RAVEN'S KEEP

B O O K K E E P E R

[ravenskeeper-archived]

This blog is ARCHIVED! You can find me here now!

[ravenskeeper]

#𝚁𝙰𝚅𝙴𝙽𝚂𝙺𝙴𝙴𝙿𝙴𝚁 a selective , independent , mutuals only original character .   heavy themes in survival ,  trauma ,  and the death of a dream .   minors dni .   many verses available in different fandoms including but not limited to x-men/mcu  ,  stranger things  ,  horror  ,  and more to come.

penned by ANDY [ THEY / THEM , 29 , 𝙴𝚂𝚃 ].  ​​​   carrd ©

[ravenskeeper-archived]

alright. the glitch that doesn't let me see ava has gone on long enough. it's been a month since i submitted it and they havent responded to me now for over a week. they have no idea what they're doing and im fed up with it. i'll be remaking alice's blog. i'll reblog her promo when i've finished moving.

[ravenskeeper-archived]

anyone else have the stupid bug where you send an im and then close the little bubble but when you open it again the text block auto fills your last response so you have to delete that first before sending a message?

[sonofmikael-deactivated20240505]

"I think you'd find my collection to be quite immaculate, indeed. I've had many years to curate it and look for exactly the right books and pieces to add. Some of them are valuable and some of them are simply sentimental, but I've yet to find another collection to rival my own. I must say, however, that this shop might give me a run for my money."

Glancing around, he could tell she had put a great deal of time and effort into what was on the shelves. "I'm looking for a few tomes that one would not find in a Barnes and Nobles. Do you carry such things? Old grimoires, perhaps?" Unless he was mistaken, she wasn't selling YA paperback novels, but that didn't mean she made a practice of collecting old, dusty books either.

[ravenskeeper-archived]

╭┈◦•◦┈➤ Judge of character solidified by his reply, Alice nods along. She's quite proud of her secondhand shop and the more valuable editions sitting in the back encased in a protective glass casing. Her interest piques, curious of what he considers to be a complete collection. ❝ It's not completely a reflection of my own personal tastes, but I'd say it's quite close. ❞ Keeping the counter as a buffer between them, Alice cants her head to one side. She taps an index finger against the wood. ❝ Grimoires, you say? ❞

She thinks of the 1589 book on Demonologie written by James the First in her possession but that doesn't quite fit what he's asking. There's the 1486 copy of Malleus Maleficarum not currently in her possession, but she has the means and connections to obtain it. Again, not quite right. ❝ There is a manuscript known as The Secret of Secrets that I may or may not be able to obtain... Or perhaps Natural Magic printed in 1658 by John Baptist Portia... Harry Houdini found interest in that book, surprisingly and even wrote in the margins. ❞ A wealth of knowledge stored away in her mind, Alice rattles of titles and years like the pages sit in front of her.

❝ It's not necessarily about what I have currently... but that of my ability to procure them. I have regular contacts and there are book conventions I attend. I'm sure I'd be able to search for anything. ❞

[andrumedus]

the echo of what I've never called you.

Solmaz Sharif, Look; “Personal Effects”

[ravenskeeper-archived]

I've got like 12 people who have followed me recently and I WANNA FOLLOW YOU but ben from tumblr support told me I cant until the bug is fixed. So pretend that I followed you back :c

Screenshot for proof:

[ravenskeeper-archived]

Verses I want to explore more: Alice's Paranormal Verse. There's a brief breakdown about that verse in my carrd but what isn't mentioned (that i've discussed with viiolencia about actually) is how alice received her "gift". I'm gonna post the verse here with the addition after.

Most of her back story is the same, though after her mother’s death, Alice fears about the possibility that she may come back to haunt her after hearing stories of people’s encounters. She becomes obsessed with the idea of disproving the paranormal, so much so that she develops a reputation as the cold, logical investigator that dashes people’s dreams of finding loved ones on the other side. Every house she investigates has a logical explanation and when she leaves a place, there are no more disturbances.

What she doesn’t know is that her very presence dispels ghosts. While she "doesn’t believe" in their existence despite the origin of her initial interest, it doesn’t mean the paranormal don’t exist. She can never experience a haunting because of what she is and can do. When she enters a space and ghosts enter a certain radius, they are immediately forced to the other side whether they want to or not.

She can also exorcise people, forcefully pushing ghosts out of any body she touches. Once out of a body, they are then dispelled. While she can also force demons out of a body, she cannot rid them the same way as ghosts. This also applies to any other supernatural being. They’ll be able to know something is different about her, probably feel a pressured force when in the same vicinity as her. A negative, unwelcoming force.

Now for the addition: Alice doesn't "believe in G-d" because she feels like He failed her so horribly as a child. yet she can exorcise demons from bodies simply by touching them. which... is almost contradictory because a lot of what ive read and researched is that having unwavering faith is what contributes to exorcising demons along with the words of G-d. SO as a child, she was blessed by an Angel to ward off "darkness" or what have you so that she cannot be harmed by supernatural forces in the same way she was harmed by her parents and to also prevent her parents from harming her in the afterlife.

[bugeceicelim-deactivated2023120]

[urmacht-deactivated20240719]

Is that what we're calling it? Such a simple question is enough to lure genuine amusement through the cracks his abating panic started to open. A boyish simper coupled with a mere upward-twitch of brows later, Michael shoots Alice a side glance. " I mean, appointment sounds way too formal. Or meeting. " Just now noticing how dry his lips are, he quickly wets them while contemplating her query regarding his feelings for her. When it all... deepened. It takes him some time to rummage his thoughts to reminisce and find that turning point. Which is practically impossible. Alice's confession weaves into the silence Michael left between them. The squeeze to his hand sways his attention down to it.

Naive, yes. " That makes two of us. " Once more does he, too, look through the car window to see the street lights flit by, people on the sidewalks on their ways to or from a party. The streets seem almost more alive at night than during the day.

" When I asked you how you know you love someone ", Michael finally mutters, not bothering to ask if she remembers. She does. His head leant back against the backseat's headrest, he returns his gaze to Alice's features. " At that time, I was already feeling a change. But I didn't have a name for it. " Now Michael's thoughtful expression lights up with another smile, his turn now to squeeze her hand. " We're still friends, though. " Only not just friends anymore, right? " You're my best friend. "

[ravenskeeper-archived]

╭┈◦•◦┈➤ She doesn't look away from the window as he speaks, continues following the path they take mentally while street signs come and go as they drive. Alice knew before him and she's not entirely surprised by that. Though, she believed he had more experience than her. Perhaps not when it came to relationships. Meaningful relationships, that is.

Letting out a small huff, smile spreads across her face. She certainly wasn't the right person to ask that question to, having never been in love before. Though, it seems to work out for them. We're still friends, though. Alice turns to look at him, beaming. ❝ Always. ❞

He really knows just what to say to get her heart to somersault in her chest. Lips part, words bubbling inside, but nothing comes out. Instead, she unbuckles her seatbelt and slides over into the middle seat so she can entangle their arms and rest them on his lap. Her head settles on his shoulder. ❝ You're my best friend too. And nothing is going to change that. ❞

[partywithponies]

"I could fix him" well I could be the one person he's nice to and soft with, while he remains just as unbelievably awful as ever to everyone else <3

[ravenskeeper-archived]

get you a partner who not only loves you... but also likes you !!!

[ravenskeeper-archived]

@sonofmikael con. from here

╭┈◦•◦┈➤ She can't help the sudden unease she feels about this, cautious as ever. However, Alice knows coincidences happen and she'll file this away as one. ❝ What can I say... I'm an old soul. ❞ Fingers trail along the wooden counter as she rounds the corner to stand behind before leaning forward, palms pressing down against it. ❝ Are you looking for something in particular? For some reason, I can't quite imagine you having holes in your collection. ❞

[urmacht-deactivated20240719]

He registers Alice's attempt at distracting him, albeit only vague. That she knows what he goes through, anyone knowing, really, should bother his pride; it doesn't. Half-heartedly returning her kiss, he can't peel his attention away from the nearing vehicle until it halts. But the dryness in his mouth abates as soon as they both are seated and he's pulled the door shut— quickly discloses their destination to the driver and leans back. Finally meeting Alice's gaze with his own, Michael tries to blink the remainders of that anxiety away while shaking his head. " No, it's fine. I'll be okay. " With relief slowly settling in his bones again, now that the car moves and every last cell in his system realizes that the danger is gone, he manages to smile. Even responds to Alice's hand squeeze with one of his own.

Michael can't help but feel reminded of the first time they went out together, sitting in the private limo all dressed up— back then to see a ballet performance. For her. He reminisces about Alice's entire behavior, how she held herself, how incredibly shy she was. And now? A confident, beautiful woman who can't wait to dance through the night. He's sure she notices him lovingly staring at her, simpering near absentmindedly. " You know... it's amazing how much has changed ", Michael eventually muses, referring not only to her growth but to their entire bond as well. " I mean, since our first date. " No, it wasn't a date per se, but gathering or meeting sounds too formal for his taste.

[ravenskeeper-archived]

╭┈◦•◦┈➤ She does notice and a part of Alice thrives under his gaze. Another fights the powdered blush adorning her cheeks for credit in the way they color her face. A brow rises and a smirk forms. ❝ Is that what we're calling it? ❞ Looking back now, she can see how it might have been; the two of them getting dressed to the nines, attending a ballet. A limo. For all intents and purposes, anyone would look at that and say it's a date. In her mind, he didn't see her that way. They were friends. Which prompts a thought...

❝ When did it change? For you... I mean. When did you realize... this was more than a friendship? ❞ She knows she's asked him before when he realized he loved her. And when he decided she was someone he wanted to know. But this? This feels different.

She decides to give him time to think about it while she continues. ❝ I think... it took me a while to figure it out. Even when you let me kiss you to know what it was like to kiss someone... I didn't really know. Maybe... Maybe my heart did, but not my head. ❞ Another squeeze to his hand, this time for herself than to reassure him. ❝ Some of what we did... I assumed that's just something friends do... ❞ She lets out a breathy laugh and shakes her head. ❝ E-Even my first time... being with you... I thought if I was going to let anyone do it... it should be a friend. ❞

Alice looks away and out the window briefly. ❝ How naïve I was... ❞

[urmacht-deactivated20240719]

It doesn't take long for Michael to sit down beside Alice. Stretching and wiggling his fingers a bit as if in preparation, he lets his gaze travel along the now labelled keys. She, however, earns a pointed side glance upon insisting on the importance of music history. " I suppose we have different values ", is the only comment Michael drops in a casual manner. Add a gentle nudge of his elbow into Alice's arm— ere he finally decides to focus and follow her lead. It's not like he's had many teachers in his life. Much less any he wholeheartedly respected.

She explains and he listens, singular tunes here and there cutting into the air sans forming any coherent melody; the first he'd learn to play? That infamous one titled 'Chopsticks'. Which flows easier each time he repeats it. When it sits? Michael throws his hands up before clapping them together once, rubbing his palms. " That's it. I'm ready to conquer the stages of the world. " The poorly repressed smirk twitching around his mouth betrays the utter lack of seriousness.

[ravenskeeper-archived]

╭┈◦•◦┈➤ The lesson begins and Alice reels in her intensity. She takes her time, offers patience where she received criticism. Her own teachings were harsh and in some instances outright cruel. But not once did Alice associate negativity to playing. Basics right out the gate, Chopsticks isn't necessarily her go to but where she remembers, the disconnect between the two hands, he'll need to build strength. He isn't lying when he says he's a quick learner.

While he plays an octave higher, she plays the base notes. Alice can't remember a time being as happy as she is now. Being able to share her passion with someone else, this moment rivals when he got her that brace. Only this time, he's right beside her playing along. When she looks at him, there are tears brimming and she laughs, wiping at one of her eyes. ❝ You're such a fool, Michael, ❞ she jokes lovingly, bumping into his shoulder. Though, she doesn't straighten back up and instead rests her head upon it. ❝ This is the happiest I've ever been... ❞

At any moment, she feels as though her heart will burst. ❝ I love you. ❞

[urmacht-deactivated20240719]

A shred, a hint, is all Michael leaves to her and refuses to elaborate further. There's a reason Archer compelled Alice to forget, a very understandable one no less. Dipping his chin with a small nod, he puts the sponge aside and rises to his feet; one final glance to the now red water swallowing her whole. Then he exits the bathroom, shutting the door. What he saw haunts him on the way into the kitchen, where he washes his hands ere beginning to boil water for Alice's tea and preparing the coffee machine for his beverage of choice. As Michael waits for the machines to do their work, he turns around to lean back against the counter. Arms crossed below his chest, eyes cast down to absentmindedly stare holes into the air.

Should he forbid Alice to walk the streets alone at night? Wouldn't that border blaming her for what happened? What if some spineless idiot attacks her again, this time without Archer or any other courageous soul around to help?

Getting lost in thought, Michael doesn't realize that she enters the kitchen— until the 'click' of the gurgling water boiler announces its finish. He blinks, as if torn out of a daydream. Turns to pluck two mugs from the shelf and fails to stifle the chuckle Alice's approach conjures. Some of her wet hair presses coolly against his cheek and ear, soaking his own hair in the process. He opens the hanging cabinet above, where a multitude of tea sorts instantly emanate their spicy scents. " Which one? " His hand will hover afore the packages while he waits for Alice's answer, expectation tugging at his brows.

And once he'll prepare the filter plus chosen tea, thoughts finally find release— through mutters: " I know the man who helped you. And I'm... I'm just glad he was there. While I wasn't. "

[ravenskeeper-archived]

╭┈◦•◦┈➤ This is it. This is the home she thinks when asked. Not the house, not any one place. No, home is a person. She almost doesn't respond to his question. She stares into the open cabinet, holding onto him tightly while nuzzling into his neck some. Finally, she removes one arm to reach over his shoulder and point out the chamomile. Not a single word is uttered from her, not until he speaks again.

❝ Helped me with what...? ❞ Every time he brings it up, a part of her feels a pull, a fracturing in her mind. Does he feel her arms tighten around him? The way her heart starts pounding in her chest? Fear tries climbing up her throat that she swallows down.

Moments flash in her mind. The darkness, the flickering street lights. Blood red eyes. It hurts, like she's looking straight into the sun, like she isn't supposed to remember. ❝ S-Stop... ❞ Fingers twist up the fabric of his shirt as hands turn to fists and Alice shakes. He doesn't know what he's doing just by talking about it. Not even she knows. It hurts, that much is certain.

❝ I have to... go to bed... ❞

[urmacht-deactivated20240719]

Alice yearns for the cold to sit where his palm lies. Which Michael doesn't know, although a similar thought crossed his mind; to surprise her at the risk of it going awfully wrong. So he dropped the cube for now. Distraction. Hearing her plea suffices to rekindle his desire to touch and taste her all over again, as if it's not been barely half an hour since the last time. And he obliges. Sinks his teeth into her flesh, meanwhile cants his hand between her legs to run its palm along an inner thigh. Just a little, then stalls. A red mark adorns her neck as he plants the next below it.

Michael's willpower alone lets the previously abandoned gel cube move from its spot— it lands on Alice's hip. He lifts his head to glean her face, that hand wandering around her thigh to pick the cold item up. And agonizingly slow... Michael drags it between her legs. An equally as mischievous as expectant grin curves his mouth, tip of his nose gently nudging Alice's jawline.

[ravenskeeper-archived]

╭┈◦•◦┈➤ How quickly the anticipation sets in the moment his lips brush against her skin and she knows he's about to fulfill her request. A sharp inhale, eyes rolling back, Alice doesn't know if it's possible to fall further against him. Her body wants to tense up, but instead, she relaxes and lets herself feel it to the full extent. ❝ Only you could make this feel so good. ❞ As if in response, he goes again, sinks those teeth into her flesh and pulls a moan out of her.

As if reading her mind, the cold returns and eyes open wide. Lips part as she gasps, watches his hand drag across her thigh and begin its descent again, cube in tow. ❝ Did you... ❞ Alice doesn't finish her thought; doesn't need to know. She wouldn't oppose him in her head, not in a moment like this if he wanted. She'd want to feel every bit of him in every way.

Now, her body tenses, goosebumps cascading over her skin as he inches closer and closer until Alice shifts to meet the cold. Fingers in his hair curl into a fist and she can't help the whimper that comes out of her. Part of her wants to get away from the intensity of it all while instead, her hips roll forward against it in desperation.

No more thoughts, just a breathy, ❝ Please.. ❞ rolling off her tongue.