'm not sure.” I feel strangely whole. Like I've uncovered a lost part of myself. At the same time, the sensation emphasizes that more is missing. How have I never noticed it before?

Just as we're gaining our footing, a groan captures our attention. Giles’s head cracks with the force of his turn, going beyond human flexibility. White goo bubbles up and falls out of his mouth when it opens, garbling his cry as he charges faster than he should be able to. All the blood drains from my face and my chest constricts. Kell and I scream. We flee up a tree (guts guts guts guts guts guts guts), leaving the creature to claw at its base.

Watchmen come running from the village. They stop at the sight of Giles. His skin has gone from baby smooth with grey undertones to full-on rotting. His eyes glow white, his veins bulge and are pulsing visibly with the same duller light. His appearance grows less human by the second. What could have done this to him?

The watchmen are hesitant but swing at the creature once it shifts to attack them instead. It loses an arm and the same goo leaks from the wound but it doesn't stop. Kell and I watch as they chop Giles up. Do they even recognize him? There's no blood, just a glowing white substance.

A crowd has gathered at the edge of the woods. Some watchmen usher them back to the festival, some debate what to do with the creature's remains, and one stands below us promising the danger has passed and it's safe to come down. I lock eyes with Kell. We're thinking the same thing: the hoary.

-=+=-

“It's just like the stories!” Kell insists.

“You’re overreacting.” Fran keeps her eyes on her dolls’ hair, repeatedly trying and failing to achieve the five strand braid many women were wearing at the festival. It’s a style popular with teenagers right now. I think it looks like a loaf of bread on the back of your head.

“Then how would you explain what happened to Giles?”

“Kell, Francesca. Enough of your bickering. What happened to Giles was terrible but it's over now. The watchmen handled it.” Sometimes I can't tell if Mom actually believes what she's saying or if she only says it for our sakes. Kell sticks his tongue out at Fran's smug look before returning to our knucklebones game.

Bernadette has been staring silently at the unlit fireplace since we told her what happened. Periodically, her expression changes from fear to sorrow to some mixture of the two to almost happy. What is she thinking? It's weird to see her so… stirred.

“Mom! Kell took Urraca and Mabeline!”

“Goodness.” Mom sounds like she’s on the verge of tears. “Please, you two. Go sit on opposite sides of the room. And, Kell, give Francesca her dolls.”

“That means Isabeau, too, Kell! I know you have her!”

“Can’t do that. She hasn’t been saved yet.”

“Of course she’s in your stupid castle setup!” Fran starts marching towards the stairs.

Kell grabs her arm, “We’re besieging it tomorrow. You can have her back then.”

“She’s my doll, you coxcomb!”

“You’re adopted!”

“We’re all adopted!”

Bernadette stands up and snatches Urraca and Mabeline from Kell. “Enough! Both of you, go to your rooms immediately.” She hands the dolls to Fran. My siblings hang their heads as they shove each other to get to the stairway first. Bernadette is scary when she gets angry.

Once they’re gone, Bernadette exhales like she’d been holding her breath. “Oakley, Valerie, it is time I told you the truth.”

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Part 1 Part 2 Part 3 Part 4 Part 5 Part 6

[Valerie's Story] Chapter 1: Omie (6/6)

Mom is just as confused as I am. “What?”

“Do you remember what I said to you when I took you away from the convent?”

“‘Never hold Omie in any higher regard than you would hold yourself.’ Why?”

“The two of you hold greater power than you know. Power akin to and even greater than the Six Immortals.” Bernadette motions for us to sit and we do. “My darling Oakley, you are the rebirth of a friend I have not seen for centuries; the very one whose godly worship I despise so much.”

“I'm… Omie? Bernadette, I don't understand.”

“After the White War ended, the Six Immortals disappeared. But Omie could not fully abandon the world she fought so hard to save. The world she felt responsible for the state of. She attempted to atone in secret, which was how we met, but as the weight on her conscience grew she became ever more…”

“Depressed?” I finish.

“Pitiful. She would cry often and overcompensate for every mistake. She distanced herself from the world while giving all of herself to its recovery. She wasted away. Eventually she disappeared from me as well. Many years later I find her in the very church she loathed the worship of, reborn as one of its altar servers.”

“I lived with the clergy until I was eleven, how could I not have known?”

“When an immortal reincarnates, their soul finds another body close to home to inhabit. All memories are sealed along with most of their power. If you are never given a reason to use it, it never gets used. Omie never reincarnated so that someone could always awaken them if needed. But even Omie was human.”

Mom puts her head in her hands. I’m completely lost. “So why am I here?”

“The hoary are roaming again which means the seal placed on the realm Bellona was banished to must be breaking. When it does, she’ll no doubt try to destroy the world again. You must gather the other Immortal reincarnations in order to defeat Bellona a second time.” She’s speaking more to me than Mom.

Mom glares at Bernadette, “Even if I’m Our Lady Omie,” her tone is spiteful, “I cannot in good conscience take my ten year old child on such a quest!”

“Valerie must go with you because she can trigger their memories.”

“How do you know?” Mom is shaking.

“She has already done it.”

“When? How do we find them? Am I supposed to just… become Omie now that I know? Who will take care of Francesca and Kell? What will Maurin think when he comes back? What about-”

“Oakley. I will look after Francesca and Kell. I will run the business. I may not be able to heal like you can but I can still sell potions and craft spells. I will explain everything to Maurin when he is found. The only thing I cannot do is take your place. I cannot fill the void you will leave behind but even more so I cannot embark on this journey for you. There are things you must discover for yourselves.”

“So you’re still keeping things from us.” Mom accuses. “Why can’t you just tell us everything right now?”

“Knowledge and wisdom are two sides of the same coin. Those who hold knowledge must be wise enough to know when to reveal it. Careless hands doom the world.”

-=+=-

Bernadette left not long after our conversation. Mom hasn't spoken since. The only other time I've seen her so… broken…. was when Maurin went missing. She's still downstairs.

I can hear Kell playing with his wooden horses on the other side of the wall next to my bed. He neighs loudly and mimics cannon noises. The siege must’ve happened early. At least Fran will get her doll back soon. Francesca sits on her bed across from me. She’s still struggling with the bread braid. Other than Kell, it’s quiet. Usually I don’t mind but right now it’s awful. I clutch my stuffed bear, Ondu, tighter.

“Hey, Fran?”

“Yeah?”

“I think I’m going to have to go away soon. So is Mom.”

“What are you talking about?” Fran says lazily. “Where would you go?”

“I don’t know. I guess we’d have to go everywhere.” How much can I tell her?

Fran puts Mabeline down. “Come here. Let me practice on you. They won’t call me out of fashion next time.” I don’t really do my hair. I wore pigtails when I was younger but now I just brush it. My hair is white like Bernadette’s but I was born like this and she’s just old. How old is she really? She said she knew Omie personally so that’d have to make her at least… five hundred? Maybe more? I don’t want to think about this anymore.

“Fine.” I can risk a few knots if it’s going to be the last time I see Fran for a while. “And I’m sorry about revealing your crush earlier.”

“I forgive you. Now hold still.”

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And that's it for chapter one! It amounts to exactly 6,800 words and twenty pages in Google docs, quite the start if I do say so myself. If you actually read all that, thank you! If you didn't, I understand completely! If you have questions, PLEASE ask them! Whether you want clarification on something I wrote, want me to expand upon a detail, or are curious about the reasons behind my decisions, I welcome you to my inbox and comment sections. Goodbye for now!

Part 1 Part 2 Part 3 Part 4 Part 5 Part 6

I have updated [Valerie's Story] Chapter 1: Omie parts 1-6 (that's all of them) to make them easier to read! You can now find links to all other parts at the bottom of each of the posts.

Happy reading!

-Winvyre

Part 1 Part 2 Part 3 Part 4 Part 5 Part 6

Yours Truly - Chapter 1: Make a Wish

・❥・Pairing: Elvis Presley x original female character

・❥・Genre: slow burn, mystery, angst, fluff.

・❥・Word Count: 4.1k

・❥・Summary: In which a 21-year-old girl suddenly finds herself having consecutive dreams of a particular rock ‘n’ roll star whom she has never met and who died 45 years ago.

・❥・ Ratings & Warnings: SFW. But a brief mention of a sexual topic (nothing extreme), curse words.

| chapter index | prologue | chapter 2

--

NOVA 

When things appear to be blissful and tranquil, that can be snatched away from you in an instant. 

"I knew I'd find you here," A confident statement followed by a sigh, not long after. The empty seat beside me creaks by the motion of being pulled back, as the person occupies it. I observe this in my peripheral vision, but my eyes are fixated on the pages and it's ink in front of me. 

My unchanging position quickly goes noticed by the person beside me, as their hand appears right in front of me - right in the middle of the words that my eyes are drinking in. 

"Luke!" I exclaimed, quickly turning my head towards him. My voice seemed to alert the librarian, as she shushes me very abruptly, a firm glare in her eyes. Both Luke and I mouth a 'sorry' before I turned to glare at Luke. 

He threw his hands up in defence, a grin etched on his lips from the success of disrupting my concentration. 

"I just had to," He shrugs, "your eyes were practically glued to that book."

"But rightfully so!" I flipped the book to show the front cover to him, pointing my finger at the title as if to say matter of fact. 

Luke frowns, confusion wiped his features, "I don't get it." 

"Hamlet. Shakespeare? For our assignment?" 

He snaps his fingers as his mouth utters the realisation, "Oh!" 

I nodded and shook my head, "Exactly." 

"When's the deadline?" He inquiries, a slight panic in his tone - but not quite. Luke was always that person that did not have one single panicky bone in his body. Instead, calmness ran through his veins. Very laid back. Too much, I sometimes think. 

"In three months."

"You are crazy, you do know that right?" Disbelief is written all over his features. 

"Hmm. is that a rhetorical question?" I asked, a smile playing on my lips. 

I do understand Luke's friendly concern over my perhaps 'extreme' attitude of studying. I start an assignment as soon as the professor announces it, never wasting any minute. It allows me the time to construct a first draft, then edit it, then write a second draft. The second draft I find is the midway of the getting that final draft perfect. Precisely on point. 

"Anyways, " I begin, "to what do I owe the pleasure of your presence?" 

"Two things." 

"Good or bad?" I tilt my head at him. 

I met Luke two years ago at the very start of my life as a university student. It was orientation day, and it wasn't anything entirely unique - we were stood next to each other in the line to get our ID's. I made a comment about the scorching heat of the sun, and he turned around to inquire whether I needed to borrow any sunscreen. A very odd way to start a conversation. We later found out that we shared one class together, Creative Writing. From then on, we hung out and naturally formed a friendship. Although, we couldn't be more different in some cases. 

This may be one of those cases. 

He grinned playfully, "Depends on what your definition of those are."

"I know we never share the same definition of either of those." I squinted my eyes at him, smiling. 

"Touché."

"I like him." Luke stated, all the humour from his face has vanished and in its place is a dawned realisation and an unmistakable fear. There is no exaggeration when I say that Luke and I are polar opposites. He always took the leap into the unknown, never over-analysing possible outcomes - he just goes for it. Never a silver of fear and panic in him. 

So to see that very rare emotion clear in his face - I knew that my friend was in a delicate state. 

"Who?" I asked. I already had a gut feeling on who he was referring to, but to hear it from himself would confirm this. 

"Matt." 

I felt my heart sink for him. Luke and Matt began a friends with benefits situation, no strings attached. In our generation, that type of arrangement was not uncommon - and yet, I still worried for my friend, as I recall when he brought it up to me a year ago. Luke may be a very laid back person, full of spontaneity and fun - but he is prone to being caught up in the web of infatuation, very quickly and deeply. On the other hand, I knew Matt. Not closely, but enough to be aware that he is not a relationship-type of guy. So, I warned Luke about this - warned him that the no strings attached situation has its risks. An emotional risks that has the possibility of ending unfavourably for him, so this confession from Luke spikes up that worry that I felt when he first told me about their arrangement. 

"Oh, Luke," I reached my hand out to lightly touch his arm, not wanting to say anything much yet. I wanted to give him the time to process his thoughts and voice them out to me. I needed to listen first. 

He shook his head, "F.uck, I know. I remember you warned me about this. It was going as it usually is, Nova. Then. . . I don't know, " His eyes drift away from mine, as if recalling certain moments. 

Luke proceeded to tell me certain instances where Matt would cross the boundary of the 'no strings attached' situation. Simple, yet it's an intense touch of one's mind. Gestures and actions that two people in relationship would do, a romantic couple. He then continues on to tell me that he finally confessed his feelings to Matt, but has been successfully avoiding him ever since then. 

"I feel like s.hit, Nova." He groans, "I unloaded all of that to him, and ran for it. But I just don't know what else to do. I told myself I'll never find myself in this situation, and yet here I am." He mumbles the last part of his sentence, head in his hands on top of the library desk. 

"Hey," I shake his shoulder comfortingly, "there's absolutely nothing wrong with running away. You did the hardest part Luke, you've got to give yourself credit for that." 

He sighs, "Credit for what?"

"Being damn brave enough to tell him about how you feel, am I right?"

A second of silence. 

"Right. I've got to agree with the voice of reason, I guess." A smile slowly breaks out from him, attempting to lift himself up from despair. 

"Which I am?" I gestured to myself, smiling. 

"From day one. " He sits up, "I want to know what Matt says, but I also don't want to ever know. F.uck. Why is adulting like this? Ever since I started my twenties, life has been putting me on maximum level of danger-type of emotional rollercoasters. " Luke chuckles. 

"Yeah, I get you. But we can only control what we can. No use trying to hold onto things that was never in our hands in the first place." I shrug.

"You know what? Instead of reading books, you should write your own. Like 'Nova's survival guide to life.' or some s.hit." Luke jokes, using his hands for dramatic effect. 

I laugh and shake my head at his ridiculous idea. 

"What? I will bet my left nipple that there will be hundreds lining up to grab a copy of that. You have always been the wise one out of us two." 

I continue to shake my head and dramatically sigh, "I just like being prepared."

Luke snorts, "Uh-huh. But. . ."

"Yeah?"

"Your birthday is in less than twenty-four hours." 

"I am aware of my own birthdate, Luke." I chuckled, but I know that he is indicating to something more with it. 

"What I meant to say is that now you are turning twenty-one. . . maybe just be a little reckless. Don't think, just do." He shrugs. 

I tilted my head forward and he laughs, "Nah, not anything f.ucked up!"

Luke looks around our surroundings, "Libraries and books and being five steps ahead is cool, but don't be too busy looking ahead to notice what's right there in the corner of your eye."

I'm quiet for a moment, but quickly respond to Luke with a smile, "You should write your own book, you know. Like a survival gui-"

"Oh, shut the f.uck up!" He laughs. 

--

The remaining hours of me being twenty years old flashed by like a speed of light. 

I am now stood in front of my full-length mirror in my bedroom, self-consciously turning from left to right and right to left - in attempts to be satisfied with how the birthday dress feels hugging my body. It was a dark purple mini dress that reached my mid-thigh, with long sleeves that covered my arms. I rarely wear dresses in all honestly, only in certain special occasions. There's that silver of self-confidence that beats against the currents in my subconscious mind, creating a friction on my mental image of myself. 

After all, we are our own worst critic. 

My usually straight dark hair was done in loose curls, and I finished my look with a necklace my mother gifted me in advance and the earrings that my grandmother passed down to me a while ago. I always went for the simple makeup, often worried that I'll end up going overboard and looking absolutely ridiculous. So, to ease my worries, Luke's sister came over earlier to fix my makeup into something fancier, but suitable for the occasion. 

Before the conversation with Luke in the library yesterday, I already had preconceived thoughts on the matter about me trying to be 'a little reckless.' I have the habit of journalling quite often, a cathartic way to organise my thoughts and hopefully, makes some sense of it. Like I said before, we are our own worst critic. Although I am firm in my ways of being cautious and wise, the thought of being outside of those lines has crossed my mind more than once for a while now. As the weeks came closer and closer to my 21st birthday, that topic did spin in my head and cluttered the blank pages of my journal. 

When you are a kid, you gaze up at grown-ups in awe and wonder and you can't help but be desperate to grow up. There's that rush and thrill in growing up and being as 'cool' as them. But as the years of your life slip past you and you become older and older as years go by - you shake your head at that naive mind of younger you. How could they possibly think that being an adult is full of pure happiness and magic? 

And the crazy thing is, I did not realise how special it was to be a child - until childhood was over.   Now that I am in my early twenties, the more frightening it is becoming that adulthood can be emotionally abusive and there is that worry of not quite being right. I can be rational, but also feel like an inner child still. A true tug of war where we never truly know who will win. 

But I have concluded this - once you enter adulthood, it seems as though the years past by in a blink of an eye. And I do not want to find myself in a position in the future where I am attacked by this crushing regret that I did not experience life enough. So, I plan from now on, on my first day of being twenty-one years old - I will try my best to take a step outside my lines of logic. Be spontaneous. 

But just like any habit, it is easier said than done. 

I take a deep breathe in attempts to pause my thoughts and exit my bedroom door. I am quickly greeted by a chorus of 'Happy Birthday to you' by family and friends, quickly surrounding me. I smile gratefully, walking slowly towards the table. 

"Make a wish, Nova." My mother says, a bight smile on her face as she shakes my shoulders encouragingly. 

I close my eyes, blocking all the people around me and focus on one particular wish - 

I wish to finally let myself live spontaneously. Nothing extreme. Just something to help me take that first step out. Whatever it is. Send it to me, please universe. 

And with that, I open my eyes and blow out the numerous candles on the luscious red velvet cake. A pattern of applause erupts around me, and the loud music resumes with Luke being the main control of it. 

A little later on, Luke approaches me with a grin on his face, "how does it feel being twenty plus one year added to your life?"

"Weird. But I've made a decision." 

This captures Luke's attention, he looks at me curiously, "Oooooh, a decision on what exactly?"

"What we talked about in the library."

Luke's eyes widen in happy realisation. 

"Yes, that. I. . .I need to be more out there. You are right." I smile at him. 

Luke envelopes me in a tight hug, "I am so happy for you! This is revolutionary, Nova." 

I chuckle at his enthusiasm, and I am about to respond to him when something catches the corner of my eye. 

Some sort of glimmer of faint light that danced from outside the living room window. It was faint and vanished just as quickly as I noticed it. It made no sense since it was night time. It was not the type of light that came from a car's headlight, a streetlight, a flash from a phone - or whatever else. It was a light that had a glimmer to it, almost the type of glimmer you find in animated fairytale stories. 

I blinked and the light was no longer there. Tiredness might just be creeping into me. It was already 11.30PM, as the clock hanging from the wall reads. 

I broke away from the hug with Luke. 

"Have you opened any of your presents yet?" He asked. 

"Not yet."

"Ok, ok good. But we all know mine is the best." He flips his imaginary long hair in a dramatic motion and laughs.

"Of course." I roll my eyes playfully. 

Luke picks up some of the opened birthday cards, "But you've opened some birthday cards I see. Did any cash fall from any of these cards?" He whispered in a conspirator way. 

I chuckle and whisper back, "Yes."

"B.itch you better share. I am broke."

Before I could respond, Luke's curious tone stops me, "Oh, this one's different." 

I looked down at the envelope he is holding. It was a red envelope, but the red was quite faded and It had a small rope that tied it together. I furrowed my eyebrows in curiosity, It felt out of place and it wasn't just because of its color. But there was something else I couldn't quite put my finger on. 

"It's giving me vintage vibes." Luke says. 

Precisely!

"I was just about to say that it looks out of place."

"Hmm, maybe from your grandmother?" Luke shrugs. 

I shake my head, "I don't think so. I've already opened her birthday card for me." 

Without a second of hesitation, I take the envelope from his hands and open it in almost a frenzy. A state of curiosity overpowered me, but then there was confusion. As I peeled open the envelope with my hands, I am met with a blank white greeting card - its front and its inside is blank. No text or illustrations at all. None.

"There's nothing." I state, flipping the card back and forth as if it will magically make a difference to its blankness. 

"You've got to be kidding me," Luke says as I hand it over to him.

"I don't get it." I furrowed my eyebrows. 

Luke walks over to the source of music and turns down the volume, "Hey everyone!" everyone in the room, which is roughly only about 20 people, turn to him and stop dancing - probably in hopes to receive an explanation on why the sudden pause on the music.

"Apologies for interrupting! I just want ask who out of you all has gifted the birthday girl this blank card in this vintage-looking envelope?" He yells, waving the teared envelope with the blank card in it.

Everyone exchanges quizzical looks and shaking of heads. 

"No? No one? Okay then." Luke gets down from the chair, and resumes the volume of the music. He walks over to me and hands me the envelope with the card, "Either one of your cousins is playing a prank on you or no one really has a clue." 

"Well, it would've been nice if there was at least one letter on here. Just anything really. But I doubt it's any of my cousins, they've all collectively just greeted me over the family group chat. " I chuckle. 

"Oh well, after that shortly-lived adventure - I am starving. I think it's time we go get ourselves another slice of cake." He hooks our arms together and pulls me along with him towards the cake on the table. 

"I agree." I grin.

--

Not long after, perhaps around midnight - my guests started to say their goodbyes and head home. The energy of the party has withered down, and myself included - needed to get some much needed sleep. 

"I hope you've enjoyed your birthday, sweetheart." My Mother says, giving me a hug at the front door of my apartment. 

"I have, Mom. Thank you so much." 

"We'll text you once we get home, kiddo." Dad says, smiling at me as he gives me a hug. 

"Okay. Love you both!" 

Both give me wave before turning around and stepping out the front door. I shut the door and lock it, turning around myself and sighing in tiredness. 

"I honestly have no idea how you manage to party throughout the week." I admit to Luke. 

Luke and myself shared the apartment, so naturally he was already lying on the couch. 

"Coffee, Nova. Coffee." He shortly replies.

"Seriously though. My energy is already drained and that wasn't even a crazy party."

Luke sits up and starts to clean up the table, I shortly join him but he promptly stops me from doing so. 

"No way. You are the birthday girl, go get some rest. "

"Are you sure? I can help, it won't ta-"

"Dude, seriously. On the rare occasion that I do clean, which is right now, take advantage and just run." He shrugs. 

I laugh because it is true, Luke was a rather messy person. He was not extremely messy. But let's just say he does get lazy when it comes to the action of cleaning his surroundings. 

So, in this case, he does have a point.

"Okay, fine. Thanks, bestie." I give him a side hug and walk towards the stairs. 

Once I reach my bedroom, I fight the urge to just plop down on the bed. I change into comfortable pyjamas, remove my makeup and place my jewellery on the dresser. 

I yawn as my body finally greets the bed, I pull the duvet cover over myself. My gaze momentarily meet the journal on my nightstand, which reminds me of blank pages that I could fill to chronicle the events of today. But my fatigue is overpowering that action. 

The blank pages make my mind revisit the same state in which the birthday card had, the one that was found in that vintage-looking red envelope. It was strange and made no sense at all. Surely, if it was a prank - then there would be some kind of joke written on the card. But there was nothing on there. 

Nothing.

I feel the waves of fatigue slowly take control of my body, and I allow it. My body finally relaxes, as I am lulled into the hopes of a pleasant dream.

There is such serenity in the silence that greets you when you take a break from the world, and get that few moments of sleep. Some dreams I remember in vague details, others I do not remember at all - as if I did not dream at all and just slept in nothingness until the morning sun greets me. 

My trail of thought is disrupted by the screeching sound of train tracks, I jolt awake with wide open eyes in panic. The sound is so vivid that It is possible that it is coming from just outside my apartment, which is impossible since I don't live anywhere near a train station. 

It takes me a few seconds, but my eyes drink in my surroundings. To the right of me, a wide window that is speeding past the scenery of its exterior. My hands instinctively touch what is beside me - It seems that I am sat on a soft, blue plush wide seat. I already register my surroundings, but my brain cannot fathom the possibility of it. 

I am on a train. A moving train that is going on to I don't know where. But the wooden furnishings of the train compartment make me believe that something is out of place. It all seems so new, but so old at the same time. Like an air clinging onto the past. But not quite. 

"I found you. . . finally." A voice says, in a tone of sheer relief. 

I freeze. My head turns to the source of the voice. The source being the man sat on the seat opposite to me in this train compartment. My eyes drink him in - a wave of thoughts crash through my mind. 

His eyes are unmistakably beautiful. The color blue have never looked more ethereal, and the depth of his gaze made anyone maintaining eye contact with him re-adjust themselves. My throat felt dry all of a sudden. His strongly carved-out jawline was a perfect match for the deep cheekbones that adorned his face. A face that seems impossibly symmetrical - sculpted like the Greek gods one would hear about. His black hair felt into place deliciously against his tanned skin. His lips was curled into that infamous smirk to nicely add onto his overwhelmingly attractive aura. 

It would be impossible to not know who I am facing. 

"I. . .how? you?" Words fail me as I point at him. 

He shakes his head, an amused chuckle escapes his mouth, "Hi, honey." He says, that deep southern drawl prominent in his tone. 

I take a deep breath, "You're. . . him. Elvis Presley." I could not believe the words coming out of my mouth. 

He nods, that smirk of his still very much there, "Yes. Yes I am. " He swiftly gets up, "Hold on." 

He leaves the compartment and shortly returns with a glass of water, "Thought you might need it, darling."

He hands it to me and I gladly accept with a 'thank you', but my brain cannot comprehend the situation. While I'm drinking the water, I cannot keep my eyes off him - his aura was intensely surrounding me, but also the flood of questions that my brain begs to be answered. 

His blue eyes never left mine, with the depth in his gaze - there was something else. There was a sense of disbelief I see in them, but pure joy mixed in too. 

He leans in slightly and with a smile softly says, "I'm glad you're awake, Nova."

next chapter

I had to drop what I was doing so I could think about this post immediately. I am a colossal sucker for PLA AUs, especially ones that lean into preternatural aspects.

Text below the cut ↓

“Who are you?” Dawn asked, her raspy voice echoed against nothing as she circled her prey. Dead eyes followed her around and around.

For months she had wandered the island that was so familiar yet not. Pokemon she had and had never met before called it their home. People she never heard of made it their domain.

No matter where she went, she was reviled. Rejected from the Pearl and Diamond clans as a bad omen. Chased off from the Galaxy Team as a beast. Driven away from the lush river valleys of the West, the vibrant woods of the South, and the verdant shores of the East.

The dreary North is where she stopped running and made her claim on the world.

“This one is called Akari,” the imposter droned. Her voice was as flat as a windless lake. Dawn recognized her voice, despite the even tone.

Dawn first noticed the imposter from afar. People who wander the Icelands are brave or foolhardy. And yet the imposter waded through its mountainous snow drifts as if they were mere diglett mounds. The imposter captured pokemon with nary any effort, throwing balls at the wild pokemon without sending any out to fight. The imposter had an efficiency that hinted of something... extraordinary.

Dawn had some skills in sneaking around. In the earlier months, she was not strong enough to overpower her enemies, so she had to learn to slink around unnoticed. The imposter was not fooled in the slightest. Any time she watched the imposter, the imposter watched her, empty eyes locked with hers. Uncaring. Unnerving.

Unnatural.

The imposter was the only one on the entire island who didn't react to her with revulsion.

It was miraculous how one could adapt to circumstance. When Dawn first awoke after meeting with Arceus, she expected... she didn't know what she expected. Waking up as a ghost was not what she expected. A free spirit in the truest sense, not tied to anyone or anywhere. Untethered, and yet, incapable of anything.

When she awoke, she saw herself as she was. A Research Partner of five years to Professor Rowan, assisting him in the research of Pokémon evolution, living in Sandgem town, going to Jubilife on the weekends. Pale skin, dark hair, and fair voice. As she moved across the island, this self-image had changed. Changed to something she had never seen before. On her head was a long tuft of white fur, flapping gently in an unfelt breeze. Behind her, a poofy tail tipped in red. In her mouth, many sharp teeth. A Zorua. A perverse one of ghostly constitution.

She lost her midnight blue hair. She lost her dainty nose and small lips. She lost her height. She lost her clothes. She hardly noticed the change until it was over.

The imposter, though. The imposter had her face. The imposter had her voice. The imposter had her body.

“Tell me who you are, Akari,” she asked again, spitting out the imposter's name like a curse.

“This one is a six star surveyor in the Galaxy Team,” the imposter answered. It didn't tell Dawn anything she didn't know. She had seen enough of their clan to know how their uniforms worked.

It was in the Coronet Highlands that Dawn stood upright for the first time in months. She knew that Spear Pillar was associated with Arceus. It was a faint hope that she would find Him there. For all the anguish of being rejected by human and pokémon alike, nothing hurt as much as the barrier surrounding Mt. Coronet's summit.

The betrayal of it all was far sharper than the sting of touching the barrier. Of all the misery she had endured, the rejection by Arceus was the most heartbreaking. She agreed to his quest, and He spurned her. It was there, on the top of the mountain, throwing herself against the barrier over and over, that she changed again.

“When did you join?” She prodded.

“This one joined the Galaxy Team in spring,” was the imposter's dull response.

Dawn narrowed her eyes. That's when she awoke, separated from her physical form. She stood up straight. Her large mane of hair twisted and coiled as if suspended in water, and wrapped itself around the imposter. She leaned in and put her paws on the imposters shoulders, claws digging in slightly. “You took my body,” she whispered, her teeth snapping centimeters from the imposters face. “Why?”

The imposter was not cowed.

Dawn pushed in closer to the imposter, their eyes millimeters apart. “I will have it back. That is a promise.”

“Promises are for the gods and the dead.” The imposter said. Oh the irony.

Ok,I raise you this.

Pla Zoroark au but a little bit…different.

Protag is Rowan’s assistant from dppt,not the protagonist.

In the process of sending them to hisui,Arceus made an oopsie and accidentally erases the assistant’s conscience.

So they make some kind of ai like being to inhabit their body-which is intact-and complete the quest without issue.

Except Arceus made another oopsie,because the assistant’s conscience isn’t erased,it’s misplaced.

Due to this,the assistants conscience basically put them in a limbo,where they never actually died but don’t have a body to call their own.in which case,they turn into a zorua like wanderer,looking for the one that has their body.

Meanwhile,the pla protag starts reaching the alabaster icelands…where they meet a zoroark like figure that is intent on getting their body back.