#moodlit

[mosneakers]

Bella Goth: We did it, little one! We got away from them! We survived. I didn't want your first view of the world to be so scary and cold. Not sure I'm doing a very good job, considering I birthed you in the middle of the desert, and the sounds of their aircraft are getting closer and closer, and I'm fairly certain that I'm losing consciousness due to dehydration, and they're going to find me soon. Shh-shh-shh, don't cry, my love. Everything's going to be okay. Ha, I know, it seems a little unbelievable considering our circumstances, but life has a funny way of working itself out. Before they find me, I just want to say; I don't know what they're going to do to me when they find me, or if we'll ever see each other again. I don't know who will raise you, who you'll become, or even what you are. Just like you, life is beautiful and mysterious and full of unknowns.

I know, I know, they're getting louder, and they're scary. Sounds like we don't have much time left together, sweet girl. How about I use this time to tell you some other things I do know? I know that you're going to need sustenance very soon. I know that you'll be alone for a little while, and that will be distressing. But I know that you are powerful and mighty and you're going to cry with all of your might, then someone will find you and take you in. You're going to carry that strength into adulthood and never back down when life tries to get the best of you. You'll find love, like I did with Mortimer. And if you decide that someday you want to have children of your own, you'll have so much love to pass on to them, just like I did with my Cassandra and Alexander, and of course, you.

Oh! And I think I know what I'll call you, too.

Part 2

[mosneakers]

Clementine stunned Salem with three slow and sensual kisses before hastily pulling away from the last. Clementine wasn't sure why she did it, and neither was Salem. But it happened, and Salem welcomed it without hesitation.

Clementine: Oh my god, I'm so sorry. I don't know what I was thinking, I-

Salem wasn't going to let this moment be ruined with more fumbled words or awkward silences. She held Clementine's face in her hands and kissed her hard. Since reuniting with Clementine, every interaction she's had with her had to be delicate and careful, but that all blew away with the wind when she finally tasted Clementine's beautiful sweet lips again.

Salem let her soul follow the flames down Clementine's body, tracing every one of her sun-kissed curves with her lips on the way down. As if the same salacious thought crossed their minds at the same time, they both began frantically fumbling with the button of Clementine's denim cut-off shorts. Clementine: Woah woah wait... Are we actually doing this? Like outside in the middle of the day? Are you sure you want to?

Salem: [Smirks] I mean... yeah. I do. If you want to, anyway...

Clementine: [Nods and whispers] ... Yeah, I do.

Clementine: [Heavy breathing] Wow Salem! That was incredible! You do that exactly how I imagine Yellow does. [Giggles]

Salem glared at Clementine. She wanted to express her disgust, but it was such a Clementine thing to say, she fought back a smile. Her heart melted and she broke, as she fell onto Clementine's lap, bursting from laughter. Salem: Okay, great to know. I have to go to work now. I'm late.

5/5

[mosneakers]

Bella: I think it's time to say goodbye, my sweet daughter. Not through blood, but most assuredly through the bond we'll forever share. May you never have to endure another parting as sorrowful as this.

Goodbye, little Belladonna Cassandra Goth. I love you.

Part 1

[mosneakers]

[*Disclaimer: This conversation is a little heated, and may be delicate to some readers and should be read with care ♥] Cassidy: Oh you didn't notice? Funny, I had a little chat with Dave on the way in. He mentioned that Clementine and her friend were helping out in the garden. Inside the gates. He said they were chatting with you for quite a while. He asked if her friend was a new member or something. Luca: Huh? No... That wasn't today. Had to be a different day, maybe Dave is confused.

Cassidy: No, he seemed to have his head on pretty straight today. Just like every other day. Luca: [Confused expression] I don't recall- Oh wait, yeah! Now that you mention it, I think I did speak with her, very briefly. I must've forgot because it was such a short-

Cassidy: Okay, Luca, just cut the crap! It's so obvious you're lying to me. Straight up lying to my face. Luca: Lying? Cassidy, I'm not lying, I just got confused. I told you I had a long day. I have a lot to deal with right now. Cassidy: Do you think I'm that stupid, Luca? You're so full of-

Luca: Enough of this, Cassidy. This was a misunderstanding. The idea of losing you makes me sick to my stomach, but ever since Clementine came along, well... It's clear there's some extreme jealousy going on with you. Cassidy: What? No, I- Luca: I feel like I always have to walk on eggshells around you. Always dealing with your anxiety related to Clementine, while I have so much work to do all the time on top of that. Not to mention our whole movement is being sued. That's going to be so bad for our public perception.

Cassidy: Oh, here we go with the public perception. Why is that all you care about? Luca: I can't believe what you're doing right now! You're the one who's always worried about what the public will think. Cassidy: No. I don't care unless it interferes with me being able to see my child. Luca: [Frustrated sigh] Baby, if we don't have trust, we don't have anything. I've made friends with a beautiful woman, yes, who happens to be a huge asset to this movement, but that shouldn't threaten what we have.

Cassidy: [Sigh] Maybe we're too far gone to fix things. Sometimes I think it would be better to just leave and focus on being a mother to my son.

Luca: We've been over this. He's better off with his outsider dad in Oasis Springs, and you send him letters and see him every two weeks. I thought you were comfortable with that arrangement?

Cassidy: I know, I just [tears up] ...I'm sorry. Sometimes I just get so scared of- Luca: Hey, hey... please... don't. I know a lot of this is my fault. It's what I get for being too kind to her. But you know that comes with the territory. We're going to be a power couple, Cassidy. Let's focus on winning this lawsuit and stop making enemies out of each other, okay?

Cassidy nodded and moved forward.

[mosneakers]

Luca: So I'm assuming you've already given your friend the grand tour...

Salem cackled at Luca for emphasizing "friend". She bit her tongue. She didn't want him to think he was clever. Clementine: I haven't shown her everything. She's not quite interested yet. Salem: [Sarcastically] It's weird, I've just never been interested in cults, not sure why.

Luca: It's not a cult. It's a movement. Salem: HA! Right.

Clementine: It's okay, Luca. Just give her time to come around okay? Luca: Right. Knowing your place is only the first step. And speaking of knowing your place... I have something I need to tell you about the organization, Clementine, but unfortunately it's confidential. [Cocks head in Salem's direction]

Clementine: Well then it can wait. I'm hanging out with Salem right now- Salem: No don't mind me. I'll just wander around for a bit. Clementine: Wait, are you sure? Salem: Yeah sure. This should be good. Salem chuckled and walked away, in pursuit of something that wasn't nailed down and could be easily concealed.

Luca: She's quite a bitter person, isn't she? Clementine: Oh Salem? No! She's just sassy like that. Isn't she so cute though? Luca: Adorable. But uh... hopefully you don't find her too cute. Seems like you like her more than me sometimes. Don't want her stealing you away from me, heh. Clementine: Imagine how I feel. You have a wife. Luca held his breath for a moment, as he continued strolling down the stone pathway.

Luca: Well, things take time Clem. And I'm afraid it'll take a little longer than I initially anticipated. I have to focus my attention on Absolute Aspiration right now. It's... it's in danger, Clem.

[mosneakers]

Clementine: [Gasps] Sa-lem! This looks amazing! You're such a great artist.

Salem: Meh, you're just kissing my ass. I'm better with a paintbrush anyway. [Shrugs]

Clementine: SoOo sAsSy! Just take the damn compliment. Hahaha- Hey! I think I recognize that thing you're drawing...

Salem: ...It's a windmill. Clementine: I know that, I'm not stupid. Salem: [Smiles] Clementine: Really though, I do! And that barn. That was in our old neighborhood, right? In Appaloosa Plains. Over by your house.

Salem: Yep. It was our barn. Clementine: Shut up, Really? [Gasps loudly, then frowns slightly] I remember that barn. Yellow rejected me and shattered my heart into pieces in that barn. Damn, that sucked.

Salem: Ha. Yep. Clementine: Oh, speaking of Yellow... Can I tell you a secret?

1/5

[mosneakers]

Clementine: Why won't you tell me your Grandma's name? Salem: Huh? Clementine: I've guessed every name imaginable and you've shot every one of them down. It's been months Salem! Salem: Why do you care so much? Clementine: Because, Salem! There has to be a reason you're not telling me.

Salem softly chuckled and then shrugged. Salem: I don't know. Maybe it's just fun making you guess.

Clementine crawled over the arm of the loveseat and plopped down in front of Salem.

Clementine: Oh yeah?

Salem tried desperately not to smile, but her effort was futile and a small grin formed at the left corner of her lips. Another shrug, this time more playful. Salem: Yeah...

Clementine: Salem... I have an idea... Salem: Uh-huh? Clementine: Come with me to work today. Salem: To your weird cult? Ew, no thanks.

Clementine: They're not a cult, they're good people! Plus I'd like you to get to know Luca better. I think you two may have gotten off on the wrong foot. Or you could at least meet some of the other members. I'm sure you'd like at least one of them! Pleeeease?

Clementine lightly traced the back of Salem's hand with her own, and Salem naturally extended the palm of her hand out in reaction.

Salem: Nooo. It's gross. Clementine: No, you know what's gross? I want you to come with me because I just love spending every moment I can with my sassy best friend. You make every day brighter. Salem: That is pretty gross. but Absolute Aspiration is definitely grosser.

Clementine was still caressing Salem's hand with the back of her fingertips, while Salem pretended not to notice. They were silent for a moment, as her smooth fingertips travelled around Salem's wrist and finally in the middle of her palm, when her gentle touch turned into a slightly more aggressive squeeze. Holding her own hand in Salem's she locked eyes with her and displayed a pouty lip. Clementine: Please? Salem rolled her eyes as hard as she could and scoffed.

Salem: Fine! Fuck.

[mosneakers]

Salem: [Shrugs] I can just tell by looking at his ugly face.

Clementine: [Laughter] You are so mean to him! Salem: He's just an awful person, Clem. I wish you'd see that. Clementine: Well he has some issues. But there's a lot more to him than that. I mean I have issues too, ya know? I'm in a relationship with a married man, years later I still have a crush on your brother, who's also happily married with kids by the way, and who's rejected me countless times. [Sigh] I'm just a mess. Salem: Yeah. The whole feelings for Yellow thing... that's gonna be a problem. What's the deal with that anyway?

Clementine: Ugh I don't know. He's just so compassionate and respectful and honestly it's so hard not to fall for him. As far back as I can remember, I've just always felt such a connection with the Darlings you know? Like when I'm with you guys I just feel like I'm home... but don't worry, okay? I'm not actually gonna do anything about it. I love Donna and the kids so much, I would never do anything to ruin their family. Honestly! I mean that. Salem: No, I know you do. But my brother is nice to everyone. You need to raise your standards. Clementine: Okay enough about my miserable love life! What about yours? How come you never bring home any girls? Let's talk about that.

3/5