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( mikey madison / 27 presenting, 127 / she + her ) threads of shadow and neon follow mavis vaduva as she moves through the underland. her crown is spun from whispered secrets, flickering lights, and the quiet weight of debts unpaid, each step a dance between freedom and obligation. she is shadowed by a promise murmured in smoke: ❛ the one who listens in the dark may hold the keys to a brighter dawn, or awaken the chaos long buried. ❜ only time will tell if the night’s dancer will finally claim her freedom—or remain tethered to the ledger that binds her.

For one hundred and eighteen years, Mavis waited—hoped—for something exciting to happen. Something, or someone, to break her out of the make-believe cage she called home: a hotel hidden behind castle walls, a sanctuary for monsters fleeing human cruelty. She understood why they came. Humans feared what they didn’t understand, and monsters had always paid the price. Mavis couldn’t blame them for running—but deep down, she always wondered if there was more to humans than the horror stories her father told. That quiet curiosity eventually led her to her greatest adventure yet—the road to Elias, the most advanced city in the world. A place nothing like the old castle that raised her. And it was all thanks to one redheaded human who couldn’t resist seeing more of the world. Mavis had always believed every villain had a story, that there was a reason behind even the darkest heart. Unless, of course, they were truly wicked—then maybe she was wrong. But she never could help her soft spot for the outsiders, the misunderstood—the monsters. Maybe that’s why she fell for Logan Teague so easily. Of all the humans in the world, it was him—a man stitched together with silence and sorrow, carrying a past that clung to him like smoke. Mavis saw something of herself in him: not just the damage, but the endurance. Since the war, she’s remained by his side, tethered by something unspoken. Not just love—but duty. Guilt. Hope. She could never leave Elias. Not while the Underland still trembled beneath its streets. Not while her name was still written on Orion’s ledger in blood. To pay her debt, she dances. Night after night beneath the pale glow of Snake Eyes Casino, she moves through a world of shadow and whispers. A dancer. An informant. A collector of secrets. The patrons never notice the difference. They drink, they laugh, they confess—and she listens. Every truth passed on to Orion, to do with as he wills. It’s a quiet kind of war she fights now. One with no glory, no victory—just the slow, steady hope that if she plays the game long enough, she’ll earn her freedom. And when that day comes, she’ll finally be able to help the Underland on her own. No debts. No masks. Just herself.

#waintro

locknteagues

––– ❛ closed starter for; @mavisvaduva

The penthouse was quiet when Logan finally got home. Not silent but quiet enough that he could hear the distant hum of traffic below and the soft crackle of rain against the windows. Snake Eyes had drained him tonight. Too many meetings. Too many problems. Too many people expecting him to have answers simply because he sat in Orion’s old chair now. Baron. The title still sat strangely on him. Logan loosened the knot of his tie as he stepped through the apartment door, shoulders aching beneath his coat. The lights were low, warm against the dark interior, and for the first time all day his guard loosened by a fraction. Because she was here.

His eyes found Mavis almost immediately, and something inside him softened so fast it nearly hurt. There she is. The thought came instinctively now. Every time. He shut the door behind him quietly before crossing the apartment without much ceremony, exhaustion visible in the heaviness of his movements. Logan wasn’t dramatic about his feelings. Never had been. Most people only got indifference or sarcasm out of him on a good day. Mavis got what was underneath it. By the time he reached her, his hands were already finding her waist, pulling her gently against him like muscle memory.

Logan lowered his head immediately, burying his face against her shoulder with a long exhale that sounded suspiciously close to relief. “Hey,” he murmured quietly. Just that single word muffled against her skin while his arms wrapped tighter around her. Like he needed the contact to remind himself he’d made it back. The city demanded pieces of him every day now. Hades demanded more. Snake Eyes demanded the version of Logan who could make hard decisions without blinking.

This was the only place he didn’t have to perform. His grip tightened slightly before he finally pulled back enough to look at her properly, tired eyes softer than they ever were anywhere else. “You awake waiting for me,” he asked quietly, thumb brushing absentmindedly against her side, “or did I interrupt your daily meditation?”

mavisvaduva

mavis had, in fact, been waiting for him. the book in her lap hadn't moved past the same page in nearly half an hour, her attention drifting every time she heard a sound from the hallway outside. by the time the door finally opened, she'd already looked up. she didn't say anything when he crossed the room. she never really needed to. her arms slipped around him the moment he pulled her close, one hand finding the back of his neck as he buried his face against her shoulder. she felt the exhaustion in him immediately, in the weight he leaned into her with, in the way he held on.

her fingers moved through the hair at the nape of his neck slowly, soothingly, while he stood there collecting whatever pieces of himself the city had tried to take. "hey, yourself," she murmured back, pressing a kiss against his temple. there was something about seeing him like this that always tugged at her heart. not because he looked weak, logan never looked weak, but because so few people ever got to see this version of him. the one who didn't have all the answers. the one who was simply tired.

at his question, she finally laughed softly, pulling back enough to look up at him. "well, considering my meditation usually consists of staring into space and thinking about absolutely nothing, i'd say you interrupted something very important." her hand slid down to straighten the crooked knot of his tie before gently tugging him closer again. "i was waiting for you." the admission came easily. naturally. "you look exhausted, my love. wanna talk about it? or i can excite you with..." she picked up the book. "the wonderful writings of l.j. smith's vampire diaries?"

#replies.#ft. locknteagues

sharpestbow

Location: Arcadia Arcade Status: CLOSED ( @mavisvaduva ) Song: Midnight City - M83

The arcade was loud in the particular way only arcades could be; coin drops chiming, air hockey pucks slapping across glowing tables, pinball machines flashing in frantic bursts of color. Neon spilled over the polished floor in ribbons of blue and pink, and somewhere near the back, a crowd had gathered around the mega prize display like it was a holy relic.

Kate stood with a plastic cup of soda in one hand and a stack of tokens in the other, staring up at the prize wall with the solemn focus of someone assessing a mission target.

“…Okay,” She muttered, mostly to herself. “This is either a scam, or I’m about to become emotionally attached to a giant stuffed octopus.”

Her gaze shifted when she noticed movement beside her.

Kate’s expression changed almost immediately: less suspicious, more curious in a way she wouldn’t have bothered hiding even if she could.

“Tell me something,” Kate said, glancing from the other individual to the prize counter and back again, “is the mega prize actually worth it, or is this one of those situations where the real prize is the bad decisions we make along the way?”

She tipped one token between her fingers, then looked back at her with the hint of a grin. “Because I’m fully prepared to embarrass myself at air hockey if there’s even a chance of winning something ridiculous.”

mavisvaduva

mavis followed kate's gaze to the giant octopus hanging from the prize wall, its floppy tentacles dangling over a sea of cheaper plastic trinkets and keychains. she narrowed her eyes at it like she was personally evaluating its worth. "oh, that's absolutely a scam," she said without hesitation. "but i think that's part of the appeal. nobody actually needs a stuffed octopus the size of a small child. the fact that it's difficult to get is what makes people willing to sacrifice their dignity for it."

a grin tugged at her mouth as she glanced back at kate, already amused by the determination in her voice. "and for the record, i support bad decisions when they're entertaining. especially stuffed octopus-related ones." she held out a hand toward the air hockey tables where a fresh game had just opened up. "come on. worst case scenario, we lose horribly and spend the rest of the night blaming the equipment. best case, you leave here with your emotional support octopus and a completely unjustified sense of victory."

#replies.#ft. sharpestbow

📎 PAPERCLIP - a random fact about miss vaduva.

mavis always remembers people's pets' names but not their actual names.

#answered #mini event: meme weekend

Physical Touch

does your muse like being hugged?

where could someone touch your muse to calm them down?

is there anywhere on your muse’s body they want to be touched most?

does your muse find themselves subconsciously seeking out physical contact? ( ie. reaching for s/o’s hand without realizing it )

mavis is selective about physical touch. especially when she first got to town... you probably just need to go ahead and bring her to one of her people (specifically logan) if she's very worked up. but chances are she's already hidden away in her coffin. as far as where she wants to be touched? she likes holding hands.

#mini event: meme weekend #answered

how good are you at reading the intentions of others? have you ever gotten in trouble for trusting the wrong person?

"i wouldn't say i'm bad at it. but, i haven't gotten in trouble but i also didn't make the best decision in trust orion as much as i did... it wasn't my brightest moment but i tried."

#answered #mini event: meme weekend

What's your favorite and least favorite part about Elias?

the people! the humans were the most exciting part of elias when i first came to town. but, now i have learned there are more creatures like me and people with powers... so i feel less alone and have more of a community back home. my least favorite part happens to be the people who are trying to take away that community...

#mini event: meme weekend #answered

ask away.

mandyfellwyn

mandy offered mavis a smirk as she realized the other girl seemed to be right on her level. impulsive as it might have been, there was no one in this moment that she would rather get a random tattoo with that mavis. the blonde wasn't one for reflection by any means, but it was interesting how time allowed the roles of billy and grim to transfer to others as her circle expanded. she never really had a proper girl friend before. her old friends, that old life - it wasn't even a thought in her brain as they stood and conspired now in front of the flash sheet. "you call it a consequence - i call it a kickass memory."

she took a step closer and looked at the sheet, easily landing on a couple designs she loved. "absolutely matching. what do you think of these?" her finger circled the left page of two. "if they're not just doing arms and legs, i can see this one on the right down my spine."

mavisvaduva

mavis laughed instantly at that, bright and sharp as she bumped her shoulder against mandy’s. “exactly! see, you get it. in ten years we’re either gonna look back at this and think we were iconic or completely insane.” a beat. “probably both.”

she leaned in closer to the flash sheet, her hair slipping over one shoulder as she studied the designs mandy pointed out. “oh, wait, i actually love those.” her finger tapped lightly beside one of them before she glanced back up at her with a grin already forming. “okay wait!! what if you got the moon and i got the sun?” the idea came out fast, impulsive and excited in the way mavis always was when she found something she loved. “like matching, but not exactly matching.” her eyes flicked toward the spine design again and she visibly lit up. “and that one down your spine would look so hot, by the way. devastating, honestly.”

#replies.#ft. mandyfellwyn

fangedchaos

nimona had planned on spending their afternoon sketching in the botanical gardens - the weather was perfect for it, sunny and warm with the slightest breeze. they'd tossed their sketchbook into their messenger bag with a handful of various art supplies - pens, markers, pencils of different colors - and set out after lunch. unfortunately things don't always go to plan and after an hour and change of mostly erasing things, they'd given up their own artistic endeavors in favor of observing the artistic endeavors of others... which is how they found themself here, at the art museum.

they stood facing one of the paintings, their eyes flitting from object to person to landscape. a soft hum left their lips and they leaned sideways a little - just enough to sliiiightly invade the personal space of the person standing closest to them; enough to catch their attention without touching them. "do you ever wonder what they're thinking?" nimona asked, eyes still focused on the painting in front of them. "the people in the paintings, i mean."

mavisvaduva

mavis was far from what one would consider young. maybe for a creature of her species but for human? no, she was far beyond her younger years. and living as long as mavis had she had been through many changes of art. and enjoyed a stroll through the museums to appreciate what they could bring.

her black eyes were scanning the painting. trying to figure out just what could've inspired the artist to paint in such a way when she heard the question from behind her. turning to face them she gave a fanged grin, "good question." she giggled out. "i like to think this one is thinking about what's for lunch." she shrugged, "i mean... not everything is some deep thought process, right? sometimes you just want to know what your next meal is."

#replies.#ft. fangedchaos

thelostthakkar

option a

milo gives mavis an excited grin when he notices her presence, notebook tucked in his crossed arms as he looked between her and the set up. “you wanna know what the beauty of it is? there are no lame options, unless you make lame choices. which means the world is your oyster and nothing can go wrong — well, a lot can go wrong but i guarantee it’ll be cool when it does.” the enthusiasm is clear as he speaks, the grin still not leaving his face.

“some people actually dress up as their characters, too, which means you and i are aggressively underdressed. have you got any plans for what direction you wanna go in? this is actually my first time doing something like this, so we at least have each other if it all goes terribly.”

mavisvaduva

“okay, see, that actually makes me feel better because i was fully convinced i was about to accidentally do the most embarrassing thing possible,” mavis laughed, glancing over the setup again with obvious curiosity. she nudged his arm lightly. “and thank the gods this is your first time too, because i was about two seconds away from pretending i suddenly had somewhere else to be. we can mess up together.. or i can just blame you now." she teased.

#replies.#ft. thelostthakker #event: the grotto reopening

vinemagic

⸻🌵 TODAY SAT IN WILLOWS CHEST LIKE AN stone. As today marks there 23rd birthday but they didn’t feel joy.

As the laughter &. the air was thick with the scent of spices. Smokey-quartz darted down an alley to where an eerie flicker of green pulsed in the dark. An carnivorous underland-vine ⸻ an responsibility ⸻ despite how much they wished they could have spent this day alone . . . like in there bed. Because being here reminded them more of there fathers that were far ⸻ far ⸻ on the Boiling Isles in the demon realm ⸻ &. they missed them as that longing to see them again ached like an wound that won’t heal &. this felt like betrayal &. daggers because the Underland ⸻ Gloam Market reminded them to much of home. As that magnified that loneliness ⸻ missing being someones kid in an way that didn't come with an strategy ⸻ survival ⸻ taking care of others ⸻ just growing up to fast? While they tried not to think to much about it. As the ache of all that comes quietly &. that just makes everything so much worse. “ Easy now ⸻ ” they hummed-gently as there voice didn’t raise above the distant sounds of music &. vendors. As the underland-vine began to shift ⸻ stir ⸻ as they were worried if this carniverous-vine gets to close . . . it could scare someone ⸻ latch onto someone. As they were still teaching them humanoids were friends not food “ ⸻ its just me. ”

But that was much easier said then done. Humanoids being friends then an snatching food-source. While an fibrous-sound of roots being pulled ⸻ as there mind wanted to identify it as the human-realms ' green-python '. But it wasn't an human-realm snake ⸻ as the carnivorous-underland-vine lifted its head looking at Willow ⸻ then to the noise. It pulsed ⸻ it pulsed as light traveled through its body ⸻ bright ⸻ poisonous-chlorophyll ⸻ showing its thorny-bark-like serpentine-vine body. As there head jerked towards an abrupt sound. " No. " While they took an sharp inhale stepping closer " ⸻ you look at me remember? "

mavisvaduva

mavis had been halfway past the alley when the glow caught her eye, something instinctive making her slow instead of walk away. curiosity tugged, but this time it came with a flicker of caution as she took in the scene-- the girl, the vine, the way it moved like it was thinking. her shoulders stiffened just a touch, weight shifting back like she was already planning an exit if it lunged. “uh… okay, that is a amazing,” she muttered, eyes locked on the thing as it pulsed. still, she didn’t leave. she just hovered there, tense but rooted, like watching a car crash she couldn’t look away from.

she edged a step closer despite herself, lifting her hands slightly like that might somehow help. “what are you, poison ivy or something?” mavis called, voice a little sharper now, nerves threading through the humor. her gaze flicked to the girl, then right back to the vine. “because i’m not trying to get… that… wrapped around my throat tonight.” a pause, then, a little more cautious, “you got it under control, right?”

#replies.#ft. vinemagic #event: the grotto reopening

mandyfellwyn

option b: mark yourself before they do it for you.

mandy had somehow convinced molt to cover her shift as she made her way to the gloam market instead, curious to know what all the fuss was about. it didn't make any sense to her why anyone would throw some kind of festival here of all places, but she since realized it wasn't necessarily her role to understand. as a frequent traveler of the bridge between old elias and the underland, the push to make it more habitable left her with questions. what was next - deed theft?

now she stood in front of a stall designated for the tattoo parlor, which she had been meaning to visit anyway one of these days. since a few of the flash designs were right up her alley, mandy decided she was going to pop in when she noticed mavis directly next to her. "i'll support a woman in any decision she chooses to make," the blonde said with a smirk as an idea came to mind. "i'll get one if you get one."

mavisvaduva

mavis snorted softly, shaking her head as she leaned her hip against the stall. “oh, you’re bold tonight,” she teased, giving mandy a once-over before glancing at the flash again. “logan did say you were a bad influence, i just didn’t realize it came with permanent consequences.”

she hummed, pretending to weigh it out way harder than she needed to before tapping a design with her finger. “alright, but if i’m doing this, you’re not backing out on me.” her grin widened, playful and a little conspiratorial. “we go in together, we suffer together. that’s the deal. and maybe something matching?”

#event: the grotto reopening #ft. mandyfellwyn #replies.

open event starter ft. the grotto reopening !

option a: dungeons, dragons, and a vampire?

she hovered just outside the setup for the midnight dungeons and dragons one shot, arms crossed as she watched people gather around like it was some kind of ritual. mavis didn’t look like she belonged there... a bit too guarded, too shy, but she hadn’t walked away either. “so… we’re all just gonna sit around and pretend we’re pirates or something?” she asked, glancing at someone nearby with a faint smirk. her tone wasn’t mocking just curious, edged with something almost playful. “because i could be convinced.” a beat. “but if i’m doing this, i’m not playing anything lame.”

option b: a tattoo, maybe?

she stood just outside starlight tattoo + piercing, staring at the celestial flash sheet like she was trying to talk herself out of something she’d already decided on. the designs glimmered under soft light... stars, constellations, something that almost looked like it moved if you stared too long. mavis huffed a quiet breath, glancing sideways at whoever had stopped nearby. “don’t look at me like that,” she muttered, already defensive. “it’s just a tattoo.” her eyes flicked back to the sheet, lingering. “besides… could be worse decisions i’ve made down here tonight.”

note: this is a choose your own starter edition. reply to the thread of your choice. either state which starter in your reply or the tags!

#wastarter #event: the grotto reopening #replies.

thelostthakkar

"honestly? i'm not so sure i'd be the best person to be an assistant for, considering my own weird hours and forgetfulness." waving his hand as if to say no harm done, milo smiles at her reassuringly. "what kind of role would you want in the museum? what's the dream when it comes to museum jobs?" his facial expressions shifted slightly into seriousness, his tone lowering to make sure only the two of them could hear the conversation. "is everything okay, though? like, work wise or otherwise?"

mavisvaduva

mavis let out a small laugh, shaking her head. “well, that kind of makes me feel better. i think i’d be too good at enabling your bad habits,” she teased lightly, nudging the edge of the conversation back into something easy before thinking it over. “but… if i’m being real? i think i’d want something a little more hands-on. like exhibits, or helping put things together, or even working with visitors. i like the idea of being part of how people experience things, you know? making it feel… alive.”

his shift in tone didn’t go unnoticed, though, and her smile softened—less bright, more honest. she tucked a loose strand of hair behind her ear, glancing down for a second before looking back at him. “i’m… okay,” she said, a little slower this time. “just figuring things out, i guess. life's been a little all over the place since orion.. yknow..., and i’m trying to find something that actually feels right.” her shoulders lifted in a small shrug. “but i’m not, like, falling apart or anything,” she added with a faint, reassuring smile. “promise.”

#replies.#ft. thelostthakker #milo is so sweet... i cant

arielnystrom

it was smooth - too smooth, by normal people's standards - but ariel was willing to ride this wave and see where they land. after all, there were plenty of times where all she needed was someone to take a chance on her - maybe that was what mavis needed, too. she smiled brightly. "whenever you arrive will be perfect. i can't wait to get started." the girl's eagerness fed ariel's own, and she was thankful that this era for the shop was looking to be a bright one. "we'll talk logisitics when you come in, okay? make sure you come with your questions, comments, concerns!" she beamed before digging in her bag and pulling out a handmade business card. "here! this has my number on it if you need me beforehand."

mavisvaduva

mavis practically lit up, like someone had just handed her the keys to a whole new life instead of a simple business card. “oh, i will have questions,” she laughed, a little breathless with it, like she was already ten steps ahead in her head. “probably too many, actually but i’ll try to pace myself.” her fingers curled around the card carefully, like it was something fragile, something important.

she glanced down at it, then immediately pulled out her phone, thumbs moving quick as she saved the contact. “there. now you’re officially in my phone, so you’re stuck with me.” her grin softened, something a little more sincere settling in. “i’ll text you so you have mine too. thank you, really.... i won’t let you regret it.” and with that, she slipped her phone back into her pocket, already buzzing with anticipation for her first day.

#replies.#ft. arielnystrom

chessmorrigan

closed starter feat. @mavisvaduva location: the grotto time: 1am

chess had purred too close to the sun. meowed into the stratosphere. he had become a shop cat.

it wasn't like it was a bad gig. if anything, it was a blessing in disguise when curly came in with what she described as "the fluffiest cat bed she could find". chess had been thankful to have a secure place to stay at night, so long as he got there before the new one closed the doors. wandering the streets at night, even in his cat suit, got old when it was every night. he didn’t hate the pate either, though he wished they would skip the tuna flavor.

artificial tuna was atrocious.

the cat had learned that once a certain bookseller started to pack his things, there was about one clock turn until the grotto locked up for the night. right on cue, chess ran back to home base, tail swishing, and didn't stop until he had landed directly in front of the door. entering the caravan, the cat first made sure that the missing girl was not somehow missing a second time - check. they jumped on the counter, tail wagging as they settled down between her and the cash register.

and then they purred. obviously, this was the most important step in gaining her trust.

mavisvaduva

mavis had been half-lost in her own thoughts when the familiar sound cut through them, soft and insistent. her head turned almost immediately, the shift in her expression subtle but unmistakable... something easing, something warmer.

“well, there you are,” she murmured, the tension in her shoulders slipping away as she spotted him.

she didn’t hesitate, reaching out to scoop him up with a kind of practiced gentleness, like she’d done it a hundred times before. “you’re cutting it close again,” she added under her breath, though there was no real reprimand in it. just concern, thinly veiled. her thumb brushed along the top of his head, smoothing down fur that didn’t need smoothing.

“honestly, potato chip, one of these nights you’re going to miss it and then what?” she adjusted her hold on him, tucking him closer against her chest like that might somehow anchor him in place. “i can’t have you wandering around out there on your own. not when it gets this late, huh?”

#replies.#ft. chessmorrigan

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