#ctte

[gifsofhubris]

Ingeborg Bachmann, from "Eyes to Wonder" in Three Paths to the Lake | Close to the Enemy

[cheerstotheelites-if]

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A boy taken in the lunch hour of a school.

And a quiet murder in a cottage hundreds of years ago.

The sins of the past and the present have come back to haunt.

It's not everyday that such a quaint, urban town such as Delphinium gets any crimes. So when a student from your school suddenly goes missing in the middle of the day, alarm bells have struck in the residents. However, some say the poor boy just ran away to escape this dying town of the growing olds and the shrinking youths and is quickly brushed off to wanting to run off to live in the capital city of Rosedale.

That isn't enough of a reason for some, however.

Having become a witness to a hushed secret, you're dragged into the rabbit hole of buried trauma, generational sins, and lies that are yet to be exposed. The deeper you go, the more you find the secrets of the people thought you knew so intimately. From uncovering the past sins of a discarded Magus and her Familiar, to the lost boy you barely knew, to the friends and loved ones you've made and met in this hellish journey, the hole only continues deeper, and deeper with every little string you unravel.

Are you sane enough to get out when you've reached the far end? Or will its madness consume you to the silence of knowledge you shouldn't have known?

Cheers to The Elites is an urban fantasy, mystery, thriller, supernatural, slice of life IF that will be written in Twine. The story takes place in the fictional country of Rosedale in the modern age, and is rated 18+ for heavy topics such as: abuse (emotional, psychological, implied physical), violence, blood, graphic gore (specifically botanical body horror, general body horror, mutilation, & dismemberment), mentions & use of alcohol, mentions & talks of death, self-harm & self-destructive tendencies, mentions, talks & attempts of suicide, unhealthy coping mechanisms, instances of bullying, religious trauma, hate crimes

• Customizable MC—appearance, sexuality, pronouns, and all that jazz!

• Learn magic? Maybe? If the Vice President allows it?

• Find out the secrets the Student Council and the academy holds

• Romance 1 of the 7 RO’s—3 females, 4 males—or form platonic bonds with all of them!

• Get your very own Familiar!

• Choose your history with two of the RO’s

• Leave highschool with a bang

->Important canon bits

~•~•~

• Weylyn Rutherford the President (18, M, Demisexual Demiromantic)

The good boy next door. He’s your neighbor in the local neighborhood you both live in. A kind and patient guy that helps around your family every once in a while with a smile on his face. Not as smart or athletic as the Vice President or the Treasurer, but he’s trying his best. Weylyn tends to disappear randomly a day or two each month, and comes back like nothing happened with an excuse that he’s just visiting a relative. Yeah, totally explains why his eyes seem to glow a bit brighter for a few days.

“Ah, jeez, you didn’t have to do that. You’re going to make me blush!”

~•~•~

• Fleur Heartstein the Vice President (17, F, Bisexual Greyromantic)

A rich heiress to a family owned bank, she’s the epitome of the “Top of My School” game. Always with high academic achievements and grades, multi-talented, boys and girls swooning over her left and right; she is the girl everyone either dreams or envies. Despite her popularity in the school, her demeanor screams of a distant figure that’s only praised for what she is. Calm, cold, quiet, people like her are known to hide and say so much more under the surface. Is that blood and petals in her coughs?

“I’m surprised you even want to talk, let alone to me.”

~•~•~

• Zephyrine “Zeph” Vel Delle the Secretary (17, F, Pansexual Panromantic)

The ever excitable and cheery Secretary of the Council. The one to bring the fun and excitement on a bleak or boring day. One for makeup and fashion, she’s the gal who’ll ask if you can let her paint your nails or test a new eyeshadow she bought on you. She’s everyone’s best friend, if you may. Despite the giddy and somewhat airheadedness in the way she appears, there is a side you've yet to see from her. And you don't know if you can handle it.

"Oh, look at that, we're holding hands! Does that mean we're dating now?"

~•~•~

• Eliseo De Loughrey the Treasurer (18, M, Bisexual Aroflux)

The bad boy of the Student Council, an irony for being part of a paragon of the Lumintoile perfect student. Often found smoking in the old classrooms of the 7th floor or flirting with some random girl or guy in the campus. A smug demeanor, and known to tease, any annoyance towards him is usually gone by sweet words and a smile. Open with everything in his life, even the unnecessary bits, is he as transparent as he seems?

"You're a little adorable thing, aren't you?"

~•~•~

• Cooper Lockhart the ??? (17, M, Aceflux Biromantic)

Someone from outside of Lumintoile. Not much is known about him, but the fact that Fleur's seen with him all the time outside of school. He doesn't look like anyone you've seen around the neighborhood. With an attention span that is always drifting off somewhere and with a hyperactive attitude, it's a wonder Fleur sticks with him. Maybe he's some foreigner friend visiting, or maybe something more sinister is afoot.

"Aww, come 'ere and let me bless you with hugs!”

~•~•~

• Ophelia Edevane the batchmate (18, F, Greysexual Panromantic)

A new friend you met through Zephyrine. She's an unusual one from the next classroom over. Head stuck in fantasy books, she longs for something well... magical to happen in her life. Gullible and easily awestruck, an academic to the unknown and mysterious. A researcher if you may, always getting her head into dangerous things just to learn them. Though it's a bit alarming at how calm she is about it all. It could be a façade, for all you know.

"Oh, there you are! Come on, I want to check something out with you!"

~•~•~

• Jasiel "Jas" Lèmieux the revered (18, M, Greysexual Panromantic)

An apprehensive and distrusting young man in your grade. Related to two of the staff in the local church in the middle of town, he's a bit revered and respected by everyone. He can be a bit harsh with his words, and tends to show disgust as his main—and, perhaps, only—mood. Despite acting distant to those who try to get close to him, you can't help but notice the guilt in the way his eyes would gaze over to the church that's so revered in this town. However, if you ask about his siblings or about the church his family handles, he'll refuse to talk about either of them.

"I didn't do it. I swear I didn't. You believe me, right?"

• Murphy Heartstein (16, M)

One of Fleur’s adoptive younger brothers in the 10th grade. A socialite and fairly popular in his grade. Part of the school’s basketball team, and often found playing basketball during lunch.

~•~•~

• Ziyad “Z” Heartstein (16, M)

Murphy’s twin brother and the slightly lesser known brother. Just as quiet as his older sister, and often found in the library either reading or playing chess with Fleur.

~•~•~

• Chiffon (31, M)

The butler of the Heartstein family. He’s an aloof and frank man, always seen picking up and dropping off the Heartsteins via limo. 

~•~•~

• Artorias (43, M)

Your grade's beloved Biology professor. A jovial man with a permanent reassuring smile on his face, and yet there is an undecipherable grief in those gray eyes of his.

~•~•~

• Asael & Katriel Lèmieux (33 & 28, M & F)

Jasiel's older siblings who work in the local church with Asael being a head priest and Katriel being the financial head. They both look like kind people as far as you can tell.

~•~•~

• Aislinn Willowsberg & Lothric (?? & ??, F & M)

The victims catalysts of the past.

~•~•~

• Klaus ██████ (16, M)

The victim catalyst of the present.

[arinewman7]

And You And I

Yes

[wondertastical]

Fist bump to y'all

[streetninjart]

October 2017 -  Redon - France

[gifsofhubris]

this was the scene that cemented my love for Harold tbh

[gifsofhubris]

[cheerstotheelites-if]

Unsent Letters

1597 C.A., 15th of Grief

Dearest ████,

It has been years since you've been gone, and I'm still not used to waking up without you by my side. I yearn to hold you in my arms again, kiss you on the top of your head and whisper my good mornings to you. But alas, your side of the bed still lays empty. O, how I wish to turn back time to take you with me in this world.

I have grown since that day. Not much taller, but a bit more older. I have gotten a bit more mature too. I hope you are proud of me for achieving such a feat. I never thought I would, to be frank with you.

Travelling has been a struggle. I have been taking odd jobs to receive some gold for the past years. It is a stressful thing, but nothing I can not manage. I did not stop looking for that deal maker. I know they are out there somewhere in the East. If I shake their hand, would they be able to bring you back like the people in the Gala? I worry what they will take from me when I do, but anything for you, right? You would always jest about that.

I'm in a cheap inn as I write this letter under candlelight. The stars are out again, shimmering like the purest silver under the sun. Samar has done a good job tonight, hasn't he? You always loved staring up at them, amazed spark in your eyes from the god's craftsmanship. I miss seeing that spark.

I think I shall head to bed now. I have much more to do tomorrow, and I require myself to leave early.

Rest well, ████.

Yours,

███

~•~•~

~•~•~

1635 C.A., 8th of Genesis

Dearest ████,

I have not found the deal maker. It seems that all my time and money were wasted for nothing. The locals of the Jade Islands consider them as a myth; a legend, if you will, but you and I both know that person, or whatever that person is, is real. I'd be surprised if I have heard news about their death instead.

No matter, I have put my focus back on returning and search other means back home. I might as well make a journey to Rosedale as well and search there too. The days are slowly becoming longer once again, and winter slowly melting away. I'd love to experience spring again with you, watch the first flowers bloom and animals waking up from their long slumber.

One day, perhaps. Soon.

See you, ████.

Yours,

███

~•~•~

~•~•~

1779 C.A., 23rd of Intervention

Dearest ████,

Home is of no use. The people there are the same egotistical scums we have encountered before. The same kind of people that threw us out. The family is still thriving, it seems. I've heard that most of them have become doctors for the past century, and have been earning gold that way. Our names have become nothing but something to be feared and hated. Our existence is nothing but a curse to them now.

I have left it not long after finding out.

I am currently taking a boat trip to Rosedale, to avoid the ongoing hunt for Magi and Familiars happening in Bellhollow. I might as well change my name and identity now, ████. You always wanted to try such a thing. For the thrill and new beginning, I recall you said that to me in our time in the forest years ago, but I turned it down in fear of being found out. And yet look what I am doing now.

I am still looking for ways to bring you back, and they all have been fruitless for now. Hopefully, Rosedale has answers for my search. I have prayed to the goddess Despoina for assistance for years, but she has been silent to me. I am starting to wonder if the goddess disapproves my search or has been ignoring my prayers. Regardless, I will not stop until I get my answers.

I will see you soon.

Yours,

████

~•~•~

~•~•~

1887 C.A., 6th of Peace

Dearest ████,

I am surprised that the █████ family is still alive in Rosedale, knowing how intense their family curse is. I've met the current heiress of the family. She is a nice and corteous woman, unlike the one we've met in the Gala before, and seems to not know who I truly am. Though her family is also responsible for our exile, hence I still abhor her and her family's existence. They have been stigmatized as well, they should know how we feel, and yet they turn a blind eye when we needed help.

Bastards are what they are. I could give less of a damn if their family were to cease to exist.

I have met an old student as well. ███ if I remember is his name. He was just as surprised as I was to see his old tutor again. The lad hasn't changed, still as serious as ever, but now a fully fledged Familiar and serving the █████ family. He's married now apparently, to one of his former rivals. Oh, how time and people have changed while I was away.

Moving on, I have unfortunately have not found any answers once again… The Magi of today are good at hiding, much to my annoyance. I have yet to find a Magus that is willing to hand me knowledge, a necromancer perhaps if I can find one. It's about time I get my hands into learning new magic. Better for self-defense, don't you think, ████? Gods above, if you were here, I could only imagine how excited you'd be to learn more magic. You've always felt restricted in the teachings back at home.

I have managed to buy a property with the money leftover from my previous trips around Rosedale. It isn't that big, but enough for me to have a house built. You would have loved it. There is a garden in the back with your favorite flowers, a huge balcony that overlooks the neighborhood, a bed big enough for you and I.

I still weep sometimes when I wake up and see that you're not here. The hurt still lingers. Dear ████, how I missed you so.

O, how I miss you and your touch, ████.

Yours,

███

~•~•~

~•~•~

1995 C.A., 10th of Blossom

Dearest ████,

There is a book written about us. I've found it in a local bookstore while heading back home earlier. I've bought it, and I am thoroughly surprised at how accurate most of it is, but the author claims it to be fiction. I am both intrigued and terrified at the fact that someone out there knows about this. Perhaps a Magus wrote this? Maybe our exile was written in the records and has been released to Magi Society.

I am unsure, and I refuse to know further details about it.

I work in the local school now as a job to earn money. Gold has been replaced for paper and coins, and it's unfortunate that prices for things keep rising. You've always hated when something is expensive, when it clearly shouldn't. I think I understand your frustrations now, ████. Food and taxes nowadays are becoming more difficult to obtain and pay.

On the brighter side of things, I think I've found an answer to our centuries long wait. I will not explain it here, lest I get my hand to cramp and the whole process is atrociously long and complicated. But rest assured, we will be able to meet again soon, my dear. Just a wait a bit more for me, alright?

Our reunion will be here soon, ████.

Yours,

███

~•~•~

~•~•~

18 T.G., 1st of Fury

Dearest ████,

I swore I saw you enter the school I work in.

This student is the spitting image of you. Your hair, your eyes, your skin, your adorable mannerisms and timidness. Gods above, have you reincarnated yourself? You couldn't wait until I brought you back?

I don't know what to think of this, ████. Tell me, should I do something?

Yours,

███

~•~•~

~•~•~

22 T.G., 5th of Fury

Dearest ████,

The miniature you is in my class. She has grown to be a fine young woman, though still timid as ever. It pains and angers me to see her get mistreated by her peers over the years she's been studying in this school, often leaving her in isolation. It's reminding me of our mistreatment centuries ago, and there are many instances where I have to hold back from strangling the perpetrators. I have stepped in to defend the miniature you countless of times, but it only seems to make the mistreatment worse for her.

I was at a lost at the time. I said my concerns to the Headmaster of the school, but it seems those concerns were brushed off. So, I have taken it into my own hands. I've taken this opportunity to try the spell I've discovered on the perpetrators, but all of them have been a failure so far, unfortunately.

Ah, right. I've forgotten to mention that I've researched if miniature is related to you, and it appears to be I am correct. She is from the main family just like you, though her and her siblings have moved here to Rosedale and changed their name for unknown reasons. Have they been exiled too? I'm having a sudden de ja vu, ████, and I am unsure if I like it.

Regardless, when the spell does succeed one day, I do hope you and your descendants get to meet. The thought of it makes me excited. You get to meet family after so long, and I get to see and hold you again.

It's only a matter of time, ████, until I can kiss you again.

Yours,

███