mother said, straight ahead

And I know things now, many valuable things, that I hadn't known before. Do not put your faith in a cape and a hood; they will not protect you the way that they should. And take extra care with strangers - even flowers have their dangers - and, though scary is exciting, nice is different than good.

[tinhearted]

Blinking at the sudden offer, Boq felt his cheeks redden. He shook his head quickly, clutching the little cake already in his hands as if it were some sort of shield. Boq had, he realised , spent far too long stewing in resentment and mistrust. He couldn’t accept any new act of kindness or generosity now, not without a large dollop of suspicion dumped in with it. After so long under the ownership Nessarose, the Munchkin had taken to viewing gifts and favours as mere attempts to garner his attention; to get something from him. They couldn’t be trusted.

He tried to smile, hoping the little girl hadn’t noticed the sudden look of dislike that had passed over his face. “T-this is…this is fine,” he said hurriedly, “Thank you, though.”

[excitedandscared]

"It's okay." She spoke with as much reassurance as she could muster, unable to determine whether his hesitance ought to concern or irritate her. Red had never been one to refuse treats, especially not those that had been offered free of charge, and this man's wary acceptance was baffling. 

"They're safe," she added, wondering if this had been his concern. Her mother had always warned her about accepting things from strangers, after all, and perhaps this man was sensible enough to pay attention to such things. "It's good to eat. And still warm, too."

[seastarved]

The tiger will never lie down with the lamb; he acknowledges no pact that is not reciprocal. The lamb must learn to run with the tigers.

Angela Carter, The Tiger’s Bride (The Bloody Chamber)

[theythrowhappenings]

"Yeah, I just kinda expected this place to be cooler." She shrugged, used to being disappointed. "When I heard this was getting turned into something, I thought it would be a music store. Not some bakery, but if your cinnamon buns are good, I might change my mind."

[excitedandscared]

"Well..." Much as she wanted to defend the place, it was hard to argue its merits to someone who had been expecting music. After all, this was a bakery and really could only satisfy a sweet tooth; although Red would never complain upon hearing of another source of cake, even she couldn't expect everyone else to share her enthusiasm. "They are good. Very good." At this, she managed a little smile, bobbing her head up and down. "I have one for breakfast most days."

[raggdollnamedtobias-deactivated]

excitedandscared started following you

[raggdollnamedtobias-deactivated]

The lad quirked an eyebrow and gave a little frown. “Oh.” He wrung his thin, calloused hands. “I used ta always save little scraps of food when I lived in the work ‘ouse. Anytime I could get me ‘ands on anythin’ I’d save it for if I got ‘ungry later.” The thing was, he was always hungry. The meals they were given were scant in the best of times, so whenever even the smallest scrap fell his way he would swoop upon it to savour before one of the other boys saw it. And where they ever viscous. Thankfully he didn’t have to worry about that now. “I-I guess it’s an old ‘abit.” 

[excitedandscared]

"Ah."

She nodded, suddenly feeling a little guilty for bringing up the subject - she knew little of workhouses, but could hardly imagine his memories there would be pleasant ones, particularly if he had to ration his food. Uncertain how best to approach the subject, not knowing whether or not he'd want to discuss his time there further, she added, "I get hungry a lot. Although I've never been able to save anything for later." Her nose wrinkled, as she tried to imagine how much willpower she would have to muster to do such a thing. "I guess it's a good idea. Sometimes."

[itsybitsymonster-blog]

excitedandscared, meet the monster

[itsybitsymonster-blog]

Seeing the fear that rushed to the other’s eyes, Luna quickly took a few steps back. Trying to make friends was one thing, but one couldn’t make any friends if she had frightened them. A shy sheepish smile flickered on her lips as she raised her hands to show that she had no intention of hurting her.

" I didn’t mean to scare you. I’m sorry. "

[excitedandscared]

"You didn't scare me."

It wasn't exactly true, but Red had no desire to admit that she had been so much as startled by this girl, and spoke with as much conviction as she could muster. "It's just that...people don't usually apologise unless they've done something wrong, that's all."

[itsybitsymonster-blog]

excitedandscared, meet the monster

" I’m sorry! " She’s not even sure what she’s apologizing for, just that suddenly her panic was boiling over.

[excitedandscared]

"I...don't think you did anything wrong." Her hands had rushed to her side at the noise, in search of the knife that wasn't there, and she tried to pretend that nothing had startled her. "Not that I know of, anyway."

[tinhearted]

It was probably best Boq didn’t. He found himself unnerved enough by the loud little girl. He didn’t like to think of himself as jumpy, and yet here he was.

"Oh?" he asked, giving her a nervous smile, "do I?"

[excitedandscared]

"Mm-hm." She gave a short little nod, tilting her head as she examined him. "My friend. Well...he's sort of my friend." Her nose wrinkled - with all her fierce independence, she'd never really had friends before now, only acquaintances. It was difficult to know whether or not she had made one. 

"His name's Jack. He's annoying, mostly, but I think he's good."

[rp-ask-box-memes-blog-blog-blog]

AU RP starter prompts – send a word if you would like to RP one of these and we will plan a starter.

[Many of these have drawn ideas from other memes, various novels, tv shows, games, movies, and many other things so please do not give me credit!]

Full Moon: One of our muses sustains a werewolf bite, and full moon is approaching. They must take precautions together.

Jekyll&Hyde: One of our muses randomly blacks out and their dark side takes over during that time. The other eventually becomes their target.

Shadow: Something kills one of our muses and they become a ghost. The other muse and the ghost try to cope with this.

Mind: One of our muses has trouble dealing with their own mind. The other muse travels into the world their subconscious has created to solve this.

Dark Times: Our muses are living in the medieval times and one of them gets denounced as a witch.

Madness: People disappear from the town our muses are living in. They eventually discover a horrible cult demanding sacrifices.

Barren: Our muses try to fend for themselves in a post-apocalyptic world. There are endless deserts, and only small packets of people survive.

Storybook: Our muses are on a journey with a quest to achieve. Perhaps it is a rescue mission, or perhaps they are looking for something that could save the world.

Big Brother: Our muses are living in a dystopian society. High-level technology is used for mind control and the secret police. The high ruler seeks total power. But perhaps there is a way for escape?

The Other Side: One of our muse’s soul is lost from their body, and is wandering in a dangerous dimension between life and death. The other muse must save the soul to revive the body.

Hero: Costumes and powers… Yes, our muses are superhoroes. Or supervillains. Whichever that is more fitting.

Flipped: If our muses are friends, in this universe they are mortal enemies. If they are enemies, they are now best buds.

On the Road: Our muses have problems at home and they run away together.

Beast: Our muses both turn into animals and they try to look for a cure.

Clock: Our muses are sent to a timeline that is at least fifty years before the present. They try to adjust to the new environments – or come back to their correct time.

Adolescent: Our muses enroll in highschool together.

Absence: Our muses wake up in town to find it completely deserted. The produce is still fresh in the stores, the cars remain in the garage. Everything is as it was, but there is no one but themselves.

Kidnapped: Our muses have been captured by traffickers.

Luxury: One of our muses is the owner of a manor, and the other is their servant.

Descent: One of our muses is inflicted with a disease that is corrupting their soul and body, turning them into a demonic form. They must seek for a cure before it is too late.

Free Choice: Send a fandom with the universe you would like for an AU RP.

[tinhearted]

"Of course I paid!" Boq looked terrified at the very idea of not paying, Who didn’t pay? There were people who didn’t pay for things? He eyed the odd little girl nervously, “I-I promise!”

[excitedandscared]

She stared at him a moment longer, wondering if he knew of her reputation as a wolf-killer and almost hoping he did - his stuttering was almost amusing - before deciding he was more than likely telling the truth. Nodding her head and offering him a more friendly smile, she said, "If you say so. You remind me of somebody."

[knivesandscience-archive]

His cheery expression faltered briefly, and inwardly he cursed the girl’s evident sensibility. Either children were getting smarter these days or parents were getting better at ensuring their offspring were properly educated. An idea struck him suddenly, as ideas often did, and his smile returned.

"Well, who said we have to be strangers? All we need is to introduce ourselves to each other, and then we’re not strangers any more." He extended a hand to her. "Here, I’ll start. I’m Jonathan Teh-a-tim-eh, but you can just call me Jonathan if you like.”

[excitedandscared]

Red, who had spent the past few months referring to the man who'd adopted her as 'Mr Baker' and, despite the woman's constant corrections, found it difficult to call Cinderella anything other than 'Your Highness', couldn't help but think that calling this man by his first name would be far too familiar. Still, she was pleased that he had suggested it - it seemed a particularly grown up thing to be able to do - and grinned in response. 

"Everyone calls me Red," she said in response, taking his hand and attempting to bob a little curtsy as she shook it. "It's nice to meet you, Mister....Teh-ah-tim....ah?" Her nose wrinkled at her attempt to pronounce the name correctly. It seemed a rather peculiar one, and she hoped she hadn't gotten it wrong.

[tinhearted]

Boq glanced at the cake in his hand, before slowly putting it back on the display shelf, giving it a quick little dust with the sleeve of his jacket, “…Me too…” he admitted.

[excitedandscared]

"Did you pay?" She straightened up, realising the boy couldn't be much older than her - he must be around her height, after all - and enjoying her newfound authority. "Because if you didn't then you need to now. Otherwise it's theft, and because Mr Baker's out I'm allowed to get rid of thieves however I like."

[howyouknowyouarehome-archiv-blog]

"Oh, great!" Chloe bounced in place. This was sure to be fun—if nothing too exciting happened on the way, at least she had the opportunity to make a new friend. And hopefully wherever they were going would be interesting. Chloe’s bouncing stopped abruptly as she realized that she had no idea what Red’s destination was. "Wait, um, where exactly are we going?"

[excitedandscared]

"To market." Her nose wrinkled as the girl hesitated; had she not intended to go there? What if Red was only leading her further away from wherever she ought to be? "Unless you'd rather stay here. Apparently you're supposed to stay still when people are looking for you." This advice had always seemed difficult to follow - it felt like admitting one's helplessness, which Red could hardly bear - but it made sense, and so she repeated it dutifully. 

[evycarnahan]

Once upon a time, in a far off kingdom… there lived a young maiden, a sad young lad and a childless baker with his wife. 

[tinhearted]

"I-I wasn’t touching it! I was putting it back!"

[excitedandscared]

"But then you must have picked it up. Don't you want anything? They taste good, I swear." She paused, before admitting, "I should know - I had three of them this morning."

[excitedandscared]

"You know, you're not supposed to touch the food unless you're buying it. It's rude."

[raggdollnamedtobias-deactivated]

excitedandscared started following you

[raggdollnamedtobias-deactivated]

"Oh, alright." The boy replied with a series of nods and a bright smile, taking another piece of the fudge. "I think I know where you mean; Linton’s Confectionery on the other side of Fleet Street." Toby had passed the shop many times while running errands for the baker, slowing down slightly every time he passed to take a peek at the treats inside, mouth watering. Perhaps he could convince Mrs. Lovett to take him there someday to buy more of that fudge, especially since business in the pie shop was doing so well. 

The confection was delicious and if he did not watch himself he would end up gobbling it up all in one bite. Not wanting to appear gluttonous, he carefully wrapped the fudge back up. “I’ll save the rest of this for later.” He then placed the neatly wrapped package under the counter. 

[excitedandscared]

She nodded, presuming that the boy was right; she hadn't noted the name of the shop, being more preoccupied with its contents, but it had certainly been in the area he had mentioned. Swinging her legs a little as he ate, she noted the boy's enjoyment with some pleasure, noting how much easier it was to share sweets with someone who genuinely seemed to appreciate them. Yet this thought was interrupted as the boy announced his intentions to save some of the fudge and she frowned a little as he carefully packaged the treat up, eyes wide. 

"I can never save food for later," she said, almost guiltily, as she watched the package retreat beneath the counter. "I always eat all of it in one go. Mr Baker gets awfully cross, sometimes."

[excitedandscared]

((exams are over and I'm back! (along with nessiethropp and signora-fosca hopefully) 

I'll get to work on replies but does anyone want to start something/finish something/do any kind of general plotting? I've missed this an awful lot so I'm up for anything at all just reply to this or send me an ask or what have you

(and send me an ask if you want to plot with one of the other two as well I'll happily accept)