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#and the only reason Robert knows about all of this before MC is because of this incident in sails in the fog !
moonlil-y · 3 months
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JO MOONLESS BOMB-REVIEWING
There’s a soon to be author, Jo Moonless, who is bomb-reviewing indie/debut authors for no valuable reasons.
She has supposedly read 12 books in a row by indie/debut authors whom she gave one star rating each on Goodreads (one has evolved into a 2 star recently but started with one star).
Her reasons for giving one star to each of these books ? Let’s get into it.
Reviewed on 08.12.2023 :
• Fear the Flames, by Olivia Rose Darling (debut author)
→ DNF at chapter 3
→ “not in the mood to hate read” (ah yes because that’s the book’s problem and not yours…)
→ doesn’t like a character’s name, says it’s too much of a fuck boy name to be respected (???)
→ the writing
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Reviewed on 09.12.2023 :
• Heavenly Bodies, by Imani Erriu (debut author)
→ DNF at chapter 2
→ “I can already tell this is gonna be full of tropes and clichés” (but hasn’t read more than 2 chapters so how would she know)
→ “I am reading for quality, for more than just a good story” (…)
→ the writing
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• The Curse of Ophelia, by Nicole Platania (indie author)
→ DNF
→ “smells like something I have read before” (???)
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• Heir of Fates, by Rowan Redfield (indie author)
→ DNF at chapter 1
→ nothing she disliked but nothing that hooked her (so she gave one star and dnf at chapter 1… what?)
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• The Goddess and the Hawk, by Chiara Gala (debut author)
→ DNF at chapter 1
→ great energy but the book needs heavy editing
→ smut
→ too much telling (backstories… in chapter one? Seems normal to me… how is it too much if she only read chapter one???)
• The King’s Weapon, by Neena Laskowski (indie author)
→ DNF at chapter 1
→ “feels like a story I have read before”
→ not interesting enough to hook me (maybe read more than chapter one…)
→ the writing
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• Daughter of Darkness : Wielder of Shadows, by Allie Cole (debut author)
→ DNF after a few paragraphs
→ “the writing? Like something I wrote before I ever started taking writing seriously” (for someone who isn’t even an author yet… pretentious much?)
→ wasn’t hooked (but again, she read a few paragraphs only so… is she even trying?)
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• How Does It Feel? By Jeneane O’Riley (indie author)
→ DNF at chapter 2
→ the MC is beautiful and the villains not good enough (buuuuut she only read a few chapters)
→ the writing and needs editing
• Dream by the Shadows, by Logan Karlie (debut author)
→ DNF
→ “too vague and too generic” (okay that’s a fair reason I guess)
→ “the story might not be something I have read before, but the writing itself feels like it” (nevermind)
→ the writing was something she read before (I mean, there isn’t millions of ways to write a book Jo!)
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Reviewed on 14.12.2023 :
• Powerless, by Lauren Roberts (debut author)
→ “immediate no” (so I’m guessing she opened it and straight up closed it?)
→ “the prose was not posing” (does that even mean something?)
• The Stars are Dying, by Chloe C. Peñarando (indie author)
→ DNF at the prologue (the prologue??!!)
→ “the prologue is to die for (not in a good way)”
→ the writing
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• The Silver Birds, by Apolline Lucy (use to have 1 star, now has 2) (debut author)
→ DNF after chapter 1 (maybe she hates reading?)
→ “the writing was okay but not enough to charm me”
→ “I missed the details that could really immerse me into the story and make me feel” (TRY READING MORE THAN ONE CHAPTER MAYBE JO?!)
→ stopped reading because of the writing even though the story was up her alley (I have read this book, the writing is exquisite by the way)
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First you’ll notice how she DNF all the books (most of them at chapter one) but still has a lot to say about them.
Then, the dates these books were reviewed on : if not the same day, close. Not a proof because obviously she could have read them at any time, but still weird.
Third, most of these authors are debut authors, who are trying their best at writing. Maybe encouraging them instead of bringing them down would be a better thing to do? Or strategy, considering she’s about to put a book out herself soon…
She even posted online (Instagram) about how proud she was to be hated by indie authors :
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Finally, I wonder if she even bought the books… just to DNF all of them at the beginning? As a soon to be debut indie author herself, she better…
When her book comes out, I’ll read it, but the writing better be like something I’ve never read before. And if I didn’t get into the story straight up at chapter one, I guess I’ll DNF and rate it one star. Just like she did.
I encourage you to seek these books and read them to make your own opinion. I’m sure some of them are good and will be to your liking. If you do like them, give them a rating on Goodreads and boost some confidence into these authors.
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nic2bookreviews · 1 year
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Electric Idol - Book Review
Dear NG,
This is the second book in the Dark Olympus series of Katee Robert. These are interconnected stand-alone series. You can read these separately but it would be better to read the first book just so you can understand it a little better. ANYWAYS, I’m not sure if it was because I was reading dramione fanfics while reading this book but these two remind me of dramione so much!
To give you a little rundown, this book is a modern contemporary romance about the Greek Gods, Eros and Psyche. It’s set in a modern world where the 13 political figures named after each of the Greek Gods rule different aspects of the city. For example, Zeus is obviously the mayor or at the top of the tier of the upper part of the city, while Hades controls the lower part of the city and Poseidon controls all things to do with anything coming in and out of the docks. Anyways, Psyche is Demeter’s daughter and Eros is Aphrodite’s son. These two are pretty much enemies just because there mom’s are as well, but through some circumstances a marriage of convenience happens between them.
So before I go to much into it right now I do want to give this book a 4.8/5 (I’ll explain later on) and a 4/5 for 🌶. Don’t get me wrong this is still pretty spicy, but I feel like the first book was much spicier.
“Even monsters need help sometimes, Eros”
I don’t know about you but this quote out here feels like something Hermione would say to Draco. Like literally Psyche shows him a sliver of kindness and he’s literally hooked.
I love the whole aspect of this book, the relationship building is amazing. The way Katee Robert writes out Eros’ thoughts is just so well done. You can literally feel the reverence and affection for Psyche and it literally made me melt and fold for this man every page read that I read in his POV. Also, the spicy scenes were just the right amount, with little bits of fluff here and there that it literally killed me in the inside, I was literally punching the air. Also, my love for the fact that Psyche is a plus sized but confident MC is just so amazing.
I laughed, fangirled, teared up a little and my heartstrings were pulled every time Eros’ POV came around it sometimes hurt a little. It had the perfect amount of everything that I would for sure recommend this to anyone that has this in their TBR list. The only reason why I gave this a 4.5 is because I feel like the way they resolved the conflict was kinda anti-climatic considering what kind of background Eros’ had. But, at the same time it makes sense.
Either way, if you love dramione(which I know you do😉) I would recommend this book.
Songs that will always remind me of this book:
Little white lies by One Direction
Heaven by Julie Michaels
Happy Reading!
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A good headcanon for the people who are in the Sails in the Fog fandom and the Distant Shore fandom.
The Sails in the Fog!MC is the DS!MC's distant ancestor, she is the pirate Queen and y'all can fight me.
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geek-and-destroy · 2 years
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Wheel of Time - Sad Rand noises
This is post 13 in The Wheel of Time Read - see the previous post - covering the prologue and chapters 1-9
A few weeks ago, I started reading The Wheel of Time, Robert Jordan’s sprawling fantasy series. And because I have nothing better to do, I decided to post my thoughts on the internet, a few chapters at a time. Right now, I am at book three - The Dragon Reborn. This post talks about my first impressions of the prologue and chapters 1 (Waiting) through 9 (Wolf Dreams). Chapter summaries can be found here (I’m not putting links to the individual chapters, I don’t want to venture too far into the wiki).
Well. I'm back from my little break. I would've liked to say that I read a bunch of other books or picked up some new obsession. Instead, I rewatched my comfort shows, watched hours of lefty video essays and stared into empty spaces. Time to come back.
The prologue, as in the last two books, serves to inform us as to the larger picture of the setting, what's going on in the background to set things into motion, etc. before focusing on our protagonists and the stuff happening to them. This time, though, the events of the prologue have direct impacts on the MCs, a testament to the fact that these people have indeed been fully thrust into the larger world around them rather than having adventures in their own little quest-bubble with not much outside interaction.
... which is why I'm a bit let down by the fact that the DR camp was so isolated and did basically nothing until the attack. Sure, the Watsonian reasoning was sound enough. I'm pretty sure the Doylian of it was that it gave some breathing room to the characters to explore the ramifications of Rand declaring himself the Dragon. But this kind of stuff can get... idk, sort of tiring. It was alleviated a bit by the POV being Perrin rather than Rand - a layer of mystery as to his thought process at the moment was necessary.
Because let's be real, as much as I love Rand, I can't bear to imagine how badly the guy would give himself shit about being stranded in this place like a sitting duck, not being able to help even those close to him when Trollocs attack, let alone those far away who have declared for him. Even if he really couldn't have done anything about it. Add to that, he can't really control saidin yet, and also causes literal earthquakes, so it's safe to say my man isn't in the best of mental states. I really like the way there is implicit trust among him and Perrin. He's visibly more relaxed and allows himself to express at least a little of his thoughts when he's with Perrin.
That doesn't mean Perrin is just our outsider POV to Rand either. He's got his wolf stuff going on that he's trying to suppress, plus killing the two Whitecloaks still haunts him. His dreams are of wolves and various Forsaken, including Lanfear. Poor guy's got almost as much on his plate as Rand. The encounter with the dead Wolfbrother at Jarra only serves to compound his fears. Inevitably, his arc is going to be about embracing them instead of fighting them, but Perrin angst is always great to read. I've said it before, but Perrin is such a uniquely compelling character. You rarely get his kind as protagonists in most fantasy.
And it is through him that we learn about this book's plot device. It is a Significant Sword, of course, because we gotta tick that off in the fantasy bingo. I don't know if this counts as disturbing the purity of the Read or whatever (if anyone really cares about that) but I did see the cover for the last book, and Rand's holding a sword that matches the description of Callandor. If it is indeed that, it's safe to say that we are officially out of the introduction phase of the series and getting into the thick of the conflict.
Things got infinitely more interesting at Jarra. Rand ta'veren-ness making waves in the whole town. My guy can't even lay low in peace, he leaves a trail of weddings and Whitecloaks. No wonder all of you talk about the amount of trauma he goes through.
I really love the new dynamic between Perrin and Moiraine in this book. Moiraine remains the mom of the group, but her kids have got hormones now! She's probably annoyed as hell, thinking 'this is the mature one, dammit, can't imagine what I'll have to bear with the angry one'. At least she has Lan.
I'm really interested in the dynamics of this dream world that Perrin goes into. So far he's encountered Lanfear, the other Forsaken (did he mention his name?) as well as Hopper the wolf. There are also dangerous things in there, but Perrin still knows he's dreaming. Did Rand's dreams since book one happen in this sort of space? Do all dream worlds have the same mechanics? Are they even separate worlds, or are they the same world that whatever evil force wishes to use it to torment whatever unlucky schmuck? Hopefully, this stuff is answered.
We did get one little teeny weeny Rand POV of a paradigm-shifting character change caused by severe mental stress. You know, just another day. (I get a vibe that the stuff that happened there was in a dream, dunno why)
Also it's super funny how Whitecloak captain dude thinks the Two Rivers is a den of Darkfriends, kinda like a Satanic village. Oh man that place is in for some suffering, isn't it? Creepy dude who knows who the Emond's Fielders are is Creepy.
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starrystarrytrouble · 3 years
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Four Valentines (Ethan x MC)
Four years of Ethan hating Valentine’s Day.
For CFWC love stories event day 14: I hate couples and Choices Feb Challenge day 14: valentine
Words and rating: 2.5k, general
Author’s note: He really, really hates Valentine’s Day. And we’re about to make him suffer in four different ways. Grumpy Ethan is my favourite Ethan. Hope you enjoy reading.
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Intern year
The laughter coming from the supply closet was unmistakeable.
First, her giggle, familiar and catastrophic, but then a second voice that widened his eyes.
It wasn’t unusual for Ethan to find interns making out or worse in supply closets. He’d been caught in them plenty of times himself.
But it wasn’t normal for him to feel such white hot rage.
He opened the door with force.
“What the hell is going on here?”
Eve froze in complete shock as Lahela rubbed the back of his neck, with a sheepish grin.
Ethan raised his eyebrows in cold hard warning. Jaw tight, eyes blazing, it was clear that answering wasn’t optional.
“This isn’t what it looks like,” she mumbled, holding his gaze.
She fumbled behind her in the dark space and pulled out a bag while Lahela tried to explain.
“Oh shit, look we were just…”
He stopped speaking as he noticed the attending hadn’t taken his eyes off Eve. Whatever this conversation was, Bryce wasn’t part of it.
Eve held up a candy bar and then another, and another.
“We’re packing these to give out to the kids in paeds during our break,” she said, and then almost reading the question on Ethan’s mind added, “Because it’s Valentine’s day.”
Blue eyes shifted to the pink tutu and fairy wings on her shoulders.
“And we thought we’d dress up too. To cheer them up.”
“Right,” the word left Ethan’s mouth firmly but for a second, something vaguely resembling relief softened his features.
Bryce had never seen two people hold a conversation with so few words. And Eve’s next words, uttered in a tender whisper, explained why.
“We weren’t doing anything else. I wouldn’t…”
“I’m only interested in your jobs, doctors. So I suggest you hurry up.”
Ethan swept away, his face betraying no further emotion.
Eve flopped against the wall, curling over, hugging her chest with a big sigh, her breathing still erratic.
“What?” she said, at Bryce’s quizzical look.
“He’s gone. He was fine with it.”
She nodded and carried on arranging the candy into paper bags.
“Are you sure you’re okay?”
“Yep, I’m great,” she said with a plastic smile that Bryce saw straight through.
“Eve, I’ve been caught in supply closets with girls, and not one of them looked as scared as you do and we weren’t even doing anything fun.”
She shook her head and threw a Hershey bar into a bag.
“Wow, Ramsey must’ve got you good,” he said with a final grin.
“What?”
She stared back at him, doe-eyed and petrified. A flush was creeping up her cheek as she bit down hard on her bottom lip.
Bryce understood immediately.
She wouldn’t be the first intern to have a hopeless crush on Ramsey. But that’s all it was, hopeless. She had to know that, right?
She glanced at him again nervously, her sudden shyness a side to his friend that he’d never seen before.
This crush had to be serious but it wasn’t his place to pry. With a flash of his usual winning smile, he picked up another chocolate bar.
She’d tell him about it when she was ready.
“I mean, he must be a real hardass to get you so scared.”
Relief washed over her, not unlike the glint he’d seen in Ramsey’s face earlier.
“Right, yeah he is. Total hardass.”
When they stepped back into the corridor, Bryce had his best smile ready to dazzle the kids. He didn’t notice the lingering glance Eve gave across the hall to her attending.
And he didn’t see the longing look Ethan gave her back.
Second year
She had all the jokes ready. Puns by the hour.
Valentine’s Day. Eve Valentine’s Day.
Her day. A day dedicated to his love for her.
But it was already 7pm, the sun was dangerously close to setting, and Ethan was not playing ball.
He hadn’t acknowledged the day at all.
Which was okay in principal, she knew he wasn’t a hearts and flowers man, but now that they were dating, or together or whatever the hell it was, she wanted a small mention of 14 February.
Just so she could use the puns.
For some reason, he seemed to be ignoring her and that she wasn’t expecting.
When Baz gave her a heart shaped lollipop, wishing her ‘Happy Eve Day’ with a cute swoop, she couldn’t help but giggle. And all the time, Ethan was standing right there with them, suddenly very interested in his coffee maker. At least Baz appreciated romance.
Then as Sammie, their 8 year old clinic patient laughed herself silly when she heard Eve’s full name, Ethan buried his head in his notes. And when she asked him if they could grab a drink after work, head buried in a mountain of paperwork, he’d only glanced up briefly and nodded.
If she didn’t know better, she’d think he was planning a surprise. But she called Elijah at home and there were no flowers or packages waiting for her.
It just didn’t seem fair. The hospital was closing, she was exhausted, they barely had time for each other, and now all she wanted was her boyfriend to give her 5 minutes of attention on Valentine’s Day. It wasn’t unreasonable.
She stared at her dinner options in the vending machine. Dim magnolia moonlight wisped in through the window.
The hand at her shoulder warmed her heart.
“Still nothing?” Sienna’s voice was gentle but her eyes were tinged with sympathy.
“Nada.”
“He’ll have something secret planned, Ethan’s that type. Some romantic gesture straight out of a rom-com that’ll make you swoon like you’re Julia Roberts in Pretty Woman. What time do you finish tonight?”
“10pm. That’s kinda late for grand gestures.”
“Yeah,” Sienna looked sad again, “I’m sorry, this sucks. Come on, let’s get some air.”
They walked up to the Edenbrook roof silently, the cool Boston night rustling life back into Eve. It wasn’t so bad. This was just one day and they had plenty of others to come. Maybe she’d win him over next year.
Sienna jerked backwards suddenly and shook her head.
“Oh, no, I’ve just been paged, give me 2 mins and I’ll be right back.”
Before Eve could answer Sienna was running towards the stairs.
And then, there it was.
From the doorway she flashed Eve a look.
It was utterly wicked.
Pieces of a puzzle she didn’t know she was solving started to fit together. Her pulse quickened with each step as she turned the corner, she knew a welcome face would be there to greet her.
And he was.
It was so simple, but maybe that’s what made it romantic. Champagne in plastic cups and a single red rose. The curve of the sun dipping below the lavender sky, and the full moon shifting up to meet blazing stars. A warm fresh breeze that filled her lungs with the thrill of it. Darkened blue eyes, daring her to try to stay away from him.
But it was the knowing smile he wore, the secret one he saved just for her, the one that he must’ve had since he was a little boy, the smile that probably got him out of trouble all through his life, that really made her heart skip.
She bit the inside of her cheek and grinned.
“You could’ve said something earlier you know?”
“And let you make terrible puns about your name all day?” he said without missing a beat.
She rolled her eyes and shifted closer to him, running a finger over the thin fabric of his shirt.
“Sure you don’t want to ask me to be your valentine?”
Ethan wrapped an arm around her waist and drew her against him.
“I do not.”
The kiss was soft and longing, Eve pressed her palms against his chest as he nipped along her jaw lightly.
“You didn’t have to do this you know,” she whispered.
“Actually I did.”
His lips found her throat and she moaned softly.
“It is your day after all.”
Third year
It was supposed to be a 10 minute interview.
One journalist, one quote, and then he was free to enjoy the opera in peace.
That’s what the Director of the Boston Opera House promised him and Ethan owed her a favour. A big one after he and Eve were caught enjoying his opera box extremely creatively.
So it was agreed. Ethan was sponsoring the Valentine’s Day performance this year and a journalist from the Boston Globe would ask him a few questions about his love of the arts.
Except the reporter was fresh out of college with bouncy brown hair. The type who’d worn jeans and a flowery shirt with his sleeve rolled up to a goddamn opera. And the interview wasn’t about opera, oh no.
It was all about Ethan’s least favourite day of the year.
He pinched the bridge of his nose, a middle-aged cliché in front of this hipster hack who was typing so fast on his iPad, that he made Ethan dizzy.
“So Dr Ramsey, are you just a romantic at heart?”
Ethan’s clenched his jaw.
This went on and on.
“What’s your favourite thing about La Traviata, is it the love story?”
He could swear the journalist smirked with that last question. He knew Ethan hated this and the bold asshole was actually enjoying it.
The other guests were pouring in, filling the red velvet seats, and all the while Ethan hoped he could escape his box. He’d rather be back at that Taylor Swift person’s concert with Sienna and Eve than trapped with this idiot.  
“It’s the day of love, do you have plans?”
The question might have sent him over the edge, but then he saw her. Entering the box in a golden floor length gown with a soft smile that made his breath catch in his throat.
She looked gilded.
More beautiful than the building and every single soul who’d ever walked within it.
He caught her eye and like the snap of elastic, that was it. Even after a year of dating, they were locked in, the only two people in the opera house, the only two people in the whole damn city for all he cared.
He felt every muscle in his body contract and then relax, as she drew in breath gently and not breaking eye contact, stepped closer to him.
The journalist followed his gaze.
Eve had been watching Ethan’s interrogation from the hallway secretly, trying to stifle her giggle at the way he’d reacted to question after question about love and romance. The journalist had found his sore spot and was enjoying every second of making him squirm. It was adorable.
She knew that he did the asshole attending routine at work, but it hadn’t taken long for her to find the softness he kept hidden away. And watching him roll his eyes dismissively at the smirking reporter reminded her that it was a privilege to know the real Ethan Ramsey.
And to love him. Ethan wasn’t the only one who could be commanding. Her entry was the journalist’s queue to wrap up, and he knew it.
“Last question Dr Ramsey, what made you sponsor the Valentine’s Day production?” he asked with a thousand megawatt smile.
Ethan sighed.
“As I said earlier, I believe in the power of the arts. Today’s occasion is mere coincidence. The arts need support 365 days a year.”
The journalist nodded, not quite content with the answer.
“Any final thoughts on Valentine’s Day?”
“None.”
“Right, and one more for the road, can I get the name of your companion for tonight? For the society pages?”
A wary look drifted on Ethan’s face, all too aware of what was about to happen as Eve reached forward to shake the journalist’s hand.
“Eve. Eve Valentine.”
“Valentine like… today?” he grinned widely with a knowing look.
Ethan groaned.
Fourth year
Bryce scanned the glittering room. Edenbrook had really gone all out on this book launch, there were pink and red roses at every table and twinkling lights at every turn. But then it wasn’t every day the great Ethan Ramsey published a second book.
And yet, despite all the people here, some of the best doctors in the entire country, Ethan was in the corner with Naveen.
“Hey, congrats,” Bryce smiled as he clapped Ethan on the back, “This is some party. But where’s your Valentine?”
Ethan rolled his eyes and spoke flatly, “You’re as bad as she is with those puns.”
“Actually I’m worse,” Bryce said with a proud smirk.
Naveen was still chuckling after the young surgeon had gone.
“The famous Dr Ramsey can’t possibly hate Valentine’s Day, not now.”
Ethan followed Naveen’s eyes to Eve. She was huddled with two of her old UCLA professors, champagne glass in hand, commanding the conversation with her usual ease. And she looked divine. Her dark hair floating down one side and her sparkling eyes as enchanting as the night he’d first kissed her.
“I’m impressed you wrote another book, Ethan. I imagine you have less time on your hands now.”
Naveen surveyed his mentee with a small smile.
“But then again, I imagine it’s easier to focus now that you’re together and not so distracted…”
Ethan said nothing.
“…And not pining.”
Without taking eyes off Eve, Ethan scoffed.
“I have never pined, Naveen.”
The Chief’s eyebrow raise and mischievous grin were enough to force Ethan to break into a crooked smile.
“I have never pined…much.”
The two of them laughed softly as Naveen tugged him into a small hug.
Eve approached them with a wicked look, placing both hands on Ethan’s shoulder and resting her face on her fingers as he wrapped his arm around her waist and stroked her side tenderly.
Naveen looked at her warmly.
“Eve, I must apologise on my mentee’s behalf. I did tell him not to hold his book launch on Valentine’s Day. He seemed to think people would show up anyway. Turns out he was rather correct.”
She glanced at Ethan with a gentle blush.
“I don’t mind, Naveen. Actually he picked today as part of my present. Didn’t he tell you?”
Ethan shook his head with a smirk that made her heart skip.
“I’m sure he’ll find out for himself.”
Naveen looked at them curiously and Eve couldn’t help but explain.
“My Valentine’s gift, it’s on page 1,” she said, pointing at the copy of Ethan’s new book that Naveen was holding.
He rustled over the pages, watching the couple from the corner of his eye.
Eve whispered something in Ethan’s ear and he laughed. A full candid laugh, eyes rich and blue. Years disappearing off his face with each breath as Naveen saw him again as the young man who’d sauntered into his office years ago, full of promise and ambition.
She wrapped her arms around his neck and Ethan drew her tighter, mouthing three words against her forehead softly that brought an incandescent smile to her rosy lips.
Naveen looked back to the volume in his hands. He flicked the book to the first page and felt joy press at his chest.
On fresh white paper were two words:
For Eve.
Notes
The intern year section is set on the same day as my ‘Be Mine’ fic. The journalist is loosely based on Robin Tora from RT who is wasted in that book. Sienna is a Swiftie, change my mind.
Thank you so much for supporting my indulgent, often downright dumb fics since OH2 ended.
You guys are the best and I’m so grateful your love.  
Cant wait for OH3.
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Note
Hey Meg remember in obey me they did that play in one of the lessons. (you know the one where there's princess Diablo)
if they get to do an other play, what would the Bro's recommend doing?
I actually just got to that lesson! It's also funny that you ask this. Back in high school I would go to the local play competition with my school (never won, but I did get to direct one year). I am also in love with plays... even more than musicals. I think they are way more immersive than a musical or movie could ever be.
I picked most of these off the top of my head, or by looking through plays that other schools in my area did for the competition. I can't say that I have seen them all but the summaries sounded pretty good.
Well... that's enough of my ramblings so let's go!
Warnings: Asmo's mentions NSFW stuff
Navigation List
The Plays Each of the Brothers Would Pick
💙 Lucifer -
Hamlet by Shakespeare
Summary: A tragedy with ghosts, death, betrayal, and sword fights!
People have often called this one of the best plays. Of course he would pick this!
Also it is serious, has a good amount of drama, eloquent. It matches him perfectly.
He definitely wants to be Hamlet and have Diavolo be his uncle.
💛 Mammon -
A Tale of Two Spectators by Peter Manos
Summary: Two people watching their spouses have affairs together and they fall in love.
There are only 2 people in the cast. Guess who it would be?
Him and MC.
He wants his time to shine with them.
🧡 Leviathan -
Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde by Rober Louis Stevenson
Summary: A man drinks a potion that splits his personality into good and evil and they share the same body.
He wany to be Dr. Jekyll.
He likes the dichotomy of good and evil. It reminds him of himself when he plays games vs. When he is shy.
(I could also see him doing some cyberpunk or anime rendition of a classic play like Romeo and Juliet)
💚 Satan -
An Evening with Edgar Allan Poe by Robert Mason
Summary: A retelling of 5 of Egar Allen Poe's best works. (Telltale heart, cask of amontiallado, etc.)
He likes classic literature, what can he say.
Also, Poe's literature can let his suppressed rage through in insanity! :D
(Could also see him picking one of Shakespeare's comedies to piss off Lucifer)
💖 Asmodeus -
Orlando by Sarah Ruhl
Summary: A young boy begins a 5 century journey where they discover themselves.
Orlando is quite promiscuous... so it matches with Asmo!
There are also a lot of elaborate costume changes which he would love.
And MC can be one of his many lovers ;)
❤ Beelzebub -
The Girl Who Swallowed a Cactus by Eric Coble
Summary: A girl and her friends find themselves in a desert and use their imagination to talk about how people affect the environment.
He liked the title because he has had that problem before.
But once he actually reads it, he like the adventure that the main characters have.
💜 Belphegor -
A Midsummer's Night Dream by Shakespeare
Summary: A fairy dabbles in fixing human affairs and mixes up two pairs of lovers.
He picked this play for 2 reasons and 2 reasons only.
As one of the lovers he can sleep for half of the play next to MC.
Lucifer said it was the stupidest play he has ever read.
Doesn't care which pair of lovers he is, he just thinks Asmo should be the ass.
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heavcnslyre · 3 years
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ricky bowen x reader series! part one
— starstruck au!
series masterlist, part one, part two, part three, part four, part five, part six, part seven, part eight, part nine, part ten
IN WHICH you reunite with your cousin, ashlyn, and the rest of your family in california, and your sister plots to find a way to meet the one and only ricky bowen.
WARNINGS swearing
NOTES you are 17, camilla (your sister) is 19, ashlyn caswell is your cousin and she is 17, your aunt debbie is your moms sister and you’re visiting your moms mom in california. this is very NOT CANON! not all of the mcs know each other and they don’t live in the same city. also my writing isn’t the best but i hope you enjoy anyways! let me know if you wanna be tagged in the next parts :)) also STREAM LIE LIE LIE
(y/n) = your name
text dividers from @writeyourmindaway !!
lowercase intended.
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“are you really watching this movie again?” you ask your older sister, camilla. she groans.
“yes! now move, it’s almost ricky’s scene.”
you roll your eyes and move out of her way, keeping your eyes on the screen. the movie was cheesy and you felt like you’ve seen it hundreds of times, since your sister was constantly watching it. she had an obsession with this guy— ricky bowen. he was an actor and a singer and any teenage girl you talk to loves him, but you didn’t really understand the hype. sure, he was attractive and talented but….
“i can’t wait to meet him, i’m sure he’s even nicer in person,” camilla gushed, staring at the screen.
“what do you mean meet him? we live in new york. he lives in california. not really someone you can just run into on the street.”
camilla rolled her eyes, not looking away from the screen. “we’re going to california in a couple weeks, dumbass. and i’m going to meet him, i just know it.”
“we’re going so we can visit grandma in glendale. you can’t just go running off to los angeles by yourself to somehow find him.”
“i’ll... figure it out. i’m nineteen anyways, i can do what i want. and glendale is really close to la, only like a 15 minute drive.”
“yeah, okay. good luck with that.” you watch another minute of the movie before turning away to go into the kitchen. you’re making yourself a snack when your mom comes in.
“hi hun,” she said, setting some groceries down on the counter.
“hi mom. what are these? i thought you went grocery shopping on saturday.”
“i did,” she said, starting to put a few groceries away. “this is stuff for california, i wanted to start shopping early. we also have to go find christmas gifts for your grandma, aunt, uncle, and cousin. easier if we get them here rather than there.”
“oh, aunt debbie is going? last time i texted ashlyn she said they weren’t going to make it out there this year,” ashlyn was your cousin, and she was 17, just like you. you and her had been close your whole life, but when your aunt, uncle and her moved to minnesota a few years ago, you drifted a bit. seeing her for holidays was one of your favorite things, you loved having your whole family together.
“yeah, well, apparently my mom has a new boyfriend and debbie decided she wanted to meet him so they made it work.”
you hum. “also heard that ashlyn’s still talking to the guy she met last summer in california.”
“that was probably also a deciding factor.” you and your mom laughed and you helped her put away the groceries.
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ashlyn: plane just landed!! when r u getting here?
you: leaving in about an hour!! see u soon omg
ashlyn: CANT WAIT!!!!
you heart her message and slip your phone into your pocket, excusing yourself to go find some last minute snacks from the shops at the airport. you had been sitting next to camilla and she was blasting ricky’s music in her headphones. she was so obsessed with him it was tiring.
eventually, your flight was called and you boarded the plane. you texted ashlyn that you were boarding and she sent back a party emoji, then proceeded to tell you to hurry up. luckily, the plane ride was only around four hours, and you had a really nice playlist that was the perfect length. your current favorite artist was nini salazar-roberts, who had recently released new music. she also happened to be ricky bowen’s girlfriend, and camilla refused to listen to her for whatever reason. you couldn’t really care less, nini had good music.
‘drivers license’ began to play and you drifted off to sleep. you woke to camilla shaking you harshly.
“c’mon, we’re landed,” she said and you nodded, stretching. she stood up and left her seat, not even waiting for you to catch up. you scoff and grab your things before jogging to catch up to her and your parents who she had rushed to. you were already feeling the change of time zones, leaving new york at one then arriving in california at two after a four hour flight.... super trippy.
as your parents went off to rent a car, you and camilla sat by each other. she went on her phone and was scrolling through ricky’s instagram. you rolled your eyes.
“have a plan on how to meet him yet?” you ask. she sighs.
“sort of. he’s performing tonight. at nini’s birthday party. i just need to find a way into the party.”
“yeah, because a random girl is going to be allowed into a famous persons party.”
camilla scoffs. “you don’t know, they don’t always have great security. i just have to convince mom and dad to let me go.”
“go where?” your dad asked as the two of them return, car keys in hand. camilla’s eyes widened slightly.
“go to the different malls. and beaches. with (y/n) and ashlyn. girl time,” she lied quickly. your mom nodded.
“not a bad idea, spend some time with your family. we’ll think about it. grandma mentioned having a car for you to take.”
“awesome!” camilla squealed. she turned to you and made a ‘i-can’t-believe-they-just-agreed-to-that face’ and you laughed.
“c’mon girls. time to get going, everyone’s waiting for us.”
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“(y/n)!” ashlyn squealed, running out of your grandmas house as soon as you closed your car door. you grinned and ran towards her, hugging her tight.
“ashlyn i’ve missed you so much!”
“i’ve missed you! i have so much to tell you!”
you raised your eyebrow at her. “about the boy you’re talking to?”
she blushed and mumbled a maybe before your grandma came out of her house, her boyfriend following close behind. today was the first time anyone was meeting him, and you were pretty excited.
you hugged your grandma tight and she introduced you to her boyfriend, kevin. he greeted you all and although he seemed a bit awkward at first, he seemed like a good guy.
soon enough, you were in the room you were sharing with both camilla and ashlyn. camilla was not excited to hear that the three of you were sharing, but your grandma assured her that the room was more big enough for all of you, and it would be nice for you all to spend time together — get into the christmas spirit. camilla mumbled under her breath that that was bullshit, but your grandma didn’t seem to hear her.
as camilla was out in the kitchen with your family, you and ashlyn sat on your bed as she scrolled through social media.
“ashlyn! tell me about this boy you’re talking to!” you exclaimed suddenly. she laughed at your sudden outburst but put her phone away immediately and turned towards you with a big smile on her face.
“oh my gosh (y/n) he’s the best. we’ve been texting and facetiming everyday this year. i honestly can’t wait to see him later, i feel like i’ve been waiting years to finally see him again.”
you grinned. you don’t think you’d seen ashlyn this happy in a long time. “when are you seeing him tonight? what are you doing? do you know what you’re going to wear?”
“oh, jeez (y/n). one at a time,” she teased. “i’m meeting him at this club. it’s his best friends girlfriends birthday, and he invited me to her party. and i do have a few ideas but i wanted you to help me out.”
“absolutely i’ll help!! am i going to be able to meet him while we’re here?”
“yeah, i don’t see why not. he’s talking about going to vienna to go to the beach, i’m sure it’d be fine if you tagged along.”
“if i tag along and third wheel,” you both laughed. “kidding. i’d love to go!”
“good. because i wasn’t going to let you say no.” she stands up and stretched. “now help me figure out what to wear tonight.”
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Ikemen Vampire - Jean d’Arc Route Summary Chapter 10
here is the tenth chapter!
to clarify again, I’m not very good at japanese so if anything is wrong or weirdly translated everything is on me.
of course there is going to be some spoilers so do not read if you don’t wish to know jean’s story yet.
*also little bonus at the end about Jeanne d’Arc real story! of course you don’t have to read it to understand his route in the game but it’s very interesting :)*
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The Count tells MC the history of the war between France and England, also known as the Hundred Years’ War...
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【 Comte 】  Jean was a soldier who led the French army during the Hundred Years War.
Jean fights for his country, France and defeats the English army. Jean d’Arc, soon after the defeat of the enemy, becomes a true hero for his people.
However, such glory won’t last for Jean :( 'The most tragic end of the world's heroes', as they say.
In the course of the battle, Jean was captured as a prisoner of war by the enemy. The King didn’t want to help him for some reason. 😡
And of course... 🙄
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【 Comte 】  Jean was convicted of heresy and it has been decided that he would be sentenced to fire.
After Jean's death, the king ordered a re-examination of his treason and found him to be innocent, and he went down as a hero of France.
The fact that Jean never knew went down as a hero after his death and this won’t change the fact that he died as an innocent. The protagonist is angry because it doesn't make any sense.
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From the bottom of my stomach, I feel a mixture of anger and frustration.
Here, the MC asks the Count a question. “Why did he bring him back to life after such a death?”
There's something different about the Count returning the great men of the mansion and Jean.
The MC wonders if Jean really wanted the Count to bring him back to life. Before the Count can answer, Jean appears, interrupts him, takes the MC by the arm and leads her away.
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【 Jean 】  One look at this man's face is enough. I don't like it. Let's go, woman. 
As soon as they arrived in the library, Jean seems to have calmed down a little lets go of the MC's arm.
The protagonist apologises for trying to find out about his past without his permission, but Jean says that's okay. Jean says it's okay, because his life has been written about in books anyway. However, he says that he doesn't want the Count to tell her about it.
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【 Jean 】  ...It's not enough to say I hate it, it's too much.
Jean says that he is not a hero and that he is no different from the children's book he used to read, The Ugly Duckling.
it hurts me so much that this is the way he perceives himself when he deserves all the love in the world </3
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Jean's gaze fell on the book 'The Ugly Duckling', which was still on the table.
That’s it for chapter 10!
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here is some real background info about the real Jeanne d’Arc! She is such a brave and interesting historical figure. The epitome of a real badass, fearless and powerful woman.
so, the hundred years' war, if we summarize as much as possible is a series of armed conflicts that began in 1337. which opposes the kingdom of france and the kingdom of england.
in 1328 at the death of king charles iv, the question arises as to who will inherit the french crown.
one then has the choice between the cousin of the preceding king philippe de valois and edward iii the king of england who by his mother isabelle is also a descendant of the french throne.
you can imagine putting an english king on the french throne, wasn’t seen very well. 
edward not happy, which led to a succession crisis, which lead to the hundred years' war.
obviously this conflict, quickly overcomes a simple succession crisis.
it's a mess.
what you have to remember, is that the english are gradually invading part of the kingdom of france.
in 1415, after the battle of azincourt and the english victory, the english king henry v controls much of the north of the kingdom of france, including paris for that matter.
but it is far from being the only concern.
what you have to keep in mind is that the king of france at the time, charles vi, is reached at rather regular intervals of madness.
this obviously prevents him from administering the kingdom properly.
as a result, in parallel with the conflict with the english, a real civil war breaks out.
to find out who between his son the heir charles and his cousin the duke of burgundy will be able to take back the reins of the kingdom; the duke of burgundy is supported by the burgundians who will end up allying themselves with the english and the son of the king the heir charles is supported by the armagnacs.
but during this time, charles is betrayed by his own father who disinherits his son and after his death, gives the crown to the english.
i warned you that it was really messy.
and it is in this incredible mess that our jeanne arrives.
and where exactly does jeanne come from? from domremy.
she is also often called the virgin of orleans.
she is associated with the city of reims, but jeanne was originally born in domremy.
and where exactly is this place? domremy is this little town to the west of the city of the vosges department, on the banks of the meuse river.
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isn't it pretty?
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this is jeanne's birth house,
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she would have been born around 1412. the building classified as a historical monument since 1840 includes in addition to a cellar, three large rooms originally used to house the whole family, her parents and four siblings.
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according to jeanne's trial, it is here that she would have learned to sew or weave which were two occupations of the young girls of the time.
her father was a ploughman, so she often had to look after the animals.
and since she is very pious she spent a lot of time praying.
she went on pilgrimage at least once a week, for example in the notre dame de bermont chapel, about three kilometres (as the crow flies) from her birth house.
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and jeanne d’arc, as you may have guessed, wasn't always called jeanne d’arc.
no, in history she has had different names and official nicknames.
there are of course the best known ones: the virgin of orleans, jeanne the virgin or even just the virgin and in the vicinity of domremy she was also called the jeannette de rommée, in connection with her mother's name. she has even signed several letters with the name jehanne.
and it's even more complicated if you're interested in her surname “d'arc”.
which was originally written darc, without the apostrophe. here again there have been many variations, and i'll mention a few of them: tarc, dars, darx and even d'ailly or daly according to the phonetic transcription of her name, with a lorraine accent. from there we move on to duly, then du lys.
when the king ennobled jeanne and her family, it is written on the deed, la dame du lys in reference to the royal coat of arms.
this is the magnificent bois-chenu basilica, which was built between 1880 and 1940 in honour of jeanne.
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and for the record, this incredible basilica was sometimes considered to be the place where jeanne would have heard voices.
however if we refer to the trial, it is in her father's garden, near the house, that jeanne would have started hearing voices, celestial calls, coming from saint catherine of st. margaret's and the archangel saint michael.
the divine mission entrusted to her was very “simple”.
she was only commanded to be a cavalier, to cross a kingdom occupied by the english to go and find the future charles vii and convince him that she is the one sent from heaven.
to help him to take his place on the throne by her coronation in reims.
to show him how to liberate the kingdom of france, of the english presence.
it seems to be an easy enough mission for me. 😅 (nope)
so obviously you can imagine that the people didn't take her seriously right away. it took a few years before she managed to convince the world that she wasn't completely crazy.
- jeanne?
- yes?
- this is the voice.
- is someone talking to me?
- you are the chosen one, jeanne, join me.
- yes, i'm coming.
- i hope you like human barbecue. (ok i'll stop :/)
how is the legend of jeanne forged? how does one go from being a peasant girl eager to help, to jeanne of arc, heroine of the kingdom of france?
this is le centre d’interprétation (the interpretation centre), which is just behind jeanne of arc's birth house and retraces her youth and adventures.
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her journey is incredible, at 17 years old, jeanne can't stand not doing anything anymore, she has been hearing voices urging her to act for four years now.
so she decides to return to the châtellenie de vaucouleurs, to meet captain robert de baudricourt, one of the king's faithful followers and after several vicissitudes, she manages to convince him. it wasn't easy, i remind you that her main point was that she hears voices. but yeah, he finally agrees to send her with an escort, join the heirn in chinon.
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the journey is quite long and above all risky, we are talking about more than 500 kilometres and in this period of turmoil, the dangers were quite present especially if you look at the map, one realizes that the small expedition crosses areas not controlled by the enemy coalition.
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fortunately, everything went well for jeanne, who arrives at her destination on march 1429 and gets an audience with the heir two days later. he was quite suspicious of this young woman at first, who claims to hear divine voices but according to the story she made a revelation to him that we don't know which eventually convinced him.
for the entourage of the suitor of the throne, it's not that simple and you can understand them, betting on jeanne is a little bit like a poker game. so they insist that she will be given a few interrogations, she is questioned about her life, about her morals and finally confidence is established, she is equipped with military equipment. she then undergoes mini combat trainings and here we go, her dream is about to come true, she joins a supply convoy in blois and on april 22nd, with more than 4000 men, she is headed for orléans.
the arrival of jeanne of arc changes many things.
her faith, her confidence in victory gives hope to the soldiers and to the inhabitants, who are filled with new energy. they manage to win in less than 10 days, 10 days and the english are obliged to give up their plan, which consisted of taking the city and then attacking the south of the loire.
jeanne who comes out of this battle with this image as a victorious, ultra badass woman and just earned her nickname... la pucelle d'orléans (the virgin of orleans).
thanks to her victory in orleans, jeanne thus becomes a kind of national heroine. she represents by her fame and her qualities, a not insignificant asset for the heir in his fight against the english and the burgundians.
but what makes a real difference is less her qualities as a war strategist and more her ability to charm and to galvanise the troops and the inhabitants along the way.
it's quite simple, before jeanne's arrival, the english had a reputation for never losing their invincibility.
and jeanne achieves the feat of restoring confidence in a possible victory.
it gives the impression to the troops that they are going to receive a kind of divine help and it changes everything in the soldiers' minds, all the more so because before her arrival there was a prophecy, who said that a virgin would help defeat the english so when jeanne arrives, everyone thought "it's ok, we're saved"!
jeanne persuades the future king to start a ride to reims who is in the middle of enemy territory, to be crowned.
jeanne thus succeeded in carrying out one of the following missions which were supposedly entrusted to her by the voices she hears; in other words, since she has succeeded, she is necessarily an envoy of god, and that for the mood of the troops, it makes a huge difference.
unfortunately after the time of victories comes the time of defeats.
after the coronation, the king and jeanne no longer really agree. she is convinced that her mission is to keep the english out of france.
the king, for his part, is longing for a little rest.
for example, he does not feel at all capable of taking back paris, while jeanne, a little bit stubborn, goes there anyway and suffers a failure.
on top of that she is wounded, she gets a crossbow arrow in her thigh, moreover, she breaks her sword which had for all victories...
it's a bad sign.
some people think that the virgin is abandoned by god. some time later jeanne went to compiègne, a city besieged by the burgundians and by some english contingents and once again it goes wrong, she is taken prisoner in may 1430, by the burgundians.
she tried to escape, but all her attempts failed and in november of the same year, she was sold to the english. jeanne is then taken to the castle of rouen, where members of the church judge her for heresy.
the trial was to say that charles vii was crowned thanks to a witch, she is also blamed for everything and anything, for dressing in men's clothing,
for deferring directly to god's judgement without going through the church, for hearing the voices of demons and not of saints.
jeanne really plays her life on each of her answers, in addition, she faces accusers totally committed to the english cause on her own when she was only 19 years old.
moreover, the witnesses are obviously not chosen at random, everyone who could speak up for jeanne is under pressure. everything is being done to ensure that she is condemned. finally, she ends up at the stake, on the market square, and we make sure there's nothing left of her body, to prevent it from being turned into holy relics.
and then after the end of the hundred years' war, i.e. almost 25 years later, the church reverses this first court decision. king charles vii wants to wash away the insult that was done to him through this trial and he pushes jeanne's family to ask for a review. pope calixtus iii agreed and jeanne was rehabilitated in 1456. the investigations carried out are more serious, many of jeanne's contemporaries jostle to plead in her favour and even people who had once spoken badly of her finally return to saying good things about her.
the first judgement is broken and the young woman's memory is rehabilitated.
an unusual little fact in the end - many people have not been able to admit that the story of the virgin ends up on a pyre. for them it was impossible, this story was too beautiful, this too extraordinary woman.
and it went far enough that people found stories of women, who a few years later claimed to be the real jeanne.
just imagine them saying stuff like "oh yeah, yeah it's me i didn't burn at all, my face has changed a little bit but it's me, i assure you, believe me, really".
a certain claude des armoises is said to have pretended to be her, in the metz region. after having acquired a certain renown, having been given gifts by former relatives of jeanne; she even went so far as to meet two of the virgin's brothers, who (hold on because it's completely insane) believed her.
they really believed it was their own sister who had died at the stake.
it's a crazy story!
well, we don't really know if they really believed it, or if one pretends to believe it for financial reasons for example.
in any case, this woman, who was talked about everywhere, is unmasked by the king himself, so that this fraud can be stopped.
in the end, i find this story quite unusual.
here are the friends!
i hope it wasn’t too long to read (it probably was) and that you have learned two, three little things on our dear jeanne d’arc. after all, she is one of the most famous women in history!
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benscursedkid · 3 years
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*title from the song of the same name by mansionair and a continuation of this post* 
synopsis: rebekah and ben’s relationship progression throughout their second year at hogwarts. (plus some bonus of other characters too.)
pairing: ben copper x mc; ben copper x rebekah roberts
genre: angst, fluff, etc. 
words: 5.160
a/n: is it 5am rn for me? yes it is. did i skip the ice vault scene because i’m tired and lazy? you bet. also, i know they’re in second year and thus supposed to be around twelve years old but i’m pretty sure i forgot what being twleve felt like (must be all the repressed embarrassment yikes) so i apologize if this seems slightly too heavy or at times mature for that. but then again, this is hphm so y’know... trauma <3 also be warned, i’m tired so this is unedited as of rn. i’ll come back and edit it maybe tomorrow or the next day but if you’re reading this then i have not done so yet. pls, enjoy anyway!
She woke up that morning with a spring in her step. Her bags had been packed for weeks, her robes already ironed and an outfit laid out for the morning. She discarded it, choosing instead to pull another one out of her trunk and switching their spots. The young girl ran all over the house, picking up anything that had been thoughtlessly left out and almost forgot to take time to sit and eat breakfast. 
It was a thing her parents still tried to insist on. Eating meals as a family despite the fact that they are indefinitely one member short. Their motivation usually wore off by lunch only to be half-heartedly reignited by dinner. 
The effort is just what she’d wanted except…Rebekah hates it, truth be told. They do nothing more than inquire about Rowan and Ben, occasionally touching on the weather before falling silent again. And that’s how they remain for the rest of the night. Disappearing into their room seems to be more habit than pastime for them now and Rebekah is left to her own devices. They don’t watch her father’s favorite movies, they don’t make any plans for the next day, they don’t laugh over old jokes. Sometimes, when the moon is high and her spirits are low, she wonders why they can’t try like she does. To fix their family. Her brother may no longer be around, but surely she is enough to keep them going, right? Surely, knowing that they still have their daughter left is enough...isn’t it? 
Her thoughts often took those turns at home, but today she hadn’t let them get to her. Her parents could be heard getting ready for the day in the solace of their quiet room while Rebekah finished brushing her teeth and gathering some last minute research she had done the night before. Mysteries might be fun, but it’s about time this one got solved. 
They were even quieter on the way to King’s Cross than usual—even by their new standards—but Rebekah didn’t care this time. Her mind was too busy running in different directions to spare a moment to anything else. 
“You be careful, ‘Bek,” Her mother whispers presently into her hair, her thin arms wrapped around her small body in the tightest hug she’s received since she came home two months ago. Her voice is uneven and Rebekah can feel the quivering of her lips against her dark hair. “Stay in one piece, alright?”
“I will.” She promises swiftly, the words leaving her mouth without much thought. 
Her father tries for a smile that even he has to know doesn’t land. “Say hi to your friends for us, yeah? Let them take care of you.”
His voice was gentle, his tone and intentions soft and well-meaning, but Rebekah can’t help but bite her lips to keep back a frown. It is glaringly something he would never have said before and for whatever reason, she doesn’t like the fact that he says it now. 
Her father’s hand reaches the back of her head, his palm cradling her cheek affectionately as she pulls away from her mother. He seems about to hug her himself, but in a move strangely unlike him, he doesn’t. Somehow she knew it wouldn’t come. Somehow her heart breaks just a little more anyway. 
The train whistles and she notices that her trolley has already been taken to the luggage compartments. Sound and perception come back to her all at once as the atmosphere seems to crack. Students mill about them in tandem and the heavy scent of the train’s engine prickles at her delicate nose. Her mother and father find their place again, stuck together like glue, and take a small step back. When they look at her their eyes are tired. 
“Have fun, Rebekah.” Her father offers as her mother struggles to keep up her already thin façade of a collected person. 
She nods at them in farewell, her body already turning towards the train. “I will.” She says again. 
She hated the summer holidays this year, yet turning her back on her parents is still a stinging betrayal that quells the breath in her throat. She makes a point to not look behind her lest she fall apart all together. 
Fortunately, there are still some reunions to be had today, the first of which she walks into before even stepping onto the Hogwarts Express. With her arms held tightly around herself and her eyes cast downward, Rebekah doesn’t notice it when a familiar head of blonde hair sticks itself out the window as she approaches the steps. 
“Rebekah!” Cheers a soft voice, one that is usually not heard over the ring of the crowd. 
On instinct, her eyes follow the sound, landing on the sight of Ben Copper with his neck stuck all the way out a compartment window. Unwittingly, all her claustrophobia melts off of her and a giggle even falls like a trickle from her lips. Her hand comes up to cover it but she doesn’t miss the way Ben’s cheeks flush deep with pink. 
The sight only strengthens her smile. 
“Ben,” Rebekah greets with a grin, moving out the way of the steps to instead walk over to stand directly in front of his window. Her hand still hesitates between covering her mouth and balling into a fist at her side. She swallows the uncertainty down. “What in Merlin’s name are you doing? Doesn’t your neck hurt?”
He blushes again and Rebekah gets the overwhelming urge to ruffle his already messy hair which clearly still shines with product. “No! Well, not before you mentioned it…” 
She chuckles. “Looking for the best view?”
“Not anymore.”
Emotions grips her throat and her smile hesitates between freezing and growing even larger. For his part, Ben simply rubs at the back of his neck shyly, unable to meet her eye now. 
His mouth opens to respond when she doesn’t immediately say anything back, only to be interrupted before he starts by a much higher, much more enthusiastic voice. 
“Rebekah? Is that you?” Rowan gasps, pushing Ben slightly to now fit her head through the window. The blonde grimaces next to her, his nose scrunching up in discomfort and the scene is so comical Rebekah has to laugh. It comes off her chest like a heavy secret she hadn’t known she’d been carrying. 
“You’re here!” Her friend gushes, her lips splitting with a grin so wide Rebekah fears it may cut her face in half. ‘What are you doing standing out there? Come in, the train will depart soon!”
Rebekah doesn’t mention how absurd she looks with her head popping out of a window like a cartoon character. She merely shakes her head and does as she’s instructed. 
It doesn’t take long to find her way to the compartment, even with the onslaught of students now hurrying to board the train. The whistle sounds off again somewhere, but the happy chatter of children and teens mute the sound of it. She’s barely taken a single step into the compartment when Rowan launches herself at her for a hug. Rebekah returns it gently, ignoring the way the rim of the other girl’s glasses press intently into the skin by her ear. 
Rowan releases her quickly, her arm looping through hers and already beginning to speak a mile a minute about something or other Rebekah doesn’t quite manage to catch yet. Perhaps she would, if her eyes hadn’t caught on Ben’s. His own are a warm and welcoming gold with the rays of fading summer sunshine catching on them through the window screen. They cast little squares across his face that Rebekah finds difficult not to count before—
Welcome back, he mouths to her silently, not daring to interrupt Rowan now that she’s started on another one of her tangents. 
Rebekah grins, a slight blush of her own rising to her cheeks. She nods to signal her acknowledgement before turning back to Rowan, barely catching the end of her complaint about the library near her house. 
It’s good to be back. 
~✾~
I haven’t seen him since we stepped off the Hogwarts Express, Penny will tell her later but only after Ben has already been gone. Why hadn’t she noticed his absence sooner? I’m a little worried, Rebekah. Especially after what happened last year with the cursed ice. 
She tried to bring it to McGonagall’s or Angelica’s attention earlier, but Dumbledore called for everyone to go immediately to their dorms after dinner. No exceptions. 
They were ushered to their rooms like cattle, their prefects doing their best to calmly give them orders. Chester, for his part, seemed to pay her some extra attention. In hindsight, Rebekah knows that he has good reason to be suspicious, but at the time his scrutiny only served to further agitate her. 
How could he have disappeared already? Why did no one see him leave? 
Why didn’t she? 
And why is it always those closest to her? 
~✾~
Her sleep that night was fitful and her appearance the next morning was even worse. And just her luck, her least favorite person caught her at the door to Transfiguration the next time she tried to see McGonagall. 
“You look worried, Roberts.” 
Rebekah sighs, her usually level temper flaring at the mere sight of her troublesome classmate. “What do you want, Merula?”
The Slytherin smirks, looking nonchalantly at the black polish chipping from her fingernails. “I was just wondering if you’d had any luck finding that cowardly mudblood friend of yours.”
Her eyes snap sharply over to Merula’s. Green meets magenta in a swirl of anger and pride, each of them holding onto both. When Rebekah speaks, her voice is low and measured. “Do you know what happened to Ben?”
“I know more than you,” The other girl mocks but suddenly she doesn’t seem so teasing anymore. She takes a taunting step closer and despite the daylight peeking through the windows, her eyes darken with mirth. “I know that sometimes even when people are missing, they’re exactly where they’re supposed to be.” 
The words are more than just a punch to the gut. It’s bad enough to be reminded of Jacob’s absence, but implying that the world is better for it is…
Merula takes this moment of hesitation to drive her point home. “There are things happening at this school you could never begin to understand, Roberts,” Jacob did. “Trying to uncover those things is going to get you killed.” Like Jacob?
“No,” Rebekah shakes her head, her hands balling into fists she just barely manages to keep at her sides. “Trying to get in my way is only going to end up hurting you, Merula.”
Merula glowers at her, her lips twisting up into a snarl. “You’ll learn everything soon enough.”
“If you’re not going to help me find Ben,” Rebekah snaps, her glare sharper than she thinks it's ever been before. “Then just stay away from me, Merula.”
“As you wish, but don’t say I didn’t warn you.”
Rebekah finally pushes past her, but her words linger in her head far into the rest of the day. 
~✾~
“Please, Madam Pomfrey,” Rebekah pleads, pouring all of her worry and concern into the five syllables. “Someone should be with him!”
But the healer just arches an unconvinced eyebrow, refusing to move from her place blocking her entrance into the hospital wing. She crosses her arms at Rebekah’s comment. “And you’ve come to the conclusion that a skilled healer is not enough company, Miss Roberts?”
Rebekah makes a noise of frustration that sounds strangled in her throat. “He needs a friend, Madam!” The woman does not budge and Rebekah runs a fraught hand through her short black hair. She’d wrestled her Ravenclaw tie loose earlier and discarded her robes at her dorm the second she’d gotten back from the fifth corridor, figuring that it was only a matter of time until Ben got seen here. 
“I won’t bother him. I won’t bother you. I won’t bother anyone, I promise.” It’s been days since she’s heard from him, she was starting to worry... “Please,” She says eventually, the weight of all her troubles finally managing to drag her down. “I just want to see him.” 
Pomfrey studies her closely for a long time before something close to recognition flashes across her face. 
She steps aside. 
~✾~
He doesn’t wake up for another four days. By then the weekend has come along and not so easily, might she add. She’d spent much of her time after and between classes sitting in the hospital by Ben’s bedside. In the back of her mind, she knew that she should have been more worried about the notes and the quills and the clues, but every time she thought about that doubt crept into her mind. 
Surely, her luck couldn’t be that bad? How likely was it really that one of her very few friends was conspiring against her? And that it could be Ben? Of all people? 
It wasn’t just unlikely as far as Rebekah was concerned. It was impossible. 
Ben would never do that to her. 
Rowan and Penny had been worried about how thin she was stretching herself. Between classes and clues and uncomfortable hospital wing chairs. After her honesty in his class, Flitwick had given her a small extension on the last homework assignment, given how often—and how commonly known—she visits Ben when she can. Even Chester had taken to checking in on her, not that she was the one who needed it. 
And yet in spite of all this, she was not with him when he woke up. 
She’d been resting in her dorm with Rowan after being kicked out by Pomfrey the day before. The matron claimed her worried frowns and her frequency in the wing were beginning to scare some of the other students and instructed her to take the weekend away from the smell of pumpkin juice and disinfectant. She hadn’t wanted to leave, but she had been able to get Pomfrey to promise to alert her if anything changed. 
The rest of her and Rowan’s roommates had quickly vacated the premises when it became clear that Rebekah was not going to leave. She thinks they’re afraid of her, like many other people she’s noticed. Thinks that she’s mad. Like your brother, some of them say. You’re cursed. 
But Rowan stayed. For a while she tried to distract her with art or wizard’s chess, but eventually they settled on a book. Rowan sat on her bed, the book spread out on her lap as she read it to Rebekah out loud while she sat on her own bed upside down in boredom. Rowan had the better voice for it, they decided, and a longer attention span. 
It was like this that they found her. The poor frazzled student Pomfrey had apparently sent to fetch her. It’s Ben, they exclaimed and she swears the whole common room fell quiet behind the half-opened door. He’s awake. And he’s asking for you. 
Before she knew it, her legs were moving. She wasn’t really thinking—they knew where to go—as they ran her down the corridors. The pale morning sun blinked at her as she passed each window. Until the door came into view and she only just had enough wits about her to slow down, steady her now labored breaths before entering the wing.  
She pushed the door open and Madam Pomfrey was on her immediately. “That was quick.” She says matter-of-factly, her hands folding in front of her the way they commonly do, her shoulders straight and expression relaxed. 
Rebekah ignores her. “Is he alright?”
“I believe so,” She answers quickly without preamble and she heaves a sigh of relief. “His memory is erratic, but I have seen patients in far worse condition in my time as Matron of Hogwarts.”
“You said he asked to see me?”
“Many times, along with other strange requests and proclamations. I believe he’s experiencing some state of delirium.” 
“Can I talk to him?” She asks, ignoring the way her heart flips painfully in her chest at her previous words. She doesn’t want to think about how disoriented he must have been. She should have been there.
“Mister Copper has been through quite an ordeal and still remains in a very delicate state—” She begins but one look at Rebekah’s face tells her that little she can say will matter. She sighs in something that sounds like sympathy before gesturing over to his bed. “Make it fast.”
She smiles briefly in lieu of thanks before she’s moving again towards the familiar spot by his bedside. Pomfrey hadn’t even moved her chair. 
Despite his clearly groggy state, Ben smiles weakly as she approaches, recognizing her immediately. His voice is meek and scratchy when he says, “Hi, ‘Bekah…” 
Her lips pull up slightly at the unfamiliar nickname and she allows herself to fall habitually into the chair beside him. She reaches out to take his hand, but thinks better of it and wrings them together nervously underneath his bed instead. “How are you feeling?”
As she says this, Ben frowns, his whole body slumping further into his bed at the reminder of his condition. Dark spots can be seen beneath his eyes despite being unconscious for the past four days and his skin is still pasty and almost as pale as hers. Not for the first time, Rebekah wonders just what happened in the near week and a half it took to find him in the corridor. 
“Cold. Tired. Sore,” He laments, but his mouth manages to pick up just slightly anyway. “Not that different from usual to be honest.” 
Rebekah wants to laugh at his attempt at a joke—no matter how self-deprecating, acknowledging the effort it must have taken, but she doesn’t quite manage it. Instead, her brows knit together even more in worry for his health and well-being. 
“Are you comfortable?” She finds herself saying, her eyes flicking to his rather flat looking pillow and the cold bars of his bed. “Is there anything I can do?”
Ben smiles and this time it takes. He still looks tired and he still looks ragged, but not so lonely anymore. The sight reminds her of what a twelve year-old boy should look like as his round cheeks wrinkle with the change of expression. 
“Seeing your face is enough,” He admits a bit sheepishly, fiddling with his fingers purposefully, ducking his head down to look at them. “Madam Pomfrey is very helpful, but she doesn’t have the most comforting bedside manner.” 
This gets a chuckle out of her at the truth of it and Ben’s smile returns victoriously. 
Now it is Rebekah’s turn to look away and she nervously crosses her ankles before uncrossing them again. She shifts only subtly in her seat. “She said you asked to see me?”
His face twists in confusion. His head tilts in tired frustration. “Did I? I feel like I’m losing it…” 
A small part of her is left disappointed with his lack of remembrance, but it is far overshadowed by the full force of her concern coming back at his clearly patchy memory. Just what did that cursed ice do? 
Her hand twitches again to reach out to him but this time she listens to it. Her hand wraps cautiously around his wrist in what she hopes is a consoling manner. “What were you doing in that corridor, Ben? How did you get trapped in the ice?”
The Gryffindor shakes his head in anguish. “I don’t remember. I can hardly remember anything at all. Madam Pomfrey thinks it has something to do with the ice.” 
Emotion lodges itself in her throat and for a moment she can’t speak. Ben looks away from her, seemingly in shame, but shame for what she isn’t sure. And she hates that she questions it. This isn’t fair! Why must these things always happen to her? 
Paranoia pricks at her conscience and climbs up her spine. She has no choice but to press further. “I found a letter to you in the artefact room,” She explains and Ben still refuses to look at her directly. She isn’t sure whether to take that as a bad sign. “It led me to another one that told you to go to that corridor…” 
“I’m sorry, Rebekah,” Ben whispers as though he doesn’t have the strength for anything else. “I just don’t remember…” 
Something pulls at her chest. “Ben—”
“That’s enough for today, Miss Roberts,” Pomfrey announces, having snuck up behind Rebekah while she’d been distracted. “Mister Copper needs his rest.” 
“But—”
“It’s okay,” Ben grabs her hand, his own not much bigger but it still offers her the reassurement that is intended. “I’m kind of tired, anyway.” 
Rebekah frowns half in suspicion and half in confusion. “You just woke up.” 
“I’ll be fine.” 
Pomfrey clears her throat and Rebekah sighs, reluctantly releasing her hold on Ben’s hand and offering her friend in question a wave as she disappears back behind the privacy curtain. 
She doesn’t see him for the rest of the day, but her mind stays stuck on the hospital wing and the missing week and a half of Ben’s memory of how he got there. 
~✾~
In hindsight, meeting Bill had been, thankfully, one of the only good things to come out of that term. At the time, she couldn’t have ever guessed the way that things would soon be playing out, but one thing that was a constant in her life when nothing else was is Bill Weasley. 
Her surrogate big brother—and arguably the best one she ever had—went on to get her through the worst of times. Even when he couldn’t be there, he always lent her his support. Rebekah doesn’t know where she’d be without him. 
And to think she almost met him for the first time with a book about Patricia Rakepick. She knows now that hindsight isn’t always funny. 
~✾~
Speaking of older brothers, she never quite expected to find comfort in dry as wood Chester Davies of all people but—What are prefects for?
Rebekah’s grin comes surprisingly easy, all traces of her nightmare forgotten. “Badgering everyone about house points?”
“Hey!”
~✾~
Rebekah groans as her face plants into her textbook, her head feeling like it holds nothing but bricks. Certainly no useful curse-breaking information. 
A light, breathy chuckle is heard from beside her and if she weren’t stressed out of her mind, it might have brought a smile to her face. Her shoulder is cautiously poked as her study companion regards her fondly. 
“You’re not tapping out already, are you?”
She lifts her head just high enough off the potions book to glare at him through the dark strands of her hair now stuck to her face. “Remind me again why we didn’t invite Penny to teach us this instead?”
He hums as though in contemplation, but the smile threatening to lift his lips tells a different story. “Because I need the extra study time and you were just bored enough to join me?”
It’s mostly a lie. She knows that she needed to study some possible potions her and Bill could bring into the vaults and ever since he got out of the hospital wing, she hasn’t been able to see Ben too often lately...but yes, he also did really need the study time. Unfortunately, the hospital wing isn’t the most convenient place to do homework and even though he did every assignment his roommates brought back to him, Ben had fallen a bit behind in Snape’s class. 
Though, really, she doesn’t think anyone but Penny is exactly ahead. 
Still, she frowns as Ben reaches to brush some of the hair out of her face. The tips of his fingers graze over her skin and he clears his throat before looking away. 
Rebekah does the same, casting her eyes around the room. Truthfully, there’s not much to look at. It’s the same potions classroom it's always been: dark, dreary, and slightly dingy. Though, she must admit that the faint green light coming from the dungeon corridor does cast a rather lovely reflection across his face. 
“Well now I’m even more bored.” 
“I’m sorry.”
Instantly, her brows draw together in slight disappointment and surprise at the sudden sad apology. When she looks back over at him he’s already turned subtly away from her, but his eyes are somewhere else. Somewhere distant and far away. 
“Ben, are you sure you want to deal with the cursed ice again?” 
He actually barks out a laugh, but’s hollow and strained. “No, I am absolutely unsure,” He huffs, chewing anxiously at his lower lip. “This potion makes me feel better about my likely injuries, but I’ll learn a new charm to try and avoid injuries and trouble altogether—” 
Without thinking, Rebekah allows her hand to fold over top of his and Ben stares at it for a second, his cheeks going a little pink again before continuing. 
“—s-sorry, Rebekah,” He stutters out for a moment and she finds it more endearing than she thinks it really is. “I didn’t mean to worry you.” 
“Somehow, I find that strangely hard to believe.” 
They laugh together effortlessly, most of the weight from before gone. As always, the expression transforms his face into something more youthful and unburdened—the way she thinks it was supposed to be. The sound of their laughter mixing together like paint sounds like music to her tired ears. 
“But seriously though,” Ben adds as it winds down, all thoughts of potions and textbooks forgotten. “I’m still going to do it.”
She can’t help but ask. “Why?”
And when he answers her, he says it simply. As simply as if it were the most obvious thing in the world. 
“Because you need me to.” 
~✾~
She fell asleep on the train. 
Ravenclaw had a huge celebration the night before for winning the house cup. Rebekah hadn’t the energy to join in on the festivities—the cursed ice had really done a number on her, not to mention that bloody knight—but it was rather amusing to watch Chester run around trying to put out the fires of adrenaline. With all of that joy and creativity in one room, she’s sure he was up all night. 
Her and Rowan had their own secret celebration too. They congratulated themselves—and Bill, Penny, and Ben internally—for making it past the ice vault… and then spent the rest of the night theorizing on what the next one could possibly be. They certainly weren’t left empty-handed after all. 
But her brother’s voice haunted her well into dawn. She saw his face every time she closed her eyes. And she missed him. 
She missed him so much it hurt. 
“Rebekah,” A whisper. A tap to her shoulder. When did she fall asleep? “Rebek—”
“Don’t just poke her like that!” Mocks another voice, one equally as familiar yet in her groggy state she is unable to place it. 
“Well, the train has stopped, Rowan—”
“But you’re not gonna wake anyone up poking them like porcelain china, Ben—”
“Please tell me the two of you didn’t argue the whole time I was out?” Rebekah croaks out, her throat tight from recent disuse, attempting to blink herself fully awake. 
Rowan huffs slightly but doesn’t disagree while Ben remains still and silent and Rebekah suddenly realizes she’d fallen asleep on his shoulder. She sits up to give him his shoulder back and he offers her an understanding smile. 
“I’ll have you know I was perfectly civil—”
“—You threw your muggle studies book at me—”
“—well it’s the one I like the least, so—” 
Rebekah whines petulantly and throws them both a pleading look, her lower lip pulled over her other one in a pout. “C’mon, guys, summer holiday just started. Can’t this wait?”
Their frowns remain on their faces but they don’t object and Rebekah supposes she’ll have to start taking that as a win. 
“Thank you.” 
It doesn’t take long to gather their things and leave the train. Given that it has been stopped for the past few minutes, most students have already left. Only the slow stragglers remain. Ben and Rowan take up a spot on either side of her as they exit their compartment and descend the few short stairs to the King’s Cross platform. 
Immediately, the warm rush of summer air hits Rebekah as her foot touches the ground. With most of the families gone or leaving, it’s not as noisy as it was the last time she was here, but her ears do manage to catch on a voice calling out to them from her left. 
Rowan laughs from beside her and waves at her parents and cousins, her grip on her trunk nearly going white with how hard she squeezes it in excitement. She turns to give the shorter girl a quick hug and promises to write to her frequently, stopping only to throw Ben a hesitant nod of farewell before she’s skipping off to join her family. 
Rebekah takes a look around but does not immediately spot her parents. Or Ben’s. 
His throat clears and she turns back to him. His blue t-shirt ripples a little in the soft breeze, his hair waving with it, and his eyes bore into hers with intent. His brown eyes shine with something that feels like a goodbye and a hello all in one. 
She smiles. 
He opens his mouth but his attention catches on something behind her and she knows what he sees as an expression of fondness and recognition crosses over his features. His hand comes up into a small wave before looking back to her and sending the universal wait gesture. 
“Thank you,” Rebekah speaks before he can and catches him off-guard. “For all your help this year. I...I’m sorry about your memory. I’m sorry you couldn’t get it back.” 
Ben seems to shiver at the reminder before collecting himself. He shrugs in a more nonchalant way than she’s almost ever seen him. “Don’t be. It wasn’t your fault. Besides, considering where I ended up...I’m not sure I’d want to remember it anyway.”
She tries for a smile at the silver lining, no matter how bleak it is, but it feels cheap so she bites it back instead. 
“I’ll write you everyday,” Ben promises quickly, nodding almost confidently. “That way I wo—”
“Don’t do that,” She shakes her head, her smile half of a tease. “You won’t have too much to talk about if you write to me every day. Your letters will get short. Every weekend should suffice.” 
Ben nods at the idea. “Okay. Every weekend.” 
A beat passes between them. Neither of them speak. 
“I’ll see you later, Ben?” She asks somewhat hopefully and strangely somewhat unsure. Where did her uncertainty come from? 
But he only nods, a smile finally breaking through. 
“See you later, Rebekah.” 
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odetocarrick · 3 years
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Torn. (Drake Walker x MC.) Chapter One.
Book(s): The Royal Romance. The Royal Heir. Pairing(s): Drake Walker x MC, Sydney Roberts. Drake Walker x Olivia Nevrakis. Liam Rys x MC, Sydney Roberts. Warnings: None for this chapter.  Chapter Summary: A few months after Sydney's arrival to Cordonia, Drake realises just how much things have changed because of her.
A/N: I do apologise for the delay, I haven’t forgotten about this, I’ve just been busy with university, now that I’m finished for the year, I can keep this going! Thank you for the love shown on the teaser.  Chapters in this are intended to be short by the way.  Read the teaser here!
Tags: @marshmallowsandfire @lovingchoices14
- - -
Maxwell's decision to sponsor the bartender from New York who was unlucky enough to serve the bachelors party almost a year ago now wasn't the craziest idea he'd had. However, it had to have been the craziest idea that had worked in his favour. To say that Drake was surprised at how quickly Sydney had settled in and made a home out of the Kingdom was an understatement and he had no problem in admitting that. What he did have a problem with admitting though, was the fact he was disappointed at how much everything, including Sydney herself had changed. His uncertainty regarding Maxwell's rash decision had been crystal clear ever since Sydney had joined them on the flight back home but deep down he was glad to have someone.. normal, in his crew.
Sydney used to be normal. Now she's just like the others and Drake is left as the outcast once again.
Drake shook his head and took a sip of his drink to prevent himself from falling down a rabbit hole of negative thoughts, he already stuck out like a sore thumb at these stupid social events anyways and he didn't want to give anyone a reason to pay him more attention than they had to. He didn’t understand why he kept being dragged along to them but he wasn’t going to turn down the opportunity to drink for free. Plus, getting on Olivia’s nerves was always quite fun.
Sadly, the redhead hadn’t been around much to bother tonight so Drake was forced to watch Sydney dance, laugh and smile with Liam, it was borderline torture and he wondered if Olivia had done this purposely to get to him. He didn’t know if she was aware of his feelings for Sydney but he didn’t care much. Of course he was happy for the two, Liam had been his best and only true friend forever and after all the shit he'd been forced to endure through his life, the future king definitely deserved happiness. The social season wasn't quite over yet but it was obvious who Liam was going to choose as his bride, it was so obvious that even Olivia had given up on trying to win her childhood sweetheart back over. Sydney deserved to be happy too, not much was known about her life back in America but it was clear that she hadn't had the greatest or easiest of times. If she was happy and in love with Liam then he wasn't going to do anything to jeopardise that.  No, he couldn't be the villain, he couldn't be selfish and snatch the beautiful blonde away for himself, no matter how much his heart begged him to confess his feelings to her, the voice in his head reminding him just how scandalous doing such a thing would be, just kept getting louder and louder. So he was forced to suffer in silence.
Maybe he wasn't actually in love with Sydney anyways, maybe he just liked how she treated him decently and didn't look down on him for his average background. He hadn’t even known the woman that long or spent much time with her since she spent so much time with Liam or Hana or Maxwell. 
Of course, that’s excluding the night they slept together but Drake had done his best to forget just how magical that moment had been.��
Pfft, being in love.
Drake's mind couldn’t familiarize with that merry feeling. As if it lingered inside of him, begging to be released, begging to be free.I was swarmed with numerous auras; presences of others. Yet why do I feel so empty? So… alone. As if the world is continuing on without me; the embodiment, living presence of others devouring my soul day by day. Choking internally, beseeching for truth.
"I’m losing myself here." He thinks, finally tearing his eyes away from the happy couple as their dance comes to an end. Sydney goes to join Hana whilst Liam is forced to dance with another noble lady.
"Am I merely distancing myself from others, which disconnects me from the thread of the social world?" Drake's thoughts get louder and louder as he ignores Maxwell, this behaviour is nothing new so the youngest Beaumont doesn't pick up on anything strange. Drake's responses to things aren’t considered normal by the rest of the court, his reactions are seen as odd. His mind works differently – he views aspects that no one else sees. He can understand the earth; from ways of the solar system to the inevitable meaning of life and death itself. It pulls him into something he will never understand. All within a blink of an eye, such knowledge lying natural and effortless. And to Drake, thinking that he's special would be incredibly foolish.
He may be different… but he's also alone.
"Drake?"
The brunette snaps out of his pity party just long enough to register that the woman of the hour herself, Sydney Roberts, has slipped into the spare seat at his and Maxwell's table.
"Are you okay? You look lost, even more so than usual." She speaks softly, letting out a gentle laugh towards the end of her question and Drake feels his heart skip a beat. God damn, why did she have to be so loveable, so caring and so compassionate? It made him sick. "Drake?" He realises he still hasn't answered her question so he clears his throat and somehow manages to make and not break eye contact.
"I'm.." He begins, swallowing a small lump in his throat. "I'm fine Roberts. Thanks for asking though." He manages to flash a somewhat convincing smile and Sydney smiles back, he doesn't fully register the fact that her smile didn't fully reach her eyes. "I'm just going to get some fresh air.. I don't belong here." He adds on and before she can question what he means, he's doing what he does best.. ignoring her calls and leaving the room.
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2021 Reading, December
#95 - The Bible
Was a little late hopping on my church’s yearly Sept-Dec read-through, and then I finished early. Cheers to...well I want to call it “the Bible on tape” for some reason. Still need to get the Alexander Scourby audio but Spotify works well enough, whatever it’s called.
#96 - The Beast of Talesend by Kyle Robert Schultz - 4/5 stars (original ‘21 TBR)
This book kept unaccountably putting me to sleep. XD I enjoyed the dialogue, and the plot kept a decent pace (if a little too concise for my taste). The writing style itself was pretty fun (and reminded me constantly of a writing buddy’s style, and I love her writing). However, I couldn’t really connect to the characters, especially Cordelia. Dunno what the writer was going for with her but it didn’t land for me. Much as I’d like answers to a few questions, I don’t think I’ll continue the series.
All that said, I would not hesitate to recommend this one if I thought it matched someone’s tastes.
#97 - A Grief Observed by C.S. Lewis - 4/5 stars  (original ‘21 TBR)
It’s Lewis and it’s him at his most raw and honest. It feels wrong to say I enjoyed it but I definitely appreciated it.
#98 - The Fifth Elephant by Terry Pratchett - 5/5 stars
Sybil!!! Finally!
Also I’m sorry but this is why they call Vimes “Blackboard Monitor”??? This is why?? (I mean I don’t know what I expected but not this.)
Definitely one of my favorite of the City Watch books.
#99 - Return of the Thief by Megan Whalen Turner (re-read) - 5/5 stars
Finally got to my first reread of this book!!! AHHHH. I love it so much. (Maybe not to the point where it boots KoA out of the #1 spot but still.) Picked up on a ton of little details, and finally finished transferring my notes from my first read-through (when I only had access to the audio). And Pheris!!! Baby!!!
#100 - Peace Child by Don Richardson - 5/5 stars (original ‘21 TBR)
Oh. My. Goodness.
This book was absolutely amazing. I had my doubts at first with the narrative style but then the way Richardson brought it all home??? Awestruck. Such an encouraging read.
#101 - Night Watch by Terry Pratchett - 5/5 stars
Vimes stared at the thing in his hands. It was a cigar case, slim and slightly curved.
He fumbled it open and read: To Sam with love from your Sybil.
The world moved. Vimes still felt like a drifting ship. But at the end of the tether there was now the tug of the anchor, pulling the ship around so that it faced the current.
Not me struggling not to cry while reading this through the quiet holiday hours at work. Couldn’t be me.
Easily and immediately one of my favorite Discworld books.
#102 - Thud! by Terry Pratchett - 5/5 stars
Another excellent Discworld books and finally some of the small questions raised while reading the Moist von Lipwig series are answered.
#103 - Between Kings by W.R. Gingell - 5/5 stars
I’m gonna quietly screech to myself about this one for a while. Still processing it, but it tied up everything so nicely, and I still very much love the characters. An excellent series all around.
DNF:
Child of the Kaites by Beth Wangler (original ‘21 TBR)
Got about 12% in before I realized I just...didn’t care. I’m sure there are people who could enjoy this book but nothing about it grabbed my attention apart from the setting. (I might still have got further were it not for the weird dialogue. Half of the time it felt stilted and antiquated and then the rest of the time characters were saying “you okay?” “yeah” and for whatever reason that threw me. 😂)
Brand of Light by Ronie Kendig (original ‘21 TBR)
Not  what I was expecting. For starters, I thought it would be more   sci-fi/space opera and not a tech blend. Then we have the female MC: not like other girls because she wears pants and fights with the men and doesn’t care about the courtship of a prince. Next we’ll learn she has rare and special and heretofore unknown powers....
I didn’t get that far, though. It was too difficult to adjust to the story: weird and kind of clunky writing style, way too many characters to keep track of, a bunch of strange storyworld lingo that didn’t feel natural, and no sympathy for (who I think is meant to be) the main character. Also I read some reviews and apparently there’s some...questionable content toward the end.
Somewhere out there this book has fans; it’s won awards. But it’s not for me.
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cordoniantrash · 3 years
Text
the seas within me
Hello one and all! There’s my day 4 submission for the Choices 12 Days of Fictmas (It’s my 2nd year doing this! Can you believe?!) . Huge thanks to  @leelee10898​ and @emichelle​ for hosting this year and to  @grenadineandsunshine​ for betaing this one (along with all my works here tbh)! 
Title from Notos by The Oh Hellos. Here’s some angst I guess?
Book: Distant Shores
Pairings: Oliver x f!MC
Rating: G
Warning: none
Words: 2770
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It was snowing when they arrived. The rising sun at their back had splashed colour on the white piles of freshly fallen snow at their feet while the distant sea breeze froze them in place. Claire felt something tug at her heart. There was something about this place, an almost indescribable tingle, a feeling of a feeling, which reminded her of him. She felt like she could close her eyes and find him there. It was absurd. They haven’t even had the chance to spend a winter together. All her memories of him, of them, are tethered to the waves, the ever present salt in the air and the unrelenting heat of the sun. So why can she almost hear his voice in this cold, snow-covered place?
“Huh. Expected something fancier.”
Claire felt the corners of her lips turn into a frown. It was becoming a steady companion in this hare-brained scheme. Her frown deepened when that indistinct tugging faded at the sound of his voice. It took some effort to unclench her jaw and her fist. To bite back the venom in her retort. It wouldn’t do to annoy him out of helping me. And so, stealing herself, Claire took a deep breath and repeated the mantra that began the moment she agreed to this plan.
Just until I get back.
Just until I find them again.
Find him again.
“What time’s that tour supposed to start again?” she asked instead. Robert, ignoring the too long stretch of silence between them, stepped into her line of sight. Claire carefully wiped her face clean of emotion. Uneasy allies they might be, but she’ll be damned if she let him glimpse a crack, however small. Being betrayed once was enough for her.
If only the compass worked like last time! Suppressing a sigh, she turned back to the estate. She’d been optimistic when they reached out to touch the compass. After all, all it took for her to travel that first time was a simple touch. The devastation when nothing happened nearly sent her to her knees in the middle of the museum.  It was only a slight consolation to find out that Robert had expected the same thing.
A breeze ruffled past them, the air fresh and bitingly cold. Claire rubbed her numb nose, her frown forgotten. At the corner of her eye, she saw Robert trying to hide his shivering. Claire suppressed a smirk.
Silence once again stretched between them. A bus full of students pulled up near their rented car. Claire couldn’t help but smile at the little faces peering from the windows, all of them bundled up despite the light snow. The adults with them did not seem to mind the cold as much. Tightening her hold on her hand warmer, Claire tried not to feel jealous.
Maybe we got used to the Caribbean. Too used. Man, I really want to go back.
“Well,” Robert sighed as a staff member opened the door of the estate. “Here’s to hoping, I guess.”
“D’you think this’ll work?”
Robert glanced at her. Claire took it as her queue to walk.
“His family had the compass before some descendant of his thought it’ll be a good idea to donate it to the museum. If there’s anything that can explain why it’s not working now, it’s probably here.”
“That’s not what I meant.”
Robert paused, letting the last of the children run past them. “All those records of you as a captain must mean we got back.”
Claire frowned, “And what about you?”
Robert’s profile seemed to blend with the snow clouds ahead.
“That’s what we’re here to figure out, isn’t it?”
**
Vice-Admiral Sir Oliver Francis Cochrane KCB (born c. 1722-24, Durham, England—died unknown) was an English naval officer most known for his short but successful maritime career where he had earned the moniker of “The Pirate Hunter” and his much speculated and scandalous personal life. Decades after his last known sighting, he had become a well-recognized literary romantic icon.
Despite his early moniker of “The Pirate Hunter”, Cochrane had occasionally worked with pirates, particularly with the crews of Captain Edward Mortimer and the much disputed Captain Claire Velis. Whereas association with pirates is enough grounds of treason, Cochrane retained his position and rose through the ranks of the navy for his work in exposing the crimes and treason of other naval officers, most notably, his own father Francis, often with the help of Mortimer, Velis and their pirate crew.
Excerpt from High Seas and Piracy: A History of English Maritime Advances 
**
The compass was silent.
Claire turned it over, as she had done again and again since she entered her hotel room. Robert had mumbled something about rum and a free bar before awkwardly hightailing out of the lobby. Claire felt too rung out to even think of a quip about pirates and alcohol.
The golden finish of the compass seemed to glow in the dark room, mocking her with the faint possibility of a return. Outside, the Christmas decorations glitter amidst the darkness and the sea breeze.
The tour hadn’t gone exactly as planned. For them, at least.
Not for the first time, doubt crashed and tumbled in her mind. Apparently there was a reason poets after his time found Oliver so fascinating. As someone who knew him, loved him, stayed and fought at his side, whose hands were stained with his blood—
Claire closed the compass with a snap.
Her heart felt heavy, an anchor dragging her down further into despair.
Charlie had made a name for herself, doing what she loves in freedom.
Charlie, who while being wily and nimble, ultimately could not outrun an empire.
Edward, doing more good and ascending into hero hood, depending whose side you ask.
Edward, who despite his strength and loyalty, was betrayed and handed over to the British.
Oliver, the successful navy officer. Loving father of two.
Oliver, who never got to rise to the ranks he deserved, who became a widower, ultimately becoming a figure of tragic romance, his final fate unknown.
All of them were shining brightly.
All of them doused before their time.
If I go back could I change things? Can I lift them up, move them forward? Or will they run aground because of me?
The edges of the compass dug into her hands, forming indents where hands softened by inactivity pressed into the compass’ sides.
Or will I just make things worse?
To return would mean chaos, but to stay where she was supposed to belong felt hollow.
Should she even go? Either way, it will turn her world inside out. She’d cause them all grief one way or another, the family she had in this present and the family she found back in time.
The tour guide’s words echoed in her mind:
“He left England a hero and an eligible bachelor to boot. Almost a decade later he returned a father of two small foreign looking children and claimed himself a widower. His ever loyal crew refused to shed light on what happened during those years at sea.”
Claire blinked. Tasting salt on her lips, she hastily wiped away the tears that splashed onto the compass.
Outside, the fairy lights continued to twinkle. Their rhythmic pulsing at odds with the raging sea within her.
What happened after I left?
**
Oliver Cochrane was a creature of contradiction. Of chaos, one might even say. On one side, he was an exceptional officer, a step away from becoming an Admiral before he mysteriously disappeared. On the other side, he was an excellent example of British hypocrisy.
Throughout his career, Cochrane toed the line between audacity and treason.
He had exposed numerous corrupt navy officials, while he also worked with pirates. What’s more, he had a rather well-known love affair with a pirate captain.
Records at that time proclaimed the affair short-lived, painting Captain Claire Velis in a rather unflattering light but contemporary evidence now opposes that idea and posits that the identity of his deceased wife (whom historians have precious few documents about) was none other than Captain Velis herself. Common consensus among society (and among historians) was that the mysterious mother of Cochrane’s children was the pirate captain herself. Further cementing Cochrane’s strange status in both 18th century Britain and in history.
This personal life aside, his apparent friendships with Captain Edward Mortemer and Captain Charlotte “Charlie” Smith was so prominent that one of the most salient theories to ultimate fate after his disappearance was that he himself became a pirate when he last left England’s shores, a contradiction to one so hailed for his honour and morals.
Excerpt from Cochrane: Behind the Myth
***
“Oh, hello dear.”
Claire turned and almost collided with a smaller figure. The tour guide from yesterday was standing in front of her. A glance at the pin on her blazer identified the older woman as Tina. In smaller letters under the name was the word CURATOR. Claire hastily stepped back.
The curator smiled.
“Aren’t you one of the people on the tour yesterday? The names Tina,” she said as she offered her hand. Claire found herself smiling as they shook hands.
“Uh, Claire Velis. Nice to meet you,” as soon as the words left her mouth, Claire felt herself freeze. Damn it! The hell was I thinking!
Tina’s eyes seemed to sparkle, “Claire Velis, you say? My, what a coincidence!”
Claire blushed.
“My parents were fans,” she mumbled.
“I’ll say!”
“Uh… yeah.”
“You must have loved the mention of your namesake then?”
Claire arranged her face into a smile.
“Right. Yeah. It was very interesting.”
“You know, I’ve always wanted to meet Captain Claire,” at Claire’s wide eyes, Tina let out a tinkling laugh. “Of course, I never thought it’ll be a namesake, but here we are. In fact, you look quite a lot like her drawings.”
Claire swallowed, “Is that so?”
Tina nodded, “Oh, would you like a cuppa? I noticed you were very interested in the tour yesterday. Besides, it’s almost the holidays,” she leaned in, smile growing. “We’ll have some tea and some mince pies as well! What do you say?”
“Oh! I wouldn’t want to impose –“
“Oh, pish posh! It’s no imposition at all, dear.  It isn’t often we get tourists here, you know what I mean? Usually it’s always field trips and the like. Sometimes academics, if we’re lucky. Besides, tea is just the thing when it’s this cold out. ”
Claire followed the curator inside the building, bewilderment and relief making her mind buzz.
As they passed by an open doorway, Claire felt something tug at her.
A familiar tug.
Claire stopped in her tracks.
The room looked similar to the public exhibitions, with glass boxes in pedestals displaying some artefact or another. The feeling, however, was leagues away from the public rooms.
It was tugging me here.
“Oh, what a lucky find!”
Claire jumped. Tina smiled as she leaned toward the doorway.
“It’s a special display, see? We’re going to show it to the public soon.”
“W-what’s in this one?”
Tina glanced at her, eyes twinkling again. “It’s a collection of Oliver Cochrane’s personal effects. Or what’s left of them. Would you like a peak?”
“I—are you sure?”
“Of course, dear,” Tina’s eyes seemed to droop. “Captain Claire may not have had the chance to see it. At least a namesake can. Wouldn’t you agree?”
 Throat suddenly dry, Claire offered a nod.
“Let’s go then!” Tina exclaimed as she entered the room.
Claire stepped forward.
The world seemed to blink.
“Claire? You alright? Hang on, I’ll call the nurse –“
“Wha—no, no, please. It’s fine.”
Tina’s eyebrows furrowed. Claire straightened, pointedly ignoring the twinge in her temples. The headache had taken her by surprise.
So different from the first time I travelled.
“—here, just sit down here for a moment.”
“I’m really fine—“
“Of course,” Tina smoothly interjected. The curator seemed to regain some composure. “But better safe than sorry, yes? I’ll get the nurse, dear. Be back in a jiffy.”
Claire sighed as Tina left the room, exchanging a couple of words with the security guard before waving back at Claire and rounding a corner.
Claire shook her head and looked around the room.
She froze.
There was a necklace inside the display in front of her (not the one she was currently wearing. The one that belonged to her grandmother). No, this necklace was obviously old and weathered besides. The shine of the silver peeking behind dark spots. The label under it calls it a Cochrane family heirloom.
And it was the same exact copy of the one hanging on her neck.
Except she wasn’t wearing this necklace when she travelled for the first time.
Outside, the waves crashed and crested. The snow kept falling.
Going forward will mean turbulent waters and uncertain winds.
But a ship cannot sail in becalmed waters.
Inside her, hope surged.
**
1752
“Will that work?”
“Well, we haven’t been twiddling our thumbs while you were off smooching with high society.”
“Charlie.” One word contained an entire conversation’s worth of chastisement. Charlie shrugged but fell silent.
Edward sighed and shook his head. “I don’t know. But it seemed like the compass is lacking a catalyst of some sort.”
“A spark if you will.”
“That’s not a guarantee.”
“No. We’re groping in the dark here. But there has to be something that can work on this side.”
Oliver sighed. “I suppose it’s better than nothing.”
Charlie smiled, “That’s the spirit. We’ll get her back here yet.”
Oliver’s lips curled into a shadow of a smile.
**
The compass was humming.
Claire and Robert stand amidst a partially shattered exhibition room. Security alarms had just started blaring while some artifacts seemed to pulse with light. Beside her, Robert looked tense. But Claire felt calm. There seemed to be some form of energy in the room for the compass to actually come to life.
“Well. Here we are. Just in time for Christmas too.”
“Yeah. Whodathunk?”
“Certainly not me, Velis.” A particularly loud alarm blared. They both winced. “You ready?”
Claire took a deep breath. “As I’ll ever be.”
“… do it then.”
There was a flash of white light.
.
.
.
A moment later, the doors burst open. The staff looked around in shock and bewilderment. The room was in chaos, that much was clear.
But there was no one inside.
**
When I was younger, I used to pretend my mother was a mermaid. My older brother had indulged my fantasies and our imaginary mermaid mother would become a fixture in my make believe plays. On the days, months and years that bordered the beginnings of our fleeting visits and even shorter holidays, I, an imaginative child prone to wild fancies, would sometimes believe my own story. 
Before I understood what really was going on, I used to ask Father of her fate. He would humour me, a twinkle in his eye as he told me she was lost at sea, a romantic fate that contrasts with the pitying looks thrown our way when Father wasn’t looking. 
Perhaps it was one of his favourite sayings that stuck this particular fancy within me. After all, he always told Eddie and me that the sea was in our blood. My older brother, ever the man of reason, took that quite literally and followed in our Father’s footsteps, becoming a sailor as soon as he could.  Experiencing adventures that our parents surely had. Whereas I was content enough to experience adventure through the page, whether through my brother’s letters or my own pen. 
But sometimes, when I look out to the sea, I can’t help but wonder if there was any truth to my childhood fancies. But that probably is just sentiment talking. Father had always remarked that my stories should set foot on a stage of some kind, something that Aunt Adelia and Uncle Axton would heartily agree with. 
Over the years, I had often wondered at the irony of a navy officer’s daughter having pirates as aunts and uncles. An unforeseen consequence of being the Pirate Queen’s progeny, I’d imagine. 
Perhaps Mother was a mermaid masquerading as a pirate. Or perhaps it’s the other way around. 
All I know is that being lost at sea, for all its romance, does not quite fit my parent’s fate. 
I hope—no. I know—they must have found each other.
The sea is in our blood, after all. 
- Excerpt from the diary of Marcelline Somerset née Cochrane, Viscountess of Ashbourne
#
A/N: This surprisingly had a lot of number wrangling that didn’t make the text (rip my last braincell - don’t get me started on the research and the excepts). Also had a bit of a crossover with The Unexpected Heiress (haven’t played it yet). Anyways, lemme know what you guys think!
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ethanramseyyy · 4 years
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OPEN HEART: SECOND YEAR CHAPTER 12
I have already written this post but Tumblr had the audacity to delete it. So here we go again 
The first exchange between Mc and Ethan in the hospital was adorable. Since Ethan opened up to us in the last chapter we have seen a WHOLE different side to Ethan and I love it. When the heart rate monitor started accelerating because Mc and Ethan were talking, I DIED. It just goes to show how powerful their love is. “It’s okay if you need more time”, this man is really out here trying to kill me for the 500th time.
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Rafael stans were spoilt today. I know they didn’t get the chance to have a 30 diamond scene with him (at least I don’t think they did). Considering the fact only a few chapters ago he was meant to be abandoning everyone to move to Brazil or somewhere like that, I think they did well today. Raf’s grandma is one of the best characters introduced into Open Heart (behind our angel Bobby obviously). She is your typical grandparent with the array of food and drink and the embarrassed grand child XD. When she said that we saved her beautiful boy and then Mc replied that they saved eachother, I understood why so many people romance him because that was adorable. Mc and Rafael’s friendship has to be one of my favourites they are so sweet with each other. Unfortunately, I was an idiot and didn’t buy the diamond scene. The only reason I didn’t get it was because it was so early in the chapter and I didn’t know what other content we were going to get. I will probably replay it and buy the diamond scene but let me know what happened during the walk.
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Mc getting ready for the memorial was so sad. I thought our landlord Farley sending flowers was so so sweet. I have got to say that I LOVED the diamond dress that was on offer. Obviously, I had to get it because I had to look good for our boys on their day. I have got to give all the credit to @playchoices because I think they did an unbelievable job with the memorial. They really gave Bobby and Danny a funeral fit for kings!
The first screenshot broke me. The caskets with the boys in and the flowers on top, I miss them already. To make it even more sad, I had ‘Hold On’ by Chord Street on in the background and if you have listened to that song you know how bad that combination is. Bryce telling the story about them was so heartwarming and one of the many reasons we all love Bryce whether you are romancing him or not. That boy is an angel. Our poor baby Elijah really struggled during the ceremony and all I wanted to do was give him a big hug. He deserves the world and we must protect him at ALL costs. Him saying he has been to ‘too many of these’ was so so sad, I feel like we deserve more of his backstory because I have a feeling it is a lot worse than we originally thought. I know that this sounds heartless but I do want to mention how amazing all the men looked in their suits. Especially Ethan, this man rocks anything and everything. Laying the orchids on their caskets, made me sob. I don’t even know why their memorials hurt me so bad.
Daniel Cardinal and Robert Gunderson. We will miss you. ❤️
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Ok, I just want to say that I thought that Mc and Aurora discussing the hospitals finances during the reception was kinda rude and disrespectful. I know it was probably key in the development of the story but it would have been nicer to hear stories about the boys rather than Edenbrook and Mass Kenmore. But anyway, the conversation between Sienna and Mc was so cute but so heartbreaking. When she started saying that she always thought her and Danny would become something more, I broke down. This girl deserves happiness so much especially after her ex. And Danny was that happiness but unfortunately she will never be able to experience that relationship 😞.
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Ethan looking into our literal soul was very sexy if I do say so myself. The way he can just look at Mc and know exactly what she is thinking just goes to show how powerful their relationship is.And then this man had the audacity to raise his hand in our face to silence us. I didn’t know if I wanted to slap him or marry him right there and then. Did anyone else have that issue? Just me? Ok.
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One thing I loved about this episode is the choice between who you wanted to leave with and the fact it wasn’t a diamond scene. This is what we like to see. I chose Ethan because... well I don’t think I need to explain why. Just so you all know he was going to leave an hour before but didn’t because Mc was still there. if that isn’t true love, then what is. 
Ethan is not ok people. When he started to explain that he was scared to leave Mc alone incase he wasn’t there to save her, my jaw dropped. He has never opened up THAT much before. I thought I was ready for it but then me tell you I was not. I know that countless times during this scene he wanted to say that he was in love with Mc but wasn’t ready. Honestly, I am ok with that. For now. I feel like we should wait a little longer (emphasis on the little) for a more sentimental moemnt. Like on our first date or even in the hospital where they first met. I have a feeling that he is just going to end up saying it without thinking about it, like a reflex and I wouldn’t mind that happening either.
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Finally, we move onto the diamond scene. This was the best 30 diamond scene we have had with Ethan. It was unbelievable. “The idea that I’d never touch you again... it was almost more than I could bear”. I am not even going to comment on that quote because it explains itself. Just know that I did indeed scream. Like actually scream. We got a glimpse of angry Ethan which so happens to be my second favourite Ethan after cute Ethan. Him being angry because he didn’t want people thinking Mc slept her way onto the diagnostics team shows how much he respects her career. Get you a man that respects both you and your job. The freaking windows steamed up. The power can not be matched. So I did choose the option to straddle him but let me tell you I did not choose that lightly. I was so close to picking the option of going into the back seat. “Trust me, I have many more tricks up my sleeve”, bitch I am not READY for the other 30 diamond scenes we better be receiving. Obviously, I don’t need to go into TOO much detail because we all know what happened, if you actually played the scene. Just know it was a great experience.
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To make the experience better ( if that is even possible ). I chose the option that led to Ethan begging. Yes, you heard that right. BEGGING. I feel so evil yet so good at the same time 😋. Again I would like to personally thank @playchoices for that 30 diamond scene. It was unforgettable. But let’s be real, we deserve it after what we have been through.
I don’t remember Farley being this sweet but that man is so cute. I hope that everything works out for him at hospital. But I am excited/nervous to see how the memories and PTSD of the attack impacts Mc going back to the hospital. One thing that makes me less nervous is knowing my man Ethan will be there to support me. I know he said that at work he is still our boss but like just imagine how cute the scenes will be between them now. Ugh, imagine them meeting up after a long shift and walking out of the hospital hand in hand. Can’t freaking wait.
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This chapter again was so so well written, I hope Choices keep up with this quality because it’s been amazing. I’m praying that they don’t forget to mention Danny and Bobby though, especially after a few chapters. I hope they remember to give them mentions because they were big infuences on Edenbrook and they don’t deserve to be forgotten. I just want to add that I am sorry that this is late, like I said before I had already written this and had it ready to post but then Tumblr did a mad one and deleted it. I am sorry if it seems rushed or I have forgotten something but I tried XD. As usual let me know your opinions and feelings about the new chapter and thank you so much for all the recent love on my posts. I am unbelievably grateful! ❤️
If anyone would like to be tagged in these posts let me know!
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searchingwardrobes · 4 years
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I Promise to Kiss You (Before You Die) : 1/7
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Here it is, my Little Women AU! I love the book, and the 1994 movie version with Winona Ryder is one of my favorite movies. I haven't seen the newest film version yet, and it's all because I'm writing this fic. This one is based on the 1994 film, particularly the scene where Laurie promises a young Amy that he'll kiss her before she dies (that's not in the book, if you're wondering). I'm probably in the minority of people who prefer Laurie with Amy over Jo. I think Jo was right - they would have fought like cats and dogs. They were too much alike. I think the book also develops the relationship between Laurie and Amy better and shows that Amy grows up and matures past her shallowness. Movie versions never have time to show all of that. Anyway, when I read the book I absolutely adored Laurie with Amy. THEN, I was blown away to find the quote below in the book in which Amy calls Laurie her "gallant captain." Obviously, Emma is a lot different personality wise from Amy. The only similarity is that they are both blondes. For that reason, this fic won't completely follow the Little Women plot. Also, this will only show things from Emma's point of view, so the plot threads with the other sisters won't be developed as much as they normally are. Hence, we have a seven chapter MC rather than a thirty-five + chapter MC 😆
Massive thanks to the mods of the @captainswanmoviemarathon​ for putting this event together! Love to all the other writers in the discord chats, especially for help with the title. Huge shout out to my beta @hookedonapirate​ - you're the best!
Summary: Emma noticed him first, never forget that, and while all four of the Lucas sisters love Killian Jones, no one loves him the way Emma does, of that she is certain. Killian Jones also made her a promise. Sure, she was only twelve when he made it, but one day he'll realize what it meant. One day, she hopes, he'll get over her sister Ruby and finally notice Emma.
Rated: T
Also on Ao3 , updated every Thursday. 
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Chapter One: Prologue
“It is so beautiful to be loved as Laurie loves me; he isn’t sentimental, doesn’t say much about it, but I see and feel it in all he says and does, and it makes me so happy and so humble that I don’t seem to be the same girl I was. I never knew how good and generous and tender he was till now, for he lets me read his heart, and I find it full of noble hopes and impulses and purposes, and am so proud to know it’s mine. He says he feels as if he ‘could make a prosperous voyage now with me aboard as mate, and lots of love for ballast.’ I pray he may, and try to be all he believes me, for I love my gallant captain with all my heart and soul and might, and never will desert him while God lets us be together. Oh, Mother, I never knew how much like heaven this world could be when two people love and live for one another!” - Amy about Laurie in Little Women by Louisa May Alcott
If anyone had been out on the streets of Storybrooke, Maine on the windy, snowy Christmas Eve of 1863, they would have found lights ablaze in the most prestigious homes of the small hamlet. Save for one.
The Gold mansion upon the hill was not only lit up like your proverbial Christmas tree, but carriages lined the circular drive as the most powerful men from the surrounding six counties arrived for Robert Gold’s lavish annual bash with their families in tow. They would wine and dine in excess of frivolity for the next twelve days of the season.
The white grecian columns of the Mills Mansion would also sparkle with firelight, though the wealthy matron Regina Mills didn’t gather quite the crowd. Her festivities would be far more sedate and her crowd older. Of course the money was older too and not as dripping with unscrupulous business deals as Gold’s. It would mostly be family as well, though that was nothing to sneeze at, considering Regina Mills’ clan could trace their lineage back to the Mayflower.
The mysterious mansion of Admiral Nemo Jones, retired hero of the United States Navy, wasn’t filled with guests. However, the rooms of the mansion still blazed with light as the generous man allowed his staff to fully celebrate the holiday, complete with Christmas bonuses and lavish gifts. In a way it was also a welcome home party for his nephew, who had been lost and wandering on the other side of the ocean until Nemo had tracked him down.
The only fine family of Storybrooke Maine (though many would say they were once a fine family - past tense) whose home was not ablaze on this festive evening were the Lucases. Some would say it was because Marco Lucas had been gone these past two years fighting (unnecessarily they would also claim) in the War Between the States. Others would say it was because the Lucases had squandered their fortune taking in orphans and vagrants. Others would say it was their involvement in that embarrassing underground railroad that had cost them their fortune and respect. They would all be wrong.
The women gathered around the wavering firelight in the Lucas parlor did miss Marco Lucas terribly, and it was true that money was tight. Yet the reason their house flickered with only the tiniest light was because all they needed was each other.
Paulette Lucas, affectionately called “Granny” by all who knew her, sat knitting in her rocker with a candle flickering on the table beside her. The girls had begged her to take one night off from the task, but there were too many soldiers in need to stop even for a night. She battled a smile as she focused on her task, knowing a letter from her husband was tucked into her apron pocket.
Ruby Lucas, as usual, was standing far too close to the fire. Her long, dark hair fell in waves over her shoulder. She was a striking beauty, and mothers watched her askance at the scandalous way she refused to wear her hair up though she was already sixteen. She was the only one who was a true granddaughter to Mrs. Lucas. Her mother, a scandal herself, had died of consumption in a saloon out west when Ruby was still an infant. Who her father was, no one knew. That probably had more to do with the scandalous looks rather than her hair (though the latter certainly didn’t help).
Mary Margaret Blanchard sat on the other side of the lamplight from Granny, helping with the knitting. Though she was the oldest of the girls, at seventeen, she had been living with Granny the shortest amount of time. Her parents knew the Lucases through the underground railroad, so when Mary Margaret’s mother passed of scarlet fever when she was ten, her father sent her to them. Only less than a year later, her father was arrested for violating the fugitive slave act. While in prison, he contracted scarlet fever and died.
Belle French sat by the hearth with several kittens mewling in her lap. She was engrossed in the book she held in one hand while her other stroked the kittens absently. Some would say she was even more beautiful than Ruby, even at only fourteen, yet her quiet demeanor and delicate nature turned fewer heads. Belle had been the Lucas’ youngest pupil when they still ran their boarding school. She was only seven when it was forced to close, and her father simply never came back for her.
Then, finally, there was Emma Swan - the only one of Granny’s girls who was still a child. Twelve year old Emma sat curled up in her favorite armchair with a sketchpad in her lap. Her drawing pencils were worn down to almost nubs, yet still she scratched away with her tongue poking out of the corner of her mouth. Her blonde hair was a riotous mess, her fingers were smudged with charcoal, and her feet were bare. Not that anyone cared - the Lucas house never stood on ceremony, especially when they were alone. Granny had a difficult time keeping shoes on the child anyway, considering she had spent the first five years of her life without them. She was the child Storybrooke called “the urchin” - mostly in whispers, but sometimes when Emma could hear. Granny had literally found her eating out of the rubbish bin. The benefit of those humble beginnings were that Emma found their current “poverty” hardly trying.
So, dear reader, do not assume that lack of finery equals a lack of happiness. The Lucas women will put aside their knitting, their books, their drawing paper and gather eagerly around Granny’s chair to hear their Papa’s latest letter. They will joyfully sing carols around their out of tune piano. Then they will share hugs and kisses goodnight and head to bed with more love in their hearts than all the other “fine” homes in Storybrooke combined. And across the hedge from their house, in the Jones mansion, a dark haired boy will watch the flickering lights of their candles - counting them: one, two, three, four - as they head up the stairs. He’ll watch them go out one at a time and wonder about the hands that hold them.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
“Merry Christmas!” Emma yelled the following morning, eliciting a groan from Belle, whom she shared a room with. Emma simply rolled her eyes. It was Belle’s own fault - she had stayed up far too late reading again.
“It’s Christmas!” Emma continued to shout as she banged on doors and then thundered down the stairs. “It’s Christmas!”
Her sisters followed her reluctantly, groaning and complaining all the way. Emma ignored them as she fell to her knees beside the Christmas tree.
“Oh hush now,” Granny admonished, “every single one of you were the same at her age.”
“This one’s from me, Granny,” Emma said as soon as Granny sat in her rocker. She thrust an intricately wrapped package into the woman’s lap, then scooted close. Her sisters looked on fondly as soon as they saw that Emma’s enthusiasm wasn’t a selfish one. Granny peeled back the wrapping carefully, setting aside the ribbon Emma had used to tie it. When the gift was revealed, the woman gasped.
“Emma, sweetheart, this is lovely!” It was a sketch of Granny’s favorite tree in the garden next to the house, and Emma had captured it in all its autumn glory of reds, oranges, and yellows.
“I used the last of my colored pencils to get it just right,” Emma told her proudly.
Granny pressed the gift to her chest as she fought back tears. Oh, how she wished she could have afforded another set of drawing pencils for her dear Emma!
None of the gifts beneath the tree were store bought, yet each one was exclaimed over with joy. Somehow, the ingenuity that had gone into making them made them infinitely more valuable. Soon, the tree had nothing beneath it but ribbons and paper.
“I’ll play us a carol!” Belle announced. She sat before the piano, and they all tried to ignore that one key that was never in tune.
As her sister played, Emma pressed her face to the glass of the parlor window. Her eyes widened to see a boy in Admiral Nemo’s house, playing a piano of his own. Of course, his was an incredibly fine piano that was surely always in tune.
“A boy!” Emma cried out. “There’s a boy next door!”
Belle abruptly stopped playing, and the Lucas sisters scrambled to the window, all talking at once.
“A boy?” Ruby asked, pushing the curtains aside further.
“At Nemo’s?” Mary Margaret asked incredulously.
“How old is he?” Emma asked, frustrated that she’d been pushed aside.
“What does he look like?” Belle asked, trying to see beneath Ruby’s arm. “What a fine piano he has,” she sighed when she was able to get a glance.
“I would hate to live with that scary old man.” Emma wrinkled her nose.
“Poor thing,” Mary Margaret tsked sympathetically.
“You don’t think he’ll come to call?” Belle suddenly gasped, looking nervously at her sisters and then over at Granny.
“You mean call, as in courting?” Ruby laughed.
Mary Margaret laughed, too, “You ninny, he’s rich! He would never come courting the likes of us.”
“Thank goodness,” sighed Belle in relief, looking back out the window. She cocked her head as she studied him, “He’s awfully handsome.”
“Girls!” Granny admonished. “Come away from there before the poor boy catches you gawking at him as if he’s on display. Really, I have taught you some propriety.”
“Do you know him, Granny?” Emma asked as she settled down before the fire to play with the spinning top Papa had carved for them.
“I know of him,” Granny replied, eyes never leaving her knitting. Once again, she refused to put aside the chore. “He’s Admiral Nemo’s nephew. He was living in London, and the Admiral has been beside himself since his brother’s death trying to track the child down.”
“I hear he’s had no upbringing at all,” Mary Margaret told them in a scandalized whisper.
“You’ve heard of him too?” Ruby asked.
“At the Rose’s.” Mary Margaret worked as a governess for the wealthy Rose family. “His mother was an actress and his father a cad who abandoned them both.”
“Where was he?” Emma asked. “Why was it so hard to find him?”
“Living on the streets, they say,” Mary Margaret told her softly, sympathy coloring her eyes. Sympathy that Emma always had and always would despise.
Ruby headed back to the window and peered out with a grin upon her face. “It will be fun to have a boy next door.”
“Well,” Granny spoke with a sigh, “I don’t know what mischief is in that pretty head of yours, Ruby, but we will welcome the boy as warmly as we can.” She set aside her knitting and clapped her hands as if that were that. “Now, let’s go begin preparing our Christmas feast!”
The girls all rushed to follow Granny into the kitchen, but Emma stopped at the window, her hands grasping the curtains. Living on the streets they say. The song that the boy was playing, which could be heard faintly on the wind, ended, and he looked up from his sheet music. His eyes caught Emma’s, and he winked at her. She gasped and shoved the curtains closed.
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choicesenthusiast · 4 years
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Distant Shores, Ch. 16 AKA Back To The Future?
What happened this week:
The poison from last week catches up to your LI, but that doesn’t do anything to deter them from the fight with the Admiral, who returns through a portal and now suddenly has an AK-47??? Did he already go through the portal? How the hell did he get that so quickly? Did he go to fucking Florida?
Anyways, the portal starts causing time to go hooey-wooey. And Robert “Tarzans” into the scene. He doesn’t stay for long, though, because the Admiral stabs him and sends him through the portal. Just… dead?
Your LI restrains the Admiral (a rather strenuous activity for someone who’d just been poisoned) long enough for you to do your magical compass voodoo. All of a sudden you’ve got magical time-and-space powers. You open a rift and chuck Admiral Cockballs through it, solving that problem, and then reverse the poison wound on your LI, taking care of that one as well.
You also pull an Uno Reverse on the temple itself, sending it receding back into the ocean. Everyone escapes in time, naturally.
Rather than saying actual meaningful goodbyes to everyone, because it is indeed your last night with the crew, only say goodbye to your LI… by getting down in a cabin.
When you wake, you’ve been whisked back to the future on set, as if nothing ever happened. Without a choice. Confused, you go to the museum you saw in the vision, seeing an exhibit dedicated to you, but not like the LIs that we saw in the vision. So we never really know what happened to them after we left.
Robert, who is miraculously alive for some reason, finds you staring at the compass, now encased in a vitrine. He tells you that he’s going to steal it, return to the past, and asks you to come with him. You say, “You have my attention”, and… that’s it? That’s how the book ends? I… I have nothing to say. Actually, I have a lot of fucking things to say.
Thoughts:
Before we get into this I just have to acknowledge the Back to the Future reference in the title. It helps to remedy the numbness I feel after finishing this chapter. Anyways, what in the McFUCK was this shit???
For once it seems like people on all three social media platforms can agree that this ending sucked and this book deserves a sequel. Yep, even on Facebook.
I know some people like “up to interpretation” endings but they’re only fucking good if they’re written well. And this one absolutely wasn’t done well. “Up to interpretation” my ass. This seemed more like lazy writing.
I’m upset that we didn’t even have a choice to stay or go. That’s what made Endless Summer’s finale so compelling: the fact that we got three different endings to choose from. All along this book led us to believe that we would face the inevitable, difficult choice- to stay or go. Not having that was a huge letdown. PB did an incredible job of giving us visions for the 2 different endings, then didn't actually follow through with them. What was the point of the vision, then?
I also hated not saying goodbye to the entire crew. The minor characters were also important to the story. We spent diamonds to recruit half of them. And not to mention the other LIs. Wouldn’t you think they’d have a final heart-to-heart considering MC’s helped them grow so much throughout the story?
Robert’s story was also a lot of lost potential for this book. Where did he come from? Where did he go? Where did he come from, cotton eye joe? What were his motives for being in the future? Why did he even offer MC to come with him, ‘cause they’ve hated each other for the whole book? So many questions left unanswered.
So MC’s powers were absent throughout the whole book, and the time rifts were just a phenomenon leaving them with a lot of confusion, then all of a sudden they can harness it perfectly? Seems awfully plot-convenient.
This review is already long and I still have a lot to say, so I’ll probably just make another post detailing the things I would’ve liked to see and the things I would’ve changed instead of complaining about it. I’m sure more posts will come about me just ranting about this book.
Anyways, Distant Shores deserved a Book 2, and unfortunately, once again, we are disappointed. RIP, Distant Shores. RIP.
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samshogwarts · 4 years
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Character Profil - Samantha O´Connell
Ok Guys, first things first - this will be a very long Post with every Information about Samantha which have already been published. And this Post will be editied time by time. But so that it doesn't get too long, I will put the Informationen under the Line. Based on this Character Profil, I draw my web Comic. So let´s go!
Last Update: 3rd Aug, 2020
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Amortentia (What do they smell like?): Grass field on a summer sunset, Candle smoke and a bit of vanilla.
Amortentia (What do they smell?): grass, fire, smoke, honeysuckle (Charlie Weasley), a forest after the rain.
Faceclaim: -
Voiceclaim: her singing voice: AmaLee (I´m a stupid Fangirl)
Samantha O´Connells Story
Before Hogwarts:
Childhood:
Samantha was born in Ireland as the dauther of the pureblood witch Claire O´Connell and the Vampire Wizard Matthew O´Connell. Grow up with a many love, Samantha doesn´t know any evil and starts to be a daydreaming girl. As a half-Vampire she didn´t drink blood, but still have some (weak) Vampire-Power, like inhuman ears and a fast Wound healing.
Even her father was a Vampire who visted Hogwarts, he runs a muggle hospital and never understand why the wizard world don´t use muggel technogoly like a Fringe or Telephone. One Night, her father got a emergency call from his hospital. In that night Deatheaters break into the O´Connells house with the goal to kill the hole family. Claire O´Connell was a shame for the Wizard World because she married a monster and her daugther wasn´t allowed to existed. 
Clarie hides her daughter in a secret Base behind a Closet and say “What ever you heared, don´t come out. Stay hide. I love you” This was the last time Samantha saw her mother alive. Before Claire could leave the room, she was surrounded by Deatheaters. They tortured her, trying to find out where she hide the “little monster”. The only thing Claire scream was: “STAY HIDE! DON´T COME OUT!” What nobody knows was, that Samantha saw everything. She saw how her mother was tortured, she saw all the blood and she saw her mother was finally killed. 
Before the Deatheaters could find Samantha, the Auror showed up and defeted the enemy. 
The funeral and the life with the Roberts:
After that night nothing was the same again. Samanthas father becomes cold and distant. On the funeral a old friend of Claire showed up - Angela Roberts and her son Jacob Roberts. Jacob was a few year older than Samantha and take care of her the hole funeral. Angela and Matthew talked to each other that maybe it would be the best if Samantha would stay a few days with the Roberts. So Samantha goes with them, without knowing this was the last time she saw her father for a very long time.
One week later Angela Robert filed a lawsuit in the ministery. She wants the custodyfor Samantha because Matthew is a dangouers Vampire and against the magic world. She wins, but never tells Samantha, that it was her idea. Angela tells her new adopted daughter it was her fahters idea because he can´t look in her face anymore (because she looks like her mother).
The next hell in Samanthas life showed up, because her adopted mother was obsessed with the idea to turn Samantha in a Claire 2.0(the way Angela saw her mother). Samantha was crowded to dress, to act and to talk like “ a true lady”, a princess, a tender flower. She hated it. Only Jacob helped her and stopped his mother sometimes. He starts calling her “Pip” because he reads Lord of the rings (Samantha gave him the book”, and Samantha calls him gib brother or Jacke. It was the worst time of her life, when Jacob was in Hogwarts and Samantha couldn´t wait to become a hogwarts student too. But then Jacob vanisted and Samantha has to faced her adopted mothers paranoia alone (which become worsted, because of Jacobs Vanish). The psychological terror becomes physically (Details unkown). But finally her Hogwarts letter arrived one day and Samantha saw her first chance to be free or even to find out what happend to her brother....
Hogwarts
Hogwarts Year 1-3:
Ok, if I would tell you everthink in Detail, it would take hours. So here is a shorter vision:
In her first few years, Samantha was very shy and don´t know how to act or interact with people at her age. She starts her adventure  with the cursed vaults, found Hints about what happend to Jacob and was even able to find some friends! But on every Holiday, she had to went back to her adopted mothers house (or hell, there was no big different). 
In the end of the 3rd Year, Bill Weasley and a other Sutdent beomce suspicious and call Samanthas Dad. Matthew showed up at Hogwarts. After a awful Situation, the Turth came out and Samanthas father Matthew was able to get the custody back. Samantha talks never again with Angela and it´s unknown what happend to her (just the Fact, that Samanthas Aunt Hel, trys to kill her, but she was stopped by Matthew).
Since that Day Samantha lived with her family again. And after a few Starting difficulties, she and her fahter had a really good realtionship! The 3rd Year is also the Year where it came out, that Samantha is a half-Vampire (before that, she covered her ears with a spell)
Hogwarts Year 4-7:
At the beginning of the 4th year, everyone could see how much Samantha changed. She become more open, more self confident and simple - more happy. This also the Year where she become friend with the most other MC´s :D and of cause - Charlie Weasley. in which she also fell in love. It wasn´t love at the first sight, but Samantha realise her feelings after Charlie tells her, she is not a princess or a  a tender flower, she is more like a Dragon. Ready to fight with much Power. In the Winter (Yule Ball) they become a couple, but they keep it a secret.
And she became the Seeker for the Ravenclaw Qudditch Team and a Perfect. 
Also the Adventure continued and Samatha and her friends finally found Jacob Roberts in the portrait vaults.  Rakepick betrayed the Friends and Jacob chased her without answering Samanthas questions. Samantha felt deceived.
At there next meeting, Samantha will punshed Jacob and for the first time in her life she tells someone how she felt without thinking.
After defeating “R” and the curse of the vaults, Samantha and her friends have one last enemey - the future. Samantha had simple no idea what she want to do after school. After talking with Tonks and Mad-Eye she decided to start training as an Auror. She knows Charlie wants to become a  Drakologe in Rumania. Also Samantha loves Dragons too, she also know that this wasn´t the right job for her. But maybe she would find a different Job in Rumania, after her Auror Training. Unfortunately both didn´t talk to each other fast enough. So Samantha thought Charlie didn´t want her in Rumania and Charlie thought Samantha dind´t want to come with him. They break up, but promised to be still best friends (haha! the Dorks didn´t talk to each other for 4 years now because of there broken hearts).
After Hogwarts:
Samantha starte her Training as an Auror with Tonks and finished it with Bravura. She was finally able to control her Vampire side and using her Vampire skills. Maybe that´s the reason why THEY talk to her at her Graduation ceremony... After that conversation Samantha had no other choice but join.....
[END OF INFORMATION. THIS ARE SECRET INFORMATION.NO RELEASE. ]
But in the end, Samantha found her final happy end. If you already want to know more read this post about the MC-Future-Challenge. 
Relationship:
HP Character:
Rowan Khanna: Rowan was Samanthas first Friend. Like in the HPHM Game, they met at Diagon Alley. After her Dead, Samantha lose the first time her control about her Vampire side. After that Samantha and the others establish the circle of Khanna.
Ben Copper: In the first Years, Samantha and Ben were really closed firend. But after Bens Change, they lived apart. In the end there were just acquaintance.
Penny Haywood: Penny made it her personal mission to improve Samanthas self-confidence. It was Pennys Idea, that a Ponytail would suit Samantha well. There were good friends.
Bill Weasley: Bill become a borhter like friend. He is the only one how calls Samantha “Sammy” without making her angry.. They become really closed and Bill was one of the first SammyxChalire Shippers (one of the reasons why he always invited Samantha for Christmas)
Nymphadora Tonks: PRANK BUDDIES! Tonks and Tulip used Samanthas knowledge about physics for pranks. But Samantha has one rules “don´t make me catch you guys as a perfect! AND NO EVIDENCE!”
Tulip Karasu: Also a PRANK BUDDY! Tulip and Carewyn were the people how find out, that Samantha loves to sing. 
Barnaby Lee: I´m not sure, but i would say Barnaby had a little crush on Samantha once. There were on there first Date and he support her a lot. However, sometimes Charlie get a little jealous, when Samantha spend to much time with Barnaby.
Talbott Winger: Talbott is one of the people, how helped Samantha to become a Animagus. He try, but he can´t escape Samanthas Friendship. Especially both lost the mother and know how each other feels about that. He is the first one how know Samantha is a Half-Vampire.
Andre Egwu: Andre and Samantha are good friends. He always give her fashion especially (since Samantha has absolutly NO Fashion taste).
Charlie Weasley: What could I say? they love each other a lot and are also best friends. Charlie always think it´s absurd to call Samantha a Princess or weak. She is so powerful and had such a great fire inside. She is like a welish Green, but irish. On the other side, Samantha is maybe one of the few how never make jokes about his Dragon passion. Charlie is the only one how call her Sam, without making her angry. 
Jae Kim : Jae teach Samantha cooking basics. And he discovered her passion for Nougat chocolate. So Jae alway ofer Samantha chocolate, when he needs her notes or someone for Private tutoring
Badeea Ali : Badeea trys to teach samantha how to draw, but Sammy has simple no talent.They like each other, but you can´t say there are closed friends.
Liz Tuttle :To be honest - Samantha don´t know what she should think about Liz. Samantha admit Liz passion for magical creatures and they can work together, but there aren´t really friends.
Diego Caplan : We all know Diego is a womenizer and he always flirts with Samantha (but she don´t understand the allusions). And after her identity as a half-vampire was realsed, Diego always wants a Duell, but he never win. :P
Fred + George Weasley : The twins became like little brothers for Samantha. There were never able to prank her. Samantha was the one how bring the idea of a own Joke article store to there mind. Samantha teached the twins the physics basics. As a Perfect she had a lot of work with this two!  
Cedric Diggory : Cedric admired Samantha form the very beginning and want to be one of her friend. I am not sure, but maybe he had a little crush on her or try to impress her.
Merula Synde : Rival-Friends just in the typical way you can imagen. They both drag each other to her limit. They would never admit it, but they respect each other.
Ismelda Murk : Ismelda is maybe the only student on Hogwarts which Samantha simple don´t like. Ismeldas talking about the Dark art and how cool the dark lord actually is, makes Samantha angry. They both had one than more duell.
Beatrice Haywood : While Beas edgy emo phase, Samantha understand how she feels and Bea knows that. When her relationship with Penny was the worsed, Bea said she wished Samantha would be her sister. But Samantha know, this was just to hurt Penny, so she never takes this serious. 
Percy Weasley : Like Cedric, Pery admired Samantha. Especially as a Perfect. It take a long time since he realise how much Trouble Samantha makes XD
Chiara Lobosca : Chiara is a high morally support for Samantha. They both has some kind of “We are monster”-Friendships.
Cherster Davies: The Ravenclaw Perfect has a hard time with the little Girl. He saw her potentional but cry for every point Ravenclaw lose because of Sam. (dosen´t matter how many points she earn before).
Sykpe Parkins: Samantha and Skype are Quidditch Partner, but not really friends. They had a excellent Teamplay. But they didn´t talk much outside the field.
Orion Amani: Samantha thinks Orion is funny. She likes his chilly style and he is a good listener. He is the first one how thinks Samantha would be a good seeker because of her inhuam ears.
Murphy McNelly: Murphy and Samantha are Puns buddys. They simple CAN´T have a normal conversation.
------------------- other characters--------------
Harry Potter : Of cause Samantha knows the story about the boy how lived. But she doesn´t had a lot to do with him. He is a friend of Ron and later Ginnys Man and Samantha likes that. She also likes his cheeky styl.
Ron and Ginny Weasley : Both are like siblies for her. Sometimes Ginny calls Samantha her big sis, which makes her really proud. Ron thinks that Samantha is really cool and can do everythink.
Mr. and Mrs. Weasley: Both like Samantha a lot. She is always welcome. Athrus always aks her about muggle stuff and her fathers hospital. Mrs. Weasley had a time where she thought Samantha and Bill would be a great couple, but she is also very happy after Samantha and Charlies ends together.
Fleur Delacour : First Fleur thought Samantha would be also against her wedding with Bill. Fleur even thought Samantha could be in Love with Bill. But she relaise very fast Charlies and Samanthas feeling for each other. Before the wedding Fleur and Samantha becomes good friends. (also because Samantha was never agains this relationship and always think Fleur is a badass, which she likes.)
Canon MC´Friends
So, this is important again XD. Long Time ago, I ask how wants to be Samanthas friend and sometimes they already interact with each others. So here is the list. 
NOTE!: If you want your MC also be Samantas Friend and in my Comic, just say it! On the other hand - if you read your MC´s Name here and don´t want that or you are not happy with there relationship, just say somethink too! So lets go (why I am nervous???):
Glennis Augustine - belongs to @etoilesbonbon : A creative Gryffindor. Samantha meet Glennis in flying class and tries to help her. Later they become friends. They meet often in the Courtyard. Glennis is drawing and Samantha plays Guitar (Glennis could wish the songs for the right mood for her Drawing.
Dusty Emerald - belongs to @dusty-emerald-hphm : Dusty is a Slytherin Perfect. Samantha just randomly said she really likes Dustys styl and however they start talking and become friends. They both like swimming, so if the weather allowed it, they do swim races in the black sea and giggle after that. No matter how wins.
Aishwarya Mehra and Arjun Singh - belongs to @hogwarts9 : Samantha know there are Royals at Hogwarts which belongs to Gryffindor, but she didn´t know who and to be honest, she didn´t care about Royals and stuff. One day she sit for breakfast on the Gryffindor Table ( the clique dind´t really care about the house separation) Arjun and Aishwarya sit beside her and for one reason Samantha starts talking gaelic with a lot of gesture. And because Samantha is a clumpsy Idiot, she hits Arjuns Glass and poured the hole pumpkin juice over his clothes. She just realized later, that this two are the Royals. After that she waits the half day in front of the Gryffindore Common Room to apologize to both. So the three become friends and train together there magic (Duells and stuff).
Keira Jones - belongs to @hphm-brooke : will follow
Brooke Atkison  belongs to @hphm-brooke : will follow
Kai Williams  belongs to @hphm-brooke : will follow
Ryan Seacrest  belongs to @hphm-brooke : will follow
Niky Dona belongs to @nikyiscreepy: Niky, a hufflepuff. was near by losing control about her “Lilith” again and runs in the forbidden forest. Before she losing control completely, she heared a strange sound. “I-It that a guitar? In the Forest?” She follwoed the sound and she founds - Samantha! Sitting on the ground, humming and playing gutiar. They start talking and Samanthas music calms Niky down. This is the start of there friendship. To calm her down, Samantha would sing everywhere and at any time.
Kyril Vasiley - belongs @kyril-hphm : A Tsunlytherin young and shy Slytherin. First Kyril was just a quit Boy, how was near by Jae. One Day Samantha had a Duell with Ismelda again, and even Ismelda try to cheat Samantha wins. She thought no one saw her, but acutally Kyril was in a corner wachting. He takes all his courage and talk to Samantha. She realise that he is “just” a Tsundere and very shy, but she likes him and both become friends. Even Samantha puts him sometimes in uncomfortable situation, they trust each other and both know that the other one accept them the way they are.
Night Rhea - belongs to @nightrhea-hphm: Night is a joyful slytherin and a beater in the Qudditch team. So she and Samanther met the first time on the matchfield. First Samantha was a Chaser. After Samantha got some of Nights Hits and was still on her broomstick, Night was impressed and talk to Samantha after the match. One Day Night found out, that Samantha can play Violin too. She coudn´t understand why Samantha don´t want to play anymore And Samantha tells her the Story about her mother. Night persuaded Samantha to play a song for her and Samantha acutally plays an old irish song. So, when Night feels lonely Samantha plays on her violin.
Finn McGarry - belongs to @theguythatdraws: A Gryffindor with a scar over this face (and more). He maybe looks scary in the first place, but acually he is very kind. The first time he and Samantha interact with each other was because he heared Samantha swears in gaelic. And since he is also irish and speak gaelic, he talk to her. Both like weapons and fight without wands, so both sneak into the forbidden forest for training. And actually Samanthas Uncle Andrew likes Finn a lot, so when he is in Town he takes both to the three boomstick. Most visitis ends (to be honours EVERY Vistis) with a drunken Finn and a drunken Samantha talking gaelic and no one knows what they say.
Helene Adler - belongs to @heleneplays: A Badass Ravenclaw. One Day Helene catched Finn and Samantha while training in the forbidden forrest.... and she join it. Before that Helene and Samantha were mistaken sometimes because both are blond Ravenclaws (and Helene sometimes wear a ponytail). After they become friend, both make jokes about that or even confuse new students, how didn´t know them. And Helen really admired Samanthas Aunt Hel O´Connell.
Luna Silvermore - belongs to @lunasilvermorny: A tall Ravaneclaw Girl, how is a beater of the Qudditch Team. Of Cause Samantha saw Luna before in a few classes or on the Ravenclaw Table in the great hall, but Samantha was to shy to talk to her (even Samantha loves her Hair color!). And then both start playing Qudditch and one day Luna said she will protect Samantha on the match field no matter what. Don´t ask why, but this flip the switch in Samanthas Head and she starts talking like a waterfall (where she also said how much she loves Lunas changing hair color). After a few seconds of awful silence (where Sam thought about simple running away) Luna burst out laughing and they start talking normal. Samantha and some other girls found out about Lunas crush for Rath and the Hogwarts Wingwomen Club was born. Also both like to drink with each other. And when they are drunken, they had stupid ideas. Really stupid...It´s a wonder Hogsmead isn´t bruning down XD. And both like watching muggle TV with Alice.
Roger Lopez - belongs to @hphm-roger​: A kind Slyhterin. He likes macigal creator and sometimes he goes for a walk into the forbidden Forest. That where he met Samantha for the first time. Stucked....in a Tree. She had a bet with Finn and Luna how can climb the hightest tree. Samantha won, but was unable to climb down. Luna and Finn where supposed to get help but didn´t return atm. Roger start laughing and said Samantha reminds him of a cat. And this associationstay for the rest of there friendship. And of cause Samantha loves his different Hair colors and always want to touch it, if it change.
Elaiza Schuyler - belongs to @annabelle-tanaka-official​: Elaiza is a Ravenclaw girl and one of Samanthas first friend, since there share a room. Samatha is fascinated how many languages Elaiza speaks and even teach her some gaelic sentences. Since Elaiza is bad at flying class and Samantha at Herobolgy,both help each other with this subjects. Both like cooking, so sometimes they sneak into the kitchen and cook or bake something. 
Williamina Schneider  - belongs to @leamontee​ : A cute and cheerful Gryffindor Girl with a hard backstory. Willie was there when Samantha yelled at her father in the end of the 3rd year. It reminds her of her own story. After the summer holidays she and Samatha were in the same compartment in the Hogwarts express and they start talking. Willie thinks Samantha is brave and both wants to break the vaults curse, so they work a lot together.
Clara Iln - belongs to @lins-hogwarts-mystery​ : will follow
Lillian Baker - belongs to @thehogwartscursebakers (don´t know why, but i can´t tag her :( ): Lillian is one of the Ravenclaw Qudditch chaser. She met Samantha in her 2nd year, when both become part of the Quidditch team. And both met each other in the duell club, where there start to talk to each other. Both had no fashion sense, but both love shopping with Carewyn.
Stephanie - belongs to @hanihonii​ - will follow
Ryan, Cara, Sara and Conor O´Donnell belongs to @unfortunate-arrow​: Samantha and the O´Donnells don´t have an easy start. Samantha was mistakes as a O´Donnell and there a lot of people who were thinking the O´Donnells were half-vampires. So when they finally meet each other there were like “ STOP STEALING MY NAME!” Maybe they even had duells. But in the end they all realise, that this fight is stupid, and they all become friends. But they will still mistaken.
Alice Beaumont belongs to @mizutoyama​: Alice is a very closed friend and one of Samathas Roommate. Alice is one of the few person on this earth woh can wake Samantha up, whitout realse her morning beats. So Alice is the reason why Samantha is able to stand up in the morning and brush her hair. After Samantha returns to her father, Alice visit her sometimes in the holidays and they watch muggle TV with Luna. 
Wendy Gordon - belongs to @drinkyoursoupbitch​ : Wendy is one of the few people at Hogwarts how understand gaelic, since this Ravenclaw girl is scottish. Most of the Time Samantha speaks without irish dialect unless she talks to Wendy. There both are in the same arithmancy class, so both study a lot together or talk about Quidditch.
Tu Liang - belongs to @wangxianforever000​ : Tu is a Gryffindor Girl and definitely a chaotic Dou with Samantha. There are in the same Rune class, plays Qudditch and both are bad at posion. Tu meets Samantha in the great hall and thinking form the very beginning, Samantha is funny. Somehow (don´t ask why, no one knows), every time they want to rock, things will end up chaotic, Both are very protective, so they keep an eye on each other. Sometimes Samantha sit on Tus head as a Crow.
Flavio Ceccere - belongs @sirfluffig​: After Chester Davies left school if was on Flavio to take care about the ravenclaw house honour and keep an eys on Samantha.He is Samanthas best study buddy and they meet every week in the libary. Since Flavio loves coffee, Samantha want to try it too. But non of them know, that coffee works a lot on Vampires. So Samantha was the rest of the day like a Duracell Bunny. (Poor Flavio^^;). Samantha helps Flavio to relax time by time since he is always serious.
Carewyn Cormwell - belongs to @carewyncromwell​ : A Slytherin Perfect and definitely Samanthas mama-bear-friend. Both become friends after they realise how much they both love music and singing. Carewyn and Bill were the first one how had the theory, that Samantha and Charlie are more then friends. She and Tonks developed some kind of special sense which called Samantha “The Mama-Bear-Antenna”. Carewyn were always a morally support for Samantha, which saw Samantha cries. 
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Her Family
Claire O´Connell - Mother
coming soon
Song that descibes there relationship -  Celtic Woman - Tír na nÓg ft. Oonagh
Matthew O´Connell - Father
coming soon
Song that descibes there relationship - Celtic Women -  The New Ground / Isle Of Hope, Isle Of Tears
Andrew O´Connell - Uncle
coming soon
Song that descibes there relationship - Dropkick Murphys -  James Connelly
Helga O´Connell - Aunt (Profil link) 
Song that describes there relationship - Nightwish - Elán
Angela Roberts
Song that descibes there relationship - Linkin Part - Numb
Jacob “Jack” Roberts
Song that descibes there relationship -  Hoobastank - The Reason
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