once upon a time in midwinter, when the snowflakes were falling like feathers from heaven, a young widow sat sewing at her window, which had a frame of black ebony wood. as she sewed she looked up at the snow and pricked her finger with her needle. three drops of blood fell into the snow. the red on the white looked so beautiful that she thought to herself, " if only i had a child as white as snow, as red as blood, and as black as the wood in this frame ... "
indie, private, & selective snow white written by andy. low activity
based on a modified canon of dc’s fables series & telltale’s the wolf among us series with original fairytale influences. affiliated with #redveils ‘s little red riding hood.
dc verse, other blogs in order of priority: wonder woman, harley quinn, snow white.
lovely. the man of every woman’s dreams is here to pester her once again. snow takes a moment to find a semblance of inner peace within herself before she responds. you are a professional, ms. white. no need for hostility. no need to —
“ hello, darling. i see you’re back in town once again. needed a break from those lustful little mundies you love to leech off of? “
“ they don’t ever expect me at all. i come in, i stand menacingly in the doorway, and they give me the funds to the town. “
takes a sip of her coffee. nods. " that's why we need you around. someone has to get our wealthy citizens to pay their dues and they don’t always like to follow the law. i heard that you scared bluebeard yesterday just in time for our yearly budget. thank you, again. it’s unfortunate that we have to rely on his funding so much. "
“What did you think darling?”, she gestured to the ending screen not aware that her wife had slept through the whole thing. “There are only 5 more movies, 3 prequels, a series, and then the directors cut. Isn’t that so exciting!”
rubs her eyes. she slept through how many of these space movies? oh gods. " it was... very interesting! are we watching these all tonight, darling? "
The sound of a wooden bat cracking echoed through the farm, it was shortly accompanied by a symphony of howls, chirps, and the occasional I GOT IT! I GOT IT! – this was a normal weekend for the White family. Playing ‘catch’ or fetch rather into the setting sun, as the woman smacking those balls into oblivion never seemed to grow tired of the repetition. After hours of this intensive game, some of the young pups grew tired and split off to nap in the shade with their Mother or request refreshments in the form of juices and snacks.
“Only you and I left my darling Blossom, ready to admit your defeat?”, she teased tossing the worn baseball in the air and catching it. The last of the pups huffed, clearly not ready to give in. Gentle green eyes drifted to catch sight of her wife sprawled out on a picnic blanket nearby, and in those few precious seconds, she allowed herself to stare — taking in this moment and trying to commit it to memory. Deciding she had made the young girl wait long enough she threw the ball up and swung, missing completely. Biscuits. That had been a lot cooler in her head, hopefully, Snow didn’t see that.
Second time was the charm as the bat connected and sent the ball flying, the ginger-furred critter scrambled behind -- determined to catch it before it hit the ground. With a few moments to herself; she turned her attention to the woman of her affection.
“I think I’m getting better.”, totally ignoring how goofy she had looked all day and the fact Snow had seen every second of it. “Not that I’m fishing for flattery of course, but you know I do so ever value your opinion on such things.” A smile was directed at the other woman, fangs showing; she no longer hurried to cover her mouth to laugh or smile.
ugh, they really should have gotten a thicker blanket for this. snow lost count of how many times she’s had to fix it. a manicured hand smoothed out the floral pattern they sat upon for no good reason other than the principle of a neat picnic setting. her scrutinous gaze grew immediately softer at the sight of red teasing their little blossom who took the bait, whining back that she would never be defeated. she adjusted her sunhat just in time to get a proper view of her wife’s admirable attempt at a proper swing, the failure of which got a proper chuckle out of her.
snow clapped as her pup made a mad dash for the ball, kicking up clouds of dirt that she knew she’d have to wash out of her fur later. oh, the joys of being surrounded by messy canines. the mother wolf herself turned her attention to the picnic, her toothy grin as endearing as ever as she looked for praise on her performance. her silly antics had become something she grew to love about red in all their years together. “ you’re doing a phenomenal job, my love. you’ve even managed to tire out our pack leader. “ she gave her sleeping son a few gentle pets. darien responded by stretching his paws up in the air before falling back limp.
the last remaining player practically flew past her family, using what little energy she had left to win this game once and for all. snow gestured to the field with a smile. “ we’ll have plenty of time to discuss your performance later, dearest, but blossom is making her way to the home plate as we speak. i think this is the last game she has in her. “
It was a rare silence in the white manor as all six children were gone for the day, each having their own activities, sports, or sleepovers to occupy them. This hardly ever happened as each pup was developing their own interests and tastes, which meant the schedule was getting harder and harder to manage. Strange to consider that Snow was going to do this alone. Red couldn't even imagine how hard that would have been, had they not met at such a tender time in both of their lives -- that felt like ancient history now.
With an audible sigh of relaxation, the wolf watched as her wife collapsed onto the waiting sofa. Kicking off her worn-out heels and allowing herself to really sprawl out, it wasn't often that she got to see Snow like this. Fully letting herself take in the moment, not caring how 'undignified' it maybe made her look. It was a nice change of pace, sometimes Red worried if she was perhaps a little too lax for formal royalty but in moments like this she saw a woman, not an untouchable queen.
“You sound positively pleased to have a day to ourselves.”, her voice was more of a giggle as she sat on the floor in front of the exhausted Mother. Their faces only inches away now, “I can think of a few things I want to occupy myself with.”
Those big blue doe eyes could kill someone with how sweet they looked fluttering innocently, ruby-stained lips cracking to speak after inhaling a small breath, “Enlighten me, I was considering cleaning since this place looks like a pig pen rather than a wolf den.”
Oh how she tended to sour the mood, a snort escaped the smaller woman as she narrowed her gaze, “Surely such a concept was in jest? You can’t possibly be thinking of cleaning when we have got the whole house to ourselves for hours! When was the last time this happened? Young Honey Bear’s Namesday? That’s coming around the corner again now that I think about it.” Oh how upsetting, it was a cruel joke if it was one.
“Ah, It wasn’t my attempt at humor, Red. You know how the pups are about vacuuming, mopping, dusting, and honestly most household cleaning instruments. They always attack it and I have to scold them. It’s a whole mess we could avoid? I assume you wanted to play dungeons and dragons or try to get me to watch that space fantasy Stellar Fights.”
“Can we back up just a skosh? It’s called Star Wars. Also, have you any idea how hard it would be for me to balance ANOTHER campaign? No thank you, I’m quite content with the ones I have. Besides you no interest in fantasy games, unless you’re changing your mi- No no you’re missing the point darling. I’m not interested in tabletop games unless you’ve become more daring all of a sudden.”
That’s when it hit the woman before her, she immediately sat up and straightened her back in a proper way. Her face was adorned with a more drastic blush than what normally sat upon her naturally rosy cheeks. She looks positively adorable. – Sweet enough to eat.
“Oh dear, have I been too forward again? Forgive me, the beast inside and all that.”, Red spoke twirling her hand around with a breathy chuckle. They both knew that was bullshit, this behavior had NOTHING to do with the wolf. She had long been known as a flirtatious woman, some in the homelands going as far as calling her much worse descriptors. Even her reputation in Fabletown had quickly gotten out of hand, not that she cared. She never had.
Snow took a deep breath before regaining her composure, “I’m not such a shrinking violet, you and I both know that I can be a bit refined but never prudish.”
“A touch prudish.”
“Red!”
“I forget myself, you simply must forgive me.”, with a more playful tone in her voice she reached out to take her lover’s hand and press it to her lips. Pulling away she added, “I’ll take any punishment you see fit.”
The fairest seemed to bristle at each word, more games and playful jabs that drove her further to the breaking point. The tension in the room was starting to rise and she felt her hand get squeezed rather tightly. Baby blues looking a bit sterner now as the wolf was starting to take the hint. Enough games and chatter, make a move or move on.
Fair enough. With a swift motion she effortlessly pulled herself up into her wife’s lap; straddling her boldly. The time for teasing and embarrassment seemed to be over and yet she still felt well-manicured fingernails pulling at her short shorts. That was a bit too eager for the woman underneath her and just as expected she was adjusting them from riding up – not removing them. A genuine laugh filled the room as Red couldn’t hold it, she was so stiff and awkward it was more than amusing. The pout that followed was justified but was quickly erased with a gentle meaningful kiss.
In clawed hands she held the love of her life’s delicate head, tipping it up to deepen their kiss. What a silly maiden, and yet she couldn’t imagine anyone more worthy of love despite how many times she had shoved it away. Many people thought Snow was cold and cruel but she was the opposite -- she was so warm and full of love that she was willing to make sacrifices others wouldn’t. She was a hero first and foremost, one that still cared about silly nonsense like peace and justice. No matter how many times the world broke around her, she still found a way to keep going for the greater good. Knowing if she ever stopped their entire species was most likely doomed.
A woman like that deserved everything, but all the former peasant girl could offer was this – and maybe that was good enough.
"Oh come now, don't cause such a fuss and dance with me. I won't hear that you've forgotten how. I don't think that's even possible, it's in our very blood to know the art of song and dance.", she waits with a smile; clawed hand outstretched to the former queen. "Humor me, if only for one song."
the whimsicality of the homelands felt long lost in the streets of fabletown. the mundane had long overtaken what little magic this world had and replaced it with towers of concrete and plastic wires. it was so unlike what she and every other fable grew up with. nature could seen at every turn in the form of forests, plains, gardens, and farms — sparkling springs and magical plants were plentiful if you knew where to look. snow didn’t know she missed these parts of home so badly until the whirlwind of her life had landed her on the farm. things were simpler here, as simple as the days before the empire’s attack. they still bartered for their goods, gave to their neighbors for neighbor’s sake. something was still missing, but it was more than she had seen in centuries.
it was not until an autumn festival was announced that she felt the potential to be truly immersed in the ways of old. despite yearning for a chance to go and embrace the festivities, snow hesitated. if she went, she would have to bring her litter of toddlers. wolven toddlers who haven’t yet learned how to control their sharp little teeth and sharp little claws. one mistake and the townsfolk would be their dinner! though it saddened her to miss this opportunity, she accepted that this was just one of the many sacrifices she would have to make.
the event was practically erased from memory by the time red riding hood came to tell her the news. she had opened the door to the fable excitedly holding the crudely drawn poster up, urging snow to come with her for the festivities. she tried to tell her no, it wasn’t possible with the children and the sour taste the townsfolk had towards her; red did not yet know of the rebellion from just a few years ago, so she did not blame her for her naiveté. somehow, though, the newcomer managed to reassure her enough that she found herself pulled by the arm into the fairgrounds.
snow watched as most of her children scattered in all directions towards the food, games, and dancing. only little winter stayed behind, holding her hand as she wandered the stalls alongside red... who also insisted on holding onto her. that one was always overly friendly with her. she didn’t mind so much nowadays as touch was something she was forced to become accustomed to when raising a litter of wolf children. they ventured through the vendor’s stalls, being offered cobs of corn and dried meats until they reached the town center where the animal fables merrily danced with one another. boy blue was amongst the band members, playing his trumpet proudly. the sight of him in his element brought a smile to her face.
“ oh snow, isn’t this just marvelous? “ the softness of red’s voice would have been drowned out by the band if she had not leaned right into her ear.
snow spoke louder in response, “ i have to admit, it is incredible that you managed to pull this off. i haven’t been to one of these since i was a little girl. ”
red gasped, “ since you were a little girl? but you’re royalty! you must have been the star of these festivals in your kingdom! “
“ was. i was royalty. and no, we never went to these once i married into the throne. we were stuck at stuffy banquets while you all got to enjoy yourselves. “ she joked, then turned her gaze to the dancers. she spotted some of her children among the crowd, following their own made up rhythms while the pigs and lambs cheered them on. blossom was thrashing around more than she was dancing, but the baby birds made a game out of it by hanging onto her fur. even winter found her place among the band, shyly hitting a drum alongside a hopping rabbit who urged her on. it was sweet seeing everybody get along so well.
“ we should join them! in dance, i mean — with each other, perhaps? “ once their eyes met, her words wavered with the slightest hint of bashfulness.
“ no, that’s quite alright. you’re free to join the others if you’d like, though. don’t worry about me. “ snow waved her off with a polite shake of the head.
" oh come now, don't cause such a fuss and dance with me. i won't hear that you've forgotten how. i don't think that's even possible, it's in our very blood to know the art of song and dance. " red waited with a smile; clawed hand outstretched to the former queen. " humor me, if only for one song. "
looking back to the others, so enthralled in the moment, they wouldn’t notice if she did partake in just one song. of course red was right, the homelands were full of song and dance and every fable knew just how to join in a way that it always felt so natural, but it was so long ago. the most dancing she had done recently — no, in the last century, was the occasional ballroom dance during the remembrance ceremony. snow tried to object, but she would not take no for an answer.
red’s grip pulled her close, spinning them into the group with a stumble. she was allowed only a moment to steady herself before her partner positioned herself for a waltz. a comical decision considering where they were. it was even more comical that she put snow into the male’s role in this dance. having no choice but to indulge her friend’s request, she placed one hand upon her waist and the other onto her outstretched palm. left foot forward, right foot forward, feet together. thank the gods she had studied the lead’s role as much as the follower. if there is one thing that snow white is known for, it was her penchant for being overly prepared for everything.
their dance began as a standard formal dance only to devolve into more of a folk dance like the others. it was surprisingly more comfortable than the attempt at something classy. they blended into the crowd better like this, matching their spins and steps to a rhythm rather than memorized steps. the whole event was more fun than snow ever thought it would be, more fun than she had in ages. one song turned into two, then three, then they lost count entirely. red even attempted to dip her at one point; a cute idea in theory, but a complete blunder in execution when the one performing the dip was twelve inches shorter than their partner.
as the night grew darker and the farm fables began to slowly retire to their homes, snow went to gather her children. the toddlers fussed at her, begging to stay yet their yawns betrayed them. she gathered two in her arms and another slung on her back. red helped with the other three and accompanied them home. the music grew quieter as they reached the cottage outside town, the sounds of the night providing a more peaceful backdrop. any protests her pups would have had to bed time were shushed. rightfully so, with how quickly they all passed out. snow herself had to stifle a yawn after all the excitement of the day. she turned to red with a tired, content sigh.
“ i loathe to say it, but you were right. “ snow shook her head and let out a breathy laugh. “ i’m glad you dragged me out there. everyone had an amazing time thanks to you. “
red perked up with a toothy grin and took hold of her hands. “ you mean it!? i knew you’d love it if you tried it! i’m so glad this worked! “
“ what worked? “ snow raised a brow.
“ i wanted to dance with you, “ she bounced in place, pulling snow’s hands closer to her chest. “ and i did! “
snow let out another laugh, this time more amused. “ ah, yes. a rare opportunity. you did get me to dance with you and i even enjoyed myself. congratulations, miss red. “
