Hello and welcome to my writing grove, where the birds are always dancing up in the trees, and the forest is full of stories if you listen closely! I’m Solveiga (she/her), a European-based folk horror writer, in my late twenties. This space is where I ramble about my WIPs and writing projects, discuss Lithuanian mythology and folklore, and I also love chatting with others about their stories, too!
⸺tekėk, saulele, anksti rytelį.
I’ve been writing for about seven years now, and I mostly write horror and folklore-inspired stories. I genuinely love, love, love to read and I read a lot, across pretty much every genre. Some of my favourites are horror, mysteries and detectives.
Lithuanian language is my native language, and I'm happy to be able to share more of our culture with the others. You can always ask me any questions that you might have. I'm always happy to be of help.
Favourite horror movies: Rocky Horror Picture Show, What Ever Happened to Baby Jane?, Ready or Not, The Evil Dead, Misery, Ginger Snaps, Fright Night, House on Haunted Hill, 28 Days Later, The Cabin in the Woods, It Follows, Southbound.
Some of my favourite fictional characters are: Frank N Furter (RHPS), Grace (Ready or Not), Ash Williams (Evil Dead), Jane Hudson (WEHTBJ?), Carrie White (Carrie), Annabelle Loren (House on Haunted Hill), Annie Wilkes (Misery), Prue Halliwell (Charmed), Lilly Rush (Cold Case).
I enjoy taking walks, exploring weird corners of history and collecting fun linguistics facts. As well I'm a huge tea lover (and Earl Grey is my love).
I don't really like thunderstorms, but I tend to write about them a lot.
⸺prisimink kaip šokom valsą, autobusų stotelėj.
Found family, platonic love, and complex sibling relationships is mostly what I write about. I hold these themes close to my heart.
Grief, abandonment wound and intergenerational trauma also play a big role in my stories.
I can go on for hours describing nature, especially autumn and spring settings, which are also my favourite seasons.
While I adore writing horror and darker themes, I like my stories to have happy endings, with characters still having some hope left.
Ask and tag game friendly. Conversations and chatting are always welcome!
credits for a header and pfp goes to @zaldyrenders
Gonna do Tristan and Lenore! (Not including all 13 siblings because that would be....a lot.)
Who looks the most like Dad?
Lenore! She's got straight blonde hair and her facial features also resemble their dad's.
Who looks the most like Mom?
Tristan! He's got her wavy black hair, pale skin, and delicate features.
Who eats the most?
Probably Lenore overall, but it's not a big difference. Because Tristan is sickly he doesn't eat much. Although Lenore is probably envious of Tristan's room nearly always having trays of dainty treats in it for Tristan to snack on so he eats something.
Who has been in the weirdest situations?
Tristan undoubtedly, even before the whole "summoning a demon" thing. Tristan is subjected to various medical treatments his whole childhood, some of which are experimental and/or bizarre.
Who sleeps the most?
Tristan, due to being sick and all. When he was younger he spent most of his time in bed. This changes as Tristan gets older, however, and by the time Tristan is 12 he's staying up much of the night. When he leaves home he sleeps hardly at all. At which point Lenore sleeps the most.
Most stable romantic life?
Since Tristan is 12 and Lenore is 14, they don't really have that yet. What "romantic life" they have is pretty uniformly unstable, as it consists wholly of unrequited crushes on older teens.
Worst habit of each one?
Lenore: internalizing her family's views of her and trying to please them.
Tristan: hard to say what his absolute worst habit is lol. Probably treating others as if they are less human than him. Which leads to a lot of his awful behaviors. That and tasting food and putting it back with a bite out of it.
Who's the most dramatic?
Tristan, by a long shot.
Who had a weird phase?
Tristan's whole life so far has been a "weird phase".
Best cook in the family?
Neither of them know how! They've been cooked for by servants their whole lives.
Best memory together?
Hmm I'm thinking possibly when Tristan was learning to walk, Lenore was helping him. (Because of his health issues he learns to walk really late, like around 5 years old. It was thought he couldn't walk.) If I decide that is the case, I can see the moment they reveal Tristan can walk to the others as being a precious memory for both of them. They had very little time together, though, so most of these memories are likely important to them! I feel like they remember fondly things like reading to each other, jumping on Tristan's bed, hiding from staff/parents, and playing with dolls (probably originally Lenore's and then Tristan demanded his own).
I can also totally imagine Lenore pulling him around like this before he could walk. Inside of course.
Worst memory together?
Probably when they were separated. Tristan took a turn for the worse one day while they were playing and Lenore was blamed, and made to feel she selfishly pushed him too hard; that if he died it would be her fault. She felt extremely guilty and they were forbidden from playing together as they used to.
Dream trip together?
Anywhere, really! Before Tristan runs away, he never goes as far as the front lawn. :( Lenore would love to bring him places though, such as the village nearby or the local fair or market. She'd love to bring him sea bathing as well; she loves it herself and wonders if he wouldn't benefit from the salt water.
Would they rather not being able to shower for a month or have the same clothes for a month?
They'd both be just fine not showering because they've never showered! In fact Lenore has only bathed rarely. Tristan has bathed more for medical reasons. They mostly have washed themselves with a washcloth, like most people of the time. So both of them would rather that than wear the same clothes for a month. Tristan especially because he might shrivel and die if he couldn't change outfits on a whim.
Who's the oldest?
Of the two of them, Lenore! She's two years older.
How would they describe each other in three words?
Tristan on Lenore: Good, fair[her coloring], cheerful
Lenore on Tristan: Melancholic, small, bright [intellectually]
How do they feel about their parents?
Lenore loves their parents and wishes to please them (and tries very hard to) but struggles with their emotional neglect/distance/coldness, which they have toward all their children, not just Tristan. She is nevertheless obedient, although she often accidentally fumbles accepted behavior due to her innocent assumptions. For a lot of the mistakes she blames herself; she has been taught that her elders know best and to obey unquestioningly. However, for some, and increasingly as she gets older, she protests and questions why, for example, Tristan must be kept so separate. She has her own mini-arc where she begins to form her own convictions and distrusts her parents' guidance/control.
Tristan, surprisingly, doesn't hate his parents. He feels very separate from them, as he spends even less time with them than his siblings do. Almost all resentment he feels towards his parents and family for ignoring him is directed towards the staff, who are actually constantly around him. He thinks of his parents as very refined and elegant people who provide him with practically whatever he wants as long as he asks for it through a servant, and who nevertheless unjustly lock him away. They are the rulers of his life from afar. He thinks of them as small minded in the sense that they follow the narrow conventions of society, and the advice of doctors he sees as quacks. Nevertheless he somewhat looks up to them, especially his mother, for their knowledge of fashion and culture, their worldliness, their gentility. As their child who is pushed to the margins of the family, he yearns to emulate them, to feel like one of them. As he gets older he realizes he cannot appeal to them to change his circumstances, and doesn't try (instead he plots to run away). Their neglect hurts him deeply, but unfortunately makes him come to the conclusion that there must be something inherently wrong with him. Unlike Lenore, though, this comes paired with the idea that this is far more interesting than being normal.
Who usually has the worst ideas?
Tristan. Duh. Lenore would never think "I should conjure a demon..." (although if she did I'd be goodforher.gif)
A GIANT insect is on the wall. Who's taking care of it?
Realistically, they're making a servant do it lol. But, say there's no servant available..
Lenore, despite probably being disgusted by it, would likely feel she must do it as the big sister of her sickly kid brother. (Yes he's only two years younger but in child years he's her "little" sibling.) She'd be screaming the whole time though.
----
Tagging: @armentas, @beeonaspiderweb, @moonrabbitwriter, and @teriwrites !
Summary: Emir finds himself in a pickle when he finds fungi in his garden. Luckily, a friend named Aylith shows up.
A/N: The Chronicle of Wildflowers is what I call a series of stories for my OC Emir and my friend Mochi's OC, Aylith. You'll get to know more about them someday. ;^)
Disclaimer: This work of fiction contains a depiction of memory loss and memory conditions that deviates from accurate scientific and medical diagnoses in the real world.
Petals swirl in the wind as Emir combs and cuts through his plants. He has found a small part of his garden with a nasty infestation, and he is troubled to snip away what could've been healthy leaves and brightly blooming flowers. He takes a sharp inhale, the scent of sap and dew filling his nose.
"Greetings, friend. You seem quite perturbed."
Emir looks up. He is not happy to find someone invite herself into his garden without his permission, and he is even more annoyed at being disturbed in the middle of important work. But the face of his uninvited guest shows concern, her lovely blue locks waving about in the breeze.
Still, the irritation stays with him. Emir wipes sweat from his brow and pushes his hair out of his eyes. "Fungi."
"Would you like me to help? I know a lot about fungi. And your garden…" she pauses to gaze at the rest of his flowers. "I had come to admire them, and it shall be my deepest sorrow if they fall prey to disease."
He stares up and down at her. The woman is well-covered, but she seems quite thin and pale, her eyes quite unfocused - riddled with some form of disease, like his plants. Is it related to her being some form of merfolk on land, or something else? Emir wants to question if her offer to work on his garden was mockery, but he can't let a sick person work on such a strenuous task. However, he is curious what she might know about the fungi.
"I think I can handle this on my own. But, do tell me what you know about fungi?"
And tell she does. She reveals a lot of things. At some point, Emir puts his tools down, because the information she gives him is very valuable. Fungi that grow according to the state of the weather, fungi that target very specific plants, fungi that can be safely cultured and harvested as food. He invites her back under the shade of his roof and offers her water.
"And I thought I knew everything there is to keeping a garden," he remarks as he passes a snack to her, "Please come by more often, if you can. Well, if you can excuse my most glaring flaw, um, Miss…"
"Aylith. Just Aylith."
He smiles and she returns it. He discards his glove to offer a handshake, but she merely stares at it, her eyes widened as if she doesn't know what the gesture meant. Realization comes, then embarrassment.
They definitely met before.
"…forgive me, I didn't mean to be so unfriendly. I'm a little sick that way - I forget a lot of things."
"I understand, Emir."
"Thank you. I hope I'm not imposing on you."
"You are not, I assure you."
"But are you well enough to work on the garden with me? I appreciate your concern, but frankly, I find your condition to be…"
"Oh, no! Please do not worry about me. I'm strong!"
For effect, Aylith flexes her arm. Emir laughs.
"Alright. But if you faint, I'm not letting you near my plants ever again."
"Hey, that's unfair!"
"My garden, my rules!"
Aylith delivers a playful slap to his shoulder. Emir merely chuckles as he hands her his spare shears. He helps her tie her hair, and they proceed to deal with the fungi in his garden.
Tagged again by @queen-tashie (who is determined to always increase the great tag backlog!)
I've been AWOL for most of May due to real life getting in the way of writing, but I'm back at the keyboard, and working away!
Passing the tag onto @beeonaspiderweb @surroundedbypearls @oh-no-another-idea @write-with-will @sarahlizziewrites @words-after-midnight @alintalzin @arowanaprincess and leaving an open tag !
As always, Mavis is having a bad time of it:
The weight crushed my chest, pinning me down. I wasn't able to move; frozen in place as I lay on my back, staring into the mismatched eyes of the Relevator.
He pulled back his thin lips, to bare his yellow-stained teeth at me.
"Meatsack," he hissed, the smell of rotten meat and stale onions hitting my face. I tried to move my fingers, drawing a protective glyph, but nothing happened. Like a Night Hag, he had me paralysed. It took all of my effort to even be able to lock my eyes on his, as he straddled my chest, pinning me down on my bed.
THE HURT THAT TURNED US INTO SAINTS ✟ character introduction: Adamas Veliuona
“I’ve been homesick for a feeling I won’t get anymore, like there’s a place where I need to be, and I can see it behind my closed eyes.”
He’s a dreamer. As a child, Adamas thought that if he flapped his hands around like a bird’s, he was going to fly. He had too many questions in his heart that some mistook him for a Peter Pan. Adamas has to find the missing puzzle about his family and find out what truly happened many decades ago, and for him, it’s like another game in the never ending web of life.
HOW SOON IS NOW? – THE SMITHS / CRUEL SUMMER – BANANARAMA / SMELLS LIKE TEEN SPIRIT – TORI AMOS / WALKING ON SUNSHINE – KATRINA & THE WAVES / I FOLLOW RIVERS – LYKKE LI / HOW DEEP IS YOUR LOVE – BEE GEES / EVERYBODY WANTS TO RULE THE WORLD – TEARS FOR FEARS / COUNTING STARS – ONEREPUBLIC / FRIDAY I'M IN LOVE – THE CURE
THE HURT THAT TURNED US INTO SAINTS ✟ character introduction: Fausta Dundulytė
"There's no salvation for me now, no space among the clouds, and I feel I'm heading down."
I want your drama, the touch of your hand, I want your leather-studded kiss in the sand. And that's where a lot of people are wrong about Fausta. She might look like someone who's always following every single rule in a book, but she's far from that, and she will break any of them in order to protect those she loves most.
PERSONALITY
ZODIAC SIGN: Cancer Sun.
MBTI: ISFP.
TEMPERAMENT: Choleric sanguine.
TAROT CARD: The Empress.
AESTHETICS: Kaledoiscopes, fingers stained with ink, the taste of sugar, visiting art museums, a pink wool beret, poetry readings, apricots, red-stained lips, mint tea in a sunny afternoon, laughing till you cry, the library's forbidden section, unsolved mysteries.
PLAYLIST
BAD ROMANCE – HALESTORM / BLINDING – FLORENCE + THE MACIHNE / CRUEL – ST. VINCENT / EDGE OF SEVENTEEN – STEVIE NICKS / ONE WAY OR ANOTHER – BLONDIE / PEEK-A-BOO – SIOUXSIE AND THE BANSHEES / DREAMS – THE CRANBERRIES / IRIS – GOO GOO DOLLS / HAPPY HOUSE – SIOUXSIE AND THE BANSHEES
THE HURT THAT TURNED US INTO SAINTS ✟ character introduction: Danielius Veliuona
“My hands possess a warmth so bright and fierce that it would put the sun to shame.”
He loved thunder, even if it made him feel like he didn’t exist in her eyes. He loved staying up all night and drawing her all night long, watching as the skies slowly left his sight. He’s always hiding his true self behind his sketches and the piano. As the youngest in the family, he often wondered if he was meant to lead or follow. Yet, at the same time, Danielius is faced with the challenge of supporting and caring for his childhood friend as if she were his own sunflower.
PERSONALITY
ZODIAC SIGN: Capricorn Sun.
MBTI: ESFP.
TEMPERAMENT: Sanguine-melancholic.
TAROT CARD: The Lovers.
AESTHETICS: Sunny mornings, warm summer, sarcasm, gaming consoles, headphones, piano, ink stained hands, ripped jeans, loud laughter, dimples, messy hair, lightning through open windows at night, inside jokes between friends, always holding a camera in hands, bright eyes.
PLAYLIST
YOUNG BLOOD – THE NAKED AND FAMOUS / THUNDER – IMAGINE DRAGONS / PUNCHING IN A DREAM – THE NAKED AND FAMOUS / KILL YOUR HEROES – AWOLNATION / EVERYBODY WANTS TO RULE THE WORLD – TEARS FOR FEARS / TAKE ME TO CHURCH – HOZIER / TONGUE TIED – GROUPLOVE / LOVEFOOL – THE CARDIGANS / SUMMER OF ‘69 – BRYAN ADAMS
THE HURT THAT TURNED US INTO SAINTS ✟ character introduction: Katarina Veliuonaitė
"'All my hands are stained red, from all the truth that I’ve said."
You shall not steal; you shall not testify falsely; you shall not lie to one another. But when the lies of one person cost you your entire life, they make you an unfortunate victim of crimes that do not go unpunished, leaving a mark in history as something that no one would look upon fondly.
PERSONALITY
ZODIAC SIGN: Scorpio Sun.
MBTI: ENTJ.
TEMPERAMENT: Choleric melancholic.
TAROT CARD: The Moon.
AESTHETICS: Rainstorms, ravens and crows, red wine, snakes, prayers, flickering candlelight, shadows dripping across the floor, abandoned churches, dried herbs, potions, full moon, dancing around the bonfires.
PLAYLIST
SPELLBOUND – SIOUXSIE AND THE BANSHEES / ZOMBIE – THE CRANBERRIES / SEVEN DEVILS – FLORENCE + THE MACHINE / RUNNING UP THAT HILL – KATE BUSH / SHAKE IT OUT – JOAN FLORENCE + THE MACHINE / BURIED IN WATER – DEAD MAN'S BODIES / CITIES IN DUST– SIOUXSIE AND THE BANSHEES / WHAT THE WATER GAVE ME – FLORENCE + THE MACHINE / EVERYBODY SCREAM – FLORENCE + THE MACHINE
THE HURT THAT TURNED US INTO SAINTS ✟ character introduction: Smiltė Dundulytė
“There is so much light and dark inside of me, and I can’t put either to bed.”
She was like the moon to him, always hiding parts of herself behind the clouds. A bolt of lightning who never learned how to control herself because she was so afraid of what she was capable of. She has spent so much of her life concealed like a secret in the woods that Smiltė forgets who she truly is, and that she is so much more than just the shadow of others.
PERSONALITY
ZODIAC SIGN: Virgo Sun.
MBTI: INFJ.
TEMPERAMENT: Melancholic choleric.
TAROT CARD: The Tower.
AESTHETICS: Fairy lights, thunder, untied sneakers, red backpacks, flower crowns, coffee, restless sleep, messy buns, long nights, plaid shirts, cluttered bedroom, cracked pavement, sitting on a rooftop, dried roses.
PLAYLIST
KISS THEM FOR ME – SIOUXSIE AND THE BANSHEES / SUNDAY – THE CRANBERRIES / ALL THE GOOD TIMES – ANGEL OLSEN / (I JUST) DIED IN YOUR ARMS – CUTTING CREW / BAD REPUTATION – JOAN JETT & THE BLACKHEARTS / HOME – EDWARD SHARPE & THE MAGNETIC ZEROS / GOLD GUNS GIRLS – METRC / HEADS WILL ROLL – YEAH YEAH YEAHS / THE LOOK – ROXETTE
THE HURT THAT TURNED US INTO SAINTS ✟ character introduction: Edvardas Veliuona
“I believe in hell, and I’m in it.”
He figured out why storms are usually named after people, and he’s like, why isn’t there one named after him? He treats the world like a fragile card tower, just waiting for the wind to come and wreck it all. He can see a future he doesn’t want any part of, and can probably tell you what’s in store for you, but he won’t admit his role in it. Edvardas is trying to escape from himself and wonders how much of a family curse he’s carrying.
PERSONALITY
ZODIAC SIGN: Scorpio Sun.
MBTI: INFJ.
TEMPERAMENT: Choleric.
TAROT CARD: The Devil.
AESTHETICS: Rainstorms, churches, misty mornings, black cardigans, full moon, chilly October night, blasting music while driving around the city at 3am, the smell of cigarettes lingering in the air, cold cup of tea, the sound of boots echoing in the empty hallways, leather jackets.
PLAYLIST
SPEAKING IN TONGUES – A PRODUCE / DAZZLE – SIOUXSIE AND THE BANSHEES / HENRY LEE – PJ HARVEY FT. NICK CAVE / MORE THAN A TWIST IN MY SOBRIETY – TANITA TIKARAM / CLOSER – NINE INCH NAILS / MAD WORLD – TEARS FOR FEARS / BREAKDOWN – TANTRIC / BLOOD BROTHERS – PAPA ROACH / PROMISE – THE CRANBERRIES
"The world is unkind and cruel! That's just how it is!"
So what did you do?
Did you show kindness today? Did you do a good deed simply just because you felt like it? Did you show mercy to the stranger who needed it the most?
Were you kind and soft when a child cried, having encountered a sad thing for the first time in their life? Were you helpful and hopeful when you found someone in their deepest despair? Were you happy when a friend triumphed, when a loved one succeeded? Were you sad when they were sad, and did you offer your shoulder to cry on?
Or did you choose to be complacent with the cruelty? Have you ever stopped to think why you think that's the norm? Have you ever considered that you can in fact choose to be a good person?
Do you know that you have the power of choice, and that you just allowed others to choose the world you live in for you?
Sequel to Aali's Solitude. The background character now has a full story. My favorite character in all of this is, unsurprisingly, the background character to the background character.
"What kind of man do you think you'll marry?"
"I don't know either."
The next set of events took Aali on a whirlwind.
Not too long after Anche came of age, Aali met Ebabanote. A sickly one Ebabanote was, they were hidden by the Keabis for a long while, only to resurface with rumors that the person was only looking to fulfill their last wishes before their death. One of which was supposedly to be wed.
Aali found everything too convenient. On the surface, Ebabanote was very kind. Their smile hid no malice, and with pale, veiny hands, they offered a hefty dowry and a business deal. The Keabi group dealt with jewelry, and Ebabanote gifted Aali with shiny beads as a token of affection. Aali was free to do as she pleased as long as she did not interfere with the Keabis' family affairs.
Despite her suspicion, Aali clung to a sliver of hope. Perhaps she'd be able to attain happiness through Ebabanote.
The wedding was far too simple for a union between two affluent families. Supposedly, Ebabanote requested it this way, though Aali's brothers whispered about the Keabis' stinginess. In the middle of the event, Ebabanote's illness flared up and saw them taken into an emergency bay. A relative stood in for Aali's spouse for the rest of the ceremony, and during the reception, Ebabanote remained unseen.
Though more rumors flew around her, Aali cared little. She was not supposed to meddle with the Keabis, and with her marriage to Ebabanote, she had little right to interfere with the Sasas' conversation either.
Surrounded by servants and doctors, Ebabanote met her the next morning, wherein they laid out more rules. Due to their illness, the couple would have to use separate bedrooms. They were to have meals at different tables, to clean themselves in different bathrooms, and to handle their own bank accounts. Aali didn't question her spouse's instructions; hygiene and sanitation were priority in keeping a person healthy, while joint finances might only lead to marital trouble.
Then, for some reason, Ebabanote requested for Aali to sell the beads and jewelry they procure. Their loyal servants would appraise the items, and she would find buyers using her shop. An idea came to mind, and Aali proposed that Ebabanote invest in small beads that can be affixed to clothes.
The next few months saw Aali's trendy tailoring shop turn into a luxury fashion boutique. She even gave it a new name - from Kuvanbea to Kuvanshanibea. As Ebabanote told her, Aali dutifully sold their jewels and accessories to her customers. As per agreement, Keabi servants and loyal hands handled the delivery of goods. But the centerpiece of the joint business was beaded fabric.
Other tribes and groups might have made beaded fabric an integral part of their everyday wear, but Aali elevated her pieces to high couture. Ebabanote's beads were quite elegant, and their servants wove intricate patterns that already sold as jewelry. Combined with an outfit, the beaded pieces created masterpieces that made heads turn in great awe. Compared to the current trend at the time, which was layering multiple pieces of textiles until one fainted, Aali's outfits were far more comfortable and easily flaunted off the wealth of its owners.
Aali and Ebabanote enjoyed a… considerably cordial relationship. In addition to managing a joint business, Aali weaved clothes and sent medicine for Ebabanote. She made sure to maintain separate records of their earnings in her boutique, with the exception of the high-quality beaded clothes, which they split at 30/70. Despite their limitations, Ebabanote liked to send her to nice places around the Mirage Dunes and gave her lavish gifts. Aali proudly wore beads that matched her striking pink eyes over her own clothes, so that people knew who she was. She was not Keabi-afu - one who married into the Keabis - but she was Aali, the crafty seamstress who was well-provided by her spouse.
However, Aali also endured the silent treatment from her in-laws. Ebabanote did not bring her to family gatherings or medical appointments. While Aali was the wife, Ebabanote's siblings handled their personal affairs. The Keabis refused to speak with her; the servants themselves herded Aali away from them.
She insisted to herself she did not mind. As long as nobody was hurting her or speaking ill to her face, she was fine with it.
In fact, Ebabanote and the Keabis allowed her to go home when Anchemerouwi met a young man named Erudan, who she believed was the one. Aali went to fulfill the duties of a guardian and assess her sister's newest suitor. The orphan boy was a foreigner from the southern archipelago of Metallurgen. He had little to his name, but he was diligent with his work, patient in understanding their culture, and incredibly gentle with Anche.
If Aali had to define Erudan in one word, it had to be "unicorn". The boy and his friends had visited the Mirage Dunes to get appropriate gear for their dragon, but they fainted in the middle of the desert. Luckily, the Sasa brothers found them. When Erudan awoke, his gazed fixed itself onto Aali's little sister, and from there, everything was history.
Erudan offered his services to the Sasas, asked about their ways and traditions, and studied Anchemerouwi's likes, dislikes, and personality. He was always polite; he withdrew when he felt that he'd overstepped his boundaries; he carefully selected his words. It was easy to approve of the boy.
However, his actions were enough to make Aali jealous. Did her own spouse even see her as a woman? After their initial meeting, the rest of the couples' conversations were passed through servants and letters.
And once Erudan gained all of her immediate family's approval, he invited Anchemerouwi to a date. He would no doubt offer her the flower of promise as a sign of a betrothal. Aali looked on with mixed joy and envy. Her sister was heading into a future with love; how about Aali herself?
Aali's question was answered not too long after Erudan's departure. Anche's wedding was scheduled about three years afterward, so there was no need for the Sasas to hurry.
On the other hand, Aali found herself making haste.
Shortly after her return to their house, Ebabanote collapsed. Aali tried to help as much as she could, but relatives and family doctors shooed her away. Nobody offered any clear explanation, soothing word, or wise advise on purpose. Once again, Aali was simply a tool to a means.
Aali carried on the next days with much anxiety. What would Ebabanote's ill health mean for her? If they pass on, what would happen to their joint business? Aali did not expect to be part of Ebabanote's will; her spouse was already kind enough to house her and help her expand her proprietorship. Their shared space and servants were paid from Ebabanote's account, and she did not claim ownership to either. Her finances would remain relatively stable, but what was supposed to come after the inevitable passing of her spouse? How was she supposed to stand as her own when the Sasas already gave her away and the Keabis refused to shelter her?
Aali then remembered her spouse's many gifts. She examined her treasure box that was filled with so many luxury items she never used. Most of it were jewelry, high quality textiles, and other valuable goods befitting one's wife. Aali immediately packed her possessions - this was evidently Ebabanote's wealth, a way for them to care for her without the Keabi's scrutiny.
But Aali remained uncertain. What was she to do without Ebabanote's support?
The funeral took place only one month after the fateful incident. Aali stood in the ceremony not as a guest of honor, but as a prop, right next to the servants. She did not know Ebabanote well enough to partake in any of the death rites and rituals. Because the couple never met too often, she couldn't even bring to mind their face. And in their final moments, Aali wasn't even allowed to see Ebabanote's remains up close, express any form of gratitude or grief, and say even the simplest of goodbyes.
Even as she walked back to her father's house, Aali never knew what sickness ensnared Ebabanote. In fact, Aali could barely speak of their likes, their dislikes, or their true self beneath the smile they once showed her as they discussed the joint business. Aali did not even know if Ebabanote appreciated her gifts, much less use them.
And she dared fantasize that Ebabanote might've liked her? Aali couldn't even say for certain that she liked them!
She knew even less about the Keabis or why they allowed the union between Aali and Ebabanote. Truly, it was beneficial for her, but what did the Keabis get in return? Such was the way of trade: to give up one's resource in exchange for another. What did Adoli Sasaurobite give in exchange for marrying off his eldest daughter?
So, before any rumor can reach her ear, Aali approached her father once more with a proposition.
"You want to open a shop in another nation?" Adoli Sasaurobite scratched his head. "It will be difficult. You'll have to adjust to their ways and their culture! Are you sure that's what you want?"
Before hesitation could overtake her, Aali answered, "Yes."
And so, Aali moved shops to the Prismatic Kingdom.
Arcanium Masterpost || Tag List:
Feel free to ask to be tagged or removed from the tag!
Sorry I haven't been replying to interactions lately. I just lost someone dear to me and it's been a chore to bring myself to be happy and chipper. If you have read until the end, thank you for sticking by.
Tagging: @axl-ul @leahnardo-da-veggie @mrbexwrites @alintalzin & anyone else who wants to do it!
Who looks the most like Dad?
Martynas. He's like a carbon copy of their dad. Though if you asked him, he's probably not too happy about it.
Who looks the most like Mom?
Edvardas. He loves it that he takes after her. They have the same eyes, and that's something he likes to brag about.
Who eats the most?
Danielius. Though he would also share something with you what he's eating. For him, eating with someone is huge, and that makes him very happy, because he couldn't imagine eating all on his own. Sharing for him is like building a community, a part of togetherness. When he was still a high school student, and while he and Smiltė, his classmate and his childhood friend, would be waiting for their bus, he would take her to a local bakery with him to have some curd donuts or buns.
Who has been in the weirdest situations?
Edvardas. His luck is just immaculate. He always finds himself in the most disturbing situations his whole life. And since I feel like being nice enough, I'd like to share that I have thrown the poor boy into the pills of hell in the last couple of chapters and is currently having the worst time of his life.
Who sleeps the most?
Robertas has the worst sleep schedule because he always wakes up before everyone else. But he also goes to bed early. I'd say that Danielius is most likely the one who sleeps the most. He goes to bed very late and then he wakes up sometime around the noon time.
Most stable romantic life?
Does Danielius having a crush on Smiltė for over a decade now counts as stable or not really? In my opinion, that's as solid and stable as it gets.
Worst habit of each one?
Martynas: Tends to work himself to the bone. But he does like being able to help other people. And usually if he does something for you, he doesn't expect anything in return at all.
Edvardas: Catch him if you can. Poor guy has just never been good at confrontations.
Robertas: He's far too kind hearted and very trustworthy. He will never turn his back on anyone. Someone can lie to him a thousand of times, or even mistreat him, and he will still end up forgiving them.
Adamas: He can be far too curious for his own good, and he ends up sticking his nose where he shouldn't be.
Danielius: Forgetfulness. He tends to leave his stuff everywhere.
Who's the most dramatic?
Edvardas. And he will always think of the worst outcomes. Even if the reality is nearly not as he thinks it is.
Who had a weird phase?
Adamas is always up to something. I imagine he likes having phases, and he won't cringe about the things that he likes. In fact he will share with you. I always had a headcanon that he likes K-Pop, and he's having so much fun.
Best cook in the family?
My boy Edvardas. And he will always cook for you if he sees that you are starving or have skipped your lunch. It is a natural instinct for him. That's his love language.
Best memory together?
For Edvardas, there is not one. He always liked spending his time with his brothers when they were all children. There was never that moment. They were very close growing up and his relationship with his brothers only became weird when he moved out from home once he turned eighteen. He decided to distance himself from them, and just try to make something out of his life, because it was all in crumbles.
There's a part where I mention how much he was going to miss arguing with Martynas, being hugged by Robertas (since he gives the best hugs in the family), sitting up on the roof with Adamas and listening to the music together with Danielius.
Worst memory together?
No spoilers.
Dream trip together?
Edvardas would be very happy to go anywhere. It doesn't matter to him anymore where. In the beginning of the book he would tell you that he wants to get as far away as he can from the place where he grew up. But right now he would be at his happiest just to spend his whole time with his brothers.
Would they rather not being able to shower for a month or have the same clothes for a month?
Martynas, Adamas and Robertas would definitely be choosing to wear the same clothes for a month. They are far too pedantic. Edvardas would definitely need to take a shower since he professionally works in the kitchen, but he would hate wearing the same clothing every day. Choices, choices. He hates both choices, so he's not choosing any. And Danielius probably would choose not to shower for a moment. Someone has to be the odd one. He thinks this is just a way to rebel against his brothers.
Who's the oldest?
Martynas!
How would they describe each other in three words?\
Edvardas would describe his brothers as:
Martynas: Stubborn, caring, loyal. I think he would have the biggest trouble describing him. Just because they butt heads the most. And it's actually mostly Edvardas butting his head with Martynas. A one-sided beef.
Robertas: Sweetest, most gentle, good-natured.
Adamas: His favourite, most precious, wishes that he would be less modest and shy because he can be very self critcal. He also always admired how protective Adamas gets over others while he's the one who is in need of most protection.
Danielius: Cheerful (and sometimes far too cheerful for his liking), silly (lovingly--because he likes to see how booboo the fool Danielius gets to be around Smiltė), and hilarious.
How do they feel about their parents?
This one is difficult to respond, so I am responding mostly from Edvardas' POV. He loves his mother, and he has never stopped adoring her just for one second. He was so happy to have her in his life, and she never stopped checking out on him, even when he had left the house. She would phone him every day, and would make sure that he's had enough money to start a life for himself. She would even send him money secretly. He's always highly regarded her, and he thought that he was surrounded by the best women growing up.
Now his father is just a subject he dislikes thinking about. It's very hard to get him to talk about the man. It's just like a terrible memory, a traumatic part of you that you wish that you'd keep buried, and sometimes it is impossible. Because even his brothers can remind him of that man's existence. He feels like he has to bite a lot back in order to maintain his good relationship with his brothers. Although his brothers actually feel the same way as he does. He was never a good father to them. It's just like an elephant in the room that no one wants to discuss, or like that annoying boil on your body that you'd rather not to touch with a finger or you are going to turn it into a very terrible wound.
Who usually has the worst ideas?
Danielius, but actually in a way, his ideas are actually pretty... good. He's a genius. But there's no great genius without some touch of madness.
A GIANT insect is on the wall. Who's taking care of it?
Robertas is not killing it because he doesn't mind insects, and he thinks that every life is beautiful. Danielius is busy screaming and hiding under the blanket. Adamas is running out of the room.
Leave it to Martynas and Edvardas. But most likely Martynas would take care of it. He would just walk over and pick up the bug with his hands, and then release it outside.
i love you unreliable narrators i love you unlikable female characters i love angry characters i love chaotic and wounded characters i love characters covered in blood i love characters who are aching to burn everything down i love them all
that post about all the things people get wrong in fics is hilarious but I must say. i accidentally had a character in my own published novel crocheting a blanket. which seems totally normal out of the context, but the context is this is a roughly Viking age Norway inspired fantasy setting – so, not only is the French word wildly out of place, but it's just plain jarring to have a 19th century technique when the technology level for everything else hovers somewhere around the 11th–12th centuries. what happened was, I MEANT for him to be nalbinding a garment but I couldn't remember the word "nalbinding" so I used crochet as a placeholder that then stuck through multiple rounds of self-editing, a beta read and a professional edit. I only realised what I'd done months after the book was published. it still haunts me
when I realised I'd messed up the formatting on the pages I had to sit down and flick through the whole book to check if anything else needed fixing, which is how I found the Crochet Fuckup. this was my reaction
I can only imagine that Past Me, in my ridiculous rush to meet my (entirely self-imposed) deadline, saw that word crochet in brackets and instead of thinking "yes, this is a placeholder", just........ edited around it to add in the hook.
you kind of do have to let multiple layers of meaning and metaphor coexist rather than claiming one is the true reading if you want to get fucking anything out of art
Disabilities should be present in all fiction. I've read almost four hundred books since getting back into reading in 2024 and only one of those books featured a character with Crohn's disease. I only know of one other. I can only think of one author doing explicit, said in the novel, autistic representation. An increase in disability representation is fucking important!!!!!!
