Mattie sleeps well, considering the long day she's had. Little Blackie is nearby her, which comforts her and makes her feel safe. She's still afraid of the snakes that come out at night even though Rooster told her that they don't attack young girls, but for now, she tries to forget that ( Read more... )

Armand is in the library. It's a common place just to settle down and look for people while having something entertaining to do. He's been bursting with the news of his engagement to Karla. When all was said and done, despite their mutual fears of a big wedding, they both have family and friends they wish to share their happiness with. There will ( Read more... )

The coach ride to Bath proves utterly imperilous, with no great calamity than a stop at an inn -- its taproom sadly lacking in sinisterly scarred ruffians or raddled wenches with sharp tongues, much less a kitchen with a fat, surly chef cuffing the kitchen boys. Once they resume their journey, they nearly turn back to the inn, when Mrs. Allen ( Read more... )

It's sometime on New Year's Eve and a small blond boy comes dashing through the doorway to the main room of the Mansion. He has a pink toy rabbit in his arms and he looks very excited - so excited that he doesn't at first notice that he's in a different room to the one that he expected ( Read more... )

Inspired by Ariel's shenanigans a couple years ago, Merlin has opted to, once again, attempt to spread some holiday cheer. That is probably why, in the common room where a pine tree has already been decorated, one can find a generous buffet with all sorts of foods, salty and sugar, western, eastern, northern and southern.  There is also a bar where ( Read more... )

The grounds of the Mansion lay dark and dead, the trees grey and the grass sear and yellow-brown.

The air in the Mansion had a chilly feel to it, as if winter had crept into the woodwork. And once asleep, perhaps some Mansion dwellers dream of silvery winter days, building snow forts, lighting with candles.

When Mansion dwellers wake up, this ( Read more... )

Morgoth has been observing. First, it was the intriguing being with the purple eyes and the elflings, scouring the forest for snakes, toads, spiders and the like. Then it was again this same being and an Atan, placing them in various places throughout the Mansion - mice in drawers, beetles on tables, snakes in cupboards, etc.

The traps amused ( Read more... )

Echo has been a bit depressed about the coming winter, so she's been spending as much time outside as possible, climbing trees and collecting particularly pretty leaves. Currently, she's in the process of raking leaves to make into a pile. Will she jump in it? Of course she will!

Anyone is free to join the happy nymph as she enjoys the autumn day

( Cut for fanon, canon and length... )

( cut for spoilers! )