In the wake of the It Lives Within finale, we are hosting an It Lives Anthology Appreciation Week 2023, scheduled for March 26 - April 1! We're excited to share our love for the series in what we hope is a flurry of creativity and fun.
Schedule and prompts:
March 26: The MCs
March 27: Favorite character(s)
March 28: Villains and monsters
March 29: Favorite ship(s)
March 30: Family and friendship
March 31: Favorite scene
April 1: Wildcard
If you're having trouble coming up with ideas, feel free to consult our prompts list!
Use the hashtag #ilaw (for it lives appreciation week) and tag us, @ila-appreciationweek, to make sure that we can find and reblog your contributions. We can't wait to see what the fandom creates!
An AU where Jane Marshall never died and explores what could have been had she not died. From the moment they came across Redfield, to Senior Year and after.
Written in the present tense
Warnings: None
Word Count: 1118
Notes: I donât own these characters, they are the property of Pixelberry Studios.
What if... She Survived? made on cooltext.com.
Jane transparent created by the @itlivesproject
Originally written for @ila-appreciationweek Day 7 - Wildcard
THEN
Stood at the house Jane showed him the other day, Nick looks to everyone else.
Andy - This is so...
Ava - Cool!
Andy - I was gonna say creepy.
Nick - But get this.
He picks up a stone and throws it. And just like last time, it stops in mid air for a moment before dropping.
Dan - That's so freaky.
Lucas - And maybe not a great idea to keep doing if there is a ghost in there like you say.
Voice - What do you kids think you're doing?!
They all look round to see an elderly woman approaching them, half her face scarred.
Stacy - Ohmygod!
Lily - That's...!
Ava - Pritch the Witch.
Cora - I do have a name, you know. Now come away from there, all of you.
Jane - Why?
Cora - The thing in there is evil.
I... Remember... You...
Cora moves protectively in front of all the kids as shadows seep out of the doorway. Shadows that soon take the form of a creature with long fingers. Cora raises her hand and it glows.
Cora - Return.
A pulse emits from Cora's hand and the shadow creature disperses. All of the shadows return to the building. She turns to the kids, glaring at them.
Cora - What were you thinking?!
Nick - We--
Cora - I suggest you all go home. Now.
Able to see that Cora is not willing to talk, the group turn and return to Nick's house. As they do, Cora turns to look at the ruins.
Cora - You tried to mess with things that shouldn't have been, Douglas.
Out of breath by the time they emerge from the woods, the entire group is out of breath. Jane looks to Nick, neither sure what to think of all that just happened.
Lucas - I think we should stay away from there.
Andy - Me too.
Stacy - Me three. She made it sound really dangerous. Like...
Lily - Like someone could have been hurt or worse!
SENIOR YEAR
Seeing Noah and Jane part way on the walk to school, Nick runs to catch up with them.
Jane - Hey, Nick!
Noah - Hey.
Nick - Hi. Ready for our final year of high school?
Jane - Absolutely. College, here I come.
Nick chuckles.
Jane - So come on, Nick. Are you actually gonna ask Stacy out or do you plan on chickening out? Again.
Nick - I...!
Noah - You did mess it up at her birthday party.
Nick - I just... I panicked.
Jane - Well, I refuse to let that happen.
Nick - Wait, what're you planning, Jane?
Jane - To do it for you if you don't.
Nick - Jane!
She sticks her tongue out at him and they all laugh as Nick shakes his head.
Jane - Noah, can you give us a sec?
Noah - Sure.
Noah picks up the pace and leaves his sister and Nick. Once he is in front of them enough, Jane looks at Nick.
Jane - But in all seriousness, Nick. Why haven't you asked her out yet?
Nick - I guess I'm just afraid to lose a friend if she said no, or if she said yes and I screwed something up.
Jane - Well on that first bit, it's a risk you have to take. And then with the second, I think you might be overthinking it.
Nick - I know. But you know me...
Jane - I'll have your back.
Nick - Thanks. Don't know what I'd do without you...
PROM NIGHT
With everyone having gathered at Nick's to prepare, Jane covers Nick's eyes.
Jane - You're good, Stace!
He waits a few moments before Jane takes her hands away and his eyes widen at the sight of Stacy in her prom dress.
Nick - Wow...
He takes her hands in his, laying a light kiss on her forehead.
Nick - You look beautiful.
Nick's mom enters with a camera.
Mom - Alright, everyone. Group photo.
Ava - Pretty sure I won't show up.
Mom - You will on this. Modified for Vampires.
Ava can't help but smile as Jane pulls her in with everyone else.
Mom - And smile!
The flash goes off as the moment is captured. Jane blinks as she takes a moment for her surroundings to come back into focus from the flash.
Mom - Sorry. Had it on auto.
They all laugh as they recover from the flash in their own ways.
YEARS LATER, THE MORNING OF THE WEDDING OF NICK TAYLOR & STACY GREEN
Standing, Stacy takes a deep breath as she mentally prepares herself for one of the biggest days of her life. Jane rests her hands on Stacy's shoulders.
Jane - Ready?
Stacy nods with a shaky breath, turning to face her, Lily, and Ava.
Jane - You sure?
Stacy - I never expected it to feel like this.
Jane - Look, there's only one question that matters.
They both sit down, Stacy's hands in Jane's.
Jane - Do you love Nick?
Stacy - I do.
Jane - And there's the magic words.
Stacy laughs lightly.
Stacy - You aren't ordained.
Jane - I can do a quick online course if you want.
After the ceremony, Jane watches from the side as Nick and Stacy sway to the soft music. Ava joins her.
Jane - Did you manage to do it?
Dan - Uh, do what?
Jane jumps at the sound of Dan's voice.
Jane - I might've asked a little favor of the magical variety.
Noah - Jane, Cora--
Ava - Nothing to do with the Power. This was my own Witchy magic.
Everyone gathers outside, much to Nick and Stacy's confusion.
Nick - What's going on?
Ava - Jane asked me to put a spell on your rings.
Stacy - What kind of spell?
Ava - Nothing dangerous. If the two of you ever get separated, the rings will allow you to open a portal to each other.
Jane - No matter what, you'll always find each other.
Nick - That's...
Unable to find the words, Nick wraps Ava and Jane in a hug.
Nick - Thank you.
Ava - Okay, that's enough.
Laughing, Nick steps back, only for Stacy to take his place. Ava pats her back.
Stacy - That's really amazing of you.
She steps back, smiling. Even after all these years, the entire group knows that no matter what, they'll always have each others backs. All of them. Nick Taylor, Stacy Green, Ava Cunningham, Lucas Thomas, Andy Kang, Dan Pierce, Lily Ortiz, Jane and Noah Marshall.
Heâs a transgender male and uses he/him pronouns.
Personality: Genuine
Love Interest: Lincoln Aquino
Final path: Mixed
Fun facts:
- Very soft, loves to take care of everyone around him to the point where he forgets to take care of himself. Lincoln has to make sure he doesnât forget how to take proper rest for himself every now and again.
- Amalia and her parents were very supportive of him when he came out, as was his own family.
- Has a snake tattoo made by Lincoln on his collarbone.
- Jocelyn likes to refer to him as the âbaby of the groupâ and Abel corrects her by saying âthe baby that can beat you up if he wants to of the groupâ.
- LOVES big hoodies and jackets, ones that are larger than him. They keep him warm.
- Speaking of which, he gets cold easily and half the time he has to stay in the house by the fire and canât go out in the snow unless the temperature is high on winter days, or has to wear extra layers just to go out in the snow.
- HeâŠsort of sucks at physical combat, but he excels at range stuff. Amaliaâs been helping him with the former and he would say she has an unfair advantage because sheâs a kung fu blackbelt expert unlike him.
- Finds comfort in nature and its flora and fauna. Sometimes you can find him in a beautiful garden with wonderful flowers growing in it.
- Is conflicted on his career choice. On one hand he would like to become a gardener but on the other he wants to become a musician. He hasnât decided but he is told to take his time in picking out a major.
- His nickname is Bud, referring to a flower bud. Though sometimes Lincoln likes to add flower to the bud to make Flower-bud. It makes him blush every time he calls him that.
The appreciation week may be over but I still got a few fics left to give (aka ideas that popped into my head at 3 in the morning), if you allow it that is. This is for day 1 again and yes this was heavily inspired by the ending scene of Hopping Mall from Amphibia.
"How's the leg doing?" Violet asks as she takes a seat beside Harper on the couch, making sure to avoid the crutches as she did.
It's been a month since the whole fiasco with the caves and carnival. Violet became part of a team dedicated to hunting down and curing the horrors while also protecting the Power against those who wish to use and abuse it. Meanwhile, Harper went back to the hospital for further treatment and was let out a few days ago when the doctor determined that his condition is stable enough to let him go. Now, he's staying at his grandpa's house until his leg is fully healed.
"It's fine. A pain most of the time." Harper looks at the cast with disdain. "God, I just want to run around again."
"Yeah, that looks like it sucks." Violet subconsciously places a hand to her eyepatch. "How did you get it broken?"
"Not sure. Maybe it was from struggling too much while underneath the lake bed, or the Power broke it on purpose or..." Harper sighed, running a hand through his blonde hair. "I'm just glad I'm back...that I'm real again." He looks at Violet, gratitude evident on his face. "And it's all thanks to you."
"It was nothing. You should thank the doctors and the therapists. They did much more than me."
"But you're the reason I'm here now. If it weren't for you, there was no way I could've been freed from the lake bed. The Power wouldn't let me go. You made it let me free again."
Harper smiled. "So, once again, thank you."
Violet couldn't help but smile back. "Alright, you're welcome."
They sat in a comfortable silence for a while, occasionally Harper would grab a pillow from the couch and contemplate starting a pillow fight or sleeping with it, but he never goes through with it.
Violet looks around the living room until her eyes rest on a framed picture on the far wall opposite of them. It showed two adults and two boys, playing happily together in a yard.
"Are those your parents?"
Harper looks up, an agonized look crossing his face for a moment as he sighed and nodded.
"Yeah." He confirms. "They're dead."
"...fuck, I'm sorry." Violet winced, regretting what she said.
"It's fine. It's been a while since it happened anyway."
"... what were they like?"
"They were the best parents I could ask for." Harper smiled, bittersweet. "Todd was more of a father to me than my biological dad. And mom...she was awesome. She was kind and headstrong, and never hesitated to do tell off the teachers when she heard about them mistreating me and Elliot. Though we didn't always see eye to eye. Sometimes they like making out the second my back is turned just to annoy me, either that or they were just impatient..."
"...and the funny thing is, sometimes I would crave to be annoyed by them again, and how I would give anything just to hear their voices again."
Violet looks at his face, tears forming in his eyes. She listened intently, but she couldn't help but be stricken all the same. How his parents remind her of her own the original Violet's, and how she wished he had gotten more time to spend with them.
Harper seems oblivious to to his tears until he felt something wet on his cheeks. Once he realized that, he quickly wiped them away on his white sleeves. "Oh, sorry. Sorry, just got carried away."
"It's fine." Violet knows his pain. Or at least, she thinks she does. She never had a family to begin with. But she misses them all the same. "It's nice that you actually knew them."
Harper gives her a confused look. She took that as a sign to continue.
"My...own family were killed five years ago."
Harper's eyes widened, a hand flying to cover his mouth.
"I know it's not actually my family. It was Violet's...I was never actually her, but I have her memories. I remember everything about her life. Even though it wasn't actually mine."
"And now...I've always wondered. Can you miss someone you never actually knew?" Violet shakes her head, chuckling bitterly. "Of course you can't-"
She was cut off by arms wrapping around her. Harper gives her a squeeze, hugging her tight.
Her eye formed tears she tried to hold back as she returned the embrace. The pain, so unreal yet real at the same time. How she remembers it all like it's her own.
Harper doesn't need to say anything else. The pain they share can't be conveyed through words alone.
Just hugging each other is enough to give each other solace and comfort.
I realize that my Linc x Horus fic didnât appear in the tags because itâs âmatureâ so! If youâre interested, hereâs a post you CAN see to redirect to the fic.
A/N: forgot to post this for @ila-appreciationweek wildcard day, so Iâm positing now! This fic features @saibug1022âs ILITW MC, Valen Ebony. This character has unique lore; Lincoln is his half-brother because Matthias fathered him with the intention of potentially using him as an anchor, however neither of them knew any of this until right before the end of ILW. This fic features Lincoln and Val trying to get to know each other and working through their complex feelings following Matthiasâs death.
The McQuoid mansion loomed ominously against the shadows of the night sky as Valen Ebony approached it for the first time. Heâd never seen this home in all its gloryâwith its carefully manicured gardens, state-of-the-art furniture, and million-dollar decorationsâand he never would. As he peered through the front door, the halls were empty and unwelcoming, nothing but polished tile glinting beneath harsh ceiling lights. Not that Val expected his fatherâs house to be a welcoming place for him, not when the only reason he existed was to serve as a tool in his fatherâs hands. But still, the harsh unfamiliarity seemed to cement in Valâs mind what he always knew:
He didnât belong here. This wasnât his family. And it never would be.
âVal?â
He looked up at the sound of his name to see Lincoln at the top of the staircase, a big cardboard box balanced in his arms. It was odd to think of him as his brother. Heâd known for a few months now, and the two were cautiously trying to get to know one another, but there was still an air of formality between the two of them. Like they should know more about each other than they did, be closer than they were. But as long as Lincoln wasnât trying to manipulate him or turn him into his personal anchor, Val supposed he could try to let a new family member into his life.
âHey,â Val said with a wave. âCan IâŠ?â
âOh yeah yeah, come on in.â
Val stepped over the threshold and into the house. Somehow, it seemed even bigger on the inside. The ceiling arched high above him, and the foyer alone was bigger than Connorâs cabin. Val couldnât help but gape as he took it all in.
Lincoln chuckled as he came down the stairs. âI guess itâs impressive. But even a place as big and nice as this can become a prison if you share it with the wrong people.â
âA prison, huh?â
Lincoln shrugged and set the box beside the front door. âIt wasnât the best.â
Getting the sense that Lincoln wasnât particularly interested in dredging up his pastâsomething Val understood all too wellâhe decided to change the topic. âSo, whatâs in the box?â he asked.
âJust some old photos and junk I donât need anymore, but youâre welcome to go through everything before I give it away. I mean, all this shit is as much yours as it is mine.â
âLincoln. I didnât come here to try to get free stuff,â Val said with a laugh. âI came to help you sort through this stuff and pack it up.â
âOh I know.â Lincoln started back up the stairs, beckoning for Val to follow. âBut if youâre here anyway, you may as well keep an eye out and see if thereâs anything youâre interested in keeping. Itâs the least I can do for you, afterâŠâ Lincoln trailed off and shook his head. âJust let me know if you like anything.â
When they reached the second floor, Lincoln led Val to a beautiful office. The shelves were halfway emptied, and the floor was scattered with boxes and stacks of books. A polished wood desk sat in the center, a leather chair pushed in beneath it.
âThis was his office,â Lincoln said, clapping a hand on one of the empty shelves. âItâs one of the last rooms on this floor that I need to clean out. If I want to keep something, Iâll put it in that box there, but Iâve been getting rid of most things.â
âYouâve been getting rid of everything yourself?â Val asked. âThat sounds like a pain in the ass.â
Lincoln shrugged. âSomeone has to do it. And now I have you to help. Thanks, by the way.â
Val smiled and ducked his head, unsure how to handle the gratitude. Instead of saying anything, he strolled over to one of the bookshelves that was still stuffed with books and items.
âIâll start on this end,â he said. âBetween the two of us, Iâm sure weâll get through this quickly enough.â
Lincoln nodded in agreement and the room fell silent as each one of the brothers busied himself with his work.
As it turned out, Matthias had a lot of junk. He found trinkets from all around the world, books about the most random subjects Val was sure heâd never actually read, old photographs covered in dust, and more. Nothing was particularly interesting to Val, so he tossed everything into the donation boxes. But when he reached the next row, his eyes caught on a thick leather book with a rounded spine. Unlike the others, it didnât look mass-produced. It looked unique, personal.
Curious, Val pulled it out from the shelf and flipped it open. It was filled with picturesâand it only took Val a moment to realize they were of Matthias, a younger Lincoln, and a beautiful woman who Val had never seen before.
âIs this your mom?â Val asked, holding up a the book to show a picture of her and Matthias holding baby Lincoln behind a birthday cake.
Lincoln glanced over from where he was going through a stack of books, and his expression softened when he saw what Val was holding.
âI was wondering where that book had ended up.â Lincoln abandoned his stack of books and crossed the room, sitting down on the floor beside Val. âYep, thatâs me and my mom, and Matthias, obviously. I think this was for my first birthday.â
âShe looks like she was awesome.â
âOh, she was,â Lincoln said with a smile. But his smile faded the more he looked at the picture. âShe deserved so much more than what she got.â
âWhat did she see in him, anyway?â Val asked. âI mean, not to be rude, but a guy who was willing to have a son specifically just to sacrifice him mustâve been a walking red flag.â
Lincoln brushed his fingers over the photo, a thoughtful expression on his face. âEven when I thought he hated me, I always could tell he loved her. She saw this side of him that no one else did, not really. I didnât want to take that from her so I never let her know how bad things were between us.â He let his hand drop back to his side and sighed, leaning back against the shelves. âI thought I was doing her a favor, but now I realize if Iâd said something⊠well, maybe she wouldâve left him and sheâd still be here.â
Val laid a tentative hand on Lincolnâs shoulder. âThatâs not your fault.â
âMaybe not. But itâs still something I canât help but think about.â
Val dropped his gaze back to the book. The Matthias here looked so kind and warm. In one of the pictures, young Lincoln sat on his shoulders as they both beamed at the camera. In another, he was asleep on a recliner with a sleeping Lincoln sprawled out on his lap. It was hard for Val to reconcile pictures of this man with the man who had tried to murder hundreds, who had conceived him just to kill him, who had hurt Lincoln so much that heâd been cut out from his own sonâs life.
âWhat was he like, as a dad?â
Lincoln snorted. âShitty.â
âYeah, I figured that out. But despite what he did and how fucking insane he was, he was technically still my father. I canât help but be a little curious. Like, look at this.â Val pointed to a picture of Matthias pushing Lincoln in a swing at a park. âI never had experiences like this, you know? He never spent time with me, never played catch with me in the backyard. Never taught me how to put on a tie or drive a car.â
Lincoln opened his mouth as if to respond, but paused when he saw Valâs expression. Then he sighed and crossed his arms, his eyebrows knit together. âIâm sure it wasnât easy, not having anyone there at all. And I guess that, as bad as he was, not every memory I have with him was terrible.â
Val sat up straighter, his eyes alight with anticipation. Heâd never gotten Lincoln to open up like this before, and he wasnât about to miss a single word.
âWhen I was really young, we were actually pretty close. He spent a lot of time with me and my mom and was always trying to build me up, to make me believe I was someone special. Of course, that kind of expectation eventually became a burden. He wanted me to be someone I wasnât, and couldnât accept it when I didnât fall into the role heâd imagined for me.â
âDo you miss him?â
Lincoln paused. âI⊠I shouldnât. Not after everything he did.â
âI didnât ask if you should miss him. I asked if you do miss him.â
Lincoln looked down at the photo album, deep emotion swirling in those dark eyes. âIn a way, I guess I do. I never wanted to be around him while he was alive, but now that heâs gone, it just means that weâll never be able to repair the relationship we had. When he was alive, I could always hope that someday, things could be better. But now, our storyâs over, and it never got the resolution Iâd hoped it would.â
Val nodded. âYeah, I feel that. Itâs not like I actually wanted a relationship with him, but I canât help but wonder sometimes what it wouldâve been like, and itâs something Iâll never know.â
âHonestly though, Val, youâre better off without him in your life at all. The only thing he taught me was to feel like shit and like my life was worthless. All the important things I learned, I either taught myself or learned from my mom.â Lincoln took the book from Val and closed it before setting it in the donation box. Valâs eyebrows lifted, but he didnât protest. âWe can live our life wondering if things mightâve been different someday, but things were the way they were and we canât change that. Instead of imagining a different future we couldâve had, itâs better to remember people for the way they were.â
âYeah,â Val said. âI guess youâre right.â
Then, Lincoln abruptly turned and started for the door. âYou know what? Come with me. Thereâs something I want to show you.â
Val got to his feet and followed Lincoln out of the office and back down the main floor. Then Lincoln strolled right out the front door and into the early evening, not stopping until he reached his motorcycle.
âYou ever ridden a motorcycle, Val?â
Valâs eyes widened as Lincoln held a helmet out to him. âYouâyou want me toââ
âYouâre not going to drive it, not yet, but I figure we could ease you into it. Our dad may not have taught you shit, but that doesnât mean that I have to keep up that tradition.â Lincoln took his keys out from his pocket and jangled them out in front of Val. âSo what do you say? Wanna go for a ride?â
Val couldnât stop the grin that stretched across his face. âHell fucking yes I do.â
Lincoln gave him a small smile and turned to his motorcycle. âThen pay attention. If you want to learn to ride, youâll need to pass all the tests to get certified. But itâll be worth it, I promise. And who knows, when you get your license, maybe you and I can go on a cross-country ride together. Make up for the time we never got when we were younger.â
âYeah,â Val said with a grin. âThat would be awesome.â
Lincoln nodded and started pointing out all the parts and meters to pay attention to and what they all meant. Val listened carefully, as if this was the most important information heâd ever heard in his entire life. And when he climbed onto the bike behind Lincoln and took off into the night, he couldnât help but wonder if this is what it felt like to have a family.
If maybe, just maybe, everything that heâd gone through with Matthias was worth it just to be able to have moments like this with his brother.
An It Lives Within Holiday Special: Amalia Edition đ
Title: Lemon DropsÂ
A/N: Yâall ready for some besties turned lovers action? Because itâs time to show Amalia some much needed loveâ„ I started writing this fic so long ago. Technically, it was never meant for ILAW. But I figured since Iâm done with Abelâs fic, Iâd spruce up the draft I had for this beauty.Â
For Day 4: Favorite ship(s) @ila-appreciationweek
Pairing(s): Amalia x MC (M!Rowan), Connor x F!Devon (briefly mentioned)Â
Summary:Â A bonus scene for ILW by @itlivesproject; Set pre-finale (Blood Route); Rowan recreates an old memory
I recently got a case of a brain rot for an AU for the It Lives Anthology. Couldnât resist writing it down even though itâs not in fic form so here we are.
Iâd call itâŠ
The Location Swap AU
Yeah itâs a lame name but it describes what the AU is about the best.
Basically, the Pine Springs crew and the Westchester childhood friends swap backstories and locations where their stories take place. Thatâs about it but I do have several ideas for how things would be different here. Any suggestions are appreciated.
Hello hello ya beautiful nerds- dropping in to say that I finally finished writing my Abel x MC (F!Rowan) fic that was supposed to be done for ILAW. Better late than never, right? Adjust your content settings for your dashboard to allow mature content to be shown. Happy reading đ€
Title: Close to You
Summary: Set sometime after the ILW finale (Mixed Route) by @itlivesproject; The many times Rowan wakes up without Abel, and the one time she does.
A/N: Guess who finally finished this damned fic? This guyđ If yâall are wondering what a long distance relationship between Abel x Rowan would look like, then youâve come to the right place. Buckle up, gang. This is a long one (7K words, to be exact). As always, enjoyđ€
Pairing(s): Abel x MC (F!Rowan), Connor x MC (M!Devon), briefly mentioned
Summary: Set sometime after the ILW finale (Mixed Route) by @itlivesproject; The many times Rowan wakes up without Abel, and the one time she does.Â
Day 4 of ILAW: Favorite ship(s) @ila-appreciationweek
nsfw below, minors dni (mentions of sex/sex toys, brief mention of blood)
An Archive of Our Own, a project of the
Organization for Transformative Works
Close To The Flame
Pairing: Lincoln McQuoid Aquino x MC (Kanerva Leinola) - It Lives Within
Word count: 612 words.
Category: Fluff
Rating: General
Disclaimer: The characters belong to @itlivesproject
A/N: Another small contribution to the It Lives Appreciation Week by @ila-appreciationweek â€ïž Day 7: Wildcard using the prompts Love and Mystery.
The title comes from the same song by HIM. It was randomly playing as I was looking for a title for this piece of writing. The song totally fits my text, so there it was. I hope you'll enjoy reading it!
Perma tags: @kyra75 @lilyoffandoms @inlocusmads @choicesficwriterscreations and also tagging @linkysmommy đž
Reblogs, comments, kudos and any other form of interaction is deeply appreciated.
We want to give huge thank you to everyone who participated! It was wonderful to see all the content created by the fandom. If you werenât able to participate, you still can! Just tag us with what day your contribution relates to and weâll be happy to continue reblogging posts â€ïž
Itâs been an absolute pleasure writing different stuff for the seven days. It helped me keep my creative juices flowing and I got to write for something Iâm very passionate about.
Anyways, this post is about the two fics I sent for day 7 (not the third one I sent), and theyâve been living in my brain rent free ever since I thought about them that I just had to write down all my thoughts about them both.
Fair warning that this post is fairly lengthy and very self-indulgent and probably doesnât even make any sense. Read at your own risk. I will also be referring to the three MCs I speak about with the names I gave them in my playthroughs for the sake of simplicity. (Devon - Jasper. Harper is still Harper. Rowan - Violet. Villain!Rowan - Sumire)
Ever since the homecoming attack, the world lost its color. She lost all sense of simple joy, and became cold and distant and angry.
She became unlovable.
For years now, she's been fighting against the Power with no other life goal or anything really. She just wanted to get back at the force that wronged her, that took away a friend.
She never really did change after homecoming. She was still a jerk to everyone and didn't exactly care if she hurt their feelings.
But she wanted to change. She wanted it so badly that it hurts.
She was unlovable.
But then she met someone. Someone who gave her world color.
Someone who convinced her she wasn't unlovable.
"You don't deserve to suffer. If you think you deserve to be punished for anything, you don't."
"You don't even know me."
"I do know you. You're a hot, dumb jock. I mean, you've got legs for days."
"Uh...wait. What do you mean dumb?"
"Uh can we go back to the hot part?"
Violet Rendanza gave her life color.
She was a complete stranger when they first met, but they were sort of similar in a way. Angry and aggressive to protect themselves from being hurt. But Violet can also be sweet when she wants to be.
Jocelyn doesn't know if she can be nice, not after everything she did.
"It's not about you. It's about the people you hurt. They deserve your apology and amends."
Violet listened to her, encouraged her to be better, and showed her that her past doesn't define her.
She made her feel loved.
"What's happening to me?"
"Whatever's happening to you is happening to me too."
