Look, if Ben is taking skulls and selling them, good for him?? I'm sure the owner was not using them...
Underrated Mysterious Benedict Society things:
The way the show universe makes no mention of normal popular sports, but specifically mentions and/or shows Tetherball, Pool, and Water Polo. It’s show canon that THOSE are the popular sports of the TMBS universe 😂 I love adaptations that add touches that feel like they could be canon to the source material, and this one very much does.
Welcome to Moulin Noir
Over two decades ago, the grand opening of the Moulin Noir had the brilliant and idealistic result of bringing unlikely people together. Both the crème de la créme of la société parisienne, as well as commoners — artists, painters, poets, playwrights, dancers, and all who had been overlooked by the high born — mingled under the same roof.
Yet behind the stunning scenography, the porcelain smiles, and the witty, charming performances on the stage, there is a speck of rot hidden beneath paint and glitter.
The Show Must Go On
Moulin Noir is a literate, mature period roleplay set within Paris during the year 1907, following a host of eclectic characters who gather around on of the city’s cabaret clubs. With the star of the show’s disappearance, and even more suspicious comeback raising eyebrows, everyone is under scrutiny.
ENTER THE SHOW
Today’s Frosta of the Day has been brought to you by: "I’m sorry, but I just wanted to be part of this conversation”.
Thanks a lot for tagging me @oh-no-another-idea <3
Target (I have now used up all my excerpts with target in them haha)
She gets straight to the point, “First question, have you heard any strange noises, or whispers maybe, since you started living here? Or have you perhaps seen anything out of place?”
“I don’t think so,” she replies after a moment of thought. “Usually when I hear banging on the walls or any other strange sounds, it’s coming from Melinoe. And I don’t think I’ve ever seen anything weird either.”
So only Melinoe is being targeted by the spirits. It doesn’t happen that often that only one of the residents is being haunted, but it’s also not totally uncommon.
Lift (omg Ozul is falling apart!)
“Ew.” Ozul winces as the eye goes in.
“You okay?” Nerezza asks.
“Yeah, eye’s just gross.” He tries to sound indifferent, but Nerezza knows how much he actually hates it.
“It’s over now.” He strokes a hand over his hair. “You got any other wounds that need patching up?”
“On my left leg, just above my knee,” he says, lifting the hem of his robe slightly for him to see. A gaping wound covers his leg, starting above his knee and ending on the outside of his thigh.
Disgrace (Nene being a mysterious fucker haha)
There is no response for a moment. Not even the slightest movement. He just stands there, still like a statue, that streetlamp radiating his presence. But after a few seconds, he makes his way over to Nova.
He takes long, even steps, and carries himself with that same grace as always, ever in control of his own movements.
Never (careful, Nova, your crush might show!!) #Nova in the last one be like #if only
“And how long have you two been together?”
He shoots Nerezza a quick glance. “Together? How do you mean?” It takes him everything not to stumble over his words, and he has to force his hands to stay around his cup. He knows he always rubs his neck when he’s embarrassed or uncomfortable, and he doesn’t want Nerezza to notice.
“You are a couple right?”
He shakes his head. “No, we’re not,” he replies, his voice, luckily, staying steady.
“Oh, I thought- never mind.”
Nova steals another look at Nerezza, but the angel just gives him a confused shrug.
Open tag for everyone! Also tagging @drippingmoon (I can't remember if I've already tagged you in a previous one haha), @dontjudgemeimawriter, @fuyugomori, and @solipsism-lemonade , if you want! Your words are uncommon (or common if you don’t have it), eye, control, and shrug.
HI!!
I know it's been such a long time since my last post (my apologies) but I'm back with some more content! I've been reading lots of Chinese action and adventure this year and some of them were absolute masterpieces, so I'd just like to share some of their best bits with you. I translated some extracts for you so can enjoy them with me as well!
I do notice that last time I said I would post a book review of The Wicked Deep soon, but I simply couldn't bring myself to do it. Hopefully I can finish that next time...
Just a note: by "Action and Adventure Edition" I don't mean what makes the action and adventure genre memorable, but what I found memorable within the book; it doesn't have to be exclusive to the genre.
Also, giant spoilers ahead!
That being said, let's dive right in!
Chapter 1391
Klein retracted his gaze and looked around, saying slowly,
“Afterwards, you can still gather here on the Monday afternoon of every month, but there will be no convener anymore.”
“If you require a secretive, private discussion, pray beforehand and wait for a reply.”
At this point, “The Fool” Klein closed his eyes for a moment, saying, “That is all for this gathering.”
The members of the Tarot Club could not contain the gushing, inexplicable sadness they felt, as if a grand ball had come to a closing.
They stood simultaneously, bowing to the end of the long marbled table: “Your wish is our desire.”
Main character and leader of the Tarot Club Klein Moretti goes into seclusion, and Chapter 1391 marks the last Tarot Club meeting before he is gone for years to come.
By Chapter 1391, I had come to love Klein and the Tarot Club, and seeing them part ways (no matter how temporary) was heartbreaking to me. The extract above shows the strong bond between Klein and the members, as well as the respect the members had for their leader. I resonated with the "gushing, inexplicable sadness" the Club members felt as I didn't want to see Klein go, especially because this was also one of the last chapters of the book. Departure, and especially the sorrow of it all - is what made it so memorable.
* I translated the name myself
Chapter 700
As he spoke, Yuan Chen Fei’s body started to turn into ash, gradually dissipating.
At the same time, the eyes of the God of Apocalypse opened slowly.
The bubbly figure of Mistra knelt before the God of Apocalypse: “System elf Mistra hails to the great Emperor of Gods.”
A rumbling voice was already resounding: “Continue all that should be continued!”
(Okay, I do realise that if you read the extract without any context at all it sounds kinda weird, but I promise it's a good book!) With powers that tower over any other being in the universe, Yuan Chen Fei becomes the God of Apocalypse and continues the Game of the Gods in his reign.
This is what I would consider as an end that marks a beginning. Chapter 700 is the last chapter of Game of the Gods, which makes it an "end", but in this end Yuan Chen Fei ascends the hierarchy of the universe, becoming the most powerful being and overseeing the Game personally, making it a "beginning". This end is full of aspiration and pride instead of sorrow, which makes it different from the Lord of the Mysteries extract. I was really influenced by this mood and felt like I was witnessing something grand, and that's why I still remember this scene to this day.
This time I focused on the concept of closing, and the two ways that it's been depicted in two books I've read, creating separate effects and atmospheres. Endings are common, but what makes an ending memorable is its emotion (to be honest I feel like emotion is what makes everything memorable).
But that's all I got for you this time, and Part 2 will probably be out sometime soon!
See you next time!
Welcome to Moulin Noir
Over two decades ago, the grand opening of the Moulin Noir had the brilliant and idealistic result of bringing unlikely people together. Both the crème de la créme of la société parisienne, as well as commoners — artists, painters, poets, playwrights, dancers, and all who had been overlooked by the high born — mingled under the same roof.
Yet behind the stunning scenography, the porcelain smiles, and the witty, charming performances on the stage, there is a speck of rot hidden beneath paint and glitter.
The Show Must Go On
Moulin Noir is a literate, mature period roleplay set within Paris during the year 1907, following a host of eclectic characters who gather around on of the city’s cabaret clubs. With the star of the show’s disappearance, and even more suspicious comeback raising eyebrows, everyone is under scrutiny.
ENTER THE SHOW
Ziggy looked back at Carmen and said, "This…This is…real?"
"Hm?" Carmen replied.
"This…i-isn't a joke?"
Carmen's eyes went wide. "Absolutely not. That would be a lot of effort to go through just to make a rather cruel joke, wouldn't you think?"
—
-Google Docs -FanFiction.net -DeviantArt -AO3
Top 10 Animated Movie Couples (1/10)
Bruce Wayne and Kathy Duquesne
(Batman: Mystery of the Batwoman)
Welcome to Moulin Noir
Over two decades ago, the grand opening of the Moulin Noir had the brilliant and idealistic result of bringing unlikely people together. Both the crème de la créme of la société parisienne, as well as commoners — artists, painters, poets, playwrights, dancers, and all who had been overlooked by the high born — mingled under the same roof.
Yet behind the stunning scenography, the porcelain smiles, and the witty, charming performances on the stage, there is a speck of rot hidden beneath paint and glitter.
The Show Must Go On
Moulin Noir is a literate, mature period roleplay set within Paris during the year 1907, following a host of eclectic characters who gather around on of the city’s cabaret clubs. With the star of the show’s disappearance, and even more suspicious comeback raising eyebrows, everyone is under scrutiny.
ENTER THE SHOW
thought about how non-cis people with it/its pronouns can say
this cisn't it
(picking daisy petals) i am my body. i inhabit my body. my body imprisons my consciousness. without my body i am not human. without consciousness i am not human. i am not my body. i am living in my body. my body is me. i belong to my body. i don't know my body. my consciousness is like air. i don't know where it comes from. what defines a human. does the human disappear upon death-
FLIGHT 927, DO YOU COPY? OVER.
The Bermuda Triangle is famous for only one thing—the mysterious disappearances of ships and aircraft as they pass through its treacherous waters. What happens to those who vanish is known by only them, and as they become stranded in BERMUDA, the world will wonder what on Earth happened to Flight 927. Swallowed up by a vortex that plummeted you into a world with four ecosystems existing side-by-side, will you be one of the many emerging from the wreck? Or one of those before them? Or even an unfortunate soul who was exiled from the survivors and left to fend for themselves?
No matter newcomer, settler or exiled—be careful of the strange creature that lurks in the forest at night, and don’t fight with your igloomate or you might have your food rations revoked!
WELCOME TO THE BERMUDA TRIANGLE. WILL YOU SURVIVE?
BERMUDA HQ is a semi-appless literate roleplay centered in the fictional world of Bermuda. A survival, horror and town roleplay all wrapped into one. Opening at five accepted applications! Frequent plot drops and events.
The Great Alaskan Mystery (1944)
Film review #464
Directors: Lewis D. Collins, Ray Taylor
SYNOPSIS: Dr. Miller, along with Dr. Hauss, has invented a new death ray called the paratron. However, Dr. Hauss is secretly a Nazi spy, who intends to steal the death ray to give to his home country. Jim Hudson, an adventurer of sorts, tells Miller that the material he needs to complete the paratron may be found in the Alaskan mines, and so they set off there, only to have their plane crash on the way...
THOUGHTS/ANALYSIS: The Great Alaskan Mystery is a 1944 serial released by Universal pictures comprised of thirteen chapters. The serial centres around the invention of a death ray called the "paratron," invented by Dr. Hauss and Dr. Miller. However, they are having trouble completing it. Jim Anderson, an adventurer who knows Dr. Miller's daughter Ruth, visits and remarks that a rare mineral that can be found in mines in Alaska might be what they are looking for. They all set out on a boat to Alaska, but various machinations are at work, as Dr. Hauss is secretly a Nazi spy, and intends to steal the paratron for his own country, getting the Captain of the ship to aid him in his scheme. The ship sinks and the cast are forced to survive in the Alaskan wilderness until they are rescued. The first two or three episodes are quite varied and dump the cast straight into the Alaskan wilderness doing what you would expect them to di in Alaska: getting caught in the snow, visiting Inuit natives, and such. After chapter three, the serial settles down into a more typical format, with the heroes and villains engaging in a back and forth as they try to get a hold of the paratron and stop each other. In terms of story then, it's a standard serial affair. The stakes aren't particularly high as everything revolves around this death ray which while is indeed powerful, doesn't seem as revolutionary as some other inventions used in these serials (maybe because the idea of the death ray has been done to death). Also this is a wartime serial, and the stakes here probably pale in comparison to the real war going on at the time. There's also perhaps something to be said for the fact that the setting of Alaska makes the serial feel somewhat removed from any wider context. However, the serial does make good use of the Alaska setting, as we get a decent amount of shots of the wilderness and unique set-ups in the mountains and snow, even if they rely heavily on stock footage.
The cast for this serial is fairly large. However, none of them really stand out, and fall into very typical serial roles. The cast does however, consist of a number of popular and well-known actors of the time, which enhances the serial with some decent performances. You have the typical protagonist, the sole female character, and the elderly scientist, along with the villains and their henchman. There's also plenty of characters pretending to be helping the heroes when they are the villains. it all adds up to quite a mystery, but never really flows into a coherent experience as all the characters are easy to get mixed up and don't form their own unique performance.
As mentioned, the depictions of Alaska are perhaps the most unique part of the serial, with plenty of scenic shots, lumberjacking, and wilderness sets that make it look the part. The dialogue is what mainly drives the story though, as with most Universal serials. There's not a lot of action scenes outside of some classic shoot-outs and chase scenes, and again that is typical of a Universal serial, which usually are less action-oriented than the ones from rival serial producer Republic. Overall, The Great Alaskan Mystery has many of the serials tropes that it needs to, but fails to bring it's busy story and large cast together to create anything special. It's got everything it needs, but is ultimately a bit forgettable, leaving it to be remembered as just another average serial amongst the many of the format.
Welcome to Moulin Noir
Over two decades ago, the grand opening of the Moulin Noir had the brilliant and idealistic result of bringing unlikely people together. Both the crème de la créme of la société parisienne, as well as commoners — artists, painters, poets, playwrights, dancers, and all who had been overlooked by the high born — mingled under the same roof.
Yet behind the stunning scenography, the porcelain smiles, and the witty, charming performances on the stage, there is a speck of rot hidden beneath paint and glitter.
The Show Must Go On
Moulin Noir is a literate, mature period roleplay set within Paris during the year 1907, following a host of eclectic characters who gather around on of the city’s cabaret clubs. With the star of the show’s disappearance, and even more suspicious comeback raising eyebrows, everyone is under scrutiny.
ENTER THE SHOW
Warnings: mentions of death, losing a friend
Word count: 3,693
Characters: Charlie Weasley and my OC Nova from TICW which you can find here
Charlie
The longer we followed Andre and Penny the more Nova's grip on my hand tightened. Penny's silent tears and Andre's facial expression weren't exactly an indicator of good news.
“I...I don't know when...or who. Andre found...them.” Penny sobbed, pointing at Tonks and Remus lying on the floor next to each other.
I closed my eyes, trying to calm myself down and suppress the feeling in my chest that wanted me to scream. Nova let go of my hand as she started to cry loudly. She took a step towards Tonks and fell to her knees.
It broke my heart seeing her like this. I was the only one besides Tonks herself that knew how close they were.
About a year after we moved to the Sanctuary, Nova confessed that she was closer to Tonks than Penny and made me swear not to tell her little secret to the latter one. Penny always considered Nova her best friend even though all four of them were very close and even though we weren't teenagers anymore I knew that Penny would be offended if she found out.
Nova said that she wishes she could spend more time with Tonks while I just always thought that they weren't that close or that they couldn't find the time to spend with each other.
She told me that in our last 2 years at school – especially once she and I got together – she started to notice that she and Penny didn't always agree and loved how supportive and unintrusive Tonks was. She said that once she told her that we were together – even though we said we wouldn't tell anyone – it just felt so good and she got a feeling that she and Tonks bonded over it like they never did before.
For some reason, to Nova, Tonks showed a gentler side, the side she never showed due to all the mischief she hid behind and Nova felt bad for needing so long to see her true face – her kindness, support, and unjudgmental nature.
When we found out that Voldemort was back, Nova started to correspond more with Tonks. She was worried for her – her constantly on missions to discover where the Death Eaters had their meetings. It was Tonks that sent us the intel and told us what was going on in England.
After Sirius died, Nova started to notice strange behavior in Tonks' letters. One day she was happy, the next it seemed that she would rather run away or disappear off the face of the Earth. Nova got concerned and with Olivia's help, she made Tonks stay with us for a week. Moody wasn't happy about it but Nova had to know that she was okay.
It was then that Tonks told her about Remus and how she felt about him, saying that she never thought she would find anyone who would make her feel that way and with everything Nova knew about her from school when the girls were talking about boys, she knew that this was serious for Tonks.
From then on out, Nova kept sending her encouraging messages not to give up hope and that she should try and make him see the light at the end of the tunnel.
I still remember the sound Nova made the day when she received one of Tonks' letters. I ran down the stairs so fast that I almost rolled down them, not knowing what was going on. Nova was pacing up and down our living room, having the biggest grin on her face. She was shaking when she hurried to me to show me the letter, being so excited about its content that she told me that Tonks and Remus are together before I could start reading the letter.
Every time Nova got a letter from Tonks it made her day. I knew she missed the girls and being back in England with everything that was going on so it was nice to see her less worried when Tonks told her that everyone is okay and safe.
Tonks might've been over the roof when Nova told the girls that she was pregnant but I bet nothing compared to how Nova reacted when Tonks sent her a letter telling her that she was. Nova cried, wrapped in a blanket – looking like a little fluff ball on the sofa – for what seemed like hours. She was happy for all of her girls that they were happy and more importantly safe. But she was extra excited for Tonks because she finally gave in to her feelings and didn't hold back – something Tonks was struggling with a lot.
We were one of the first to come and visit them when Teddy was born. Remus was over the roof about being a father and it was a sight for sore eyes seeing them be a small happy family.
Nova was shocked, however, when Tonks asked her to be Teddy's godmother. She told her that Remus already asked Harry but she wanted her boy to have a godmother too. Tonks told her that there was nobody else that would even cross her mind and I will always remember how she asked Nova.
“I know we are both an only child and if I ever imagined having a sister she would be just like you and I want Teddy to be surrounded with a family that loves and adores him. Nova, will you be his godmother?”
That night when we got home, Nova couldn't shut up about the fact that Tonks called her a sister and she was so overwhelmed with all the feelings, it was the most adorable thing to watch and it was a plus for me because she was super cuddly after that and I never have enough of snuggling with her.
“No, no, no, no!” Nova's voice brought me back to the cruel reality and I opened my eyes.
“Tonks!” Nova was now leaning over her, her fingers buried in her blouse, shaking her body.
“Tonks, wake up! Nymphadora, please!” Nova's voice cracked as she pressed her head against Tonks' chest.
I kneeled beside her and gently put my hand on her back, not knowing how she will react to my touch. I have known Nova since she was 11 and I have never seen her like this, not even when her dad passed away.
Nova was never good when it came to dealing with negative feelings. She needed a long time to get over what happened to her dad, even though she would never admit it. She rarely talked about him – now more so, when she was telling Aoede stories about her brave grandpa and his adventures.
She liked keeping these feelings for herself, not wanting to burden anyone with them, and always tried being cheerful and happy for the sake of others. I was the only one who knew what she was going through when her dad passed away and it even took years for her to tell me most of the things and it was rather frightening how many emotions she kept inside her.
I made her promise that she will always tell me when she has a bad day or would like to rant or talk about her problems. After all, she was the one who taught me that I should speak up my mind. It was ironic that she didn't do the same. Through the years of us living alone in Romania, it made her see that she doesn't bother me if she talks about what worries her and spoke openly about her concerns about what is happening back in England.
I was proud of her for that and we promised each other to tell each other everything, even the darkest thoughts that cross our minds – it made us feel even closer.
But this...I have never seen her like this. The Nova I knew would cry silently, trying to seem strong for the rest of us and then cry some more when she gets somewhere private.
I feel bad because I have no idea what is going through her mind, what is making her cry so publicly, forgetting that people are around her and Tonks.
Perhaps, she felt the same as me – she hoped that nobody would get killed, that we will all be okay and get through this together. Perhaps she thought the same as I did for Fred – the questions that were fogging my mind.
“Dora,” she pleaded, “please. Please, open your eyes! You, you have to! Please!”
A new set of tears ran down my cheeks. It was so hard seeing her like this, hearing her cry and beg for her friend to come back. I bit my lip, hoping it would make my jaw stop shaking.
“Nova,” I whispered to her.
I wanted her to turn around – to me – so I could wrap my arms around her and stroke her hair and tell her that everything will be okay and that I am here for her.
She didn't turn around. It seemed as if she didn't even hear me. Her head was buried in Tonks' shoulder and her sobs quietened down.
I don't know how long we were in that position, me gently rubbing circles on her back.
All of a sudden she stiffened and lifted her head as if she remembered something.
“Love?” With crying so much, me calling her came out as a mere whisper.
She stood up so abruptly that she almost knocked both of us over. Her fists were clenched and she was frowning. I tilted my head, carefully observing her expression. She looked determined as if she has set a mission for herself in her head. I have never seen her make a face like that before and it was frightening how she could go from crying to brushing her tears away and putting on this emotionless facade.
“Nova?”
I didn't know how to approach her or what to say to her. She looked like she didn't want anyone talking to her and the last thing I wanted to do was upset her more.
“I'm fine, Charlie,” she said with a harsh voice and kissed my cheek.
“Has anyone seen Harry?” She turned to Penny, Andre, Tulip, and Jae who was pressing a cloth to his temple.
Everybody shook their head, observing her and being surprised by her sudden change of attitude as much as I was. Nova nodded before starting to walk away.
“Nova, love, where are you going?” I swallowed thickly, hoping that I didn't sound too concerned for her even though I was losing it on the inside.
“I have to find Harry,” she said without stopping, “I'm fine so don't worry. Go back to your family, Charlie. They need you.”
She turned to me, cupped my face, and pressed our foreheads together. She inhaled and exhaled deeply before giving me a gentle kiss and walked away.
Nova
I was walking around the Great Hall, careful not to stumble over anything as people were still trying to clean the rubble that was left from the battle, trying to find Harry.
I brushed my cheeks to get the feeling of dried tears away. I didn't feel like crying. In fact, I didn't feel anything. I could feel my heartbeat but no emotions – as if I completely shut down. My mind only had one mission – to find Harry and talk to him.
Something broke in me when I saw Tonks, with her eyes closed, looking so peaceful as if she was sleeping. I was a fool to hope that we wouldn't lose anyone. It was enough that I lose a brother-in-law, that Charlie lost a brother. I wasn't even prepared for that, far from it.
I knew that nothing I would do could bring her back but I tried anyway. Why her? Why Remus? Why both of them?
As I was sobbing, my chest pressed against hers, I kept thinking of Aoede, being in Romania with my mum, wondering why mum and dad left without hugging her one last time. I despised myself for it. I hated that I was so weak that I couldn't embrace my daughter one more time. What if I was in Tonks' place? What if that was the last time she would ever see her mummy and it looked like I didn't even care because I was selfish and I couldn't handle saying a proper goodbye?
I kept thinking how Aoede lost an aunt, how I lost one of my closest friends, how Tonks called me her sister, and how those words touched my soul like no other compliment ever did before. It just seemed fitting. We were so similar in so many ways and it broke my heart knowing she finally found her place next to Remus and started a family and now...
And then I stiffened and the tears stopped falling.
Teddy.
I might've lost a friend but Teddy...he lost both of his parents.
When Tonks asked me to be his godmother, I have never imagined that I would have to take the role so seriously. I thought I would be the aunt who lives in Romania and brings an exotic souvenir every time she visits, not have to visit his grandmother and help plan his future and tell him stories about how heroic his parents were.
I didn't want that. I shouldn't need to do that. They were supposed to survive and return to their baby boy like Charlie and I will go back and bring that beautiful grin on our girl's face.
But they won't...they were gone and I couldn't waste my time on my emotions and my well-being. I have to be strong for Teddy's sake, be there for him when he will be old enough to realize what truly happened to his parents. It doesn't matter how I feel as long as he is safe and feeling okay.
I didn't even need to take a deep breath when I finally spotted Harry. I didn't feel nervous. I don't know what made me shut down my emotions and get all protective. Perhaps it was my motherly instinct. I just knew I had to do it. Perhaps it was the fact that I have never experienced such a painful emotion as I did when I saw Tonks and Remus and I simply won't stand for anyone else feeling that way.
“Harry,” I cleared my throat to appear more composed, “can I talk to you for a moment?”
Harry didn't say anything. He simply nodded and stood up. He followed me to the other side of the Great Hall, where we could be alone and I motioned with my hand for him to sit down on one of the fallen rocks.
“I know we don't talk often and perhaps you will find the things I will tell you and ask you about strange but this is something I feel like I need to do and I hope you can understand that.” I started.
“Okay,” Harry said slowly.
“How are you?”
Harry's eyes widened. Clearly, my question startled him.
“I-I'm okay.” He stuttered.
“No, you're not so don't say that. I am not asking you just to get a simple answer, I truly want to know.” I put a hand on his shoulder and mustered a small smile.
“Well,” Harry inhaled deeply, “I feel relief that it's finally over.” He scanned the Hall.
I didn't say anything, only hummed in response. I was hoping he would say more.
“I...honestly, I don't know how to feel. Yes, it's over but so many people got hurt or killed and it's all because of me.” I could see that he was desperately trying to hold in the tears.
“Harry, you shouldn't blame yourself. Just because Voldemort was after you it doesn't mean it would be any different if he wasn't.”
“I know,” he sighed, “but in a way, I will always blame myself.”
“Just give it time and please take care of yourself and take some time off. Don't go around and help others and try to appear strong for everyone else while you suffer on the inside. You need to heal as much as everybody else if not more.”
“You should listen to your own advice.” He smiled sheepishly at me.
“Yeah.” I let out a silent chuckle.
“Harry, do you know about Tonks and...”
“Remus? Yeah.” He bowed his head and sniffed.
“I'm sorry you lost the last person who connected you to your father.”
“And I'm sorry you lost one of your closest friends.”
We both fell silent after he said that and I was surprised how comforting it was to sit with him without saying a word.
I met Harry in his first year when Ron wrote to Charlie about Norbert and I saw him a few times at the Burrow after that. But him constantly having something happening to him and him, Hermione and Ron going on a secret mission, I never had the time to get to know him better. Most of the things came from Ron or Ginny.
“Harry,” I started after a while, “I know it's probably the last thing on your mind but I wanted to talk to you about Teddy.”
“Right.” He replied as if he was just reminded of the little boy's existence.
“From what I have heard about you I know you will start worrying about being his godfather after you process everything.”
Harry only hummed so I continued.
“And I know we never got the chance to talk about us being Teddy's godparents with everything that has been going on and frankly, I was hoping we would never have to have this conversation.” I sighed. “I wanted to ask you how you feel about it?”
“Feel about what? Being a godparent?”
“Yes.”
“It's fine. An honor, I suppose.” Harry shrugged.
“Okay, now let's stop beating around the bush and tell me how you really feel.”
“How am I supposed to feel? What am I supposed to say? That I don't feel ready?” “Yes.”
“That I don't know what Remus was thinking giving the role to me?” “Mhm.”
“What am I supposed to do? They were supposed to survive. I don't even know what being a godfather means. I'm just...I'm just...”
“Say it.” I encouraged him.
“I'm just a kid! I am not old enough for this! How am I supposed to take care of a child, of a baby? I don't know anything about babies.” Harry's chest was rising and falling fast.
This was exactly why I shut down before. Why I stopped crying. Why I wanted to talk to him. I felt the burden of the role consume me the second Teddy popped to mind and then I thought of Harry and how I would feel if I was having the same feelings being his age. I couldn't imagine it. I already felt awful and I couldn't wrap my mind around it how I could help and what I could do let alone be 17 and have to think about it.
“Just a kid,” Harry repeated. “I don't know the first thing about parenting, Nova. My aunt and uncle never treated me as a kid should be treated and everybody that came even close to being a parent figure to me...” He clenched his teeth together, his eyes burning with tears.
“I told you this is going to be a strange conversation and you probably find it weird that I opened this topic here but I needed to tell you that you don't have to worry about it. I know for most things what you have been through and as I said at the start of this conversation, I want you to live in peace and take a breather from everything that has happened to you. It's okay if you don't feel like it and you shouldn't blame yourself for not wanting this.” I wrapped my arm around his shoulders and pulled him closer.
“I will talk to Teddy's grandmother and try and be as involved as I possibly can be from Romania. I just wanted to lift one burden off your shoulders and be bold enough to tell you that because nobody seems to be straightforward with you. Know that nobody expects you to parent him or be there for him when you can hardly keep it together yourself. You'll be involved in his life when you're ready to do so and I needed you to hear that. Perhaps it's the mother in me that is saying all of this, but I want you to start living your life. Merlin knows you deserve a proper normal moment.” I bestowed him with a gentle smile.
“Tha-thank you, Nova. Honestly, I didn't know I needed to hear all of this. How did you know?” Harry corrected his glasses, locking eyes with me.
“Honestly, I am afraid I don't have an answer for you.” I shook my head. “I just felt this urge to talk to you. I know how it is when you bottle everything inside and try to be an adult when you're not supposed to grow up yet. It was my husband that taught me to open up and speak about the things that are bothering me and with you losing so much and so many people that you loved, I felt the need to step in. I'm sorry if it freaks you out or you find it inappropriate.”
“Not at all. I don't remember the last time someone older than me spoke so honestly with me. I am glad you did. It's good to talk to an adult and not pretend that I am one too.” He smiled.
“Alright, I'll let you go back to your friends.” I stood up and Harry followed my lead.
We nodded at each other and walked to the Weasleys in silence.
“Are you okay?” Charlie asked the second I sat down next to him, concern in his eyes.
“No,” I answered truthfully. “But we'll get through this together. Are you okay?”
“No. But we'll get through this together.” Charlie half smiled and leaned on my shoulder.
Welcome to Moulin Noir
Over two decades ago, the grand opening of the Moulin Noir had the brilliant and idealistic result of bringing unlikely people together. Both the crème de la créme of la société parisienne, as well as commoners — artists, painters, poets, playwrights, dancers, and all who had been overlooked by the high born — mingled under the same roof.
Yet behind the stunning scenography, the porcelain smiles, and the witty, charming performances on the stage, there is a speck of rot hidden beneath paint and glitter.
The Show Must Go On
Moulin Noir is a literate, mature period roleplay set within Paris during the year 1907, following a host of eclectic characters who gather around on of the city’s cabaret clubs. With the star of the show’s disappearance, and even more suspicious comeback raising eyebrows, everyone is under scrutiny.
ENTER THE SHOW
Merula and Y/N are conversing.
Merula: I’m the smartest here so, I will ask you a question, and then you ask me one. If you can’t answer, you give me a galleon. If I can’t answer I’ll give you 10 galleons.
Merula asks a question. Y/N can’t answer it so they give Merula a Galleon.
Y/N: My turn. What animal has five legs, and when they cross the Quidditch Pitch has two legs. Then comes back with nine legs.
Merula *Thinking really hard*: Ugh, I give up. Here’s your ten galleons.
Y/N: Thank you!
Merula: May I ask, what animal is that?
Y/N *Gives Merula A Galleon*.
