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squaric-acid · 4 months

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A Treat for the Eyes, Pt. 1

My contribution to the TCR Secret Santa 2023

I'm writing for @raythecomputerart, I hope you enjoy! I was going to write something short and sweet for the cozy tea party prompt but it got entangled with the high fashion prompt and this was the result.

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“Here’s your next assignment,” Natoru, assistant to the editor-in-chief of Cat Kingdom Magazine, said nasally, holding the manilla folder out to Muta.

Muta reached across the desk with a grumble.

“Probably another toothpaste ad,” he muttered under his breath.

Toto elbowed him hard in the ribs.

“It’s for Baron’s new collection. You’ll need to find a suitable model. Yuki’s called in sick again.”

Natoru hid it well but both Muta and Toto had known their boss’s simpering secretary long enough to detect the disdain in his voice for the magazine’s top model. Who also happened to be the fiancée of the editor’s son. Thankfully, neither Muta or Toto shared Natoru’s disdain for the model.

“Well, if it’s Baron’s work then it should be interesting,” Toto said cheerfully as Natoru sashayed out of the small office Toto and Muta shared.

Muta gave a long-suffering sigh as he flicked through the folder.

“Where are we going to find a suitable model in this short of time?”

~@~

“A modeling gig?” Haru gave Hiromi a quizzical look across the cafe table she was bussing.

“Not just any gig. Look!”

Hiromi shoved the flier in her skeptical friend’s face.

“It’s for Baron’s new spring collection!” Hiromi squealed.

Haru removed the flier from her face and gave it a glance.

“That’s nice,” Haru said blandly. “When did you hear about it?”

“Someone just put up a flier on the bulletin board. Some fatso from the photography department. Just as I was leaving.”

“That’s nice,” Haru said, turning back to her task.

“Oh, come on Haru! This is perfect for you! I know you’ve been angling for a change to work with Baron since you first laid eyes on his work.”

“Okay sure, but-“

“But nothing. Why not try? Yuki’s out sick and Louise is still in Kyoto.” A wheedling tone had snuck into Hiromi’s voice.

“Get serious, there’s no way he’d select me to be his model for his latest collection.”

~@~

Why does this always happen to me? Haru asked herself as she sat curled against the hallway wall outside of one of the many studio spaces in the Cat Kingdom Magazine’s creative department. A dozen or so models lingered around waiting to be assessed for their suitability and worthiness to model for Baron’s newest collection.

“Why did Hiromi have to call in sick? Now I’m here on my own!” Haru grumbled to herself.

In the week since Hiromi had shoved the flier in her face, Haru had learned little else about Baron’s newest collection. She and Hiromi had clamored for spots in the modeling audition, luckily Haru’s second job at the cafe was accommodating. Despite being models for Cat Kingdom Magazine, the competition for the best gigs was cutthroat and she and Hiromi were among the more junior models.

Haru surveyed the other models all awaiting their turn to impress the famed designer. Baron was somewhat of an eccentric recluse amongst the top players in the fashion world. He always chose his models with the utmost care. And he favored the infamous photographer and stylist duo, Muta and Toto, for his shoots with the magazine.

The models around her all knew what a shoot like this could mean for their careers. They were dolled up to the nines and for models that’s saying a lot. Every single one harbored secret dreams of becoming Baron’s muse.

Haru, for all her aspirations in the fashion industry, had hardly bothered. Hiromi had convinced her to wear virtually no makeup to accentuate her features, instead of hiding them.

Muta and Toto worked extraordinarily well together but were exceedingly picky. Hence their infamy amongst the models of Cat Kingdom Magazine. When not called upon to work with Baron they often were out on small jobs, like toothpaste ads. If they were working for Baron on this shoot it meant that the standards would be astronomically high.

Hiromi and Haru had both done a couple gigs each with Muta and Toto for small ads. Cat Kingdom had originally been a talent acquisition company. It still kept up those programs and lots of models hoping to join the fashion seems started in Cat Kingdom’s talent agency. Apparently that’s how the son of Cat Kingdom’s editor came to know Yuki, one of the magazine supermodels. Haru and Hiromi had both met Yuki before, despite her newfound fame she always had the kindness of a hopeful new model.

The next model was called in to audition and Haru was pulled from her thoughts. She wondered if either Toto or Muta would recognize her. She wasn’t sure she wanted them to.

One by one the models went in and then came out. Each one sporting the tight smile of one who had been let down politely but rather scathingly too.

Soon Haru was alone in the hall. She stood and smoothed the wrinkles of her long skirt. She’d worn her favorite lacy socks and a pair of sandals over them. In retrospect not the most fashionable choice for an aspiring model.

Haru hadn’t been terribly self-conscious before this moment but she was now. And as the previous model exited with a classless upturned nose Haru felt her stomach sink down to rest around her toes.

“He’s so uptight,” she heard the previous model hiss to her friends who were waiting for her at the end of the hall.

“No wonder Louise left him.”

Haru felt her mouth go inexplicably dry.

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I do hope you enjoyed this! Stay tuned for parts 2, 3, and 4!

#the cat returns #tcr secret santa #tcr secret santa 2023 #my writing #haru x baron #toto #renaldo moon #muta #fanfic

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raythecomputerart · 4 months

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It's TCR Secret Santa time!!! I got the lovely YarningChick this year and for whatever reason upon seeing the words Family Secret and Breaking a Curse my mind said Holes AU but in the sense of only the family curse part of it!

So enjoy one of the few things I've written all year plus a bonus screen edit and dress up doll I did to figure out the design! And I'll @catsafarithewriter as well as the runner of this event this year <3

It’s a spring evening, the whispers of winter’s cold still clawing to keep it’s hold on the world around. But that didn’t mean much to the young woman who was in the library searching through the various books she had grabbed off the shelf. Anything ranging from books on the occult to myths and legends. It was a common occurrence to see her in the library, searching for something though never giving exact details on what it was she was searching for. The most anyone could get out of her was that she was on the lookout for bringers of luck or curse breaking.

One could almost think it must’ve been an obsession of hers trying to find items to bring good luck given the array of items scattering her person. A crown of clovers, rabbit feet earring, keys, and coins. It seemed anything that would supposedly bring good luck she found a way to incorporate into her outfit. Though if you’d observe her it was clear she needed all the help she could get. It seemed anything that could go wrong would around her and she was always in the wrong place at the wrong time. If you asked her how one could be so unlucky she would laugh it off and make some dismissive comment usually about how clumsy she is.

Someone cleared their throat near her, trying to get the woman’s attention. She jumped slightly and looked up at the interruption. Before her stood a stunning beauty in all white, apart from a glittering pink gem around her neck. A wide hat blocking the view of her face.

“Uh-hello?”

“If you are seeking help in things strange and mysterious. I know where you can go.” Her voice was soft and wispy.

The young woman closed her book, she’d been to many places of mystics and those claiming to be able to break spells and curses with no luck so far, though the research she’d been doing hadn’t helped much either. Dead ends all around it seemed. So what did she have to lose?

“And where is this place Ms…?”

“My name is Yuki, and the place is a little difficult to find so you’ll need a guide. Look for the large white cat at the crossroads. He’ll be your guide.”

“The crossroads…” The young woman glances down at her pile of books, ready to start tidying up, “Who is it that I’m looking for when I get to this pla-hello?”

She looks around to no avail, Yuki having already vanished. She groans slightly. More non-answers. She starts putting the books on the return cart near her, carefully and one at a time, but as she puts the last one on the wheel snaps off and the cart topples over. She closes her eyes and takes a moment before picking the books up and setting them on the table. Stopping by the librarian’s desk to let them know what happened.

Hopefully this place could help her out. The large white cat at the crossroads. On her way she was careful to avoid cracks. The library wasn’t that far from her destination so she was able to get there without injury. Though finding the “large white cat” she needed to find was a different story. Looking at all the store signs around she saw nothing even close to a large white cat. Just as she was about to take a break and sit down she felt something groan underneath her, she jumped up with a squeal. Turning around to see what she sat on she saw a cat.

A large white cat. Huh.

“Are you supposed to be my guide?” She whispers quietly to the cat. She feels ridiculous, “A lady in white told me I’d find my guide to someone who can help me with my problem here.”

The cat stares blankly at her for an awkward few moments and her shoulders drop, “Guess I have the wrong pers-cat. The wrong cat. Guide. Sorry I sat on you”

She turns to learn when a gravelling voice interrupts her, “Stop, I’ll show you.”

The cat was talking to her. The cat just spoke to her. She thought she had imagined that kind of thing when she was younger but as she got older cats only meowed as everyone else said they did. Right. Okay.

“It is you.”

He doesn’t respond again, instead jumping off the chair and heading in a direction.

She’s quick to stumble after him, “Hey w-wait a minute!”

She chases after him ducking out of the way as random crashes from bikes happen around her. Groans as he starts climbing on balconies and rooftops, but still follows, grateful for when the roof tile falls after she moves past it rather than while she was still on it. She understands now why Yuki said she would need a guide, completely lost in where exactly she was. Eventually they come to an archway and the cat she’s been following stands up. He wanders over to grab a newspaper and sit on a chair as she looks around the little area around her. Emphasis on little as she looks around nearly as tall as the buildings themselves.

“What a weird place…” Perhaps this is where she’d find her answers. But there was no one here. Other than her and the cat, “Um…hello? Where do I find who can help me? Is it you? I really need some help.”

He continues to ignore her, focusing on the newspaper in his hands. Suddenly sunlight hits the windows of the small buildings around her reflecting onto the building in front of her. Right where the cat is sitting.

“Enough Baron, turn it off, no one is impressed by your cheesy light show okay.” The cat yells back.

The light fades and instead the lamp and lights in the house turn on, as the door opens revealing a…nother cat. Though this one looks like the statue that had just been in the window.

“Good evening, welcome to the Bureau.” His clothes are so nice and even his voice sounds so fancy.

The woman tries to step closer only to trip on a stone and fall over with a oof, she groans and continues on regardless, “You’re cool.”

“Thank you,” He offers a hand to help her sit straight rather than being on the ground, “In case you hadn’t noticed, you’re in a world quite different from your own. This is a refuge for creations. Whenever someone creates something with all of their heart then that creation is given a soul you see, like me. And Toto there.”

Behind her the stone bird statue in the center of the square comes to life as well, Toto she supposes.

“That’s-That’s” Cool? Weird? Too much information?

“That is Toto. A stone statue with a soul.” The statue cat continues.

“I see you have a visitor today Baron, how unusual.” Toto says.

“Indeed, she’s quite a fetching one too.” The statue cat-Baron?-says.

Fetching? “Did he say Baron?”

“I am Baron Humbert von Gikkingen. The artisan who created me gave me that title.”

“I’ll…just call you Baron.”

“So, let’s get down to business. You say you need help?”

“Yes. My family is…this is going to sound crazy, but we’re cursed.” She explains.

The guide cat laughs, “Of course you are. That explains all the destruction on our way over.”

“Oh hush Muta.” Toto scolds, flying over to wack him, “Being catty isn’t welcoming.”

“Hey cut that out I don’t intend to be welcoming, we don’t need to be involved in curse business you chicken!”

“Chicken? At least I can tell the difference between a chicken and crow you marshmallow!”

“If it’s going to cause trouble I can just leave-”

Baron steps in front of her before she can get closer to the squabbling bird and cat, “I’m afraid I didn’t catch your name.”

“Oh, it’s Haru Yoshioka.”

“Well Miss. Haru, please step inside the Bureau.”

She follows Baron inside the small house, shrinking herself down to fit inside. As she settles in he offers her tea.

“It’s my own personal blend so I can’t guarantee the taste.” Baron warns.

As she takes a taste though she sees the warning was unneeded, “Wow, that’s the best tea I’ve ever tasted!”

“Then you’re lucky!”

She laughs, “I’m quite certain that’s not the case.”

Muta and Toto make their way in, also settling in.

“Well, tell us what you know then.” Baron sips on his tea.

“The story seems to be inconsistent depending on who I ask, but the women in my family are all extremely unlucky. Like we always seem to be in the wrong place at the wrong time. The most consistent answer I can seem to get is that a couple generations ago my great-great grandmother upset some witch. How exactly she did it changes so often that I have no clue what could be right. But whatever she did, the witch cursed the family line. But there’s got to be some way to break it right? Curses are made to be broken, I think.”

Baron hums, “I would imagine you’re right, though I’m afraid curses and what’s in witches' minds are not within my realm of knowledge.”

Haru’s shoulder’s sag, “Right. Well thank you for your time and tea then.”

“Ah, but we can still provide some assistance. My sister and her wife are more familiar with things of an arcane nature. I suggest we go to see them and see what ideas they have.”

Well. What did she have to lose right?

“To your sister then.”

Pose base is not mine I merely used it as a dress up doll, I originally intended to draw something fresh from the ground up but my finals murdered me a little whoops

#tcr secret santa #the cat returns #rart #tcr secret santa 2023

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ikemengoessbrrrrr · 4 months

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Hey hey it's time!! my contribution for TCR secret santa 2023

I had one for @squaric-acid (Highschool au)⭐ Also @catsafarithewriter as the planner of this event!

Now, at first I planned to write a oneshot fic, but my brain stuck in some part so probably I will post it as part 2? So I will do my usual best, making art and sketches

My overthinking self keeps telling me this is probably not what you mean but I tried my best Hope you like it!

#honestly its more like I suck at writing #art it is #but hope I can share the writing about this AU!#the cat returns #tcr secret santa 2023

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tcrmommabear · 3 years

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TCR Secret Santa 2020 Wishlist

Hey everyone! Here’s the compiled list of everyone’s wishlists for Secret Santa 2020! Each person may have their list on their blog, but this makes it easier to find if you ever need to look again!

Have fun and good luck everyone!

Masha / @givingupthemashaghost

1. Natori trying to wrangle a smartphone away from Natoru because they won’t stop taking pictures of Embarrassing Things (TM) 2. Anything involving Muta and Natori interacting and not being happy about it. Bonus points for a “Trapped in an elevator” type of plot. 3. Anything regarding the now retired Cat King and Natori getting a “divorce” over something trivial, and Natori being scandalized people keep calling it a “divorce”. Bonus points if it’s written like a romantic comedy, with all the cliches and drama, but missing the actual romance. 4. Natori teaching Lune how to do a Royal Thing that eventually ends with Lune giving Natori Good Advice (Good Advice can be life altering or trivial, dealer’s choice) 5. Dreamland/Wonderland AU ft. Natori trying to find his way home, lies down, and finds out it was all a dream. Alternative version can be with Haru or Lune as main character and everyone else in humorous roles.

Ro / @adalhied-prime

1. Something for a Lune/Yuki “Ella Enchanted” type AU, guest starring Persephone and Louise if possible 2. Space Pirates/ Treasure Planet AU, based on Ro’s “A Sea of Stars” fic 3. Bureau Mission gone awry, maybe DnD characters and the campaign has gone off the rails, anything works. Make it light hearted and shippy. 4. Any continuation of Ro’s TCR fics, try your hand at it and have fun!

Helen / Cat / @catsafarithewriter

1. Supernatural Housemates 2. Lost Ladies (either their adventures or the Bureau meeting them) 3. Haru and/or Hiromi as witches 4. Monsterhunters! 5. Pokemon AU (either as Pokemon or people living in the Pokemon world)

Casandravus / @mommacomms

(Best found on Discord!)

1. “Tis a land of nightmares and dreamscapes...” 2. A time for peace. 3. “It’s us - what else could go wrong?” 4. Favorite Cartoon AU 5. “Anything short of “no” indicates you have permission to do the thing!” 6. Ka-boom!

Athens / @letterstoathens

1. Wormhole AU where the Bureau find themselves at Comic Con on Earth in the future after their film has been released and becomes wildly successful. Now, they must pretend to be extremely dedicated cosplayers. 2. Fantasy AU! Lord of the Rings, Dragon Age, Skyrim, GO CRAZY! 3. Great British Bake-Off AU 4. Hogwarts AU or Percy Jackson AU

Greenie / @greenleaf14

(Best found on Discord!)

1. Christmas Special of some kind with Haru and Baron! (Bonus points if they have a dance!) 2. Toto and Muta shenanigans! 3. Wildcard!

YarningChick

(Best found on Discord and FF.net!)

1. Nutcracker 2. Childhood Sweethearts 3. How a different film would have careened off course if the TCR cast/characters starred in it instead!

Dee-Dee / @deedee-sunflowers

1. The Bureau meets a witch/ Baba Yaga 2. A quiet night in 3. Girls/Guys Night Out!

Wolfie / @wolfiethewriter

1. Bureau family fluff 2. A Very Bureau X-Mas 3. Something inspired by “The Baron’s Apprentice” (Wolfie’s fic) 4. A Christmas Carol as told/featured by the Bureau!

Cat / @cat-with-a-keyboard

1. Phantom of the Opera AU 2. Star Wars AU 3. Elder Scrolls AU 4. Bureau Prank Wars (Crack)

#the cat returns #tcr #secret santa 2020 #tcr secret santa #tcr secret santa 2020 #and thats everyone!#names will be sent out shortly!#i look forward to seeing what everyone creates!#if an issue comes up regarding making your gift let me know!#i can be the go between for everyone if you need clarification about a prompt or an idea #have fun yall and keep it a secret!#tcrmommabear posts #tcrmommabear #catsafari

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ro-visiting-the-bureau · 4 years

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So, You Summoned the Ghosts of Your Ancestors... - TCR Secret Santa 2019

@deadbonessinderhellaton, I was your Secret Santa this year! I decided to go for your prompt “Ghosts are like relatives. Once you let them in, they never leave.” Enjoy, and a very Merry Christmas to you!

Haru didn’t quite burst through the door of the cafe, but she did push it harder than she usually would and was through it before it open all the way. She swiveled her head and spotted Hiromi sitting at a table by the cafe’s fake fireplace, a mug of hot chocolate cradled in her hands. The strawberry blonde looked up as Haru approached and smiled. “Thanks for coming so quickly.”

“You left me a message saying ‘We screwed up’ and asked to meet me here asap,” Haru said, taking off her gloves, scarf and hat as a waitress came over to take her order. He asked for a hot chocolate and a small plate of pastries and then turned back to Hiromi when she left. “What happened?”

“Well, you know Tsuge and I have been clearing out his grandmother’s old house so we can move in after the wedding.” Hiromi played with the sapphire engagement ring on her hand. “We found a old journal in the attic, and flipped through it. It was written by Tsuge’s great-great grandfather, and he was a big paranormal-supernatural nut. Wrote down all these rituals that supposedly let you communicate with the dead.”

Haru didn’t need to hear another word to know exactly where this was going. She rested her elbows on the table and put her head in her hands. “You didn’t…”

“Well, we didn’t think they were really real, and Tsuge thought it’d be funny to try it.”

“You’re best friends with a paranormal investigator and you didn’t think there was a chance it was real?” Haru shot Hiromi a glare, making her curl up a bit and give a weak smile.

“Well…”

Haru sighed and folded her arms on the table. “What happened?”

“Well, we found one that was supposed to bring up a old homeowner, and figured, ‘you know what, let’s see if we can learn home more history about this place that Grandma didn’t know’. So we grabbed some old playground chalk, drew one of the sigils on the ground, lit some candles…

“Is that the right shape?” Tsuge asked, kneeling over the circle and checking the sigil drawn on the inside.

“I think so,” Hiromi said, looking from the book to the shape. IT was mostly straight lines, with a few circles, and had particular instruction on how to draw it. Next to her was a old compass and a motley collection of candles, from from the same trunk as the book and compass, the rest dug out from closets and cabinets in the house. “Do you think it’ll be effected by us using the scented candles?”

“I’m not running out to grab tea lights in this weather.” He pointed out the window, where the snow was flying, not storming, but enough to encourage people to stay indoors unless you had to go out, or were a kid wanting to play. “Besides, it’s not like it will actually do anything.”

“Yeah, guess you’re right.” Hiromi shrugged and picked up the compass, holding it over the center of the circle. She took the two white ritual candles and put them at the north and east-northeast positions, which were the most important for the communication aspect they were looking for. Then they placed a small cinnamon candle at southeast, a large pine candle at south west, and a rose-scented tea light at west-northwest. Then Tsuge struck a match and used it to light a stick of incense, which he then used to light the candles in the same order they had been placed, before blowing it out and placing it in the center of the circle with a stand. He and Hiromi stood on opposite sides of the circle, holding the book in both hands over the center of the circle. Tsuge cleared his throat and started to speak.

“Mortuus pacificus invocabo. Siquid erit vobis dicerem nobiscum hac nocte nos sacri.” His pronunciation was not too bad, but any Ancient Romans who might have heard it would find his accent horribly thick and-

( “Well, it wasn’t your first mistake, but your biggest is that you never do an incantation without practicing the correct pronunciation until you can be clearly understood. You’re lucky you didn’t summon a demon with that.”

“I wouldn’t be so sure…” )

The couple watched in shock as the ritual circles actually began to glow, a blue-white light that started softly, then grew until it almost hurt to look at. Then a breeze started tickling their ankles, flowing into the center of the circle. Streams of light spun with the breeze, creating a vortex over the sigil. Hiromi gasped as it started to rise and grow up, spinning faster and faster and it climbed past their knees, and almost to their waists. Tsuge quickly read the book, and recited the next line of the spell. “Mortuus: venite, et locutus est ad nos, sic fiat semper.”

The vortex stopped growing, but increased in speed, it’s light almost blinding. Then a low note, separate from the whipping wind, started to grow, louder and louder, until it was recognizable as a scream. Another joined it, soft and then louder, then another, and another, until the strident calls was so loud it was hurting their ears. Then, something slingshotted out of the vortex, just missing Tsuge’s nose, then another buzzed Hiromi’s ear, and more flew out around them and the room before impacting the walls and seeming to disappear. The vortex slowly lost power and sank down to the floor, sending out one last whip of wind which blew out the candles before disappearing completely, and the glow dimmed to nothing.

Hiromi and Tsuge stared at each other for a long moment, before stepping back and letting the book fall to the floor.

"That was…" Tsuge trailed off, completely flabergasted.

"It worked. That was an actual spell." Hiromi raised her hands to her face. "Harry is gonna be so mad." ( "You're darn right I'm mad!" ) "She always says this is not something to take lightly."

"Hey now," Tsuge said, coming over and placing his hands on her arms and rubbing them soothingly. "Maybe it's not so bad. Maybe it's Grandpa, and he'll go away once we have a pleasant conversation with him."

Hiromi sighed and was about to speak when a man's voice behind her cut her off. "Kami, what are you wearing!?"

Hiromi and Tsuge turned and saw a figure by the wall. It was a man, maybe in his mid fifties, hair in a topknot and wearing an old fashioned kimono. "This is not a bathhouse, put some clothes on!"

Hiromi looked down at her sweater and jeans that covered her from neck to wrist and ankle, and then Tsuge's t-shirt and jeans (he always ran warmer than her). They were even wearing socks, so you couldn't see their feet. "Um, sorry, but these are perfectly modest clothes for these days. Can I ask your name, honored ancestor?"

"Modest indeed,” the ghost huffed, coming into the room. “I am Kaneda Fujimaro, and these are the lands of my family. We have lived here for over a hundred years, and I now ask what you are doing here?”

“Can’t you see, you old man,” a new voice said, and a woman came through the wall, maybe a few years younger than Fujimaro, holding a cane, and wearing the same style of kimono. “They’re obviously our descendants, or can you not see your jaw on that young man’s face?”

“Of course I can see it, woman, I’m not blind!”

“Well, you could have fooled me.” The woman floated - actually floated ( “Well of course she did, she’s a ghost!” ) - over to the couple, and reached a hand to touch Tsuge’s face. Tsuge flinched, but turned his head as the woman directed him to, and she gave him a critical eye.

“Yes, you have my husbands jaw, but these cheekbones… they look just like the Yasui family. And I had hoped Naozane was not fool enough to go through with that betrothal.” She patted his cheek and stepped back.

“Now see here, Etsuko” Fujimaro said, “Yasui Sozui was a fine man, and his son was just like him.”

“A fine thief, you mean,” Etsuko turned, raising her cane a little at her husband. “The whole village knows he only got to rich from those ‘trips’ he took to Edo and yet no one has ever gotten a straight answer as to what he did there.”

“A man’s financials are not the business of other men.”

“They are when your granddaughter will marry into that man’s family!”

Etsuko and Fujimaro started bickering, and Hiromi and Tsuge glanced at each other, growing more uncomfortable and awkward by the second. The movement in the doorway caught Hiromi’s eye, and she looked to see another ghost, a younger man maybe in his thirties, waving from the doorway. He made a “come here” motion, and with the only other option being to remain next to the old couple until they remembered they had an audience, the young couple quickly did so.

Once they were in the other room - the younger ghost having moved back to give them room to enter - the ghost breathed a sigh of relief. “I am so sorry you had to deal with my grandparent’s first. They love each other, and the family, but in their old age they constantly got on each other’s nerves. Or at least, I was told by my father, I was only a child when they both died.”

“And who was your father, honorable ancestor?” Tsuge asked.

“Yasui Taroemon, his father was Yasui Sozui. I am Yasui Norio.” He turned and a woman about his age seemed to just appear at his elbow. “And this is my wife, Kaneda Hisae. We’re your… four times great-grandparents?”

“Six times,” Hisae said, and when she smiled, Hiromi could see her fiance in it. “Tetsuo told us he’d had a newborn great-grandson the last time we talked. Tsuge, right?”

“Y-Yes, Nashito Tsuge. And this is my fiance, Takanori Hiromi.” He and Hiromi both bowed, and Norio and Hisae bowed back.

“It is lovely to meet you both,” Norio said. “Though it could have been under better circumstances.”

“I’ll say,” Hiromi said. “You two don’t seem surprised by this.”

“Oh, we’ve done this plenty of times,” Hisae said. “Tsuge’s great grandfather Kentaro loved to talk with us all the time. We had several visits with him, sharing family stories and such. He wrote quite a lot of them down, they should all be in his journals.”

“Mother always wondered about that,” Tsuge said. “She and everyone else assumed he was transcribing for another family, but kept the journals for some reason.”

“Well, you see, when our son Sotan was a baby, we were all here visiting my family when a fire broke out. We were all trapped, but we managed to hand Sotan to his sister and the two managed to escape. Unfortunately, Naoko died from her burns a few days later, and Sotan was adopted by a lovely couple who you know as your ancestors.”

Hiromi suddenly remembered. “Wait, there are four of you here right now, you two, Etsuko and Fijumaro. But I know at least five ghosts were thrown past me from the vortex, and more past Tusge so where are they?”

“Scattered over the neighborhood, probably,” Norio said. “Most of this valley used to belong to either the Yasui or Kaneda families, so they could appear anywhere on the lands. But they’ll all come back here soon, since this is where the summoning happened.” He narrowed his gaze. “Though with how you messed it up, I don’t know the state they’ll be in. The ritual is supposed to only bring back those who were at peace when they died, like Hisae and I, but the different candles might have causes a change to it. They might even be stuck here.”

Hiromi and Tsuge paled at the thought of over a dozen potentially angry ghosts appearing in the house they were going to move into, and the couple looked to each other.

“Call Haru.”

“Right.”

“...And here we are,” Hiromi said, giving a very strained smile. “Tsuge is trying to hold down the fort with Norio and Hisae, but I don’t know how well that’s going.”

Haru pinched the bridge of her nose between her hands, taking a deep breath. “Okay, this is going to be way too big a job for just me. I need to call in the whole team.”

Hiromi’s eyes widened. “You think it’s that bad?”

“Ghosts are like relatives, Hiromi. Once you let them in, they never leave. And you have the unfortunate case of them being actual relatives.” Haru drained the last of her hot chocolate and stood, putting her coat back on. “Come on. You’re gonna be the one to explain to Baron why we need to pull Sephie and Louise off the Osaki case.”

Hiromi gulped, and Haru felt a little pity for her best friend, but it was overruled by irritation. This was not how she wanted to spend her winter vacation.

#TCR Secret Santa #Deadbonessinderellaton #the cat returns #my fics

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chez-pezeater · 4 years

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TCR Secret Santa 2019

This is for Jenna131. I apologize it took so long to get done but the holiday prep had me super frazzled. That and when I had an idea I had no time and when I had time I had no ideas. Again: Apologies, Merry Christmas, and I hope you enjoy.

Links to some interesting information:

https://www.tor.com/2018/01/31/how-to-fight-in-a-dress-everything-you-need-to-know/

https://www.tor.com/2017/05/03/how-to-do-karate-in-a-victorian-dress/

https://twitter.com/melisscaru/status/958709767395950593

The idea that prompted this: https://catsafarithewriter.tumblr.com/post/189814057998/chez-pezeater-haru-you-dont-think-i-can

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Once again the Cat Bureau got into Royal Wedding Shenanigans, yes capital letters as a must for the kind of trouble they managed to step into again. Complete with yet another Royal trying to marry the kind and fair Haru Yoshioka.

This time her supposed groom was “The Original King Julian!” of the Lemur Kingdom. King Julian managed to get Haru into a dress by tricking her into believing the “Ball”, which in all actuality would be their wedding, was to thank the Cat Bureau for their efforts in helping the kingdom relocate the small but very troublesome lion population that had accidentally invaded and chose not to leave. And King Julian was insistent that it was a formal affair thus formal attire was required, NO EXCEPTIONS!

Muta ended up in a too small courtier’s outfit that strangely reminded her of that one Disney movie involving a fox archer and his bear friend. Toto had somehow ended up in a poet’s shirt with a vest and pantaloons. Baron, the dapper cat that he was, had gotten no complaints in regards to his normal outfit. Haru unfortunately had to ditch her comfortable jeans and graphic t-shirt reminiscent of Van Gout's Starry Night painting for a poofy monstrosity of a ballgown complete with puffed sleeves.

At least it wasn’t an eye searing yellow this time.

It was as they were trying to escape that Haru ended up separated from the Bureau and surrounded by several large Gorilla Guerrilla Warriors. Unknown to everyone, after the whole Cat Kingdom debacle Haru had decided she never wanted to feel that vulnerable ever again, even if she did like how cool Baron made the whole thing look, and did something about it. Turned out her Best Friend Hiromi had a cousin who taught martial arts and was more than happy to help teach the young woman how to defend herself.

That was over 5 years ago.

Haru immediately fell into a well balanced stance and waited for the first move. One gorilla tried to grab her arm which she responded to by twisting his hand away from her and punching him in the face. He fell back dazedly and released her as another tried to grab her from behind. She threw her head back and headbutted him in the nose. As his grip around her waist loosened, Haru brought her arms up and jabbed her elbows back harshly into his unprotected stomach. She dodged a grab from the first gorilla and dropped down to swipe her leg at his ankles sending him toppling and punched him again, this time in the throat. She ducked her head to avoid a punch by a third gorilla and grabbed onto his arm, using his momentum to get up from being so low to the floor as kick out at a fourth gorilla who tried to rush forward to help. Gorilla No. 4 went crashing into a nearby table, head over kettle and out of the fight. She wrapped her legs around Gorilla 3’s neck, silently thanking the puffy skirt hiding her underthings, and let her weight and gravity do the work to throw him into the second gorilla who had just gotten up.

Haru rose to her full height and saw that the guys had taken care of the ones that had been stopping them from helping her. The entire ballroom stared at her in shock and awe, fearfully drawing away as her gaze past over them. She turned to look at the Bureau and saw all three males staring at her in shock, mouths slightly parted.

“What?” Haru crankily asked, entirely done with the entire situation.

One could almost hear a cartoon sounding crash happen as Muta and Toto’s jaws drop open all the way.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Bonus dialogue that didn’t fit T-T:

Haru: Your sister goes to war in a late Victorian Upper Class gown. And you criticize my fashion choices?

#TCR #the cat returns #the cat returns fanfics #tcr secret santa #tcr secret santa 2019

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adalhied-prime · 6 years

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Starlight - TCR Secret Santa for @misku-nimfa

@misku-nimfa, I was your Secret Santa this year, and I chose your prompt “Starlight.” I saw you like Star Wars, so I hope you enjoy this. Merry Christmas!

“The stars are beautiful tonight,” Haru said, gazing up at the deep blue expanse overhead. Millions of stars shone out of the dark, filling the sky with just enough light to see, even without the little light set up nearby. Sitting out here, her knees pulled up so she could wrap her arms around them made her feel so insignificant.

“Yes, they are, aren't they,” her companion said, and she turned to look at him. Baron von Gikkingen was laying back on the ground, his jedi cloak laid out under the two of them like a blanket. For a bodyguard, he looked quite relaxed, but she knew any danger would have him leaping to her defense.

This of course turned her thoughts to why he was with her in the first place. Haru and her sister Persephone were the Senators for Naboo, and had been working against a legislation that would heavily militarize the Republic. Someone very much wanted it to pass, and seemed to have figured the best way to stop opposition was to cut off the head of it. There been a series of attacks had nearly killed her and her sister, and for their safety, the Jedi Council had sent them Baron and his sister Louise and practically ordered them to leave Coruscant until the day of the vote. Currently, Haru and Baron were on her homeworld of Naboo, and their hiding had been more like a vacation. Persephone and Louise, last they'd known, were on Alderaan, enjoying the hospitality of King Lune and his consort Yuki.

Baron picked up on the turn her mood had taken and sat up. “Are you alright?” he asked, sitting up and looking at her intensely.

Haru felt her cheeks flush under his gaze, and half-cursed herself for it. She’d always been attracted to Cathar (something Persephone would have teased her about if she didn’t feel the same) and the fact that Baron cut a fine figure was not helping her. She smoothed out the skirt of her midnight blue dress and said, “I’m fine, I’m just… Thinking about what Louise and Persephone are doing right now.”

Baron closed his eyes and Haru could faintly tell he was reaching into his and Louise’s bond. “They’re asleep now, though they seem to have had some excitement earlier today.”

Haru smiled. “That sounds like Persephone.”

“And Louise. But I guess you could say it runs in the family.” Baron had a small grin on his face.

Haru paused a moment, then asked, “I thought the Jedi always discouraged attachment. Why do they let you and Louise work together?”

Baron opened his eyes and stared up at the stars for a moment. “Well, Louise and I aren't the average Jedi.” He sat up, crossing his legs like he was going to meditate. “Louise and I were seven when we were found by Master Corvo, and already had our attachment to each other. It’s what After a few failed attempts to break our connection, the mind healers finally told the Council that to do so would greatly damage our minds and connection to the Force.” He shrugged, shifting closer to her as he did so. “So the Council made sure we had conservative masters to remind us of the dangers of being too attached, and after we proved that we wouldn't compromise our missions purely for the other’s sake, they let off on us.”

“So, you don't hold the same adherence to the Code that they try to impress on you?” She asked, then flushed and looked down, lacing her fingers together. Much too forward, Haru, you know better than that.

“No, I suppose you could say I don’t.” Baron reached a hand over and drew one of her hands away. “Louise and I have found that we seem to do better ignoring the no attachments part of the code.” He laced her fingers between his own, and drew her hand to his lips, pressing a soft kiss to the back of it. “And I must say I have grown quite attached to you, Senator Yoshioka.

Haru gasped softly, her blush intensifying as she looked up. “I’ve asked you to call me Haru, Baron,” she reminded him with a boldness that she wasn’t sure where it came from.

“Of course. My apologies. Is there anyway I could make it up to you?” His green eyes held an intensity that drew her in as if he had used a force pull, and she could not resist any more.

She leaned in and kissed him, her eyes shut while her free hand came to rest on his shoulder. He reached up and cupped her chin to hold her close. It was a little awkward, his face being so different than any man’s she’d kissed before, and she almost wanted to laugh as his fur tickled her face. But the passion, the care behind the kiss, for how chaste it was, left her breathless.

After what felt like an eternity and much too soon, he pulled away, and her eyes fluttered open to see him watching her with a mix of smug happiness and slight concern.

“I hope I did not pressure you,” he said softly. “I’ve been thinking of doing that for several days now.”

“I’ve felt the same way,” Haru told him. “Please, kiss me again.”

Baron smiled, and leaned in for another kiss. Tomorrow, they’d sit and discuss and figure out where to go from this point on in their relationship. A day after, Baron would have a vision of Louise in danger, and a few hours later, a message confirming it would come to them, with orders to stay put. The day after that, Haru and Baron would be fighting their way out of a pirates’ den, back to back with Louise and Persephone, and with a good four dozen almost- and former slaves following behind. But for now, they just sat there, sharing kisses until they became almost too tired to return to the house, then they stood and walked back under the starlight.

#misku-nimfa #tcr secret santa #(( master corvo is toto in case that wasn't clear ))#(( and yes it's the attack of the clones plot without the sith ))#(( but it works so well ))#(( oh also haru baron persephone and louise might go on to take down slavery in the galaxy next ))#(( so there's room for sequels ))#my fics #Merry Christmas!#merry christmas!#ro likes the cat returns #ro likes studio ghibli

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haruxyoshioka · 6 years

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Every Hero Starts Somewhere - TCR Secret Santa for @raythecomputerart

Merry Christmas @raythecomputerart!! I was your secret santa, and the moment I saw Teen Titans on your list, I knew what I was writing. It kind of got away from me so it’s pretty long but I hope you enjoy it!

She was a bit nervous, if she was being honest. She hadn’t really been on her own, but she’d always known what she wanted to be. She’d tried to hide the secret from her mother as long as she could, but there was only so many ways she could cover up the bruises and the added muscle she was putting on. She’d had to come clean to her mother, that she had been training, that she was working under a superhero. A superhero who was, like herself, just a normal human being with no special powers or abilities, aided only by special tools designed to help her keep up with the rest of the superheroes.

Persephone was a kind hearted woman with a backbone of steel on her, and family funds to back up her high tech tools. By day she was the soft hearted but stone heiress who gave away half of her money to charities and people in need, and by night, she was Midnight, a hero whose name alone made some of the more hardened criminals in the city shiver in fear.

Haru’s origins were nowhere near as dark or stressful as some heroes had--Persephone herself had lost both of her parents when she was younger. Haru was normal in every since of the word. She’d lost her father early on, and barely remembered him. There was a hazy father shaped hole in her memories, along with boxes of fish crackers. Her mother worked hard to support them, and made a name for herself in the craft world as Haru got older.

But with high school almost done, and college looming on the horizon, the teen felt the pressure to decide her future creeping up on her. Her dream since she was a little girl had been to help people, fascinated by the stories of heroes in the news--but no supernatural abilities or powers had ever manifested, and she tried not to be disappointed...until she heard about Midnight. Her hope had been renewed, and she threw herself into what basic training she could manage. She told her mother she was just trying to get in better shape, to be healthier and do better in P.E. But really, she just wanted to somehow convince Midnight to take her on as a sidekick, to help her become a hero like her.

She’d told her as much, one night, after a chance encounter on the roof of her apartment building. Haru had been stargazing, something that helped ease her stress when she couldn’t draw, and Midnight had all but tumbled to the roof’s surface in front of her, bleeding.

The brunette had panicked, and quickly raced to grab the first aid kit and bandages and did her absolute best to help her hero. Midnight had been touched by her words, though she warned it was a dangerous profession, as the gash in her side attested to, but Haru was nothing if not stubborn and determined. She was working hard, she wanted to make a difference. She wanted to believe someone like her, powerless and normal, could be a hero to someone else, just like Midnight was. That was what finally convinced Midnight--Haru’s impassioned plea, and she promised that when she was healed, she would see what she could do.

She still couldn’t believe everything had worked out, but Haru had succeed. Training was hard, but she stuck to the schedule her mentor made for her--and she still couldn’t believe that Midnight and Persephone were the same person. She became Sparrow, Midnight’s small, but equally fierce sidekick...until the League was formed and Midnight became a part of it. But she trusted Haru to continue to watch over the city, and call for help if things ever got too hard.

It was pretty tough, if she was being honest, but things were quiet--until that night. It had been a routine bank robbery, or at least, it was supposed to be. But everything that could go wrong, did go wrong. The criminal in question was a bulky young man with some sort of werecat ability, and super strength to top it all off. He’d already bent her staff when he’d punched her through the window. Luckily her suit prevented her from getting any serious injuries, and she was thanking the powers that be that she’d had the foresight to ask Midnight to make sure she had a hood.

“Yer gonna have to try harder than that, chicky,” the man-cat grinned at her, cream colored fur almost glowing in the light of the full moon and the dim emergency lights in the bank. He towered over her, almost three whole feet on her measly five feet and three inches.

Haru grimaced and pushed herself back onto her feet, also glad she had a spare staff. Luckily for her, her mentor taught her well. She drew the weapon from her belt and tightened her grip around the staff as it extended a few more feet, and settled into her fighting stance. “Didn’t I tell you,” she began cheekily with more confidence than she felt, “we’re just getting warmed up!”

And then everything went to hell in a hand-basket.

A car suddenly picked itself up off the payment and rocketed toward the criminal, the force almost knocking Haru off her feet while the robber threw himself to the ground as the car smashed into the bank.

“Oh, I missed,” came a new voice, sounding oddly cheery despite the damage they’d just caused. “That’s funny, considering how big of a target I had.”

Haru whipped her head around to stare at the dark skinned teen, dressed head to toe in a black cloak that she vaguely noted resembled bird wings. She’d never seen him before, though it wasn’t unheard of for other heroes to pass through the city and take on crime while they were here but it usually wasn’t people close to her age. A year or two older, if she had to guess?

“Aw great, another one?” the cat beast groused as he pushed himself back up, glaring at the two heroes. “This is just not my night.” He was getting hungry too, dammit.

“You looked like you were having a hard time,” the hooded stranger said, addressing Haru this time. “Sparrow, right? I heard Midnight joined the League.”

“I, uh, yeah. That’s right,” Haru responded dumbly, wondering why he was trying to strike up such a casual conversation in the middle of a fight. Did he really think so little of the man she was trying to apprehend?

“I’m still here, birdbrain!” the robber snapped, yanking the door off of the definitely totaled car and hurling it at the two.

Haru yelped and jumped aside, but the door froze in midair before it could collide with the stranger. When he smiled, it was all teeth.

“Looks like the kitty’s got a hairball in his brain,” he remarked casually, lightly, as if he were talking to an old friend. Haru realized his hand was extended, and with the barest flick of his wrist, the car door went flying back at the young man who threw it.

“GO FRY YOURSELF, YOU BIG CHICKEN!” the cat yowled as he dodged, moving surprisingly fast for someone of his size.

“Do....you two know each other?” Haru realized with a start, glancing between the two.

“Something like that,” the hooded stranger replied. “We’ve got a bit of a history. Meet Renaldo Moon, petty thief and vigilante. Ah, perhaps Moota is more accurate now.”

A vein throbbed in the cat-man’s forehead and he snarled. “Moo?!”

The stranger almost doubled over with his laughter. “He actually said it! Oh, still as empty headed as ever!” He had to stop abruptly and dodge as Renaldo Moon suddenly lunged forward, swiping at his head with a large paw. “I’m Toto, by the way! All the bird names were taken, it seems.”

“N...Nice to meet you..?” Haru offered uncertainly. This was certainly the strangest night she’d had since her mentor had been gone. But she had to shake off her stupor, she was in the middle of a fight. Getting distracted would only make things worse.

Taking a deep breath, she rushed forward, using her staff as an extension of her arm, the way she’d been taught and tried to land a blow to Renaldo’s stomach but he swiveled, the back of his paw catching her across the face and knocking her off balance as her staff narrowly avoided hitting Toto in the stomach. Oh, this was so not going the way she’d planned.

“That’s no way to treat a lady, you know,” Toto supplied unhelpfully, and Haru felt an invisible force slowly lift her back onto her feet. Superpowers really were handy, weren’t they?

“Thanks,” she nodded, focusing her attention on the robber once more.

Between the two of them, this guy was going to be hard to take down. He was surprisingly fast and light on his feet, not to mention stronger than he needed to be. It was kind of annoying, and being a normal human, there was only so many super strong hits she could take before she needed a break. Even if Toto had telekinetic abilities...wait a minute. That gave her an idea.

“Toto!” she called, “can you restrain him somehow?”

His grin returned in full force. “I would love to,” he answered with a nod.

“Just try it,” Renaldo snarled, flexing his paws, still snarling.

Toto raised his hands and exhaled slowly, and the car slowly lifted itself out of the bank entrance and began to bend. A single gesture was all it took for the wreckage of the car to fling itself at the robber, and Haru winced at the sound of creaking metal as the car bent itself around the burly robber. But it seemed to work, at least, as they watched him struggle against his bonds.

“That should hold him,” Toto noted, giving Renaldo Moon a smug look.

“Thanks for the help,” Haru smiled wryly, leaning on her staff. “Not that I could do much.”

“Oh, I wouldn’t say that. You did remarkably well for....ah, that’d be rude of me, wouldn’t it?” he winced.

Haru smiled and shook her head. “It’s alright. I know there’s only so much someone like me can do but...even so, I still want to try.”

“You’re very noble, Miss Sparrow. I can see why Midnight took you on.”

“Wha? Nooo, no, I just got lucky. Really stupidly lucky,” Haru laughed and waved her hand.

“You really think that’s all it is?” Toto asked, raising an eyebrow.

Before Haru could answer, both froze when they heard the sound of bolts popping, metal groaning. Haru’s eyes widened, and Toto muttered a curse under his breath and as if on cue, Renaldo Moon burst from the bent and mangled car with a fearsome roar.

“....His strength is really ridiculous,” Toto sighed. “Honestly, it’s not even super strength. He’s just got so much lard.”

If it had been any other situation, Haru would have laughed, but now they had a problem on their hands. Instead, she shared Toto’s sigh.

“You know, this is not how I imagined this night going,” she stated. She really wanted to go home and take a bath and curl up with a good book. Didn’t seem like that was going to happen any time soon though. “Would it be too convenient to hope for someone to just drop from the sky and knock him out?” she asked.

There was a moment of silence and Toto blinked, staring up at the sky. “I think you ought to be careful what you wish for, Sparrow,” he replied.

Haru followed his gaze, and her jaw dropped. Streaking across the sky was something that looked like a meteor but it was quickly approaching them.

“Now what?” Renaldo snapped, scowling up at whatever was streaking toward him, and then suddenly he was on the ground as the object slammed into him, sending him rolling down the street.

Toto and Haru shared an equally confused look before hurrying over. The object was revealed to be a person, dressed impeccably in a crisp white suit and red vest. Even a top hat? It looked like he’d stepped out of some period drama. Everything about him seemed too perfect. Emerald green eyes glittered like gemstones, and he was seated on Renaldo’s back, looking equally confused.

“Talk about Deus Ex Machina,” Toto blinked, scratching his head.

“Quite sorry to interrupt. Once I entered the atmosphere it was rather hard to adjust my course,” the male smiled apologetically, and Haru felt like even that was dazzling. Every move seemed dashing and gentlemanly, even as he smoothly rose to his feet.

“Wow, you’re cool,” she breathed, then caught herself, cheeks burning as she shook her head. “Um. Don’t worry about it,” she continued, tugging at her hood in her embarrassment. “I was just thinking it’d be convenient if someone fell from the sky and...well, there you were.” It was kind of like fate, but she was not going to admit that out loud.

He looked relieved to hear that, and bowed with a flourish. “I am glad that I was able to assist such a fetching heroine,” he smiled as he straightened. “I am called Baron, a Creation. I came with my older sister, but it appears we were separated, but it’s fortunate that I landed here, if it was any assistance to the both of you.”

Aliens weren’t exactly uncommon in the world of superheroes, but it was still her first time meeting one in person. Still, he looked incredibly human, save for his cat like eyes, which she only noticed once he was close enough.

Realizing she was staring, she coughed awkwardly and ducked her head, scuffing her boot against the pavement. “I’m um, Sparrow. Midnight’s sidekick. This is Toto.”

“Nice to meet you, Baron,” he smiled cheerily. “And congratulations on knocking over the bowling pin.”

“Are you two working together?” Baron asked, tilting his head to the side. Another very catlike move, and Haru wondered what the odds were of running into two cat-people in the same night.

“No, though that’s not a bad idea,” Toto mused aloud, tapping his chin. “It’s better to have a network of heroes to rely on, just in case.”

“...I am more used to working with other people,” Haru admitted. It was far easier than fighting alone, as she’d been reminded tonight. “Forming a team isn’t a bad idea at all.”

Baron smiled, and once again Haru felt a bit weak in the knees. She was so in over her head, wasn’t she?

“If you’re forming a team, would it be alright with you if I joined you?” he asked. “It would be best, I think, if I were to experience this planet’s culture first hand. My sister is planning on joining the League anyway, so I’m sure she wouldn’t mind if someone was...keeping me out of trouble, so to speak.”

Toto grinned and nodded. “That’s alright with me, if it’s alright with Sparrow here.”

Her heart gave a funny little kick and she almost choked on her words. “Y-yeah, um. Yeah. That’s fine with me.”

“Excellent. I’ll look forward to working with the both of you,” Baron said as he extended his hand to her. Shyly, she reached forward and shook his hand.

A loud groan reminded them all that Renaldo Moon was still there, and he was still unrestrained. The three tensed, preparing to resume the fight, and Haru hoped it’d be much easier with three people against the burly male.

But all he did was haul himself out of the crater and sit down, still scowling. “I give, I give,” he huffed, propping his chin up on his his paw. “I just ain’t cut out for this.”

“This is....too easy,” Haru murmured, furrowing her brows. Beneath her mask, she squinted at the large cat-man. “You’re seriously giving up?”

“There’s worse than me out here, chicky,” he sighed. “It’s been a hell of a night, and honestly? I just want it to be over. If it gets that King bastard off my back, I’m more than happy to turn myself in.”

The air went still as Haru’s eyes widened. “King...?” she repeated. She knew the name, Midnight had warned her before she left. She wasn’t supposed to take him on, she was supposed to let her know if she heard anything. The League would handle him. It’d be too much for her, Midnight had said. She’d looked so stressed and worried, paler than usual when she passed the information on to Haru, and she still wondered why. It couldn’t be that he was just a fearsome villain. There was more fear in her mentor’s eyes than any villain had ever put there.

She bit her lip and clenched her fists. “About that King guy, do you mind telling me what you know about him?” she asked.

Renaldo frowned and squinted at her, scrutinizing her. “There ain’t no way you can take him on, chicky. Even with the three of you. The guy’s insane. He’d even put his own son in harm’s way if it got him what he wanted.”

An idea formed in her mind. Reckless and stupid, but hopelessly brave--something Midnight had told her before, praising Haru’s reckless bravery but also chastising the very same recklessness. It wouldn’t always work out, she warned, be careful of your decisions.

Haru smiled and offered her hand to the exhausted robber. “All the more reason to help us out, right?” she asked. “I mean, if you’re helping out heroes, you’ll be given a lighter sentence, maybe even pardoned, right?” She saw his ear twitch, though he wasn’t looking at her now, and she knew she had his interest. “Join up with us, and I’ll see if I can get some strings pulled.”

“Are you sure that’s a wise idea?” Toto asked, frowning at Renaldo.

“Honestly no, but...Midnight was worried about this King guy when she left. There’s gotta be something we can do right? All four of us?” Haru answered.

Renaldo was silent, then slowly rose to his feet, placing his paw in Haru’s hand almost reluctantly. “Don’t regret those words, chicky,” he grinned. “And call me Muta.”

It was probably the most ragtag team of heroes she could have chosen. Her, with no powers, clever and witty Toto, a former criminal, and a gentlemanly alien. But that night, Haru felt more excited to be a hero than she’d ever been. She paused as the sky began to lighten, the sun slowly rising over the horizon, the first rays of sun washing over them. It seemed fitting to watch the sunrise like this.

“Well team,” she began, turning to face the others with a bright smile on her face. “The next step is to get our own base of operations, right?”

“If you don’t mind, I think I know the perfect place,” Toto supplied. “A sanctuary, I guess. It’s a hidden plaza, past the Crossroads. I hang out there all the time, no one ever comes back there. It’s close enough in town, and hidden enough that we don’t have to worry about any breaches.”

“That sounds like a good plan,” Haru nodded. “Much better than a...oh, I don’t know...a T shaped building in the middle of the bay?” Surely no one would ever be that dumb, right?

It wasn’t at all the way she’d planned for this to go..but you know what? It had turned out much better than she’d ever expected. They faced a new day, united, and ready for whatever would come their way.

#tcr secret santa #tcr secret santa 2k17 #[ by the time i realized i wrote so much i was like 'oh dear' ]#[ but this was fun! ]#the cat returns

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misku-nimfa · 6 years

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@themenasaur Hi! I am your Secret Santa. I went with the prompt of Louise and Persephone! I hope you enjoy it :)

“You look like you’ve never seen a lady climb in through a window.” Louise threw Persephone a wicked grin as she straightened herself up. In the short time that Persephone had known her, the expression seemed almost affixed to Louise’s face. Like a kitsune grin, it promised devastating mischief and cleverness to those it was shown to. Adventures unlike any others. Persephone loved it. Not that she would tell Louise though, the game was far too young to ruin so recklessly. Persephone gestured for Louise to make herself comfortable, which Louise took as her cue to carelessly settle herself onto Persephone’s bed, before moving to her vanity. Louise would never let her live it down if her fur got them caught and fur always snags at the worst of times.

“This window is at the top of the tallest tower in the kingdom. The climb hardly seems worth it when there’s a perfectly serviceable door on the ground.” Persephone carefully kept her voice level even as a grin of her own fought its way onto her face. A simple plait should serve her purpose. Before Louise had whisked her away from the annual harvest ball, the only time she could see Lune now that he had begun touring the kingdom he would one-day rule, she could not manage even a loose plait on her own. Now she had enough practice that she could face Louise while crafting a quick plait. Louise shot her an incredulous look, only ruined by her untamed grin, before retorting.

“If you want everyone to know where and when you are going, sure. But for adventures that require secrecy, the window is the only way to go,” Louise pitched her voice as practical advice that any matron would give a young maiden as Persephone gave up withholding her grin as a lost cause. Louise had a knack for drawing smiles out of her no matter how grave the situation.

“Secret messages and disguises have gone out of fashion then?” Persephone managed to accurately replicate the tone her peers had used to describe the ever-changing value of cuts and fabrics for gowns back when they were young maidens. Adding a slow glance from beneath her lashes to the performance, Persephone quickened her plaiting.

“Secret messages have been out of fashion for so long that it is only a matter of time before they are revived for inconsequential matters to relish in nostalgia. While disguises have never been in fashion. What is the point in having a secret meeting if you can not do so as yourself? It holds no showcatship then.” Louise straightened herself with an appalled look on her face, moving her hand to her heart as if her reply was a grand sermon. Louise’s appalled expression was likely only half in jest. Persephone had yet to meet another cat ½ as dramatic as Louise, not even her husband. And the two of them had met due to him orchestrating a ball large enough for every eligible she-cat in the kingdom to comfortably attend. Louise claimed that her own husband, Baron, was more dramatic than her. Persephone doubted he truly was though.

“Of course. How could I forget that the most crucial ingredient of a secret meeting is showcatship. Better to have the secrets revealed than to be dull.” Persephone let her amusement color her words, as she tied her plait up. They had far more engaging games to play as they went off on their adventure. She rose and offered her hand to Louise.

“Exactly. Though our meeting is a secret and decidedly not dull. Put these on and we’ll be on our way.” Louise’s entire face lit up as she gifted Persephone what she would need to leave out of her window without falling to her untimely demise. A pair of gloves made of a supple leather with arcane symbols embroidered into them. Persephone could not help but flex and stretch her hands after putting them on. If not for Louise’s penchant for acquiring magical artifacts with absurd regularity, Persephone would not have been able to distinguish them from any other pair of gloves designed for ladies.

At the edge of her window she paused to send Louise her most daring grin. “Onto our next great adventure.” She was sure that it would be absolutely fantastic.

#themenasaur #tcr secret santa #tcr secret santa 2017 #the cat returns #persephone/louise #fanfic #the cat returns secret santa #mine!#text

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deedee-sunflowers · 3 years

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I realized I forgot to post this on tumblr. Hey @letterstoathens! I’m your secret Santa! I chose your prompt for a fantasy au! I kind of bit off more than I could chew and what was supposed to be a one shot is now gonna be about 5 chapters long. Here’s the link for chapter one. I’ll be posting chapter two tonight.

#tcr secret Santa 2020 #the secret Santa 2020 #the cat returns #the cat returns secret santa #tcr

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catsafarithewriter · 4 months

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TCR Secret Santa is officially open for posting your gifts!

Today is the day you can start posting what you've created for the secret santa! If you are posting it on tumblr, please tag it with #the cat returns and #tcr secret santa 2023 and also @ your giftee if they are on tumblr! (Feel free to tag me too!)

I shall be keeping an eye out for all the lovely work you have done!

#the cat returns #tcr secret santa 2023 #tcr secret santa #sorry i have been so quiet i got a new job and thats been taking up a lot of headspace!

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squaric-acid · 4 months

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A Treat for the Eyes, Pt. 2

Part 2 of my contribution to the TCR Secret Santa 2023

=====

When Haru walked into the studio space she was struck by how dark the backstage part of it was. Toto and Muta sat at a table with bottles of water and stacks of paper, no doubt the information of all the models who were auditioning.

Behind them, in a director chair, eyeing her with an unreadable but clearly calculating look, was Baron himself.

Haru was taken by surprise. He was a slim man, with short tawny hair curled stylishly on his head. He couldn’t be any more than thirty from Haru’s reckoning but his eyes held a look that made him seem both younger and much older all at once. He was clean-shaven and although his features were defined they weren’t chiseled to the likes of Tom Hiddleston, there was softness there too.

Haru’s mouth had parted but she took no notice.

Baron looked down at the black notebook resting on his knee. Now that his face was not captivating her entire being, Haru examined what he was wearing. She was a model after all and took a professional interest in clothes.

He wore a light gray pair of herringbone tweed trousers and a pearl colored button down shirt that was rolled roguishly up to his elbows. Curiously, his hands were covered in tailored white linen gloves. He was, all-in-all, as expected, exceedingly handsome.

She must have voiced part of this last observation aloud because Toto snickered a little bit.

“Haru?” Asked Muta’s gruff, no-nonsense voice.

“Oh, yes?” Haru shook herself. It did not seem as though Baron had heard her admission.

“If you would step into the light and pose,” the rotund photographer asked.

Haru set her bag down and squared her shoulders. It was not full studio lighting and Haru was grateful. It was just enough light to see what you were working with but not so much that clothes would start ironing themselves.

Haru posed. Nice and simple. Muta and Toto occasionally voiced directions.

“Walk towards us.” Said Muta.

Haru did as asked but as she did so she noticed Baron leaning over Muta’s shoulder and whispering something through the glare of the studio lights. She stumbled, earning concerned looks from all three men.

When she reached the front of the lighted studio space Baron was watching her with a keen eye and Toto and Muta were making notes.

Haru hesitated.

“Is that everything?”

“Er, not quite,” Toto said.

“Baron’s going to take your measurements while Muta and I arrange the details for the shoot.”

Haru felt her cheeks warm and by the time she’d processed that information Baron was already by her side. Toto and Muta had flown into a flurry of activity and discussion, of which Haru caught very little.

“Why?” Haru managed to ask. It wasn’t common knowledge that designer collections were not strictly tailor-made to fit the models who presented them. Baron really was a particular customer.

Baron smiled at her, his eyes were a vivid shade of emerald green with peridot and gold highlights. They looked magical and oddly feline.

“It wouldn’t do for you to model something if it doesn’t fit you properly.”

Haru’s cheeks erupted in blush and Baron circled her with his tape measure. Baron’s voice was articulate and well-spoken, he spoke with the air of an aristocrat but there was a slight accent to his voice. French, or German was more likely.

When he had finished, Toto held out a slip of paper. Baron took it and looked it over. He handed it to Haru. On it was an address.

“Come by my studio a week from today. You’ll be able to preview the collection and we’ll do the final fitting.”

“But,” Haru protested. “Why me, wouldn’t someone like Yuki be more appropriate for a shoot like this?”

Baron put a gloved hand to his chin and thought for a moment. Then he smiled and Haru’s heart jumped behind her ribs.

“I think you are more than suitable.” He tapped the piece of paper in Haru’s hand.

“Next week, until then I want you to do just one thing. Always believe in yourself. Do that and no matter where you are you will have nothing to fear.”

He ushered her towards the door and with a kind smile left her in the hall.

Haru could hardly believe her ears nor her luck.

~@~

Hiromi was over the moon at her friend’s news.

“I can’t believe you are going to be modeling Baron’s newest collection! I’m so happy for you!” Hiromi gushed over the phone. Haru smiled a little cautiously at her friend’s optimism. While she may be modeling Baron’s newest collection there was no guarantee that it would be a success or that it would do anything for her career. She still didn’t even know what his newest collection was. Muta had informed her later that day that Baron liked to keep everyone on their toes about his work, she would just have to wait until the final fitting to see.

Haru had elected to keep Baron’s parting words to her to herself. They seemed too precious to repeat outside her own head just yet.

~@~

The week passed remarkably quickly and at the same time slower than molasses. Everytime Haru thought about the fitting she became a bundle of nerves. Yet no one seemed to realize that Baron had selected her to be his model for his newest collection. For this Haru was glad, some of the more premier models were bullies.

She arrived on the innocuous doorstep of the building whose address was written on the piece of paper in her hand. It was a lovely old brick building in a fashionable district of London with touches of the art nouveau style. The ground floor was a tasteful looking coffee shop that smelled aromatic and strong. Haru made a mental reminder to visit this cafe sometime in the near future.

But she wasn’t here for coffee. Instead she pressed the doorbell beside a black door with a large glass window pane and stairway leading up behind it. A few moments later Baron descended the stairs and smiled at her through the window as he unlocked the door.

“Good morning, Miss Haru,” he greeted her.

“Good morning Baron,” Haru replied.

“Come now, we are to be working together, you must call me by my true name.”

Baron stood back and bowed, with remarkable flair for as little room as there was at the foot of the stairwell.

“I am Humbert von Gikkingen.”

He held out his hand and Haru took it.

“Pleased to meet you!” Haru giggled in delight.

Still holding her hand Baron began to climb the stairs, “come upstairs to my studio, we’re almost ready for you.”

The two went up the stairs hand-in-hand. At the top of the stairs there was another door that opened into a large studio space. More accurately the space was that of a craftsman or an artisan with small hints or being lived in. The space was open with an exposed brick wall in part of the room while other parts had what Haru suspected was Victorian reproduction wallpaper. There was a kitchenette along one wall and along the other wall were whiteboards, peg boards and cork boards filled with sketches, reference photographs, fabric samples, notes, and even a bundle of dried flowers.

On the floor there were work tables with gridlines and more than one sewing machine. There were studio lights and mannequins and racks filled with hangars with what Haru could only surmise were prototypes to some of Baron’s other designs, covered in white sheets.

Haru was agog. She barely even noticed that there were other people in the room. Muta was setting up a tripod in the back and Toto was leaning against the counter in the kitchenette with a cup in hand, sipping casually.

“It’s wonderful, Baron-Humbert,” Haru said reverently.

“I’m glad you like it.” Baron gave her another kind smile, disregarding her slip-up.

“She’s certainly more appreciative than some of your other models Baron,” Toto remarked from the kitchenette.

“Indeed,” said Baron.

“She’s going to be wonderful on set.” Came a voice that Haru didn’t recognize.

“This is Seiji Amasawa, my assistant.” Baron gestured to the man who had spoken. He looked younger than Haru, probably in his last year or two of university. He had a serious face and dark hair and was currently sewing a button onto a cream-colored blouse.

“And over there is Sophie Pendragon, my milliner and haberdasher.”

Sophie was a young woman with sparkling silver hair and thin, clever fingers. One of her fingers was encircled by a metallic band with a red gemstone.

“We’re looking forward to working with you,” said Sophie. “We’ll be ready in a few minutes.”

Haru nodded and slipped out of her coat which Baron took and hung somewhere behind her.

“You can sit over here.” Baron led her to a plush sofa near the kitchenette.

Would you like milk or lemon in your tea?”

“Milk, please.”

“Good choice.”

“This is my own blend or tea, it’s a little different each time so I can’t guarantee the flavor,” Baron said as he handed her a teacup and saucer.

Haru took a sip.

“This is the best tea I’ve ever tasted.”

“Then you’re lucky.” Was Baron’s reply.

~@~

Haru drank her tea and soon enough Baron, Seiji, and Sophie had everything ready. Muta and Toto were to be taking notes on lighting and set design and make-up choices. Baron would make note of any final alterations.

Haru had to admit this was the most interesting fitting she had ever done. There were no mirrors, so she had no idea how she looked. Despite being in and out of the garments she saw very little of them, hardly had any time to savor them. Some lace here, some delicate embroidery there, the weight of beading somewhere. Swishes of satin and silk, the soft heft of linen and cotton. Haru felt her heart patter a little faster with every button fastened.

Somehow everything fit very well. Baron clearly knew what he was doing when he had taken her measurements. Sophie had flitted about experimenting with trimmings and accessories. Seiji had been pinning what little needed further alteration before the shoot.

Haru found herself floating right along with proceedings. Although she answered whatever questions were tossed her way, she found herself too caught up in it all, her eyes were full of stars.

Before long the fitting was over and Haru was taking a taxi back to her apartment. It had started to rain and Baron had insisted she take one. Just as she was about to get in Baron handed her another slip of paper with the details for the photoshoot on it. The time and date and location.

It was scheduled for the following weekend, four days away.

Hiromi noticed her friend’s faraway look of awe the moment she returned to their shared apartment. And Hiromi was so relieved to see such an expression on her friend’s face that she let it go without teasing.

=====

Thank you so much for reading! Stay tuned for parts 3 and 4!

#the cat returns #tcr secret santa 2023 #tcr secret santa #my writing #haru x baron

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raythecomputerart · 6 years

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Oh god

So I don't know why I insist upon writing for secret Santa when art is literally in my Tumblr name but like whatever, so...well then I apparently can't tag you Ro? I don't know why so I guess uh @mommabearsdayoff @tcrmommabear if you would be so lovely as to make sure Ro gets tagged for this? This is part 1 of 2 and I plan on posting the second part on Christmas Day so yaaaaay!

"Why would she do this?" The poor girl cried in despair, her constant obedience having caused her to have just lost her best friend Haru.

"...sadly Lucinda is known for...her horrible gifts." The girl's household fairy explained, her head weighed down by the awful things the curse has made Yuki do.

"I wish you could just take it away so I'd never be forced to do anything like this again." Yuki flopped down on her bed, she had already cried so many tears, she just felt dried up now.

"Well...you could...always ask Lucinda to take the gift back? Perhaps if you explained the situation you could convince her...I do believe my brother has heard that she isn't completely unreasonable." Despite Louise's hopeful words her tone sounded quite the opposite.

Yuki jumped up, "Do you really think it's possible?"

Louise looked at Yuki, sadness billowing up inside, she didn't deserve this, "...yes, yes I do." Louise got up and went into the cupboard and brought out a book, "I...I've been...keeping something from you."

"A book?"

"Well-uh-not exactly...you see, well it's easier if I just show you," she flipped the book over to reveal a face, "meet my girlfriend!"

And then the face opened it's eyes, "Oh hello there dear! Such a pleasure to meet you-to meet anyone really-the name's Persephone!"

"Louise the book is talking." Yuki's eyes kept bouncing between the book that held Persephone and Louise.

"Well as I said, she's my girlfriend, we might a while ago and let's just say I had a magic mishap."

"Which has led to me being in a book for far too long, I left my home to explore the world with my love, instead I've been exploring these pages. Not the worst fate but not what I was wanting."

Yuki laughed slightly, little did she know that this was just the beginning of her adventure.

#ray writes #tcr secret Santa #the cat returns #writing #secret santa #why do I insist on writing after not writing for months on end?#I hate it #I also don't like that this wasn't proofread #but uh I guess we die like men and don't beta read?#I don't know but hey hopefully this is enjoyable!#it mentioned in the prompt that including Persephone and Louise would be enjoyed and immediately knew who to have them is #*as #I'm tired

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ikemengoessbrrrrr · 4 months

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Finally I post this let's just say part 2 from high school au from @squaric-acid and like always don't forget to tag @catsafarithewriter

Yea takes so long because it's been a while since I write anything and I'm not really a pro writer

BTW ENJOY!

|| There's a Ghost at School

“What do you mean, it was real?"

"Please, believe me!"

Haru and Hiromi were on their way to the cafeteria. This was supposed to be a normal school day and an ordinary journey for lunch, but Hiromi kept retelling the same story that had been rumored lately among students in their school. Of course, Haru was one of the people who didn’t believe the rumor—a ghost wandering in the school library? It was as ridiculous as it sounded.

"Geez, stop being too realistic and think about it for a second! The library ghost, that’s classic!" Hiromi said.

"You mean cliché?" Haru replied with a smile. Before Hiromi could add more, they both arrived in the cafeteria. Getting their lunch and sitting at one of the tables, they began to eat peacefully. Haru couldn’t help but listen to the murmurs of people around them, unsurprisingly about the ghost in the library. Some said they saw it in the corner, while others claimed to have made eye contact with it. Haru rolled her eyes, internally scolding herself for having been slightly interested in the rumor.

"Come on, Haru, do you really believe ghosts are real?" Haru whispered to herself.

"Well, I think it is real," said a voice behind her. She immediately swiveled her head and turned around to look up at the dark-haired man.

"Oh, Toto, it’s you!" Haru exclaimed.

Toto giggled and invited himself to sit at their table beside Haru. "I guess you both girls are also interested in this ghost situation," he added.

Haru shrugged, "Hiromi does," the person in question waved and grinned, then she leaned forward.

"You said you believe in ghosts, so you think it’s real?" Hiromi asked enthusiastically.

Toto hummed, "I’m not sure, I never checked it myself. But Baron said he accidentally captured the ghost with his camera."

It made both girls stand up.

"Really?!"

Hiromi got more excited, "So, you mean Baron saw the ghost!"

Haru herself, hating to start getting interested, but if this involves Baron, there’s something really going on, right?

"Is he sure about it?" Haru asked.

Toto shrugged, also standing up himself, "Why don’t you ask him?" His eyes then scanned around and stopped when he found something he looked for.

"As much as I’d like to accompany you girls, I need to stop a cow from emptying the entire cafeteria." He waved and began to walk away, "Hey, fatso! I asked you to get my lunch, not for you to have double!"

Haru and Hiromi waved back, now alone again. Hiromi gazed at Haru, grinning. Haru rolled her eyes tiredly but smiled nonetheless.

"Alright, let’s check on Baron and see what he got." She didn’t want to admit feeling excited about seeing Baron again; it had been a while. They were in different classes, so Haru rarely met him, which made her sad, but she kept it to herself.

"Besides, it’s just a simple crush anyway."

Both girls arrived in front of the photography club. Haru glanced at Hiromi who just shrugged, she sighed and knocked on the door. The door sliding revealed a man head taller than them both, with tawny hair and green eyes looking at them. The gentle gaze can make Haru melt, she tried to snap out of it.

Haru was too focused on not making a fool of herself, and didn’t notice Baron keeps staring at her until Hiromi cleared her throat to get their attention. Baron smiled at them both and finally started the conversation, “So, may I ask what brings the ladies here?”

Before Haru could reply, Hiromi beat her to it as she asked Baron, “Toto said, you captured a ghost in the library.”

“Accidentally.” Haru added.

Baron hummed in acknowledgement, “Toto isn’t wrong about that, however I myself am not sure about the authenticity of the photo I took.” Baron stepped back into the room, inviting the girls to come in, “Let’s talk about it over a cup of tea.”

As they settled in, Haru looked around the interior of the photography club, like the name, it was full of photographs, but at the same time the feel is not really your usual photography club. Haru remembered what Muta said about the club just to cover for Baron’s other hobby - a refuge to people who like to help. Haru smiled thinking about it, knowing how sweet Baron was for wanting to help others. Still, wondering why he didn’t join the students council instead. But then again, Baron did say he didn’t like how the student council worked in their school.

Baron placed cups of tea in front of them, which Haru and Hiromi gratefully accepted and sipped the content.

“I assume you also want to see the picture?” Baron asked as he sipped his own tea.

They both nodded and leaned to picture Baron put on the table. Haru’s eyes widened, Toto wasn't wrong, Baron indeed captured something unusual. In the picture it’s like a normal library but in the left corner there's a blurry white image. They couldn’t make out what the image is if that’s just a person, a thing, or really a ghost.

Hiromi grinning, “See! A ghost!” She pointed it and grinned at Haru, who rolled her eyes in exasperation.

“Yes Hiromi, a ghost.”

Baron chuckled, “It seems like there was an unusual individual in that picture. I can't say I'm entirely sure if that's really the ghost people have been talking about”

“Didn't you see something when you took this picture?” Haru asked.

“Regretfully, I was too stunned to immediately check after I took it. When I registered myself, the thing wasn't there anymore.”

“Ohh… freaky.” Hiromi chimed in.

There’s something that also Haru wondered about, “Why did you take a picture in the library?”

Baron coughed a bit, “Well, someone asked me to take the picture for reference.”

“It’s prohibited.”

“I know.”

“...”

Baron shrugged, and Haru sighed as she smiled, while Hiromi giggled.

“Anyway, Baron, do you get any more pictures?”

“No, that’s the only picture I have with the ‘ghost’ in it.”

Haru stared at the picture again,examining the details for anything unusual beyond the blurred white shadow.

“Want to investigate it?” She announced suddenly. Hiromi lit up,”Heck yeah! Let’s go!”

Baron once again stared at Haru, his gaze filled with pride and the same warm wonder, causing Haru yet again blushing at his gaze.

Baron tore away his gaze, stood up. “I think Haru has a good idea. Why don’t we check it out?”

And then off they go.

“You know, I started to regret my own suggestion.”

Haru didn’t know what to expect when decided to spy in the library for the ghost. Probably waiting indeed happened but she didn’t think they would need to wait behind books in the bookshelf.

“Why don’t we sit down like normal people?” Haru asked.

Baron, who was skimming a book, replied, “For your information, normal people also read while standing.”

Haru rolled her eyes, “Yeah, but they don’t stare at one spot among the books.”

“Shush guys! You both can scare the ghost!” Hiromi lifted her face from the upside-down book she held.

“Isn’t it the other way around?” Baron asked.

“You scared of ghosts?” Haru raised one of her eyebrows amusingly.

“Never sure, but as far as I know, no, I’m not scared.”

Hiromi looked over the spot they had been spying on, “Man, why hasn’t the ghost shown up yet?”

Haru sighed, leaning on the bookshelf, “I guess it indeed scared of us.”

“Damn it Baron you ruined it!” Hiromi added, with Haru giggling at the accusation.

“Excuse me?”

“Your face probably make it shy.”

Baron smirked, playing along, “Oh my, I must face the corner then.”

They all laughed together.

Haru take deep breath, “Nah Baron you’re fine it just-”

“What are you guys doing here?”

A voice interrupted her voice, making all of them screaming in surprise.

Their heads all snapped back to see the origin of the sound. Immediately sighed in relief when they found out it wasn’t a ghost. In front of them stood a young man with grey-blue hair and heterochromia eyes, looking at them confused.

“Wow, you guys look like you've seen a ghost.”

Haru sighed, “If only that had happened, but thank God it’s only you behind us, Lune.”

Hiromi giggled, “It would be worse if the ghost were behind us because it was mad at us from spying on it.”

“A real ghost?” Lune echoed.

“You probably know the rumor flying around the school,” Baron stated.

Lune thought for a while and hummed, “Ah, yeah, it has been around nowadays, a hot topic, especially one of the reasons for people reaching out to the student council.”

“They reached out to you because of a ghost?” Haru asked.

“They reached out to us for many things, but you can say that.” Lune smirked.

Somehow Baron felt Lune knew something, being curious himself, he started to ask, “Do you may have known about the ghost situation?”

Lune glanced at Baron, his subtle grin did not go unnoticed by others, “Oh yeah, the ghost hm, honestly Baron, I never thought you are the type of person who believes in ghosts.”

“He did capture it.” Hiromi pointed out.

“Oh really?”

Haru pointed at Baron, he shrugged and Haru showed Lune the picture. Lune stared at the picture he retrieved on his hand. The same library with blurred shadow.

“Fascinating.”

The others looked at each other and back at him. “You know something?”

Lune yet again grinning, “I guess you guys will find out.” With that he waved before leaving the trio once again.

“Well, what should we do now? Continue waiting?” Haru asked after the silence.

Like answering her question, the bell rang, signaling for the next class.

“Welp, that's our cue.” Hiromi said.

Baron nodded, “I think our investigation will halt for now.”

After the next class Haru walked in the hallways carrying a stack of papers to the teachers’ office. As her steps echoed through the hallways, Haru noticed a shadow on the corner. Curious, she followed it, her eyes widened seeing that shadow moved into the library. Haru gulped, she cautiously stepped in and looked around. The school day is almost over so the room is empty.

Setting the papers down on the table, she tiptoed further into the library and jumped slightly at a noise catching her ear. Turning toward the corner, she spotted the shadow and swiftly, she came out from the corner only to be met with a pair of shock blue eyes.

“Aaah!”

“Kyaa!”

Both screamed, Haru backing away while the other almost fell from the chair. After momentary chaos, now finally had calmed down. Haru sighed, she glanced at the person in front of her who was busy picking themself from the floor.

“Yuki?!” Haru’s eyes widened.

Yuki jumped but then she smiled. “Hi Haru.”

“Yuki, why are you here at this hour?”

Yuki smiled sheepishly, “I'm always here at this hour?”

“Why?”

“The library is quiet at this hour so I take my chance to read many books before going home.”

Haru nodded, and asked again, “Do usually someone find you?”

“I always run and hide,”Yuki admitted, “I;m still afraid to interact with people I don't know.”

Haru understood, Yuki was always a shy student, yet she is also the most pretty, diligent, and kind person Haru knew. Then suddenly, some details surfaced and clicked in her brain.

“You said you're always here at this hour?”

“Yes?”

Haru pondered for a moment, putting her hand on her chin, then she grinned, “I think I’ve just resolved a rumor.”

“Yuki is the ghost?!”

Hiromi, Toto, and Muta said in unison.

“Hmm… that surprisingly makes sense.” added Baron.

Yuki apologized to all of them for causing chaos, Lune just laughing, it turned out he already knew Yuki is the ‘ghost’. Yuki herself was unaware about the rumor, as she never believed them.

“And you didn't even announce it to fix the situation?” Haru folded her arms. Lune just grinned, “Sorry, I wanted to protect Yuki’s privacy, and seeing rumors like this make our school more lively, am I right?”

Muta rolled his eyes, “You mean unnecessary drama.”

Haru sighed and smiled at everyone, “Welp, I guess this investigation is a success!”

Lune nodded and glanced slightly at Yuki, casting a sweet smile on her, pink colored Yuki’s cheeks she also smiled back. Lune was about to leave to finish some jobs but he stopped.

“Oh yeah, Baron, meet me at the student council room.”

Baron raised an eyebrow. Lune glanced and smirked, “You broke school rules about not to take photos in the library. I suppose you're aware of that?”

Hearing that Baron stiffened and awkwardly looking away. Oh yeah, Haru also just remembered that, she felt guilty for dragging him for that photo. Lune waited, gesturing for Baron to follow. Baron sighed and followed the student council president.

Haru planned apologize to him later.

#phew now I will post the rest of the secret santa with peace #huehue #I'm bad at this ngl #tcr secret santa 2023 #the cat returns #tcr fic #tcr

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