dreamwalker

[fateofaurora]

Aurora Lore Update:

After much consideration, Aurora and Phillip decided to try for a child. Liam was born quickly after. They were beyond happy. Aurora became pregnant again after a couple of years but unfortunately Philip never got to know as she found out a month after he’d passed. Now Aurora is raising her two boys the spitting image of her late husband, Liam who’s 6 and Seth who’s 4, on her own and doing her best to be the best mother she can be. She continues to be an advocate for the Underland and anyone else who needs it. She work in Minnie’s Flower shop and helps out at the library when they need her. The busier she is the better.

[shadowjinu]

quiet never bothered jinu, but he hardly was ever around when it was quiet. there were always too much noise for him wherever he went. his mind never seemed to quiet and living in a place with a bunch of loud people there was never any peace. although the late night meant it was quieter than normal, jinu felt like this place never slept the way some places did. the noise only died down when the sun came up—and even then it wasn't that quiet.

he crossed his arms over his chest, irritated that someone had seen his moment of weakness. jinu didn't want people to see him in his weakest moments because he was supposed to be the leader. "fear is irrational," he responded, frowning at her. "fear means you have weaknesses." he kept frowning and crossed his arms over his chest. he did not want to seem weak after everything happened.

"nothing can help me." she wouldn't understand because no one understood. what was the point in trying to explain everything going on with him anyways? jinu was alone with his thoughts. "everything is fine. i don't know what you're talking about."

[fateofaurora]

Aurora didn’t flinch at his frown. She’d seen sharper looks. Colder words. Pain dressed up as pride. The late hour had painted the courtyard silver, moonlight slipping across stone and shadow alike. She folded her hands loosely in front of her, posture relaxed, gaze gentle but unwavering. “Fear isn’t irrational,” she said softly. Her voice wasn’t loud, it never needed to be. It carried the kind of calm that didn’t fight for space. “It’s human.” She stepped a little closer, not enough to crowd him, just enough that he would have to decide whether to look at her or away.

“You think fear means weakness,” she continued, studying the tight set of his shoulders. “But I think pretending you don’t feel it is what breaks people.” He crossed his arms harder. She knew that stance. She had worn it once too. “I was afraid,” Aurora admitted quietly. “When everything fell apart. When I lost what I loved most. I was afraid I wasn’t strong enough to survive it.” A faint, almost sad smile touched her lips. “I survived anyway.”

Her eyes lifted to meet his fully now, not challenging, not accusing. Just present. “You say nothing can help you,” she added softly. “You’ve only decided it. Maybe there's another option, even if it's harder, but you won't find it if you close all the doors. Then again, I don't know what you're going through and could be completely wrong."

[1nquirer]

agnes would consider herself the least artistic person ever. she was talented in other areas, but it didn't mean she couldn't attend an art event. besides, it was a great way to meet people and to plug herself more to the community. above all, elias deserved a reprieve after the past few months.

and it's usually in these gatherings that she would hear murmurings about what's happening around town and beyond. agnes could only hope she would hear good things, rather than harrowing news that papers neglect to post about.

"thanks for welcoming me," she said to the hostess. "sadly, no wine for me because i'll be walking home tonight. i want to be as alert as i can be, all things considered."

she tilted her head, observing the canvas and envisioning how her branches would look like, but conceptualising is easier than actually executing the work.

"what colour would you recommend for the branches?" agnes looked at the array of paint. "there are too many shades and it all could work for this."

[fateofaurora]

Aurora’s smile softened at that. “I’m glad you came,” she said gently. “Truly. Wine or no wine, you’re exactly who this space is for.” She reached for her own glass and set it aside, giving Agnes her full attention. There was something admirable in the way she said she wanted to stay alert. The world had made so many of them vigilant.

At the mention of walking home, Aurora’s expression dimmed just slightly. “That’s wise,” she agreed quietly. “One can never be too careful." She stepped closer to Agnes’ canvas, studying the faint outline of branches sketched across it. Her fingers hovered over the paints without touching them.

“For branches,” Aurora murmured thoughtfully, “everyone always reaches for brown. But brown can feel… ordinary.” She picked up a tube of deep plum and set it beside a muted slate-blue. “Try layering something unexpected underneath. A cool tone. Then warm it with a softer chestnut over top.” Aurora tilted her head, voice turning lighter. “Or, if you’re feeling bold, a touch of gold in the highlights. Not too much. Just enough to suggest light catching on the edges.” Her smile curved. “Branches can be strong and delicate at the same time.” She dipped her own brush into a pale blush-pink, starting on the faint suggestion of blossoms. “Art’s forgiving,” she added softly. “You can change it if it doesn’t feel right. That’s the beauty of it.”

[arielnystrom]

it was less than a year ago that ariel and aurora had decided to form their own book club, a spot in their calendars to talk of nothing but the book they had chosen to read that month. it quickly became ariel's favorite appointment on her calendar, the only one that seemed like it hadn't yet been laced with the profound weight of the world around them. every day, the question was raised of what will we do? ariel feared, as time went on, the answer was closer and closer to nothing.

but here, in the library, with her tray of scones and weekly appointment with her best friend, they can ignore the rest of it and just read their books, chat of pleasantries, and eat their treats. ariel couldn't think of what could be better.

"i must have just missed you! that's where i got these," she said with a grin as she set down her tray on the table and bag on the floor before settling down in her normal spot by the window. "did you happen to see a strange man out front asking what we thought of the person in the mirror? dressed in every pattern you could think of, certainly." that was unfortunately why she was late - trying to reason with a man who did not seem to know much about reason at all. "are they happy to see us? frightened? i am not sure he understood the function of mirrors, i'm afraid."

with a transitional sigh, she picked up the book from her bag and opened to the last annotation at the end of chapter four. but she couldn't jump right in, despite the rules of this type of outing. they had brunches for community action, tea times for catching up - this was reading time, of course, but it had been a strange couple of weeks. "how have you been? good, i hope? warm?"

she then leaned over and grabbed a lemon cookie, a smile gracing her expression as the taste hit her tongue. "i was right, by the way. just like sunshine."

[fateofaurora]

Aurora had already been seated by the window when Ariel arrived, a delicate porcelain teacup in hand, steam still curling from its rim. She smiled at the tray of scones, her expression lighting with warmth and a quiet fondness only their book club could coax out of her these days. But that softness turned to amusement at the mention of the man outside. She lifted a brow, resting her chin against her knuckles as Ariel described him.

“Oh, him,” she replied knowingly. “I did see him. I thought perhaps he’d fallen out of one of the Wonderland tunnels. Or maybe out of time. The way he looked at me when I said mirrors reflect… I swear he thought I was being poetic.” Her smile lingered, but her gaze drifted to the window for a moment, following the motion of someone passing by, cloaked in the wind and noise of Elias. Something quiet settled in her features, not sorrow exactly, but a far-off ache.

“I’ve been…” she hesitated, letting her words stir in the tea before speaking. “Managing. Some days the silence is kind. Other days, it’s so loud I can’t think past it.” She turned her head back to Ariel, offering a small, rueful smile. “I miss having someone who knew all my worst habits and still chose me. It’s strange how love can leave, and yet its weight stays behind. Still, I find warmth where I can. Here, especially.”

Her hand brushed the margin of her book, where a faint pressed flower still marked the page from last month’s read. “I’m glad we made time for this. You were absolutely right," she said, voice soft and tinged with a laugh as she reached for her own lemon cookie. “They really are like sunshine… in taste and in spirit. Just what we needed.”

[skellingtonisms]

———  Jasper  chuckled  at  Aurora's  words.  He  knew  how  ridiculous  his  observation  must  have  sounded.  It  truly  was  just  a  simple  plushie  set.  It  was  meant  to  be  a  meaningless  gift  and  nothing  more.  Leave  it  to  Jasper  to  try  to  find  meaning  in  something  where  it  wasn't  meant  to  be  found.

❛  It  is  tradition.  You  truly  cannot  have  popcorn  without  butter.  Well,  unless  you  want  your  popcorn  to  be  dry.  ❜  He  hummed  thoughtfully  before  setting  the  pair  down.  ❛  Oh,  that's  not  culinary  brilliance.  That's  a  culinary  crime.  I  understand  salty  and  sweet  being  a  delicious  combination,  but  that's  taking  it  too  far.  ❜  The  strong  opinions  Jasper  had  were  far  between.  It  wasn't  until  recently  that  he  became  aware  of  food  atrocities.  Donnie  had  talked  his  ear  off  about  why  pineapple  did  not  belong  on  pizza.

❛  I  suppose  you  are  correct.  Love  has  a  way  of  working  out,  even  if  it  isn't  perfect.  ❜  He  smiled.  ❛  At  least,  what's  perfect  to  others  might  not  be  to  someone  else.  ❜

[fateofaurora]

Aurora let out a soft laugh warm but thinner than it used to be. Her fingers gently traced the embroidery on the edge of her sleeve as she leaned against the edge of the table, eyes lingering on the popcorn plushies a beat longer than necessary. “Perfect’s never really been the point, has it?” she echoed quietly. “It’s just… love. Even when it’s messy. Even when it leaves holes behind.”

She didn’t say his name. She didn’t have to. The space beside her always remembered. There was a moment of silence, not uncomfortable, just still, like the hush that settles over a room after a song ends. Then, she smiled again, softer now, like the reflection of something once radiant. “I think he would’ve liked those ridiculous popcorn plushies,” she said with a small, wistful smile. “He always added way too much butter. Said the salt didn’t stick otherwise.”

Her voice caught in her throat for just a second, but she tucked it away with practiced grace. She was used to speaking around the ache now. “Love finds a way,” Aurora murmured. “Even after. Even now.” She turned her gaze to Jasper and added more gently, “You and Donnie… you remind me that it’s still possible. That the world didn’t take everything from us. There's still love to be found and that's what matters."

[castthestars]

Open starter for everyone

The small table near the window had long lost any semblance of order. Cups, mismatched sizes, varying degrees of fullness, were scattered like fallen chess pieces across the surface. Castor sat in the eye of the storm, legs crossed neatly, fingers drumming a rapid rhythm against his knee as he watched the ebb and flow of patrons like it was a theater performance tailored just for him.

Pupils blown wide with stimulation, yet there was a contented curve to his mouth as he sipped from what might have been his seventh cup. Or tenth. Who was counting? “I think I understand why mortals romanticize this place,” he said aloud to no one in particular, lifting his latest drink in a salute to the barista who was too polite to ask him to leave. He shifted slightly, adjusting the stack of napkin doodles he'd scribbled while eavesdropping: fragments of overheard conversation, predictions, theories.

With the latest bell-ring of the door, Castor leaned back in his chair and called out conversationally, “There’s room at the altar of caffeine, if you’re brave enough.” He gestured to the chaos on his table, as if proud of the shrine he’d built.

[fateofaurora]

Aurora stepped lightly into the café, the bell above the door chiming in gentle contrast to the chaos that awaited her. Her eyes adjusted quickly not to the lighting, but to the unmistakable whirlwind of caffeine fueled clutter dominating the corner table. Her brows lifted, amused, and she made her way toward him, tilting her head as if examining an art installation. “Altar of caffeine?” she echoed, lips twitching into a small smile. “It certainly looks like something’s been summoned here… though I’m not entirely sure it was divine.”

Graceful as ever, she slid into the chair opposite him, carefully nudging aside a cup with one finger. She didn’t disturb the rest, it felt almost sacred, in its strange way. “You always did find beauty in chaos,” she added gently, folding her hands in her lap.

Her gaze flickered to the window, watching a pair of children race past outside, chasing something only they could see. The smile dimmed just a touch. “I can see the appeal. Cafés like these… they hum with life. And right now, that’s something I’m trying to remember how to hold.”

Turning back to him, her voice was soft but not fragile. “Do you always create shrines for your muses, or is this just a seasonal display?” she teased lightly, eyes warm but tinged with a melancholy that never quite left her these days. “Because if this is devotion, Castor, it’s awfully jittery.” Still, she reached for one of the cleaner cups and took a tentative sip. “Terrible,” she judged, almost fondly. “But thank you.”

[fateofaurora]

♛ ¦ OPEN ꜱᴛᴀʀᴛᴇʀ ༺ for everyone

The Aurora Art Center smelled faintly of paint, roses, and something sweet, probably from all the treats she'd set it up. Soft string lights had been strung along the beams of the ceiling, casting a warm glow over easels arranged in careful rows. Each canvas had been pre-sketched with the faint outline of intertwined branches forming the shape of a heart.

Aurora stood near the front of the room, fingers lightly curled around the stem of her untouched glass. She had debated hosting this. Valentine’s Day had always been… complicated. Love had once meant destiny and crowns and forever. Now it meant memory. Choice. Kindness that persisted even after loss.

But she had learned something about love. It grows again. She smoothed her skirt and offered a gentle smile as the first guest walked in. “Welcome,” she greeted warmly, her voice soft but steady. “I hope you're here to have some fun."

She gestured to the canvases. “We’ll be painting intertwined branches, something that grows together, even through winter. You’re welcome to follow the guide… or let your heart take you somewhere entirely different.” A faint, playful curve touched her lips. “And yes,” she added, lifting her glass slightly, “there is wine. I was told it improves artistic confidence.”

[shadowjinu]

open starter / streets of underland

jinu hadn't been sleeping. he hadn't been able to focus on anything really. and he was quicker to anger than he wanted to admit. anytime one of the rest of the saja boys said anything annoying, he snapped at them. they didn't know why he was upset and honestly, he really didn't want to talk to them about how he was feeling because that was too much relying on someone other than himself. jinu hadn't been focusing on anything hades wanted him to do now. what was the point in doing the man's bidding when something else was out there. if hades couldn't even protect him, then what was the point in doing anything? the only thing that had ever kept him calm, kept him focused, gave him an ounce of joy was music—and even that didn't seem to be helping him these days. jinu could listen to all the music he wanted to, but he didn't have inspiration to write a new song. it was utterly annoying, they couldn't keep playing soda pop forever.

after yet another night of not being able to sleep, jinu found himself wandering. the streets of elias were always quiet at this time of night, but in underland, they never were. didn't matter what time of night there was revelry everywhere. in a way it was nice to not be alone even if he always felt alone. jinu focused his attention to his surroundings, the anger boiling under his skin. it came in waves, most of the time for no reason. his shadow lengthened as a car passed and jinu watched it closely to make sure nothing was off. "there's no reason to be so paranoid, get your act together," he said. jinu jerked his head up, noticing someone nearby.

[fateofaurora]

The late hour didn’t usually bother Aurora, she had grown used to night’s quiet in all its forms. But tonight the air felt different, heavier somehow, even here on the fringe of Underland where the music never quite stopped and the laughter echoed long past reason.

She had noticed the man from a distance before he spoke, the way his shoulders were tense, the way his eyes kept scanning, like he expected shadows to jump out and bite. Aurora stepped forward, her voice soft so it wouldn’t startle. “You’re not the only one,” she said gently. “Paranoia… sometimes it’s not as irrational as it feels. Sometimes your body remembers something your mind hasn’t caught up to yet.”

She gave a small, hesitant smile, like sunlight trying to peek through heavy clouds. “Do you want company? We don’t have to talk. We can just… walk. Or sit. Or not pretend everything’s okay for a little while.” Her coat shimmered faintly in the low light, a leftover enchantment from earlier in the day. She didn’t seem afraid of the hour or the place or of him. “Or,” she added, voice still gentle, “you can tell me to go. I’ll understand that too.”

[thelostthakkar]

open starter : no cap !

location: outside elias museum of history and art

"do you think it's possible to age twenty years in one month?" the question was asked as milo slumped down on the already occupied bench, coat half buttoned and exhaustion taking over his features. "because if so, that's definitely happened to me. i'm not even sure coffee does anything to me anymore." milo blinked at the other as he tilted his flask in their direction. pausing for a beat, milo set the flask on the bench between them and pulled his backpack onto his lap. "i have two cups, though, if you wanted some of my good-tasting-but-ultimately-useless-coffee? i know i'm selling it pretty well here." "or, alternatively, i can definitely mind my own business and go find a different bench -- came in a little strong there, probably? the only person i've held a conversation with all week is my cat, and she doesn't always give me a lot to work with conversationally. we can maybe just call me a little rusty." there's another short pause, milo frowns slightly. "and, with everything else going on, it feels like we should all talk, right?"

[fateofaurora]

Aurora blinked once, then again, glancing sideways at the stranger who had plopped beside her with a kind of poetic exhaustion that could only be earned through stress and sleepless nights. “I think I might’ve aged twenty years just listening to the news this morning,” she said gently, her voice warm but edged with something quieter, something tired in its own right. “So yes. It’s absolutely possible." She reached for one of the offered cups without hesitation, elegantly, gratefully and poured a bit of the so-called useless coffee into it.

“No need to go,” she added after a sip. “You’re not the only one who’s been talking to pets more than people. Though mine’s a goat, and she yells more than she listens.” She was quiet for a moment, then said, almost absently, “You’re right. We should be talking. We should be listening, too. There’s so much going on that no one has the words for yet. It’s hard not to feel like we’re all just… guessing in the dark.”

Her eyes flicked back to him, something kind and knowing in her expression. “But you didn’t come in too strong. You came in honest. And right now, that’s worth a lot.” She raised the mug in a small, solemn toast between them. “To coffee that doesn’t help but still matters.”

[skellingtonisms]

#𝗼𝗽𝗲𝗻𝗌𝗍𝖺𝗋𝗍𝖾𝗋 ›› ft. jasper skellington location: the mall status: 0/5

———  january  may  have  been  one  the  longest  months  of  the  year  but  it  never  stopped  the  steam  rolling  of  holidays.  once  one  was  on  its  way  out  another  was  just  waiting  to  replace  it.  shops  were  already  slowly  unveiling  all  their  heart  decor.  of  course,  the  bright  hearts  never  quite  compared  to  the  true  hues  of  red  that  welcomed  you  when  entering  valentine's  town.  the  thought  of  buying  anything  that  wasn't  manufactured  from  the  source  was  an  insult  to  ruby.  still,  jasper  found  the  small  plush  toys  that  began  to  fill  shelves  amusing. his  eyes  landed  on  a  pair.  a  perfect  pair  as  it  was  phrased.  he  held  the  small  plushies  in  his  hand  and  examined  them.  ❛  i  didn't  think  soda  would  be  the  perfect  pairing  for  popcorn.  i  thought  ...  it  would  be  butter.  ❜

[fateofaurora]

Aurora’s expression flickered with quiet amusement as she glanced over at Jasper, then down at the plush toys he held up like a riddle she was meant to solve. Her coat was still dusted with the faint sparkle of snowflakes, caught in golden strands of her hair as she leaned a little closer to inspect the duo in his hands, one a smiling soda cup, the other a buttery yellow puff of popcorn with impossibly round eyes.

“Popcorn and butter is tradition,” she said lightly, brushing a bit of frost off her gloves. “Soda and popcorn is… choice. A little chaotic. Like those people who dip fries in milkshakes and swear it’s culinary brilliance.” Her lips curved with something fond, not quite teasing, not quite serious. “But maybe that’s the point of the ‘perfect pair’ thing. It’s not about what’s expected. It’s about what works in ways you didn’t think would.”

"Or whoever made them thought this pair worked best." she smiled softly as she spoke. "Love is unconventional that way though isn't it?"

[fateofaurora]

♛ ¦ CLOSED ꜱᴛᴀʀᴛᴇʀ ༺ @arielnystrom

Aurora  was  already  tucked  into  one  of  the  cushioned  window  seats  on  the  second  floor  of  the  library,  a  familiar  little  reading  nook  hidden  behind  a  winding  shelf  of  mythology  and  fairy  tale  compilations.  A  stack  of  books  teetered  precariously  beside  her,  all  bookmarked  with  ribbon,  dried  leaves,  and  a  few  mismatched  candy  wrappers.

A  light  scarf  was  wrapped  loosely  around  her  neck,  hair  pinned  back  in  a  braid  that  had  clearly  come  undone  at  the  sides  as  she  settled  into  the  pages.  She  looked  up  the  moment  she  heard  footsteps,  her  face  brightening  at  the  sight  of  Ariel.

“There  you  are,”  she  said  warmly,  scooting  over  and  patting  the  seat  beside  her.  “I  was  about  to  start  without  you  and  pretend  I  didn’t  already  reread  our  chapter  last  night.”

She  reached  for  the  thermos  beside  her  and  gave  it  a  little  shake.  “I  brought  tea.  And  those  lemon  cookies  from  the  café  near  the  fountain.  The  ones  you  said  tasted  like  sunshine.  I  figured  they’d  match  the  vibe  for  today’s  theme.”

Aurora’s  voice  softened  a  touch  as  she  glanced  toward  the  stained  glass  window  casting  little  waves  of  colored  light  over  the  floor.  “I  forgot  how  much  I  missed  this!  Just…  reading  with  someone  who  gets  it.  The  world’s  been  so  loud  lately.  But  in  here?  It's  just  our  imagination  and  flowery  words."

[skellingtonisms]

an 𝐨𝐩𝐞𝐧 𝐬𝐭𝐚𝐫𝐭𝐞𝐫 for JASPER SKELLINGTON set in old elias 0 / 6 replies !!

———  the  last  time  jasper  had  a  giant  sack  of  presents  trailing  behind  him  he  had  hijacked  santa's  entire  holiday.  an  ambitious  yet  very  lost  sixteen  year  old  had  managed  to  do  the  unthinkable.  he  had  meant  well,  thinking  he  had  found  a  new  purpose  in  life  but  jasper  soon  realized  that  christmas  was  never  going  to  fill  the  void  he  had  in  his  chest.  still,  something  had  ignited  in  his  heart  the  first  time  he  stepped  foot  into  christmas  town.  a  warmth  that  felt  like  coming  home.  it  was  a  high  he  still  chased  and  wished  others  could  feel. elias  was  in  need  of  joy.  the  councilors  were  doing  all  they  could  to  make  the  citizens  feel  safe.  truthfully,  jasper  felt  like  he  wasn't  doing  enough  at  times.  if  he  could  snap  his  fingers  and  fix  everything  he  would.  however,  that's  not  how  reality  worked.  as  far  he  knew,  there  was  no  magic  spell  to  make  everything  go  back  to  normal.  so,  he  called  upon  a  favor.  one  that  sandy  claws  was  happy  to  oblige  to. the  giant  red  sack  dragged  along  the  cobblestone  path  of  mainstreet.  snow  had  begun  to  blanket  the  city.  soft  crystals  pillowing  on  the  land  to  signify  that  winter  was  here  and  the  earth  once  more  matched  the  holiday  season.  jasper  had  no  idea  what  presents  the  bag  held.  sandy  had  told  him  that  the  gifts  would  transform  into  the  gift  the  children's  heart  desired  once  they  held  it.   ❛   does  anyone  mind  helping  me  distributing  gifts  ?  ❜

[fateofaurora]

Aurora had been weaving through Mainstreet with a basket of scarves tucked against her hip when she saw him. The sack was unmistakable. For a heartbeat she simply watched, snow catching in the folds of his coat, the red fabric trailing behind him like a living thing, heavy with hope and magic and memory. There was something achingly familiar about the sight, like a story she’d once read aloud and never quite stopped believing in.

Aurora crossed the street, boots crunching softly in the snow, and reached for the edge of the sack before it could snag again on the cobblestones. “I think the city would be offended if you tried to carry all of this alone,” she said gently. She glanced around as children began to notice, eyes lighting up, parents slowing despite themselves. Fear loosened its grip just a little.

“I’d be happy to help,” Aurora continued already opening her arms to take on some of the load. “Joy is lighter when it’s shared.” Her gaze flicked back to Jasper. “Besides… Elias could use a little wonder right now.”

She knelt, opening the sack just enough, her voice lowering as if the magic itself were listening. “Shall we?”

[violetheroism]

[ open event starter ; location: the observatory ]

it was a clear night for star-gazing. out on the observatory rooftop, dozens of people had their cameras and telescopes ready and pointed at the sky. she didn't have a good camera or a telescope so she was on the waitlist to use the spare ones.

a speaker stood to the front, explaining how to spot the current constellations and planets visible for viewing. violet stood to the side, happy to just look and watch. now this was comfortable. and an environment she'd never seen before. how elias managed to make an observatory cozy was beyond her.

an observatory staff person approached her with a smile, saying they had a free space to use one of their telescopes, and it was preferred to have two to a telescope, if the person next to her would like to join in.

violet perked up. "oh, yeah! yes! definitely," she smiled, turning to the person next to her, her smile wavering a bit as she realised she'd agreed without their consent. "uh, i mean — would you like to share…? or you can go first if you want, i really don't mind, i could stay here all night," she said, nodding. "and, like, as a good thing."

[fateofaurora]

Aurora glanced over at the woman with a warm smile already forming at the girl's flustered but endearing offer. The cold air tugged gently at the edges of her coat, but she barely noticed, her attention was drawn to the quiet wonder in the other's eyes, the kind of awe she remembered from simpler days spent staring up at the stars with no idea what they meant, only that they were beautiful.

“I’d love to share,” she said softly, a gentle reassurance in her tone. “I was hoping I wouldn’t be the only one here without a telescope.”

Her gaze flicked skyward. “And I agree... I could stay here all night too. It feels like the stars are actually trying to speak, if you stay quiet long enough.”

She offered her hand, a friendly gesture. “I’m Aurora, by the way. It’s nice to meet someone who looks at the sky the same way I do.”

[wannabegolden]

open starter (0/4). location: holiday market.

all of the new things that were happening in town offered opportunity, she had decided. though this place had made her feel more defeated than she had in... perhaps the entire length of her life, rumi knew that she could not let it prevent her from continuing to try to fight back against demons in one of the best two ways that she knew how: using her voice. people would be gathered naturally, this was the perfect opportunity to try to solidify it.

"free huntrix pop-up concert, come see us at the tree lighting ceremony!" rumi was handing out flyers from the thick stack in her hand to anyone who would take them. "we'll be covering all kinds of holiday classics!"

[fateofaurora]

Aurora’s eyes lit up the moment she saw Rumi passing out flyers, her energy so bright it could’ve rivaled the tree they stood beneath. She stepped closer with a gentle smile, fingers brushing against one of the offered flyers. “Huntrix at the tree lighting?” she echoed with quiet excitement. “That sounds like just the kind of magic this place needs.”

With a soft nod, she added warmly, “I'll make sure to get a spot near the front, I want to hear every note.”

[arielnystrom]

location: hot cocoa crawl at 2pm. starter for: @fateofaurora

christmas time in elias often snuck up on ariel - one moment the city was engulfed in halloween and the next, each tree had a string of lights on it. and each year she decided this time of year was her favorite, only for her to forget just in time to realize it again the next. but as she walked around the hot cocoa crawl with her longtime friend, grin on her face as they drank and wandered, she thought maybe it would stick this time.

"this one has a touch of hazelnut," ariel announced as her eyes widened in pleasant surprise - like liquid nutella on the tongue. without a second thought, she extended her arm to pass her cup to aurora. "would you like to try some?"

[fateofaurora]

Aurora laughed gently at Ariel’s expression, the kind of light, bell-like sound that came easy around her oldest friends. Her cheeks were pink from the cold, and her fingers wrapped snugly around her own steaming cup, but her eyes lit up at the offer.

“You know I can’t say no to hazelnut,” she said, her voice warm despite the chill in the air. She took the cup from Ariel and brought it to her lips, letting the taste bloom across her tongue with a hum of approval. “Oh, that’s dangerous. We’re going to have to remember this booth for next year.”

She handed it back, smile softening as she looked at her. “Thank you for walking with me tonight. Somehow, it always feels more like Christmas when there's good friends around. And you are the best friend a girl a could ask for.”

[fateofaurora]

♛ ¦ CLOSED ꜱᴛᴀʀᴛᴇʀ ༺ @mainlymirabel

The  paper  cup  in  Aurora’s  hands  steamed  gently  in  the  cold,  curling  little  clouds  of  cinnamon-sugar  warmth  beneath  her  chin.  She  had  chosen  the  quietest  stall  she  could  find,  a  tiny  one  tucked  between  two  old  bookstores  in  Old  Elias,  its  sign  hand-painted  and  twinkling  with  fairy  lights.  The  cocoa  had  orange  peel  in  it.  Unusual,  but  lovely.  Like  the  kind  of  strange  delight  this  city  was  becoming  more  known  for.

She  pulled  her  scarf  tighter  and  turned,  ready  to  slip  back  into  the  cobbled  crowd  when—

“Mirabel?”

It  came  out  before  she  fully  registered,  her  face  breaking  into  a  bright,  earnest  smile.  “You  always  show  up  right  when  I  need  something  sweet,”  Aurora  teased  gently,  crossing  the  slushy  cobbles  in  careful  steps,  her  arms  opening  before  they  even  met.  “Please  tell  me  you’re  also  rating  every  hot  chocolate  booth  like  a  true  professional.”

She  tilted  her  head  with  a  smile.  “Or  have  you  already  found  the  best  one  and  forgotten  to  send  me  the  verdict?”

[fateofaurora]

♛ ¦ ᴏᴘᴇɴ ꜱᴛᴀʀᴛᴇʀ ༺ everyone (0/4)

It smelled like rain in the Underland. Not because it was raining, the sky, if it could be called that, was just as fractured and uncertain as the streets it loomed above, but because the scent of damp earth and rusted iron clung to the stone archways and worn tarps that shielded makeshift tents. Aurora gently brushed dust off the last crate of donated blankets before stepping aside to allow a small group of people through. Her hands were red from the chill, and the edge of her coat was stained with mud, but her smile remained.

“Here you go,” she said, kneeling beside a little boy who clutched his sister’s hand. She offered them a pack of hygiene supplies and a roll of wool socks. “The red ones are lucky. Or so I’m told. They giggled quietly, then scurried off after murmuring thank-yous, their eyes not quite meeting hers.

Aurora exhaled slowly, her breath curling in the cold. The donation tent was quieter now, the early evening crowd having thinned out, though more would come as word spread through the maze of alleyways. She moved to rest against a nearby crate, letting herself pause for just a moment. The soft hum of distant generators filled the silence, along with the occasional cough or shuffle of boots on stone.

The Underland was nothing like Old Elias, even less than the rebuilt corners of New Elias and yet, she felt more grounded here than in any marble tower or council chamber. She mattered here and she was making a difference.

She thought of Phillip at times like these. She wondered if he would be out here helping her. He had a big heart and she was sure he'd want to do more than that. Her fingers brushed the edge of her skirt stained from sitting in the dust earlier to help a limping man lace up new boots.

From behind her, the flapping of a tent signaled someone new approaching, whether a volunteer, someone in need, or a stranger with questions, she didn’t know. Aurora stood to meet them, brushing golden hair back from her face as her eyes met theirs.

“Can I help you with something?”